2012 Fashion Trend: Polka Dots

Polka dot is a print that comes in and out of style almost every other year. It's cute, simple and happy. I always think of the print as childlike. Sometimes that can be a bad thing, but a little polka hear and there can give your outfit a bit of life. Check out some of this inspiration I spotted!

Make the pattern preppy and girly like below

Or grunge it up...

So what do you think? Do you like polka dots? Or do they remind you too much of Minnie Mouse?

Photos: Kate Spade, The Glitter Guide, Anthropologie, Zara, Ruche, Coco + Kelley

2011 I Love You

Wow! Wow! Wow! I'm just overflowing with gratefulness, excitement and happiness when I reflect on 2011. This past year has been an INCREDIBLE adventure full of surprises, hard work and stressful moments resulting in personal growth and professional growth.

This blog has really helped me keep track of all of the wonderful things. (Cue Napoleon Dynamite... "I love technology. Always and Forever...")

A couple of highlights...

1. I left my PR job completely

2. Bought a house

3. Had my first art show

4. Had my writing and style opinions featured in 8 publications

5. Styled professional models

6. Had my styling work featured in 6 publications

7. Styled my first advertisement (blog post about that coming soon)

8. Grew my personal shopping clientele

9. Saw wine country and San Francisco for the first time

There are so many more wonderful things that have happened this year that I can't even list, but building relationships with many new faces and growing existing friendships has been the creme de la creme of them all!

Thank you to all of you who read this blog. I truly am thankful for each one of you!

Cheers to the best of 2011 and best wishes for an adventurous 2012!

Imagination

I think one of our greatest gifts as humans is our imagination. It's not only what fuels innovation, but it transports you to places where colors are more vibrant, where nature becomes more majestic, and most importantly where there are no limits or restrictions. Kids are the best at using their imagination because they haven't yet experienced and learned about life's limitations. BUT I do think that we can continue to be just as creative as we once were if we spend more time doing it and experiencing the result of others doing it too. This is why the arts are so important to support, and also why the entertainment industry is so profitable...Film, music, dance, fashion, etc. are professions that take us beyond our reality. Last night I finally sat down to watch Chanel's Pre-Fall 2012 Paris-Bombay show. WOW! Chanel never disappoints when it comes to a show and that's because they completely transport you to what they were once imagining, and then made reality for 15 minutes.

Sit down and watch at least five minutes of their show, and then watch two minutes of how these clothes were executed. Part of bringing our dreams to life is excellent craftsmanship.

And in that video also lies the reason for why these clothes cost so much - talent, creativity and excellent craftsmanship.

Seeing this just makes me want to bring excellence and imagination to every shoot I'm a part of. Oh, and dream of one day attending a Chanel show too. =)

Photos from Cool & Chic Style Fashion.

2012 DIY Home Decor Goals

I'm a face paced, task oriented person. In other words, I like to get things done and I like to do it quickly. I'm that person that always needs to be reminded to stop and smell the roses, but still doesn't even when reminded. Heck, I hate even pausing to go to the bathroom when I'm in the middle of a project! It's just plain annoying if you ask me. I don't think I've ever gone to the bathroom in the middle of a shoot or fashion show. EVER! All of this to say that owning a home sure has tested this part of my personality. I just want to be able to do everything I'm dreaming about now, and then sit back and enjoy it once it's finished. However, that's just not reality unless you have a never ending supply of money.

So, to get my fix of accomplishment and progress while avoiding the destruction of my bank account, I've come up with a 2012 DIY Home Decor Goal list because of course I'm also addicting to lists and checking things off.

JANUARY Paint my office, bedroom and hallway white.

FEBRUARY Build slat headboard for bedroom

March Paint my doors and windows black in my office and kitchen

APRIL Level the dirt in the backyard, install the sprinkler system and plant grass.

MAY Build a fauxdenza

JUNE Install art hanging system and create art work for kitchen.

JULY Create the family photo wall in the hallway and turn my mini library into a mess.

AUGUST Rip out the carpet in the office and bedroom. Stain and seal the concrete.

SEPTEMBER Change the mirrors in the master bathroom, paint the bathroom cabinets and get hardware for the cabinets

OCTOBER Find cool area rugs for the office and master bedroom

NOVEMBER Build a floating desk for the office.

DECEMBER Get new bedding for the master bedroom.

This is obviously an ambitious and possibly expensive list. But I have some DIY money saving tricks up my sleeve, and a load of paint left over from painting done earlier this year. =) Stay tuned for DIY updates in the new year.

Photos: Lyla & Blu, Dust Jacket Attic, The Brick House, The New York Times, The Brick House, Pottery Barn, Poppy Talk, Life in Grace, Unplggd