Thursday, September 16, 2010

dogs do the darndest things


Last night, my current company Powderhouse Productions sponsored the The Liberty Hotel's Yappier Hour to kick off Season 3 of DOGS 101, which Powderhouse produces for Animal Planet (and yours truly was an associate producer for the show this past season).  Pooches and their owners come to enjoy drinks and treats and mingle during the summer months in the hotels "yard," a cool patio space.  It was so fun and insane and plumb cute.  Dogs were running all over the place, playing with each other and begging for treats while their parents got sloshed.  I felt like I was at a toddler's birthday party - fanTAStic.

(my neighbor Charlie playing with new friend Bella)

(this dog just kept woofing; I loved it)

(muttinis!)


(our VP brought his Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bella, which you know I love)
(our crew was there to capture every moment)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

get to work

Changes are a'coming.  When it starts to turn to fall, I turn inward and reflect.  I also get this apprehension feeling like something big is coming.  Well, maybe I need to make it come.  I must sit down and simply get to work and turn those dreams into plans.    Thank you for your support while I make it happen.

*Images courtesy of Apartment Therapy, Marie Claire Maison via bubbles & banjos and Scarlet&Sterling

Monday, September 13, 2010

life lesson from Gaga

This one's for my sister...
"When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure 24-year-old girl. Then I say, 'b--ch you're Lady Gaga, you get up and walk the walk today.' " 
 
*Image courtesy of dancing perfectly free

last brimfield of the season

If you travel down 90W three times a summer, you'll find a massive antique show called Brimfield.  I've always wanted to go, but alas, with summer always filling up, the weekends never seemed to work out.  Until this past one!  I barely scratched the surface of the fairgrounds during my few hours there, but still saw a bunch of cool stuff and even walked away with a single cool purchase - an old movie film camera.  All in all, it was a great day of walking, eating kettle corn and wandering amongst people's treasures.


(big purchase at $30, now sitting on my window sill)

a nice touch

On Saturday, too early, I went to Madewell at 8am for a special preview event.  They rolled out their fall line and my friend Becky over at J.Crew Copley was inviting clients to come shop with her and enjoy a 20% discount.  I was already sold, but when I get there, I was immediately enchanted with a spread of tea and scones.  What a lovely touch!  Walked away with some great stuff and a little breakfast (and jonesing for a precious, granny tea set).  It's the little things.

Friday, September 10, 2010

the art of the handwritten note

Remember when you were a kid and your mother would get the mail and you would eagerly ask, "is there anything for me?"  And she would sigh and say, "no, just bills."  And you thought, well, at least you got mail.  And the few days where she would hand you something you got, your heart would leap with excitement.  Now, as an adult, you sigh when you get bills.  But every now and again, you sift through the envelopes and happen upon one that's handwritten and your heart leaps just like when you were a kid.

I try to send out notes.  My mother taught me to write thank you notes my whole life (thanks Mom!), so now I do it religiously.  And I have a dear friend in Los Angeles whom I only coorespond with via letter (unless we really need to talk about something important) because we like to think we're both people of the written word.  There's just something about sending and receiving a letter.  Did I mention you can do it in style?

(a simple note from my father)

(my grandmother's stationary)

(my old stationary)
(newer stationary from Silhouette Blue)

What do all these pieces of stationary have in common?  Why, they're personalized, of course!  You don't have to break the bank on Crane Stationary (although they do have lovely product) or another paperie store.  I found Silhouette Blue on Etsy.  While searching, I found I liked the seller's aesthetic and she even customized.  I told her I wanted a blue lobster and she sent me a sheet of color and font choices and it included 4 mock ups with one round of editing - all for a very reasonable price!  Here are some other sellers that I like:

(scroll monogram by Posh Girl Boutique)
 (clean stripes by Oh Louise!)
(custom calligraphy by perch papier
 (personalized flat notecard by Daily Sip)
(even letterpress if that's your style, like this stylish one by Missive)

Whatever your style, perhaps it's time to invest in some stationary and drop a note to someone you love. 




Wednesday, September 8, 2010

wise words.

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others." 
 --Martha Graham to Agnes de Mille


My aunt gave this quote to me framed for high school graduation.  It used to go with me to work, but it now it hangs on my wall and I can see if every night before I go to bed.  

Keep yourself open.