Magnificent Home Improvements: Something personal

Showing posts with label Something personal. Show all posts

Our weekend visitors

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNcU69QTm-GVwzIKRnkf_8OZp9U8m7IcXba7-vznca7OmoBcuFN9CM1iHiIM5MdM544aBBdhWVreHCaP7AGH1kzaueOrH6HJeU-ExftwjCkp6PRTomS9PzzHlp_sZIOQ4iRJmHnJ7eC8/s1600/table+setting+decor.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390129240852482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNcU69QTm-GVwzIKRnkf_8OZp9U8m7IcXba7-vznca7OmoBcuFN9CM1iHiIM5MdM544aBBdhWVreHCaP7AGH1kzaueOrH6HJeU-ExftwjCkp6PRTomS9PzzHlp_sZIOQ4iRJmHnJ7eC8/s400/table+setting+decor.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 361px; width: 483px;" /></a></div><br />I wanted to share with you what a cold but great weekend we had here at home.  Over the weekend we invited to dinner a few friends we didn't get to see during Christmas.  I wanted to create a cozier atmosphere and dine under candle light so I moved the dining table close to the open fire in front of my gorgeous bookcase.  Did I ever say bookcases are one of my favorite things?  I used a generous remnants of Edo fabric by quadrille as tablecloth, took out a few of my amethyst candle holders and got some hydrangeas at Whole Foods.  The <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/placemats-and-napkins/capiz-shell-placemat/s459534" target="_blank">Capiz Shell placemats</a> are from Crate and Barrel and they are really beautiful.  We had a wonderful time in good company and hope we get to do this more often.</div></div>gt <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kyTOPUI7ZIUOXusL9D-eqltrKrrc6FDEimAkI8Y3hyWT4OMkbbZwxU3SWh2Bg-7lDKN6dgsXWh4av13HwqEQ89LItj_BJpAwaUI4Lxj_Ed2AHtp5vn10P4305AEBj1EEfUpO2JTRyuU/s1600/tablesetting+ideas.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390122448682722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kyTOPUI7ZIUOXusL9D-eqltrKrrc6FDEimAkI8Y3hyWT4OMkbbZwxU3SWh2Bg-7lDKN6dgsXWh4av13HwqEQ89LItj_BJpAwaUI4Lxj_Ed2AHtp5vn10P4305AEBj1EEfUpO2JTRyuU/s400/tablesetting+ideas.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 362px; width: 483px;" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOJzrBl-mNIyH-LDc5lyBYxSZNu0xLsDU9iBsAha4SOvMs6lBEMRvXFYNkI5X-kGUytdzUX-JAYbfh-8dcm4oq6UBR4VHWwwPrVgsFJiFKsGf6AB4YEcRCWhHMdsF3_nVRKFvOU5SO-I/s1600/table+setting+decor+ideas.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390119425123826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOJzrBl-mNIyH-LDc5lyBYxSZNu0xLsDU9iBsAha4SOvMs6lBEMRvXFYNkI5X-kGUytdzUX-JAYbfh-8dcm4oq6UBR4VHWwwPrVgsFJiFKsGf6AB4YEcRCWhHMdsF3_nVRKFvOU5SO-I/s400/table+setting+decor+ideas.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 363px; width: 486px;" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 85%;">all images by/for Julie.</span></div>

Our weekend visitors

I wanted to share with you what a cold but great weekend we had here at home. Over the weekend we invited to dinner a few friends we didn...

6:25 AM

Cozying up inside

Cozying up inside

By now it's not news how the snow storm has hit the Northeast. Kids are the only ones who are having fun around here. The grown ups of...

5:41 AM

Our Thanksgiving table is ready

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53OAopPK2jg9ojUUAU1dvoXaCUdqKgZCnAmQaFDYO_VtzwdDUQsThrk3lNlx7ztpA8Igy6U50teERxtC155Lgw1sY6_lykGvhBAcgcuofwnemw2FNWSrS8sDR_GoIgsOY2fzRxSOeMH0/s1600/DSC02636.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543590132702430722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53OAopPK2jg9ojUUAU1dvoXaCUdqKgZCnAmQaFDYO_VtzwdDUQsThrk3lNlx7ztpA8Igy6U50teERxtC155Lgw1sY6_lykGvhBAcgcuofwnemw2FNWSrS8sDR_GoIgsOY2fzRxSOeMH0/s400/DSC02636.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 356px; width: 465px;" /></a></div>  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNsz7lvgjM9s7outHGc2bWtOq6NgS29HY5f2sr39YlMfqs_9WTMLhM90BE4fTGYCtW5d-sBPQlvW3QNQbzVbeUlyjIDHhc4vBwZb9NX3NV7U70OjLUKQvug4Xf9OD9GNqgaUBo8rDH9M/s1600/DSC02643.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543590113677408754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNsz7lvgjM9s7outHGc2bWtOq6NgS29HY5f2sr39YlMfqs_9WTMLhM90BE4fTGYCtW5d-sBPQlvW3QNQbzVbeUlyjIDHhc4vBwZb9NX3NV7U70OjLUKQvug4Xf9OD9GNqgaUBo8rDH9M/s400/DSC02643.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 355px; width: 465px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I set up a very inexpensive table setting with a quick trip to Target and my local supermarket.</div></div>

Our Thanksgiving table is ready

I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving. I set up a very inexpensive table setting with a quick trip to Target and my local supe...

