Holiday Cheer, Shock and Awe!

The holiday's tend to bring out the best and worst in all of us! Your home is no different! We lead busy lives and time gets away from us! We meant to repaint that wall, we mean to update the lighting and pick up new window treatments. Yet, the next thing we know, we look up from our holiday wrapping and running and the ignored, unfinished projects have now become an eyesore! Fear not! Designer Kat's Eye for Design is here to help! Eye for Design is a full service design, decorating and staging firm. Visit my website (link on the side of the page) to get all the juicy details!!! Additionally, I Designer Kat, can now add SET DESIGNER to my resume! The Interior and Set Design is this picture was all constructed by your truly!!!! Photo Courtesy of KC CHILD PRODUCTIONS

You know you want to look!!!

Don't be shy!!!! Don't live in the depths of design despair any longer!!! Contact DESIGNER KAT'S EYE FOR DESIGN for all your home decor, decorating and staging needs!
I can't promise you that this gorgeous man will grace your bed, but I can guarantee a gorgeous bedroom makeover! Interior & Set Design by Designer Kat's Eye for Design. Photo appears courtesy of dk design and photography.

SET DESIGN - Beautify your bath!

Is your bathroom boring and blah???? Does it pain you to look at those barren walls?? Fear not, Designer Kat's Eye for Design is here to help! We can bedazzle, bling and beautify your bath! Contact us today for a free consultation! Sorry, beautiful model is not included, but, I may be able to arrange an autograph! LOL!!! Photo appears courtesy of DK Photography

The Set Designer becomes a Model!

I am so grateful to KC Child Productions for providing me with the opportunity to design the set for the "sexy Santa Shoot". This shoot was a blast! To have the opportunity to work with such TALENTED, GENEROUS, INSPIRING, WONDERFUL people, has been a dream come true! In addition to being in SET DESIGN HEAVEN, I also got to model in this shoot! What can I say, I like multi-tasking!!!!! LOL!!!! Photo appears courtesy of KC CHILD PRODUCTIONS.

Santa's SEXY Set!

HUGE, HUGE THANKS to KC CHILD PRODUCTIONS for giving me the opportunity to design the set for her "SEXY SANTA SHOOT"!!!!! I also have to give BIG PROPS and THANKS to the stunning models, SYLINA COLON and ALYSSA RAYE for striking a pose for my page!!!!!

Winter Wonderland Set Design

This job was so much fun!!!! I am really loving set design work! Snowball fight photo appears courtesy of Special K

Designing in a Winter Wonderland

I am nooo fan of cold weather, or old man winter! I get cold at anything below 70 degrees! However, I was thrilled to take my design "Eye" on a trip to Winter Wonderland to create a set for a photo shoot. To create the image in this photo, we bought a window at Menards. I sprayed the corners with spray snow, to give it a cold, misted effect. I purchased a scene setter background and, as you can see from the photo, we transported the model from the warmth of the studio to a magical place called wonderland! Photo Courtesy of Candace Beckwith

Fine Dining & Table Dressing

With the holiday's rapidly approaching, this is the perfect time to get your home in stylish shape! When I think of Christmas, I think of family and friends gathered round the dining table, talking, laughing, sharing stories and memories. As you deck the halls, walls, and trim the tree, don't forget to spice up the room and dress the table. As you can see from the before and after photo's, A little TLC can go a long way to warming up the space, just in time for the holiday festivities.

Santa's Snack Dish

Ah...Black Friday! The retail rush has officially begun! While you are out and about shopping for gifts and decking the halls, walls and tree's, don't forget about the big guy himself! With these adorable plates and hot chocolate mugs from the HOME DECORATORS catalog, you can just about guarantee, you will stay off Santa's "naughty" list and find something really spectacular under your tree! LOL!!!

Trim the tree....Cost effectively!!!!!!

