A stolen kiss when you should be studying (ahem)

Flying to surprise that special someone and all the anticipation that sits in that seat with you…

image via Malibu Magazine

A kiss that makes you weak in the knees, in a beautiful deco dress.

Food so decadent it gives you a naughty grin. Recipe and the greatest story here.

The way a man’s shirt is supposed to look.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend — we’ll see you back here Monday. We’ve got a neat series launching and some more great stories and interviews headed your way. There also may be some food.

Hmm, it looks like February is going to be a great month. xo

Share

For the record? She liked my pants.

images by christine tremoulet photography

While attending Altitude Design Summit a few weeks ago I had the fantastic opportunity to visit with Anya Ayoung-Chee, Project Runway Season 9 winner and previous Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe 2008.

For all the flack Anya received for the “not knowing how to sew” angle on Project Runway, you cannot deny that she has a very clear voice to her designs – and that is one straight out of the islands on which she grew up. What you may not know is that she has a magnificent grace and heart to go along with that voice.

Endlessly poised and gracious, Anya was kind enough to spend a few minutes out of her busy conference appearance schedule to chat about some things not apparent on the old Wikipedia page.

OV: A quick look at your website shows you have only designed spring and summer collections – for the obvious influential reasons. Do you see yourself ever branching out into a fall or winter collection?

AAC: Yes, it’s coming. I want to make sure I service my current, very loyal customer base that has been with me even before Project Runway first, and I am known for spring-summer clothes. I will do a “light fall” collection, but thoughtfully. I will probably never do wool coats – it’s not what I am familiar with and I never wore one growing up. I want to make smart decisions about work. It’s one thing to take a risk for a television show, but not in business. That’s not for me.

OV: I’ve read that from your Project Runway winnings you are creating a philanthropic organization to support promising talent from the islands that may not have access to start-up funding. Can you share more about these plans?

AAC: Yes, and we are still planning. This is very important to me. We want to be sure everything is set up properly and that those chosen can be responsible to take care of the monies given. We are supporting all creative endeavors from design to journalism, etc. and the program will include some mentorship as well.

Of course I asked her our favorite always:never questions… A woman should:

Thanks to Anya and to HP, the wonderful sponsor who brought Anya to the conference and let me steal time with her.

Share

It is nearly impossible to see the color yellow and not smile. I’ll admit it, I’m ready for spring now. We’ve had no winter to speak of, so I’m giving up on any chance to wear fabulous winter clothes and let’s just jump ahead to bright, citrus colors now, shall we? I’ve never been a huge yellow-person, but I think this year I’m going to grab a few pieces to throw in – you know, for the sunniness of it.

J. Crew Spring 2012 Collection | Topshop Thread Wrapped Bangles | Carven Dress | Betsey Johnson Flower Earrings | Tory Burch Norah Envelope Bag | Trax Watch | Deborah Lippman Nail Lacquer | Kate Spade ‘Karolina’ Heels | Dwell Studio Pillow (on sale!) | Jimmy Choo ‘Biel’ Wedges

Share

Swing it! I’m over at momtastic today talking about a favorite trend: tassel earrings. It’s hard for me to hear the word tassel without thinking “Candi the Stripper”, but these lovelies are more trend than tart.

Share

It’s couture show season, friends, and all the greatest design minds are sending their spring-summer 2012 collections down the runway. While I sat drooling over the images of the shows broadcast to date, it occurred to me that a trend was happening.

SLEEVES.

Call me old, but it is such a breath of fresh air to see sleeves again. I am in love with the voluminous pillows of sleeves harking back to an era when women were tastefully elegant and hemlines were reasonable.

I can’t be certain, but I believe we owe a debt of thanks to Dutchess Kate and her wedding gown shot heard round the world who may have personally ushered sleeves back into vogue both literally and figuratively.

Gautier is still shockingly sexy in his homage to Amy Winehouse, Chanel is quintessentially true to their heritage and Armani Prive is streamined, modern and feminine. I’d like to be buried in that Christian Dior houndstooth number – I’d like to think your welcome party to heaven is impossibly chic.

