Nesting in the 21st Century

Moving

2006-06-26T08:54:00.000-05:00

I have moved my little blog to another place. Fitting this blog in is great fun but figuring out the html isn't. So, I have moved to TypePad which is easier for me to navigate.
The new address is Nesting In The 21st Century.

Trunk Show A Go Go

2006-05-24T07:56:00.000-05:00

Last Friday we had our first ever trunk show. The ladies stated arriving at 7 and by the time the shopping was done and the cosmos were gone it was 11:30.
I set up all the jewelry in the diningroom. I think the red walls and chandelier gave the room a boutique feel. It all looked amazing lit with candles.
I made each designer a framed logo so that the guests would know who made what . There were mirrors placed here, there and everywhere so that the guests could try on the jewelry to their hearts content. And did they ever...It was a fashionista's dream.

The adorable bags are from Posie. It was all I could do not to keep them all for myself. But no, I only kept one.

It was wonderful to meet lots of new people and for them to see the Artisan's work. One thing which will stay with me for a long time is that most of the ladies left wearing what they had purchased. They really fell in love with their new jewelry. One gal bought a pair of parrot green earrings and was going out over the weekend to buy clothes to match. The party was supposed to last from 7 - 9 but the last guests didn't leave until well past 11. It was so festive and the gals who came were so darn fun.

This is Anne Maa's sign. I placed some raspberry paper behind her logo. Her collection of incredible rings can be seen in the foreground. One thing about these photos...They don't capture the amazing sparkle of this room. It was dazzling.

I separated each piece into it's own box. I wanted them to be clearly visible, there was so much I wanted everything to be seen! Each designer has a very different style and it was neat to see different gals gravitating to different designers.

One thing I forgot to do was to take photos when everyone was there. I was so busy processing orders that I barely left the kitchen table! I won't make that mistake at the June 1 trunk show. I wrote myself a huge note.

We had another room filled with the bath & body and stationary. More about that (with photos) next time!

Rain, Rain Go Away....

2006-05-01T16:50:00.000-05:00

This weekend it rained non-stop. Buckets and buckets of cold rain. The garden will have to wait. So I turned to organizing my overflowing pile of magazines. Now, I am a magazine aficionado. I love them. All different kinds on all different subjects. Cooking, decorating, crafting, you name it. The problem is I am not very good at getting rid of them. I like to browse through issues from years past for inspiration. This Easter I did a centerpiece which was in Martha Stewart Living magazine four years ago.
I used to tear out the pages, trim the photos and paste them in design journals. A carryover from spending four years as a fine arts major no doubt. We were encouraged to keep design journals filled with inspiration. It was one thing in college, quite another all these years later with piles of magazines falling over and no free time in site. I needed a different solution.
I thought about a new organization system. It had to be quick to set up, inexpensive and the information has to be easily accessible. I first considered a traditional filing system. It is easy to set up, inexpensive, but not as accessible as I would like. It just isn't fun to dig through file folders looking for a Christmas wreath design. Next I considered photo albums. Too expensive. After all, I have a LOT of magazines. Also, it wouldn't be easy to set up. I would spend the next month cutting and pasting pictures into the albums. I liked the idea of looking through a book though.

Finally I settled on a system of binders with page protectors. It fit the bill perfectly. They are inexpensive and it couldn't be easier to set up and keep up. Tear out the page with the Christmas wreath, insert in page protector in Christmas binder. Easy. Next year, open binder and voila...Christmas wreath! Of course I can make even the simplest plan into something extravagant (just ask my husband about that...Right honey?) I made inserts for the binders so I would know what was in each (on pink paper). Then I put patterned paper on the front cover and made labels. I couldn't be happier. I can actually find things now. It was frustrating to know there was a super recipe for Parmesan Chicken somewhere in that pile if I could just remember what issue.

