Blog open - for awhile at least

Some people who have been so supportive along the way from the "Adoption Community" (from places like http://www.frua.org/ which I think is single handedly the best resource for gathering information and finding answers to questions, support, encouragement, friendship and a good dose of reality as well as some of the Yahoo groups I have been a member of) have asked if I would open my blog again so they could catch up on "The Long Road Home".  So, it is my greatest happiness to open it up again at least for awhile.  There are some humps and bumps and I certainly took my lumps in country but we are home now and ecstatically happy.  Thanks to EVERYONE who has shared the ride - and now, we are just getting started on our life together as a family. 
Another quick update: to those who generously donated to Corbins orphanage, the delivery of 15 cribs, a washing machine, a fax machine and a merry go round should be being made in the next few days.  The cribs had to be ordered in from Moscow so it took some time to collect everything and get the truck ready to hit the road for the 6 hour drive from Khabarovsk to Selihino.
Enjoy and welcome back :)

A perfect day

Well, it's been busy... getting settled in and getting to know one another.  Corbin is a beautiful little boy on the inside and out.  Today he got his first haircut from Aunt Karen - and in following with every other thing he has done on an outing, he was an angel.  Not a peep, not a squirm, not a troublesome fidgit... just sitting quietly with a car in both hands under the cape while the clippers and scissors did their thing.  His little orphanage hair do is now history (it was not hideous by any stretch but it was chunky and scraggly - now it's not).  We have struggled with eating a bit (ok a lot) since we got home.  He doesn't want to eat when it's just the two of us but will eat in a crowd of people (on the plane, at my sisters, with other people).  It's left me a little sad and with a fridge full of rejected food stuffs.  Turns out he really enjoys the NON orphanage fare (so much for keeping things simple and the same).  He has pounded back hotdogs, grilled cheese sandwich, raisins, cheerios, cheese, yogurt (OK thats the same) and lots of scrambled eggs with sausage.  Today, he ate breakfast like a champ, hotdogs and raisins with Ashton and Ella, snacked on cheerios in the car and finished the day off with some veggies, a grilled cheese sandwich and more cheese... that my friends is how you spell relief :)  I know tomorrow might not be another banner day but I'll take this  one.  The only little bump today is another night terror.  He had one on the plane and today another. It's heart breaking - nothing I can do - he isn't really awake, he wants me to hold him and then pushes me away.  He sat sobbing uncontrolably facing the headboard and not wanting anything to touch him... eyes only open a slit.  I just sit with him and talk gently and reassuringly... we get through.  The night ended with meeting the neighbors and their big Sabakas.  He is so not afraid of dogs and is sweet with my friends - it makes me happy.  I don't think I updated after bringing Lyric (our dog) home on Sunday.  He rolled with that as if he knew all about her and was ready to have a huge big dog for his own.  He sat in his car seat with his hand on her back most of the way home and in the morning, he layed down beside her on her bed with his head on her back and said "good puppy"...  I couldn't be more thrilled with this little guy. 
Our day ended with the usual kisses and hugs and the game we play where he gives me his hand and I kiss his palm... and then he does... and then I do... and then I put it on his heart and tell him I love him... and he smiles and says, "good night Mama".
Today was a perfect day :)

Client Project: Sneakity Peek

I've been remiss about getting "afters" of my finished projects for clients.  It's on my list of things to do and so this week, since I'll be wrapping up a client's living & dining rooms, I'll be sure to get photos.   Here's a shot I took today of the pen shell coffee table in the living room:

I'm slightly obsessed. 

Counter Space

I am excitedly marking my calendar for the opening of Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen which opens at The Museum of Modern Art on September 15, 2010. As you can see from the photo of a kitchen in Frankfurt circa 1926, kitchen design has come a long way. Kitchens used to be relegated to the basement or out buildings, a lot of which had to do with fire prevention and the fact that many people had servants. A far cry from the wide open kitchen/family rooms that are the norm today! On display at the exhibition will be two complete kitchens, many appliances, and a range of artwork. Should be interesting!

