Simply Seleta

something familiar

This dining room makes me smile.  And it's more than just the perfect robin's egg blue and eclectic mix of eye candy that does it.  Or the fact that the color makes it seem like just the right room to post seven days before Easter. 

Yes, it's something more than that.

This room is from the Atlanta home of Cynthia Good and Joey Reiman.  Their entire house is stunning and is featured in Cottage Living from January 2008.  You may recognize Cynthia Good as the founding editor and CEO of award-winning PINK magazine. 

But there's another reason this room makes me smile. 

I remember Cynthia twelve years ago when we both worked at FOX 5 in Atlanta.  She was a weekend anchor and I was a "newbie" on-air talent for a TV show which aired on the weekends.  In between my production meetings or shoots I would occasionally see her anchoring live in the studio.  I was only --muffled word-- years old at the time and she was such a star.  By star I mean she could light up a room and had the best energy of goodness all around her.  Hence her last name?  She really was full of charm and grace.  I even remember wondering how she got her stick-straight black hair to be so perfectly shiny.  Funny the things we remember.  One time she walked past me in the studio and for some reason I was too nervous to say anything.  But she smiled in the nicest way [probably thought I was crazy] and said hello.  You have to remember many seasoned TV personalities in that industry aren't always that way.  I was very young and quite impressionable, so her kindness was something I would always remember.   She was brilliant, successful and kind.  What a great combo. 

[Cynthia Good]

I love seeing extraordinary people experience great success.

That charisma has taken Cynthia far.  As has her drive and ambition to reach out to other women in the business industry.  She's since written six books and even won Author of the Year by the Georgia Writers Association.  And she's a wife and mom [first and foremost]. 

She launched a magazine named PINK.  It was exclusively designed for professional women and covers an array of topics from business networking to fashion to parenting.  I think it's worth checking out her magazine.   She even blogs right over here.

So there you have it.  A picture worth a thousand words.  

happy...

Did you have a good Valentine's Day?  We had a lot of bike rides and family fun.  Here's our oldest daughter kicking up her heels on her bike.  

In a weak moment, I defected from my sugar detox and inhaled half a pound of peanut m+m's.  I won't even mention what all I ate at my friend's house on Saturday night....she was a very very bad influence and I hold her personally accountable for my relapse.  Ah, that's better.  Now, I can blame my own behavior on an innocent friend someone else.  All I can say is a one-piece swimsuit will be in order this spring. 

Subject change.

How funny that my first Fabulous Friday was on Friday the 13th!  And how ironic that I had 13 of you sign up to post on fabulous things.  How freaky that my whole post crashed.  I'm definitely not superstitious, but that's crazy.

Thanks to my readers who shared in the comment section, I loved seeing all of the heartwarming messages and shared thoughts!   And thanks to my lucky 13 who posted on our first Fabulous Friday.  I was thrilled to find some great new blogs out there!  

1. Touch of East  [a princess turns 4] 

2.  PVE  [a PVE gift to a simply seleta reader]

3. Sea + Jae [bookmark gift tag idea]                                                      

4. Bridgett  [a divine dinner]                                                  

5. Sarah's Fab Day  [recycle love T-shirt]                             

6. Terri  [in love with love]                                                      

7. The Mundane Adventures of Miss Jess [a life saved by love]

8. Art by Karena [graceful art]

9. Mrs. Needham  [unforgettable proposal + baubbles]

10. All Stitched Up [a martha moment]

11. Pancakes and Frenchfries  [a favorite moment]

12. A Dash of Humble Pie  [valentine baking]

13. Adventures of Derick and Laura  [a pampering gift]

Start thinking about what you might want to post about on this Fabulous Friday...I'll announce last week's winners tomorrow.  

delicious design...

I've been loving this book that Santa brought me for Christmas.  Celerie Kemble is not only a talented designer, but most a interesting person.  What she shares about her life story will not only captivate you, but even leave you a bit surprised.  I won't give anything away, so you can enjoy it yourself.

Love her fresh style, design insight and chic attitude about making it all come together.  Not to mention her playful use of color which keeps the eye interested and always yields an elegant yet modern result.  Amazing designer.

This one's a must read.

kickin' back...

This blogger is ready for some serious weekend downtime.  But is that possible with four lively offspring?  Hmmmm.

On a sidenote, I'll mention that last night was our beachtown's monthly "girls night out."  Despite the rain, we had a great turn out and plenty of groovy girl time.  Since I was in mellow mode, I did not bring my camera.  So hop over to my fav fashion blog at Willow to see all the pics from our fun night.  Right here.

[yours truly + the fashion divas of Willow]

 

top design dirt...

So did you watch?  I did and I have some new opinions on the contestants after tonight's show.  Before I begin, let me just say that I find it hilarious that my husband now enjoys this show as much as I do.  I don't think he would admit it, but he is glued to all of the Eddie parts.  Eddie's talent and charisma has an ability to really draw someone in, don't you think?

 

I loved seeing the individual challenges, the chair one was very interesting.  Eddie's rocked.  Wisit's was quite impressive as well.  Exquisite hand-painted pattern on fabric?  I'll take it.

The tabelscape challenge was inspiring.  I learned a thing or two on creating a wow table setting.  I guess you probably know which one was my favorite. 

Thoughts:

1.  Favorite lines:
        "I just want to do pretty,"  Eddie
        "I'm certain I will be poisoned."  Nathan

2.  Have you noticed Wisit's continuous ethereal happiness and calming energy?  I am so fascinated that he can be so competitive but in such a non-threatening way.  I loved his design on the last challenge.  The colors, the floor pattern, his custom painting on the walls.  It had such a light and airy feel with a perfect element of elegant sophistication.  That floor design and the painted bench, so divine.

