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Today I can finally share with you my experience at The Nate Berkus Show, the reason me and 900 other bloggers met in the first place. The reason behind my trip to New York in the first place. The excuse so that I could live out my dreams of behaving like Kevin McCallister ala Home Alone 2. I mean…

We bustled as fast as we could to the studio and started to panic about being able to grab a quick lunch before we went into the show. We stopped at a pizzeria across the street and ordered New York style pizza.  If this place is any tell for all NY Pizza, while good it in no way compared to Chicago style pizza.

Do you like that diet Snapple next to my two monstrous pieces of pizza? I keep it classy.

After lunch we booked it to the studio, it was like shopping the day after Thanksgiving, and I loved it.

What was so funny was that we learned your place in line had no baring on where you would sit once inside.

We patiently waited for about a half hour to be brought inside where we were directed to a green room. What was interesting is there were two green rooms and you weren’t allowed to mingle amongst them. Everyone was so excited and gabbing over refreshments compliments of the show.

Not going to lie, this sign made me and all the other bloggers feel quite special. It was almost like Nate and I already had a connection.

What was interesting is there were two green rooms and you weren’t allowed to mingle amongst them. Everyone was so excited and gabbing over refreshments compliments of the show.

Nate had Emily Henderson on the show and Emily went to the home of a family in serious design help. The couple had far too many accessories and so Emily helped the woman “shop her home”, and the results are incredible.

Afterwards Nate helped a girl who’d lost confidence after becoming unemployed. He had Christian Siriano come on stage and dress the girl. Then she was surprised with accessory galore to take home and we were all given Payless Gift Cards. Except My Mom, her envelope came without a gift card, hmmm…

After the show Nate took about fifteen minutes to answer several audience members questions. I wasn’t chosen but that’s okay it was still nice to hear what he offered other bloggers by way of answer.

There’s been a tremendous amount of disappointment felt by bloggers in regards to Nate’s show. Was I disappointed? A bit. I was hoping he would take the day to spotlight the talent in the room and recognize how we’d all come to see him. I think his show could have really had a phenomenal show if they’d done this.

Buuuut, I had a good time. I was flattered to be invited to his show and I met so many amazing people because of this blogging kinship.

I also got to spend about a week with this pretty lady. And when I start my new job next week who knows when/if I’ll have another opportunity for Mommy/Daughter time.    

We had a blast and explored the city both together and on our own, this is what made for a successful trip.

That and an invitation from Mr. Nate Berkus. Thank you, Nate!

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What’s a girl to do while waiting for a magazine launch party in New York City? Well I suppose that depends entirely on whose the girl. This girl decided she needed to see Saks 5th Avenue, and to 5th Avenue she went.

I adored Saks and saw so many designers that I hadn’t been familiar with before like Robert and Rodriguez, Gryphon, Camilla and Marc. Basically this reads: gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. 

After waltzing around Saks, [I really waltzed, it’s weird you walk in and all of a sudden normal walking need not apply] I decided to head down the street to a gorgeous and large Sephora. I played around with the makeup and then met my Mom for dinner at Blue Ribbon Sushi.

We meant to go to Blue Ribbon Italian, but I accidentally used my blackberry and yelped the wrong place. Oops! It was still really good. We were told famous chefs come to the various Blue Ribbon restaurants for  inspiration.

After Dinner we cabbed it over to the Rue Magazine Launch Party. On the way I snapped some photos of beautiful and busy Time Square.

When we arrived at the launch party I was thrilled. I’d met the Rue girls earlier in the day and they were awesome. I felt like I’d known them far longer than one day and therefore I couldn’t wait to share in their joy over the launch of Rue.

Crystal, Anne, Caitlin and  Alaina

When I got there I was so happy to spend a great deal of time with the talented Lindsay from A Design Story.

After walking around and meeting the different designers I wanted to take in the venue, the Design Studio in NYC. Some of the pieces on the floor were so unique I left mouth agape. See for yourself…

 

I also had the privilege of meeting Design Star runner up, Michael Moeller. He was charming and immaculately dressed.

