October 26, 2009

A Grand Effect

How amazing is Photoshop…amazing enough that I can’t live without it! It is so great to take regular photos and give them that extra oomph that literally turns them into a work of art. Check out these before and after photos then click on the title to get a step-by-step tutorial.


SELECTIVE SEPIA


MYSTERIOUS LIGHTING


GRITTY EFFECT


MOVIE EFFECT

Now that you’ve learned how to create these great effects experiment with your photos, there is no wrong way. Cheers!

Click here for other great Photoshop effects.

September 28, 2009

Fall Fashion

I absolutely love clothes – what women doesn’t? And now that fall is upon us it is time to update our wardrobes with a few key pieces. Through many hours of browsing magazines and catalogs I have found my favorite looks for fall 2009. Remember any fashion can be adapted to your own personal style and comfort level, don’t be intimidated by new styles embrace them. And why you are embracing new styles try these trends for something different…enjoy!



TIGHTS – I love the idea of tights with shorts. We all have a pair of plain black tights for winter but now it’s time to grab a unique pair and wear them with everything. These are all from J.Crew.
DENIM – Yes, I know that the 80’s are over but these aren’t bejeweled, ripped or acid washed jeans (although you can find those out there) these embody the entire world of classic denim. Dark and skinny are my favorite but straight leg look good on everyone. Roll the bottom a few times for a more relaxed look and don’t be afraid of the jean jacket – just don’t wear it with jean pants, try black leggings or a casual dress. These are from Urban Outfitters and Shopbop.com.
BLAZER – Every woman has to have a blazer! The great thing is that you can literally pair them with anything and it instantly makes jeans and a t-shirt look chic. Roll up the sleeves to be a little more urban. These are from Anthropologie & J.Crew.

August 31, 2009

Wallpaper, Frames, Photos...Oh My!

I found this frame wallpaper online and think it is fabulous. Basically it is just empty frames and you can add any photograph, artwork, or color you want. Talk about a unique and creative way to decorate a space. The best thing about this paper is that it allows you to display your favorite photos all over your wall – it doesn’t get much better than that! I love the way they used this wallpaper in a small bathroom, sometimes bold decorating ideas shine in the smallest spaces. So now we can all redo that bathroom that has been desperately needed a makeover. Check out this link to get more info and see more photos.

July 20, 2009

Guest Blogger


This past week I had the honor of being a guest blogger on SEI’s (a large scrapbooking company) Lifestyle blog. I had a blast.

Click here or on the butterflies above to check out our posts.

July 3, 2009

A Fabulous 4th of July


When I think about our country’s Independence Day a few necessities come to mind:

Great music, Great food, Great show

This year I want to share with you my summer playlist, a must have summer recipe and where you can find the best shows.

GREAT MUSIC
1. Lights Out - Santigold
2. Heartache Tonight – The Eagles
3. Breathe Me - Sia
4. Electric Feel - MGMT
5. Kokomo – Beach Boys
6. Skinny Love – Bon Iver
7. Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley
8. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
9. Cath (acoustic) – Death Cab for Cutie
10. Stand By Me – John Lennon

GREAT FOOD
This is seriously the best pasta salad recipe. I make it for parties a lot and try to always bring the recipe printed on 3X5 cards because everyone raves about it!

Chicken Pasta Salad
4 cups cooked chicken cut into bite sized pieces (I grill the chicken)
2 cups bowtie pasta cooked & cooled
2 T. chopped green onion
1 cup diced celery
2 cups unpeeled nice red apples
2 cups red grapes cut in half
1 20oz can Dole pineapple tidbits (drained)
3/4 cup slivered almonds

In a large bowl, combine above ingredients to make salad.

Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
8 oz Kraft coleslaw dressing
1 dash thyme
1 pinch ginger

Mix dressing together and gently add to salad a little at a time until you get desired consistency (keep unused dressing to add to leftovers the next day). Better if chilled 2 hours before serving.

