The French Teacup

Resilient and Still

2011-12-02T13:06:00.001-08:00

After frantically pulling together three photographs that capture what truly resides in my memory of our Ireland travels for an exhibit, I was heartbreakingly reminded of the beauty of it all. Then it dawned on me...I hadn't written a word about our latest trip here on The French Teacup, home of the wanderlust and dreams that linger in my mind like whisps of fog after an early morning rain. They just hang there; and instead of tending to them, I tend to ignore them -- an unhealthy decision on all counts.

So I've pulled a few pictures. These are a little more true to what resonates within me when I think about Ireland; and from that I get the saddest tugging of a homesickness that I've only ever felt when pining for England. Maybe it will be the place we wind up after all.

The thing I really adore and am mesmerized by with these photos is how exemplary they are of Ireland's overall resilience and the still that you find around every corner, a calming of the soul that for this American traveler is not only necessary but vital. We never slow down. Every day, every moment is owned, borrowed or stolen by people, things and obligations around us. In Ireland, you can actually feel the air stop...and then start again. It's a peace unlike any other, something not easily forgotten.

More later; I'm a fervent believer in re-travel.

My view from a city bus. Even a hectic street finds its solidarity in the calm of Ireland.

Christ Church, Dublin. Never ending archways leading you where? To your Heaven?

Modern Museum of Art, Dublin. From the courtyard, in the dead of day, appears to be a beautifully kept but altogether abandoned building. It was the exact opposite inside where every gallery offered something different from mixed media to digital art. The juxtaposition of the new and old? Enchanting.

When I think of all that is "resilient and still" from coast to coast in Ireland, it's not the castles or the old gents in plaid caps and wool sweaters that I think of. It's things like this, a flower cart on busy Grafton St. in Dublin. Nestled between all the shops, bars, and locals trying to navigate amongst a sea of tourists, are these beautifully manicured flower carts saturated in color. It's like finding an decadently dressed angel in an alleyway.

Our view from our hotel in Limerick. I believe I counted 10 crosses in the skyline, like a veil of protection hovering over the city.

Also from our hotel in Limerick: a courtyard mural, a cozy table for two and nothing but complete silence. Looks like a doorway into an magical forest whose guardian is temporarily off his post.

Americana in the middle of Clifden, itself a timeless town over pouring with the spark of life.

Roundstone, the most picturesque village in the country. It reminds me of a rainbow as it is about to fade out of the sky.

Windows into another time in Cong, Co. Mayo. I love that not everything has to be perfect, repainted, refurbished, shiney or laden with advertisement. It's perfect in its imperfection.

And this is just perfect in its perfection. Ashford Castle Grounds, Cong. A watercolor of a fairytale.

Doorways are artwork all over Ireland. This one, in Kilkenny, sits on the hillside leading up to St. Anne's Cathedral whose gray and gothic presence makes colors like these look like unexpected flowers on cracked, black sidewalks.

Moat's entrance, Kilkenny Castle. I'm still rather amazed by how this worked (and for what reason it existed) when the moat was actually full. But in the grandiosity that is the Kilkenny Castle, this medieval door stands alone and apart like a forgotten stranger who once had a purpose.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. And the angels, they do sing.


Trinity College, Dublin; a view shading the Book of Kells. It's as if they couldn't contain the Book, although under lock and key, and it broke free in the night only to meet its demise against the thick glass panes of an old Irish window.

Oh Dear Lord

2011-10-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Remember how in love and googoo I was about this lovely cottage we moved into? Yeah, well I'm at that phase of "new home"-ness where for the most part I'd like to strike a match and take this sucker down. Extreme? Perhaps. But of all the old houses I've lived in (G-d, why did I have to inherit this trait?), this one is definitley the most challenging.

Since we've moved in we have had plumbing issues (still continue unto this day as the angry author hears the not so silent murmur of the water running continously in the wall of the bathroom), a lovely ant problem, a front yard that houses probably 150 moles and is so porous that I'm often times afraid to walk through it for fear of sinking, and a septic tank issue that I don't even want to get into.

Still, the house is cute and it's home; so I roll with it. This weekend we are really challenging ourselves to reinvent this space since purchasing some new furniture and getting ready for the following: a visit from the 18 year old rockstar stepson and a new baby. Or as I like to call it: removing-all-the-shit-from-the-third-bedroom-so-that-someone-could-actually-walk-through-it day. Yeah, it's a party over here.

Maybe I'll post some pics when it's all said and done but for now, just pray for me. Pray that I do not get squished by the Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams chaise that is standing, no teetering, on it's side almost touching the ceiling and in the middle of the living room; pray that I do not get lost in the growing pile of trash that is consuming our kitchen as we realize that we have yet again moved a bunch of crap we wholeheartedly do not need now or ever; pray that I do not take advantage of said porous front yard by digging a trench for my beloved husband who no doubt will wind up taking the brunt of my frustration over this domestic project from hell; and pray that I get it done. By tonight. Because I have to go to work. Tomorrow. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

Tales from a Little House

2011-07-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Since this blog has turned into more of an ode to Ireland than anything else as of late, I've decided to use it to also chronicle a new adventure in our life which I will lovingly call "Tales from a Little House."

Yes, we moved. Again. Since the birth of my son 7 years ago, we have moved 6 times. I am pretty sure this warrants a full head examination on my part but I've been prone to continuous movement from an early age so I don't know what to tell you. There's a reason people have called me Tinkerbell over the years (and I can assure you they rarely mean it fondly); it's more because I can't sit still.

Well, that will certainly change a bit with this new move. We've committed to two years in this spot and honestly, it's kind of exciting. I don't feel a mad rush to make every corner perfect like I normally do (ok, I have to admit most of the house was "done" within a month) but I'm taking my time and picking out new things, old things, different things and redefining our living space.

Little house? Essentially we live in a cottage. And it's perfect. The perfect size; huge lovely green yard full of old trees and clover; hardwood floors throughout; big picture windows; and although I've only got a galley kitchen that also acts as the laundry room, I've got butcher block countertops and an authentic farm house door where the sunlight just pours in. It's kind of adorable. We have a park at one end of our street and a huge plantation at the other. Too boot, and this is a major bonus in my book, because it's a cottage and therefore small, it takes me about an hour and a half to clean it from end to end! Oh hoorah! Oh rapture!

Of course, taking on a cottage that was built in 1946ish has it's challenges as well. One of which is I don't have a ton of wall space which is problematic given my penchant for oversized art. Sadly, some pieces will go for sale and some will have to find a home in the attic. Currently, we've got all of our favorite pieces up but because they are so large and the house so small...well you see where I'm going with this. I need some balance, right?

One of our many goals post-marriage was to get rid of all of our reproduction art and just buy originals. We are up to seven, not including what my brilliant and talented husband has created himself. So, yeah, we have a lot of work to do.

What I'm thinking, to balance pieces like my enormous Tamara de Lempicka, is to showcase new and old findings in various frame sizes grouped all around. For example, this is what I've done in the bedroom so far:

A collection of vintage bags, Man Ray photographs, and paintings bought on the Seine, it still needs some fill in.

I'm taking inspiration from places like The Quay House where we are staying on this year's trip to Ireland once we reach Clifden:

And this shot I found on Decor Happy:

Or these I found at I Spy Pretty:

And of course some inspiration comes from the hub's and my favorite designers, the Novogratzes:

My plan is to fervently search Etsy, online, in old bookstores and vintage shops for frameable art and see where this goes. I've already found a few things I'm in love with:

Bianca Gomez at Poster Cabaret

This quirky bike rider from Orange Optimist on Etsy

This is from Cocodeparis, also on Etsy:

I also really love the work of Charley Harper; he is definitely one of our favorites. His use of color and shape was really beautiful and unique.

(p.s. I am super in love with this color combination right now: red and pink with a bit of white or even orange. Love!)

And although my husband finds the following both strange and disturbing, my love for all things fairy tale, magical and whimsical make me a big fan. I'm going to try to sneak one or two in when he's not looking. Art by Daniel Merriam:

More art-dreaming to come! I've got a lot of space to fill afterall.
xoxo,
kvlm

On the Edge of the Atlantic

2011-01-12T21:06:00.001-08:00

As promised, a little Aran Islands for your mid-week. We actually toured Inishmore which is the island farthest west in the chain that sits just outside of Galway and believe me when I say traveling there for the day will leave you enchanted, enthralled and exhausted.

It's no easy feat getting out to the islands. You have two options. This:

Or this:

Did I mention that we were crossing the Atlantic? From a rather windy set of cliffs? Ok, well you can see where I'm going with this. I don't believe in baby plane-lets and luckily no one I was with did either so we picked the boat of course. Well we took a bus for an hour to get to the dock and then we sailed, rather smoothly, across the Atlantic. I would like to say we returned on those same smooth waters but as anyone who has been at sea will tell you, the water has a mind of its own. The return trip to the mainland would have normally turned me on my head it was so rocky but I was so spellbound by the Arans, it didn't really matter. (hmmm...maybe I should move there.)

At any rate, the Arans are so very untouched. All of the locals speak Gaelic and getting around the island is pretty primitive as well depending on the mode of transport you pick. Of course we wanted it as old school as possible and chose the horse and buggy. Sadly, the beautiful horse and buggy we chose (below) wasn't for all of us. I eventually got booted to a buggy full of strangers (well, 3 to be exact) because our horse was a young one and really would have rather laid down on the side of the road than pull the lot of us. To entice her, we lightened her load and were on our way.

The Arans pretty much speak for themselves in beauty, wordless whispers of ancient days gone by float by you so softly as if a hundred feathers are brushing against you at once.

The houses alone looked like something out of a dream...

Going to the cliffs are a must. There is very little in this world that will make you feel quite as amazing and yet so very small than standing on the cliffs of Inishmore. We climbed the rocked strewn path to one of the Aran's more famous sites, Dun Aengus. Dun Aengus is a prehistoric fort that has been dated back to the 2nd century B.C. and sits nearly one mile above the Atlantic's rocky waters. In other words, don't stand too close to the edge...but do go close enough to feel the wind push you back to reality.

The stone lined pathway is the path up to the fort.
Yes, it's long. But so worth it.

One of my favorite things about Inishmore, and Ireland in general, is the religious imagery. Although I'm Jewish (and we did visit the Jewish Museum in Dublin), I find a lot of beauty and power in religious imagery. Not just because of what it stands for to the religion it represents, but because it reminds me that we all believe in a greater power, regardless of how we define that. It inspires me; at it's base, it is hope and faith and those two things resonant around every corner you turn in Ireland.

By far my favorite BVM we saw on the whole trip. The husband warned me that a lot of locals use the BVM statues as directional points and so I should therefore get used to hearing her called the BVM (no, Blessed Virgin Mary did not even dawn on me when he started this lesson). It's not untrue -- she is everywhere. But this one, tucked so delicately away, really left an imprint.

