Branca-Perfect for the Holidays

Wondering what I was up to in Chicago last week? I know. I've been super busy (wedding planning!!) but I took time to visit the Branca store in Chicago which was absolutely incredible. I've wanted to see the store ever since it opened and now my dreams have come true! My mother and I braved the freezing cold weather and warmed up in the store.

This is the most beautiful fabric on the wall, is it not? (Don't say no.) On the lower floor of this three floor store in a townhouse, this was my favorite element. It made the store so warm and cozy, yet still incredibly elegant. What a great project too--plaid mats around some prints would really winterize your apartment!

This shot is for those of you that love foo dogs. I'm not a foo dog lover, I have to admit.


I love this eclectic cabinet with tons of Branca accessories and nothing gets my design heart (which is my real heart anyway) pumping like chicken wire in cabinets.

Horn and shell accessories are everywhere this season. I want all of it. Also I love this mushroom plate is astonishingly adorable.

Red is everywhere in this store and I love it! Horn and shell is everywhere but also feathers. Feather pillows, lampshades and wall decor.

Another feather pillow! Also I can't get enough plaid this season.

Plaid, exposed nail heads, a giant flower/feather pillow, fabric on the walls, and a cane backed chair. What more could you ask for?

The woman working there was incredibly enthusiastic and told us about a Carolyne Roehm party that they were hosting that week, which made me which I lived in Chicago (then I stepped outside and froze my face off). Anyway, I already have Alessandra Branca's book but would love just about anything from the store. You can now shop online which is AMAZING. Have any of you been to her store yet? Brave the cold and go for it!

Alicia B.

December 7

Who lives in house no 7? What's her story? 

It’s Mrs. Rosie Cheeks with her daughter
their home is full of joy and laughter
They have a tiny cat
who loves every mouse and rat
Rosie will give her daughter a butterfly dress
it’s so pretty it will make an impress
when her dad comes from the sea
and they will sit together and drink lots of tea.

By Johki

Young Miss Glitter was the best babysitter a kid could ever have.
She sang, she played, she listened well.
Everyone gave her raves.

Now that she’s a neighbor lady, a veteran, not a rookie.
She hosts tea parties and dress-up days,
And always has a cookie.

When kids and cats come round her door she greets them with a smile,
And when they feel unloved at home,
They’re safe with her awhile.

She coos and clucks and makes them proud,
There’s no one just like them.
And when they hear their mothers call they float home on a cloud.

By Next door Laura

there once was a lady named Signild,and a beautiful house she did build,with her
crazy green cat,all day she made hats,for her very shy little girl Audhild.
Now Signild was searching her hardest,for the right gift to fix sweet Audhilds
shyness,so the ISAK butterfly dress she gave,which made Audhilds behaviour magically
change,and now she proudly yells 'call me your Highness!"

By Emily Townsend

Kiriman baju dari Toyota Seo Award

Pas ketika sibuk-sibuknya di acara pernikahan ponakan kemarin , pak pos yang turut jadi tamu bilang he ini ada kiriman baju buat kamu, wah saya pikir ini dari siapa ya perasaan aku nggak pernah menang kuis belakangan ini, ternyata setelah dibuka itu adalah baju dari Toyota sebagai hadiah atas keikutsertaan di  kontes Mobil Keluarga Ideal Terbaik Indonesia

Bajunya keren warna putih dengan logo Toyota SEO award di dada, pokoknya mantap deh, terimakasih kontes SEO Toyota AWard, semoga sukses selalu

wah gimana ya posisi saya sekarang di  kontes Mobil Keluarga Ideal Terbaik Indonesia

If walls could talk...

They would probably tell you what color they are....

But since I am quite forgetful these days, I haven't shared that with you.  And since I have received a few comments and emails regarding wall colors over the last few months, I decided it's about time that I cough up the details. 

Well, without further ado....

Half Bathroom

Behr Tranquil Pond (Eggshell Finish)

We went with eggshell since this half bath doesn't see any moisture....

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Kitchen Cabinets

Sherwin Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex Paint - Pure White (Semi-Gloss Finish)

We also used CoverStain underneath to prevent the knots from showing through.....

although they are definitely starting to peak through already...but I think its kind of charming

 

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Kitchen/Entryway/Hallway

Sherwin Williams ProMax 2000 Paint color-matched to Behr Burnished Metal (Eggshell Finish)

 

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Living Room

Behr Silver Sage (Eggshell Finish)

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Guest Bedroom

Martha Stewart low-VOC Lilac (Eggshell Finish)

I should warn you now, this is only a temporary color.  I loved it a lot more on the swatch than I do on my walls. I am definitely a purple fan, but in smaller doses than this. Next in line for the walls is Behr White Truffle (Eggshell Finish again...shocking!!)  It is a creamy beige/tan color.  I love it! But maybe I will do something similar from Sherwin Williams since I love their paint too!!! More details to come.  I have soooo many ideas for this guest bedroom...some furniture redos and maybe even some DIY art!

Are you ready for this, folks??

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Dining Room

Behr Down Pour (Eggshell Finish)

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Master Bedroom

Behr French Silver (Eggshell Finish)

Oh, and before I forget, the trim throughout the house is Behr White (nothing mixed in) in a semi-gloss finish

Hm...I think that's it for now. I could show you the office, but that is changing shortly as well. It is currently Behr - Restful (Eggshell finish) but I am looking for something a little brighter in there once it turns into a nursery.  It definitely works for now though, so I'm going to leave well enough alone....for now at least!



