Tracy Porter Blog... be inspired!: April 2008

Behind the scenes... our NEW summer catalog video!

Our NEW summer catalog will be arriving any day now... can you handle it?? We've got even more amazing FASHION items to share with you… everything from colorful, flirty tunics to smashing necklaces… gorgeous wide belts to sassy, golden earrings. (If you're not on our mailing list... what are you waiting for???)

To tide you over... we've put together some great behind the scenes footage of our photo shoot... check it out! You'll see some of the new catalog pics "in progress..." As many of you know, everything takes place in our own home, so you can just imagine the beautiful chaos of it all... the entire transformation from top to bottom... kids and dogs running through shots... me noshing on (what else) earl grey and donut holes... Quite the lovely, noisy, exhilarating scene!! Enjoy!

xoxo,
Tracy

Labels: Behind the scenes...

Our trip to the Orient...

Ahhh...Travel. Such a wondrous opportunity to experience everything in a new light. We are so insanely inspired by other cultures... we love everything about change... and Hong Kong showed us a most delicious week recently. Thought we'd share a few snippets from our photo album...

John, Sarah and I loved every morsel... from the hot, humid weather... to the exotic food (shark lips - yes, really)... to finding old spectacular treasures in little old city markets. The trip left us breathless! We visited temples, tropical city gardens, and toured Victoria Harbor on a vintage boat that left us smitten. If ever you have the opportunity... you will surely surrender to their rich culture, and your spirit will be better for it!!

A few of our favorites from the trip...

1. Dim Sum for breakfast
2. Snappy little red Euro-Taxis
3. Thick, fragrant, heady air (layered with the sweet notes of incense)
4. Margaritas & lounge singers
5. Hollywood Road's dusty little treasures
6. Emailing our children the day's adventures - from the other side of the world…
7. Warm peanuts served in silvered bowls
8. Flirty green tiled roofs
9. Waking at 3:45am for the day (with a time difference of 13 hours... the body has her own rules... I felt so accomplished by 6am... breakfast, news, emails!!!)
10. Sugar packets in Chinese
11. Vintage harbor junks
12. The pure exoticness of a far away land
13. Evergreens that appeared to be made of rubbery lace
14. Hong Kong Park
15. The Ting Kau Bridge
16. High Tea at the Peninsula... cucumber sandwiches, fruit filled pastries and sweet rose tea... every girl's afternoon fantasy!

xoxo,
Tracy

Sheer bliss... springtime in the country

Well... I know that many of you have been celebrating spring for weeks... months... (hate to put my mind there...) But WE are just now starting to enjoy mother nature in all her succulent glory! The other night I came home from the studio and the boys and I went for a walk. Max grabbed his camera... and it inspired me to grab mine as well. His thought was to start a photographic nature journal... so I went with that! He was tired of the concept after a handful of cool pics... but I was just getting started. Thought I would share!

We live on 120 acres in the country with woods, prairie, and a fetching 60 acre marsh... Some people don't get the concept of "marsh"... (I think they equate it to "swamp"... (Too much Scooby-Doo watching perhaps?) To us... it is truly remarkable. It is in our case a man-made body of water that is fed by a creek. It is shallow and therefore creates a perfect ground for most any of our Wisconsin fowl. We literally have hundreds of geese, sand hill cranes... an enormous range of ducks and other birds that nest or pass through here every year... Springtime is exceptional as the sky is a feast for the eyes with crossing lines of birds going this way and that... besides the myriad of other creatures that take advantage of the water.

A few years ago we added an acre and a half pond... partly recreational... partly nature inspired. Our four young boys cannot seem to get enough... from catching tiny minnows (and soon larger fish)... to making their own rivers and dams that lead to the pond from our sandy beach. We have cookouts on the beach, we play every day, and truly take advantage of all the amazing things about it.

As we walked around you can see we came across lots of goodies... This to me is the true meaning of luxury... nature and all her splendid chaos!

Gus discovered a duck nest in our front garden... our new puppy Kit discovered it as well... She naturally thinks the eggs make great balls, until of course they break... She quickly laps all that up... I figure good protein and healthy coat!

Max and Fin have emptied all the bluebird houses... We haven't had the bluebirds arrive yet this spring... but the swallows are quickly staking their claim on the houses that surround the pond. I love the way each nest is built of different materials, and the way they are each a true work of art.

