A get away to Italy

So my favorite read decorno jetted off to Italy not too long ago. Sounds like she was in paradise. The funny thing was, she mentioned a book she was determined read. I had actually downloaded a sample to my Kindle, but hadn't gotten around to reading it myself. So I did (after all, the girl said so) I bought it and I thoroughly loved it. 

Features two of my favorite places, Italy and the Northwest. Read it.....it's worth a summer break from life if only vicariously so.

a little indulgment on my part...I know

I love to write.

It has always been a outlet of creativity for me. A challenge to articulate a feeling, a thought,

 

a sense of my better self.

 

Writing has given me a sense of purpose....a way for me to use the words that

 

sometimes fail me in an argument

 

(ask my husband....he has come to expect a letter after the sting of a particularly difficult and unresolvable disagreement. I know he doesn't always enjoy them....it's much harder to deny words when they are coming at you from a piece of paper. It might not always be fair, but I know it is much more difficult to escape a point of view when the person isn't there in front of you all emotional and in your face.)

I used to think I might have it in me to pursue the art of the written word professionally.

That is, until I visit political forums and find myself somewhat diminished at the prospect.

 

To say that there are many, many more talented and

intellectual wordsmiths who deserve to be heard more than myself

would be an understatement. 

 

So, I visit blogs, both serious and not so serious and

 

I boldly participate. 

 

And occasionally, I am given praise for my contribution.

A sort of validation that I have something to add to the discussion. I admit I spend way too much time on my daily reads, commenting on my political and philosophical mindset (hint....it's kinda where I've been the last couple days.) But I love to read what others are saying and how they view the world around them. There is a lot of bullshit out there, but if you step back you begin to understand that it is part of the experience. It's not always pleasant,

but I have learned to take it with a grain of salt and enjoy the interaction.

I guess this is my round about way for me to say I think I'm okay with my little forum here. It's starting to feel comfortable. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, I'll admit it feels pretty superficial.

 

But it does seem to be the way in the world of design blogs. We all love to pat ourselves on the back for mindless content.

 

But I think that's okay.

 

I kinda think blogging is an outlet for our narcissistic selves. After all, I know this post is self-indulgent.

But this is my space and you can chose to read it or not. And I'm pretty sure if you have gotten this far, you're with me. 

I certainly don't hold any illusions that I am well read here

in the blogosphere.

But this space gives me a sense of who I am and I think I kinda like me.....right here and right now. It's taken me a very long time to get there, but I think I can forgive myself for my past. 

The sun is out and life is pretty good, and so I write......really about nothing. :) 

 

Could you.....

....live a life exposed?

I've often pondered that idea. A house of glass.....it seems so surreal when you think about it. But with a view like this, in a remote location, the idea seems so decadently delicious!

http://fearonhay.com/

A little summertime jaunt to Aussie

Found this designer while perusing my usual haunts, and he stopped me dead in my tracks!

An Australian based designer by the name of Greg Natale. Intrigued, I knew I had to see more....

Mirrored cabinets? Practical....no, but that's really not the point. Stunning!

Crazy good.....huh?

Anyway, I am off for the weekend to Port Townsend and then off to Idaho with the family for a fun filled vacation at Lake Pend Oreille. Just wanted to leave a little eye candy up to hold you over while I'm away. Ohhhh, the dog days of summer....;)

Take care luvies.

These things hurt

This is what's so bittersweet about coming back to the world of blogging......you find out what you've been missin' and it kinda stings!

I know these guys have most likely been featured by others (probably to the point of saturation) but they're new to me and it kinda hurts knowing that. The New Traditionalists.......I will be stalking you.


And just a shout out to how I found them.......Piper's Nursery @ Rock Paper Scissor.

Makes me misty-eyed just looking at how good this is.

Now, if I could just borrow a baby for a day...... just a day, so I might entertain the idea of doing this nursery without waking up blurried eyed for the 3:30am feeding and diaper change!  

The art of living a life fulfilled

I made a promise to do a post every now and then about my new discoveries. That's not to say you might not have already found these blogs yourself. But just in case not, here's my first.....Sunday Brocantes.

Cat is her name. She's a NW transplant living the dream, making her home with her French husband and three children on the northwest coast of France near Touque. She's a hunter, someone who has the luxury of exploring the real deal.....French flea markets and brocantes.

I couldn't live with myself if I passed up this sign.....too awesome for words!

I'll take two please!

Cat and her "French guy" spied these and scooped them up. Smart move.....I am in chair love.

Can't you just imagine dining in a room with a billowing ceiling? This dealer knows how to set a scene.

If you get the chance go and visit her here. She not only has a blog that cronicles her hunting endeavors, but she also has a shop. And if that were not enough, Cat has a cooking blog (fabulously articulated and photographed......yup, she's a photographer too!) AND she offers shopping excursions for anyone wanting to make the trip.....phew! How she does it all I do not know, but she indeed does and with such savior faire!  

Friend to friend

I loved Friends. I can remember every Thursday night I made a point of tailoring my evening to accommodate its viewing. Friends spoke to a whole generation of twenty and thirty somethings who lived their lives or wanted to live their lives just like that. Many of us emulated those characters (uhhh.....how many people had to have "the Rachel" hairstyle?)....but my absolute favorites were Rachel and Monica.

Anyway, I remembered Jennifer Aniston's write up in AD on her beautiful house overlooking Beverly Hills. She has since sold the home for a whooping amount, but I still thought to revisit the residence she collaborated with Steven Shadley on.

The views alone are amazing, but the home itself is an equal.....organic and unobtrusive. My favorite is hands down the wine room and kitchen with a pizza oven (it was hers as well.)

It has most likely been done, but I just have to compare Courteney Cox's digs too. Elle Decor did a story just after her separation from David Arquette, and it felt like Courteney was making a statement when she agreed to have those pictures taken of her new home in Malibu. Elle did a beautiful spread on the Trip Haenisch design and it certainly couldn't be more different than Jennifer's design.

The outside living space is worth a few pics as well. The views.......stunning!

 

Hard to pick which one of these gorgeous homes I like best. Needless to say BOTH have beautiful views, but I think I'm leaning more with Courteney's Malibu digs. There's something about having the tranquility of the ocean that makes me covet it just a little more.

Anyway, I've indulged a little here! Thanks for sticking with me on this one. It certainly makes it worth while when you see this last pic....no?