Daily Candy Kids
January 28, 2010



My friends at Tadashop were featured today on Daily Candy Kids and so was one of my photos.
Thanks Holly and Hadley and way to go TADA!


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A Good Laugh
January 27, 2010



I came across this book the other day in Borders. How funny is this? Read more about it here.


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Orange Crush
January 24, 2010




What a fast week it has been! It is hard to believe that I am entering my third week and have kept up with the posts. I have been having such a wonderful time and I am so grateful to all of my friends for being so receptive to this idea. I feel so lucky to have a long list of inspiring subjects.
This week I bring to you Cynthia Nemo. For sometime now Cynthia's house has been the topic of many conversations and recently on a kitchen tour. I knew it would be perfect to share and as soon as I stepped foot inside I had plenty to photograph. Beech Road is a clever mix of whimsy and modern sophistication. Enjoy!

BIO

Someone stop me please because I really like to talk about myself so hope I don't get carried away with the BIO. I was born and BREAD (just kidding) in Devon, Pennsylvania...home of the Devon Horseshow which is one of my all time favorite events...such good times there as a child and now with my children. I am the youngest of five children, steps included. I believe that birth order really does have a lot to do with your personality and I feel like I am a typical "youngest child". I love my siblings but we are certainly not a perfect family - we don't have dinner together every Sunday night...but I wish we were the kind of family that did. Maybe one day. I love my parents and I have three of them. My stepfather Craig came into my life at the age of four and I am thankful for him everyday. My mom and I are very close and I just love her. I really understand her. My dad and I have a strange relationship since I didn't grow up living with him but it works and we are close. Good thing he doesn't have a computer. I met my best friend Carrie when I was four - she lived up the street - and my memories with her as a child are my happiest. I went to Strafford Elementary and then Agnes Irwin starting in the 4th grade. I loved Agnes Irwin and my dearest friends are from there. Then I went to Davidson College in North Carolina and loved that as well. It was a very Southern School and somehow I managed to meet and have as my best friends people from Miami, California and Ohio and a boyfriend from New Jersey. Some Southern Belle I turned out to be! After college I lived in Atlanta for a few years and went to Interior Design school there. Then I moved to New York and realized I was a true Yankee! I loved every minute of New York...the people, the subway, the cab drivers, rushing around...all of it!! My first job was with MAC II, a high-end residential design firm. That was a great experience. My second job was with Rockwell Group and that was the most inspiring environment where I met the most interesting and creative people. My Rockwell Group girlfriends have inspired me to travel literally across the world so I am very thankful for them! Gosh - is the music playing yet?? I'll speed it up. Then I met Jon at Vanessa and Sam Halpert's engagement party and he rocked my world! I fell crazy in love with him and have been ever since. Right after we got married I started my own design firm in August 2001...with one client. Her one-bedroom apartment is one of my favorite projects because she completely trusted me and she was up for anything. I practically paid her! I painted the entrance turquoise and I hung orange fishnets to separate the cookie-cutter space. I am thankful that I have had jobs ever since with all sorts of people having all sorts of styles. But the best and most inspiring part of my life is my three orange-headed boys - Brooks (6), Alex (3) and Nicky (2). They challenge me everyday - good and bad - but I love them like no other love. All the moms know what I am talking about!! And I can't forget our dog Skippy (8). She is a LOVE!!




Please tell us the reason behind your love for the color orange.

In design school I took a color theory class and I remember learning about the color orange. I was taught that orange was a color used to help low income people feel comfortable and that is why Howard Johnson Hotels were orange. Now I may have been taught something else about orange but that is all that I remember! Ever since I have been drawn to the color orange - guess it is the comfort level concept. Orange makes me happy! Our wedding was orange and pink. Our dog Skippy, a vizsla, is orange. Our three boys have orange hair (and they will tell you that it isn't red). My toenail polish is orange. If I had real balls I would buy that cheesy orange mustang convertible I see cruising around town!



