and Blair and Serena Waldorf have NOTHING on moi!
Yes, this cute little girl pictured above with her father (who bore a striking resemblance to JFK) was The Original Gossip Girl... now don't you forget it ;)
(I just learned that my childhood building has become famous. I wondered why so many people out there were Googling 1136 Fifth Avenue!)
This building was also home to (at least) 3 more celebs... Adorbs NBC attorney Dan Abrams was my neighbor down on the 3rd floor. I used to play with his sister. I thought Dan was a dorky GI Joe-loving pest! Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid would eventually live in my apartment.
Now that you have enjoyed these most exciting facts that make you a better person and have changed your view on life... go enter the Preppy Plaid Photo contest. (See link on side bar)
Yeah... feeling a wee bit snarky after all... Gossip Girls are allowed to ;)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tartans & Tidings + Preppy Plaid Photo Contest
Hey Preppy Friends... The party of the season is fast approaching! If you live in the DC/MD/NJ/VA area this is one event you should not miss!
We know you love all things Tartan and we know you love good food, good music, not to mention fabulous signature cocktails and an open bar. The popular band, Burnt Sienna is booked for this grand event that will be held on Saturday December 11th 7pm - 11pm at the Spectacular Evergreen Museum and Library. Not only will this be "the" event of the season, surely not to be missed, but it is a benefit for a great cause.
100% of the proceeds from the Tartans & Tidings silent auction plus a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will support Baltimore SquashWise. This extraordinary nonprofit organization provides middle school students from Baltimore City with a safe and structured place to exercise their bodies and minds during after-school hours by combining squash instruction, academic tutoring, mentoring and community service.
Bring your friends and your holiday cheer and book your tickets now (while they are still available.) Preppy Bloggers and Readers can get a general admissions ticket for $59. That's $16 off the regular price! Or, if the (fabulously preppy) gift bag (click to view link) is what you're after you can purchase the VIP Ticket. Please note that the special general admissions ticket price is available to Preppy Bloggers and Readers and can only be purchased through this link.
But wait...there’s more! We’re offering our favorite Preppy Bloggers and Readers a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets!
To enter the Preppy Plaid Photo Contest, simply email a photograph of your favorite plaid. This could be something in your home or your closet (apparel, accessories, wardrobe items). No plaid of your own but found something gorgeous and inspiring online? Submit it for consideration but make sure to credit the source and photographer. Each valid entry will be posted on the Sky Blue Events blog and readers will get to vote for their favorite entry on Thursday. Winner to be announced on Friday. All participating bloggers who post about the Tartans & Tidings event and the Preppy Plaid Photo Contest will have their blog logo and link added to the Sky Blue Events As Seen In press page.
Preppy Plaid Photo Contest Rules & Regulations:
One photo entry per person. Entry format must include: entrant’s full name; one sentence describing the plaid item in the picture and why it’s a favorite; and, a jpeg image no larger than 600x600 or a pdf no larger than 1MB.
Email all entries to hello@skyblue-events.com no later than 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, December 1st. Entrants must live in the United States to be eligible for this event. If you are unable to attend the event, the VIP gift bag will be mailed to you following the event. Tickets are not redeemable for cash value ($125 each).
Good luck!
For more event information details and places to stay nearby please visit Sky Blue Events Tartans & Tidings Web Page.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Santa Claus
I just fell in love this quote!
"They err who thinks Santa Claus comes down through the chimney; he really enters through the heart."
Friday, November 26, 2010
Inspired
I draw inspiration from quotes. Always have. I must have read Bartlet's Book of Quotations from cover to cover when I was in my 20s. I have certainly picked it up more often than I have my dictionary or thesaurus. Quotes give me hope when times are tough and when my spirit is down.
This is proving to be difficult holiday season for reasons I cannot mention right now... I had a sad day yesterday and yesterday as I was tweeting with friends this one most perfect quote popped up on my screen. It was so perfect that I re-tweeted it and posted it to my facebook status. I hope you draw inspiration from it too!
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,
This is proving to be difficult holiday season for reasons I cannot mention right now... I had a sad day yesterday and yesterday as I was tweeting with friends this one most perfect quote popped up on my screen. It was so perfect that I re-tweeted it and posted it to my facebook status. I hope you draw inspiration from it too!
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,
It is about learning to dance in the rain."
Vivian Greene
Happy Black Friday my American Friends... if you're out in the craziness
(and rain here in Connecticut) dress sensibly!
(and rain here in Connecticut) dress sensibly!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Giving Thanks...
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the
highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to.
Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.
~O. Henry
Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.
~O. Henry
Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.
~Theodore Roosevelt
~Theodore Roosevelt
We can only be said to be alive in those moments
when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
~Thornton Wilderwhen our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare
Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast. ~William Shakespeare
Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks -
I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.
~Irving Berlin
I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.
~Irving Berlin
Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor.
Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light!
Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!
~Henry Ward Beecher
Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!
