Watch Episode 4 of The Desha Show: Ayda Robana

Enjoy Episode 4 of The Desha Show with chef to the stars Ayda Robana with special footage of The Desha Show FUNraiser and musical entertainment from Red Heart the Ticker.

For more pictures of the FUNraiser, check out this post.

Thanks for stopping by, I'd love to here from you, leave me a note in the comments section below~ xo Desha

Episode 4 on BCTV tonight!

The Desha Show presents Episode 4 with Ayda Robana tonight, Friday, October 28th at 7pm.
Tune into BCTV tonight! No TV? You can watch it here tomorrow or watch it streaming on BCTV!

Color! Color! Color!

Do you love color?

Did you know many of us see colors in a different way and that men are typically more color blind than women? Yep.

I'm thinking about color a lot lately-

Colors can evoke emotions and we need to think about this in our wardrobe, in our homes and even in our businesses.

I'm curious, is there a way to study color? Could there be a degree in color symbolism in design?

Now, that's something I'd like to study!

I did take a one day workshop on Fashion Feng Shui and that was pretty cool. Maybe I'll do a little post on that one day... but I truly want to know more about all things COLOR!

I've noticed I tend to go for neutral shades on my walls and furniture, but like to add color with accessories, art, and fabric. I tend to do the same thing with my wardrobe. As I think about a design for a business card and website, I lean towards neutrals and pastels. But, there's so many beautiful colors- how does one decide???

I'm taking a course on designing a personal website and my professor told me about COLOURlovers, where you can create color palettes, patterns and share ideas. Check out this example of a color palette that is just lovely over at Chance of Rain.

There's even a page on business branding and it gives you the colors of sites like Etsy, for example.

pics found on oh my dear threads

For more color inspiration, check out  A Creative Mint and her Color Me Pretty posts on decor8.

Also check out Starlet from Can you Come Home, who takes color inspiration from food and turns it into the coolest fashion spreads!

Okay, this list could go on and on, but I'll end with one of my favorite new blogs- Anastasia Drawing and Dreaming- she has amazing taste in fashion and has a section on color, too.

What about you?  Where do you find color inspiration? Do you use the same color palettes for your home, clothing and business? How do you pick your colors??

Do tell.

A New Way of Showing Fashion in NY

As part of my FOCUS ON FASHION series this month, I'd like to talk tweed on bikes.

My friend Shari, owner of one of my favorite stores in Brattleboro- Altiplano, just sent me a link to this GREAT VIDEO that I want to share today. It's a piece that Bill Cunningham put together for his "On the Street" segment for the New York Times.

300 New Yorkers put on their best tweed and vintage wear from the 30's and 40's and instead of walking down a runway, these everyday folk biked through the city- how cool is that? I could see something like that here in Brattleboro-

Ladies, I know you'd do it. Men, are you ready to dress in your best vintage tweed, sport a little bow tie and maybe even drink tea from a china cup? I BET YOU ARE!


Click here to watch the short Video



Being on the radio is super fun!

Thanks to Steve West of Live and Local for having me on his radio show yesterday.

You know what?

Being on the radio is super fun! Talking with Steve was sort of just like hanging out with a buddy, talking about interesting things. He's really good at asking the right questions and getting to the heart of what you as a guest want to say, so I really appreciate that- thanks Steve!

We talked about The Desha Show- about episode 3 with Marshall of Cirq de Soleil and how he is such a joyous person, but has definitely had his turbulent times. If you haven't seen that, you can watch it here- I really love this episode. (scroll down to see it).

Episode 4 with Ayda Robana is coming soon! It's airing on BCTV this Friday, Oct 28 at 7pm. And I'll post it here on Saturday.

We also talked about how excited I am for the  huge fashion show coming to Brattleboro on Nov 19, and how people need to start planning their outfits now! Especially Steve and Joe Bushey (who graciously filmed the radio show)- ALTHOUGH they both showed up in FLANNEL- can you believe that??? (he-he).

xo Desha

Desha on the Radio!

Tune into WKVT tomorrow at 11am, where I'll be returning to talk with Steve West on Live and Local! We'll discuss the release of the latest episode of The Desha Show with Ayda Robana, releasing on BCTV this Friday, Oct 28 at 7pm! You'll also hear about the Brattleboro Fashion Show coming Nov 19, and other good news!

Say Hello to Leaf Magazine: Fall Fashion

shop 

Easy Pieces for Fall Layers 

Welcome! Today I'm ever so pleased to introduce you to Leaf Magazine!  It's all about beautiful and inspirational outdoor design offering a fresh approach to stylish living. Included in this issue, is a  piece on fall fashion, which is perfect since The Desha Show is focusing on FASHION until Nov 19, in honor of Brattleboro's fabulous Fashion Show- Wild Night on the Catwalk!

