Cheers to 2009

I had the perfect outfit planned for the New Years party I'm going to tonight... I loved it and I knew there would be no last minute stress...until I realized that I left the main piece on the opposite coast last week!!

Way to be an organized fashionista, really. (one more thing to add to the resolution list)

After some creative panicking, I've got an acceptable runner up. Though looking through my "fashion" file things would be so much easier if I just had an always-fabulous-Audrey-esque party dress as a back up...

Perfect outfit or not, the festivities will go on and the champagne will still be just as bubbly...

Toasting to a Happy New Year!

See you in 2009!

Merry Christmas Eve P.S.

White Christmas
Originally uploaded by LCSTRAVELBUGGIN

Merry Christmas Eve

Pointsettia & Narcissus
Originally uploaded by Floater Ya-Ya

Bonne Nuit

French Country Living


This bed would suit me perfectly right about now.

Goodnight.

Lost in Blog-land

I have been held hostage by my favorite blogs and have been online for WAY too long this afternoon (thank you to the bloggers by the way, I've really enjoyed it!). See the links to their newest posts on the right.

TIP: You may want to set a timer for yourself!

With a lot of self control I will pull myself away from my laptop after just one more cup of my favorite green tea...

Save for a Rainy Day

It may not be a white Christmas here in Phoenix, though Winter has definitely arrived. It is raining and cold, and the leaves on my trees are finally turning (yes I know its December, we're a little off schedule...). The slightest inkling of a season change is very exciting for those of us used to a perma-summer here.

Back to the cold and drizzle outside, it would be so nice to lounge a day like today away here...

Villa de Banon

And if I absolutely had to go out, I'd be protected and accessorized by this...

Bella Umbrella

And hopefully look as chic as this...

Vicki Archer's My French Life
French Essence

Unfortunately I have not been able to lounge the day away, nor carry a stylish umbrella, nor stroll the boulevards of Paris. I will have to save these ideas away for the next rainy day...

I'll sleep here, here or here tonight please.

From designer Vicente Wolf's book Learning To See.

From Mr. Wolf's other book, Crossing Boundaries.

From Elle Decor Home.

Calling Cards

I am on the search for personalized calling cards.

Stationary, calligraphy, and typefaces are a weakness of mine... and things have not gotten any easier since this search began! There are so many wonderful designs out there and to complicate matters you have to decide just what information you want to include on your card, then select your font, then your size, then your color...it’s a recipe for calling card overload!

Traditional calling cards might only have the person’s name shown, usually engraved. These cards were left at social occasions or when you called on someone, hence the “calling card”.

Today it is very practical to add more information to your calling card- your phone and/or cell phone numbers, your e-mail address, even your website. The purpose of its use might dictate its design- as a business card it might be more professional and simplified. As a personal contact card, it might be more fanciful and reflect your personal tastes and personality.

I’ve been paralyzed with this obsessive condition of “calling card overload” for the past few days... so while I procrastinate on making a decision here are a few of my favorite cards available...

Crane's Espresso Engraved Card

Isn't this exquisite? Its so elegant, yet the orange engraving and the swirl motif keep it from being too serious. I would keep a white pencil with me so that I could jot down any extra info. on the card from time to time and it would still show up on the dark background.

Crane's Bar Harbor Blue Card

I love this hydrangea blue background. It has an interesting composition with the contact info at the top instead of the bottom.

Crane's Tangerine Card

Yet another tempting color... Adding a monogram or your initials is an easy way to personalize and dress up your card.

Crane's Kate Spade Hello Card

This has to be the most cheerful card I've seen. Kate Spade does it again!

Crane's Kate Spade Letterpress Assorted Cards

Another of Kate's chic designs. The colors combinations are charming and the font and composition is so refined. The best thing about these cards is that you get an assortment of all the colors shown... and who doesn't like having options!

Crane's Kate Spade Vintage Card

Less is more.

Crane's Fleur De Lis Motif Card

If there's a special symbol or graphic that you love, Crane probably has it. They offer a vast array of motifs, such as this fleur de lis, that give your card instant personality.

Crane's Vertical Ecru White Card

This card has several interesting elements- a monogram, a motif (Crane's "swirl"), colored ink, and a vertical composition. Notice how much information is on this card... you can include as little or as much as you'd like!

http://betsydunlap.googlepages.com/bdunlap

For absolutely the most unique and luxurious card, have it custom made by a Calligrapher. This here is one by the wonderful Betsy Dunlap. She also does gorgeous wedding invitations and calligraphy... its worth planning an event just for her invitions alone!

William Arthur Bordered Card

My computer is acting up- the colors on this card are supposed to be a cantaloupe orange not turquoise... check out the actual card at:

http://www.finestationery.com/product.cfm?prod_id=74607

Don't you love the square shape? The matching envelope gives you the versatility of using this as a calling card and or an enclosure/gift card.



