Beautiful Blog Award and CDS Fabulousness

The delightful MBM from The Preppy Apron has betstowed upon me a Beautiful Blog Award. How nice is that? I love these little awards that people can give each other, a kind of sweet "high five" to let someone know you are doing a good job with your blog. Someone-a very old friend-asked me Friday night at a party "why do you write a blog?...what do you get out of it?" Hmmm...I panicked and didn't know what to say and then it all came flying out of my mouth explaining of how fun it is to write about various topics, making friends from all over the country, etc... I think I scared her with my response, but it is fun..it would have to be because to write in a blog almost every day is a lot of work. If only I could attract a husband with this blog..now that would really be award worthy!

Just a few rules for the award - Post your award, thank and link the person who gave you the award, pass the award on to how ever many blogs you like and link these blogs to your post. Don't forget to notify your nominees that you have awarded them.

I like and read way too many blogs, but will limit myself to 3. I nominate:

Summer is a Verb-one of my favorites and consistent early morning reads...

The Company She Keeps - my recent giveaway partner and a super fun blog writer.

Queen Bee Swain - what a sweet friend and she keeps us all on the pulse of the New York Times Wedding section.

Thank you so, so much MBM...I truly apprecite my new award! xo

On a separate note, my good friend and great customer Cecilia Slesnick is an artist and fellow blogger. She has been drawing herself and her daily outfits on her blog and it is so cute. She was decked out in kp designs the other day and I couldn't resist posting a picture of her drawing. Check out her sweet blog at www.csdart.blogspot.com

Caught Off Guard

Yesterday, I had a show at Lauderdale Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale. The show started at 11:30 and I set up in a flash, so I arrived at 10:40. This is the chain of events...

I dumped all bags from car onto table..by the way LOVING my Lilly Eco Bag from C. Orrico.

Then, I take all items out of bags and put them in somewhat of order

Make things look somewhat decent and easy to see..

Well, in the middle of this..ladies came out of nowhere wanting to see stationery and notepads. I was so flustered even though this would probably be the 200th show like this I have done. I truly need a helper for these, or a cute boyfriend to help me cart my stuff around and fetch me a diet coke in the process-please note yellow Einstein's cup of said diet coke...later that got knocked over underneath the table by me shoving another bag there and forgetting about it. What a mess..good thing this club had those awesome thick paper napkins in the bathroom...

My stand up displays for Paper and Ink Designs are super helpful, I cringed when one of them broke after someones child dropped it a while ago, have been meaning to fix it or buy another one. Well at this show, I propped it up against the other one and a nice lady put her very full flute of champagne down and it fell on it, which knocked the champagne over onto..you guessed it-me! My white pants were completely soaked, and see through. I just had to laugh. What a disaster..at least she bought something!

Then all of the sudden..the ladies were gone to their seats for lunch and a fashion show. I was able to catch my breath and then we were all back in the room. Holy cow..the crowd was fabulous, such cute girls and sophisticated ladies shopping away. I sold so much jewelry and Dabney Lee paper products, it was so much fun..how vulgar and most un-prep to talk about, but making money is super fun...I left there with a huge smile on my face and was very, very happy and my pants had dried by then...

I had to stop by work and then raced to a 1st birthday party for Avery. His jungle themed birthday was so fun and he was very happy with his cake.

Happy Birthday 1st Birthday to sweet, sweet Avery!!

The Bride Requested Hats...

The countdown for Cynthia and Matt's wedding is well underway. A fabulous shower was thrown for the beautiful bride this past weekend at the Surf Club in Miami Beach. Hosted by the closest family friends of the Bride, it was so fun..all the ladies showed up in fancy hats. The room overlooked the beach and was full of fun people.

The stunning floral arrangements in hatboxes for centerpieces. They were beautiful.

Cynthia and her shower hostesses.

Cynthia picked a Best Hat Award for each table and they were rewarded with the amazing centerpiece to take home.

The wedding is almost a month away...so excited for the big day!