There's a peace there that's intoxicating. I'm hoping on our next visit we can stay over night on Inishmore -- there is so much more we have to see. Taking the horse and buggy is perhaps the more organic approach to sight seeing on the island but you don't cover nearly as much ground.

When you factor in 3 hours in the buggy plus the nearly 2 hours climbing to and around Dun Aengus, the (almost) hour on the rough waters back to the dock plus another hour in the bus to return to Galway, a b&b on the island sounds pretty enticing. Regardless of the roosters and chickens parked under their windows. I'm pretty sure Ireland preps you to sleep through just about anything.

More Ireland to come...
xoxo,
kvlm

A Love Letter to Ashford

2011-01-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

About that castle...

Stay Four: Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo

After roaming the country for nearly six days, four weary travelers finally found (after driving around the approximately four streets of Cong for half an hour) their grand reward and it was Ashford Castle (you really have to say that in a dramatic, theatrical trailer tone of voice for ultimate impact).

Seriously, being at Ashford is like slipping into some sort of cut in the time/space continuum where nothing is either real nor fake, broken nor perfect, happening but not. Yes, it's much like a dream. Driving across the stone bridge is much like crossing over into a twilight-lit bubble where nothing bad can happen anywhere in the world. Maybe I'm romanticizing it a shade into overkill territory but to me this is no exaggeration. The woods? Medieval. The lough? Crystal. The suite? Divine. The falconry? Unimaginable. Every second? Memorable.

Ashford Castle was built in the 12th c by the O'Connor family before later being taken over by the de Burgo family in the following century. The de Burgo's held it until the late 16th c when they lost it in a battle to the English Bingham family. In the early part of the 18th c, the castle was taken on by the Oranmore and Browne families and the french architectural style of the time used in its additions. By 1852, the castle had another new owner -- the Guinness family -- who added two large Victorian style extensions. The castle was later retained as a trust of the country before being bought in the early 1900's and used as a first class hotel for the first time. It was fully restored in the 1970's and purchased in 1985 by a group of Irish-American investors. Ashford is now considered one of Europe's 50 top resort properties.

A wall of photographs of famous politicians, diplomats, actors and athletes line the wall directly across from a well-hidden gift shop and business office. It's easy to see why Ashford would be a favorite for anyone visiting Western Ireland who may not want to give up the luxuries to which their lives have grown them accustomed. Well that certainly is not us, but I can tell you the splendor of Ashford is definitely something I could get used to.

Ashford sits on Lough Corrib, one of the largest lakes in the country. It has over 300 islands in its waters; the lough's presence makes for an even more peaceful and restful experience for the castle's guests. There's an award-winning golf course just across the bridge, two restaurants, two full service bars, a dungeon pub, whiskey in every suite, horseback riding, the aforementioned falconry (which still feels like a fantasy), clay shooting, boating, walled Victorian gardens, and miles and miles of walking to lose yourself in.

Here's a small dose...

Entrance

The oldest wing of the castle. Dad's room is the top two floors on the right (the window covered in ivy). The top floor is a sitting room. Amazing.

The entrance coming across the stone bridge -- and, yes, over the moat.

Ashford Castle from Lough Corrib

Close-up of Dad's suite

Cullen's Restaurant -- best times here
Foot of the lough from behind the castle; breathtaking, truly. Besides Loch Ness, Lough Corrib may be my favorite body of water on the planet.
You can tell the architectural difference in this part of the castle and the previous picture. Obviously one of the expansions.
View from our window in the lounge.
One of the many beautiful things about Ashford is its grounds. On a whiskey and wine accompanied walk through the woods, we discovered this old boat house.

Again, from the lough.
Stairways like these pop out of nowhere and lead you deep into medieval woods that surround the castle.
Leading into the lobby; reception is very friendly and they will book all of your activities for you. Reception for this massive hotel is literally two normal sized writing desks, two phones and...honestly...I don't remember even seeing a computer.
Another entrance way that popped out on us out of nowhere. It led from the edge of the woods back up to the castle main.
Quite possibly my favorite shot -- through the magical trees of the woods.
View from the deck on Innisfree in Lough Corrib of the surrounding residences.
The Lough. Even though it was raining and there was hot coffee beneath deck, many of us chose to remain up top. It was like being allowed to see a small piece of heaven.
Corrib is so amazingly beautiful and serene -- we felt like we'd been shown something really quite extraordinary that you maybe get once in a life time. I think we all shed a tear or two at how remarkable it was. And to think, people live here and get to see this every morning when they wake up. I wonder if they feel the same way about it as we do now.
The Innisfree parked safely back into its dock just under our suite's window. The captain of the boat grew up by Ashford and knows the lough's history better than anyone. The cruise is definitely worth your time and money.
Ashford is most enchanting at twilight.

The sky is neither pink nor purple over Lough Corrib when the sun goes down -- it is both, simultaneously. And when the sun is completely gone and you can no longer can see the water, the woods fall completely still, and somewhere you can hear the faint twinkle of glasses and the sparkle of laughter, that's when you fall in love the most. It feels quite a bit like you are floating in a parallel universe, the absence of light pollution and not to mention the absence of noise. It's no wonder we were all completely relaxed by the time we had to pile back into our rental car. By the last day, even the ghosts wandering the hallways gave us no cause for alarm. We were rested, beyond well fed, well taken care of, and pained to leave Ashford...

but with every intention to return.

kvlm

Stay Ireland!

2010-12-29T18:16:00.001-08:00

As we move on to the cusp of the new year, I thought it only appropriate and timely to lament over our travels from four months ago. What can I tell you? The nostalgia for the year going by starts early with me. Plus, I've had nary a second to chronicle the traipsing we were able to accomplish across the Green Isle in just ten days! And let me tell you, we did a lot! I certainly do not believe in wasting time when traveling and luckily that wasn't on any one's to-do list. I can be still when I'm dead, right? Right!

Let's start with one of the most important facets of travel to any one country, city, seaside, what have you...lodging. From hostels, to motels, to inns, to bed and breakfasts, to home stays, to hotels or full-blown resorts or castles, you can pretty much find anything to suit you in Ireland. In ten days, we experienced four very different but wonderful venues between Dublin and Galway.

First Stop: Central Hotel Dublin

Suite (Yes, the bed takes up almost the entire space and yes this photo was taken after I'd thrown myself on the bed from exhaustion after a very long trip!) Hotel Entrance
Library Bar
Grand Staircase

Let's start with the obvious here: Central Hotel is, well, pretty centrally located to all you might want to see and do on your first trip to Dublin. It's a quaint place with some great features and some true oddities. Our room was a two-room suite facing the side of the hotel's entrance. We loved that we could hear the rumble of the city by merely cracking our window an inch.

Until 4 a.m. hit and then the street sweeper and recycling trucks started roaring in their attempt to clean up the very busy bar and restaurant area we were a block from. Luckily, the Pharma on the corner sells ear plugs.

Did we get used to it? Not entirely but we got over it; and luckily we were so exhausted at night we could typically fall right back to sleep after being awoken by what sounded like 7,869,478 glass bottles being dumped into one bin. Go green indeed.

What we loved about Central Hotel was the staff, the restaurant and the surrounding restaurants and shopping. All of the desk staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. The restaurant served either continental or a full Irish breakfast every morning and although I do not like black pudding, I got quite used to eating an Irish Breakfast. Price? Good for what you are close to. Would I stay there again? Well, we actually did on our way back in to Dublin to catch our flight. It felt like going back home as we opened our windows and leaned out over a busy street but I think next round we'll try something a little less central to the bar scene.

I will say that if you stay here, make time to pop into the Old Stand for a drink, try The Bistro for dinner, and have brunch at Powerscourt after you shop their 4 floors of merchants. Definitely worth it! Oh, and definitely make time to hit Avoca. All within walking distance.

Second Stop: Park House Hotel, Galway

Beautiful flower boxes line all the windows

Restaurant/Bar

Grand Staircase Part Deux

Reception

The Park House Hotel in Galway isn't terribly easy to find unless you are familiar with the city (and the husband is so...little tricky). And the front facade of the hotel doesn't really lend itself to the quality of the hotel overall. However, after many times around Eyre Square and after many trips down oddly placed streets, finding the Park House Hotel was well worth the scavenger hunt!

Now I mentioned that the facade isn't anything necessarily to write home about, but the opposing side of the building, where you actually park and are greeted by valet, is quite breathtaking. All of the windows are lined with spring colored flowers, the oak doors of the building shine in the sun, and the politeness of all the staff is quite overwhelming.

Reception and all of the restaurants are classically designed and features such as these lobby sculptures really make you feel like Park House is much more than just a hotel. It's a haven.

The rooms second that notion. Our room was impeccable, had a grand foyer at the entrance, a bathroom stocked with Molton Brown bath products and a bath tub that I am pretty sure screamed my name from the second I stepped one travel weary toe onto the marble floor of the foyer. I loved it.

The rooms were quiet and cozy, the bar was fully stocked, the food was awesome, and even the vases and vases of Easter Lily's which normally send my allergies into over drive, did not phase me a bit. I would definitely stay at Park House again and absolutely plan to! Bonus: it's immediately off Eyre Square and a short walk to Shop Street! And make sure you take time for the Arans. It takes up an entire day; and likely will take up an entire post here at some point.

Stop Three: Ballynahinch Castle, Recess, Connemara, Co. Galway

Innkeeper's Home

The Owenmore Restaurant
above and below

Hydrangea-laden pathways

View from the river

On the Castle Trails

From the Trails

Entrance to Reception

View from steps outside our rooms

Again, on the trails

From our room

Inn Keeper's House

Suite

View on the drive in

"Gatehouses" located on either side of property

Reception

Guest Book & Key

Lobby and Library

If my posting this many photos doesn't give you some indication of how I feel about Ballynahinch Castle then I've missed my mark. Looking at these photos now, four months later, makes me appreciate it all the more. Haven is understatement; heaven is more like it.

Ballynahinch is a quiet castle that doesn't have any need for pretense. It's the exact place you want to go if you need to de-stress, decompress, spend time together, or marvel at the simplicity of nature. It is not the kind of castle that needs to over indulge as it is quite indulgent on its very own.

A gorgeous property in Connemara Park (one of the most beautiful spots on Earth without question), Ballynahinch is minutes from Roundstone and Clifden and only a little over an hour outside of Galway. We were able to find it quite easily driving in from Galway and enjoyed the countryside on the way.

Having never stayed in a castle, none of us were quite sure what our expectations were or should be. But to say we fell in love by the end of that first day would be a lie; we fell in love at check-in when the skeleton keys on leather tags were placed into our hands.

Ballynahinch has a pub and a full-service restaurant that definitely warrant more than just a mention. If I were a food critic, I'd write them a love letter. We were a little late for lunch and sat down in the pub just as food service had ended. However, they were more than obliging to make whatever we wanted and brought us plates and plates of food. I dare say their take on egg salad, chopped full of unexpected veggies, was the best I'd ever had.