Dear Santa

I'm starting my Christmas list early this year.  Last year you arrived rather late and the lab had been outside for hours awaiting her Christmas treats.




This year I would like:

1. Congress to pass the Dream Act and repeal DADT now.  This session, before they adjourn for the holidays.
2. My milk glass compote to remain magically full of thin skinned, juicy clementines.  Preferably the Darling brand.
3. Our troops out of Afghanistan.
4. The money pledged to Haiti to arrive in Haiti.  And someone of moral fortitude to get the aid to the people.  
5. A mani-pedi and all the glitter out of my hair and eyelashes.  Floral designer, grubby yet glamorous.
6. The hallway painting project finished ( this wish looks like it might be granted soon, very soon)
7. One more warm sunny Sunday so I can finish, or do, my fall garden clean up.  60's please.
8. GG to do well on her finals. ( probably do better if she could stop painting and start studying)
9. Enough strength and creativity and coffee to get through this Christmas season. 
10. Peace on earth.
11. And maybe just one more good year where I don't  look my age yet.

Another reason to get to our house early: remember how ticked off the cat was when you woke her up?

Thank you Santa and GG, hallway project over, done, finished, beautiful.  O night, O night divine.

Trip to Vizag

How beautiful the city looks with backdrop of the setting Sun

The History of Visahakapatanam
According to history the city was named after the God of Valour 'Vishaka'. It was part of the Kalinga kingdom, under Asoka's rule in 260B.C. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of 'Vengi'. After this Pallavas, Chola and Ganga dynasties ruled the city. In the 15th century, Vishakapatnam became part of the Vijaynagar Empire.

View from for the hotel window

View from the window of the Taj Gateway

The Europeans, the Dutch, the French and the English established themselves from the 17th century onwards and used this as a major trading center to export textiles, tobacco, indigo etc. This coast played a major role during the reign of Asaf Jahais and Golcondas. 
Vizag is built along the seashore, of the Bay of Bengal, and is bounded and broken by the bold headland called the Dolphin's Nose (357m. above sea level). The city boasts of a beautiful beach with a long beach road ending nearly at Bheemapatinam on the Northern end. The surrounding area is dominated in the west by the well- forested  western ghats and farther east is drained by numerous rivers, like the Godavari and Indravati.

The city is surrounded by three hills, each of which has a shrine dedicated to different religion: Venkateswara temple on the Venkateswara Konda, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on the Dargha Konda, and the Church of Virgin Mary on Rose Hill.

These fisher-women were quite happy to be photographed: they seem to be liking the unexpected break from the routine.You can make out from their smiles.

Waves hitting against the rocks, I simply love the sea, can spend hours here...

It is really wonderful to watch the waves gushing in with such force

  The lovely Rushikoda Beach in Vizag with golden sands is the best beach in Vizag. However instead of going to the regular beach, as it is very crowded, it is better to drive a few miles further down the road and find some secluded beaches like this. Here we found some lovely and  very friendly fisher- women, who were not only excited to see visitors on this isolated beach, but also readily agreed to pose for pictures.

The Kailasgiri Hills and the Ropeway

Known as the Thomas' Folly in the colonial era Kailasgiri is situated at an altitude of 360ft. A charming hillock on the sea front bordering a small valley within the city. The magnificient statues of Shiva & Parvati are illuminated at night and is worth seeing.

Boats, boats all sailing calmly...

A Ropeway that takes people from the foot of the hill to the top of the hill and back. It is an added attraction to this wonderful place. Sitting in the cable car you can have some of the magnificent views of the city and the Bay

The view from the top is mind- blowing

The park gives an enchanting view of the sea, beaches, lush green forests and the ever bustling city. Kailasagiri is a glider's paradise with excellent gliding facilities.

                               INS Kursura

The INS Kursura was commissioned at Riga. erstwhile USSR on 18th December 1969 under the command of A. Auditto. The Submarine embarked on her maiden passage from Balrisk on 20th February 1970. The induction of Kursura show cased the augumentation of the 3rd dimension of the Indian Navy. She was the corner stone of foundation of the Indian Navy Submarine Arm. During her 31 glorious year of service, the submarine traversed 73,500 nautical miles participating in all kinds of Naval operations. It played a vital role in the 1971 Indo- pak war. She was the pioneer submarine extending good will and harmony through visits and flag showing missions to other nations. In her vast life span, INS Kursura changed hands 13 times, the last commanding officer being Cdr KM Sreedharan. INS Kursura was decommissioned on 27th February 2001.

After that, Kursura has been converted into a submarine museum on the RK Beach Vizag.

The INS Kursura against the backdrop of the Bay Of Bengal in Vizag.

Inside INS Kursura

The best time to visit Vizag is from November to February with moderate temperature and little precipitation.

Clean and white, pure and bright

As I've said before, there is nothing as satisfying as a white bathroom. This example by Paul Vincent Wiseman from the book House Beautiful Color fits the bill nicely. I especially love the use of frosted glass at the window (instead of fussy curtains) and echoing these with mirror around the tub makes for a great enclosure.

White doesn't date; this photos spread is 20 years old but, in my opinion, is timeless. You can't miss with the classics!

Photographs by John Vaughan