Interiors

Lots of black, white and yellow in my mind lately...also the Whirlpool Leaf Project, and some silhouette wallpaper, which I think would be cute cut up and framed in a little girls' room. :)

Short, white, and sassy

Wall of Books

DVF

Sunny life

Well it's been a while since I've updated. I've been reading a bit, and also the Crockers and Matt and Mary (Becca's boyfriend and friend from college) came up to visit this past weekend, so things were pretty hectic and busy--fun, though! :) Let's see...well, I finished The Idiot, and my Dostoevsky kick continues as I begin Poor Folk and House of the Dead next. I also have Notes from Underground, The Gambler, and The Possessed on my list. Who knew I was embarking on a solo class in Russian literature when I started this? But it's all enjoyable you know, because his books combine things I really love to read about and ponder: namely, philosophy, religion, and politics. Yes, even politics! (Or should it be political science?) I don't much care for current events, mostly because I don't know when I have all the information and I just don't know enough really to make judgments on those things, but I do like thinking about how things ought to be, if we were to just start everything over. Working this summer has been really fun to observe all the forces of economics even here, even though the vast majority of people don't even realize it! It's fun to see the theory play out sometimes :) But yeah, I'll write another post about The Idiot soon--I want to go back and read the introduction first because at the end of my reading I wasn't quite sure if I liked it or not. I was loving it throughout, much more than Crime and Punishment, and actually there were several bits that I could have written myself because they were so in sync with what I've been feeling and thinking about lately. But then the ending really threw me--not entirely because I disliked it, though it did enrage me, and I realize that there may not have been another way for it to end. I wonder about writing a novel these days...I want to know whether it's as they say, that the book takes on a life of its own, that the writer ceases to have control over what's said and how things resolve themselves, that he's merely the scribe that sets forth the story. But, as I say, The Idiot is for another time, and a possible novel is as well.

In other news, this weekend was really fun with everyone here. We skiied and tubed almost all of Saturday and Sunday, and by Monday I was momentarily confused by the fact that my back and shoulders were so sore. I really like being out on the boat, so I'm really looking forward to the Muellers' visit next weekend (they'll actually be here this weekend too, but I'll be in Chicago for Lollapalooza and to see to Laura and to celebrate Colleen's birthday). After everyone left on Sunday, Grandma and Poppa and I also went to see Mamma Mia! in the theaters (for $3.50 a ticket! What a steal!), which was REALLY good. I honestly wasn't expecting much out of the girl who plays Sophie, but she was great! Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan were less than ideal singers, but overall I was really entertained and the scene where all of the women are going crazy and singing their song on the way to the dock just made me realize that I feel most free when I'm surrounded by friends and loud music to which I know all the words and I am exhilarated enough to dance without embarrassment. Oh, if only real life were a silly musical, where even fights were sung in rhyme and by the end of the number both characters realize the folly in fighting at all. Sigh...

Well, I should really get to work here, though honestly there's not much for me to do. Everyone is going crazy in preparation for the Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, but my part for that is done, so right now I'm just coasting and standing by for any catastrophes. Until later!

Jayson Home and Garden

Little love

I would like to give this to someone, or better yet, have someone give it to me:

Random Tidbits

Do you ever feel the need during the day to just tell someone about random discoveries or opinions? This happens to me all the time. This afternoon I'd had enough of trying to remember all of them for nothing, and resolved to start writing these things down. For today--

-I really love the smell of suntan lotion, like a lot.
-I also really like that Leona Lewis song (keep bleedin', keep keep bleedin' in love) because it's so darn catchy, but I am surprised every time by her name. It just doesn't sound poppy enough to survive the music industry.
-This week my quads hurt a lot. After missing a couple days of training last week, I threw in an extra day this week and have run longer runs on my normal training days. Now my legs hurt (in a good way) but I'm thankful I don't have to run tomorrow! 12 miles though on Saturday...a new record!
-On the matter of heartbreak, musicians really know what they're talking about, and it's been kind of neat to actually listen to the words (I don't usually do this) and identify with them.
-I love water sports. All water sports.

Craigslist Finds

Lately I've become obsessed with learning how to reupholster furniture and turn something shabby into something beautiful and chic. I think I'm going to start with my antique rocker that is desperately in need of a new cushion and upholstering, but I got to thinking there have to be some great finds on Craigslist--and wow, there really are!

