Toujours Magazine

Guest Blog: KiddoSafe Shades for your tots!

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

In our most recent color issue this month we featured some great designs for kids by designers Jeff Andrews, Mark Langos, and Joani Stewart-Georgi in our article about designing for children's rooms. (page 139). After this article came out we were introduced to the talented Julie Houston who has created a fun line of window shades called KiddoSafe Shades that are designed with children's safety and whimsy in mind.

We asked her to do a fun guest blog for us and here she is - enjoy!

KiddoSafe Shades: Where colorful prints and safety meet!

A child's room is a great place for color. It's a private space where the use of interesting palettes is not only acceptable, but expected. Our brand-new patent pending fabric shades bring fun, colorful prints together with the ultimate concern of safety. KiddoSafe Shades are completely cordless and merely use two buttons and two loops to secure the shade in an upright position, thereby reducing all strangulation hazards and making them perfect for rooms where kids sleep and play.

Each shade is custom-made in your choice of nine in-stock fabrics and includes a black out liner for promoting better sleep.

If none of the in-stock fabrics coordinate with your décor, our child-safe blinds can be made in hundreds of special order fabrics for a small surcharge. You may view these fabrics and order swatches by following the link on our website to Premier Prints. The options, from subdued to wild, are fantastic. Designing for a little girl? With sweet styles like Dandelion, Buttercup and Wildflowers and colors like girly blue, candy pink, lipstick and wisteria, the screen printed fabric will not disappoint. Decorating for an animal lover? Check out Best Friends, Butterfly, Ele, Hooty and Stretch in numerous color options. Animal prints and sports themes in juvenile colors are also available. Premier Prints’ color selections and styles are always growing and evolving with new trends, making it fun to plan for rooms for children. These are some of my favorite selections:

My next project is decorating my own kids' rooms. My six year old chose a very grown up duvet and has also requested deep blue walls. With white furniture and plenty of sunlight, I think I can make it work. We plan to use the Summerland/Natural fabric from the Emma Collection for her KiddoSafe Shades.

We're using a neutral green for my preschooler, the car and truck aficionado. We'll probably do a stripe, but wouldn't stars be fun? We'll make final selections by June, when we move into our new home.

In the meantime, we invite you to visit our website at www.kiddosafeshades.com to learn about our cordless shades and to follow the link to Premier Prints, where hundreds of options are sure to excite! We offer designer discounts and believe in good customer service. Please contact us at admin@kiddosafeshades.com for help in ordering our shades or planning your next color adventure.

Julie Houston

Owner/Creator

KiddoSafe Shades

Issue 003 Extra: DIY with the Wild Salvages

2012-01-24T06:22:00.000-08:00

The Wild Salvages of Los Angeles are amazing up-cyclers that use remnants and found objects, revive them and then find them a new home. We adore their work! If you haven't already, definitely check out their article on page 53. In the article we have linked here to show you some detailed instructions for your very own leftovers and a DIY project to keep you busy when it's just too cold to go out!

Projects for DIY at heart:

Do-it-yourself-Decoupage

Turn any glass jar or bottle into aunique, personalized decorative vase.

WHAT YOU NEED:

- Decoupage paper (or newspaper)

- Decoupage glue

- Brush

- Scissors or paper cutter

- Glass bottle or jar (cleanedfirst!)

- Twine/jute/thread/etc for added decoration

Measure and cut thelength of paper you will need to cover the body of your bottle or jar. Paint ona thin layer of glue either to the paper or bottle. Then carefully place oneedge of paper up the length of the bottle, and wrap the rest until it coversentire bottle. You will have a little time before the glue sets to wiggle itinto place if it's a bit crooked at first. For the neck of the bottle, if youchoose, you can spread on another thin layer of glue, then wrap your jute orthread around and around until it's covered. While you're wrapping, you willneed to paint on some more glue, and then again once you're done (it will dryclear). And viola! You now can use it for flowers, succulents, or whateverthrills you!)

Duvet cover

For the savvier do-it-yourself-er

WHAT YOU NEED:

- Material or king size flat sheet in color and print of yourchoosing (for top)

- King size flat sheet for bottom (neutral or complimentarycolor)

- Snaps.