I met Rochelle Greayer, editor and co-founder of Leaf Magazine, at Holly Becker’s Decorate book launch at Anthropologie in Boston.  A few of us were invited to an exclusive lunch with Holly of décor8, and that’s where I first learned of Leaf! Make sure and check out the rest of Leaf Magazine online today! 


From Leaf~

Since Leaf is all about digital content, we decided to shop some very accessible fashion sites in our quest for all things relating to outdoor style, including fashion. 

Classic styling and natural materials in warm autumnal hues can fit into anyone’s wardrobe. These aren’t outdoor work clothes, although some have the kind of practical styling that is common to American casual sportswear. Jeans, the quintessential American addition to the fashion lexicon, are the basis for the pants, and in other pieces, buttons button and ties tie. 

The easy pieces we’ve chosen are practical, yet fantastic for a morning meeting of friends for cider and doughnuts, a day of flea market treasure hunting, exploring a local corn maze with the kids, or just being out and about in the cool autumn air. Layer them over clothes you already have, and we’re sure some of these will become your favorites in the months to come.-SC 

My heart

Art by Vale Burns

People often say "listen to your heart". What does that mean?

Tonight I visualized my heart.

First it appeared as an anatomically correct version of the body part, then it was a red cut out valentine, and quickly it morphed into a blindly bright ball of sunlight.

It immediately radiated warmth and it said "I love you"

I realized in that moment, I am drawn to light. I need the sun. My heart needs sunlight.

I seek warmth to give warmth. I seek light to give light. I seek inspiration to be an inspiration.

I'm not sure what's happening, but my heart is full to the brim with heat, with light, with joy, passion, and pure excitement! Listen to your heart, what's it saying to you?

Monica Lee Talks Fashion: Style Vs. Taste

On Nov 19, I'll be the "red carpet hostess" for a huge fashion show happening in Brattleboro, in honor of this event I'm focusing on Fashion/Style until that date. Please join me and welcome my first guest....

Monica Lee is an illustrator, designer, writer, and fashion lover~  today she is my special guest here on The Desha Show! Welcome, Monica!

I am so excited to be guest posting here today! I met Desha at a blogging event and instantly connected with her. As we chatted away we both confessed to have a particular interest in fashion. It is often interesting when and where I choose to bring my passion for fashion up in conversation.. I have had other artists look at me with complete disdain when I talk about fashion or styling. Fashion is often associated with trends and trends are associated with a lack of authenticity.

About 100 years ago (okay, maybe just about 20 years ago,) I will never forget reading an article in a magazine discussing true style verses good taste. The author was making the differentiation between someone who wore large gold kite earrings and seamed stockings everyday to work verses someone who looked liked they stepped off the page of a catalog. She pointed to iconic Cher as someone who had style and Grace Kelley who merely had good taste. It made perfect sense as I was reading it. You may not like Cher's style, but she certainly marches to the beat of her own drummer. Elvis, Betsy Johnson, Marlene Dietrich all had style. George O’keefe had style simply because she dressed with an anti-style attitude. Jackie Onassis, Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama have good taste. What? Blasphemy! Times have shifted 20 years later and we use the phrase style icon much too casually. Grace and Jackie are now considered “style” icons. But are they really?

Well, here is an interesting take on it. I watched an episode of Project Runway where the young designers had to use Jackie O’s style as their muse. The designers really struggled with the challenge and the resulting runway show was tepid at best. 

I was surprised that none of the designers reached back into the photos of Jackie’s more casual, sporty looks. I think you see a glimmer of style when she was not dressing appropriately for an event. If those same designers where asked to use Bridgette Bardot or even Mick Jagger as their muse, I am sure the runway show would have been much more eventful!

These days most of whom we see on the Red Carpet have been styled. A stylist or image consultant tells the said important person how to wear their hair and even picks their outfits for grabbing a cup of coffee, “you never know when you might be photographed”! Don’t get me wrong I would jump at the chance to style someone with a bigger budget than mine! Truthfully, style doesn’t really need a big budget. Style says, “I feel like wearing a T-shirt and long velvet skirt today” or “I am going to wear my father’s 1950‘s cowboy rodeo belt buckle with my little black dress.”

Style wears the same pair of spectacles for 20 years because they suit her face. Style knows that trends may come and go but knows herself well enough to avoid most of them. Style is everything from relaxed and unaffected to adventurous and daring. True Style does not need dip her toe into the pool of gaudy. She really doesn’t need that kind of attention. Style lives by her own design and it resonates in everything she does.

Someone with taste is a good listener. 

