Martyn Lawrence-Bullard receives interior design award, and Absolutely Not Martha goes to the ceremony.

One of the perks of blogging and living in Los Angeles is having the opportunity to go to various parties and events. Last Monday night I was invited to a star-studded awards gala (at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood) honoring Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year Award.

A little background on Martyn: He was named one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest and will be featured on Bravo’s new program, “Million Dollar Decorator”, set to debut at the end of 2010. His client list includes Cher, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, Eva Mendes, Ellen Pompeo, Kid Rock, Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne and Tamara Mellon, founder and President of Jimmy Choo. Very impressive.

I love his work on Ellen Pompeo's classic 1920s Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills...
Back to the gala. Wolfgang Puck catered the affair, and I definitely enjoyed my share of miniature grilled cheese sandwiches, thin pizza mini slices, chocolate-covered Ho Hos and teeny tiny (maybe 2 inches tall) vanilla ice cream cones.

While the majority of the previously mentioned celebrities were not in attendance, with the exception of Sharon (and Kelly) Osbourne and Ellen Pompeo, I did see Shannen Doherty, Lance Bass, Cheryl Tiegs, Taylor Dane and Camille Grammer (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). The evening's highlights for me: telling Shannen that while we were dating, my husband and I never missed an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210; chatting with Camille and letting her know I can help with any real estate needs (I just passed the California real estate salesperson exam!); and watching Taylor Dane perform "Prove Your Love". Photos of celebrities at the red carpet event are here if you'd like to see.

(Camille, call me.)

(Photos via Elle Decor and Google Images)

Green = Good + Glamorous

Los Angeles-based interior designer Lori Dennis is author of the soon to be released Green Interior Design (November), a book which covers every aspect of residential interior design from a green perspective. It's filled with over 100 color photos of projects and furnishings and is a wonderful go-to resource for those looking to create eco-friendly interiors.

I couldn't resist posting a few photos of this Hollywood Hills home which Lori worked on...

Visit Lori's portfolio to see more examples of her amazing work.

Cool pools

With the unofficial start of summer last weekend, I think it's only fitting to bring on the aquatic imagery.

(Photos via Apartment Therapy)

A non-refrigerator display of the kids' masterpieces.

More photos of Zoe Van de Wiele's (she owns Cloth Clothing) beautiful Brooklyn home can be found here. In fact, Zoe and her family live right above her clothing boutique! Nice commute.

The pooch and decor.

Lately I've been paying attention to the presence of pups in home decor pictures.

Weekly links

This is a photo of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly backstage at the Academy Awards in 1956! Will you be watching the Oscars tomorrow night? (If I'm feeling adventurous, I may go to catch a glimpse of red carpet activity--perks of living in L.A.) Hope you're having a fabulous weekend. The links...

make a bed out of pipes at Instructables via Curbly

make gluten free zucchini ricotta cheesecake at 101 Cookbooks

make a tin can star curtain at Sol y Sombra via Curbly

make a rope necklace at ...love Maegan

make a tied tissue box cover at Curbly

make a string tree wall mural at Re-Nest

prep your bathroom for company at Apartment Therapy

(Photo via weheartit)

Weekly links

Do you recall my lack of inspiration to blog? Truth be told, it's due in part to lack of time. I've been so busy lately looking for (dare I say?) a real job. In addition, I've also got husband, three kids and running a little online shop. Since I am a little out of practice, do any of you have tips for job hunting? To my readers in Los Angeles, what would your suggestions be for a part-time gig in a (preferably) creative environment? Please shoot me an email (Jackie AT VanillaSpoons DOT COM) with any detailed info/leads/contacts. Muchas gracias. Warm weekend wishes, and here are your links...

knock out a farmhouse table for $50 at Knock-Off Wood via Curbly

make a gluten free lemony sweet and sour tender veggie salad at Food Network

make Australian stylist Tim Neve's driftwood lamp at Tim Neve via Apartment Therapy

deck out an old record cabinet at Apartment Therapy

make a clock out of junk mail at Apartment Therapy

learn how to embroider a French knot at Kootoyoo via WhipUp (A video tute.)

make a cold weather picnic pack at Design Sponge

(Photo via weheartit via Ffffound!)