If you buy material froma fabric store, make sure you buy more than what your final duvet covermeasurements are. For a queen/full, for example, your final piece will be88" x 88". These measurements can easily be found online. For agreener, less expensive option you can use a king size flat sheet you've gotlying around or find in a thrift shop.

Spread out your bottomflat sheet, "good" side down. Line up your top sheet,"good" side up, even with one side and the top (closest to where yourpillows will be). You are going to be sewing it inside out.

Twoedges now should line up. Use pins to secure along the top (where pillows willbe). Sew. Repeat along the side that you matched up. The third side is the sameprocess, but you may need to cut some excess fabric before you pin and sew. Forthe bottom, pin about a third of the way from each side towards the middle. Seweach side. What's left is where you will place the snaps. Hem the top sheet andbottom sheet individually so it looks "finished." Now you can turnthe duvet cover inside out (which is actually the "right" way foruse). Place snaps across evenly, on the inside of the hemmed edges, and sew(how many is up to you, but we recommend at least three for a queen/full).

*This modern headboard pictured above was also described in the article - here is the recap:
We found theKing headboard on the street in a very boring, dated stain, we grabbed this puppyand turned it into a hip and modern piece with some matte black paint and aneco clear coat.

For more of the Wild Salvages, check out their website at www.wildsalvages.com

Issue 003: COLOR: Full of Hues to Cure your Winter Blues!

2012-01-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

Issue 003 is live and it's dreamy!

Click here to check out our latest edition…

Jan/Feb Edition - All about color...

Behind Issue 003: Designer to Watch

2012-01-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

This month we are featuring designer Heike Jarick's colorful, elegant clothing in the magazine. When we visited Heike's studio in NYC, she excitedly dressed our Fashion and Art Editor, Sasha Sullivan, to the nines.
We had such a great time on the shoot with Heike and her interns that we thought we would share some extras and behind the scenes shots of this designer that you should definitely keep an eye on..

Sasha in Heike's new coat available now:

A luxurious vest paired with the "perfect" leather pants - Sasha wanted to snatch them from the showroom!

One of Heike's fabulous interns couldn't resist this dramatic jacket

And the matching hat...

the perfect light weight rain coat

Heike helping dress one of her models:

To learn more about Heike, check out our latest issue on page 51.

Issue 003: Hint hint….

2012-01-20T09:25:00.000-08:00

While walking home on a balmy (hah) night this week in NYC, I literally dropped my phone when I saw the new Bloomingdale's windows. They are completely on target with the theme of our Jan/Feb Issue (going LIVE MONDAY!), that I just had to take some photos to share and see if our readers could guess our direction for Issue 003. And, honestly, after sadly seeing the 5th Ave windows taken down here in NY after New Year's, I was so happy to see such inspired, yet simple windows all over the city so soon after. While the holidays may be over, it feels like creativity is blooming….

- Happy window shopping! Co-founder Meghan Beierle-O'Brien

So, any guesses for Issue 003's theme??

Winter Products we love!

2012-01-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Winter can be so rough on your skin. This year, don't let the winter blues get the best of you and check out some of our contributors' favorite products. We are obsessed with the super natural ingredients that each of these skin care companies use and the amazing outcome they have on our skin.

These products are all tested and tried by our team and we give them a huge thumbs up!

The ayurvedic PRATIMA line brings together the wisdom of nature and the intelligence intrinsically embedded in every ingredient to deliver organic formulas that profoundly restore and visibly transform. Pratima has customizable skin care lines and a very knowledgeable staff. The shop is in NY, but you can always shop online!

We love their Rare Earth Mask - great for evening out skin tone & full of great vitamins. And their Organic Rose Bath Oil is so soothing and the perfect addition to your winter bath.

Mom's Stuff is an all natural salve handmade for your hands, feet, lips, and anywhere else you may have chapped or cracked skin. Most of the ingredients are known to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to them. The incredible salve is made from comfrey from the owner's garden, olive, apricot, almond, neem, jojoba oils, lanolin, beeswax, pinion pine pitch, tea tree, and rosemary essential oils. This is an amazing salve for anyone who can't keep their skin from cracking - it's truly a skin saver! Our Art Editor Sasha keeps this on her at all times for a hand repair.

