Tuesday, January 19, 2010

2010 Color of the Year

Pantone just announced the 2010 Color of the Year: Turquoise!
This is my favorite color so I couldn't be happier!
I don't know what it is about this color that I love so much. Maybe because it reminds me of the ocean and soothes my soul.
On the Pantone website Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Here are a few of my favorite interiors decorated with the color turquoise:

Via {wandrdesign.com}


Design by Brian J. Mcarthy


oops! {?}


Via {CoCo & Kelley}



Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Glamorous Inspiration

Anyone who knows me knows I am a true girly-girl and a total magpie so it came as no surprise to my boyfriend when I decided that for my birthday I wanted a mirrored vanity. I had gotten a mirrored jewelry armoire from Pier 1 for Christmas and had been fawning over the matching mirrored vanity ever since. After receiving my gorgeous vanity I decided that my bedroom was not near glamorous enough and since then I have been on a mission to "glammify" my boudoir. Here are some photos I have been using as inspiration...



Hayworth Vanity from Pier 1





Christian Louboutin Shoes


Via {flickr}


Via {simply seductive}





Rita Hayworth


Via {Frou Frou Fashionista}



Marilyn Monroe Via {Beautiful Things to Share}





Via {Frou Frou Fashionista}


Via {captivate me}


Via {Frou Frou Fashionista}




Christian Dior

Friday, May 8, 2009

I Love My Mama!!!

Well, this Sunday is Mother's Day and in typical Shannon fashion I have waited until the last minute to get my Mom a gift, partly because I have absolutely no idea what to get her but mostly because I am the biggest procrastinator ever!!! (I hate deadlines and I refuse to wear a watch.) Even though it may seem as if I'm a selfish, ungrateful child because I am 2 days away from Mother's Day and still have no gift, I've been thinking about my Mom a lot lately and what a loving, caring person she is. My Mom is one of those people who truly loves everyone, she always has a smile on her face and she makes everyone around her feel welcome. There really are no words to describe how much I love my Mom, and one day when I'm a Mommy I hope I'm as good a Mommy as she is and has been. My poor Mom! I feel so bad when I think of what a spoiled, bratty teenager I was and all the trouble I caused!!! But she never gave up on me; don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of "come to Jesus" meetings (mostly at the behest of my Dad because of something snotty I said to my Mom) and punishments, but she never stopped loving me. She was there for me when my heart got broken, and cheering me on when I picked up the pieces. She urged me to return to college and get my degree, and proudly yelled her ass off when they called my name at graduation. And, when I move to Baton Rouge I'm gonna miss seeing her everyday and talking about whats going on; but, I'm sure she will help me get through that as well. She'll be there when I walk down the aisle and when I have babies of my own. My Mom is truly amazing, she has taught me that if you want something bad enough you have to go and get it, even though it might be scary and uncomfortable to do so. So, to repay her for all the times she was there for me when I was scared of where life was taking me, I'm going to be there for her... Next Saturday, May 16, she is putting her artwork out on display for the first time at The Big Easel in River Ranch and I know she is excited and at the same time scared (its scary to let people you've never met see your work!!! I would be petrified!). So I'll be there to back her up and cheer her on, partly because she's my Mama but mostly because she's my inspiration. I love you Mama!!!


Here are a few pieces of my Mom's work:


Running Hot and Cold




Galaxy
(2 pieces that fit together)




Silver Lining


Also, her blog is katcrosbynofearart.blogspot.com to check out more of her artwork!!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Festival Internationale

Sorry its been so long since my last post! Things have been crazy around here lately and are about to get even crazier! Wednesday April 22nd is the kickoff of Festival Internationale de Louisiane 2009! Festival Internationale is an annual visual & performing arts festival held in downtown Lafayette, LA and it celebrates the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana (a combo of French, African, Caribbean, & Hispanic cultures). Over 300,000 people attend the 5 day free, outdoor festival and are treated to some of the worlds greatest performing, visual, & culinary artists. Festival Internationale weekend has always been a favorite of mine (it's right up there with Mardi Gras) and for the past 4 years Festival Internationale has been one of the most highly anticipated events of the year me. You see, I work at Antler's, a restaurant/bar located in the heart of downtown Lafayette. Antler's is a family run business (my mom's best friend is my boss' sister) and we are known for our daily plate lunch specials (especially the smothered porkchops), the great live music we feature after Downtown Alive each Friday, and our southern hospitality. While the weekend of Festival Internationale is often physically, emotionally, & mentally draining (think 5 straight 16 hour days spent on your feet, running the length of a 50 ft. bar while mixing drinks and being upbeat & energetic for the customers the entire time) it is also the time of year where we all come together as a "family" (whether we have the same last name or not) in order to "make it happen." It is from this time each year that most of my memories about Antler's come from... laughing, dancing, & singing with my girls behind the bar, doing shots of Patron with my boss to kickoff Festival and WooWoo's to wind it up, laughing at Julie & my Mom fall off their barstools... the list goes on and on. Even though the hours are long and sleep is basically non-existant Festival Internationale remains one of the highlights of my year and I am definitely gonna miss it when its gone. Happy Festival!!!



"Antler's Band"

My "Family"

Me & My Girls

Antler's at Night

A Packed House

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Inspiring Blog

A few days ago I was killing time surfing the web and I came across a VERY inspiring website, Snippet & Ink. Its a blog devoted to wedding inspiration and I fell in love immediately!!! If my boyfriend knew I spent the next hour and a half pouring over this blog and dreaming of what my wedding day will be like he would probably tuck tail and run!!! But, like many "little girls" out there, I have dreamt of my wedding day since I got my first Bridal Barbie and this blog makes it easy to fantasize. Not only does it offer great inspiration for your wedding day but it also offers great inspiration in the form of the many Inspiration Boards that are posted on the site. When looking at the Inspiration Boards I found myself thinking "Wow! That would be a great color scheme for a room!" Here are some of my faves....



Board #327: Spring Watercolor




Board #341: Mustard & Blue




Board #298: Emerald & Aquamarine




Board #250: Aqua & Poppy