I'm thinking about doing wallpaper...

in a couple of places. Like my bathroom and bedroom. Thoughts?

Check out this website  and this website. Gotta go wake up the kids for school. Love you! skt

Love this

This woman as so many of my decorating philosophys! oxox

Simplify

Today I sorted my craft room/office. After going through all the drawers and etc I was able to fill an entire big black trash bag with trash.

I threw away the French textbook I used in college and somehow determined to keep and then further determined to bring with me here as though learning one language would not be enough. It is currently in my paper recycle bin and I will sleep better because of it!

I threw out an old cold laminator I got at a yard sale that you can't find the laminator sheets for even if you live in the US by a Staples, let alone in Neufahrn, Deutschland.

I threw away a large bag of lava rocks from Furtaventura. I already have a cup full in a cute jar as a memory and I am freeing myself from trying to find a crafty purpose for the rest of it.

I threw away a basket (with sharply broken handle) and all the toys in it (save a very very few). Now that was satisfying. If the girls look in that black bag in the garage I will be in trouble.

I also have a bag of things to give to friends and things to sell. One room down and many more to go! We got the shipping bid last night and it will cost is almost $3,000, after TI pays their part, to ship a 20 foot container home. I have work to do! But I am embracing this moment as a chance to simplify!

Elaine St James would be so proud. ; )

Chick-fil-A

Do you miss Chick-fil-A? I must tell you, I'm not sure if I could leave the US because there are no international Chick-fil-A's. Sad, I know.

When you get home, we can go have yummy waffle fries.

All the Italian you need to know...

I've been home today with two sick kiddos--lots of opportunity to scour ebay.

I'm going through a jeans a jacket phase right now. Very casual jeans with a cute jacket (again, extra points for covering the muffin top.)

I've been looking for a Sgt. Peppers/band coat, and I haven't been able to find *anything* decent.  Here is one I like, 80s vintage, but it is made of rayon : (

Option number two is this adorable casual, cotton Moschino jacket with darling "flowers" made from snaps and clasps.

This is a Jil Sander wool drape. It is a little more sophisticated with nice double belt option. Great detailing. Probably more for fall and winter.

Next up: All the Italian you need to know-dolce, dolce, dolce. Here is a velvet Dolce and Gabbana coat. I in no way need this. But I sure would like it.
So, what is your vote?

New eBay Score

Remember my pink mid-century chandelier? I just won a matching sconce that is actually quite big (39 x 29 cm) for only 8.50 euros. I'll switch around a few of the pink crystals from the chandelier so the match. I think this will go on the wall in my pink tile bathroom. So fun!

So I'm still sorting & purging, but it's hard to pass up these deals!

How are things with you!

I am getting so excited about coming home and seeing you any time.

oxox

The Movers Survey!!

So this morning was the long awaited movers survey! I can't remember how much I told you about this. We reviewed our contract and TI will ship home X amount of goods and we cover the rest. So I had everything evaluated and I can just barely fit everything (well everything minus the bikes and other misc big things) in a 20 foot shipping container. This means I will have to really purge every corner of my house though. I am trying to look at the bright side of this! It is a chance to simplify and organize. I love/hate how moving makes you do that! Wish you could come help me!

It is snowing here. Some first day of spring! ; )

Love you Sally!

I redid my office

I reworked my office/sitting area adjacent to my bedroom to look like this. It is a lot more color than I am used to, but overall, I like it.

This week is spring break for us. Andrew was supposed to be off, but you know how that goes. So now instead of leaving, me and the kids are going to take day trips to some local spots. It works out a little better, since Andrew will start his vacation week on Thursday, and I will have him after the kids go back to school. I am planning to put him to work painting and planting.

I am picking out colors for my bath, back bedroom, and hall. I'll do another post of the colors I pick.

How is everything? Did you have fun on your vacation?

Ballet Camp

We are planning to do a ballet camp here. We have done it for 3 years now with a group of other girls (Sueann Geibler and Kelly Kelly's girls). I didn't see it on their web site yet, but the date is set for July is the 27th-31st. I thought it might be helpful for you since you will be looking to have all the girls engaged while you unpack. 

The only downside is that it is far from your house--Skillman and Walnut Hill.

SumFun

I've been working the phones this morning trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my little darlings all summer. I thought you might be interested in this place. 

Griffin has taken several art classes through this studio before. I really like it. I'm planning on enrolling Griffin in the summer long mudworks and Kennedy in the general art. I think if you call them and explain you are moving back to the states, they would allow you to join mid-summer and prorate the tuition. Talk to the owner, Barley. She is very, very  nice.

