New tunes!

I happened to be channel surfing last night, ( I only get 5, so it's not really that big of a deal - am I the only person left in the world without cable?!) while I was cleaning up all the Christmas clutter around the apartment and happened upon the World Music Awards. It was packed full of performances, there were two that especially stood out to me (mostly because I had never heard the songs before). "I Decided" by Solange and "No Stress" by DJ Laurent Wolf. For some reason neither video has an 'embed' function so click on the links to view and tell me what you think! I think I have new favorite songs for the new year!!! OH! and by the way! How did I miss the launch of Robin Thicke's new album "Something Else"!? Where was I in September!? I am sooooo behind.....

Christmas closer

Christmas brings people together. 

A big thanks to Suzanne of Simply Magic for hosting her Holiday Soiree this weekend and inviting us to join the antics. Check out more pics of the event here.  I ended up with a white elephant gift from Hustler; "52 weeks of Naughty and Nice" Scratch cards.  I'm going to keep scratching until I find one I like. ;)  Zak stole the infamous lotto tickets but was hijacked in the end and left with a box set of Springsteen CD's (not too bad).  The combination of Champagne and St. Germain cocktails, pineapple vodka Fizz, and one stellar presentation from Suzanne's husband Robert, of Absinthe (flaming sugar cube and all!) left Zak barely remembering the drive home - however smiling and laughing all the way. 

 It was a wonderful way to close out the Christmas season. 

I hope your days were filled with happiness and cheer! 

Merry Christmas!

Photo taken by Tiff, with very direct instruction;
"heads together! knees together! ugly xmas sweater on! smile!" ;)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
We are signing off for a few days to spend the holiday with friends and family. Computers be gone! This is my vacation!!! I wish the brightest and happiest of holidays to you and yours...and a blow-out NYE! Happy New Year!

This year's charities:
The Global Playground
World Vision

Fa la la la la la la la laaaaaaaa......!!!!

SDC Colour museum

LOVE this find by HUE.
Also check out her interesting post on the museum and take the colour tests!
Bring on the color, er excuse me, "Colour"! I can't get enough!!

Christmas List 08 updated 12-16

I'm trying to come up with a reasonable Christmas list. "Reasonable" being the key word. Of course my taste is too expensive for my own good, let alone those in my family asking what I covet the most this year. With the combination of hard times and my particular preferences, I'm strapped to come up with even a few items. I'd rather have nothing then something I don't need. But that has never been an acceptable answer now, has it?! So here is the small beginning of hopefully a long list of "reasonable" and probably some unreasonable (I can't help it) desires:

1. Burt's Bees! Foot creme and royal eye jelly
2. Found today, via My Marrakesh: Vintage clock hands made into necklaces. awesome.
3. H&M scarf
4. "today I will be happier then a bird with a french fry"
5. ban.do no. 24 and no. 62
6. Blick Master series Convertible easel
7. Smart marble top bar from CB2
8. JCrew Ballet slippers
9. JCrew Pajama pants
10. Anthropologie; love this, and this, and this, and these, and these, and these, and this.
11. Vintage Moroccan wedding blanket
12. le souk teapot recommended by Holly on decor8
13. A bar of gold found via Design*sponge
14. Holly Golightly sleep mask!
15. Footloose "Dance Your Ass Off" t-shirt!! oh-yeah!

also, I'm still dreaming of these items on my birthday list....
too be continued....

KNA Holiday Open House

Zak Graff, Barclay Butera, Inc; Kirk Nix, KNA; Katrina Mosher, Walt Disney

Kirk Nix Associates hosted their annual holiday party last night. They've expanded their offices again this year, Congratulations guys! The party with packed and the space looked brilliant. Although I expect no less from the firm and the man that I consider one of the most talented in the business! It was so good to see friends and colleagues outside of our typical business setting. Kirk always knows how to make you feel at home, even with 200 other people in the room. His group is always loving and gracious and I am very honored to consider many of them friends. Of course, his delicious spread of comfort food never disappoints. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn cakes, and other southern yummies that speak to Kirk's upbringing are always part of the KNA treats... and don't get me started on the mountain of sweets that graced the carrera marble table in their new conference room!
Thanks to KNA for a wonderful night!