Even though the pond water is remarkably chilly it is in every way mesmerizing to sit and just look at... the boys and Kit are in it every day now. The beach provides an endless source of entertainment for all of us!

Chinoiserie powder room

The tour continues! So, right... several of you have been asking about our master bathroom... The walls before? A pale shade of blue... The walls now? Covered in gorgeous, heady hues of emerald green!!! l am ever telling you that I find paint color inspiration in every nook and cranny... this emerald green is inspired by a shirt I own... I love the intense rich feel of it! With (yes) more black lacquer trim, wainscoting, and doors. Quite the striking contrast... but oh how divine!! It's not an overly large space, but after flooding the walls with this rich, dark color... it oddly feels more spacious AND cozy, all at the same time!

The embossed gold details on the walls are actually piped (yes, out of a pastry bag) with plaster and then, once dry, rubbed with metallic gold and aged with a dry brush in dark brown paint. Don't be intimidated! We did ours free-hand... but you could easily get a similar effect using a stencil. Even the sconce shades got a face-lift with scraps of burlap fabric, some paper cutouts, and headbands painted in high gloss red lacquer for added texture. Just hot glue everything in place, and voila!!

I admit, the pièce de résistance is the mouthwatering tile border... Each tile is over-the-top, luscious goodness... I love staring at them, seeing how the light catches each of the tiles differently... Some are ceramic, others are wood with a mix of found objects (think inexpensive costume jewelry, placemats that were cut apart, etc) glued onto them for texture and interest. (It's amazing what you can re-purpose when you visit the dollar store, craft store, or thrift store... A bit of gold leafing or some high gloss lacquer works wonders!! Are you with me???)

We also used glass tiles with color copies, old postcards, or hand-painted artwork collaged and decoupaged beneath them. The end result is eclectic... and breathtaking! (Hint: Rather than doing individual tile work for the final installation, we decided to mount our tiles on a wood backing first and then put them up in several sections along the top of the wainscoting.)

If you don't have a powder room, foyer, or hallway in need of a major overhaul like this... why not create a beautiful tiled mirror instead? Or cover the top of a small accent table? Or revamp the top of your headboard with a row of unique and interesting tiles?? Even a single hand-made tile (or small grouping of them) would make a lovely addition to a "London Wall" (just display with a piece of ribbon or inexpensive plate hanger). I'd love to hear some of your creative ideas!!!

Majestic wall crown

As you know, I love instant gratification when it comes to decorating... Something as simple and inexpensive as a fresh coat of paint can transform your space from the demure to the exotic! Our master bedroom is a great example of this. The walls were a pale celadon green before... Now they're a rich, sumptuous chocolate brown... Warm & inviting! We added the ornate wall crown as a beautiful architectural element above our headboard to create height and old world charm... It blends into the wall color like it's been there for years, but still adds extra sparkle with its touches of metallic gold. Of course, I could not stop there and added layers of vintage pink curtains puddled beneath. (You could do anything here - from textural burlap, to a brightly patterned or striped fabric, to flowing silk, to sheer netting - for a completely different feel.) Nestled underneath the crown we've added an exquisite design in hand-painted gold, directly on the wall. Again, you could achieve the same effect free-handed, stenciled, or stamped. We chose to do ours in metallic gold to mimic the wall crown above, but you could do this in another contrasting color... whatever tickles your fancy!

p.s. I've talked about our headboard in past videos (someday I will be ready for a change!) but the vintage wallpaper is just too good to let go of for now!! BTW, wallpaper is such a great solution for covering just about anything... a tired old vanity, wooden chair seats, drawer fronts, picture frames, keepsake boxes... you name it, I've done it!

A little taste of Shangri-La

At last... our Asian-inspired staircase is finally finished, and I could not be more thrilled with the results!! I wanted to share a little taste of it with you here (since many of you have been so kind to ask!). We were recently away on a business trip to Hong Kong (more on that later, I promise). To return home, and be in this space once again... I feel like I am right back in the middle of Shangri-La! I hope many of you can relate to this ongoing process... of traveling and being inspired in some way, then returning home again... exhilarated by the recent adventure, but even more desirous of HOME. After all, our homes truly are extensions of ourselves... a labor of love, ever-evolving...