Are you super organized? Your house is immaculate and you have THREE boys.

I have always been a really organized person even as a little girl. Being organized makes me feel at peace. So having three boys has definitely ruptured that peacefulness. I struggle with the organizational thing because I certainly don't want to be Mommy dearest but I catch myself heading that way sometimes. Did I mention that my hangers are orange too? In my house everything has a "place", in a basket or clear bin or drawer; there is definitely some OCD going on here. Jon is neat and tidy too. Was there a Daddy dearest?

Speaking of boys, do you feel as if you were meant to be surrounded by them?

When I had my third boy and everyone was giving me the sad eyes because pink was out...my dear friend Peter said, "I wouldn’t picture your life any other way!"And he is right. I love boys and always have. I love my two older brothers and had crushes on ALL of their friends. I went to an all girls school but somehow managed to spend most of my time at the all boys school. Most of my closest friends in high school were from that all boys school and I remain close with them today. Now my husband is friends with them. And now I have three boys! My personality works well with them. We do some quiet things like drawing and reading. But they love to be out moving around and I can handle that. We go to the playground A LOT. We run around the yard, play in the stream, play ball, hide and seek, ride bikes, etc. You could say I was and still am BOY CRAZY...except that my meaning of BOY CRAZY has changed!!



You are a great inspiration to a lot of people, what inspires you?

People, places and things inspire me! All of the people that I love inspire me every day to be a better person, a better friend, a better mom and wife, a better designer. I am attracted to people that lift me up not people that drag me down -I will not hang out with downers (unless I have too!!)! My Aunt Joan has always been a huge inspiration to me. She is a photographer and lives an amazing life filled with exotic friends and travels yet family is also so important to her. I have learned so much from her and admire her courage. When I become impatient with my boys I am inspired at the memory of my mom's overwhelming patience with us as children - I don’t ever remember her yelling or being mean. And everyday I am inspired by Jon and his kindness and honesty and his ability to calm me down if I am getting worked up. He will fall off of his chair when he reads this and I may regret writing these words...but Jon is extremely patient at the times when it matters most and that inspires me.

Places inspire me and if ever I am in a funk I can go away and that funk will go away too! A change of venue can be the biggest inspiration out there. New York is a quick and easy fix. But Thailand was my most inspirational trip. I was there with my Rockwell Group friends and loved every part of that trip.

Things inspire me!! Shopping...especially in New York...just walking around on the streets. Around here I love to go to Anthropologie and see the funky things that they come up with. Last time I was there I noticed they spray painted a bunch of those plastic animal figures white (Schleich). They took on a whole new meaning for me. I want to spray paint all the boys' toys white and put them on a shelf in the Living Room and they would look so cool. Buzz Lightyear in ALL WHITE...or how about ALL ORANGE??



You mentioned you are a collector. What are your favorite collections?

I have an obsession with pens (thanks for the reminder Rachel)! And I cringe when the boys want to play with my pens - AHHH...mommy dearest!! I especially freak when they get near the Sharpies. I collect those funny little wooden figures that collapse when you push their bottoms. I act like I am collecting them for the boys but really it is my own love...same with the PEZ dispensers. The boys don't even like PEZ but I still manage to buy them every time I go to Wawa. I have a small collection of dice -love them!! I have some really cool sterling silver dice that I gave to Jon (again, for Jon but really for me). As for adult collections - I love books and I do judge a book by its cover.




What's your idea of a fun girls night?

To have the guys come too...

Are you content living in Philadelphia? Do you ever wish you lived somewhere else? Back in NY for instance?

I loved NYC so much but with three boys it would not be the ideal living spot. For our life now and for our family I think Philadelphia is the perfect place. I loved growing up here and I know our boys will too. Being near family is so important and I love that our boys are so close to their grandparents (both here and in Ohio). We love our friends here...such a fun and wild bunch of people! Just waiting for the key parties to start? But I cringe when people say, "You are living in your FOREVER house." I don't want to think of any house as forever because one day I hope to live somewhere else...somewhere different.



