Beautiful things...

There are beautiful things in every corner we look. For example, last weekend when I was visiting the Roswell square I ventured into one of my fave shops, Home Grown Living. There is a young designer there called Liza that really has an eye for all things timeless, classic, fresh and with a European flair. While visiting her shop I found this wonderful rack that can be used in just about any space. I can't wait until our renovation is complete and I can explore her shop treasures with more intention....

 

This is a rack that I fell in love with at Home Grown Living. Also, check out the sink in the background! Beautiful!

I also stumbled upon the Roswell Antique Market on Roswell Road. This place is a treasure trove! These are some of the fun things a came across...you will see a trend in baker racks!

Below is a great little nook where I found a lovely rustic chest with lovely hydrangeas in a traditional outdoor pot. This kiosk just warmed my heart, made me linger a while. I wish I would have taken some more pictures to share with you all. Next time!



 

Having "staff".

For those of you that know my husband, you know what I mean when I say "Chrisisms" are CLASSIC!

For example, as I was sharing some details regarding our renovation project with him today he all of a sudden stops looking at me and stares off at the departing electricians through our blinds as they leave our house and then he proceeds to interrupt me mid-sentence to say the following:

"I really like having a good staff".

Here I am thinking; "What staff? Does he have staff at work? Huh??? Apparently he meant he liked having the contractors, cleaners, electricians, cabinet guy ect. "working for us"...
I just about fell off my chair laughing out loud. "It feels good to have staff" apparently.

Hysterical!

Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

It is here! The nominations are here!! The best movies of the year (well most of them anyway). I can't wait for movie date with friends, husband, strangers whatever. I like movies a lot.. even though most of the Oscar nods tend to go the way of depressing flicks. This year there are undertones of virtual realities and biutiful dramas and lets not forget KINGS who give such fabulous speeches that they too are nominated! I love it.

If you are interested in joining me in this theatrical adventure let me know.

The Secret to Welcoming Spring... SOUP!

For those who know me it is no secret that I live for the next moment where I may breath Spanish air and rummage through design magazines or blogs. Well today as I was visiting two of my favorite blogs, "My Spanish Kitchen" and "Cote de Texas" I found some wonderful treats to contemplate and share with you.

First, let me start with food. We are in the middle of remodeling our kitchen, among other things at the house and inevitably I miss the smells of my kitchen; sizzling caramelized onions and fresh garlic over pure Spanish olive oil with roasted red peppers and just about anything you can dream of... Yum! Can you smell it? Since our kitchen is fully gutted at this point there is nothing but cereal and pirate booty to stir up any kitchen magic. Note: Hint of sarcasm. Check out what our kitchen looks like at this very moment. Scary! 



My kitchen demo

Back to the topic at hand, food... It is cold in Atlanta, low 30's, and soups are always a great way to warm up the tummy and conjure up a sense of nostalgia. Home made soups give me hope that in every sweet savory slurp (with manners of course)  I come closer to the mild ethereal spring I crave so dearly during winter. Sad to say that only three weeks into January and I am longing for spring magnolia blooms badly.

Luckily, during our recent Spanish adventure we had some of the best soups on the planet which is why I feel that "la primavera" will be here before we know it. In the meantime, checkout Janet Mendel's blog "My Kitchen in Spain" for the most delightful caldo Gallego (Galician Soup)  recipe ever. It will warm your spirit instantly and help you plead for springs early arrival with flair!

Caldo Gallego by Janet Mendel

As for me, thank goodness I am a visual person and Mendel's blog can keep me happy until I can get back into my kitchen in SIX weeks! For the time being this is the inspirational kitchen/house aesthetic that keeps me going... the now infamous Sally Wheat kitchen featured in the Cote de Texas "Stalking the Wheat's" blog. If you haven't seen this blog posting you have to! It will melt your insides with pure lustful design palpitations!! This is the kitchen featured in the blog:

Ms. Sally Wheat's kitchen and my inspiration!

BEAUTIFUL!!! Of course mine will be done on a MAJOR budget and in a WAY smaller space but I hope to capture the main elements of style provided by the super talented designer, Ms. Sally Wheat of Houston.

What are some of your favorite design/foody blogs? Kitchens styles?

A good life quote, not by Rashi...

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." From the movie A Serious Man by the Cohen Brothers.

Picture taken by Gisymar in el barrio del Carmen in Valencia, Spain.

Fear and the King Within Us

Ahh, Colin Firth... If ever there was a man, an actor, that could capture a moment of weakness, wretched fear and sheer commanding yet humble perseverance it would have to be Colin Firth in this years The King's Speech. Fear is such an interesting animal, a chameleon of sorts that creeps and hides in the depths of our inner thoughts, most of which are never uttered outside of our sub-conscience. However, daunting as it may seem, if you could wield the strength or the willingness to allow our fears to be exposed in its sheer, thorn enlaced naturalness it is by all means the most splendid of journeys. Finding our fear, speaking to it openly can unleash the king (or queen) within us...

Picture taken by Gisymar in Castilla de la Mancha near Padilla del Ducado in Guadalajara, Spain.