It's like a scene from your blog...

Late summer dinners on the porch in Vermont make me happy. Even without a kitchen and washing dishes in the yard with a water hose, everything is better with wine and good friends.

it's like a scene from your blog.... Theo

sweet friends reunite

black rice, roasted root veggies and honey tofu polenta bake from Gita

blessings

Vermont Farmhouse Garden Magic Story

Every home tells a story. Whether it's brand new or 300 yrs old, there is always a story to tell. So when my editor Abigail Gehring Lawrence invited me to her childhood home in Vermont, I was so happy to pull onto the dirt driveway and find this scene.  Hope you enjoy this snapshot of our evening and get a glimpse of the true glory of summertime in Vermont.

Abigail's childhood farmhouse, built in the late 1700's
 Wilmington, VT

farmhouse garden magic

appetizers included bacon wrapped figs with maple,  coconut dipping sauce
wine and Tim's homemade ginger ale on the porch

main course in the garden

farm fresh salad with watermelon, dill, avocado and nasturtiums

inside we found relics, curious collections left behind by trusting family members

trinkets to behold

treasures on display

untold stories abound

the heart of a Vermont home

secret places yet to explore...

~ thank you Abigail and Tim for sharing your VT Sweet Spot with us ~

Inspiration in New Orleans

As the snow drifts down softening the earth with shades of white here in Vermont, I can't help but think back to last week where the bright textured colors of New Orleans infuse the city, where the azaleas are abloom already and where the breeze flows through open windows and trolleys.

We rented a small shotgun home around the quaint Magazine area, full of boutiques, cafes and the most wonderfully unique architecture. As a teen, we'd sneak away and drive from Little Rock to New Orleans to throw beads and flirt with cute boys, sloshing our pink hurricane drinks onto the streets, into the crowds and all over each other. Although we missed Mardi Gras this time, I was excited to share this beautiful, romantic, and often a little twisted city with my daughter. We caught up with some good friends, visited family, and I did a little research for my new project which I haven't officially announced :)

City Park, NOLA

Our little Nest was the one on the right, with the bright pink door~

I've never seen so many chandeliers

Royal St, The French Quarter

Visiting New Orleans gave me a burst of energy and inspiration that will have to carry me through these snow filled days in Vermont. Soon enough the first crocus will burst through the frozen earth offering hints of color that will soon explode and bring back that familiar pleasure. Until then, the warm colors, gritty textures and elegant southern charm of New Orleans will keep me company.

Introducing: My Little Bratteboro & The Farmers' Masquerade

Watch the Farmers' Masquerade Video to see more pics!

I’m happy to write my first piece here on Brattleborology where I’ll focus on the art, culture, style and unique events that make this place SHINE!  I thought it appropriate to start by covering one of the most creative and fun events of the year, The Farmers’ Masquerade, created by local photographer and event planner, Elle James.

The Farmers’ Masquerade took place in a traditional red barn in Southern Vermont and the setting was spectacular, in that Vermont rustic soulful way. The lights were strung, ethnic fabrics floated in mid-air, light poured in through the cracks as the masked guests arrived and swayed to the sounds of bluegrass.

Three Chicks Farm

Homemade Photo Booth

1. Tell me about the Farmers' Masquerade, where did the idea come from?
I recently moved onto a beautiful old farm with two other ladies and coined the nickname Three Chicks Farm.  The property has a gorgeous old barn and I began fantasizing about having a party there.  Living in Vermont there are few opportunities to get dressed up, and I wanted to throw a party that not only had a theme, but encouraged people to dress up.  But of course being in a barn, it had to have a rustic element to it.  That's how I came up with Farmer's Ball,  which didn't seem specific enough and led to the very exciting idea of a Farmers' Masquerade!

2. What was the highlight of the evening?

There were so many great things about the night; but I would have to say either the great live Bluegrass music by Jonn Davis and Six Feet Deep or the homemade photo booth.  

3. I've been to lots of your parties and there is always this beautiful essence,  how do you achieve this magical presence with your events?

"Magic" is a perfect word for what I try to create.  A beautiful presentation is key.  With this event in particular I think the magic was in the details; vintage bottles filled with wild flowers lined the food table, the barn was bedazzled with white lights, which added sparkle.  The guests, from young mothers with babies on their hips, to a fun and feisty 84 yr old, added to the diversity of the event.  It was a potluck where everyone brought beautiful food and the DIY photo booth was unique, providing memorable keepsakes!

4. You are an incredibly creative person by nature, how do you throw such amazing events on a tight budget?

In order not to use plastic or disposable dishes or utensils,  I collected forks, dishes and glassware from the Swap Shop at the dump. Along with being eco-friendly, the dishes and glassware add to the charm and unique ambiance.  I find retro looking items at discount food stores and I love treasure hunting for unusual things that add beauty and texture, especially vintage fabrics.

5. What's next for Elle?

I am currently taking clients for creative portrait photography and event planning. I can be contacted at elleteresajames@gmail.com while my website is under construction. 

Thanks Elle for an amazing event and interview! xo Desha

our cabin

When we bought our house, I had dreamy visions of making the room between our garage and back porch into a greenhouse, a playspace, an art studio.... five years later, it was  covered in cobwebs, pollen, gardening tools, and had turned into a patio furniture junkyard. One day last week when I was supposed to be doing something else, the spirit took hold of me and b/f I knew it, I'd spent the entire day sweeping, mopping, dusting and painting this look nook. My daughter painted the walls pink and we decorated it with things we love. We named it the "cabin" inspired by a song by Red Heart the Ticker, When We Were Young. There's a line that says:

"when we were young we had a cabin, one window, one table, we had hours, we were vandals, there was nothing where we weren’t able below the stars and beneath the shining sun, oh we could be in love with anyone, beneath the shining sun".

