Please Weigh In

Okay...poor word choice. I don't really want to know how much you weigh.  However, I'd like an opinion.

We're about to hang a chandelier in our master bedroom and I'm having a hard time choosing which one.  I love all of the following - can you give some feedback? 

(FYI, our square bedroom has 9 foot (or 10 foot?) ceilings.  Large south-facing windows.  Walls painted a light Farrow & Ball-esque blue.  White furniture, white bedding.  Crystal-columned bedside lamps... photos to follow when the room's finished.)

Choice A (28"H x 13"W)

Choice B (30"H x 30"W)

Choice C   (31"H x 20"W)

Choice D (32" Diameter)

 
Choice E (30"H x 30"W)

 

Choice F (42"H x 35"W)

Bee Why You?

For those who attended BYU, this image of the institution's namesake is positively BRILLIANT.

 

Bee Young by artist Matthew Page via

Run MMW Run!

Running training season begins at the end of March.

My foot injury has had several months to heal. Hallux Limitus.  Doesn't it sound like a curse Snape would pronounce on Harry Potter? Believe me - it felt like one! 

In preparation, I've been excited with this series of Yoga poses - put together to help runners loosen up and stretch key muscles and joints.

Has anyone else tried Yoga in conjunction with Running?  I'm curious to see how the two practices will work together.

On a Stick

While corresponding with my friend Bekah last week, I professed my love for sweets-on-a-stick.  We all know and love Bakerella's contribution to this phenomenon.

However, Raspberry-Mascarpone Macarons-on-a-Stick...Mon Dieu I'm in heaven.

Merci Bien Tartelette!

My Veriest School of Peace

A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!

Rose plot, Fringed pool, Ferned grot--

The veriest school Of peace; 

and yet the fool Contends that God is not-- 

Not God! in gardens! when the eve is cool?

Nay, but I have a sign;

'Tis very sure God walks in mine.

I memorized Thomas Edward Brown's garden poem years ago.  It has always spoken to my heart.  

Truly I LOVE my own veriest school of peace.  

Green buds are starting to reach out of the ground: Bleeding Hearts, Tulips, Daffodils, Grape Hyacinths.

In my potager: rhubarb, garlic, lettuces.

Roses and Butterfly Bushes and Lilac bushes are sprouting leaves.

After looking at these gardening images from Burgon & Ball I can hardly wait to get my hands into the dirt: 

Waterfall Can

 

Seed Planting Ruler

White Willow Vegetable Planter

Spades and Forks

Potato Sacks

Harvest Trug

Master Bathroom Update

We've had contractors, plumbers and tile-layers come through and give bids.  They've given us some new ideas to consider.

While S-Boy takes note of their price quotes and methodology, I take note of their personal hygiene.  Remember our creepy kitchen contractors?  Never again.  I want professionals in my home who take pride in their appearance.  I swear their personal attention to detail (or lack thereof) is reflected in their craft and workmanship.

And as we think about configurations for our master bath, we're already compiling a list of  remodel elements for our upstairs Kids Bathroom:

Trough Sink (via Pursley Architecture)

 

Pretty Stripey Shower Curtains (via Anna Spiro)

Double Wide shower curtains to frame the space (via Phoebe Howard)

 

Curved Shower Curtain Rod and Marble Shower Walls 

(via last  year's Valentine's Day stay at The Nines Hotel).

I also really like this bathroom remodel featured on Tracery Interiors.  Lots of style in a small space.

President's Day Recap

Hooray for a No School Day!

In the late morning our family went on a hiking expedition up the Leif Erickson Trail in NW Portland. The ground was a little wet and muddy.  The air was crisp. And the sun was shining.  I LOVED it.  We followed one of the trails that I took during my running season last year.  {I can hardly wait to start running again - training begins on March 27th.} {And I miss you rdefnet}.

On the way home we picked up some doughnuts (no Krusty Kreme for us!) - then ate Tex-Mex for lunch.

In the afternoon S-Boy worked on reupholstering a guitar amp, I pruned our rose bushes, and the kids played, shrieked, and chased around.  What a perfect day!

BTW, check out this tee I saw on Dana Made It.  Is it not PERFECT for President's Day?  Next year my boys may be sporting one each.  Oh yes, she has free patterns and tutorials.  Yippee.

Flush or No Flush

We are potty training Little K.
Yesterday we learned that we don't flush our panties down the toilet.

Barefoot in the Park

Shabby Apple's new dress line Central Park came out today.
Here are my two favourites:
Bethesda Fountain (what a pretty neckline)

and The Rambler (check out those kicky pleats!!!).

 

 Ohhhh Spring is on it's way.  Hooray for pretty dresses.