The holiday's are here again! Before we can get the carols underway and break into the chorous of "Oh Tannenbaum"". We need to trim the tree!!!! With times being tough right now, most people don't have a lot of extra money to spend on the holiday's or even decorations for that matter. Fear not, I have devised some money saving solutions to give your home that Christmas cheer!!!! First, avoid big box, hardware and chain stores, if you are in need of a tree. I price shopped and was astounded at how expensive pre-lit trees are, even at the lower priced stores. I happened to wander into a Dollar Store and what to my wondering eye should appear...but a 5ft PRE-LIT tree. For the low cost of $20!!!!! This is about a $60 dollar savings, from the other low cost retail chains!!!!! I also found these candles for $1.00 a pop!!! It's all about being creative, shopping savvy and being resourceful!!!!

Makeover Madness

What do you do with a cluttered room that is CLEARLY out of control??? A room that lacks all forms of cohesiveness, has no sense of purpose and is utterly unpleasant to be in??? Well, if you are a designer like me, you dive in and make it over!!!! This makeover had a BAREST of bare bones budget. While the dinero may have been lacking, the creativity was flowing! Decorator tables became nightstands. Thift store lamps were re-painted and shaded, paint, one roll of wallpaper and some small mirrors helped transform this space. The biggest splurge was the bedding, but even that was affordable! Comforter, bedskirt, pillow covers and extra pillows all clocked in at a reasonable $40. Total spent on this transformation was $100. See, great style and good design can be cost effective!

Stepping up to the plate!

2005 was a magical year for beloved Chicago White Sox. We took home the ultimate prize...THE WORLD SERIES WIN!!!! As a die-hard fan, I was so proud to see the series banner hanging over "our house"! That same year, the Chicago Tribune published a poem entitled "The Southside has waited". It chronicled the ups, downs, trials and tribulations that go along with being a Sox fan. Every single word in that article resonated....especially the part of how sweet victory tastes, after such a long struggle. I mention this, on a Design blog because for 5 years, I have done everything under the sun, to get cast on HGTV. Gotten close, but haven't managed to get through the door, or, to hear those three magic words" Kathy, your CAST!". The White Sox taught me about preserverence. If they can win a SERIES, I can forge on to HGTV!!!! I have worked harder, smarter and been more focused than ever. I am submitting my best portfolio to date, with heart, drive, tenacity and passion. HGTV, take a chance and CAST ME!!!!!!

Bedroom "tricks" that don't burst the budget!

Broke??? Has the decorating budget bottomed out? Are your nightstands so out of date and un-sightly, that you can no longer stand it??? Do you even have nightstands??? Fear not! I can help! A great way to give a bedroom a boost is through adding decorative, yet functional nightstands. I have a great, cost effective way to do so! I bought an unfinished wood decorator table. I painted it white and added a new, trendy lamp. For the low cost of $15.00, this space is getting a good spruce up!!!

Turn Your Photo's Into ART

As a designer, I am always on the lookout for new and interesting pieces to adorn my client's walls with. I like the unexpected. What I find, more often that not, is that most people have store bought prints on the walls, and family photographs placed throughout the house. Your home should reflect YOU and the people in your life. Use those treasured pictures and memories and turn them into personalized art! The key to executing this successfully is grouping the photos. Do a series of black and white photo's, create a montage of vacation photo's, or, put them in a sequence to recreate a memory or even tell a story! Be creative! Photo's Courtesy of Lila Carsten Photography and Curtis Davis Photography

GOING "PINK" for October

I really believe in the importance of GIVING BACK! I am grateful to all of the people who have supported me, helped me and aided me, throughout all aspects of my life. As the recipent of such kindness, I have a responsibility to give back. Cancer has affected my family in various forms. It makes me angry to see people I love suffer. Thus, If I can do anything to contribute to ERADICATING CANCER, I am all for it! Although pink does not often catch my design "EYE", I will proudly "GO PINK" for October. The modeling, fashion and photography community is holding a photo shoot/event and donating all proceeds to Breast Cancer research! I am proud to be a model for such a worthwhile cause!

RENOVATING leads to RENTALS

A lot of paint, elbow grease and effort, mixed in with some fabulous FREEDOM CHIC photo's, led to a rental!!!! Landlords, don't underestimate the power and value of updating and STAGING of your spaces!!!!! I was able to get this space rented, based upon paint alone!!!!!!!

The best extra bedding FIND!!!!!

