Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year.

I hope you had a splendid holiday surrounded by family and friends. 

My blessings are plentiful but I will ring in the New Year from the comfort of my bed whilst my family enjoys our traditional celebration with friends. The goodness of the season finally took it's toll and my body gave in to a hideous cold. 

So I bid you adieu as I slink into the comfort of my quiet house and cozy bed. 

I may be down for the day, but 


source

Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Merry Christmas!

I am officially signing off for the year so I can remain present and truly enjoy the holiday season! 

But before I dash off to bake another round of cookies, 
I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! 

Here's to all the best this holiday season and in the new year!!  


xoxo


Monday, December 17, 2012

What can we do?

When loss and sadness envelops, we, as compassionate human beings, have an innate need to help. To reach out. To provide solace in some small way. 

I know each and every one of you hugged your children a little longer and a tad tighter this weekend. I know most of you said more prayers this weekend than is your norm. And yet we still feel unsettled.  

We are simply left helpless and lost in our own form of grief for innocence lost.

So what can we do?

I posit that we can help those affected.

And ourselves by the following actions: 

Turn off the television. 

Watching and re-watching the horror unfold is not helping anyone, least of all the town of Newtown. We do not need to hear form every neighbor who knows a family who lost a child. We do not need to subject the surviving children to any further trauma. The media is only there because we are watching. The families affected and the entire community need time to grieve. In what little peace remains in Newtown, Connecticut. 

Lobby for reform. 

Whether you feel passionate about gun control or better care for those affected by mental illness, now is the time to scream it from the hilltops. Use social media. Call your congressman. Do whatever you feel led to do to spur change.  

Spread joy. 

We cannot undo what was done. And despite reform, we cannot eradicate the world of evil. We can, however, spread joy. We can be the good we want to see in the world.

Start small. Start at home. Show kindness to a stranger. Show kindness to every individual you encounter. Bring gifts to a needy family. Show love and compassion to a homeless person. To a troubled teen. To a friend who is feeling down.

The world desperately needs more joy.

Those in Newtown will not feel the joy today or tomorrow, but they need to be surrounded by a world in which joy exists.

We all do.

God bless you all this holiday season and in the coming year.
____________________________________________________

For those looking for a monetary way to contribute or help those affected, you can give directly to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund

Friday, December 14, 2012

Greatest story ever told.

I hope your holiday season is off to a wonderful start. 

I, for one, cannot seem to get ahead of my ever-growing list. 

But every now and again, I try to be still and 
remind myself of the true reason for the season. 


Download the free printable at A Pair of Pears


Monday, December 10, 2012

Cranberry Salsa and parties galore!

Last week was one of those weeks -- specifically, the one on which every social engagement of the holiday season inevitably collides. 

We enjoyed a couple social events for which all that was required was my attendance. I mixed and matched holiday attire like a champ and opted not to include shiny pants in the mix. 

You're welcome. 

We enjoyed dinner with Santa at our yacht club. Who can pass up a good buffet serving both macaroni and cheese and chicken strips?! Yes, there was adult food too. I also had bread pudding with a burbon sauce. Yummy. Yet another reason why I cannot wear shiny pants.

The kids are fairly certain I'm lying through my teeth about Santa, but I'm convinced they really want to believe. So we are leaving it at that. 

For now. 

Boy Genius would not sit on his lap.
Little Miss Thang says she's "little for her age." 
We entertained a very small group of friends at our home on Saturday night. I made undercooked fennel au gratin potatoes and the Hubs knocked a tenderloin out of the park. This is not usually how it works at our house, so I was glad to let him steal the show. 


Speaking of stealing the show, even the fabulous tenderloin was upstaged by my darling friends, one who arrived wearing a fascinator and another in a Dickensesque hat. Love those girls. 


A double batch of my cranberry salsa served double duty over the weekend. I brought it to a friend's house on Friday night and served the rest on Saturday night at home. I prefer it globbed high on a warm brie round and served with water crackers. The hubs prefers it straight. I'd even consider it a suitable pork loin relish.

Regardless of how it is served, it always receives warm reviews and requests for the recipe. 