I was looking for a great place in the area to meet my friend Danielle for cocktails and Michael suggested The Ace Hotel. If you’re in NYC I would highly recommend stopping in to see the incredible design used in this space.

It was so great finishing off the night with a reunion with Danielle. I finally got to meet her hilarious fiancé too. It’s no doubt they’re so happy together, they are a great pair.

My Mom and I realized we’d yet to take a picture together through our whole trip so far.

We headed on back to the Port Authority for the night and after almost getting on the wrong bus we found our way back to our hotel. After all, this Design Apprentice had The Nate Berkus show to rest up for the next day! 

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When we awoke on Saturday morning I was beyond excited. I mean I was heading to HGTV for lunch. As in Home and Garden television, the same HGTV Bob and I can agree to watch peacefully. The same HGTV as Sandra Rinomato, my ultimate hero.

I arrived earlier than any of the other bloggers and was instructed to go up to their lobby, which they share with the various other Scripps productions. The food channel was on and I tried my best to play it cool, who knows it if worked. Let’s go with yes.

After about 10 minutes the other bloggers began to filter into the lobby and I met a wonderful public relations woman named Eileen, we talked about life as a lefty in a right handed world. Basically this means the afternoon was off to a b-e-a-utiful start.

Once ushered into the meeting room I sat next to Emily and Elizabeth of Deux Maisons, talk about sweet girls. They are two sorority sisters who have stayed the best of friends in the working world and have a fabulous blog.

  Everyone quickly began to meet and greet, it was wonderful. No pretentiousness, just talented individuals eager to meet each other over shared passion. I couldn’t ask for a greater gift.

Except, I don’t know, maybe being at HGTV while doing it!

Then in walked in Emily Henderson.  The Emily Henderson, The Brass Petal, of Design Star success. I was beside myself with enthusiasm.

Would I meet her?

Yes

Would she be as adorable and bubbly in person?

 Even more so.

We all listened to the story from a sweet blogger named Melisa, she writes for the lil bee.  She wrote about going into labor while leaving a meeting she’d had with HGTV. It was quite the predicament but lead to her beautiful little girl. And she’s pregnant again!

I had the privilege of chatting with Joy and Janet, the moggit girls, who coordinated the entire Nate Day extravaganza. These two ladies are full of wit and so incredibly down to earth. I could have hung out with the two of them in my sweats and had just as good of a time. Joy and Janet were also quite insistent they’d met my doppelganger and that she was part of their high school class. I still need to see a picture of this twinnie.

While talking to the ladies of Rue Magazine I ingested about 98 of these cupcakes.  Two of the women with Rue are from Chicago and one of them is from a very close suburb to mine. Such. A. Small. World. Bottom line these women were incredible and I would love to collaborate with them in the future, even if that collaboration is over cocktails in the city.

After lunch it was time to explore the city and freshen up. Freshen up you ask? Yes of course, you see Rue Magazine was having their launch party that night. It was a blast and so many wonderful people from the design world were there…

… but you’re just going to have to wait for the details from this design apprentice, until tomorrow.

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What is a recap without stories? Sure pictures are great and tell a tale or two of their own, but the stories behind them can make those pictures what they are. Without further adieu I would like to tell you the tales of my New York City trip. I plan to share them with you over a series of days this week.

After our stay in Pennsylvania where we met Bruce Wayne’s unattractive comrads……we were more than elated to leave said hotel and make our way due East. (Seriously how gross are those bats?) Maybe I’m more of a city girl than I think but I have never seen anything like that in my life.  Aaand this was behind glass where I was safe and sound.  [Tangent: Remind me to tell you all the story of my sorority sisters’ bat infested house sometime, crazy.]

 

When we got to New Jersey where we were staying we were more excited than a kid on the first day of school, and by we I mean I. My Mom was a bit on the apprehensive side, we’d never been to NJ or NYC and she had no idea what to expect. We were beyond exhausted after driving through

New Jersey is gorgeous. I will repeat myself gorgeous. I had honestly expected NJ to look similar to the scenes in The Sopranos. Such is not life. It is mountainous and foliage galore.

We got to our hotel in the New Jersey Meadowlands and were unsure what to do. Beat exhaustion by taking a nap or heading out in full force to the city that never sleeps? Being we enjoy a nap more than the Muppet babies we chose a timed nap.

