April 28, 2011

What are you reading?

Wow, I did it again! I took an unintentional brake from blogging. Actually I took a brake from the technology world. While I was in Seattle for the holidays (Easter and my birthday that is coming up) I was busy visiting with family so I didn’t even think about Facebook, or blogs, or blogging. I hung out! I might feel guilty now but it felt pretty darn good then.

I saw that over the weekend I gained a few new followers, Thank you and welcome!

While I was in Seattle I realized that I have to be more organized with my life and my business, as well as setting boundaries for certain things.  So what do I do, I chose a few books to read to help me with my task.

The Love Goddess' Cooking School

The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate. This is a  very cute novel about a girl who is always looking for Mr. Right. When her Italian grandmother dies, she concentrates on keeping her grandma’s legacy alive. The story grabs you in and if you are like me, you will be spending hours of reading rather than going to sleep.

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

Then I have “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. I am just now getting into the book, but from what I have read so far it is about finding what makes you happy and doing it. No matter how happy we think we are there is always something else that will possibly make us happier.

 

A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life

“A Place of Yes” by Bethenny Frankel is next on my list. I love her humor and the way she looks at life. With starting my own business I think this would be able to give me the push that I need.

Time Management from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule -- and Your LifeOrganizing from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life

These two books from Julie Morgenstern, the queen of organization, should be perfect for me. Time management is essential for me as a mom and a business owner.

Do you have any books on your to-read list? I am always on the look out for something new, please feel free to share.

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April 22, 2011

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. Today we get to think about twice about our planet and our environment. Most of us do the obvious things such as recycling paper and plastic, using reusable bags at the grocery stores, change out the light bulbs in our homes, re-purpose old furniture, and use solar power.

Many many years ago being green meant limited choices, now green design no longer means compromising style. Today there are so many sustainable products in the wall covering, counters and tile, and fabric market.
Counters:

Concrete countertop are very environmentally friendly if fabricated locally and they do not off-gas.


 A natural stone alternative is made by Squak Mountain Stone. A Fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, and low-carbon cement. Material is hand-cast into “slabs” as an alternative to natural or quarried stone. Resembles soapstone or limestones.


A quartz surface made by Ceasarstone is always a great choice. This product is easy to maintain and has a very long life. In the past few years they launched a recycled collection.

Flooring:

Cork is both durable and comfortable, providing thermal and acoustic insulation.


Cork samples from Eco Friendly Flooring

Reclaimed wood can be made from antique wood flooring salvaged from other places, old barn doors and barns. Using reclaimed wood flooring provides history and character to any house.



Recycled tile: endless color options. Tile as always can add a great design to your kitchen backsplash or your bathroom shower. There are endless possibility.

Eco Friendly Flooring

Wall Paper:

All Madison & Grow papers are crafted with the utmost care and are eco-friendly. The designs are hand-drawn before being scanned in for pre-press production. Screens are created and each roll is hand silkscreened using water based ink. The papers are clay coated for extra durability and can be wiped clean with a damp sponge. Our manufacturing process emits no VOC's whatsoever.

Eco Friendly Wallpaper by Madison and Grow elizabeth contemporary wallpaper
Eco Friendly Wallpaper by Madison and Grow traditionally contemporary wallpaper

Fabrics:

Kravet has launched an eco friendly fabric collection. the use of all-natural and sustainable yarns or recycled components are used in making the fabrics. The fabrics are woven and treated with no additional chemicals. During the finishing process, water based products and environmentally approved dyes are used.


           
 
 
Paint:



There are many options for low- VOC pain on the market. One of them is Stark Paint. Stark Paint is ECO friendly, water-based with zero VOCs in the paint and in the colorants. Stark Paint guarantees premium coverage. Meeting LEEDS standards, and made in the USA.


Happy Friday, everyone! Have a great weekend! I will be spending it with my family, here is Seattle, celebrating Easter!

Megan
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April 21, 2011

Spa day

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles > Shell massage > Located at the top of the hill, with spectacular views of Petite Anse and the entire Resort, the Spa is designed with a focus on solitude and seclusion.

Spa day. I always wanted a spa day but for some reason it never felt right to do a spa day. Unfortunately spa day is all I have been dreaming about since the day my daughter was born.

Visiting family in Seattle means free baby sitter, no worries my family loves spending time with my daughter, which means I can spoil myself. Today I am going to have a spa day. Of course the spa that I am going to, is not going to be as beautiful as this one:


 Me wishing I was there




or this one at the Four Seasons. Spectacular view:
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles > Spa - couples treatment room > Located at the top of the hill, with spectacular views of Petite Anse and the entire Resort, the Spa is designed with a focus on solitude and seclusion.
BoY Spa
 
but definitely not as unique as this one:
atomicspa_191209_02[1]atomicspa_191209_04[1]atomicspa_191209_06[1]atomicspa_191209_07[1] atomicspa_191209_08[1]atomicspa_191209_011[1]atomicspa_191209_024[1]atomicspa_191209_020[1]   
atomicspa_191209_025[1]

If I was to chose one of the three, hands down would be the one in Cabo. The atomic spa it is just too much for me with all the silver domes on the ceilings and walls. Off to enjoy my spa day. Have you ever had a spa day?
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April 20, 2011

Painted wood floors

It is nothing new but what I have seen lately is painted wood floors being done in bold colors and in bigger patterns. Wood floors to me are priceless. I love the feel and look of them. Some people are way more daring than i am and paint those wood floors. Of course with few extra bucks you can always change them back.

White
 
 
I really like the old country look on this floor.
 
The Painted Home ~ Kitchen traditional kitchen

via

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So far this is my favorite design. It reminds me of a lace table cloths my grandma made for me.

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Look at the bold colors of those floors. I guess  you can buy the stencil since I just realized that the photo above and the one below have the same pattern.

Alternative Floor Design

Painting Colorful Floors

10 Ways to Use Paint at Home

 

Would you paint your beautiful wood floors if you had the chance?

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April 19, 2011

The entry of the house

They say that the entry will tell everything about your home. After all the entry is the first and the last thing someone sees when visiting your home. Yet because we do not spend as much time in the entry as let’s say the living room or the kitchen, that particular area is usually the last one to get decorated.

I live in a small two bedroom townhouse where as soon as you enter you are in the living room and dining room area so I do not have the option of a cute entry to greet my guests. If I had one I would have a mirror, there is always that last check before leaving home and coming into someone else’s home. Possibly I would have a decorative light fixture, some decorative bowls or boxes for the keys, sunglasses, and other small things.

Here are few that really inspire me:

Manolo Home

Melle Design

Design Sponge

Pinterest (no source given)

Pinterest

bear hill interiors foyer beach

Coco Kelly

Do you have an entryway in your home? Have you had a chance to decorate it?

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