My job.

I made this sign and I hope it rings true to your heart.

Happy weekend.

 

It’s baby time – not me.

Monday, baby Emma was born, congrats L and J.

College roommate JC called me earlier this week and told me they found out the sex of their baby due in March, girl!!!  

SH is due with Shaynie this December (her gift from me and RMc is to the left, yes, rhinestoned handles on the rocking horse).  We celebrated with a group of girlfriends at a beautiful outdoor picnic.

I have two more girlfriends who are expecting, each with boys in February. 

It’s baby madness and my hands have naturally become extended to hold bellies and put my ear on tummies hoping the baby’s going to either whisper to a hello to me, or kick my head.  Too bad I only have two arms, I want to hold ALL of them at the SAME time.

One baby shower, one more to go.  I’m excited to throw a night shower in the new year for MB.  Over the weekend I worked hard on the invitations.  I decided to steer clear of the traditional blue, green, fill a plastic mini bottle with candies sort of shower and instead do it Silver Spoon Studio way - an upscale baby shower.  Her hubby MB laughed at me when he heard me talk about it over the phone with my co-host.  “Upscale baby shower?  Is there such a thing?”  Yes, in my world.  Welcome to the White House Black Market invite.  MB’s shower will be black, white, silver and pearls, pearls, pearls.

A glimpse of my office on Friday evening with SH baby shower wrapping and MB’s baby shower invites:

Sorry I made the photo so teeny, I realized my return address is on it so I wanted it to be unreadable.  Now I’m sure the invitation is unreadable too.  It’s to the left, the silver motif. I printed it on overhead transparencies and put a silver card stock backing, packaging them in Crane cotton envelopes.   The labels are in front of you, if you can’t make that out.

 My bulletin board which is getting added to every day:

 

What I’m looking at now.

Have you been following my office updates?  If not, get with it and click here to catch up and see the whole renovating process.

I have a treat for you.  Here are more pics…

What I’m currently staring at now, my latest pantone palette for a Cavanagh Mollen Group brochure:

This was me when I was about three with my yun-yun (Cantonese for grandma) who has passed.  I know Mandarin and Cantonese (more Mandarin) but I’m not fluent:

 An update on my cork board:

Now filled with thank you cards, my new business (coming in January) notes, favorite photos and fall collections from Bebe and Ann Taylor that I can’t get out of my mind (wallet is screaming).

Seeing this everyday makes my heart happy:

Thank you to my clients for keeping me so busy so I can do what I love. 

 

A new creative project

It’s about that time again where space is limited in the office and I wonder 1- Where all this “stuff” came from and 2- How I ever managed to hide all this “stuff” elsewhere.  Hello IKEA, and hello adding my own twist of upgrades.  Meet my future bookcase.  This will be a weekend project to be handled end of this month since I’m a jet setter almost every weekend this month. 

This Bergsbocabinet, $279 at IKEA.  I’ll be lining the back with a black and white damask wallpaper, then adding some emerald crystal knobs to it, purchased from Anthropologie, $8.  I can’t find the exact one online, but if you want to browse their knob selection online (the store is better) click here.

While we were wandering around IKEA we found more wonderful bookcases that made my heart torn.  This one or that one?  Well, maybe you can help me decide, or buy one for yourself. 

Trollsta, $199

Trollsta, $349 

 

WELCOME! Pictures of the office!

I conjured the idea of an office in my head less than a month ago and made it happen in less than two weeks time.  It would’ve really been a weekend if only shipping wasn’t so slow. 

Welcome to Silver Spoon Studio’s new home! 

 

I made the bulletin board, a 4′ x 8′ standard board from Staples I covered with white duck cloth and decorated using upholstery nails from Home Depot and JoAnn Fabrics.  I borrowed the lovely idea from Urban Grace Interiors‘ office space that I just loved.  I keep my projects organized on there and post little things that inspire me. 

The architectural prints are two of a set of four I bought from Scottsdale Marketplace.  They’re one of a kind and I think my heart skipped a beat when I laid eyes on them that I just had to have them right then and there. Story of my life.

The black desk was my dad’s desk as a child.  It used to be brown and had an icky wood laminate on top, I never liked it as a child.  When I moved to Los Angeles I decided to take it with me so I painted it black, added pink crystal knobs from Anthropologie and added a stainless steel laminate top.   I’ll be keeping this in the family.