12:20 PM

Back to basics

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">As you can notice I decided to make Belle Vivir look more like it was from it's humble beginnings in 2006.  It's still a work in progress but so far I changed some fonts and I'll be including more inspirational quotes here and there like I used to do way <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/search/label/quote%20of%20the%20day">back</a>.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLVeiJ0oQ7YywHbkycw8JiNudY1jlCf43v1nvkYWgdBhb4YwR0_l7E91fZyBhTDhiG55Dwbx0LW-Lmr-LiI0sSfjyYY078yisIXMod4_1YGR1CyizHop-vZvM7WBUgK7p8KdXbXphFbY/s1600/Jackie+Kennedy+Onassis.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="470" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466881525781133762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLVeiJ0oQ7YywHbkycw8JiNudY1jlCf43v1nvkYWgdBhb4YwR0_l7E91fZyBhTDhiG55Dwbx0LW-Lmr-LiI0sSfjyYY078yisIXMod4_1YGR1CyizHop-vZvM7WBUgK7p8KdXbXphFbY/s400/Jackie+Kennedy+Onassis.jpg" width="462" /></a><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkDu5kpYRY9erN-l0W8EvyhXcXAsI9spjAO_wOLReIa3pGCnvW58QPul19LGqP_v2K38_OqM5SeeMpbT7WUurrcgoum_vHe06hWR89qPoGcI8wfsoGe1RxzxLS6t_O0qAVROxO-udEAw/s1600/gasl_katie_lee_joel_03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="500" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466881247161687010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkDu5kpYRY9erN-l0W8EvyhXcXAsI9spjAO_wOLReIa3pGCnvW58QPul19LGqP_v2K38_OqM5SeeMpbT7WUurrcgoum_vHe06hWR89qPoGcI8wfsoGe1RxzxLS6t_O0qAVROxO-udEAw/s400/gasl_katie_lee_joel_03.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 180%; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #336666;">The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Havelock Ellis</span></div></div>

Back to basics

As you can notice I decided to make Belle Vivir look more like it was from it's humble beginnings in 2006. It's still a work in pro...

6:00 AM

My favorite Macarons

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_juCmy4WykSAzBNrTxBvz920rqQfVRFnRF0zgXn6vm1hPbmJwT12uqwfsDIFTBYeJVIi7_tRlKka_sz5BwLv1FyBErh9Bzu5zCW_7qNSNLsdhG4SlXAaT-69_IxsJgQucgl2j8QbLpA/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453752337010987922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_juCmy4WykSAzBNrTxBvz920rqQfVRFnRF0zgXn6vm1hPbmJwT12uqwfsDIFTBYeJVIi7_tRlKka_sz5BwLv1FyBErh9Bzu5zCW_7qNSNLsdhG4SlXAaT-69_IxsJgQucgl2j8QbLpA/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>Yesterday we celebrated Lucas' baptism and we had a great time.  I <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/2010/03/thank-you.html">decided</a> to go with Madeleine Patisserie macarons because of their incredible taste.  And in no way was I disappointed about their packaging, they came in very cute brown boxes with pink silky paper wrapping the gorgeous and delicious macarons.  I'll post more pictures of the decorations next week.<br />I hope you're enjoying your weekend.</div>

My favorite Macarons

Yesterday we celebrated Lucas' baptism and we had a great time. I decided to go with Madeleine Patisserie macarons because of their in...

11:23 AM

Thank you

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am sorry for the lack of posts this week. I've been busy running around to organize my little one’s Baptism this coming Saturday.  I'll be posting pictures this time, I promise. Not everything has been tiring and stressful however. Between running around I made sure to stop and smell the roses, well actually stop and try the macarons.  Yummy!!   I've been to two new places that I hadn't tried yet in NYC: <a href="http://www.macaroncafe.com/index.html" target="_blank">MacarOn Cafe</a> and <a href="http://www.madeleinepatisserie.com/Madeleine_Patisserie/Home.html" target="_blank">Madeleine Patisserie</a>. They were both good, but Medeleine macarons were superb and turned out to be my favorite. The only problem is that MacarOn Café adds a nice touch of detail where the macarons are served in a gorgeous presentation box (below). Not that I'm shallow, ladies, but I love everything with that kind of details. I'll let you know which one I chose next week.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQqkBu8ef1qyWP7jBREGlpvMyMP1GSBnK4w9wXV8ljbAWPQiRYQ4mGuQj6gi6LgZHq8i-UGUKtC1IOu-6n_1nuLkpUZBl26RPubDn9Ydns5cPCuP99pjajOYYgIT5y7osLn-bpkFz-tA/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-20+at+10.40.53+PM_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452166043299554098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQqkBu8ef1qyWP7jBREGlpvMyMP1GSBnK4w9wXV8ljbAWPQiRYQ4mGuQj6gi6LgZHq8i-UGUKtC1IOu-6n_1nuLkpUZBl26RPubDn9Ydns5cPCuP99pjajOYYgIT5y7osLn-bpkFz-tA/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-20+at+10.40.53+PM_m.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"></div>In another note I want to thank <a href="http://fabulousfindsandco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christina</a> and <a href="http://spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Charlotta</a>. These two lovely ladies have honored me by mentioning Belle Vivir in their fantastic blogs and for the generous gesture of the awards they have granted me. Thank you Christina and thank you Charlotte. You two are fantastic with great blogs and it’s an honor being awarded by you.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdrn-wjVdbtkIj2ACNdacSGtYTgLCERU58AVSfElCRt9PB3qnvi_BAaiBJqjN4dyfkxJXkhXcpGw8qxPH7Z_aO4KB3PPd6pXrXould_UmsKssUsP_wopvbSv_ryl_nhw3Cxg4dJW9_18/s1600/bluechair1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452169823873529282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdrn-wjVdbtkIj2ACNdacSGtYTgLCERU58AVSfElCRt9PB3qnvi_BAaiBJqjN4dyfkxJXkhXcpGw8qxPH7Z_aO4KB3PPd6pXrXould_UmsKssUsP_wopvbSv_ryl_nhw3Cxg4dJW9_18/s400/bluechair1.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picture from <a href="http://fabulousfindsandco.blogspot.com/">Christina</a>.</div></div>

Thank you

I am sorry for the lack of posts this week. I've been busy running around to organize my little one’s Baptism this coming Saturday. I...

