Obviously, you all have noticed that Jules and I have not been updating the blog lately (that is if anyone still checks here!). I am sad to say that this post will be our last on Noel Marie due to a rash of circumstances.

Jules has had some things change in her life that have not allowed any time to continue to post and since I am attempting to have an interior decorating business (and hopefully a storefront at some point), I don’t have the time to take on this blog all by myself. We are both super bummed, hence the reason that we have avoided writing this final post!

We want to thank you all for reading and leaving comments and making this space such a fun part of our lives. We had big dreams of making Noel Marie a common name in the blog world, but life sometimes has different things in to for you.

You can still find me over at Birdhouse and I do try to post on the Birdhouse Blog. I would love it if you would follow me (once again, as I think I’m settled!) to that site and I hope to get back into the groove of supporting all of your blogs again.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am finishing an interior design degree. I am back in undergrad (after graduating with a Bachelors of Art in 2004) at 27 with 19-20 year olds, returning students much older than me and in the middle of what, I’m sad to say, is not a booming metropolis of wonderful interior design.

This morning in class a man my father’s age began talking about the current designer showhouse here. He was horrified and disgusted that this 19th-century mansion had, in some rooms, been decorated somewhat contemporary (and just as ugly as the vintage-inspired rooms!). This man, mind you, is taking the class with his wife after working in a completely unrelated industry for forever, doesn’t allow his wife to speak for herself (at first day introductions he introduced the both of them, not letting her say a word!), is the first to admit he doesn’t understand anything to do with art or design, and only took this class to see if he and his wife could make a career change! The nerve, right?! He has no passion or real concern for interior design, yet feels it necessary to be annoyed when what he perceives are rules of design are being broken.

Much to my surprise, everyone in the room was in full agreement, including my teacher! They all fully believed that an old mansion HAD to be decorated old. Really? So, since my house was built a hundred years ago, I have to decorate in only antiques and make it look dated and like something my grandmother would love? To hell with that! You people piss me off and I’m so glad that I don’t want to work for any of your firms!

Mister in my class, you suck. You have no style and I resent you telling me I need to do something because you think so.

This is why HGTV is the death of good design.

Just because I have a puppy now, doesn’t mean I have to have a bunch of ugly crap hanging out in my house, right? On the other hand, I am NOT Paris Hilton and have no desire to dress up my pup in loud collars and obnoxious clothes (does a freakin’ dog need a sweater?!). But, a couple of chic doggie accessories are certainly on my shopping list.

First up, a new dog bed and I have found a couple of cute choices for your furry family member.

Super cute and great price for this red one:

Via PETCO: $19.99 (on sale)

This very cool graphic print bed would be a good addition to an artist and her pup. Alas, a bit too pricey for me.

Via Pet Super Store: $74.99

This lovely Target bed is my pick and will probably get purchased in the next few weeks. Love the stripes and they totally go with my new living room decor! (Oh, by the way, I’m moving and get to redecorate!)

Via Target: $29.99

This is such a fabulous idea! Buy some different accessories for your shoes and turn them into brand new pairs. Plus, you can easily take them from one pair and add them to another for a whole new look. The possibilities are endless. This is one of those ideas I wish I had come up with because it is so genius. I am not sure what the prices are like, but check out their website, Bluff NY. The chains are my favorite!

You could also be innovative and throw an old necklace, bracelet, feather, strips of fabric…anything, on your own shoes and DIY. Test out the possibilities and send in photos of your creations if you find something you like.

My friend Barbara directed me to Bluff NY. She’s been a very helpful contributor lately. Thanks Babs!!

(It was Saturday morning and a no makeup day)

I am tired. I am so busy. I am whining, sorry. But, I am also in love with my beautiful new addition to our family… Lisey (Lee-see), a beagle/tree hound mix that we rescued from the humane society this past weekend. Her name comes from the protagonist in Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story.

She is only 2 months old, hence the tired part since she can only hold her little bladder for a couple of hours before she has to go. She knows no real commands and has a good disposition but is terrified of the world. I would assume this has to be good training for a future little guy running around. Or at least for a little guy pooping and peeing all the time.

