Hello Darkness My Old Friend

I'm not over it yet.

Design Challenge

Inspired  by a comment Rachel left on MFAMB's brilliant wrap up of HGTV's dreck, I matched up some of my recent favorite rooms with some of  songs from my iPod playlist entitled "cleaning the house"

Seven Nation Army, the White Stripes, and Nacho Polo

I Kissed a Girl, Katy Perry, and Miles Redd

I Will Dare, the Replacements, and the Ace Hotel, New York City lifted from If the Lampshade Fits.

Ramalama, Roisin Murphy, and another photo lifted from La Lamp Shade and Vogue Living Austrailia

Blower's Daughter, Damien Rice, and Jenna Lyons bedroom from everywhere

Your Love Is My Drug, Ke$ha, I know, I know but it is a catchy tune, and Nick Olsen's crack den.



You try it and let me know how it goes.

Butterflies

They are so rare.  When you find them, whether in your yard or in your stomach, you want to hold on to them and make them last forever.  They also look beautiful hanging in your daughter's room.  Mine would go crazy for this.

Polyvore take II

Here is my second attempt at Polyvore.  I thought I should try it again because they contacted me, complemented my blog  and wanted to chat about my experience with their site. We have an appt. to chat tomorrow.  My experience consisted of about ten minutes.  So I tried again today.  It didn't turn out like I wanted it to.  I want to be able to layer without backgrounds.  I want some template backgrounds to choose from.  I want all these things for my new patio.  I want my patio to be built.  I want that giant tree out of my yard so we can start building the patio.  I want someone to buy the wood from the tree so we can afford to pay the guy with the bobcat to build our patio.  I want world peace.  What are your experiences with Polyvore?

We are going to keep him

and the dog.  For now.

The (not so) Perfect Porch from Polyvore

This is my first attempt at a Polyvore collage.  Bad, I know.  But picture the porch.    White washed floors and walls and ceiling with natural beams.  Screened in windows.  The love seat and chaise across from each other.  One draped with the flag throw the other with the G pillow.  The pedestal table on each end of the loveseat with the metal pendants hanging above them.  The Bludot rocker askew in the corner of the seating arrangement.  Green plants in terra cotta pots all over. Me on the couch napping, tan legs, open book on the floor.

Commitment Issues

My home is sort of modern.  Clean lines.  Not a lot of pattern.  A few quirks here and there to give it character.  Like this photo.

Lately I am drawn to something a little edgier.  Bohemian, full of color and pattern and excitement.  Is this just a passing fancy or is it time for a change?

Update on the Bad Dream

We all went to therapy and think we might be ready.

This is Analese, she is a Keeshond

Ricki is a terrier doxie mix.

Chubby is also a Keeshond.









We will be meeting a few of them this weekend.  I'll keep you posted.

Easiest book club menu ever

I pulled this off in an hour, while I was hungover from my cousin's wedding.

WARM GOAT CHEESE TOASTS WITH ROSEMARY, WALNUTS, AND HONEY

Yield: 18
1 8-oz French-bread baguette
8 oz soft fresh goat cheese
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Cut eighteen 1/4-inch slices from baguette. Spread goat cheese on each slice. Arrange in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until edges are slightly golden and cheese softens, about 10 minutes. Set aside on sheet. Heat honey in small saucepan over medium heat until warm, about 2 minutes. Sprinke toast with walnuts and rosemary, drizzle with honey.

I didn't heat the honey and it worked just fine.

These are so easy, it's just melon and prosciutto.  Salty + sweet.

In addition I had a wedge of baby cheddar, a stack of crackers and some red grapes on a wooden board.  A tall glass full of crunchy breadsticks, and a pretty bowl full of skinless almonds with sea salt.  I served it all with Prosecco,  Sparkling Italian wine.  And for dessert:

Gelato.  With a cookie.  So I really cooked nothing.  But it looked really nice and tasted great.  Quick, easy, done.

Now I am on day 2 of my hangover and trying to bring myself to do the dishes.

What to Wear this Weekend

For an evening cocktail party at your swanky friend's rooftop patio.

A maxidress by Juicy Couture.

For a weekend at the cabin.  Boyfriend shorts, by AG.  If the cabin is secluded enough, stop at that.

 For your cousin's wedding.  This one from Anthropologie.  (this is what I am actually wearing to my cousin's wedding this weekend, so if you are going, don't even think about getting it)

For waking up and drinking coffee in where ever you are, boyshorts.  Always.

3 Million in Minneapolis

It's been rainy here for a week and I am cranky so I am going to pick on some people to make myself feel better.  This house is for sale in Minneapolis for $3 million.  Dollars.  Yet they used their iphone to take a photo of the exterior for the MLS.

sad

There's an abandoned pub in the basement, basement, basement....

Great view let's make it the workout room

At least stand up those ugly pillows for the photo.  By my math a standard realtor commission on a 3 million dollar property is $45,000. He should do better for you.  He should call me.

Tattoos are Hot

Or is it just their butts that are?  Lately I have been wondering how to incorporate the look into decor without getting too literal i.e. Ed Hardy sheets.  Or maybe I should just get a tattoo?  A friend of mine recently got a henna dragon tattoo on her inner thigh and it was hot.  She was on vacation and specified to the artist: "No feugo, no lengua."  No fire, no tongue.  Any thoughts?

Lately I've Been Wanting to

Hang out on the dock. (I don't have one.) There is something about being on the dock. It is different than being on the deck. It is more isolated, farther from the tv and the dirty dishes.  You can style it up with a lot of furniture

or keep it simple

All you really need is one of these.  I saw them on DailyCandy today.  It is a linen towel.  Imported vintage linen from Italy I think.  Check it out for yourself, and see a better image. If your dock is isolated enough, you really don't need anything else.  Except maybe sunscreen.  And a friend.

Mom, I didn't forget

your birthday.  Honest I didn't.  I was just stuck at work all day.  Here is a belated present, an all brown room, just for you.  (actually I stole it from desiretoinspire today).  Daughter of the year.

In the shower I think about...

How nice it would be to have a new one

Modern or vintage, I like em both

I've  always wanted one outside

Reader Poll

Online Surveys & Market Research

How Smart Are You?

How Dumb Am I?  For the past 3 months I have been working crazy time hours at my real job(s).  Doing more staging consults than I have in the past two years (and that's not many) and basically subsisting on Protein bars, SoBe Lifewater Zero, and Chicken McNuggets.  And while I had previously been working out a solid 4 times per week, I could only squeeze in one or two per week in March, April and May.

But June,  ah  June.  In June I vowed to give you more beautiful interiors, to eat more of this

And do more of this.  














But instead how did I start the month?  By drinking like a frat boy and getting too sunburned to even run my measly 3 miles.  Trying to right myself today, and  my advice to you is this: if you feel yourself veering off your path to health and prosperity give yourself a break, but get back on as soon as you can, because the longer you wait, the more your thighs will rub together when you run, even if ever so slightly.


By the way can you name the song lyrics in my title?  There is no prize, just self satisfaction.  We are broke as a joke over here at the Appletree House.