Stationary Studio's Claret Card

Again, my computer is incorrectly showing this card with a royal blue border, but it actually has a Claret red border and text as the name implies. It is a polished little example of a calling card and the best thing is that it is available for QUICK SHIP in only 5-6 business days.

See the real colors of this card:http://www.thestationerystudio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.viewProduct&productID=13557&catID=0




Stationary Studio's Flourish Card

Here is another example of a QUICK SHIP card. This one is available in only 3-4 business days. Someone really is out there looking after all the last-minute procrastinators like me!

Back to the card, its shown with a pink background and text however they have several color options for both. Myself, I would opt for a white background and slate gray text on this card.

As you can see, there's a lot to choose from!

Check out these websites for your own calling cards... All of the images in this post have come from:

http://www.crane.com/

http://betsydunlap.googlepages.com/bdunlap

http://www.finestationary.com/

http://www.stationarystudio.com/

Blue Christmas

Everywhere I look its a Blue Christmas... and I'm not talking economy, I'm talking decorations!

Every design magazine is flaunting beautiful Christmas decorations in all shades from cobalt to peacock to Tiffany box blue. In Modern and Retro settings its refreshing and fun. Turn the next page and there blue is again- this time its Traditional and oh so elegant. After a few pages you can't imagine anything but a blue Christmas!

Southern Accents
I love the teal of these ornaments... not to mention the matching wrapping paper and ribbons! The magnolia leaf garland on the mantle complements these colors perfectly. The darker colors lend to a more masculine and very sophisticated look.

Southern Accents

The voluptuous blue bows make these presents look extra special. I would love to see them on top of a shiny cranberry red wrapping paper for a little more excitement.

Southern Accents

The chartreuse and turquoise blue is a hip and fresh combination. An custom tree skirt (really just a swath of fabric) is a good way to implement an accent color.

Traditional Home
Isn't blue the perfect touch for this beach inspired Christmas? The Caribbean-water colored ornaments and the starfish garland give keep the beach nearby even in winter. Even though it is neither blue nor Christmas-y, the zebra covered ottoman can't be overlooked!



Cottage Living
Tiffany's Christmas anyone? The only things missing in this room are little blue boxes and Audrey Hepburn! This decor is ultra-feminine and pretty. I love the white cowhide rug and painted chairs with their light upholstery. The dog's matching blue bed & collar are lovely as well. I don't think my own little dog would be so good as to pose like this one is!



http://www.whitehouse.gov/

It was a blue bi-partisan Christmas at the White House in 2004.

www.potterybarn.com

Pottery Barn always has wonderful decorations. One of my favorites this year are these blue butterflies. They'd be great decorations for a little girl's room year-round as well.

Traditional Home

Mustard yellow is here again, and a great accent to the blues in this room. The silk fabrics and the gorgeous magnolia leaf wreaths step it up a notch in elegance.

Traditional Home

Silver mercury glass goes so well with blue.

Traditional Home
A Swedish inspired Christmas... I love the white garland and wreath. Blue-grays like this are great for neutral-lovers.... and you're not limited to Christmas or holidays with decorations like these!

Cottage Living

The watery blue walls are a pretty backdrop to this dining room. They've decorated with subtle colors- notice the rose colored bowls on the table. I love mirrors in dining rooms- they reflect chandelier light so well. This one is dressed up for Christmas with a boxwood wreath, though I might have put a bolder colored bow to hang it from than the one here. The over-sized lantern chandelier gets me every time!

Domino

Okay, okay I know this one's a stretch and there's really nothing Christmas-y about it whatsoever... but I couldn't ignore the beautiful blue water goblets!

Southern Accents

Here too, just a splash of blue accents the other colors of this tablescape so perfectly. No need to enter blue-mania, just a little here or there can go a long way.

www.zgallerie.com

I prefer darker teal and peacock blues, especially matched with green. A few of these decorations from Z Gallerie are almost all you need.

Domino
If buying all new blue themed ornaments and decorations is a bit too much, why not paint a wall? Christmas music, a glass of wine, a friend or two and a paint brush can easily transform your space from bland to bold. Your existing conventionally-colored ornaments will never have looked so new. And when your Blue Christmas phase is over, its easy enough to paint back.

One down

The checklist is getting smaller- I can cross off "start my blog". Of course I now have quite a few more tasks to add, such as posts to this "checked off" blog. One down with this I suppose!

Since I discovered the vast and highly addictive world of blogging it has occupied many delightful hours of my life and given me countless inspirations. I am an interior designer, so this has been well received to put it mildly.

I love the excitement of discovering something new- whether it be related to interior design, landscape, graphics, art, music, literature, travel, food, fashion, life in general or any of the multitude of other possible categories that catch my interest... Which is evolving and expanding and focusing every single day. Some days can be quite chaotic I have to admit, but I love it.

So this will be my soapbox to share with you the curiosities I find...