2015

It's a New Year.

And in a new year I become obsessed with cleaning out old and bringing in new.

Like everyone.

But I'm especially crazy, 

going as far as cleaning outdated Instagram pictures and Pinterest boards.

I get rid of images that no longer portray what I want to tell people about myself.

That's insane. I know.

Insane to think that I consider pictures of furniture and food and words to be reflections of me,

but I really do.

That's what people like me do because we can't express ourselves through music, art, or poetry.

We, and when I say 'we' I mean design obsessed mothers who are rap enthusiasts,

show our artistry in more subtle ways, like our home, Instagram, blog, 

even through a heavy fringe bang and Adidas high tops.

I'd like you to know that this blog is me.

And it's thoughtful.

So...

things that are starting off my new year right.

Black rooms.

Which will someday exist in my house.

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Black cabinets.

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Art everywhere. Always.

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Gold kitchen fixtures and hardware.

This one is by Waterworks.

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Cheetah forever. 

Talmage fabric by Aerin.

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Cabinet-less kitchens.

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Painted trim.

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Inspiration boards.

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This Entry Inspires Me

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I really wish I could find that all important thing that makes my entry stand out as wow.

I peruse Pinterest and other usual suspects of online design to inspire me,

 looking for that something that will grab and pull and explain what I want to say through my home about me,

about my family.

Maybe I put too much pressure on such a small space to say all these things,

when really all that needs to be said is

welcome.

Or, this is my home and I'm happiest here.

Or, all my favorite people reside in this house.

I love this entry from Elle Decor.

I never knew a table overflowing with candlesticks would be my thing, but now I know it is.

I'm a sucker for a portrait gallery wall, I especially love how this one is hung.

Add textured walls, ceiling, a simple round pendant light,

you end up with a well balanced entry of modern traditional.

A style I find I gravitate to.

Thank You, Mr. President

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

Lately I've felt dead inside because summer has taken over.

By summer I mean kids schedules and the never ending cycle of activity.

My summer jobs include:
greater area water park tour guide, lifeguard, social coordinator, sleepover consultant,
ice cream social director and meteorologist.

All of which are add-ons to my regular duties:
driver, mediator, cook, house cleaner, therapist, and cheerleader.

Don't get me wrong.
I love staying home with my three kids...really.

But summer with kids home has me so busy running around
I don't have time/energy to bother with what I like.
Even reading others blogs seems like such a chore in the summertime.
I partly blame the humidity. It brings out my foul side.

Yesterday though, I had an epiphany.
My oldest girl asked me to play tennis with her.
And it was fun.
A great time, no place I'd rather be, fun.
We talked and laughed and chased tennis balls and acted stupid together.
I really saw her.

The years spent with loss of identity, personal time, personal space...they're for a reason.
I've helped grow a person I want to talk to and be with.
A girl who's funny and kind and wants to play tennis with her mom on a Wednesday night.
I mean, she sucked, but that's not the point.

I'm trying to stay focused on a bigger picture--raising confident, self sufficient, non-assholes.
So far so good.

More about this gorgeous room tomorrow.

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Balance

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Bathrooms for Alice

A reader said she was waiting for a post on bathrooms.

In my house bathrooms get pushed to the bottom of the list even though a well designed bathroom really excites me.

Here are some bathrooms I find to be fabulous.

They aren't fussy or cold with stone everywhere like the bathrooms built for orgies that you see
in Vegas.
They're simple and elegant and filled with personality.
Much like all rooms should be.

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Art at Home

My favorite homes are ones filled with art.

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Different

I came across this living room on Pinterest.

The overhead lighting looks like a massive art installation.
 I am in to it.

Sucker Free Thursday

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Eclectic Blue Vintage on Etsy

I recently went back to my hometown

to visit one of my oldest friends and favorite people on earth, Kiki.

Kik and I used to kick it in high school

skipping class, smoking in the parking lot, trading Dave Matthews Band bootlegs--

your typical angst-filled, underage drinking, teenage rebelliousness.

In August Kiki opened  Eclectic Blue Vintage on Etsy,

a web boutique specializing in antique collectables, jewelry, furniture, 

and all around vintage loveliness.

We spent most of our time together shopping flea markets and estate sales.

She has a great eye and knows exactly what she wants and what people are looking for.

Eclectic Blue Vintage has been a tremendous success selling to clients all over the world,

but most importantly

its been an outlet to showcase her creative side and venture into a business
that she's passionate about.

Vintage geometric scarf $12

 Deer antlers with partial skull $98

 Vintage brass pelican $32

 Vintage books $35

 Vintage industrial office chair $128

 Louden's Mammouth Pulley $48

 Vintage Windsor melmac sugar bowl and creamer $10

Vintage Mexican feather art in original carved frame $20

 Vintage 8mm camera, 1962 Minolta $36

 Vintage pink bead and crystal clip on earrings $12

Glasbake handled soup bowls $36

Here are some pictures of Kiki's beautiful home.

Represent.

Shop here to see more of the goods.

Follow Kik on Pinterest here.