#1: antique slipper chair
















#2: antique victorian chair













#3: antique chair













#4: victorian parlor chair (prob my favorite)





















#5: mid-19th century chair













#6: vintage velvet chair

Love, life

Right now I should very much like to be Russian, or at least to sit down in Russia to have tea with Dostoevsky. I am nearing the end of The Idiot, and I am reminded so forcefully why reading classics is so important. It really is amazing when you read a book that touches you so strongly, that articulates your deepest and most private thoughts aloud, that you thought no one else had ever experienced, and suddenly you realize that these emotions and struggles must be part of the universal human experience...because how else could someone set them forth almost 150 years ago, when culture, society, the state of the world, and life are all so completely different? The excitement is in the discovering, and not the discovery...true? Why then, do I find for the first time that I am afraid of the future? I am, I am afraid of not leading an extraordinary life, of not choosing the right career for fulfillment and family plans, of not directing my heart and mind toward the most valuable things. I have time, and in my head I know that these things are already planned for my best life, but still I wonder about decisions that will set the whole tone of the rest of my life. But no, life is an adventure, and an exciting one at that. And tomorrow is another day in which I get to live it out. And something I should remind myself of that I heard on the radio this morning, that life is good but eternal life is better. Even if I should have the best life, with the most happiness and meaning and love, how does it really compare to finally confronting the creator of all things? I can't quite imagine it, but I know it will be great.

Furniture styles

Apparently I like Hollywood Regency and Mid Century Modern (and also the color yellow). Did I mention I chose buttercup yellow for my free KitchenAid standmixer? I'm pretty pumped. I can't wait to get it home and try it out! I have Alton Brown's advice on yeast mingling around in my brain...homemade pizza here I come :)

Cool print

Neat or weird?

What do you think of these gadgety gizmos? The bike thing actually looks kinda cool, but I wonder how heavy it is!! I know my current bike would be horrendous to carry on my back. The surge protectors, I dunno, I think it's just kinda weird. Can't we just have a nice simple one that isn't that ugly beige gray plastic? Although having outlets not all in a row could be useful, especially if you're working in a room that only has an outlet on, say, one wall, and you have to have all your stuff go into one power strip without extension cords...

Fun mirrors!

A variation on the starburst theme which seems everywhere these days, and has thus lost a bit of it's chic feeling...I really like the use of wood! I'd actually really like to see a mix of different woods and grains, kinda like highlights for home accessories! :)

Romper

Oh how I want to be able to pull this off/have somewhere to wear this awesome romper:

Bandana Dress

Found this cool dress at Sally Jane Vintage, which is made entirely out of navy blue bandanas. I love the front, and then I really love the back too!! Who knew bandanas could be sexy? I certainly don't think the white man's doorag look is... Could be a fun project.

Royal chairs

Found this DIY chair on Design Sponge, and then came across these French/English armchairs at Hollywood at Home... I am in love! I really like the mix of high and low, as in high class and low class, which I attribute to the stuffy nature of the chairs vs. the funky vibes of the fabric or patterned pillows. And wouldn't it be fun to pair a chair like this with a very angular leather couch? I think so!

Verrier

I had never heard of this brand before (apparently it's sold at Nordstrom) but man I love these looks! Feminine, kinda vintagey, and very classy (lately I'm all about this look--must be the corporate workplace influence!). And actually, I would love to wear dresses every day of the week, so I try to make smart investments in that area of my wardrobe haha :) But seriously, aren't these dresses gorgeous? I really love all of them, and I would definitely consider the last one as a wedding dress (which is actually a silk satin cami and skirt!)!! Pair that with some amazing shoes and tumbly curly hair and flowers, oh yes that's my kind of look. Yay work life, I can't wait until the majority of my wardrobe has to be up to your snuff.

Mmmm

I really love this living room...I love the combination of white and black, in natural, modern lines anyway. It feels classy and artful. And I really like how everything is not centered around the middle of the couch, and that the couch isn't centered on the wall...I can't decide if I like that lamp or not. I like the base, but I think I have an issue with the "shade." And actually I'm not crazy about the stacked end tables either. But still, overall a warm and classy and inviting room :)

I want this floormat

White beds

I really like white quilts under patterned covers and sheets. My mom recently did up my old room like that, and it looks so fresh and crisp and clean. Yay! I liked this first one from Anthropologie, especially against the big floral throw and bold orange and green sheets. And this white, black and yellow room via Unruly Things is really fun as well. I like the furniture at the end of the bed look too--feels quite majestic :) But really I just love yellow... :):):)

girly free joy