nail it...

I love Chanel and their new polish for Fall 2011.  The peridot is a goldy/green shade (not my particular favorite..) but I do love the Quartz which is very neutral and the graphite is almost a gunmetal silver.  Looking forward to the crisp Fall weather but not quite ready to give up the rest of summer quite yet!

flower power

These are so unique and creative....bouquets made out of vintage floral brooches.  You can check them out at Lionsgage Designs on Etsy.

HAPPY SATURDAY!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

thank God it's friday....

A little thought for all of you heading out into the work world today and facing angry drivers, mean bosses, rotten co-workers, nasty customers, pain in the neck clients, demanding children, nosy parents or a spouse in the dog house!

The world is a tough place.  If each of us did our part to treat everyone with kindness, how wonderful would this make life?

simply amazing...

After a very late night in New York City, I am up and ready for work.  Let's see how well I do on 4 hours of sleep!  That may have worked out okay in my younger days but when you are heading towards being a fossil, not so much!  We had a wonderful day at South Street Seaport...a bit touristy and not quite all it's hyped up to be but still a neat place.  After dinner we headed to Radio City to see Zarkana and I had no idea what to expect.  This was my first Cirque de Soleil show!  From the moment the curtain opened I was riveted to my seat!  The scenery, the special effects and most of all the performances were truly amazing!
If you are heading to NYC any time soon....it is a must see!  People often ask how I think of my designs, how I do it and cannot believe how creative I am.. while I take that as a huge compliment the men and women who performed and created this show are truly ones to be amazed by!  The creativity, talent and sheer genius is nothing short of breathtaking!

on my way...

On my way to New York City with the hubby to meet friends for a fun filled day.  Planning a lot of sight seeing, a yummy dinner out and then off to see Zarkana, the Cirque du Soleil show.  It is our best friends big 50 today...(yikes, mine is not far off!).  Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

too crafty for words...

I love creative ideas and the ideas I come across online never cease to amaze me!  There are so many creative minds out there.  Here are three that I thought were really great...  The first is a bookmark made out of paint chip samples (available at any paint store for free!).  Perfect for all that summer beach reading....  The second one is a skirt made for a stool.  You can find these plain stools at any off price store or pick them up at a neighborhood tag sale and stitch up a skirt and voila! you have a new and unique piece!  The third is using those crochet doilies from grandma or if you are like me, from your large collection and make a really unique and cute throw pillow...  happy creating!

courtesy of:  bellacarta.typepad.com

courtesy of kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com

courtesy of racheldenbow.blogspot.com

mother/daughter creations....

So what do you do on a 100 degree weekend?  This past weekend was so hot... basically we stayed inside, nice and cool in our air conditioning!  But being creative,  I get bored so dug out my huge box of vintage lace that I have collected over the years and my daughter and I decided to have fun with our jean jackets!   It was actually her idea to start this project....what can I say?  Like mother, like daughter....the creativity is in the genes! 

vintage lace

more vintage lace....

one of my favorite pieces..

we cut out pieces from the lace....

vintage trim....

My daughter's jacket (more like a vest...)  is well under way....

My jacket... pinning the lace trim on the bottom

Just starting to sew some bits and pieces on....

I'm not sure how much more I will get done on mine because I am way too busy with work and an upcoming trunk show...... but it's a good project to keep working on,  especially during the colder months, which you know will be here (ugh!) before we know it!

inspiring.....

create....

This photo is from Ballard Designs but this can easily be made using scrap book paper and dollar store frames.

so true...

create....

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I came across this beautiful handmade gift tag on two gypsy girls which actually has a tutorial on how to make it.  It is so feminine, vintage looking and creative....I just love anything handmade....  happy creating!!!  P.S.  If you click on the above link it will take you right to the tutorial :-)

launching soon....

Very excited to see the line Missoni is coming out with for Target this September! 

tell it like it is....

If you are married you will definitely appreciate these pillows I came across on Etsy.  They are from a shop called Yellow Bug Boutique and the pair is $55.00.   Too cute!!

a girl's gotta do....

what a girl's gotta do!  That goes for dogs too!  Had to post this...just too cute!

photo source:  cuteoverload.com

sweet sunday.....

These are supposed to be unbelievable brownies and were actually one of Oprah's favorite things....  Think I will be making a batch of these today...  Happy Sunday....

just found...

Found this great site online, Chic Wish that carries a lot of retro inspired clothing.  Quite a few of their items could be something you would see on Free People but at such great prices!  This online shop is in the UK but they offer free international shipping on orders over $100!  My daughter loves Free People clothing (a clothes horse like her mom..!) so I am sure we will be doing some ordering from this site...

stay cool...

It is unbelievably hot here today.  Luckily I have air conditioning but I walked outside briefly and must say it feels like a furnace.  Here is a great idea for something cool and healthy to eat!

skewer grapes and then freeze......delicious!!!!

This next one is yummy too........

recipe courtesy of thegirlwhoateeverything.com.....

twenty years younger??

I saw Bob Greene on Oprah (before she went bye bye) and he was promoting this book.  I was really intrigued when I saw some of the results they showed after a group of women followed the plan.  I downloaded the book that day (back in May) and started on the program.  I have been amazed at the results.  I feel so much better and my skin definitely has a glow.  I have always tended towards healthy foods (no fast foods and don't crave sweets much) but I do love my red meat, a good plate of fried clams or a huge bowl of pasta now and then.  I have stuck to mostly fruits, tons of veggies, fish (especially salmon), whole grains and lots of green tea and water.  I also started yoga and working out on the treadmill.  I don't smoke...(gave that up and that was a biggie!) and only drink a red wine once in a while.  I don't look twenty years younger....maybe 3 or 4 years?  But hell, at this age I'll take what I can get!

If anyone reads this and follows the program I would love to hear about your experience and results!  I definitely feel younger and healthier!  I definitely recommend this book and program!

thoughts...

create....

This is such a creative use for those vintage lace doilies you have got hanging around or you see at so many flea markets!  I saw tons of these this past weekend at the flea market we went to!  Easy to make by stitching them together and totally one of a kind!  Right up my alley!

Photos courtesy of ruffledblog.com.