valentine's day Thank you San Francisco Chronicle!

My Kitchen, photo by Rudy Calpo

A big thank you to Anh-Minh of the San Francisco Chronicle for the mention in her great article, Exposure of blogs benefits designers, readers.

Also mentioned are Scot Meacham Wood, Tartanscot blog. Grant Gibson, and Jennifer Jones of the Niche Interiors blog, among many other national designer favorites. I hope you have a chance to check out Anh-Minh's list of "designers who blog" list!

I feel honored to have been included.

valentine's day Well...THIS is fun!.....Blue Carrot Shop

valentine's day I just got an email from Alexandra, Graphic Artist, and hunter of nifty stuff. She has just opened a fun little online shop called Blue Carrot Shop where she sells her whimsical wares.

I picked out a few of my favorites here, but there is so much more!

valentine's day Handmade Blue Carrot Bag....perfect for makeup, receipts, coupons...

valentine's day Letterpress numbers and letters

valentine's day Kitchy Bear Tray...so cute.

valentine's day Who doesn't need a Pretzel and Chip container?

valentine's day I think my Barbie had one of these Skotch Koolers!

Hop on over and say "hello" to Alexandra and check out all of the goodies HERE.

And leave her a little comment or two HERE on her blog.

valentine's day PARTY!!!!

valentine's day Wouldn't you just love to be the party goers that get to walk up this path? I recently got to "meet", via this wonderful blog world of ours, Kate Todd, the voice of the Party Resources blog. Kate is the daughter of renowned party planner Ann Perry Todd, a.k.a. "Dixie".

As luck would have it, Kate invited me to be a guest on her blog and throw out a few of my favorite party ideas. I was very flattered and more than happy to oblige! I hope you have a chance to hop over and take a peek! Kate has been quite busy collecting great party ideas for all of us to try out ourselves. AND while you are at it....you will want to take a look at Dixie Todd's website. So many spectacular parties! As we all know, it is no small feat to put together a party as beautifully as those shown on Party Resources. My party hat is off to Dixie and Kate!!!

valentine's day Blog Love: Dining and Decor

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Photo by Mrs. B of Dining and Decor

This blogging world never ceases to amaze. I received an email last week announcing a new blog venture. This happens every now and again. many times the emails are from commercial blogs that are requesting a link. Sometimes, however, I receive an email that makes me smile and clap my hands while a little squeal in my head is saying "YAY!!!"

This is one of those times!

Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. B of Dining and Decor. Mrs. B and I have been online "design" friends for awhile now, ever since collaborating on the decor of her home through my e-decorating service, kdspace.

Mrs. B sent me an email letting me know she was taking the plunge and starting a new blog, so I clicked on over right away! I am so impressed I cannot fully describe it. Mrs. B has skills with a camera I could only hope to achieve....and believe me, I have already bent her ear on what camera she uses. Her eye is immaculate....and her subject matter.....as you can see by the photo above....delicious! Mrs. B will be delighting us with sumptuous treats and beautiful design, so if you love food and decor....hop on over and introduce yourself and say "welcome"!

You will NOT be disappointed!

Have a Happy Weekend!

(p.s. - my computer urgently requested a little R and R today.....I had no choice but to oblige. After all, she has been slaving away 24-7 for quite awhile. She should be refreshed and ready to meet the day again sometime next week....Tuesday I am hoping!)

valentine's day Trip to LA: Arrival

The Farmer's Daughter Hotel

I have to apologize for the lack of blog posts this week! I have been away in Los Angeles for West Week at the Pacific Design Center. So much was packed into two days, and I have so much to tell you!

I drove down from Sacramento with a bit of nervous anticipation...sort of similar to how I felt when I drove down for my high school reunion only a few weeks before. After all, I would be meeting a passel of blogger friends in person for the very first time. What would they be like? Would they be just like how I imagined from their blog persona's? I had been corresponding with many of them before my trip to make plans to meet up.

