I'm Still Here!

Hi Friends! Sorry for the silence on the blog this week. I'm taking a short breather to work on some new things. I'll be back next week! In the meantime, I've got some travel in, organizing and updating in the office, curating some goodies to share and putting together my newest addition to The HomeMaker site (coming soon)! All things that I am really pumped to share with you over the coming weeks. So please stay tuned and I will see you very soon! Ta!

Design Day Friday: Note keeping

KateSpade.com

ecojot.com

If there is one thing I can't manage without its a notebook. Even with my iPad and all the other devices in my life, I can't help but return to the old school way of organization. Maybe its a sense of security or the satisfaction of putting paper to pen that draws me in. However, the products that I prefer our not ordinary back to school specials, but lovely and innovative twists on the classic tablet.

Horchow.com

Rhodiapads.com

Rhodia Pads are great for scribblers and doodlers. The reversible graph paper pad is square shaped and opens from the top or side.

LouisVuitton.com

Who wouldn't love a little extravagance with this lovely Louis Vuitton writing instrument. (At this price, its you can't just call it a pen.)

 

Poppin.com

Just like the site's name, these notebooks are really poppin" with color and style. Available in a slim line bound book with personalization available. Very spunky.

Newly Wed-nesday: Lighting Your Event

My golden rule for any room, design or event is always set the mood with light first. For our wedding we focused more on lighting for our reception than flowers. Its not only a cost saver, but it makes a world of difference in the feel of your event. Truly, if you spend thousands of dollars on floral arrangements but the lighting is poor, its a wasted effort. Having the right effect in a room or tent can offset any deficiencies in the space and alternatively, high light the show stoppers. Depending upon the vibe and style of your event, you have many options to choose from.

Today one of the biggest trends are lanterns. We used them for our wedding and they are a timeless look.  Also, many venues will not allow open flames so, lanterns are a nice break from the dated look of hurricanes.
They range from traditional to ethnic to modern to whimsical.

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Beyond the table top, don't forget to look up. Hanging and perimeter lighting is an easy ways to fill in space, add decorative element and  illuminate your event.

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If you really want to create a show stopper, I love these new led spheres, they are even more beautiful when the sun goes down and they cast a glow unlike anything I've seen. Whatever your budget or style, make sure that you light up your happy day! Ta!

Erika Laszlo: A Woman With A Lot of Heart

Welcome to my most favorite part of the blog so far, the interviews. The subjects are not exactly Vanity Fair elite, but they are A-listers to me. You see, I looked around at the people I know and thought, "I want to know more and what makes them happy?" So, in honor of Heart Health Awareness Month, I decided to kick the series off with an amazing woman, Erika Laszlo. I hope you enjoy getting to know her, as much as I have enjoyed our life long friendship. 

Fortunately, we out grew our awkwardness.

I met Erika in the first grade. Later our antics included, dying our hair red (we wanted to be Belinda Carlisle, duh) in high school and eating chips and pop (yes, I said pop) in the locker room, waiting for our moment on stage during the annual drama production. Pretty standard stuff, but for Erika life did not start out ordinary. Born with a heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, which occurs when the right side of the heart does not develop properly in the womb, at two years old she had bypass surgery and at five, open heart surgery. For the facility that treated her, she is the first child to survive both surgeries. Today, Erika has what she calls her "dream job" as the Referring Physician Liaison for the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan. Leave it to Erika to not stop there. Beyond her career in healthcare, Erika became a member of the Patient Family Advisory Council a position that she is passionate about. "Be certain you are informed about your healthcare choices and don't be afraid to challenge your doctor. Make decisions that are right for you." Something she knows about first hand. This drive for advocacy was born out of the battle for her life, literally.

Erika and Bryan Laszlo

Having beat the odds already as a young child, Erika began having symptoms of palpitations and dizziness in her early twenties. Her cardiologist diagnosed her with anxiety, but Erika felt differently. She recalls feeling "very bold out of the blue." "I told my doctor that if she wasn't going to take me seriously, to refer me to someone who will." That boldness saved her life. Her physician took her up on her offer and referred her to someone else. (I know, right?) Erika was then properly diagnoses with Ventricular Tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause the heart to beat up to 200 times per minute. Over time, Erika has received several other secondary cardiac related diagnosis. She was implanted with a cardioverter difibrillator (ICD), which is an internal shocking device. Over the past twenty three years, the device has saved her life ten times.

