Do you want to be a Design Star?

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2011/08/26/sneak-peek-episode-8-2/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646293938526537922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15hbwJKmTqQIXOrHAA4vEOpkvr-LM8TI50MpTgVe8aGZ8SAV74olTxPWM7b3iPRG4nkeibd_bnjFNmjaxViPaN79f25Ceouj7IgmF4M7xoEGmFHaPTZtej6K0AkZ-FPWvEUDOddWXcIEY/s800/HSTAR608_Contestants-Mentor-Host_s4x3_lg.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://blog.hgtv.com/design-star/2011/08/26/sneak-peek-episode-8-2/"><span style="font-style: italic;">photo from HGTV Design Star website</span></a><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Have you been watching season 6 of <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-design-star/show/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Design Star</span></a>? Do you still follow past winners like Emily, Antonio and David? Do you think, “Hey, that looks like fun! I could totally see myself creating amazing designs, entertaining a mass audience, enjoying hair/makeup/wardrobe, and getting paid for it!” Well if you live in the Boston area, then you are that much closer to achieving this entertaining-others-with-design dream!<br /><br /><br /><br />I recently found out through the social media grapevine that </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >HGTV</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> will be casting for </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Design Star Season 7</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> in Boston at the <a href="http://www.lenoxhotel.com/">Lenox Hotel</a> on September 24th! While this is not a position I would consider for myself (although I would certainly enjoy the hair/makeup/wardrobe part) I do know a lot of fabulous designers with larger than life personalities around the Boston area who could pull this off. Are you one of them??<br /><br /><br /><br />And while we are on the subject, who do you think will win this season’s Design Star? I like to watch the show to see how fast these designers can come up with unique design plans and how well they execute them. Because if you can’t “make it work” then you’re out (or is that another one of my favorite design/reality shows?) Either way, good design is always entertaining : )<br /><br /><br /><br />I love that the Design Show judges require the contestants to sell their design concepts on camera after each challenge. Being able to sell your work with confidence and enthusiasm is so important, even if you aren’t taping a segment for a design show.<br /><br /><br /><br />So if you think you have what it takes, then what do you have to do to apply? First of all show up! I think it would be fun to go to the casting call just to see who thinks a network design show could be in their future.<br /><br /><br /><br />But before you go, there are some required items that you will have to bring along with your designer smile:<br /><br /><br /><br />1. A COMPLETED application (<a href="http://castingdesignstar.com/application/">click here</a>)<br /><br />2. Two recent photos labeled with your name on the back<br /><br />3. Portfolio of your work<br /><br />4. Resume<br /><br /><br /><br />If you don’t live in the Boston area, they are still casting in other major cities (<strong style="font-weight: normal;">Austin, Charlotte, Miami, and New York City) so <a href="http://castingdesignstar.com/open-call-information/">click here to get the open casting call information</a>.</strong> And if you can’t make it in person to a casting call, you can submit a video of yourself ... <a href="http://castingdesignstar.com/home-video-instructions/">check out this link</a> for more information.<br /><br /><br /><br />If you have ever wanted to see your name in lights, now is the time to act! How often does an opportunity like this knock in your neighborhood?!<br /><br /><br /><br />And for research purposes, be sure to watch tonight’s episode at 9pm on HGTV. <a href="http://www.thenateshow.com/episodes/detail/nates-design-star-challenge/">Nate Berkus</a> is the guest host and they will be showing segments that the remaining four designers taped on his show which just aired this morning. They were challenged to come up with a quick and easy do-it-yourself project and one walked away the winner (I won’t tell you which one – tune in to find out!)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Do you want to be a Design Star?

photo from HGTV Design Star website Have you been watching season 6 of Design Star ? Do you still follow past winners like Emily, Antonio an...