After napping we meandered across the street and waited for New Jersey’s public transit. Note: The buses in New Jersey make Chicago’s CTA look horrible. We’re talking plush seats, individually controlled air conditioning, and coach bus like features. The only thing missing was a junior high choir group and Disney DVDs playing on ceiling mounted televisions.

Once in New York at the Port Authority I looked for the nicest looking young girl to ask for directions to get to Time Square. I settled on a woman around my age with a headband topped with a bow. Because if you can’t trust someone in a bow who can you trust?

She was nice and gave us directions, it was only after that she began trying to convert my Mom and I to her religion. We explained we already have Jesus Christ in our lives and that just wasn’t enough for her. Finally we had to politely tell her we needed to make dinner plans and we got out of there. We just avoided mentioning we literally need to come up with plans for dinner because we were clueless as to where to go. Insert my darling Leslie.

Leslie has been to NYC many times and was able to direct me on where to eat, The Spotted Pig. It’s in the West Village and she recommended wine and cheese. This place is charming. It is so darn cute it makes charming seem like a passé word to use.

The Spotted Pig is also very happening and therefore was busy. We waited at a bar top and ordered vino, what’s great is you can order your food and then once your table is ready you are able to move it with you to a table. A nice man sitting next to us told us Tom Colicchio comes into The Spotted Pig about once a week and orders there burger. He said it’s delicious and what they’re known for. We decided to go with what’s liked and both ordered the burger. I asked for a different cheese rather than blue, they politely told me they don’t alter the menu. I still ordered it with blue cheese, and I now understand: You can’t alter perfection.

If you are ever in New York, go to The Spotted Pig, it was delicious, laid back, and really an all around great time.

Once we were done with dinner we headed to Bleeker Street which is known as Cupcake Row, if you will. I really wanted to try the infamous Magnolia’s Bakery so we walked the few blocks over and waited in line.

 

We took our cupcakes to go and cabbed it back to The Port Authority. Once on the bus we explained to the driver we didn’t know which stop was ours and he assured my Mom he would let her know when we were at our stop. About 45 minutes into our bus ride and no cupcakes later, we began to worry, it didn’t seem to take this long on our ride there. It was also impossible to hear him over the speaker as to what location we were. I thought he sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher, and that my friends worried me. My Mom headed up front to ask him when we’d be at our stop. He told us we’d missed it, it was the 1st stop. The first stop.

He said we’d have to wait until the final stop and get off the bus, then if we waited another bus would come and take us back. After some terse words with yours truly he gave us cards so that we wouldn’t have to pay again for the bus fare.

We boarded the second bus in a town called Ridgewood New Jersey, it was cuter than words. Our next driver was the nicest man, he had been a police officer before an injury and my Mom was quick to befriend him. It helped, he dropped us off as close as possible to our hotel.

We raced upstairs and after calling Bob and my Dad to let them know we were safe and sound it was time for bed. After all, one needs beauty sleep before meeting with the amazing development team at HGTV!

In New York…

Home alas.

Greetings friends, I am home. After fifteen hours in the car one way and thirty round trip I have made it back to the CHI in one piece. My mother and I did not get lost and we’re still talking. Only one ticket was received and no tears were shed.

I am honestly exhausted and cannot wait to fill you in on what happened. I met so many incredible people and had such a wonderful time. I am in love with more than just Handsome, I now have a second honey named NYC.

Stay tuned for a full report on New York’s fabulocity.

Sojourn

 

I am blogging from on the road. I am in Pennsylvania for the very first time my friends. You see I am driving to Nate Day in NYC. My Mom and I embarked today and have traveled through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and now Pennsylvania.

 

Unfortunately we did run into trouble in Ohio. I got my first speeding ticket 81 in a 65. I tried playing dumb, inquiring about his life, asking for restaurant suggestions, talking decorating, asking to see what he clocked me at. Nothing worked. I just wish if I have to throw a state money it would be my own state of Illinois that has gone bankrupt.

My agenda is this: See Kate plus 8 or at least Jon while in Pennsylvania.