Priya Means Love is a handcrafted line of products for skin, body, and hair, dedicated to radiant beauty without compromise. Their products are 100% natural - every single ingredient is natural, simple, and recognizable. Most of the PML ingredients are organically grown, and are sourced ethically, wild-harvested, and use fair trade raw materials, focusing on produce from small businesses and small producers. Our Co-Founder Meghan is completely addicted to the Lavanilla body butter to hydrate and Pomegranite Eye Serum for a fresh look!

Issue 3: In the Works

2012-01-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

With a view like this, who wouldn't be inspired? We are working away on Issue 3 and wanted to share our fantastic inspirational view from the ever beautiful NYC. Amazing contributions in this issue from Lulu Powers, Emily Ruddo, Dawn Moore, artist Sylvia Raz, artist Sasha Sullivan, photographer Beth Coller, writers Karen Millet and Jeff Mark, Art Director Dana Beierle and SO many more are coming together so beautifully. And those are just our contributors! Our featured designers and artists are an impressive group, but you'll have to wait to see….We are getting and excited and you should be too! Just a few weeks and you will be dazzled with design, art, and inspiration for this New Year!

Countdown to New Years: Lulu's Kir Royale!

2011-12-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

We featured Lulu Powers fabulous Kir Royale recipe in our holiday issue of Toujours and thought we should remind you all of this easy cocktail for your New Year's Eve celebrations! Check out the recipe below and our photo depiction of how to make Lulu's amazing rosemary and pomegranate ice cubes.

Make sure to have fresh rosemary, one whole pomegranate or pomegranate seeds, and Ikea Ice Trays:

We love fresh pomegranates! But to make your life easier, you can always buy just the seeds at a local health food store:

The end result: Beautiful festive ice cubes!

Happy New Year from the Toujours Team!

I’ll be Home for Christmas. My Home!

2011-12-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

By our Editor-at-Large Dawn Moore

Christmas glamour just isn’t what it used to be. I mean, how do you compete with a vixen-meets-hausfrau cocktail apron designed of black net and velvet? In 1965, my mother was definitely at the top of the glamour food chain.

Our annual open house featured silver rococo chafing dishes simmering sweet and sour meatballs; Sheffield trays with pigs in a blanket, slices of fruit cake (Mom made in September!) on handpainted porcelain platters and a massive sparkling American cut glass punch bowl with 24 matching cups with eggnog...all atop a Poinsettia print tablecloth. The tree – which morphed over the years from traditional evergreen to modern white mystery-material – twinkled in the corner with hundreds of gifts she wrapped herself in shiny red and green, spilling below.

There’s pictures of my Hollywood parents and their guests in crisply tailored suits from Sy Devore and cocktail dresses from Don Loper wrangling cigarettes and Manhattans with studied grace.

So, no pressure on me to hit that “ten” on the swank-o-meter. None. Oy.

With fluctuating careers and bank accounts, who wants all that stress? I certainly don’t. So, last year I gave in to the Pot Luck Christmas Day Soiree. Here’s the deal:

1. Throw some twinkle lights on the bookshelves, fireplace mantel or refridgerator.

2. Use cocodot.com to create cool, free e-vites. Uber easy.

3. Tell guests no presents – food only! No kidding!

4. Get from them what they’re bringing, and set the table for the “buffet.” (I still have to control how the table looks. Come on.) Stick notes on the plates specifying whose dish is going where. Et voila!

5. Stock up on champagne, wine and whip up a batch of booze-free Cranberry Punch. I keep trying to serve eggnog, but always wind up drinking it all myself.

6. Have someone with better taste in music than you, assort a playlist – Lulu Powers has some great ones!

7. Wear jeans and fun holiday foot attire.

8. Find wacky little trinkets – books, CDs, candles – around your house that you think your friends would enjoy and wrap them up. ANNOUNCE your little re-gifting scheme and distribute!