I especially like the covers. I wanted something to inspire me and these really fit the bill. The best part is that I don't have (as many) piles of magazines sitting around and maybe, just maybe, I can find that Parmesan Chicken recipe I have had a taste for.

Spring Flowers

2006-04-28T14:44:00.000-05:00

It is tulip time here in the Midwest. The early daffodils and grape hyacinths are fading but the late tuplips are blooming en masse. As always many have the red and yellow planted together. A traditional and appealing choice. Another favorite is the multi pink combinations. I love the way the flowers stand out against the leaves. But by far my favorite have been the lime/raspberry displays.
This pink and green color scheme is my favorite after a dull midwestern winter. There was not much excitement around here...a bit of snow at the beginning of the season and a bit at the tail end but nothing in between. Winter seemed to drag on in muted grays. Dull. All at once this spring has transformed with color.

"The Girls" gave me this wonderful bouquet for my birthday (which was yesterday). I must say I have never recieved a floral arrangement in a bag before, but there it was. Girlfriend Deb has an obvious flair for the dramatic as it is she who puts these things together. (Last year it was a plant in a pot tied with a tiny ceramic flip flop.)
Not only was the bag adorable but the flowers were my favorite color combination. What a nice gift. Pretty, creative and thoughtful. I wanted to take a picture to remind myself on those future dull winter days that not only are brighter days coming...but that I have a great group of friends to share them with. Thanks girls.

Inspiration from Posie Gets Cozy

2006-04-20T13:36:00.000-05:00

I have found a delightful blog called Posie Gets Cozy. Not only does it have terrific photos and ideas but Alicia's writing style reminds me of chatting with a girlfriend. Warm and conversational she opens her creative life to us. The thing I like the most is that I inevitably come away inspired to create something myself. In a recent post Alicia wrote about creating an afghan from Baby Cashmerino skeins of yarn in the colors of the tulips on her coffee table. Delicious.
I think I will take this color palette and do something else with it. A mosaic perhaps. Or maybe I will do a decoupaged plate. It'll be my weekend project. Maybe I'll add some of that yummy peapod green that I love so much and use Alicia's palette...hmmm. Too bad it is only Thursday.

Indoor Easter Garden

2006-04-19T13:47:00.000-05:00

I love Easter and this year it was especially nice. The weather was so beautiful. Warm and sunny and very spring-like. I massed lots of terra cotta pots all filled with either tulip, daffodil or grape hyacinth bulbs. I had smaller pots of grass for fun. In the pots I poked different colored butterflies from the craft store. A little garden indoors. I am hoping it will last until I can get the outdoor pots planted.
Now that I have some blooms inside I am looking for inspiration for outside. I usually have urns scattered all over the yard, front and back. What color scheme for this year? Last year all the colors were hot and tropical. Reds, yellows and oranges. Perhaps this year should be pinks and greens. Time for a trip to the nursery!

Introducing Linda Trent

2006-04-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

We have a wonderful new Artisan here at Nesting With Style and her name is Linda Trent. Her designs are light and bright. I love that they add some sparkle to every day wear. Right now, blue & white is my favorite color combination. I guess I am yearning for the sea and sky! Check out Linda's great work on the site.

Shop The Switchboards

2006-03-28T09:55:00.000-06:00

A wonderful new online resource for finding terrific products made by indie designers. Shop The Switchboards is taking a new approach with a monthly podcast highlighting a selection of indie products. The site also includes a blog which will also feature articles on designers and products. (You might even see a little something in there by me...)

Welcome Three Paper Pigs

2006-01-18T09:34:00.000-06:00

We would like to welcome our newest Artisan, Three Paper Pigs. We just love the wonderful and whimsical note cards, invitations, memo pads and gift tags.
What little girl wouldn't want a fairy princess floating on her note cards.
The note cards for little boys are especially great...It might make it easier for the little guys to write a thank you note if it is covered in rocket ships and stars!

Welcome!

