Lunch with Holly Becker of Decor8

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTeyJfluIF1zfgN86kYCud_Em6uxozyZXhai1DzIhSerfuvuVap3hRyEK1z92yCbMfwJW4WruCARfDWK6AwASjd_JstXpsYBFp5p87ww-SkM7sxVEZVy3Geb0BPLhddxiGfHC0JAdtRof/s1600/hollybecker%2540booksigning-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648881065489479954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTeyJfluIF1zfgN86kYCud_Em6uxozyZXhai1DzIhSerfuvuVap3hRyEK1z92yCbMfwJW4WruCARfDWK6AwASjd_JstXpsYBFp5p87ww-SkM7sxVEZVy3Geb0BPLhddxiGfHC0JAdtRof/s800/hollybecker%2540booksigning-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />In late August, I was invited to attend a book signing at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp">Anthropologie</a> in Boston featuring Holly Becker of the well-known design blog <a href="http://decor8blog.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Decor8,</span></a> where for the past 5+ years she has featured “fresh finds for hip spaces.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Holly, along with lifestyle writer Joanna Copestick, has taken the design philosophy of her highly followed blog and has turned it into a really fabulous book filled with </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">1,000 professional design ideas for every room in your home.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Decorate-Design-Ideas-Every-Room/dp/0811877892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315402397&sr=8-1"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649606320608934146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6fpKikRMPrp3YfIWJFyNqxDCIADfY_B2ufEExyjE1MTYhVF3oleBlfPfboXRTdkczeL7zdTQ_M3sG0M9rsXPVS4tH-BoZh8OilQ3kt8qLxaw60LeSrqOb5-UylmbCi2Msy6wDbOiJSlt/s800/DecorateHollyBecker_sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >photo Debi Treloar; designer Sania Pell</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Decorate</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is available at local </span><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=20538138&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=095" style="font-style: italic;">Anthropologie</a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />stores or through </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Decorate-Design-Ideas-Every-Room/dp/0811877892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315402397&sr=8-1" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;">Peppered throughout with inspiring quotes from talented designers, and image-rich with a wide range of decorative styles, Holly has created an extensive guide that encourages readers to uncover their own personal design aesthetic while providing tips and techniques to decorate with confidence. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2CVNf_aIhFhuZp_aWLFiJHIyGtRPGrOMMTjejSCOmOT12eDwJcPj4ZLucL87EE41ad7-WM7FWthYTbnce2A55q7DFcS0BzO2w8yuFmXnweXqBNhx2BxZFVARdWFx3R7T2m7jrIiUWYzl/s1600/storyboard%2540athro.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI38Jwbkh-EjF7u7g3BVzYx5LeU1f4LouFnLR5wpIjIAZHXXBsrLeKGVhJTIhEDm8XdJgh_pec4Vwzyn9ydKaPwfSeLwRKfYphyctXZAdnbi63WmR8pw5yQvmdqmwo1KtlVRqoOgObqjdd/s1600/meetholly%2540anthro.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648880853118031250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI38Jwbkh-EjF7u7g3BVzYx5LeU1f4LouFnLR5wpIjIAZHXXBsrLeKGVhJTIhEDm8XdJgh_pec4Vwzyn9ydKaPwfSeLwRKfYphyctXZAdnbi63WmR8pw5yQvmdqmwo1KtlVRqoOgObqjdd/s800/meetholly%2540anthro.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbU2_0rLkhOxWsUMr5Gtk5a8XPY1XY9JFf23vVvB6k365ZKgP_Oddfk2Q8Nb5Y6YHlSSDyJIfBU62ggQoM1bgoy72ebCKeCB9t9PcGGfN9OkbqmVF8hRH2wVGwmNgxyKT2f5L0C4nL3D9/s1600/decor8%2540anthropologie.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648880855418380034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbU2_0rLkhOxWsUMr5Gtk5a8XPY1XY9JFf23vVvB6k365ZKgP_Oddfk2Q8Nb5Y6YHlSSDyJIfBU62ggQoM1bgoy72ebCKeCB9t9PcGGfN9OkbqmVF8hRH2wVGwmNgxyKT2f5L0C4nL3D9/s800/decor8%2540anthropologie.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Meeting Holly in person was such a treat! Even with her cross-continental fame (she lived in the Boston area for 20 years but now lives in Germany with her husband) she is very approachable and truly values connecting with others. There were lots of people in line who had taken her e-course on how to establish a meaningful and creative blog (<a href="http://decor8blog.com/byw-newsletter/">Blogging Your Way</a>) and many others who have followed her creative journey throughout the years. She was warm and gracious to all, even after signing books for over 2 hours!<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2CVNf_aIhFhuZp_aWLFiJHIyGtRPGrOMMTjejSCOmOT12eDwJcPj4ZLucL87EE41ad7-WM7FWthYTbnce2A55q7DFcS0BzO2w8yuFmXnweXqBNhx2BxZFVARdWFx3R7T2m7jrIiUWYzl/s1600/storyboard%2540athro.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2CVNf_aIhFhuZp_aWLFiJHIyGtRPGrOMMTjejSCOmOT12eDwJcPj4ZLucL87EE41ad7-WM7FWthYTbnce2A55q7DFcS0BzO2w8yuFmXnweXqBNhx2BxZFVARdWFx3R7T2m7jrIiUWYzl/s1600/storyboard%2540athro.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648880845215080898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2CVNf_aIhFhuZp_aWLFiJHIyGtRPGrOMMTjejSCOmOT12eDwJcPj4ZLucL87EE41ad7-WM7FWthYTbnce2A55q7DFcS0BzO2w8yuFmXnweXqBNhx2BxZFVARdWFx3R7T2m7jrIiUWYzl/s800/storyboard%2540athro.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Before sitting down to sign books, Holly shared decorating tips with a group of attendees who had signed up for her mood board presentation. I wasn’t able to make it to this part of the event, but a lot of other bloggers in attendance wrote about it (see list below).</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZwaxwLLHLHpcQq2VtFKa3m7X7yPQ7EUtTDc5UnMw9Mv0koqizfpE56k8n1HkwcP9QZz4gEpN9yE44lvsErb8hBB_dG8Selcg8DIGRsbp-4D2z5rGXTrTeHuUmCltlLV6OvmtZGg2cdjM/s1600/%2540decor8table.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648880856503403058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZwaxwLLHLHpcQq2VtFKa3m7X7yPQ7EUtTDc5UnMw9Mv0koqizfpE56k8n1HkwcP9QZz4gEpN9yE44lvsErb8hBB_dG8Selcg8DIGRsbp-4D2z5rGXTrTeHuUmCltlLV6OvmtZGg2cdjM/s800/%2540decor8table.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />After finishing up at Anthropologie, about 20 of us headed to the <a href="http://www.backbaysocialclub.com/">Back Bay Social Club</a> which was just a short walk down Boylston Street. We filled two long tables and Holly encouraged each of us to stand up and introduce ourselves to the group and share a little bit about why we blog and what else we do to fulfill our artistic impulses. The room was filled with a creative buzz and there was lots to talk about!<br /><br />While I did not get a chance to speak with everyone personally, I was really impressed with the accomplishments and goals of these women who had gathered to meet Holly. I was happy to spend some time getting to know <a href="http://www.studiogblog.com/about/">Rochelle Greayer</a>, a landscape designer turned editor, who is on the verge of launching <a href="http://www.leafmag.com/">Leaf Magazine</a>. Just like when I started <a href="http://www.newenglandfinery.com/">New England Finery Magazine</a>, she was full of contagious enthusiasm! Being a gardener myself, I am looking forward to reading their first issue (due out in October) which I am sure will be beautiful and informative.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqob8IDJtVEWU5swpqNO-ARpme-9VHsDr0irhutq5Dhr2m5QbcqqKqfU0x2hNW76STdNiGah9lAgBurDyWVOUkENRbGKkxN46y7oJ1y88j_qRYIY_7BVNWd9KrtJxztAHe1G6h8TbY56b/s1600/laura-yvonne.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648904075216057506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqob8IDJtVEWU5swpqNO-ARpme-9VHsDr0irhutq5Dhr2m5QbcqqKqfU0x2hNW76STdNiGah9lAgBurDyWVOUkENRbGKkxN46y7oJ1y88j_qRYIY_7BVNWd9KrtJxztAHe1G6h8TbY56b/s800/laura-yvonne.