10.24.2012

Citrus Blues

Back in late spring, I worked with the talented photographer  David M. Bailey and model Alexis Cristianne to create an editorial for an online magazine publication. 

Our goal was to create two of my favorite passions
(makeup + citrus)
 into an eye catching look for an evening affair. 
I referred to it as the
"Citrus Blues". 

 Yves St. Laurent's Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in Deep Night created the perfect flutter of lashes around Alexis' hazel eyes. 
I love bringing the look from the lashes to legs with these orange stilettos.
Alexis is THE MUSE in my life! 
Her character and intelligence inspires me often, and hello..... just look at her, she is stunning!!

*Thank you David M. Bailey and Alexis Cristianne for being such an amazing creative team to work with. 

10.07.2012

Playing at the dinner table

I love these shots of Ikea dishware.
I appreciate the cleanliness and sleekness of these images. 
 Makes me want to arrange all of my dishware in a fun,abstract way in my studio!


10.04.2012

Behind the Scenes:Child Models

Sometimes, you just don't know what will happen when  you throw a kid out on set.  It can go surprisingly well, or completely the opposite.   I tend to get pretty lucky,  but sometimes I have to bring out all of my magic tricks when things.... well, to say the least.... not go as planned.  

Here are some fun shots my photographers have captured while on set.



Not planned :)


 Drawing a truck on the floor to keep this little 2 year old in one place.

 Sometimes, you just have to pick a kid up and put them where they need to be. 

The "kid" isn't always the only "kid" on set at times.

9.07.2012

last-of-the-summer innocense

Came across Babiekins Magazine through the ever-amazing Pinterest site and absolutely fell in L.O.V.E!

www.babiekinsmag.com

 Here is a little last-of-the-summer innocence for your Friday.

8.28.2012

My television-self

My life seems to be in a huge transition these days.
Since I have been called "Carrie" quite a bit lately..... I felt as though I would turn to her for inspiration on feeling good about the decisions I am making with my life. 

This is truly fitting, like, scary-fitting....  like, I really did this. ;)

7.21.2012

heavenly weekend.

This to me, is a heavenly weekend morning. 
Awwwww........


7.03.2012

Happy (last minute) Summer Entertaining!







Today we have decided to throw a small little get together for the 4th of July, tomorrow.  As a well-heeled hostess, I am a panicked because I am so not prepared.  

Taking a step back (and a few deep breaths) I remember "It does not have to be expensive, nor time consuming to plan a party for 6!" 

Here are a few party must haves to bring the quality up a notch when you just don't have the time to say..... create an entire spread.

Pellegrino makes your basic glass of ice water want to jump right back into the faucet.  The experience of a nice bottle pouring out a sparkling water takes it up a notch.  Trader Joes has the best priced bottles.  $1.59 for the larger bottle!  I always pick one or 2 up when I do my shopping there, just to have on hand. 
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Gourmet Cheeses are an easy way to get people to think you put a whole lot of time into the planning.  Since the 4th of July is recognizably a true summer holiday, why not barbecue cheese!   Grilled Brie is amazing!   Add a sprig of rosemary and wrap it in foil and toss it on the BBQ! I did this last summer on the campfire and it was so good! Add bread or green apples to dip!  Here are the easy deets on how to barbecue brie!  
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Bread and Dippings always are a hit at a gathering.  My favorite is a Rosemary Sourdough with olive oil & balsamic vinegar.   We always have olive oil and vinegar on hand, so a small loaf of bread will be an easy $5!  Warm bread wrapped in a white cloth napkin makes it feel special and oh-so-fancy!  
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Veggie or Meats as mini appetizers are a must.  For tomorrow, I think I may just do some skewers.  An entire skewer of sliced red potatoes is gorgeous and super easy.  Shrimp with pineapple and red peppers are delish too!   One pack of skewers will get you so far for so cheap.  Everyone enjoys finger foods! 
Frozen desserts are easy to make look nice.  I love the bon bons from Trader Joes in the freezer section (12 for $5)! 1-2 of these on small white square dessert plates with a berry and a mint leaf could be so beautiful, and so inexpensive.  The simplicity of this dessert is gratifying enough!

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I never use paper napkins for any-sized party.  I have acquired white restaurant style napkins from thrift stores throughout the years that come in handy.   It just feels nicer and people really appreciate the experience of a cloth napkin rather than something that is just trashed after use.   

Now, to not forget adding some fresh florals so it doesn't look like you were not expecting company.  Going with the low-budge entertaining......I think I will just do red and white carnations.  These flowers can look very cliche and tacky so I'll be sure to spruce them up by some fabulous arrangements and vessles. 
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Happy 4th of July entertaining! 

6.26.2012

I WON!

I totally won the jackpot while I was thrifting the other day!  :) 
With a few plates, glasses, flatware, food and bev's
I have a whole new look to add to my basic all white entertaining pieces. 
 HOW CHIC!  (and how inexpenive!)


 I fell madly in love with this red vinyl ice bucket with a translucent lucite knob on top!
'Mad Men'  Martinis anyone?!
 A set of FOUR yellow linen cocktail napkins are a perfect way to add another fun pop of brightness! 
  I can't believe I found them for $5! 
 A set of 3 various size trays for under $10??!!!
SOLD! 