Valentine's Day Wrap-Up

We had a delovely Valentine's Weekend.  In the spirit of Hannukah...our festivities went on and on for days.  On Saturday night S-Boy and I had dinner downtown Portland at a fantastic Italian restaurant.  After our delicious meal, our server (whose first language was definitely Italian) asked what we wanted for dessert.  I wanted the Millefoglie...But since I don't know how to speak Italian, I asked for it in French...we call it Mille Feuille.  Then, taking a cue from the way I ordered the dessert in French, the server seamlessly switched over to speaking in French every time he came by our table....  Oh la la. 

I loved my little Valentine's Day tokens from S-Boy.  And I loved giving him a huge assortment of gourmet chocolate bars (such as Chili and Cherry Dark Chocolate ??!!?) ... because his Love is Better than Chocolate.

There were so many pretty ideas online this year.  Here are some I'd like to try out in 2011.

Heart Collages by Sarah & Bendrix, (so easy to DIY - in the style of Butterfly Collages by Ali Edwards and artist Tracey Bush).

Fairy Light Garland by Lena

Map Hearts from Ideal Home (FRAME a heart-shape cut-out of the mapped location you and your sweetheart first met, kissed, married, lived, etc.) 

Treat Bags from Twig and Thistle

Pretty Hand-Sewn Felt Bird seen on My Life My Loves

Folk-Art Painted Broom from Little Birdie Secrets

Handful of How-Do-I- Love-Thee Hearts (via One Thing)

MP3-inspired Valentines by Family Fun

 

Heart-Breaker Valentines by Dana MADE It.

Shutting Down

Today I received some great advice - when I feel like I want to shut down or cower or withdraw or close up, I need to have some empowering phrases that help me feel safe - and help me graciously protect my boundaries - and help me feel like I'm still in control.

But I didn't have enough time to come up with those phrases. 
I hate feeling encroached upon.  Oh, I hate that feeling.

So I'm off to bed feeling somewhat like this 

And maybe some deep sleep and a refreshing awakening will help me feel ready to try again.

Little Bekah Riding Hood

For some reason, this adorable little tea cup makes me think of my recently-moved-away friend Bekah.  Why is that?  What's the connection?  So perfect nonetheless.

 

via ModCloth

Sleeping In

My favourite part about Church services starting at 1:00 pm is the luxury of sleeping in.  Luxury indeed.  I've had my share of Sunday mornings up for meetings, children, more meetings, taking care of business, etc.  But for now?  For this year? Bring on the zzzzzz's.

 

via Aubrey Road via Dress, Design, Decor

Please Take My $20 Gap Gift Certificates

 

I have two $10.00 Gap Rewards gift certificates that I don't need. 2 x $10 = $20.00.
Pretty please take them from me - I can't use them.  And I'll kick myself if they go to waste. 

• can be used at any Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic, Piperlime or Athleta (retail store, online, or Outlet Stores inclusive)
• redeemable in USA, Puerto Rico and Canada
• one Rewards certificate expires on February 28, 2010
• one Rewards certificate expires on June 30, 2010
• you must use a GapCard or Gap Visa Card to to redeem the Reward

Just leave a comment...a nice one...and let me know.  That's all.

If there's enough interest...can we make this a giveaway?  
What do you think?  Random.org?
Keep commenting!

Please someone take them by this upcoming Wednesday February 10. I'll mail it to you (or bring it to your home) the next day.

More Master Bath Glam

In the midst of our master bath remodel, I keep finding more inspiring images of bathrooms!  What do you think of these?

via Style at Home

via ibid.

This Little Piggy Went to the Laundry Room

One of my favourite online stores is Farmhouse Wares.  And lately I've been musing over this adorable Flying Pig Door Stop.  Our heavy Laundry Room door always s-l-o-w-l-y closes itself - and I usually use the dirty-clothes-hamper to keep it open.

But wouldn't this be much cuter?

Sitting Pretty

Glamorous sofa by Horchow. Velvet.  Tufted.  Curvaceous.  Ba-da-boom, baby!

Gallery Photo Wall by Steve Gambrel

Last week I was grocery shopping late late at 11:45 pm. I was too tired and too exhausted from the day - but I decided to pause and flip through the magazine aisle.  Elle Decor - January 2010 had a real treat.  Check out this energetic gallery photo wall by Steve Gambrel.  Je Coeur the red frames.  Bold, vibrant choice.

Three Ninjaz

My kids love The Ninja Song from the Barenaked Ladies album Snacktime*.

The Ninjas are deadly and silent!

They're also unspeakably violent!

They speak Japanese

And do whatever they please.

And if you take off their masks

They'll be smiling!

* Fantastic Kids Album, BTW.

And I think my little ones would love to try and make this Ninja Craft.  I know the etsy seller makes them ready-to-go...but how much more fun would this be for kids to try on their own?

BBB = Bare Bones Bathroom

Here is the current state of our master bath.  Thanks S-Boy and Company of Men for the demolition.

 

  

So excited to turn it into something white and bright.  Maybe like this (via the impeccable Phoebe Howard):

 

or this (via Elle Decor Jan 2010):