Having guests???? HATE air mattresses???? Well then, I have a solution for you!!! Coleman Camping goods makes a vast array of beds, with a bed frame and mattresses, that are affordable and easy to store, when not in use! If that wasn't exciting enough, the beds are actually comfortable as well! The bed pictured is a twin and cost a grand total of $25.00. Cuter, cozier and cheaper than a leaky air mattress!!!

September Staging Promotion

My contractor and handyman Larry, is one of my favorite people on the planet. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Larry and his family. Larry taught me so much about design, I am forever in his debt. He can understand my design brain and turns my BIG design dreams and visions into a reality. So, while he recovers from a health issue, I am launching a September Staging Promotion, in his honor. For the month of September, I am offering 10% of all STAGING SERVICES. Mention "Larry's Special" to take advantage of this special promotion. For more information, Check out my FACEBOOK page - DESIGNER KAT'S EYE FOR DESIGN. While your there, make sure you "Like" Us to stay in the loop for all upcomming events and promotions!!!!

HGTV....Bringing TALENT back!!!!!

Ok, my distaste for this season of Design Star has been duly noted! My biggest gripe of this season's cast was lack of talent and inspiration. With that being said, I was so excited to tune into two new HGTV programs that have been bringing TALENT back!!!!!! The Next Great American American Handyman" is really exciting to watch, esp. having Mike Holmes as a judge! What a great idea and mentor!!!! I also really enjoy watching the "Antonio Treatment". Antonio was last season's Design Star winner. I like the fact he is so unexpected! Very creative, thinks outside the box and takes calculated chances! Antonio also seems to give a lot back, which I really admire and respect! Tonight's episode involved a makeover for te Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood. The art center was made over to inspire the next generation of artistic greatness!!!! Thank you HGTV for bringing the TALENT back!!!!!!

From Spooky to Spectacular!

My current design job is requiring quite a bit of tenacity and creative muster. I am designing and staging a one bedroom garden apartment for a quick rental. The apartment lacks natural light, and, has been vacant for the last 6 months. The lack of light makes the space seem even smaller and to be frank, somewhat dreary! But, I know that my "Eye for Design" is up to the challenge! I will post a detailed "After" description, once the job comes to completion! In the meantime, I need to take it from SPOOKY and make it SPECTACULAR!!!!!

One BUSY Summer!

This has been such a GLORIOUS SUMMER!!!! I am so happy to be able to indulge my creative side and to do work that I throughly enjoy! I have had the opportunity to land wonderful new clients, work with amazing photographers, meet some fabulously talented, creative people, network, design and create! I am so thankful and blessed to me afforded such opportunities. This has been one BUSY but EXCITING summer! From Design jobs, Staging, Trunk Shows, Networking, Event Launches, and even modeling!! I totally got to get the creative ROCK groove ON!!!! Photo Courtesy of Sergio V Photography

Me, A FEATURED DESIGNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just found out that I am a finalist in a contest sponsored by Design Sherpa. They have me in their FEATURED DESIGNER showcase! This is such an awe-inspiring honor! To do what I love, and, to be recognized for it, is a dream come true! If I didn't bruise so easily, I would pinch myself!!!! LOL
Check out the link below:
http://www.designsherpa.com

Staging Steve's

My client Steve, is selling a gorgeous condo with truly amazing views of Chicago! To get this gorgeous property ready for sale, we did some simple staging. The views and amenities of this condo are so fabulous, I wanted to keep the staging to a bare minimum. The views alone will sell this space! I will be posting before and after shots, but in the interim, here's a little sample! Photo's courtesy of FREEDOM CHIC PRODUCTIONS!!!!

Deconstruct to RE-CONSTRUCT!!!

As a designer, I always look to see if furniture has "good bones". One of my favorite tasks is to be able to bring something old and out-dated, back to life. I came across these chairs and I really liked the style of them. But, they were rusted, dirty and in DIRE need of a make-over! After much scrubbing and the loss of my manicure, these chairs came back to life. I recovered the seats and VOILA....sharp, stylish new chairs! This entire project cost $5.00!

One Disasterous "Dish"!!!!

