preppy birthday table

Saturday morning we celebrated the beginning of birthday week for my daughter. Birthday week begins with big breakfast at our house. I pulled out the LuRay Pastels, Fiesta and McCoy to create a preppy color story for the morning. started collecting the LuRay about a million years ago. I mixed the pink plates with my green fiesta plates. I'm not a fiesta collector, the products just makes sense with a family. It's so sturdy and the colors are fantastic. Forgive me for not knowing the name of this green- I'm thinking chartreuse? Anybody out there know for sure? My son gave each placesetting a hat made out of an IKEA green napkin. The coffee cups and bowls are mid-century McCoy, and I do love them. Mixing and matching is a good thing.

birthday girl airlines!

This is really fun. Inspired by a "ticket jacket" given to me from my friends in Seattle. The jacket arrived in the mail and was filled with my birthday itinerary of fun in Seattle and of course gift cards for coffee on the way.

This derivative is a birthday card that sets the mood for a surprise trip to Vegas for a 65th birthday, staying at Paris Las Vegas Casino. A super special trip between sisters!
Remember when you actually had to have a ticket when you traveled?
This ticket is for a flight on Birthday Girl Airlines, the actual travel itinerary is tucked behind.
I'm sure there will be plenty of champagne and good times.

day to evening challenge

My client requested an invitation for her sister. It needed to be two things in one, an invitation to the bridal shower and an invitation to the bachelorette party, both on the same day. Needed to be fun and promise of the good times to come, but Gramma was also going to see it, so it couldn't be to...too- if you know what I mean. Came out well I think...
Cost: $60 design fee, $10 each.

the approach

It's all in the approach- this is true for so many things. From the perfect hit in volleyball (yes I am mid season with AAU volleyball with my daughter :)) to concepting the perfect event. I was watching Martha and she featured this talented man on her show Tuesday. Unexpected approaches create such effortless, gorgeous arrangements and more. See for yourself...
photos courtesy of artfool.com

american modern by russel wright

One of my first blog entries was about American pottery and my
fascination with it. I've been a collector for over 10 years now, and some of my favorite pieces are from the Bauer company.

Bauer is back, and as beautiful as ever- That news has been around for awhile, but this is new and exciting... the release of the American Modern line,

The initial line consists of fourteen of the original most popular and useful pieces including dishes, bowls, serving platters, serving bowls, tea set and a unique new coffee mug, all in bold mix-and-match colors carefully chosen by Russel Wright for their food presentation drama and bold modern flair.

Chartreuse, coral, sea foam, granite and white have been carefully matched to original colors enabling the durable new Bauer American Modern to be paired with original, rarer pieces for perfect staging and practicality in any modern setting.

If you are feeling the pinch of the economy, an affordable way to start your Bauer collection is to order from their "seconds sale."It happens a couple of times a year, sign up for their e-list and you won't miss it. I have ordered and and have found them to be completely wonderful- usually just a little glaze pop somewhere or small glaze slip. Or you can also browse your local thrift store for a "hiding treasure" I just found an adorable Bauer tea light last week in a charming pink speckle- scored it for $1.50.
Here's to the new Bauer, mix it up and mix it in with your vintage collection.
photos courtesy of bauer.com

I'm beamin' about erickson beaman

Don't you just love being "stopped in your tracks?" I was on my weekly trek through Target- not the evening type, where you have all kinds of leisure time, it was more of a "get the necessities and get out type." Well, Erickson Beaman wanted my full attention- and they got it. WOW! Totally red-carpet worthy, this collection is a stunner. I actually took photos with my phone, I don't usually do that inside a retail store as it is frowned upon- I thought I had learned my lesson while shopping at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, where a concerned Parisian salesclerk chased me out of her department while shaking her finger and bursting with the words "no photo!- no photo!" Enjoy a few highlights here (courtesy of Target's website) and be sure to learn more about the designers here. enjoy!
photos courtesy of target.com

follow the yellow brick road

Lucky me- to have such great friends in Seattle. I just got back from the emerald city, and must tell all about the highlights of my trip. The goal of this trip was to see things I haven't seen before.

1) Dining at "how to cook a wolf", a delightfully innovative restaurant on Queen Anne. All menu items are meant to be shared- and they arrive in sequence, so you dine on one dish at a time with your friends. My favorite was the golden beet salad with pistachios- I'm going to try to replicate it with the help of my friend John, who is masterful in the kitchen.

2) The view from Queen Anne- at Kerry Park

3) shopping at Whole Foods Market- My first visit, and coming from a city with only Walmart, Albertsons and Costco- it truly was an experience. Mostly loved the stories of how the food comes to the table. Best of all was the home cooked meal John made- featuring a gorgeous piece of halibut with a light panko pine nut crust- best fish I've ever had. Thanks John!

4) Of course the current Chihuly at Museum of Glass in Tacoma. A sizable piece from a private collection, this splendid golden-green tangle just glows, evoking a Muranese lagoon.

5) Fabulous conversation with my friends Vickie and David while dining on a late breakfast at Lola. Good times I tell ya! Love you and miss you all...