Christain May of Maison 21, Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8, Patricia Shackelford of Mrs. Blandings, Ronda Carmen of All the Best, Eddie and Jaithan from the Eddie Ross blog, Lisa Borgnes Giramonti from A Bloomsbury Life, Brooke from Velvet and Linen , the Style Curator and Scot from Tartanscot were all there, not to mention all of the design and media stars (Here a name, there a name....just dropping everywhere!) . I have to tell you, it felt as if we had really already met and known each other. It has seemed that way for all of the great bloggers I have met before. Chalk it up to one of the many benefits of blogging!

I have so many pictures for you. First, let's start with checking into the hotel where I stayed: The Farmer's Daughter Hotel. It is so called because it is right across the street from the old Los Angeles Farmer's Market. I remember going there as a kid and being fascinated by the taffy pulling machines. It was always such a treat. It is so different now with major shopping like venues like the Grove popping up in next door in an area that was once old bungalows.

Check-in

I had looked at hotels close to the PDC and The Farmer's Daughter seemed fun and in the right "price range" pour moi. I totally got a kick out of it! It was very "urban farm " with concrete floors and reclaimed lumber. Rustic contemporary with a splash of color.

Lobby

It has a very relaxing vibe as soon as you walk in the door. It seemed as if I had teleported to the Napa Valley wine country. It was fun and low key. Quite perfect for families.

Patio between the hotel and Tart restaurant

The Farmer's Daughter goes all out to provide a down home feel. Lemonade and BBQ potato chips are available in the Lobby anytime. There was wine and cheese service in the evening. It shares a patio with the Tart restaurant which was so cute! And generous to boot. They share their recipes online for things like Fried Green Tomatoes and Bourbon Berry Cobbler. They also have their own blog HERE.

Lemonade in the Lobby

I got to relive my childhood memories when Christian from Maison 21 and I walked over to the Farmer's Market for a glass of wine before he whisked me off to the first event of the week: the William Sonoma Home party for Margaret Russell of Elle Decor.

More on that next time!

valentine's day Stop Copying Me!

I am having a bit of a dilemma here, and I'd like to ask for your input.

I experienced a bit of a traffic spike the last couple of days, which was a wonderful surprise! Thank you to all of you who come to read katiedid!

I was curious to know if there had been a link to my site that was directing a bit more traffic my way so I could thank whoever had been so nice.

Which brings me to a couple of questions. Technorati used to provide the answers, but doesn't seem to give as much information as it used to.

So I put the question out there to Google. Where else might I check who had linked to the katiedid blog? Up came information directing me to Copyscape. This is a handy little site that lets you know if there are any websites out there lifting copy from your blog or website.

My original quest had been to find out if there had been a helpful link to my blog, but I was curious about Copyscape, so I tried it out. Lo and behold, I found a site that is lifting all of my blog posts directly from my site, pictures and all. They do refer everyone back to my site as the original source, so at first I thought, just more exposure, right? But then, I realized, there is a LARGE amount of advertising on this site. So in essence, I am exerting a huge amount of effort to line someone else's pockets! Sooooo not right!!!

But is it considered plagiarism, since they list katiedid as the source?

Has anyone else experienced this? There are other design bloggers who have their hard work posted on this site and they may not know about it. I certainly didn't!( I will be letting these bloggers know, believe me!) The site even lists my blog in their sidebar as a "news source".

So what does one do? Copyscape does provide quite a bit of advice, but the website in question is owned by someone who has 288 other domains....so not likely to respond to my letter to "quit it".

It just occurred to me that since it appears this site automatically uploads all of my blog posts, THIS one will show up too.

So Mr. Copycat...you know who you are....STOP COPYING ME!

Anyone who has any information about this sort of thing, I would love to hear it!! Thanks all!

valentine's day Silent Monks Singing?

