LOVE: Coffee! and feeding hungry children

Last night on the train home, I glanced at the paper at the man that was sitting in front of me and there in a page spread was a photograph of an old friend. One that I had not seen is quite awhile. (eeekkk, 5 years!) Before the man turned the page I read the heading "Singer Michael McDermott finds groove in coffee for a cause" I pulled out my iphone and googled the title. Wow, not only did I find out that he is now married to another musican I know Heather Horton, a very talented singer and violinist! but they also have a baby!                            
Now let me tell you, that is going to be one awesome kid! with the talent in that family!

coffee!
there is a point to my ramblings here. Michael has partnered with Feeding America to help serve 100,000 meals to hungry children this year. He is selling his "Legendary" Coffee, a blend of dark and light roasts, with a bitter spice and a hint of smoke. available here.  Next month, he will be releasing "The Sacred Ground" Blend with a little more chocolatey finish.  AND another plus.... the coffee beans from organic, free trade, and independently owned farms.


Each pound sold feeds 7 children!
so go buy some coffee!

enjoy a cup today!!
xx
callie

Yesterday was my birthday!

via pinterest

I had the best day! My phone was beeping off the hook....(my phone doesn't ring, it beeps)  it has never beeped that much, my voice mail was full and not taking any more messages! eeek. I guess this is a special birthday, so they are all saying.  You know one of those numbers I dare not say out loud!

Well, I ended the day have a drink with friends. Chocolate Coconut Martini!  I don't usually drink such drinks on a work night but hey it was my birthday and it tasted like a German Chocolate cake and it was so delish! Nothing like drinking your birthday cake:) mmmmmm

I will be continuing to celebrate through the week, so my posts with be light until next Monday. I also have an art showing on Thursday, I will post about it next week. I have 3 paintings that I will be showing. So, it's kind of an exciting week!

 Have a great week all! See you soon.

xx

callie

WINNER! Of the Shabby Apple Dress!!

I am very excited to announce my very first winner of my first giveaway!  I love partnering with Shabby Apple! Their women's dresses are perfect for the work place, flip your shoes and your off for drinks!
Their girl's dresses are adorable too as well as their maternity line! Go check them out (ppsst 10% discount grayson10off just use this code!

Get ready to go to those summer cocktail parties!!  Margie of "Doublethegiggles"
Congrats to you!! Please send me your address and I will have the 'Spanish Steps' sent to you asap!!

Thank you all for participating, I hope to do a few more this year. so be on the look out!


xx
callie

DESIGN TRENDS: Traditional Spaces with Colour!

Big Bold & Brash

Unexpected Colour on traditional pieces 

making a statement that is perfectly done.

House Beautiful "....turning a collision of colors into a tour de force."

I'll say! Just look at that gorgeous turquoise wall with yellow vase, 

magenta upholstery (on a traditional chair) with a violet lamp. 

I love the artwork hung vertically, 

next to the soft ruffled drape of sea foam green.

photo: James Merrell

House Beautiful

Designer: Miles Redd

Photo Credit: Thomas Loof

We all know that Miles Redd is not afraid of colour! 

His blending of rich colours with 

vibrant hues really balance the 

traditional and modern sense in the room.

The room is moody & brooding yet young and energized.

Designer: Jonathan Berger

Photo Credit: Francesco Lagnese

Just look look at those gorgeous chairs!

Upholstered in pink leather and  painting the frames black

makes them very edgy!

So what do you think of all this bold colour?

I hope to be doing a few DIY projects this summer, 

injecting some boldness into my home!

xx

callie

DESIGN: Julia Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors

Take a traditional space and inject some modern pieces.... 
               What do you get? A gorgeous space!
Just look at these beautiful spaced designed by Julia Buckingham Edelmann!

Don't just take my word for it, go check out more of her brilliant work here!
Have a great day!!
xx
callie

FRIDAY: What a week!

This week has been so crazy busy, I can barely breath and today I have to be at work by 6am. I am already tired.
So, today's post will be short and sweet.   Here are a few wonderful things that your may have missed this week as well as the passing of a amazingly beautiful woman:

• This adorable dog!
• This amazing wall of art, she makes it look so simple:) thanks lil bee
• This simply beautiful women, she will always be remembered as glamorous! Painted by one of my favorite artist.
• A beautiful Fall 2011 collection, I so love that lollipop dress!
• GIVE away of a pretty dress.

happy friday, xx callie

This beautiful photo from Style-Files

QUOTE: Beautiful Eyes!

"If you haven't cried, your eyes can't be beautiful"

~Sophia Loren

quote

When I think of Beautiful Italian Women, I always think of Sophia!

She has the most amazing eyes.

and she always looks stunning.

Her clothing is absolutely amazing! Just look at those 

feather sleeves!

