DesignSham

 Ok. That's IT. 

I've officially had it with HGTV and the falsely-named 'Design Star' competition.

Seriously, this is a waste of time, film, energy, resources, and brain cells - MY brain cells, because clearly NO ONE at the network knows what the hell to do with this Hot Mess {to use an overused phrase}. This is not design, these people are not designers OR decorators, the judges do not understand how to critique work for its own sake without imposing their own aesthetics on it, the people who are dreaming up the challenges are uninspired idiots, and anyone who thinks this is actually a competition to choose the best designer is sorely mistaken. {lest we not forget the Antonio Debacle last season} Each time I've watched it this season - not faithfully.... it's like pulling teeth, actually - I get more and more discouraged and disappointed with the entire thing.

I'd go on (and on), but someone else has already said it quite succinctly: Check out Debbie Dusenberry's post on her blog today at http://curioussofa.blogspot.com/2010/07/falling-star.html

Now THERE is a design judge, people!

I'd be the first to say let's put Deb on a judges' panel, along with other style icons (Elizabeth Maxon, perhaps, and Rachel Ashwell, Nate Berkus, and maybe even Jeff from 'Flipping Out' because he really is all about the details).

Then choose contestants that have experience in design - who said this needed to be a bunch of decorating neophytes, anyway? Get some breadth in the pool - store, visual, and event designers along with set designers (Antonio's one saving grace last season) as well as home decorators.

Show us inspiring ideas, cost- and time - conscious solutions to design dilemmas, make those challenges REAL ones, and let us HEAR the judge's deliberations so we can LEARN about great design principles. Get rid of the ridiculous theatrical music, dark stage with downspot lighting, and whispering judges. (That REALLY bugs me) Give us a crash course in real design each week, and show us the money. Period.

Mark Burnett, are you LISTENING to ANY of the feedback about this show this year??? Call me.This former 'Decorating & Display Diva' could offer you a few Hot Tips to fix it - before YOUR show is canceled. Or you are thrown off the island. {Oh, wait... that's your OTHER show.....}

Annoying in ANY Language...

嘿，所有您日语或汉语或者台湾或韩国发送同样的消息到多个新闻组艺术家： 停止把您厨房的讨厌的色情链接留在评论在我的博克! 他们aren' t ' invisible' 正因为您使用多个椭圆，蠢人…. 我得到通知您什么时候留下他们，并且我去删除他们，因此没人看见他们。 DUH. 得到工作。

{Translation}

Hey, all you Japanese/Chinese/Taiwanese/Korean spam artists: 

Stop leaving your crummy nasty porn links in comments on my blogs! They aren't 'invisible' just because you use multiple ellipses, morons.... I get notified when you leave them and I go and DELETE THEM so no one else ever sees them. DUH. Get a job.

Camp Retreat

This time last year, we created a bedouin tent to 'camp' in while we were at the BarnHouse show. It was a really fun project for our design muscles, was very comfortable to stay in, made a lot of people smile, was ceremoniously dubbed 'the Taj Ma Tent' by Cindy Queen of Tarte and Robin Laws, and serendipitously ended up in a story on the BarnHouse Boys in the Somerset Life Magazine's January 2010 issue! Because of that, our show booths this season have all been versions of 'the tent'. It's become a huge part of our brand identity.

And of course everyone has been asking about what we'll do at BarnHouse this year!

Actually, we are working on a much smaller version of a tent to camp out in. We have such a jam-packed schedule that we just need to put the focus back on bringing great products to our customers, displaying them beautifully - and keeping the theatrics in our show booths. Our booth will be under the big top tent (tho a smaller version) outside in the pasture with many other wonderful vendors.

Even without the grandeur, we'll still enjoy sleeping out doors on a hill in the Boys' grassy field, trust me. I had a very special moment there last July, enjoying their world and all that they have created there. It spoke to my soul, reassuring me that I CAN dream, I CAN reach for the stars, and I CAN have it all. I just don't need to DO it all.

And that is a big, big difference!

{all images mine}

Happy Birthday Anni!

Our daughter Brianna is celebrating her 24th birthday today...amazing! 

She's also cookin' up a lil' redheaded {?} baby, her first. 

So, we'll be delivering enough birthday cake 

that she can eat for two. ;0)

Happy Birthday, Anni!

We hope this year brings you 

many blessings and much love...

PS: 
she found out in the morning 
that Baby A
is Baby BOY A
;0)
another grandson!
The boys now officially outnumber the girls in the Kennedy Family

Recovering...

You are looking at two VERY exhausted people...

We don't do very well in 110 degree weather, folks. Used to be able to handle it, but ever since moving to Washington from California 16 years ago, we just can't function in the heat. 75, 80, even 90 degrees... sure. But triple digits do a number on us, especially when we are working hard setting up, selling, and tearing down a booth at a show. We headed to the beach at Oceanside each evening just to feel a cool breeze and let the waves crash over our feet. It felt a lot like being at home... and we miss home...

This weekend, I also had the wonderful experience of meeting a long-time friend!

Kim of 'the Soul of the Rose' and I have known each other for many years. But we've never met. You know how this works, right???! We met online in a women entrepreneurs' group way back when, and have stayed in touch since. With the show being just a few miles from her home in Carlsbad, Miss Kim and her daughter Nina came over to meet me in person. What a sweetheart! She brought me a lovely gift which I should have photographed immediately - because it is tucked into a drawer in our cash wrap, packed deep in the trailer right now. So I can't share it. ;0( But her gift and her generous, sweet spirit touched my heart. Kim, we will always be Bliss Sisters!

