// VALENTINES DAY

// Location: Photo Booth

So, what did everyone do with their Valentines Day this weekend? I've never been a Valentines Day gal. Elisa [owner of Maman Cafe] and I had an interview scheduled for 9 am Saturday morning, but it got cancelled due to New York Fashion Week's crazy schedule. At least it forced us to a coffee date. She's been crazy with the opening of Papa Poule, running Maman, and event after event. It turned out to be the perfect morning. When you put the two of us together we don't stop talking - a symphony of "AH YES, I love that idea - OK let's do it". I showed her sketches of the new collection [which will be launching this spring!]. So many exciting things to come.. which also means a lot more work for me. Ha.. 

The rest of my Valentines Day was spent with my other best friend. I brought him delicious chicken from Papa Poule [my valentines day gift], and he treated me to $4.00 beers at a bar down the street from his house [along with tickets to "Sleep No More" - an off broadway show I've been dying to see]. Our more than one $4.00 beers lasted for hours talking about life, goals, and me forcing him to make up a bucket list [he doesn't believe in them]. I didn't get far. Didn't care much though, the $4.00 beers bar had a photo booth : )

I hope you guys had a good weekend! Couldn't be more excited that tomorrow is a holiday. A day spent working on the new collection. Oh wait, I realized I never told you the name. Ready for it? "N 11". I'll explain the name and story behind the collection soon! x -C

// WEEKEND VIBES

// Tastings 

Nights at Maman tasting the new Papa Poule menu. More Monday morning. Wait... Monday is a holiday. Ah, more Tuesday! Happy TGIF.

x -C

// DESIGNER INSIGHTS

// 

I really need to get my head shots redone- that is such an old photo. Anyways, read my interview with Terry's Fabrics! I talk about my creative process, my top 5 picks for this season, and what has brought me to this point in my career. Click here to read the full feature. x -C

// CANDICE KAYE DESIGN X ROOTS.COM

// IT'S HERE!!

"She has a New York City address, a Toronto heart, and an impeccable skill for creating beautiful hand- painted artwork" - Roots.com <-- maybe one of the nicest things I have read. 

Oh man, it's here! The Roots team - Production: Amanda Rotstein @amandarostein, Stylist: Travis Davis, makeup artist: Sandra, Judy Inc, and Photographer: Tobias Wang @visualbass did such an incredible job. Honestly, never would I have thought this time last year [while still teaching myself how to paint a rose via YouTube] that I would be working with such an incredible company. I mean ROOTS! I've been wearing their track pants since I was a kid [not to mention the BEST dance gear in the world, amiright dancers?]. It really is an incredible feeling to see my work presented in this way. What an honor.

Thanks Roots :) X -C

// NEW

// From the studio

hay, good morning :) New material from the studio. I just finished painting this flower for the new collection - it's scanned in, and ready to be transformed into a print! I have a couple ideas on how I want to use this. Can't wait for you to see the finished product. x -C

// NYFW

// Location: Photographer Pit

Ah, that time again. All the fashionistas fly in from all over the world to the most fashionista-esque city in the world. New York Fashion Week - a week of fashion from the future. New York just feels different during this time - a little more magical. I can't explain it - it's like.. what's that saying about New York.. ah found it, "There's an inherent energy in New York City that it's famous for. It makes you want to get up and do a millions things all day and stay up all night." <-- word homie. 

[you can read about my experience shooting for runway here!]

Anyway, it's Wednesday which means new horoscopes! Click here. x -C

// BACKSTAGE

// Beyonce.com

Some people don't like her. Actually one of the ladies I work with thinks she full of it. That's fine - she's just the coolest person IN THE WORLD. I'm currently eating my lunch [corn and salad, incase you were wondering] and just recently stopped scrolling through Pinterest for colo(u)r ways because I clicked Beyonce's face which took me to her interview with The Gentlewomen published just before her Life Is But A Dream documentary. I was about half way into the interview and typed in Beyonce.com. Umm, did anyone else know Beyonce has like a tumblr blog thing - where she posts all of her photos? Because I just found out today, and it's made me so excited that I had to tell right away [that was said all in one breath]. I'm all about the candid behind the scenes. She's a huge inspiration of mine - both creativity and as a business woman. Definitely someone I would like to work with one day [not sure how, maybe I'll do the print for her next concert ha..] - her, and the Olsen Twins. Ou, maybe I should add that to my bucket list. 

// FAV SPOT IN NYC #8

// Location: Wythe Hotel. Brooklyn, New York

When I first moved here I would take day trips alone and explore New York. New York felt so different then. So new. Well obviously. Anyways, I remember this day so clearly. It was my first time in Brooklyn and nervous to take the train, afraid I would get lost. I did that a lot... Ok, I still do get lost, but not often anymore. I brought my book that I pretended to read while secretly taking photos while no one was looking. I really should be doing more of this - bringing my camera out. I've gotten so used to my iPhone, the photos really aren't the same. I had brunch at the Reynard [which is on the main floor of the hotel], and my roommate Sarah joined me for drinks upstairs overlooking that gorgeous view of Manhattan. 

// PAPA POULE x CANDICE KAYE DESIGN

// Location: 189 Lafayette, Soho - Opening Monday Feb 9th]

Elisa and Ben [the creators of Maman NYC] have done it again. Those two, just taking over Soho I tell ya.

As Ben likes to say [in his French accent], Papa got jealous of Maman, and wanted his own resturant that served manly things - like chicken. Last night was the private reveal of Papa Poule. 20 guests, delicious food, and good company. I can honestly say I haven't enjoyed chicken like that in a long time. With recipes from the south of France, chef Armand really out did himself once again. 

Here are a few outtakes from last night's event. Candice Kaye Design worked closely with Elisa on the wallpaper, and the plaid [which has yet to be printed]. Can't wait to show you the full look - it's just the cutest in there, chicken wire accents and all. Papa Poule will open this Monday the 9th. If you're in the mood for some deliciousness, you know where to go. Congrats Elisa, Ben and Armand! x -C