On numerous occasions, I have expressed my discontent with the direction of this season's "DESIGN STAR". It truly pains me to say anything less than complimentary about HGTV, because I LOVE the network. However, this season was one DISASTEROUS dish!
If you recall, after the premiere episode, I predicted that Emily would make the final two. (Whoever gets major camera time in the first episode of a Mark Burnett show, goes the distance) Anyway, let's get to the nitty gritty! FINALLY, in the second to last episode, the designers got to do individual challenges. HGTV brought back the Glass House challenge and had the designers base their designs around their style and show concept. It took an entire season, I repeat, an entire SEASON, to see an individual challenge!!! Michael created a custom Murphy bed. I give him props for undertaking such an ambitious project! That was impressive. Casey spray painted old frames and made that a feature wall. BOOOOORRRRRRRING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Emily had the best representation of her own personal style, but, she is so bland to watch!!!!!!!!
Design wise, with so little "wow" or ingenunity, it makes dishing difficult! We are down to the final two of this season - Emily and Michael. My money is on Emily to win it. I hope and pray to the design "gods" and HGTV, that this show is tweaked for next season. This was NOT a good season!

PAPARAZZI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's all the buzz? What is causing that endless stream of paparazzi? How about "It Girl" and Super-modelquin Solange!!!! Yes, the rumors are true!!!! Solange (yes, yes, THE Solange) will be attending Eye for Design and Numero's Treize's Sidewalk Sale and Trunk Show! I know...I know...exciting stuff!!!!! So, all you design enthusiasts and fashionsita's amrk your calendar's...this sale is sure to ROCK!!!!!
See the flyer for all the key details!!!!!

Fresh from the oven...my DESIGN STAR DISH!

Having watched the last few episodes of The Next Food Network Star, I thought it was interesting that Aron Sanchez of the Food Network appeared on this weeks Design Star.
Aron cooked a luschious meal for the final four - Casey, Cort, Michael and Emily. The challenge put to the designers was to repurpose a dining room, based on Aron's cooking. Now, as I designer and stager, I love ingenious re-purposing! Inspire me, provoke me, make me take note! I have said it before and I will say it again, this cast BORES me to tears and fails to inspire me. On Food Network Star, the cast is consistently engaging! I want to tune in and WATCH them! Design Star falls so flat this season, a scaffold couldn't add height! The positive - Emily found a point of view this week and made her presence known in the room, but it was underwhelming. Her host video was painfully akward. As we know, Emily gets mega camera time, thus, she will be one of the last two standing - mark my words! Cort did another venetian plaster wall, next to an existing exposed brick wall. Call me old fashioned, but exposed brick is a highly desired design element! Michael's hosting was needy and too flirtacious, in a BAD way! This episode also returned to the team format(augh!!!!) Casey and Cort v. Michael and Emily- I can't say for sure who had the better room - I failed to relate or connect to either of them. This season and cast of Design Star fails to "Wow" or inspire me. I find myself more drawn to and invested in Food Network Star and Lord knows, I don't cook! LOL!

Basket BONANZA!

I had the opportunity to work with some amazing charities this summer. I really believe in the importance of giving back! As a result of my work with these charities, I had the opportunity to create custom gift baskets. Since this involves treasure hunting, creativity and endless amounts of ingenuity, it was right up my alley! I loved the process and the outcome! However, I enjoyed it so much, I wound up with extra baskets! If you are in the market for a unique, special, one of a kind gift, let me know! I have a variety of baskets for each and every taste to tantilize those tatsebuds!!!

"Eye" of the Designer vs. Eye of the Photographer

As a designer, I like to walk into a room and see if the space has good "bones". After that initial scan, my brain then starts decorating the room. The wall colors come to mind, as do furnishings and fun accessories. This dialogue has raced through my mind, each and every time I enter a new space. Have done a great deal of staging work and photo shoots as of late, it is so interesting to hear the photographers point of view. Both the designer and the photographer want to put the subject in the best light. The designer sees the subject (the room) from the design and astetic perspective, wheras the photographer looks at the subject in terms of lighting and as to how it will be captured as a finished print. When you can combine such different, yet equally important perspectives and point of view, magic can occur! Staging photos taken by yours truly, Photo of Designer Kat appears courtesy of Curtis Davis Photography

Ladies who LAUNCH!