Overmore Restaurant may actually be the utopia of all food consumption. Is that laying it on a bit thick? Well it's true. And it should be -- given our dinner for four cost more than my car insurance does for a year. We were treated to five courses complete with wine and intermezzo that literally made me flush with happiness. The dessert was so exquisite, I almost hated to eat it. But resisting coconut mousse filled chocolate egg-shaped cups is not something I can willingly do.

So let's talk about the room. Gorgeous. As if I'd stepped back in time; I quite honestly felt a bit like a queen. The floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river were insanely romantic as were the canopied beds, velvet furnishings, and plush spa-like en suites. I will warn you, the water comes from the river so taking a bath in slightly colored water shouldn't alarm. A hot bath after a big dinner is a must.

The property with all of its trails and temptations to get lost are something I will not soon forget. I have never been so relaxed in my entire life as I was at Ballynahinch and I can only hope that I'm lucky enough to one day find my way back there.

Oh, and if you go, make sure to make time for Kylemore Abbey on the way. They aren't far apart and the Abbey is just an extension of the heaven.

Stay Four: Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo

In an effort to give Ashford the full attention it so richly deserves, I'll postpone stay four for my next post. Hopefully I'll do it justice; hopefully I did Ballynahinch justice. Now, having written this, I can see how very blessed we were to take this trip and how very ready I am to go back to Ireland. Right NOW!!!!

Until tomorrow...another day, another castle.

xoxo,

kvlm

Love Affair with Plaid

2010-11-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

In Nashville, it seems we essentially skip right over autumn and head straight into winter temps. I don't have much of a problem with this given my penchant for cold weather clothes, toasty fire-lit living rooms and all things holiday. Particularly, outside of a good pair of knee-high leather boots, what I crave in the fall/winter (TN hybrid) is plaid. I am mad for plaid!

Traversing this not-so-mild admiration in my collective memory, I realized it probably (initially) was sparked by my mom. First, there was the black and red plaid circle skirt (paired of course with knee high boots) and then there were the Christmas elves (remember the ones in the '70's that were equally scary as they were cute?). That spilled over into kilts with navy school blazers complete with gold crest, crisp white shirts, knee high socks and braids for me in elementary school (no, it wasn't a private school...it was the '80's). And then on into my teen years (the misunderstood years, if you will) when my sister lived in Hell's Kitchen and bought this divine wool plaid cape off the street. I pined for that cape for many years.

The pinnacle of plaid madness was undoubtedly my 27th birthday spent in Scotland. Talk about going right to the source of your obsession. I came home with multiples of the same tartan in different cuts of wool -- one of which my soon to be seven year old inherited.

This wasn't really meant to be a fashion blog (seeing as how I have a blog for that) but it was inspired by the purchase of an aqua, black and white wool felt 1960's circle skirt over the weekend from a local vintage shop. And then later inspired by (dear Lord) all the Christmas decorations already in place all over town! Hey, at least I'll get my plaid fix in all the swaths of red plaid bows and table decor throughout the mall. Nashville has a lot of great vintage stores though (to be covered soon) and certainly was not lacking in the plaid home decor department (which is how this wound up here and not here).

Equally as present this holiday season are scads and scads of books on the recently departed, incredibly brilliant, Alexander McQueen who could do plaid like no one else in history. A sample of what he gave, what we'll miss...

Granted we don't all have a couture budget so I took the liberty of finding the very best of plaid available on Etsy. Totally affordable, totally chic. Again, I wasn't trying to go the fashion route...there are plenty of plaid outlets in other mediums. For example this fabulous lunch box that would really work well to store my husband's art pens:

Of course, he would also love this to store his art pens (canvasses, guitars, etc.) in this but it's about $18,000 more...and not available on Etsy:

Plaid is great on kids, too. One of my favorite shots of Jude is him playing in the snow with my big white, black, red and yellow plaid scarf falling around his shoulders. It's a little nostalgic, but also a little hip:

A little plaid can go a long way; you certainly don't lose the affect in keeping it small. I love this plaid cloche and pocket square.

Of course, I prefer things with a big impact for the appropriate occasion! I'm pretty sure I'm madly in love with all of this (esp. the green):

Just for fun, I thought I'd throw in this 1950's evening dress. I can just see the little wife making the rounds at her holiday party, trying to impress her husband's coworkers with a silver tray of champagne on New Year's Eve. And then I think, thank G-d I did not live in the '50's!

I would have never survived being the little wife, whether I got to wear this fabulous dress or not!

Nashville shopping hot spots coming soon. Until then,
xoxo,
kvlm

Go: Ireland

2010-07-24T20:32:00.001-07:00

At the request of a few family members and one or two friends, I've decided to start documenting our trek to the Emerald Isle. Many, many moons ago, the husband and I decided that Ireland would be our first big overseas trip together (and hopefully one of many) and since our honeymoon (which was perfect) was a wee bit shorter than we'd hoped (and not to mention ever so slightly plagued with the stress of having to deal with an immediate and necessary move on our return while we were 'mooning), we decided to go this August.

If you know me, you know I get superbly spastic when doing and/or contemplating the following: 1) dancing; 2) consuming coffee; and 3) traveling to foreign lands...unless it's work related travel, for which most of my travel over the past 8 years has been (quel bore), to which I'm not so much as spastic as I am slightly annoyed.

As of right now, I can barely sleep or sit still, I am so excited. What follows are the locations on our itinerary (which I changed for the last time tonight and refuse to change again) with brilliant pictures that will far exceed my own skills while I'm there. Though do prepare yourself for an onslaught of Ireland-related posts, as I'm bound to fall in love. All over again.

Our first stop, Dublin...

And the lovely Central Hotel...

After 2 nights in Dublin, we are picking up a car and driving across the country, stopping in Athlone on the way...

If you are a U2 fan (like we are), you'll probably recognize this castle from the cover of The Unforgettable Fire (Moydrum Castle, outside Athlone)...

Then we are on to Galway, with it's rainbow colored storefronts...

And sherbert colored houses...

We'll be at The Park House Hotel, on the left, for 2 nights...

On our second day in Galway, we are heading to Inishmore on the Aran Islands...

It's the only place in Ireland where the locals speak Gaelic...

When we leave Galway, we will be making a pit-stop in Roundstone where one of my all time favorite movies, The Matchmaker, was filmed...

Roundstone is reported to be the most picturesque village in the entire country (though somehow I think they all are pretty gorgeous in their own right)...

This is where it takes a pretty interesting turn; we are definitely doing something I never thought would happen: we are staying in not one, but two, castles!!!!

We are headed to Connemara Park (one of my other favorite places on Earth, Carl Sandburg's home in Flat Rock, NC, is named for Ireland's Connemara Park)...

then on to Ballynahinch Castle. Pinch me.

Excited? Um...to say that I might jump up and down, skip and maybe even squeal would not be a stretch.

And it gets even better....Ashford Castle on Lough Corrib...

They offer cruises, a full-service spa, FALCONRY, horseback riding, etc. etc. In the words of my husband, "that's some Hogwarts shite right there."

I am a fan. A fan of turrets. A fan of moats (keep your princess commentary to yourself). I don't know that I'll want to come back so I've started talking to the child about permanent relocation. He glazes over...he only cares that we have made the trip "ok" under the pretense that we are solely going to buy him presents.

Hopefully we don't bring back a previous resident of this castle, which was built in 1280-something-or-other.

After the relaxation and splendor of Ashford, we head back to Dublin for one more night, a couple of pints, probably some last minute shopping and hopefully one more turn through the haunts of some of my favorite writers.

I'm hoping that all of the full-end-to-end rainbows we keep getting here in Franklin are indicative of the fantastic time we are about to have but if we hit speedbumps along the way (hours spent waiting for sheep to pass in the road, less than stellar room conditions, noisy tourists singing under our windows), at least we'll have some interesting stories to tell; the fun part is, we get to do this together.

until then, no sleep til dublin,
xoxo,
kvlm

At Last

2010-07-09T20:32:00.001-07:00

click on images for a larger view...

I finally got the house all settled into. Granted, everything has been unpacked and essentially in its "home" for weeks but it takes awhile to figure how to rework our old things in a new space. Luckily, this space is temporary so I don't have to do too much to make it work -- or invest too much time and money -- but I think we were able to make the best of the situation.

We weren't really looking for a townhouse, necessarily, especially after having gotten spoiled to a house and a yard. But I think we can all agree that renting when you aren't sure where you want to live (especially in a city as large as Nashville) is your best bet. It turns out we are about a solid 25 minutes from everything we want to be close to and while we love our quaint little town outside of Nashville, we'd like to head towards the city or the East End. Until then, we'll make this space work. I think we've done a pretty good job keeping what is essentially a cookie-cutter situation up to par with our non-conventional artistic standards. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

This is our pretty little town of Franklin. Total, I think there are at least 6 churches just in the downtown area which is less than one mile from end to end. People sit around on park benches at the end of hot summer days. Artists mix with wealthy homeowners in the historic residential area and we...well we live about a mile from all of that. That's our doormat (in my favorite color combo, of course).

Let's start with the bedroom. The challenges: a) it has carpet to which I am grossly opposed; b) the ceiling is vaulted but the room has so many angles, we had to get creative with how we hung things; c) matching closets at one end, single window in the middle, and an extra door to the bathroom = positioning of furniture kind of a nightmare.

What I wound up doing was hanging a double layered curtain over the single window and pushing my long low dresser against it. This helped to mask the fact that the window is actually lower than the dresser. We put the bed on the wall opposite the closets and I created a spin on an 18th c. canopy with an old mosquito net to give the bed some height and fill in the space created by the vaulted ceiling. I used framed Man Ray photographs on either side to keep it from looking too antiquated or girly. All the other wall hangings, except the large mirror, are hung in 3's (paintings bought on the Seine, photographs from Asheville & New Orleans, and vintage cocktail bags). I think keeping it consistent draws attention away from all the weird wall space the layout of the room creates. I put a wing back chair with Parisian-style pillows between the closets to draw attention away from how very boring they are. Then I added some soft watt light, an old suitcase, a hat box, my dressing screen full of black and white, mostly French images and some of my favorite books and voila! Magnifique!

Jude's room was an even bigger challenge because he has way more stuff than we do that needs to be easily accessible. PLUS we took our bookcase back AND got rid of one piece of furniture that had been in his room for clothes. So we were super limited in resources for said stuff placement. Awesome.

His room, luckily, has a walk-in closet. So what I decided to do was rather than try to keep everything exceedingly organized and in the closet or armoire (which got a new coat of orange paint), I tried to use as many of his toys and books as I could to "decorate." This keeps him out of the closet and armoire and therefore keeps him from dragging everything out and wrecking his room. But I also decided to leave the door to the closet open and use that more of an extension of his space than a wasted hole to hang the very small summer wardrobe of a 6 year old boy.

