Jewelry for a cause ...

Today I’d like to share with you the reason why I am a JessLC Ambassador. After seeing many design blogs sporting the JessLC ad banner, then reading about the jewelry line and it’s creator, Jess Constable, I found myself following Jess’s blog on a daily basis to see what she was up to next ... I was curious about her upcoming design collections, but I was also hooked on her “this is what is happening in my life right now” authenticity. The way she candidly shares her ups and downs along with the lessons she has learned on her journey as a jewelry designer, business person, and unique individual had me hooked!

Soc Chic The Good Intention Necklace

And the fact that she created a line of jewelry to promote and benefit social causes was just what I was looking for as a fund-raising item for a local charity that I am involved with, Gathering Change, Inc. The logo that I designed for Gathering Change has a heart at its center, and the charity’s mission is to help neighbors who are struggling during these challenging economic times. The Good Intention Necklace that Jess has designed is the perfect match for future fund-raising events, and 10% of the sale of each necklace would be donated directly to Gathering Change. I think it would make a thoughtful gift and be a nice way to give to others at the same time. Below are a few more pieces that I love from different collections that Jess has designed.

Franklin Dream Bigger Braille Necklace

I LOVE this design concept! “Dream Bigger” is actually imprinted in braille on this piece (other pieces include “Breathe” and “Be Present”). How cool to be able to use a necklace as a touchstone!

State Thick Cable and Heart Bracelet

This bracelet is pretty, delicate and strong ...
and it also comes in sterling silver.

Division Chevron Earrings

The chevron is a popular design trend right now.
It always looks stylish and energetic!

Armitage Simple Cable and Link Bracelet

I love how this bracelet combines both
gold and silver. It is a great everyday piece
that would look good on anyone.

Jess started designing and selling jewelry at the age
of 15 (read her story here) and her passion for her product is obvious. Read more about Jess and the inspiration behind her designs by checking out her blog, Makeunder My Life. While you are there, be sure to check up on her friend and guest blogger, Piper Toth, who has taken the leap to create a business of her own, named after her blog One Sydney Road.

If you would like to be a Jess LC Ambassador,
contact Jess at jess@jesslc.com

I love being able to support other creative people
like Jess, who are doing what they love and
are inspiring others to do the same!

xoxo
yvonne

Alphabet Walk: the letter Y

In case you have not heard of the Alphabet Walk blog hop, it is an online event staged as a photographic journey in alphabetical order being hosted by aspiring boutique owner/design enthusiast Piper Toth of One Sydney Road. Since Monday of this week, a group of around 75 bloggers have been representing the letters of the alphabet with photos. I volunteered to take on the letter Y (obviously a favorite of mine!) This has been a fun event to participate in, along with being a great way to discover some new blog personalities! I decided to base my post on a designer FYI ... kind of a look-book that shows who I am using images that begin with
or include the letter Y.

YVONNE

In case we have never met before, my name is Yvonne. I am an interior decorator and I write this blog to share the images, people and events that inspire me. In this photo I am relaxing at the Belle Mer in Newport, RI. See how beautifully peaceful it is by clicking here.

Y CUP WITH DESIGN TOOLS

I began my career as a graphic artist, illustrating newspaper ads for a local gift shop when I was 16, later art directing ad campaigns for a number of Boston-based advertising agencies. I have always been fascinated with typography and photography, and have relied on my artistic eye to make a living (a fun one for sure!) It has always been a dream of mine, however, to work behind the scenes of a great magazine, so I guess this blog is my way of attempting to take on the role of art director, photo stylist, interior decorator, writer (and editor ; ) all at once!

Monogrammed mug from Anthropologie

YB ... MY INITIALS

I created this vignette featuring YB on a bookcase shelf, filling it with some of my favorite things for the North Shore Design Show held this past May at the Wenham Museum. On my summer to-do-list: see the movie eclipse as I have yet to finish the book!

YELLOW FLOWERS
IN YORK, MAINE

York Beach, Maine is where I have spent summer vacations for most of my life. I took this photo on Monday after a meeting with my first decorating client in York (photos to come!) For now, you are welcome to visit my mom’s York cottage by clicking here. And if you are in the area, check out the Old York Decorator Showhouse. It opens July 17th and runs through August 14th. A couple of my friends are participating (Nicole Yee: Dining Room and Paula Bakies for
Mary O’Neill: Guest Bedroom) so I will be
stopping in to see them soon.

