Live from France!

So now I'm taking a much needed break. These two weeks have been flying by and I've enjoyed every minute of it -from plane delays, to meeting new friends and seeing old friends. While here in Paris I've been snapping some photos at Bercy, Tuileries and other deliciously beautiful places.

While I was at Bercy there was a wonderful market of mid century design items. I had to snap some pics of it!

Also I think this one could be called SteamPunk? You tell me -like it or not?

And of course a jazzy little number makes me want a cocktail and say, "Daddy-O."

Another Blog

Thank you dear readers for following my adventures and musings on Italy, food, museums and decor. My life has changed so much since my husband went off to Afghanistan. He has now safely returned but life isn't the same. I have started a new blog for my new adventure. I am trying to start a foundation to help families of the deployed military in Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to offer these families free babysitting for when these fathers and mothers are in harms way and then for one month after they return.
Who is with me? Who is willing to help out these families that give so much? Join me on this new adventure at http://respite4weary.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there!

Aloha House II

Holy Toledo! I've been AWOL a long time! So sorry about that. Life has been crazy. However, I do have some more Aloha House photos for you! Thanks for hanging in there with me! Enjoy -

Casually formal living room

Guest bathroom with beautiful Asian antiques highlighted by a soft lavender color

Pool with wonderful landscaping and waterfall

Can you see the family of mosaic honu (turtles)?

A dream kitchen with 2 sinks that both have a garbage disposal (why more people don't do this boggles the mind!)

The dinning area with great lighting and flooring. Just around the corner is the family room and beyond that is the guest bedroom with every comfort imaginable. Cynthia really has such an eye for both elegant design and function.

 She is really so gifted some of the other homes she has done have the most wonderful feeling -warm, inviting and inspired. I love the way she combines antiques, modern items and warm inviting colors and lines. Hopefully, we will be seeing a lot more from her!

Aloha House

So, I've been busy with traveling unassisted with the two children under five (can you say crazy?). However, when there is a friend in need you move mountains when necessary. The wonderful thing that came from this trip was reconnecting with old friends and plugging into the wonderful energy of Hawaii.

What did I bring back for you my dear readers? Wonderful photos, interesting people and perhaps some ideas to inspire you. My Hawaiian friends are very talented and the first lady of talent I'd like to introduce you to is my friend Cynthia. She is seriously amazing at design and has a keen eye and great vision (can you tell I really admire her?) -on top of being a dear friend. Anyway, let me give you just a amuse-bouche while I beg her for some of her other work that she has done in and around Honolulu.

What are you loving about the photo above? Would you love to see the pool beyond the wall?

Airplane Mode

Airplane Mode -When someone cuts themselves off from the world by not logging on to Facebook or checking their cell

phones. Usually occurs after a breakup or a rough work week.

Derived from the cell phone setting of the same name in which incoming messages or phone calls cannot

be received.

"Dan won't answer your

calls. He's in airplane mode."

"Sarah went into airplane mode for three days after Charlie

dumped her."

-Urban Dictionary

Okay Okay... I'm coming out of airplane mode. Forgive me it

has been a long time since I've posted. The short of it is that my life has gone into the crapper. Yes, indulge me a little if you want to hear the story. If not move on to another post.

So this past year was a bit difficult because my husband was traveling a lot to Africa (boy do I have some photos!). He was gone weeks at a time while I was holding down the fort with two small children and an old crotchety dog. Well just when I thought it was tough...

My husband comes home with the news that he was being deployed and activated in the military for the next 13 months to a war zone. "What?! Stop shitting me!" Yes, it was true. No turning back and you have to go.

I still can't pick my mouth off the ground. I'm amazed that all of this has happened. It has been a few months now and I won't say things have been easy. For one thing I had to put my 16 year old dog down last week (man, I sound like a country music song!). Then of course things have been breaking around the house. Out went my husband and in came the repairmen who already know where everything is -including my bank account. So, I'm no longer asking 'can this get worse' instead I'm just vowing to keep my head down and deal with it. And maybe I can also work on getting some joy back in here.

Where in the World?? Hint...

This is a 'comfortable' European capital city where moving your head up and down means 'no' and from side to side means 'yes.'

Where in the World??

Alright my well traveled friends can you guess this location?