Taste is careful not to question. Let’s give Taste a little credit though, she understands scale and proportion. That’s good and pleasant but it doesn’t necessarily turn heads or make you think. Taste appropriately mixes high and low in a nod to the ailing economy. Taste knows what brands are up and coming and does them a favor by being seen in them. Style is not necessarily loyal to any brand but if something genuinely speaks to her, she is passionate about it.  In the end, that is the difference between style and taste, True Style has passion. She carries her own authentic energy. Who would you like to meet, Taste or Style?

Monica Lee is an illustrator, designer, writer, and fashion lover, make sure and check out her playful illustrations on her blog and "like" her page on Facebook. Thanks Monica!

Focus on Fashion!

There's to be a FASHION SHOW in Brattleboro, Vermont! Yes, it's true!

On a Vermonter's "must have" list you will not find Dior or Chanel- instead, you'll find a healthy amount of flannel, fleece, wool, and Uggs on everyone's Christmas lists. Even at the very best restaurant in town the norm is jeans and chacos. Lord help me.

So, when I heard there was going to be a REAL fashion show in Brattleboro, I knew I had to be involved. It's a benefit for the Hospice, and the scale is pretty massive for our little town. Plans have been in the making for a YEAR. There are professional models, stylists and designers from Boston, New York, and of course, the Brattleboro area.

I've been asked to be the "Red Carpet Hostess" and will be building hype and excitement for the event- interviewing people on camera and so on. It's going to be so much FUN!! What will I wear???

So, in honor of this joyous occasion, I'm going to focus on Fashion and Style for the next month. If you are a stylist, designer, or work in a related area, I'd love to hear from you this month. Until then, I challenge you beautiful Vermonter's- PUT AWAY the FLEECE this month!

Wild Night on the Catwalk will be November 19 from 6:30-11:00 at the Currier Center Putney School.

Desha Receives Best New Producer of the Year at BCTV!

Good things are happening with The Desha Show! Those of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, might already know this, but I was honored and surprised to receive the Best New Producer of the Year Award from my local TV Station- BCTV!

I have to tell you that when I decided to do go through with this one year goal of throwing my heart and soul into this show/blog, I needed a little extra faith, so I went to see an intuitive in town who confirmed my path.

Hence, have a 12 month chart starting in April 2010 when I officially made my intention and every month so far as been pretty accurate. I won't go into too many details, but it did say that in September I would be rewarded for previous work. It was pretty cool that I received the BCTV award in that month...  Okay, so I know some of you are scoffing at the idea of seeing an intuitive and that of course they are going to tell you what you want to hear... well, so what. Maybe we need to hear what we want to hear. It doesn't really matter if it works, right?

I'm pretty excited for the next 3 months. The reading found that I should work hard in October and put intense energy into my work. In November, I'll need to focus and be prepared to let something go- what will it be??? December is my favorite- two words say it all: Passion and Success. And yes, that IS what I want to hear.

We did it!

Just a quick post to thank you for donating your time and money towards the I Have A Friend Event/ Dinner, a benefit for a friend with 2 children who really needs a new car. Between the dinner and online donations we raised over $600 towards a purchase of a car.

There's still time to donate, just click here!

Even better, many of you sent me information about organizations that help people get cars such as, More than Wheels and The Good News Garage.

I can't wait to see my friend in her new/used car!!
Until next time~ Desha

I Have A Friend

~YOU WILL NEVER REGRET DOING SOMETHING GOOD~  I have a friend who needs help. She might be your friend, too. We all have our ups and downs, and this friend needs our support now. She’s part of our dear Brattleboro community. She’s also a single mom with two beautiful children and a giant, generous heart. Here’s her story: Her car broke down and was towed away. As she tried to gather the money to get her car out, the fees accrued until she was no longer able to pay the $750 fee to get the car released, not to mention the cost of getting the car fixed. Thus, she had to GIVE her car away to the tow company. Now, winter is approaching and she has no transportation. She lives in out of town, and is finding it difficult to get to work. Our goal is to raise enough money for her to put a down payment on a reliable used car. TWO WAYS TO HELP- PICK ONE! 1. DONATE MONEY ONLINE Be kind and donate your KARMA money now online here, you can give as little as 10 bucks (come on guys you spent more than this on lunch..) 2. COME TO DINNER  Come to the "I Have A Friend Spaghetti Dinner"  This Sat October 8  163 Marlboro Ave, Brattleboro, 05301  6pm Musical entertainment by our friend Jackson Emmer. Dinner will be a pasta, salad and dessert. BYOB Kid friendly! Suggested donations $10, but if you're rich, you should give more! xo Desha Update: We've already received half our goal in donations, please help us reach our goal of raising at least $500!  p.s. Most donations are coming through the mail rather than online, if you want to mail a donation- send it to Desha Peacock at the same address listed above.