Monastery Window- National Geographic

National Geographic

Who's that girl?

At first I blamed the sudden interest in skirts and dresses on the ridiculously hot summer we've been having here in the NorthEast. 107 degrees + humidity anyone? Yeah, me either. But, if I'm to be honest, I'm a tried and true New Yorker. I've been wearing jeans and tees through some of the hottest months without a thought. They say your tastes change as you age (can we find another way to say that, I feel like a reference to cheese or something), but I didn't expect this. Now don't get me wrong, I won't be picking up a french poodle anytime soon but I really like this sudden embrace of le femme. In the wardrobe it's translated to figure skimming dresses, and at home I'm suddenly drawn to wallpaper, less severe lines, and French Provincial. French Povincial people! Me!?! If the new me were a couch it would have a sophisticated curvy frame and be upholstered in a simple white linen. I can live with that.

Image: Living Etc

Filmore Clark Tile

I love Twitter for all the fantastic companies and folks I've met. Twitter is like dating though, someone follows you and you give them the virtual once over; check out their website, see how they tweet, and decide if you want to introduce yourself...all in 140 characters. Well, I was set to propose to Filmore Clark from day one. Founder Lee Nicholson offers American made tiles that are simply stunning. You all know I've got a weakness for patterned tiles used in unique spaces, so be still my beating heart. I've always wanted to have a tiled courtyard in a hacienda style home. When that day comes I'll be skipping into Filmore Clark. Lee...you up for working on a Caribbean home?

Things I'd like to do...

aka The Birthday Blues. Anyone 40 and over reading this will say "what is she complaining about? She's going to be 32, it's not like she's 40!?!" Everyone experiences the birthday blues, at some time, and mine has come at 32...well 32 on Thursday. Shh..I'm busy milking 31 for all it's worth. Thing is I'm not really the pity party kinda gal, least I hope not. But life is never that spectacular plan that you wrote for yourself at 15, 20, or 25. Sure, it can be spectacular if you let it ride, but can we stick to the script please? I was really feeling the whole "I'll have a loft, a luxury car, rule the world, and have 2 kids by 30 bit.." What? Was that a bit much? I guess my script was pretty boring anyway, so it may be better I chuck it and start fresh. It is definitely easier said than done. It has been a rough two years, and I find myself challenging what I thought I knew, what I think I wanted, and what I'm looking forward to. You know the girl in the movie theater who watches the fright flick through two fingers? Yeah, that's me right about now. I guess I'm going to do this the same way I get on the highest roller coaster in the park.

Bravado. Holy crap, what are you doing? Heart pounding. Is this seat belt on? Are you sure? What the hell was I thinking? Oh crap, that's high. Screeammmm. Laugh. Hmm, that was kinda fun.
I'm not much of an action packed kinda gal beyond that, so my list of things I'd like to do is pretty tame..for now anyway. But in the spirit of putting it out to the Universe, here are a few simple things I'd like this year. Are you listening Universe??!

-the beach at night under the stars

-a bonfire and s'mores
-lounging on a boat on a lazy sunday
-certainty
-a few more dinners out
-good company
-family
-a vacation
-more money than I've seen in the last three years
-Oprah's favorite things (a girl can dream can't she)

Lemon Aid

Yesterday I tweeted the first edition of our new monthly newsletter (have you signed up?) and it was all about the power of the humble lemon. Specifically, 5 new things you can do with a fruit that's probably already on your counter. The lovely Lee Nicholson of Filmore Clark mentioned she has some uses for lemons too...hiccup. I'll do another post soon on her tiles that make my heart skip a beat, but in the meantime enjoy her recipe for St. Germaine Citrus Fizz, and if your tiles arrive crooked...well...