~Henry Ward Beecher
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wishing you, your family and loved ones
A very Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
A very Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
Monday, November 22, 2010
Welcome Mats
What's your design style? Are you a modern girl? Do you prefer a European influence or Scandinavian design? Are you opulent or a minimalist? Do you like color or are you more of a fan of neutrals? Edgy? Conservative? Modern? Classic?
I'm definitely a classic girl with conservative tendencies. I love my European antiques. I love crisp white bedding and furniture but loathe a white wall. My walls need character and warmth and charm. They need to reflect who I am. I also try to infuse whimsy into my rooms. When I was learning to paint I was told never to leave any white on my canvas. My walls are pretty much the same way. My rooms are filled with colors... reds, greens, blues, beiges, greens and the grand 2 story foyer is an antique white and that's as close to white as I will go. Color makes me happy and lively. It brightens my mood and my day.
My antique furniture represents my classic side. I'd say they represent my serious side as well, but truth be told I don't really have a serious side. I like order and elegance. And of course the playful me needs whimsy. What would you think if you came to my front door and this mat was the first thing that greeted you?
I'm definitely a classic girl with conservative tendencies. I love my European antiques. I love crisp white bedding and furniture but loathe a white wall. My walls need character and warmth and charm. They need to reflect who I am. I also try to infuse whimsy into my rooms. When I was learning to paint I was told never to leave any white on my canvas. My walls are pretty much the same way. My rooms are filled with colors... reds, greens, blues, beiges, greens and the grand 2 story foyer is an antique white and that's as close to white as I will go. Color makes me happy and lively. It brightens my mood and my day.
My antique furniture represents my classic side. I'd say they represent my serious side as well, but truth be told I don't really have a serious side. I like order and elegance. And of course the playful me needs whimsy. What would you think if you came to my front door and this mat was the first thing that greeted you?
Get Crafty on this Magnificent Monday
I know most of you loathe Mondays. Mondays are a drag. The workweek must start anew, the weekend is over and the crazy rat-race rush is upon us again. I love Mondays. I really do. I view them as mini Springtimes with glorious chances to start a new... wonderful chances to accomplish something new... Perhaps you should look at Mondays as I do. It's all about attitude, after all.
Luckily for those of you who disagree with me about the first day in the workweek this happens to be a short one. You are in for your lucky break.
But regardless what your thoughts are on Mondays I want you to try something new. It's crafty and creative and perfect prep for your holidays.
Aren't these ornaments created by design genius Eddie Ross clever and fun and completely fabulous?! Do you know what they are made from? Recycled flannel shirts! I love them so. They are festive and casual and a bit rustic and I can picture them in my family room on a coffee table beside the fire!
Simply cut bits of old fabric into strips and paste them, with a glue like Mod Podge, onto a cardboard ornament ball. I love that this project involves some recycling as I love turning old into new. To really get into the holiday season pour yourself a glass of something lovely... some eggnog, mulled wine, even a cup of your favorite tea. Put on the carols and invite the kids to join you!
Happy Monday to you! XOXO
Luckily for those of you who disagree with me about the first day in the workweek this happens to be a short one. You are in for your lucky break.
But regardless what your thoughts are on Mondays I want you to try something new. It's crafty and creative and perfect prep for your holidays.
Aren't these ornaments created by design genius Eddie Ross clever and fun and completely fabulous?! Do you know what they are made from? Recycled flannel shirts! I love them so. They are festive and casual and a bit rustic and I can picture them in my family room on a coffee table beside the fire!
Simply cut bits of old fabric into strips and paste them, with a glue like Mod Podge, onto a cardboard ornament ball. I love that this project involves some recycling as I love turning old into new. To really get into the holiday season pour yourself a glass of something lovely... some eggnog, mulled wine, even a cup of your favorite tea. Put on the carols and invite the kids to join you!
Happy Monday to you! XOXO
Sunday, November 21, 2010
I (puffy heart) Apothecary Jars for Holiday Decor
I love apothecary jars. I love their varied sizes and shapes. I love that the possibilities of things you can use them for are endless. I love that the possibilities of things that you can place inside them are endless. I love them for the grand appearance they create with minimal effort. I love that the simplicity of them can create such a spectacular effect. If you have no apothecary jars, the same effect can be created using large glass vases and pitchers.
Our budget for our was minimal and I was limited in what I could purchase. (The wine tasting, after all, was a school fundraiser and being funded by the school.) I love to decorate my home by bringing the outdoors inside. Luckily I live in a part of our country where this is always possible. And even when things are no longer in bloom -- or even alive! I can always bring the outside in. I have thousands pine cones and acorns in my back yard. A great paint store is less than 5 minutes away. Oh the magic that can be done when white, gold or silver paint is applied to drying hydrangea, acorns, pine cones, even rocks and sea shells.
I brought my collection of outdoor goodies to school early last week and sent a friend out for some cranberry-colored ribbon and some gold paint. She asked me what I had in mind. I told her that I was not too sure. I had some ideas but no clear vision. Together we would play and create.
