Dine In

Well, I thought this blog deserved a post. So here are some pictures of some great eating spaces. 

Isn't this one so pretty? I picture it in the corner of an apartment looking out over Central Park...or someplace fabulous. 

Look at those windows all around!!!

This space is so pretty. I love the big yellow chair at the end.

 Again, a great chair. Cozy space.

 I love this! I've had this picture for a while and love it every time I see it. I picture a family with like 6 kids. Love the big room, the floor color, the big table, everything!

 I love the perfect blue wall. And the sconces. So classy.

Isn't this a fun place. It reminds me of the layout of my Granparents' old Florida condo, but not 80's decor. 

LOVE! Everything. 

 Great whites. 

Pretty and Sleek

 Love the floors. I also like how they pushed the table up against the wall for more space.

 Another one I've had for a little while. I always think this place would look great in the evening with those lights on. 

 Aside from a cat on my table I love this! One reason is because when we lived in Japan, my mom hung all these baskets all over the kitchen that looked like these. 

 Fun spot.

 Again...Lovely windows...and this technically doesn't look like a place to eat, because the table is so small, but I would put a big round table here and eat here. 

Hope you enjoyed.

For you Jen...

My friend Jen, (we've been friends since childhood), has a blog and she posted a fun questionnaire recently. She asked me to post my own answers...and since I love questionnaires and most people do...I thought I would take a whack at it. Her answers are fun, so go read hers too.

1)Residence: Illinois

2)Favorite fashion designers:  I don’t shop high end designers, but I like to look at them. Some of my favorites right now are Zac Posen, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein...pretty much any designer that’s simple but classy. I have a Michael Kors watch and Calvin Klein shoes and dress...but when I shop, I stick to a lot of the old standbys...JCrew, GAP, Loft, ZARA...now that you can shop online. yay!

3)Item of clothing you would never throw out: I throw out everything...eventually. I had one black pencil skirt from Talbots that fit perfectly and I wore for 10 years, but the back of the waist band started falling apart, so I finally got rid of that too. But the things I hold on to forever are basics...right now in my closet are my slingback snake print shoes, my pencil skirts, my black purse.

4)How would you define your personal style: Probably very boring from an outsider looking in...but it works for me.  I wear a lot of black, grey, navy, white, denim...and I don’t accessorize much. I have my old standby watch and maybe a scarf...and on a lazy day, my glasses.

5)What is your own fashion trademark: I don’t think I have one. I’m pretty basic. T’s, jeans, cardigans. Oh...I just remember my little red shorts that I wear all the time around the house. If you are any family member of mine...and a couple closer friends, you have had the honor (or terrible dishonor) of seeing me in them. They are super comfy and super little. Haha..nice mental image...but my family all makes fun of those little things, but I love them.

6)Favorite accessory:  I love Jen’s answer to this one, but since I don’t want to copycat, I will have to say my watch...because it goes with everything...and I can still wear it on a ‘fat’ day and not feel uncomfortable in it.

7)Favorite color: My favorite color to wear is black, my favorite color to decorate with is cream, my favorite color to accessorize with is yellow, and my new favorite color all around is a rich plum.

8)Favorite scent: My babies after they are bathed and have my favorite baby lotion on. I could sit and smell them for hours...or until one pukes on me.

9)What is your facewash: I change up a lot of things, but the one thing I haven’t changed since I hit puberty is my face wash. I have been a loyal to Amway customer in this area. If I look old before my time, I will not be a very good advertisement for them.

10) Makeup- Combo of Amway (foundation...because it’s so light), MAC, and whatever mascara helps these poor lashes the most.

11)Where do you get your hair done:  I gotta say I am not very loyal. It’s wherever they keep doing it right...as soon as they start getting lazy, I find a new place. Right now it’s Georgie and Camille’s.

12) Favorite Architect: Don’t have one. I am a fan of old...so someone who can give a new house some old house character and charm.

13)Favorite destination:Japan

14) Favorite discovery: Mr.Clean Erasers!

15)Favorite Hotel: The Westin in Porto Vallarta, Mexico where we spent our honeymoon.

16) Favorite Luggage: Probably Swiss Army, but I’ve never had anything else.