Looking Ahead to Valentine's Day

2006-01-10T19:47:00.000-06:00

I was so thrilled to find these elegant and refined pearl earrings from Calico Juno Designs. I think they will go fantastically with winter white as well as a t-shirt and jeans. I just love the quality of the materials and design. They are at the top of my Valentine's Day Shopping List.

Open!

2005-12-19T10:58:00.000-06:00

It has been quite a journey already and now we start on the next leg. Nesting With Style is fully open. Many of the sections have been open for quite some time. The forums and the informational pages. But now the shopping portion of the site is open. It is filled with many products from very talented Artisans from around the country. Of course there are so many products yet to come that we have lots of work (and fun) ahead of us.
On a personal note, thank you so much to Sam, Carolyn and Gayle for all your exceptional work. Not only are you amazingly talented, it wouldn't have been as fun without you. Thank you.

Nesting at Squidoo

2005-12-12T16:06:00.000-06:00

There is something very exciting going on. I am talking about Squidoo. It is a brand new website dedicated to finding out about topics by subject through LENSES which are created by...us! That's right. Lenses created by anyone who knows something about anything.
Think Google but searching by subject rather than keywords. My favorite lens right now (and there are more everyday) is called Fondue. And, you guessed it, it is all things fondue. Want a recipe? There are links to more than anyone would ever make. How about equipment? Listed here also. Plus fondue tips and nuggets of information. This guy loves his fondue and is sharing it with me. (I am thinking fondue for New Years Eve!)
I like the idea alot. We all have people in our lives who seem to know where the best restaurants are or what the hottest book or CD is. This is the same idea except online. We'll find Lens Masters that we like and trust and we'll get the inside scoop on their area of expertise. Hear about Podcasting and wonder what it is all about? This is the place to find out.
(By the way, I prefer Lens Goddess to Lens Master but that is just me.)

The Door

2005-10-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

There is something magical about the front door.
I can't say what exactly is so mesmerizing about it. Perhaps it is the mystery of what lies behind it.
It keeps the public world out and the private world in.
I love to decorate that door. A wreath, an urn filled with flowers.
It is the first impression of our world. I want my family to feel welcomed home when they walk through that door. A gateway to our private life. Where it is just us. Our sanctuary.
I love front doors. I like to look at them and wonder at the life lived inside. And then, when returning home, stroll happily through mine.

Almost.

2005-09-17T08:55:00.000-05:00

It is almost time for the site to launch. It has taken so much longer than I anticipated but has been so rewarding. I can't believe the wonderful people I have met already.
As I am assembling the first line of products it is like Christmas every day. Boxes of amazing treasures arrive at my door, dazzling me as I open them. I can't wait to share this creativity when the products are offered on Nesting With Style
Zoe Du Four from California has done a line which takes my breath away. Divine is the only word I can think to describe her work.
Bella Bumble has Christmas stockings which will make any holiday decor sparkle.
Tula Bella has done a line of jewelry which takes semi-precious stones to the next level. The colors are gorgeous for fall.
I haven't even mentioned the beautiful tassels, handmade soaps, amazing wool purses...I could go on all day. I have worked hard to make sure that each item is something extra special.
It won't be long now.

I've Been Tagged

2005-08-26T13:21:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged! ...so here goes

10 Years ago today - August 26, 1995
I was taking my almost 3 year old daughter to an orientation at her pre-school. It was one of the hottest summers in Chicago history and hundreds of people had died from the heat. We sat in the orientation barely able to breathe it was so hot. We went for ice-cream after.

5 Years ago today - August 27, 2000
It was either the first or second day of school. The kids were in grades 3, 1, and pre-school. That was one of the first days I had with time for myself when the youngest was in school!! I went to Caribou!

1 Year ago today - August 27, 2004
It was two days before school started. We got my daughter's braces on, her hair cut and her ears pierced, all in the same afternoon. She figured that if she was going to be uncomfortable because of the braces she might as well do it all.