4:48 AM

Cisco Brothers

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl5G5Y67ANUTsL12R_Om465JCD8xOmtgWuu7zczTz8kgu7jCpAoUgtib3wYiDVM3NAeSoHHRsI1eY9Bbfk1U1hlDWGXG0qxUdbt3jyUN2TXw5ABTUVVddfm9pIQKPRy0iVD9qFj62jJc/s1600-h/10a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446614419659028898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl5G5Y67ANUTsL12R_Om465JCD8xOmtgWuu7zczTz8kgu7jCpAoUgtib3wYiDVM3NAeSoHHRsI1eY9Bbfk1U1hlDWGXG0qxUdbt3jyUN2TXw5ABTUVVddfm9pIQKPRy0iVD9qFj62jJc/s400/10a.jpg" style="height: 147px; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn8qmElK6NU7BsODk4CW3AXGXB4SOuVfrQrBOEB_7DVu-9BQto5Hd0CfW6x0dR0QgeaVP-bengnZ6yTcncuVR9eDfsufY1FPT36g2IT8ccFdS5i79FwK5SlKD3nzZkyfMHSXBdUkZPWE/s1600-h/Cisco+Brothers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444977833035376226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn8qmElK6NU7BsODk4CW3AXGXB4SOuVfrQrBOEB_7DVu-9BQto5Hd0CfW6x0dR0QgeaVP-bengnZ6yTcncuVR9eDfsufY1FPT36g2IT8ccFdS5i79FwK5SlKD3nzZkyfMHSXBdUkZPWE/s400/Cisco+Brothers.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 198px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>A couple of months ago I walked into ABC home looking for a sofa or anything else that would catch my eye.  I found the cutest sofa with perfect proportions that happened to be comfortable as well.  When I inquired about it I was told it was manufactured by Cisco Brothers.  I remembered reading about the company somewhere.  At first I thought of re-upholstering it but after all the food, water, milk that have spilled on it and after cleaning it with a wet cloth without leaving a stain of course I changed my mind. It doesn't show clearly in this picture but the color is not that bad and I can make it work.  The back of the sofa is curvy and it's the first thing you notice as you come up the entrance so I am planning to upholster it in a graphic fabric.<br /><a href="http://www.ciscobrothers.com/">Cisco Brothers</a> is a very respectable Furniture Company located in Los Angeles and its owner is from Jalisco, Mexico.  He started working part-time for a small shop disassembling sofas while in High School and discovered his love for furniture making.  In his twenties he and his wife were making custom furniture for neighbors out of his garage and Cisco Brothers was created.  In not an easy business to succeed in Cisco Pinedo developed his furniture with superior craftsmanship, cutting-edge style, and  unparalleled value.  In 2006, The company moved exclusively to FSC Pure certified woods on upholstered furniture, using reclaimed hardwoods for a collection of stunning case goods and the use of water based glues and environmentally friendly detergents to wash all fabrics.  Today, Cisco Home has six retail showrooms including a gallery at ABC Home Furnishings in NYC and the acclaimed LA Design Center in South Central Los Angeles.</div>

Cisco Brothers

A couple of months ago I walked into ABC home looking for a sofa or anything else that would catch my eye. I found the cutest sofa with per...

5:00 AM

Our three happiest years

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">It feels like yesterday when I married my soulmate.  What wonderful years these have been.  Living with such a considerate and thoughtful man is really a gift or shall I say the answer to my prayers.  Happy anniversary my love!!!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDINFXP7y_MtOSXjJ3ica4pfMnndWiEEmFgiTZ2jiBNFQBTlhNU-_lY1vkhfu-4FhchD_mcrmk5yx7WRhD5fL14lGK68cJYnlDUSDRCuqPNGSlvxbLcxikMWVqVccKe2mA8FQFcJLhIg/s1600-h/_DSC4170.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438656137870362290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDINFXP7y_MtOSXjJ3ica4pfMnndWiEEmFgiTZ2jiBNFQBTlhNU-_lY1vkhfu-4FhchD_mcrmk5yx7WRhD5fL14lGK68cJYnlDUSDRCuqPNGSlvxbLcxikMWVqVccKe2mA8FQFcJLhIg/s400/_DSC4170.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 266px; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz5Of2gGT44NyD5y0SrLRr6djEPuNGLq6JMQOHOdmk3PMbv2KtHXcFiRfyk7wv5oHMXeMY6iiWDOIvowRutruv4FWAI-1w2TYPYqeZBX348Cgpv4qUGAPXHpJuKk4voudDeIjJ5j7LOk/s1600-h/_DSC3945.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438656133257383506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz5Of2gGT44NyD5y0SrLRr6djEPuNGLq6JMQOHOdmk3PMbv2KtHXcFiRfyk7wv5oHMXeMY6iiWDOIvowRutruv4FWAI-1w2TYPYqeZBX348Cgpv4qUGAPXHpJuKk4voudDeIjJ5j7LOk/s400/_DSC3945.JPG" width="424" /></a></div></div>

Our three happiest years

It feels like yesterday when I married my soulmate. What wonderful years these have been. Living with such a considerate and thoughtful ma...

