Art Inspired Palette: Andreina Bello-Love Triangle
13 Thursday Mar 2014
Posted in Art Inspired Palette, Color Inspiration
13 Thursday Mar 2014
Posted in Art Inspired Palette, Color Inspiration
31 Tuesday Dec 2013
Posted in News
Tags
babies, baroness, celebrate, change, christmas, family, gray star design, love, memories, music, new years, silversun pickups
So 2013 has come to an end. I’m sure it has been a memorable year for everyone, whether it was tough to get through or really great, time has given us all things to look back on. For me, it has certainly been one full of many gifts, surprises, and wonderful moments. I am so thankful for the people I have in my life and the beautiful space I can call home. Having such a comforting and inspiring environment to wake up to everyday is an amazing thing to have. My husband, Dan and I worked so hard to create it, we can truly call it ours.
I am also grateful for Gray Star Design becoming the little business it is today. A year ago I took a dive into the event field and chose another path for my work, and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks to all my past clients who chose my designs and all my future clients I will someday meet, if it wasn’t for you Gray Star Design wouldn’t be as much of a success as it is. I truly love what I do. My life feels more complete now that I have the business and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
There will be lots of changes to the blog coming soon. I have decided to end my Inspiration Photo Friday series and focus more on various palettes that will inspire all aspects of design and events. My Sound in Color series will continue, but will be slightly edited, and I will start posting a lot more. It has been a busy year for me and sadly the blog has taken a backseat. But I promise to show it a lot more love in the coming year.
And it wouldn’t be a 2013 to remember without these events and milestones:
– my Mom moving back to New York
– Dan’s band Thracian getting signed to Monolithic Records
– my cousin Diana becoming pregnant with her first child, and its a girl!
– celebrating our first wedding anniversary in Massachusetts
– working my first craft fair as Gray Star Design
– our kitchen and half bath renovation
– the arrival of my brother in law’s daughter, Everleigh Rose
– saw Baroness live and had a meet and greet with the band
– saw Silversun Pickups live, I love them!
– celebrated 5 years with my husband
– finally met my friends daughter Anastasia and celebrated her 1st birthday
– our fall trip to Pennsylvania and visit to Pennhurst Asylum
– visiting Benner’s Farm with my best friend Meg and her daughter, Leona
– my friend Lizzy becoming pregnant with her second child, and its a boy!
– my cousin Diana’s baby shower
– my dog Olive turning 6 years old
– our master bath renovation
– my friend John and his wife Dena having their son, Soren Robert
– putting up our first big xmas tree in the house and hosting xmas eve for the first time
– my husband’s cousin Nicole becoming pregnant with her second child
– my friend Sunny getting engaged
– my cousin Diana and her husband becoming parents to their little girl, Scarlett Wynn
So many blessings and things to be happy about, how can I say anything other that 2013 being a great year. As for 2014, I can promise lots of change for Dan and I. Besides our finances, our marriage will only get stronger as we prepare for a family. I look forward to all the good things that will come our way as well as any hardships we must tackle. Bring it on!
I wish you all a happy and safe new year! Until next time…

20 Friday Dec 2013
Posted in Inspiration Photo Friday
So Christmas is just around the corner and its time to start preparing for the holiday. Whether you are hosting or not, there is always something to do. This year I am having my family over for Christmas Eve and couldn’t be more excited. For years I dreamt of hosting this event and having us all together in my home. And now its finally coming true.
I am sure Christmas means a lot of different things to everyone, depending on your traditions, but to me it is all about spending time with your loved ones and making memories. Although I love giving gifts, that is just a bonus. I imagine a white covered landscape, a crisp breeze, a warm cozy home filled with festive tunes and smiles, and lots of love in the air. Oh, what a great night it will be. It’s the whole package of the holiday that makes me smile.
I took this photo days ago when we got some snow. Long Island hasn’t seen a storm yet so this is the best we’ve had. Even though its a little, it put me in the holiday spirit. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

29 Friday Nov 2013
Posted in Inspiration Photo Friday
Tags
belief, cruelty-free, earth, family, holiday, life, love, morals, thankful, thanks, thanksgiving, tradition, veg, vegan, vegetarian
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food, good times, and people you love. My husband and I started our own tradition about 4 years ago and love our peaceful holiday even more each year. My mother joined us for dinner this time, which was a nice bonus, and Dan’s parents visited with us earlier in the day. After our meal, we went to my cousin’s house for dessert, where the rest of my family was. It was a good day.
I decorated the table with harvest trinkets and kept within a country/rustic style. Simple and in the spirit of the holiday.

This year, I tried some new recipes, all of which turned out awesome. The menu included Stuffed Peppers w/Brown Rice & Spinach in a Parmesan Mascarpone sauce, Green beans, Mashed Potatoes & Veg Gravy, Sweet Corn, and Tempeh Wheatballs. Yum!

Dessert at my cousin’s was fun and there was more than enough sweets to go around. And of course, its always nice to see family and catch up. We were home by 9pm and took the rest of the night to relax on the couch with our dogs and chill out.
You know, every day I am thankful for the great things in my life as well as all the amazing people. I am also grateful for change and new beginnings. The simple fact that Dan and I created our own tradition for the holiday, just makes it that much more special. It doesn’t bother me anymore that I am not sharing the infamous feast with all of our family because to us it’s more than just a holiday. We’ve chosen to stick by our beliefs and celebrate a cruelty-free Thanksgiving that we look forward to sharing with our future children. Being thankful for the Earth and everything it shares with us, is just the beginning.
{For any of my recipes, just contact me via email}