Yesterday
It was the first day of school. Once the kids were off, I went on the swichboards for an hour or so. Then I worked on the Nesting With Style web site. Bliss!

Tommorow
Time to get the christmas picture taken. It might sound early however with four kids this could take awhile....

5 Snacks I enjoy
Snickers, Popcorn, Chex Mix (homemade of course), Caramel Corn and Peanuts

5 bands that I know most of the lyrics
U2, No Doubt, The Beatles, ABBA and Bruce Springsteen

5 Things I'd do with a Million $$
Travel everywhere! Hire a personal chef. Hire a driver so I could ride everywhere. Buy a new wardrobe and all the fun indie accessories to go with it. Re-do the whole house!

5 Places I'd run away to
Paris, London, Cannes, Australia & Madrid

5 Bad habits I hate
Tardiness, loud conversation, unkindness, talking while eating, and narcissism

5 things I like doing
Taking family walks, eating out, working on Nesting With Style, Shopping and dates with my husband and talking on the phone with my sister (I know that is 6 but I couldn't leave any out!)

5 Things I wouldn't wear
Short-shorts, leg warmers, platform shoes, underwear as outerwear and fur

5 tv shows I love
Arrested Development, The Apprentice, CSI, The West Wing & M*A*S*H

5 Movies I love
Independance Day, My Best Friends Wedding, The Perfect Storm, The Godfather & Dumb & Dumber

5 Famous People I'd like to meet
Mike Meyers, Oprah, Tracy Porter, Julia Roberts & George Clooney

5 Biggest Joys at the moment
My Kids, My Husband, Nesting With Style, My Friends and My family

Saying So Long To Summer

2005-08-25T17:41:00.000-05:00

We had a party not long ago. A fond farewell to summer with an al fresco dinner. We had amazing food from Dinners Together (Yum, Yum!) The most incredible marinated flank steak along with grilled salmon. (If you are from the Chicago area and aren't familiar with it you are missing a treat.) We ate tuscan white bean and rosemary dip and drank lots of champagne.
I need to remember to plan little get togethers like this more often. It wasn't much work at all and I was more than rewarded with an evening of laughter, friends and great food. It was sandwiched in an overcrowded weekend and I think we all wondered if it was such a good idea. If I hadn't planned it, the evening would have come and gone without fanfare but without the fun.
We spent the evening laughing and talking and even spilt champagne didn't stop the fun.
I think this should be a tradition. Saying goodgye to summer with good friends and good food...and taking the time to smell the roses.

The End Of Summer

2005-08-16T18:28:00.000-05:00

And so the summer ends. The kids start school next week and the whole tempo will change. The summer this year has gone so fast. I don't know if I am ready for the end of summer but end it must...next Thurday morning. The next week will be filled with lots of extra special things. Going out for ice cream and lots of time at the pool. I have really enjoyed having them home this summer. It has been lots of fun. The house will be so quiet.

It will take me awhile to remember what it was like to run errands without an entourage. I can't imagine what it is like to have a complete thought. I will have to have lunch with the girls and a manicure now and then.

You know...I'm feeling better already.

Red Geraniums

2005-08-12T18:04:00.001-05:00

Red Geraniums
I love red geraniums with ivy. I think it looks especially nice in this black urn. It is so heavy to move! I do a lot of containers with mixed flowers all around the garden and I think these anchor the chaos of the others.
There has been a drought here and the geraniums have stood up to the stressful conditions easily. They have looked good all summer with a bit of water and deadheading.
I'll have to keep these containers in mind next year when I am imagining huge containers filled with 6 different types of plants. I should remember the simplicity of these and the joy I have had looking at them all summer. The lesson for me today is to remember to keep it simple.

2005-08-11T16:52:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Blogging

2005-08-11T16:20:00.000-05:00

Nesting for me means many things. It means creating a haven for my family. A place where we can all be safe and comfortable. But it also means expressing myself. This blog is my nest on the web. I am not sure what that means yet...but I intend to find out.