Tuesday with a Twist ~

Are you looking for me?? I'm not here today. I'm over there. Where??

That's where!!

OH NO! Jane at Finding Fabulous is having technical difficulties :(

My guest post will run over there on August 12th. Stay tuned!!

Did You Participate in National Dance Day?

We sure did! I love this picture of Lauren :-) You may already know that I'm a fan of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). I love to dance! And so does my Lauren. So of course, living in the DC area, we went to the Mall to participate in National Dance Day. The stage was very close to the Capitol Building...
where many types and styles of dance were performed.




Nigel from SYTYCD was there along with Russell, the winner from Season Six...
Russell also performed solo but I watched that vs. taking pictures.

It was pretty organized. We were told to do freestyle and then break into the choreographed dance. We did several takes. I attempted to learn the dance. A received a phone call from my friend we were supposed to meet there and Lauren kept asking me if she was doing it right when they were teaching it so I really didn't get the whole thing down. I still did it though ~ 'did it' used generously here.

Lauren and I danced and danced.....


Occasionally she took a break to watch what was happening on stage...

Jim was a good sport! But what was she doing during the actual filming portion??...

I kid you not. She was enjoying a dripping, sticky Popsicle.
It was a lot of fun.


News crews were there capturing the event...
Here's a little sneak peak...


I am not in this video. I was further back. I am looking forward to seeing SYTYCD this Wednesday though. I'm going to look for myself. I'll be the one on the left one step behind everybody else.

Should I look for you too?

Fresh Air Heart to Heart

The other day I wrote about what I thought was a crime against nature. Nature defined two ways ~ nature meaning the great outdoors and nature as in as humans we have certain characteristics and needs such as the need to connect. The scene in that post inhibited nature any way it is defined. Today, I thought I'd show some wonderful fresh air spaces that promote nature.

I can see myself enjoying family and friends in any one of these beautiful spaces. Can you?

Gorgeous spaces compliments of House Beautiful

Crime Against Nature

Ok ~ I am not one to speak ill of another. I completely understand wanting to watch television. I, myself, an immersed in So You Think You Can Dance. However there is a place to stop and take in your surroundings, breath in fresh air, and enjoy the company of others. That place is outside on one's patio or deck. I can't tell you how I have enjoyed endless conversation with friends while sipping wine on my deck. The picture above is, in my opinion, a crime against nature. The stone work is impeccable; the kitchen divine; the stack supporting the television blocking one appears to be a magnificent view ~ awful to me on many levels. Does one really need a television everywhere one goes??!!

I wrote a post about round dining table and how they promote the art of conversation. I believe in that art!! I am all for technology but I fear we're losing some of the things that make us human. I saw a commercial the other day that scared me. It was for I believe a new phone with many features. The commercial started with what appeared to be astronauts. They entered a room with a floating rock. One stuck his hand inside of it. Out came the new phone product. Then his hand and arm turned into a robotic appendage. I was appalled. The last thing I want to do is turn into a robot but I fear sometimes that we are.

I was at the pool yesterday. Kids were laughing and splashing. I saw their dutiful parents sitting on the pool's edge examining their iPhone or Blackberry. Really??!! I wanted to say "Watch your child not only for safety reasons but they grow so fast ~ enjoy them NOW!" Now trust me, I have a Blackberry. I have looked at it at inappropriate times. But I also have a confident little girl who speaks eloquently about her feelings. "Mom," she says, "it hurts me when you are more interested in your phone than in me." OUCH! For me and her. "Sorry my love."

I'd love to know your thoughts about this...

I couldn't agree more!

You all know how much I love to read the Washington Post on Thursday at lunch time. Yesterday was no exception.

Newell Turner's first House Beautiful is out! This is not the cover but what a fantastic cover this is!

Terry Sapienza did a great interview with Mr. Turner. His words of wisdom are fabulous. He knows who he is. We see eye to eye on the space thing and how to really sample paint colors. I have given that advise to clients hundreds of times. I think I even blogged about it. I love House Beautiful and I feel it is in good hands. Give the interview a read. It's short and sweet.

I thought I was a guest writer today on Finding Fabulous ~ um ~ no. It was yesterday that I was to guest write. I didn't get my post to her until last night ~ I had my wires crossed. Silly me! Jane, being very gracious, is running it next Tuesday. Stay tuned.

Enjoy your weekend!

It's the Simple Things ~

Today is a studio day for me so I am in a tee shirt and shorts ~ comfy, comfy! I also had time to make our beds this morning. Imagine that?!! I really do not like having un-made beds in my home.

Lately my beds have looked more like these than the one at the top. There is something spectacular to me about clean, crisp sheets in a neat bed that I adore. Every time I wash the sheets, I get into bed and say ~ out loud ~ "Ah, clean sheets." My husband always echos me. These thoughts led me to the song "these are a few of my favorite things...." You know the song ~ from the Sound of Music...


Well, here is one of mine ~ beautiful bedding, crisp, clean, soft sheets, neat as a pin ...


On good days, this is what my bed looks like ...


On busy days... well... you don't need to see that. You get the picture ;-)

So, made bed, un-made bed ~ which are you?

Guess what?!! Tomorrow I'm a guest writer on Jane's wonderful blog Finding Fabulous. Isn't that the perfect name for a blog? Jane was so lovely to ask me. Come back tomorrow and check it out (here or there :-)

All made beds are compliments of Wildcat Territory Bedding. The un-made beds are compliments of busy folks like me.

What am I up to?

Why am I so busy? Well for starters, I am working on several large projects. Here's a sneak peak at one. Don't get too excited :)

These are before pictures. My lovely clients purchased a beautiful older home in Northern Virginia with fabulous grounds. The original owner was an ambassador. I know this because I spent some time with the second owner of the home who sold it to my clients. I wanted to know more about the structure, the bones, the secrets of the home. The seller lived in the home for 35 years so she knew a GREAT deal about the home and was happy to share. I learned more than my clients and we are using that knowledge for our benefit.

At the time the home was built, rooms were compartmentalized. The 'great room' had not yet been introduced. The previous owner liked it so it remained so for their time there. They did complete two wonderful additions but the kitchen and family room remained divided. Enter a family with children. They do not want the divide. They do not like the dated look. They are cooks so functionality is paramount!

The design has been approved and the details are being attended to.... custom cabinetry, hood, and back splash all signed off on ~ love that! So how does it look now?

YIKES! ~ No worries, everything that was reuseable (cabinets, appliances) were removed carefully and donated.
Ok! ~ now we can see what we're dealing with.
Ahhh! ~ the joy of moving ~ NOT!
Phew! ~ the gorgeous stone fireplace remains!
At least someone is enjoying the current state of affairs.

Seriously... it will look very much like this when all is said and done...

Honest! I know it looks like a bomb went off but give it time and TLC and the true beauty will be revealed. I'll keep you posted.