So, right... the staircase!! The old glossy white woodwork has been transformed by layers of gorgeous, shiny black lacquer... Vintage-inspired ceramic foo dogs are perched atop the banister columns... And of course... THE ORIENTAL RUNNER! Can you handle it??? Totally over-the-top... with rich, Asian-inspired patterns in luscious reds and golds... We even had the brass rods installed on each stair tread for a more authentic, old world feel. Of course, the staircase is adjacent to our little nook with the lipstick red doors, bookshelves, and huntress wall... It truly is one of my favorite places to linger now, which might seem hard to believe... since it was merely a hallway passing through to other rooms in the house before. Now this space has a unique flavor all its own. John and the boys just love it (as I do I... especially since it hides all the delicious messiness of children and puppies scampering about!!).

xoxo,
Tracy

Spring wardrobe fever!

I don't know about you... but I've been ready to ditch my socks for a long, long time and start pulling out the spring/summer wardrobe!

I must confess, I enjoy stocking up on inexpensive items here and there that I can wear for the season, and not be too worried if I don't pull them out year after year... That said, I also love looking for amazing statement pieces that I'll always feel great in, especially accessories!! Which brings me to these gems... Okay, so I just have to share... we have this GREAT bag coming out in our summer catalog!! This is one of those statement pieces you will turn to again and again (trust me). It is wonderfully oversized and perfect... a fantastic metallic copper that I love, and it fits all the necessities with a little extra room! You take a smashing piece like this, and pair it with a great pair of golden earrings (aren't these spectacular??), your favorite pair of jeans (we'll be debuting some of these in summer as well, so stay tuned!), and a smart little summer jacket, and you're all set!

What I love about this little number is that you can wear it so many different ways! The short sleeves make it perfect for spring & summer... Leave it open over a colorful tank or a contrasting tunic for a fun pop of color... or it's absolutely darling buttoned up for a more tailored look. The paisley embroidery on it is just divine... I'll even throw a wide belt around it on occasion to change it up even more. (Oh, and sorry to tease, but we've got a few gorgeous new belts coming out this summer... so be on the lookout for those as well!) I'd love to know… What are your wardrobe must-haves for the season??

Our London Wall

I've blogged a little bit about this space before... but thought a little video might help inspire you even more!! Okay, so I've rambled on and on about how charming London hotels are to me (they are one of my obsessions, after all). They load up their walls with tons of antiques and amazing art... they're simply dripping with lusciousness. I just had to recreate a version of this in our own home! (p.s. Since this is our den, we've even tucked our TV into the mix, along with some of our children's artwork, to make the whole thing feel a little less serious.) As you can see, nothing is overly designed here... I just begin with a handful of cherished objects, and sort of start building out from there! No rules... that's the beauty of it. Nothing is perfectly spaced, or hung absolutely straight. Some of the pieces are framed... some gilded, some carved wood, some resin... Others are simple, hand-painted canvases with their edges fraying a little. I like the sketchbook feeling (do you know what I mean by this?)... the imperfection of it all. I've tucked in a few petite mirrors, ornate candle sconces... and yes, more books (held open with an inexpensive metal plate hanger). If I get tired of something, I can easily move it to another wall and insert another gem... I just keep adding to the collection, constantly refining it and making it my own... Cheerio!!

Top 10 Beauty Must-Haves!

As requested... Here it is!!!! The list of top 10 beauty products that I could not live without. (Well, granted, I could live without them... but I would go thru a slight withdrawal!) I must admit, I did not think it would be that difficult to pare down the top 10 products that I use... but then I started trying to fit all makeup, skin care, and hair products into one list, and it was a little tricky!! So without further ado… here it is! I hope you enjoy... and of course, I'd love to know YOUR favorite products if you're willing to share!

xoxo,
Katie

(Katie Grasley - Vice President - TRACY PORTER)

1 - SMASHBOX PHOTO FINISH PRIMER
So you already know about this primer, but I still love it and wear it every day! I particularly like the one with the SPF (which is why I don't have an SPF on my list). It smooths the skin's surface and subtly airbrushes the face. (For a completely flawless look, use this before your foundation & concealer... Trust me - you will love the results!)

2 - LAURA MERCIER UNDERCOVER CONCEALER
Confession: I have a slight commitment issue when it comes to concealers... I'm always on the lookout for the next great one to come along. That said, I think I might be ready to settle down with Laura Mercier's Undercover. I like that I get 2 products in 1 compact (1 for the face and 1 for the under eye). This little beauty covers like a dream. (Not that any of us have any imperfections that we would want to cover!!)