Tory Burch's Chic Seoul Boutique

Tory Burch just posted photos of her new freestanding boutique in Seoul, South Korea. I love how it looks more like a home than a store. When I first saw the photo above, I actually thought it was Tory's home! I am definitely going to have to find out if where to find that fabric or wallpaper on the walls. I love it!

Chic in the Heat: Part Deux

As I mentioned, the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic took place this past weekend on Governor's Island in New York. My vote for best dressed goes to Veronica Webb in Rachel Roy. It was extremely hot and she looks divinely cool! I love it! Maybe I should try a hat instead of a scarf!

I love books...and you?

I love to read. I've always one or two books on my bedside table and just cannot sleep if I don't read a little while before.

Also I'm a bookaholic...Yes a sort of shopaholic, but related to books. I don't feel I've spent a good day shopping, if I don't enter a bookshop and buy maybe just one book.

In many of your wonderful blogs I've seen that you also, dear friends, have a love for books and reading. And sometimes you dedicate a post to a book that really captured you...

So I was thinking that it could be nice to share the books we have read and that we have loved most.

Maybe giving some advices and suggesting some titles, or just talking about the book we are reading... Find a place where sharing tips and talk about books (maybe with a good cup of tea, and some chocolate too!!! eheheh!).

Yes a sort of book club. What do you think? I would love to call it:

THE BOOKS CAFE'

In my mind I was thinking about using Linky Tools to create a sort of link party.



 So, how will it work?

I would held this book club on my blog every two Fridays or just one time a month (what do you think it's better?).

All you have to do, is link up a post of yours about a book you have read and have loved, to my Books Cafè post to partecipate to this event.

You cant talk about whatever book you want, I just want you to consider it a little corner where friends have fun sharing some info about the books you are reading or have read and enjoyed. Also you can write in English or Italian, as you like. I think that talking about books, is a funny way to make new friends and discover common interests!

So on Friday July 2nd I will post about the book I've just read and enjoyed.

If you fancy this idea, you can link up with a post of yours and talk about a book too.

I don't know if you will like this idea, please let me know what do you think about it! =) If you like it, I would love to create a theme for each Books Cafè Event: drama, comedy, the most funny book I've read, the most romantic book I've read and so on.

So, please, let me know your opinion, I will be very grateful!!

* photos by me - sorry for the poor quality, but I think that my camera is going to leave me, sigh!

I love books...and you?

I love to read. I've always one or two books on my bedside table and just cannot sleep if I don't read a little while before.

Also I'm a bookaholic...Yes a sort of shopaholic, but related to books. I don't feel I've spent a good day shopping, if I don't enter a bookshop and buy maybe just one book.

In many of your wonderful blogs I've seen that you also, dear friends, have a love for books and reading. And sometimes you dedicate a post to a book that really captured you...

So I was thinking that it could be nice to share the books we have read and that we have loved most.

Maybe giving some advices and suggesting some titles, or just talking about the book we are reading... Find a place where sharing tips and talk about books (maybe with a good cup of tea, and some chocolate too!!! eheheh!).

Yes a sort of book club. What do you think? I would love to call it:

THE BOOKS CAFE'

In my mind I was thinking about using Linky Tools to create a sort of link party.



 So, how will it work?

I would held this book club on my blog every two Fridays or just one time a month (what do you think it's better?).

All you have to do, is link up a post of yours about a book you have read and have loved, to my Books Cafè post to partecipate to this event.

You cant talk about whatever book you want, I just want you to consider it a little corner where friends have fun sharing some info about the books you are reading or have read and enjoyed. Also you can write in English or Italian, as you like. I think that talking about books, is a funny way to make new friends and discover common interests!

So on Friday July 2nd I will post about the book I've just read and enjoyed.

If you fancy this idea, you can link up with a post of yours and talk about a book too.

I don't know if you will like this idea, please let me know what do you think about it! =) If you like it, I would love to create a theme for each Books Cafè Event: drama, comedy, the most funny book I've read, the most romantic book I've read and so on.

So, please, let me know your opinion, I will be very grateful!!

* photos by me - sorry for the poor quality, but I think that my camera is going to leave me, sigh!

