Off to DCity

Tomorrow we leave for Washington DC for a few days.  We try to get up there a few times a year, because we have family.   I absolutely love all that DC has to offer...so much to see and do. I am quite lucky that the kids already know all of the museums (at the tender age of 4 and 6).  They want to go to the Air and Space and the Natural History, even though we were just there in the spring!  We might even go on a little Duck Tour.

Doesn't that look fun!

 ....something I have always wanted to do, and now that I am  the parent I get to indulge!  Even though I KNOW it is going to be drippingly hot, oh, well...the kids will have fun!  We did the Double Decker busses a few years ago, but they were so small, and it was so hot it was fairly miserable!

When we were in DC in March.  Love that they can just run down the mall!

one of my favorite houses...maybe because the front porch is similar to ours...but much prettier.

One of my favorite things to do is drive around the city...so much to explore.  The architecture and bridges are awesome. This bridge was in Rock Creek Park.  Ya'll if you haven't been to DC and just driven around, I would highly recommend it.  Really so much to see.

I am so lucky that my brother and sister live really close to Georgetown, so we get to go SHOPPING and wandering around.  The architecture in DC is beautiful.  I love to walk around Georgetown and dream of who lives in some of the houses.

The view off of my sister's roof top deck on her apartment.  The National Cathedral...just gorgeous!

"you can see the whole world from here!"

 Here are a few shots I took the last time I was there...I think I was thinking about the architectural detail, because the photos in general aren't that spectacular, compared to some things I have seen.  I will try to be better this time (most of the time, I am trying to coax my children along, while they whine about how much their legs hurt from walking, so I don't take the most artistic photos!)

Love all of the detail on this home.

The brickwork is beautiful...kind of art nouveaux.

The detail above the window is so cool...and I love brick with the white on it.

Another pretty roof.

I loved how they have made this brownstone very modern...look at the linear planters, door, and light fixture.

wrought iron galore!

I am staying thru Monday, so we will also attend the Georgetown Flea on Sunday which is always fun.

I really wanted this vintage rug last time...but didn't get it....the colors remind me of a peacock.

 Last but not least....one of my favorite photos from last summer was turned into a painting that I will treasure forever..maybe if I am lucky I get another.

There was a discrepancy as to WHO actually took the picture...my mom said it was me..but clearly it wasn't!

The oil painting on my collected wall in the Den.  Isn't she so talented!

One more thing ya'll, speaking of DCity...My friend Jill from Live Like You, just wrote the sweetest post about my home!  A little Bohemian Chic (I like the sound of that!) AND she is located in DCity too!  You must check out her blog...talk about Amazing use of color.     Here online store is so great....she creates rooms inspired my a specific look and you can buy some or ALL of the pieces to create the same look for your home.  She just launched Mamma Mia Look (one of my favorite broadway shows!).  She is graciously offering my readers 10% off.  Go shopping NOW!

Anyway, we leave tomorrow.  Might blog on the road...but don't be suprised if you don't hear from me til Tuesday!

Le Tour de France....et fini.

very summer we look forward to watching the Tour de France.  It all started, for me at least, with the 7 year winning streak of Lance Armstrong.  My husband is an avid cyclist...and in another time I was too (I like to call myself a former radical chic) Anyhoo, the Tour comes to a close today, congratulations to Alberto Contador.

We will now be back to our normal programming...ie trash tv in the evenings.   Since the Tour de France has been associated with the color yellow, I leave you with some yellow inspiration.  ENJOY.

Yummy Yellow French Sofa

Little French Lamp...1stdibs.com

Madeline Weinrib Rug

Super Cute Messenger Bag via Etsy
ikabags

Liking this yellow pillow via etsy. 
The rossette reminds me of a wheel
micasabella

BTW: When I go to France the next time this is the Tour that I have in mind. Le Trip.  A guided antique tour by Jill Mitchell. Wouldn't THAT be fun????

Have a great week.

Gretchen

No wonder....

Me in NYC!

o I just got back from NYC and it is back to the the daily grind (well, since it is the summer I wouldn't necessarily say daily grind, but it is back to reality FOR SURE!  Anyhoo, we had an amazing time, there was so much to see and do, we didn't even scratch the surface.  All I can say is NO WONDER there is sooo much creativity in the city.  I mean, every where you look there is inspiration AND resources to follow thru with what you are inspired by.  Little room for excuses, like I can't FIND the perfect fabric, or I wish I could finish this project, but I just can't find the right trim, or fabric, or, or.  (I couldn't possibly be talking about moi!)  On Thursday, I had the WHOLE day to myself, and I just wandered.  I also was without ANY technology so it was REALLY just wandering, no searching on the ol' internet for the next stop, good old fashioned map in hand where will my feet take me.  Which was actually really fun, b/c having no plan I just happened upon a few places that otherwise I wouldn't have found. 