Greatest gift you ever received?

My wedding ring from Jon and all the promises that came with it. And the artwork that Brooks makes for me everyday.

Has the music started yet?







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Keep Calm
January 21, 2010


I know we have all seen this poster but I am finally ordering one for my kitchen today. I think it is a wonderful reminder of how to live each day. I am also feeling refreshed and motivated after a great bikram yoga class this morning. Thanks Erin!


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Sick Day
January 20, 2010

Sara was home sick today. I made her my easy home made chicken and rice soup and lots of these mini popsicles. Mighty Minis are my favorite. They add gelatin for a slow melt- no mess. Gotta love that.


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Nostalgia
January 19, 2010


I hate to admit it but shooting all of these beautiful homes leaves me with a bit of house envy. Will I ever be satisfied? Today I am a bit blue. I think it is the weather and the fact that everywhere I look all I see are bare brown branches and thirsty yards of lifeless grass.
I was so happy to have the opportunity to photograph Cynthia's house today. She is so talented and I am excited to work on next weeks post.
I hope I am capturing the beauty of interiors as well as Melanie Acevedo, one of my most favorite photographers, can. I remember working with her while I was a fashion editor at J.Crew. She picked up on my interest in photography and allowed me to shoot a few frames. She may not know it but that day will always be a wonderful, vivid memory.
I miss those days at J.Crew. Quick jaunts to Miami, staying at the Greenview Hotel. Early wake up calls and cucumber scented lotions. Hello to all my old pals from work if you are reading.


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Foxy Lady
January 17, 2010


vanessa and peter on her front stairs

It's Monday everyone! I am happy to introduce another great and inspiring friend to you- Vanessa Fox Halpert. She is a mother, a designer and all around trend setter in my mind. I am so fortunate to know her and thrilled that she agreed to let me photograph her home and studio.
Enjoy!

Bio

I was born and raised in Ardmore, PA. with my two older brothers. I went to Agnes Irwin for 13 years and then to St. Lawrence University. The summer after college I moved to New York City and lived there for 7 years. My first job was at Harper's Bazaar Magazine as the assistant to the Editor in Chief. Then I worked at Marie Claire Magazine as a Fashion Editor as well as Mirabella Magazine as a European Fashion Editor. In 2000, I started Vanessa Fox in my apartment dining room. Vanessa Fox won the "Today Throws a Wedding" bridesmaid vote with a navy 2 piece outfit and the rest is history. That changed my career...overnight. I opened a tiny store in New York and never looked back. I now live in Bryn Mawr, PA with my husband, Sam, and our 4 fantastic children; Reed, Lily, Charlie and Peter. I closed the New York store and opened a by-appointment studio next to our house.


her inspiration board, favorite dessert, daughter lily's room, roberta freeman cover up, something natural logo, front hall and isle de france on st. barths

You always manage to look so put together at drop off. What is your secret? Are you an early riser?

Those were the old days:) 4 kids changes EVERYTHING!! I am getting back into running, so not a lot of effort goes into my morning routine anymore. I used to try and shower first thing and then go RIGHT to the office after drop off. These days though, I have been so busy juggling a family of 4, I just try and step foot in my office at some point during the day.

her collection and master bedroom

How do you manage to balance 4 children, a dog and a successful business?

It is definitely a crazy and hectic lifestyle. BUT, I have an amazing husband who is such an incredible person and dad. He is a true partner in raising our family which allows me time to focus on my business. I truly believe I am a better mom though when I am working. I appreciate my time with my children, but also have time to focus on my design which is a real passion for me and makes me happy.

What does the Halpert family do on a night in?

PJ Party!!! Everyone gets in their pjs, we order in some pizza or chinese and then we head up and snuggle in our bed and watch a movie. SOOOO fun:)

peter's room with fun prints from vail, charlie's room

You have so many pretty little paintings in your house. Where do you find them?