Getting Ready

No real post today-boo hoo. I am getting ready for a show tomorrow in Fort Lauderdale and I realized last week that I am SUPER low on jewels. I have been whipping up tons of things and bulking up my stock. I also just signed on to take part in the Seafood Festival at the Deering Estate at the end of the month. Slowly dawning on me that last year the attendance was over 7,000 people. My artist tent needs to be filled up with goodies. This is when I need helpers to string pearls..I am missing my Mom, who used to help me get ready. I could send her some in the mail..hmmm

Still Exhausted

What a whirlwind weekend I had! The highlight was Saturday night..a fabulous party for my friend Stephanie's 40th birthday. I seem to be going to a lot of those lately..so scary. Well, this girl knows how to throw a party and she went all out on this soiree. Delicious food, bars set up in every corner, the most fun people and a fabulous DJ. That and cool weather so my hair didn't frizz is all I can ask for!

My Best Dressed at this party goes to Hoby and Christina..Hoby loves to break out the fancy pants whenever possible. This time, party palm trees and Christina..she always looks great!


The beautiful birthday girl and her adorable husband. Happy Birthday Steph!

I had the best time at your party. xo

Oscar Favs

Not to belabor the Oscar mania..but felt the need to share my best dressed pics:


Holy cow..Demi Moore looks unbelievable. Her dress is amazing and I swear she doesn't age. She has come a long way from the biker shorts dress in the 80's.


Wow..Mariska Hargitay is perfect here..LOVE her dress.


And Sandra..not a huge fan of this dress.but a HUGE fan of her. She looked so beautiful and her acceptance speech made me a teary. I am so happy she won. **I am amending this because her gown has grown on me and I do like the vintage beading.


Jessica Simpson looking amazing.


Cameron Diaz in a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown.


Very interesting to see the Brat Packers out for a John Huges tribute...how cute is Matthew Broderick?

The show this year seemed super long! I think the trick is if you can stand the delay in starting, wait about 45 minutes and then skip the commercials and boring categories with the DVR remote. I went over to my friends' house and watched with her whole family- a huge deal not to perform my yearly Oscar ritual sitting on my couch alone making jewelry so no one will bug me with annoying comments or worse-talking through the show. I survived-just kidding AJS..it was super fun! xo

My crazy weekend recap will follow..I took too many pictures and have to sort through and..I am exhausted!

Countdown begins

I am on E! right now..counting down for the Oscars. This is one of my favorite nights of the year, like many of you. I have had a crazy jam packed weekend and can't wait to sit and watch tonight. Full report tomorrow. xo

TV Report Card

We are already in March and most of the shows are over half way through their seasons..nto sure how many are going to be around next year. I have my list of favorites right here:

I am holding my breath that The Deep End doesn't sink. I read in an article that it was "on the bubble", not a great sign, but this is such a fun show...I highly recommend.



Super happy that this one is still around. I really think it is one of the best shows on television-I have discussed it before, bit I liken it to a slow burn..you can't help but get sucked into the story and root for Alicia who is starting to fade as Carol Hathaway in my mind-finally!

Having watched every season of 24 multiple times, I am not so excited about this season. Actually right now, there are 2 episodes saved on DVR that I haven't seen-not a good sign. I think it might be time for Jack Bauer to hang up his stun gun and give the "tell me where the bomb is" rhetoric a proper burial. This is harsh but I would hate for it to go down in flames.

Oprah..well I have been meaning to write an Oprah post for a while. I just love love love Oprah Winfrey. I have been taping her show for years and watching every night. Rarely is there a show that I am not interested in. When she announced that the end of her show is coming, I started feeling a slight panic. My Mom and I have to get ourselves in that audience..this is one of my missions right now. Her shows lately have been so great, I am so excited to see them every day. Lately, they have been tear jerkers but seriously, as soon as I hear someone cry on the tv, I start tearing up. Also on a side note, she has been looking so pretty, her hair these days is fabulous.

I am looking forward to Gossip Girl to return, Friday Night Lights to return to non-Direct TV television and the new High Society..hope it's great!

The Fabulousness of Auntie Mame

Another post on a favorite old movie..this one Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell. I caught this one by accident when I was a teenager and then watched it multiple times in a row, fascinated by it all. Based on the book by Patrick Dennis, Auntie Mame tells the story of a boy who goes to live with his eccentric Aunt when his Father passes away. He arrives with his Nanny in tow during one of her famous cocktail parties and the hilarity ensues...



One of her famous quotes "life is a banquet...and most poor suckers are starving to death!"