Ok, so this was a an odd find, I know..... but how charming are these porceline chess pieces!?
Something about them makes me feel very "proper". 
Though they did not come with a chess board and have a few flaws,
any ideas what I should do with them?

Can you believe this was all found in 1 store?  I scored! 

6.24.2012

Game On

I can play this game.......

*this was uploaded from Pinterest http://pinterest.com/mietna/. 

MY DAY JOB


Sometimes I cant believe that I get to style as my full time job.  A lot actually goes into one shot.  All of the finessing, cleaning, composition, and of course style. 
 Then it goes off to the photographer where they can make it even better!  

Here are a few shots Ive done in the last couple of months.




 Styled by me.
*photos via www.zulily.com

6.21.2012

daytime summer bev

Ever tried a PassionTea Lemonade from Starbucks?
Well this is even better! 

Tazo's Passion Tea steeped in about an inch of hot water for a minute or so
 (may need to squeeze the bag with a spoon to force the tea out)
FILL cup with ice.
Pour tea over ice.
(may need to add more ice once the hot water melts the ice)
Pour SanPellegrino's Limonata into cup.
(as much as preferred)


A shot of vodka may be yummy in it as well! ?
Let me know if you try it! 

6.20.2012

a sweet sneak peek

Im getting SO anxious to share a little project I worked on with a couple of the
 most talented and passionate people I know! 

Here is a sweet little taste.
Any ideas or thoughts on what my little project could be? 
Stay tuned.... a big reveal soon.

6.19.2012

tea party with a kick

I was asked to create a tea party for an internal marketing project, and knew that I wanted to play with
Prim & Proper vs. Fun & Rebellious.
Here are some of the deets!

Check out the set that I created after finding this garden pedestal table at an antique store for $20!
Then came the chairs!  Only $15 a piece from a totally different antique store! 
I'd say it was a perfect steal!
I knew I had to have a variety of fun vibrant colors to keep it fresh and modern. 
A great excuse to add these beautiful Parisian Macaroons!
Bursts of hot pink and regal gold books
(I spray painted the vintage books from Goodwill).
The "Thank You" card is from my own personal set and is what started the whole look for me.
I LOVE FINDING INSPIRATION from random things! 
A way to incorporate more gold into the shoot was by creating another vignette and adding these great golden fruits from Pier 1, on top of a $3 tray (again) from Goodwill.


The spread! Check out that fabulous tea pot I found for $20. 
SO WORTH IT! 
  

Here is the un-edited screen shot of the final image (I was too anxious to wait for the final image!)
How presh are these girls?


 Love to see the elements all come together!  Ill be sure to post the completed image asap! 


these are all instagrm photos by me, except the last shot, which I will give proper credibility once I share the final image. 

6.18.2012

Dad's day.

I love being able to throw in random items to personalize a table, like I did here for my dad's
Father's Day Dinner.

An old paintbrush in with the linen napkins? SURE!
A bucket of mini orange roses and HOME-SMOKED white cheddar cheese!
(A sprig of a desired fresh herb on a white plate makes anything look more fancy!)
I added this brass clock/compass that I had in the "Man Cave" and the "wood" vase is actually an old candle that has been used to the very bottom! 
Clever, I know.
 The photo doesnt represent it very well,
but to the left is a growler filled with ROOT BEER from a local brewery! (Dad doesn't drink) 



 Hope everyone had a great time with Dad/husbands! 
 just some instagrm photos by me-hence the random borders on a few.

6.17.2012

she likes to clean ?

This is totally random, but if you know me..... I am very um..... how do I say this.....
Domestically challenged!

But, I found an earth-friendly product that makes me extremely (almost weirdly) excited to clean! 
CALDREA!

The scents are so fresh and amazing! 

Olive Oil is a great neutral scent for the kitchen but
I love the Herbs of Provence
for the rest of the house.
I actually found these at TJ MAXX and stocked up because they are no longer available on their site. 
But I am excited to try the Basil Blue Sage now! 


Thought I'd share my new-found love to clean. 

Sometimes I suprise myself.

 photos by me on a lazy sunday afternoon

6.07.2012

Hey Poppy!

Last Sunday I went to the local farmer's market along the waterfront. Of course the first thing I do when I arrive is check out all the bouquets of flowers.

This week, the farmer's had  some of the most amazing Poppies!
LOVE!
Being inspired by the large buckets of orange, red, and pink Poppies, I requested a bouquet of 15 faux-looking flowers. I was humored by the "OOOooo-ing" and "Aaaawwww-ing" I recieved while walking around with the large bouquet.
They ARE pretty fabulous (and look awesome in my home!)








photos by: yours truly.

6.03.2012

she has a crush on { brights & stripes }

Summer trend: BRIGHTS & STRIPES
(for your office..... LOVE)

How precious are these colored pencils by Fabrica based on color/emotions as concept!? 

What a great way to bring summer's hot trend into your work/home office/study space!


I found these little striped journals and notepads at TjMaxx and almost fell to the ground! 
ADORE!


 

Photos are taken by me.

Links are below.

http://www.fabricafeatures.com/
http://www.designersguild.com/uk-shop-online/shop-home/stationery/saarika-boxed-set-of-8-notebooks/

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