Wednesday, March 30, 2011

What an amazing time we all had!



Ok, I know this is much overdue and you guys have already read tons of
recaps of the fantastic
Moulin Rouge Artistic Affaire in Los Angeles...unfortunately, me and Aaron have been so so sick (with what we are calling the Moulin flu) and seriously, I didn't even have the strength to blog. So I'll keep this brief...because lots of gals have already filled you in on the spoils.
First off, wow...Kim Caldwell is the hostess with the
mostest! She claims to be a nervous gal...but wow, it does not show when she's in charge and running the show. All of us teachers were put at ease...she made every little would be hiccup seem like no big deal...and the bang-for-your-buck of the event...if you were an attendee...I have never seen an event packed with so much good stuff. Every moment Kim would stand up and announce yet another giveaway! Every gal left LA with luggage way too full of great stuff!
Luckily we decided to arrive a day early so that we wouldn't be stepping off the plane and rushing to set up for the amazing vendor fair soiree, wherein every gal was dressed to the nines in
Moulin Rouge style regalia and your ticket got you free professional photos to memorialize it. The Hotel...The Belamar was so so boutique chic...small and retro Hollywood....a super duper helpful and kind staff. Kim couldn't have picked a better spot. The Ballroom...where the classes were...wow! Aaron went and spied it earlier in the day...I wasn't ready yet...still preparing kit stuff...and Aar is like "You gotta see the room!" he took our camera and came back with like 50 pics to show me...again, Kim spared no expense. If you can go to Kim's next event...GO! You won't be disappointed one drop...you will be overwhelmed with the amount that you take away from it...including brand new great friendships.
We were thrilled to be a part of this event and we loved the rest of the teaching line up...you'll see us all together with Kim in the photo slide below.
And we LOVED our class!! All the gals were so so sweet!! We had an absolute blast negotiating the room full of tables and getting to know everyone. After class we went back to our room and went "WOW!...that was a great time!" then
Aar went to get a bucket of ice and noticed that every single door in the hotel had a do-not-disturb on the knob...so I hope it's a good thing that we exhausted everyone!



Like I said...I'm trying to keep this brief. This was our first time on the left coast and it was a little bit what we expected...and at the same time it was the strangest place. We are just so used to New York City...it's a grid and it makes sense. Los Angeles is just a million neighborhoods that keep repeating...each with it's own flavor but sorta similar. Luckily my sis rented a car or we would have seen none of it. Man, do you need a car...the place is sprawling! So we had a bit of an extended stay...on the last day of the event was an 12 hour bus trip and in rare form me and Aar decided to join...we usually don't spoil ourselves with any extras...but this was just too good to pass up. The shops were amazing, and it was so so cool to finally meet some of our very favorite online friends in person! And then we got to stay an extra day at our friend Maggie's house in Silver Lake (which happens to be the home town of one of my favorite bands...who I've mentioned before...Local Natives...You must listen to this band!) So despite already being too sick to function...Maggie made our stay easy...and she's an expert at planning perfect short-trip LA experiences. She should work for the tourism board. On our last day there...in a quick hour before our flight that was so easy seeming...we scored these great pics by the Hollywood sign...and visited the fantastic Griffith Observatory with views that go on forever! Oh yeah, that super cute little guy in the pics is Maggie's scrumptious son Charlie. And his adorable presence made our stay so pleasant...seeing him wake up in his pajamas to come check out these strangers on the air mattress in his living room. We were not prepared for the LA chill in the air...and I guess the houses being lightly insulated...because we New Jerseyans woke up Freezing! Aaron had to put his hoodie on right upon waking up and baby Charlie seemed to like the look of this...he kept patting Aaron's hooded head and saying "baby"... I guess Aaron looked like a giant bald baby! Oh that Charlie is a cutie!


On Saturday night all the festivities at the hotel were over so we took a trip to a group of gallery openings nearby...it was a great night despite a little drizzle at the end. The galleries were so awesomely situated and all throughout the landscape were dazzling smelling lemon trees! We finished off the night at the famous grilled cheese truck...I think Aar got grape soda with his. We saw a ton of great artwork met a couple great dogs and people too!
Like I said...I needed to keep this brief....because so many gals have already done such a good job. Our hugest thanks again to Kim for inviting us and making the experience utterly Magical...no joke! It was the greatest time we had in forever.
xoxo, Jenny!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

We 're back!!



What a trip!!
California was amazing!! Moulin Rouge was seriously mind blowing!! I have so much to share with you guys! I took over 300 pics and I'm now knee deep in the process of identifying the good, the bad, and the ugly!!

Unfortunately there was a super duper sickness bug going around and it sunk it's teeth into me big time. I am really hoping that I am on the last of it...the coughs, the headaches, the sinus pressure...man are they getting old! I think the really fun bus trip may have been the sickness culprit...50 something women (and Aaron and our driver Greg!) all in a tiny mobile tube for 12 hours...seems like the perfect scenario for spreading something around.


