Color Ispiration

I have been working feverishly (with the help of many) on the website... set to re-launch very soon!

fingers, toes, etc crossed it will be very very soon!  

I am looking for a touch of color to add to the mostly neutral, very clean design of the site.

i love this muted color palette that still has a PUNCH

this icy blue and dusty rose would compliment the grey tones of the type and logo

The above two palettes seem more obvious with my love of blues and greys and muted tons, but I am toying around with some colors with a little more impact.

 

what do you think??  stick with something tried and true to my style?

OR... do you think i should go with something a little more ELECTRIC!!

xo jpc

all images via PINTEREST

California Dreaming

The getaway to Cali was such a great trip with the hubs.... we relaxed by the pool, we cruised in a Mini convertible (such a fun little car),  we rode bikes in Santa Monica, we hiked Runyon Canyon, and we visited friends!   My only complaint would be that it all went by too quickly.  

We stayed at Chateau Marmont, which is one of my favorite hotels. There just happened to be a little fashion show (ha!!  ;-) going on while we were there...  2011 Vogue CFDA Fashion Fund Fashion Show & Tea.  The hotel was a buzz with people making the lobby and garden patio look like absolute perfection.  It was a gorgeous day for the event!  If only they could have saved two seats between Anna Wintour and Frederic Fekkai for the hubs and me, our trip would have been beyond my wildest.

the hydrangeas in the lobby were gorgeous!

via

via

via

don't you think they should have scooted over for hubs and me to join?  via

more looks of the fabulous attendees here

Maybe next year I will be showing my collection at the Chateau as a CFDA finalist???

A girl can dream... and work her hardest to make it a reality!  

Needless to say, it was an inspiring trip!   

xo jpc

The Bag that holds EVERYTHING!

Any current or future moms out there looking for an amazing "baby bag" that doesn't look like one and fits an insane amount of goodies in an organized way?  This is what was in my MZ Wallace Kate bag  while on a non-baby trip to Miami in July... and the bag wasn't even full.

some favorite items in the bag:
-  Marysia Swim one-piece from her first collection... which was kept looking like new with Laundress Swim Care
 -  Noddle and Boo Hand Sanitizer
-  Some precious Shark Shoes i bought at the W Hotel STORE for my son to grow in to

-  Tucker wrap dress from one of my favorite boutiques Van Jean
-  JPJ bangles and BARK ring

check out some other amazing MZ Wallace bags and contents here!

My Kate bag is packed for my sans bambino trip to Cali today, and I was reminded how perfect it is!

xo jpc

Going back to Cali!

I am so excited that the hubs and I are headed to California tomorrow for a little getaway.  Although I have been on a few overnights without the littlest man in my life, this will be our first official kid-free long weekend in a more than a year!  This may not be a big deal to most, but pre-babe the hubs and I were foot loose and fancy free and would jump at the drop of a hat to travel.

I lived in LA a few years ago (just after meeting the hubs, so it was not long before he lured me back east to be with him ;-), but I haven't spent much time there since.  I look forward to checking out some old favorite spots and seeing what's new. 

I can't wait to  sleep in and relax, but I also can't wait to get out and about, just the two of us, to enjoy some California Sunshine!!  We will be in LA for three nights and Santa Barbara for one...  Anyone have suggestions of things we can't miss doing, seeing, or eating?

via Pinterest

xo jpc

Success... if I do say so myself!

The birthday party was a success!!   We had a great time celebrating with family and friends. 

The decorations were precious and the bday boy had a blast!

What do you all think...   Did I do an OK job??

xo jpc

ps.  thanks again to Way Way, Shop Sweet Lulu and Mary Grace Designs!!

Feeling Crafty!

I love the DIY craze out there, and am inspired by people who are good at figuring out how to do, make, build, and craft things on their own.  Although I am creative, I have never been that great at being crafty myself...  or maybe it's just that I always put too much on my plate to sit down and focus on fun DIY projects.  

I woke up today to realize that I have less than a week until me son's 1st bday and I had ZERO ideas about what I wanted to do for it!   I was in a complete panic.  I spent about 30 minutes on Pinterest getting completely overwhelmed by the number of over the top party set ups and elaborate fondant cakes before giving up.  

I decided to do myself a favor and contact who I consider to be the mother of all things DIY, my cousin Way Way, for some advice.  This is the girl who makes everything from scratch.  Just read her blog, i can't even begin to list everything she does herself.  She honestly rivals Martha Stewart at being an amazing cook, entertainer, homemaker, mother, wife, artist, business owner, blogger.  You name it, she's good at it!  And she does it all while looking like a modern day kick-ass barbie doll.  You would want to hate her, but she also happens to be one of the sweetest girls I know... So, good luck with that!

the beautiful Way Way and her youngest bambino, Gibbes via  photograph by Emily Corey  (wearing Jane Pope Collection Nest Necklace)

It was no surprise that I got an email back from her within 5 minutes with several tips on making the cake, decorating ideas, and resources and links to find them all.  And it was literally EXACTLY what I wanted, but couldn't think of how to make it happen.

I wanted a traditional feel and a soft look - not a cookie monster/yo gabba gabba themed everything which is what was dominating the google search of first bday party ideas.  So, I picked up come handmade pinwheels from Etsy from designsbymarygrace

Pinwheels via Etsy

How cute will these be in little bottles/vases??   I love them and Mary Grace was so quick to get back with me and offer to do a custom banner and cupcake topper! 

Second on the list was chasing down these AMAZING balloons I saw on Pinterest!

love the round blue and white ones for my little man!  via Pinterest

love this single balloon via Pinterest

I found these on Shop Sweet Lulu...  what a precious online party shop!  And again I had the best customer service experience with Dana who let me ask her 100 questions and is getting the goodies to me by next Tuesday in plenty of time for the Party!

love this milk bottle and straw combo!  via

Since my little man would have this milk all over him in 2 seconds if left to drink on his own, I think I will use these for a champagne cocktail for the grown ups :)  via

  and of course the balloons!  I bought 6 white and 1 baby blue for my sweet bday boy!  They are 36" in diameter... he is going to freak out when he sees them.   I can't wait!

I bought a few more goodies, but will wait to show you after the party.

So,  a HUGE thank you to Way Way and Mary Grace and Shop Sweet Lulu for the amazing customer service, advice, and inspiration!

have a wonderful weekend!  xo jpc

Ring Bash Is The New Arm Party

So everyone is talking about arm parties, but I am loving the ring rager!  

Check out this example of piling on rings done to perfection:

Slate, Mesa, Venus, Mar, Bluff and Bluff Tapered Rings  (with an armful of the Twig Bangles)

What better way to jump start a ring round up than with this 

Jane Pope Collection AWESOME double finger slate ring??

Custom double Slate Ring

Stack thin bands, big cocktails rings, delicate or bold with this for the ultimate punch!

xo jpc

photo credit for top photo:

LINDSEYBELLE Photography - http://www.lindseybelleblog.com/ 

Hunter Dixon - http://www.hunterdixon.com/
Leah C. Millinery - http://www.leahc.com/
Bobbie Yanoupeth - http://www.bahtoh.com/
Kerry Crawford - http://www.kerrymakeup.com/
Jane Pope Jewelry - http://www.janepopejewelry.com/