DC Metro Mom

Is it so pretty and it's here!!  See the Holiday 2011 issue of "House of Fifty", simply the most stylish online magazine! 

Jodie's Living Room

Will I return to the workforce when the kids go off to school?  For many Stay-at-Home Moms the question is a natural one.  For most women, the next question is "Will there be a job to return to?".

Recently I have started to see an exciting new trend.  No longer are women waiting for the job market to court them, rather they are creating their own opportunities.  Such is the case with local DC Metro area Interior Designer, Jodie Cassidy Labovitch.  Jodie opted to put a thriving design career on hold to have a family.   With her children ready to embark on a full day school program, Jodie is now ready to grow her blossoming business, Cassidy Design.

It's true, Missoni is the latest high-end design house to collaborate with Target to bring luxe housewares and clothing to the masses.  The 400-piece Missoni for Target Collection will hit stores on September 13th.  Get there early or jump on your computer.  These items will go quickly!

Design bugs will enjoy the fabulous new issue of House Of Fifty!

LINK

Image Credit: NY Times

I simply can't hide my love, or shall I say my lust, for HGTV.  When I have had a God awful day I so look forward to my husband taking over after dinner.  Ahhh…it is storytime and bedtime for my little girl and the night now finally belongs to me! This is my great escape.

I recently toured the new DREAMHOME - Jewel Tone of Design exhibit at the Washington Design Center.  I had an opportunity to meet the designers and view the inspiring jewelry collections that informed the space.

In this month's "Mission: Design", Janell from the style blog Isabella and Max is featured.  Find out about life as a mother, interior designer, HGTV DIY expert, clothing designer and online magazine editor.  You will love her!

1. What were you doing before you became a SAHM and how has the transition been?

And then there was La Dolce Vita.  For this month's "Mission: Design", I am so very excited to share my interview with the founder of the blog La Dolce Vita and the Editor to the newly minted High Gloss Magazine, Paloma Contreras.

In this month's installment of "Mission: Design", I am thrilled to bring to readers a DC Metro area based design blogger and mom of two, Michele Ginnerty.  Michele is the purveyor of My Notting Hill.   For those not familiar with My Notting Hill, you are missing an amazing local design resource and blog.  My Notting Hill regularly regales readers with design inspiration from destinations both near and far.  Michele brings readers an eclectic mix of blogs that profile cutting-edge design, her own travels logs and a healthy dose of local décor resources.  Michele also adds in her own DIY jobs and home improvement projects.

Beyond the blog Michele runs a management-consulting firm and is the mother of two.  So how does she do it all?  I asked Michele to share her thoughts about blogging, DC design, juggling family and career, home improvements and her thoughts on holiday décor.

I am positively giddy to share with you this month's "Mission: Design" installment featuring Brooke Giannetti from the blog Velvet & Linen.  For those not familiar with Brooke, you are in for a treat!  She is an absolute force of nature for all things design.

For those who haven't discovered the heavenly design blog Pure Style Home you are in for a fabulous treat this month.  In the latest installment of "Mission: Design" I am sitting down with Lauren Liess, the founder of Lauren Liess Interiors and the author of the insanely popular blog, Pure Style Home.

As you will learn, Lauren's self-described design philosophy of "pure style" is based on keeping things simple, happy and beautiful.  She believes that the best way to do this is to weed out all of the unnecessary things and keep & seek out only what you love.  Lauren doesn't just pay lip service to her motto "pure, style" rather she lives it and shares it with her clients and blog readers.

After becoming an instant fan of Ekster Antiques at the recent Luckett's Antique Fair, I decided I needed to learn more about this wildly successful business.  Since so many of my favorite items were being sold out from under me, I quickly asked the owner, Caroline Verschoor, if she had any additional inventory.   I was then told about the Ekster Antique Barn Sale, held on June 19 - 20, 2010.  It was a wonderful day that included furniture, fun and an interview with one amazing lady.

I initially thought that the Ekster Antique Barn Sale would be a perfect story for my new "Design Bug" section.  After interviewing Caroline for my series "Mission: Design", I quickly discovered her story transcends mere design tips and tricks.

When seeking out a local designer to kick off my series "Mission: Design", I wanted to find a local Interior Designer that could inspire readers with design ideas, both big and small.  DC Metro area Interior Designer Hillary Staats immediately came to mind.

Oh the fun and whimsy of the stylish IKEA PS MASKROS Pendant lamp. I first discovered this stunner in the pages of House Beautiful May 2010. The IKEA PS MASKROS Pendant lamp was proudly displayed in the family home of Robert Kennedy Jr. The Eco-friendly kitchen boasts three of these unique lights.

With a sticker price of $89.99 plus tax, it shows that you don't have to pay a lot to get a lot. Of course you need some soaring ceilings to bring this light home. Lower ceilings will work in a breakfast nook, using the light as a chandelier. It could also be used over a dining room table, in a child's bedroom or a playroom. While it leans contemporary, the House Beautiful spread shows that it can find a home in the most traditional settings.

I was recently invited to preview the 2010 Design House at The Washington Design Center.  The sneak peak event was held to launch the opening of the 2010 Hall of Fame Design House.  The Design House, which resides on the newly rebuilt 5^th floor, is a beautiful show case of local designers.  Rich, high-end furnishing, fabrics and décor provide the perfect jumping off point for these luxurious rooms that are meant to inspire consumers.