Effortless Style

See what I do all day at Effortless Style HERE

Something is still messed up with my blog. I don't know what's going on. Yesterday's post just disappeared. I am still not convinced this is just Google's doing, and I suspect someone is messing with me and doing some damage. I can hardly wait to move my blog from this location.

Please stay with me! I will not let this ruin all that we have gone through together, and destroy the friendships and loyalty you have all bestowed on this old vamp...

Happy Weekend!

Divine Providence By Design

Providence Ltd. Design Shop
Grand Opening of their great online shop

Alberto is doing better this week. We both have post traumatic stress, but lots of rest is helping.
One thing we do everyday is read all the blog comments, and emails, and Facebook comments wishing us well. We marvel at the Paypal donations still coming in. And we love when our friends in New Orleans stop by to visit us, bearing food, donations, and hugs and kisses.
A New Orleans friend paid for the Flying Nurses with her credit card at the time of our flight home, and I must pay her back in full by December 1, so every donation is so appreciated.

With tears in his eyes, Alberto tells me he is most touched by the bloggers. He still can't wrap his mind around strangers helping us, and not judging us. I keep telling him, this is what bloggers do, this is what bloggers are about. You are not strangers, but a unique family of friends.

The other day I got an email out of the blue. I share it with you:

Valorie,

You probably don't know me. I have followed your blog for some time and commented occasionally. The situation with your husband Alberto, really touches my heart.

When you said that you held Alberto and he was as if an infant, I felt your pain.

OK, I am launching an online store tomorrow. We are going to promote it every way we can. We are doing all sorts of giveaways and E-mail blasts etc. We think eventually, it will be a good thing for us. We don't have a clue if we will sell anything out of the chute or not, but we want to give you and your husband 10% of anything we do through the grand opening . The grand opening is the 16th through the 22nd. I'm going to E-mail Décor To Adore and see if we can add this to the link auction, even though it is not really an auction.

I'm sorry this is so last minute. We have been extremely busy. I'm not really ready to launch the store but things are never going to slow down, so I'm just going for it.

I hope we do a lot of business and can send you a big check. You are already in my prayers. Mona

I read this to Alberto, my voice filled with tears. This is what bloggers do.

So please go over to Mona's new online store, Providence Ltd. Design Shop HERE, and have some fun shopping.

Also check out her blog Providence Design HERE.

And please continue to donate on Paypal HERE - you just type in our Paypal email address: boutique@planet-tango.com

Bloggers In The November Magazines

It's always a thrill to see bloggers in print. Bloggers are fast becoming the kings and queens of all media, crossing over into print, online magazines, other blogs and web sites, podcasts, TV, and YouTube.

The King of All Media

Gwen Driscoll of Ragland Social Hill has a MAJOR editorial in the November 2010 issue of Elle Decor. Nothing is up online at Elle Decor, so be sure to pick up this issue and check out her fabulous interior design work (page 230 entitled "Homeward Bound).




The November issue of House Beautiful is called "The Ultimate Entertaining Issue." Again they are slow to even have the cover up online. Note to magazines: Keep your web sites current.

Mentioned in a feature starting on page 118 called "101 Party Do's and Don'ts" are many designers weighing in, and quite a few bloggers offered their party tips including Eddie Ross and Joni Webb.


This past July Alberto and I were in New York, and went to a fabulous party at the home of Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar.

It was the best party with many bloggers in attendance: Reggie Darling, Debra Phillips 5th and State, Lauren Leiss from Pure Style Home, Michelle Ginnerty from My Notting Hill, Elizabeth Moyer from Pretty Pink Tulips, Patricia van Essche from PVE, and probably a few more we didn't get to meet in the huge crush of revelers and Green Acres (what I affectionately call Eddie and Jaithan's country manse).

go to page 22 and 24 in the November issue of Woman's Day

At the party at Green Acres, we also met the fabulous Elizabeth Mayhew, author of Flip For Decorating, NBC Today Show regular, and the current and new-ish editor of Woman's Day.

Elizabeth was fascinated by the reactions we bloggers had to one another, squealing and laughing and hugging and kissing, and she was quite taken that many of us had not met in person up until meeting at this party.

She asked if we would mind having our photo taken for the November issue she was working on
where Woman's Day wants you to focus on a few important things like staying connected. She was duly impressed with the connection bloggers have and foster among one another.

So go out and get an arm load of magazines this weekend, and sit on the porch with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. Leaf through the pages while enjoying the fine weather and your blog friends saying hi to you from the pages.



And if you missed blog TV star Meg Fairfax from Pigtown on The Nate Berkus Show, go HERE

Happy Weekend!

The Year Of Emily

Emily makes over Glee co-creator Ian Brennan's home

Emily Henderson has the whole world in her hands. Well at least a couple of globes she is considering to use for her a project for her first HGTV show premiering Sunday (9 PM Central, 10 PM Eastern) August 29, called Secrets From A Stylist.

One her secrets seems to involve globes, so in her honor I did round up of some globe images for you.

