Blah,Blah,Blahg

SUPER CANDY!

In what seems like a former lifetime ago  I was a hot shot, bi-coastal fashion publicist.  I started work on the West Coast every morning at 4a.m. so I could get ready for the NYC crush. One of my last (and most favorite clients) Candace Ang was the person that saw that I was much more than a PR flak, that I was a Creative. Even though it would stop the PR machine that I was, she sat me down and taught me how to use Photoshop (not an easy endeavor when you are working with a stubborn geriatric), she quickly became my first graphic design client when she hired me to create the collateral for an event she hosted at a posh L.A. boutique. The next thing I knew I was closing shop on the only business I had ever known (and which had long lost its luster) and with a wing and a prayer opened up my little stationery business The Bella Bella co. Candace never blinked or questioned, only supported. That's the one thing I love the most about Candace, everything is possible. Whenever we are together we spend hours brainstorming and coming up with grand plans and I feel in my element with a like mind. Besides Whale Gate 2009, she has been nothing but awesome. So much so that the last time we were together I let her know that if I ever have a daughter I hope she turns out as fab as her--Smart, beautiful, creative, just a bit goofy. (and excellent with her finances). Candace is giving away a $500USD gift certificate to her shop on The Bright Side Project and if you read this Blahg on a regular basis I think you will find her question very, very easy to answer...

P.S. My other favorite lil' lady Ariel Gordon is giving away one of her pretty pretties today too!

AMY BUTLER FOR CHANDRA RUGS-WIN YOURS TODAY!

I think if I didn't tell you that we were giving one of these beauties away this week on The Bright Side Project I would be a total dope.  I am so envious of everyone that can enter to win. I have loved everything about the alliance of Chandra rugs + Amy Butler, even their look book is one of the best I have seen in a long time, both the stylist and photographer need a round of applause (oh yes, let me not forget the graphic designer without that individual I am sure it wouldn't be so polished). If you are as fanatical about Amy Butler as I am, or if you just need a nice pop of color in your abode mosey over to the Bright Side Project. Good luck!  If you win, please don't forget to invite your pal Miss B over for a spot of tea, k?

psst...If you think this is great wait until you see what we are cooking up for the launch of our accessories month at the BSP March 1st! gah!!!!!!

P.S. Looking for cute?  This is pretty cute.

PHEW MONDAY COULDN'T COME SOON ENOUGH!

{cute compiled by tali schiffer}

The title of my post is obviously facetious as I wish this weekend could have lasted just a wee bit longer.  I never did get to practice my alphabet but I shall. I did dip my pen in ink and wrote out my name and the Fancy's and my name with the Fancy's last name attached and then my name hyphenated with his last name.  I realized that his surname which has the fab 'L' in it also has an 'f' and a 'y' which in calligraphy means a whole lot of messy.  I announced that I would drop the 'y' and keep all the other letters which made him roll his eyes. I am serious.  Messy I can not handle.  Speaking of...even though the Fancy was just in town for a mere 48 hours we managed to have a gigantic fight over messy and it was an awful way to end such a great weekend.  He doesn't notice the things I do but I think if he really loved me as much as he says he does he would know that my type 'a' personality does not allow for toast crumbs being left on the counter top or toothpaste stains on the white bath mat, which by the way he says I have no 'evidence' that it was him. True but from experience the dogs don't brush their teethe and I am too obsessed with clean to do that, so that leaves one person, no? Needless to say there were tears shed and even though he's messy I am still going to miss him lot's.  I would have liked to end the weekend without a row but that's how it ended, again I am convinced it is something that people do to make it easier to say good bye.