They have been collected along the way...Nantucket (my favorites) Colorado, Rhode Island, London and around Philadelphia. All local artists found in either thrift shops or in galleries with young artists.

studio/office and business cards with signature lavender accents

Is having a home office a plus or minus?

PLUS! PLUS! PLUS! It is so easy to pop over and get work done either at night or on the weekends. And during the week, I have lunch with the little guys and Lily, put them down for a nap or just come over to say hi. I love being so close to them.

What would be your perfect day alone?

A day in New York City!!! Wandering and exploring with no time constraints- no train to catch- no babysitter to relieve. There is so much to do and see there. I love going in and out of small boutiques and looking at dresses - seeing how they are made, getting inspiration for new designs and having time with no one saying...."MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM" And of course eating at my old favorite spots.

You are leaving for St. Barth's in a few days! What are five essentials you are packing and where are you staying?

It is our 10 year anniversary and we are SO EXCITED to go, we can barely stand it!!! This is our first time on St. Barths.

Packing:

BATHINGSUITS!!!!! Sam bought me one for christmas that could fit Lily's american girl doll. Should be interesting:)


Calypso dresses

My book, Twilight

Fun chandelier earrings

We are staying at Isle de France

living room

You are always so even keeled...does anything in particular really make you angry?

When my kids say mean and hurtful things to each other. It makes me so upset.

Do you have a favorite spot to find special pieces for yourself or for your home along the Main Line?

Special pieces for myself- Gramercy Boutique in Wayne
Home- Chelsea House in Haverford

Favorite flower, meal and cocktail?

Flower: Peony

Meal: Turkey sandwich, Utz potato chips, Diet coke on ice and frozen Rolos.

Cocktail: Heineken light or if it is a super special night- a bellini - YUM!!!!!

psssst.....next week- Cynthia Nemo





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Thankful
January 15, 2010



Happy Friday everyone. Thank you to all who read and commented on my blog this week. All of your encouragement and kind words made me feel wonderful.
As I sat eating my breakfast (shown above) this morning I couldn't help but think of the devastation in Haiti and all of those who are suffering. I promised to find the beauty in every little thing today and not to let any small problem bother me. I mentioned in my 2010 resolutions that I wanted to give back so I spent the latter part of the afternoon gathering the kids summer clothing they out grew and all of Holt's baby blankets and diaper cloths that took up space in plastic bins in the attic. Tomorrow I am bringing the family to the Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia to donate it all. There is a Red Cross drop off for the Haitian victims if anyone else feels motivated to help. Click the link for directions.


On a lighter note mom and I are going to see Broken Embraces this weekend at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute.




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Afternoon Snack
January 14, 2010


My children love to snack. They are true grazers. From 2-5 all I hear is "mom, can I have a snack?" Today I decided to honor the snack, make it pretty and healthy. All of these colorful products came from my favorite destination, Target. Don't you love that they have groceries now?
The photographs are mine inspired by the beautiful work of Donna Hay.


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Happy Birthday Liz
January 13, 2010



My wonderful sister's birthday was yesterday. Mom and I are taking her out to dinner tonight. Of course if I had more time I would have baked her something pretty like the Martha cake shown above, or spoiled her with a layout like Amy Atlas (top) does for guests of all ages.
Love you Liz!


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Palmer Weiss
January 12, 2010

I have only lived in my house since June and already I want to change everything starting with the living room. It is OK for now since it has been hovering around 20 degrees every day and the chocolate walls seem to keep me warm- but this spring/summer I'd love to lighten things up a bit and this is my inspiration. Check out more of Palmer Weiss and her fresh designs here.


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Not So Plain Jane
January 11, 2010



I am so excited, and a little nervous, to post my first featured friends interview! A great big thank you to my friend Janie for allowing me to use her as my guinea pig. I hope all of you like these little bits of information from these inspiring women. There are many more to come including Vanessa Fox Halpert, Cynthia Nemo and Whitney Cutler. Stay tuned and keep reading. And now without further ado...here's JANIE!