Gray Nursery Rugs - a re-re-visit

So I've officially decided the current nursery rug has to go back to Burke Decor. You'll recall it looks like this and is pretty much perfect in color, size and pattern.



The problem - the low pile and 100% wool leaves it feeling spikey and itchy (seriously this thing makes a sisal rug seem plush). So it's back to the drawing board for a more "plush pile" wool option.

The challenge is that there are quite a few other patterns going on in the room including the Asian inspired yellow/gray/black/white shower curtain that is being re-purposed for the closet door (pic to come), the window seat fabric, and the cheetah spot accent pillows you see draped over the side of the crib in the pic above. I want something that will anchor the space over the top of the wall-to-wall cream carpet in the room but that won't compete with everything else going on.

Possibilities:

Pebble Rug from West Elm in Heathered Gray ($279)

It's a solid color which I'm blah about but maybe the fact that it has an interesting texture is enough.

Chevron Knot from West Elm in Charcoal ($299)

Again, solid color, some texture for interest but I think it's overall too dark. I had an almost black rug once and it was the worst thing in the world to keep clean. And that was before a dog and baby!!

Hopscotch Rug from CB2 (Problem...doesn't seem to come in 5'x8')

This is a strong contender. I like the color and that it has something going on in the way of design. Plus I could see it being fun in a kid's room for years to come. But I guess it not being available in the size I need makes this all a moot point.

Safari Rug from West Elm ($279)

Love the colors and overall I love the pattern. My only concern is that the subtle safari/jungle thing I have going on in the nursery will become a full out THEME with the addition of this rug. But I have to remember that there's a lot of non-jungle things in there as well. Will it be too much to with window seat fabric? With the cheetah patterned pillows? I love how sophisticated it is though and that I could use it somewhere else in the house later...

Pemberly Wool Rug from Burke Decor ($665) OUCH!

Great pattern, great color. Pretty close to the one I'm going to be returning with the major difference being this one is a higher pile and of the plush variety. But let's not overlook the fact that it's like 3x the price.

Frontier Collection Rug from Burke Decor ($250)

Yawn? And it's not clear to me just how gray this rug is...looking a bit more taupe in this photo.

Amy Butler Lacework Rug from Burke Decor ($676)

Over the top gorgeous but maybe too over the top for this room. This seems like a rug that would demand center stage in a space and I think I'd have to kill all other patterns to make it work. But it's so damn pretty! (and expensive, boo!)

Circle Fret Wool Rug from Dash & Albert ($634)

And of course...you're sick of hearing me obsess about this rug I'm sure. Well sorry. I love it. So there.

Help?! Which is your favorite? Which meets all the criteria best? And why can't a truck just pull up at my house with all of them? That would make it so much easier to play with them in the room and decide. This deciding from a 200 pixel online photo business is hard!

Clever Gambrel

Another lovely home by Steven Gambrel. Imagine sitting there on the water's edge like that. So gorgeous.

Album Fiksimini ( Part 1)

Aslm...

Hoho...
Senangnya...
Beberapa fikisimini yang saya tulis di Twitter dan FB banyak yang suka...
Padahal saya masih sangat teramat pemula...
[Pamer?]  Hehe... nggak gitu juga...

Nah...
Bukannya mau sombong atau gimana, tapi saya rasa boleh lah di post di blog...
hoho...
Semoga lebih banyak lagi yang suka...

---------------Aul's Fikismini Album Part 1---------------

~Bunuh Diri~ 
Manakala mobil itu melintas, ia segera melompat, lalu terpental dan berdarah. Hanya karena pagi tadi dimarahi Ayah.

~Peniru Payah~ 
Ia berdiri, Aku berdiri. Ia berteriak, Aku berteriak. Ia melompat ke jurang, Aku melambaikan tangan.


~Selingkuh~ 
Dan aku hanya bisa menatap dengan sesak di dada saat orang yang ku kasihi beradu dahi dengan pria berbaju coklat itu.