Run into Teresa, Caroline, Dina, and Jacqueline while in New Jersey (where I’m staying)

Make best friends with Nate Berkus while in NYC. I would love if my dream last night of drinking Skinny Girl Margaritas with Bethenny would come true too.

I also noticed I forgot my speed detector (obviously), black purse, and camera charger. This means I will need to find a Best Buy on the East Coast and stat.

Our hotel here in PA had these giant bugs outside our main entry. They were the size of a coffee mug. Of course while noting this my Mom couldn’t get our door open. Later I tried taking a picture of them from behind the glass (think their mug shot). Then I saw it, a wing start to slap before they continued to cuddle with each other. Yes, they were bats. My Mom chose the path of denial and is insistent they are speakers for the hotel. Apparently they need a PA system in PA.

Unforgiving officers, bats, and whatever else comes our way will not keep us from the incredible Nate Berkus. Hope to see you there.

P.S. I’ve been waiting for NYC since I read Karen in the Babysitter’s Little Sister Club series visit her pen pal. This was in the 3rd grade. This was around the same time as Kevin McAllister left my beloved Chicago and flew eastbound to New York alone. Suffice it to say everything I know about NYC I learned from Kevin McAllister. And John Cusack in Serendipity.

 

This post was really random but I’m tired and have many travels ahead. God Speed my Friends

Paint by Memories

Today I taught my first religious education class. I dressed up so as to not be confused with my 6th graders because I on occasion still get asked if I want the kids menu. Someday I’ll love this. One of my boys knew about The Nate Berkus show, that it has previously been Bonnie Hunt’s time slow and what channel it was on. I told him I was impressed and he begrudgingly told me he only knows this because his Mom has it on when he gets home from school and if he wants to watch TV while doing his homework it has to be her show. I found this adorable.

I already love Nate’s new show and not just because I’ll be an audience member next week. Did you all catch the first episode and how he chose a color palette for a couple? He used colors that meant something to them both, what she wore the first day they met, what he thinks she looks best in, what his childhood room was painted, what she likes him in best. I thought for fun I would create a room using Nate’s idea and while I haven’t asked Bob his favorite color to see me in I can ad lib this.

When I first saw Bob he was wearing a red polo and I to this day love him in red more than any other color. It’s nostalgia and with his dark feature I think he looks great in the hue.

Bob’s childhood room is a greenish yellow, he shared with his brothers.

When we met I wore a tie dyed shirt, this makes the palette tricky though the colors were mostly in the light red family.

I wear pink, brown, and red more than anything else. I think he would like me in pink because he appreciates how feminine I am, because it’s the polar opposite of him. I don’t foresee pink being an allotted color for our home one day though so I will go with brown, a color we both love.

This leaves us with: dark red, greenish yellow, light red, and brown. Nate you are a genius, I see the palette forming already.

Oh you want to see?

Family Room Nate Inspired by KateRags on Polyvore.com

This really is us to a cozy T. What colors would you end up with this little Nate exercise?

Test

Dream a Little Dream of Me

So to continue on my last post about dream bedding I realized I left something of great significance out… that would be my bedding on a budget. You see right now I’m waiting for my dream job to begin and in the mean time a gal needs to make due with more than a ripped down comforter from 1992.

So where do I go from here? A white duvet I propose. They’re versatile, key, they’re basically on every bed that has gone main stream and are all the rage in hotels and spas. What is so great about white bedding is how you can switch up the accesories to change your bedding look seasonally, yearly or even daily if it suits your fancy. So how would this shabby chic loving girl create a personified look on the go? I would be glad to show you.

 

P.S. I saw there are now wrinkle free duvet covers at bed bath and beyond.. I need to know, have you tried them? I’m dying to find out if they work. Let’s be honest we don’t all have the time to iron a duvet until it looks like something that could rival the Ritz Carlton. Until I do however humor me with my design muse:

Room by KateRags on Polyvore.com

Honestly, It’s scary how much this looks like my room already. The more I dissect this set the more I think I may go the white duvet route.