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://profile.typepad.com/gorgeousandfun" style="font-style: italic;">Photo credit: Amisha Thakkar-Kashyap</a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I sat next to a handful of Boston bloggers who I have met at other design events (at the Boston Design Center and again in NYC <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/09/mecca-to-nate-and-back.html">on the set of the Nate Berkus show</a>). I was also introduced to other area bloggers that I have been following online. Here I am chatting about blog writing and life in general with <a href="http://journeychic.com/about-2/">Laura of Journey Chic</a>. Laura’s blog focuses on sharing easy and affordable design style tips. During lunch she told me she used to be roommates with Boston blogger <a href="http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/about">Erin Gates of Elements of Style</a>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Here are some more photos from our end of the table:</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDcx25U7bdJ3V03DOIjdlrTpQOqJZKJ59EHeZtqHdkqjwJGJKns3FQWrdTPTIpPrDR7NMNS7f1Vo2hxv8HEeYgpNFqXsv0fg_UvGRfuZe7qw-cGKefisPDvbtDTTWoFZhVPv-RVSwLUb-/s1600/sarah-katy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648904071644648658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDcx25U7bdJ3V03DOIjdlrTpQOqJZKJ59EHeZtqHdkqjwJGJKns3FQWrdTPTIpPrDR7NMNS7f1Vo2hxv8HEeYgpNFqXsv0fg_UvGRfuZe7qw-cGKefisPDvbtDTTWoFZhVPv-RVSwLUb-/s800/sarah-katy.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Artist <a href="http://www.sarahearn.com/about-me/">Sarah Ahearn</a> with lifestyle blogger/writer Katy Elliott.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://profile.typepad.com/gorgeousandfun" style="font-style: italic;">Photo credit: Amisha Thakkar-Kashyap</a><br /></span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78BZstYh4YCRjMvC3VoYfkjIfrzIcamiV1OZar1LSHJirA5yWhuBi-3kI2zk54hx3wdIo0Aswi2UD2xKvfvNer3thYxWpK6W0GIwpBTvJxR7sTX882uZXujQ_1Xe5f2bKikIzC91nOhBe/s1600/2katies%2540decor8-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648880848058436274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78BZstYh4YCRjMvC3VoYfkjIfrzIcamiV1OZar1LSHJirA5yWhuBi-3kI2zk54hx3wdIo0Aswi2UD2xKvfvNer3thYxWpK6W0GIwpBTvJxR7sTX882uZXujQ_1Xe5f2bKikIzC91nOhBe/s400/2katies%2540decor8-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This was my first time meeting the two Kates who blog:<br /><a href="http://domestikatedlife.com/">DomestiKated Life</a> and <a href="http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/about">Katy Elliott</a></span> </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ36xmd9yqRf3jAyU3ElmhguD1RQ2_aTIKwq6EZjaq7w4TOYNeWcL0xkeZD5Z9nBO-tYGtrbtpVX-ogoJZbuyBeUE32qZt5yB_en0EvwDnqPkEboJVZJu8Gey1-yhkueEj63B5CdgdE2T/s1600/julieann-stephanie-lindsay-katie.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648881064477445618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ36xmd9yqRf3jAyU3ElmhguD1RQ2_aTIKwq6EZjaq7w4TOYNeWcL0xkeZD5Z9nBO-tYGtrbtpVX-ogoJZbuyBeUE32qZt5yB_en0EvwDnqPkEboJVZJu8Gey1-yhkueEj63B5CdgdE2T/s800/julieann-stephanie-lindsay-katie.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >It’s always fun spending time with Boston bloggers!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Julieann (<a href="http://creategirl.blogspot.com/">CreateGirl</a>)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Stephanie (<a href="http://sabbedesign.com/index2.php#/home/">Sabbe Interior Design</a>)<br />Lindsay (<a href="http://everythingleb.blogspot.com/">EverythingLEB</a>)<br />Katie (<a href="http://domestikatedlife.com/">Domestikated</a>)<br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78BZstYh4YCRjMvC3VoYfkjIfrzIcamiV1OZar1LSHJirA5yWhuBi-3kI2zk54hx3wdIo0Aswi2UD2xKvfvNer3thYxWpK6W0GIwpBTvJxR7sTX882uZXujQ_1Xe5f2bKikIzC91nOhBe/s1600/2katies%2540decor8-sm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRLcbaEtVKo6fsJX83-jEM7aAhNdaOjjkTl7t6JxbGSId8fYTREvt24Hhxq03jADtGbb1hEgl_4_StyBU1n-pLqf0OojrL11sux4ELGHa3SlnIj_lOSJ9bVRN51DS4S-hFTRU20L-j1hV/s1600/yvonne-julieann%2540booksigning-sm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648881069353295714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRLcbaEtVKo6fsJX83-jEM7aAhNdaOjjkTl7t6JxbGSId8fYTREvt24Hhxq03jADtGbb1hEgl_4_StyBU1n-pLqf0OojrL11sux4ELGHa3SlnIj_lOSJ9bVRN51DS4S-hFTRU20L-j1hV/s800/yvonne-julieann%2540booksigning-sm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Thank you, Julieann, for getting us all together. It is always a pleasure to connect with and support other creatives!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xtRDzG38ZeF2uD5N7QR2AB3-9jDxyBTJoLrGFHLd6f5H9aj8Ws_BWyQCgC8VNufJKMQBSo_qxCQOrwbDgnR_Ab4jejXtv9bszhiZ93ukSBwd0tlBxUiBrR73Zh5r7JL-Urxv3vnXJB-2/s1600/lunch+w%253A+Holly+Becker.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648902305268999954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xtRDzG38ZeF2uD5N7QR2AB3-9jDxyBTJoLrGFHLd6f5H9aj8Ws_BWyQCgC8VNufJKMQBSo_qxCQOrwbDgnR_Ab4jejXtv9bszhiZ93ukSBwd0tlBxUiBrR73Zh5r7JL-Urxv3vnXJB-2/s800/lunch+w%253A+Holly+Becker.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px;" /></a><a href="http://www.monicaleestudios.com/about.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo credit: Monica Lee</span></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Check out the blog posts below. Most of them share their personal thoughts on gathering to meet Holly Becker, along with providing insights on what it is like to travel a creative path. The first two posts are from Holly : ) Enjoy!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://decor8blog.com/2011/08/23/boston-highlights-from-the-decorate-book-tour/">Decor8</a><br /><br /><a href="http://hollymaus.blogspot.com/2011/09/return-from-my-book-tour.html">HausMaus</a><br /><br /><a href="http://creategirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/anthropologie-holly-becker-of-decor8.html">CreateGirl</a><a href="http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/anthropologie-holly-becker-and-chicks/"><br /></a></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://sabbespot.blogspot.com/2011/08/decor8-and-lunch-with-holly-becker.html">Sabbe Interior Design</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://everythingleb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Everything LEB</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://domestikatedlife.com/2011/08/23/decorate-book-signing/" target="_blank">DomestiKated Life</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/">Katy Elliott</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/anthropologie-holly-becker-and-chicks/">Monica Lee Studios</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://wellerwishes.blogspot.com/2011/08/decor8-decorate-book-signing-event-with.html" target="_blank">WellerWishes</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.studiogblog.com/shop-for-garden-products/lighting/evolutions-petra-bindel-swedish-light/">Studio G<br /></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://sarahearn.blogspot.com/2011/05/found.html">Sarah Ahearn Bellemare</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://journeychic.com/2011/08/25/decorate-book-signing-with-holly-becker/" target="_blank">Journey Chic</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://gorgeousandfun.typepad.com/gorgeous_and_fun/2011/08/holly-becker-decorate-and-byw-friends.html">Gorgeous and Fun Things</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://prettyneatdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/decorate-by-holly-becker-book-signing.html">Pretty Neat Design </a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.lolalina.com/2011/08/22/holly-becker-decorate-book-tour-creative-ladies-lunch/" target="_blank">Lolalina</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://thedeshashow.blogspot.com/2011/08/lunch-with-holly-becker-of-decor8-book.html" target="_blank">The Desha Show</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://patternedpeacock.com/">The Patterned Peacock </a><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://gracefulwhimsy.blogspot.com/2011/08/mood-board-how-to-book-signing-with.html" target="_blank">Graceful Whimsy</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://ellencrimitrent.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/08/follow-your-dreams.html" target="_blank">Ellen Crimi-Trent</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://dsbrennan.blogspot.com/">D.S. Brennan Photography</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.studiogblog.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></p><p><a href="http://www.studiogblog.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></p><p></p>

Lunch with Holly Becker of Decor8

In late August, I was invited to attend a book signing at Anthropologie in Boston featuring Holly Becker of the well-known design blog Deco...