GREAT SHOW
This is the year to find the best firework show and go with friends and family. It’s time to show just how proud we are to be Americans with the biggest fireworks ever! Check out what Forbes Traveler list as the best firework shows in America.

June 17, 2009

Guilty Pleasure…Anyone?

Like most of you, I have a guilty pleasure. But unlike most of you I cherish my guilty pleasure. I am always looking for a little free time to indulge myself. My guilty pleasure is magazines…yes magazines. I love them! And I don’t discriminate; I love all kinds of them – design, style, gossip, and music…really any magazine will do. But my favorites are Elle Décor and In Style. I love getting new ideas from other creative people. I fold corners down and tear out pages for my design file. It is such a creative time for me that I can’t help but love every minute. My advice to everyone is to find a guilty pleasure and indulge! Don’t apologize for it, just feed the hunger!

June 1, 2009

The Romper

I love how fashion basically goes in cycles. Styles that were popular back in the 70s are modified a little bit, given a new name and called “innovative.” I remember when I was in middle school I bought a pair of flare jeans and my mom said she had bellbottoms just like them in high school. I would always say “mom, they’re not bellbottoms they are flares.” Well the new jumpsuit is now called a romper and I love them! I think they are so much fun! I love when you can throw something on, run out the door and look fabulous. Check out all these fun rompers at shopbop.com and try something “new” with your style this summer.

May 21, 2009

Racquet Armor

Attention tennis players!!! I have found a great new product for your racquets. Recently I attended the BNP Parabis Open in Indian Wells, California and while I was there I was told about a new product to replace head tape, it is called Racquet Armor. It is an adhesive made out of silicone that adheres to the top of your racquet for protection. I have always been really hard on the frame, so as you can imagine I was excited about a new product that extends the life of my racquet. Not only does it protect, but it also looks cool – cause my motto is to look good doing whatever it is your doing! Check out their website to learn more www.racquetarmor.com.

May 14, 2009

Rag & Bone




I have wanted to add a more modern or urban album to my designs that is less like a scrapbook and more like a photo album. Unfortunately, I have been unable to pinpoint the style I have in my head - I guess I have been waiting for some major inspiration. I have come to the conclusion that it’s hard to get inspired when you are looking for inspiration. Rather, for some reason or another it always seems to come when you’re not looking. Then out of nowhere (figures!) I found the most beautiful albums. Rag & Bone Bindery creates stunning handmade albums. They have inspired me so much that I am going to offer a more modern album to clients using these fabulous conversation pieces.

February 17, 2009

“Let them buy shoes!”


Someone once told me the reason they loved shoes so much was because they always fit. Isn’t that true, clothes never fit the way you want them to but you can always count on shoes fitting and looking great. I am on the hunt for the perfect shoe, the black boot. I found zappos.com a couple years ago and absolutely love it. They have a huge shoe selection, lots of great brands and best of all – they have free overnight shipping! Yep, if you order your shoes by 2 p.m. today they are on your doorstep tomorrow. And if your shoes don’t fit then you print off one of their labels and send it right back free of charge! This is seriously the greatest thing to me! These Calvin Klein boots are so fabulous and classic. Click on the link to check out zappos.com!

***Since writing this post Zappos has done away with free overnight shipping - dang economy! However, they do still provide free standard shipping.

January 27, 2009

2009!!!

I had an epiphany the other day, I decided that I was sick of being afraid and sick of thinking about all that I could do and never doing anything about it. It's a new year and I have discovered that I am afraid to fail. Yes, I am one of those people, the ones that let fear hold them back from accomplishing great things. But its a new year and time for change! I am going to set goals and accomplish them. I will not be afraid because I won't allow time for fear. I am going to try everything I have always wanted to, I might fail at some things but I will learn from my failure and hopefully grow in the process. It is time for me to move onward and upward.

"Winners make things happen, losers let things happen."