9. Light a zillion votives.

10. Enjoy the genuine love that glows from being with your friends just because you want to be.

Fringe benefit last year? My best friend’s daughter announced her engagement infront of everyone – tears and champagne flowed – and it was the best Christmas ever. Sans cocktail apron.

Hot Shops: Haus Interior in LA

2011-12-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

After a great shoot for Toujours 3rd Issue yesterday, Emily Ruddo and I stopped by Nina Freudenberger's new shop in LA. Haus Interior already has a great storefront in NY, but the LA opening was last night and we were so glad to get a taste. Her simple color pallate, fun mix of textures and patterns, and quirky sensibility were fantastic and right up the Toujours alley. We were fawning over cable knit throws (so perfect for winter), vintage light bulbs, the rugs hung on the walls, and the window displays. Definitely check out her new shop here in LA or the original in NY.

Cheers! Meghan

Emily Ruddo, Nina Freudenberger, Meghan Beierle-O'Brien

We almost fell over laughing when we read this. Available in store and online.

Such great textures and patterns on the walls! And I love the simple checkout sign.

Holiday Decorating Guest Blog!

2011-12-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

Toujours Magazine asked East Coast designer, Joanne Palumbo, to share her favorite decorating tips for the season. Seeing as Joanne styles and stages homes professionally, we thought she would be the perfect person to get more great decorating advice from this week to assure a fabulously decorated homes this season! We hope you enjoy her great ideas and make sure to check out her blog for year round styling advice:

With Thanksgiving behind us, the time has arrived to tackle the task of holiday decorating. While nothing gives me more of a thrill than a string of bright lights, as an Interior Decorator, the act of decorating for the holidays is the equivalent of walking a tight rope between the tiny twig from the Charlie Brown tale or the over-lit home of the Griswalds. So, as I stare down the boxes upon boxes of my own holiday decorations, here are a few tips to keep the décor tasteful through the season.

1. Pick your vignettes. The first step in keeping holiday decorations tasteful is to use them thoughtfully. Try to refrain from throwing a ceramic Santa or tin reindeer on every table in your home. Instead, select several spots in your house where you would like to create a holiday focal point. Some examples of this might be a piano, coffee table, entry table, bookshelves, or a fireplace mantle. Pick several places throughout your home so visitors can feel the warmth of the holidays as they move from room to room.

2. Edit your space. This might be the most important step in decorating. Edit the vignette you wish to decorate. Don’t try to squeeze the menorah in with your collection of photos and tcha chakes. Pack up some of your year-round accessories and make some room for your special holiday trinkets. Keep the accessories that are either neutral or work in the color scheme of your holiday decorations and pack the rest up!

3. Choose your color scheme. Many people default to red and green or blue and white but if you are thoughtful in your planning, you can be more adventurous and change things up a bit. Why not try fuchsia and chartreuse? Green and brown? And almost every color can be coordinated with a metallic: pink and silver, red and gold. You get the idea. If you have boxes of accessories already, try to draw the color inspiration from the decorations you would like to use. Trail the colors throughout the room. And the color doesn’t need to exist specifically in the holiday décor alone. Incorporate a throw, a picture frame, some candles or books with jackets all in your selected colors and you’ll have an effortless looking jazzed up space. (Toujours Agrees! Check out the Holiday Guide for more great ideas for color!)

4. Get the eyes moving! When considering the placement of your holiday décor, try to vary the heights of the objects. Don’t throw everything on the table top in your vignette. Try to hang a wreath or some stockings above the vignette and maybe add some potted plants or statues on the floor. Varying the placement of your beloved items is what keeps the holiday decorating warm and inviting. This picture shows a great example of that…I imagine that if you zoomed out, there would be a beautiful wreath on those amazing windows, too!

5. Unexpected décor always pleases! Besides decorating your main vignettes, perhaps drop a few coordinated decorations in unexpected places: a wreath in the bathroom, some garland over the master bed or scented candles in the hall to keep the holiday spirit flowing!