Read more »

Labor of love ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mkBVWg8DuwUWG9jNUIzYovap8uH4O__thFB2rEIIs-Bxe8hSDW7QaYMf33tajmIpFzBvqzIoalIUMdfjKLyycsNRRbJ3RCWlNaLDzwyufZrPX2vF1tj34pFlgAmjhPzp-vZLrFEynbG-/s1600/pinkcribLaBella-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643883244902158514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mkBVWg8DuwUWG9jNUIzYovap8uH4O__thFB2rEIIs-Bxe8hSDW7QaYMf33tajmIpFzBvqzIoalIUMdfjKLyycsNRRbJ3RCWlNaLDzwyufZrPX2vF1tj34pFlgAmjhPzp-vZLrFEynbG-/s800/pinkcribLaBella-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This has been a very busy summer with<br /><br /> little time for rest and relaxation.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZsCdIy_Eq0q8j_NcfnD1UGHARrC4Z3IiWcNcfmujsvWgJi1sJqNuO8bm4TzZOOZw0asTRx9jFqCDs2jbuhUw6hOr75gytdqOZz7h-YKHiia_R5_1c8PFlrK49jNrtaKViehwqqszSqNy/s1600/floweredhatsLaBella-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643884739032525826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZsCdIy_Eq0q8j_NcfnD1UGHARrC4Z3IiWcNcfmujsvWgJi1sJqNuO8bm4TzZOOZw0asTRx9jFqCDs2jbuhUw6hOr75gytdqOZz7h-YKHiia_R5_1c8PFlrK49jNrtaKViehwqqszSqNy/s800/floweredhatsLaBella-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have been wearing a lot of different hats.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/">Magazine editor, photo stylist, graphic designer, writer</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">, <a href="http://www.yvonneblacker.com/">decorator</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.yvonneblacker.com/"> ...</a><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBRC0VV2uYt4GdeSMcuxApSs8Vw0FqLFVeyLnCCbYyBD7GyHnZpQ6XzQf4uV7ROtoCsc7TqlV17xOwQDgzptNEeBVOkBn11KgzKfexKd-fK4Rb1iJnKl_Qo4yS4zxZC3GGwmJ9AlcqbxA/s1600/rockinghorseLaBella-sm.jpg"><br /><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL33SP8eeXXs6I6PqQZOWHaYIHTZ2ealjCz1akYf9QCI2a8U50V2JIdQeoHvZMpk_MUlba2MAR01dNnq3BdB17FSsp1fEhSDzs8u5KvjONqwcnMWd9JxXVfHGtnB_a8sZpcgOps8aWn9B/s1600/wardrobeLaBella-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643887872301379698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL33SP8eeXXs6I6PqQZOWHaYIHTZ2ealjCz1akYf9QCI2a8U50V2JIdQeoHvZMpk_MUlba2MAR01dNnq3BdB17FSsp1fEhSDzs8u5KvjONqwcnMWd9JxXVfHGtnB_a8sZpcgOps8aWn9B/s800/wardrobeLaBella-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Oh yeah, and mom of four growing boys<br /><br />(do you have any idea how much laundry that entails?)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBRC0VV2uYt4GdeSMcuxApSs8Vw0FqLFVeyLnCCbYyBD7GyHnZpQ6XzQf4uV7ROtoCsc7TqlV17xOwQDgzptNEeBVOkBn11KgzKfexKd-fK4Rb1iJnKl_Qo4yS4zxZC3GGwmJ9AlcqbxA/s1600/rockinghorseLaBella-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643884733067240370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBRC0VV2uYt4GdeSMcuxApSs8Vw0FqLFVeyLnCCbYyBD7GyHnZpQ6XzQf4uV7ROtoCsc7TqlV17xOwQDgzptNEeBVOkBn11KgzKfexKd-fK4Rb1iJnKl_Qo4yS4zxZC3GGwmJ9AlcqbxA/s800/rockinghorseLaBella-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Good thing I love what I do,<br /><br />because my work feels like play.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Truth be told, I have had the chance to attend some really<br /><br />fun events lately, too, which I promise to post about soon!<br /><br />In the meantime, please visit my guest post on<br /><br /><a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/articles/decorating-a-nursery">Decorating a Nursery on Patch.com</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />– All photos taken at <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/listings/la-bella-baby-boutique">La Bella Baby Boutique</a></span> –<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>

Labor of love ...

