Don't Be Tardy For The Party

I apologize for ducking out early today but it's time for me to get dolled up for the Rue issue three party! I'll be stopping by Jonathan Adler's stall at NYIGF and meeting Miss Roxy for dinner and drinks before the soirée at The New Traditionalists' showroom this evening. Enjoy the new site and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

{image via the adorable Crush Cul De Sac}

I apologize for ducking out early today but it's time for me to get dolled up for the Rue issue three party! I'll be stopping by Jonathan Adler's stall at NYIGF and meeting Miss Roxy for dinner and drinks before the soirée at The New Traditionalists' showroom this evening. Enjoy the new site and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

{image via the adorable Crush Cul De Sac}

Party Planning

I'm in the mood to plan a party. Not a fraternity function or a night on the town but a real event — a cocktail hour or a dinner party or, eek, a wedding! I watched a lot of wedding shows when I was home for the holidays and I can't get the idea out of my head. Keeping a busy calendar, focusing on the details, seeing my vision come to life — a future career path, perhaps?

I'm in the mood to plan a party. Not a fraternity function or a night on the town but a real event — a cocktail hour or a dinner party or, eek, a wedding! I watched a lot of wedding shows when I was home for the holidays and I can't get the idea out of my head. Keeping a busy calendar, focusing on the details, seeing my vision come to life — a future career path, perhaps?

Your New Cup Of Te(a)

I get so excited when I stumble upon a beautiful new blog. But I'll admit I usually just stick to my 50 or so favorites and comment back when people leave me especially sweet comments here. So I'm thanking my lucky stars that this habit led me to my new friend Roxy's glamorous blog, A Cup of Te.

Trust me on this one: read it, bookmark it, love it, this girl's gonna be big!

Roxy recently styled this photo shoot (in her own totally fabulous apartment) to commemorate the launch of her redesigned blog, which is nothing short of g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. In short, the girl's got good taste. For 2011, she's focusing on a different category for each day of the week: photography, fashion, furnishing, fêtes, and fabulous quotes from her cup of "Te" (her last name!). I hope you'll follow my lead and show her a warm welcome — and discover a new personal favorite in the process!

I get so excited when I stumble upon a beautiful new blog. But I'll admit I usually just stick to my 50 or so favorites and comment back when people leave me especially sweet comments here. So I'm thanking my lucky stars that this habit led me to my new friend Roxy's glamorous blog, A Cup of Te.

Trust me on this one: read it, bookmark it, love it, this girl's gonna be big!

Roxy recently styled this photo shoot (in her own totally fabulous apartment) to commemorate the launch of her redesigned blog, which is nothing short of g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. In short, the girl's got good taste. For 2011, she's focusing on a different category for each day of the week: photography, fashion, furnishing, fêtes, and fabulous quotes from her cup of "Te" (her last name!). I hope you'll follow my lead and show her a warm welcome — and discover a new personal favorite in the process!

The Tonal Table

These table settings from Style Me Pretty are a reminder that monochromatic minimalism can be devastatingly chic. Whether you employ the dusty pink palette of the first or the earthy khaki hues of the last, just add a dose of sparkle and then let the food and your guests provide the color.

These table settings from Style Me Pretty are a reminder that monochromatic minimalism can be devastatingly chic. Whether you employ the dusty pink palette of the first or the earthy khaki hues of the last, just add a dose of sparkle and then let the food and your guests provide the color.

Our Christmas Table

It's not your average Christmas spread but I'll take pink and shiny over red and green any day. The candles will be replaced before our guests arrive but I couldn't help but share a little sneak peek! What do you think? Have a wonderful weekend and a very merry Christmas! 

It's not your average Christmas spread but I'll take pink and shiny over red and green any day. The candles will be replaced before our guests arrive but I couldn't help but share a little sneak peek! What do you think? Have a wonderful weekend and a very merry Christmas! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

{Images one and two}

Happy Thanksgiving!