Here is a pretty dress, similar in style of a Sophia Loren

-wiggle dress. 

Shabby Apples new collection

Roamin Holiday

Don't forget about my giveaway

xx

callie

ITALY: Enchanted April

One of my favorite movies is "Enchanted April"
The thought of going away on such a holiday to get away from gray and gloom..... to a wonderful Italian Castle.  to rediscover hope and love.  Have you seen this movie? if not, this movie is a must see!!

The costumes for the movie are beautiful, set in 1922. The Lady Caroline Dester wears the most stunning hats and dresses.

If I were to go on Holiday to Italy today, I would definitely be wear this dress from Shabby Apple. Easy to pack and stunning to wear!!  There women's dress line is simply gorgeous and really flattering.If you were to go on Holiday, were would you go and what is the one thing you would have in your suitcase? xx callie        PS don't forget a chance to win a pretty dress in my giveaway from Shabby Apple

Roamin' Holiday + Giveaway!

Ciao!
I am so excited to bring you this give away! Shabby Apple has asked me to host a giveaway and I am more than happy to do so!  Their new line of women's dress, "Roamin' Holiday" is not only stunning! worldly and perfectly flirty! Their designs are flattering and comfortable.  I myself own a Shabby Apple dress and I love it.  This new line! *swoon* I will be owning more, and now you can too! they are also offering 10% discount to my readers! just use the code "grayson10off" at check out.

One of the dresses above can be yours in this giveaway! Just leave me a comment letting me know which dress you like and where you would wear the dress:

on the left:  Da Vinci  with it's sweet puffed sleeves, drop waistline, a-line skirt and kangaroo pocket. The perfect dress for a weekend get away!

on the right: Spanish Steps an elegant summer frock, combining a comfortable luxe jersey cap sleeve top with a wide satin sash and a flirty bouquet of appliquéd, ruched flowers and leaves skirt.

For a second chance to win, "like" Shabby Apple on their Facebook page, where you will get updates on special promotions and exclusive discounts.  Then leave me an additional comment telling me you have done so!

Unfortunately, Winner must have U.S. shipping address to win one of these dresses.  but you can still receive the discount on your orders.


I will announce the winner Tuesday Night March 29th, 2011. Selected by random.org.
Buona Fortuna!
xx
callie (cinzia!)

DESIGN: Roman Holiday

Italy.
5 letters that spell a word that brings wonderful memories to mind.  When I was in college I studied abroad. Italy and France.  I had to go! I planned and saved. Then I went!
I studied in Italy first then they moved us to Paris to finish. It was such an experience, that I still think about it today with a huge smile on my face.

We landed in Rome, stayed 3 days before leaving for our final destination of Florence. Today, I will be sharing some of the most memorable moments of Rome.

The first evening, I decided with a couple friends that we would go in such of a perfect pizza! (of course, we didn't think to take a map!) We walked around for about an hour and found a wonderful place, ordered our pizza and drank many glasses of amazing red wine! On our way home we realized that we were lost and with no map we just kept walking and exploring.
I remember we stumbled into the tiny piazza that housed the Trevi Fountain!  I squealed with glee upon the site. "it's the fountain from A Roman Holiday!" of course the the 2 males that were with me had no idea what I talking about. It was late at night (took us about 3 hours to find our way back to our hotel) and I wasn't ever able to get a good photo of the fountain.  I think that movie is what spurred the idea to get on a moped with a young Italian man to show me all of Rome. Crazy- yes! Fun-absolutely.  My friends were not to happy with me but it was an experience I will never forget.

images found here

The next day we went to the Coliseum at 6:30am. (hello- jet lag!) but it was worth it. I wish I could find my photos, their was fog rolling through the coliseum and there were cats which made it seam more eery that early in the morning. 

Later that day we walked to the Villa Borghese which was amazing.  I remember laying on the floor in the galleria with my friends staring up at the ceiling, it was late in the day so no one said anything. It was beautiful.

photo here

I need to get back to Italy someday.  The food is amazing, the wine is fantastic and the people are friendly.  My friends will be leaving this week for a 2 week holiday in Italy, they are going to have a wonderful time.

If your planning a holiday in Italy, make sure you stop by shabby apple to purchase a few dresses that are perfect for traveling! They have a new line Roamin' Holiday which has pretty dresses that are comfortable and well priced.  Also, come back tomorrow .... my first give away ever!!

Please share your Roman Holiday adventures.

xx

callie

All About Me Post, Tagged

I was tagged recently by  the lovely Liz at Violet Posy!  She is most talented in blog designer and she her posts are honesty and make me smile.  She also happens to be my blogger soul sister, we seam to love the same things, for example: PIMMS the perfect summer drink, and now she tells me there is a winter one too! awesome!!