We had fun spraying and painting and filling hurricanes and wine decanters and apothecary jars. I can't wait to bring some of these goodies home to my home now that the event is over. What I love most is that these lovely creations will carry me right through to Christmas and New Year's... are you inspired?
Have you ordered your holiday wines and bubblies? Do you have enough glasses to entertain your hosts? Now's the time... don't wait!
Cheers! XOXO
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Decorating Organically: Hydrangea, Pinecones + Acorns and Cranberries + Sugar
How does one chair a decorating committee for a wine tasting event on a very small budget? One must be creative and resourceful and look to nature. How can one make an event look elegant and grand on a shoe-string budget? By focusing where the dollars are spent and looking to nature. Recycling is key. Relying on what we have in our homes and friends homes is key. Working with three creative and talented women is key.
We started planning our event around some dried hydrangea. I simply love these dried flowers. They can go with just about anything. We cut flower after flower after flower and set them out to dry. Our hydrangea were a varied lot. Some were greenish, others blueish and others pink and purple. We had a surplus of acorns and pine cones. Add a little gold spray paint and the three make a perfect set.
More challenging was to figure out how to decorate the Bistro tables. The small table-tops make this tricky since their purpose is totally utilitarian. I was told nothing except candles. Candles were wanted and needed. I tried playing around with the flameless variety but they just looked so very tacky. Looking around I saw some small glass votives that had been used on the school property before. I decided to work with those. Inspired by the cranberry and off-white linens that we chose, and limited in budget I looked around my kitchen for some inspiration... something that would go well with the hydrangea and the pine cones and the acorns.
And there it was. Inspiration. On the counter right in front of me. Sugar and cranberries. Sweet. Simple and sophisticated. We were getting someplace... but we still had further to go...
We started planning our event around some dried hydrangea. I simply love these dried flowers. They can go with just about anything. We cut flower after flower after flower and set them out to dry. Our hydrangea were a varied lot. Some were greenish, others blueish and others pink and purple. We had a surplus of acorns and pine cones. Add a little gold spray paint and the three make a perfect set.
| Gold painted hydrangeas gently placed in a hurricane vase. A simple cranberry colored ribbon completes the look. |
| Unpainted hydrangea a gently placed in a hurricane with some acorns, some painted gold and inexpensive, gold painted apple ornaments. A simple, sheer white ribbon completes the look. |
| They compliment each other without being too matchy-matchy |
| Hydrangea, pine cones and a sheer ribbon strategically placed inside the hurricane |
| An ordinary glass pitcher becomes extraordinary with gold acorns and pine cones of varying sizes. A simple cranberry colored ribbon completes the look. |
| Glass wine decanters filled with hydrangea leaves and simple gold balls individually cut from a gold chain -- Just waiting for more ribbon to complete the look! |
And there it was. Inspiration. On the counter right in front of me. Sugar and cranberries. Sweet. Simple and sophisticated. We were getting someplace... but we still had further to go...
| Sugared cranberries are a fun way to add holiday flare to your home or event |
| A canning jar gets a whole new look. Cranberries strategically placed on top of white sugar to simulate the look of freshly fallen snow. Some jewel toned garland adds a nice finishing touch. |
| Cheap plastic berries get a new look with a thin layer of gold paint and a pretty ribbon |
| Among the acorns we found these still attached to the stems. We added some gold paint and tied a ribbon around it. |
| A hot glue gun secured everything into place to dress up the jar. |
| My strawberry jam jar gets a whole new look! |
| I love the 3 small white ornaments tied to the orange ribbon but we all agreed it was a little too Christmassy for an Autumn Evening of Wine and Food! |
| Our works in progress... more to come! |
Sunday, November 14, 2010
How Childish!
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| Photographer unknown. (If you are please let me know!) |
Ok, so I have really bitten off so much more than I can chew! I am heading the decorating committee of a wine tasting fundraiser for my children's school. The event is a week away and we have so much to tie up. Literally! I have some fabulous ideas and they are, so far, really coming to fruition which is really exciting. Because don't you hate when you get an idea and when you execute it it's... well... so not what you wanted? The event is next Saturday. I'm excited!
I am still looking for an agent who sees eye-to-eye with me on the spectacularness of La Jolie Grandmere and all that was fabulous in her life... her stories and fashion and her homes. I do have some wonderful friends who have offered to take my hand and steer me in a better direction. I am excited about this too!
I just got a job at the fabulous JmcLaughlin and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am. Their new Westport store is pure eye candy... the decor... the clothes... the architecture... talk about sensory overload! It is pure heaven on earth in there. Those of you nearby please stop by. I will be blogging about it for sure... I have already gotten permission to do so! But I won't start until after the wine tasting. Phew!
And of course we are about to enter into holiday craziness...
Sometimes don't you wish you could be a kid again... if just for a day?
And say...
and live by these few, simple rules?
Getting to dinner couldn't be any easier. The architect who designed this was a genius!
Why did my arts and crafts sessions never result like this?
When playing house was truly magical and fun!
Endearing. Tea anyone?
The ultimate camp-out!
I hope these images put a smile on your face! Have a great Sunday everyone!
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