Architecture

Chicago, Illinois & San Antonio, Texas

There isn't a city on the planet that doesn't have some sort of interesting architecture (insert here my definition of interesting.) Long ago when I went to school I thought there was a chance Architecture instead of Interior Design might be my goal, but in the end decided against it. However, I still have a huge appreciation for it.

Architecture has evolved over time because of style and technology but if you think back to so many years ago and realize how little they had yet how beautiful they were able to imagine, and then create- its astonishing. We can build skyscrapers a mile tall and clad it with sleek sheets of glass but to see a church from the 1800's with a city block's length of windows and each detail exactly alike the one before it- amazing! So along my travels I like to just take pictures of buildings- ornate and plain- new and old. I can find something to appreciate in everyone of them. Enjoy some of these- and next time you find yourself somewhere new- appreciate those who had the passion to build it for you- there were a lot more Ray Kinsella's out there who knew if they could only build it, then we would come.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tampa, Florida

South Bend, Indiana Holland, Michigan

Believing in Reincarnation

I've always thought that most perfect things in life always involve the best parts of several different things. Food for instance- pretzels dipped in chocolate- those salty little carbs soaked in sweet smooth cocoa is a yummy combination. Outfits that combine denim and pearls, fresh roses in a rustic urn, and leather couches with satin throw pillows. Opposites do attract. This is easy to notice in combinations of New & Old. I've become drawn to making new things with the old lately. Not just a fabulous trash to treasure but really functional pieces that utilize something existing. This is the easiest way to be green of all. Overflowing out landfills with our old junk is a waste of so much time and resource. Here are some pictures of some necklaces I've taken an interest in. The base of the necklace is an antique skeleton key. A few gems and charms are added to give character and style and hung on a chain or leather cord depending on the casualness of the piece. We can all be a little more green if we "take time at the trashcan" don't throw something out that can be reincarnated.

Revival of the Soul

Gothic Revival, Medieval Revival, Greek Revival, Gospel Revival- all these revivals were born solely because there original was so spectacular that it was worth bringing back a second (and sometimes third and forth) time. We see the the admiration of the Neo-Gothic style in classic park bridges, and the Greek style reappears in an American iconic house.

Revival in the religious sense often refers to events to renew our love for the Lord, to remember why we fell in love to begin with. Webster defines revival as: A time of reawakened interest. Revival is happening everyday. We see 80's leggings back on the runways, 90210 returns to prime time, Colonial architecture in a new housing development.

What reminded me of this today was listening to song- whose lyrics are a revival. In 1989 Don Henley had a hit with Heart of the Matter. In 2008 the song was made popular again in the box office hit Sex and the City with India Arie's revival of the song. The lyrics are as true today as they were two decades ago. The classic rock turned smooth jazz tune gives new life to the thought that its all about forgiveness.

So today was a reminder to me of things I once loved, and reviving them in my life. If I fell in love with it once, it must have been for good reason. Songs that meant something once, might bring back those happy feelings. Old pictures will remind me of memories that needed dusting off to bring a smile to my face. Foods that comforted me during stressful exam weeks can bring calmness to a busy workweek.

I've started a little revamp of all the things that stir my soul. Reconnecting with old friends has been a blessing. Blasting my stereo to classic tunes makes me dance around the apartment as if I were 12 again. Even shopping reminds me of earlier days with the 80's resurrection in fashion. These old pleasures bring back happy memories and at a time when so many people are down on their luck and down in the dumps its a perfect way to turn that frown upside down. I'm stirring up some of my "favorite things" from days gone by- what will you give revival to and give your soul a swirl?

Ble-u-topia

Maybe my Bleu cheese adoration came from my Dad (mom doesn't really care for the stuff) I love it burgers, hot wings and as a creamy fondue. But recently I had a recipe epiphany- bleu cheese and walnuts are often coupled together in a salad and I love the soft creamy and crisp crunchy texture burst. With a little help from cream cheese I turned this salad topper into an amazing pita spread. Dump a softened block of cream cheese, some dashes of milk, crumbled bleu cheese (amount determined by your level of love for the tangyness) and crushed walnuts. Smooth this on a toasted pita and you have an amazing snack. Slather it on some crusty bread as a basis for a sandwich using last nights left over steak sliced- add some red onion and arugula and you have a great patio dinner date meal. Please share your bleu ideas- I just can't get enough!

Bucket List

Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman will make your heart melt in this movie. I started a list of things I wanted to do long before this movie came out, but seeing it made me add to the list. Not that I want to follow their list, but made me think of things I want to do in life, like writing into a newspaper or watching a meteor shower. I know a lot of us are always searching for things to do and can sometimes be discouraged by the cost of the things we want to see and do. What I've forgotten, as I am sure many others have, is that there are many things we can do that don't cost much if anything at all. Riding in a gondola in Venice can be a once in a lifetime experience, but so can painting a picture outside in a public place or teaching a class at your community center. When I think back to some of the amazing things I've done so far, seeing a show on Broadway in New York city was amazing and unforgettable. But so was helping out at a soup kitchen, and far more rewarding and less expensive. I won't forget either experience, and I'm a better person for both of them. Remember the small things you can do that you'll be proud of when you complete your list.

Down to the Dungeon

So tonight was a laundry night. Which means a little trip down to the basement. The basement holds the washer and dryer and a storage area. My personal storage area is a little room about 6 foot by 8 foot. Which sounds like a pretty good size, but its actually not too big or perhaps I just have too much stuff (my family would lean towards the latter) Having a small space means that somethings are not accessible without moving about sixteen other items out of the way. So without having to rummage around for hours trying to find the one box I'm looking for, I came up with a little system. Writing on boxes and containers doesn't seem to work because you can't always see the labels with other items in the way. There are many different varieties of duct tape on the market and using a few bands of duct tape around a box really helps. For the Christmas boxes I have a stripe of green and red, for Halloween black and orange. This way when boxes are piled all over one another their contents are revealed even when the container is barely visible. This same method could be applied to the closet you store all your family's seasonal clothes. Assign each family member a color and know exactly which box to go to in order to find your winter coat for that August trip to the arctic.
Hope this helps with your basements, attics, storage units, closets and where ever else you have overflowing boxes stashed. Its back to the basement for me, laundry won't magically jump to the dryer itself. Although maybe there is a trick for that :) next time?

Exercise deserves Relaxation …

Good Afternoon!
I’m feeling very refreshed and rejuvenated after this weekend and this morning. The weekend was super relaxing and this morning I went for a run. I forgot how much more I like running in the morning rather than the afternoon. I always have a minor dilemma when I go for a run. Normally wearing a t-shirt and gym shorts of some kind, there is no good spot for a house key. Since I only use my running shoes for running I’ve used a small ribbon to tie a spare key to the laces. It’s the easiest way I’ve found to keep up with it.

This is a project I completed a while ago but thought I’d share the finishes product. It all started with a old crummy looking coffee table. This table had been painted about a hundred colors last of which was this hideous shade of peach.

With a little transformation it developed into a attractive, functional ottoman. I cut the legs down so that when adding foam and batting to the top it was at a height appropriate for resting those tired soles. A quick coat of paint to the legs and base covered the unsightly coral hue. I used three inch foam, covered with batting and then I used ostrich leather. I secured the layers with a staple gun around the edge of the table. To cover the staples I applied a black velvet ribbon trim. It’s comfy enough to sit on, but sturdy enough to set a tray on. You might consider using a much smaller end table in the same manner as a single foot stool in front of your favorite reading chair or as extra seating to store under your coffee table. Enjoy the before and after.