Here are a few high points of the day.

Has anyone ever been to M&J trim?  I wanted to come right home and make pillows, and belts, and clothes, and curtains, and, and, and. I was actually restrained and didn't buy anything, b/c once I picked one thing there would have been a snowball effect, and it would have been ALL over!

The next stop was ABC Carpet and Home in the Flatiron District.  I REALLY wanted to see the Madeline Weinreb carpets, and the HOME part of the store.  I was NOT disappointed.  Once I save a little $$$ I will be buying a couple carpets...but at least I got to touch them:)  And ALL Of the Eye candy in the Home part of the store....I couldn't stop snapping.

I am in LOVE with this Madeline Weinrib RUG. Destined for my home...someday!

Going Down into the Basement Clearance section....SOOOOO much to see.  You see my green rug on the floor.

over at the ABCHome store across the street...

The Pink ottoman and chair and white globes....ABC marketing.  THe whole store had Pink for sale signs everywhere and this was part of the whole marketing scheme.  The graphic designer in me appreciated this.

This Juxtopostion of green glass and rustic is so gorgeous.

About this time I was HUNGRY so I stopped in for a Fantabulous lunch at ABC Kitchen  a Jean George restaurant, all organic, biodegradelble experience. All I could keep saying to myself was 'I die, I die, I die'  The pure definition of BLISS:) Sigh:)  Here is my lunch.  I mean... when they started setting my place setting, I thought, "could I have picked a better place."  A cross between modern, vintage, rustic, and refined. I just can't get over the rustic tables with the wood tops and metal bottoms, and the white chairs.  Look at the photograpy on the wall.  And the romanticism of the chandaliers.

Notice my lunch setting.

The butcher paper placemat, and the antique silver silverware, and saucer.  The MENU was so cool and simple, attached to a corrogated cardboard peice with silver clips.

And my lunch menu...all organic.

1st Course.
Beet Salad with Yogurt

2nd Course
Portabello Mushroom Sandwich with Fries.

Dessert
Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce and Caramel Corn.  DELISH will try at home.

Oh and VINO....so devine!

 

All in all an AMAZING experience at the Restaurant would HIGHLY reccommend. 

After my tummy was full, I began my trek back to the hotel stopping into a couple Pop Up Stores/Sample sales that were on Madison Ave.  I stopped into Wolf Home.  Just walked around and touched the fabrics, and dreamed.  Only if....

This is a new concept store by Warren Kay a textile Guru formerly of Silk Trading. 
Here is more info about it.  Awesome!

And then, I walked, and walked, and walked, and about the time my feet said 'no more, no more' I was about 5 blocks away from the hotel and I just COULDN'T justify getting a cab so I limped into the hotel and CRASHED on the bed, my mind swimming, me swooning, oh NYC I wish I could have more, and then I fell asleep...a nap, a REAL nap, no interruptions, just sleep.  I know NYC is known as the "city that never sleeps" but they are not talking about a Mom who is away from her kids, who just had an LONG inspirational walk downtown, popping into stores of her choice, with a full tummy from an amazing lunch BY HERSELF (with wine I might add:), have I said Bliss before, well BLiss again. Bliss I tell you, OH NYC I LOVE YOU!

Til next time...

Destination NYC

Via Etsy jenwoodhouse

oday we do the kids drop off with grandparents....and I am off to NYC with the Hubby...on an improptu trip.  He has business and I said "you aren't going without me!" so off we go. This is actually the first plane trip hubby and I have made since having kids...WOW!  I have NEVER been to NYC and am so overwhelmed with what to do, see, and most importantly EAT!  When I travel, I am more of a roamer, not a planner.  I like to see what the trip brings me.   How did people travel with out all of the technology we have today????  Well, they looked at signs like these and figured it out.  They probably actually had a plan (unlike me:)  Can't wait to see how it all pans out. SOOOO EXCITED!!!!


I am loving all of the destination signs or subway sign art.  They have become quite popular, and make a great design statement.

Here are some great finds and unique ways of using them in decor.

I just might be in L-O-V-E....British Route Sign Designs.  So graphic and SO cool! 

via roomstoinspire
Count on Restoration Hardware to start a trend.


So wish me luck on the trip and that I don't get too lost....

--Gretchen