Ahh Gloria Upson, my favorite character..how I was obsessed with her. Not only does she have some very funny lines in the movie but talks with a terrific accent, I couldn't help but copy her and would go on and on until my Mom would tell me to please stop. This is one of her best stories...


There are so many favorite parts that I can only urge you to rent this movie if you haven't seen it. It is sure to please... you will be ready to move into Upson Downs with me!!!

J Crew Perfection

A sweet little J. Crew catalog arrived via the post yesterday. How fun to look through and see all the new clothes they are offering. I went straight to the website and right-clicked a few of my picks to share...

Cropped Ruffle Cardigan

Adorable Pom Pom Metallic Flats

Silk and Linen Ruffle Pullover Sweater

Gauzy Sand Dollar Tunic

I am loving this Bisbee purse!

Just a sampling of the amazing goodies in the catalog and online at www.jcrew.com

Late Critique of The September Issue

I know everyone has weighed in on The September Issue, but I just saw it and feel the need to discuss...having every intention of seeing it in the theaters but waited too long and then it was too late. I have read so many articles and blog posts about it but honestly, nothing can scratch the surface of this amazing voyeuristic peek at the insides of Vogue Magazine and the production of the September 2007 issue.

I can't be the only one who watched Miranda..oops sorry I mean Anna Wintour walk into her office with the desk on the side of the room and not think of The Devil Wears Prada..I kept expecting Emily Blunt to turn around the corner. R.J. Cutler, the director of the movie, conceived the idea, raised the money and got the go ahead from Anna and Grace all before TDWP started production.

And then there is Grace Coddington, who started on the same day as Anna at American Vogue and is her creative counterpart. I cringed for her every time she walked into that little room to see the magazine layout and find her pictures dwindling on each visit. She was fascinating to watch but I wonder if I am the only one who wanted to scrape her flaming red hair back into a ponytail or bun. Her back and forth with Anna and their frustration with each other makes the movie so interesting. Anna's treatment of assistants and editors wasn't surprising since we had a "preview" with Meryl Streep. She can definitely be

What was most fascinating to me about this documentary is that so much is assumed and thought of Anna Wintour, but to see her in action and hear her conversations with up and coming designers like Thakoon and photographers of the caliber of Steven Miesel and they all get the same Anna. She is terribly business-like and harsh, even down right mean but I couldn't help but like her. Not surprising, but she was the most human when she was with her daughter Bee.

The end product, a huge 840 page issue of Vogue with Sienna Miller on the cover. The carefully constructed, much discussed cover shots of her were nice, but there were some obstacles on the way there, her teeth too big, hair in bad shape and a wig didn't work..even Sienna Miller is not above being critiqued.

If you have not seen this movie yet, I highly recommend it. Even if you don't enjoy fashion or read Vogue, it is very entertaining.

Bubble Q

All week long I was talking about the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, a weekend chock full of Celebrity Chefs, tasting events and the ever famous Bubble Q. I have heard about this event from so many people but the tickets were $350 a piece! Unbelievably, Friday afternoon, I got the call and a last minute invite to eat delicious bar-b-que and drink champagne on south beach. I was so excited.

An enormous tent was erected behind The Delano Hotel right on the beach and once we handed in our magic ticket (so annoyed that I couldn't keep it to put in my scrapbook that I am 3 years behind on...

we were given a champagne glass. The security was crazy and we made our way through and finally ended up in the tent.

It was packed! Lining the sides of the tent were the food vendors, each with signs of which restaurant they were and smaller signs listing what they had to offer.

So, many braised shortribs, pork and steak sandwiches later, it turned into a huge cocktail party. We ran into a bunch of friends

and spent a good 45 minutes staring at this amazing girl hanging upside down by her ankles pouring champagne! She just kept turning and pouring, finishing bottles and climbing back up to her base and unhooking another bottle and so on. I could not stop staring at her, it was super cool.

One cute couple caught my eye. The man first, a younger Hugh Grant look-a-like wearing the most awesome Lilly Pulitzer pants and then his wife in a beautiful tunic. They won my Best Dressed Award for the night.

The icing on the cake, right when we were leaving, we got to see Emeril in person, handing out samples of his delicious steak...yum


So a great night and I am sending a HUGE thank you to my sweet friend Amy for the ticket. I will be your date any time!!! xo