White Elephant Repurposed

For the last several years, every Christmas, my family has done a very simple gift exchange.

This year, my brilliant sisters jokingly suggested doing white elephant gifts instead.

But, being me, I couldn't just leave it at that. . .

Intead, we will be taking items that would typically be white elephants, and turning them into something cool. It's like a family trash to treasure project.

So, to inspire my family on our way, here are a few of my favorite trash to treasure makeovers that I've scoured from the inter-verse.

These tea pots and other goodies got a second life as lamps:

These tea cups got an anthropologie inspired makeover, thanks in part to my friend Becca:

Chicken wire becomes a bulletin board:

This paneled window turn mirror is to die for!!

This ugly brass chandelier gets a 2010 update:

And remember those old glass lamp shades that would fill up with dead bug bodies. . . well, clean 'em out and fill them with life:

Most of these inspirational projects came from the genius readers over at Design*Sponge.

Okay, family. . .

Let's get to work!

"It's an Alaia! An A-What-A?"

I was scanning apartment #34's killer wish list today, when I came across these gorgeous darlings!

They're made by a "totally important designer."

If only they weren't $2,375!

Maybe if I had a super wealthy benefactor who wished to pamper me. hmmm.

If you are said benefactor, click here to purchase.

Overnight shipping please!

Sneaky Peaky | DollyMix

Here's a little sneak peak at tomorrow's blog post. . .

Yummy colors on pretty faces + lots of lovely hair = happy me!

The perfect Snuggle?

As I was perusing the Black Friday online sales, I came across what could be the best snuggle ever. Or maybe the saddest thing I've ever seen.

It's called:

The Hug Me Pillow

And It's only $24.97

Amazing, right?

Morgan James | In Concert

Just about two years ago, I was walking down 42nd street with a few friends and a new acquaintance. She was blonde, gorgeous without any makeup, and sweet as can be. We got to talking and decided to do a trade: She would work on new music with me, and I would do a photoshoot for her. . .

Flash forward two years later, and I am just now holding up my end of the bargain.

Since that fated day, I have come to call Morgan James my friend. And since that day, she has rocked the Broadway stage in The Addams Family, and will soon bring down the house in Wonderland the Musical (with a few other fabulous friends!)

2 weeks ago, she debuted her first solo concert at Le Poisson Rouge in NY. In true diva style, she schooled everyone in that room on what it means to be a star.

www.MorganJames.org

Check out the slideshow below.

And of course, here she is live, bringing down the house!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEpV5B5pScg

Congrats Morgan on being a total genius!

Melissa Farrar

Last winter, I was in Chicago preparing for the World Premier of Banana Shpeel at the Chicago Theatre. One day, I walked into the green room where I found a new friend. She was the visiting girlfriend of a cast member, but she instantly became my new girl friend. She's from the Seattle area, where my family now lives, and is an exquisite dancer now hoofing in the big city. This last week in New York, after sleeping on her couch, she and I trekked around Hell's Kitchen to capture her girlish gorgeousness.

The Jazz Singer | Laura Hart

Laura Hart is a Jazz Singer.

Laura Hart is from Orange County.

Laura Hart is GORGEOUS!

We met back in the day in Orange County doing a production of Children of Eden at Musical Theater West. . . We were storytellers :)

And this woman is still as beautiful as the day I met here, but now, she is traveling the the world as a seductive and stunning jazz singer.

We met up a few weeks ago in New York City for a quick capture of her beauty-ness!

Rachel & Sally

These two gorgeous girls happen to be roommates and best friends.

This is Sally the Amazing.


This is Rachael, the great!












Me with the lovelies!

My Someday | Home Library & Map Room

I've always dreamed of having a home Library & Map Room.

It doesn't have to be large. . . in fact the idea of a small cozy nook makes me wanna curl up

right now and dream about it some more!

When the recent Restoration Hardware catalog came to me featuring

vintage inspired libraries, I swooned on the spot.

Penny's New Shoes

In the last two days, the winter has come upon us. . . cold temperatures, wind, frost, and a 2 inch blanket of snow. This is quite a lot of winter for tiny little Penny Lane. So I went to Petco with my niece Carolynne to buy Penny some winter wear. I came across these little boots to protect her tiny toes. And it added a little bounce to her prance.

Scott Alan ||| What I wanna be when I grow up!

If you haven't heard the music of Scott Alan yet, you are living a deprived life.

Not only is he a brilliant composer, but he is one of those rare, genuinely good guys, who I am lucky enough to call my friend.

For his 3rd and most recent album, he released a collection of songs that are both bouyant and beautiful. And to make it even more special, he has many of my very talented friends singing them. Including fellow Japanese Elphaba, Cassie McIvor. I was happy to make the introduction, and now even happier to listen to her gorgeous voice singing "Not Quite Ready to Grieve." (It's playing in the background as I write this :)

Last month, Scott and I got together to shoot some photos for his new website and upcoming press releases. We headed down to the meatpacking district and walked the streets to get these great shots. Thanks to Shane Terenzi, make up artist and puppy holding extraordinaire (he cuddled Penny while I worked,) and my fantastic assistant Adrienne Fisher, we came out with some gorgeous shots of one handsome, talented man.