Interiors: Urban Grace

...... for a while now, I've been taken with Urban Grace Interiors and their founder Erika Powell.  Perhaps it's the laid back vibe of her blog; the fact that she lives in one of my favorite towns..... Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; is a mom to a little girl; is super talented and stylish (in an Old Navy blouse below); or just seems like she'd be a cool girl hang out with......

Southern Living

I adore the paint-by-number dog paintings on the wall..... this may become a new hobby for me in Switzerland. :)

Amen!

whatever the case, apparently I'm not the only who thinks so..... as Southern Living just named her one of their New Tastemakers..... obviously, I'd have to agree.  Have a great day!

Art: What a Racquet......

In general, I'm not a big fan of "themed" decor..... but as I've mentioned before decorating a tween's room can be more difficult than most...... especially when you consider art for the walls that involves something other than a gigantic bulletin board (which is ofcourse, necessary..... but not essential on EVERY wall) :)

So..... in an effort to try and keep things personal and meaningful.... I purchased a vintage tennis racquet from Etsy for my tennis loving daughter.  I was just planning on displaying it on the wall but I've recently been inspired by these great ideas......

This is my favorite.  Hmmm... I'm wondering if I could do a diamond monogram design. :)

Personal and practical..... a great combination for a tween.

Love this executed in a boy's room too.

Love, love, love this!...... but don't have the wall space.

Like the mirrors used for a practical purpose here...... also might be fun to do chalkboard inserts.

What do you think?......

Kitsch or Cool?

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Food (& Drink): The Pimm's Cup

We had the good fortune to wile away a few hours with some friends over the weekend..... chatting, eating delicious food, watching the kids run around the yard, and imbibing in this liquid goodness.....

Photograph:  Robyn Lee

a refreshingly light and unfussy concoction originating in London in the year 1840 by James Pimm..... it is the cocktail of choice at Wimbledon, British polo matches.... and now thanks to my friends.... my home for summer gatherings.      

The Pimm's Cup:

Fill a tall glass halfway with ice.

Add 1.5 oz. of Pimm's.

Top off with ginger ale or lemon lime soda.

Garnish with cucumber, strawberries or a slice of lemon.

This and my other favorite sure would make a great pairing served up on this beauty from Serena & Lily.

South Seas bar cart

Cheers to easy, breezy summertime!

The View from Here.......

A Photo a Day:  Week 21 (aka "Greetings from the Big Apple")

Last weekend, we surprised our two oldest with a trip to New York City (seems like a perfect thing to do the four days before the movers show up, right?!?) :).  It was a first for the both of them and it was so much fun seeing the city thru their eyes......

On our list of "must-do's":

A trip to Eloise's residence..... the Plaza;

Lady Liberty in all her glory;

Bright Lights, Big City..... Times Square;

Classic design elements abound at the first stop for immigrants:  Ellis Island;

pb&j donuts from the Donut Plant.....;

Holden's first trip to American Girl;

a ferris wheel ride at the Toys R Us Times Square;

a NYC classic...... frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity;

followed by a trip to Dylan's candy bar around the corner;

the truly moving and magnificently done 9/11 memorial;

Sunday afternoon at Central Park;

and a custard shake from the Shake Shack (so much for the cleanse I just finished)

Other city food favorites for kids:

burgers at 5 Napkin Burger

burgers at The Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien (our absolute favorite)

cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery (over-rated in my opinion but a city tradition)

pizza from John's pizza

and hot dogs from the street vendors ofcourse!

and adults:

breakfast at Norma's at Le Parker Meridien

breakfast at Sarabeth's

Italian at Otto

mexican at Dos Caminos

We didn't see a show this time but we did catch a glimpse of Nick Jonas after his (cue squeal!)

 It POURED down rain on us one day too... which put a major damper on our shopping excursion but it was nothing a little hot chocolate and a liesurely couple of hours laying in Westin's heavenly bed and watching TV couldn't make better.  All in all, we had a fantastic time.

 Being in New York always reminds me of what an amazing country we live in and I am forever grateful to all of the men and women that have dedicated their lives to making it so.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!
God Bless America! 

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On the move......

....... literally.  The movers are here for the next three days packing up our sea shipment for our move to Switzerland in July..... I'll catch up with you from atop my air mattress on Monday! :)

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Exteriors: The Garden Gate

Prior to the news of our move; I was really looking forward to adding one of these beauties to the side of our home.......

Ever since I was a little girl I've felt an element of wonder upon seeing a garden gate.... curious about what treasures lie inside.  I can picture my girls playing make-believe and running barefoot down a bluestone path lined with hydrangeas from the front yard to the back. It will be a project to tackle when we return.  

