SOOOO Honored that I was nominated yesterday as one of 5 nominees for BEST NEW DESIGN BLOG of 2012  PLEASE CLICK HERE (or copy this link into your browser’s address bar: http://design-bloggers-conference.com/voting-hall-of-fame-awards/) to help me be the win for the 2013 !!  GOOD LUCK TO ALL NOMINATED IN ALL CATEGORIES

Happy Friday. I hope your weekend brings some sunshine and perhaps a soiree of some sort. I mean that in the most casual way. You can make a glass of wine by the fire at home or a campground into a soiree. It’s all in the ATTITUDE and details ladies, DETAILS. Y’all know what I mean.

“The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.”

— Alicia Keys

I’m having a little soiree in Cape Cod this weekend for a little fun and a little business.

One place you’ll find me will be at The Pig, local hangout for the freshest oyster’s

The town of Wellfleet, MA., a neighboring town close to Provincetown, are known for their oysters which are flown daily all over the country and for very good reason.

I’m so excited to be rolling out a new area on my blog called “Designers Dish/ing”  I’ll be chatting with other designers in all facets of the design industry from around the country whose work I’m inspired by, stylists, chefs, cookbook authors, food purveyors. I hope to talk with many people who “make things” as well the designers that “make things happen”. A “whose doing what” in our industry, their work, what inspires and motivates them to do what they do and how they got there. A little like ….. The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. I think peoples paths or their journey can be as interesting as who or where they are now.

In 2013, kitchenINK  is …..so many things BUT, if it has to do with the kitchen in some way…..I’ll be talking and writing about it. I’ll also be looking for your insightful feedback to help steer this ship in the direction that you find interesting.
Leave me a comment or let me know who you’d like to know more about and I’ll try to make that happen.

I know, I know, we’re 11 days into the New Year and I’m still looking back at how interesting and inspiring 2012 was for me and how I’m using that to shape 2013. ( Yes, like most of you… SHAPE is on my list also) I’ve been a tad tied up getting a lot accomplished at home and on some design projects ( yes I actually work for a living outside of my “fun projects”; blogging, photoshopping, photographing, learning Olioboard and attending admittedly many fun design events)
I assure you, this doesn’t feel a bit like work because I love what I do, however, it is time-consuming and I’m needing a crash course in time management.  Last I checked we all only have 24 hours in a day.
So it’s taken me a few days to get “holiday” all wrapped up and neatly put away but not without a lot of thinking about the past year and its relationship to what I want to accomplish in the New Year. The following is “the who,what and where” that inspired me and helped to shape my personal life and business. Thanks to all of you.

First and foremost:

The wonderful projects and clients I had this year, some not quite complete enough to photograph yet but worth a mention. You’ll be seeing all these at a later date in all their photographic pageantry. I began working with a new photographer this past year Jane Beiles Photography, out of New Canaan. She stylish, smart and very talented . Thank you Jane.

This year I began designing furniture, which I found out quite quickly is VERY time consuming. Beyond the desk, the rest of the  line is now just in the conception stages and I hope to develop some really interesting furniture pieces for guess where? Naturally the kitchen.
It all started with a desk that I had in my showroom in New Canaan and so many people asked where to get it …. the rest is history. The desk currently is offered lacquered in 12 amazing and delectable designer colors ( or custom) and carefully selected from the various Benjamin Moore collections. Another day …… another discussion.

My really magical year began while spending the month of February in Santa Barbara, CA exploring business  and a opportunities and a possible living change. My month ended attending an amazing event, The Design Blog Conference held in L.A. It was here that I met some fantastic woman, was inspired to “do this blog thing” and learn more about the world of social media. It was here that I met a very impressive woman, Leslie Carothers. Thank Adam Japko. When you said if you don’t know this woman sitting in the front row ( in pink) you need to. So Adam thank you, I waaass listening! The spring was spent in the typical fashion on job sites, working with clients and designing kitchens while thinking and plodding about the growth of my business and its direction. I knew a cover with one our my firms kitchen projects was due out in the fall and I was certain I needed some press to go along with it. So when I decide to do something I go big or I go home ( as they say in Texas) Leslie Carothers is from Texas oddly enough. The decision was made to GO BIG!

The September/October 2012 issue of Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine, a Better Homes and Garden Publication featured a New Canaan Kitchens kitchen project on its cover along with a wonderful article. This was VERY exciting.

Chapter I – Winter, Spring, Summer 2012

Leslie Carothers – The Kaleidoscope Partnership Group  - Social Media Consultant – They say god gives you wings to fly and I would agree, however he also puts the right people in your path at the right time. 2012 was a fantastic year with great jobs but it was a fantastic year because of the wonderful friendships I made with some very smart, business savvy and kind women. From her business introductions, to the events we met at and the friends I made, she’s a keeper for life!

Tune in tomorrow as I wrap up the rest of the year with

CHAPTER II -

Happy Weekend – I must jump in the car to get to Cape Cod for my interview with a mystery design influencer!!

Tweet