3 - TRISH MCEVOY BRONZER
This is the end all and be all of bronzers – bold statement – I know. But truly – I love this product – I use it as both my blush and my eyeshadow as of late. Goes on smoothly and lasts all day. It has 2 different shades for contouring – which is always a spectacular technique to use. Take the darker color and run it just under your cheekbone (where the natural indent is) then take the lighter color and run it on top of the cheekbone – magnifique! To use as an eyeshadow, just take the lighter shade and apply it the eyelid. If you want more of a contrast, take the darker shade and use it in the crease of the eye! The coloring on this product is completely nailed... Looks great on any complexion!

4 - MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH WATERPROOF MASCARA
I have tried several different brands and continually come back to this one. I love the brush which doesn't clump, and love that it stays on all day!

5 - MAC EMBARK EYE SHADOW
I know we have mentioned this color before... but it really is a great shade (deep rich brown with plum undertones). Perfect to use as a liner, in place of the traditional black or brown eye liner... and also great to use as a shadow in the corner of the eye. For a more dramatic look, use it wet!

6 - MAC VIVA GLAM V LIP GLOSS
This is my go-to shade when I want a touch of color that is a step up from the traditional neutral lip gloss. (You know how I like that little extra sparkle!!) Warm pink tones with a glisten of gold... yumm!!

7 - AVEDA PURE ABUNDANCE HAIR POTION
I managed to pick just one hair product... and this was the one I had to go with. Works wonders on my baby fine locks – makes it feel like you have a whole new head of hair. I would highly recommend this product if you need some extra body.

8 - MD FORTE FACIAL CLEANSER
I first started using this cleanser almost a year ago and was able to notice results in a short period of time. I love how soft it makes my skin and how it has improved my overall complexion! I use the level 1 – which is the level I'd recommend starting out with if you are new to products containing glycolic acid.

9 - MD FORTE FACIAL LOTION
This lotion has more of a liquid consistency and helps with the overall complexion of the skin – gets rid of all of the dead skin cells that can accumulate!!

10 - SONIA KASHUK TRAVEL BRUSH SET
I must admit, I never used to be a brush girl... I have changed! Travel brushes are perfect not only because of their size, but also because they help speed up the application time!

Chinoiserie foyer

By now you've probably noticed a trend... I am hugely inspired by all things Asian right now. (Mind you, this was going on long before our trip to Hong Kong... our travels only reinforced my obsession!). From charming little figurines to colorful prints in rich, dark hues... We recently re-did our foyer... new paint, new wallpaper, the whole nine yards. Before, it held more of a French-country appeal. Now, it's even more bold and dramatic than ever before! The dark taupe woodwork was covered in (you guessed it) high gloss black lacquer (perhaps one day I'll be tired of this? I can't imagine it right now!!!). The ochre & crimson toile wallpaper was replaced by this smashing flocked version in Chinese red, black, and gold. Sumptuous! Check out the website where you can order online... (By the way, don't throw the scraps away when you're done! I save them and use them for wrapping presents, making gift tags, or even covering a simple photo frame.) Since the wallpaper is pretty happening, I haven't really put too much up on the walls just yet. (You know... the whole work-in-progress thing.) Atop the foyer console, I've centered a gorgeous mirror, with a generous basket of found birds' nests below. A smart pair of chinoiserie lamps (that I stumbled upon while antiquing and got them for a STEAL!) completes the whole ensemble... for now!!

Do you ever...

* Take a big mug of coffee or tea into the bathroom with you in the morning to gingerly sip while you are getting ready?

* Work out in the AM so it is out of the way? (And perhaps watch a little Joe Scarborough... or yesterday's episode of Oprah??)

* Spoil yourself on Sunday by lounging, leisurely cooking with your family, reading a good book, etc?

* Take a bath with a glass of wine, light some candles, and listen to great music during the middle of the week?

* Splurge on a really great pair of jeans that are the perfect fit for you?

* Look forward to a good rainy day and a bottomless cup of tea or coffee?

* Make a summer to do list of all the things you want to do?

Labels: Do you ever...

Tracy Porter Blog... be inspired!

April 28, 2008

Behind the scenes... our NEW summer catalog video!

April 24, 2008