As soon as it is possible for me to sit up straight for more than 10 mins I will blog like crazy! Because the trip was just so so so fun and man...it deserves the healthiest of blogging minds. So I promise...very soon I will return with energy this Artistic Affaire merits!

xoxo Jenny

Friday, March 11, 2011

Where has Jenny been?


Hello Hello!!

Where has Jenny been?? Well, I will tell you...covered in glitter, with dyed pink hands! And nope...not from my hair. (dying 200 pink feathers!) We are getting in all those last minute tasks and errands for Artistic Affaire next week!!! Ahhhh!! I cannot believe it! In less than a week, we will be in California surrounded by some of the most fabulous, fun, and frilly gals in blogland. Moulin Rouge is all we are thinking and breathing, and at this point...wearing! Feathers on every surface. Even the pups can be seen running around with pink feathers sticking to their lil wet noses. We are just so so excited! My sis is coming out too. She isn't enrolled in the event, more just to chill and help a bit. Though...there is an over the top, all day bus trip planned that she will be a part of. The itinerary is bonkers! Seriously! like really? This many amazing things all in one day!? Don't worry, I promise tons of pics and a nice lengthy recap!

So what did you think of our fab gals in our first PMOT spotlight? How about Fancy Lady Gourmet's adorable cookies?! And Amanda's super cool art?! (check out her blog...she has a little Spring gift for you blog readers! 10% off anything in her shop!) And Hollie Wood's ummm...LIFE! (speaking of...check out this fabulous blog post about her) I really am so psyched about this year! I have so many fun ideas twirling around in my mind. Expect things to reeeally get fun once we get back from California!


Want to meet some more gals that are going to make this year THEIR year?

Introducing:

Keira Morgan
of Handsome And Lace (Neck Tie Reformatory)

Here is a gal that is certainly not at a loss for BIG ideas and goals.
A very enthusiastic designer from Toronto, Canada.
Raised by a very eccentric mother who was always very particular about her style, from the materials, to obsessively picking off any little loose threads that she could find. She inspired a need for perfection and colour in Keira's designs and old Hollywood inspired the vintage feel to them.





Where from?: London, ON, although I don't like to admit it.

What do you create/do?: I create wearable art for the ladies and the fella's/ I run a neck tie reformatory in Toronto. I plan to bring bowties and neck ties to a whole new level!

When did you start?: 2007. I sold my first batch of hairbands to a co-worker and started really fixating on neck ties that year. I was obsessed with tuxedos and 50's gangster styles and it just grew from there.

shop/site/blog:

shop
site
blog
facebook

How will you PMOT this year?:
Twitter, Facebook, Blog, sidebars, word of mouth..etc.
I'm determined to get into a store in Italy, Paris, and New York by the end of the year!!!

Three fave blogs:
WORN fashion blog
The Handmade Gift Guide
Toronto Street Fashion

What you are donating to the giveaway?: A hairband and mini tie necklace valued at $ 75.00



Next up:

Susan K. Weckesser
Susiebee Studios Inc.

Susiebee Studios has been designed to address the small and the wonderful things that happen in the world on a day to day basis through different art forms. Hoping to showcase superior products that are earth friendly to our planet. It is Susan's goal to give art a voice.

her motto : Live to Create ~ Create to Live

I LOVE Susan's outlook on life! And her artwork can only make you smile! Keep your eyes open for her scrapbooking line coming very soon!!


Where from?: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

What do you do/create?: designer, painter, mixed media artist, photographer, artist

When did you start?: When I was old enough to hold a paintbrush! :)

shop/site/blog:

site
blog
blog2

How will you PMOT this year?: I am designing and putting out my own paper line this spring!

Favorite Blogs:

living out loud
Elizabeth Kartchner
Scraps of Life

What are you donating to the giveaway?: An original mixed media canvas.


How fabulous are Keira's tie earrings? annnd the necklaces? LOVE em! And Susan's cheerful art, perfect for a family room, or nursery...or hanging in your studio to add a lil sunshine to your work day!

Leave these ladies some comments...ask questions, visit their shops, blogs, etc! Join the party!! Let us all know what you think!!


Ok...so now..some big FUN news...



If you haven't already picked up the fabbbulous NEW issue of Where Women Cook.... run don't walk! It is packed with incredible women, doing incredible things! Not to mention major eye candy!! There is a super sweet spread on my girl Cheryl at Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah. Her place is so darn charming it almost hurts! cute cute cute! And it's also pretty sweet seeing our artwork hanging on her walls! :) There is an adorable cookie/candy necklace tutorial that had me grinning ear to ear. Recipes galore, a recap of the launch party in NYC that we attended in December, and funny enough...Aaron's head happens to be in one of the pics! (see pink arrow) Ok and maybe the best part...Our artwork! Yep! Our best selling "cupcakes" print full page, full color! Totally honored to be a part of such a fantastic publication, and community of talented, passionate women!

Ok and one more fun thing...



Torie Jayne



We are sponsoring a giveaway over at the fabulous Torie Jayne blog!! Get over there and enter to win some Everyday is a Holiday art!! :)



Ok...I really must get back to my glitter, feathers, and fringe! :)

Have a GREAT weekend!!
xo Jenny