Tomorrow night, Eye for Design and Numero Treize Vintage will hold the launch party premiere for "STOP, SHOP and SWAP". We wanted to plan a night for other female business owners to come together, collaborate, support each other, network and have some cocktails! Who ever said networking can't be fun!!!!! I personally love creative collaborations! To put a bunch of smart, successful women who have goals, dreams, great products and passions,together is definately a recipe for success in my book!!!
We hope to turn this into a regular event and grow it into a formidable force of women to be reckoned with!!!!! Photo courtesy of Curtis Davis Photography

Really DISHIN on DESIGN STAR

In every Mark Burnett production, there is a recurring theme. Whoever gets heavy camera time in the first episode, lasts the duration of the season! This little theory of mine was once again proven true tonight! Let's dive in and DISH!
The theme of tonight's group challenge (AGAIN! sigh!) was a Kenmore photo shoot. To successfully stage a photo shoot, you want to intrigue your audience, draw the viewer in, and inspire them to take a closer look. You don't want to confuse your audience, or their all important EYE! This week's red team was made up of Emily and Cort, who chose an Italian themed kitchen. Now, let it be known that by trade, Emily is a photo shoot stager. You would think this would give her an insiders edge. Her layout for this shoot was chaotic and confusing. The props and pieces she used in her staging don't relate, connect or speak to what she was trying to achieve. Vern and Gen both pointed out this fact as well. Thankfully, Vern did so, without retreating to his "heavy" persona, which we already acknowledged, doesn't work for him. Candice was absent from this episode and John Giddings stepped in to fill her stylish shoes. Not possible!!!!! The blue team of Alex, Casey and Mike, had a better room, but again I question some of their design choices. Casey was the "winning" designer for encorporating her crusty french bread, into her designs. The basket she had to choose from was upscale French, not French country. But, out of two designs that failed to "wow" or inspire me, I would have to begrudgingly say, the blue team had the better room. Alex and Emily were put on the elimination block. Alex, by far, had the better hosting video. He even remembered to address the Kenmore appliances, which the shoot was based upon! Emily's video was akward and unwatchable, but based on my Mark Burnett theory, I knew that Alex was going home! The judges proved me right and eliminated Alex.

More brilliant than bling bling!

With an "Eye for Design", I have always had a gravitational pull towards all things glitz, glam and sparkly! I love a luxe look, with a splash of a rock n roll edge. But, what is truly spectacular, and shines bolder and brighter than the Hope Diamond is the true LUXURY of having encouraging, supportive, helpful friends. The wonderful people in my life have given me the aid and determination to go after my dreams, and have been there to support me, every step of the way. For this, I am eternally grateful! Their faith in me, fuels my fire, detonates my determination and totally chokes me up with gratitude! To Karen, Dana, Jenny, Shera & Christina, you ladies, by far outshine even the best bling! I get by with a lot of help from my friends, and I am so THANKFUL! The spotlight shines bright on you my friends!!!!

A simple stage and a fun photo shoot!

Staging is one of my favorite aspects of design! I love taking an ordinary object and transforming it into something fabulous or unexpected! I also really enjoy the process of tricking the eye! Today, my business partner and I had a photo shoot to promote our various businesses. Instead of the stiff, proper pc shoot, we let creativity and imagination rule! I fully believe you can be a smart, focused business woman, yet indulge in the ridiculous and have a sense of humor about it! As our pictures will show, when you throw caution to the wind, unexpected magic can occur! I can't wait to get the pictures and post them! BIG PROPS and THANKS to Curtis Davis for photography and to Christina Mc Million of Numero Treize, for wardrobe and use of everyone's favorite supermodelquin, SOLANGE! Staging of this shoot was done by yours truly!