6:02 PM

Happy birthday Cutiepie

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovIpf_Lg-1zXIdw94mEoO9sOXtEzzmuOOto7eFdQnr0lSPyIWHL2IR_MUB0mqHOzMQ4lPUrIQ1SMXjeKdbdEJ21gPHQmziT4IRG25q54dFL61xlfZfZSzGHpL2LIf_1POvNTmf7hw3ws/s1600-h/love,quote,text,i,love,it,when,you,hug,me,,,,hug-35b4780a310b36b0f0329bb2d1ec43b1_h.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389473116245437746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovIpf_Lg-1zXIdw94mEoO9sOXtEzzmuOOto7eFdQnr0lSPyIWHL2IR_MUB0mqHOzMQ4lPUrIQ1SMXjeKdbdEJ21gPHQmziT4IRG25q54dFL61xlfZfZSzGHpL2LIf_1POvNTmf7hw3ws/s400/love,quote,text,i,love,it,when,you,hug,me,,,,hug-35b4780a310b36b0f0329bb2d1ec43b1_h.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 440px; height: 313px;" /></a><br /></div><br />It feels like yesterday when our little one was born.  I can't believe we are already celebrating his birthday.  It's been such a pleasure and happiness to have you in our lives.  We love you Lucas very much and wish you all the happiness and health in your life.  God bless you. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image from <a href="http://vi.sualize.us/">vi.sualize.us</a></span>

Happy birthday Cutiepie

It feels like yesterday when our little one was born. I can't believe we are already celebrating his birthday. It's been such a pl...

5:53 AM

A hot hot book

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p2_FxmhOXs9OQeXP3xY_BFM1xo9In9GYyVYVoBwfQbaYgPmos6gqiQ-xqcHFLeQTEh2OUMrMDIIv3CaXYQAj4ug4WOn15zWycwlRXHybt2t25Pkwr66B-KJ0kKcqux7wZBvTS7rkmUG4/s1600-h/bringing+home+the+birkin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370268004461536770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p2_FxmhOXs9OQeXP3xY_BFM1xo9In9GYyVYVoBwfQbaYgPmos6gqiQ-xqcHFLeQTEh2OUMrMDIIv3CaXYQAj4ug4WOn15zWycwlRXHybt2t25Pkwr66B-KJ0kKcqux7wZBvTS7rkmUG4/s400/bringing+home+the+birkin.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 286px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>Some of you may have already heard about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061473340?ie=UTF8&tag=belviv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061473340%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%2241Vn3KmY6kL._SL160_.jpg%22%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=belviv-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061473340%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20%21important;%20margin:0px%20%21important;%22%20/%3E">Bringing Home the Birkin</a>.  I read this book over the weekend and anything I say about it would not be enough.  It's funny, young, light and keeps you interested from start to end.  Michael's adventurous and lucky move to Barcelona opened a whole new fabulous career no one had ever considered before; country hopping around the world in  pursuit of the rich and famous "it" bag.  This book is entertaining; after reading it I'm almost certain that the so famous waiting list for a Hermes Birkin does not exist, or does it?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"<span style="font-style: italic;">The summer's most adorable chick-lit book...smart, fizzy, and amusingly snarky, with attitude to burn</span>"    -NEW YORK TIMES<br /><br />"The prose is vivid, the tone lighthearted.  Mr. Tonello comes off as...sassy, plucky, optimistic-oh, and he can get you a Birkin."  -WALL STREET JOURNAL<br /><br />And you may be asking what's the point of this post, well <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061473340?ie=UTF8&tag=belviv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061473340%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%2241Vn3KmY6kL._SL160_.jpg%22%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=belviv-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061473340%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20%21important;%20margin:0px%20%21important;%22%20/%3E">this book</a> was so much fun that I wanted to share it with you by giving it away to one of my lovely readers.  All you need to do is, if you are a <span style="font-weight: bold;">blogger</span> go into your dashboard to the left lower corner and add this humble blog to your followers, I may even be already following yours.  If you are a reader leave me a comment and the lucky winner will be announced on Monday the 24th.</div></div>

A hot hot book

Some of you may have already heard about Bringing Home the Birkin . I read this book over the weekend and anything I say about it would not...

