Birthday Brunch

Today is my birthday and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than Geoffrey's in Malibu with my family! We're off to cruise PCH and enjoy a fun sunday overlooking the Pacific. Nothing better than a little sunday buzz on your birthday to get the work week started right! Cheers everyone!!!

Thirsty Thursdays: Pink Champy Please!!!

How pretty and celebratory does this pink Moet & Chandon cork look??!! Since I'm in the mood to celebrate, this for sure will be my drink of choice! Party or no party, champagne evokes fun, bubbles, good times, and lifted spirits! Welcome to the party!

Have a Super Day!

I've had my eye on these Sun G's for a while now and I hope my birthday wish comes true with a shiny new pair! They offer super protection for your eyes, are super cool, super Euro, super stylin', and super unique if you want a pair that's not like what everyone else is sporting.

Since their introduction, artists, celebrities, sports athletes and trendsetters have been wearing SUPER sunglasses. Daft Punk, Who Made Who, Justice, Pedro Winter (and his “Ed Crew”), Simian Mobile Disco, CSS, St. Vincent, The Kills, Elio Fiorucci, Sienna MIller, and Valentino Rossi are just a few who have been seen sporting a SUPER.

My personal all-time fave is Christine Centenera in Super Flat Top

Sun Sign Personality: Vanessa + Valentine = Aquarius

My sister Valentine and I share the same zodiac sign. Aquarians basically possess strong and attractive personalities. They fall into two principle types: one shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; the other exuberant, lively and exhibitionist, sometimes hiding the considerable depths of their character under a cloak of frivolity. Both types are strong willed and forceful in their different ways and have strong convictions, though as they seek truth above all things, they are usually honest enough to change their opinions, however firmly held, if evidence comes to light which persuades them that they have been mistaken. They have a breadth of vision that brings diverse factors into a whole, and can see both sides of an argument without shilly-shallying as to which side to take. Consequently they are unprejudiced and tolerant of other points of view. This is because they can see the validity of the argument, even if they do not accept it themselves. They obey the Quaker exhortation to "Be open to truth, from whatever source it comes," and are prepared to learn from everyone.

Both types are humane, frank, serious minded, genial, refined, sometimes ethereal, and idealistic, though this last quality is tempered with a sensible practicality. They are quick, active and persevering without being self-assertive, and express themselves with reason, moderation and sometimes, a dry humor.

They are nearly always intelligent, concise, clear and logical. Many are strongly imaginative and psychically intuitive, so that the Age of Aquarius, which is about to begin, is much anticipated by psychic circles as an age in which mankind will experience a greatspiritual awakening. The Aquarian philosophical and spiritual bent may be dangerous in that it can drive the subjects into an ivory-tower existence where they meditate on abstractions that bear little relevance to life. On the other hand it can help the many who have scientific leanings to combine these with the Aquarian yearning for the universal recognition of the brotherhood of man, and to embark on scientific research to fulfill their philanthropic ideals of benefiting mankind. When some cause or work of this nature inspires them, they are capable of such devotion to it that they may drive themselves to the point of exhaustion and even risk injuring their health.

Both types need to retire from the world at times and to become temporary loners. They appreciate opportunities for meditation or, if they are religious, of retreats. Even in company they are fiercely independent, refusing to follow the crowd. They dislike interference by others, however helpfully intended, and will accept it only on their own terms. Normally they have good taste in drama, music and art, and are also gifted in the arts, especially drama.

In spite of the often intensely magnetic, forthcoming and open personality of the more extrovert kind of Aquarian, and of their desire to help humanity, neither type makes friends easily. They sometimes appear to condescend to others and take too little trouble to cultivate the acquaintance of people who do not particularly appeal to them. They do not give themselves easily - perhaps their judgment of human nature is too good for that - and are sometimes accounted cold. But once they decide that someone is worthy of their friendship or love, they can exert an almost hypnotic and irresistible mental attraction on them and will themselves become tenacious friends or lovers, ready to sacrifice everything for their partners and be faithful to them for life. However, they are sometimes disappointed emotionally because their own high personal ideals cause them to demand more of others than is reasonable. And if they are deceived their anger is terrible. If disillusioned, they do not forgive.

It's my birthday week and I'll party if I want to!

It's the Age of Aquarius so let the sunshine in my friends!!! I know, I know, I've been a little MIA this month and rightfully so! Between the demands of work, fighting what seems to be the never ending cold/cough or whatever the hell is floating around, working on my new website (shhhh...you will have to keep reading to see what's next in 2010 for V+V!), trying to exercise (took a serious hiatus the last few months), researching areas to move to and seriously stalking good real estate deals, to making time for my family and of course my husband...there just hasn't been anytime left for this fun stuff! So, I promise I am back and what better way to kick off a comeback than with a party! That's right, this sunday I turn another year older, but certainly wiser and I couldn't be more excited for that! So let the sunshine in cause it's the Age of Aquarius!

Photo via Martha Stewart Living

Jules Rules

My favorite band during my 20s was hands-down The Strokes. I saw them perform live many times in L.A., made it back stage, and was able to party with them one New Year's Eve in Vegas. I was completely in love with the lead singer Julian Casablancas and when I heard he was going off on his own for a single album, I was intrigued. This is a picture of the marquee where he performed during the month of November in 2009 in Los Angeles. For me, Jules still Rules!!!

Photo courtesy of JCT

Hancock Park Studio

Today my sister Chelsea (the Valentine in Vanessa + Valentine) and I did a photo shoot for her newly redesigned studio in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Ron Marvin (the man who knows a thing or two about utilizing small spaces stylishly and functionally, was our constant source of inspiration for this little studio). Take a peek at the posh new pad !!!

We couldn't decide which pillows we liked best on the leather couch so here's both options.

I like how the yellow pops against the blue wall, but again, couldn't make up my mind so I thought I would show you both ways.

Love the chilled out glamorous bohemian 70s vibe the Donghia fabric mixed with the faux fur blanket from Pottery Barn gives this room. The collage is courtesy of Chels.

Some of our favorite design books: newly added courtesy of my Mom is Woodson & Rummerfield, I highly recommend picking up a copy!!!

Once the shoot was over, we headed to Joan's on Third for a quick bite to eat and who did we notice standing in line with us at the counter??!! Angelo Surmelis from HGTV!!! Today was a great day for designing, being creatively inspired, and hanging with my sister!