The big Lionel train, all of his books, some of his lego sets, and a lot of dragons became part of the decor. His room is ten times more functional than it has ever been and I actually love it.

To balance out his vaulted ceilings (I hate vaulted ceilings...did I mention that?), I hung a strand of icicle lights around his Ken Bailey prints. I also used all of his "transportation wallies" up high as well to help anchor all of that wall space.

More challenges abound in the hallway -- again with the over abundance of wall space but at really odd angles. Sounds great for someone with a lot of art to hang but really it's not because most of my pieces are on the larger side. When you have a house full of funhouse angles it doesn't really work out. So I decided to hang multiple pieces on one wall, lean some against other walls, under desks, propped on a chair, etc. etc.

We also ran into a problem of not having enough space for my growing collection of books. Instead of stacking them or buying another boring bookcase, I decided to display them in a used book store kind of way on an old sofa table that got a nice coat of red paint. All of these things combined make our hallway/landing upstairs feel very cozy and not at all boring like before.

Our master bath is chopped in two by a very unfortunate door and there's not much at all I can do to make the space more interesting. I added a piece of sculpture (a reclining nude) and a nude by Picasso to make it feel a little more part of my boudoir but really it was the chandelier that made the space. The chandelier that refused to hang because the dry wall is builder grade and doesn't want to hold anything. The chandelier that I eventually wrapped newspaper around, secured with a black ribbon and forced into the ceiling. Yeah that chandelier...I love. I've had it forever and it has to be used wherever I live. Dry wall be damned.

The den -- I also love! Mostly because we have beautiful dark hardwood floors and the space is super bright and open. But there were, of course, challenges: a) the tv had to go over the fireplace; b) the arched window and door to the kitchen take out a chunk of wall space; and c) there's really only one "hangable" wall.

I really hate the tv over the fireplace, and I really hate the tv being the focal point. So, to counteract that happening, I put a piece of art on a wrought iron easel in front and put the long sofa on the same wall to make the corner a little cozier and keep things turned away from the tv. We also arranged the furniture so that the sofas are facing each other instead of everything facing the fireplace. Problem solved.

Unfortunately there's no real solution to the arched window and door but to use the space around them the best we can. I was able to fit my writing desk between them and an old baroque mirror I painted black over it to help offset the waist of space.

As for there only being one complete wall (the opposite wall is mostly consumed by the banister, although I did manage to hang my enormous de Lempicka canvas between a closet door frame and the beginning of the stairwell wall -- we just can't breath near it or it will surely fall), I tried to use as much of the wall as I could. Originally we only had the black and white Life photograph hanging but I decided it needed some balance so I used 3 different mirrors I painted black to help fill in some space. I love how it works with the sofa.

The de Lempicka miracle hanging of aught 10 there to the right...seriously it makes that sofa/chaise a high risk place to sit but it was the only space it would fit into and I was not about to put that into storage. Take my clothes, take my furniture but I cannot store my art.

Luckily we were able to use our other chaise in our bay window, flanked by both dress forms and my dangerously over packed book case. Makes for a great little reading area.

Our third oversized piece had to be annexed to the kitchen. But hell, at least it's up.

See what I mean. I think if an intruder ever breaks in I could probably just kersmush them with the bookcase, no problem.

I can't store books either. It's against my religion. And of course I couldn't store Frida. In our house, it's WWFD -- What Would Frida Do? We ask and her response is always the same (and delivered through son or husband in a lovely accent): "I'm Frida Kahlo, I can do anything! Diego is a bastard!" Well, ok, my son doesn't say bastard but you get the drift...

Oh the kitchen...hmm. Well, I love the space but as as you can imagine, I hate the cabinets. Light colored cabinets seem to be following me. But it's temporary so I'm working with what I got. What I love about the kitchen is being able to use all of my Mason Jars in some manner or another. But I will not miss this kitchen when we move. At. All. (That's me being all ominous and menacing about the cabinets in a blue dress and red heels. My next house won't have cabinets. Or else.)

I have to mention the stellar red clock above. It's very similar to the Crate and Barrel clock that is hanging in Jude's room but, honestly, it's about 10x better -- and it's from Target. $14.99.

Just some details I thought I'd share. My knight in shining armor, of course, has to be present in every home we live in. The photograph -- in my green striped bathroom, along with black and whites of Audrey Hepburn -- is one of the Man Ray pieces from 1930 I bought at a Parisian photography exhibit. The crystal depression era round soap dish is also living in the downstairs powder room -- I picked it up at a local thrift store for a buck. I love a good deal.

The Dwell magazine collection is, actually, the husband's. But I really love the colored spines so they get used as a bit of decoration, too. The stack of books I included only because not only do I like the colors of the top book, a retro design book full of really well-done ads, but because I have to give a shout out to our library. Their art book selection is AMAZING because they are affiliated with the O'More College of Design around the corner. How happy does that make us?

I propped the mandolin against a pillar I painted black to add a little dimension by the front door and I used books under the lamp to give it extra height to fill up that wall.

And I'm done...I think. I'm trying to reign in my obsessive compulsive need to "do" everything and just let this house be until we find a place that is more us. But, at the same time, I have a theory about making wherever your feet land as homey as you possibly can. It's not really about the kind of house you have or the town you are in, it's really about who's under your roof and the kind of peace and tranquility you can wrap around them. My peace and tranquility consists of color, music, art and books. The rest is really just garnish.

xoxo,
kvlm

Nashville in Black and White

2010-06-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Regretfully, I've been too consumed with the nuances of a move for the past two weeks that I haven't really gotten a chance to catch up here on The French Teacup. Nashville is great, Franklin is beautiful and dear G-d is it hot. I think we actually registered at 100 the other day. Ouch.

While we've spent our fair share of time investigating our new surroundings, I haven't done much in the way of photography. There's so much brilliant architecture here so I know it's something I'll get to soon (especially if I get that super fantastic beautiful Olympus camera I've been eyeing). And of course there is scads to do. But we are still recuperating, settling, acclimating and recovering from how quickly we ripped the bandaid on this great trek from state to state. So, for now, I'll just shower you with a bunch of photos that I didn't take (though I painfully and lovingly searched for them online, resized, them and turned them black and white -- OCD much?) so you, too, can see how lovely it is here.

Nashville Skyline

From the Cumberland River

Ryman Auditorium
So far I've only walked through it,
very much looking forward to seeing a show or play

The Parthenon at Centennial Park
Before Nashville adopted the moniker "Music City,"
it was actually known as the "Athens of the South"

"Musica" at the Entrance to Music Row

The Civil Rights Reading Room, Nashville Public Library
We went to the library on Saturday --
it is gorgeous, truly breathtaking.

Country Music Hall of Fame

Grassmere Plantation and Farm, behind the Nashville Zoo

Frist Art Museum
I've been to several exhibits at the Frist
and am still wowed by the Art Deco architecture of the building

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens at Art Museum
The Cheeks started Maxwell House Coffee, who knew?

Centennial Park
Movies on the lawn and dance lessons every Saturday,
We are going to take swing lessons this weekend.

The Capitol

Belle Meade Plantation
Civil War history and Victorian style.
I can't wait for their Halloween event!

Union Station Hotel
Reportedly very haunted,
not that this photo is creepy or anything

Nashville Symphony
The Symphony was sadly flooded horribly.
They still have lines running in and out of the building trying to clean it up.

I'm off to the new job today, to enjoy the space, not to work! More later...
xoxo,
kvlm

Shop Salt Lake City: Details

2010-05-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I said I was going to do this tomorrow but it just dawned on me that tomorrow kind of starts the official countdown of our move. We have 3 people coming to look at the house we are in now and my husband is virtually standing at the bottom of the attic stairs with a big arrow pointing upwards that says "move it." All my pack-rat-edness is hiding in that attic and I am scared I tell you, scared.

Maybe I'm avoiding it but I figure if I don't get all of my cathartic blogging out in the next say 12 hours my Google Analytics may have to, in fact, eat itself in order to survive. So on with it...

Last weekend, I spent 4 beautiful, sunny days in Salt Lake City visiting my brand new insanely edible goddaughter of greatness. But with any weekend trip orchestrated by 3 girls who like to roam, you are bound to wind up in a shop somewhere buying or oogling something. And so we did. We roamed into Details, a veritable monument to shabby chic, whimsy, and all things decor. Behold...

The frame is covered in old buttons and beads.
I'm not 100% sold on that idea but it works in this scenario.

In case this isn't quite in focus enough for you,
yes, yes, the canopy over the crib
is made out of old vintage slips and those are the straps hanging down.
Great for merchandising but I'm not sure how
appropriate that would actually be for a baby's room.

Dear G-d, it's a milk glass chandelier. Dress me in curtains and call me Scarlett, I love it!

But then I am mildly obsessed with all things chandelier.

Sweet. I really like the ivory sparrows.

And I'm mildly obsessed with Eiffel Towers

(though I'd like the record to show that it's not nearly
as bad of an obsession as it used to be.
And I'd also like the record to show that I don't really believe that
and that I am planning to hang crystals all over my 3 ft Tower asap
like they did in this store.
I covet good ideas, esp. of the French-y variety...
though not in a Grease kind of way.)

I heart distressed furniture.

I just heart. Simply. It's all so shiney!

A wall covered in vintage clocks. Now that is an excellent idea.
And a great tool for fighting insomnia --
cuz who can stay awake when listening to the tick tock of a clock?

(Besides my six year old, of course.)

Like my mother, I've always been a fan of a good bust.

Wait...that doesn't sound right.

This wasn't nearly as interesting as the gray duvet and white bedding that was in the window of Details but I felt ever so uncomfortable taking photos in front of people so you'll just have to see it yourself to believe it.
This, however, looks like a cozy cloud of poufy splendor just waiting to be slept upon.
And that is a look I can totally get behind.

And speaking of sleep...time for me to turn back into a pumpkin.
Bon Nuit!
xoxo, kvlm

Shop Franklin: Haven, Lulu, Philanthropy and Rooster Tails

2010-05-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

Franklin's Haven and Philanthropy are actually clothing stores that also sell home decor pieces like funky lighting fixtures and ultra whimsical chandeliers while Lulu and Rooster Tails are specifically interior savvy. What entails is total gorgeousness. Click on the photos to enlarge the images -- it's so worth it!

Haven

I was particularly entranced with the chandelier in the lower right corner. It's basically an enormous iron chandelier stuffed full of branches, muslin and Spanish Moss. It's decidedly unexpected but the impact is really jaw-dropping. The clocks in the upper left are not actually for sale but make for really great merchandising props. As for the black and whites, I just really thought the mix of fixtures and frames hanging from rope (from the ceiling) was a really easy and dynamic way to fill up a wall.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy is, as you may have guessed, a clothing store with a conscience. For example, 100% of proceeds from their very stellar messenger bag are going to Nashville flood relief. I like spending my money in places like that. But I especially liked their lighting, most of which was for sale. Bonus!

