I'm Writing A Book!

Dearest Readers,

Before last summer, I couldn't have guessed that I would be signing a book contract with a NY publisher on a subject that I so deeply love.

I had just finished filming The Desha Show in Nantucket and decided to have a front porch meeting with Development Editor/Author Suzanne Kingsbury and Literary Agent Dede Cummings to discuss how to grow the show, when Dede suggested writing a "Style Book." Her words made my heart RACE.  The energy and ideas flew back and worth and at the end I was almost scared of the idea. It sounded so good and so close to my heart that if I let myself get too excited, and then it didn't work,  I would be more than disappointed... I would be devastated.

Isn't this how it works? We can't acknowledge our number one dream b/c it's too scary to admit we want it. If we admit it and fail, it hurts so much worse than if we failed at something we didn't really care about.

I am not an interior designer. I am not a stylist. I am not an author. It seemed like a long shot to try and write a book on home decor/style and meaning. But I thrive in the world of possibilities. If there was even the slightest bit of hope that it could work, I had to try.

I  might not have the right degrees or certificates, blah blah, blah. But I do know what I like when it comes to style and I am willing to work hard.

Since that day on the porch, I put my whole heart and soul into writing the proposal and tried to be patient through the process. Now I know why authors have sentimental dedications in their books... writing a book is sort of like hanging up a piece of art that took you two years to paint. You've thought about it a lot, it's personal and it makes you feel a bit vulnerable to show the world.

There's so much more I want to share, but for now I just want to take a deep breath and acknowledge my feelings of gratitude. I've loved decor, style and inspirational stories 4-ever and now is my chance to write a book about what I love most. Yippee- Hayay!

Do you have a dream you're too scared to even admit to yourself? Did you take a risk and follow a dream even though it seemed impossible? How did it go? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments below.

xo

Scared of listening to your intuition? Don't be.

This morning I had the pleasure of being interviewed on BCTV to talk about living in the Sweet Spot and how creating The Desha Show on BCTV has opened up doors for me that I could never have imagined. Less than three years ago I was struggling with that never ended esoteric question, "What should I be doing with this fine life of mine" but really it was probably phrased more like, "What the HELL am I doing???"

How cute is Roland at BCTV?

I love my day job as the Director of Career Development at Marlboro College because I get to help people with this question daily. I encourage students to get in touch with their intuition and explore fields they might be interested in. Then it occurred to me, maybe I should take my own advice. I had this dream of doing something creative... but WHAT?

I'd dabbled in ceramics, knitting, Chinese brush painting, sewing, photography and more.  I loved home decor, fashion, art, travel and inspirational stories but couldn't see how to pull all my passions into one thing. Until a fateful day when I went to see Patti at Silvermoon and through some heart opening conversations I came to the realization that I should start a TV show. But, seriously, who starts a TV show in Brattleboro, Vermont? Shouldn't you be in LA or NY or something? And I admit, I was sort of like... what's the point?  But you know what, I didn't let my ego get the best of me. I did it anyway. I produced 7 shows with the amazing support of BCTV and it's opened up so many amazing opportunities for me.

Besides making new friends and being inspired by their Sweet Spot Stories (like author Suzanne Kingsbury from my very 1st episode!) , I've also won an award for best series, hosted several large scale Red Carpet events, and now.... I am writing my first published book- the working title is Sweet Spot Style: Creating the style you crave on  a budget you can afford. I never dreamed of having my own show or writing a home decor book, it's so perfect for me that I can barely believe it's real.
But it is.

A huge thanks to Patti for helping me tap into my own intuition and following it. And thanks to BCTV, because I never would have created The Desha Show without you.

Are you struggling with making your dreams come true? Are you scared to listen to your intuition? What can you do TODAY to get closer to your Sweet Spot? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.

xo Desha

I Have a New Column on Brattleborology!

Did you know that Brattleboro is listed in the top 20 small towns on Smithsonian.com and there's a new article in the NY Mag featuring our cute little town? Oh yes, Brattleboro IS the place to be!

I've said it before, Brattleboro is a sweet place to live and attracts the most creative, amazing people! Thus, I'm happy to announce that I am writing a new column on Brattleborology focusing on art, culture, style and events that make Brattleboro shine. It's called "My Little Brattleboro".

Click here to read my interview on Brattleborology and check back on Thursday for coverage of the Farmer's Masquerade and interview with local photographer and event planner, Elle James.

Ta-ta for now!

minä perhonen

minä perhonen

A Japanese fashion brand created by designer Akira Minagawa, influenced by Scandinavian lifestyle and culture.

Thanks Elle for turning me on to this AMAZING designer. 

LOVE.

The Desha Show: Wild Night on the Catwalk Video Teaser

Take a look at behind the scenes footage of Wild Night on the Catwalk, a benefit for the Brattleboro Area Hospice, and the biggest fashion show in New England. Stay tuned for more footage coming soon in the next episode of The Desha Show~

Sneak Peak: Wild Night on the Catwalk...Part 1

The first photos are in and there are many more to come (and video of course!)