~Ternyata~ 
Ia tersenyum, manis sekali. Semanis madu. Dan dengan lembut ia menyapaku, "Kau tampak lucu dengan baju terbalik itu,"

~Hadiah~ 
Ia berkata, "aku akan menghadiahkan kalung permata mahal untuk ulangtahunmu besok,". Dan sore harinya, ia gantung diri.

~Janji~ 
Pagi ini pria itu berjanji, akan menghadiahkan rumah mewah kepada kekasihnya. Dan kekasihnya histeris menangis di sore harinya, karena pria itu mati ditabrak truk kemarin malam.

~Demi Cinta~ 
Aku mau melakukan apapun demi cintaku padamu," Ujarnya sambil menatap mata gadisnya dalam. Gadisnya menjawab mantap dengan senyum penuh kemenangan, "Baiklah. Kalau begitu carikan aku pacar yang lebih baik darimu,"

~Pengantin Baru~ 
Dan saat ia membuka matanya serta menoleh, ia menjerit dan berlari turun dari tempat tidurnya sampai terpeleset jatuh dan kepalanya berdarah, hanya karena kaget ada pria bertelanjang dada di sebelahnya. Padahal hiasan kamar pengantin baru pun masih terpasang dimana-mana.

~Diskon~ 
Dan ia pulang dengan wajah kecewa. Esoknya ia kembali ke warung itu dan berkata, "Nasi bungkus kemarin sudah turun harga?". Dan penjualnya menjawab, "Ya. Gratis!".


~Korupsi~ 
Seorang pegawai disidang gara-gara memotong gaji bawahannya. Hakim bertanya, "Kenapa kau melakukannya?". Dengan nada membela ia mejawab, "Atasan saya yang duluan memotong gaji saya"

--------------- The End ---------------

P.S.

Mohon kritik dan sarannya, agar menjadi lebih baik.

Chic in the Heat

"Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got." - Sophia Loren

I love this photo of and quote by Sophia Loren. It's been so insufferably hot and humid in New York lately that I'm having trouble feeling chic. I wish I could wear a scarf on my head with as much confidence as Sophia but I'd probably end up looking like a milk maid. I'll guess I'll have to find another way to look chic in the heat! Keep cool and carry on!

Fox News.com

Today on Fox News' imagazine, I was featured in an article about decorating for young families and also in another little slideshow/ article with photos & tips.  I was interviewed by Brooke Eaton of Fox News and she's a very sweet, savvy writer and can't thank her enough for the article.   I was a bit nervous to be interviewed, but it was a lot of fun and Brooke made me feel instantly at ease. 

The focus of the article was on decorating for young families, particularly those with kids.  As you know, I haven't given up the fight for a pretty house even though I have two little boys.  (Although at times it feels like a losing battle ;)  It's funny to see yourself quoted in an article and I had to laugh out loud when one of my quotes when asked about design tips for parents with young children was, "It's your life, not your kids'."  hahahah oh boy...  But as harsh as that may sound, (as far as decorating / designing in concerned ;) I believe it 100%.  Design a house that still feels adult/ beautiful by keeping kids' toys to a minimum and providing attractive, accessible storage for them.  Kids' toys can be in every room of the house without taking over.   A running joke in the family is that one of the first things you say to your newborn baby when he arrives is "welcome to our world."

BUT- All joking aside, we love our little dudes- we just think they should keep their primary-colored toys hidden ;) ;)




To read both articles go:
1) here (decorating for young families) and
2) here (for the Pure Style Home article/ slideshow.)

Serena & Lily: Not Just for Kids Anymore

I've shopping Serena & Lily for nurseries and children's rooms for years so I was very excited when they expanded to adult sized bedding. They didn't just expand on the linens though. You can now buy furniture, paint, pillow, rugs, and more! For those who don't have a designer and need a little help, you can shop by room which gives you the entire scheme or if you're more advanced, you can just shop by item. They also offer custom upholstery and even sell fabric by the yard. I have been thinking about buying some new linens for my own bed and the Aqua Gobi Embroidered Sheets are calling my name. They are also offering free shipping on orders over $99 until July 5th. Happy Shopping!

Pewter + Sage Mood Board Monday

While prowling the blogosphere this afternoon, I came across a new (to me) favorite - Pewter + Sage. Sarah is expecting a baby as well so I've been having a blast reading all about her nursery design and inspiration.