This chandelier specifically, much like the one at Haven, really caught my eye. It's rustic but it's also a smidge gothic -- and I am all about things being a smidge gothic. (No offense to Philanthropy though, but how easy would this look be to recreate?)

Lulu

Lulu is like a little slice of meringue heaven. Upon entrance, there's an immediate sensation to skip, smile and have a good time. Everything in this store just has a good vibe. It's just one of those spots where you simply want it all.

And I really love this frame in the bottom right that says,"Thank you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart -- oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape -- your sister." Now that I'm moving a mile from my big sis, I may have to buy this for her.

Rooster Tails

Rooster Tails isn't actually located on Main Street, it's just a little outside of town, tucked away in the beginnings of horse farm land. The really cool thing about Rooster Tails is that the owner(s) repurpose old, unwanted furniture and make really interesting new pieces out of them (like the coffee tables made with old windows above). One of the other things I love about Rooster Tails is that it's 3 stores in one -- which means even more fun antique, vintage, repurposed shopping thrills for yours truly! I also love that they covered a ceiling in old vinyl, have a mad selection of vintage bottles from the 30's-50's, and use Christmas lights in very interesting ways -- hello, they secured an old screen door to the ceiling, lined white twinkly lights between it and the ceiling and called it a day. Awesome!!!!

I have a feeling I'm in for decor overhaul when I become an official Nashville resident. There are just too many yummy options!

Tomorrow -- Salt Lake City.
kisses,
kvlm

Shop Franklin: Iron Gate

2010-05-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Since the last time I wrote, I've been quite busy and things have changed quite a bit. Luckily in all this change I've been able to get out and about -- a lot. So I've got loads of inspiration to share!

About 3 days after the great flood of aught '10 that nearly swept Nashville away, I made a trip to Franklin which sits about 20 minutes SW of Nashville. Franklin is the kind of quaint and charming southern town you immediately fall in love with. Which is good news considering I'll be living there in approximately 3 weeks.

Seems like lately I've been focusing a lot on shopping here on The French Teacup. Let me clear something up in that regard -- I honestly don't shop that much (I pretend shop, or as the French say "lick the windows"). But I get a lot of inspiration for decorating and laying out my own digs from the places I feature here. I like beautiful things, what can I say.

And speaking of beautiful things, The Iron Gate in Franklin is one of the most beautiful boutique stores I've been into in years. Their mix of wares from all locations of the globe and the way they've merchandised the store is quite simply breathtaking. The vintage and contemporary, romantic and historical, really left no room for me to narrow down ideas to share...so I'll share them all. All 22. Enjoy!

Colorful, rich linens

A little apothecary by the birdhouse

Old books who've lost their covers still make great conversation pieces

I like the old world take on this nautical design

Quite possibly the largest bible I've ever seen in my life!

I like this juxtaposition with the contemporary orb, classical painting and serene lighting;
they don't really go together but then they do.

A desk full of "stuff" in black and white -- messy but interesting

Screen printed burlap pillows
(I actually learned how to do this online the other day,
but I'm not sure I'd have the patience to do this many!)

An old scale with simple dessert dishes and vases

The candles smell like heaven, these are Tocca
(the Tocca Stella is my fav!)

I'm a sucker for unexpected lighting

Simple lines and clean furniture make for a great backdrop for quirky pieces

I'm not much of a religious person but I thought this was beautiful

This as well

I am really in love with all white bedding with varying textures and a hint of color

Chandeliers and old mannequins are kind of my thing
(well one of my things, I do have so many!)

I am in love with this mirror

And speaking of love...

More of the all white aesthetic

That is some regal baby bedding!

This mix is really exemplary of The Iron Gate vision -- contemporary design patterns with a vintage headboard and chandelier topped with a clean, modern piece of art

More from Franklin tomorrow!
kisses, kvlm

I Need to Get Lost

2010-04-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

I am painfully waiting for a trip. Specifically a trip to see my brand new goddaughter. It will be three weeks before I get there. How I'll stand that, I haven't quite decided yet but the distance to get there incites my very real need to GO! To get some place away from the norm has always been a necessity. And knowing I'll be on a plane in a few weeks makes me want to get on one RIGHT NOW!! Throw in knowing I get to have a fit over a baby? I'd start driving if I could.

Instead...I'll just wander through my travel photos. I think that might put a cork in it, at least for today...or this hour...minute? Second? Stir crazy anyone?

Paris, 2001:

Sacre de Coeur from Notre Dame

The Seine from Notre Dame -- you feel closer to the sky here
and not just because of Notre Dame's height

Notre Dame

Notre Dame Gargoyle

Le Seine la nuit

La Tour Eiffel (I only have a few pictures of this. Ahem.)

and again...

and again?

Reclining Nude, The Louvre

Amor et Cupid, Canova, Le Louvre

Bon nuit!
xoxo,
kvlm

I Heart Old Things

2010-04-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

I really wish there was a job where I could just be paid to look for cool, old swag. I heart old things. The addiction comes from a lovely potpourri of influences, included but not limited to: being dragged around to every antique store, Victorian or Antebellum historic site, flea market, and any number of other registered or not registered cemetaries within at least a 300 mile radius as a child. It also comes from the disease I like to call "Old Book Syndrome" for which both parents carry the gene.

I will give credit, too, to my Grandmother. My Grandmother was exceedingly stylish and there are a slew of photos of her from the 40's and 50's and I guess somewhere down deep, I always coveted that style. Her apartment always smelled of coffee, cigarettes, and that cakey kind of mildew you find in hatboxes that have been shoved in a closet some place for years. Her penthouse was a veritable treasure trove of old things. It was a welcome distraction from the general dysfunction of the relationship, but that...that is another story.

To get to the point, I don't always have time to go out in search of new old stuff. I'm a busy girl, even in the state of my unemployment. I spend a lot of time on Etsy, scrolling through their vintage offerings but every now and then I find superb linkage to sites unknown and flip my lid!

Once such site is the Blue Carrot Shop. Blue Carrot is defined as anything that is interesting, quirky and unique -- and that pretty much sums up what they've got. Check out my favorites:

I like. Happy shopping!
xoxo,
kvlm

I Wasn't Sure How I Felt About Felt

2010-04-06T18:40:00.001-07:00

But now I know. I am officially a fan. When it comes to making dolls. Which...I never saw myself making but hey, stranger things have happened.

When I was little, my sister and I both had handmade "baby dolls" that I think we both still have. Her doll was beautiful with a calico blue dress and petticoat, red lips, blue eyes and cocoa colored braids. My doll was, um, short, had stovepipe legs, a navy A-line dress that made her look chubby, red lips, blue eyes and black braids with mall bangs. I'm not sure what the thought process was there but I'm sure my therapist would have a thought or two.

Honestly, I loved my little ragdoll; she was somewhat Raggedy Ann but like a dark ne'er do well Ann. And how far off base is that? Yeah, not so much. I'd rather be Wednesday Addams than Anne of Green Gables any day (although, truth be told, I'd rather be Morticia but that is an entirely separate matter).

So when one of my very best friends, we'll call her Blond Witch...well, we do, in fact, call her Blond Witch...asked me to be a Godmother (just call me Merryweather) I really wanted to make her something. I like to make things and I don't do it nearly often enough. I think, especially for keepsakes, making something by hand has a lot of meaning. Between her mom and the other Godmothers, this child is going to have a life time of things full of meaning.

One of the first things I ever sewed by hand was a stuffed seal. I was about 11. I got the pattern, all the fabric and notions and dove right in. So putting together a doll didn't seem too intimidating. I found this wonderful pattern and instructions on the Purl Bee's website. The how-to is really thorough and although it took a little longer than anticipated and I had to swear about 600x while in process, it was a lot of fun to make. And like I said before, I wasn't sure how I felt about felt but it was perfect for this project and really easy to work with.

I altered the face a little bit mostly because a) I wasn't crazy about the face template and b) having not embroidered something that very small before, I just kind of wound up winging it. (Oddly, she looks so much like my sister's doll; totally accidental. I swear it.)

Now that I've got the hang of it, I've got 3 more in pre-production. An apple green/dark green combo, an (against my better judgment) UNC color combo, and a bright pink/black/white combo. Let's hope I don't lose the momentum (though the UNC one might stop me in my tracks).

More projects later!
xo,
kvlm

Dear Durham

2010-03-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

I'm always really (pleasantly) surprised when something I assume is going to be great isn't and something I assume isn't, is.

Let me put that in clearer perspective: the husband and I have created something of a tradition spending the occasional, leisurely Saturday in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. What we love about it is simple:

a) we had our first date at Pepper's and, hello, they have broccoli pizza (my favorite!)
b) it's laid back and most the businesses are locally owned, something we totally get behind and
c) we love going to Roulette Vintage and the Clothing Warehouse

Today...well today was one of those days not unlike many post-high school/college days where I really disliked (put down your tomatoes) Chapel Hill and the majority of its residents (notice I am leaving Carrboro out -- I love you, Carrboro, never change).

Growing up on Franklin Street between the ages of say 14-24 (ugh. awkward times.), I developed a theory. There were two kinds of Chapel Hill residents that ruined it for the rest:

1) the often spoiled, young and entitled UNC student (present company excluded, of course) and
2) the ex-punk rocker intellect elitist

I just have one thing to say to you people: get out more. If you think they sky is really Carolina Blue, check out how it looks in Paris...I promise you'll reevaluate your color palette.

After a very uneventful and somewhat frustrating attempt to shop on the fringe of Franklin Street (what in the hell happened to Modern Times anyway? I should have known something was amiss when I walked in and they were piping in G105!), we got out of dodge and rolled over to the booming metropolis of Durham.

I mock, but Durham has some really beautiful features and the DPAC is really just amazing us with their unbelievable line-up of acts (not to mention my yearly rendezvous with Chris Botti at the beautiful Carolina Theatre). I mock because nomadic wanderlusters like myself have to swallow a cold, jagged rock knowing that they live about 30 miles dead east of their high school -- which was never my intention.

But I will give Durham its due today because where Chapel Hill lacked not only in character but also in offerings today, Durham made up for tenfold. Specifically with Dolly's Vintage in Brightleaf Square, Portobello Road (also in BLS), and Ox & Rabbit on Ninth Street.

First off, Dolly's really wowed me because unlike so many other vintage clothing shops, they did not just shove their wares onto racks with no rhyme or reason. Nor did they lack in any way shape or form in the very crucial act of merchandising. I love how the store is laid out, organized, decorated, and especially priced. I will now add Dolly's to my list of fav vintage haunts in the area -- Yea! It is absolutely worth the trip over. They sell men and woman's vintage including an awesome array of vintage purses and slips (for which I am a total sucker).