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You MUST visit To The Manner Born to see exactly how a Silent Monk manages to sing. You won't be sorry.

Have a VERY MERRY WEEKEND!

valentine's day Lunch at Ella with Paloma and Jeni

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It was a busy week last week! On Friday, I had lunch with Paloma of La Dolce Vita who was in Sacramento to visit blogger friend Jeni from Mrs. Plain Jane. Jeni and I had met through the blogging connection a little while ago, and when she said that Paloma was coming into town, it was only fitting that we all get together! Thanks Jeni for arranging this get together!

It was wonderful meeting Paloma! She is just as sweet in person as she is on her blog, and both ladies are stunning, don't you think? Um...I was feeling a tiny bit "OTH", but they are both so fun, I put it out of my mind. I always love to meet bloggers in person. It adds a whole other dimension to the blog connection.

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The food at Ella Dining Room and Bar is brilliant, as is the interior which I blogged about awhile back HERE.

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I thought I'd give you another little peek.

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We sat at this table right here. When we first came in it was full, but we ended up closing the place down by the time we got up to leave. Time flies......

Thank you to Jeni for bringing us all together!

valentine's day Wedgwood, Celebrating 250 Years and Meeting Lord Wedgwood

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Last Thursday was a wonderful day! I drove to the town of Campbell in the South Bay area to meet with my friend Nicki to discuss her new office project. We has perfect weather and no traffic on the way down, so I knew this day was starting off well. We had a great meeting and then it was off to San Francisco to attend a celebration at Gumps in honor of a Lord Wedgwood who was in attendance to discuss the 250 years that Wedgwood China has graced tables all over the world. I was very excited to hear him speak about the history of Wedgwood and how the company has kept it's beautiful china current and fresh.

During his discussion, Lord Wedgwood introduced us to mosaic artist Terrie Kvenild. They had worked together to produce this brilliant piece of sculpture in honor of the event and Wedgwood's 250 years. Terrie created this urn completely out of broken pieces of Wedgwood china, supplied by Wedgwood in England, and it is quite a masterful feat of craftsmanship. I was able to chat a moment with Terrie and take a picture of her next to her sculpture. (On a side note, I was told by both Marta Benson, CEO and Gene Ogden Director of Retail Merchandising for Gumps, that every time they have broken china from the store, they will send it off to Terrie who fashions it into magnificent sculptures, which you can find at Gumps. An example of recycling at it's best!)

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Lord Wedgwood was also introducing a new collection of Jasperware at Gumps, so I was very anxious to see it. The larger vases like the one below, and in the first photo, are the only examples in the United States. Just look at the beautiful detail, even on the bottom of the vase!

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Gumps had beautifully displayed the various colors of Wedgwood Jasperware. I took a few shots for you of the classic blue, taupe and the beautiful grey. The black and terracotta color is new, as is the dragon table china.

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So....the highlight of the event for me was the opportunity to meet Lord Wedgwood himself. I have to say, he was so very charming taking time out to chat with me. He seemed very capable of putting everyone in the room perfectly at ease. Elegant and Polished. Don't you just love the pocket handkerchief? Pink with white polkadots. Perfect!
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Lord Wedgwood was on hand to sign this wonderful book:

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I can't recommend it more highly. It is full of table settings put together by such notables as Suzanne Rheinstein, Carolyn Roehm, Charlotte Moss, Thomas O'Brien, Stephen Drucker, Michael Smith, just to name a few. It also shows off the new Wedgwood designs by Jasper Conran, Vera Wang, Barbara Barry and Martha Stewart. ( Oh! and by the way.....in the interest of full disclosure, I was very happy, thrilled even, to purchase this book myself! Excellent!)

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Wedgwood Style was also available at the signing, and though I did not have a chance to flip through it, you can be sure I will be adding it to my list to check out. Published in 2001, it is not easily available, and Gumps may be the only place that has it right now!!

So who else was at the party you ask?

