good things come...

As a business owner, I get lots of emails from people looking to start a business or pursue a dream of some kind. I try and give the most constructive advice I can or direct them to one of my books. Because of the ways in which we often see success and fame these days (ie. reality tv), it sometimes gives the perception that you can make it big without doing much work or by getting lucky. Sure, sometimes a little bit luck helps some people. But one thing I emphasize over and over again is that very few things come easy. You never realize how hard people work to achieve their goals behind the scenes. And I promise you, every successful person out there that you admire works their a$$ off. You have to work hard to get what you want in life. And if you work hard, if you're passionate about what you do, and if you are kind to people along the way, it pays off in more ways that you can imagine. 

simple and clever...

I'm so inspired by architecture and love it when architects also design products for the home. This modular Kororo desk and stool by Torafu Architects is so clever with the built-in shelves and the ability to both hold and display desk items. And those colors...!

happy valentine's day!

I hope your Valentine's Day looks like this...

...and not like this...

{Photos by Jennifer Young and Geronimo's Art/Mo Project} 

one desk, two ways...

I like so many styles that it can be hard to decide which way to go when decorating at home. One area that's always easy to change up is your work space. Whether it's a home office or your personal office at work, simple accessories can transform your desk from one style to the next so easily without having to change your desk completely. To show you how I'd do it, here's a look at two of styles I'm really loving right now... 

First up, is what I like to call my Whimsy Pop desk. You guys know I love color so this desk incorporates a ton of vintage accessories, prints by independent designers, and colorful desk accessories. I love using vintage pant hangers to display an ever-evolving range of inspiration right in front of me.

Sources for Whimsy Pop: Desk by Office Depot. Vintage office chair from Sunbeam Vintage recovered in two fabrics. Solid desk accessories include: See Jane Work white stapler and tape dispenser, decorative storage boxes in blue and white, and green wall file. Others include: small 3-ring binder from Urbanic, sticky roll notepad from Urbanic, and acrylic pencil holder from Urbanic, bunny vase from Anthropologie, CB2 file cabinet, Block Chromatics vintage mug, Illume candle, Studio Sarah notebook, Ferme a Papier prints, Claudia Pearson calendar prints, and vintage pant hangers.

Now, onto the more sultry side of me is my Mad at Midnight desk. This one is mostly monochromatic with accents of sunny yellow and shiny gold. It's sultry but not too serious. It includes a vintage bar cart, accent lamp, and dotty wall decals that give the space movement and charm.

Sources for Mad at Midnight: Desk by Office Depot. Chair by Industry West. Solid and patterned desk accessories include: See Jane Work white stapler and tape dispenser, wall file, striped magazine file, striped pencil cup, striped letter tray, dotty binder, writing pad, and expanding file. Other decor includes: Wee Gallery dotty decals, chalkboard calendar from Urbanic, Kate Spade Saturday desk container, mousepad by Think and Ink, lamp by Robert Lewis, And bar items: bar cart from Sunbeam Vintage, Kate Spade Saturday mug, ice bucket and glasses from Sunbeam Vintage, candle by Hand in Hand, "Today is the Day" card by Tattly, and rug from Domino.

So when your interior mood swings, just remember that your desk is a great place to change up every so often for a new dose of inspiration. What do you guys think? Which style would you love to have in your work space?

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Office Depot. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and special content like this for Oh Joy.

{Photos by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy.}

currently snacking on...

After yesterday's announcement, I seriously cannot thank you guys enough for your support and excitement! Short of my wedding day and the day Ruby was born, it was one of the best days ever.

Now back to regular programming...I'm not vegan, but living in LA I've come across more and more vegan bakeries that are surprisingly good. There's a new bakery in Echo Park called Bramble Bakeshop who makes the prettiest vegan baked goods I've ever seen. My favorite are these lemon linzer cookies—tart, sweet, and crunchy—they're like a lemon pie all scooped up in a perfect little cookie. And these smoked almond brownies which are so fudgy and delicious...

{Photo by Oh Joy}

big news: oh joy for target collection coming march 16!

You guys...there's a secret project I've been working on since last year that I can finally reveal to you! I have an entertaining and party collection for Target coming out next month—March 16th to be exact. It has been a dream of mine to have Oh Joy product in Target stores, and I am kicking myself that dream is coming true.

There will be four Oh Joy for Target collections this year—Spring, Summer, Fall and Holiday—each in stores for six weeks only. All of the collections have a ton of color, shots of gold (my favorite neutral), and allow you to mix and match patterns easily. I designed what I would want to use for a party and what I'd need to make it look super special and fun without having to spend the time making decorations from scratch. The first collection for spring is inspired by a garden party and all of the items you can use to create, decorate, serve food, and entertain easily, beautifully, whimsically. It includes paper plates, paper napkins, paper cups, melamine cups and trays, party hats and horns, balloons, wall decals and decor, serve ware, and more...