Portobello Road is another new fav and conveniently located right next door to Dolly's (oh, how I love shopping proximity!). What I love about PR is exactly the thing I found myself bitching about upon leaving Chapel Hill earlier -- merchandising. There's proof people...actual PROOF!...that merchandising appropriately and strategically will up your sales. Trust me; I actually sat in visual merchandising classes for two semesters to learn all of this and while I left not ever wanting to hear the term "POS" again, I have to say those classes were the gospel according to retail.

Anyway, Portobello Road is more about vintage for your home: accessories, decor, repurposed lighting and furniture and it's all brought to you in a deliciously colorful and juicy package. I completely dig it. And I completely dig the couch below ($500); it would be perfect if we had an extra room for all things "child" (outside of his current bedroom) but we don't so we won't (purchase, that is).

Let's move over to Ninth Street:

Ox & Rabbit Soda and Sundries opened a little less than a year ago in the old McDonald's Drugstore spot. I will just put it to you like this: I am completely in love. In. Love. Everything about this store is perfect: the wall color makes me swoon, the merchandise is totally unique, the soda counter is divine, and even the display cases get me excited! Ok, yes, I am totally devoted to the robin egg's blue/red color schematic and, yes, that does help the emotional outpouring of said store, but still. This is a great store and I cannot wait to go back.

The menu is strictly sodas and milkshakes:

And did I mention the merchandising skills of the owners...they are killing me with this red display case below and the MASON JARS! Oh, the Mason Jars! (I will be digging mine out tomorrow and lining them up just like this in the kitchen...I wonder how the husband would feel about painting the kitchen red on a Sunday afternoon? Yeah, probably not.)

I have to give special mention to a line that Ox & Rabbit carries: Shinzi Katoh Designs. We are about 6 weeks (ok, maybe 3 or 4) from welcoming the newest member of our urban family (Baby Best) and being lucky enough to be (one of -- lucky girl) her G-dmother, I constantly have an eye on anything baby/kiddo related. My Jude is a bit too big (and a might too hungry) for these lovely "lunch boxes" but how cute would they be for my G-dchild in about 1-2 years??? Precious, I tell you, precious! I am totally smitten with the "Little Thumbelina" container on the left:

Alas, we had to return to the land of Raleighwood after a busy day of store hopping. But it was nice to return to our favorite place for a cold drink (or fabulous food), Remedy Diner (just to show Raleigh a little love). If you haven't been yet, go. And if you've gone, go again. The menu has been growing and there are always specials. And the beer/cocktail selection is fantastic...I recommend Magic Hat #9, also a new fav (today was apparently a day for new favs; who knew?), though I would not recommend more than two of them.

Until later,
Cheers!
kvlm

Who's in the mood for a REAL car?

2010-03-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

From now until June 20, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta will be home to the "Allure of the Automobile" exhibition. The exhibit includes 18 of the rarest automobiles from the 1930's - 1960's including a Buggati, a Duesenberg, a Hispano-Suiza, and Steve McQueen's Jaguar XKSS Roadster.

To say that I am a car fan would be a staggering understatement. New (but preferably) old, I have been known to hyperventilate at the sight of a well made and beautifully designed auto. A lifetime of being around cars will do that to a girl (thanks Dad!). This show is worth the six hour trek from Raleigh; I just hope that they have plenty of security on hand because I'm not entirely sure I won't be found clinging to the hood of one of these beauties. Yes, I get like that.

Tickets to the show are $18.00 for adults, $11.00 for children. Check out all the details here. Images below were found in various and sundry places on the internet (because I was just entirely too excited to wait for the show) but do not reflect the actual exhibit pieces (those are tightly under wrap, as you can imagine) with the exception of...

Steve McQueen in his 1958 Jaguar XKSS Roadster

The other car types you can expect from the show, though far more stunning in person I am sure.

1935 Duesenberg JN Roadster
(Heart palpitation inducing)

1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

1954 Dodge Firearrow III Concept Coupe

1948 Tucker Model Torpedo

1938 Alfa Romeo 8C2900B Touring Berlinetta
(there aren't words...)

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster

1937 Hispano-Suiza
(the one at the show is actually
a 37 Hispano-Suiza H-6C "Xenia" Coupe)

1937 Delage D8 120S
(I may faint)

1936 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe
(the highlight of the show,
click here for an image of the actual model in the exhibit)

1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow

A complete list of the exhibit's cars is also on the High's site (there were a few models so rare, they didn't even exist on the internet...I know, can you believe it?)

Enjoy!
xoxo,
kvlm

Vintage Valentine

2010-02-19T18:28:00.001-08:00

We didn't really get a chance to celebrate Valentine's Day this year what with us all having the stomach plague and then moving straight into allergy/cold/I-feel-like-someone-pulled-a-glass-ornamented-Christmas-Tree-out-of-my-throat Hell, but that's ok. I consider every day with my husband Valentine's Day.

However, in an effort to at least do "something," we set off for a date on Tuesday (this was really our only true functioning, non-diseased day...oh, if only we'd known, we probably would not have been antiquing in the cold, harsh winds of February). Anyway, we attempted to see Wolfman but there were no early showings (thank G-d, because he saw it on his own later that day and said it was terribly terrible). So we wound up driving out to our favorite vintage shop, GC5 in Wake Forest by way of Suzanne's Vintage Village in Raleigh then followed by Get Dressed for Less Consignment, also in Raleigh.

GC5 is a must-see if you want not just vintage, but quality. All of their wares are carefully selected and in impeccable condition. They sell a combination of furniture, art, home decor, and clothing mixed with a healthy dose of local artisan goods. The prices are phenomenal and the owners are fantastic to boot! I decided to gift myself a few items while there: (sorry about the quality, I'm having camera issues...yet again...I long for my Olympus.)

I've never really been big into Limoge (type) boxes, but I thought this was cute and it looks fabulous sitting in front of my Restoration Hardware retro-radio.

An old suitcase the husband picked up to help carry various and sundry items to gigs (how many picks can he possibly need?...wait, nevermind, i remembered how often he loses them).

A gorgeous pair of emerald screw backs. I wish my image quality were better, this picture does not do these justice. (If you like screw backs, or your ears are not pierced like mine are not, GC5 has a gorgeous selection at a great price -- I got these for $9!)

Get Dressed for Less Consignment -- the name doesn't really say it all. They offer a large collection of vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories. I am currently obsessed with a five-tiered wedding gown that is maybe a size 2 (which I am not) that I have no need for given the fact that, oh yeah, just got married two years ago but want nonetheless. Maybe for our vow renewal? And if I get my stomach stapled? Yeah. Anyway, picked this gem of a cocktail bag up there for the mere price of $12.

As for Suzanne's Vintage Village, I didn't actually make any purchases (which is why I'm saving it for last). That's no reflection on the shop, although there was definitely a different approach to her vintage, but the entire "village" is an outdoors/open plan building...and it was freezing. I did, however, really like the way she merchandised so I took lots of shots (though mostly to keep my hands busy, ie. warm). Since there's no link to provide, I will tell you that she is located on Durant Road and sells mainly home decor and remnants (I want some old doors, for what?...I don't know, I just want some).

Slightly more "vintage country" than what I am used to but I do like the way she has things displayed. And you know how I am about things hanging from the ceiling!

I have a growing attraction to vintage rolling pins. Which makes no sense at all seeing as how I don't even own a regular rolling pin. Huh.

I took this shot as a reminder to do this at home; a little gypsy-esque dress up for an entrance way of which my office or door going to the basement could sorely use.

Tomorrow we are off to our other favorite local vintage store, Roulette, in Carrboro. They sell gorgeous jewelry (I've bought several triple-strand necklace/screw back earring sets) and nicely priced dresses, menswear with lots of locally designed pieces for both men, women and baby.

I love days like these because not only are we out stimulating the economy, we are supporting local business and, honestly, is there any greater recycling than buying vintage/antique? Not really. So join us, and if you haven't already, check out the 3/50 Project site to find out just how much shopping locally really helps.

xoxo,
kvlm

Early Morning Etsy-ing

2010-01-23T07:42:00.001-08:00

I have entirely too much blank wall space in my kitchen right now. Not that you would notice it, necessarily, but I have this very strong urge to pretty much hang something in every space available. What can I say, I love images. Whether it's stacks of books, 100 postcards, or a huge print, I like to "see" things. It makes me happy. So I hit Etsy to see if I could find something great with a lot of color that would pop against the (currently) unfortunate color of my cabinets (which is natural woodish? yuck -- give me a cup of coffee and a can of paint and I'll have the entire kitchen redone in a day).

Anyway, I was happy to discover The Loveshop. Here are some of more of my favorites in addition to the one up top:

One of my favorite Austen quotes of all time.

Absolutely does not match my kitchen but I love the color and the whole idea of it so I may just not care.

"Nothing is real but dreams and love"

Yes.

Tea addicts of the world, unite.

A little Poe for your day.

On top of being fabulous, The Loveshop's prices are great. Check them out, support handmade goods! Or support my kitchen redesign, you know whichever -- I am totally flexible and open to gift acceptance.

xoxo,
kvlm

Spotlight on pretty finds at Purl Bee

2010-01-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

I love to sew, especially by hand, and I don't get to do it nearly often enough. But I just found some divine inspiration at Purl Bee, a knitting/sewing/crocheting/designing website of greatness. The gift wrap and ribbon above, from what I gather from the site, can be purchased. But the images below have full instructions under "project journals" to totally DIY. I am in love with these felt dolls. Completely in love!

I found this image under New Year Garland but really this would be so cute in any kid's room at any time of the year and as we all know, I am a HUGE fan of hanging things from the ceiling!

Enjoy Purl Bee-ing...more fun websites later!

xoxo, kvlm

Chéri

2010-01-07T08:41:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, I picked up the book Colette: Six Novels with no real knowledge of Colette other than that she was a reknowned French author who published nearly 50 novels before her death. Besides that reasoning for the purchase, it smelled strongly of old book (can someone bottle that please...put it in an air freshner...something..anyone? no, ok...sigh) and the cover was charmingly creative and unique. I am a sucker for those things which appeal to my senses, what can I say. It cost me a mere $3.00 so I threw it into the stack of other used books I was purchasing at my very favorite bookstore, Reader's Corner, and brought it home.

Around the time I actually started to read Colette, my mother coincidentally took up calling me chéri in passing. Though I'm not entirely sure where this came from, I can't say I all together mind it (oh, and mom, if you are reading, I would still like a bottle of Annick Goutal's fragrance Petite Cherie that you got me hooked on...thanks for that, by the way, I had only just recovered from her Gardenia Passion).

Unfortunately, I didn't get far into Colette's novels before being distracted by other reads (The Help, what a fantastic book) and just life in general.

And then, as if the universe was sending me some kind of not so subtle hint to get back to Colette, I finally picked up the movie, Chéri, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend that came out June of this past year. I remember this playing at the Galaxy but the connection just didn't, well, connect.

