Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!


Happy Halloween!


I carved three pumpkins....


and toasted pumkin seeds last night. 
It's a Robson Family tradition you know (second year running).

Also, I can't stop eating mini Almond Joys.

Happy Halloween!

...

Friday, October 29, 2010

Happy Halloween Weekend!

















Happy Halloween Weekend, ghouls!  These are my favorite Halloween images that I've been hoarding away (from last years Halloween issue of Country Living, and of course, Martha Stewart).  Did you know that all of those "spooky spider webs" are made with cheescloth?!  I love that trick.

We'll be carving pumpkins this weekend, and lighting our bloody candles.  I hope you have a safe and happy Halloween!

xx
Kelly

...

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Martha Stewart has posted some creative last minute Halloween costumes!  My favorite are these precious little Hula Girls (with skirts made from mop heads!)...



This Bee-Hive costume (her braids are made with yarn!) is also adorable...




and a Beekeeper for Mom or Dad...




I like these Spider Shades...  these look easy to make.



This Medusa is pretty scary!  (but looks do-able)...




What do you think?  Do you guys dress up for Halloween?  For the last few years, I've worn the same costume when kids come to the door: I'm Hermione from Harry Potter.  I even have a witch's hat with the Hogwarts insignia.  Yes, I am a proud fan. (And for the record, I look more like this Hermione than this version of Hermione.)

But to be honest, Halloween has completely crept up on me this year (no pun intended).  I've been swamped with work and I feel like I just realized that Halloween is THIS Sunday... we need to carve pumpkins and toast pumpkin seeds!  And, I haven't bought ANY candy yet. 

It's our first Halloween in this old house, and I wonder if we'll get trick-or-treaters.

...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Halloween Baby


These knitted Halloween costumes are so precious, don't you think?  I love that little lion! 




My sweet friend Amanda just gave birth to a little girl two days ago!  Her name is Brooklyn and she is beautiful.  Congratulations, Amanda, Casey, and big brother Ben! 

...

Monday, October 25, 2010

Fall Decorating with Eddie Ross

Eddie, showing us how to make everything more beautiful.

About a week and a half ago, Eddie Ross came to Philadelphia to host a "Fall Decorating" event at Terrain.  The invitation advertised that we would "learn the stylist's secrets to fall entertaining" and "with the help of Eddie, each participant will be able to design, create, and take home a planted heirloom arrangement."  Oh, and the kicker: "wine and appetizers will be provided."  Music to my ears!  Sounds like the perfect way to spend a Thursday night to me!   So, I called up my friend Sheila and we booked our tickets for Thursday night.

Before I go any further, I want to brag about my friend Sheila Salvitti.  Not only is she hysterically funny, smart, beautiful (and a fan of interior design!), but she is a total superstar.  This year, Realtor Magazine included Sheila among the "Top 30 Under 30."  That's right.  And, of course she made the June cover.


So, if you're looking for a house in our neck of the woods, call Sheila Salvitti.  The girl knows houses.

Ok, so where was I?  Oh right, fall decorating.  Sheila and I braved torrential rains, high winds, and Philadelphia traffic (arg!) to get our butts to Terrain.  When we got there, it was clear that the journey was well worth it.  First of all, let me just say that Terrain is a complete wonderland.  A home & garden sparkly wonderland, created by the Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie geniuses.  As a new Philadelphian, I had never been there, so the experience (although a bit soggy) was magical.  Take a look at the room that they had set up for us...


Eddie gave a fabulous presentation on how to use pumpkins and gourds more creatively when decorating for fall.  For example, a hollowed out pumpkin isn't just for jack-o-lanterns.  It could be used to serve soup (love this idea), or even crudite.  Here are some examples of what Eddie has done in the past...

    

Isn't this wonderful?  With a little extra effort, you can make a veggie plate look like this! 
And, impress everyone.

One awesome tip from Eddie: when you carve out your pumpkin--whether it's for food, flowers, or even a candle--make an effort so that the edges look thin and crisp (rather than chunky and thick).  Then, just before you put it into use, submerge it in 5 parts water, 1 part bleach.  This will kill any bacteria and ultimately keep your pumpkin (that you took all that time to carve!) looking great for a whole lot longer. 