I spent most of yesterday at Diane Von Furstenberg’s Studio helping out my friend Barbara as they set up for the BRANDAID Project. This is how they describe themselves: “BRANDAID Project is a global initiative committed to closing the market divide. We partner with artisans in the developing world to get their art into global markets and turn poverty into prosperity.”

The space is amazing and everything is looking fantastic! I’m really excited to see it all come together. Saturday’s event (which is the launch of the exhibit) is sponsored by DVF and Vanity Fair. Here is a video from the LA show, and Saturday will mark the New York launch! There are some great personalities involved and I can’t wait to share some photos with you after the event in two days. If you live in the area, I highly recommend stopping by anytime September 13-27. If not, please check out their website. The handcrafted pieces are amazing and available online as well! Noël Marie always tries to promote affordable and inexpensive, but when it comes to things like this, I think spending a bit more than you normally would is permissible and encouraged (my opinion). Please spread the word about the BRANDAID Project to anyone who you think might be interested in having these beautiful pieces in their homes.

How great is this picture of Amy Sedaris?

I’ve been thinking for a while that I need to challenge myself a little more to maintain a schedule, stop watching so much television and being all together lazy, and start working towards really achieving some of my goals in life. I started something called “Worthwhile Wednesdays” over on The Homebound (which is no longer active – one too many blogs) which focused on once a week creating something new and redirecting my focus back on being thoughtful about my daily activities.

As I am following my passion and working with clients over at Birdhouse, I realize that it can really feed your soul and inspire you when you keep your mind challenged and surround yourself with other creative individuals. I have decided to reinstate “Worthwhile Wednesdays” as often as possible and make my Wednesday post a video post chronicling my attempts at different projects. These projects could range from baking a cake to attempting to install a light fixture. To be honest, I don’t really know what they will be, I just know I need some sort of direction to help me stay motivated as I surf through the rocky waves that is starting your own small business.

I also would love to include some submissions from people and do plan on sharing a short video of a wonderful artist couple answering why they are artists and how they maintain motivation when being a professional artist doesn’t exactly put food on the table. So, stay tuned ’til next week. I hope everyone’s attention span is longer than mine and you are willing to come back!

Small note on the subject: I think there may be some more foul language than either Jules or I have used in the past. Frankly, I can’t stand censoring myself as much as I do now (in real life, it’s like living with a sailor) and if I am going to be trying new things (and possibly failing at them) I’m gonna need to drop some S-bombs. I will try not to drop the F-bomb, only because my mother will yell at me and guilt me into thinking I’m offending some innocent’s ears.

Well hello. So today is pretty much the best day ever because, well, it’s the day after Labor Day. And you know what that means…time to get the old boots out of the closet!!! I couldn’t be happier. This is my favorite time of year for so many reasons: boots, football, better wardrobe, leaves changing colors, jackets, scarves…the list goes on and on. Did I mention every outfit looks better with boots? I can’t wait to find my new expensive pair for the season. I’ve been saving and will keep you posted when I find them. Probably won’t happen until February like last year when I only have a few months left. Oh well, these things cannot be rushed. Now go dig your favorite pairs out of the back of your closet!

Have you heard of a red beer (tomato juice and beer)? Well, just substitute orange juice for the tomato juice and, voila, orange beer. I swear it is damn tasty, though it does sound a bit strange. Try it with a beer that goes well with fruit, like a wheat beer or pale ale. I like Blue Moon, but New Belgium beers work well too.

Now, orange you glad I told you about this?

*note* I apologize for the joke, but I couldn’t control myself.

**I can tell the difference between lemons and oranges (above), but they’re both citrus fruits, so no heckling.

I bought this cute little plaid dress on sale at a boutique in Park Slope a few weeks ago. I think the only reason it was on sale was because of said button. Seemed a bit silly to me, but I was more than happy to snatch it up.

Until I have the time (ahem, motivation) to make a proper repair and sew a new one on, I used the belt below as a quick fix.

Et voilà!

May not need a repair after all. My shoes are a Gap purchase and the belt, Urban Outfitters.