Spring Break

Hello friends,

I am off making memories with my family, as it is Spring Break. Mom is here visiting. Headed off to see the Cherry Blossoms in the District. Will have lots to post when I come back.

Here is a glimpse of what we will see this week...real life pictures to come...

See you in about a week!
Enjoy the view and as always, thanks for visiting.

Crisp White Slipcovers

As spring arrives and windows open

nothing is more inviting

than a crisp white slip covered piece of furniture to sink into

Here are some of my favorite finds on flickr:

I have an affinity for white slip covered pieces of furniture.
If you would like to see more white, check out this previous post.

Here is another inspirational slip cover post found on peardownliving.com.

You can find some pretty basic, affordable
white slip covered pieces at Ikea.

Here are some options...

White Slip covered Chaise


Chair


Bar Stool


Are you a slip cover person? Tell me about it...

As always, thanks for visiting.

Creating a Delightful Guest Room

Our First House Guest

As my family readies ourselves for our first house guest

we are abuzz with excitement

Grag is coming.
(that's my mom...
the lady honored in this post).

I want to make her stay as comfortable as possible.

Here are some things I think about when I have her or any guest over:

Make it personal:
My mom has an occasional sweet tooth.
What better way to combat that but with a Hershey Nugget
*see urn filled with those silver wrapped squares.

Mom also loves to sneak away and play Sudoku, easy edition.


Stock the space with simple delights:
water,
current magazines,
fresh linens


Make sure the bed has "good night's sleep" written all over it:
think thread count,
goose down
and billowy


Remember the little things:
Forget something?
No problem...
We gotcha covered


Create a luxury environment:
We've got a robe and slippers waiting for you.

Always finish up with fresh flowers:



What is something YOU do to make guests feel welcome in your home?

Inspiration of the Week: FOOD RULES

This is it, people!

Read it.
Live it.
Follow it.

I didn't even go to the library for this one.
Yes, I spent the big bucks.
($5 on Amazon)
It's worth it.

I first was introduced to this MUST HAVE book on an episode of Oprah.

I was mesmerized by what this guy was saying.
Simple.
Easy.
Doable.

I want to encourage all of you in blog-land to read this small book.
If you are at all interested in health,
what you put in your body

or living to last

you will want to take a look at this little gem of a book.

The premise?

7 little words

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.

That's it.

In our Western Society we dominate in
obesity
type 2 diabetes
cardiovascular disease

All of these are controlled by what we put in our mouths.
Am I on a soap box?
You bet.
Give me a sec and I'll finish up.

Here are some of my favorite "rules" to live by,
according to Michael Pollan:

2. Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.

6. Avoid food products that contain more than five ingredients.

7. Avoid food products containing ingredients
that a third-grader cannot pronounce.

13. Eat only foods that will eventually rot.

16. Buy your snacks at the farmers' market.

36. Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.

39. Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.

43. Have a glass of wine with dinner.

63. Cook.

64. Break the rules once in a while.



OK, I'm almost off that soap box now.

Living a simple, balanced life involves:

Exercising regularly (*see this previous post) and

Eating well.

It's important for us to live that simple life we strive for...

in style, of course.

Who's with me on this one?

Spring is Definitely Upon Us...

Remember when my posts looked more like this?

This is that same snow covered tree.

What a change.

I have to say, moving from the West Coast to the East Coast has brought many changes.
And although we supposedly had an historic winter,
it really wasn't bad. In fact, quite the opposite.
It was new.
It was intense.
It was exciting.

Now we are already into spring.
It's a bit of a rainy day, but the blooms are in full force.
The changes are beautiful, quick and wondrous.

I took a couple of photos this morning before the bulk of the rain.
This is what I found...

The blooms on our hydrangea bush off our front patio
letting us know they are coming...

the amazing view off one of our balconies

Since moving the east coast, this is becoming one of my favorite things...
The Seasons.

San Diego is beautiful...year round.
The four seasons are proving to be welcome change.

Next on the agenda,
checking out the cherry blossoms in the District.

I can't wait.

Thanks for stopping in.
Let me know YOUR thoughts on what the seasons mean to you...

Gregory Phillips Architects

Gregory Phillips Architects

Wow.

The wall size windows.
The interiors.
The simplicity.

Whether it is a million dollar city home or a stylish country retreat,
there is great use of indoor-outdoor space as well as a simplicity in design.

The interiors do tend toward the contemporary
but wouldn't it be fun to live so clutter free?

If these photos interest you, please take some time to check out his other projects.
You will not be disappointment.

It is a delightful getaway.

My favorite...those incredible glass wall sliders...to die for.

What time is dinner?

What do YOU think?

Thanks for visiting...

Favorites: Four Legged Friends

My goal with this blog is to promote good things.

Home Interiors.
Fashion.
Harmonious Family Habits...
All while keeping it simple.

One of those things, I believe, that enrich our lives,
actually extend it to be more precise, is being a dog owner.

Of course we all have our favorite breeds.
Mine just happens to be

The German Short-haired Pointer

Homer is our dog (pictured above).
He loves bananas, long walks and a good rub down.

He helps me to stay in shape, as he likes his daily walks.
He greets me when I come home.
He doesn't care how I look...make up or not.
He only requires one meal a day...
and it is the easiest meal of the day to prepare (scoop and pour)

Here are some more pictures of my favorite breed:

Okay, I also like Great Danes...

Leave comments:
What is your favorite breed?

Black Barn Vineyards

I absolutely love this site.

Black Barn Vineyards

This is a website that highlights a small vineyard
with 12 luxury resort accommodations on site
(only catch is...it's located in New Zealand)

They boast of wine tasting, Saturday morning growers' market,
and even evening concerts at the country amphitheater.

I encourage you to peruse the retreats and dream. It is delightful.
Don't forget to check out the fabulous veranda's overlooking the countryside...
perfect with your favorite book or a glass of wine.

Enjoy the view and let me know what you think.