Rock the Stage (ing)

Spend 5 minutes with me and you will quickly realize that I am a "Designer Kat" with a rock n roll edge. After all these years, I still have a crush on Jon Bon Jovi and I do a happy dance, every time all bands Scott Weiland roll into town. Today, I landed a STAGING job that is sooo up my alley!!!! I am going to be doing the set design for a ROCK inspired photo shoot. Additionally, I get to unleash my inner rock star, and model in the shoot as well! (I know better than to sing -I am not even remotely joking when I say that I dying cow has better vocal chops!) I am so excited about this opportunity - to merge my love of design, with my love of all things rock, is pure professional BLISS!!!!!!!

Now Serving....DESIGN STAR DISH!!!!

Let's get started with the good.....NO NINA !!!!!!! The good brought upon by Nina being gone, quickly left this week's episode. The designers were given the task of designing luxury rental units for TRUMP. Now, when one thinks of Trump, images of money, real estate, wealth (and bad hair!!) come to my mind. Nowhere in this mental image, does cheap and tacky enter into the stream of consciousness. This challenge was once again a group challenge (insert groans here) and again, this cast of "designers" failed to deliver. In a luxury apartment, Tom created a bathroom that looked like a blueberry muffin! He said he thought it was "spa like". How does a blueberry muffin transport you to a spa???? The faucet and bath cabinet, would have brought on indigestion before the muffin was even devoured! Stacey designed a bed with no mattress, which failed miserably and her and Cortland's drop cloth curtains were disaterous!!!! The designers truly lack understanding of size, scope and scale of a room. The finished product is unpolished, and ill fitting. The team of Alex, Emily, Casey and Tom was less awful, but that isn't saying much.
Vern got angry at the designers and told them they wern't living up to their potential. Wait....they have potential???? Really??? As viewers, we have yet to see this. Each week I watch, I truly wonder HOW this season's participants got cast!!!! The lack of design understanding, the lack of creativity and the further lack of personality is almost too much to bear! Don't even get me started on how little this cast even understands about branding! (Kind of important when TRUMP is the client!!!!) In the end, it was a double elimination. Tom and Stacey both deserved and were given the boot! To sum it all up...PAINFULLY BAD DESIGN!!!!!

Little house of HORRORS!!!!

Today, I went to an "Estate Sale" in an affluent suburb of Chicago. My "Eye" was focused upon finding one of a kind treasures, maybe some antiques, interesting art, or some great furniture, in need of some TLC to restore it's natural lustre. Call me crazy, but, when I hear the word "estate", I tend to assume that connotates a certain degree of value. Silly, silly me! This so called "estate" sale, was more like a little house of horrors! First and foremost, I fail to comprehend how an auction company could have held any form of a sale at this home, without introducing it to a little friend of mine called CLOROX!!! The home was filthy and in dire need of repair. I am not talking about just an update or a cosmetic fix, but a true repair job. Tile was comming up left and right, which could have caused a dangerous condition, not to mention liability. The carpet was old and infested -I am too scared to speculate as to what it was infested with. They were selling used undergarments and I kid you not, someone's old toupees!!!!!! This sale was so bad, I truly lack the words to adequately describe the horrors!!!! The sad thing is that the house itself, has good bones. A major scrub down is MANDATORY, FIRST PRIORITY, but with an "Eye for Design" and a good contractor, it could really go from horrific and drab to clean, updated and spectacularly fab. Needless to say, I will NOT be shopping there for myself or my clients! I cannot believe the auction house could hold an "estate" sale there in good conscience! Final thoughts are still an overwhemling sense of "EWWWWWWWWWWWWW". The song from "Little Shop of Horrors" is also playing in my head on repeat!!!

Kat and Christina's Inadvertant Adventure!