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This month @NewEnglandHome

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">aaa</span><br /><a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561461296754345138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstxNoovBTI5gtM3VXeSAoFEOGeghEQF5PmPHuTkqqcrRV-Uq8A8jlow8w-LqsNe_9mctEGYDyK8gPU0NoCCjnKaqZUF2gALd_AlymL9FafQaj9bySbc493bAvQKKyGo_MgHBEwI-OcIas/s400/nehome1.2011cover.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">New England Home, Jan./Feb. 2011</span></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Cover photo by <a href="http://www.lauramoss.com/">Laura Moss</a></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The January/February issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">New England Home</a> </span>magazine just hit the newsstands and guess who’s in it? Actually, a lot of local talent is featured throughout, but I felt especially honored to be included in a shout-out to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Danvers Historical Society</span> <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-nursery-design-in-detail.html">summer design show</a> (see pages 122 and 124).</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDFZWJN_vYYZkjZyiBBSznOVv8Ngy9CSt2LdpKQ5ILevdWVctBdjX-ILJ8ubGsDdGE4sy2Aj5EAqBur8_2-KGCJMQ8WaN1bpK8xrFOZ6W_vA2bciZ8S24zJIv_vcTJ-Bj0O44lyPCdsFt/s1600/dhs%25286photos%2529nehome+1.11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561461293732972770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDFZWJN_vYYZkjZyiBBSznOVv8Ngy9CSt2LdpKQ5ILevdWVctBdjX-ILJ8ubGsDdGE4sy2Aj5EAqBur8_2-KGCJMQ8WaN1bpK8xrFOZ6W_vA2bciZ8S24zJIv_vcTJ-Bj0O44lyPCdsFt/s400/dhs%25286photos%2529nehome+1.11.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">From New England Home, Jan./Feb. 2011</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />There are a lot of local design event photos in this current issue, making it easy to put a name with a face in the Boston design community. Also in the magazine, this month’s feature articles include some really neat spaces that are a twist on the traditional. In fact, <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Home</span> seems to be on the verge of redefining itself, and is apparently catching on to the value of today’s social media driven design scene.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://nehomemagblog.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561462704659472594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzfFBh_JyJOCOIMFGt0AhFfmjoUYp-fnLXBLKJq09A9CQyvpatB8rtPe0gRxmjU6jeiXJStKVY67tEahWkgMfJDnD3ZNgFysL6uQ6Xr1mGlUMWUaLAkopsbHn4EGYfBReapHDMNv3Pox0/s400/greytree.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 100px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I was happy to discover this week that they just launched a <a href="http://nehomemagblog.com/">daily design blog</a> that will feature behind-the-scenes glimpses of magazine features, editor design pics, designer interviews, previews of upcoming events, and much more. Today, editor <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/">Stacy Kunstel</a> wrote a post referencing the dramatic cover photo of this month’s magazine and the current trend of designing with black (check it out by <a href="http://nehomemagblog.com/2011/01/design-in-depth-back-to-black/">clicking here</a>.)<br /><br />I am particularly interested in tuning in for the “guest blogger series</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> which will begin next Tuesday. Linda Merrill of <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Skirted Roundtable</span></a> and <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Surroundings</span></a> will share this series for the month with Leslie Fine of <a href="http://blog.lesliefineinteriors.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leslie Fine Interiors</span></a>. More bloggers will follow. Sounds like something I would be interested in ...</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy71f9aT3GsqcDemI8QRqM1gXqqoJq1EgiXMdJMPpzspipVclmWR2lm3qgR9cKVivlZyd4-OvKKeMwZGmnVZMGu62l2D6ezR1ZfKP6NAhXLkEbLBikY1jWbjrOSqr08GsuktA-lhojrur/s1600/bookshelfYB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561492277498437394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy71f9aT3GsqcDemI8QRqM1gXqqoJq1EgiXMdJMPpzspipVclmWR2lm3qgR9cKVivlZyd4-OvKKeMwZGmnVZMGu62l2D6ezR1ZfKP6NAhXLkEbLBikY1jWbjrOSqr08GsuktA-lhojrur/s400/bookshelfYB.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >I am slowly transforming <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/01/making-room-for-creativity.html">my new office</a> into a<br />grown-up space. This <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/madison-3-shelf-bookrack/?pkey=e%7Cbookcases%2B%2526%2Bstorage%7C70%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C18&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-">Pottery Barn bookrack</a> used to<br />hold the kids picture books and now it holds mine.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />To view the digital version of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Home</span> online, <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/">visit their website</a>. This month’s issue is not up yet, so you will have to get a copy the traditional way or wait until the end of the month to view it in it’s entirety. I have one print copy of my own, but I just might have to run out and pick up a couple more copies to have on hand as keepsakes : )<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">1</span><br /><br /></span>

This month @NewEnglandHome

aaa New England Home, Jan./Feb. 2011 Cover photo by Laura Moss The January/February issue of New England Home magazine just hit the newssta...

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Blog writing and a tribute

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zbth8ifR7UwpLVhVrAWiKEKWnHc_soSwDVMUfbrT1bVshcEkN-DivjnMnxcuBQBkTiafecWNI7kd2fjK93EtoPrQxHx5qd9fMAQnJ4jPEnytMc1Tp9gYk2VF5v8WZUYz3Yfgabyyb7k/s1600/whiterosehydrangeas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXhRweC3drnhTHmfVg12mmw0krD3JeyfAqJfTxWaf0tfl-h8cggWxjqFdihMqXLV_LuzIEvgoNHlCceS1BVki882tF5aybKtvE0e8dTuxhnNC3iqVn0PfbOb78I2d0leSZ012R6sU4sg/s1600/rememberingmarija.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493378999908263250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXhRweC3drnhTHmfVg12mmw0krD3JeyfAqJfTxWaf0tfl-h8cggWxjqFdihMqXLV_LuzIEvgoNHlCceS1BVki882tF5aybKtvE0e8dTuxhnNC3iqVn0PfbOb78I2d0leSZ012R6sU4sg/s400/rememberingmarija.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 202px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photos borrowed from <a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/">Holding Court</a> by Marija Stephens<br /><br /><br /></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday I learned of the tragic death of a woman I have only known by her first name, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/">Marija</a>, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">the posts that she has written, and </span><span style="font-size:130%;">the comments that she has left behind</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. I remember once receiving a comment that she left on a post that I also commented on (it was on a blog we both followed: <a href="http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/2010/02/tidy-up.html">absolutely beautiful things</a>). I was happy just to see her name in my inbox even though the comment was not actually addressed to me. We always seemed to be following the same path ... I would see the icon from her blog, <a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/">Holding Court</a>, pop up everywhere I went. Her comments were always worth reading and she had a charming and effortless way about her. Her blog was full of well written observations on both style and life. Marija’s death has deeply touched many people who have only met her virtually, along with leaving a hole in the hearts of those who truly knew and loved her.<br /><br />Reading over the many chapters in the chronicles of </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Marija’s</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> blog have left me welled up with tears and especially reflective ... why do we put ourselves out there to write our personal stories on a blog?<br /><br />For me, it is a creative outlet, a way to connect with other people who share the same interests, and a valuable resource to my growing design business. The many opportunities to create new friendships through blog writing has been an unexpected bonus.<br /><br />Here are just some of the reasons<br />why Marija began her blog ...<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">“<a href="http://holdingcourtblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/im-marija-this-is-my-blog.html">I’m Marija. This is my blog</a>.”</span></span><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In Marija’s memory, I promise to try to let more of my virtual/blog friends know that their words have made an impression on me. It is these connections with others (even if they only start out as a quick text left at the end of a post) that keep me inspired.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyFsAkyvjHCob522F9GqtIYXgtAmfnbkqylA5X5M6a1mpolO2vwKWhkGuxKIe3V0rsIEa97vnyi0HGRvVLkiTZwsEtVM6eJE75lsvxUkC5lU5dvym_NDbm865f-508JyhZLab5fgDOdQ/s1600/angelingarden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493390487311939474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyFsAkyvjHCob522F9GqtIYXgtAmfnbkqylA5X5M6a1mpolO2vwKWhkGuxKIe3V0rsIEa97vnyi0HGRvVLkiTZwsEtVM6eJE75lsvxUkC5lU5dvym_NDbm865f-508JyhZLab5fgDOdQ/s320/angelingarden.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div>

Blog writing and a tribute

Photos borrowed from Holding Court by Marija Stephens Yesterday I learned of the tragic death of a woman I have only known by her first n...