Enough of my babbling about how to decorate for the holidays- now it is time to get out there and tackle your décor. With a little mindful planning, you are sure to have a warm, inviting and tasteful holiday-ready home.

A little bit about Joanne:

Joanne Palumbo is the owner of Homestyling101, LLC, a boutique Interior Decorating firm in Westchester, New York. Joanne is a Certified Interior Decorator and expert in Home Staging, whose quest is to find simplicity in the decorating process. She is also the author of the Homestyling101 blog where she chronicles her experiences and tips as a decorator.

Holiday Guide: Beautiful Decorating Tips!

2011-12-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

This Holiday Guide was such a blast to create and gorgeous designer (and our design editor!) Emily Ruddo seriously takes the hostess award. Between Emily and Lulu Powers, this issue of Toujours Mag is an entertaining guidebook! We love that taking your existing decor and adding some flowers, a few wreaths, simple decorations, and rearranging what you already own can make such a big difference. Truly, Emily advises to use glitter (she uses the Martha variety) to brighten up inexpensive ornaments (try shatterproof - see the feather tree below). You can match the glitter to your decor - and you can always change it in a few years with new glitter. Remember, you can always use what you currently have in your house in a new spot - don't shy from rearranging - it makes all the difference! For more great tips from Emily Ruddo, definitely check out the guide and the holiday issue - there are tips galore.

Happy decorating!

Taking a little Loreal red lipstick to the mirror was an easy way to pop more color in the room - practice first -

it's not hard to clean, but who wants to?

Ribbon candy, homemade glitter ornaments and a homemade feather tree helped this dessert table shine.

To see more lovely photos, definitely check out the current issue. Go to page 42 for the Decorating Guide or meander there and see other fabulous design, decoration, and entertaining stories.

Happy Holidays!

Photos: Meghan Beierle-O'Brien

Toujours Holiday Decorating Guide

2011-12-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

This season Toujours wanted to bring you a special holiday decorating guide. With Emily Ruddo's forward thinking design skills, we created a great inspiration guide to help deck your halls. Check out the insert below and click here to see it in the magazine - there are so many great tips to make your holidays beautiful and fabulous this year! We hope you enjoy - Happy Holidays!

Open publication

Jordana Silver's Wish List

2011-12-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

Toujours Mag asked designer Jordana Silver to forward us her Christmas wish list this year…it was so good we just had to share it! Check out Jordana's 12 gifts of Christmas. Better get to shopping!

Enjoy! The Toujours Team

Dearest Santa,

It is that time of year where I write and share all my wants for this holiday season. No need to ask... I have been very good this year! I stuck to my one croissant a day policy while in Paris. I refrained from my weekly shopping jaunts. I even had a few good weeks of dedication to the gym.

Let me cut to the chase... I have listed below my most coveted presents for this holiday season. I should mention that I listed 12 to be symbolic for the 12 Days of Christmas but as a Jewess and there being only 8 days of Hanukkah, I would be totally content receiving your favorite 8 presents from the list.

Lots of love, Jordana

(In no particular order)

1. Cardigan by Lynne Hiriak - Anyone will dazzle in this sweater. Shhh...it’s on sale so please order before it sells out!

2. Jonathan Adler Brass Muse Bottle Opener - Such a great gift for myself and anyone throwing a holiday party.

3. Fresh Mini Sugar Kissing Trio - Love Fresh and these moisturizing sticks always keep my lips in tip top shape during the winter months.

4. Balenciaga Arena Giant First Bag - I have been eyeing this bag for years and still heart it. (Please make it one of the eight presents!) The antiqued rose gold hardware is amazing. Plus it is so functional. My Mac laptop can definitely fit in it!

5. J Crew Snood - Love a snood! Takes the guesswork out of tying a scarf properly. I have a few but can always use more especially in classic black.

6. Jonathan Adler Playing Cards - My father and I love to play gin rummy for hours. He always beats me. I wish I could say I let him but he is just a better player. We could play in style if we had these.

7. Laura Merkin iPad Pouch - After I was stuck on a plane for 6+ hours with no tv this year, I learned that it is imperative to always travel with my ipad. This case is perfect for when I am on the go.