Chéri was written by (Sidonie-Gabrielle) Colette and published in 1920. It takes place in Belle Epoque Paris and is, like many French novels, dramatic, frivolous, sensual, and tragic mixed with a strong dose of mortality. The movie, directed by Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liaisons), stays true to the story and I imagine that Colette herself would have passionately approved of how it was done. It's breathtakingly gorgeous at moments, the actors, the costumes, cinematography, set, details...the details. Pfeiffer's maison en ville is quite literally heavenly perfection in color, design, and atmosphere. You just have to see it to know. Belle Epoque is right, it was indeed a beautiful era. Here are some shots from the film:

Colette, who also wrote the novel Gigi for which the popular musical is based upon, is buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetary in Paris with the likes of Oscar Wilde, Proust, and Balzac. She led a controversial life but upon her death, was heralded to be one of France's great writers.

I recommend all of it.

kvlm

Merry Always. Happy Everything.

2009-12-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

So last time I wrote, before I was consumed by Hanukkah AND the nuances of moving into a new house, I alluded to the mystery of white wreaths past. Well, I gave up on that. To sum it up, my wreath mirrored that of a funeral arrangement (according to my father) and was lacking in color. It's in the attic. We are wreath-less, and I'm ok with that. I have made peace with only have a Hanukkah tree and white lights around our massive 105" front window. Yes, I'd love to have lights galore in the tree out front, the holly bushes, wrapped lovingly around the lightpost but being Jewish doesn't really lend itself to exterior illumination perfection.

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet because while I feel like writing volumes, I have a three-tiered vegan chocolate cake in the oven and a load of clothes in a dryer that does not turn itself off. And it's 11:48 so let's cut to the chase...

Holidays. I don't think you can believe in the magic of life and not be truly in love with the holidays, even if you want to take a staple gun (or perhaps a Bedazzler) to the guy in the Avalanche that insisted on pulling into a parking spot meant for a Mini at Barnes and Noble. For the most part, people are nicer, the world is brighter and the stars seems a little closer.

Something about Hannukamas, also, chimes a little bell in my heart for London. Maybe it's the number of Christmas stories and movies I read and saw as a kid that took place there. Or maybe it's just because when I think about the holidays, I think about home, and there is very much a piece of my home on that soil. Yes, to my friends, I know I sound like a broken record. But something about listening to David Gray's "This Year's Love" in the background and pouring over photos of London all lit up for the Holidays pains me -- imagine your favorite childhood memory, the one that brings a tear or two to your eye, and that's where I go with this.

It is perhaps that London was the last place I lived before my life become more insanely different than I ever imagined it could be that makes the lament so great. But then I look around now, in the calm that is my family, and although the pull is just as great to return, I finally reclaimed the foundation I lost 8 years ago. And, that my friends, is the best Hannukmas present a girl could possibly receive, and, in fact, the only one I need.

Enjoy the shots, enjoy your holiday, but most of all enjoy your home...it's where the heart is.

much love and especially magic, kvlm

Dilemma Squared

2009-12-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

So, it's been awhile. Much has happened. First and foremost, I lost my job. That, in and of itself, can pretty much strip a person of any creative integrity they may have. It's an odd thing when at last it does happen but I try to look at all things as a redirect to a more certain (and certainly jovial) path. Not that I've necessarily found that concretely in the one month and seven some-odd days I've found my place in the Tribe of the Unemployed, but I'm looking and I know it's there. For now, that's enough.

Second, and probably in hindsight, more importantly, we moved. Always lucky in my search for the kind of place that significantly defines me in the exact moment of life in which I'm looking, we stumbled across a 1950's brick bungalow on a secluded dead end street not far from the "hustle and bustle" of downtown. It's kind of perfect and honestly I never thought I'd really fall so hopelessly in love with a house. The husband and I are generally nomadic by nature so we were even luckier to find this jewel came with a rent to purchase option. So I essentially get to take it for a year long test drive before making any absolute decision. Yea me!

Of course that lends itself to the basis for dilemma one. How much can you truly do (read: spend on) a house that is, in fact, not yours? Well there is certainly a list of things I'd do to this house immediately if it were mine (first: paint it!!) but you have to be practical and, when unemployed, above all else, frugal.

So I'm taking a pointer from years of event planning and focusing on this key element: lighting. That includes curtains/draperies, overhead lighting, lamps and of course, sunlight (not to mention three or so dozen candles). I am NOT a fan of overhead lighting. Call me cliche, but I like the idea of a smokey, dark, jazz filled space for not only creative musings but professional ones as well -- it awakens my inner-English major. Well...obviously, smokey is out. And we don't want it too dark (there's enough wood paneling in this house to build a completely separate and duplicate house in the backyard). Jazz, of course, is always in. So that leaves lamps...or so I thought.

I decided to do some research on DIY "chandeliering." Chandeliers are so much more mainstream now than they were 20 years ago; they don't nearly imply the formality that they once did and there is something so very French Flea Market about them. However, most of them are ridiculously expensive, hence the DIY.

This is what I found:

click here for the how-to

If you live in Raleigh, take a spin over to Ornamentea on West Street. Although this photograph was actually taken in a West Coast Anthropologie, they have essentially the same fixture over rows and rows of beads at Ornamentea. I love it. I am now and will always be a complete sucker for jars hanging from a ceiling, overhang, tree...you get the idea. Apparently this is a hereditary gene I picked up from my aunt and it also includes suspended and flattened cutlery (see below). Couple that with my ridiculous obsession with Mason Jars (particularly of the blue variety as witnessed at my wedding) and this chandelier pretty much makes it into my chandelier hall of fame (didn't even know I had one, did ya?) Sigh. On the jump, you can see how to do it on a smaller scale, but, really? I just couldn't. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it full on COMMIT.

But then...no. 1950's houses are typically not known for high ceilings and while this might look fabulous in a store, it will certainly dwarf my not-so-biggish dining room, the spot I picked for lighting project number one.

So...next slides please...

swipe it here

Love. Love. And love. Did I mention love? Again with the mason jars, I just can't really help myself. However, as the first one was too much for my space, this one would probably not be enough. It would, however, be divine over a breakfast nook or on a sunporch (hey! I have one of those now! Oh hoorah!).

The cutlery...this one may actually work. Why am I such a sucker for this? Something about flattened cutlery and hanging jars reminds me of orange Southern summer nights, right before dusk, high winds and open fields aside of old white houses, shutters banging, kids shouting in the distance and old pick-ups roaring past on a two-lane highway. Now...do I have the means or the skills to flatten out what remains of my single-life cutlery? Not really. But it certainly is a nice sentiment.

The milk crate boxes I just threw in for fun. If we had a massive loft space or converted warehouse, then, yes, sign me up. It would either really annoy people (mostly those of the related variety) or humor them. I enjoy doing both.

One more just for fun before I get to the one I think I've actually decided on...this one is made from ornaments and while I really like the dimensional value and depth of it, I think it edges just enough on "beach housey" to me not to do it (maybe it's the colors?).

interested?

Decisions...decisions. It's not really lack of committment that I suffer from, it's too many options. Of course I research these things endlessly to the point my husband thinks any time I say, "I wonder what so-and-so would look like," that I'm going to take over the one computer we are working with currently for hours on end and google image myself into an absolute frenzy. But I like to know what my options are, I like to see the whole playing field, and make an educated choice. (This is what I tell myself anyway.)

I think I can say with 99.9% certainty that some hybrid of these two DIY's are going to soon be hanging over my dining room table in place of the 1964-esque-flush- mounted-retro-star-globe that hangs there now:

How do I love thee, let me count the rays. I mean really? How simple, understated yet high impact are these two? Especially considering they are DIY. My game plan is to use the medium sized paper lanterns to get more of the bouqet look of the bulbs (those bulbs are not cheap!). Pier One sells the large paper lanterns for $9 and the medium sized ones for $6. It's perfect for the low ceiling, our French Ad decoupage dining room table, and the late '60's black lucite swivel dining chairs (I had to beg for those). It's a quiet compromise to my most loved and most coveted modern chandelier of all time. Behold and adore (or just behold, the adore is optional):

It goes against everything I normally would choose; every antique and vintage bone in my 35-year-old body. But there's just something about it that I can't get out of my head. Perhaps it's its ability to demand attention although it denies all normal confines of proper lighting? Perhaps it's the abnormality of it that creates an unpredictable beauty? Perhaps that's a little too existential for lighting?

So tomorrow...dilemma number two...the curse of the white holiday wreath. Will it stay or will it go?

xoxo,
kvlm

Halloween Part Deux

2009-10-04T17:14:00.001-07:00

Ironic that my last post, on July 25, was about Halloween. I haven't posted a bloody thing since. What can I say, life happens. And now my new post, found in the last seconds of a busy Sunday afternoon, is about Halloween which is thankfully only 27 days away! Oh hoorah!

So I decorated for 'Ween Time last night which was probably an unnecessary venture given the fact that we are 99.9% sure we are moving into a new house the weekend of. Oh joy, and rapture! How much I do love to move...and right on the cusp of birthdays and holidays galore. By January, you will no doubt find me in a bottle, or rocking in the corner. Maybe both. We shall see.

At any rate, I love to decorate for Halloween. It marks the beginning of months and months to come of ridiculous purchases, all for the sake of festivity. I basically jump from Halloween, to my son's birthday, then to Thanksgiving, sliding right into Hanukkah, then Chrismakuh, on to New Year's and keep it going for Valentine's Day and St. Patty's. Sure my house sometimes resembles the homeroom class of my kindergartner but I like it. It gives a warmth and a depth to the house that it lacks all the other months of the year. But then I'm one who likes a lot of "stuff." I blame it on my love for books and the need to sequester myself in libraries for most of the years of my childhood ...well when I wasn't dancing on a stage some place. There's something very calming about a room stacked high full of things you love.

Here are a few shots I took of what I did last night. Disclaimer: I am working on a pretty tight budget these days and quite honestly have not had time to get out to my absolute favorite hotspot in Raleigh for unique Halloween wares, the Shops of Baileywick. And although I usually have much success at Target for these things, I have to say I was highly highly disappointed with their offerings this year. What wasn't the same from last year was a slight rip off of Nightmare Before Christmas or overly monster-y. Yes, not a word. No, don't care.

Anywitch, this is what I've done so far:

We are lucky we have this kind of door because the recent influx of holiday window clings into the market is an awesome (and cheap) way for kids to help you decorate. Hard to see from here but I did a mix of these two window clings from Target. I only used the ones I liked and tossed the rest which, because of their price, reduced the guilt. The stake I bought at Michael's mostly because it has a witch on it and therefore is necessary in my world. I made the wreath with a $3.99 black "Christmas" wreath from Michael's which I wrapped with a black boa (also bought at Michael's for $9.99) and then hot glued a wooden black-sparkly witch (also Michael's!) to it. The smaller wreath hanging inside of it is an "autumn berries" piece I picked up around town...I just tied it in. I love my wreath. Wonder what the neighbors would say if it were up 365?