Green day

(Photos via weheartit)

Controlled clutter

These images serve as a reminder of my predicament here. Do you ever procrastinate when it comes to home decorating projects?

(Photos via weheartit)

Weekly links

Depending on how you look at it, these links are either really late or really early...

give your chairs a makeover with chalkboard paint at Pretty Ditty via WhipUp

make two gluten free meals from one hunk of pork at Sorry, I Can't Eat That

add some flair to your Valentine's Day dinner candles at Curbly

discover 12 new uses for aluminum foil at Curbly

learn how to dry out (and hopefully save) wet electronics at Unplggd

make a Valentine's Day nightie out of a pillowcase at Craftzine (This one's a video tute.)

make a coffee can lamp at ReadyMade via Apartment Therapy

**BONUS**

make this cute little blow-a-kiss flipbook at Color Me Katie via Craftzine

...and have a wonderful week!

(Photo via weheartit)

Weekly links (Late Edition)

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Links...

learn how to use Craigslist to find the perfect apartment at Apartment Therapy

make gluten free and vegan Three Sisters Posole at Gluten A Go Go

make cherry blossom garlands from disposable tablecloths at Creative Jewish Mom via Craftzine

make a flowery pom-pom pendant lamp at Craftynest via Curbly

use old jigsaw puzzle pieces to create a heart pin or recycle crayon pieces into swirly, usable Valentines at Family Fun (Twenty-three more Valentine's Day crafts here.)

create your own rub-on letters at Can't Stop Making Things via Craftzine

learn 4 new indoor ways to grow a little green at Apartment Therapy

(Photo via People)

Weekly links

It's still January...one more New Year greeting won't hurt. (Couldn't resist the tamale balls.) What's on your agenda this weekend? Perhaps you'll try one or more of these...

make chalkboard hangers at Craftzine via WhipUp

make gluten free peanut butter and jelly chocolate sandwich cookies at Grandma's Gluten-Free Baking N Cooking

make junk look good at Apartment Therapy

discover tips for camouflaging thermostats, radiators and air conditioners at Apartment Therapy

make olive penguins at Serious Eats and Cut Out + Keep via Curbly

build a kitchen banquette with storage at 5 Minute Videos via Curbly

learn how to keep technology quiet at night at Unplggd

(Photography by Keith Davis Young)

Weekly links

Have a wonderful weekend! Here are your links...

make a stylish superhero headband at Curly Pops via WhipUp

make gluten free butternut polenta lasagna at Gluten Free Gidget

discover 5 places to use a rubber stamp in the bedroom at Apartment Therapy

make a very simple loop window shade at Two Straight Lines via Curbly

make a "Team Conan" t-shirt at Vickie Howell via Craftzine

learn how to keep your neighbors sane during renovations at Apartment Therapy

learn how to stencil with freezer paper at How About Orange via Not Martha

**BONUS GLUTEN FREE RECIPE
make chestnut flour crepes with ricotta and honey at Martha

(Photo via Ffffound!)

Weekly links

Last night my husband and I watched Up in the Air starring George Clooney. Both of us really liked it. A little trivia about the movie: With the exception of the famous actors, every person we see fired in the film is not an actor but a real life recently laid off person. The filmmakers put out ads in St. Louis and Detroit posing as a documentary crew looking to document the effect of the recession. When people showed up, they were instructed to treat the camera like the person who fired them and respond as they did or use the opportunity to say what they wished they had. What do you think of that?