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Who are you following?

<a href="http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463346887724292098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyb1Qxrv0q_3jxcUvXPS1QZBMjQ8yZcoDzLzkl3KB2GLC4yTLrfQ7Ga1lRYhpo3ukgTLmRi2TAyl4hfUDfX6bJodhkg-GEUI1jTL8ECv1VxH6Tai0AWgIv4UxWfUWNKLh-pU-TyaGa9ek/s400/mrs.blandings.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am looking for some new online inspiration ... if you have a favorite go-to-each-day blog, please leave the URL in my comment section. It does not have to be about decorating and design (although those are my favorites!) as long as it provides inspiring content, pretty pictures, and/or a much needed laugh! Besides favoring design blogs written by fellow New Englanders, I also like to find bloggers out there who have a life I can relate to or learn from. One of my current favorites is <a href="http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Blandings</a> by Patricia Shackelford. I wish she lived closer because I would love to sit down and have a chat with her! She always shares humorous insights on her attempts-to-find-pretty</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> while surrounded by three darling boys, a husband and a dog (see cute illustration above by <a href="http://pvedesign.com/">PVE design</a>) She writes like a story teller, and her stories are always interesting. Plus she provides links to many resources and events of interest. I especially liked this last post on <a href="http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/2010/04/results-oriented.html">the most significant design moments of the last 20 years </a>as determined by her readers.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tjZUcG9s9ANoJwrWd93-e0u5ZoK1JVU6iBPBatNcesDiyiSttiIfrJpUwnUBzGcMyQaE2c2pl6hBjUAvkUM8GxlWK0GAY5heCb_Pkgm_3KG-GbfOI7OcZHcghwSvBClEoSr7-9-ISFE/s1600/blackersoncouchimage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463366266098016146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tjZUcG9s9ANoJwrWd93-e0u5ZoK1JVU6iBPBatNcesDiyiSttiIfrJpUwnUBzGcMyQaE2c2pl6hBjUAvkUM8GxlWK0GAY5heCb_Pkgm_3KG-GbfOI7OcZHcghwSvBClEoSr7-9-ISFE/s400/blackersoncouchimage.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Inspired by Mrs. Blandings ...<br />this rough sketch shows what my</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />blog banner should look like.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />So who out there inspires you lately?<br />And if you write a blog, please leave your<br />URL so that I can stop by and say hello!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6jvMEw3JPxUykzNycolKYlPcpaF8yHJQkppAFqIsOFYLyVN9hkYW6VCB9gosw5KtQcpGhKYdWEXwu6mxrjy8-s4a7dZpeZHL1a5UEnm_SId76gvCch0gdhBz7myMN2SzC7WEzr3Gn5k/s1600/blackersoncouchsketch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>

Who are you following?

I am looking for some new online inspiration ... if you have a favorite go-to-each-day blog, please leave the URL in my comment section. It ...

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Through the looking glass ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfn_14JYGbItZrTMY6_-L-FANpNvWLivkYK741VnRfLKOR0uH3jq29OrHnjZSRFDkCrQqwHa5KtQv660kv_2Sl1_t7QmRi0jsx7VRIaQb_2tTsSc-eySizJ_sN-IDJHbtMmXkXsyht5s/s1600/duraleepink.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458114890857485586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfn_14JYGbItZrTMY6_-L-FANpNvWLivkYK741VnRfLKOR0uH3jq29OrHnjZSRFDkCrQqwHa5KtQv660kv_2Sl1_t7QmRi0jsx7VRIaQb_2tTsSc-eySizJ_sN-IDJHbtMmXkXsyht5s/s400/duraleepink.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A sweet vignette by <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/duralee-fabrics/overview/">Duralee</a> as seen<br />at the Boston Design Center</span><br /></span><br />Ever long for an insider’s view on the world of design blogging? Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the person whose voice I have been listening to faithfully on <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable</a>, an interior design related blog that interviews some of the top names in the design industry. Being able to sit in on a conversation with one of the three moderators of this podcast-format blog was a special treat.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19-k-yHHGVtiFf6clI_wbLaKmpjNlI648xnd-A4TFESbF7BHiL4ZLZ53o4gnPXNdZkZFg8q5iWb2JsBHroslOplee_u3PR-SKeYg_U48FC2OuPVnN_887l6AfKok5YfVQukILJIk5lmc/s1600/lindamerrill-yvonneblackerBDCsm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458114885224198210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19-k-yHHGVtiFf6clI_wbLaKmpjNlI648xnd-A4TFESbF7BHiL4ZLZ53o4gnPXNdZkZFg8q5iWb2JsBHroslOplee_u3PR-SKeYg_U48FC2OuPVnN_887l6AfKok5YfVQukILJIk5lmc/s400/lindamerrill-yvonneblackerBDCsm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Linda Merrill of </span><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.com/Chameleon_Interiors/About-Chameleon_Interiors-Biography-Linda_Merrill-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html" style="font-style: italic;">Decorative Surroundings</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> with yours truly</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />South Shore based designer Linda Merrill, whose main design blog (she has a few!) is titled <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/">Surroundings</a>, led the group in a very informative and often humorous discussion on the benefits of using social media to promote your business while connecting to the world of design. Besides taking home some great tips on how to add more bells and whistles to the pages of my blog, I really enjoyed listening to Linda share her insight on the best ways to blog with style and grace. She also presented a very honest view on the social aspects of putting yourself out there online. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the funny stories that she referred to that were related to specific blog posts/podcasts that I have followed online.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiJdoN7bvhvdR_g1GSwR15AstHJAvUhmm5v0N0j3ttr2T7XQfRY7x4ubPY0V3tqTmIRtjCn3oFj_BsQXlv148FCINn8FMQ-R3pDQDFrdO5n9foYmMFOKO9-xoNyxDiH9HrsD6o7a5yhM/s1600/duraleechairlight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF81GW9R_YmW4cGX610WxH3_x8kOzFN7LOO3wY1RrO2k0yKMUtG-ylX514DGdLIccWum7Lw6EScGTsuZVC-P03jvDjviWhsuWqKpxPZ345c1o1DqHiG9DaFq-5jy5y516Pbi0Ha6muxw/s1600/kravetfabricsgraay.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458114912238568994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF81GW9R_YmW4cGX610WxH3_x8kOzFN7LOO3wY1RrO2k0yKMUtG-ylX514DGdLIccWum7Lw6EScGTsuZVC-P03jvDjviWhsuWqKpxPZ345c1o1DqHiG9DaFq-5jy5y516Pbi0Ha6muxw/s400/kravetfabricsgraay.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Inside the <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/kravet-fabrics/overview/">Kravet</a> Showroom at the BDC</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />One topic that was of particular interest to many of the audience members was the issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">naming your blog</span>. How does one go about choosing a name? I have posted about how I chose <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/03/anniversary-present.html">Design Vignettes</a>. Recently, I noticed there is another person out there blogging as “Vignette Design.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I forgot to ask Linda if I should be concerned by this!<br /><br />If you are blogging out there, how did you choose your name? </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Do you ever wish you had chosen a different name for your blog? </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Or if you are enjoying the blogs of others, what are some of your favorite blog names that you have come across? Please <span style="font-weight: bold;">leave some comments</span> (we bloggers love to know that someone is out there listening!)</span><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZkpaKBFDHfAEL2Y8CGwfcJGV_qFkU0onpbFg1y624GhMbsMwuvXaMW2fc41d7C0xoHeSgPjh5bUZNphJt85Q9px9-FxglrO1_rhbwXhRe__fQKRFiccE0FHrlfjj_IP_8Hh-9i4_yeA/s1600/starkcarpet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOsFQZBYfpsP7p8U5hVwsx6kakKx3lyngMiwR9gfM6vFxY10uGx7Mx1x6icKINRwPE0zPhpXuDGeGgkRQofBXkShlw0GaPKhZUz_DVTvqpGhgtynyfwPiK1dnHxVNto1jpYk4Gdx35lE/s1600/kravetbedroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458114902657409074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOsFQZBYfpsP7p8U5hVwsx6kakKx3lyngMiwR9gfM6vFxY10uGx7Mx1x6icKINRwPE0zPhpXuDGeGgkRQofBXkShlw0GaPKhZUz_DVTvqpGhgtynyfwPiK1dnHxVNto1jpYk4Gdx35lE/s400/kravetbedroom.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >A pretty combination from Kravet:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">pink, gray, cream and white</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br />Another topic that raised many questions was</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> how do you keep all online identities (twitter, facebook, blog and website) related, yet specific to their particular function and audience? With her extensive background in social media and communications, Linda was able to speak from experience on these very current issues in the ever-changing virtual landscape. What successes – or bumps in the road – have you encountered while navigating social networking?<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfn_14JYGbItZrTMY6_-L-FANpNvWLivkYK741VnRfLKOR0uH3jq29OrHnjZSRFDkCrQqwHa5KtQv660kv_2Sl1_t7QmRi0jsx7VRIaQb_2tTsSc-eySizJ_sN-IDJHbtMmXkXsyht5s/s1600/duraleepink.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZkpaKBFDHfAEL2Y8CGwfcJGV_qFkU0onpbFg1y624GhMbsMwuvXaMW2fc41d7C0xoHeSgPjh5bUZNphJt85Q9px9-FxglrO1_rhbwXhRe__fQKRFiccE0FHrlfjj_IP_8Hh-9i4_yeA/s1600/starkcarpet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458115063504496146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZkpaKBFDHfAEL2Y8CGwfcJGV_qFkU0onpbFg1y624GhMbsMwuvXaMW2fc41d7C0xoHeSgPjh5bUZNphJt85Q9px9-FxglrO1_rhbwXhRe__fQKRFiccE0FHrlfjj_IP_8Hh-9i4_yeA/s400/starkcarpet.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">These spring-colored carpets behind the</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >glass window of the <a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/showrooms/stark-carpet-corporation/overview/">Stark</a> showroom</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >got a second look as I left the BDC.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Linda Merrill will be offering more great lectures on social networking this month. I highly recommend signing up for one if you are in the Boston area!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />April 14th at <a href="http://www.rdcboston.com/ResPlus/RDC/Workshops/?SHID=838997336.9331840%2043">Residential Design</a><br /><a href="http://www.rdcboston.com/ResPlus/RDC/Workshops/?SHID=838997336.9331840%2043">and</a><a href="http://www.rdcboston.com/ResPlus/RDC/Workshops/?SHID=838997336.9331840%2043"> Construction 2010</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> at the<br />Seaport World Trade Center, Boston<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> And April 29th sponsored by<br />the <a href="http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2s4sm2f4990c579">IFDA</a> held at the<br /><a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/contact-us/">Boston Design Center</a><br /><br /></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu3Xax0gdab4A56xq_gY3lXrr1d-WzAQfYmlHR_lAvXh6peGkLmz0RmVUuZMF2GwZ-MgknIjwBGFwkyFEjtf0LsOQVKt72flTUs4qxUOiJh_xtwmQ1RFHAgyM595Zsj0f5-CNJvHh6cY/s1600/kravetvase.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458203536855746034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu3Xax0gdab4A56xq_gY3lXrr1d-WzAQfYmlHR_lAvXh6peGkLmz0RmVUuZMF2GwZ-MgknIjwBGFwkyFEjtf0LsOQVKt72flTUs4qxUOiJh_xtwmQ1RFHAgyM595Zsj0f5-CNJvHh6cY/s320/kravetvase.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19-k-yHHGVtiFf6clI_wbLaKmpjNlI648xnd-A4TFESbF7BHiL4ZLZ53o4gnPXNdZkZFg8q5iWb2JsBHroslOplee_u3PR-SKeYg_U48FC2OuPVnN_887l6AfKok5YfVQukILJIk5lmc/s1600/lindamerrill-yvonneblackerBDCsm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>