In the meantime, I find pretty much everything magical at Walpole Woodworkers.....

The View from Here.......

A Photo a Day (or 2 or 10):  Week 20  

Darling little ballerinas in waiting;

backstage banter;

I guess it's official....our return address stamp has arrived (from here);

cleaning one's closet can be both therapeutic and troubling..... scarf anyone?;

I'm gonna miss.......the angel Gabriel outside Holden's bedroom window;

watch out chicks...... there's flowers in town;

pre-recital prep..... Holden's first foray into hot rollers;
time for tunics;
the diaper bag is officially retiring..... bittersweet.

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I'm back on caffeine..... hallelujah! 

 Happy Monday everyone!

Well, what do you know?...... the wishbone

......... so I was browsing through one of my favorite online home decor shops recently, High Street Market, and I fell in love with this wishbone objet (I know, I'm supposed to be paring down):

anyway..... it got me thinking.... what is the significance of the whole wishbone thing anyway?..... it's not something I've ever done...... the dueling pinkie pull of the wishbone, that is, as I'm more than a little squeamish when it comes to animal parts...... but seems like something I should know if I was planning on displaying one around my home somewhere or giving it as a gift.  Well, here is what I found out:

"The tradition of two people simultaneously snapping the collarbone of a bird in two and the bearer of the larger half making a wish began 2,400 years ago. The Etruscans, who lived on the Italian peninsula, believed fowl were fortunetellers because the hen announced she would be laying an egg with a squawk and the rooster told of the coming of a new day with his early morning crowing. A circle was drawn in the dirt and divided into twenty wedges that represented the twenty letters in the Etruscan alphabet. A piece of grain would be placed in each wedge. A hen would then be allowed to peck at the grain. As she ate, a scribe would list the letters in order and those letters would be interpreted by the high priests to answer questions.

When one of these chickens was killed, its collarbone was considered sacred and left under the hot sun to dry. Anyone was permitted to hold an unbroken bone and make a wish, thus, the name wishbone. The Romans took many of the Etruscan customs as their own and because everyone wanted good fortune, they fought over the bones, breaking them.

It is said that the phrases “I need a lucky break” or “I never get a break” come from being the loser in this tug-of-chicken-bone contest.

The English heard of this superstition from the Romans and called their wishbones merry-thoughts. When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock in the New World, they brought along the custom of breaking the wishbone. When they discovered the Northeastern woods of North America were filled with turkeys, they changed their custom from the chicken bone to the turkey bone."

-from www.greenlightwrite.com/wishbone.htm

Do you remember that 80's saying "things that make you go hmmmm?" :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Wise Words: Audrey Hepburn

.......and while we are on the subject of icons..... I happened upon these beautifully printed quotes from Audrey Hepburn (available here)

my favorite is the one about the happiest girls being the prettiest girls..... I couldn't agree more!

I'll never think of this word the same way again.

I'm going to buy this and frame it for my girls' room.

....... a very inspiring and lovely woman inside and out...... like so many of you!

Have a great day!

Fashion: Jack Rogers

A little inspiration today by way of the iconic Palm Beach brand Jack Rogers.....

...... and the fashion gold standard Jacqueline Kennedy who made them so...

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....... like my Hunter boots in the winter...... the Jack Rogers Navajo sandals are my summer-time workhorse proving faithful year after year although they're tempting me this year with new additions like these:

Barcelona wedge

Georgica flat

Do you have a "go-to" summer sandal?

Interiors: Striped Stair Runners

I've been spending a fair amount of time lately searching for rugs to cover the completely bare floors for our rental in Switzerland...... but somehow I can't keep my mind from wandering to one of these for my home here....... a striped stair runner.

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Just seems like they are calling for some bare little feet to run up and down them, right?

My favorite source for inspiration is the amazing collection at Dash & Albert and Woodward Weave.   I love so many of them I suppose it's good that I have three years to pick a favorite! :)

The View from Here.....

A Photo a Day:  Week 19 (aka This thing called "life")

My girl smokin' thru the Flying Pig Marathon 5K (she clearly takes a liking to running from her daddy!);

Yes, the chickie glasses are still around.... Marlowe thinks they're her sunglasses as evidenced here while being blinded watching Holden's soccer game;

A little water park fun..... backyard style;

The delightful spread I awoke to on Mother's Day..... all made from scratch by Ashtyn with her great aunt... so sweet!;

Ashtyn's  latest computer art..... no, I'm not smarter than a sixth grader;

the blessing of a sweet neighbor who often surprises me with gummie bears, cookies or vases of my favorite flowers from her garden.... they smelled every bit as beautiful as they looked!;

easy, breezy livin' on the porch;

I simply cannot resist a good collar;

the sweetest sound I ever heard...... these three girls calling me "mommy"

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..... or last year.... or five years ago...... Happy Monday everyone!