The dining room farm table from Ballard Designs makes a lovely workspace area.  This is where I sort through mail, magazines, organize projects, and do bible study homework.  The “Imagine. Create. Captivate.” is our trademarked slogan and I had DragonFlyCraftz from etsy create it.  She’s been doing many wedding plaques for me this year and will continue doing so since I’m anticipating many more.

 

What I see from my desk. I keep random fortune cookie messages pinned to the board.  I think they’re fun.   I still think Proverbs would make better fortune cookie messages, but I guess that defeats the purpose of a Chinese fortune cookie.  Anyway…

Above one of my printers to the left are press badges from my red carpet reporting days at E! Online.  I have some fun ones on there including: American Idol (season three), America’s Top Model (season one) and TV Land Awards.  Fun times.  Perhaps one day I’ll return to la-la land and do that again before I die.

I don’t understand the whole MAC thing with graphics, but I prefer PC, so I use my Sony VAIO, which the other side “Vaio” is rhinestoned. *shrug*

The view sitting at my desk.  Bookshelves and lighting from IKEA.  The crown from my Miss America local titleholder days. I worked so hard for those titles and gained so many wonderful experiences, friendships, as well as scholarship money that it has made me who I am today.  Now Silver Spoon Studio is a sponsor for the Miss Arizona Scholarship Pageant!

 

I love ribbon. I collect it everywhere I go.  Found the organizer from eBay.  The frame is something I made from my favorite cards from favorite people that I’ve been given over the years.  Put it in an 8×10 frame from Target.  Better view of the frame here.

Which door is out?  Hmm… chair, filing cabinet and black frame on the door are from IKEA.  Keep Calm Carry on poster from etsy, framed in an IKEA frame.  That side of the wall must be IKEA.  Except for the lamp, from Hold Everything (sadly, now closed).

Well, that’s it!  If there’s anything you saw that you want to know where I got it, leave a comment and I’ll write you back.  Hope you enjoyed your stay!

 

Reporting from the new office!

MB x2 came over over on Memorial Day Monday to help me move the new office over.  They not only moved the entire office over but disconnected and reconnected my electronics, helped me put up the custom bulletin board, assembled my beautiful Italian farm table, and took out the monstrous trash for me.  Saints, MBs.  Love you both more than I can express.  Thank you, thank you.

So you want to see?  Hm…not yet.  I’ve shown BD and MK some pics but I cannot show you until the PB rug and Queen Anne chairs come in in the next week.  But it’s getting rave reviews!  Not to hype it up (OK, yah to hype it up), BD said, “WOW. Incredible!!! Seriously, it’s gorgeous!!! LOVE IT!!!” 

Since you can’t see me, I’m doing a little leprechan heel kick right now. OK, just a small sneak peak, but that’s all you get. 

Stay tuned…

Oh yeah, for anyone who cares about fashion, the pants I’m wearing in the pic (I’m aware the flash made my toes look red, strange, I know), are BB Dakota Shayla Slacks wide leg linen pants from Francesca’s Collections. I just love that boutique.  I am LOVING these pants, get them while they’re on sale.

I think I bought out the entire store last time I was in there.

 

The beginning of a beautiful thing

Hardwood floors were put in last week and I can’t help but smirk to myself every time I walk past the new room.  I found this sunflower chenille rug on Pottery Barn, and after pacing back and forth from computer screen to room, measuring, and imagining, I think I’ll finally place the order in time for my set up crew (bestest pals) that will be coming to help move it all over.  It’ll compliment the yellow walls nicely. 

I attempted to mount a 4′x8′ bulletin board by myself the other day which would’ve been a nice laugh for anyone who would’ve witnessed it.  On a stool, ready to drill, I hit something crunchy through the dry wall.  Um, it didn’t go any farther in the wall.  Oh, concrete block?  Yeah, so if you can think of a genius way to hang it without mounting screws by this weekend, let me know. Aye.

I watched Titanic on TBS earlier this evening and it made me recall a story a classmate presented during one of my senior year courses.  Her grandmother was Japanese and her grandfather an American Marine.  This was back in the crazy war times and they obviously had met in Japan and somehow during their love affair, they decided while her it was much to her grandmother’s family’s dismay she fall in love with an American, they both jumped off a ship together to begin their new lives.  I loved that I remembered that.  Here’s to jumping in … whatever that means to you for your life in this moment.  Even if it’s just as simple as buying a rug. 