For those requesting, here it is:

Cranberry Salsa

3/4 cup sugar
3 green onions, coarsely chopped
1 jalapeno sliced (seeds discarded unless you like an extra punch)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp. cumin
12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries

Add first 5 items to food processor or blender and pulse until evenly chopped. Add cranberries and pulse until chunky, but not slushy.

Serve as a salsa with pita chips. Or, over a warmed brie round with water crackers.



Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Have your festivities begun or are you prepping for the weeks ahead?

Friday, December 7, 2012

Bear Candelier.


The 'candelier' chandelier, by New York based artist Kevin Champeny, is made up of 3,000 hand cast acrylic "gummy" bears . The polychromatic light fills a space with a cool saccharine glow. 

I'm pretty sure Little Miss Thang would love such a focal point in her room. Talk about sugar plums dancing in your head.  Sadly, the $2,400 price tag guarantees it will never find a place in our home. 

Too bad, though, because I'm totally loving it!

source

Any sugar plums dancing in your head this season!  What have you seen that astounded you lately?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A cup of lemon water a day . . .

After completing my 10-day detox in November, I vowed to implement many of the great eating habits I experienced. I loved the food so why not eat healthier more often?! 

As it turns out my "why" is threefold: (1) because a plate of pasta can be prepared in under 15 minutes after running kids from tennis to violin to gymnastics to choir; (2) because my kids refuse quinoa and butternut squash {as well of the many other very healthy choices I enjoyed}; and (3) because I inevitably attend a luncheon or a dinner or a party two to three times a week {especially this month}. 

As a result, I have not implemented nearly as many healthy eating habits as I intended. I am certainly more conscious of what I eat but have not made the strides I intended. 

One habit that has stuck, however, is the practice of starting each morning with a cup of warm lemon water. It is so easy and the benefits well outweigh the slightly cringe-worthy minute it takes to get it down. 

1. Boosts your immune system 
2. Balances pH 
3. Helps with weight loss 
4. Aids digestion 
5. Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic 
6. Clears skin
7. Hydrates the lymph system

This article, extolling these benefits, sealed the deal for me.  Now, if only I could lay off the pasta!!!

What healthy habits have you made part of your daily routine? Inspire me!!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Just be cool.

It's that time of year again -- the time when I disappear for weeks 
at a time without so much as a witty dog post 

Things are busy in your world too, I'm sure. 

So, in the meantime, take a deep breathe and . . . 



Friday, November 16, 2012

Jean pool.

I was told recently, by a much younger and chicer friend, that shiny jeans are the must-have item of the season. And here I thought it was more leopard pieces. I'm always miserably behind. 

And speaking of my miserable behind, I'm not sure drawing attention to it with shiny jeans is really my best choice. But I do think they are super cute for a holiday party or date night with the hubs.  






Much akin to my romper debacle this summer {no, I never did find a romper I felt appropriate on my frame}, I seek your honest opinion. Is this fool's errand? Or as Jody would say, would I be a mutton in lamb's clothing?

I need the sage advice of {internet strangers and} friends.  

Because if left to my own devices, I may fall prey to those bronze numbers. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Zanzibar cake.

When my duo was younger we received Ella Takes the Cake as a gift from a friend. Ella, the namesake and protagonist, is a delightful little elephant who desperately wants to help her mother in the bakery she runs. Ella's mom is very busy, but of course, she cannot allow Ella to take cakes out of the hot oven or even cut a slice of cake for the customer {the knife is much too big}. Ella is crestfallen because {say it with me now} she just wants to help. In the end Ella "helps" her mother make a zanzibar cake. 

It is a charming book filled with beautiful illustrations. 

We loved Ella. 

And cake. 

So naturally, my kids wanted "Zanzibar Cake."

While many mothers would have researched until they found a suitable cake recipe from Zanzibar, I did nothing of the sort. Did I mention I had twins? And at this point they were toddlers.

My solution: lie. 

Don't get all high and mighty on me. We lie about Santa, the Easter Bunny and what mommy and daddy are doing in the room when the door is closed. Cake is the least of my worries.  

And so I lied and told my kids the yummy Pumpkin Bread I've made for years {passed down from Noni, my life-long friend Ashley's grandmother} is called Zanzibar Cake. 

No time to take pictures; we had to have a warm slice.
From that point forward all pumpkin breads suffice as Zanzibar Cake and my kids L*O*V*E it. 