Through the looking glass ...

A sweet vignette by Duralee as seen at the Boston Design Center Ever long for an insider’s view on the world of design blogging? Yesterday ...

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Happy birthday to my baby

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dX8pVUTN3BXT57o68wH7g8SjKPQQNA4NRkFv0ltB1bgMGxYYNAhdAHewA7Sb9DT0NzGKpBrM19lkxx4H0GkhPuNsQWYtZrNorojUD4atrXxZYtqx30kuXbf6Qbx2ulniXRHmtSfxiuA/s1600-h/sunart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443870707328597026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dX8pVUTN3BXT57o68wH7g8SjKPQQNA4NRkFv0ltB1bgMGxYYNAhdAHewA7Sb9DT0NzGKpBrM19lkxx4H0GkhPuNsQWYtZrNorojUD4atrXxZYtqx30kuXbf6Qbx2ulniXRHmtSfxiuA/s400/sunart.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />When our first born turned one, I spent the night before his big day painting this mural above his nursery window. My husband and I had created this room especially for our expected newborn ... raising the roof on our little Cape, adding newly plastered walls, new doors, a huge walk-in closet (can you say “hoping for a girl?</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;">) choosing everything in it <span style="font-weight: bold;">without the help of the internet</span> (can you imagine?)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I remember being about seven months pregnant, browsing the aisles of Fabric Town, looking for something not-too-babyish</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> to cover the nursery windows. I saw this playfully captivating, yet sophisticated in a painterly way, jester fabric. With its blue, red and yellow colorway it was fairly gender neutral ... just what I was looking for as we didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl. When I was told that the fabric was no longer in stock, I went on a pregnancy-induced-frenzy looking for it.<br />It was for my baby! I had to have it!<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I ended up tracking down a local <a href="http://www.carolefabrics.com/">Carole Fabrics</a> distributor and managed to snag the last nine yards (an ironic amount at my stage of pregnancy!) by saying I was an interior decorator and it was for a “client</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> since he could only sell </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">to the trade.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Well this kind man (I forget his name, it seems like a lifetime ago!) took one look at my bigger-than-a-cute-baby-bump belly and said, “Why don’t I just place the order for you?</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> And he did, and that was the official start of my career as an </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">interior decorator!</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5NDyXhuqJJT31nQ_fiV25C0fyC3DXbI3dPN5e7iAc0XbZI_Lqyl2fZsgku9_l4ewGOs6mx_vWsIe60-zDyy1zzHhpvi1VAGT2VMrVi8jQK3brKkWQRqbIjiWryOtCVZoKmtUgSLBJVM/s1600-h/babyscorner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443881822176240242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5NDyXhuqJJT31nQ_fiV25C0fyC3DXbI3dPN5e7iAc0XbZI_Lqyl2fZsgku9_l4ewGOs6mx_vWsIe60-zDyy1zzHhpvi1VAGT2VMrVi8jQK3brKkWQRqbIjiWryOtCVZoKmtUgSLBJVM/s400/babyscorner.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I thought this would be a fitting story to tell </span><span style="font-size:130%;">on this <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">One-Year Anniversary</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span> of my blog (<a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/03/waiting-for-spring-and-something-new.html">how it has grown</a>!)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Just like the entry to parenthood, becoming the caretaker of a blog has been a bigger job than I expected, at the same time providing many moments of joy, along with some sleepless nights (I love to write during those rare quiet moments.) </span><span style="font-size:130%;">And as it is with parenthood, I have been exposed to a whole new community of people that I have discovered are on a similar journey. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We have connected through posts – mine and theirs – just like young moms making friends on the playground ... “Your blog is so cute!</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">So is yours!</span><span style="font-size:130%;">” </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">Where did you find that ...</span><span style="font-size:130%;">?”</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTntsFXYhLnIgAd0k0lmsQOqy7Ft8PdfieqVTG51RqqvpRw6zwLXVSGYiZhwU54VYSAf0bZ5mUsqUVi3zHnh8QG-dcMQVL7BiuQlqCdTDp5xTfXmH6g03L_ZtqoJ8tcPhkkSBZ8vYN8Q/s1600-h/dragonflyhookwheart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443881814759976226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTntsFXYhLnIgAd0k0lmsQOqy7Ft8PdfieqVTG51RqqvpRw6zwLXVSGYiZhwU54VYSAf0bZ5mUsqUVi3zHnh8QG-dcMQVL7BiuQlqCdTDp5xTfXmH6g03L_ZtqoJ8tcPhkkSBZ8vYN8Q/s400/dragonflyhookwheart.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I have also discovered that there are a lot of people out there looking for inspiration over a daily cup of coffee. Not unlike our weekly baby-and-me playgroups where girlfriends and I would gather to discuss strategies to navigating this new-mom-world that we found ourselves in, all the while diapering, burping and bouncing our little ones as we bravely attempted to finish a sentence while in a state of severe sleep deprivation. I certainly admire those of you out there who are doing a great job blogging while taking care of real live babies of your own. How fortunate you are to have this connection to the outside world (that doesn’t interfere with nap schedules) along with a forum to share your thoughts ... whether on family life, great design or a passing fancy. I didn’t even realize this world existed until my youngest was well beyond the age of being invited to join playgroups!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDS1qVPAt5-ww3VbJJziWqzBdnn8XwMYKsGWZlAbEkW4Yh0sLTjwHj7e-xLDP2UGPfe6hvo-1lT5c4Cskena4kfINrMd4mGY6Dqi_RDA71JQOS1MxX6Es2Lo0RsFdK3T3mLEC4Z9Wbh0/s1600-h/quilt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444023466374014210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDS1qVPAt5-ww3VbJJziWqzBdnn8XwMYKsGWZlAbEkW4Yh0sLTjwHj7e-xLDP2UGPfe6hvo-1lT5c4Cskena4kfINrMd4mGY6Dqi_RDA71JQOS1MxX6Es2Lo0RsFdK3T3mLEC4Z9Wbh0/s400/quilt.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">That first fabric is now a much loved quilt.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />As I mark this special day (this time with favorite snapshots instead of hand-painted murals) I have many hopes for what my blog will be when it grows up. But like a good mother, I anticipate that it will have a life of it’s own. All I know is that I am enjoying its company, and I hope you find it to be amusing as well!<br /></span><br /></div>