This has been a very busy summer with little time for rest and relaxation. I have been wearing a lot of different hats. Magazine editor, ph...

Read more »

How to choose fashions for your home

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.alluminare.com/design-inspired-by-fashion/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642710947474353346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdVCOsiyQmdG9KQV9mHfnopIj-enIGYhX0SyZQ_pkaoZNFfFBZQxELrsRFUWb63mdbDf3wC4zEkdkzx6s698f2jn7J9xbGUrxck1JbcA6ikmnICV7Ap129yV837gz9_OLmmgdRw_Rvn-F/s800/playfulpaisley.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 420px;" /></a><a href="http://www.alluminare.com/design-your-own.asp?sku=A124-239;P;c251;21;4;74;80;100-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0#A124-239;P;c251;21;4;74;80;100-9700-9700-18-nonex0-nonex0-0000-0-0">Playful Paisley Pillow from Alluminare.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.oomphonline.com/southport-side.html">Southport Side Table by Oomph</a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />When picking out accessories for your interiors, are you sometimes uncertain which direction to go in? There are so many choices out there! My advice is to take a look at your favorite wardrobe pieces and pick items that reflect your fashion sense. Or if you are not very daring when it comes to dressing, pick items based on the outfits of your favorite celebrities or that girlfriend whose style you admire most.<br /><br /><br /><br />To read <a href="http://blog.alluminare.com/design-inspired-by-fashion/">my entire post</a> on fashion inspired design, visit the design blog of the fabulous company <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alluminare</span>, an online design resource that is setting trends by offering custom designed lighting and home decor options for the most stylish homes. Jeff Lewis, of <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/flipping-out">Bravo TV’s Flipping Out</a>, has <a href="http://www.alluminare.com/Jeff-Lewis/">his own line at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alluminare</span></a> and I happen to have a <a href="http://www.alluminare.com/product-browser.asp?material=c254">custom-designed fabric of my own</a> on the site, too. Now if I could just get my fabric made into a dress, I would know just what to wear to all these interior design events that I am scheduled to attend!</span><br /><br /><br /><br />

How to choose fashions for your home

Playful Paisley Pillow from Alluminare.com Southport Side Table by Oomph When picking out accessories for your interiors, are you sometimes ...

Read more »