This proved quite handy when I desperately needed to get out of the house for a breather {read: coffee}, because Starbucks makes the best Zanzibar Cake. Of course, you have to be a bit sly when you order it. Shouting "two slices of Zanzibar Cake and a skinny latte" is not self explanatory.  When you then whisper "pumpkin loaf", they still don't catch on and repeat the order back as "a skinny latte and two slices of PUMPKIN loaf."  Cue the cries from the back.  Thanks for that. 

At age nine we may still call it Zanzibar Cake now and again, but they know it is pumpkin bread, because of course, they love to help!

Pumpkin Bread (aka Zanzibar Cake)

Ingredients: 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 3/4 cup flour 
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup raisins (optional - not in the Zanzibar version)
1/2 cup nuts (optional - not in the Zanzibar version)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice

Directions:
Sift flour and other dry ingredients together. Cream sugar and oil. Beat eggs into creamed mixture. Add pumpkin and stir to combine. Add flour mixture alternating with water.

Bake in a greased loaf pan at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour. 

Enjoy! It is a staple at our Thanksgiving table. 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Veterans Day History.

November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: 
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
In legislation passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans."

November 11th thereafter became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

via Pinterest
My father served in both WWII and the Korean War, receiving a Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat in Korea. His wounds healed, but his love of country and gratitude for those who defend our freedom never waned. His profound patriotism was contagious and is forever seared in my heart and mind.

Thank you, Daddy.

Thank you, Veterans.  

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Shame on you, friends.

I have physically restrained myself from posting political commentary in this space. It was challenging  as I am generally quite outspoken in my beliefs. But they are just that: my beliefs. And I find that no matter how compelling one's argument, it is nearly impossible to sway most people's political posture. 

BUT, {you knew that was coming, right?!} after living through this election night I am deeply saddened by my friends. I am sad so many I hold in great regard do not hold the President of the United States in much regard at all. I am ashamed that friends find the notion of four more years something that would cause them to uproot their families and flee from America. 

Or is that just Facebook fodder?! 

Because, friends, you all have it pretty good. You were watching election results in your warm homes. Most of you already dropped your children at an exemplary school this morning. You are blessed. The system is working for you and m-i-l-l-i-o-n-s of mothers around the world would trade places with you in a heartbeat.  

The sky is not in fact falling. 

The world is not ending. 

And as for you and yours, you'll be just fine. Yes, you may pay more taxes and I understand how unnerving that is for many. I do.

But here's the thing: the President of the United States of America deserves respect. 

Any President. 

And while you can and should be able to express your disappointment in election results, I suggest you refrain from indoctrinating your children in the overly dramatic, nearly Trump-ish, tirade of insults and predictions of doom. 

Because, remember, you want for nothing.   

I told my children last night before they went to bed {when the election was still too close to call}, that win or lose we do so with grace and dignity. We will not insult the President of the United States - whoever it may be. We are privileged to live in the United States, to enjoy equality, and to vote for who governs our country. 

From that perspective, it's hard to complain. 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Today is the day.

Source: bakerella.com via Kelly on Pinterest
When the polls open on Election Day, every citizen over the age of 18 will be able to cast a vote. It is a right we take for granted, one that defines our nation as a democracy. But universal suffrage — letting everyone vote — did not appear overnight with the ratification of our Constitution (in fact, our Constitution does not mention the right to vote). 

Two hundred years ago, you had to be white, male, and wealthy in order to vote. Many people dedicated their lives to changing that fact. Without them, suffrage might still be the privilege of a chosen few.

Here's a brief suffrage timeline of our voting rights: 

1790 Only white male adult property-owners have the right to vote.

1810 The last religious prerequisite for voting was eliminated.

1850 Property ownership and tax requirements eliminated by 1850. Almost all adult white males could vote.

1870 The 15th Amendment is passed. It gives former slaves the right to vote and protects the voting rights of adult male citizens of any race. But still no right for women!

1920 The 19th Amendment guarantees women's suffrage. About time!

1961 The 23rd Amendment allows voters of the District of Columbia to participate in presidential elections.

1964 The 24th Amendment bans the poll tax as a requirement for voting in federal elections.

1971 The 26th amendment sets the minimum voting age at 18.

Do not take this right for granted.  Make sure to get out and VOTE!

via









Thursday, November 1, 2012

Obligatory Halloween pics.