Visual Vamp uses a vintage globe on a French chest HERE

Globes have been used as decor objects forever. They are probably one of the prettiest scientific tools to crossover into interior design.

Antique globes were highly prized for posh studies and libraries in the home, but since using vintage objects is so ingrained in the way we decorate, vintage globes have been a staple in mod hipster rooms too. And vamp granny rooms. And fancy designer rooms. And most importantly, your rooms.

House Beautiful

To keep a globe stylish do not use those hideous ones made from semi precious gem stones.
For some reason guys like buy these expensive fugly globes. In fact most new globes are tricky. Vintage (or vintage style) and antique globes work better for our purposes.

Step away from the fugly gemstone globe

How do you all use globes? On your desk? Do you have a globe collection? Do you think globes are lame and over used? They've been around since ancient times, so I think they qualify as a classic that's here to stay. Maybe you have one from your school days in the back of a closet, and it's time to get it out. Kids love globes, and they are great to use in their rooms.

Joni Webb's famous globe collection

A vintage style globe at Hazelnut in New Orleans

Ralph Lauren style vignette using a globe

Globe from a favorite shop of Sketch 42

Blackboard style globe

Vintage globe collection

Book shelf filled with a globe collection

Open shelves with a globe collection

from Velvet and Linen HERE

Back to Emily -

Emily has been giving us a great diary of her whole experience on her blog The Brass Petal, which I fear is going to be taken over by HGTV in some way. Maybe they have to control creative content, and/or Emily will not have the personal time she has spent with us since she started her blog.

She tells us this on her blog: "Two years ago I was struggling to get clients in LA after moving from New York. I was kinda bored and we weren't exactly Scrooge McDucking it in money. But I woke up January 1st, 2010 with less fear than I've ever had. This was my year, I could feel it. I started a style blog (hello), auditioned for a reality competition show, and its turned out to be one of the best years of my life."

What resonates in all of us with Emily is that we have that blog connection to her. She's one of us and she has really made the big time, and we are very proud of her, and hopeful that if she can do it, maybe we can do it too.

As she takes on the world, some things will get left behind, like maybe The Brass Petal.

I know we all wish her the best of everything in this Year of Emily!!!!

Watch her show Sunday night, and send her some Tweets and comments on her blog.

Visual Vamp vintage globe

The Best Wedding Decor Ideas I've Seen In Awhile

I was an event designer for many years, and I designed (and did the flowers) for hundreds of weddings. I continue to look at wedding decor, and keep up with old friends still in business.

Bowls of rose petals line the aisle for people to gather up and toss~
This is the best aisle decor I have seen in a long while, simple, natural, romantic~
It is the wedding of Jane Fonda's daughter in the south of France

Like everything else, the wedding and event design business has gotten uber, thanks to the internet. So much information is revealed, and many more talented people are accessible.

Weddings have become productions, and sometimes something sweet is lost in all the hoopla.
Every now and then I come across some images of weddings that make me want to get back in the business. They are by and large classic in their decor approach, no themes per se. And if big money is spent, it isn't screaming it.

Here are the petals being tossed!
What could be more perfect than a shower of rose petals after the ceremony

The next images come form a photographers's web site, and I am not sure if they are of an actual wedding or they were staged. No matter, because the look of the wedding reception is what made me catch my breath. This is what I mean by money being spent without screaming it.
The photogrpaher is Manny Rodriquez.

I love the colors, and the flower arrangements are classic~
Placing them high and low works very well, placing the high between sight lines~
The Ghost chairs are a nice touch

The smaller rectangular table is a great idea to create intimate scale~
The tablecloth puddles just the right amount

The details of the table setting are layered and make it personal~
Contact Jason Murakawa who rents lovely vintage things ~
His company is Small Masterpiece and he would be the man to consult with

When I was in business many hours were spent producing the perfect table number~
Attention to the smallest details makes the biggest impact

I want to thank Julia from Hooked on Houses for leading me to the Jane Fonda blog.
Ms. Fonda's blog is incredible, and one of the best I have ever read. I spent hours last night reading many of the entries, and I recommend you take a look at it, and perhaps add to your blog list.

And while down the rabbit hole, I found the next image at a blog called Goddamit I'm Mad. This led me to Manny Rodriguez, who took this photo (and the wedding shots above) of another blogger's mother's home in Dallas. The blogger is Sea of Shoes, a pretty young silver spooner. She has a very close relationship with her mother, and they are avid shoppers, which I think is reflected in the photo. I was hoping to find more photos of this fascinating home on Manny's web site, but alas there weren't any. But there was so much more beauty on his site!

The shopper's mash up - Mom of Shoes Dallas living room

On a personal note: Alberto is out of the hospital and doing very well. We are going tango dancing this weekend. Thanks for the many sweet notes via e-mail and Facebook.

Jane Fonda at her tango lesson!
She is learning tango for a movie she is making in France

Happy Weekend!!!