A few years later, Erika met her husband, Bryan, and despite the cautions against it, they are now the parents of Ethan (12) and Sophie (8). Erika discovered her talent for photography after the birth of her son. "I took pictures of every move he made and started to hear positive feedback about my photos." After winning a local photography contest, Erika says she finally got the validation she needed to pursue her new talent. As her confidence and love of photography grew, she began to expand her hobby, even finding relief from career stresses behind the lens. "Sometimes I have to tell myself to put the camera down and be part of the moment but I have this constant need to document everything." Not surprising from someone who truly gets how precious life is.

A favorite, it captures their "sincere closeness."

Living with a heart condition can't be easy so, I asked Erika what got her through some of the difficult times in her life. She told me that her mother often told her that "God only gives us what we can handle." Admittedly, she often resented those words but now understands that "those crosses make us stronger."  "Faith is priority in our home."  One of her favorite songs on her iPod is "How Great Thou Art." "Its a song I just love to sit and listen to." "This wonderful life I lead feels like a second chance to me." Erika celebrates that second chance with laughter. She is notorious for giggling herself to tears. (I've seen it many times.) These days she gets the biggest kick out of her children's nonsensical jokes, Sophie singing the wrong lyrics and chuckles at the way her husband pronounces certain words. Finding joy in the little things. Her definition of a "happy home" comes ironically from the things that most of us complain about. "Bryan and the kids can never find anything and Ethan and Sophie seem to disappear when its time to clean up after dinner, laundry piles up and no one can get out the door in time for school. As much as these things can irritate me, this is my happy home." Even claiming that if it were any different she would think her home was "invaded by aliens."

Sophie by Erika Laszlo

Erika thrives off that happiness. When many of us would probably approach living with the uncertainty of such a serious heart condition, with resentment or fear. She seems to embrace it, getting purpose and perspective that many people spend their lives searching for without success. Erika was given hers from the start and ran with it. That said, she's not done yet. Her goal is to marry her love of photography and her desire to assist other children born with congenital heart disease(CHD) through a foundation. Its main purpose would be to assist families and children with CHD with travel expenses during medical treatments. 

I was honored to do this interview with someone who usually prefers to be the document-or rather than the subject. My final question during our conversation was "If you had five minutes to speak to the world, what would you say?" Erika's response was "to be nice." Simple but not surprising. With her you really understand that it comes down to not taking each other for granted and of course, listening and taking it all in. "I don't think enough of us are respectful of others and their situations. If we would be nicer to everyone our world would be a much better place to live."  I agree my friend and may I say, you are one of the nicest people I know. Be happy (and nice) everyone!

Photo by Erika Laszlo

For more information about heart health, your risk, or how to raise awareness, please visit the American Heart Association website.

If you have someone that you want to share with our readers, please let me know! 

Design Day Friday: French Vintage White

There is always something enchanting about French and old European style rooms. The trend is not new because, really, it is not a trend but a classic style that has modified itself over time. For the past few years, there has been a tendency toward it's very feminine incarnation, lots of ruffles, ornate cabinetry and muted lace.  Lately, a cleaner more gender neutral version has come about by using sharper lines and adding industrial and rustic materials in varying shades of whites and neutrals. The old world style still holds its key ingredient of mixing many raw and organic textures and the purity of soft whites as if each piece tells its own story.  I found these rooms as inspiration for my design board picks this week.