Our "Cabin" and new home of Sweet Spot Career Counseling.
Photos and Design by Elle James

When we had finished, I knew this space was going to be my new office for my private career counseling practice. That's right, Sweet Spot Career Counseling is coming soon!

Thanks to Elle James for the beautiful pics of our "cabin".
xoxo
Desha

Dear Vermont

Yesterday was my daughter's last All School Sing at Neighborhood Schoolhouse. I decided it was more important to stop, let her sit in my lap, hold my ears, and sing rather than run home to work like I usually do. It was the right choice. As we sang "This Little Light of Mine" and "These Green Mountains are My Home", I looked around the light filled room and saw Iyla's teacher cuddling a little baby, a pre-school girl sitting in the lap of a 6th grade boy, and children sitting in their parent's laps- content, safe and warm. Tears streamed down as I felt the IMMENSE GRATITUDE for this time in our lives- it's what we wanted. We wanted our daughter to grow up here in this loving place. We wanted our daughter to be connected to nature at this school roaming free in the woods, getting her princess outfit muddy and bringing home pet slugs named "Sluggy" and "Cutey Pie".


In honor of this moment,  I share this love letter from friend, writer, musician, mother Robin MacArthur who describes the beauty of this time and place. Listen and you'll know why a piece of my heart will always reside in these green mountains, wherever I roam.


Writer and musician Robin MacArthur pens a love letter to her home state. Scored by Red Heart the Ticker, the band Robin plays in with her husband Tyler Gibbons.  Photos by the talented Sara Brooke Curtis. Check out Robin's blog: Woodbird.

Dar Tavernier-Singer

Brattleboro, VT attracts a lot of artists, musicians, and other creative types. People choose to live here even though the economy is tiny because it's a lifestyle where one can create. It's pretty common to hear the term "piecing it together" in reference to the all consuming question, "what do you do?". 
We piece it together and somehow it works. 


In fact, by piecing it together we are allowed to tap into multiple selves and get away from that awful thing called "specialization". 


I prefer to celebrate and admire those who are boldly multi-talented- like this Vermonter, Dar Tavernier-Singer.  She describes herself as an artist, graphic designer, chocolatier, magpie and bowerbird. She has two Etsy sites, both with a small but beautiful selection of handmade items. Below are a few of my favorites.

Etched in water buffalo bone, this scrimshaw piece was made with waterproof sepia ink that was sealed with a beeswax resin, & strung on a delicate filigree copper chain with copper lobster clasp. By Dar on akimbaMade.

two initials etched side-by-side on one face of an oval disc, which spins to say "beloved"
on the other, both in graceful script

Imagine getting one of these necklaces in the mail. Delightful!

Flour sack cotton towels, hand printed with antique hand-carved Indian woodblock

Simple and Beautiful Hand Towels by Flo & Ella, named after Dar's Grandmothers

~Visit Dar's blog, Bucolic Splendor, for more visual goodies and tell her to keep multi-tasking~

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~

Fashion Show this Sat!

I've been talking about it for weeks, and it's finally here- this Saturday is the Wild Night on the Catwalk Fashion Show in Brattleboro!

Below you'll find a summary of a larger article released in the Brattleboro Reformer today.


Wednesday November 16, 2011
BRATTLEBORO -- Lost amid the wonders of the delicate 19th century Chantilly silk lace vest and the black taffeta strapless dress belted by impossible-to-find silk velvet ribbon, with an orchid-colored square dance petticoat underneath it, is a simple fact -- the success of this design owes as much to sound engineering as it does to artistry....

Designers, models, fashionistas and paparazzi gathered there Monday to mark another milestone in a very big deal. On Saturday, Putney turns into Milan-on-the-Connecticut for the Wild Night on the Catwalk fashion show...

Local and regional designers have created one-of-a-kind, fun fashions for a runway show to benefit Brattleboro Area Hospice. Believed to be the first event of its kind in the area, the fundraiser, which also features a cash bar, fine food and a Not So Silent Auction, starts at 6:30 p.m., at the Michael S. Currier Center on the Putney School campus...

The local and regional designers participating include Truly Alvarenga, Maria Pugnetti, Alice Fogel, Rene Gerrior, Pamela Moore, Cindy Lesczak, Maia Bissette, Kris McDermet and Cynthia Nims...

And the event has caught the eye of the wider world. Conrad Lamour, a Boston-born event producer and fashion designer known for his luxurious, fashionable, but wearable men's and women's clothing, has joined Wild Night on the Catwalk as consultant, stage manager and designer...

Other highlights include a well-known host (WRSI's Monte Belmonte); a red carpet scene with Desha Peacock, a self-described lover of fashion and design (thedeshashow.blogspot.com), who will interview guests as they arrive...

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $50 for Runway seating; $35 for Standing Room. Tickets are available at Brattleboro Area Hospice office, 191 Canal St., and Experienced Goods Home Furnishings store at 51 Elliot St., by calling 802-257-0775, or by using the "Buy Tickets Now" button (purchasing via PayPal at experiencedgoodshome.blogspot.com or compassionforfashion.org.

See the Brattleboro Reformer for the full article~

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