Time for the NYIGF

<a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/27"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641460541367531010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN0rQ3dludue7mFhygLot0dKZ6stIsRnAESK3WlruLMhGOmStlVvxxsvGNjRPQ_-mb2X-JO13hmbYyY7VOciRsnQOE-sTF8wARxbg1zCgvFBa6lxx96mmJ_uNja2DpkQPvU83l-mAJv6v/s800/YBlacker%2540NSDS_EWertz_sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><a href="http://dunesandduchess.com/">Dunes and Duchess</a> International Life Saving Orange 4-arm Candelabra<br /><br />paired with Diane James Home <a href="http://www.dianejameshome.com/products/Fall-Rose-and-Gardenia-Bouquet">Fall Rose & Gardenia Bouquet</a><br /><br />photo credit: <a href="http://elizabethwertzphotography.com/">Elizabeth Wertz Photography</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nUFWciHrxpOrJCif1UYz_bxlJxzby7c2DdFUNErCJr9BPiSemxT5p9ulf3dfL1KutsHeHggOy76083TsnjuwGZJsHyMmMCBRNDeEx0HQpmUdEtQGFWQRUNt7t5nkbRhjF-7QBucKz0-k/s1600/YBlacker%2540NSDS_EWertz_sm.jpg"><span><span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />If you are attending the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/Home.aspx"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York International Gift Fair</span></a> this week, be sure to stop by and say hello to my friends at <a href="http://dunesandduchess.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dunes and Duchess</span></a> and <a href="http://www.dianejameshome.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diane James Home</span></a>. I hear they are side by side again, at Pier 94 in booths 41059 (DandD) and 42059 (DJH). Read more about them in the summer issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery</span> on pages 29 through 31.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/31"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641470758786928770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgwjRFpX5mLd6SMeFV9j29QwhrrU_cQ7ZGraIAYLenLhPmhNHZUxEGlshYozmjw7WglSNoLQpEUtfORl1dwrkf-3nWEQ6kR22U6a4YB_JaT_519TffIDEfNGMjbHcoH5DQIBN_j3IW8jZ/s800/DandDinterview.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/31"><span style="font-style: italic;">New England Finery Magazine, summer 2011</span></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Curious about the NYIGF? Check out <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-i-loved-at-nyigf.html">my related post</a> from when I attended in January and see <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nefinery-feb2011/59">some of my favorite items</a> from the show in the first issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />UPDATE: And <a href="http://hamptontoes.blogspot.com/2011/08/your-tour-of-nyigf-fair.html">here is a post</a> on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hamptontoes</span> design blog with photos from both the Dunes and Duchess and Diane James Home booths this year. Thanks for the visual tour, Lisa!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>

Time for the NYIGF

Dunes and Duchess International Life Saving Orange 4-arm Candelabra paired with Diane James Home Fall Rose & Gardenia Bouquet photo cre...

Read more »

Last day of the show ...

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.oldyork.org/Visit/events.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640346773523348690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVY1fgS8_R5oj-c3HhuyGlcBAWxjxdqZWx_yYlQ6a38OI74sj7wXmKyTO8Gy47ScB66rx8mbSnrfdEKQSn0Tb2xq-Z8mhkklDaLi6ETwYetHZhwcHu0bPXnoWCJmakyimpBAfpuAFu-Ac/s800/EmersonHouseAd.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Today is the last day to take in the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/Visit/events.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Old York Decorator Show House</span></a> in York, Maine and I highly recommend it! This has always been one of my favorite shows for its coastal design combined with New England charm.<br /><br /><br /><br />Two designers who participated in the Wenham Museum <span style="font-weight: bold;">North Shore Design Show</span> last May also have spaces in this show. Patricia Finn of <a href="http://www.finn-martensdesign.com/index.html">Finn-Martens Design</a> composed a graceful foyer and stairway with an Asian flair (see the <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/37">luxurious spa retreat</a> she designed for Wenham in <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery Magazine</span>). Mary O’Neill created a serene home office in the colors of the ocean for the York show (get a glimpse of her North Shore Design Show <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/39">afternoon tea vignette</a> also in the summer issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery Magazine</span>).<br /><br /><br /><br />There’s lots of other great spaces with inspired design including a black-and-tan study by Boehm Graham Interiors in honor of this historical properties former life as a local tavern, a stunning library by Boston designer <a href="http://fdhodgeinteriors.com/">Frank Hodge</a> that elegantly combines antiques with modern cabinetry, and not one – but two kitchens – with some unique custom treatments. That is what I love about design shows – there are always some new ideas to take home as a souvenir : )<br /><br /><br /><br />Let me know if you get a chance to make it to the show and what your favorite space was!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Last day of the show ...

Today is the last day to take in the Old York Decorator Show House in York, Maine and I highly recommend it! This has always been one of my...

