Tis the season to not be jolly, and endure ho-ho-horrific weather. In an ignited resilience I summon all VP+C colleagues to ignore their chattering teeth and frostbitten toes and instead embrace blissful denial! We shall not succumb to the miseries of New York winter! With that in mind, I choose Benjamin Moore’s “Summer Peach” as the color of January .
Lisa Likes “Barbie feet”-
For me, this color evokes one of my all time fashion favorites- the nude patent leather shoe. The right pair is versatile, subtly sexy, and makes your legs look great. I’ve got a pair of Nine West wedges (the brand is a work-shoe secret… they’re super comfortable and look like a million bucks) that I regret not buying a backup pair of, but here are a few more favorites floating around out there.
These are exactly the kind of shoes that my husband calls “Barbie feet”:
Josh is Jonesing for Old-School Art-
I recently gave my apartment’s living room a (much-needed) facelift. My roommate and I painted the walls, bought new furniture, hung shelves, and for the first time in my life—I bought art. (Mom, I’m a grown-up!)
As I was shopping on a shoestring, I scouted affordable prints online. I was fist-in-the-air excited to see really fantastic artwork available on www.art.com. Now my go-to print resource, I recently stumbled upon its variety of vintage Town & Country magazine covers. How cool, right?
Eloise Says Oui! to Chanel-
From a very young age I have been fascinated by all things beauty. I would watch my mother prepare for the evening, peering out from underneath her vanity table, I would admire how she carefully powdered each cheek with large round brushes and tickling the top of my head. My favorite part of all was her vast collection of perfumes, all pinks and lavenders in lavishly decorated bottles. When she gave me my first bottle of Coco Chane,l I remember the perfect glistening pink. Over the years I have strayed rarely from this scent, dipping my toes in the oaky waters of Aqua de Parma, and Jo Malone, yet I always come back to the rosy classic bottle that reminds me of my mother.
Meghan Wants Wrist-Worthy Works of Art-
My current craving: Cuffs! Big ones. Bold ones. Beige-toned ones. And I’m up in arms over the following styles.
They’re pretty, playful, packed with personality, and totally timeless—just as jewelry should be. I think it’s time I get my hands on a few, and stack them high on my arm for some drama (though, I’m trying to be drama free in 2012…-good luck to me).
So, which wrist-worthy works of art shall I get? Perhaps I’ll go for broke and buy them all. Ramen noodles aren’t that bad, right?
1. No one will ever forget this charming hand-carved-and-inked resin cuff by Jessica Kagan Cushman.
2. Oh-so fly, this cuff, also by Jessica Kagan Cushman, is sure to generate much buzz.
3. Designer Charlotte Bjorlin D’Elia didn’t monkey around when it came to creating this absolutely awesome item.
4. I’m so obsessed with Anna Porcu’s Lady Portrait Cameo Cuff! It’s edgy yet elegant, and hands down something I must, must have.
Don’t get me wrong, I love kids. But, for the past 20 something years I haven’t really loved the idea of having my own….err, until now?
Mamas and mama-wannabes, have you peeped the Pin Pres? This playful, poppy push shelf was dreamed up by OOO My Design, and oh my is it cool. Like the Pin Point Impression Steel Toy of yesteryear, the life-sized Pin Pres perfectly adapts to the shape of the item(s) placed on it. And, it’s sure to make cleanup time more fun for tots (I know it would for this big kid). Added awesome factor: it can serve as a space divider, too.
So, what’s this girl to do? Jump on the baby bandwagon or buy one for my inner child? Hmm…
Continuing the fun of all that’s “red and green,” I’m happy to introduce the first Caniato Christmas Tree! The festive evergreen has added some holiday cheer to the living room, thus getting the Caniato Clan excited for gingerbread cookies, hanging the stockings and trying out some new recipes (I heard Martha Stewart has a new book–Ooh la la!)
Perfect for Rockin' Around
How does it feel to have my decorations up in time this year? One word: Hallelujah!
Helping me sing my praises are two choirs:
Quick note–I particularly love this second video, produced by the small Yupiz Eskimo village of Quinhagak, Alaska. It was actually a computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages of the area. Much to the villagers’ shock, over a half million people have viewed it. How cute is this?!
It’s that time of year again–the season of scarves, mittens, and Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks. In celebration of the upcoming holiday festiveness, I’ve asked my colleagues to share their favorite something that’s “red and green.”
Surrounded by beautiful Benjamin Moore hues every day, it’s easy to spend an extra few minutes with the color decks to find your personal faves. For me, Cedar Green and Bullseye Red take the Christmas cake:
Cedar Green
Bullseye Red
And speaking of cakes, my all-time favorite thing that’s red and green are, no suprise, Little Debby Christmas Tree Cakes. My grandma used to have these fully in stock whenever my brothers, sister or I would drop in for a visit.
HoHoHo meets YumYumYum
Meghan’s got THE dish…
‘Tis the season for red noses, green glittered gingerbread cookies and families gathering to dine and dish sinful secrets about one another–the later being one of my fave holiday happenings. So, in the spirit of tattletale table talk and our colors of the month, I present this pleasing plate from Italian company Seletti’s new Hybrid Collection.
Designed to illustrate the juxtaposition of Eastern and Western porcelain in one scrumptious piece, each plate features two different yet complementary styles with a central dividing line. It’s unique, captivating, colorful and sure to get the conversation going—if news of what grandma was doing with grandpa doesn’t first.
This time of year gets me in the mood for giving, and what’s better than gifting for a good cause? I was under the impression that (RED) was a Gap invention, but it turns out the retailer is just one of an incredible group of collaborators creating products to fight AIDS. So spend your GREEN on these, my family’s favo(RED) items for giving, and giving back.
