I'M SPEAKING AT THE DESIGN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE!

Yes, it's true!  I'm so excited and honored to be speaking at the Design Bloggers Conference in Los Angeles.  I'll be speaking with Hardy Wallace about Building Your Brand: Growing Your Blog with Video.  If you don't know about Hardy, five years ago, he started an Atlanta based wine blog – Dirty South Wine.  With no goals or direction besides to just enjoy writing and shooting videos about wine, Dirty South Wine’s out of left field tone gained a loyal following of consumers and wine professionals.

It will be just in time for the launch of my new video show Make It Moore.  Yes, that's an announcement too!  I am in the process of taping a video series for my blog.  I am having a blast and I am hoping you will enjoy it too. 

We have something in common we both have been following and building a dream, and video happens to be an expression of our passion.  I am looking forward to being in the company of the other speakers that I know and adore like Tobi Fairley, Cassandra LaValle, and Ronda Carman of All The Best.

So sign up now, it's going to be a great event, and if you sign up now you can save $100 on your registration fee.  

TEA AT THE PLAZA

Even if you are away from home for the holidays you can learn to embrace the city that you are in and their traditions. That is what my mom and I did yesterday, we had tea at The Plaza Hotel.

The gorgeous hotel, the ceremony of it, and the Christmas music setting the scene underneath it all. A bit of history behind the tradition of High Tea first, it all started with Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) as the creator of teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few pieces of bread. Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.

Our High Tea experience started at The Plaza Hotel, as we were greeted by Betsy Johnson's Eloise Christmas tree.

Of course, the floral arrangements were amazing, fresh flowers dipped in glitter in silver and gold....

Then we entered The Palm Court, sat down and had a lovely tea.

The cute little sandwiches...

My favorite part, the desserts!

Although I miss my holiday traditions in Seattle, embracing those in New York with my mom in tow has been a very special experience.  One I will never forget.

If you are going to visit NYC anytime soon check it out, here are the details:



The Plaza’s Palm Court
Location: 768 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Cost: From USD$48 per person and USD $28 for children
Dress code: Business casual attire recommended, but I say get dressed up!
Reservations: By phone on (212) 546 5300, palmcourt@fairmont.com or OpenTable.
When: Served daily 2pm – 5pm




After tea, we popped over to Bergdorf Goodman to check out the holiday windows. Come back tomorrow for those amazing pics!

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Okay, so I realize I've been a bit behind in my posts but my mother is visiting from Seattle and we have spent the last week hanging out together in NYC. So, I shut down my computer to spend quality time with my mother - who just turned 84 while she was here! We kicked off her trip by visiting with Cynthia from The Daily Basics in Newport, Rhode Island. If you ever need a tour guide of Newport, someone who knows all of the history and the hot spots, Cynthia is your gal.

We returned in time for Thanksgiving. Our tradition is to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade together I honestly don't recall a Thanksgiving that was not on television while my mom's stuffing was cooking. It was amazing to be there in real life...

Neil Diamond was even there...

Being new to New York, it was important to me that we embrace the holiday traditions here in New York together. We went to see the Rockettes Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall. And, today it is to The Plaza for afternoon holiday tea, a horse and carriage ride through Central Park, and a tour of the holiday windows. (Pictures of the windows to come this week !)

 But of course we couldn't do all of that before trimming the tree. I found a beautiful 8 foot Frasier Fir from North Carolina, and visited one of my favorite shops (ABC Home) to shop for a few ornaments. I found these gold glitter pinecones and charming little gold birds and so the decorating began...

I remembered I had these beautifully made handmade paper flowers and added those in  small bouquets....

Then to add a bit of vintage feel I added in these mercury glass bells and shiny bright silver and gold ornaments...

...and voila! my Christmas tree is complete.  

Two more days of holiday fun with my mom and I'll be back to sharing my video and blogging musings with you on a regular basis!  Once again, stay tuned for a post on the NYC windows decked out for the holidays.  

A TWIST ON THANKSGIVING

I recently threw a dinner party where the theme was "a twist on Thanksgiving."  In honor of turkey day I thought I would share the menu with you.  Each course was paired with a Washington State wine.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?  My favorite dish is my mom's sage sausage stuffing!  I can't wait for tomorrow.

INSPIRATION FOR SETTING THE SCENE THIS THANKSGIVING

One of the reasons I love the East Coast is the history that surrounds me. From the architecture to the art, my heart strings are pulled and I am reminded that I adore the stories behind it all, and the warmth that it brings to a design. With Thanksgiving two days away, I want to encourage you to find a way to tell a story through the environment that you create.

