Sep 23
We woke up this morning to a strangely warm and humid day. The kids declared that it felt like Hawaii and celebrated in the yard to mark the occasion. Although we were late for school already, I decided to enjoy my latte, put on a little Whiskeytown and watch the wild rumpus.
Remind me to do more of that, okay?
Sep 21
As you already know, I’m spending a lot of time outside lately. The rich colors of the beach are holding my attention these days and I’m noticing that they are influencing some fall favorites elsewhere, too…
Stoneware Bowl by Tierra Sky Studios
Sunset Wave Cuff by Dream Collective
Rusty Shines Through the Night Necklace by Emily Howell
Sonsela Necklace by Laura Lombardi
Every autumn I fall in love again with the vibrancy and pattern of the leaves…polished rocks…kelp…sun bleached driftwood…sea glass…
I can’t help but crave those colors and textures around me and on me.
Deep forest green. Mustard yellow. Warm caramel. Rich burgundy.
It just makes me feel happy.
Settled.
Content.
How about you?
Sep 14
I’ve had some time to myself since the kids have gone back to school and it has been wonderful, I have to say.
(Does that put me on the bad mommy list?)
I’ve walked the beach with the dog…
…and listened to Anomie Belle and Bon Iver almost every day.
It’s been beautiful, I tell you.
Absolutely beautiful.
Sep 12
One of my major activities this spring and summer was Project Sell The House. We are a family of five with a few pets thrown in the mix, so getting a little more space was the plan. I know I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’ll say it again. I was pretty consumed with organizing, cleaning, donating and “blanding” (In my opinion, making your house more sellable means unfortunately making it more boring.). However, maybe for the best, that ever delightful neighbor known as the crappy housing market finally moved into our little neck of the woods this year and decided that we would stay put for a while. We’ve lived in this house for about eight years and I think that is the longest I have ever stayed in one house in my life. So to say I was anxious to move is probably an understatement.
But the thing is, I really do love this house. It has its annoyances but it also has so much goodness in it. It is a seriously cute cottage. Cedar shakes. Great pine floors. Lots of sun *and* massive evergreens in the yard. Interesting nooks. Tons of windows. And best of all, one of my kids was born in my bedroom. That event alone makes it the most special house in the world.
Realistically though, I am who I am. That means change. I’d love to try some different ideas. Get rid of the staging blandness, infuse a different kind of simplicity, add some drama through dark colors…
So where to turn for inspiration? My addiction (also known as Pinterest), of course. Among all the photos I’ve saved on the site, I’ve noticed that I’m drawn to a mix of patterns. Wood and metal accents. Definitely images both cozy and dramatic. Although there are so many favorites of mine, the ones below represent a general feeling that I want to bring back into our home. The room photos are especially the ones I connect with–they look like real people live there who lead their lives by inspiration. I love that.
(Click on credit links for a larger view of each image)
upper left / upper middle / upper right / center left / center / center right / lower left / lower center / lower right
When we stashed our personal belongings away, we were all kind of in a daze. Even my husband, whose sentimentality was banged around by medical school and residency wondered if it was truly still our home while our personal history, our relationships, our values were all stored in boxes. It felt strange and sterile.
Here’s the cool thing, though: I love that as we bring items back out, I see them in a new light. The images help me realize that in order to mix things up, I don’t necessarily need to go out and buy, buy, buy. I have a lot of what I love already. I just needed to put them away to remember what I have, appreciate them and try them out differently. Add those things to a room with a new paint color and it’s an entirely different feel. I highly recommend trying it out, although putting your house on the market is a little extreme… ;)
Sep 7
Another school year started today. One child inching toward middle school, feeling cool and confident. One firmly entrenched in the elementary years, excited to see her friends but nervous about multiplying and dividing (probably in more ways than just math). And another one taking on a new challenge, initiated into the full day of school club. The first day in almost eleven years in which no child is at home. Completely mind-blowing for me.
I know it is a silly cliché, but seriously, how did they grow up so fast?
So, it will be a year of new adventures for them. And for me.
Over the last few years I’ve stashed away a little dream list. A quiet list of ideas to explore, experiment, accomplish and maybe even possibly fail (even that is life affirming). Throughout the years, whether I have worked or stayed at home with the kids, I have scribbled down big dreams and little dreams for myself on this worn, torn up sheet of paper. Always reminding myself of who I am. Just never feeling like it was the right time to try them out…always giving myself some breathing room.
Well, I think now is perfect time to unfold that list.
xo-k
salt+pine 