Happy birthday to my baby

When our first born turned one, I spent the night before his big day painting this mural above his nursery window. My husband and I had crea...

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Modern vignettes

<div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/modern_sitting_room/set?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=14678322"><img alt="Modern sitting room" border="0" height="400" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFlVITHp0a1gwM2hHZ3Vha1ZnbkRGMncAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Modern sitting room" width="400" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/modern_sitting_room/set?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=14678322">Modern sitting room</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=971780">designvignettes</a><br />on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/comfy_new_year/set?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=14683005"><img alt="Comfy new year" border="0" height="400" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFlJnVjlpVUwwM2hHT2ZwZ1RyemJXTncAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Comfy new year" width="400" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/comfy_new_year/set?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=14683005">Comfy new year</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=971780&.mid=embed&id=971780">designvignettes</a><br />featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/american_eagle_outfitters/shop?brand=American+Eagle+Outfitters&category_id=2">American Eagle Outfitters</a></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My four boys have been keeping themselves pretty busy since the 25th, playing with their new holiday toys/electronic gadgets. Today I figured that I deserved a little down time of my own to have fun online with one of my favorite design tools <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/"><span>polyvore.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">. And since <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/12/gift-for-stevens-estate.html">yesterday’s post</a> focused on recreating a look based on historical colors and formally styled treatments, I felt compelled to design the opposite – a modern yet comfortable “room to outfit</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> look (a concept taken from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/garden/05domino.html?_r=1">the late Domino magazine</a>).</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Now all I need is a good book to get me through school vacation week while I curl up in my comfy chair dressed in my cozy clothes ... <span style="font-style: italic;">any suggestions? </span>In the meantime, I will get to work on writing my new year’s resolutions. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Resolution #1:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Schedule time for blog writing,<br />but *REALLY* try </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >not to exceed</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> set time limit<br />by bouncing around on the internet all day! </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /></span></div>

Modern vignettes

Modern sitting room by designvignettes on Polyvore.com Comfy new year by designvignettes featuring American Eagle Outfitters My four boys ...

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The gift of relaxation ...