Read more »

A dozen+ digital design magazines

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638720299109410850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOV0sSlKT7SxUsXPSAyK_TxxHxqnR0hAJQSKK0htFE3g_FyZBv3OVT9iEz_QQEt9qxxU_rLqpuUcSc-gcZDNm0oEjKWbvkCYWN5wzzcaEJ3R1QfZ0H0p21WrDi7cbBjahjnGinF5wHHUO/s800/NEF3cover.sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><a href="http://www.elizabethwertzphotography.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Elizabeth Wertz Photography</span></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Looking for summer reading of the eye candy variety? Below is what you’ll find in my digital library. Most of these were released over the summer and a few are from late spring. I am already working on the fall issue of <a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery</span></a> and I love to look at what other editors of digital magazines like to present in their feature stories and of course, on their covers! Maybe some of these are already your favorites? The local issues like <a href="http://www.perspectivenewengland.com/magazines/perspective-new-england-summer-2011-issue"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Perspective</span></a> and <a href="http://www.surroundingsmagazine.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Surroundings</span></a> are always a treat for me because I get to see what some of my design friends (and photographers) have been up to lately. Let me know what you like about digital magazines – their covers, their stories – and please share what you’d like to see improved upon by visiting <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-England-Finery-Magazine/122875761127354?ref=ts"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery</span> on facebook</a> and leaving a comment or two. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Click on each of the covers below and enjoy ...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://highglossmagazine.com/read-issue3"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719966542680450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKISJkLDPTAZ9wf8ffLxYrR0jBLA0s-HabJIv98NgH2hgRVL1MDmOX0J-vC1QsnlrnqZNk0pHEiaHRSBwOaDFY_VYuIRZrSF1yfyIUvczIHEEVjv2Gt-vFfye_BT-Pfpz3CxjyKjgYbxK/s400/HighGlossJuly.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.greycrawford.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Grey Crawford</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">POST UPDATE: On August 11th, Paloma Contreras, the editor of <a href="http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2011/08/difficult-decision.html">High Gloss Magazine, posted online</a> that they will no longer be publishing this digital magazine. The team no doubt has new creative ventures on the horizon and I wish them much success in whatever they tackle next!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.perspectivenewengland.com/magazines/perspective-new-england-summer-2011-issue"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719754211951954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRz7uh34WURtXQL2R_hecsftDx62-CXOBgL9ZhyqeFc5nAsTWGTE6WQAD0pM8DyCGGW7-RE6iQn3cW86UsPLUFGdRlbjLs96DIWYsShAHtW3htuZElAGoe3XJxO78cRAKNi4h9Z1Ygb8E/s400/PerspectiveSummer.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.gregpremru.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Greg Premru</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.surroundingsmagazine.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719760423512834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c2v6oZQjElA5t_swzP1cHXQGYRQLua_SkbaonUJ47LnZ0i-rCZ3WZgKTU31PrDz9sr2XA7w79MTnUfIt_kE5X0QKXaGo4oJOBNLZqGkVyprqqgMFF0bFpmj71anqBi8aOruNCEZ7pupa/s400/Surroundings+July+Aug+2011.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://michaeljleephotography.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Michael J. Lee</span><br /><br /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://entramagazine.com/JulyAugust/EntraJulyAugustPreview/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719972859576050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI8n4AmeONlgo5HhJvJrunJ1hmdBZfVGKf3oEtQrivkKYYpFhe7YxuNLHMx18ctPN4Hxbk5tNo1iKBDntq_SHvp4u591IkJ16xMCFiMnzm-YMIoJb9qZGnSa0gRJxJY2VRny_TNQirjWw/s400/entra-summer.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://durstonsaylor.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Durston Saylor</span></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ruemag.com/issues/issue-six/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719762193643538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP0V87HW44zRQhu639AVw38SefgkQRnt9tReu6AHAoC7tk_fcyzYaPhf37zxWKFDLdPZ9c0SFhzoZrMHIiObYjYc7JCm1p6VWSEdMvkbTfh6fqBW0aK0OLkdr2hIxRu5qHDKSvLnhqlT4/s400/coverIssue6.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.josevillaphoto.