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My friends Gene Ogden and Marta Benson of Gumps were on hand, of course! Marta is in the perfect Wedgwood Blue isn't she?

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And Grant Gibson with his friend Richard were there keeping things fun!

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All and all, a very fun evening. If you are in San Francisco, please do drop in to Gumps to see the new Wedgwood collection. It alone is worth the trip. But there are always so many more things to see. Holiday cheer is already making an entrance, and there is nowhere better to finish off your holiday table with something special!

valentine's day Have you met: Michelle Zuniga?

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Michelle is a fellow blogger who was gracious enough to ask me to participate in a "guest designer's favorite things" column on her blog Zuniga Interiors. She will be running a series on bloggers across the country, and I am first up! To visit Michelle's lovely blog click on over HERE.

Michelle is an interior designer and a fabulous stylist.

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Here's a just a little peek at some of the talent you will find on Zuniga Interiors- Michelle Zuniga Interior Stylist Portfolio

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Didn't I tell you? Talented!

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And if this isn't enough, she also has these for sale on The Zuniga Interiors Collection- Cross Bottles-Shell Bottles-Bejewele... Works of Art:

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Gorgeous!

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Thank you Michelle for including me in your series!

Now hop on over and say 'Hello"!

valentine's day Blogging: Taking Photos

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My Birthday Flowers

I take alot of pictures for my little blog. Some turn out. Many don't. Some make me think," Did I really take this picture?! It almost looks sort of professional or something!". Sometimes I even think I have a new career ahead of me: "Stylist, photographer extraordinaire". Sometimes......then reality sets in and I realize, mostly, it is luck. Yes, I think I can compose a pretty good shot. But I have no special camera (just a point and shoot, Casio EXILIM), no special lighting . I have learned quite a bit about how to "get by" from reading other blogs out there. And I sometimes tweek a photo with Picasa.

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Roses in the Evening

But sometimes, a photo just turns out all on it's own. And it makes me feel pretty good. Not only because I, and my little camera made this image, but because I will have a record of something I saw that was beautiful to me and was fleeting.

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Vegetables from Napa

I said that photos turn out sometimes because of luck. But perhaps that is wrong to say. It is not really luck to recognize that something is worth recording, and to compose that "something" into an image that is clear, balanced and interesting. I think that comes with practice, and learning to adjust our mind's eye to the way the camera can capture a scene.

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Flowers on Bench from Aspen Hollow

There are many bloggers out there that have mastered this quite well. A couple of bloggers who have amazing skills are Leah Phinney from A Day that is Dessert, and Isa from The World According to Isa. I have learned just by looking at their photos. If you visit and look through their posts, you will see what I mean.

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Lake Tahoe Sunset

So....I have some questions for you. Have you taken photos that you think turned out exceptionally well? Did you learn on your own, or take a class? Do you take many of your own photos for your blog, if you have a blog? Do you have any tips that make for a great picture? I'd love to see your masterpieces and share with everyone if you would like to send them.

valentine's day He's Back!

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Latest: "Iris Doesn't Live Here Anymore"

House of Beauty and Culture

HOBAC is back. I just couldn't bring myself to take his blog off my roll. I noticed that a few stories have reappeared. Very quietly and descreetly. I am so pleased. Welcome back HOBAC. We missed you.

valentine's day Blog Love: The Style Saloniste

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In case you haven't already seen this very chic new blog, I wanted to introduce you to The Style Saloniste. Produced by the very gracious and talented author of many of our favorite design books, Diane Dorrans Saeks, this blog will be sure to add more style to your day.

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The name "Style Saloniste" brings to mind those Paris Salons where the cultured and creative would gather and exchange provocative ideas and inspiration. I am sure you will add to the exchange!

The blog is full of information about Diane's recent jaunt to Venice, including preperation advice and where to find the perfect Bellini once you arrive.

Be sure to hop on over and give her a warm welcome to blogdom!