This weekend we're planning to visit Babycakes' new digs in L.A.--I can't wait for my son to have this bakery experience alas! Here's to a delicious weekend, and here are your links...

though New Year's has passed, you still can learn 20 ways to pump up your next party at Delish via Curbly

make gluten free orange fennel salad at Food Network via Cupcakes and Cashmere

make a vintage-inspired 70's style string lampshade at Instructables via Craftzine

make a modern statement ring at The Swell Life via Curbly

make a chocolate iPhone using the iPhone packaging at Craftzine

discover 5 new uses for old t-shirts at Apartment Therapy

dust and dust mite proof your bedroom at Apartment Therapy (Beware of photo as you click through.)

(Photo via weheartit)

Framed!

While these art walls inspire me to do something about the un-hung artwork, empty frames and hundreds of photos still scattered about a small corner of our living room floor (we moved four months ago), I probably won't. Or maybe I will.

(Top photo via Flickr; bottom photo via The City Sage via Elle Decor)

Weekly links

Tonight we have plans to see Nine which opens in Los Angeles and New York today. Believe it or not, I saw the original Broadway musical in 1982! (Watch the whole YouTube video when you get a chance.) Have a wonderful weekend! Here are your links...

make star lights out of manila envelopes at B.Light Design via Curbly via Dudecraft

make chocolate chai sherbet and curried lamb-and-lentil stew at MyRecipes (Both gluten free of course.)

make mini LP record gift tags at Dudecraft via WhipUp

make chalk cloth gift tags at Oilcloth Addict and Little Birdie Secrets via Apartment Therapy

make a printed burlap chair at Design Sponge

make your dishwasher run better at The Kitchn

take steps to relieve holiday stress at San Gabriel Valley Tribune

(Photo via ObsessionMIA)

Weekly links

Nutcracker anyone? These fabulous photos taken by photographer Rachel Papo are of costumes from the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker (2006). If you have never seen this fairy tale-ballet (or if it's been a while), I suggest getting thee to a performance near you. Have a great weekend and happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate! Here are the links...

learn the ground rules of regifting at Apartment Therapy

make gluten free sweet potato latkes with ruby applesauce at Karina's Kitchen

learn how to remove smelly odors left behind as a result of potato pancake preparation at Apartment Therapy

learn 9 ways to shag at Apartment Therapy

make a super simple coffee sleeve wreath at Magpie and Cake via Craftzine

make fleece pom pom Hanukkah garland at Design Sponge

make a ruffly felt rosette wreath at Domestifluff via WhipUp

Got chairs?

It seems like a while since I've posted some inspirational interiors. These are actually all from one residence. There's a womb chair, an Eames rocker and even a chair designed for IKEA. (For the record, I adore IKEA.) Don't you just love the variety of styles all under one roof?

(Photos via Design Sponge)

Weekly links

How was your Thanksgiving? I forgot to make the mashed potatoes, and somehow I managed to feel quite full without eating any turkey. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend! Links...

turn tablecloths into curtains at Apartment Therapy

make gluten free chocolate snow eggs at La Tartine Gourmande

order a gluten free gift basket at Vanilla Spoons

build a stowable upholstery workbench at Curbly

use decorative pillows to make a headboard at Apartment Therapy

make lots of cards from just two punches at Crafty Pod via Craftzine

sew a ruffled messenger bag at Between The Lines via WhipUp

(Photo via Apartment Therapy)

Weekly links

Have a fab weekend! Here are your links...

live like stylish vampire Edward Cullen of The Twilight Saga: New Moon at Apartment Therapy (The house is for sale and movie opens today!)

make gluten free Thanksgiving cranberry cobbler at Ginger Lemon Girl

crochet flower fridgies at Salihan Crafts via WhipUp

learn the art of giving good directions at Apartment Therapy (Useful if you will be entertaining during the holidays.)

stump your guests with turkey trivia place cards at Martha Stewart

make a beefy bolster pillow from old towels at Curbly

use drinking straws to make a contemporary pendant light at Addicted 2 Decorating via Curbly

(Photo via weheartit)