Wednesday, August 31, 2011

SneakPeaks: Portuguese Designer & Stylist Shows Us It's Possible to Do What You Love, She Does!

Hi Anna, thanks for checking out my blog! I like yours too, we should do a project together -maybe I could have you on my blog as a guest or something? You could tell us about how you became a stylist, what you love about it, and what your inspirations are. You can do it as a guest blogger (you'll be my 1st!) and you can send me some pics over email that I'll add to it. So you can write it in 1st person...” Desha (18.july.2011)

That's how we began this project together.


Hello Dear Reader,
This is Anna {TheSneakPeaks}, a new brand blog where I write about things that inspire me, such as: design, art, crafts, artists, food, travels, people I know and people I don’t know, but admire. I am from Portugal and you will see some of my country’s beauty, as well as my work as a Stylist and Interior Designer.

A few weeks ago, the dearest Desha invited me to write to be her first guest and tell my story about my life as a Stylist. I took some time to think about it, and here is the story as it unfolds:

My Story
It all began when I realized my love of design, photography, making moodboards and
scrapbooks, and just dreaming (for hours and hours) about styling and decorating! I was almost 15 then.

At 18 I went to college to study Interior Design. During my second year, with almost no
experience, I decided to write an application letter directly to the owner of a great Interior Design Studio. I wrote to Graça Viterbo (who was my inspirational interior designer at the time) hoping that I could work and learn with her.

And guess what?
She accepted me!!! OMG!

I was only 19 years old and I was starting to learn with one of the best and most talented interior designers in Portugal, and I learned so, so much from her!!! She taught me that we always have to do things with love and passion, that being talented is important but, most of all, work hard, with professionalism, accuracy, and creativity- and ALSO never forget deadlines!

After graduation I decided to study Photography (one of my other passions), and took a one-year course at an amazing school where I learned B&W Photography, Color, Publicity, Portrait, and Styling Photography. At the same time, to help pay for my studies, I started working as a freelance Stylist to several Agencies, Magazines and Photographers. Then, once again, I discovered my love for my work and that I could do it forever!!!

During that time I was so in Love with Styling and Photography that I decided to apply for a scholarship to study abroad and further develop my skills. I applied for two very different Internships; one to Italy and another to India. (The idea was to do one after the other and travel a lot).

The 1st internship I applied for was to Fundação Oriente in India for 3 months (after finishing my Photography course). The project was to create a style story through text and photography about the history of Indian fashion from it’s beginning to the evolution of the Indian Fashion Week, highlighting the Best Indian Designers. During that 3 months, I was to visit several places around India, get in touch with Fabric Factories, find shooting locations, interview fashion designers, visit schools and foundations and other conduct other research to help me with my goal. At the end, I would present a book that would launch in Portugal and in India. I had help two great Project Managers that I invited:

a) Carlos Ramos, one of the greatest Portuguese Photographers (also one of my teachers).

b) Wendell Rodricks, one of the greatest Indian Designers, who made several exhibitions at
Lisbon that I loved.

This was the first time I thought about a book of my own, a moodboard story on a photography book! So exciting!

The 2nd internship was to go to Milan for 9 months (after returning from India) and study at the Marangoni School. They offer a Stylism Master-Course degree with the greatest Italian stylists,magazines, photographers and designers. After I sent my application and portfolio, they quickly invited me for an interview. Of course I said YES! I packed my bags  and flew directly to Milan for a week.

It was great because it was “Milan Design Week” and the city was full of excitement. The
interview went well and…
I was accepted!
and I stayed!
and I was so so happy, because things were running so cool and so fast, with lots of great
projects and great professionals around me.

But several weeks later...
I received a letter!
The letter said that my Indian Photography Project was accepted (it was a one a million shot because lots of people around the world had also applied), and I had the greatest luck to be the chosen one but...
I had to go to India... next January. It was October (3 months until January) and I was already settled down in the frozen, but cool Milan. I had already started my classes in Stylism and had also met the love of my life (now my dear husband!).
What should I do now? - I remember thinking.

I begged and begged for Fundação Oriente to give me more time in Milan, but they couldn’t- it was against their rules.

