MIA No More

TEST. TEST. TEST. (The voice of that annoying person beginning the program, etc...)

It's been 3 years since I've touched this blog. Hence this TEST. And yes, that is SAD. SAD. SAD.

But, my loves, I plan on reviving it.:)

Hang on to your hat, and check back...

p.s. It was that London sunrise that did it. My first thought this am was why have I not been sharing this place with the world other than on Instagram?

Your Front Door Tells the Tale

I LOVE that door. It tells a tale about who lives there. And look at the house number. I'd wreck should I pass and catch sight of that entrance! Imagine that door without color, say pale grey, even black. The house would absolutely not have the character you see. Your front door is your calling card. It's what sets the tone of the exterior look of your home. May I beg you to please not be afraid of color? I fully agree that a stained wooden door can be just as beautiful, I just suggest a very interesting door if you're going with stain. By interesting I mean not your standard paneled wooden door. In the above pic, the symmetrical urns and ball boxwoods are the perfect accoutrement for this setting. The door is to that house what a fantastic pair of Italian-made Manolo Blahnik shoes are to a woman's outfit. The urns are the purse.



Ahhhhh. Just look at that color. Yes, the striped awning is also awesome and I agree not likely to be on your front door. But, I want you to look at the neutral taupe color of the building paired with black as an accent. This is an example of a way to make a very neutral home pop. Imagine that door a basic black. Makes me sad to think of it.=) Oh. And look at "her" purse! Don't you just love the tall pots and lanky trees?



I took this photo in Ocean Springs. I was drawn to the bold orange. Look at the eyebrow above the door. So inviting.



I'm throwing this in for a good measure. My interior kitchen door is exactly this color, solely from me finding this picture. I simply had to have it. Not only does color go on your front door, it can make you smile each time you enter a room.



I readily agree that you're not likely to find this door, architecture, nor plants in the South. But I still wanted to share. This is what I'd refer to as an interesting door. I can see it stained a lovely pecan. For me, it would be that perfect shade of pink you see.



Even the shed door deserves color. The barn, the greenhouse, the outhouse? Paint the door! It's one of the least expensive things you can do and get the most bang for your buck. Be conscious of your front door and it's surroundings. Remember, it tells a tale and sets the tone for your home.

The Bathroom, Your Private Spa

I'll readily admit it. I've been CRAVING a claw footed tub for years. Now, another admission. I recently was given one! My friend called and had found one under a deck he was cleaning out. He said he somehow knew I'd want it. (The dude is psychic.)

Third admission. My very own claw footed tub is propped up out back under my shed. In my defense, I've only had it for a few months. It WILL grace my guest bath in coming days...well, maybe years. (I simply can't imagine giving up the Jacuzzi in the master.)

My first recollection of a claw footed beauty was in my uncle's home in McComb. He fully restored a 3 story mansion and the second floor bath had a tub that felt as big as a Mardi Gras float. It seemed to take light years for the thing to fill. But oh how I loved sinking into it. I distinctly remember my thought processes were that I could easily drown in water that deep.


The one above looks delish with the interior painted. You usually only see the exterior with color.



Just how amazing is that? Absolute sunshine. And notice the full length mirror propped up. I had trouble taking my eyes off the multi-ruffled shower curtain. Perfection, even to me, the non yellow lover.



She looks so relaxed. And I really want to smell what's in all those bottles.

Now, the meat of this post. You do not have to have a claw footed tub to have your very own "Calgontakemeaway" bathroom. But a few things are required. Bed, Bath, and Beyond is the place to start collecting. A bathtub tray is a must. Your pumice stone, peppermint foot scrub, and favorite body wash will set there nicely. Mine even has a book rest on it. A fat, fluffy towel to dry off with is a must. (Even if you have to hide that special one for yourself! You deserve it.) A terry cloth bath pillow will enhance your soak greatly. And above all, music. Iphones and Ipods make it readily available. First, the music is soothing, second it can drown out the sounds past the walls. Wait, I haven't even mentioned a candle! DO NOT get in your tub (clawfooted or not) without lighting a candle. Water, fire, music...the combination will soothe your soul.



A tufted ottoman, bamboo cabinet AND inviting art. Somehow I can only imagine a claw footed tub on the far right wall, just out of sight.

Our pace of life these days is stressful. We must make/take time to unwind. Start by making your bathroom your very own private spa.

Art Wall Joy

A fabulous new trend is the art wall. Some absolutely have no rhyme or reason, others are perfect symmetry. But the fun part is, you make up your own rules.
Take the picture below. Do you see a theme? Matching frames? No. But it's beautiful and arresting.


(via apartment34.blogspot.com)
Now, this one is exquisite. And notice the black frame in the center area. I'd be delighted to walk up and peruse for a few minutes. My mind would be racing as to why these prints were picked. I'd imagine stories of dear Aunt Nellie who studied art in Paris leaving the owners a couple of signed ones.