Pretty simple...luckily, I have yards and yards of tulle laying around. Ghosts of Halloween past and the remainings of bird cage veil insanity. This is an easy concept for any large piece of non-framed art you may have. I just tucked in the edges, took a handful of black spider rings I had leftover from last year, and clipped the bands off. Tulle will attach itself to just about anything so the spiders were easy to "stick."

My piece de resistance doesn't look so terribly irresistable from this angle but this, ladies and gents, is my Halloween Tree, in all of its table-top glory. It actually used to look like a candy cane and the turns of metal were bright green but a can of black spray paint will fix that very quickly. I "stuffed" the inside of the tree with layers of black tulle scattered with orange and black spiders, hung three black glittery cobweb ornaments from the side, and the bells hanging off of it were already there and now just look like poison berries. I took another black feather boa and snipped it in half, knotting one half around the top and the other around the base. The base has battery operated tealights with an orange flicker under the boa for a little extra effect. The top has another ornament of orange, purple, black and green bells to cover up what used to be a yellow star. Oh the joys of reinvention! I finished it off with a "cobweb" of tiny black spiders mixed in with bright translucent orange beads. Dear Me, you rock the tree, Love Me.

Again, not the best in photo journalism...my apologies. The battery on my Sony was dead and my recent purchase of a Blackberry Curve has proved less than pleasant in the camera category. So I used my husband's HP. Not a bad camera, but...well. No comment. Moving on...So, for my floor lamp, which I detest (floor lamps are not my friends) I wanted to create a bird cage veil that also looked corseted. So I think I accomplished that. The witch was just a wooden cutout I bought at Michael's for $1 and painted black.

One of three hats currently floating around my space, even my dress form from design school likes to witch it up.

A little orange spruces up white quite nicely and these wooden cutouts, also from Michael's, are another good Mom/Kiddo art project to work on. The little ornament to the right is a rare little find I discovered at a motel in the mountains of NC. The motel owners second as antique shop owners with a few local made goods. This is an old bent silver spoon with a jack-o-lantern painted on the back. It's going on my tree at some point, I just haven't decided the best home for it yet. Above that is a fairy door (which has nothing to do with Halloween, it lives here year-round) and on the inside, which you can't see, is an old vintage bottle of "Ghoul-aid."

Another cutout, painted black, hanging on the side of my white cabinet as you come into the kitchen.

My second dress form is a work in progress, but I love the "Witch is Back" ornament. I really need that on a t-shirt. Which reminds me...what is up with Target reissuing their Halloween shirts from last year? Quel snooze. And while they do have a very adorable witchy sleep tee that I covet, the pants ARE BLUE AND CAPRI. FAIL, Target, major FAIL.

Black roses are another easy and affordable way to goth your place for the best holiday of the year! I tucked black roses behind several of our photographs and paintings downstairs just go give them a little Addams Family vibe.

It looks like Halloween exploded in my house. I've got scads more little things (I've decorated the boys room and the half bath); the Queen of Halloween, below, is one of just several things I picked up at Baileywick last year. If you are in the area, I highly recommend it. But I also highly recommend just getting creative. I think all I'm going to add to what I've done is a little lighting -- lighting is crucial -- maybe some purple lights! Halloween should be fun; break out of the box because Thanksgiving and Chrismakuah are right around the corner and they will surely give you plenty of time to drive youself INSANE with a check list of do's and dont's! Until then, trick AND treat!

tish

3 Months and Change

2009-07-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

So I've been looking at every decorating site and magazine I have laying around the house, always looking for ideas to change things or to blog about. But today was a bit of an off day so a friend suggested I focus on the happiness that is only three months and change away....Halloween. Yeah it's a little early, but who cares. Here's some 'ween inspiration for fellow dark night lovers.

I love this orange door and I kind of wonder...how much would my husband want to divorce me if I wanted to paint (and repaint) the door orange every, say, September?

I think this shot is from last Halloween's Martha Stewart...the gilded pumpkins? So simple to put together and would carry you over straight into Thanksgiving. Cat not included.

This, too, would be pretty easy...you just need one of those roman inspired planters, a couple of mannequin legs (surely I have some around here some place!), striped tights and those horrid pilgrim shoes we used to wear back in '86. You know you have some, too...

I love this shot from apartmenttherapy.com. I don't know how my neighbors would feel about this or my husband for that matter who would, no doubt, be up there with a ladder cursing every cobweb known to man...ok, maybe not. Maybe just the door.

Not a whole ton of people have caught on to the 'Ween Tree crazy yet, have they? Oh well, I now officially have two...a tabletop version and a floor model (that, well, used to be a metal Xmas tree until I got a hold of it with can of black spray paint and a couple of black feather boas). But they are fun and very Burton-esque, which is never a bad thing.

Halloween wreaths, too, are slow to catch on but what a quick way to decorate the door. Both of these are relatively simple to put together...the first is a twig wreath wrapped with silver dollar stem, a tulle bow and a faux black spider (well, hopefully faux, I'm not that goth)...the second, an inexpensive styrofoam round wrapped in boas with a simple ornament hanging in the middle. I did this last year for about $13 with supplies from Michael's...tres chic! Or should I say tres ween!

And speaking of Tim Burton...I am loving these cakes! Of course I've got a bit of a thing for Nightmare Before Christmas and (not as much but still there) for Corpse Bride. Luckily, our wedding anniversary is six days before Halloween so there will eventually be a Halloween themed anniversary event much to the dismay of my mother. I was going to do it this year but it being the 1st anniversay it was met with much resistence. Oh well, maybe the 5 year? At any rate, I will have to keep these beauties in mind.

For just any old (non-anniversary) type Halloween party, any of these would be a killer centerpiece! Especially if you have little people born around the holiday. I made the pumpkin cake for my little man's third birthday party. All it requires is two bundt cakes, a ton of icing and fondant for the leaves. If only my leaves had turned out this fabulous. Yeah, not so much...but hey, I had leaves and that's all that counts, right? The witch cake is ADORABLE! Sadly, my skills are not so superior but the ghost cake looks pretty doable...black candles, whipped icing and marshmallows? Who wouldn't love a piece of that!

Ah, Halloween...my favorite holiday. Why you may ask? Besides the dressing up, the candy galore, and the fabulous decorations it's the one holiday where you aren't actually beholden to family. Nor are you beholden to host any type of 5-course meal event. All you HAVE to do is have a good time and eat chocolate. And you won't even need any Xanax at the end (like at Thanksgiving and Christmas)...good times, people, good times.

So, I suppose I'll try to get back to non-holiday related posts until October but then again, I'm not making any promises...there are so many yummy things to blog about!

xoxo, tish

Suffragette's Signage

2009-07-08T18:10:00.001-07:00

So glad we don't have to fight this fight.

Patissiere

2009-06-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

One of my most colorful memories of Paris is all of the patissieres. It seemed that no matter what street you turned down (or in my case, found yourself lost on), there was a glass case filled with tarts, petit fours and eclairs; windows stacked high with breads and croissants filled with chocolate, fruit or creme; and cake stands piled with croquemboche (used for traditional French wedding cakes), swirled chocolate torts, profiteroles and marzipan coated gateaux -- most were so beautiful, you couldn't even think of eating them (of course we did, toting mini-cheesecakes coated in raspberry coulis back to our hotel by the Seine in gold-gilded boxes).

When we got married, we tried to capture the spirit of the French Patissiere mixed with a healthy dose of Southern Americana...an odd blend maybe but when you identify as strongly with your European heritage as you do your southern upbringing, it's pretty easy. We had tables lined with mini-eclairs in four different flavors, a fondue bar, petit fours coated in pink, green and especially chocolate, and glass bottled cokes (with plenty of champagne) to wash down three different kinds of crepes, both savory and sweet. It was better than I could have imagined.

Here are some gorgeous photographs I scouted out that embody those roaming French moments filled with the sweet smells of Paris treats.

Judea

2009-06-10T13:10:00.001-07:00

In light of today's events, I decided to spend some time searching for bima photographs that somehow would represent the light of hope that Jews remain to embrace even in moments of darkness. When I was a kid, our bima was royal and intimidating yet the first place you wanted to go when entering the heavy door of the synagogue. It was gilded and covered in rich burgundy velvets then finished off with a deep-stained mahogany. Something about being inside the sanctuary, in general, made you feel safe and protected, obviously, but also like you belonged to something much, much bigger than yourself. Which I guess is the purpose of any house of worship, isn't it? Which, if you think about, doesn't make us all that different.

And this, the proposed design by the genius Frank Gehry, for the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance's sister site planned for Jerusalem. Breathtaking...

Look beyond and you will see the light; that which gives you hope and determination in the face of discrimination; strength to move forward and beyond; and the will to teach someone else what you have learned.

kvlm

2009-06-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

recent photographs i took, still experimenting with the mobile camera, in chapel hill, nc. enjoy!

xo,
kvlm

French Blue I Do's

2009-05-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is getting married in 2010. Although we are months and months away from the big day, I figured there was no time like the present to start building the image of what that day will look like. Of course, I always like to put somewhat of a French spin on things so when she said "nautical theme" I thought how can we do that without it being cliche? How about just using the colors? Added bonus here, their rings are sapphire and diamonds...brings the whole thing together if you intermingle creams with navy's and cerulean. Perfect for catching that coastal vibe in a super chic way.

Starting with the cake:

This cake is classy and contemporary without being over the edge and leaving out the traditional elements. The wave effect on the tiers gives it that oceanic feel without being over the top and the color of the gum-paste flowers is gorgeous.

Invitation inspiration:

I like the first one because it's so graphic. It really pops out at you and the color is brillant against crisp white. The second is a more classic chinoise vase print for those who want to bring in a more traditional element.

Florals:

When you think blue florals, you can really only think one thing: blue hydrangea's. And they are gorgeous, vintage, and colorful. The first floral would add a little edge to any event. I like the green accent but I actually prefer the second photograph. The purple-y blue of this particular bunch matched with the sky blue pitcher is a breathtaking symbiosis of hues from this family. It's simple and clean but interesting. The first bouqet is exquisite wrapped in the double-blue ribbon and the second, again, appeals to the more traditional and romantic.

Table:

I'd want to do the napkin in a richer shade of blue but I love the simple idea of using a faux-diamond napkin ring. The candle light bouncing off all that "glass" will create all kinds of magic.

Dress:

Because my girl is not a major glam girly girl, is on the petite side and the wedding has a bit of a nautical twist to it, I thought something like this short dress (without the floral embellishment on the top) belted in blue might just be the perfect compliment to the other unexpected pieces.

And last but not least, the Car:

What else says a trip to the coast but a convertible like this 1938 Ford. Perfect for a moment-making escape at the end of a perfect night.

xoxo, kvlm