A few weeks ago, when I had the TV all to myself, I watched the touching documentary Tig on Netflix. I was transfixed by the humor, the sadness, and by Tig. The story follows stand-up comedian, Tig Notaro. In short, Tig faces unimaginable odds in one calendar year to be topped off with a breast cancer diagnosis. How does she respond? She does a comedy set about it {and wins a Grammy}. It is a story of resiliency, love, loss, and humor. But most importantly, she is really, really funny.
I am totally crushin’ on Tig.
Then, to my surprise, a comedy special aired for the first time this past weekend on HBO called Boyish Girl Interrupted. I missed it, but thank goodness for On Demand. My boys wandered in when I was watching and they sat down and started laughing immediately. {I am certain that it isn’t 100&% kid appropriate, they just watched a few minutes before I turned it off.}
I highly recommend watching BOTH if you can. I am also dying to watch a Showtime special with Tig in which she does stand-up in people’s homes, but I am not a subscriber. Anyone have Showtime and want to invite me over?
There is something about August nights that make me want to linger outside well past dark. A few friends, some good music, and great food is all you need for a perfect evening. As the hostess, keeping it simple ensures I will enjoy myself as well. For planning, I think of three categories: easy food to nibble on, one signature drink, and delicious sweets. In the summer, seasonal fruit can be front and center. Use it in drinks and appetizers. And there is something about summer that screams chocolate cake and cookies.
Here’s to a great evening on your patio or deck. CHEERS!
Look at that face? How could you not love him?! Meet my adorable nephew, Brecken. This darling boy just turned two. He adores his big boy cousins, but he lives far from us. {Too far, for our liking!} Knowing that he is at the age where “reading books” is at an all time high, I made him a book for his birthday to help him remember all of his family in Washington.
Pinhole Press made it easy to make this special gift. Their Mini Book of Names and Faces is beautiful and sturdy! I was impressed by the quality of the pictures. The colors were vibrant and even pictures I pulled from my sister-in-law’s Facebook page turned out perfect. Each page pairs a vibrant color and name with a picture. Excellent for toddlers to read with a parent or all on their own. Word has it, the book was a huge hit! Wouldn’t it make a great gift for expectant mothers as a shower gift?
PS: I remember when I sent Big W to daycare at the tiny age of 8 weeks! We sent a picture of our family in case he was sad. {Leaving him that first day, is still fairly traumatic for me to think about.} This book would be so fantastic to give any caregiver to comfort little ones.
This is my favorite weekend of the summer. The Blue Angels buzz our little island over and over and over. They amaze me every year! Big W and I are taking the kayaks to the lake for a front row seat today. What are your plans?
A few items that inspired me this week. Remember, love big. It’s in the details.
Week 1 of summer break is in the books! The change of pace is always so welcome, but my house is a disaster and somehow I am more exhausted. This weekend brings drop-off for sleep away camp for both my boys! AND sunny, hot weather. How are you planning to spend the weekend?
This week’s inspiration is an ode to summer and fun! Including: a packing list, palm trees, ice cream and the coolest ping pong table in all the land! Have a great summer weekend. Love big. It’s in the details. xoxo
When we moved into our home in 2007, the room on the lowest level of the house struck me as really strange. It was long and narrow, with an extremely large brick fireplace/hearth. {When we viewed the house before we purchased it, the previous owner had one single arm chair in the middle of the room. Not helpful.} With really only one useable wall, it was nearly impossible to have a sofa or any furniture for adults. I had no idea what to do with it, so it became a play room. At that time we had VERY young children {ages 5 months and 3 years} so it served to be an extremely important space. Over time the kids had fewer and fewer toys and we decided it was time to create a space that we could all use and love. Today I am sharing the before shots and a quick description of our project.
FAMILY ROOM: BEFORE
Oh, look at all that brick! The project started out simple: remove the brick fire place, hearth, and insert and create a useable wall. Like any project it grew over 2+ years of thinking and planning. In the end the list also included: new lighting, removal of wood paneling {which I had painted}, new flooring, new paint, new molding and base boards. I also became obsessed with a rolling door to the laundry room. {Plenty more on that side project later!} We had not originally planned on updating the laundry room and powder room, but eventually decided it was worth doing all three rooms at once.
LAUNDRY/POWDER ROOM: BEFORE
Our laundry room and powder room are essentially caves. No natural light at all. Why I thought it was a great idea to paint them eggplant purple, I will never know! The number one wish for this space was to move or remove the eye sores above the washer/dryer. Who doesn’t want an old security system control box front and center? Also on the list for the laundry room: new washer/dryer, new cabinets, and counter top. The bathroom: new light, new sink/vanity, new toilet.