(via thecitysage.blogspot.com )
Then you have the OCD person who demands symmetry for survival. Mr. or Ms. Pottery Barn. They love this wall. It's still the fresh new look of an art wall, yet so modern and crisp. Also themed in framing, only black or white frames.


(via potterybarn.com)
Which do you prefer? Moi? I'm the flea market, anything goes, out of the attic junker. I love the oddity of nothing matching. I have a piece I picked up at a Paris flea market paired with something my elderly friend painted. And my art wall is one of the favorite places in my home. It's a definite conversation starter.


(via apartment34.blogspot.com)
Go on. Do yourself and art wall. It'll make your guts smile.

The Paris of South America

It's Buenos Aires, my friend.

Via

Obviously a cafe/coffee shop. Map on the wall? Oh yeah I'm a solid fan. My very own world map hangs in my bedroom. But I've never just studied a map of South America. My coolest trip "south" was to Venezuela. Maracaibo to be exact. The flight down was exciting to say the least. Some baseball team was returning from the World Series and from the looks of things they had won. I was on an airline that started with a Z and I'd never heard of it. I had a window seat just above the wing and it was the loudest flight of my existence. Propellers AND raucous baseball players are not a good mix. But oh the adventure. I found the country to have THE kindest people ever.

I seem to be all about travel these days. Come to think of it, when have I not been all about travel? And I'm hearing amazing things about the "Paris of South America". When they mentioned "tango in the streets" my eyebrows rose, this sly smile covered my face, and I was ready to hop a plane. Today. Even the word tango makes me smile. I envision a gorgeous slick-haired brunette with a circle skirt and a massive red flower low beside her bun. (Her bun of hair, people.) Let's not forget the black haired matador in the crisp white shirt saying T-A-N-G-O as they step it off.

I have dreamed of Argentina before. But I always thought should I get there it would be to some gorgeous ranch/spa situation where I rode horses. And there were exquisite cowboys. I never in my wildest dreams equated it with Paris?

In my quest of further torture, I discovered the area I'd hang out in is San Telmo. It's attractions include old churches (e.g. San Pedro Telmo), museums, antique stores and a semi-permanent antique fair (Feria de Antigüedades) in the main public square, Plaza Dorrego. Tango-related activities for both locals and tourists are in the area. Which translates to me "tango in the streets"! Here I go again repeating myself. Al fresco dining with live latino music and ah yes...those dancers.

Any mention of Paris always gets my undivided attention. (I sat at a table this very week in a planning session...where all the planning we did was how to get our buns back to Paris the quickest!) And all this mention of the South American Paris really piqued my interest.

I love Paris in the springtime. (The song rolls in my head.)

I'd love Buenos Aires in the springtime. (Still singing though the syllables don't fit.) Might not be Spring, but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll see it.

Speechless

Bali...I.Wanna.Go.Now

Hey loves'. As of late there has been so much hype surrounding Bali. And I do say hype in the positive of senses. The book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert has created an absolute travel boom. That said, I must mention the movie starring the exquisite Ms. Julia Roberts, though I prefer mentioning Javier Bardem (quite possibly the most beautiful male walking this planet).



I want THAT exact guy from THAT exact picture bringing me THAT exact platter to an outdoor table overlooking crashing waves. I have an adventure planned for October, but it's stateside. I'm craving an adventure that takes me far across multiple oceans.



Every picture of Bali I see screams tranquility. (I'm laughing at myself for using the words scream and tranquil in the same sentence.) Somehow I know there's an open-air-thatched-roof-huge-down-covered-egyptian-cotton-sheeted-bed room for me to sleep in. I want to wear cotton caftans and slide my feet on tiled surfaces to hear the scrape of my corn husk thingy slippers. A hammock hangs nearby with a small bell attached to ring for service. "I'll have a pineapple/mango smoothie", I hear myself request of the wait staff. All this with the soothing sound of breaking waves. Sigh.

After a relaxing day of nothing (meaning a massage, pedicure, book reading, facial, then hair mask) I'd dress for dinner and head to the market.



THAT market with fat umbrellas and handmade baskets piled high. You knew I was going to say it. THAT man to lean on would complete this perfect picture in my mind. I'd stock up on spices to smuggle home and definitely swipe a menu.

What's life without a dream.

Today's dream? Bali.

No, I Didn't Go To Abu Dhabi

Tyler and I took one of our jaunts (as we usually do when I visit Houston) and there they were, six camels kneeling on the lawn. This one seemed to notice us before we entered the roped area.

The camels are there for the IMAX opening of "Secrets of the Silk Road", along with an exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science. The animals absolutely have personality. The one in the above pic followed us with his eyes as we approached the visitors area. We commented on his seeming interest.

It's been a perfect day. One on one time with my first born. And I didn't even have to go to Abu Dhabi to realize a dream of consorting with a camel.=)