17) Most memorable Party: Whatever is the most recent. The most recent was not really a party, but we were with a party of people...at my cousin’s boyfriend’s band’s concert (a mouth full)at Joe’s in Chicago...good times.

18)When you can’t think of something to give a friend, what do you give? Cookbook, stationary, pretty napkins, etc.

19)Every lady has a vice: online browsing/shopping

20) Necessary extravagance: A weekend a way with the hubby.

21) Favorite movies: The Sound of Music, Ben-Hur, Lord of the Rings.

22) Favorite Cocktail: Kiddy Cocktail. Really. These are about the only ones I can handle. Otherwise I am out like a light.

23) Handwritten Thank you note or immediate e-mail? Either one...as long as it’s heartfelt.

24) If you have personalized stationary, where did you get it from? I don’t.

25) The True hallmark of modern elegance is: I was going to say gracious...but when I read Jen’s I loved it so much I decided to ditto hers...’Quiet Confidence mixed with Kindness’. 

Oliver is One

I know it's been a month since I posted last. 

I've been trying to figure out if blogging adds to my life, or adds another thing that 'wastes' time.

But until I figure it out, here is a post for those who want to see the boys.

My baby Oliver turned 1 a couple days ago! What fun he has brought to our family. He is semi-walking...takes steps from one thing to the next. Jabbers all the time and is constantly on the move. I think he senses every bathroom door that is open...one day I got him out of the toilet 4 times! After that, the doors are always left closed! 

 He is still spitting up daily. People told me when Will was a baby and spitting up, "Don't worry, they stop once they are sitting up more and crawling". Well, Will didn't stop spitting up until he was pretty much running...and I am afraid Oliver is the same way. I finally got my carpets professionally cleaned...maybe I thought if I did, that he would notice the clean carpets and decide not to puke on them. Gotta forgive this cute face.

This is what is usually going on in our house. Wrestling. Which they learned from their daddy. Such boys and loving almost every minute of it. 

Have a wonderful Thursday...or maybe I should say month. 

Piled High

Laundry...

I think out of all the chores in the house, laundry is the one most women complain about.

However, it's still fun to see a pretty laundry room.

Recently I was helping a friend with paint colors. She was saying that she wanted to paint a room in her house a color that her husband didn't like. I told her if she loved that color and wanted to use it somewhere...to paint her laundry room. No one sees your laundry room except you. (unless you have kids and a husband that do your laundry for you)

Another friend has orange washer and dryer...so fun.

It makes a mundane task a little less mundane.

Make your laundry room something you love (but maybe no one else appreciates as much). Just remember, you might have to repaint it if you decide to sell your house.

1. Isn't this such a pretty laundry room? I love that light.

2. Fun splash of color...notice the stereo on the shelf...she must rock out in her laundry room.

3. Pretty...and incredibly functional.

4. Simple.

5. One of my favorites...pretty color. Maybe she wanted to use it in her kitchen but wasn't brave enough, so she decided to put it in her laundry room.

6. Classic.

7. Wallpaper something. A cheaper way to use that beautiful (but expensive) wallpaper. You would need just one roll for this.

8a. Huge and pretty...most of us don't have laundry rooms like this, but it's still fun to see.

8b. The other half of the one above.

9. Elegant.

10. LOVE. Put your fresh flowers in your laundry room instead of the kitchen table...something cheery to great you every time you walk in.

11. Great space.

Get inspired with your personal space.

Fancy Floors

I don't have time to write today...so just enjoy the pictures!

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Traditional

Well, it took obviously took more than a weekend to completely recuperate...because it's Tuesday night already, and I am just now getting a post up. For those who asked, the boys are both so much better! Thank the Lord. When they are sick or crabby, that's when I am so glad we only have two kids.

So here is a post on the style of house Jarod and I always dream of building. Just so you know...Jarod and I always talk about building some day, but we have no plans in the near future to build...and maybe never will. So, just if you were curious, we just talk.

But if we had all the money and time to build, these are some dream looks we love.

1. This is my favorite. I just love it. We don't ever plan to build something this grand, but it's fun to look at.

2. Doesn't this one look like a house on an old plantation?

3. LOVE the front door!!

4. We love traditional.

5. Love the colors.

6. Such a pretty entry and the landscaping is so pretty!