I spent months collecting images that served as inspiration for these three rooms. Below are a few of the images/ideas that served as guide posts to decisions I made throughout the process.
More on the outcome and finished looks are coming soon. The construction is complete and we could not be happier. Unlike a HGTV design show, the room did not magically come furnished and beautifully styled. That is a work in progress.
Women of a certain age must share the news with friends when they find a beauty product that they love. It’s in the contract! Recently I have come across a few items that are great additions to my beauty bag. Want to know what they are?
1. Somme Institute: Transport|2- Soft cotton pads infused with magic. I purchased the jar with a purple dot after a facial and was fairly skeptical. I was proven wrong within 1 week. My skin is brighter, my adult acne is under control { with the use of a prescription antibiotic} and my hyper-pigmentation is much less noticeable. Seriously, they are awesome!!
2. Sephora Express Cleaning Wipes– I purchased this little pack to remove makeup while traveling. I am obviously super lazy because this is how I cleanse my face most nights. I will be buying the larger pack soon. These also work great after a workout if you can’t take a shower or wash your face right away.
3. Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer – Okay, so this concealer was an investment. However, I think it will last a very long time. You don’t need much at all and it covers my dark circles like no other. It blends perfectly and doesn’t settle into the fine lines around my eyes, which is a HUGE plus!
4. Dove: Clinical Protection|Clear Tone – I was in between deodorants, so I gave this one a try. So far it is pretty fantastic. It goes on smooth, with very little residue. It is marketed to also lighten the skin of your underarms, but I haven’t really noticed a difference. Bottom line, it actually works and I don’t have to worry!
I recently had lunch at Stateside in Seattle. Yes, the food was delicious but I could not get over the design elements. Color choice, brass detailing, lighting, a mix of old and new, and that wall paper. THAT wall paper. The unexpected pop of green palm fronds and it was oh, so perfect! I am still thinking about it two weeks later. A dramatic wall paper can really pack a punch!
So, I did a little searching:
Which is your favorite? I could find a way to use any of them in my home! However, if you have ever had to remove wall paper, you know it isn’t a decision to take lightly. Do you have wall paper in your home?
{All image sources and other dramatic wall papers can be found here.}
Oh, my goodness. The forecast calls for nothing but blue skies and warm {WARM} temps. This is too good to be true. We made a decision as family last night to soak up every last ounce of sunshine and fun that the weekend will provide. It also includes the delivery of a new washer & dryer. I have not had one for almost 6 weeks! I may kiss them when they arrive.
This week’s inspiration is ode to summer. Bring it on! Love big. It’s in the details.
1. We are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Buenos Aires! Stay tuned.
2. Dreamy beach inspired decor. But that front door!
Over a year and half ago, I posted about a possible remodel of our boys’ play room. They had outgrown the need for a dedicated space just for toys. When they have friends over, they love to watch movies and play video games. The time had come to invest in making this space something to love. A little over three weeks ago, the process began! While the end vision is coming together, the first stages were a little unsettling. Massive amounts of demolition and sheet rock dust, made it hard to see how it could all go back together. I guess surviving and thriving during a remodel is a skill.
Here is what I know so far:
1. Have a clear vision and budget.
While others can give input and advice, you need to have your own vision for the space, whether it be a family room, a kitchen, or a bathroom. While I am no designer, but I was clear how I wanted the room to function and the short list of needs. The least sexiest part of a remodel is the budget. You have to have a budget. Decide which details are the most important, so that when you have to make compromises, due to budget constraints, you are still guaranteed a final product you will be happy with.
2. Learn to love Pinterest.
It has literally helped me make almost every decision. Paint color, tile, trim work, switches. You name it, I put it in the search box of Pinterest and found what I wanted. Visually I could narrow down my choices. I could then find it just by searching or asking for help from my contractor or a friend.
3. Appoint a project manager.
I was appointed the project manager. If my husband and I had to decide every little detail together, we would probably end every evening in an argument. To save our sanity and keep the project moving along, I have made most of the choices and decisions. He is more interested in the final outcome. Your project manager should be the person who is most interested in the process and the details. That’s me and I love it!
4. Embrace the mess.
You cannot control it, so just go with it. Hey, how often do you have an excuse for your house to be a disaster?
I can not wait until we are cuddled up on the couch watching a movie in our new room. I promise to post again about this project!
Would you like a peek @ the inspiration for the room and all its details? Follow along here!