Both of these rooms have the perfect formula for combining the old world elements and modern lines. The danger is making a room like this cluttered or busy. Here are five key ingredients to successfully pulling off this look. 

shadesoflight.com

peaceloveanddecorating.com

WorldMarket.com

WorldMarket.com

1. Wire and Metal with Petina - Add utility items like baskets and wire accent tables. Lighting is less ornate. Stay with a simple shape that incorporates recycled or blown glass as opposed to crystal and fine wired metal instead of ornate ironwork.  Hang multiple pendents in a linear group instead of a single centered chandelier. 
2. Weathered Wood - The wood farm table is the cornerstone of this look, whether in the form of a coffee table or long gathering table, the idea of entertaining and enjoying good company is what appeals most to lovers of French Country style. Rather than a high polished traditional finish choose a white washed stain or reclaimed wood construction.



lightingdirect.com

3. Wall Collections and Open Shelving - In each of the photos above the walls are decorated using collections of art or dishes. Subtle framing in washed woods or soft metals and ceramics in uniform patterns create beautiful displays in one cohesive unit. Open shelving with stacked displays of place settings and glassware give the room personality. Keep the dishes all white for contrast against the wood tone. 



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4. Botanicals and Glass - Lovely botanicals and re-purposed glass are kept in groups of a single variety and repeated around the space. They are complimented by the addition of mercury glass, crockery or bell jars. 
5. White on White - The shabby chic feel of a old European inspired room is found in the upholstery. Slipcovers and layers of white on cream tones are the icing to these heavenly spaces. Don't be afraid to mix tone on tone patterns and textures in several hues of naturals and whites. 

potterybarn.com

Ballarddesigns.com

French country style gets its appeal through relaxed comfort and old world charm. Add your own family artifacts to tell your own story. The key is layers of simplicity with touches of elegance and history. Au Revoir, Mes Amies!

Newly Wed-nesday: Something for the Bachelorette

The big day is coming and it's time to treat the bride-to-be to some girl time with her maids and friends. Although the typical gag gift is likely, it seems a waste to give the bachelorette a lot of novelty shop junk. There are other ways to show her with playful and romantic goodies that won't make everyone in the room cringe with awkwardness.

zoeschochocolate.com

Chocolate has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Zoë's Chocolates, which is the exclusive chocolatier of the 2013 Academy Awards, is a company based on love and chocolate. They have creative flavors like, Dionysus Baklava, Black Daphne Chocolate, and Pinot Noir Infused Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate Caramel, made from natural and locally sourced ingredients. 

tokyo-milk.com

Objects to desire, that's what TokyoMilk calls their unexpected blends. With lip balms like, Dead Sexy, Cherry Bourban and Clove Cigarette, you understand why this collection is called Femme Fatale. "Not for the faint of heart: An unexpected mixture of fragrance & flavor. A remarkable lip elixir for a remarkably uncommon experience."

Sephora.com

For the bride and her honey bee, dip into some of Laura Mercier's Ambre Vanillé Bath & Body Collection featuring the Honey Bath. "The finish is soft, intimate, and absolutely addictive."

boldloft.com

Adorable! His and hers pillow cases featuring stick people in love. They are also available in t-shirt form and in black. Definitely no going to bed mad with these happy reminders.

Etsy.com

Eliminate the old debate of what to do on date night. These handmade dating dice are hand drawn, laser imprinted and burned with suggestions for the newlyweds day or night out. 

Hey, it's usually not a bachelorette party unless someone gets a little crazy. These gifts will be thoughtful reminders to the new bride of her last big single hoo-rah and maybe the only thing anyone ever speaks of again. (My stars!) Ta!

Manly Monday: The Ultimate Dinner Date

Ah food...Its a big part of our lives and our home. Not just because of the obvious basic need but it is a livelihood,  a creative outlet, and a part of our story. So, I set out to find some once in a lifetime dinner dates that are unique in their own way but all of them create a complete culinary and sensory experience. 

1. Blackbird, Chicago, Il - Minimalist in decor but not in flavor.  "Executive Chef Paul Kahan brings a respect for local ingredients with the innovations of the modern culinary world to create a cuisine that has been described as “quietly revolutionary.” The James Beard Award-winning design, by Thomas Schlesser, incorporates sharp, minimal design elements with expanses of white space and soft gray mohair." -Blackbird  What's Cool? - Blackbird is offering a follow up to their Master Cooking Class with a new series, Master Beverage Class. Here is your chance to spend quality time together for a two hour interactive gathering with the experts. They have announced their next dates for "The Evolution of the Cocktail," and "Find the Right Beer for your BBQ," 

2. Dans Le Noir, New York, NY - Yes, its just what you think it is, dining in the dark. "Guests can choose from a limited choice of 3-course, prix fixe, Surprise Menus. The idea is that each guest should not know exactly what he or she will be eating…It is an old principle often used in the industry, called “blind tasting”. The concept behind our menu is to re-educate our guests’ palates and minds,...Totally deprived of light, your eyes can’t deceive you, so therefore, all preconceptions are gone." - Dans Le Noir  What's Cool? - If that wasn't interesting enough for you, how about being served by a staff that is entirely blind? Dining in such manner will change more than your perception of food.