My day

Today I am cleaning like a mad fool. It feels good and I am taking my lunch break to play with you on this fun blog. : )

Company coming is always a good motivation to clean and Piper Turner and her two boys and her nanny are coming on Saturday. They will stay here through Thursday then they are caravaning with us down to Rovinj. We'd already planned a 'work' trip down there to do a few things to the flat before the spring/summer season and also to pick up a piece of art we had commissioned that is our Christmas present to each other.

That sounds so fancy. Really we both fell in love with this painting and did not get it. Then when we decided we needed to, it was gone. So we talked to the artist and she said she'd make us a new one. You can't really tell from the picture but the white rain is with heavy white (oil) paint and feels a bit three-d. I can't wait to get it. I think it will go in the foyer when we get home, the first thing you see when you walk through the front door. And remember that 50's buffet I found on the side of the road & painted black last summer? I think that will go under it against the wall.

Jason & I never agree on art. It's kind of a joke. I love anything with a chicken or a cow or a bird and he loves, well his tastes vary and I cannot predict what he will or won't like. But we both loved this one so we'll see.

Anyway, Piper and family will play with us in Rovinj for the weekend and then we'll drop them off in Triest, Italy where they are taking a train to Rome and then Florence. Should be fun though I think she would have had more fun with her husband verses the nanny, but I guess he could not get off work.

Ok - back to work for me! Love to you Sally! You are right, 16 weeks are going to go by so fast!

To bid or not to bid...

That is the question.

I have two shirt that end in the next 36 hours. Tell me what you think of each. 

This one is cute and pretty versatile. Mui Mui.

I love the shape of this--it is Marni and I know it will fit like a dream, but I'm not sure about the color (It isn't my typical neutral palette) and I'm worried I won't wear it enough to justify the price....but it's soo pretty. I think I could wear this with skinny jeans rolled up and flip-flops? What do you think?

o yea! and let's give it extra points for hiding my muffin top.

The pillow case

Remember my back bedroom? I think it needs a pillow update. My current pillow has two giant starfish.

I've been lusting after this linen Thomas Paul pillow with octopus to continue the ocean theme. What do you think?

New Shoes

Wow! I have really big feet don't I? I know, you will say it is b/c I am tall, but the fact remains that they are skis! I probably shouldn't give the side shot.

Anywoo, I found these Kate Spades in my fave consignment shop. They are made from a roughed up burlap and silver sequins. Today was warm and sunny, so I had a chance to wear them around for awhile.

I'm having so much fun sharing stuff with you on our blog! Why didn't we do this long ago? It makes me feel like the time difference doesn't have such an impact on us anymore. Love you! skt

Score

32 euros

45 euros

I just won both of these on eBay. I love eBay, have I told you that lately! And I love that I have very few people who compete with me on (some) of these auctions! I am thinking the chandelier for the foyer? And possibly the sconce on the wall in the foyer too. But maybe it will look off not being a pair.

Also, I got in the pink crystal chandelier in the mail today. It is fabulous and a lot bigger than I envisioned. That whole centimeter thing; I never estimate right. But it is amazing and will be great in the bathroom.

I am off to bed too tired even though it is not quite 9 pm! Love you Sally! This blog is so fun. Less than 16 weeks until D-day. Meet me at Cheuy's July 16th? : )

For my future beach house

Isn't she dainty?

Lovely baths/cool tiles

These bathroom floors reminded me of the tiles you showed me for your front entry.

Sleeping Hammock

I've racked my brains, but I can't find a place in my yard for this!

Genesis Thrift Store

Today I ventured out to a local thrift store, Genesis. It is a store that benefits a local women's shelter. I scored this perfect white nightgown and a little satin and sequin gypsy skirt for Kennedy. A long time ago you told me that skirts last many seasons for little girls. This was great advice--I've also found this to be true.

I bought the nightgown for its great detailing. I had never heard of the brand before--Porthault. I googled it and it is apparently a European brand. Have you ever heard of it over there?

Kennedy was with me, so I succumbed to purchasing a pink and purple unicorn along with a My Little Pony Book. I'm telling myself that it is all for a good cause, right?

Consignment scores

Back of Marni shirt:

Front, with pockets on side!!!


O.K. If I have one story like this, I have a hundred.

Last year, my sweet husband (god bless him!) wanted to redeck the attic for additional storage. (As an aside, I don't need additional storage, HE does!) I told him he needed to shift through and purge all his junk that was up there before he did that. 

Logical, non?

Since I don't keep anything in the attic, I felt he couldn't hurt anything and left him to his devices.

When I was searching for a pair of flip-flops recently, Andrew came clean: in his furry to clean the attic he accidently gave all my summer clothes to Goodwill. oops!

Alright, I had *one* thing in the attic. My summer clothes. Yep, all of them.