Someone I would have loved to have met at the show but didn't get to was Sunday Hendrickson. Sunday is an extremely talented stylist, designer, and features producer for magazines - we've all seen her work everywhere! {I remember seeing a great story on her own studio and just droooooling over it.} Sunday was surrounded by the Urban Barn girls all day and by the time I got a chance to seek her out, she had already left. Deb was bummed. I did see her during the few moments when she was snappin' shots of the band...

and OH WHATTA' BAND!!! 'The Americans' performed just feet away from our booth location, staged in the back of Mary's cool vintage truck. We really enjoyed their fabulous Rockabilly sound and great personalities.... and bought their CD so we can rock to them all the way home! Check out www.theAmericansmusic.com

I bought this DARLING apron on Saturday morning... my original wardrobe choice would have been too hot, so I chose something less heavy & long and then felt it looked too boring. On a search for aprons amongst the vendor booths, I spied this lovely vintage lace creation at Sweet Magnolias Farm and fell in lurve! Sara sold her to me and I wore her allllll day long, with many compliments. I sent a LOT of people over to see what else Sara & Abby had created {including their lovely booth displays!}.

We also got to catch up with Donna from Romantic Homes, the DARLING Tattered House girls, and made a bunch of wonderful new friends. I'll be posting about them and hooking you up with their blogs when we get back - the book with the cards & info is also packed deep into the trailer! **** I just found a way to share them!! Please visit the charming Miss Rita at MammaBell Art  - she's done a fabulous post about the show with lots of names, photos, and links!**** We also had an invitation to participate in another SoCal show, so once we check that out we may be making a return visit. When the weather here is a BIT cooler, tho. ;0)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday!

Since we are down in SoCal for the reunion and the show in Escondido, I planned it so I could spend a few days with her - including today. After she finally decided what to do on her special day, we spent the day rearranging & redecorating her backyard lanai. Yes, it WAS work. And yes, it WAS over 80 degrees today. So once we got the place whipped into shape, we made some sangria and a cheese tray and proceeded to plop onto the swing and loveseat in the shade, and just relax.

We relaxed for six hours. ;0) It was great!

Then we went out for a nice dinner, and brought home dessert - which we took out to the backyard and enjoyed by candlelight. Perfection.

Yesterday, we hit Orange and all the antique shops, then headed over to Downtown Disney for a bit of fun. We strolled, we shopped, we had a nice glass (bottle, whatever) of wine at the Grand Californian Hotel, and then generally raised a bit of mayhem... which is inevitably what happens when we get together...

Mom, thank you for allowing me to share in your special day. I love having fun with you! May this year bring you blessings in abundance...

Rockin' Rebs

Friday and Saturday nights, we gathered with our 

Savanna high school (Anaheim, CA) classmates for our 30 Year Reunion.

What a great time with terrific people!

It was marvelous to see so many friends, and make some new ones.

Plus we got to dress up, which isn't 'normal' for us. ;0)

We did pretty good, huh? Just look at my handsome hubby!

We've been together since Senior year. 

And we won the 'Longest Married Couple Award'. 

{Sorry, Mark & Dru}

Speaking of dressing up,

I got the Papparazzi treatment from my hubby and dad 

when I walked down the stairs lookin' like THIS:

Yeah. Not bad for a gramma, huh? ;0)

Check the SHOES.

{Can I just say it was a little surreal to do this whole  

dress up and go to a 'dance' thing in THIS house in front of my parents, 

after having married & moved out almost thirty years ago?! Bizarre.}

What a terrific reunion. 

We Rebels know how to party

and we are a remarkably well preserved bunch. ;0)

Can't wait for the 40th.

{but I can tell you 'Great Reunions' will NOT be handling it. UGH}

Prince Charming

I just love this little guy to bits!!!!

 

{I'm too tired to post anything else, sorry...

lots of work going on around here!}

Fabulous Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July weekend, everyone!

Since I am busy prepping for the Urban Barn show in San Diego,
I can't throw a real party. :0(

So I've decided to have a little 'virtual' Independence Day Party - 

and you're ALL invited! Come on in and enjoy!

George wishes you a Happy & Safe Fourth, too!

{images mine from our recent Petite Retreat Summer Vintage Market;

All Rights Reserved}

Chickfest

You know those moments when you are in the midst of something wonderful 

and you think to yourself 'Oh, I WISH this didn't have to end?'

I was feeling that way last night...sitting at that table above

In the midst of a beautiful garden and wonderful women

all brought together by this incredible and generous woman

to welcome and honor this amazing woman.

Patricia invited a few of us to a dinner party in her garden

after she and Tiffany had a full day of photo fun.
Her decor was flawless and creative, of course,
and perfectly in sync with her Tippy Stockton alter ego!
A FABulous music mix from her iPod had us swaying in tune all evening.

Not only did the rain hold off for this little garden party soiree,

but the company of other creative, fun, exuberant women

elevated the gathering to pure bliss... a few hours of visiting and sharing

about life, love, fun, and.... chickens.

Yes, Tiffany brought chickens as guests. 

She's crazy like that! 

{And oh, can that girl tell a STORY!}

I am so blessed to have women like this in my life...

a bunch of chicks who can gather and connect and laugh.

Thank you, Miss Patricia, for such a beautiful evening!
I am so honored to have been included.

{When Miss Tiffany has time to edit her  party photos,
there will be some hilarious and incriminating shots floating around out there
in Blogland and Facebookville. Keep your eyes peeled for more chicks!}