YELLOW, DO-IT-YOURSELF, RECYCLE

Yellow was always my favorite color when I was little. I guess it still is because I have been surrounding myself with it a lot lately! This yellow bag was an I-can’t-believe-I-got-it-at-this-price bargain. I had it with me on the day I met Barclay Butera at the Boston Design Center (read about it here). Recycling also tops my list of what is most important to me. In my yellow foyer alone, I have three items side by side that were all recycled into something new and improved: refinished ladder back chair, mirror turned chalkboard, sewing cabinet with designer style (for more of my design before and afters click here).



MY YOUNGEST WITH A
YELLOW BABY BIRD

Yellow watering can and yellow fledgling perched on the finger of my youngest, Ben. See more photos
from this special visit by clicking here. To
see more of my garden room, click here.

YARROW IN MY YARD

Yarrow flower with a yucky ant (look real closely!) photographed in my yard yesterday. I really love flowers, gardening and nature in general. These elements seem to influence my design style more than any other (and I write about them often!) Here are a few of my favorite tips on how to create arrangements to coordinate with works of art.


STYLE

As a designer, I am often asked what my particular style is. Of course the answer to that question really depends on the project and the client, but the direction I take always comes from who I am as a person first. Looking at these photos that I have selected for the Alphabet Walk, I see a definite pattern that to me reads: laid-back traditional with a focus on color, organic forms, and artistic expression. What do you see? Visit my polyvore mood boards
for more samples of my “style.”

NOW PLAYING @ TAPLEY HALL

If you live near Boston’s North shore, you can get a first hand look at my design style at Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design, a dozen+ designed vignettes staged in Tapley Hall to benefit the Danvers Historical Society. Open to the public, admission is just $10 at the door.
Click here for details.

THANK YOU ...

for visiting me on this final day of the Alphabet Walk blog hop (and thanks to those who have been following all along!) Be sure to check out the other blogs virtually strolling through the letters of the alphabet (click here for the full list). Please stop by again and leave a comment if you feel inspired!

xo yvonne

Visiting a friend’s garden ...

Last week I was able to enjoy an afternoon visit with my friend Kim Smith at her Gloucester home. After meeting at last year’s North Shore Design Show at the Wenham Museum, we quickly discovered that we both shared a love of gardening, along with a passion for old homes (she has been creating beauty inside and out at Willowdale Estate, while I have been involved with decorating projects at the Stevens Estate). Parking my car, I knew I was at the right place as I was greeted with a fluttering of butterflies around a rose-covered front porch. Bird song filled the air and a profusion of colors and scents beckoned. I know this sounds very “Disney-like” but it really felt like walking into a secret oasis! Kim takes great care to design landscapes that attract winged creatures – birds, butterflies, bees –
all are welcome and enjoyed.

Here is just a glimpse of what I saw ...

Bee Balm

Honeysuckle ... pretty and fragrant

Easy to grow ... Annabelle Hydrangea

Tomato plants and Liberty of London watering can

A container-garden-filled courtyard

Can anyone identify this flower? The name escapes me ...


Bougainvillea ... holding up well despite summer heat

Lettuce, narsturtiums (a favorite of mine)
and Swiss chard (a favorite of my dad’s)

I believe this is a version of Lantana?

Shasta Daisy

A sure thing ... Butterfly Bush

Ferns (Japanese Painted fern is in front)

Potted poppies

Pink foxglove, large leaf hosta, and white edged Solomon’s Seal

My favorite photo of the day


The inside of Kim’s home was extremely charming. I did not take interior photos during our visit as I was there simply to enjoy her company. We talked a lot about raising our children (she has two, a girl and a boy, that while still under her wing are much more independent than my four littles), the need to create (she is writing and illustrating a new book, this time for children), and a variety of other topics including why the bowl of fruit I brought was still slightly frozen (when you are undergoing kitchen renovations, one must improvise!) Stop by and visit her blog,
Kim Smith Designs, when you need a bit of nature’s beauty to lift your spirits, or have questions
about gardening. She is an expert on many topics, along with being a gracious host!




This week I will be participating in the Alphabet Walk blog hop at
a fun blog I recently discovered: One Sydney Road. Check it out!
(My letter is “Y” and I will be posting on Friday, July 16th)

Bunting Flag Banner by Puglypixel.com
Alphabet Walk blog hop badge by 74 Lime Lane


Visit my space at the Danvers Historical Society
designer showcase now through August 1st!