3. Commander's Palace, New Orleans, LA - If you like lively, this is the place. Steeped in tradition and a landmark of culinary excellence, it's the place that started it all for Emeril Lagasse.  "Commander's cuisine reflects the best of the city, both Creole and American heritages as well as dishes of Commander's own creating...That's the Commander's atmosphere: like a well run party given by old friends. Flowers, conviviality and most important, splendid food and wines!!!" Commander's Palace What's Cool? - Commander's is the mecca for the New Orleans Jazz brunch. There is really nothing else I can say to top that, is there?

4. Southfork Ranch, Parker, Tx - This one holds a special place in my heart, since my maiden name is "Ewing." Dinner at the Ewing Mansion is probably one of the more out-there picks, but believe me you will get the whole shee-bang. What's Cool? - Come on, it's dinner on a iconic TV show set! "The Ewing Sunset Dinner Package for two features a private guided tour of rooms based on oil-family characters from the original 1978 TV series: Jock's living room, Bobby's boardroom and matriarch Miss Ellie's suite...After the tour and a glass of wine on the balcony of J.R.'s bedroom, it's off to the Ewing family dining room. Texas beef (Kansas City strip or rib-eye), smoked baked potatoes and apple cobbler with cinnamon ice cream are some of the menu options..." Southfork Ranch

You don't have to travel thousands of miles to find a fabulous dining experience. The culinary world has exploded all over the map and there are options close to home for almost everyone. Treat yourself to a dinner date that goes beyond candlelight and a good bottle of wine. It will take your appreciation for food and each other to another level. Happy Eating! Ta!

Happy Alert! Chicago, Its Divine Consign Time

Feb. 8-17: Divine Consign’s Designer Furniture Warehouse Event

Its time to go where no non-designer has gone before...well, at least since last year. Chicago,you are in for  super deep discounts on high-end furniture and accessories but it won't go on for long.

"Divine Consign, working with the finest showrooms and studios at the mart and throughout Chicagoland, has compiled one-half million dollars of high-end designer showroom inventory to be sold at 50-90% off “Mart” prices. From showrooms such as C.A.I. Designs, Martin-Wood, Kenneth Ludwig, Anacara, Treasure Garden, Lily Jack, Dana Creath, Park Place Interiors and others, this warehouse event will make these designer items available to the public for 10 days only – February 8-17, 2013."

Share you finds with us!

Design Day Friday: Cupid's Tabletop

I'm just going to start off by getting it out there...Valentine's Day can get a little tacky...its true. If not done well, your dinner party can go from romantic and whimsical to gaudy and overdone. As I have said before, I am not a matchy-matchy girl. You can give your table a holiday feel without looking like someone threw up hearts everywhere. Valentine's Day is about setting a mood. I've got some last minute decor items that you can add to your sweetheart table. From a practical side, they are also essentials for year round entertaining, even if only for two. (wink.)

Hearts are, of course, a must for V-day. Much like romance, however, sometimes it is best to be subtle. The  ink print on the napkins is a twist on the typical. The small heart shaped plates are a accent to place atop a large dinner plate or as a side or bread plate, even better if you are serving appetizers.  No meal exudes romance without the glow of candlelight. These lacy candle holders give girly softness and project a cutout diffused light across your tabletop. Red wine goblets add some race-y rouge to your toast of love. Finally, try not to make it too chic-i-fied.  Natural color and fibers add a masculine earthy vibe. The burlap style tablecloth has just enough ruffle. The wood handled flatware are beautiful and the personalized wooden cutting/serving board is a symbol of a long and solid relationship. Finally no festival of the heart is complete without sweets for your sweet like these red velvet whoopie pies. Happy Romance! Ta!

Ikea.com

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Etsy.com

 

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