This project has been amazing to work on, and I'll be sure share more about the process over the course of this year. We'll be revealing more photos, videos, behind-the-scenes peeks, the launch party, and of course the other collections as it gets closer!

Mark your calendars for March 16th for my spring Oh Joy for Garden Party collection! You can see more images from the collection right here on Pinterest. Also, check out this super cute video below about the pinner collaboration with my fellow designers/bloggers/pinners, Poppytalk (coming in June) and Wit & Delight (coming in September) that I'm thrilled to be a part of...

{Product and pattern designs by Oh Joy for Target. Lifestyle photograhy by Thuss+Farrell and styling by Dane Holweger.}

happy friday + happy to be here...

Every night before Ruby hops into the bathtub, she like to climb into our bed and have us tell her a made-up story. She'll say "banana story!" or "polka dot story!" so we tell her a quick story about a banana or a polka dot (usually named Ruby). It's a simple moment that has become part of our nighttime routine. The other night, I didn't realize Bob took a photo of us during our little story time, and I love this so much. It just reminds me with all the hustle and bustle and stress and worry about life, I can take a step back and know that I am simply happy to be where I am right now.

I hope you have an amazing weekend ahead, friends!

P.S. Thanks SO much to everyone who bought something from my Hunters Alley sale. We've raised over $1000 to benefit My Stuff Bags. There a few items left if anyone is interested.

edible valentines...

With Valentine's Day coming up, I wanted to share a couple sweet treats you can easily make for anyone in your life. You can say a little something wit these pie crust conversation hearts or give them a little love with these all-natural (and vegan!) orange-berry gummies. Whether it's your friend, neighbor, teacher, friend, or your dearest Valentine, give them a little unexpected treat! See the video below and its details on YouTube for the full recipes and sources...

CREDITS
Brought to you by: Oh Joy + Target
Art Direction: Oh Joy
Video: Jenner Brown
Music: "Hello Sweetheart" by Katie Ro
Hair & Makeup: Danielle Walch 
Production and Craft Assistant: Julia Wester
Recipes and sources used: see details on YouTube 

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Target. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and special content like this for Oh Joy. To see more Oh Joy videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

{Photos by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy. My dress by Sonnet James.}

on the hunt + for a good cause...

Last month, I did a little spring cleaning of my closet in order to donate the profits to a charity in need of our help. And thanks to you guys, we raised over $1500 for the NY Foundling! The previous sale included all clothing, so here's Part 2 of my sale which includes home decor and accessories. There is no bidding—just one price, take it or leave it. I will be donating 100% of my profits from my personal items listed for sale to benefit My Stuff Bags which provides new belongings, comfort and hope to thousands of children each year who must be rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment across the United States. You can see a bit of what's for sale below...

For this sale, I've partnered with Hunters Alley—a fun marketplace where you can shop and sell gently used and vintage goodies galore. You can see my personal items for sale as well as some other items I've hunted for at Hunters Alley right here.

{Photos by Hunters Alley/Nicole LaMotte}

a valentine's day gift {giveaway} with apolis...NOW CLOSED

When it comes to gift-giving, lately I've been into classic pieces that can be decorated or styled to make your very own—maybe it's a bag with a vintage scarf, a key chain with a handmade tassel or a scarf embroidered with a special message. In celebration of Valentine's Day, I've partnered with the guys at Apolis to giveaway a $400 gift voucher towards their beautiful and eternally classic pieces to one lucky reader. You can use it towards a Valentine's Day gift for your valentine of choice or even for some treats for yourself. Although Apolis is known for dressing stylish men, I love their classic accessories for myself, too! Here are a few of my favorites...

To enter, simply visit the Apolis website and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item from the shop. Entries must be posted by this Friday, February 7th, at 8 a.m. PST, and one winner will be chosen at random*.

P.S. Apolis is offering a special 20% off discount site-wide for Oh Joy readers for Valentine's Day. Enter code "OHJOY20" at checkout through February 11th, 2014. And, if you're in the United States and want to receive an Apolis gift before Valentine's Day use the additional code "VALENTINE" for free USA 2-Day shipping through Tuesday, Feb. 11th.

UPDATE: Congrats to Marnay H. from Silver Spring, MD for being our winner this time!

*Yay! Open to ALL readers anywhere in the world. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $400 USD approximate total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after. 

{Top photo by Ken Tisuthiwongse. Dress by Sonnet James.}