8. Teuscher Champagne Truffles - My most favorite chocolates.

9. Sisteron Wool Throws - Curling up and enjoying a cup of delicious tea is almost a nightly occurrence. Would love this throw to use for my nightly downtime.

10. Byredo Gypsy Water - This is the only perfume I have bought multiple bottles of. I can always use more!

11. Super Edition Scrabble - My mom and I enjoy this classic game. Need my own set.

12. Michael Kors Aviators - Everyone needs these classics to complete their wardrobe. Mine got squashed last year. Need a new pair.

Happy Shopping!! Drink some eggnog and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Squash: Mix up your holiday traditions!

2011-11-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

This year try a new take on a loved veggie by pairing smoked gouda with roasted acorn squash. The two are perfect complements and will leave your guests wanting more. I have made this dish for several dinner parties and people are always begging for the recipe, so I thought what better day to share it then the day before Thanksgiving when everyone is in the final moments of preparation. Enjoy and share your favorite recipes with the Toujours team!

Cheers,

Meghan

Roasted Acorn Squash with Smoked Gouda Sauce
(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients:
2 acorn squash, cut and cored
2 cups shredded smoked gouda
1 T butter or olive oil
6-8 T heavy cream
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1−2 sage leaves to taste, minced
pinch of salt
pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut and core the acorn squash and set on a lightly greased or lined cookie sheet or baking tray. In a sauce pan, heat either oil or butter on med-low heat. Add garlic and saute for two minutes. Combine heavy cream, smoked gouda, salt and pepper. Stir frequently until ingredients are well mixed and basically melted. Pour mixture evenly into the squash. Top with walnuts. Bake in oven 30 − 50 minutes depending on the oven. Squash should be tender. Remove from oven, add fresh sage and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy - it's so delicious!!

Issue 002: Behind our Cover

2011-11-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving from the Toujours Team!!

Toujours Mag Holiday Issue 2 is LIVE!!

2011-11-17T22:01:00.000-08:00

Grab your favorite holiday libation, curl up on the couch and get ready for some great seasonal stories in Toujours Mag's 2nd Issue. Make sure to check back all month for expanded stories, interviews and exclusive extras here on the Toujours Mag Blog. There's so much more!
Happy Holidays from the Toujours Team!

Open publication

November/December Issue Goes Live Tomorrow

2011-11-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

Get excited for our November/December Issue which goes live tomorrow! We are so excited to share it with you! We have been hard at work to bring you the best of the season and world around us!

Check out a sneak peek….

Lulu Powers: Thanksgiving Countdown!

2011-11-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's that time again? Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away!

This year, arm yourself with tips from the ultimate chef and hostess, Lulu Powers:

What are your holiday traditions? We'd love to know!

Post a comment below or send us stories to info@toujoursmag.com

A Book to Consider: CHARLES BRITTIN West and South

2011-11-01T16:19:00.000-07:00

If you liked any of the books reviewed in our first issue (pg. 21), check this book out about Wallace Berman in Venice set in the late 50's and 60's.

Moving Design: Halloween Spectacular!

2011-10-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Every year, the City of West Hollywood hosts one of the country's largest Halloween bashes. If you are anywhere near Los Angeles for Halloween this year, get yourself to Santa Monica Blvd and La Cienega, throw on a costume, and let your eyes be delighted! This is moving design at it's best and most bizarre.
What is your Halloween tradition?? We would love to hear!

A great shot from last year's celebration! Click here for more info.

Inspired Decor for Halloween

2011-10-24T19:32:00.001-07:00

Decorating for Halloween can be a bit cheesy, so this fall, we are taking inspired tips from artist and art editor, Sasha Kinens. While in New York shooting I got to stay at Sasha's home and completely loved her mantle display. Enjoy the shots and send us your favorite holiday decor shots to info@toujoursmag.com. We would love to feature some of our readers!

Happy Spooking!

Meghan

Sasha pinned up fabric over some unsightly bookshelves in her living room that she and her husband were not ready to deal with. I love the way the fabric feels like wall paper without the mess or fuss. Such a great way to hide an unattractive part of a room!

