Catherine Feeny

Our first musical guest of the season is the lovely and talented songstress, Catherine Feeny.

photo by Devaki Knowles

I recently attended Catherine's show at The Living Room in NYC where she played songs from her new album, "People in the Hole". I've seen Catherine perform many times and the one thing that never changes is how the audience hangs on her every chord. Some of her songs are so quiet that it's like she's singing you a secret, while other songs are so catchy and fun and perfect for those alone time, sing along at the top of your lungs moments when no one is looking.

On this episode, Catherine talks to us about making "People in the Hole" with husband/producer, Sebastian Rogers, touring in support of the record without Major Label support and what she would buy if she found $5 dollars on the street!



I hope you enjoy this episode as we had so much fun recording it. Let us know what you think in the comments below and don't forget to visit Catherine's website for latest news, tour dates, and that little link to buy her record! (Take it from someone who's listened to it on repeat quiet a few times, it is stellar!)

Love For Rent

This itty bitty note caught my eye while walking the pooch this afternoon.It was on this big sign in a store front window.

Stylish Gals Report - Margaret Russell

Last night I attended a special event at Anthropologie at Rockefeller Plaza (my favorite store in pretty much the entire world). The event was a meet and greet with Margaret Russell who is Editor in Chief of ELLE DECOR Magazine. Yep, she's responsible for bringing to you pics of all those lovely rooms you covet as you drool over the magazine pages from your tiny loveseat in your overpriced 200 sq. foot, fourth floor walk up apartment in the East Village. (Um, okay maybe that's just me.) Ms. Russell is promoting her new book Style and Substance: The Best of ELLE DECOR, which, as the title suggests, is a beautiful collection of decorated rooms (i totally want to live in) that have been published in the magazine over the last 20 years.
During a break in her book signing, she was kind to answer some random questions for your hostess as said hostess balanced a flute of champagne.

Note: Since this a "vintage style" interview (in that it's not videotaped), I've provided some photographs (taken by Guerrilla Stylist) for visual reference.

Michelle Bonfils: Hi, Ms. Russell.
Margaret Russell: Hi.
MB: I'm Michelle Bonfils and I am the hostess of a Lifestyle blog and was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?
MR: Sure!
MB: First question is, What's a style/trend you hope does not come back?
MR: Oh God!
MB: For example, the whole Southwestern thing in the 80's?
MR: I actually see no purpose whatsoever in Shag carpet. There are no redeeming qualities to Shag carpet, and anyone who wears high heels KNOWS!
MB: Because you get caught and fall over!
MR: Yes, and it's yucky and musty, and Shag carpet NO. And Flokati, not even into Flokati.
MB: What's the biggest design mistake you find when you walk into somebody's home?

MR: (laughing) You're very negative!

MB: No, it's just a fun thing, we like to make people laugh!
MR: The biggest design mistake, and I have done it, so i'll be honest, furniture that is too big for the space. People need to measure, like, if you are shopping for furniture, you need to have a little measuring tape in your bag at all times.
MB: And now a positive question. With the holidays coming, what kind of pie would you bake for the family?
MR: I'm not a big pie person.
MB: Oh, okay, what's your favorite dessert?
MR: I like frozen, Ice Creamy things. I like frozen desserts even during the Winter so i'll probably do something that would involve ice cream.
MB: Thank you so much!
MR Thank you, you're so sweet!
Yep, there you have it, Margaret Russell is totally one of our favorite stylish gals!

Style and Substance: The Best of ELLE DECOR is available at Anthropologie and bookstores along with the latest issue of Elle Decor.

"The Donut Pub"

Every now and again we'll be posting a sideshow. A little video of an adventure that your hostess goes on. This season's first sideshow is called "The Donut Pub" and features our friends Kelly and Bill Day from Pittsburgh who came to NYC this past weekend for some birthday partyin' and donut talkin'.



What's your favorite kind of donut?

Voices for Umoja

Last time I was in Los Angeles, I was finally able to sit down with Sara Feldman and discuss Voices for Umoja, the non-profit organization she started with Alexis Hudgins. Although Voices for Umoja is based in Los Angeles, the work they do is for the benefit of the people of Kisumu, Kenya.

On our new episode, Sara shows us purses and jewelry made by the women of Kisumu out of recycled plastics and paper, and tells us how the money from the sale of these items is used to train the women in tasks us westerners take for granted.



If you are in the Los Angeles area, please go to Art Harvest LA, the fundraiser The Niapele Project and Voices for Umoja are hosting at the Stephen Cohen Gallery this Saturday, November 14th from 4pm to 10pm. There will be food and beer, provided by Grolsch, a silent auction and amazing people. Tell them I said hi!

dancin' little marionette

For Halloween this year I was, as GuerrillaStylist called me, "a marionette doll who has become self aware, cut off her strings, and moves with her own free will (scary!)". We went to a really cool party in DUMBO, put on by Scheimpflüg & Broncolor, where we got our pictures taken by an awesome photographer named Erica Berger.

GS went as Mary Ann from True Blood. Her costume was AMAZING!
Nights like this make me love the magic of New York City.