I’ve introduced you to my friend Jennie before & told you about her amazing blog, but I’d like to do it again… Because… Last night she made the TOP 38 on FOX’s Masterchef! If you haven’t heard, Masterchef is a cooking show where amateur home cooks compete to be the next Masterchef. And, it stars the scary/adorable Gordon Ramsey, among other rockstar culinary geniuses!!

Help me cheer her on!!

Firstly….

Follow Jennie’s blog The Perfect Last Bite!! It’s full of amazing recipes & stories of her journey in food and life.

Secondly…

Join her on facebook & twitter!

Twitter: @Jennie_Kelley

Facebook: The Perfect Last Bite & Jennie Kelley – Masterchef Season 2

Thirdly…

If you’re in Dallas, come support Jennie! There’s a viewing party at Good Records, with free drinks & food cooked by the one and only Jennie Kelley! RSVP here!

Fourthly…

Just plain join me in cheering her on! Because, honestly, no one deserves it more. Jennie has a major passion for food. And, everything she puts her heart into she does with full blown love and determination… That includes her friendships, which makes her just a super rad person.

Congrats Jennie!! I love you, lady!

Photos courtesy of FOX & Kevin Dotolo

After traveling for what seemed like three weeks straight, this week was all about catching up (which I’m still not there yet!). But, this weekend, was all about catching up in the fun way with friends and spending time at home with my family. It was nice to be at home where it’s quiet to enjoy Kevin & see Max use a little imagination. We had a great GREAT weekend!!

How was your weekend??

Links to friends that I spent time with this weekend: Carolina | Jennifer | Betsy | Kevin | Chris | Corinne

I visited my Grammy while in Jersey and let me tell you… My Grammy has got it going on! I like to think I got my sassy personality (not to mention the colorful vocabulary) from my sweet grandmother. I mean just take a look at these photos of her breaking it down at my wedding.

The woman knows how to party… And, in style. Case in point: Her vintage liquor dispensers.

Somehow I never noticed these vintage pump liquor dispensers tucked away in her bar, but they are incredible. From the lucite tray, to the perfectly measured shot that the pump dispenses, I am completely smitten with them. I found them online, but I’m just hesitant to buy from this site.

Has anyone else ever seen these or know how to source them?? I’d love to find a fab set at a good price!

Side note: Would you believe that my Grammy has never dyed her hair… almost zero grey! After surviving breast cancer, colon cancer, and (a few) open heart surgeries, the woman is amazing. I mean her defibrillator was going off when she was be sandwiched at my wedding. What girl wouldn’t be excited??

Happy Memorial Day!!

Isn’t Max rockin’ in those shades??

We’re on vacation this week down the shore and having a blast!

I have to thank my awesome business partner & friend, Carolina, for house and pet sitting for us & for keeping the biz afloat while I’m gone! I can just take a deep breath and enjoy. I’ll check in periodically this week with some fun pics of vacation.

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday… poolside & sipping on frosty beverages!

Be safe & have fun!

Kevin and I just had to stop by Morimoto while we were in NYC! We were engaged in the city and celebrated our engagement at Morimoto’s restaurant. It was quite possibly the best meal I’ve ever had. We didn’t go for broke this time, but instead had a couple of appetizers and some sake at the bar. This restaurant, attached to the Chelsea Market, is incredibly designed. I’m in awe every time I visit at the thought put in to every detail. The real treat?? Morimoto was actually there working the sushi bar! I was star struck!!

I just love this man! He’s a total rockstar. From the food, to the interiors, to the brand, he knows what he’s doing!

What rockstar chef do you want to meet?

Pop on over to one of my favorite blogs, A Diary of Lovely!!

Today I’m sharing some pics of my kitchen, some of my favorite gadgets, a delish recipe, & more in Helena’s new series:

In My Kitchen

You won’t regret it!!

For me, one of the most valuable things I got out of Blogfest 2011 (aside from all the new friendships!), was the inspiration I received from Barbara Barry. I’ve loved her design and products for years, but to hear the inspiration that led to the creation in the products was just incredibly inspiring. Here’s the thing… Barbara finds inspiration in everything around her, including the mundane. Most of her products are the result of the simplest muse and you can hear her honest passion in her voice.

At the close of Barabara Barry’s presentation, I was in tears. Yes, it was inspiring. But, for me, a light went off. I’ve felt so uninspired and bogged down by the day-to-day. She actually pushed me to want to find inspiration again… and make it a goal. That is priceless!

So, let’s talk about the new collection, Indochine for Kravet. Barbara was showing it above… It is gorgeous! It’s very ‘Barbara Barry’ and is a result of her travels in Asia and her translation of what she saw there. I am always impressed by the subtleties in her designs. It’s always understated, yet packs a punch. I can’t wait to start using this new collection in my work!

So, then I got to meet ‘Babs’. That’s what I call her now that we’re BFF’s! It was such a joy to talk with her. I wanted to show her some of my work that I’ve used her product in. It made my day when she told me ‘You’re goooooood.’ Such a simple compliment that just made my week!

This above image from my interior design firm, Pulp Design Studios, is the project I showed her. Barbara Barry’s sconces just make the room & inspired the custom hardware that I designed on the vanity drawers.

And, now, to gush about the tea! Barbara also launched her new tea called Citrine. You can see Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25 and I enjoying it above. I can honestly tell you… It’s the best tea I’ve ever had. I fully plan on hosting a Barbara Barry Tea Party with all of my designer friends. How fun would that be??

From the bottom of my heart, Babs… Thank you for the inspiration.

Images via Blogfest 2011 & Abbe Fenimore

Links: Blogfest 2011 | ICFF

Top Left: Made By Girl | The Zhush | Studio Ten 25 | Pulp Design Studios | The Decorista, Top Right: Pulp Design Studios | Pretty Pink Tulips, Bottom Left: Pulp Design Studios | @tkpleslie | Studio Ten 25, Bottom Right: Studio Ten 25 | Pulp Design Studios

Link: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at The Met

Link: Morimoto NYC

So sorry for the lack of posts last week! I didn’t have wifi, but the truth is… It was nice! I needed a bit of a break and just embraced it. I wanted to share a little recap of my time in NYC. There is so much I want to share about Blogfest and tons of other things I did and saw… so look for a few more posts this week!

I hope you all had an amazing week last week and that Monday is off to a great start!