I had a lot on my mind, Jules decided it was time to leave The Bright Side Project so she can concentrate on the Besotted Brand launch and truth be told I am torn up inside.  I feel like I failed her by not being able to make it generate an income and we worked our TAILS off to make it a success. I have found someone that is awesome and willing to replace Jules but you know it's different when you are this far into something and now have to start from scratch. My new other half is just learning the ropes and I found after a weekend sans the computer I came back and she didn't have the interview answers for the feature Monday but didn't email Jules or text me or send smoke signals to get them.  I still don't know of this writing if I will have to write and if that's the case my head will implode from sorrow because that would only make me miss Jules more but I am saving the best for last because Monday 8a.m. I get to meet my boss and have him yell at me for no reason because that's what he does and boy am I looking forward to that!  It will usually mean a Sunday night where I am tossing and turning and trying to brace myself for a day of being terrorized--fun!  You see the Bright Side Project and this Blahg (and you of course) are the only things that make the day job tolerable and without them I would feel like I have given in to becoming a corporate drone.  I never thought about the Blahg being able to get me out of my job but I did have hopes that perhaps the BSP would be able to support me one day so I could spread sunshine but now I guess with Jules gone I am feeling like that was just a pipe dream and I may get stuck after all.  So I am feeling a little off kilter today and maybe you might have felt like this at one point in your life too and I was hoping for some reassurance that this too shall past....

P.S. How cuuute is this compilation by the darling (and talented) Jesica Biel look-a-like Tali?  That 1st pic?  Gah!

WHAT'S CUTER THAN BAN.DO?

What's cuter than Ban.do? Not a whole heck of a lot, I tell ya..Stroll on over to The Bright Side Project and try to win one of these bad boys...Now if I can only get the Ban.do girls to spill the beans on what color red lipstick and nail polish are in these shots; Monday won't seem so severe.

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE!

{visit the bright side project daily}

I sometimes feel awkward when I mention The Bright Side Project here but I know not everyone knows about it and this months project really is something to shout from the roof tops.  You see this month is called 'The List' we are trying to help you check off all those people on yours: The Fashionista, The Hostess, The Techie, etc. Each featured contributor is donating a gift to give + a gift to keep.  It's squeal worthy!  If that's not enough we are giving away $100 (CASH!) to the person that shouts the loudest.  We want to make this holiday season bright.  What you see above the Rosanna Inc. line, well this is an example of fine generosity they are giving away TWO $50 (USD) gift certificates!  They have an amazing selection and great prices so you could get a lot for $50!  I so want that black tea set.  So chic. You have a week from the time a contributor is featured to place your hat in the ring to try to win.  Rosanna closes today so I suggest you go over there now and try, try, try to win!

Okay, so maybe you are not feeling dinnerware at this time in your life (and how could you not?  If I was living in a van I would want nice plates). If plates aren't your thing maybe two gift certificates one for $100 and another for $50 at LavishGiving.com will satisfy your need for high style and altruism?  Those two go and and hand there.  You MUST read the feature to understand how cool this store is (you can buy Jonathan Adler there! )

It's the 13th and that means we have already featured 13 contributors and counting!  Half a dozen have claimed prizes and now we are just waiting for you, your friends, your family and random people at the grocery store to start playing!  Don't think you could never win because almost every email I get from a winner starts off, "I never, ever win anything!'.  Some people have won dozens of times (I am so not exaggerating).  It's a fun stop and why wouldn't you play?  It's like your favorite magazine come to life. It's fun reading and participating is easy peasy.  How easy?  Well let's see here's AphroChic's question to win this amazing, drool worthy pillow (which retails for $175!):

When is the last time you laughed so hard you cried and what induced it?

The winning answer?  Oh, get ready because it's truly a winner:

The great thing about this is there were 140 more answers just like this to make you smile.  Even if you don't win a prize you still win. Catch my drift?  Okay, I will stop my evangelical proselytizing on how incredible it is over there and how amazing all the contributors are (talented, kind, generous, etc.).  Go check it out for yourself you won't be sorry and if you are sorry you can always come back here for some more nonsense.

HAPPY MONDAY!

{photo via pixadus}

When Kellie sent this in last week I knew it would make it to Monday's post.  Be forewarned though the site is a little addictive.  There's a 'random' link that you can click mindlessly all day, not that I did, okay for a couple hours (at most).  I didn't see any photo credits so I do apologize in advance to this wonderful photographer for not giving credit where credit is due.  If this didn't have you at least smile nothing will.  A very happy Monday to you and I hope you saved all the gummy candy from Halloween for yours truly....

P.S. In the spirit of lending a helping hand PLEASE tell everyone you know about November on The Bright Side Project.  We are calling it 'The List' and basically we will be going through an imaginary holiday list and trying to make suggestions for those on it (The Foodie, The Techie, The Paper Connoisseur, etc.) we launched with 'The Makeup Maven' and get this, yes this is the kicker, you don't just win a prize for yourself BUT you win a prize to give!  TWO PRIZES! !! I LOVE it!  But we need your help, pretty please, since the contributors are being so generous this month (many of the prizes are valuing over the $100 mark some are closer to $500 USD!) We want to make sure that the contributors get LOT'S of attention, can you please tell everyone you know? Don't worry we won't be asking you all willy nilly, we are going to make sure that there will be a sweet surprise for those who actively round up the troops.  So if you have a blog, write it up and you will be entered to win, no blog? No problem! Twitter it, Facebook it, send carrier pigeons, we don't mind, just get the word out. Love ya, mean it and good luck!

PSST...

I don't know if you have been visiting the brightest spot on the internet but if you are a paper-o-phile this finale week should have you foaming at the mouth...

{visit me here today}

Miss K. isn't feeling all that hot so I will have to be over there today.  I promise, promise, promise it will be soooo worth your visit...

CUTE BABY ANIMALS & A CUTE COAT FOR GOOD MEASURE...

First let's get Monday started with a cute baby animal (or two or three..) It is my birthday after all, please allow this old lady to indulge...

{photo's  by kjdrill}

{baby koala by gira}

{cute coat at ruche}

I know the above isn't a baby animal, but it is cute, no? It's from Ruche and they are giving away a gift certificate today on The Bright Side Project.  It's such a cute store and they have plenty of items under $100! The coat above looks like a million bucks but comes in at $112! There's so many coats I want from them, too bad we live in a postage stamp size apartment because this new find could be dangerous.

I will try to check in later as I have plenty of insanity to share....Until then, enjoy the babies and if you are feeling lucky head on over to the BSP!

FREE CLOTHES!

{visit modcloth on the bright side project!}

I don't usually talk about clothes or make mood boards but then again I don't usually give away gift certificates either.  Lucky for you The Bright Side Project does.  Modcloth a cute little shop I came across a couple months back is generously giving away some goods.  It really has some keen finds and great prices.  You have to move fast as it seems other hawk like fashionistsa's are on to this little find and have already bought out those cute booties that I thought would be mine.  Not fast enough. I won't let that happen again.  They also seem to have the cutest lil' mascot this side of the Mississippi...Nope he's not for sale.

 

{click here for more smarty pug pics}

A PERFECT POST...

{click here to read a perfect post}

Last night was one of those nights.  You know what I mean, it was all kinds of bananas.  Miss K and I have a RUSH (like yesterday) wedding invite project due (no the bride is not pregnant--I asked..), a blog design that needs to be uploaded for a client (yes, we are founders of company that does this as well, remember our corporation boast the tag line 'Purveyors of Fine Design'?), actually we didn't do the design another designer did so it's not as 'fine' as we would like but since we are on the 'Free Miss B' train I will take work where I can get it and beg Miss K to strong arm and negotiate.  We actually are better at being awesome (and nice) than strong arming but I digress.  After all that we spent hours on ideas on how to make this better or that and to eventually get some parties started as we have Besotted Brand LLC sundries to launch, a Creative tool kit to proffer and we are penning a series of books.  I know, all this and we have full-time gigs, did you know that not only is Miss K an attorney (eek!), but a professional wordsmith, mother of two boys under 5 and writes her own successful blog?  That woman makes me look lazier than I already am!  The point of this?  Well, after all was said and done last night we realized that we messed up The Bright Side Project schedule (okay, read I messed up the schedule) and at the 11th hour (literally 11pm) we decided after much debate to launch Fifi Lapin.  I already knew that Fifi was going to hold a special place in my heart--a bunny?  Me loves myself some bunny but a couture wearing, fashionista bunny with a back story?  Be still my beating heart.  As I worked on the graphic, Miss K typed away furiously, I went in to upload and saw snippets of her genius I did a happy dance in my seat (the most exercise I have done in the last 4 years). This a.m. I opened my email to the BESTEST feature Miss K has ever written (well at least my very favorite).  If you want to see how a rock star blogger/Style editor gets her groove on then this feature should be pasted on your inspiration board.  If I could find an award for it I would, I may just have to make up my own and give it to her. Jules rules, really.