After the presentation, Eddie talked about dressing your dinner table.  He had set up a stunning example using brass candelabras, mini-pumpkin candle holders and vintage china (that he had bought that day!)...




I love the simple burlap tablecloth, mixed with vintage brass candelabras, brass servingware, and modern glassware...


After we had mixed and mingled, we got down to creating our own pumpkin centerpieces.  I used sedum (one of my fall favorites), hydrangea, and chocolate cosmos mixed with lemon scented geranium.  And a healthy glass of white wine.  :)



me, working the pumpkin flower arrangement




Eddie suggested that we monogram our pumpkins (the man thinks of everything).  So, I used a simple skewer to trace out the letter "R"...  then, with a peeler I carved it out...




a fun trick!


Here is Sheila working on her centerpiece... She used hydrangea, red berries, and of course (our favorite) lemon scented geranium leaves.



This event really felt like a party-- the room was gorgeous and there was such a great mix of people in attendance.  Obviously, it was terrific to finally meet Eddie and Jaithan in person, they were completely lovely.  That goes without saying.  But I also met Amy, a friend of Eddie and Jaithan's (who was in town on her way to New England) and Dirke, who assembled her centerpiece across from me.  I often bothered these two gals with camera questions (as I've said before on this blog, I could really benefit from a photography class).  Thanks for the help, ladies!

party picture of me, Eddie, Jaithan, and Sheila (picture taken by Amy)


After the Terrain event, the group of us (Sheila and I, Eddie, Jaithan, and Amy) ran over to The Blue Pear for an AMAZING meal.  The food there is truly divine.  It was a night of great food, great conversation, and lots of laughs.  I hope that this group makes it back to Philly very soon!

 
Amy and I modeling our new Leigh Ann Barnes cuffs.
(who also makes the most beautiful handbags, you must see)



Thank you Eddie and Jaithan for hosting such a fabulous workshop, and sharing your expertise with all of us.  You both are so talented, down to earth, and completely fun to be around.  I loved meeting you (and Amy!) and hope you all come back to Philadelphia soon.


Here is my pumpkin at home...




...

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Before & After: Bryn's Black Wing Chairs

I had to post this terrific before & after from my blogging buddy, Bryn.  BLACK wing chairs with nailhead trim-- yes please!  I love how something so formal, like a wingback chair, can transform into something so...  well, badass (or is it bad ass? I'll need to consult the urban dictionary for this one).

Before:



After:




Aren't these fabulous?!  

Bryn's living room looks like it's going to be gorgeous when she's through with it.  I love the black chest of drawers at the entry...  and she wants to paint the interior side of her front door black.  Great idea!  I am totally supportive of this move.

To read her full post, go the blog HERE.

...

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

3rd Anniversary Today!


Today is our 3rd Wedding Anniversary!  I am so blessed to be married to someone who always makes me laugh, he challenges me to work harder, be better, and supports me in every way.  I can't believe it's been 3 years since our wedding

Also, he's the cutest guy in the entire world.  He is.







To see more pictures from our wedding, go HERE.


...

Tastemaker Tag Sale, One Kings Lane


Do remember the fabulous home of Tom Dolby and Drew Frist that was featured in Lonny Magazine this past June?
















Well, these two tastemakers are sharing their collection with us.  For a limited time, on One Kings Lane, you can buy the outstanding pieces that Tom and Drew have collected.  I'm a fan of the Vintage Louis Vuitton Trunk (but it has already sold)...  I also LOVE their collection of vintage portraits! 


Here is a brief snippet of what's available...

The sale started last night at 9pm and while many things have already sold, there are PLENTY of treasures left to be had.  If you don't have an account with One Kings Lane, I strongly encourage you to open one.  It's easy and free.  When you sign in, you'll see the link to Tom & Drew's Tag Sale right on the front page!

Hurry, the sale ends on October 23rd at 11am EST!

...