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXmgqOx3wY1KhFW9eTZNnTL5IZTmtX9PmC_LEax9xZ_TBvHZ7XXRvAkPP8A5_QDK8dEMqL7ZoSnHdsodxyGgal1wX2Ddk9u5UzWn_0b3-5KgQbwUvIxJ5mtsa2kT4jKhFzQF0qL-dk0s/s1600-h/buddhaYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219289044201906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXmgqOx3wY1KhFW9eTZNnTL5IZTmtX9PmC_LEax9xZ_TBvHZ7XXRvAkPP8A5_QDK8dEMqL7ZoSnHdsodxyGgal1wX2Ddk9u5UzWn_0b3-5KgQbwUvIxJ5mtsa2kT4jKhFzQF0qL-dk0s/s400/buddhaYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >A calm and collected Buddha sits peacefully</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br />at the front of the Yoga East studio.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>Raise your hand (and take a series of deep, cleansing breaths) if you are in need of a little de-stressing at this point in the holiday craziness. With Christmas just <span style="font-weight: bold;">one week away </span>(and I should know since my youngest has been asking me “How many days ’till Christmas?</span>”<span style="font-size:130%;"> since about December 1st!) I am starting to feel a little twinge of “I should be closer to being done with my holiday *...* ”<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Insert one of the following: shopping, baking, decorating, organizing of the house in order to find room for new toys, ... )</span></span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNzsJkNOFvXsrHQeGNh0raWBvmiO0xwy-5JSq412rsECKMt2cVHL0R2JM3B8gI7H4eH7-x-AOjHvhm2HRNN7-1cnY7x05T7m0MsS0gVI9G3oIjTzvlUOApSTNt3AiIu_RYpQS4DUIzto/s1600-h/twistMT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220017276354210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNzsJkNOFvXsrHQeGNh0raWBvmiO0xwy-5JSq412rsECKMt2cVHL0R2JM3B8gI7H4eH7-x-AOjHvhm2HRNN7-1cnY7x05T7m0MsS0gVI9G3oIjTzvlUOApSTNt3AiIu_RYpQS4DUIzto/s400/twistMT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Inspiring artwork adorns the walls of the Yoga East</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">studio like this twist portrait by Mary Taggart</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Fortunately, I have a close friend, Mary Taggart, who is a yoga instuctor at <a href="http://yogaeast.net/index.htm">Yoga East</a> in Reading, MA (and also an art instructor at her <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">own studio</a> in Wakefield.) I visited her in the yoga studio yesterday morning and enjoyed an hour of restorative yoga to stretch the tension out of my body and </span><span style="font-size:130%;">get my mind back </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“</span><span style="font-size:130%;">in the moment.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Although I have to admit, it was a challenge for me to stay focused when the whole time I was doing vinyasas I was thinking about how great the interior of the yoga studio would be as a design post! Starting with the ceiling ...<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VrwkvrA4wTkBIRQPh-jJQmhu_ZYtciCP7DUp5v6jwf0lKqVviRM8TvJs-IVsNrju0LpRQbP13O33YFiuydYgHNdP_4Ku3SndtfYOWV-7UBPDxJEpYc3X0X-sYNmi-tYWgiTTWexduNE/s1600-h/ceilingYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219297535424802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VrwkvrA4wTkBIRQPh-jJQmhu_ZYtciCP7DUp5v6jwf0lKqVviRM8TvJs-IVsNrju0LpRQbP13O33YFiuydYgHNdP_4Ku3SndtfYOWV-7UBPDxJEpYc3X0X-sYNmi-tYWgiTTWexduNE/s400/ceilingYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">While on the floor in bridge pose, I noticed how attractive a painted drop ceiling can be. Why keep it white? This one is a warm taupe with a mind-focusing medallion in the center. The black track lighting looked like designer trim from my vantage point.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oVYDUlAdyYeUAp0dYrTBQEePVjiJApiv2xh14h31OPjbpFu_93TZ1lJNdbA5bWLrE-ZAHZNcTQHDJ5RGlBpYRzo4MUI0RHMW2Q64cKW421_TZGKijJSIoQ6OD9GXdqXHjmWvAm4f-9M/s1600-h/redgreenstatueYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220012034670322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oVYDUlAdyYeUAp0dYrTBQEePVjiJApiv2xh14h31OPjbpFu_93TZ1lJNdbA5bWLrE-ZAHZNcTQHDJ5RGlBpYRzo4MUI0RHMW2Q64cKW421_TZGKijJSIoQ6OD9GXdqXHjmWvAm4f-9M/s400/redgreenstatueYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I thought this statue was particularly beautiful<br />dressed in the reds and greens of the season.</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZw7GkLeFO99SmrreDAEw2jhDCoBxNzWAgUMFPaMiAa_nzEFLa-Xx85E_shmhFpYANEbln1mIwFuM8qQ-fWjVi3J82sMMNaAElW8rCzDE9ObBh8XkR6mKBvCSfC1nhXixyF_M2I_CrRs/s1600-h/redgoldYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220006798882866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZw7GkLeFO99SmrreDAEw2jhDCoBxNzWAgUMFPaMiAa_nzEFLa-Xx85E_shmhFpYANEbln1mIwFuM8qQ-fWjVi3J82sMMNaAElW8rCzDE9ObBh8XkR6mKBvCSfC1nhXixyF_M2I_CrRs/s400/redgoldYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Thought provoking art and sculpture was everywhere...<br />a great starting point</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> for the journey into meditation. </span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kwYavZPCNjtWwsO8YIF7p4D8kOgerXJoUepzi4oDuCwNBcZpMTbG-E30RNFNVv9HBFSeC5HZOVl6zV3exDUzRe5JIFc_toJUIxZFhqVOjL42d-lWFmFjRtj6E_O_B6-9iqSbp3av3NY/s1600-h/papercranesYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219550794208050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kwYavZPCNjtWwsO8YIF7p4D8kOgerXJoUepzi4oDuCwNBcZpMTbG-E30RNFNVv9HBFSeC5HZOVl6zV3exDUzRe5JIFc_toJUIxZFhqVOjL42d-lWFmFjRtj6E_O_B6-9iqSbp3av3NY/s400/papercranesYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A collection of paper cranes hang<br />from a piece of wood suspended<br />from the ceiling.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> I love how<br />the bright colors contrast with<br />the earthy brown of the walls.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVwHGfTEEo9NedZuWfE-S4JjIavgREfaJnBiJJMrqqnV92hSpytdY4cM8YJcmk3VmsPA33DOwtd23vx6VqdPgtMwNNjbsaUDjraKCXhkctZvBb5npklQuBT5_GLUXWKc35RBTsPRXKg8/s1600-h/mobilewindow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219544406193186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVwHGfTEEo9NedZuWfE-S4JjIavgREfaJnBiJJMrqqnV92hSpytdY4cM8YJcmk3VmsPA33DOwtd23vx6VqdPgtMwNNjbsaUDjraKCXhkctZvBb5npklQuBT5_GLUXWKc35RBTsPRXKg8/s400/mobilewindow.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This delicate mobile looks like a gentle reminder</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">to stop and take a moment to get centered.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ztVEiG1cccAQzcUlNAMfBRWKOSXlT336iIg48UvOPJJUlo17EsBINUrUN6yn3w2588a8p74cg2n0uXjypaU8ShKMEI9JKL_jgGdHnvH4GV9-E5GePn2b8CPirdGZvcMDd19X50fYQyM/s1600-h/buddhawbooksYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219286556969202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ztVEiG1cccAQzcUlNAMfBRWKOSXlT336iIg48UvOPJJUlo17EsBINUrUN6yn3w2588a8p74cg2n0uXjypaU8ShKMEI9JKL_jgGdHnvH4GV9-E5GePn2b8CPirdGZvcMDd19X50fYQyM/s400/buddhawbooksYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">For those of you who are local, the <a href="http://www.yogaeast.net/Products.htm">Yoga East store</a> has a lot of great statues, books, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">cards, </span><span style="font-size:130%;">yoga props,</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> beautiful gems, inspired pendants, and so much more. Class <span style="font-weight: bold;">gift certificates</span> are also available ... just in time for those New Year’s resolutions!<br /><br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bxd7PXKrOz1-nI6u73lk4J2XUKPZjhU9f3pogJ8bQCRQ6B-WE8je2y8Bb3D0SZl5UbiMKExS55KDioyjISnUMUIstvi3po3aLU6VnJLYmzNhM_jnrUGIYdx2RqnLZD11JaLvcCjeKFo/s1600-h/jewelryYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219538644668978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bxd7PXKrOz1-nI6u73lk4J2XUKPZjhU9f3pogJ8bQCRQ6B-WE8je2y8Bb3D0SZl5UbiMKExS55KDioyjISnUMUIstvi3po3aLU6VnJLYmzNhM_jnrUGIYdx2RqnLZD11JaLvcCjeKFo/s400/jewelryYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3dUpOIFStksmTAxBhwazHBZIXXnoubpVE0G3kpAwiWmNrwqy8ma7Cne3Kiqu2aHqRwlGswraMTDYjLcmcuOX2_RE_OLtn8lhtwXm_kIEZv45SGGSqj0kJbYcWkv-NkFF9cnUOPO-Pi0/s1600-h/necklacesYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219546560103474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3dUpOIFStksmTAxBhwazHBZIXXnoubpVE0G3kpAwiWmNrwqy8ma7Cne3Kiqu2aHqRwlGswraMTDYjLcmcuOX2_RE_OLtn8lhtwXm_kIEZv45SGGSqj0kJbYcWkv-NkFF9cnUOPO-Pi0/s400/necklacesYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A piece (or two or three) of yoga inspired jewelry would also make a great gift ... even as a reminder to yourself to <span style="font-weight: bold;">“keep calm and carry on.”</span> If you aren’t close enough to make the journey to Reading, there is a lot of great yoga-inspired jewelry to be found on the web. Let me know if you have any favorite links of your own. I am in awe of <a href="http://www.mandalanv.com/diamondbezel.asp">this piece</a>. Om-MG!