6:30 AM

Hand in hand

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black;">The Way I live and the way I feel go hand in hand. Surround yourself with beautiful things and your daily missteps will be more bearable.</span> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">myself.</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP41D3gzQqMuDBIaQvwP_gjnCDeLXb3ZTuTfBzwbEK7UEuCWA4VoJLFM8pR3r5P0fhtnmFcJv0-4EkVVdgqKxqiQQoy9FRLNBwsA7SOEwVCUj-WZQmGl3PEf_0PQzVd5Llc8tL13PHXC9/s1600-h/375_1_2g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359225326684533938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP41D3gzQqMuDBIaQvwP_gjnCDeLXb3ZTuTfBzwbEK7UEuCWA4VoJLFM8pR3r5P0fhtnmFcJv0-4EkVVdgqKxqiQQoy9FRLNBwsA7SOEwVCUj-WZQmGl3PEf_0PQzVd5Llc8tL13PHXC9/s400/375_1_2g.jpg" width="512" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDAmHNyuOuRzjKhb-qWEGjjQSDEDgKB-h3cR_BGsSG2RX22JezEVZJ0r4S_dyqmjsb-TyvzI5VHH-Y1NmyWEPvKtxi4zAL7hiCL9GnbW4snRS0b0Yy9rVxVMn-HSxgIRGTVkpn3oMOg39/s1600-h/carlos+Mota+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359225333199432722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDAmHNyuOuRzjKhb-qWEGjjQSDEDgKB-h3cR_BGsSG2RX22JezEVZJ0r4S_dyqmjsb-TyvzI5VHH-Y1NmyWEPvKtxi4zAL7hiCL9GnbW4snRS0b0Yy9rVxVMn-HSxgIRGTVkpn3oMOg39/s400/carlos+Mota+3.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6AxHJaTB7qP8CE9FqoUCE0cpziPyP4xIWWuRhc2D0svxSEwNcvDnGcozKsJc2oEDCyKjQKgQEESl1cwewD2D69RLXCOO6vvJecdbu85FV-fD7WAys2zI2lCD97jdsJSsYVIDpVBGMeC1/s1600-h/milesredd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359225414816343602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6AxHJaTB7qP8CE9FqoUCE0cpziPyP4xIWWuRhc2D0svxSEwNcvDnGcozKsJc2oEDCyKjQKgQEESl1cwewD2D69RLXCOO6vvJecdbu85FV-fD7WAys2zI2lCD97jdsJSsYVIDpVBGMeC1/s400/milesredd.jpg" width="505" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQyYOrLfoWT78j9ZQ0X1nYPUvArbJBZig7ZrNV-fyHOMYMWtOS7ui8y4AqP6gx7bT3hP4LFPKNif5bldWC3ieqlhzgoMwgXk9sAw9ttZ3p8PFnZSrojmBBGL0cblF2S9E5bKdanoKPNRp/s1600-h/IMG_0065.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359225338835301042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQyYOrLfoWT78j9ZQ0X1nYPUvArbJBZig7ZrNV-fyHOMYMWtOS7ui8y4AqP6gx7bT3hP4LFPKNif5bldWC3ieqlhzgoMwgXk9sAw9ttZ3p8PFnZSrojmBBGL0cblF2S9E5bKdanoKPNRp/s400/IMG_0065.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXlB18cmrCslQ9lME_EWGN4rLc5-j98zWwt64oqCN4Ada1pt-MrBJga68foRRWP3xaxbIu1-8NTitx68xnr15mBBkurxp6-o0flFai0hEPOtMRfEAFT4P15_52iGQWm-LSnp-FhvGqoSK/s1600-h/Bertoia+Chairs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359225317417806034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXlB18cmrCslQ9lME_EWGN4rLc5-j98zWwt64oqCN4Ada1pt-MrBJga68foRRWP3xaxbIu1-8NTitx68xnr15mBBkurxp6-o0flFai0hEPOtMRfEAFT4P15_52iGQWm-LSnp-FhvGqoSK/s400/Bertoia+Chairs.jpg" width="499" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF5LRSX7z27_WxQXrSFFEo_T77ll9uAlljCsROM1_2gDxkEm6svEvtyTCB0MbE7A5H4Vw45VAE0sIqDp0sTpFMrn-rDfCrye3gF8Xd5Fi2reo0vyFXI16uO1GJZAU6tnq6-Pt2uDO9zOk/s1600-h/blue_white_10-l.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="580" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359225326251680386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF5LRSX7z27_WxQXrSFFEo_T77ll9uAlljCsROM1_2gDxkEm6svEvtyTCB0MbE7A5H4Vw45VAE0sIqDp0sTpFMrn-rDfCrye3gF8Xd5Fi2reo0vyFXI16uO1GJZAU6tnq6-Pt2uDO9zOk/s400/blue_white_10-l.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Have a beautiful weekend</span></span><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /></div><div id="refHTML"></div></div>

Hand in hand

The Way I live and the way I feel go hand in hand. Surround yourself with beautiful things and your daily missteps will be more bearable. m...

5:52 AM

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

5:19 AM

Things I wish for you

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XjC2wk67AHFjsnXm-9uty-GPHyDz5z3mrIV7eW2pyCw7pDrXofn2QOXfoiw0BuvdsNQ_tzpG8TIz-v-xuaHHyCz05mMEyHNpici_K1wRky_z9lc-FtDR5czzzOB24tvkuB9XIYb85V0/s1600-h/picture-6.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322898361139123682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XjC2wk67AHFjsnXm-9uty-GPHyDz5z3mrIV7eW2pyCw7pDrXofn2QOXfoiw0BuvdsNQ_tzpG8TIz-v-xuaHHyCz05mMEyHNpici_K1wRky_z9lc-FtDR5czzzOB24tvkuB9XIYb85V0/s400/picture-6.png" style="cursor: pointer; height: 504px; width: 396px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A fabulous big fat ice cream on a cone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QoO0UQNi-ZT_afkHGhB2B7Hqrbh01nk43vMhaTGpOb0kSrX_BBu-DpRu2bKsht6pUjvHtTAdUADLBDAuZhDeN2xkbk4JwdB6l5J2QVbYOS0215xGvmN5aWASUkMgFv1V0fvPHwoFoUs/s1600-h/3.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322898358780726802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QoO0UQNi-ZT_afkHGhB2B7Hqrbh01nk43vMhaTGpOb0kSrX_BBu-DpRu2bKsht6pUjvHtTAdUADLBDAuZhDeN2xkbk4JwdB6l5J2QVbYOS0215xGvmN5aWASUkMgFv1V0fvPHwoFoUs/s400/3.png" style="cursor: pointer; height: 496px; width: 390px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A space/time for yourself, to reconnect and to be in the moment.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhkbwJqtqKcqWtgyndI1XYyWVde-ltZ4zJk2I0S8CcfQ38Ps9tCA7Prm4V5-yCPf4_7StH5NKLQ3Cm5J3hEkCoKbioq6MKraK-YnQ1kvjIcCOq2wR1zRmgdULr7BhScqEX2dnLVX_9HM/s1600-h/31aff7c8ff19a944680522eca528f0d1_spirit-girl-on-sofa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328078730445743682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhkbwJqtqKcqWtgyndI1XYyWVde-ltZ4zJk2I0S8CcfQ38Ps9tCA7Prm4V5-yCPf4_7StH5NKLQ3Cm5J3hEkCoKbioq6MKraK-YnQ1kvjIcCOq2wR1zRmgdULr7BhScqEX2dnLVX_9HM/s400/31aff7c8ff19a944680522eca528f0d1_spirit-girl-on-sofa.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 254px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />And a serious beauty nap.  Regardless what your plans are, have a great weekend.<br /><span style="font-size: 78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">images: unknown, <a href="http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Desite to Inspire</a> and <a href="http://www.danielfarmer.com/index.html" target="blank">Daniel Farmer</a>.</span></div></div></div>

Things I wish for you

A fabulous big fat ice cream on a cone. A space/time for yourself, to reconnect and to be in the moment. And a serious beauty nap. Regardle...