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Jose Villa</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houseoffifty.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719758044620994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRYq9QiQom3GFYe16VdpNtviEyuAfV0yxKkf1JR8NyNymazvQTretmCSQ2nbThq7x7aWjGVnlrR3jbUj2ey6O9OLwl8K_n1e7lssNVJ5HrUUYE6KxqOypqts7wqI4228MN6TtNIFy9qH2/s400/Houseof50fall.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo of <a href="http://www.maymebakerstudio.com/">Mayme Baker Interiors</a></span><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRYq9QiQom3GFYe16VdpNtviEyuAfV0yxKkf1JR8NyNymazvQTretmCSQ2nbThq7x7aWjGVnlrR3jbUj2ey6O9OLwl8K_n1e7lssNVJ5HrUUYE6KxqOypqts7wqI4228MN6TtNIFy9qH2/s1600/Houseof50fall.jpg"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://matchbookmag.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719979569892914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J-c16xK2o1L6YVw03yDo6gk3MMF4lfxRRv256yfnaCd94f_mkUDY0KF5Jp4Tk9IVIq-3_rl8skXTjqsfg8hcK4BRCDy2AuZkZdw1ractbrquix0sRlrW0RABrSyKdrU5miRmtNOmUfAV/s400/matchbookAugust.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.caroldronsfieldphotography.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Carol Dronsfield</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/anthologymag/docs/issue3-preview"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638720071707609538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J4zD2l05z5T7oD_hKa7kuh4JUtDGWv59nnQSqgHmvU6u7YTtd0D4EUKnxAy9t2DR03qeXjNe4A7g79nu2SOFfUg30Cuc0WmhiFJEDu6sXi7MNq1Mn_2RircYX9BiUpGfeFsx9vopo2i1/s400/Anthology-spring.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://juliadenos.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover illustration: Julia Denos</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lonnymag.com/issues/29-july-aug-2011-issue/pages/1"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719770313208386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp531G8DUexKbhdDJXIRlQCSq5Z9Bz3E5JYbISfN7D73hQi42fLSC4kWnEycbswpqdOyScSp-EBSENQMcv36dQeefg-X0lVlESTrVYs4V4sW9FzmNMAxraNQJlXeT-AOxgG9gIPezkIhUK/s400/LonnyJulyAug.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Patrick Cline</span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/issues/19-trad-home/pages/1"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638720067202512290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jgsQe86u14AMr7z79awSnikzIgTS2V2gKCj2BN0566llATSEMTvCjqPcBgWClvOmyUI0VEUr6PTRZxhbva1WEca0kOPeJtV2U81St3B7QuBiX7ZeiJ3UTy3NbC5eeDWVbsn8t_7Q733R/s400/tradhomespring.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Patrick Cline</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP0V87HW44zRQhu639AVw38SefgkQRnt9tReu6AHAoC7tk_fcyzYaPhf37zxWKFDLdPZ9c0SFhzoZrMHIiObYjYc7JCm1p6VWSEdMvkbTfh6fqBW0aK0OLkdr2hIxRu5qHDKSvLnhqlT4/s1600/coverIssue6.png"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c2v6oZQjElA5t_swzP1cHXQGYRQLua_SkbaonUJ47LnZ0i-rCZ3WZgKTU31PrDz9sr2XA7w79MTnUfIt_kE5X0QKXaGo4oJOBNLZqGkVyprqqgMFF0bFpmj71anqBi8aOruNCEZ7pupa/s1600/Surroundings+July+Aug+2011.jpg"><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sweetpaulmag-digital.com/sweetpaulmag/summer2011#pg1"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719967317773842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2slk2Vf0M24dUD9zas6whf_n-iGo96id6Y5j0kXYwgjSQhlQM0_7GL_ecJVNWKIjt4PkDsGGajQMHlv3YNKlC7c5I4vVGEn9VEs6Jq-OY3RrWKZPVIKFcK_-IowXBj16wqwZSJ8m_UDHE/s400/sweetpaul-summer.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.francesjanisch.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Frances Janisch</span></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dabblemag.com/issue3/jul-aug2011.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638719975122878514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg396Vnl7KWnSyTDrg1iI0Vt74V27KUU_mkbMzOGMTTvCtAdMnCt3YD7b5WqRB0747CbrB9kt524gn04Z7uQxG2bHBW6xsxcYDQflP30n898ReX_0etlRhckwtqsl7qYsiSTjUdQg86SbMk/s400/dabbleJuly.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.sdbimages.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cover photo: Simon Burn</span></a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRz7uh34WURtXQL2R_hecsftDx62-CXOBgL9ZhyqeFc5nAsTWGTE6WQAD0pM8DyCGGW7-RE6iQn3cW86UsPLUFGdRlbjLs96DIWYsShAHtW3htuZElAGoe3XJxO78cRAKNi4h9Z1Ygb8E/s1600/PerspectiveSummer.jpg"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jgsQe86u14AMr7z79awSnikzIgTS2V2gKCj2BN0566llATSEMTvCjqPcBgWClvOmyUI0VEUr6PTRZxhbva1WEca0kOPeJtV2U81St3B7QuBiX7ZeiJ3UTy3NbC5eeDWVbsn8t_7Q733R/s1600/tradhomespring.jpg"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J4zD2l05z5T7oD_hKa7kuh4JUtDGWv59nnQSqgHmvU6u7YTtd0D4EUKnxAy9t2DR03qeXjNe4A7g79nu2SOFfUg30Cuc0WmhiFJEDu6sXi7MNq1Mn_2RircYX9BiUpGfeFsx9vopo2i1/s1600/Anthology-spring.jpg"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />

A dozen+ digital design magazines

Cover photo: Elizabeth Wertz Photography Looking for summer reading of the eye candy variety? Below is what you’ll find in my digital librar...

Read more »

Not tending the garden ...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZwaj6u1282m424qPzQ-DAjQBb1ip8UBwM23nCOiDt9aNXgtCjuk2IhyphenhyphenT9mCWev-MD3SZaFWaXIL6rZMQyPqeP2yVMAgM_MXAbyBJiyiLs4XiPAh4WLmhfWF0eWSZ46URC-1tHjkWNR1p/s1600/barn%253Aqueenannes.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637746290741220546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZwaj6u1282m424qPzQ-DAjQBb1ip8UBwM23nCOiDt9aNXgtCjuk2IhyphenhyphenT9mCWev-MD3SZaFWaXIL6rZMQyPqeP2yVMAgM_MXAbyBJiyiLs4XiPAh4WLmhfWF0eWSZ46URC-1tHjkWNR1p/s800/barn%253Aqueenannes.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Did you know that if you leave weeds alone long enough they will flower? This is my side yard next to our barn. While most of our yard is mowed weekly, this area is allowed to grow wild. The result is a pretty swath of tall grasses, Queen Anne’s Lace, Goldenrod, Thistle, and a delicate purple flower that I can’t identify. I have been extra busy this summer on work related projects and this image says it all “I’m in the weeds!” (if you have ever worked in the restaurant industry, you may have heard this saying before : ) </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I particularly like how these easy going flowers have formed a bright and cheerful border along our rambling fence.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nIua-fnEeLLOg41TxqMbe5KgI_zBUHHhJYIOIovSoL4GD8PCQSCwcdMqlGZPe-iyGLbEuvwl6TJaZNQZ1dxi028Q6pfvoO44G5RFh8qFjco20M5SLyhcUtsXzdpT8lTutiZWvzV06V9y/s1600/flowersbyfence.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637746284899087010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nIua-fnEeLLOg41TxqMbe5KgI_zBUHHhJYIOIovSoL4GD8PCQSCwcdMqlGZPe-iyGLbEuvwl6TJaZNQZ1dxi028Q6pfvoO44G5RFh8qFjco20M5SLyhcUtsXzdpT8lTutiZWvzV06V9y/s800/flowersbyfence.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Even with the lazy-days-of-summer appeal of low maintenance backyard gardening, it is still nice to present a pretty face to people passing by the front side of the house. My mom knows I have been too distracted lately to tend to my gardening, so she surprised me the other day by decorating our </span><span style="font-size:130%;">farmer’s porch </span><span style="font-size:130%;">with a little container gardening</span><span style="font-size:130%;">.