What Happens Next

Merry Christmas!!

A Friday Afternoon In Chelsea

Friday, December 10th was a dreamy day in New York. The weather was appropriately Christmasy-cold and the city was aglow with the twinkling lights and the lush greenery that makes it so very wonderful at the Holidays.

Our trip to New York included plans to help celebrate with the ever-inspiring Jo Packham as she launched her newest magazine, Where Women Cook.

 

Our adventure took us to the unique and uber-cool Chelsea Market. If you have never been there, put it on your list right this very minute.

 

Their Christmas decorations were exceptionally beautiful, draped against the rugged, industrial architecture. I could have just wheeled a futon under those arches and lived there forever.

 

The place is an absolute food mecca, so eating would be no problem.

 

But we had places to be at 2:00, and we were thrilled to see so many of our East Coast Art Girls there. It was a lovely venue and a great turnout.

 

The line was long outside the doors, and a steady stream of cooking enthusiasts made their way around the room over the course of the scheduled three hours. These photos were shot late, when the crowds had died down a bit. It was a smashing success!

 

Aprons were sent from all over the country (world?) to contribute to the decor and add charm and a sense of nostalgia to the surroundings.

I heard that the stories that accompanied these aprons were sweet, touching, and sometimes heartbreaking. An archive has been created, chronicling each apron and it's story. I love this.

 

Jo Packham and MaryJane Butters signing the magazine.

 

Ree Drummond~The Pioneer Woman was her usual charming and engaging self. That scarf-earring-hair color thing is really working for her. So pretty!

 

I managed to capture her again at the reception, along with Georgia Getz and Shea.

 

Shea with the amazing and adorable Jen O'Connor.

 

Shea again with the incomparable duo of Marcia Ceppos and Wendy Addison. Right now I am doing the "I am not worthy" hand thingy. Seriously. Love these two!

 

Speaking of the great food at the Chelsea Market. These plates of deliciousness were made by SaraBeth's in the Market. A glass of wine, a plate of cookies. See what I mean about living here?

 

It seems that all of the fabulous has left Loralee a bit overwhelmed. Or maybe she just cannot wait for the futon...

 

A lovely, dreamy few hours spent catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Did I mention how much I love New York at Christmas?

***-----------------------------------------THIS MUCH------------------------------------------------***

 

Inspired Monday ~ Bergdorf Goodman

 

No trip to New York City is complete without a stroll around Bergdorf Goodman for a peek at their Christmas windows.

 

At 58th & 5th, Bergdorfs serves as the epicenter of the city's rich shopping and visual merchandising heritage.

 

There is always a sense of anticipation as you approach the building.

 

 

The reflection from the windows is inspiring and hauntingly beautiful.

 

But what is "in store" within the windows never ever disappoints.

 

 

Sometimes you need a second look just to make sure you are really seeing what you are seeing. Amazing!!

 

Heaven is truly in the details.

 

The workmanship is just astonishing.

 

The windows never fail to draw a crowd, day or night. Location, location, location.

This video gives a quick look "behind the scenes", and is well worth watching. When I grow up, I want to work on this team!!

Go here for more photos and inspiration!

 

Inspired Monday ~ Where Women Cook

 

This Monday, we are feeling incredibly inspired to hurry up and buy new winter coats, pack our suitcases and charge the batteries for the camera... because we are heading to New York City in three days!!!

So proud and excited to help celebrate with friends, the launch of a wonderful new magazine by the tireless Jo Packham of Where Women Create... she has hit another home-run with her latest venture, Where Women Cook, and the party will be such a lovely testament to the hard work that both she and her team have put in for so many, many months.

 

One of us is celebrating a birthday on Saturday (ahem), and New York has always been one of our favorite places to visit during the holidays, so the chance to combine a little business and alot of shopping, eating and hanging out with the girls... well, who could resist?

We are especially blessed to have a dear friend with a gorgeous loft just a few blocks from the Chelsea Market, and he generously offered us the use of this beautiful space while we are in town.

 

The fact that we helped him decorate it probably influenced his decision. But we love him like family, so that probably helped, too. Thanks, Andrew!! xoxo

 

We are just disappointed that Andrew will be in Los Angeles while we are there, so we will miss the pleasure of his company. But, on the other hand... girl party!!

We felt compelled to share our good fortune and lovely accommodations with a certain sister from DC, (yay!!) and a couple of blogger-types who should certainly liven up the place and raise the fun-factor exponentially.

If you book it, they will come.

Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a couple of couches, a fully equipped kitchen, and a fabulous Chelsea location. These are all very good selling points when you need a place to stay in NYC.

And housekeeping service. That's crucial too, because who has time for all the towels and the coffee cups when there is treasure to find and yummy and delicious to partake of out in the world?

Not to mention the martini glasses...

 

                            www.iambossy.com               www.loraleeslooneytunes.com

     
These two lovelies will be our cohorts and roomies, and we are giddy with excitement and just a little afraid of all of the hilarity that could ensue.

Could a girl possibly ask for a better, more INSPIRED birthday?? I know!!

(If you are in the city on Friday, come by the Chelsea Market and say hello!)

 

Time for a Giveaway!!

 

Our lovely friends at Junk Salvation have been kind enough to include us in their "12 Days of Christmas" giveaway event! Please visit them (today only!) and comment on their post to be entered to win this handmade collage pendant, shipped to you right from our Holiday Studio!

 

Be sure to click over on the right sidebar to "follow" our blog, leave a comment here, and follow Junk Salvation's blog as well for extra entries. You have three chances to enter!! Yay!

 

Launching "Gilded Girl Stash Society"

Update: SOLD OUT for Jan., 2011. Stayed tuned for next month!!

We've been hinting.. we've been planning and organizing and thinking and dreaming... and now, at long last, we are over-the-moon excitied to announce the launch of the Gilded Girl Stash Society!!

Gilded Girls love sparkle. And glamour. And, oh, yes, Gilded Girls love soft and velvety and lacey and vintage-y and shimmery. AND WE HAVE THAT!!! Lots and lots of it.

Beginning January 2011, we will be debuting a monthly supply and embellishment club like no other! We will be assembling the finest in fabric, paper, trims, buttons, jewelry findings (and bling!!), and shipping it to a limited number of recipients.

 

~ GILDED GIRL STASH SOCIETY ~

We have spent the last 20 years developing, nurturing and growing relationships with all types of specialty vendors across the country, and more recent ones out of the country. These connections have afforded us the opportunity to have highly coveted access to their private stashes and vaults. Since we couldn't possibly use all of this amazing merchandise (although Heaven knows we have tried!), we would love the opportunity to pass it on to all of you!

We are beginning our Gilded Girl Stash Society with a very limited number of participants, so be sure to sign up early if you want to be included. We will ship our first "kit" on January 12, 2011.

The details:

Monthly kit fee is $100.00 + $12.95 shipping = $112.95

Minimum of 3 months subscription, and then in 3 month increments.

Kit photos will be posted to the blog by the 1st of every month, and kits will ship by the 12th.

You must Paypal your first month subscription to join, and then we will invoice you each month through Paypal. If your payment is not received by the 5th, you will be dropped from that month's shipment.

Beginning in March 2011, we will begin adding extras and add-ons to the basic kits. Those will be limited in number, and strictly first come-first served.

Many of you have expressed interest in participating in a group such as this, and we are going to open up registration for those of you who are willing to "fly blind"!

Please keep in mind that full photos of the first kit shipment will not be available until January 1. We will be hard at work in New York and Los Angeles between now and then, and we want to bring you the very best to kick off the New Year, and the new Stash Society!!

Are you as excited as we are?!?!?!?