3:53 AM

Paella with the family

Paella with the family

This is a shot of a delicious paella my father-in-law made for us yesterday. We enjoyed it with the family and built more precious moments ...

3:50 PM

Happy Easter

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwzv7uLRKwHbbov40ApAV2VBcIg9y6QaTfPoZMBDO5fMXsO2B0-qhGxC7habXE9Iqhbv6ZC2XjJfOTPeF94YHXi-SDMyYldnEERZHpye63MRsQ9P4dLePAx_Hv_rI-JYCeBHG7GMGJ_Q/s1600-h/easter_egg_hunt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322899664821732370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwzv7uLRKwHbbov40ApAV2VBcIg9y6QaTfPoZMBDO5fMXsO2B0-qhGxC7habXE9Iqhbv6ZC2XjJfOTPeF94YHXi-SDMyYldnEERZHpye63MRsQ9P4dLePAx_Hv_rI-JYCeBHG7GMGJ_Q/s400/easter_egg_hunt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>I wish you a very happy and relaxed Easter among the presence of family and friends.   I'll see you back here on Monday when I'm going to reveal the 2 lucky winners of <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/2009/04/domino-book-giveaway.html">Domino</a> book giveaway.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br /><div id="refHTML"></div></div>

Happy Easter

I wish you a very happy and relaxed Easter among the presence of family and friends. I'll see you back here on Monday when I'm goi...

12:27 PM

domino Book Giveaway

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">domino, The Book of Decorating is the result of the very and still mourning magazine's philosophy; Making living with style more approachable to those who love living beautiful within a budget. Anything I say wouldn't be enough to describe my disappointment when I found out that one of my favorite magazines was closing. Lucky for many and me they left behind a fantastic book with all of their greatest rooms ever featured.   It explains how to decorate your home and which pieces to select depending on the look you are going for.  Because I love this book so much I was so happy when the generous people at <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Domino-The-Book-of-Decorating/Dara-Caponigro/9781416575467" target="blank">Simon & Schuster</a> decided to giveaway two copies to two fortunate Belle Vivir readers.  The winner will be selected on April 10th, Friday.  To enter, all you have to do is e-mail me at <span style="font-weight: bold;">bellevivir@gmail.com</span> describing how you would decorate a room using the gorgeous green Chinoiserie wallpaper on the book cover.  The two entries with the most original use of the wallpaper will win.  Good Luck!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCE-ZshyphenhyphenG68tXYeXwIxxIsb0pksi428xSecQXYJnkeix100aXiIguvk3VlFzwglnrVeHIxY2fNDuGjf9ai8YlV3nadgwQlcAYsxh_StFF3BO1dylwtxTJNKFdMj8u3xaN5qYfLgSZRxQ/s1600-h/domino+mag+book.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319902852679631026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCE-ZshyphenhyphenG68tXYeXwIxxIsb0pksi428xSecQXYJnkeix100aXiIguvk3VlFzwglnrVeHIxY2fNDuGjf9ai8YlV3nadgwQlcAYsxh_StFF3BO1dylwtxTJNKFdMj8u3xaN5qYfLgSZRxQ/s400/domino+mag+book.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 395px; width: 419px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBMNgDn5iu6KMjAX6nEe98QJEqyY7l5JNqmbfmc3DmcTdAA4ZcEcZ80c09cUAJ70RZBOeDSBHA_vAXWFiVGnQE-oLMTsNfKOMdRz-jhLuSfK6gCM9jlJG5FbSuUzTd903U70BnqGBoWQ/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319902857691462002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBMNgDn5iu6KMjAX6nEe98QJEqyY7l5JNqmbfmc3DmcTdAA4ZcEcZ80c09cUAJ70RZBOeDSBHA_vAXWFiVGnQE-oLMTsNfKOMdRz-jhLuSfK6gCM9jlJG5FbSuUzTd903U70BnqGBoWQ/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 313px; width: 421px;" /></a></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br /><div id="refHTML"></div></div>

domino Book Giveaway

domino, The Book of Decorating is the result of the very and still mourning magazine's philosophy; Making living with style more approac...