This year, I am inspired by David Stark's design for the Metropolitan Opera's Gala. He took a plain tent and created a warm environment that felt like you were walking into a room full of stories.  The imagery in the hanging windows that feels like stained glass, the pillar candle chandeliers, the color palette, and the fruit in the centerpieces is perfect for this Thanksgiving season.  Why not create windows into the past of your family, either as place cards, or using old window frames and enlarged black and white photos hanging throughout the room to tell your story.

Thanks for the inspiration David!

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER CONTEST

FINDING A HOBBY

With a new apartment and a move across country, I have decided to step out of my comfort zone yet again to start a new hobby. I find that stretching my creative skills only makes the rest of my work stronger. So, in January I will be starting at the School of Visual Arts in their painting program.

I also have a bare hallway to decorate and plan to make it a gallery of my work.   Here are some of the people who inspire me right now....

Laura Burkhart - she was my last assistant and had so much talent I was sad to lose her.  But, her talent was bigger than her job and she really needed to spread her own wings and that she has.

I have always been a fan of Made by Girl, and am loving this piece right now.  Maybe it is because the name of the piece is Pursuing.  I may need it just for that reason, I'm pursuing my dream here in NYC, what better energy to have in the apartment! 

Then after reading Laura's blog and running in to this artist, Sean Woolsey, I want a piece of his now too.  

This gives me plenty of inspiration to start my class, I am counting the days until I get to pick up the brush and start! 

THANKSGIVING IS AROUND THE CORNER

Have you designed your table yet?  Here is a little bit of inspiration from my last dinner party!

Notice how I incorporated the Cake Kitchen Papers on to the tabletop?  Love the flair it adds to the table.


Now a few my favorite ideas from other designers, I hope it inspires you to get started!  I love to incorporate black and white photos in to the table design, especially on a family holiday - it makes people feel special.

photo via Country Living

I also love to think of colors that I can incorporate in to the tabletop that aren't the "traditional" Thanksgiving colors.  I love the mix of navy and eggplant and the steel chairs..

 

photo via Everything Fab

 This table design of my friend, Eddie Ross, shows you how to add a traditional color (orange) in a fresh and sophisticated way.

photo via Eddie Ross

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This outdoor scene makes me want to throw on a cashmere sweater and jump in to the shot. I adore the apples in the arrangement along with the amber glassware.

photo via Space for Inspiration

    

Now, don't forget the kids! This idea from Martha is so darn adorable!

photo via Martha Stewart

An easy and fun way to trim the kids table, a little bit of ribbon and construction paper leaves around the edge and you're done. 

photo via Better Homes and Garden

 This is a cute way to create place cards that look like mini bundle of wheat...

photo via The Twinery 

 This could be a fun project for the kids to do now in preparation for the big day!

MY WALK THROUGH CENTRAL PARK

Outside of my career, one of the reasons I moved to NYC was to explore the city at this time in my life when I can appreciate and celebrate all of the amazing sites and opportunities NYC has to offer. Yesterday was a gorgeous Fall day so I took my camera and strolled through the park. Check out the beauty that is Central Park in the Fall.

 

It was a magical place...definitely looking forward to brunches at the Boat House, and a boat ride or two. Oh, and runs through Central Park!

THE POWER OF TWITTER

I have to admit I was a Twitter skeptic when I first heard about it.  My friend Cassandra of Coco+Kelley kept telling me about blogging and tweeting and my focus was truly on my television career and print work.  I thought "blogging, Twitter, really just another thing to add to my plate." It took me many conversations and almost a year later to start to dabble in both arenas.

Then, almost a year ago, I was perusing 1st dibs looking at jewelry and saw this fabulous bright yellow necklace by Prada..
.

I sent the word out over Twitter that I fell in love with this necklace for spring, and before I knew it I was competing to see who would buy it first with someone I didn't even know. We were joking and dreaming, and a friendship began with Gretchen from Gretchen Aubuchon Design and now we talk almost every day.   By the way, the necklace is still for sale Gretch and Christmas is around the corner. Hmmmm

Twitter also opens the door to opportunities.  I was asked by Gretchen and Cynthia from The Daily Basics, who also has become a true friend that I talk to her almost every day, to participate in Brimfield where I began to partner with my favorite paint company Benjamin Moore, and also am making new friends there.

Over my time on Twitter,I met Amy Beth Dragoo and Jonathan Legate who started #DesignTV...

...and tonight at 5pm EST I am going to be a guest on #DesignTV talking about Thanksgiving entertaining.  Please join us, I would love to hear what you are up to this year and share a few tips of my own too. 

I can't even mention everyone on Twitter who has become part of my daily routine, from Jessica (@gimletstyle) of The Entertaining House, and Stacy (@quintessenceblg of Quintessence, to Shelley (@wykehamgirl) who continues to cheerlead for many on Twitter and more. For all of you Twitter skeptics, or Twitter newbies,  just know that the power of Twitter not only brings you opportunities, but friendships too.  Some of which can last a lifetime.