Brian Trump, Durkan Carpet; Frank, Kay Lang Assoc; Me, Zak

Craig Fong of Fong Brothers and Me

The D-lish! table of holiday sweets!

Zak attempting to show up the person who told him he didn't tie his own bow-tie.

Carla Caravante from KNA and guest

Zak and I posing for the KNA paparazzi cameras.

The Disney Crew!!
Balthazar, Pat, Brian, Max, Jen, Me & Zak

P.S.

Sara Barielles and Ingrid Michaelson, two of my most favorite musicians at the moment, (I can listen to their albums over and over and over and over.....) have collaborated to create "Winter Song". They are going to be on Leno tonight, promoting the album "The Hotel Cafe presents Winter Songs". Various other divine artists like Colbie Caillat, Katy Perry and KT Tunstall are also featured. Tune in! Adore them. Go to iTunes. Download music. check.

DNG @ Henry Road

Last night our fearless leader Vanessa from Turquoise hosted the Designer's Networking Group at Henry Road boutique store in Studio City. Owner and textile designer, Paula Smails (pictured above in blue jacket) is currently showcasing an artist I have long admired. Ms. Michelle Caplan who's beautiful collage art can be seen in the pic above. I've been wanting to have her create a collage based around a photo of my grandfather from the 50's. The photo is too adorable for words. He is so handsome and such a rebel with his greased back hair and leather jacket! No wonder my grandmother swooned! ;)
Back to Henry Road! Which is a fabulous find! I plan on returning soon to finish up some Christmas shopping. If you are in the area anytime soon, be sure to stop by and check out the marvelous goodies all decked out in Paula's bright and fresh designs!

Shout outs to:

Shannon from Moth Design. Check out her line of wonderful light fixtures!

Heather Ashton for being my hospitality design buddy in a sea of residential designers last night.

AND

Suzzane for being so gracious about my post on her and for the reciprocated crush! hehe

Plume Chic

I
HEART
ban.do

Thanks to Pia Jane for helping me find these bits of beauty!

Marques Love

So Zak has always raved about the beautiful and talented Suzanne Marques on Good Day LA. I don't watch morning TV, so I have always just nodded and agreed, "Yes dear", and never thought twice about it. Well, then the premier issue of Angeleno Interiors magazine came out the other month and wouldn't you know that Ms. Marques' newly-styled-uber-fab home is on the cover! Not to mention the designers, Woodson and Rummerfield also featured the Marques home in their new book High Style. Ron Woodson and Jamie Rummerfield are actually friends with Zak (If you look hard, he is actually in some of the shots in their High Style book). So naturally, my interest has been peaked seeing as now there is a design connection. So I google "Suzanne Marques" and come up with "Simply Magic" her adorable and stylish blog! As a result, I now have a girl crush to compliment Zak's. ;) Here I am scrolling through pages and pages of the truly magical life and times of this LA sweetheart and BOOM!

There is my boyfriend, dancing away at the Marques' Miami Nights party last August!! Now that I think about it, I do remember helping him pick out "Miami" wear... but where was I? You will recognize him in his pink polo, gray jacket and straw hat.

On top of it all, We were coming home from the NEWH Gala at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday night and I noticed a home that had Christmas lights hanging vertically down the front facade of the house. I made a mental note in my head about what a clever idea it was to string Christmas lights vertically instead of horizontally and might have even made a quick comment to Z about it, "Look babe! I love those lights!" Long story short, I'm almost certain now that I've seen Suzanne's post that it was her home featured in Angeleno! I swear I'm not stalking you Suzanne, but it is crazy how often you have come up recently in my life. Maybe our paths will cross one day soon and you can give me tips about hair product since I am insanely jealous of your picture perfect do.

Cheers, K.