It’s April Food Day ~ Make a Difference

Blogging about home decor and design is fun, it is my passion, and I love to share my experiences and finds with others but there are many bloggers out their who are really using their platforms to make a difference in peoples lives. Two such bloggers are Meg Fairfax Fielding of Pigtown Designs and Chris from Easy Elegant Life the founders of April Food Day.

"More and more people in our country are going hungry because they have lost their jobs, their benefits have ended, they can’t find a job and have no place left to turn but to their local food bank. But the nation’s food banks are stretched to the limit because of the increased number of people needing their services.

You might think that none of your friends are going hungry, but I read a comment on a piece NPR did about a photography exhibit about hunger in America, and think it could apply to any one of us:

…a dear friend and community member crossed over.

At his one year crossing remembrance, stories began to come out and I realized with great sorrow, our friend went hungry. I feel sad when I think of it, that our dear friend who gave so much and was so generous in spirit and friendship was hungry and we never knew that. How did we not make it our business to know how it was with him we loved so?

Please make a donation today to Feeding America, or your local food bank, and count yourself as one of the lucky ones if you’re not going to bed hungry every night.

“Meg Fairfax Fielding”

Here are some important facts about April Food Day and Feeding America:

• Feeding America is annually providing food to 37 million Americans, including 14 million children. This is an increase of 46 percent over 2006, when we were feeding 25 million Americans, including 9 million children, each year.
• That means one in eight Americans now rely on Feeding America for food and groceries.
• Feeding America's nationwide network of food banks is feeding 1 million more Americans each week than we did in 2006.
• Thirty-six percent of the households served have at least one person working.
• More than one-third of client households report having to choose between food and other basic necessities, such as rent, utilities and medical care.
• The number of children the Feeding America network serves has increased by 50 percent since 2006.
• Feeding America food banks provide food and groceries to 33,500 food pantries, 4,500 soup kitchens and 3,600 emergency shelters.
• 68 percent of pantries, 42 percent of soup kitchens, and 15 percent of emergency shelters rely solely on volunteers and have no paid staff.

Please take the time to make a donation today ~ just click on the icon below.

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The JVT Collection is a Hit In Prague!

I’m ready for my close up Mr. Demille – or at least my Les Fleurs I pillow in magenta is.

I was beyond thrilled when a style editor from Marie Claire CZ (Prague) contacted me about including my pillow in a feature for their April issue on new romanticism. It is extremely difficult to get the word out about new products without a giant PR budget (which I do not have) so I’ve been doing everything on a shoestring and somehow through the magic of blogging and the internet this lovely editor (who obviously has fabulous taste) saw my new line and liked it.

Here is my little beauty of a pillow – doesn’t she look pretty amongst all the other romantic, girlie stuff? I think I need that pink perfume…..

I have no idea what this article is saying ( if you can speak Czechoslovakian let me know will ya?) but I believe the gist of it is something like; what new romantic items would the modern Marie Antoinette wear and surround herself with in her home.

While I can’t read the text the message is clear; pretty is pretty in any era. Romanticism is back to stay.

The new romantics are paired down versions of the old, over the top, designs of the past. They are feminine but at the same time bold and empowering.

Here is a larger image of the Les Fluers I pillow in case you had trouble seeing the tiny picture in print.

And of course I have to show you Peanuts glamour shot posing with some pink pillows from the collection. She’s all girl!

See my entire collection of pillows on my website at www.jackievontobel.com and thanks to Marie Claire CZ for showing off my pretty pillow…

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Trend Report: RUFFLES ~ All Grown Up

At the European shows this year we saw ruffles in abundance. Large, small, finished edges, raw edges, one ruffle, tons of ruffles, just about any combination or construction was there and it was a key embellishment for all soft categories. Personally I love ruffles. They let you get in touch with your girlie side!

Whether it’s ruffled wool or shirred cotton the simple ruffle adds a ton of impact and texture to an otherwise plain item.

Love this bedding and the ruffles used to create a pattern on the coverlet and pillows. Who said ruffles had to run in straight lines?

This design is so fresh and happy. Here the designer uses ruffles to create horizontal stripes.

Desert never looked so delicious!! Layers and layers of ruffles! The table looks like a cake.

Ruffles on your shower curtain? I say Yes. Look – even the towel has ruffles!

You know a trend is at it’s zenith when it’s featured by Anthropology. This pillow is part of their Tuxedo ruffle bedding ensemble.

Metallic leather ruffles – can you say sophisticated?

My good Friend Leigh Chandler of Papillion Linens has a fantastic selection of linen goods for the home, bedroom and baby. Her natural linen bedding is glorious and it has ruffles galore!

Many of her pieces have tiny ruffles used in place of welting like this fabulous headboard.

Leigh’s signature slip covered, ruffled bench was recently featured in the March issue of Country Living in a feature touting the resurgence of the “ruffle” in design and fashion. She also writes a great blog here.

It’s amazing what a little ruffled embellishment can do for a simple design!

So very simple – but I love it!

Are you Ready To Ruffle? Yes or No?

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Color Coming of Age

When I first saw pictures of the Coastal Living 2009 Idea House My first thought was that I loved the furniture selection and layout but I was not sure if I liked the color scheme. I thought it was a bit jarring.


However, I am currently obsessed with this house and how spot on it is with current trends and colors. It has really grown on me. Considering that the planing and design for this 09" project probably took place in 08" the designers certainly had foresight.


I love the striped walls in this photo and the mix of furnishings. This room is vibrant and fun but has a soothing quality that must have been tough to achieve using these vivid colors.


The use of bold large scale patterns is terrific and I love the over sized accessories.


It is a fun and whimsical house that looks like it would be a blast to spend the summer in. It does exactly what a show house is supposed to do; show off new and growing trends and products.

I am really surprised how my taste has changed over the past few years. I think blogging really exposes you to so many new styles and options. I would love to re do my house in crisp colorful hues but I am too invested in what I have which is traditional and woody. I'll have to wait until I move - which may be never! Till then I will live vicariously through other designers creations!

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