So, I didn’t go to India then, but 5 years later (in August 2007) I went to a beautiful island on the Indic and I was asked to marry, and I accepted, and we got married there, at a great Indian family house. It was a beautiful, romantic and exotic marriage!
One of my dreams come true:)

Still in Milan, I finished my Master Class in Stylism on July 2002 and I stayed for 3 more months while working with several agencies, magazines, and with my great master teacher Paola Gatto – a great Italian Stylist.

Then I returned to Portugal. I started working as a freelancer for several magazines, then for the textile industry and at the same time, doing some fun interior design projects with my husband.
I traveled a lot to visit Fairs and Design Weeks.
Paris, London, Madrid, Milan, were my new homes.

After 3 years as a freelancer, my husband and I decided to open our own Interior Design Studio. This Studio was the right place to join our skills as interior designers, stylists and project leaders. At the same time, I also founded a Craft Brand that started as a hobby and now is another project that I love and that is very important to me and my community.

That’s what I’ve been doing until now; designing homes and hotels, stores and restaurants, bars and shop windows, along with some crafting, and a lot of styling.
I really love what I do! My days are full and happy. My husband and I are a team, we travel a lot, but we also work a lot and very hard. Through our job we know a lot of different people and it’s amazing how a space can really change someone’s life. I simple love it! Everything that surrounds me inspires me at some point!

Besides styling, photography and design, I love making crafts, sewing, art and music (I am trying to learn guitar- omg), gardening and cooking (especial healthy food for my family and friends).

I am a countryside girl, who loves to travel around the world but also loves to drive a jeep through the hills and see cows and ships, feel the smell of fresh cut wood and get inspired by simple people and a simple life.

A few months ago I started my Blog – {TheSneakPeaks}, and I realize that I have so much that I still want to do in life! I built (with my husband’s help) my studio for blogging and for my personal projects.

For now, I will continue my blog, make it grow and, as a sneakpeak, for you dear readers, I am starting writing my first book! OMG!

It's going to be a styling inspirational book, with several examples, from several great artists that I know and I am sure you will love their ideas. Hope you will wait for it and follow me at my blog because it’s been quite fun working with so many great and creative people to do this amazing book project!

To you dear Desha, whom I admire so much, I thank you for your kind invitation to write a post to your great blog and I wish that your beautiful project will continue with so much happiness and fun as you have been doing so wonderfully!


LOve,
Anna


A note from Desha~ 
Thank you Anna for this beautiful story and your willingness to share it here as my First Guest Writer, I really enjoyed working on this project with you and can clearly see your dedication and love of style and design! 
Wishing you continued success and joy,  
xoxo Desha

......................................................................................................................................................

Monday, August 29, 2011

Wild, Wild Horses

Lots going on right now with the show, blog and also trying to manage the intense flooding happening in Brattleboro as a result of Hurricane Irene. Thanks for all your inquiries, my home and family are fine, but lots of damage to my beautiful town.

In the meantime, I wanted to share an art collaboration between mother and daughter. I was inspired to draw a bit after taking a "Sketching Nature" class at the River Gallery Art School (I hope the flood didn't damage this jewel). I really felt like drawing horses, I think because I saw the most beautiful scarves with a wonderful horse print on Decor8 by Silken Favours.

Anyway, the little lady agreed to join me and it was fun to let her splash paint, glitter and water all over the place and not get too caught up in the final product- and I think the result was a fine joint effort. I gave one to Holly Becker at her book release party in Boston just for fun~





I have lots in store for you soon, including episode 4 with Ayda Robana, and my first guest blogger, Anna Heleno, a wonderful stylist from Portugal, will tell her story. There's a new artist from Florida that will be part of my Artist Series, as well as a surprise recording from a friend out of San Francisco~ so stay tuned. 
p.s. Like The Desha Show HERE!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Desha Show FUNraiser, on a lovely VT evening

As we get ready to release Episode 4 of The Desha Show featuring chef to the stars, Ayda Robana of Santa Barbara, CA. I wanted to share some beautiful images of The Desha Show FUNraiser, which Ayda catered. A very special thanks to photographer Dianna Healey also of Santa Barbara, who captured the romance and glimmer of the evening.  

It was a sold out event, with music by Red Heart the Ticker and Dianna's fiance Rey Villalobos, House of Wolves. Take a look and tell me your thoughts~
Pretty girls Meghan and Elle help prepare

The menu included Harisa Lamb Meatballs, Tequila Lime Prawns, Thai Chicken Triangles, Sweet Potato Thai Triangles, a crostini duo, and cheese/ olive plate.