Thank you, fashion houses. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into silhouettes and palettes the rest of us can embrace and enjoy.

The ladies applaud the ladylike.

Share

I think we all need a dose of feisty from time to time.

Rochas leather leopard skirt? Yep. The very definition of feisty. Love this.

If I were to throw a party right this second, this is how it would look. Completely chic, slightly badass and uber dramatic. From the fabulous Park & Cube.

Let’s eat something terrifically healthy, but decadent. I can’t wait to try this Roasted Eggplant Salad with Smoked Almonds & Goat Cheese from The Kitchn.

I’m telling you, don’t.

I have absolutely no idea where this is, but it makes me want to dramatically smoke my eyes out, wear a million jingly bracelets and belly dance. Come with me.

I hope you guys have a terrific weekend – We’ll see you back here on Monday. Don’t forget! There are some neat things upcoming…

xo,
Pam

Share

You know those things you should grab at the end of season while they are on sale? These are on there right behind cashmere sweaters.

Aside from giggling every time I say the word “snood”, I adore them. Fur collars as well. Not only do they give a bit of easy warmth to a fall or winter outfit, they make a plain coat or classic roundneck sweater just a bit of luxe and interest.

They are PERFECT for layering – both in pattern and texture – AND if you get too warm? Slip them off, fluff your hair and throw them in your purse. Done.

1. ASOS Faux Fur Snood (black)
2. ASOS Faux Fur Snood (brown)
3. ASOS Leopard Fantasy Fur Snood
4. ASOS Faux Fur Pointed Collar
5. ASOS Faux Fur Peter Pan Collar (green!)
6. Flirt Fur Snood

Share

Wondering how to wear this year’s hottest color without looking like you fell out of a box of Froot Loops? I’m over at momtastic today talking about just that! There are ways to wear Tangerine Tango that work for everybody. Come over and see.

Ole!

Share

Spring is almost here, isn’t it? Oh, let’s pretend. We can both have a rich fantasy life – especially in this Louis Vuitton number that strolled down the runway for Spring / Summer 2012. Perfect for those with champagne tastes and a fabulous garden lunch fundraiser to attend.

For those of us with ginger ale budgets we can swoon over the Jeffrey Monteiro “Belle Lace” dress – and still sip champagne, right?

Right.

Need a sparkling Perrier version? Found it in Dolce Vita. Of course!

Share

Additional images by Justin Hackwork and b.a.d. photography

Last week I flew to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the 2012 Altitude Design Summit. It’s a professional conference for those of us in social media focused on the design, style and creative space.

At least that’s the official definition of it.

What really defines this bootcamp for your creativity, design and writing passion is the cocktail of inspiration, reality checks, hardcore skills, collaboration, intelligent discourse, style, laughter and lightbulbs. And food.

But the lightbulbs and reality checks? Oh, man. Those are the stuff.

Blogging is hard work. It may look easy and fun (and, make no mistake, it’s a blast), but “easy” is an illusion – to the readers and to those that want to start this adventure. It’s art and science and me and you and magic all at once but it’s not the kind of magic that just HAPPENS.

There was a panel I attended that had a slide by Meg from A Practical Wedding that simply said,

“There is no G-d in the machine.”

Truer words have never been shared. No matter what job or niche or project or industry you work in, there is only hard, continual, focused work.

I needed to be reminded of that even after doing this for six years.

These conferences are not to promote and stroke egos. They are for learning and sharing and understanding we are accountable to DO BETTER. Our readers are earned. Our relationships with them and the brands we choose to work with are holy.

Every comment has meaning, every tweet is a conversation, every post shared with friends or family is a gift. Honor that. DO BETTER.

The collage up above is made up of images and moments from the conference itself. I had some extraordinary opportunities while I was there and some of the images hint at a few of them.

But, don’t worry. I can’t wait to share them.

Life List Item: Attend Alt Summit. CHECK.

Share