I wish I could say I was upset, but he felt so bad and Andrew is so sweet that I couldn't be mad. So, I am taking this opportunity to re-invent my wardrobe into my new, older, more mature mom phase. I've decided there are a lot of things I can pull-off now that I have the confidence of an "older" woman.

I want to get out of mommy uniform and slacker beach wear (hmmm..maybe not out, just less) and into more real adult wear.  I feel like I am at a point in my life that I have the time to take care of nicer things. Not everything needs to be wash and wear. I would like it to be casual, but with flair. I am also going to do all this through thrift, consignment, Goodwill, ebay, etc. 

I have a few designers I have been stalking on ebay, but until now I never felt I could pull it off. Vivienne Westwood, Marni, Dries Van Noten, Prada, and Rick Owens. o! and Chloe.

So, here are my first two scores from a consignment shop. The greige top is Marni--it doesn't photograph well, but it is beautiful. Lovely drape and graceful fit. It even has pockets! The second is Prada and is super soft. It has a funky, deconstructed shift shape. 

Thanks for indulging my inner fashionista. Back to regular programming.

Coolest. Thing. Ever.

This is beautiful! If you see another one, will you let me know? This is perfect for a little girl.

I'm in mourning for your ebay bookcase : ( I think it would be smart to hold the library project and just find some fab furniture. You can always have cabinetry built wall-by-wall, along the way at different times. New windows would be smart, but they are so, so crazy $$$. Have you had them priced out?

Library.....to do, or not to do (now)

So, I LOVE the idea of the library and am going to have the carpenter bid the job. How much do you think that will cost? Jason thinks it could be pretty pricey.

If instead I bought a showstopping piece of furniture like the one I showed a picture of but nicer, then I could always do the project later and could save the money now. I wonder if doing all the windows might be a better use of our money. If they were wood windows like your house, I'd not do this. but they are 50's aluminum and the curtains all but rustle (with the windows closed) on a windy day.

BTW, the picture I send you of the book case, I won for 1 euro. I'm telling you there are deals here!!! The lady said the piece was in Munich, but it's actually at her parents and 5 hours away, so even though I won it, I'll not go get it. BUT, there are other similar pieces, and ones I've liked much more that go up for auction. So, it's worth pondering.

But, I will still bid the job so I can see what we are dealing with.

Speaking of beautiful linens...

You will love this. Maybe you can read this too.

GIrls Upstairs Bath

Food for thought: Super-girlie pink and white!

Brown and white love

I saw this room and fell in love with brown and white. I think it would be great for you to do.

And slipcovers....sheer love. I redid my front room in brown and white for the spring:

Here are a few more pics that inspired me to do brown and white. I'm loving all these shell mirrors. I just got one for by mantel. The second shot is for a brown and white bathroom. The towel is adorable.

Just for fun....

Thought you & Lisa would get a kick out of these videos Jason took outside of the Louvre. : ) In the second video I'm glad it did not catch me screaming to the girls to 'get over here!' ; )

Banquets

Good to know about the banquets on Craig's list, but I think these might have to be custom. It's a pretty specific space because of the window and the distance to the wine frig and the beadboard already there. Also, I'm thinking something very simple and just a bench, with the back as beadboard.

Rethinking the library

So, I was talking to a friend who told me about a guy in Munich (who speaks perfect English) and has a van and will pick up anything you want and deliver it for 35 an hour. THIS IS HUGE!!! I've been limited in my furniture acquisitions by what I can fit in my van. I've looked into renting a van here and it's like 185 euros for 1/2 a day.

This has gotten my wheels turning.

On eBay there are these bookcases like this picture. I could buy something like this and use it in the library and not spend the money on the walls of bookcases (which could make the room feel too small). This frees up money to spend on the bathroom(s) or doing all the windows. I'd love to redo all the windows because that could go a long way in reducing our energy bills.

Dreaming of house paint

I think it will be too much $ to repaint our house now, especially since it really does not need it. But I love this house's paint choices from our trip to Strasbourg! Wish the picture was better! Cream with brown trim and minty green shutters.

Conversion

I think you're love of white is rubbing off on me. : ) Lisa & I were talking about how white linen wears like iron and so I've started hunting for it here. I've won a huge bolt of antique white linen on eBay and plan to have slip covers made with it.

Then at the local flea market yesterday I found a fabulous score of antique white flat twin sheets - I think they are linen, but a very fine weave. THEY WERE ONE EURO EACH!! And I want to repurpose them as curtains.

Remember that photo of our bedroom? Look at the cornice boards above the window. I want to have my carpenter make them for the two bedrooms on the second floor and I'll put these white curtains there too.