Our Christmas Party 2012!

 Saturday night was our Christmas party, it was quite the delight!
We had at least forty people and honestly we never felt crowded at all, it was quite initiate

We had to keep the list small (at 40?) but were able to have great company

Carrie, my best friend as you may know, co-hosted with me, she knocked it out of the park!

She provided all the delicious homemade bites and even these adorable mini pumpkin pies that were to die for

I took care of the beverages like the mulled cider and the Irish coffees and got to decorate my house - my favorite part!

Unfortunately I am terrible about remembering to snap some photos before guests arrive, but we really did deck out (tastefully I must say, no Santa throw up in these parts)!

We were able to have the food in the kitchen and living room area and the drinks in our family room

It created a perfect flow and I just wish I had snapped an image of the drinks area, it was too cute 

I just love to entertain!

We used up almost every wedding gift we received in May for this event, so much fun, but oh boy so much hand-washing!

Honestly it is nothing when you look back at your event and everyone is having a blast

With beautiful decor, festive music in every room, scrumptious homemade eats, delectable desserts like homemade peppermint chocolate whoopie pies by OmNom, endless Champagne and wine, warm and toasty drinks (I could go on) - it makes everything worth it!

So... the red dress, what do you think?

I was on the fence, it fit funny in some places, but I adore the colour, so perfect for a Christmas party, don't you agree?

Hope everyone is starting out their holiday season right!

Happy Holidays!

The hostesses

My Dress: H&M, Necklace & Bracelet: Stella & Dot, Shoes: Tory Burch, Tights: J.Crew, Earrings: Custom

The incredible spread Carrie created plus my decor:)

Our festive invitation!

Mac and I, my roomie and wonderful sous chef!

She was a wonderful help prepping in the kitchen

Tree #1: The Bird Tree

for the living room

(decorated in all my adorable birdie ornaments)

Tree #2: The Family Tree

for the family room

(decorated in all my hand-me-down and homemade ornaments)

*Please excuse the iPhone photos, my camera died two minutes after guests arrived - bummer!

I Dream of... A Beautiful New Bed

I can't stop thinking about our future home together

I don't need a big master bedroom, just one large enough for an enormous bed for my pea family to snuggle up in

My mohair upholstered headboard with dog hair will drive me crazy, I know it

But I don't care. Bring it.
Cold day today... go snuggle up in your bed!
xo,
VRB

The fabric choice for my headboard

Henry Calvin Mohair: Available through me

Classic shape for the headboard, sans the legs and foot board...

Lee Industries Bed: Available through me

Yates Bed by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams: Available through me

Emily Johnston Larkin

William Anderson Interiors

Coastal Living

Palmer Weiss

Contemporary Design

(Photos: Mojito Image | Fermob Retail | Fermob Trade - Contact Me

With patio furniture orders bombarding my desk as Spring is right around the corner (or as it feels like it is here in the SF Bay Area right now) I can't help but admire all of the beautiful contemporary architectural designs out there.
I am a huge traditionalist at heart, but this doesn't mean I do not admire contemporary art and design.
 If anything, I love contemporary art mixed in with traditional design more than anything.
Always have, always will!

This first photo below is a high end construction company we work with quite a bit.
The architect did a phenomenal job incorporating the outdoors with the indoors.
On an estate like this, privacy is of course no issue.
I just love the Fermob line, check out these colourful pieces that comes in these scrumptious colours!

How fun would it be to snatch a number of these chairs in multiple colours?
Yes, please!
And everyone needs a bar cart right?
Must have my mojito on warm Spring evenings... 

(Photo: Chesler Construction, Inc.) 

(Fermob Colours: HERE)

(Photo: Jay Corder, AIA)
I love seeing designers incorporate the different elements in their designs.
A perfect grounds to me would have a fireplace, flowing water, green grass to play on, climbing ivy, multiple coloured succulents, trees as tall as my home, fruit trees lining a vegetable garden... you get the picture.

(PHOTO)
Me and Rothko, just hangin' (SFMOMA)

Rothko at The Met (iPhone photo - lack luster)

A Tangled Mess(astrophy)

My jewelry box, or lack there of (hence this post), is an utter disaster.
I've been desperately trying to find a simple yet chic solution to my birds nest of jewels in my lingerie drawer.
And now, for here on I will refer to my jewelry as jewels, as this is what a lady shall do.

For starters I think my main problem is that jewels do NOT belong in your lingerie drawer, nor do they belong in the junk drawer, the bottom of a gym bag, or on the coffee table.
 This is the main reason why I own about six single pearl studs in all different sizes (sad face).
My jewels are here there and everywhere as am I, imagine that. 

