The Next Wave

Sara Gilbane, my oldest friend (in years, not age), was chosen as one of House Beautiful's 'Next Wave of Designers to Watch for 2010'! The New Wave list is released every 5 years. Wow!

Holy Christmas, I know someone in a magazine!

Okay, aside from that, it is so thrilling when someone who you know works so very hard, is recognized for their efforts. Plus, her taste is spectacular. I think we will see a lot of Sara in our homes in the future.

I know I will! (Yup, it's happening, Jon.)

From House Beautiful's December issue:

WHAT'S NEW ABOUT YOU?

I don't claim to be reinventing the sofa, but I do try to put a spin on traditional pieces. Many people think modern is hard, clean lines, or that it's cold. Modern is taking pieces from all periods and rearranging them, reupholstering them, refinishing them in a modern way.

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE DECORATOR EVER?

Ruthie Sommers, Jeffrey Bilhuber, Miles Redd. 

WHAT'S THE MOST INSPIRING THING YOU'VE SEEN LATELY?

The High Line in New York City is pretty darn inspiring.

TELL US ONE OF YOUR SECRET DESIGN RESOURCES.

Jardinsenfleur.com satisfies my cravings for Chinoiserie. Sentimento Antiques, in New York, for delicious shagreen and breathtaking colored accessories. 

MAKE A DECORATING PREDICTION.

People will cling to what makes them comfortable and happy. Reupholstering your grandmother's wing chair in a fun new fabric saves money, keeps a beautiful piece of furniture in your family, and lets you bring your personality into your home.

Go out and get a copy asap! And get even more from Sara's 5Basics post here at Providence Classic.

Congrats, Sass! Heck, congrats to me for knowing someone famous!* 

*Yes, I wrote that. And no, I'm not embarrassed.

Forecast: December 8

Woke up to 1/2 inch of snow on the ground and flakes coming down. It has snowed every day since last Friday. Apparently winter broke the seal and can't stop going.

Forecast for today? 8 - 12 inches.

That's a foot, people. No one seems to bat an eye about this. Jon had me driving 15 miles per hour at 7:45 AM with no visible snow on the streets. I would like to go out on a limb and say we are unprepared for this.

Welcome to Wisconsin!

Want.

Loving these "Jolly" side tables by Paolo Rizzatto for Kartell.

Adorable in a kid's room or as a spot of bright color in a living room or bathroom. Awesome for a small home or apartment, as well, as the acrylic* does not take up any visual space. From here.

*Actually made of shatterproof plastic. Definitely good for a kid's room!

Treeta

Sunday brunch at Ma HeartAttack's. I ate 1.5 eggs on wheat toast with 2 slices of bacon (okay, and 1/2 of a pancake). This is what Jon had:

AKA, the "Meat Skillet." Wrong on so many levels. And yes, it was as large in person as it appears in the photo.

Went searching for a Christmas tree at a local greenhouse, which had an awesome selection.

Clearly we first had to conduct our due diligence, visiting one other greenhouse AND Home Depot to determine the best combination of fluffiness/cost. Alas, left HD, which was the cheapest, with only 2 wreaths and a much-needed snow-scraper for the car (snow on the ground again today!). Our schedule is very full!

Meet Treeta! (What?)

Note snow has already melted.

I'd love to show you a picture of Treeta in our living room, but the camera lens broke this weekend, too. Stellar happenings around here!

P.S. Totally stole my paper placemat from Ma HeartAttack's as I plan to stencil that exact Greek Key design in coral on our TV table. Once I paint it navy.

Hunched Like a Granny and Crying

Friday - awake at 7:00 AM. Pack up car and Houston and proceed to fall over in the snowy driveway with her in my arms as my back gives out. (The snow has arrived!) Somehow get her in the car and waddle to the front seat. Drive 2 hours in traffic to Chicago where Jon's CFA exam will be held, alternately crying/cursing/making necessary and obscene hand gestures to any and all neighboring vehicles due to insane back pain. Arrive at 9:45 AM in Chicago and proceed to limp into apartment, crawl into guest bedroom bed, and groan a la "When Harry Met Sally" for the next 5 hours. Attempted glass of wine does nothing for what I officially determine is a pinched nerve. Go nowhere and bedtime is 9 PM in anticipation of Jon's early morning test. Chicago is fun!

Saturday - pain. Spend 4 hours snailing one small bag/dog accessory at a time to the parked car in anticipation of leaving Chicago in time to attend Jon's work holiday party at 7 PM. Pick Jon up after test and drive hour and a half to Milwaukee. Am told ruined a lovely surprise baby shower from halfway across the continental United States by sending gifts too early. Super! Now mortified and hunched like a granny. Drop Houston off at home, change out of toxic pajamas (clothing has not been changed for 2 days) into dress and life-endangering heels. Promptly leave party after dinner is finished to sulk and sleep. Bedtime doesn't really involve sleep, as it is impossible to get comfortable.

Sunday - pain! Yes! Jon forces me to eat at a highly unhealthy joint called Ma HeartAttack's (fine, forgot Ma's real name), get a Christmas tree, watch the Giants win and decide to go to Twilight Saga: New Moon, as a concession for my stupid, rebellious back. (Suck on that, spine!) Have no idea how I will stand for 8.5 hours at work tomorrow. But I'm pumped! (Update - was put back on bouquet duty last Thursday - woo hoo!)

Low Point: Crying while using restroom.
Highlight: Christmas tree! Edward Cullen and Jacob. Wine. Christmas tree!

P.S. Yep, so I am still super bad at the posting. I promise to get back into the swing of things!

There It Goes Again

Finally! My first day off where I can get to work on the chores and posts that have been sitting idle for the past 8 days. I pick Houston up to put her in the back seat of Rita to take her to meet Jon in Chicago, where he will take the CFA test tomorrow (!) and . . . I threw out my back. Again. For the fourth time since July.

It's pretty awesome that I'm shacked up in my friend Laura's apartment, which is nothing short of completely sick. It'd be awesomer if I could move and had seen anything other than the guest bedroom ceiling.

We did it again.

I blame Jeb.

The Akimbo, Part 2.

Followed by the Brew City Hot Brown:

Turkey on rye bread with mashed potatoes, bacon, tomato and topped with beer gravy and Swiss cheese. Bacon? Check. Beer? Check.

Kill me now.