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!

Amateur Hour

I'll be sitting this New Year's Eve out: There will be no crazy clubs, international DJs, taxi lines, DUI check points, and amateur partiers ruining my NYE. (and I sure won't have a red plastic cup in my hand like the one in the lower left corner of the pic below - hehehe)

Instead, I'm off to the desert to get my pool and spa time on! But don't you worry, there will definitely be a champagne glass in my hand at midnight, and some Blackjack being played at the Indian Casino! Bing Crosby's here we come! Have a Happy New Year!

The JW Marriott spa - where I'll be chillin'

Mr. Parker's - where you're "good to go!"

She did it again!

Spotted! My favorite fashionable cool chick Christine Centenera at Milan Fashion Week. How comfy do those pants look!!?? I'm still trying to get my hands on a pair of those SunG's!

Blazer: Joseph

Top: Bassike

Pants: Lui Hon

Shoes: YSL

Sunglasses: Super Future

via www.trendycrew.com

Happy Birthday Bro!!!

Today is the day my big brother JCT celebrates being 35 years young! This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of him totally stylin' at my wedding in March 2009. He's like a fine wine, he gets better with age...to health and happiness on your special day!

To Do List: Create a Heavenly Bed

This Hanukkah and Christmas (as my husband and I refer to as Chrismukkah in our house) we were very blessed by our beyond generous families with lots of gifts cards to our favorite stores. We've both decided that we want to create a Heavenly Bed, like the ones in our favorite boutique hotels, complete with super plush pillow top mattresses, goose down pillows, and high thread count sheets. Our cheap Target sheets and flattened pillow purchases just aren't cutting it anymore, and since we work so hard, I want to create a tranquil and plush bed that we won't want to leave. After some research on how to create the ultimate Heavenly Bed here's what's on the list of things to buy:

1. You must start with a high-quality firm mattress, which was the first big purchase we made together as a couple.

2. European Goose Down-Topped Featherbed

This is a soft layer of down designed to lie on top of the mattress to make it softer and more comfortable.

3. Next is a decent mattress pad, which we have. Its main purpose is to protect the bed from dust, spills, and stains, but some mattress pads are also filled with down or polyfill which adds another layer of softness.

4. Sheets. For a super soft luxury bed, you'll need one fitted sheet and 2 flat sheets. This sounds excessive, but remember, this is going to be a Heavenly Bed. Buy the best quality sheets you can. I'm trying to find a high thread count, because the higher the number, the softer the sheets. I prefer white sheets, always. I wash them often and usually have a few pairs in rotation and love the super clean look of crisp white sheets.

5. Next is a blanket. For the luxury bed, choose down or a down alternative blanket with 100% cotton cover in a high thread count. A down blanket makes your bed plush and cushy without a lot of weight. I'm choosing mine in white, I just love the ease of white!

6. Next on the list is a duvet. A duvet is a soft flat bag enclosing a quilt or poly insert. This will be our comforter, the top layer of the bed.

I just love the look of this Italian Hotel Satin Stitch in black duvet at Restoration Hardware. It's very crisp, clean, neutral, and the perfect combination of masculine and feminine and I can easily accent throw pillows with this design.

I'm thinking of ordering just 1 boudoir accent pillow with our monogram JSV on it. I love the look of monograms, but used very subtly. I don't want to see letters all over our sheets!

7. Feather Down Pillow Inserts

To complete the super soft bed, I'm going to buy 4 king sized pillows (covered in plain white pillow cases) and 2 King Euro Shams (covered in the Italian Hotel Satin Stitch in black shams).

8. A Faux Fur Throw in Frosted Taupe from Pottery Barn. I saw this on sale for $99 and had to have it, so I used a gift card, you can't beat free shipping and avoiding long lines! I think this throw will be the perfect accent to break up the white bedding and it works nicely with the black stitching.

9. To pull it all together this white tufted bed will work just fine. If you've been reading my blog, you will understand my desire to buy a white tufted bed. The bed frame will have to wait a little while longer, but a girl can dream.

...Now for the rest of bedroom re-do, here's what's on the boards:

I love the look and clean lines of this mirrored night stand and if I was to purchase, I would buy 2 to balance the bed. The mirrored finish breaks up the white from the bed and adds a little glamour to the room.

Here's the night stand look a la this picture above! Simply stunning, modern, glamorous, yet classic. I know I won't get tired of these!

I'm thinking this white Malm 6-drawer dresser from IKEA would be perfect for my husband (and I like the $149 price tag too!) It has a modern look, which would be perfectly balanced with my tall antique oak dresser that was passed down to me from my mom. I could see a 50" flat screen TV mounted above it as the perfect accessory for my husband to enjoy!

To dress up the plain white dresser, I found these clear crystal Prism Knobs at Anthropologie that would really make the dresser pop and look more expensive!

The final (dreaming now) touch will be a chinoiserie wallpaper like this one, used as the back drop on 1 accent wall where our bed is. I have a vanity like this one that fits perfectly with the rest of the design inspiration elements. But, since I rent my apartment, I think I will use some dark charcoal grey paint to really make all the white and mirrored accents stand out - I just love anything that is black and white!

Happy Birthday Eddie T!

This is dedicated to my Father, who is a Christmas Baby, and always finds time to spoil us kids (and the Grand Babies) with the most fabulous gifts on "his day" and in return we do the same for him! Here's to you Dad, on your day, may all your birthday wishes come true and 2010 be a healthy, happy, and prosperous year for all!

Christmas Decor Inspiration: Cranberries

Make a turkey and cranberry panini with your leftovers that's oozing with savory, sweet, and tart flavors.

Cranberry chutney and cream cheese makes the perfect topping for holiday party nibbles.

Cranberry martinis anyone?

Freeze cranberries in ice cubes for festive bottles and buckets!

Sugar covered cranberries looks like freshly fallen snow. If you're like me and live in LA where it's pretty much sunny year round, this is the perfect way to bring the winter feeling into your home for the holidays.

If my last name started with a "W" this cranberry covered cardboard would look perfect!

The Body Shop sells these beautiful red cranberry candles that smell amazing! I just love how red candles look especially in a dimly lit room.