Let Them Eat Cake

Does all the opulence associated with Marie Antoinette make you lose your head?  

Images and Product Info via here & here.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“But how will I eat cake if my head is over there, and my hands are over here?”  

~Marie Antoinette

Odds and Ends

Last week I had every intention of posting each day, but life got in the way.  Additionally, my husband was in India for the week.  I might be more excited about his homecoming than he is.

On top of single parenting I am juggling a million and one other things.  I know every person's life has challenges... so no excuses.

Here are a few design related things I am up to.

I am enjoying a few reupholstered chairs recently delivered. 

I found this pair of chairs for $100!  They need some paint and new upholstery, but have amazing possibility.  My husband is thrilled I have even more furniture with no intended place ;-)

At another thrift shop I picked up this milk glass hobnail vase and this Chinoiserie figurine for a bargain.

 

Check out this amazing peacock blue velvet.  I plan to recover an ottoman with it.

I also scored this mirrored/faux bamboo frame for peanuts - a fun little project is planned.

Additionally, I am under the gun to complete the design for a bathroom renovation.  It's taking a long time, but should be well worth the wait.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?” 
― Ernest Hemingway 

Happy Spring

Winter is over!  While the season was rather mild it stills give me great thrill to bid adieu.  Hello season of cherry blossoms, and tulips, and lilacs, and peonies, and lily of the valley, and bright green grass, and warm sunshine, and gentle rain.  It's wonderful to see you again!

This dining room is the perfect space to host a "Welcome Back Spring" luncheon.  

Tria Giovan via

So pretty.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."  ~Mark Twain 

Wanderlust

Currently my thoughts resemble a flowchart.  We have quite a few big decisions to make and each is contingent upon another.  You know... that whole cause and effect theory.    With so many balls in the air, I'm feeling somewhat out of sorts.  What better way to get you back on track than a map. 

Binoculars, DC Baby Quilt, Book Box Set, Hey Hey Su Illustration, NYC Street Map,  Luggage, "Maps" Book, Camera  

If you happen upon detailed directions for life please send them my way. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Lovin'

This black and white striped porch ceiling! 

(Found this via Pinterest, but not sure who to give design or photo credit.)

This kitchen by CWB Architects.  The tile, cabinets, floors, stove, pocket doors, light fixture, dining table in the center of the room - I LOVE it all!!! To tour the rest of this amazing home click here. Thanks to Erin at Elements of Style for sharing!  

Anything chartreuse.

chartreuse necklace 

chartreuse skirt

chartreuse chairs

chartreuse fabric

Abstract oil paintings by Yangyang Pan. 

"Spring Garden"

Prints and originals of her beautiful work are available on Etsy. 

Fabulous fashion and attention to detail. 

Brian Atwood via

The spectacular Corinthian Club. If you have a few moments to spear take a virtual tour of this Glasgow  gem. 

Balloon shades.

via

via

Stephen Shubel's chic fisherman's cottage via Habitually Chic 

via  (from the same house as the amazing kitchen above.)

Vacation homes and ghost stools. 

Design by Munger Interiors

Dorthy Draper inspired design.

Visit Atlanta Homes Magazine to view the incredible inside. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“I don't want to make money, I just want to be wonderful.” ~Marilyn Monroe 

Going Green

Yesterday I declared my Irish pride and promised a collection of green items for the home. One mustn't have relatives from the Emerald Isle or be a card-carrying Rainbow Warrior to incorporate a touch o' green at home.  Go bold by hanging grasscloth wallpaper or dip your toe in the green pool by adding a pop o' color in the kitchen.  Either way you are sure to be lucky!

Art, Agate Plate, Clover Lamp, Espresso Maker, Glasses, Dragon, Ikat Pillows, Butterfly, Salt & Pepper, Mirror, Table, Sconce, Candle, Lamp, 

Pillow, Rug, Rug, Wallpaper, Atlas Pillow, Table Setting, Birdcage Chair

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"May your home always be too small to hold your friends." –Irish toast 

Luck Be A Lady

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays.  Possibly because it's the only day of the year when red hair is admired? Perhaps it's the camaraderie shared among pasty white, freckled people and the rest of the non-pigment impaired human race?   Perchance it's the gathering of family and friends in observance of our heritage?  While all of these ideas are good and true, I simply love St. Paddy's Day because it's all about libations and merriment!  

If you are unlike my family that has a bagpiper, dermatologist  and mixologist on call, here are some ways to incorporate a wee bit o' green in your life, without breaking out the light-up shamrock necklaces or "Kiss-Me I'm Irish" tee shirts.  

Umbrella, iPad Cover, iPhone Cover, Clutch, Shoe, Duffle, Book, Dress, Shorts, Skirt, Stripe Flat, Scarf, Camera Strap, Salve, Necklace, Earrings, Nail Polish 

Tomorrow, I will share some green ideas for the home.  (The color, not environmentally friendly items I'm afraid.)

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."
~ Oscar Wilde (One of my favorite Irishmen.) 

Lion King Birthday Party

Last week we celebrated my sweet little man's second birthday.  Roaring like a lion is his trademark sound, so naturally the party theme grew from there.  The celebration began with tickets to Disney's "The Lion King," followed by a small family celebration at home. 

 Typically I go slightly overboard when planning a party.  This year I kept it small and simple, resulting in one of my favorite birthday celebrations yet.  Imagine actually spending time with the birthday boy and our family.  The icing on the cake... the excitement and joy in his eyes! 

The menu included many of the birthday boy's favorites - veggies and dip, fruit, cheese and crackers, chicken nuggets, mac n' cheese made by Mimi, cookies made by Grandma, and, of course, a birthday cake.  If you can eat it with a toothpick, all the better. Little man is a grazer, hence the buffet for only 9 people.  

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy, who truly makes me laugh everyday!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.”  

~Mufasa, "The Lion King"

A Man After My Own Heart

Maximilian Sinsteden provides me with hope.  You see, I live in a house full of the opposite sex.  One of my concerns for the future is the lack of companionship.  That is, I worry my boys would prefer golf with Dad over fabric shopping with Mom.  Plus, I am hopeless when it comes to sports terminology and comprehension.  

Why am I optimistic?  Take a tour of this chap's dorm room.

 

Images via.

To read more about this dapper young man click here. 

Disclaimer for anyone that considers this selfish: I will certainly be at every match (or what-have-you) cheering my children on.  I will appreciate and cherish any amount of time my kids offer.   I simply wish that a small fraction of that time can be spent exploring something I am interested in. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this."  ~Mark Twain

Ocean House

After my "trip" to the West Coast, perhaps I shall pay a visit to Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Ocean House is the perfect haven to reacclimate myself to East Coast traditions and design.

Centerbrook Architects superbly restored this grand Victorian hotel.  Ah... luxury and the beach.  Is there a finer union? 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“A real building is one on which the eye can light and stay lit.”  ~Erza Pound