All day I’ve had one thing on my mind, Nate Berkus. You see this morning I got an email from his PR people inviting me along with various other fellow bloggers to be an audience member next Tuesday in NYC. I’ve never been to NYC but have wanted to go there desperately since Kevin McAllister took New York by storm in Home Alone 2. I wish I was joking, this may still be one of my favorite movies of all time.

I get to bring a guest and Bob has work and I asked my Mom. Problem is Mama has a flight phobia and wants to drive only to then stay at a Catholic Retreat House. God love her and I love God, but I want to explore New York and not a monastery. My Dad thinks I ought to just go alone but Pops forget I’m a scaredy cat. We’ll see, but one way or another I will be there and I am so so pumped.

I’ve had a bedroom dilemma as of late. My beloved peach colored floral duvet has torn and ripped and torn some more. I spent a day visiting 7 stores to no avail. Why is it when you don’t need bedding you see adorable covers everywhere and when you’re in desperate need there is zilch to enjoy?

I thought I’d share some inspiration if not for your viewing pleasure than for my sanity, because girlfriend needs some duvet/comforter love.

First and foremost when it comes to my personal style I feel one designer sums me up to a T: Pine Cone Hill

Lady Apricot Floral Duvet

  

Ruched Linen Platinum with White duvet

Annette Tatum Bedding Duvet Bamboo Sand

  Bella Notte Duvet Cover Melissa

Seth & Grayson Alli Bedding Set

I’m guessing if you click on more than one of these links you noticed they all brought you back to Layla Grace. Now I have no affiliation or relationships with Layla Grace, I simply adore this store. Perhaps more than any other  online boutique.

Wanted: Teacher’s Pet

Thank you all so much for your sweet comments about my new job. It means so much to have such supportive readers who truly were happy for little me in this whole blogosphere.

[Credit]

I am here to enlist/beg/plead/elicit/ask for your advice. You see I am sure some of you are teachers, therefore you can offer up a wise word or two.

I am going to be teaching religious education for my church and I was set to teach 1st graders. When I received my new job I learned I’d have to teach an older grade because they meet at a later time. I’m going to now be teaching 6th grade religious education. I am terrified.

I asked Handsome’s junior high aged brother for tips, I think having an insider on my hands may definitely prove an advantage. T suggested I start off strict and ease into a more relaxed teaching style as time prevails, so I establish rules from the get go. He is one smart smart kid.

What about you though, what do you do to insure boundaries are set and your taken seriously with kids? Any 2 cents would be oh so appreciated.

One thing is for sure: I will be dressing the part. At 5’1” I am often mistaken for roughly half my age.

You’re Hired!

I have some news and it’s good news too! On Wednesday I had a job interview in the city. A girl I worked with at my first out of college job works at this particular company and referred me for a position. The week before I had a not so great job interview and I just felt God wanted me to get in touch with my old co-worker and find out about her current job.

Fast forward to this past Wednesday and I headed into the city with a great feeling of relief, I felt I was about to interview for where I was meant to work right now. I met with the manager and after wards the HR rep came in and told me I’d really impressed him and I would be talking to their district manager over the phone. I spoke with her and the HR rep came back into the room again and said he didn’t know what I’d said to them but I’d blown them both away. He said the DM told him to make me an offer before I got away!

What was especially great is when the DM asked why I left my job I felt the need to be honest. I alluded to the negative work environment for women and why I had to get out of there. She commended my bravery leaving an unfit work place and said she’d hope her own daughters would do the same if they were in a similar situation.

I’ll be working back in the beloved loop of Chicago. I start the first week of October and after some facebook creeping I learned a good college friend happens to work under the same manager of this huge company. Small world, eh?

I should mention this by no means means I will hanging up my real estate dreams. I really would love to be an agent part time while working full time in a job that provides the security of a salary and benefits. I had a big heart to heart with my cousin Crystal about this. Crystal really hit home about needing to take the exam and not think about fears but about completion. She spoke about things she wishes she’d done and how I need to set a goal test date for myself today.   

[Me and Crystal]

I absolutely love the support family can provide. They know you so well and that in lies a saving grace. I’m truly blessed.

Have you all noticed any difference in unemployment rates by you? Hopefully your loved ones are finding j o b s!