Retail Therapy

As you can imagine from my previous post, to say that I am stressed is an understatement.  So after leaving my daily visit to the hospital this evening, I stopped off to grab some Chipotle take-out for dinner and headed into the HomeGoods store across the parking lot for a little retail therapy. It was well worth the trip because I scored a fabulous Ralph Lauren tufted ottoman from the Avalon Collection.  I am giddy with excitement. It retails for $879; I paid $299.  I have a perfect place for it in the living room which is the next room I will be working on after I finish the bedroom. I have a plan for it already in place!

I obviously wasn't planning on buying any furniture tonight so I kept my fingers crossed hoping that the darn thing would fit in the front seat of my BMW.  It barely fit.  If it were one inch larger, I probably would have had to tie it to the roof of the car! The pictures look pathetic, I know, but I had to use my camera phone.

On the Ralph Lauren website the Avalon Cocktail Ottoman is shown in two colors: the soft blue/grey (which I purchased) and a beautiful sunflower yellow.

I interrupt this program....

Sorry for the silence, dear readers. When I started this blog I had good intentions. Really, I did. Please keep reading....because I have a challenge for you!

Several years ago I started a separate blog that focused on travel, home decor and fashion. I loved it. And my readership and subscription level was successful by my standards.  My day job is rather uncreative at times and the blog was the perfect way to let my creative expression shine through.  Sounds cliche, but true.  However, the blog turned into a lot of work. The dreaded four letter word "WORK".  Sourcing images and coming up with new and creative topics can, at times, be challenging particularly with a full-time job and a two hour daily commute. After much thought I decided to stop that particular blog to relieve myself of the added stress it became. I wanted it to be fun not stressful. 

Fast forward to late Fall 2010. I was walking along the beach with Mr. B one sunny morning and we were discussing blogs. He has always been so supportive of my blogs...and any other crazy endeavor I come up with.  He is absolutely my biggest fan. And it was during this time together that I decided I was going to start blogging again. However, what I soon realized is that timing is everything. Shortly after I started my new blog, Dining and Decor, I had minor surgery. Once I recovered, I cared for my mother who also needed surgery. Then Mr. B became critically ill. From that point on my blog came to a screeching halt. Actually, my entire life came to a screeching halt. No exaggeration.  Although I have taken a long pause from blogging, I continue to sit at Mr. B's beside with pen and paper at hand. Old school, I guess.  But I began to journal the ups and downs of his ordeal and what my daily life has become as he lay in the hospital fighting for his dear life.  He has been on death's door on more than one occasion.  His ups and downs are my good and bad days. And my little green spiral bound journal is a good way to capture those moments of time while sharing the darkest hours of our lives together.  Throughout this ordeal, I have had a tremendous amount of support from family and friends. My relationships have grown deeper and fonder with my loved ones.  And with some, I have had to break off relationships spanning approximately 20 years. An easy decision, really.  Because what I realized during this extremely difficult time is that I need to be surrounded by emotionally healthy and supportive people who can give a little of themselves to help a friend when they most need it. Enough said.

What I learned through the bedside journaling is how therapeutic it has been. And for some odd reason, it made me think of my blog.  Do I discontinue it and forget about blogging? Maybe take it in a new direction?  Maybe not?  Do I just start over from scratch? A clean slate so to speak.  

This entire ordeal has forever changed my life. And something good will come out of it. I just know it...

Have you gone through a life altering ordeal? Have you had to break off friendships? Have you taken another fork in the road by circumstance,  chance, or by conscience decision? Dear readers, I have a challenge for you...chime in on today's post or email me. I dare you.  And I challenge you to forward this to those you know.  I would love to hear your thoughts...

Planning a Nursery

Babies are precious.  I love their fresh scent, and their adorable little fingers and toes.  They are a gift.  And when my best friend is told that she has been blessed with a gift times two, it's time to get the nursery in order. And this isn't just any nursery. I'm talking about a nursery for twins: a boy and a girl.  Talk about hitting the baby jackpot! Trying to design a nursery for mixed sexes is challenging but I think we are off to a decent start.  We have to work around freshly painted yellow walls and dark wood furniture from Pottery Barn that was inherited. Not too shabby! Nothing "cartoon-y" was the request, but chic with a modern flair is what the soon to be parents are looking for. I thought it would be a challenge to find something that fit the bill but I immediately thought of Serena & Lily.  Their nursery bedding is nothing short of fabulous.  And I love the fact that they offer matching paint colors and fabric by the yard for any extra coordinating pieces you may need to have made.  

It will be interesting to see how the room comes together....

Do you know of any great on-line vendors for nursery bedding and accessories? If so, do tell....

Baby photo via Serena & Lily; Sample Board by Mrs. B.

It's all about details

Did you read the recent post over at Beach Bungalow 8? The post is about a chair with a rather unique detail- the ring pull on the back of the chair. And maybe not so unique anymore as this detail is seeming to pop up more and more frequently. I first fell in love with it a few years ago when Italian architect Michele Bonan designed JK Place Capri. Both photos are Bonan designs and this little detail seems to be one of his signatures.



JK Place (Capri, Italy)



Hotel Vendome (Paris, France)

The question posed to readers on Megan's blog was whether or not you like this particular chair detail. The comments were a mixed bag. Here is how I responded:

Megan's post got me thinking in general about details in design.  Details are very important to me and I will fret over the smallest feature. I never overlook them because they can make all the difference. You know, the difference between "wow" and "woooow". 

Here are a few design details that I absolutely love. From these photos you can see how they add interest or in some cases actually make the piece.

Ribbon and nailhead trim.  The space between the nailheads shows off the pretty pink ribbon.



Button detail.



Contrast welting.



Drapery detail in my office. I added a Windsor Smith fabric ("Purpose") to a pair of off-the rack drapery panels for a custom look.



So, my dear readers, I will leave you with this quote from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe:

"God is in the details." 

Weekend Entertainment

It's been way to long since I have been to movie theater. Seriously. I'm talking years. But "The Tourist" tempted me.  The beautiful costumes and the breathtaking backdrop intrigued me.  The majority of the movie is set in Venice, Italy so how could I resist?

The costumes and the scenery did not disappoint.  In fact, it made me long to be back in Italy.  I was in Venice last year so I  couldn't help but say to myself during the movie "I've been there" or "I've seen that" on more than one occasion.  I also fell in love with the classic modern style of Jolie's character, "Elise".  It turns out that Ferragamo designed the beautiful nude "Elise" shoe for the movie two heel heights, as well as with and without platforms, depending on the scene.  If you want to take home your very own  beige suede and/or  black leather versions of the "Elise," complete with metal heel, they are being sold in limited release in select stores worldwide coinciding with the launch of the film this past December. You  better hurry though....I just might beat you to it!

"The Tourist" Movie Trailer



The scenes in the lobby of the Danieli Hotel was actually a set. But I can tell you it was just as gorgeous as the real thing.  And the featured Doges Suite is actually in a different building! Ah, the magic of the movies!

I can't think of anything more magical than a coctail or late night dining on the Grand Canal.