Today they are hosting a Mood Board challenge which I think is a really fun idea and one I haven't seen anywhere else. Basically Sarah picks 1 inspirational item (this week it's bedding) and you build a room around it. It can be any room/style/color palette you want - the only caveat is that it uses the challenge item. How fun! And what a great way to dream up a room around all those items I love but can't afford in this real world with budgets and other pesky details.

I immediately recognized one of the challenge bedding sets as the Poetical pattern by Barbara Barry. You see I've loved it since Jenny posted about it here. Little did I know it was offered in a bedding set at Macy's! (and guess who's in need of new bedding?)

With that as my inspiration, I started building a soft, feminine room full of airy white and serene gray, all accented with delicate lavender, gold accents and a punch of black here and there. This is the kind of room I would sleep in if hubby wouldn't throw a fit about it being super girly :)



1. The color palette: As mentioned, I'd paint the walls a light purple. It would have more hints of gray than pink to keep it sophisticated. Maybe Benjamin Moore's Piano Concerto seen here.

2. Accent pillows via Etsy here and here. Seriously the pillow situation on Etsy is out of control. I could spend years of my life on there just gawking at pillows. Make it stop.

3. I LOVE Wisteria. So if there's play money to be spent, that's where I'm spendin' it. Plus I love the femininity of this mirror and the burnished gold sparkle it adds to the otherwise white washed, Swedish-esque furnishings.

4. For accent lighting, I would go with this white bone lamp from Anthropologie topped with this shade which picks up my subtle purple perfectly. And I am loving the zinnia appliques for an added dimension on this.

5. Back to Wisteria for my dresser, a French country inspired piece in the perfect antiqued shade of gray. I'd place this beside the bed to double as 1 of my 2 nightstands.

6. To pick up the bone in the accent lamp, I decided on a mother of pearl rod for my window hardware. I like that it's in keeping with the more burnished metallic accents I have going on in the room too.

7. I love Circa Lighting and am dying for an excuse (and the cash!) to make a purchase there. These swing arm lamps in hand-rubbed antique brass would be perfect on either side of my bed and again are in keeping with the little bits of metallic I have going on.

8. To be honest, I wasn't sure how I felt about the Claudette headboard when I first saw it grace the pages of my Ballard Designs catalog. I'm still not totally sold on the little bird (note it is removable) but I love the weathered look of the white and the curves are killer. Add this to the list of things my husband would never allow in the house please. But it works in this design I think.

9. This super affordable little side table is from Target and would make up 1 of my 2 nightstands. I like the pop of black it adds to the room to breakup all that softness and I'm a fan of nightstands that don't perfectly match (though you wouldn't know it by looking at my bedroom!)

10. Anchoring the whole space would be platinum jute boucle rug from West Elm. Great durability and I like that it keeps the bedding pattern the star of the room.

11 & 12. At the foot of the bed would be this tufted storage ottoman from Ballard Designs which I'd have upholstered in this deep purple color from Calico Corners.

13. I toyed with the idea of using a pattern or a light purple silk for the window panels but ultimately decided I liked the color better on the walls. These airy smocked drapes from Pottery Barn are in keeping with the feminine room.

The only thing missing is some pretty art for the walls and I'm ready to move right in I think! Oh and the $4,400 I'm conservatively estimating I'd need for all these pieces (not including taxes and shipping charges). Not too shabby for an afternoon's work!

Check out the other Mood Board challenge entrants at Pewter + Sage. I love seeing how differently everyone's rooms come together.

Portrait of a Rider

When I was researching my last post on Equestrian Chic, I came across an interesting book entitled The Private Passion of Jackie Kennedy Onassis: Postrait of a Rider. Jackie started riding at a very young age as you can see by some of the photos here and continued to ride with her own children. She spent much of her time riding in Middleburg, Virginia and attending horse shows throughout her life. Horseback riding teaches poise, posture and confidence so perhaps it is what accounted for her ever present grace under pressure. Definitely makes me want to sign up for lessons! Giddyup!

"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill