NYE

Happy New Year's you animals!



wishing for 2012 to be magical for all of us.

photo via fffound

O Holy Night

Rufus Wainwright's voice is so perfect for this song. Merry Christmas, Love Richie

2012 I promise I'll do a full wedding post - heck you haven't even seen my invite



but until then. I got some more of my photos back the other day. This is why I married Chris - everyday feels like this with him.

I'm just barely dog paddling here with my schedule before the break darlings. You may or may not see me again till after xmas. If I forget to check in? Happy Holidays to you all.

Richie

Design Shuffle

I was introduced to Design Shuffle - A social media site for designers and architects recently and you know I like me a good interior. I spent a few, well lets just say too much time, looking through the scores of interesting designers and architects pondering, one day, when we own a home.

Let's take a look, shall we?


Scott Sanders LLC, NY City project: Hampton Home Traditional and East Coast, but I love the layers of things happening in this room it's bright, sophisticated and elegant


Venegas & Co, Boston, MA a kitchen design studio. This is brilliant. I'm sure there is a need just to have one's kitchen done and not feel bad that you're not giving the rest of the house to the designer doing the job. I love this modern but warm kitchen. I'm especially digging the stacked tile backsplash that goes to the ceiling. I adore cabinets that go to the ceiling. I've always thought what the heck? with cabinets that just stop and leave a foot of gap [that could be storage] at the top. plus? it destroys the line of sight when you're in the room [but there I go again being picky]


how incredibly sweet is this back house turned rec room? gosh it's like a little gum ball heaven. [ikea curtains btw] John Loecke Inc., NY


lastly, gosh what a "great room". This is just calling for three kids and a couple of dogs. I hope they are rollerskating across those floors [when mom isn't looking] Blackfish Lane residence is a project by Workshop/APD out of NY. This group is amazing - don't miss the rest of their portfolio

if you're looking for inspiration or a designer/interior group to find a solution to your issue at hand you'll definitely find a little bit of everything here.

school house electric

apparently I'm in a video posting sort of mood lately. Have you seen this one? Love School House Electric's products

Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. from Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co on Vimeo.

PS kind of in love with this chair

That's Gangster Traffic

so good I can barely stand it.



Ice Cube Celebrates The Eames

new in the studio: moon business card

graduating BFA design student Satsuki Atsumi contacted me a couple weeks ago about producing her business card. I soon realized she was under the gun as she wanted it for her senior show in approx 10 days from when we met. A crash course in teaching her printing details, some discussions with a master printer I have studied with about the grey moon image portion and a bunch of hoping and crossing fingers it would work in her time frame. [I've had incredible [luck? and] success with projects turning out involving screens or a percentage of the original image which normally are tricky to achieve.



We opted to produce two sets of plates in case the lower of the resolutions of the grey plate didn't work. We opted with our first select anyway. We got them completed and handed off to Satuski the eve of her senior show [nothing like a little pressure]. We were both thrilled with the finished piece.

interested in a glammy biz card? I know you are. email me for details richele[at]richiedesigns[dot]com

please enlarge image to see the yumminess up close.

beautiful project

Jon Crispin's Willard Project is really stunning.

This is part of an ongoing photo project by Jon to document the suitcases left by the people who lived in the Willard Asylum in upstate New York.

"In 1995, the New York State Museum was moving items out of the Willard Psychiatric Center in Willard, NY which was being closed by the State Office of Mental Health. It would eventually become a state-run drug rehabilitation center. Craig Williams and his staff became aware of an attic full of suitcases in the pathology lab building. The cases were put into storage when their owners were admitted to Willard sometime between 1910 and the 1960s. And since the facility was set up to help people with chronic mental illness, these folks never left. An exhibit of a small selection of the cases was produced by the Museum and was on display in Albany in 2003. It was very moving to read the stories of these people, and to see objects from their lives before they became residents of Willard."







There is some question to what Maude's tools were used for, but I'm fairly certain she was a book maker. The leather tools, glues and binding threads look very familiar to what I've played around with in book making projects. I also suspect she may have set some type in her day as the wood photo'd looks to be "furniture" the wood spacers used in typesetting [which I still use today]. She definitely was an artisan.

to see a small video about his project please click here. I wish I had known about his Kickstarter project while it was still going. It makes me happy that he raised more than double the money he had set out to with his goal.

thanks to Aubrey Road for the intro to his project

The $100 dress

Is it possible to get a good looking [and fitting] dress for under $100? I found a few that might convince me it's doable.



Top Shop little black dress for office or jazz it up for night with some sparkles $96


red dress ASOS $72.72



SALE short sleeve ASOS soft skirt Midi dress $50.90



navy split hem dress [slightly over budget but too cute not to think about] $109.08


chain print dress $72.72

Do I look like a doily in this?

I'm down with a good laugh these days. Silly You Tube videos with talking animals ... children rapping to whoever. Call it the demise of my brain cells I suppose. Most of all I love good wit.



you know you've said at least 3 of these things to friends in the past 6 months don't lie. The Twitter feed is even better. #shitgirlssay

Jet Setter

For your chic jet setting girlfriend this year.




vintage tray goodness. John Derian European Hotel Decorative Trays. Feel like a jet setter without leaving the house. available Bergdorf Goodman $66-$80

new in the studio

A holiday card pretty much for anyone. The 2012's might be arriving to your doorstep if you're on my list. That color combo is so darn cute I can barely stand it.

available here if you don't know it all ready.

Dear Santa

If you've hit the lottery this year - these would be lovely...


Chanel black patent jumbo quilted kelly briefcase. Can't you just see my ipad in this? $1950 - gosh it's even slightly USED...because I'm willing to slum a little for Chanel


of course I don't want to be greedy but this sweet little scarf from Hermes is lovely too, you know...as a stocking stuffer or something tiny. I promise to find a lipstick this exact shade of reddish pink just to match it. $546



gosh, and I can't forget something for the house now can I? This Hermes Giant Avalon Blanket will keep our tooties warm all year round. $2575 best part about this one is I don't even think you have to be put on "the list" to order it. Super easy peasy gift if you ask me.

thanks
richie

holiday stationery sets

There is still time to order custom stationery for the holidays. Last day for orders for Christmas delivery is Thursday Dec 15th.



use this free shipping code as my treat for you. FREESHIP11

Love of NYC

I have a secret love affair - don't tell Chris. It's been 2 long years without visiting - maybe this spring.

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.

It's with NYC and sometimes SF as well - I'm greedy like that. A lovely video to capture the heart of.
via>design crush

I'm distracting you with some pretty shiny images while I recover from the Unique Show.








dress: Jenny Yoo
brooch: vintage [it's so awesome]
shoes: flat and nothing to note
groom's suit: jcrew - can he be more handsome? [ps summer suit not currently available]
photographer: eighty eighty-four
flowers: Twig Floral

what you can't see and was probably the best thing I wore...I had asked my cousin to let me borrow my grandmother's watch [as my borrowed] and she also sent something down for me to keep [as my old] that sent me into hysterical crying I was so moved. My grandma and I were very close so it was so nice to have something that reminded me of her on that day.

if you're in LA hope to see you at the Unique LA show this weekend 11-6 both days. I'm in spot T51

getting ready!

Get ready Los Angeles the Unique LA show is coming this weekend. Me and my elf are busy stuffing cards and other goodies that will be for sale this weekend. Did you know that everything featured is Made In America?



have you been watching the Made In America continuing story line on ABC News? This morning ABC reported that if you spent a fraction of your holiday dollars this season on Made In American products we could create 200,000 new jobs. Surprising, to even me.

I hope you come out to have some fun shopping and support independent vendors.

where, when and all the details are HERE

Give Thanks

I have a lot to be thankful for this year



heading out for the long weekend, which for me is tainted with work but before I do...finally got some of our photos back from the wedding today. Here is a sneak peek.

xo
richie

new in the studio - BACON POSTER!

these babies are gonna go like hot cakes [and bacon] available here $25

Dear Santa

These are officially on my holiday wish list



finally available [just today] Coffee Joulies. What are they I can here you say? from the site:

Tired of burning your tongue on coffee only to have it get cold a few minutes later? With the Coffee Joulies™ Gift Pack your coffee will be ready to drink in minutes and will stay that way for hours. Each polished stainless steel shell is filled with a special phase change material that melts at 140°F. Put them inside the custom-printed thermos and they absorb heat from your coffee when it is too hot and release it back into your coffee to keep it at the perfect temperature.

available for $100 for the set Wonder if one pack would cover two people's coffee?

I think this is it

I've never wanted a tattoo.

I'm too fickle. I can't decide, I will want to art direct the whole entire thing and ask WHAT? every 3 minutes. I think that even Kat Von D would poke me in the eye.

Source: blackv.tumblr.com via Richele on Pinterest

but THIS, this ampersand....is something I would love forever I.just.know.it

It's been a wee bit busy here.

Source: Uploaded by user via Richele on Pinterest

our [mine and Chris'] final party two weeks ago...BBQ here at the house for 75 of our closest friends [I actually mean that] + 10 kids, a pinata, margaritas, strawberry infused vodka and a taco guy. I worked my ass off from 730A to midnight.

It was fun but I don't want to throw another party for maybe ever. That's three if you're keeping track...our mini wedding to kick off October, we flew back east to celebrate with Chris' family and all the lovely folks back there, then the bbq at our home for all of our west coast peeps.

I might also add that I was in production for a client's photoshoot on top of all that. If you've ever done one of those [involving pets and children no-less] you'll know for sure when I say that I'm tired. that I'M NOT LYING. We did it, it was hugely successful and I can't believe the cuteness that we captured [this photo above is not one but reminded me of]

Source: 500px.com via Richele on Pinterest

Sorry to leave you darlings but the bathtub is calling me now.

-richie

oddly enough...

My Double Dog card got featured in a dog magazine The Bark this month.

Dear Los Angeles...

please mark your calendars for the Los Angeles Unique LA show coming up. What is Unique LA? The very best of handmade goods from the So cal region, food trucks and other fun items. I'll be there...it's my very first show [and I'm a bit nervous - a lot really] come by to say hello if you're there?

there are over 300 vendors [clothing, beauty, paper, and more] displaying the best in indie and handmade goods. Apparently there is quite the good people watching / movie star sightings, not to mention, the most amazing holiday shopping ever.

December 3rd and 4th
downtown LA at The California Market Center
110 East Ninth Street 90079

11am - 6pm both days

$10 to get in but you get all sorts of goodies in return.

new Shepard Fairey

100 signed prints of the new Fairey poster "The Future is Unwritten" will go on sale today at artnet.com/auctions for $1250. Proceeds will benefit a nonprofit organization Coalition for the Homeless.

read more about the project here

in the midst of crazy be back in a week or so.

photo via> pinterest

Tintype Photography

In San Francisco a new portrait studio called Photobooth SF opened recently touted as the "world's only Tintype and Polaroid portrait studio". They had me at Tintype.



via photobooth.com Tintypes are made by the wet-plate collodion process, which was invented in 1851 and requires each plate to be individually prepared, exposed and developed within just a few minutes. Tintypes are unique direct-positives made on metal plates, meaning that a positive image is resolved directly on the original plate in the camera (much like a Polaroid). There is no negative intermediary or subsequent printing involved. All the materials we use are prepared by us, from their most basic chemical ingredients. It is truly a hand-crafted process.

I've been in love with that type of photography through Chuck Close's work [though I'm not certain his is tintype] it has that rich tone and some-what eerie quality to it. I REALLY want to go have my photo taken next time I'm in SF.

in addition to their portrait work they also hold Polaroid Rescue Workshops: This class teaches you how to find, buy, and repair Polaroid Land Cameras and, of course, how to use them properly to take amazing photos. You’ll learn which cameras to seek out on Ebay and in second-hand stores, and which ones are junk.

The studio is open 1-9pm Wednesday through Sunday. No appointment necessary, but call if you want a special time or private booking.