{Images one and two}

A French Affair

My French host mom was sweet enough to send over these lovely photos of my host sister Camille's wedding in July. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are replaced by enfants d'honneur whose adorable blue and yellow outfits — Peter Pan collars and pleated skirts included! — my host mom sewed over the course of my semester abroad. That's my host mom, Marine, in the last photo with the newlyweds, Alexandre and Camille, and my host dad, Arnaud. Don't they look lovely? Such fun to see how it all came together!

My French host mom was sweet enough to send over these lovely photos of my host sister Camille's wedding in July. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are replaced by enfants d'honneur whose adorable blue and yellow outfits — Peter Pan collars and pleated skirts included! — my host mom sewed over the course of my semester abroad. That's my host mom, Marine, in the last photo with the newlyweds, Alexandre and Camille, and my host dad, Arnaud. Don't they look lovely? Such fun to see how it all came together!

Rue Magazine Party!

I had the pleasure of celebrating the Rue Magazine launch in New York City last night with their whole team and a room full of design blogger idols. 

Me, Marianne of Haven and Home, Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door, Crystal of Plush Palate, and Julieann of CreateGirl.

The same crew plus Alaina of Live Creating Yourself!

With Will of Bright.Bazaar and Emily of Emily A. Clark.

Isn't she gorgeous?

With Emily of The Brass Petal and HGTV Design Star fame, Brooke of Fabulous Doodles, Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door, and Marianne of Haven and Home.

I heart Crystal!

Wiped out at the end of the night... But so worth it!

Huge thanks to the New York Design Center for hosting us and heartfelt congratulations to Crystal and the Rue team. 

I had the pleasure of celebrating the Rue Magazine launch in New York City last night with their whole team and a room full of design blogger idols. 

Me, Marianne of Haven and Home, Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door, Crystal of Plush Palate, and Julieann of CreateGirl.

The same crew plus Alaina of Live Creating Yourself!

With Will of Bright.Bazaar and Emily of Emily A. Clark.

Isn't she gorgeous?

With Emily of The Brass Petal and HGTV Design Star fame, Brooke of Fabulous Doodles, Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door, and Marianne of Haven and Home.

I heart Crystal!

Wiped out at the end of the night... But so worth it!

Huge thanks to the New York Design Center for hosting us and heartfelt congratulations to Crystal and the Rue team. 

Dining Rooms for Dinner Parties

I had such a lovely evening celebrating my bestie's birthday party in New York yesterday and it made me think of how important it is to have a space that's large enough to entertain in but cozy enough to feel intimate and special. You know, something along these lines...

{Hamilton Design via High-Heeled Foot in the Door}

{Rebecca June}

{via The Decorista}

{Mi Casa Revista via Desire to Inspire}

...each with enough room for six or eight to eat comfortably and a fabulous piece of statement artwork that gets the conversation going if the wine doesn't. Which is your favorite?

I had such a lovely evening celebrating my bestie's birthday party in New York yesterday and it made me think of how important it is to have a space that's large enough to entertain in but cozy enough to feel intimate and special. You know, something along these lines...

{Hamilton Design via High-Heeled Foot in the Door}

{Rebecca June}

{via The Decorista}

{Mi Casa Revista via Desire to Inspire}

...each with enough room for six or eight to eat comfortably and a fabulous piece of statement artwork that gets the conversation going if the wine doesn't. Which is your favorite?

party planning {garden party}

how could i forget? apart from our regularly scheduled programming, the charming catherine from the shiny pebble is hosting a little link party to celebrate her wildly popular designer challenge. i for one can't wait to see what she makes of her dining room after all the design ideas from some of our favorite style-savvy bloggers. catherine's planned a smokin' texas get-together... so i thought i'd plan a little garden party for the day of!

i'll get ready in my delightfully chic dressing room, overwhelmed by all the fabulous options from which to choose.

ultimately i'll decide on a fabulous haute hippie number for a little afternoon sparkle.

my guests — that means you! — will arrive through my beautiful front gate, admiring our manicured lawn and topiary collection.

we'll have plenty of time for strolls in the garden, enjoying the afternoon light and the smell of abundant summer flowers.

i'll take guests on a little spin of the grounds since no design get-together would be complete without a home tour from the hostess.

we'll savor a light afternoon meal with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables while swapping blogging and design stories and finally getting to know one another face to face.

i'll serve a couple rounds of watermelon basil margaritas and thank em for sharing the recipe.

the table will be lined with gorgeous flowers in rich purples and lustrous pinks and everyone will compliment my fine taste before marveling at the wonderful company that our shared love of blogging has brought together.

darlings, do join me, will you? it will be a party for the ages.

