Decorate: The Book by Holly Becker

As a former Blogging Your Way  (BYW) student I was recently invited to a book signing for Holly Becker's new book Decorate at the Anthropologie store in NYC:

 

I was a bit late with the RSVP but I'm on the list now so I'm hoping to see other BYWers I met online, at the book signing.   (Holly writes a terrifically successful blog decor8)  She is the ultimate blogger and writer ; creating her own opportunities working creatively on the web.

Will let you know how the event goes!  In the meantime check out her book:

Decorate 1000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your House

Who doesn't love a fun decorating book with lots of ideas and resources?  Can't wait to get my copy. Been holding off for too long!

Tell me what you think of the book.  It's gotten terrific reviews!!

Stripes are for Sharing!

So Holly Becker of the blog  decor8  has invited her readers to join in her 1st annual STRIPE MANIA blogger round-up.  We have to take a  picture of ourselves wearing something striped in the last two weeks .   As it happens I need to update my blog photo and my daughter had just snapped a pic of me wearing one of my (too many) navy and white striped t shirts with my loden and silver sort of raincoat (actually completely pathetic in the rain but looks good!)  So here it is :

On the C Train in a Long Sleeve J. Crew T and Bensimon Topper Coat

 And if you'd like to join in the fun go to Holly's link  to find out the scoop.   You'll end up on  her stripe mania pinterest board. 

I just finished throwing my 2nd and last kids birthday party of the year and am thrilled to be done. Now on to some of my own projects ( I hope!!)

xo CP

At Home with Turquoise

So I am finally finishing the follow up to my turquoise finds on the web with those that I have found at home. It took me long enough!!  Not so surprisingly I tend to choose that color a lot. I set up a couple still- life's using the new skills I learned on BYW @ Decor8.  This is the first time so it's not exactly as I envisioned it.  I used http://picnik.com to adjust color, exposure and saturation on the photos and to create the collage as well.  And here is what I got:

Over the years I've collected this beautiful blue milk-glass I've found on ebay and in flea markets and also some art pottery which I laid on its side and filled with goose feathers found in the fashion district.  On the top left photo are some button cards I found in the Paris flea market years ago... finally came in handy!!  To the right of the buttons is a "lenticular" by the artist (and good pal)  Maryann Strandell.  She is an amazing artist and these photos don't do her justice. Check out her website!!  I realize she too tends to favor the same blues I do.   I also added some of my collection of Gustavsberg Argenta.  Argenta is an art pottery in this unique blue and inlaid with sterling silver.  Very findable on ebay.  The little funny house were made with my Color-Aid paper from my years at Art School... Finally a way to use them. Found the pattern for the house on the web and made them during a play date here.

In addition to the above here are some magazine tears that remind me of the turquoise blue:

Ice Sculpture: set design, Rhea Thierstein, Boat, Shona Heath via Vogue

Dress by Phoebe Couture


 Well that's all the turquoise for now.... if you still haven't had enough go to House of Turquoise and look at all variations leading to and from turquoise!      Or stop by decor8blog for today's post on creating still- life's and choosing images.