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe2k3RWYlInKDUnTgyitjk-NaTRe9EqflP_o1OY5PYnOBtPaiJwb7TyWqsgHETuNsGAVwjfDlxqFNKQVh4dwgAbh0n6-FpjPuA3T-qKfmW722OSNfgmfOyYEVDgRrad66vjb-j-_wKhMx/s1600/salvia.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637758029402640066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoe2k3RWYlInKDUnTgyitjk-NaTRe9EqflP_o1OY5PYnOBtPaiJwb7TyWqsgHETuNsGAVwjfDlxqFNKQVh4dwgAbh0n6-FpjPuA3T-qKfmW722OSNfgmfOyYEVDgRrad66vjb-j-_wKhMx/s800/salvia.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokXzXIGy0Bd9l5wC3LKECmEaga1pIlmhyphenhyphenCJaVyrHGw0Qtb6ersrVSxjz6LebY6AQBA5SMbrZ8xhhPm4MHqc3vWIKyg3npIQbCaN5gubdP_ZFfCIqgMIDE0-aHQggX8Ce9zR0ewY1wFBIG/s1600/plantontable.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637759786439341538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokXzXIGy0Bd9l5wC3LKECmEaga1pIlmhyphenhyphenCJaVyrHGw0Qtb6ersrVSxjz6LebY6AQBA5SMbrZ8xhhPm4MHqc3vWIKyg3npIQbCaN5gubdP_ZFfCIqgMIDE0-aHQggX8Ce9zR0ewY1wFBIG/s800/plantontable.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA4VO_LTnvnvBLHfwuTBO6wC9f9WxY5ajkV2BLfKdC6xz2h9iM3rEDoCC2ejbgjoAdRz4kKNUY-kaXkm4FJC_QjKt20Aq2mKTAGp_d_qxPpIw5pk8bx9igUsLCuM2NsKJryxIYh49v5Oq/s1600/whiteflowerbystairs.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637750602239935986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA4VO_LTnvnvBLHfwuTBO6wC9f9WxY5ajkV2BLfKdC6xz2h9iM3rEDoCC2ejbgjoAdRz4kKNUY-kaXkm4FJC_QjKt20Aq2mKTAGp_d_qxPpIw5pk8bx9igUsLCuM2NsKJryxIYh49v5Oq/s800/whiteflowerbystairs.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqLbrsBkx61d4rhgi-H8oo2cmOLt6QpXBVNE5CEFM-ITiNRDqswtL8GCZO6kS6a_r0WzDe3AzEMokOq2xzj4Q73WHNrg76E0AiOmqck1GG5FfCSA3MSJQXv5ebw0StZhrvguLUjdsyIn_/s1600/pinkflowersatfrontdoor.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637758027082041906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqLbrsBkx61d4rhgi-H8oo2cmOLt6QpXBVNE5CEFM-ITiNRDqswtL8GCZO6kS6a_r0WzDe3AzEMokOq2xzj4Q73WHNrg76E0AiOmqck1GG5FfCSA3MSJQXv5ebw0StZhrvguLUjdsyIn_/s800/pinkflowersatfrontdoor.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks, Mum, for picking up where Mother Nature left off! Now when I am coming and going, I will at least have something pretty to greet me upon my return home : )<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>

Not tending the garden ...

Did you know that if you leave weeds alone long enough they will flower? This is my side yard next to our barn. While most of our yard is mo...

Read more »