 

More things for the office…

I love the lighting solutions at Pottery Barn, I have fabulous sconces in my living room and bedroom.  I came across this Architect’s Task Sconce that I must have for my new office.  I’m going for the metal shade.  And of course everything I want is on backorder. 

Also loved this bright red mailbox, it’ll sit on my bookshelf instead of outdoors.  I’ll put my outgoing mail on the metal arm and stuff it with return address labels.  Isn’t it cute? 

My farm table arrived over the weekend and my BFFs MK and AK will be coming over to help me set up the new office.  *jumping up and down* I will also be enlisting JM’s help and we’ll have a nice pizza party and jam to my Top 40 hits (which consists of a mixture of Mariah Carey and random old school tunes).

Hope you had a fabulous, relaxing weekend.  Wishing you all a productive, quick week into the three day weekend.  What are your plans?

 

how Silver Spoon Studio is wired…

Do you read Lucky magazine?  I always love the “Gadgets” section when they profile a woman who is a business exec, owner, or entrepreneur. 

 

I enjoy seeing the techy stuff other business owners use to function on a daily basis.  Arizona Woman magazine also profiles a woman from the start of her day to the end, documenting them in times such as “6:05 am turn on the coffee machine, check BlackBerry, answer phone calls.  Take the dog out for a run.”  I love glimpses into other people’s lives, fascinating.  So, taking on that spirit, I thought I’d be fun to share with you what I have.  My wish list will come later…

 I’ve had a Palm Pilot since the beginning of their existence – the black and white screen.  I love how it syncs to my computer so I can pull up all my contacts and appointments.  Some have asked, why don’t you just use a BlackBerry? I really need the touchscreen/graffiti option and when I’m on the phone with clients or my agent booking things, I need to look at my scheduler immediately.  Palm TX Handheld, $299.

I finally gave in and bought a BlackBerry Pearl. I love knowing that all my emails come straight to my phone right away – personal and business.  And the best part, you can use the BlackBerry as a high speed Internet device for your laptop.  It’s an extra service cost, but so worth it. I wish you could see my wallpaper, it’s precious.  I’ll snap a pic later for a post. BlackBerry Pearl 1830, Verizon Wireless, $270.

Since I’m constantly designing, invoicing, and emailing, I need to backup all my files from clients on this portable external hard drive.  Nice to know just in case I ever get the blue screen of death on my Sony Vaio that I’ll have the files handy. I sleep much more peacefully because of it.  Western Digital 250GB, $129.

So it’s not a lot to look at.  But I alternate between two flash drives, depending on the project. My other one is pink, by Dane Elec, 256MB so not huge, but because it’s pink it instantly makes me happy.  This one to the right is the 2GB Micro Vault Classic USB Flash Drive, $24.

I’ve been moving things from the room into the bedroom and getting more and more excited about the new office.  I’m enlisting help now.  Want to come over and help? I have a lot on the to-do list.  I love making lists, I’m so Type A that I also make revised lists of lists.  But I do not write something on the list for the mere sake of crossing it off.  I’m not that crazy.

 

I get things done

I feel a lot of change coming on.  I really do.  I mentioned this to AS about how I feel as though I’m upgrading everything in my life  – and one of those things includes the new office *yippee!  When I get rolling, it sure is fast due to my impulsiveness.  But this is my justification: Life is way too short to waste time on deciding.  If you know what you like, get it!  Take that pretty little object that makes you happy, smile, in hand, under your arm, or under your feet, whichever and make it part of your beautiful life here in this world.

Speaking of under your feet, the new floors are scheduled to be put in less than two weeks out and the farm table that requires assembly (which means it WILL fit, phew) is on its way.  After a few minutes of deliberating and asking the salesman for his opinion, I selected Cognac Merbau for the flooring.  Whether I decide to repaint the walls or not (leaning towards not) I think the contrast will work beautifully with the current yellow walls and dark furniture.  The plank width is also two instead of three, which in my opinion is just lovely.

I know a photo of a wood flooring plank may be the most boring photo blog yet.  So I will throw in something lovely for your eyes.  This photo from Cottage Chic, such a precious store in NC. I want to go immediately.

I’m on the look out for a vintage world globe.  I would like the countries to be pretty up to date (though I’m embarrassed to say that I might not even notice if they weren’t!) but I want it to be colorful and adorable.   If you find any cute ones, let me know. I’m hunting around ebay. 

Wishing you a very happy week.