PS Bloggers Tag Sale still going on.
Stop by and buy something! HERE

Hotlanta!

Atlanta was a blast! Visions 10 Expo was interesting and informative, and I met so many great people. Renae Moore was my hostess with the mostess! She drove me all around Atlanta taking me to all the hot decor shopping.

We had planned to go to BoBo's and Provenance, but they both were closed on Saturday, the first day we had a chance to see and shop. Friday was spent at the expo touring the floor, picking a favorite, meeting the other bloggers on the panel, speaking on the panel, and wrapping up a very full day with a cocktail mixer and a dinner.

Renae took me to her favorite Buckhead shop, Boxwoods. She has blogged about it herself, and I can see why she loves it.

It's a combination garden and gift shop, with a healthy dose of home decor merchandise.


It is in an old house, with a rabbit warren of small rooms, one unfolding unto another.


There are treasures tucked in everywhere, and the fun of the place is exploring the exxpert layering of pretty things.

Table top merchandise is artfully arranged. There was perfect styling everywhere your eyes landed.



The mix of plants and flowers with all the home decor items inspires you to do this in your own home.


There is a charming garden behind the house, with winding paths and nooks and crannies, where the discovery of a shell encrusted bird bath made me smile.


Inside there is a room dedicated to pretty fashion accessories for the Buckhead gals. I loved the way the scarves were draped and tied on a mannequin to look like a dress. The display guy said he was having a Sarah Jessica Parker moment. So get out all those scarves laying around. and make yourself a Summer frock!


Lots of containers are available to put plants and flowers in.


There is the favorite mix of antiques and vintage and modern goods.


There is a greenhouse feeling on a porch that is stocked with orchids and hydrangea.



They will assemble plantings and do flower arrangements for you to take away.


Large planters, urns, and sculptures are also shown off to inspire you, and of course they are for sale.

Candles, paper goods, table linens...Boxwoods has it all. And they have a great little section dedicated to gifts for baby.



A feed-sack pillow with Buckhead printed on it is pretty funny considering the style of the mansions in the hood.


Here's another fabulous table setting using all blue and white china and accessories.


And what garden shop would be complete without an antique style bird cage?


Boxwoods Garden and Gifts has a web site HERE for your shopping pleasure!

Our next stop was a place called The Stalls. It is a huge barn of a place with a ton of antique dealers. Each little stall is expertly styled with interesting wares. It is an education just to browse.

The Stalls is located in a little area called Bennett Street and it is a treasure trove of antiques, and source for top designers. Visit their web site HERE

Renae and I loved this mid century chair covered in black and white cowhide. It's the perfect "mantique". It is one of a pair!


This was described as an antique carriage, and we thought it would be a very fancy dog bed! Just add a fluffy cushion.



Madame, may I interest you in this cute English style breakfast set?


Here's a budget frindly alternative to the anitque books all the girls are craving. This are modern books like The Readers Digest books rebound and recovered to look antique, and they are only $35. each (as opposed to about $1000. for an antique book). The vintage dog memorabilia is also very charming.


There is a framer on the premises, and these unusual frames really made these black and white botanical drawings stand out.



Intaglios are hot, hot, hot! Do you agree? I spy the intaglios that Holly from Things That Inspire offers for sale HERE


And here's a set of intaglios in a pretty display box.


Out of town vendors are also here. I found Kathy Slater from New Orleans, with Fifi Laughlin's lamps displayed!!!!


Need a lantern??? This stall had plenty of cute ones to choose from.


This pair of mid century modern metal lamps look very Giacometti like. It's so hard to find a pair of good looking lamps like these.


This display is a lesson is symmetry! The coral is faux, but it looks so good with the blue and white export ware. And the three rectangular framed pieces are more intaglios!


This beautiful folding screen just arrived from New Orleans! It's mid 1800's, a work of art with just the right amount of tat. The wing chair is upholstered in Lee Jofa's Confetti by KWD, a favorite of Jenny's from My Favorite and My Best, and a fabric I have used for a client or two.
You can order it from the shop I work in perch. 504 899 -2122.


These shell valances are quirky, and make me want to get out the hot glue gun.



There was one fabulous antique Suzani circa 1850, a little tattered, but oh so beautiful.


I was in Atlanta for to be a speaker on the panel Jackie Von Tobel arranged (and brilliantly moderated) for Visions 10. Jay Hesler sent me these photos. He's sitting next to me. He has a terrific hardware company called Helser Broithers HERE, and he writes a great blog called Why Helser HERE

Jackie Von Tobel moderator, Valorie Hart, Jay Helser panelists at Visions 10 Expo

Deb from Minutes Matter, Skyla from Sanity Fair, Brian from Decor Demon
the other half of the panel at Visions 10

Here we all are with Grace McNamara who brilliantly heads up Visions 10

PS My favorite shopping spots were the ones we do not have in Louisiana - Home Goods, Ikea, and the Ballard outlet store!!!! The best one was a place called Richards, an old fashion dime store that had everything you could imagine!

Richards in Atlanta