And The Winner is....

The good ol' pulling a name from a bowl trick happened today and congrats to Janice for winning the Shabby Apple dress giveaway.



Janice picked out the L'Opera dress. I must admit I didn't see this one and I'm pretty jealous about now.



thanks to the rest of you for playing along. Hopefully the folks at Shabby Apple will let us do a new drawing very soon.

Wallis Simpson & George Clooney

I've become obsessed with Wallis Simpson. I can hear you say who? Did you see The King's Speech? Remember the woman who convinced the King of England to step down and marry a divorceé S.C.A.N.D.A.L



I didn't give much thought to her until I just read an article in this month's Vogue about how she left her second husband for The King...and then regretted how she got into the mess in the first place. Vogue has some of the letters she wrote her second husband during that time telling him of her regrets. Have you ever got into the middle of something [Hum - my first marriage] and not know how to get OUT? I sympathized with her a great deal.

I also am quite interested in her style of course. She was apparently fond of a certain blue that was later named after her "Wallis Blue" I can't tell you how jealous I am of this. I want my own color, I say, stomping my feet like a 5 yr old. I am not a fan of abdicating the King to get such a thing though.

Interested in the scandal as well? The NY Times blog has a diddy about her today. I think it's this book and then of course Madonna's new movie coming out about her that have caused my curiosity.

.....

What does this have to do with George Clooney you ask? Nothing. I just wanted to tell you I had the MOST exciting dinner in this little tiny place in the Hollywood Hills Saturday night. George was there with his super tall girl, Russell Brand minus Katy and a couple others as well. In all of my days I've never seen anything like it. No, I won't tell you the name of the place. It's my secret. You'll have to come to LA and take me to dinner to find out.

happy halloween!

we all go back to where we belong

I have a love/hate relationship with REM but this song is so beautiful [odd video though]



Happy Friday.

girl crushes

Last week or so fellow coolness blogger Woolgathering & Misc posted this photo along with the title Ladyboner. I think we ALL said ummmm YES.



so Monday when I read about the coolest creative director leaving her husband for a woman. I played match maker in my head. I mean Jenna Lyons JCrew SUPA STAR with this woman? shut.it.down.good.

alas, it was all a dream. The real girlfriend has been revealed

original photo via The Sartoralist


ever had a girl crush? spill the beans here sistah.

Shabby Apple Giveaway

ladies, you know how I love a good dress right? It's the perfect outfit if you ask me, one whole outfit done without thought. You could walk into your closet in the dark and pick it out [don't tell me you DON'T DO THIS] Add a bracelet or two and a cardigan and you're done BAM!



The lovely folks at Shabby Apple have been so kind to let me host a giveaway here. I've picked my top favs from the site but you should really pop over and check out the site. If I had a rockin' little bod there would be many more options [alas the A- Line is so much kinder to my 40+ not.demi.moore.sized.butt] The best part of their site is their price points. I'm a bargain girl for sure and most of their dresses are under $100



The Shabby Apple people have also reassured me - because I asked. These are women's sizes not junior sizes if you know what I mean. There is nothing worse than trying on a size 8 only to have it really be a size 2. What a way to ruin a perfectly good day if you ask me.



So here is the scoop. Leave me a little note below. Tell me which one is your favorite from their site and I'll pick a name Nov 1st to win the dress of their choice. seriously.


quadrant
dresses top left : Upper East Side $72
top right: Washington Square Park $72
lower left: Bette D $88
lower right: VP $92

larger photo pink dressage from the sidesaddle collection $86 - Richie's styling notes: skip the riding boots with this one though - not a good call on styling for everyday. Swap belt out for a little skinny black patent leather, wear with a wedge heel for office or patent leather stacked heel for night.

larger photo blue Toe The Line chambray shirtdress $88 from the Set Sail Collection - Richie's styling notes: wear with white keds for summer or a wrap sweater and tall suede riding boots for winter.


also: because I just discovered it on their site: don't miss the accessories section I'm kinda in love with these silver flats.