::: FOCAL POINT :::

A Soiree in the Desert: IFDA at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens

2012-01-27T10:21:00.000-05:00

Last night I had a chance to experience my first design event since moving out west. Met some new people, exchanged a few cards, listened to jazz plus food, wine and design took place at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. The event was hosted by the IFDA (International Furnishings and Design Association). We were all in agreement though - the gardens at night could use just a tad bit more

JOIN LESLIE LIVE - TONITE 8PM EST

2012-01-26T12:56:00.002-05:00

While trying to capture more online presence about two years ago, I discovered and joined a (then) little known website called Olioboard. Recently, the site, all it has to offer plus its incredible ability to empower interior designers online, caught the eye of Leslie Carothers. Leslie is the CEO of The Kaleidoscope Partnership - a social media agency for the furniture and interior design

Test Your Testosterone: Make Your Man A Mancave

2012-01-24T02:48:00.000-05:00

The playoffs were this weekend, and the two final champions to go to the Super Bowl will soon have their grudge match for all of us to see. It's evolved into quite an event, and even the ladies have managed to find their place in it by creating delicious dishes and parties for all to celebrate. But what if you'd rather go shoe shopping or to a pretty bridal shower conveniently set on the same

Inspiration found at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction & Show

2012-01-23T12:04:00.000-05:00

There is something about history that is a great source of inspiration for me. So when a friend of mine in Texas (Bonnie) let me know about the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction that would be happening here in Arizona - I looked into it. I told Jeff about it, thinking it's cars so he would love it, but he was actually not interested in going - mostly because he misinterpreted how the show would be.

STORE TOUR: Pottery Barn Spring Set

2012-01-20T12:48:00.000-05:00

Although I adore searching on Pinterest for online inspiration, along with skimming through design books, magazines, catalogues and blogs, to me, nothing quite beats a brick & mortar store tour. I guess it's probably because it was a part of me for so many years, but I LOVE seeing stores transform, clear the clutter and get set for a new season. Some stores are quicker than others to get set

THIRD THURSDAY THRIFT: The Thrift Trend

2012-01-19T12:41:00.002-05:00

If you’re a blogger, a DIYer, or even a decorator, you’ve seen a trend come to life during the past year: THRIFTING. Decorating on a dime has become more than just a TV show on HGTV. It’s now become the home décor norm. EVERYONE is doing it - hunting for that unique find at a Goodwill or Salvation Army, to refinish and claim as your own. Thrifting has become the cost-effective way to improve the

Emerald Green & Leopard

2012-01-18T01:54:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is about this combination of emerald green and leopard, but I've pinned a few pictures of this combination - and I LOVE it! I first noticed it back in the fall, mainly because I was looking for pins with animal print. But since a few more pins popped up with these spots paired with emerald, I've been inspired again. I would LOVE to use the combo in an interior, especially

Notable Nudes at the 2012 Golden Globes

2012-01-16T12:40:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is watch all the fabulous fashions - some hits and some misses - on all the red carpet awards shows. You can keep the speeches, but it's usually an enjoyable event to watch unfold. It's also funny to listen to the critics after the show rip apart some of these stars, especially when some of them aren't quite the ones to judge. I was surprised by

Give an old nickel bowl a new look with gold

2012-01-11T09:10:00.001-05:00

When I packed us to move, I wasn't suppose to pack up any liquids - including paint. Although I left behind most of my paints, I did manage to pack up nine quarts - Sorry, but I just bought that gold quart in August and that puppy was comin' with me!! And I'm glad I did - Monday afternoon, while putting up more picture & mirrors around here, I was able to grab the can from the garage to freshen

Monday Makeover: New Place - New Mix

2012-01-09T14:07:00.000-05:00

Hey - Happy Monday! So how was your first weekend of the new year? Did you try a new food? A new look? Or a new project? Or did you just sit back, relax, and take a deep breath now that the seasons holidays are all over? Sometimes time to STOP is just what ya need to recharge and get re-inspired. I've been wanting to put up some of the collections & photos I had up in our other place, but I

Found Around Town: A Great Little Antique Shop

2012-01-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

Have you ever driven by someplace and say, "I need to stop in there sometime", but then just don't get to it? Being new in town, I made it a point to make sure I did do it. Last weekend, while Jeff & I were driving around town learning our way around, we drove through an old & historic part of Gilbert, Arizona. Although it was a Sunday and some places were closed, one place that was open was a

About My Southwest Sophistication roomboard entry @Olioboard's New Year - New Challenge!

