So Much Pretty

I love interior design - not in the traditional sense, but in the endlessly creative ways people express their interests and personalities.  If I had the time and resources I would be changing my decor every year - there is too much to love!  I also wish I could raise my ceilings a few feet but that is neither here nor there! :)  In any case, I need a dose of pretty and these random rooms are the answer. 

We are in the market to buy more (I know, more) bookshelves and I cannot decide what color wood would look best in the room - these white shelves are calling my name at the moment!  The room they're going in has dark wood floors and a painted, white, floor-to-ceiling, brick fireplace.  Too much white?  The only other 'must' for the room is a black and white, round, chevron printed rug (love) and a loveseat in an undecided color/fabric.  What do you think?  I can't decide!

[Sorry, I cannot remember where I found these images - it was quite some time ago!]

Happy Friday!

PS - J and I saw Kevin James and Ray Romano last night and I am still laughing!

Fresh

Welcome, 2012!  Did another year really just come to a close?  It seems like yesterday it was 2011 - and what a wonderful year it turned out to be.


I started 2012 with a detox yoga workshop and it felt great!  Rather than make resolutions we set our intentions for the coming year - I love this!  I'm also creating a vision board for 2012... more to come.

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."  [Galileo Galilei]

Speaking of discoveries, I found these vibrant "sunburst tangerines".  Have you seen these before?  I love their dramatic coloring... and they're tasty, too!

Simple and Beautiful

I stumbled upon this gorgeous shop as I was reading another blog and I was immediately drawn in to the simplistic beauty of the products of Oi Soi Oi. 

From their website, "Oi Soi Oi is a Danish company designing and producing interior designs, furniture, clothes and accessories. Our products are made by hand in carefully selected workshops in Vietnam.  In our universe we aim to combine Scandinavian design simplicity with the rich craft heritage of Asia."  

I really love the calming effect of the colors, textures, and arrangements.  I could easily incorporate many of these pieces in my existing rooms and they'd look fabulous.

Let's Go To... San Juan

Puerto Rico!  I never expected to find myself in Old San Juan but two years ago James and I began our Caribbean adventure in this fantastic city!  I fell in love quickly because this historic city has everything that I find attractive:  narrow, cobblestone streets, winding roads and a city on the hills, colorful buildings and lush vegetation, tropical weather, delicious food, views to die for, and a lot of charm! 

I'd love to return and explore the rest of Puerto Rico but today let's daydream.....

The hotel we stayed at was amazing.  I had searched and searched and finally found the perfect match:  Hotel El Convento.  It is a newly renovated hotel in Old San Juan (perfect location) that used to be a convent in the 1600's.  The gorgeous lobby opens up into a fantastic courtyard that houses a 300 year old tree!  There were archways galore (my weakness), bougainvillea, tile floors, and coloful walls.  Perfect.

 I would most definitely be strolling through the breezy outdoor hallways, finding my way to the rooftop pool to enjoy the sun and some cocktails!

Hotel El Convento was hands-down one of the most charming, atmospheric, beautiful hotels we've ever stayed at.  It is on my list of favorites! 

What is the best hotel you've ever visited?

[Photos courtesy of Hotel El Convento.  Someday I will post my own shots!]

Change Your World

"Change your thoughts and you change your world." 

 [Norman Vincent Peale]



Photo taken in Varenna, Italy (on Lake Como) in 2005.