Inspiration Daily: 09. 14. 11

Credit for these moody images belongs to: 1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Untitled, 4. reflection *past,future,present

Project Runway at New York Fashion Week - Part 1

Let me first start off this post by quickly relieving any fears you might have about Project Runway spoilers. As many of you know, through the generosity of the amazing people at HP I had the incredible opportunity to attend the finale runway show taping for Season 9 of Project Runway in New York City last week. What I didn't know before my trip however is that instead of the final three designers showing their collections, there would instead be nine of the finalists walking their collections at the show. So even after the runway show I have just as little an idea of who will win as anyone. Im excited though, because this means that I can be as equally surprised as you are when the winner is announced on Lifetime during the final episode (and I don't have to try to keep a secret for weeks on end). Phew!

The other amazing bloggers HP teamed up with for the show (Susan - Freshly Picked | Kelly - Design Crush | Megan - Not Martha | not pictured - Jamie of Design Milk). These ladies are a blast and just as fabulous as you can imagine! And btw...if you see photos of me floating around and think "nooo...that Martha Washington look-a-like can't be Ez, I'm sorry to report that you are wrong." The crazy wig-like hair and misguided red lips are mine. Sigh.

Anyhow today (and tomorrow...and maybe even later this week since I'm still on the East Coast away from my desk) I thought I'd share a smattering of photos I took from the show (not all of them of course...I think I took at least 400). I wish they were clearer, but I feel pretty lucky to have captured anything at all considering that I was shaking like a leaf from all the excitement. Watching the runway show in front of me was by far one of the coolest things I've experienced in my life to date. And possibly the best part if it all was that live, in person all the drama of the show is gone and you can really see the talent an passion that each one of these designers has in spades. I wish they all could win.

The judges of course (Heidi is standing off camera talking to the audience):

From the collection designed by Laura Kathleen:

From the collection designed by Bert Keeter:

From the collection designed by Bryce Black:

And of course...Betsey Johnson!

More photos coming soon. Thanks for stopping by today! xo Ez

Inspiration Daily: 09. 13. 11

Credit for these wonderful images belongs to: 1. Untitled, 2. Bonita, 3. braeburn, 4. Born in the shadow of the moon's frown.

The HP / Project Runway Challenge: Week 7

Hi guys! I'm still here on the East Coast after my pinch-me-am-I-dreaming weekend with HP / Project Runway (I'll be sharing my photos from that tomorrow and Wednesday in place of my regular posts). Anyhow, since we were going to be in the midst of it all during this past week's episode airing, HP sent me the challenge early (the infamous fabric design challenge) and I did my best to create something with no more direction than "design a fabric and create an outfit using your design." I didn't realize how challenging it would be without having the chance to watch the show for inspiration as I did for all my past challenges. So for better or worse here my design is.

For my look I wanted to create a print with a modern ethnic feeling to it. With the TouchSmart I was able to use stencils included with the ArtRage program to create my print. Since the pattern I created is so large I decided to keep the silhouette of my dress classic so that everything would balance out nicely.

If you'd like to take a peek at my previous challenge interpretations you can find them here. If you missed this past week's episode you watch the entire thing online right here. xo Ez

-----

Full disclosure: HP provided me with a TouchSmart 610 Computer for use with these weekly challenges. All content was left solely up to me. I have not been financially compensated for my opinions of this product or the Project Runway show.

Inspiration Daily: Caramel Crumble Apple Pie

Caramel Crumble Apple Pie in Whole Wheat Pecan Crust with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream by Celine Steen. Find her recipe here.