Color Story: The Power of Red

In case you missed it, I'm guest posting over on Paloma's La Dolce Vita today!!!  See you there!

Inspired

I was catching up on one of my favorite blogs, Habitually Chic, and stumbled upon this post that directed me over to The Atelier Blog.  I always love finding new blogs and I especially love this list of inspiring quotes and goals for 2013.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did and have a HAPPY WEEKEND party people!!!

Color Story: Going Green

Hi Everyone!!!  Today I am guest posting over on Paloma's blog La Dolce Vita.  Be sure to check out my post on all things green!!!  Hope you are having a Happy New Year!!!

Color Story: Maria Barros + Christmas

Today I have a new series called Color Story debuting over on Paloma's La Dolce Vita!  Read more about Maria Barros' style here.

Glamour Obsession: Brunette for Fall

Today I'm guest posting over on Paloma's La Dolce Vita!  Be sure to check it out if you are looking for a little inspiration to make yourself over this Fall!!!

See more inspiring pics here

In Case You Missed It...

I'm still guest posting over on Paloma's La Dolce Vita!  Check out my post on Chic Black Totes and follow me on Pinterest here! 

Glamour Obsession: Chic Maternity Style

Today I am guest posting over on La Dolce Vita!  Stop on by and check out my take on maternity style!  Oh by the way, I've got a little one on the way!  More on that to come!

Glamour Obsession: Classic Timepieces

Today I'm guest posting over on La Dolce Vita!  Stop on by and say hello here!  It's been far too long since we've chatted so please forgive me...

Xo,

Vanessa

Glamour Obsession: Neon

I'm currently obsessed with all things neon and bright so read more about it here today on La Dolce Vita!!!  I love to hear from you so leave a little comment too!  

Glamour Obsession: Chanel 2.55 Jumbo Bag

Hi Everyone!  I hope you are having a smashing holiday season!  Today I am contributing over on La Dolce Vita about my current obsession, the Chanel 2.55 Jumbo Bag.  Be sure to stop by and say hello and read more about it here! 

What's on your wish list? 

I'm a Winner!

I never win anything.  So when Paloma from La Dolce Vita told me I was the winner of a brand new Orange Teddie Tote from Gigi New York I was super excited and delighted!  I can't wait to receive my new tote and use it as my new diaper bag for little Barron.  Be sure and check out some of their other styles here!

Glamour Obsession: French, Do It, Better

In case you missed my guest post over at LDV, check it out here!   

French really do, do it better!  Can I please own this little Vespa and cruise off into the city??!! 

Glamour Obsession: Bohemian Chic

Hey Everyone!  Blogging hasn't been on the top of my list these days since my day job and motherhood has literally eaten me alive!  It's all good though because business is booming and I'm super duper busy finding creatives jobs, which I love!  I'm contributing regularly over on Paloma's blog La Dolce Vita, so be sure to check out my post today about all things bohemian and glamorous!  See you there!!!

Glamour Obsession: American Glamour by Ralph Lauren

In case you didn't know, I have joined the La Dolce Vita team as a regular contributor for the next few months!!!  My series titled"Glamour Obsession" will explore all things glamorous: interiors, fashion, people, and places.  The first post went live today so be sure to check it out, leave a little love note, and say hello!  See you there!!!

Rebirth of Cool: Saucy Glossie

I love fashion bloggers.  I stumbled upon Lindsey Calla's blog Saucy Glossie last summer while pregnant and was so inspired by all her adorable fashion ensembles that I couldn't wait to recreate them!

Well, a few weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to see Lindsey on TV as the spokesperson for TJ MAXX!  How cool is that??!!  It really goes to show that regular individuals can have such a huge impact on advertising.

I will admit, that when I see Lindsey pair super cute wide legged pants from New York and Company on her blog, I actually do go into the stores to find the same exact items to create looks at more affordable prices.

I'm also curious to step inside a TJ MAXX to find affordable name brand pieces at lower prices, thanks to Lindsey.  So great job Lindsey and TJ Maxx for a really well executed ad campaign!  I'm pretty much sold and will definitely be stopping by some stores this Fall!

My Creative Process

You may have noticed, we have a new look around here!  So much has been going on in my life these days, including having this blog redesigned by Jenna of QA Design.  I first came across her work through various bloggers I follow and was quite impressed by the before and after photos of her work.  Here is a before photo of my old blog template...

Although I was very happy with the look of it, I was ready for a change.  I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the elements that served as my inspiration.  After playing around with fonts I knew I wanted to keep a similar look, but kick it up a notch.  I played around with fonts and decided on using Edwardian and BlairMDTT.  I feel the script and print are masculine and feminine, uptown and downtown, both elements of my personality.