BIO

I grew-up in Augusta , Georgia but my family is from Boston. I went to Groton and then ROLLINS (so fun!). I graduated and moved to New York immediately, working for Adrienne Vittadini, Calvin Klein Cosmetics and then Barneys (SOOOOOO AMAZING). I started my own handbag line called BUZZ by Jane Fox, lived in Gramercy Park and adored every second. I moved to Bryn Mawr in 2007 for a job at Lilly Pulitzer and am currently the Fashion Director. I seriously have to pinch myself because my job is so fun, challenging and rewarding. I have two of the kindness and most adorable girls on the planet, Sabrina 7 and Tiki 5.


(carved crayon, Janie's art table, Jonathan Adler pillow, Janie at front door, Winchester Rifles-Jane's family.)




What are five things that make you happy?


Spending all weekend in bed with my girls (Sabrina 7 and Tiki 5) watching movies, eating popcorn and giving each other manicures,laughing and cuddling.


Fresh Flowers


Sit-down dinner parties that last forever


Jewelry (how shallow!)


TRAVEL!



(A small collection of Janie's jewelry)


Favorite place you have traveled to/where do you want to go next?


My favorite place has been Bangkok because the people are so incredibly lovely. I am DYING to go to Morocco.

I have two trips coming-up that I am excited about. I leave Saturday for Shanghai/Hong Kong then in February I am taking my girls to Paris for the first time. DYING to introduce them to one of the most amazing cities in the world!


Three can't live without items in your wardrobe?


Tunics, caftans,anything flowy and chic!


Jewelry jewelry and jewelry. I collect vintage, buy off the street, gather on my travels. I love big statement pieces that you can't find anywhere else!


My coral lipstick. A little old lady but j'adore.


(Tiki running through the breakfast room, pillow that reads "the only difference between this place and the Titanic is that they had a band", books on her coffee table, Janie's dining room.)

Guilty pleasure?


Time alone. I get so little of it, and I adore my busy life but even the plane ride to Hong Kong (18 hours!) can be a treat. I read books, needlepoint,watch movies and the time flies.

I love to paint. If the house is quiet for a few hours I immediately get to my painting table and whip something out. Nothing serious, but it is relaxing and fun.



(Janie's bedrom built ins, one of her paintings, Tiki and Sabrina, needle point sign on front door)

Favorite smell?


OPIUM perfume. My mother wore it and I remember her kissing my goodbye before she went to a cocktail party, I thought she was the most glamorous woman in the world. I wear it religiously.


What would you do if you couldn't do what you do?


When I was little I used to say that I wanted to be a nun. I think I have shot that idea to hell (literally) I think my runner up is FLORIST!


You throw great parties, what advice can you give to ensure a successful event?


I love to have everything done before-hand so that the evening is not spent fussing. If you are relaxed your guests are relaxed. No disaster can deter a fun party.Roll with it. MANY times I have had people over for dinner and we are having so much fun with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres that I forget to serve the meal J


Favorite childhood memory?


My brother Ben and I are very close. We both had white blond hair as kids,We would build these forts with blankets and laugh and laugh for hours. Our hair would get static and be standing up, and I just remember my brother's mouth open laughing till we couldn't breathe. I have always been a happy person and I think it all started from a very happy childhood.


Who or what has influenced you the most?


Definitely my grandmother. She was incredibly chic, honest and down-to-earth. She taught me that TOO MUCH IS NEVER ENOUGH when it comes to jewelry. She lived in Montserrat, West Indies in the winter and the cape in the summer so she has the style of the gypsy wasp. Lots of caftans,cocktails promptly at 6pm with anyone and everyone that could come. She would tell you EXACTLY what was on her mind, but not in a mean way. She had a light pink carpet in her living room with a white greek key border. She loved PINK. Sometimes I feel as though I am just CHANNELING her.

xxoo







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