{photo credits: mark burstyn via delight by design, shopbop, tim clinch via haute design, jinny blom via the neo-traditionalist, suzanne kasler, elle decor, hip hip gin gin, style me pretty}

how could i forget? apart from our regularly scheduled programming, the charming catherine from the shiny pebble is hosting a little link party to celebrate her wildly popular designer challenge. i for one can't wait to see what she makes of her dining room after all the design ideas from some of our favorite style-savvy bloggers. catherine's planned a smokin' texas get-together... so i thought i'd plan a little garden party for the day of!

i'll get ready in my delightfully chic dressing room, overwhelmed by all the fabulous options from which to choose.

ultimately i'll decide on a fabulous haute hippie number for a little afternoon sparkle.

my guests — that means you! — will arrive through my beautiful front gate, admiring our manicured lawn and topiary collection.

we'll have plenty of time for strolls in the garden, enjoying the afternoon light and the smell of abundant summer flowers.

i'll take guests on a little spin of the grounds since no design get-together would be complete without a home tour from the hostess.

we'll savor a light afternoon meal with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables while swapping blogging and design stories and finally getting to know one another face to face.

i'll serve a couple rounds of watermelon basil margaritas and thank em for sharing the recipe.

the table will be lined with gorgeous flowers in rich purples and lustrous pinks and everyone will compliment my fine taste before marveling at the wonderful company that our shared love of blogging has brought together.

darlings, do join me, will you? it will be a party for the ages.

{photo credits: mark burstyn via delight by design, shopbop, tim clinch via haute design, jinny blom via the neo-traditionalist, suzanne kasler, elle decor, hip hip gin gin, style me pretty}

easy accessorizing

i have had a design crush on iomoi since i don't remember when! i love their stationery and calling cards, not to mention their section for great gifts under $50... but today i'd like to direct your attention to their housewares, whose bright colors and graphic patterns will surely cheer up even the most boring setting. looking for an easy way to bring a little happiness into your home? at iomoi, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. bar cart missing something? aha! one of these beautiful ice buckets ($78) ought to do the trick.

2. not enough lucite in your life? now you know i love lucite... it sounds like you need to browse the selection of lucite trays ($100+).

3. desk looking more drab than fab? no problem. check out my desk du jour series for inspiration then add some custom paperweights for a quick fix!

what are your tips and finds for easy accessorizing?

i have had a design crush on iomoi since i don't remember when! i love their stationery and calling cards, not to mention their section for great gifts under $50... but today i'd like to direct your attention to their housewares, whose bright colors and graphic patterns will surely cheer up even the most boring setting. looking for an easy way to bring a little happiness into your home? at iomoi, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. bar cart missing something? aha! one of these beautiful ice buckets ($78) ought to do the trick.

2. not enough lucite in your life? now you know i love lucite... it sounds like you need to browse the selection of lucite trays ($100+).

3. desk looking more drab than fab? no problem. check out my desk du jour series for inspiration then add some custom paperweights for a quick fix!

what are your tips and finds for easy accessorizing?

perfect for your next party

clear cubes containing conversation cards for every occasion make a perfect hostess gift or an unexpected stocking stuffer. with pretty packaging and cubes for everything from "girls' night out" to "not your mom's dinner party," what's not to love? tabletopics cubes, $25.

clear cubes containing conversation cards for every occasion make a perfect hostess gift or an unexpected stocking stuffer. with pretty packaging and cubes for everything from "girls' night out" to "not your mom's dinner party," what's not to love? tabletopics cubes, $25.