Mother's Day.....

an everyday phone call;

listening ear;

master baker;

Southern drawl;

rose gardener;
baby whisperer;
likes to hum;
volunteer;

tireless supporter;

chocolate covered banana eater;
Bible believer;
puzzle doer;
wife,
sister,
memaw,
friend.....

my mom.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all you mothers out there!

Interiors: My Favorite Accessories

As part of our upcoming move, I have the unenviable task of creating a worksheet detailing out each item we are shipping across the ocean as well as the replacement value (in Swiss francs, no less).  Now, thankfully, I am no pack rat collector :)  But even with that said, I'm finding myself wanting to pare down to the bare necessities in all areas and I've been challenging myself to think about what items really bring me and my family joy.......   Here's what I've come up with in the home accessories department..... (pardon the iphone pics)

Family photos in frames:  It goes without saying, right?  I love visual reminders of good times and sweet memories

Throws:  We love to cuddle up under a throw in our house.... and you can find one in practically every room.  We even have what we refer to as a "car blanket" in the car.  I'm partial to the yummy feel of cashmere and there isn't a time I walk into Homegoods or TJMaxx and don't check their selection for one.....

A Bowl of candy:  I did a post a while ago about a charming little book called "Let's Bring Back".... I'm sure this one is in there and I agree.  Didn't your grandma or mom always have out a candy dish full of butter mints?..... I'm partial to Swedish Fish (and endearing myself to my nieces and nephews)  :)

Candles:  Now, my favorite scent is this and my husband bought me the scent machine as a gift last year.  But, sadly, I've been told it is certain to surge out on me over there.  Regardless, I love the look of candles (scented or not) and they add instant warmth (figuratively & literally) to a room.

Books:  I can't imagine my home without books..... again, in every room.  They lend so much personality to a home and while I won't be taking my entire collection; I will certainly be shipping our family's favorites.

Collections:  Ok, maybe I'm a tiny bit of a collector..... case in point.... these pillows from Cat Studio.    While the bench won't be coming with me, the pillows will because as with all good collections... they bring me joy when I see them and there's sentimental value attached.

Trays:  I can't seem to get enough of a good tray..... wicker, metal, lacquered..... they help corral the everyday clutter and are also great on-hand stand-bys for a bar or breakfast in bed. 

  

Art:  I tend to find a home "cold" without art..... it's what breathes personality into a room and gives a sneak peek into the owner's taste and interests.  Almost every piece of art in our home was collected on a trip, given as a gift or made by one of my girls..... an instant reminder of good times when I see each piece.

Flowers:  I haven't lived without an orchid in my home for some 10 odd years now and I'd trade Starbucks any day for a $4 bouquet of flowers from the grocery.  In my mind, flowers mean something special is happening in the house...... and I love that feeling..... especially on an ordinary day. 

Do tell..... What's your "must-have" home accessory?

Home Sweet Home

In addition to dealing with the craziness of the cable and security system last week; I tasked my guy with taking some photos of the place to remind myself show you what we actually signed up for as our home for the next several years... and alas here she is:

It's called a "village house" because well, it's in a village :)..... and before you think we've rented a mansion; this is actually three homes attached...... ours is this section:

We actually don't plan on using these doors as entrances.  Rather, we'll go around back and enter here:

or here:

 that "entry" I referred to in this post..... it will be our TV room:

and the dining will happen in here:

I was immediately taken in by the "cozy" feel of the house and the abundance of natural light.... both "must-haves" in my book.  Here's a sampling of the bedrooms and baths. 

Now, I know some of you who have been following for a while might be a little surprised as this place is a far cry from some of the homes we looked at.  In fact, our realtor didn't even want to bring us here.  Sure, we aren't getting the newest, fanciest kitchen; large sprawling rooms or the big swimming pool in the backyard (or any yard for that matter :))...... but we are getting closeness, simplicity and the chance to experience the culture in a unique way.... and I think that's a great trade..... The first question I asked Chris when he had been to see the house again was "What was your initial thought upon going there again?  Was it "Oh my.  What have we done? or was it... This is good!"  He said "I still really like it"...... and after seeing these photos again, I do too.

Voila!