Talk About Interesting Design: Oscar Red Carpet 2011

I feel a bit empty inside now that the award season has come to a close but last night's Oscar Red Carpet has left us loads to talk about. Should I start with the best dressed or the worst? Let's save the best for last.

I got excited as Anne Hathaway swept the red carpet in a red Valentino but she missed it a few times with her other 7 gowns. The white Givenchy was way too hippy. The Vivien Westwood was too costumey, and so sad to say that the gunmetal Tom Ford was not cut right for her shoulders. Other than the Valentino, I would have to agree that the custom tuxedo by Lanvin looked best on Hathaway.

We don't except much from the well known villain in Harry Potter, Helena Bonham Carter, and she did not surprise us with her velvet costume. She explains it as a tribute to costume design and a way to camouflage her "derrière".

What left me without an answer is why Reese Witherspoon dressed like 2001 Oscar winner Julia Roberts. The two looks were so similar and left me confused. If you have any answers please let me know.

As for the best dressed, I know everyone is buzzing about Mila Kunis who was dressed in Elie Saab but the decoltage tattoos do not cut it for me, or Michelle Willams who gave Chanel a bad name and what was Nicole Kidman thinking trusting Dior and his kimono?

Best dressed? My favorite of them all would be Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein. I love the way she stylized the dress with the Louis Vuitton brooch, initially I thought it was embroidery. The gown draped her trim figure perfectly. I am sure Calvin uses Gwyneth as a muse all the time. Mandy Moore came in second with her Monique Lhuiller dress. The sequins were perfectly placed to make it look like the dress was off the shoulder. I think I am just in love with the iridescent look this year. Would love to hear who you thought was best and worst dressed.

Coffee Love

It always feels great to get love from other bloggers. I would love to thank Li who has included me in their blog about the love of coffee. www.meekiyua.blogspot.com Li is also the designer of LiPeony an etsy shop that is quirky cute imaginative art.

Thing A Day – Day 1

I know I’m a few days late to post this blog about Thing A Day, which started Feb 1st, but better late than never. The truth is I am a bit technically challenged and couldn’t figure out how to post at www.thing-a-day.com. To rewind a bit, this event is to challenge artists/designers to be creative and write about their experience for the month of February. I took the pledge !!!


Day 1. Although this book was designed prior to this challenge, I made a few more, in different colors, to jot down and sketch my ideas and inspirations. So here you have it the Diagonal Inspiration Book. It makes a great addition to my hand woven ribbon stationery collection. What is unique to other sketchbooks is the page layout. One page is a journal page (lined and topped with a motivational quote) and the facing page is blank for sketches and doodles. Let me know what you think about my new product in the comments.

You can now order your own Inspiration Book at Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/listing/67413785/handmade-inspiration-book-on-etsy-choose They are all made to order in your color selection. Choose up to 3 colors from the 20 color selection. You can also have this book personalized with your full name or a personalized message.

It's a {NewNew} School Year!

Head back to school in style with great gear from The {NewNew}.

Heading back to school doesn't mean shopping only at those big box department stores. There are plenty of unique hand crafted items that will have your kids (or you) going back to school in style.

Read full blog http://thenewnew.blogspot.com/2010/08/its-newnew-school-year.html

Quote of the Day

"Motivation is like food for the brain. You can not get enough in one sitting. It needs continual and regular top ups."-Peter Davies

PriaVanda Day Planner Designed Exclusively for Delta Phi Omega

Using satin ribbons and a unique technique to hand weave her handcrafted stationery, designer PriaVanda has found the perfect medium to create the structures for her line.

The collection includes a day planner designed exclusively for the Delta Phi Omega Sorority. These day planners look and feel luxurious. They are gifts that can be cherished forever.


12-MONTH DAY PLANNER INCLUDES:
- Begins with your month of choice and ends 12 months later
- Front and back cover is hand woven with satin ribbons in Black-Red-Silver
- Title page is personalized with your full name
- Hard cover, 5.5 by 8.5 format not including binding
- Silver wire binding allows book to open flat
- Monthly overview: one month per two page spread
- Weekly overview: one week per two page spread
- Includes Delta Phi Omega anniversary dates
- Monthly & weekly motivational quotes
- Notes section
- 2 year reference calendar
- Important holidays
- To do list
- Ribbon bookmark
- Integrated folder
- Printed on 28lbs archival paper acid free
PRICE: $25US includes FREE SHIPPING to the 48 contiguous United States and 10 provinces in Canada.

CUSTOMIZE:
- Add up to 20 special events to weekly and monthly views
PRICE: +$10

PriaVanda’s vibrant sense of color draws inspiration from her Indian origins and culture. “My first name was chosen by my father, who combined two Indian names. Pria in Indian means beloved and historically used for royalty. Vanda in Indian means orchid. His interpretation is that I am
his royal flower.” To view the complete collection and learn more about PriaVanda visit www.PriaVanda.com or follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/PriaVanda

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It's all in the name

Many of my customers ask me what my name means. And I am proud to tell them the story and wanted to share with the rest of you.

My father combined two names together, Pria & Vanda.

Pria in Indian means beloved and historically used for royalty names.
Vanda in Indian means orchid.

His interpretation is that I am his royal flower :) Happy Father's Day to my papa and thank you for giving me such a beautiful title.