Monday, July 30, 2012

Olympic Overload

Are you devouring the Olympics? I certainly am. What could be better than swimming (and swimmers ;-) and gymnastics in my favorite international city? Add a lot of strength, bit of grace,  some elation and heartbreak, and it equals some dramatic television.

Oh, and did you catch the nail polish on the American female swimmers? Totes adorbs!

So today I'm sharing some glimpses of the festivities. Enjoy!

Olympic Stadium:
By Matt Deegan (London 2012 Olympic Stadium  Uploaded by Kafuffle) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
London's Tower Bridge with 2012 Olympic rings:
By DAVID HOLT from London, England (London 048) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Qiang Shen passes the torch to William Williams on the outskirts of Aberystwyth:
By Shigang Yang (Shigang Yang and Qiang Shen, via email) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Opening ceremony:
By Matt Lancashire (Flickr: P7252755) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
By Nick Webb from London, United Kingdom (DSC_3212) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Men's road race:
By Paul Wilkinson from London, United Kingdom (Olympics Mens Road Race 2012) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Friday, July 27, 2012

I'm Mad About ...

By Юкатан (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

OK, I admit it, I have been phoning it in this week (with a nod to the London Olympics). I'm just not feeling it. Must be the lazy days of summer getting to me.

I did manage to find a few things to share, however:
  • Nicole's bedroom update has me thinking about re-repainting my room.
  • This one's for you, Jana.
  • I'm all for clinging to every last bit of summer.
Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Dining Room Drama

My dining room update is moving along, slowly but surely. I found the perfect curtains. Well, almost perfect. They're a bit short, so I need to either move the rod down or add some trim to bottom of the panels—probably the ladder.

So with that in mind, here are some of my favorite dramatic dining spaces.









Monday, July 23, 2012

The Blue Room on Tumblr


I've started a Tumblr. It's very new for me and I'm still learning the ropes, but if I like it I might move The Blue Room over there entirely. The blog just takes too much time and doesn't seem to be gaining much traction, and I think the way Tumblr works might be a better fit.

I hope you'll check it out and follow if you like it.

Friday, July 20, 2012

I'm Mad About...

TGIF! It turned out to be such a crazy, busy week. I'm so looking forward to letting loose this weekend.

I did manage to find the time to scope a few things worth sharing:

Miller House, Palm Springs, California
By Ilpo's Sojourn (Miller House in Palm Springs) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

  • My birthday is seven months away, but I'm already thinking this would be a fun place to spend it.
  • Such a cute idea (and who knew there was such a thing as a cupcake corer?).
  • Lonny has a new owner, and it promises exciting new technology for readers.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

One of Those Weeks

I'll take this:

                                                                 Source: houseofturquoise.com via Beth on Pinterest

And this:
                                                               Source: burnhamdesign.com via Beth on Pinterest

Is it Friday yet?

Monday, July 16, 2012

A Blissful Getaway

I promised more on girls' weekend at the spa, so here you go. We wanted a place that was all inclusive, so we wouldn't have to worry about driving around town to eat or be entertained (and yes, so we could have a few drinks). My friend's husband actually stumbled on the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and suggested it us It's a bit pricey, but if you want some serious pampering, this is place!

Ojai is a picturesque arts community between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and the resort began in the 1920s as a private country club.

No detail is overlooked, from the architectural features (archways, pedestal sinks, hand-painted tile baseboards in the bathrooms) to the impeccable service. When we needed a corkscrew, it was a just a room service call away. More coffee in the morning? Ditto. Don't want to walk from one end of the complex to the other? An employee will undoubtedly offer you a ride on a golf cart.



The resort has a beautiful golf course, tennis court, at least four eateries, at least three pools (including one family pool), a coffee and snack shop, and bike/walking trail. It offers fitness and yoga classes and hikes as well.

But the star (in my book, anyway) is the spa. We each got a relaxation massage, and it was heavenly. The spa offers a range of massages, facials and other treatments. After the massage, we spent a few minutes in the steam room. We didn't think to bring our swimsuits to the spa, but there's a beautiful pool. (Next year we'll know better!) We had a delicious and (relatively ;-) healthy lunch near the pool at Cafe Verde.


Friday, July 13, 2012

I'm Mad About ...

Bon jour!
Eiffel tower fireworks on July 14th Bastille Day
Beivushtang at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Have a fantastic weekend!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Weekend Retreat

I spent last weekend being pampered at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. I went with a dear old friend, and we got massages, relaxed in the steam room and hung out in the beautiful (but hard to find!) pool. And we ate. A lot.

Here's a little taste to whet your appetite:

I'll have more pictures and details next week.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Animal Skin Rugs: Tired or Trendy?

I subscribed to Metropolitan Home for years (until it went away with other beloved magazines, victims of the Internet and a bad economy). I loved the warm modern style the magazine showcased. But one thing I found maddening was the ubiquity of Saarinen tulip tables. Evey issue had at least one—dining tables, side tables, marble-topped tables. Toward the end there were tulip tables in just about every home tour, three or four per issue.

Now, don't get me wrong: I love the simplicity of a Saarinen table and the fact it looks just as good in a modern space as in a more traditional setting. It just started to become a cliché, and I found myself cringing every time I saw yet. another. one.

Which brings me to the subject at hand: hide rugs.
Decor Pad via The Simply Luxurious Life
I can hardly open a design magazine or read a blog post lately without seeing yet another hide run. Cowhide, zebra—you name it. While I like the organic shape of a hide, I'll admit I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of decorating with dead animals (my leather Eames-style lounger notwithstanding!). But that's not what I'm objecting to (faux animal hides are all over the place, too). I guess it's just starting to seem rote and unimaginative.

So what do you think: Are animal skin rugs passé or here to stay? Am I just being a crank? And did the person who designed this room want to drive me over the edge?

Friday, July 6, 2012

I'm Mad About ...

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Even though the husband had to work, I did a little barbecuing and festive decorating:

Here are a few things that caught my eye this week:
I'm off for a spa weekend with a friend! More on that next week. Have a lovely weekend!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy Independence Day!

Have a blast!

Fireworks cholmes75
Cholmes75 at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

(And remember to bring your pets inside.)

Monday, July 2, 2012

Festivities for the Fourth

This week is America's birthday, and here are a few thing to help you celebrate:

Red Picnic Cooler, Crate & Barrel; Schooner Melamine Plate, West Elm; Striped Metal Water Tank Dispenser, Cost Plus World Market; Red, White and Blue Napkin; Cost Plus World Market; Oliver Stripe Outdoor Lumbar Pillow; Pottery Barn; I Tank You're Swell Dress, ModCloth.