6:38 PM

A school project

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPTPHfHmBTslPN0VUNQ4jomGQF6ctEx_BYYsOXPY_UXEp4j6Mh_MVVNA7h7DE034N1ArgVP27ES0XdpcyxY7bzJNDuMM-gEYQxSdl92axOSTkrCACcJdG6xID4Y3gsVFmTcf0svwYn4U/s1600-h/school+project.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319534725883481090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPTPHfHmBTslPN0VUNQ4jomGQF6ctEx_BYYsOXPY_UXEp4j6Mh_MVVNA7h7DE034N1ArgVP27ES0XdpcyxY7bzJNDuMM-gEYQxSdl92axOSTkrCACcJdG6xID4Y3gsVFmTcf0svwYn4U/s400/school+project.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div><a href="http://cocokelley.blogspot.com/2009/03/top-5-elements-for-office-escape.html" target="blank">Cassandra</a>'s  post last week reminded me of these drawings I made last year for a  school final project.  We, the students, were provided with an empty  space with specific square footage to design our dream office.  That was  a very fun and interesting project.  For my dream office the two most  important elements, style and comfort, had to go hand in hand.  I  decided to divide the space in four sections: my office, a conference  room, the secretary/library room and the reception.  Below is what would  be my office.  I picked the Herman Miller executive chair, my all time  favorite.   The drawing  below is an elevation of the desk wall.  Wood paneling cover the ceilings, wood beams below the paneling with recess lighting, a simple roman shade on the window, a comfortable couch with a side table for me to read or chat with clients, two chairs for meetings with clients.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwFBTh_d1jHo2DN2Ds8q8f2wsSpYjvyv22INfe1UBcFS-JU8oCEp7mLXIfV9a4cxAGVsncLts_8yz0zwQJh2ywa4zUFiRBVYwgUK4o7hFghZkuiB5pUaVrF95W3PE67GhSBgiHHnda7I/s1600-h/IMG_0071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319535792526032274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwFBTh_d1jHo2DN2Ds8q8f2wsSpYjvyv22INfe1UBcFS-JU8oCEp7mLXIfV9a4cxAGVsncLts_8yz0zwQJh2ywa4zUFiRBVYwgUK4o7hFghZkuiB5pUaVrF95W3PE67GhSBgiHHnda7I/s400/IMG_0071.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Below is another wall of the office with bookshelves up to the top of the windows (this is a 20 foot ceiling structure) with a ladder, sconces, basket to keep swatches of fabric, drawers and closet with doors to hide what I wouldn't like to be seen.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSYtwDs7yOpKKhJ2A_0x1c2mIL2xuhO2M-IoS7czaAKxgCyIZwhWFHMxeT_JnA8W0bSN37RdRoqGrA8D6jNpvg1HbkZyrB0w6HgIfGoTPGl0eSJU5l5kTqAEpsSORqQGy7Cxin7JqX2I/s1600-h/IMG_0073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319535800816538882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSYtwDs7yOpKKhJ2A_0x1c2mIL2xuhO2M-IoS7czaAKxgCyIZwhWFHMxeT_JnA8W0bSN37RdRoqGrA8D6jNpvg1HbkZyrB0w6HgIfGoTPGl0eSJU5l5kTqAEpsSORqQGy7Cxin7JqX2I/s400/IMG_0073.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Below is the selection of furniture.  Some of them from 1stdibs and DWR.   P.S these pictures were taken at night so they are not perfect. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuW5rGnYRIZ30wF9cdfNM3bB-z2Y0B-Vt3Z6tBlOGYjmUvEBKdax8ryaJ4l6GI6Mot-hG2zlJo_ag3qrMAI5UQgdFuE1eas6SsKTuj7RsSH7Tasc9Mca_lHtl8leUkYUNbOcOIS-nu-E/s1600-h/IMG_0058.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319535788761992482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuW5rGnYRIZ30wF9cdfNM3bB-z2Y0B-Vt3Z6tBlOGYjmUvEBKdax8ryaJ4l6GI6Mot-hG2zlJo_ag3qrMAI5UQgdFuE1eas6SsKTuj7RsSH7Tasc9Mca_lHtl8leUkYUNbOcOIS-nu-E/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div id="refHTML"></div></div>

A school project

Cassandra 's post last week reminded me of these drawings I made last year for a school final project. We, the students, were provi...

6:48 PM

Toko Ohmori

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Aren't these illustrations by <a href="http://toko.rocket.ne.jp/index.html" target="blank">Toko Ohmori</a> gorgeous?  I think so.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGMV4NGp69J87sGOCQrooeOLLfdd9Zeywg3fjpADqqhMeL2dlsu_DghkFmrX8bCeZt3xWYGTDHNiPHohhckbU0i5O3ThDYk8ig3UB8Nu350shslo9umS8SRnXnAzrtzfXApPWdsJWOYU/s1600-h/Lumine_01_fin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314356211506504002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGMV4NGp69J87sGOCQrooeOLLfdd9Zeywg3fjpADqqhMeL2dlsu_DghkFmrX8bCeZt3xWYGTDHNiPHohhckbU0i5O3ThDYk8ig3UB8Nu350shslo9umS8SRnXnAzrtzfXApPWdsJWOYU/s400/Lumine_01_fin.jpg" style="height: 477px; width: 403px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbvw8e3Y6_iIbbrc-Q8NIL3cZQCJF7ZZ7eLwreqAHsrnBd7Dhs-dQnTEngx_JlE3g6TzSznkZx3CuSA0bfm5WA0eSmGPS1VKDL_tztY0k9OuKdetu1rs6J9W28SGeYioFg-64KFkkqCU/s1600-h/051103074700_1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314356204933108306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbvw8e3Y6_iIbbrc-Q8NIL3cZQCJF7ZZ7eLwreqAHsrnBd7Dhs-dQnTEngx_JlE3g6TzSznkZx3CuSA0bfm5WA0eSmGPS1VKDL_tztY0k9OuKdetu1rs6J9W28SGeYioFg-64KFkkqCU/s400/051103074700_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 400px; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">P.S I am so exited and flattered to be The Blog of the Month.  Huge thanks to Rebekah and Amy at <a href="http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/living/" target="blank">Elizabeth Ann Designs</a>.</div></div><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size: 85%;">image via <a href="http://mychaikhana.blogspot.com/2007/10/toko-ohmori.html" target="blank">chaikhana</a></span>.</div>

Toko Ohmori

Aren't these illustrations by Toko Ohmori gorgeous? I think so. P.S I am so exited and flattered to be The Blog of the Month. Huge th...

