February 22nd, 2013 No Comments

cakes & cupcakes: a special collector’s edition is on stands now from the editors of Martha Stewart Living

Martha Stewart has released a special collector’s edition, The Best of Martha Stewart Living Cakes & Cupcakes. This one seems to be narrowed down to some versions that even I could do with the right tools. Of course all the recipes, tools, resources and directions are clear and have photos accompanying them. This is perfect with Easter and Mother’s Day coming up. It’s only on stands until May 6th, 2013, so best to pick up your copy now. A few of my favorites that I’m dying to try are the Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake, the Anemone Cupcakes and the Ruffle … Read more

February 21st, 2013 No Comments

interiors: creating a rosy pink, yellow & peach living room

Our color palette this week has been a rosy pink, yellow and peach, so we thought this inspiration photo could provide some brainstorming for combining this color palette in your home. (don’t forget we suggested 3 Benjamin Moore paint colors on Monday to help you with this palette) This is room is a bit country in feel, we chose some more tailored designs as suggestions to help achieve this look. We started with a tride and true Benjamin Moore paint color called Rose Petal. Rose Petal is a cross between peach and pink- it doesn’t look too orange when … Read more

February 20th, 2013 No Comments

weddings with gail brill: what a professional calligrapher can do for you, it’s not just addressing envelopes!

Oddly enough, I am going to start this blog post talking about an American Folk hero named John Henry. When I was a kid, my parents read to us about Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox named Babe, Johnny Appleseed and John Henry. John Henry “was a steel drivin’ man” who used a hammer to lay railroad tracks. One day he was pitted against a steam powered hammer that could do the job better than a man. John Henry took up the challenge to compete with the machine and in the end, John Henry won, but it didn’t end well. … Read more

February 19th, 2013 No Comments

tabletop: have fun with your setting by using a bright spring palette

I love minimal tables and design (as you can see from my shop), but now that I have children I’m finding that bright pops of color and whimsy is fun and can be just as pretty when setting a table, especially for the holidays. Adding little touches like small bowls of lollipops, candy sticks and cupcakes are inexpensive but effective to make your table look festive.  A table like this is very easy to pull together, so let’s break it down to make it easy for you. If you’d like to work from this specific palette then make sure to … Read more

February 18th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: rosy pink, yellow & peach, inspired by spring fashion

The editorial in Town & Country has been so beautiful lately. I love this color palette for spring that I saw in their March issue.  It’s from within a fashion story called “Artist In Residence” which was shot at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West in the Arizona desert by Bettina Lewin. Of course the setting is amazing, but I like the unexpected colors together and as you go on in the story- I love seeing burgundy wine for spring and black and white (which we saw a lot of at the Golden Globes) which is also a great neutral … Read more

February 15th, 2013 No Comments

as part of our valentine story series… “daddy’s girl” by kelly smith killian

“Daddy’s Girl” With apologies to my dear husband of almost 14 years, I’ve chosen to dedicate my Valentine’s love story to my father. To be clear: I love my husband. He’s the man who still finds ways to surprise me with gifts big and small, utterly practical (ah, that blender) or beautifully novel. After nearly two decades together, he continues to fascinate me, revealing endearing truths about himself (like a hidden talent for juggling I uncovered year nine) that keep me wanting to discover even more. Best of all, our boys ages 4 and 9—brilliant and intuitive creatures that they are—are convinced … Read more

February 14th, 2013 3 Comments

happy valentine’s day! a father’s valentine & a childhood valentine’s day remembered

Today we have two stories for you in celebration of Valentine’s Day- continuing our week of Love Stories. A Father’s Valentine I am a family man. Husband and father of two boys, I love my family. It makes me tick, gives me drive and challenges me. It makes me feel good but never let’s me forget my weaknesses. Looking at my children I see my past and their future merge and wrap, realizing there is only the present moment. That’s when I ask myself: why do I yell at them? Why am I impatient? Luckily, my 2 little zen masters … Read more

February 12th, 2013 No Comments

weddings with gail brill: this couple preserved their love story creatively, and you can too.

As an artist and invitation designer, my work with brides usually falls into certain parameters. The invitation has a prescribed wording. The cards are a certain size and color. In most cases, the boundaries of tradtion are well maintained. Occasionally I’ll work with a bride who wants a Dupioni silk lining to her envelopes, a sprig of evergreen on the invitation or turquoise ink on a chocolate brown card. Every invitation I design is a one-of-a-kind reflection of the bride and groom. But  sometimes, something extraordinary happens. In July of last year, I heard Julia Goren and Adrien Vlach’s love … Read more

February 11th, 2013 1 Comment

a week of love stories: today, “the last kiss”

As a special for Valentine’s week, I thought we’d take a pause from our usual color palettes to celebrate love stories-stories between couples, friends & family. To begin the week I wanted to start with a poem from my father to my mother. My father and mother met when they were in kindergarten, married at age 21 and 20 in 1954 and celebrated 56 anniversaries until my mother’s passing in 2010. My mother had Parkinsons for nearly 20 years and my father cared for her day in and day out at our family home and was at her side when … Read more

February 8th, 2013 No Comments

lynn’s picks: shopping for candy heart pastels

There are a lot of pretty pastels shown this spring, but I just picked a few favorites this week in our candy heart palette.  Alice & Olivia Arie Tied-Collar Blouse, $264, from Bergdorf Goodman, Featherweight Cashmere Shell in Microcheck, $178, from J.Crew, iphone covers from Bloomingdales, Cashmere long v-neck cardigan in pink, $39.90, from Uniqlo, Dior Beauty Cherie Bow Addict Lipstick in Charmante, $31, from Bergdorf Goodman, Tania High Heel Sandals, in Iced Coffee, $295, by Tory Burch, Set of 14 Pale Pink Pencils, $12, from Iomoi. (they have a lot of colors.. lavender, green, hot pink, etc. – … Read more