I’m wishing, with all my heart, so Solange Azagury-Partridge’s incredible silver and red lacquer necklace.
My husband would be “tickled red” to have a pair of these Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.
Teddy’s only a tot, but the guy still knows good design. He’d drool (even more) for a Missoni-collab Bugaboo.
I am an incurable Christmas fanatic. I exude a child-like hysteria for the holiday, unsurpassed even by the youngest members of my family. My fervor for the holidays is likely inherited; throughout my childhood, my mother made Christmas into a winter wonderland, with Frank Sinatra, warming fires, and home- baked cookies galore.
There is one problem. With a background in interior design, my mother made our family Christmas tree in to an design spectacular of sorts; or rather, a beacon not to be touched. She amassed the most beautiful stock of ornaments from across the globe, and then painstakingly hung up each and every one. It was an implicit family rule; the tree was to be admired from afar, until Christmas morning.
Two years ago I moved to New York and found myself celebrating my first Christmas season without the holiday cheer of my mother. Basking in nostalgia for holidays past, a friend suggested I visit John Derian’s boutique. Walking into his store was like walking into Santa’s Workshop itself. His beautiful ornaments are all hand painted and irresistibly charming. Standing in his wonderful shop, cast aglow by the red and green ornaments throughout, I could only think of those delightful strawberry ornaments that I selected and decorated my first Christmas tree with!
Michelle loves sweets–it was “mint” to be…
I love all things minty. That tasty refreshing zing, alone or paired with sweets & savories, always has my mouth watering. Spearmint, peppermint, lemon mint, whatever type of mint it is–I dig it.
This year I’ve come up with the ingenious plan of combining my two favorite seasonal treats into one glorious (and minty) entity: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream topped off with Peppermint Bark. I think I’ll call it “Magnificently Minty by Michelle.”
Typically, I replace one with the other as the seasons change, though from here on out Summer and Winter are one in the same.
Last Monday I was lucky enough to attend the Barneys New York opening ceremony of GAGA’s WORKSHOP, a transformative holiday retail experience in collaboration with Lady GAGA.
For the holiday season Barneys teamed up with Lady Gaga to create GAGA’s WORKSHOP, which represents Lady GAGA”S reinterpretation of Santa’s iconic workshop. Under the direction of Nicola Formichettei, with artists Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide Pierson, the entire fifth floor of Barneys was transformed into GAGA’s playground for her “little monsters”. The entrance was marked by a giant façade of Lady GAGA’s mouth–giving the illusion you are waking in to the mouth of a monstrous GAGA. The jaw-dropping collection of featured goodies includes a range of products from $995 Swarovski crystal teacups to $75 Alexander McQueen bootie-shaped cookies. The varying price tags sit easier when you hear that 25% of all proceeds will be donated to GAGA’s foundation BORN THIS WAY.
The night was glittered with celebrities and style influencers–from Prabal Guring to Amanda Brooks–who were truly out in force to support the fabulous GAGA. Her ceremonial ribbon cutting was especially remarkable thanks to her enchanting entrance in a custom made Chanel ball gown.
Anyone who has been to the VP+C office knows that at any given time, at least 3 team members have some sort of music playing.
It’s what makes this office go ‘round some days, whether it’s top 40, country or indie rock…with the indie rock normally coming from my little corner.
A few years ago, indie rock experienced a Scandinavian invasion, with a host of bands exported to the US. Luckily, Norwegian songwriter Sondre Lerche was a part of that migration. Released this June, his latest self-titled album has been gaining attention for his unique melodies and lyrics.
The latest video, Domino, shot in upstate New York, captures the feel of Sofia Coppola’s “Virgin Suicides.” It’s cut with footage of Sondre walking suburban streets, and captures the essence of innocence lost. Directed by his wife, Mona, and shot by Zachary Galler, (who has shot video for VP+C for Moussy’s Fashion’s Night Out and Benjamin Moore Color Care), this video is one to catch!
There’s nothing like getting a kick out of seeing your colleagues out of their ‘work wear.’ Check out our pictures below for some great giggles!
We have ‘Tickle-Me-Meghan’
Lisa’s Darth Vader Teddy Bear!
And last but not least Kelsey, though she didn’t really dress up, since she already eats enough cheese for all the mice in NYC!
We at VP+C love to go green even with our fashion! Josh ingeniously recycles his Halloween Strawberry tribal print mini skirt as a scarf! Oh Josh, how posh!
Since VP+C worked closely with the incredibly fun and talented Studios GO on the paint and color selections for the Kardashians’ Soho Dash store , we were especially moved by the touching vigil taking place there for the soon-to-be-defunct marriage of Kim and Husband Kris (not to be confused with Mother Kris).
Last night, VP+C participated in an annual tradition: supporting the design industry’s most festive night of the year! Kelsey, Meghan, and Josh represented the team at The New York Design Center’s Masquerade Ball, which gathers some of the city’s most creative minds for a night of costumes, cavorts, and…cheese.
The Ball raises money for The Alpha Workshops, which, since 1995, provides training and employment in the interior design arena for those living with HIV/AIDS.
This year’s theme, “Roaring 20′s,” brought out lots of flappers, a Charlie Chaplin, and a walking Mondrian painting, among others. Our crew dressed up as some of our favorite characters from the Winnie The Pooh series, which made its debut in 1926.
We've got the "looks" AND "books!"
We were delighted to be a part of this night of fun and contribute to this very worthy cause…and we’re already ready for next year!