8:05 PM

Have a lovely weekend

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4io8N4EjqgD0y2B56dxC9cpbDoRJ83HkeclPQdhyK1RpSdnePs526BWPrYTXEqCSeWe9pVKd4arkucf_k1v381CvdnDxrI-J201_96MPCKx5t9q6-3V4vJgFtmOziNQwSVeee0oR9xU/s1600-h/ivlloz.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312836170439000258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4io8N4EjqgD0y2B56dxC9cpbDoRJ83HkeclPQdhyK1RpSdnePs526BWPrYTXEqCSeWe9pVKd4arkucf_k1v381CvdnDxrI-J201_96MPCKx5t9q6-3V4vJgFtmOziNQwSVeee0oR9xU/s400/ivlloz.png" style="cursor: pointer; height: 578px; width: 440px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNXrcNdXNSJSxKmSkSxKR-y9DwzFg0IChdLeV_gkJ3mQpuv1L00yPDKXtmHkteBDpOB0RheuX7lQpHjrSzpKw88ZSRjSgUr1zH95ru0hSWrGYr-jRlKfk8ZooDP32wt6U3LnYuhXlBnw/s1600-h/20b0hnc.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312836161741148306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNXrcNdXNSJSxKmSkSxKR-y9DwzFg0IChdLeV_gkJ3mQpuv1L00yPDKXtmHkteBDpOB0RheuX7lQpHjrSzpKw88ZSRjSgUr1zH95ru0hSWrGYr-jRlKfk8ZooDP32wt6U3LnYuhXlBnw/s400/20b0hnc.png" style="cursor: pointer; height: 164px; width: 434px;" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;">And turn to the person next to you and let him/her know how much he/she is loved.</span>  <span style="font-size: 85%;">image from</span> <a href="http://leloveimage.blogspot.com/2009/03/couldnt-ask-for-anything-more.html"><span style="font-style: italic;" target="blank">le love</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">XOXO</span>  <span style="font-style: italic;">Julie</span></div></div>

Have a lovely weekend

And turn to the person next to you and let him/her know how much he/she is loved. image from le love XOXO Julie

5:36 PM

Kitchen

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWZTmJUx3_ovYxf1sIn_qHYsi7TvvSs8Ap6uOVn9gXXLG4EljoUD1oqtbB0wM1WaafyIQO9gYj2Bl0oOoYo6iQP8n-3YBmanasfa13Wf-uaFdLnHt2F1gxpVopZNzPp8qDgfqj4SbSnc/s1600-h/resl02_kitchen_classicurban%5B10%5D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304875020276364450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWZTmJUx3_ovYxf1sIn_qHYsi7TvvSs8Ap6uOVn9gXXLG4EljoUD1oqtbB0wM1WaafyIQO9gYj2Bl0oOoYo6iQP8n-3YBmanasfa13Wf-uaFdLnHt2F1gxpVopZNzPp8qDgfqj4SbSnc/s400/resl02_kitchen_classicurban%5B10%5D.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 302px; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Is a humongous Kitchen really needed or is it just one more futility of our society?</div><br />I have always wondered why some people are so obsessed with big kitchens?  I have seen innumerable amount of houses in magazines where the kitchens are noticeably bigger than any of the other rooms.  In many cases, especially in modern architecture, with the kitchen located as the heart of the house.  Don’t misunderstand me.  In no ways do I think it looks clumsy or odd.  On the contrary, it’s very functional.  My lack of understanding starts to arise when it seems a requirement that this very important and must-have room of our homes, the absence of it would make of a house more a hotel room, to be humongous.  I ask myself, do we really spend more time in the Kitchen than in any of our other rooms?  Is the kitchen the most important room in our homes?  Let’s compare and let’s start with our bedrooms.  That private place of our living spaces, where we go to sometimes escape and disconnect from the hectic daily life or to share our most intimate moments with our significant other.  In that room, if we are lucky and nothing disturbs us, we spend for sure at least 8 hours straight.  Sleeping…yes, but equally important and needed as eating.  Not because it’s a room to sleeping, rest and perhaps watch TV while cuddling in our favorite linens, means it should lack space.  Do you use your room to wind down, to get dressed in the morning, to have a cup of tea or coffee while reading a book or magazine?  Then that room should be decorated and accommodated to meet all your needs and tastes.  The size of the room will depend on the types of activities in it.<br />The living/family room, the space where probably our favorite memories are created, we get together with our families, friends.  We spend an average of 38 hours a week.  More, if you like me, are a stay at home mom.   Here we play, converse, watch TV, listen to music, snack, nap?  If you have small children you probably need enough empty floor space for that child or children to play on?  Now that is a must-be big- or big-enough room we are talking about.<br />Meanwhile, the kitchen.  Although I agree that “our heart is where the kitchen is” for others, that is true, only when hungry.  Specially for those who prefer eating out or take out vs. cooking at home.  For many busy people eating out almost, if not everyday, is a lifestyle.  These same people, who are not always, single, sometimes they are young couples or a small family, would probably opt for a catering service or delivery service if they were to have a party at home.  The rest of us, who most of the time cook at home, spend about 15 hours a week?  I should say that this is a place where precious memories with our family and friends are originated.  In my case, one of my favorite moments is when I sit on the countertop enjoying a glass of wine while watching my husband cook.   But this is something I used to do before in our 50 square foot kitchen and it was as great then as now in my 200 square foot, bigger kitchen.<br /><br />For me, a kitchen, big or small, should be, above all, a place to have fun, to share, to learn and teach how to cook to our kids, to eat.  The size is not as important as making these precious moments last in our memories forever.  As long as we make every square inch count.  Let’s hope that the term “Big Kitchen” represents the cooking in the kitchen more than the actual size of the space.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br /><div id="refHTML"></div></div>

Kitchen

Is a humongous Kitchen really needed or is it just one more futility of our society? I have always wondered why some people are so obsessed ...