Well... on to 7 things you probably didn't know about me:

1. My sister is my very best friend. We talk daily and I miss her terribly.  She lives in California and I in Chicago which makes it difficult to see each other more often.  This photo was taken at Southport Lanes in Chicago (obviously before I chopped my hair off!) were we go for beer and cheesy fries. MMMMMmmmm

2.  I have lost the love of my life twice, 15 years apart.

3. I love to run distant. I have since I was young, it is quite the obsession. The farthest I have ran at once was 30 miles. It calms me and is my time. I recently found out that I come from a family of runners in Scotland. My cousin, Nicola Gauld runs for Scotland and ran the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, her father Frank is a Coach for Aberdeen Athletics Club, His father, Robert Gauld was selected to run for Scotland in the 1936 Berlin Olympics but a motorcycle accident ended his career as runner.  So, I guess I could say "It's in my blood!"

4.  I only love the rain if I am inside listening to it! or outside kissing in it! I guess I am a romantic at heart!

5. I love food! eating it, cooking and shopping in farmers markets.

6.  I love the outdoors! Long walks with my dog. Hiking, camping, kayaking, cross country skiing, gardening.

7. I love to paint. I was a fine arts major for 2 years before I switched over to Interior Architecture. I actually have a show at the end of the month and I am supposed to show 3 paintings and I haven't started yet.  So, #8 is I am a procrastinator, I work best under pressure. (that's what I tell myself! ha!)

Okay, now here are 3 bloggers I would love to learn more about! sorry, I cut down the list since I have done this before and have asked most of the blogs I follow to do this and these are the new ones I follow
Marcie of Lemons and Laundry
Stephanie of (sweet) Sypmphanie
Celeste of Wanderlust

xx
callie

Happy Saint Patrick's Day & Birthday Wishes

"May your blessing outnumber the shamrocks that grow, 

and may trouble avoid you wherever you go."

~Irish Blessing

Today is my sisters birthday! I wish she was here in Chicago with me, like old times we would be out having a great time with much mischief!!

Happy Birthday Juls! I miss you!!

    and Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you all!

              xx callie

Chicago River Dyed Green

I love how they dye the river green every year! I only lasts a few days. 

BAKING: Something pretty!

Sarah Levy Bake shop

Chicago

Cakes for two!

How perfect is this cake!! mmmmm

I hope to make this cake for a my friend Kandi, for her bridal shower

I will post if it comes out as pretty as this image. 

If not, I will be over to Sarah's bakery!!

xx

callie

recipe here

ps I will be hosting my very first give away very soon, be on the look out!

TRADITIONAL: Lovely White with Black

How sweet is this bed!

and that horse image, love

how gorgeous are those drapes? puddling on that lovely

chocolatey floor. With a beautiful golden frames and that table!

The artwork is just perfect!

now this room had just the perfect amount of exotic

oh, that bed!

Those windows!!

and the drapes!

a perfect head board!

Each of these images are perfect in there own way.  The lovely fresh white, grounded with black. Traditional blends with modern.
Have a lovely day!
xx
callie

all images: Traditional magazine

DESIGN: Traditional, formal and flirty

Interiors by Paige Schnell & Doug Davis of Tracery Interiors

This house has seriously gorgeous details.

From the gorgeous flooring to the simple detailed ceiling in the living room to the elegant paneling throughout and a sprinkling of flirtatiousness here and there! The pink accents make me happy, it cuts down on the formality of the spaces. Check out their website to view other amazing homes! This space is just perfect, the view reminds me of my childhood visits to my aunt and uncle home in Birmingham Alabama..... all the trees. *sigh* and this sweet beach house!!

xx

callie

BLOG: Vivian Maier, Her Discovered Work

Self Portrait

Vivian Maier

1926-2009

Street photographer

I am so very excited!! 

Tonight I will be going to Chicago Cultural Center to view some of her work! 

She was an amazing photographer catching glimpse of life, raw and true. She was honest in her work.

Literally taking thousands of photographs and never showed them to anyone. 

Her belongs were purchased by John Maloof who bid on her storage locker.  He purchased a treasure trove of amazing photos of the city of Chicago from the 1950's through 1970's.  I have only placed a few of my favorites from John's blog, because you need to go to his site more of her work there! Trust me, you will enjoy every moment....... go on! enjoy!

xx

callie

ps notice that all her portrait are reflections or shadows!  Very Aloof, she was....

LIVING UNDER A ROCK, sparkle so pretty

Over the weekend I was reading through some of my favorite blogs and I saw that Kimberlee of Brown Button stated that she must have been living under a rock and had these gorgeous necklaces on her post by Elva Fields. Trust me, I am under that same rock! How could I have not seen these gorgeous pieces! The big chucky beads and little (ok, a whole lot) of sparkle!!

These two are my favorites!

Love them, truly \1

xx

callie

Glimmering Gala Necklace

Pastel Printemps Necklace