The problem is, if things (like my clothes) are not laid out and ready to go, I am a mess.
I wore a uniform my entire life, so don't judge.
The only decisions I ever made were: white or navy ribbons on my French braids?
Hmm.
So, when one opens a drawer to grab her jewels, would one be inclined to accessorize from that mess? Nope, no way. I know I have cute items, but how the heck am I supposed to roll out of the house chic in twenty minutes flat if this is what I'm working with?

That lovely shot above is of my disaster and this is honestly a good day.
Shouldn't I be more put together then that?
And if I don't get my act together fast, I may risk never getting jewels again from the Mister.
He doesn't fancy jewels at all, in fact he hates it all except for my pearl studs I wear every day and the rock he placed on my left finger...

And then there was Pinterest.
I have spent exactly two hours and twenty-seven minutes researching jewel organization... and look what goodies I found! I wonder if my contractor can whip me up a built in like below?
Heaven!

Additional ideas and inspirations are welcome, I beg of you!
Mom?

xo,

VRB

Organized, yet in a sock drawer. I can do that!

(Photo: HERE)

You're kidding me, right?

(Photo: HERE)

Let's get real, this is great but this would last me one day.

(Photo: HERE)

What a great idea to use old saucers or little chipped gems in my cupboard!

(Martha Stewart)

Great idea, but I'm not one for plastic...

(Photo: HERE)

This could be great on a closet wall?

(Photo: HERE)

Kate, You’re On To Something…

All items are Kate Spade, check them out HERE

While trying to design a custom bow for my wedding dress, I thought it would be quite helpful refer to the lovely Kate Spade for some inspiration… 

Need a bow fix? Well Kate is your woman! Holy bow tie.

She’s got, rings, bracelets, earrings, shoes, handbags, dresses, you name it! 
Kate is bow tie crazy!

Kate, please stop. 
But don’t. 
I just love everything of yours, now if you want to go ahead and supply my wardrobe for the rest of my entire life, I guess I am okay with it. 
Actually make that perfectly happy with it. 

Have you ever asked or have been asked by your friends, “if you could shop at only one store for the rest of your life, what would it be?” 
Probably not, but I know my girlfriends and I do! 
Kate, you’re my choice.
 I love you. 

Check out these lovelies, enjoy!

xo,

VRB

p.s. Sorry not sharing my final design quite yet…

Genius Idea!

How awesome is this? Rain gutters as a wall garden!

Too early to start Spring planning? I think not.

VRB

Tortoise Chic

Heels     Glass     Headband     Bracelet     Watch     Flatware     Comb     Sunglasses     Chair

To me, tortoise shell is the epitome of chic. My mother gave me her tortoise shell bracelet off of her wrist a couple years ago while sipping lattes in Sausalito a couple years ago. She knew I had been envying it for years. This is such a beautiful characteristic of her. She will literally give you the clothes off her back and loves sharing her good finds.

For years she has been buying me headbands from Goody and J.Crew like this one. As explained here, I love tortoise shell headbands. Outfit just doesn’t seem complete?: throw in a good tortoise shell headband and you’re good to go, trust me! It doesn’t matter what time of year it is either!

For my birthday in April 2010 mom mother got me this lovely tortoise shell watch. I can’t tell you how many times I have been stopped and asked where this was from. It’s another staple in my wardrobe.

I don’t think J.Crew makes these wedges in flats anymore, but I’m wearing mine today! How fabulous are the rest of these tortoise items? They are quite affordable and perfect for a hostess or co-worker gift. Enjoy!

xo,

VRB

Yikes, Stripes!

Shirt     Top Left Design Credit: Janie Molster Designs     Striped Skirt Credit: Prepfection Blog    Gondolier Photo Credit: Reggie Darling Blog      Fabrics (Trade Only): Available through me, Victoria Bray Interior Design    Dog Collar    Bowtie

Stripes have been a staple in my wardrobe my entire life, I love them! 
Everyone of my mother’s friends and her sisters kid about her being the sailor or the prisoner or the gondolier and subjecting her daughters to the same look our entire lives. 
And no, I did not enjoy being called Waldo. 
But hey, who did they all look to last year when stripes made their comeback? 
You got it, Miss Lolly dearest.

I love seeing stripes in Elle Decor or on all my treasured design blogs. 
We've been seeing stripes on walls and in drapery and shades, but where have all the gorgeous striped upholstery fabrics gone? 
Here in the office, we've been desperately searching for a chic upholstery-grade striped fabric for dining chair slip seats with no such luck.
 We have come to find out that most Trade Only manufacturers have discontinued their staples. 
Oh how we'll miss the lustrous silk-velvets Colony used to carry! Come back!

From cotton t-shirts and silk skirts to draperies and wall paint… how could you go wrong with this classic?

xo,

VRB

Kauai, May 2011