Snapshots of New Orleans

Glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly (as seen in Day 1 post but cropped artistically here ;)Ok,  I know I'm supposed to be telling you about all the great kitchen and bath trends I saw at KBIS2013 but since it's Sunday,  I thought I'd show you my favorite shots as captured over the five fantastic, delicious and enlightening days spent on the Modenus Blog Tour.  Tomorrow it's back to business, deal?I shot this the first day as we were wondering around. Love the contrast, the urban vibe and the clouds reflected on the building. I love it!This one went black and white by accident but I sort of like it. From left to right, Cynthia Bogart from The Daily Basics, Decorating Diva Carmen Natschke, The Antiques Diva Toma Clark Haines and Kelly Morisseau from Kelly's Kitchen Sync. They are all amazing bloggers!(front left)Bears repeating! Caught this hallway shot when we were at Luke's, very ethereal... Trolley to the Garden District The Martians have landed? No, it's just an interesting finial on a gate in the Garden District. Looks like that legendary garden keeper "The Green Man"2013-04-17 11.33.31Wall of the cemetery is rich and texturalAnother cool fence post. NOLA must be the place for fence detail!A house I would live infrom Malachite, a great shop!  Shaun Smith Home, this pic is going on my "White Walls" Pinterest Board Spotted outside the Ogden Southern Art Museum. Sometimes you just have to look down! This was taken at the Miles Redd book signing. I like the effect and the composition Up in the rafters at Ogden. Sometimes you just have to look up.Some of my Brizo Blogger 19 buddies. Left to right, Eric Shimelpfenig, yours truly, Corey Claussen of Design Kula and Linda Merrill of The Skirted Round Table The charging station. Need I say more?Another interesting composition caught at KBIS20132013-04-20 15.10.24Back  to business tomorrow!

Gearing Up as Countdown To Blog Tour NOLA Continues

 Livingston, our outside cat who was busted by a neighbor. Don't worry. Not gonna show you the hub's eye as it's not as pretty.With one week to go before the start of Blog Tour Nola my head is swimming not only with preparations to go away but with all the crazy events happening here at home.  Sunday our outside/inside cat was trapped by a friendly neighbor and taken to the pound, my daughter and her boyfriend broke up and my hubs gave himself a black eye whilst executing our bi-annual stint of  yard work.  (Yes, it was the shovel.) Throw a jury duty stint in there too and that's how my life looks right now.The Rennaisance Art Hotel in the warehouse district in New Orleans will be my home away from home.In the meantime, Modenus has unveiled more of the details of our trip and I am excited to say the least.  This post has also got me thinking of this opportunity from a deeper perspective.  Naturally I’m excited to immerse myself in design nirvana, to dig into all the new products and design buzz at KBIS, but New Orleans runs deeper.  This blog tour will have a significance that is totally unique from previous ones.  My respect for Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus only grows, for at every turn she is innovating and pushing the envelope for new insights and perceptions.  She “gets it” that design is not a mutually exclusive enterprise.  It is informed by the life and atmosphere around it.  To illustrate this point we will be visiting a local couple hard hit by the economy and ravages of Katrina which still linger.Homes from the Make It Right Project. Right or Wrong??In addition we will tour and learn about Brad Pitt's "Make it Right Foundation", a controversial project seeking to build sustainable homes in communities in need.  What's controversial you may ask?  Well some peeps think that the very modern design of the homes are just plain wrong.  I'm looking forward to giving you my take on the matter.  Lastly, you may know of my love/hate relationship with HGTV but I must share with you this delightful little clip all about the Big Easy style of New Orleans, a combination of French, Caribbean with a dose of good ole southern comfort thrown in.If you will be in the Big Easy for KBIS come by and mingle with us at:Beignets & Bubbly Meet Up at KBIS Design StudiosWhen? Friday, Apr 19 @ 10:30am - 11:30am (CST) Where? KBIS New Orleans Convention Center Booth # 3352 - New Orleans, LouisianaPS Cat was located and he’ll be back (one way or another) tomorrow.  Daughter is sad but she is young and will maximize her youth and beauty to bounce back.  Hubs is depleting my makeup but the bruise is healing nicely.