Next, deciding on an accent color was a bit challenging for me.  If you have been reading this blog, you know just how much I am loving gold!  Black and white has always been my signature combo, however pushing myself to go with gold was scary at first, but I love how it looks!

I've been seeing gold everywhere these days, so I decided to leave the coral pink behind and just go for it and I'm glad I did!

  

I love the simplicity of Kelly Wearstler's website.  I think it's good design at it's finest.  It's clean, simple, and serves a purpose, which are all elements of good design in my book.  I love the graphic impact of the black and white with gold accents!

This chain link design from Iomoi is my absolute favorite, so I knew I had to incorporate it somehow into the design.  I wear a gold chain link bracelet everyday, so I thought it would be the perfect element to bring in as an accent.

This Hermes tray that I found online also served as inspiration.  I just love this design!

More gold chains....and below is the actual gold Ralph Lauren chain bracelet that I wear daily. 

I totally think my designer Jenna got it just right!  Now, about my designer, I can not say enough great things about her!  I was a little apprehensive of hiring someone that I didn't know, but decided to just give it a shot and I am ever so grateful for working with her!  She was beyond patient, going back and forth with me, making changes and adjustments.  I am probably not your average client.  I studied Graphic Design in college and in my day job I place designers in creative jobs, so I am very hands on and love being part of the creative process.  I am an absolute perfectionist when it comes to the details, so I am ever so thankful for working with Jenna.  Things got a little tense when she was doing the final install because my previous code was acting up, but in the end she figured it out and got everything set up beautifully!  I felt like we really worked as a team to get it all done!  I would highly recommend anyone to work with her and I can't say enough great things about her!

Where I'm at Today: La Dolce Vita

Today I am guest blogging over at Paloma's "Dream Home Series" on La Dolce Vita!!!  I was absolutely thrilled when Paloma asked me to participate, so I immediately got to work compiling all my favorite images from my personal files.  La Dolce Vita was one of the first blogs I started following 3 years ago and through the powers of Social Media have been able to develop a friendship with her.  I admire her fierce eye for style, determination to pursue her dreams, and am constantly inspired by High Gloss Magazine!  Please stop by and say hello!

xo,
Vanessa

Where I'm at Today: The Glam Lamb

Today I am guest blogging over at Hallie's fabulous blog The Glam Lamb!  Be sure to check out her new series "What's On Your Coffee Table."  Hallie was one of the first bloggers I met online!  This girl has some serious style and a great eye.  We always catch ourselves posting about the same things, and we always laugh how we are constantly thinking alike!  We both live in LA and even went to same college (University of Arizona - go 'Cats!)  Take a peek at one of my favorite daily reads and say hello to my girl Hallie!

Inspiring Artist: Caitlin McGauley

Artist Caitlin McGauley has been a favorite of mine the minute I saw her work featured in my old issues of Domino Magazine.  I've loved and admired her paintings for sometime now, and the other day I

stumbled across her new website that you definitely have to check out!  Here are some of my favorites...

 How cute is this one with the orange walls and turquoise couch!?  I love how playfully whimsical these are, yet totally chic.

I'm so impressed and in awe of all the attention to detail.  I studied painting in high school and college and always wanted to be able to interpret a real life setting like this.  Caitlin is so talented! 

She's now selling some of her original artworks and I want one!  When she's not painting for herself, she is also working for some of my favorite brands like Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and Hermes.  You can also see her contributing on Lonny's Blog for Watercolor Wednesdays.   I can't wait to see what Caitlin does next!

Images via Caitlin McGauley

My New Favorite Fabric

A few weeks ago Hallie, over at The Glam Lamb, did a post about Liz Caan, my new favorite interior design crush.  I immediately fell in love with her work, but was even more intrigued by the fabric on the throw pillow, tossed casually in the white chair above with the Hermes blanket.  I later discovered while browsing through the latest issue of Lonny that it's Thomas Paul for Duralee.   

I love anything with a peacock feather!  This pattern in particular is really speaking to me because it's so graphic and packs a punch.  The brown color way Liz used works so well in this interior, it totally can stand alone, but it complements the other pieces in the room so nicely.  I love everything going on in this room!  The bright orange monogrammed pillows, the faux fur blanket, the dog painting, mixed with the mirrored nightstands.  Set against the calming blue walls is absolute perfection in my eyes!

Here are a few other colors of the fabric....

I love this  peacock blue, I would totally upholster a chair in this color...

Love the deep plum too, I could see this one used in a dining room... 

Of course, I love any great neutral with a great pattern!  This one would be my first choice to cover my bench at the foot of my bed.  I'm feeling inspired again!!!