But for now, here's a sneak peak of the coolest event I've been to in Brattleboro!

Wild Night on the Catwalk was a complete success with over 600 people cheering on nine amazing designers. Monte Belmonte from WRSI, the River was the MC and I had the honor of being the Red Carpet Hostess!

It was a benefit for the Brattleboro Area Hospice, and people poured in to support this amazing non-profit organization whose mission it is to give support to those nearing the end of life.

It provided the community with a chance to get dressed up, have a glass of wine or two, and simply feel glamorous- something we all need every once in a while, right?

I hope to introduce you to each designer and their amazing garments, but for now, I hope you enjoy this sneak peak~

I had the honor of being the Red Carpet Hostess. Here I am chatting it up with a cute Brattleboro local.
Photo by Diana Whitney

Anastasia on the Little Black Dress

As part of my Focus on Fashion Series, I'd like to welcome, all the way from Australia, Anastasia!


LBD

Hello! Its Anastasia here today and I'm thrilled to be Guest posting here at Desha's blog! I think fashion shouldn't have any rules and regulations, style is all about personal expression after all, ...but we've been told time after time that we must have at least one ' Little Black Dress ' in our wardrobe..

me? i have a few...i do love a pretty black dress. they are my 'go to' options when I'm suddenly invited somewhere special that requires me to look elegant and chic but the LBD is available in so many styles and designs so a perfect way to express a fashionable mood.


It wasn't that long ago when it wasn't acceptable for women to wear black in public, unless in mourning of course, so here's a little tribute to the LBD.

Top image Jean Seberg
* 1960s black lanz dress by Thrush
* 60s mod party dress by factoryhandbook
* 1950s Vintage Cotton sun Dress by Allencompanyinc 

* Hugs Anastasia

Do you have a favorite LBD? Pop over to Anastasia's lovely site, and let her know! Also make sure and check out her Etsy shop with the cutest tags ever!


xo Desha

Brattleboro Style

 

Happy Birthday Daniel, it was a fun party.

Suzanne Kingsbury Visits The Desha Show

Thanks to author Suzanne Kingsbury for this fine commentary. You are an inspiration. And also, you crack me up, girl.                                                                                    

Finding Your Sweet Spot (I promise this is only a little x-rated!)

November 3rd, 2011 by suzanne

Here I post a weekly diary entry from my grandmother, Maggie, who lived on Saint Mark’s Place,Manhattan, in 1937, and a blog entry from yours truly, who lives in Brattleboro, Vermont, 2010.

The most fabulously incredible thing is happening in Brattleboro, it’s called the Desha Show, a talk show interviewing people who are living in their sweet spots.  So, if you were ever wondering why doesn’t the spot I’m in feel sweet?  Well, you can find out how others got to their sweet spots on the air with Desha Peacock as hostess extraordinaire.

The show just this second launched its fourth episode featuring Ayda Robana, culinary chef to the stars and owner of Om Sweet Mama’s in Santa Barbara (where else?). On other episodes she has interviewed Cirque du Soleil performers and wild comic book writers and my goodness absolutely anyone who has shot for the moon and landed among the stars including ummm a novelist/editor you might know, but I won’t mention any names.

This particular show is cut through with scenes from the Desha Show fun-raiser, the absolute highlight of everyone’s summer, a sparkling celebration under the cradle of a quarter moon right here in my own hometown of Brattleboro, Vermont.  Piles of artists and performers and writers and fans came from as far away as California, and the lawn was decked-out in shabby chic décor that would have made Rachel Ashwell proud. We all drank watermelon mojitos and beautiful people milled around everywhere.  Ayda cooked grilled shrimp and lamb meatballs and hundreds of other delectable tapas while Red Heart the Ticker played a sexy set and then House of Wolves lullabyed us before he ran away on his European tour. He really does sometimes lullabye, it’s very sweet spotty.

Everyone there was living in his or her sweet spot at least for that night.  And while I was standing with Margie Pivar admiring her splash-of-pink dress and talking about her screenplay which was just this minute picked up in Hollywood, I thought how my grandma Maggie would have loved this party, wearing a fancy shift on a summer night with an open bar at her side. As we know, Maggie wallowed in her sweet spot and was friendly with all the other 1940s sweet spotters, and I just had to run right home and dust off the diary and the blog, which has been in deep deep remission (a topic for another time) and finally finally finally check in with Grandma Maggie on Saint Mark’s place as she drinks her champagne and eats her coconut cakes and to say thank you thank you to all you sweethearts (and sweet spotters) who dare to stop your busy lives and follow her…

Click here for the  Desha Show!  And then like it on facebook! Why not?  Or hang out withRed Heart the Ticker and House of Wolves right here…