I'm not in much a writing mood lately as you might have noted. It ebbs and flows and truly when I'm not in the mood, you don't want to read my writing. 

You're welcome. 

But, obligatory Halloween pics are in order. They are too funny not to share. And sweet Jody asked {her son donned a similar costume}.

Without further adieu {because remember, I'm not in a writing mood}, I present Little Miss Thang and her bestie as Thing 1 and Thing 2 . . . with a twist. Little Miss Thang is Thing 2, which is important to note because . . . . ?! This is why I should not be writing at all.  Geesh. 


Pictured below is Boy Genius, Little Miss Thang and Hi-Ho. Hi-Ho will one day be Boy Genius's wife. He doesn't know this yet. Nor does she. But, in time, they will appreciate the genius behind this pairing {despite the seven year age difference}. And obviously, there is a large dowry involved because Boy Genius is such a great catch.  


Feel free to also note my rotted pumpkins. Absolutely disgusting. Or, perchance, spooky given that I otherwise failed to decorate much at all. Apparently I'm not in a decorating mood either.  

Despite my obvious apathy, I truly hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

My duo 2011
I have no time for a real post today, but being that I'm a generous person and recognize some of you do not have to prepare for upwards of 500 trick-or-treaters, I thought I'd provide a "Halloween through the years" post.  

You're quite welcome.

Click through for a myriad of spooky costumes and ghoulish delights! 

Halloweens' Past - my duo pictured from 2003-2010. This made me laugh again this year. Tell me it's not just me?!? And just wait until you see this years costumes.  Oh my!

Green Halloween!? - discussing how to be "green" at Halloween. 

Wicked treats - yummy and cute Halloween treats (this predates Pinterest).

Carmel Apple Martini - as the title implies: yum! 

Candy Corn Fudge - again: yum!

What a mother will do - the longest and most gut-wrenching Halloween story ev-ah!

Death be not proud - for a good Halloween laugh!

I hope you all enjoy a ghoulishly good time this evening!!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Sandy.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone on the East coast this morning.  
Be safe and God bless you!

via LikeCool


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Life lessons from Pinterest.

I joined Pinterest what seems like eons ago -- back when an invitation {albeit clearly not an exclusive one} was required. Since such time I've pinned well over 1,000 images to my 40 boards

In the beginning my pinning was fairly pointless and misdirected {witness my J'adore board - j'adore indeed, but what's the point}. As I've honed my pinning skills and limited my pinning time, however, I've become quiet adept at pinning that which I will use or refer back to and skipping over those items which belong on a crafty person's pin board. 

As I scroll and scroll and scroll and scroll though the images pinned by those I follow, a few consistent themes emerge: beyond the gorgeous home interiors and luxury travel destinations there seem to be a few other commonalities unifying the world of pinners. 

Top ten things I've learned from Pinterest: 

1. I am the only person in America who does not own a crockpot. 

I'm sure I'd love the meals you cook in the crockpot, but when I was young and returned home from school to the smell of dinner simmering in a crockpot I quickly sought out a dinner invitation to a friend's.  Ewwww. 

2. People are seriously devoted to obsessed with Nutella.


I'm a serious chocoholic, but Nutella just doesn't do it for me.

3. Women are inspired by images of semi-naked twenty-year old women.


Not me - those images remind me I will never, ever look like that {wish I could add "again"}.

4.  Chicken:  it's what's for dinner.


Here too.  And thank goodness for the 5,345 chicken images I've now pinned. 

5.  Armed only with blue Dawn, vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide, you can clean absolutely anything in your house.


 I admit, or rather, my housekeeper will attest: my homemade dawn/vinegar potion works better than any store-bought cleaner. 

6. There is a conspiracy among bento box mothers {you know who you are} to make sandwich mothers {sheepishly raising hand} feel insignificant and lazy. 


It's working.

7. I am the only mother in America who has not fallen prey to the Elf on the Shelf.


 Call me lazy if you must, but who needs one more thing to remember around the holidays!?