Sasha lighting the candles around her cast plaster skull and tree branches collected in her yard.

Pillar Candles from Pottery Barn glow, a plaster skull, and a Moroccan perfume bottle are just a few of Sasha's favorite accessories.

While Sasha found her metal house that houses her pillar candles at a resale shop, here is a link to one you can buy online.

Feathers are everywhere this fall. Make sure to pick up some great ones from your local craft store, fabric shop, or vintage store.

Website we love: Cocodot

2011-10-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

We adore Cocodot! For our launch party, our fabulous Entertaining Editor Lulu Powers suggested that we use cocodot for the online invitations and we flipped over them. Lulu has a fabulous designer summer collection with coco. We adore the ready made designs and the simple upload process if you want to design your own. Our Art Director, Dana Beierle, came up with the design we decided to use and then we chose their vellum envelope. We love the way the invitation is animated and opens online to keep the feel of a real invite.

Here's the invite Dana ended up designing!

Cocodot did a great blog post on the party - we love reading about ourselves!

Check out some adorable invites for the holiday season:

click on each photo to link to the selections for each holiday!

Happy Party Season!!

Inspired in NYC

2011-10-04T08:30:00.001-07:00

While here shooting in Manhattan for our upcoming holiday issue, we were lucky enough to catch this view on a project that is in construction (and sure to be in a future issue!). Hope to inspire and excite you on this beautiful fall day!

Inside Art: Beaux-Arts Atelier Featured in Wall Street Journal

2011-10-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

In our premier issue we featured artist, Mason Sullivan, in our Inside Art article. He is a sculptor and professor in New York City and has helped with the curriculum and opening of the Beaux-Arts Atelier. The one-year program is run by the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, which is a 20-year-old nonprofit devoted to keeping the classical tradition alive.

We were so proud to feature both Mason and the schools he teaches at in our magazine, and today were thrilled to learn that the Wall Street Journal has done a piece on the school as well.

Click below to read the full article:

Mason with his ecorche piece that he uses to teach anatomy and sculpting the human figure at Grand Central Academy.

A model from the newly opened Beaux-Arts Atelier

A student leaving the Beaux-Arts school, which is located in the classical 1880's limestone General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen building.

Toujours Launches with a Bang!

2011-09-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday night at Top of the World in Topanga was a blast! Dawn Moore, owner of the home featured in our cover story and Editor-at-Large, graciously opened her home and shared her spectacular view. We are so grateful to our fabulous sponsor, Silvercrest, which made the evening possible and fantastic! Silvercrest is the company that built Dawn's amazing pre-fab home - check out the article on page 106 in Toujours. Here are a few choice shots from the fabulous party!

Our Cover hanging out in the Canyon

Home owner Dawn Moore, Celebrity Chef Lulu Powers, Co-Editors-in-Chief Meghan Beierle-O'Brien & Grey Crawford

Dawn Moore, Designers Jeffrey Alan Marks, and Ross Cassidy

Delicious hors d'oeuvres by Lulu Powers catering

Designer Jennifer Hall, Designer Jen Stewart, Meghan Beierle-O'Brien, Grey Crawford, & Designer Emily Ruddo

Our fabulous sponsors, Steve & Steve, from Silvercrest

Cocodot Editor-in-Chief Laurie Pike, Interior Designer Corinna Gordon, and writer Lorie Porter

Lulu's delicious Apple and Root Vegetable Soup that we feature on page 46 in the Magazine

The DJ Habit, Eric Beierle spun fabulous records and set the tone

Co-founders Meghan & Grey with Art Director, Dana Beierle

Photographers Aurelia D'amore, Beth Coller, Grey Crawford, Designer Linda Allen, and Meghan Beierle-O'Brien

Party goers in Dawn's fabulous home!

Centered: Photographers Beth Coller, Laura Hull, Aurelia D'amore

Thank you again Silvercrest!

And We're Live!

2011-09-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

Our entire team is so pleased to announce that after months of planning and design, Toujours Magazine is now live. Click on the fabulous Cover to link to the first issue. Hope you enjoy - get excited!!