Where I've been

Here I am. Don't mind me, I'm just in the guest bathroom making a salad because we haven't had a kitchen for a month. We are only doing construction on the weekends because it's the only time we can be home. Things are coming along swimmingly - we just need paint, new lighting and a cute little roman shade over the window. Then... bam! We'll have brand spankin' new kitchen.

The Great White Kitchen

It's official, the house projects are just about to be in full swing. These things take time and prep! I've been running around like a crazy person comparing subway tile, pieces of marble and choosing bevel details on cabinetry. If you don't want to hear about house projects and decor, I suggest you stop reading this blog. 

We're starting at the heart of the home. The kitchen: 

Yes, it is a perfectly good kitchen, but there is a lot of brown and I hope to lighten it up a bit. 

Well, a lot actually.

Here is a snippet of what it will look like in about a month:

Did I tell you about the time?

We moved into our house a week before Christmas and our cute little tree was a casualty in the process. On December 23, at 8 p.m. Syd set out to find a replacement. After all, what's Christmas morning without a tree? 3 lots later, with a little bit of begging at the Home Depot, and we had ourselves a tree. We set it up and began trimming. Meanwhile, Syd took a few shots of NyQuil and I found him fully clothed and immovable. And then our tree fell over. Dirt clumps and needles were everywhere. It took all three of us (mom, dad, me) to get it upright again. In the end, all the ornaments were removed and the only things keeping it partially upright were the wall and a piece of plywood. Merry Christmas!

Home.

When Syd and I were first married, we set a goal to have a little piece of California to call home. We saved. And we saved. And we saved some more. After months of looking, waiting and saying many prayers...we did it! We feel so blessed. 

So here she is at the end of a cul-de-sac, deep in the heart of San Clemente suburbia. 

We moved in the week before Christmas and are still in boxes, but I can't wait to show all the "befores"...and believe you me, I have a lot planned for the "afters". 

This year

This year, our Christmas tree is going in a basket. 

I already have the basket, now we just need to get the tree! 

Images from an old issue of Cottage Living.

Au Revoir, Paris!

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower sparkles at night? Neither did we! Every hour the entire structure twinkles and people cheer. It is magical. We just sat on the steps across the street, ate crepes and maybe stole a smooch or two. 

Around the city

A peek inside The Louvre

The Louvre was definitely one of our favorite adventures while in Paris. We scheduled a guided tour and then they left while I was in the bathroom. The museum is so large and there are so many people we thought it would be impossible to find them again...luckily we did. 

The entire experience was awe-inspiring.  

Jardin des Tuileries and the Musee du Louvre

What can I say?

What can I say about Paris that hasn't already been said?  

Notre Dame

Notre Dame did not disappoint.

I'm convinced

Today I put on red lipstick and a sweatshirt, and then I cleaned our house. I'm convinced it's the best way to get things accomplished.

Very high on my Christmas list

They're practically perfect in every way.

Syd and Shea Go to Paris

Paris was incredible. I just loved being able to take it all in - I would always run into things because I was too busy staring at the beauty surrounding me. Everything they say about Paris is true! The architecture, art and food lived up to the hype.

People keep asking me what my favorite meal was. Everything we ate was delicious, but my favorite meal was late one evening when we were wandering around the city. We saw locals literally running into a little pastry shop and grabbing baguettes like there was no tomorrow.

Well, my friends, those Parisians had it right - the baguettes were fresh out of the oven and truly the most incredible thing I have ever tasted. We ate bread and butter for dinner that night, and I have never been happier.

More pics to come.

Liberty of London

While Syd's dreams came true at the soccer game, all of mine came true at Liberty of London. I thought it was going to be a little shop with fabrics and things with their signature floral prints. Nope, it's an entire department with all of my favorite things. If I had a cargo container to ship back, we would be broke. Built in an old library, it has entire floors dedicated to paper goods, furniture, rugs, fabric, clothing (think Stella McCartney and Tucker), kitchenware (anthro-esque dishtowels mixed with Wedgwood china) and even an entire section dedicated to Christmas!