3. Nathan is spicy.  And his descriptions of how things go down during each competition are hilarious.

 

4.  I really connected with Andrea on this show.  Maybe because we're both mothers of four.  I certainly respect the choices she has made to be a dedicated mom first and patiently wait to launch into a career field she is passionate about.  She seems like she would be such a great person to know.  I'm really pulling for her on this next show.  She was in the bottom two this time and hopefully will do much better and wow the judges next time.

And if last night's show left you hungry for more design goodness, then head over to Eddie's blog and soak up his swanky post on table settings [right here].  He'll have you asking for seconds.

 

[photo courtesy of Eddie Ross blog]

design hero: eddie ross

Who doesn't love Eddie Ross?  Oh, pardon me, where are my manners?  In case you haven't been properly introduced to the design brilliance of Mr. Ross, then please allow me.

Eddie Ross is an innovative interior designer who also happens to be Senior Style Editor at Martha Stewart's Living, and one of Bravo's current Top Design contestants.  His eye for the elegant and unexpected in design is definitely turning heads.  Take a peak at some of his work.

 

 

 

See what I mean?  Brilliant.

Before programming your DVR for tonight's show, check out his blog [right here].  You'll be on it for at least an hour oooh-ing and ahhh-ing.  I sure was when I found it.  Once I spotted this dramatically transformed secretary of his, I was hooked.  You know I'm all about white and its beauty, a pervasive theme on my blog.

And I love how he paired a decanter caddy [picked up at a yard sale in Sag Harbor] with a handful of fading hydrangeas found while strolling through his friend's garden in Bridgehampton.  Simple yet stunning.  

Eddie is great at showing how fabulous design does not have to cost a fortune.  It just takes some ingenuity and vision.  His ideas are lovely and practical, as well as easy on the wallet.  And you can bet he'll show you how to do all kinds of things from etching glass to fabulous flea marketing to changing out your light fixture.  

 

His uncanny ability of finding treasures in the least expected places will certainly have you thinking outside of the box.  And let's face it, he'd be the coolest guy to go shopping with just about anywhere.

Check him out tonight on Top Design.  You must join me in watching, as it will be a must-discuss topic tomorrow.  And every Thursday during season two, for that matter.

[all photos courtesy of Eddie Ross]

back to school...

I don't know about you, but I like to have something pretty in the mix to help make even the most mundane of tasks a little bit more interesting.  Like packing up a kid's lunch.  A task many of us are doing now that the new school year is back in swing.

So I want to give my friend Sheri a holla.  She has a website full of out-of-the-ordinary goodies for tikes that bring in a little sass and style into everyday life. 

Here's a mini peak....

Fancy lunch and snack bags.  [many more styles and all available for monogramming]

     

Cool custom stamps and embossers.

Art smocks for the budding artist.

 

Snappy invites and the like.

And stickers that are too sweet to pass up.

 

And the bonus part is her prices are great.  Cruise by Sheri's site and check out more right here.

bird in hand...

Recently I visited friend Marla in her fabulous store by the beach.  Whenever I stop in I secretly wish there were double sided tape attached to all of my limbs so I could snag all the goodies and take them home to make my house pretty.  

This time I couldn't help but notice these new plates that were peeping out of freshly delivered boxes...they immediately commanded my attention. 

Like I need any more plates.  Ask my husband, I have serious dish issues.  But these are not your average plates. 

LOW MAINTENANCE + HIGH STYLE

What I also like is they're lightweight and made of melamine.  So no little hands can break them.

They'd be great for champagne picnics...

Or casual summer dinners on the porch...

[hello purchase justification...believe me I could go on and on] 

Okay, so they'd look good anywhere.  The plates come four to a set. 

Head over to Marla [right here] and scoop up a set.  She has plenty ready to ship your way.  These will surely add a modern touch and cheer to your table setting.   

[photos by Jack Coble, Deborah Jaffe]

Wow, thanks!

My Notting Hill gave me this Arte Y Pico award.  I'm honored! 

SO WHAT IS THIS THING?

Here's the 411 and Rules

1. Pick 5 blogs that deserve the award for creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.
4. The Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte Y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. To show these rules.

Okay, here goes. Agh, I'm having anxiety, there are so many good ones out there!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....

1. Urban Grace Interiors [you knew I would say this] Erika oozes design talent + creativity.  I'm always curious to see what she's going to post about, she really keeps me guessing.  Plus, I know her personally and she's just the greatest.  Love her.
2. PVE Design Love PVE for her simple elegance + fresh approach to art.  Her writing inspires, as does her personal style expressed in her artwork.  She's a jewel.
3. Style Court is bursting with chic design ideas and always shares an interesting spin on the history of design.  Sometimes it's so educational that I don't even feel qualified to comment! 
4. Abbey Goes Design Scouting is always scouting serious design inspiration.  I've really enjoyed her year of flowers too!
5. Oh Happy Day always makes me re-think how to bring loveliness into things such as a simple party or a picnic for many.  This girl has fierce style. 

 

happy girl...

So yesterday I was sitting in front of my mac totally wiped after an insane week.  It was the first time I actually sat down to unwind in many days.  I started to catch up on my reading and found a couple of nice shout outs from two super bloggers.  They really made me smile!

They're good blogs so check 'em out...

The Collard Green Queen gives you a dose of everything from design loves to tasty recipes, all mom-friendly and served Southern Style. Be a good Southern Belle and visit The Collard Green Queen.  She's right here.   

My Notting Hill offers what I call "daily design crack".  Watch out, it's addictive.  She knows how to hunt down all the good eye candy.  Click here to stop by and visit. 

Ladies thanks for the kind words and right back at 'cha!