2012-01-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! With the clean slate, the new year ahead is full of promise and fresh ideas! One of those places to capture some of those ideas is at Olioboard.com. I've been seeing boards with concepts for office makeovers, tablescapes, client projects, and even upcoming events such as a wedding. And Olioboard has one of their challenges set up as a NEW YEAR -

My Rewind: 2011

2012-01-02T18:29:00.000-05:00

I can't say that the past year was a world win... But I can for sure say, the tail end of it had my head in a spin. I think selling and moving to a new place can do that to you. For even as much "put together" or how quickly this new space came together after the move, (SMH) it doesn't mean that my head has caught up with the process - until now. I guess that's what New Years Eve can do to you -

New Years Eve Tablestyling: Silver Black & Gold

2011-12-31T05:06:00.000-05:00

Looking back at the pictures I took from last years New Years Eve for two at our home in Florida, made me miss being able to set up our round little table for two here in AZ. I can't really set up the round table with this layout (at the moment) but I can reuse some of the ideas I set our table and home with... and so can you. Since I had incorporated gold with my silver holiday decor last year,

End of the year note of Thanks...

2011-12-28T11:36:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe, the week is not only already half over - But so too has the year nearly ended! It's been quite a busy year filled with new home DIY experiments I've shared with you, some more thrift treasures transformed, client projects, working with David Bromstad & the Colorsplash crew, a trip to NYC for the 911 Ten Year Anniversary, selling our home of five years, and packing up to move

A few simple holiday gift wrap, arrangement & tablescape tips to save for next year

2011-12-27T03:29:00.000-05:00

Save them for next year, but here's a few details I quickly did for our Christmas table. Before, I had a separate dining area to set for family, a bar counter for get togethers, and I'd set up a round table for two for Jeff and I on Christmas Eve. Since I still wanted to do something quick, easy and festive for us, but to still to be kind of intimate. I off set our center piece at one end of the

Our Christmas in a new home & new area

2011-12-26T16:46:00.000-05:00

This years Christmas might have been with a few less family and friends (because of our recent move) ~ It was quiet, yet still festive. To create some comforts of home, we cooked, watched movies, exchanged a few gifts and went for a drive around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights. Some of what we saw here was done a little differently then what we've seen before. Most enjoyable were the

Seasons Greetings from the Desert!

2011-12-23T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just one more night until Christmas Eve! So many people have set lights outside their homes around here in our new neighborhood. It's so festive & I love it! It just makes everything a little bit more cheerful! And from what I'm hearing about back home in Florida, this years light displays are even a little bit more dimmer than last years (and that's sad). Tomorrow night, we'll make our (new)

Our New Home & Christmas Tour

2011-12-19T07:42:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe, back on November 7, Jeff and I had our home - our life - loaded on a moving truck in South Florida bound for Arizona. I don't think it hit either one of us what was happening until the truck rolled away... with all of our furniture, clothing, office papers, books, photos - you name it, it was on that truck. Thankfully we arrived safely to our new home a week ahead of the

A Green & Organic Chic Christmas Tablescape

2011-12-17T15:00:00.002-05:00

When I lived in Florida, I didn't experience a change of seasons, so I had to try to create the seasons on my own. Probably one of my favorite tablescapes I had done was when I first used a found branch as my centerpiece, and personalized pinecones for monogrammed placesettings. Usually, I'd get all blinged out for Christmas using all silver & glass, but for me back in 2009, I wanted to have a

EZ to Make: Faux Galvanized Stars

2011-12-15T17:05:00.001-05:00

Although I'm re-using most all of my Christmas trim here in our new place, something was missing. It's been a little challenging to learn the new flow of this space. But one simple item made the connection: a star. Funny thing, I used my old Papier-mâché stars in the kitchen, and my keepsake star mixed in a basket of pinecones, but the inspiration actually came from Arizona State flag. But I

Refinished JOY Letters & A Winter Vignette

2011-12-14T12:04:00.003-05:00

A few years ago (back 2006) we bought our first home. A townhome in a development called Walnut Creek in Hollywood Florida. Coming from a two bedroom condo, we hardly had enough to fill the place. But over time, we acquired a table here, a chair there, and a few holiday decorations. One of the items I had purchased (after Christmas) were these silver initial letters online at Restoration Hardware

Seasonal Accessory Transformations & Twine Bottles For Holiday

2011-12-13T09:58:00.003-05:00

Earlier this year I posted a how to make your own Beachy Bottles. By simply re-purposing some recycled wine bottle with a little white washed paint inside and a starfish at the top, the soon to be discarded bottles became a summer decor element in our Florida townhome. Then during the Fall, just after I made the No Template Gallery Wall, and I was prepping our home to sell, I had just removed the

Christmas Centerpieces With Conifers & A How To

2011-12-12T09:04:00.005-05:00

Last year, I had shared Ideas For Decorating With Pinecones, and being a little more traditional at heart for the holidays, I too used them again in our new place this year. Using pinecones is a really wonderful way to add nature & texture to your home for the holidays. I especially like the contrast of the pinecones mixed with the shine of mercury glass or mixed with galvanized metal. This year

NEW: Thrifting in Arizona

2011-12-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

Thrifting in Arizona, from what I've seen so far, can be summed up in these three words: Location. Location. Location. I was definitely spoiled, thrifting in South Florida... so many vintage and classic finds. Here, you've got to do some serious hunting; but with a good eye, it is possible to score a few thrifty finds. If you've just moved, and are in need of a few furniture pieces (because of