Home Sweet Home

After an eleven hour drive back from San Francisco, I am pleased to be home.  Bittersweet as I love spending time with my daughter but I was definitely ready to get out of the Mini!  I had an amazing week in San Francisco helping my daughter redo her apartment.  It's now painted a beautiful grey and has been cleaned out and rearranged.  It looks absolutely amazing.  I can't think of a better way to spend my summer- such a treat.  Now that I'm home, I have all kinds of ideas for my own place.  One easy remodel would be a new sink/cabinet in the small half-bath off the kitchen.  Here are some great ones that give me food for thought.

{photos: #1 - Ill seen Ill said  #2 - linen & velvet, #3 - plush palate  #4 - style files}

Redecorating on the Brain

This week I am having a grand time helping my daughter redecorate her apartment.  While she was visiting me, it was painted a lovely shade of gray - with the bathroom and kitchen a shade darker.  We have cleared out her old dishes, pot & pans, an old television, and just about anything that wasn't nailed down.  We are delivering some of it to her friends this evening and the rest to Goodwill.  She bought a beautiful bolster pillow by Bella Notte and I ordered new pillowcases for her bed.  I am getting excited to do the same for my house - what fun!

Enjoy the following images that I was loving this morning on skona hem .

I think I'm especially drawn to the first two photographs because of the Moroccan table - I just bought a small one while I was in Ashland - at Prize of course!  I can't wait to get it home.  I'm off to take a visit on the Russian Warship - more later!

To Russia With Love

Who would have ever thought that while I was in San Francisco I would see Dmitry Medvedev, the President of Russia.  He's staying at the hotel I am at.  It has been in a flurry since yesterday with swarms of secret service types (you know the ones with the wires going in their ear) and dignitaries being greeted every other minute.  Apparently there is also a Russian warship docked at the Embarcadero and this is the first time since the Civil War a warship from Russia has been in U.S. waters.  I plan to go on the ship on Thursday when its open to the public.  Until then, I'll just sit in the lobby and try to guess who the dignitaries are.  I know Arnold is here tonight but I have yet to see him.  Ah how I love the adventure of travel.  You just never know what will be your next adventure.

{photo: SF gate }

Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

After a long nights sleep, Mrs. C and I are heading back to San Francisco with my Mini packed to the brim with her beautiful wedding gifts that were up at my house in Portland.  I can't wait to pass the fields of sunflowers and olive trees.  I love the light this time of year.

{photo: frolic! }

Road Trip Bliss!

After a beautiful five hour drive, we finally arrived in Ashland.  We checked into our hotel, had an Italian dinner and went to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  We saw the owner of Prize  as we were walking to dinner so we can hardly wait for them to open tomorrow.  We spent a good amount of time peeking through the windows and deciding a game plan for the store!  We are so excited I sure hope we'll be able to sleep.

More details tomorrow after visiting Prize a nd finishing our drive to San Francisco.  I know we'll have some amazing stories to tell you about by the end of the day.  More to come!!

Happy Friday!

It's a beautiful day.  My daughter is visiting from San Francisco, its my first day of summer vacation, and its my birthday.  I'm so excited to spend the summer with road trips and decorating.  The following images are a home in Copenhagen (I think I should move there!) and they have my mind racing right now.  Have a lovely weekend everyone!

{photos: style files }

Paris Blues

I woke up this morning with the Paris blues.  I long for an extended trip to Paris - wish I could go every few months.  But for now, a few beautiful shots from the City of Lights will lift my spirits until I can have my next set of adventures there!

These photographs were taken by my sweet sister and niece on our excursion to Paris last summer.  It seemed that everywhere we looked was a visual feast for our eyes.  I know my next few trips will be to places I've never been before - Istanbul and Seville to be specific! 

Nate Berkus Part II

Yesterday I posted Nate Berkus's Chicago home.  Today, I have a few photos of his new home in New York.  His syndicated show will debut on September 13th.  I've learned so much from Nate over the years but what I remember the most is the idea of having your interiors reflect who you are.  To be bold and step outside the box. Frankly, this sounds like excellent advice for living your life too!

{photo: Oprah.com  }

Design Watch: Nate Berkus

When I see the work of a designer that has talent that ignites my creativity, adrenaline begins to rush through my veins and I get inspiration that makes me look at my own decor in a new light.  Nate Berkus is not only an inspiration in his design but also as an example of how to live.  His philosophy of having your decor be a reflection of your life resonates profoundly with me.  Perhaps its because I know that each experience I have influences how I end up designing.  I hope you enjoy the following photographs of the Chicago home of Nate Berkus.

{photo: Oprah.com http://www.oprah.com/home/Nate-Berkuss-Chicago-Home } 

Sweet Sunshine

The day has finally arrived - it sunny and beautiful today.  I had breakfast on my porch with the sun on my face and I'm out to enjoy the day.  Its on days like these that I wish I had a boat to float through the day.  Hope all of you are having a lovely weekend.

{photo: everything fabulous }

The Joy of Farmers Markets

Today I went to a new farmers market in my neighborhood that I can walk to! It was so wonderful to have fresh local produce and delicious other goodies. I bought a dozen fresh eggs that are so beautiful - they are light blue, green, and tan shells.  I bought some snap peas, butter lettuce, and basil.  Can't wait to whip up some meals with my yummy finds.  The photos are from Little Brown Pen - in France of course!  Any suggestions out there on a recipe that uses fresh peas?  I am so excited to be able to walk to a farmers market.  I love Portland!

Load it Up and Off We Go!!!!

I'm starting to get organized for my daughter arriving next week.  She'll be flying up from San Francisco and then we'll pack up the Mini and drive her wedding gifts back down to California.  I always get excited for a road trip.  This time the car will clearly be packed with every inch being used.  We'll stop for a night in Ashland - take in a play, and visit our very favorite store - Prize.  I can hardly wait!

For Sweet Mrs. C

Images of gray rooms - more inspiration for Mrs. C over at Sacramento Street.

{photo: l'atelier }

Dreaming of Summer

This has been an unusually cold Spring in the Northwest.  It's continues to rain cats and dogs and the more it does the more I dream of the warmth of sunshine and sitting outside in the garden.  I hope it arrives soon and I promise to cherish every minute of the bright season.  Here are some photos that made me smile today - of course, they all are outdoor shots.

I think I was drawn to the above photo because of the arched door and the beautiful ink drawing.  I think simplicity in living and decor is so refreshing and the kind of spaces I feel most comfortable in.

This photograph reminds me of a small town in Mexico that I used to live in.  Its called Valle de Bravo and was a small resort town for weekenders from Mexico City.  I think its the tile roof and the view that bring back the memory of this small paradise I once inhabited.  I can almost smell the sweet air!

So I hope to be spilling over with joy when the sun pops its head out soon.  I hope it arrives soon!

Summer...Pretty Please

I apologize for having dropped out of my blog for a while.  End of the year as a history teacher is so intense that I have had no creative energy left at the end of the day.  However, my seniors graduated on Saturday and I only have this week and next left.  My goal in the next two weeks is to finish work without collapsing and preparing my patio for the summer.  Most years, I would have done this weeks ago but we have had record rain and storms here in the Northwest.  Yesterday I found two wonderful barrel tables - I'll post a photo later today.  Thanks for visiting again and I promise not to drop out again any time soon.  I have to say I have missed my blog world tremendously.

(photo: style files )