Eye for Design and Numero Treize Vintage have joined forces to produce the first, of what we hope to be many, networking events for fun, fabulous female business owners like ourselves. To properly prepare for our upcomming STOP, SHOP & SWAP launch party, Christina and I headed out on a research and fact finding mission.
We set out to do our due dilligence - checking out vendors, products, details and locations - we were armed with a plan, Christina's keen sense of direction and attention to exquisite vintage detail, and, my 'Eye for Design", signature style, no sense of direction, but witty, wise comic relief! As we went about our day, the sun was shining, the directions were in hand, and we were amped up with optimism, diet coke and my requisite snack chips. Shortly after we set out, a terrential downpour occurred and all the bad truck drivers of the world, were traveling alongside us. We were NOT detered! Christina kept her cool behind the wheel, and I kept my "Eye" on the printed directions. The downpour stopped, the trucks moved on and we were almost at our destination...or so we thought!!!! Little did we know, the directions we received were so bad, a directional Mac Gyver, a navigational expert, the best GPS system in the world or even a map writer couldn't even folow them!!!! Roads were unmarked, roads broke off, then picked up where you would least imagine, people along the way told us one thing, traffic dictated another! After much driving, back roads, alternate routes and TIME, we did eventually reach all of our intended destinations!! (We promptly looked to the sky and gave praise - I even did a little happy dance -LOL!!!) After all that, we did manage to find some products we liked for our event, but,the journey (12 hour TREK) was so far, so backwards and such an unpredictable adventure, we never would have believed it, had we not experienced it. The drive home should have been an hour! We stopped for pizza and some tasty breadsticks, and confirmed with the restaurant staff, the best approach to getting home. The printed directions failed us once - we were NOT about to subject ourselves to that again!!! We were ready!! (again, or so we thought!!!) The server told us a quicker way to get back to the expressway and head home. He seemed knowledgeable (his recommendation about the cheesy garlic breadsticks was spot on) and we were eager to stick to main highways, after all the small town backroads leading us nowhere!!! We followed his directions to a "t". The letter "T" also let down the alphabet gang & proceeded to fail us!!! We wound up even further out of the way than we already were!!!! After our earlier tour of the area, we did manage to find a road we recognized to get back in route to the highway. We were so happy when we saw signs for Chicago, jubliation broke out in Christina's car! Thankfully, Christina and I are both easily amused and proceeded to crack 2.5 hours worth of jokes to make this vastly long day, and 12 hour TREK a funny experience. Remove Bill and Ted, and replace with Kat & Christina (except we are far smarter, have better style and are only addicted to Diet Coke)
As an added bonus, we saved big money at Menards, when we stopped to ask for directions! We also are well versed on where to find all the best Sod sales. If you are doing any landscaping, let me know!!! LOL!!!! To Christina: AFM rolls on!!!!!! OMG!!!!! It still makes me laugh!!!!!

DESIGN STAR DISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight's episode of Design Star enacted a challenge that was to credit and praise the New York Fire Department. The existing teams were redistribted into red and blue teams. To be honest, color was irrelevant, since both teams had such bad designs!!!! Neither designed a comfortable, relaxing "Thank you" space!!!! Vern was back to his heavy persona, which as we have already discussed, does NOT suit him. Candice, the reason why I watch this show, was once again under utilized and barely heard from. I swear, the nail art on my toe is far more interesting and inspiring. (I also understand scope and scale of a room, a key design concept, which is LOST on this cast!!!!!) But, the painful designs of this bad, bad season, did have a silver lining!!!!! THEY SENT NINA HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( insert cheers and LOTS of them HERE)
HGTV, I love you dearly, I LONG to work for you, but please, take into account your viewers and fans!!! This season has really been almost unwatchable. Please tweak the casting process for next season! This cast fell far short!!!!!!!!!!

Tune in Tuesday!!!!

Good Evening! Welcome to "Tune in Tuesday". This will be a new feature of both my blog and my Facebook business page! Today was such a good day! Eye for Design and Numero Treize Vintage had the opportunity to attend the Dynamic Professional Womens Network luncheon. What a wonderful group of women!!!! It was inspiring to be in the company of such accomplished, distinquished women!!!!! So grateful to this group, for allowing me to participate and to showcase my business. Later in the day, Eye for Design, and Numero Treize, once again teamed up with FREEDOM CHIC PRODUCTIONS for another FABULOUS ad campaign! We are currently working on a spectacular campaign that we will be unveiling in the very near future!!!! Thus, stay tuned to this "Kat" channel. Also to keep up with all the latest and greatest, "Like" us on FACEBOOK! I will LOVE you for it! So, make sure you sign up, stay informed and remember to tune in!!!!!!!!!!