<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8AkQdFxhYkWPBIp8irl8_1nSo-Mg414uqB2TmJ1NpZjpS67c6JqCGuezZwHGn903qcWTEU2B0_xRGd0nshFujiaKl2vG3p-GIwNw387CZpS25_OvtjHazNltwLZ9vBwaqN-C0Fpl7D8/s1600-h/beadsYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416219278513564882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8AkQdFxhYkWPBIp8irl8_1nSo-Mg414uqB2TmJ1NpZjpS67c6JqCGuezZwHGn903qcWTEU2B0_xRGd0nshFujiaKl2vG3p-GIwNw387CZpS25_OvtjHazNltwLZ9vBwaqN-C0Fpl7D8/s400/beadsYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />It was difficult for me to walk away without purchasing a tasselled set of meditation beads (I am trying to behave and only buy for others). However, I will most likely pick one out after my <a href="http://www.yogaeast.net/Classes.htm">next class</a> (a good reason to get back to the studio!)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Although I could have used one yesterday when I came home from my travels and discovered <span style="font-weight: bold;">my internet was down</span>!<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVpeV6nVgoRRydbsBS1tG23Yk4_YPcCuWoqBxNiKCtlbaWUu9-YsOwPv42Sit6RoDJtiggGEEZDtCJUEnR5MtPzVbiBrWUUBJ15uwcCDR8jrUJxmniJaNwV_R6dHHKU3WOHUpvlgOhTE/s1600-h/yogasignYE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416335968771137314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVpeV6nVgoRRydbsBS1tG23Yk4_YPcCuWoqBxNiKCtlbaWUu9-YsOwPv42Sit6RoDJtiggGEEZDtCJUEnR5MtPzVbiBrWUUBJ15uwcCDR8jrUJxmniJaNwV_R6dHHKU3WOHUpvlgOhTE/s320/yogasignYE.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Repeat after me ...</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />Everything is as it should be.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I must confess, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I did not react well</span> to being disconnected, as my co-dependency on the computer has become somewhat of an issue around here. Besides using the computer for actual graphic and interior design projects, I truly look forward to sitting down to write/blog about the stories behind good design, and to check out posts by people who have similar interests. It has become my own form of meditative relaxation, emptying my mind of all the visual references that I accumulate in the course of a day (and maybe a little bit of an escape, too ; )<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp6hD3oIRrHnobkgfOeqmbHcn7_-rpchyphenhyphenq6ye0OFC2CXGzB5oqgCcClbcD2p_5R2xUrLTj5Y7mfjVxbMXprPO4VkSy9nZkmIYBeAFpOyr6o9VR9f4Vh3emBcT6dv5dmlb5WugKOL_pZA/s1600-h/light+a+candle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416368043088671698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp6hD3oIRrHnobkgfOeqmbHcn7_-rpchyphenhyphenq6ye0OFC2CXGzB5oqgCcClbcD2p_5R2xUrLTj5Y7mfjVxbMXprPO4VkSy9nZkmIYBeAFpOyr6o9VR9f4Vh3emBcT6dv5dmlb5WugKOL_pZA/s320/light+a+candle.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >As a wise teacher of mine used to always say,<br />“Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle.</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >”</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />After having a virtual tantrum, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I locked myself in the laundry room</span> (for a self-imposed time out of sorts) and organized shelf after shelf of the boys jeans/sweatpants/t-shirts, etc. This morning I felt so much better ... my internet was restored, and it was relatively easy for the entire family to find clean clothes (including socks that matched) as we all prepared to start a new day. And I vowed that I would try not to have any meltdowns today (just to be sure, I poured myself a cup of tea instead of having that 3rd cup of makes-me-jittery-coffee).<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkq5dG7x5uo4wZdGTc-SlCQdiShUgnexhw-hDlFuD4qag4n9H7lz7qGcr6bCQikRWi8ehBg4mS72yKFN1kJD3sioiU_FtQpcJX7cMSqwaO8md0WhyxaWUwvEmQ6eH0KyUoJXX5ZQzuS0/s1600-h/bendMTsig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416221657012207410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkq5dG7x5uo4wZdGTc-SlCQdiShUgnexhw-hDlFuD4qag4n9H7lz7qGcr6bCQikRWi8ehBg4mS72yKFN1kJD3sioiU_FtQpcJX7cMSqwaO8md0WhyxaWUwvEmQ6eH0KyUoJXX5ZQzuS0/s400/bendMTsig.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Another great gift idea: Have a photo of yourself in a favorite yoga pose turned into a fine art portrait</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. E-mail Mary at mctpaint@yahoo.com for more information.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I guess that’s why I appreciate the <span style="font-weight: bold;">philosophy</span><span> behind yoga</span>. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It’s all about accepting yourself and your body in the given moment. Not looking at the past or worrying about the future.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Not to mention, a </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491">downward-facing dog</a> can do wonders to relieve the stress of a bad day!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVBBxFIk4P_vARbtOuqWtYbcnb2Q-GLQuJiXDzTDUx9lR6ocQeCxzCP7uHfaDnMLBcbE1YP0RNbld9a35c__Vw-Bc-27dkNfUPf7H6nfTLyKqFPleAR7whpgroWVbkp1rYKUqFdSu6Ts/s1600-h/inspirationboardMT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220024718974034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVBBxFIk4P_vARbtOuqWtYbcnb2Q-GLQuJiXDzTDUx9lR6ocQeCxzCP7uHfaDnMLBcbE1YP0RNbld9a35c__Vw-Bc-27dkNfUPf7H6nfTLyKqFPleAR7whpgroWVbkp1rYKUqFdSu6Ts/s400/inspirationboardMT.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >An inspiration board at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br />For another great way to unwind, visit Mary online at <a href="http://www.taggartstudio.com/">TaggArtStudio.com</a> for a schedule of her upcoming adult art classes for 2010 (children, too). I am helping her out with the design of her new website, and expect to have it updated soon. For information on attending her yoga classes, visit the <a href="http://www.yogaeast.net/Schedule.htm">Yoga East</a> website.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoIHKpvdgk2EZ-pavH_71lDLs5FJ-xvE-2ArL0ukEllt30Zwd7llz_DFZQkqbE_8In9LIWoHvEFTmO4PO-ANhv8C8ot6Dg3R2ujVB7onJJbn2bmbSlGOeYYcBWQtNAciHItdr8LBMpLk/s1600-h/lotusblossomMTsig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416220256616266210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoIHKpvdgk2EZ-pavH_71lDLs5FJ-xvE-2ArL0ukEllt30Zwd7llz_DFZQkqbE_8In9LIWoHvEFTmO4PO-ANhv8C8ot6Dg3R2ujVB7onJJbn2bmbSlGOeYYcBWQtNAciHItdr8LBMpLk/s400/lotusblossomMTsig.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uH8Bgqpy6FzDhQHzejUoyjJ0ViKHhCwEUBJm0Di7CnIyINEKzAELE5aQLuh7oCXAlmREBtHR2nqlp9l1Yc9ZSag12A-2s2ycD1i2eieUE1Ajm-rT9_TB9JcJpzNNCIAYtpBmZHS9bJ4/s1600-h/pinkbuddhabox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416324123600373362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uH8Bgqpy6FzDhQHzejUoyjJ0ViKHhCwEUBJm0Di7CnIyINEKzAELE5aQLuh7oCXAlmREBtHR2nqlp9l1Yc9ZSag12A-2s2ycD1i2eieUE1Ajm-rT9_TB9JcJpzNNCIAYtpBmZHS9bJ4/s400/pinkbuddhabox.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM4T_Me4EMcFBoNsDO0enMaw7FJUf_dLR00-SjfBpW39NkDDeWr8wZmh7JZ3cHwe_FWXe6v0JtmYXkzvNGgtGm716c_5eEy2AEu3gwTxTdt7UfjhPIuFtg9HS7jDu2_Gz-MB-65gdDi4/s1600-h/buddhabox.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416324128151705986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM4T_Me4EMcFBoNsDO0enMaw7FJUf_dLR00-SjfBpW39NkDDeWr8wZmh7JZ3cHwe_FWXe6v0JtmYXkzvNGgtGm716c_5eEy2AEu3gwTxTdt7UfjhPIuFtg9HS7jDu2_Gz-MB-65gdDi4/s400/buddhabox.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />And for a little self-guided meditation, take home this <span style="font-weight: bold;">Buddha-in-a-Box</span> by <a href="http://mariannesnow.com/">Marianne Snow</a>. It will be available (along with other inspired art and collage pieces) this Friday through Sunday at the final pre-holiday weekend at the <a href="http://www.bethhylan.com/Guest_Designers.html">Beth Hylan Design Studio</a>.<br /><br />I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have made it to Reading to visit my corner in the design studio (and to those who have been there in spirit). It has been a creative journey of my own, helping Beth out with <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-weekend-at-design-studio.html">her new venture</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtS7Zog2IAixOfmFuVPCa35ZMhXRdSZIWp7BIM30Cq-tvx34kavqxC24WtaoSGHyb3BPfknOAZlm2VnXRw1wfU9VPC9zymIzvq03vc74zf7vIX-v7c4qYjqv7ebfDpwIyExHHzXaBcgk/s1600-h/twistMTsig.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416221661679041042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtS7Zog2IAixOfmFuVPCa35ZMhXRdSZIWp7BIM30Cq-tvx34kavqxC24WtaoSGHyb3BPfknOAZlm2VnXRw1wfU9VPC9zymIzvq03vc74zf7vIX-v7c4qYjqv7ebfDpwIyExHHzXaBcgk/s400/twistMTsig.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Namaste,<br />Yvonne</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Public Service Announcement<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.blogspot.com/2009/12/one-size-fits-all.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416307343501579570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZcv8rU0Z5rCqakdiD0sdKMCdFivMWRsJi0tx-9QzsqQXxEk3oDvMOJIXA3mJA0jfjkHfBZXii5CzKop3XdX4MhzGkawU73P7Vhe7LTtkZPY6e9VCyW0SFYkwwq1EQVrY4qbYjs3a3cU/s400/gcbannerholidaycards.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 143px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">To order holiday greeting cards, In Honor Of cards, and<br />In Memory Of cards, visit <a href="http://gatheringchangeinc.blogspot.com/">www.gatheringchangeinc.org</a><br /></span><br /></div>

The gift of relaxation ...

A calm and collected Buddha sits peacefully at the front of the Yoga East studio. Raise your hand (and take a series of deep, cleansing brea...

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