8. People cannot stop themselves from pinning cute kitty images.


An intervention may be in order.

9.  Keep Calm and _________________ {fill in the blank}.



Your imagination is your only limitation. Or not. 



10.  It doesn't matter if it's 5:00 anywhere; women love their wine. 

all images via Pinterest


Cheers and happy pinning!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I'm fragile.

You've heard Breakable by Ingrid Michaelson, right?! She sings about how we are quite fragile and quite breakable -- "Have you ever thought about what protects our hearts? Just a cage of rib bones and other various parts." 

Yes, I agree, we are fragile. More so than we'd even like to admit most days. 

But I disagree about my heart being protected by "rib bones and other various parts." 

Because, you see, I allow little parts of my heart to live outside my body. 

And there is virtually no protection for them. 

I cannot stay with them all day. 

I cannot protect them from the inevitable bumps and bruises of life. 

I cannot ensure they will not encounter pain. 

Real - feel it in your marrow - pain. 

In fact, I can virtually guarantee they will. 

Because you have to allow for growth and refinement. 

But it hurts . . . me when in hurts them. 

And, at times, I'd prefer to simply place them back inside my rib bones so I could keep them safe. 

Take the blows. 

And suffer the discomfort on their behalf. 

I can take it myself, but I can't stand watching them take it.

photo by N.Cole Photography
And so I'm looking for a bubble. Since they are now too big to place beneath my ribs, I'd like a large bubble in which I can encapsulate them so the world cannot affect their innate confidence and joie de vivre.  

Anyone found such a device?  

Anyone?





Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mission Accomplished.

The Red Bull Stratos mission carried Felix Baumgartner to an altitude of over 128,000 feet -- more than 24 miles above the earth -- when the daredevil took the plunge into thin air. Despite a minor issue with his visor causing it to fog up unexpectedly, the ascent progressed as planned. 

The New Mexico weather even allowed a picture perfect ascent over Roswell.

via Discovery News
After the event, it was deduced that Baumgartner traveled in excess of Mach 1.4 (1.4 times the speed of sound) -- or 833 mph. Unfathomable. 

I am in awe of and completely humbled by this amazing accomplishment. 

Baumgartner's words - right before the leap - ring true: 
"[S]ometimes you have to go up really high to see how small you really are."





This makes me want to go skydiving again! And this time I'd like to go higher than 12,000 feet . . . though not quite 128,000!



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Detox Diaries.

As many of you are aware, on October 1st I began a 10-day Fall Renewal Detox. Part of my detox journey involved journaling. I've never been much of a journaler - ironic coming from a blogger, right?!  - but here's my attempt at capturing the ups and downs of the last 10 days. 

a typical lunch
Detox Day 1: 

Why can I not stop thinking about pizza?!?  I don't eat pizza everyday so why in the world am I completely obsessed with counting the hours until I can eat pizza again? 

Detox Day 2: 

OMGoodness, I must be pregnant. This is exactly how I felt pregnant -- nauseous all day long. Of course I am completely infertile so that can't be it. Oh no, and now a headache on top of it. Coach says my body is working hard to rid itself of all the built-up toxins. But it's only day two! It's not as if one day of healthy eating is so novel it would throw my body for a loop.  Okay, maybe it is.  

Detox Day 3: 

Better. I can breathe again. And turn on lights. Yea! I'm feeling much better but nonetheless spend all day dreading dinner: brussel sprouts {which I love but which do not constitute dinner in and of themselves}.

Detox Day 4: 

I'm totally rocking this detox program. No big deal. I'm over the hump, feel great, and am not even hungry. Why don't more people detox? I even attended my book club {read: wine fest} and didn't eat or drink a single bite. Easy peasy. When a friend asked what I ate when I had a sweet tooth, I replied, with a straight face: I just grab a raisin or two. Who am I?

Detox Day 5: 

Who's idea was this? I am a nauseous, grumpy, gassy old lady. Bedtime cannot come soon enough. And it's only noon. Dark, dark day.

Detox Day 6: 

Feeling good again. Please tell me I'm over the hump!?!?  Please!!!  We are headed out of town for just a night. I am forced to cook {using every pot and pan I own} all meals prior to departure. I am so tired of my stinkin' kitchen! But getting out of the house is good. Until that is, I find myself sitting at our friends' ranch, enjoying the cool fall air and watching the sun set . . . without a glass of wine. Who does that?! 

