That's a Wrap

I'm being asked a lot "So what now?" and the truth is I've been back into the swing of things since this all wrapped in April, keeping busy with MM Design installing a couple of great new homes (pics to follow), enjoying the Summer at the beach with my gang, weekends on The Lake with the fam, and living the life of a fauxcialite in NYC. But now that Design Star has wrapped to the rest of the world what am I thinking...

I'm very proud of what I accomplished as a designer, well with the exception of a few missing rugs and some shotty rushed design decisions.

I've made some amazing new lifelong friends.

And I am very pleased with how America got to meet Michael. I was ALWAYS true to myself and anyone who knows me will tell you that. For those who don't, my snarkiness = funny, my bossiness = determination, my excitement = genuine, my expressiveness = truth...

So, what next? Maybe I'll get fat and go on Celebrity Fit Club, eh, I'm too narcissistic for that. Hmm, what about a little recklessness to land myself on Celebrity Rehab, nah, I'm enjoying a healthy stable life. Huh, maybe a Tila Tequila style show, eh, ya know what, I meet enough creeps in NYC without a show... So let me cook on it and get back to ya.

Stay tuned, and thank you all for the love and support!

From Pig Farming to Design Starring

Until I was about 7 years old if you asked me, "what do you want to be when you grow up" I'd answer, "a pig farmer".  And now, 23 years later, I'm thinking I couldn't be farther from that, though I still dream of having a pet pig in New York City (even though Daniel Faires has already beat me to it).  I'm a seasoned Interior Designer, running my own business, living in the largest city in the US, traveling, socializing, and designing my way through life, and now, a top finalist in a competition reality show... Yeah, not so much the life of a farmer, though NYC can be a smelly dwelling, especially this time of year.

So now it's down to the wire and I'm super revved up and pumped to wrap this diddy up. And Ms. Olsen, Ms. Gorder, and Mr. Yip, though you may ask yourself "Who is Michael?"  or think Mr. Moeller is "putting on" a show or "acting" like a "TV Host", well I can assure you, that it's just me... I'm overly expressive, quite dramatic, outspoken Michael, always have been and always will be.... 

I've sung "Happy Birthday" to the likings of Ms. Monroe in short shorts in my high school play. I rocked out Disco Ball Pants to ring in the new millennium. And threw myself a 30th Birthday Party where the requested attire was "Deconstructed Black Tie Parisian Equestrian Chic." (Which BTW, this past episode took place on my actual 30th Birthday)

I'm the person who's told to speak more quietly when excited in a public place. The obvious eye roller when rubbed the wrong way. Am all smiles when overjoyed, cause I don't know how to be just "joyed", most of my emotions are "over" the top, maybe even exaggerated... I'm slightly flirty (no comment needed from my gang please, this is a PG rated blog). And most of all, I'm confident, not cocky...

So, here goes... Bring on the final challenge and yes Emily, you said it "may the best woman win" cause honey, I'm just as much of a lady as you!

Food for Thought

OK, it's a little late, but the way I figure it is as long as I get this done before you see me act a fool on the next episode I'm good! 

Now, let's get the one thing everyone thought was sooooo funny out of the way... Fruit Salad, need I say more... I thought it priceless how it was constantly captioned under my name the entire episode... Ha ha! 

So food as inspiration, hokey, well maybe slightly, but why not? I mean we let food aid, affect, influence, stimulate, comfort, relax, and energize us. Not following well let me break it down for you:

Michael’s Glossary of Foodology

Beach weekend eating: An act of eating healthy, typically high in protein and low in carbohydrates, to prepare one’s body for a bathing suit.

Morning’s gonna hurt: Any substance ingested after 3am while intoxicated; most often in the form of pizza, cheese gravy fries, or any item ravaged from the fridge in an act of desperation to avoid a nasty hangover.

Home-cookin: A conscious, non-guilty routine of eating Mom’s amazing meals; also occurs when visiting a Grandmother.

Hangover Remedy: Foods typically high in fat content and carbohydrates. Greasy, cheesy, or saucy foods that will coat the stomach, cause drowsiness, and calm the pain from the night prior.

Give me the damn ice cream: Often an overly indulgent intake of ice cream or frozen dairy-like substance that masks the pain of a negative situation: Most often seen post break-up, after a bad day at work, or when feeling lonely.

Let me eat cake: A syndrome that occurs in the presence of baked goods. Most likely to happen at weddings, children’s birthdays, and holidays.

Emotionally Overweight: When one feels fat from overeating, but is in fact still quite thin.

On a Date: Meals that are eaten easily, have faint pleasing aromas, and are not messy; an avoidance of foods that leave bad breath or particles stuck in ones teeth.

See what I mean? Food can influence you in a lot of ways… So letting it influence the design of your space, well, all right I’m with you, its still kinda hokey.

I’m hungry!

What's Cookin Good Lookin?

Dear Genevieve,

I'd like to take this opportunity to answer your question "What am I doing?" from this weeks elimination in regards my styling in this kitchen shot:

You're having me, Casey, John, and Vern over for dinner. You've just left your glass of Pinot Noir, a nice full bodied one (I know this cause Casey and I drank it after the challenge), on the counter to run into the bedroom and put on some lipstick before your guests arrive. Why do I know this? Well their is no lipstick mark on the wine glass (though if their was lipstick on the glass I may have to wonder if Stacey came back, but I'd know for sure only if their was a note next to it saying something like "thanks for the mussels -xoxo"). OK getting back on point... You've left the mussels next to the sink in the colander ready to wash and get in the gorgeous yellow enamel pot to steam. But first I'd suggest halving the artichokes and getting them in the oven cause they take a while to roast. Snap the asparagus and get them on the stove top. Girl, it's a good thing you bought cupcakes for dessert cause you still have a lot of cooking to do before your guests arrive... And the table is still not set! Well they can munch on the gorgeous meat and cheese board you've laid out and chat with you while you wrap up dinner. And honey, please use the apron draped over the butcher block to cover up those gorgeous threads of yours!

And when the guest's ask "What's for dinner?" your reply:

Fire Roasted Artichokes with Herb Aioli
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/fire-roasted-artichokes-with-herb-aioli-recipe/index.html

Spicy Mussels with White Wine
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/spicy-mussels-with-white-wine-recipe/index.html

Salad of Warm White Asparagus, Baby Arugula, and Beefsteak Tomatoes with Porcini Dressing
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/salad-of-warm-white-asparagus-baby-arugula-and-beefsteak-tomatoes-with-a-porcini-dressing-recipe/index.html

Fresh Bread with Rustic Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
http://www.sandyofftopic.com/2009/07/rustic-heirloom-tomato-bruschetta-at-st-andrews-market/

It's all there, ready to roll, and I love to cook so if you want me to come over and help you I'd be happy to, though theirs only one apron, ah well, I'm sure I have a scarf somewhere that I can repurpose into and apron...

That's my story and I'm sticking to it, I always have one (a story not a scarf) when I'm styling an interior shot. So it may seem like a lot of stuff on those counters but it's because no one ever leaves my house hungry, my Grandmother Flo would not stand for that!