Red and white wine were served along with Ayda's signature cocktail, the Watermelon Mojito- absolutely delicious.
Sweet tables were set for guests as they arrived
It's good to give thanks. Each guest received a little gift to take home.
Flowers by the talented Hillary Duggan
Tapas included a crostini duo, such as manchego cheese with pea puree and truffle oil on French bread
A little old-fashion record playing in between sets

Future Desha Show Intern
The happy hostess, Desha Peacock
Musical performance by one of my favorite bands, Red Heart the Ticker

Second set with talented singer/songwriter Rey Villalobos from House of Wolves
Ayda Robana's signature cocktail, The Watermelon Mojito

Ayda Robana and Desha Peacock

Thanks to all who made this event such a fun time. Look for episode 4 of The Desha Show with Ayda Robana and more footage of this magical evening coming August 30 on BCTV and right here!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Lunch with Holly Becker of Decor8: Book Tour Begins!

Holly Becker and Desha Peacock at Anthropologie
Congratulations to Holly Becker, founder of Decor8 and author of the lovely book Decorate. Many of you know that I greatly admire Holly, not only for her great sense of style, but also for her inspirational story. Holly fully pursued her dreams of being a stylist and writer and today we celebrated her first US Book Tour! The book signing and mood board event was held at Anthropologie in Boston (delight!)

It was a gift to meet Holly in person and tell her how she's inspired me. I had the opportunity to chat with her for a brief spell, and I can now confirm that she is genuinely a super nice person, and someone you could imagine just hanging out with.

Holly Becker's US Book Tour
Anthropologie in Boston



After the official event, a lucky few had lunch with Holly to celebrate her success and get to know one another. The crew consisted of other style bloggers, interior designers, illustrators, artists, and writers, many of whom I've admired from afar. Although I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone, I want to send a shout out to some of my new buddies and hope you'll check them out, too! 

I was really excited to meet Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, artist and author of Painted Pages, a book I will be buying very soon. Sarah lives in Noho, MA, which is pretty close to me, maybe we can rally and get her on The Desha Show! Check our Sarah's website and blog.


MY NEW BOOK!
Monica Lee Studios
Another blogger/artist that I've admired for sometime is Monica Lee with Monica Lee Studios, a fireball, Monica is not just a fantastic illustrator but also a business lady with lots of ideas, we will be seeing more of her on this blog if we're lucky!


Thanks to Juliann Covino of  Jace Interiors  and Create Girl  for putting this lunch together and for encouraging me to enter the wide world of twitter!



Ellenmainpic
How cute is Ellen's work??
Also in the mix,  Ellen Crimi-Trent is a talented and successful illustrator whose designs you might have seen at Target, amongst other places. 




Someone else I hope to get to know better is 
Rochelle Greayer who is currently working on a new magazine called Leaf, a lifestyle magazine focused on outdoor living. I can't wait to check out the first issue due out in October. Go Rochelle!


2011 06 01 10 25 12.pdf000 House Tour
Katy Elliott chronicles the renovation of her amazing 260 yr old home in Marblehead, MA- a huge undertaking that you can follow here.



Amisha Thakkar-Kashyap is a software developer by day, but  jewelry designer by night. Check out her work here. Etsy shop coming soon!


wellerwishes

Another fun gal I'd like to get to know better is Kathy Weller, artist and product designer, she's at Weller Wishes.com 


Book Signing Event Only
Check here for other dates on Holly's book tour



Congrats again to Holly Becker, who we all love- I hope to see you again, you're always welcome in Vermont! 




For those of you who I didn't get to meet, please send me a note and let's get to know one another~






Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Alley of Art, take 2

"Like" Alley of Art here. And visit during Gallery Walk, the first Friday of every month. Alley of Art is located in the alley next to Franke's Pizza on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, VT. 
Please meet Rachel Brooks
artist
photographer
jewelry maker
and all around super creative gal.


Alley of Art is a collaborative showing of several fantastic artists in an alley off Elliot St. in Brattleboro, VT. To see part one of this post, click here and check out Jonas Fricke's work.  




A sampling of Rachel's Super cool feather earings...














The following is a small sample of the Rachel's stunning photography. This set is called, "Days with my Little Friend"  See more Rachel's work here


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