Detox Day 7:

So very, very tired {and if you ask the hubs, grumpy}. Maybe I'm dying. Maybe it's not the detox or lack of caffeine. Because I'm over the hump, right?! Maybe I simply cannot live on gluten free oats, quinoa, beans, and kale. Because my body needs PIZZA to survive!

Detox Day 8: 

I've sworn off beans. The gassiness was making me manic. Yes, it was the beans. I was not heretofore manic. See, manic people don't say heretofore. NO MORE BEANS!!! Sent hubs and kids out to eat for dinner. I cannot possibly cook one more meal I cannot eat. Or maybe I just wanted them out of the house. It's anyone's guess. 

Detox Day 9:

I feel great. I'm not hungry. I am sleeping soundly and waking before the alarm {miracle of all miracles}. I am not craving anything at all. This was such a wonderful experience. I am going to start cooking three vegan meals / week for our family. Meanwhile as I make this enthusiastic plan, my kids eat sugary cereal for dinner. 

Detox Day 10:

Finally - the detox glow! My skin looks better. I feel better. And - the kicker - I put on a pair of skinny jeans and they are quite loose. Too big, actually. They better be after all this. Of course, the weight loss is temporary . . .  unless I make permanent changes.

And maybe I will, but not tonight because we are all going out for PIZZA {and wine}!     

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Bathroom remodel.

When we purchased our 1928 home it was already quiet gorgeous. Besides reworking the entire foundation and spending oodles and oodles of money you'll never see {another story entirely}, the interior required no significant renovations.  

At the time. 

That was 2006 and I had three-year old twins. The kids' bath had only a tub -- a large jacuzzi tub which was perfect for bathing twins. We realized a renovation was inevitable, but when they are little it seems as if they will always be little. Right?!

Fast forward a few years and my duo no longer bathes each night, but showers. In my shower. 

It was time. 

And so we began planning the remodel. In 2009. 

Little Miss Thang helping me plan
the location of the new vanity. 
The space is small {old house} and has windows on two sides. The area between the front window and exterior wall {where the bath sits currently} is too narrow for a shower. Did I mention I don't have a bath tub in my bathroom either?! As this is the only bath in the house we felt resigned to a tub/shower combo instead of just a shower stall. Bummer, though, because keeping the shower in the same location as the existing tub would have saved a lot of heartache; not to mention money. 

Late in 2009 our plans get side-tracked. Maybe it was the hubs starting his own firm. Maybe it was fear of the Great Recession. Or maybe I just got used to the kids showering in my shower.  For whatever reason, our plans - complete with wallpaper, marble, fixtures and everything - sat untouched for more than two years.  

Late 2011, with nearly nine year-old twins, I realized we all needed a little privacy. 

Or was that just me?!  

Regardless, I called my good friend Brooke, designer extraordinaire, and asked that she order everything. Slight hitch - all those fixtures and wallpaper we picked out three years ago - yeah, they were discontinued. So much for timeless choices. So the design process began anew.

In early 2012 we demolished the space and began construction in earnest. 


Let me say at this point: sharing a shower with your children is one thing. Sharing a bathroom is entirely different. We started the remodel in February. In March I was only slightly annoyed it wasn't moving along a bit more quickly. By April, I was a frantic mess with much too much on my plate.   

But luckily, somehow, despite workers not showing up for weeks at a time, progress became evident.

By mid-July the renovation was complete, or rather, complete enough. We encountered more than our fair share if issues, delays, and budget crises, but we lived to tell the tale. 

And I adore the finished product. Our house is old and quiet traditional, but I wanted a younger, more modern vibe for my tweens' bath. I think we struck the perfect balance by using classic stone -- carrera marble -- for the counter top and floors, subway tiles {because I was too cheap to put marble in my kids' shower despite Brooke's urging} for the shower, classic fixtures, more modern wallpaper, and cleaner lines all around. 


Before
After

Have you suffered through any harrowing remodeling projects? 

I'll likely take a break from the mess of construction {as with child birth, I need a few years to forget}, but up next: our kitchen. 

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