Alcove

Where's the Silver Lining?

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:58:01 -0500

In a world so lost in the negative: murder stories, terrorism, betrayal, deception, humanity has lost the simple pleasures of everyday life. We need to enjoy life…NOW. You cant change the present, and usually I find myself looking back on times I wished would speed up and wishing I could return.

Enjoy these simple truths that HAVE to put somewhat of a smile on your face.

1. Worms communicate by snuggling

2. Baby puffins are called, “pufflings”

3. A penguin mates for life and actually PROPOSES by giving their mate a pebble.

4. Rats giggle when you tickle them. Their voices are so high you would have to have special equipment to hear them.

5. For someone, somewhere in the world, this is the most amazing day of their life

6. Otters hold hands with each other when sleeping so they dont drift away from each other

7. Cancer death rates are down 20% in the past 20 years

8. We are going to die, and we are the lucky ones, many will never be born

9. Every year the Netherlands sends Canada 20,000 tulip bulbs to thank them for their help in the Second World Way

10. Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon, wrote his daughter initials there. They’ll last at least 50,000 years.

Gifts for Everyone

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:40:00 -0500

Christmas has rolled around even though it is still a stifling 80 degrees in Texas. What is going on? Is anyone stressing like I am about buying gifts for everyone on a small budget? Here are my favorite things I have found for just about anyone in your life this holiday season.

For DAD: Watches by Daniel Wellington; great price, classic style, and tons of choices. http://www.danielwellington.com/men starting at $195

Or, anything from Makr is plain awesome. I love the idea of this vertical wallet.

For MOM: I love the Herb D’Éte scent from Calypso. ($60) It comes in candles ($45) too!

For SISTER:

Love this large lavender Eiffel Tower sachet, $50, also from Calypso

or these Crown Pencils to help her decorate her desk at work, school, or home. $7

For BROTHER:

Of a Kind Holiday Grab Bags: $45-$90

For the FREE SPIRIT:

Gypset Travel coffee table book by Assouline. $45

For the QUIRKY CO-WORKER:

Golden Egyptian magnets $12

For the SOPHISTICATED WORK-AHOLIC:

Kate Spade iPhone cover, $40

For the HOME-BODY:

Jcrew Vintage PJ Set, $85

For the active DOG LOVER: (aka: uncle, little bro, even boyfriend)

RuffWear leash $30

For CAFFEINE ADDICT, (also works for the Work-Aholic when they are’t rushing through Starbucks)

Classic Chambord French Press from Anthro $70

For THE ENTERTAINER:

Cheese Party Tasting Kit, also from Anthro $17 (you might want to throw in some manchego for giggles)

Did I forget anyone? Let me know!

Give Thanks

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:25:00 -0500

What I am thankful for: (in no particular order)

1. My loving family… for accepting and loving: my idiosyncrasies, rolling eyes, and sometimes smart-alleck comments.

2. Wine. Red. period. Sometimes you just have to turn to the bottle.

3. Employment. In this economy, I could not be more grateful to have somewhere to go every morning.

4. My MacBook Pro

5. Skim cappuccinos. They are my indulgence du jour.

6. My father’s always cheery hello when I answer the phone. He would never let me know he is in a bad mood.

7. Blake’s laugh. Nothing makes me feel warmer and more alive than hearing him crack up at mostly himself… or Bobby Broadnax.

8. Emily Honigblum and I’s unique language that only the two of us can understand.

9. When I have hit what I believe to be “rock bottom” in a day’s time, and the only person that would listen to me would be Faith Haddad. Oh, my little bird, so thankful for you every day.

10. Hubble and Berk. How could I forget you? Thank you for making me learn responsibility in the quickest, most tiresome way possible. You make me smile everyday.

11. Al and Sylvia for basically earning the right to claim me as a dependent on their tax return because they feed me so much. (healthy food only of course)

12. My cozy apartment

13. My one-of-a-kind supportive mother that will always tell me the truth.

14. Blake’s trust. Mr. Honigblum, I could not thank you enough for letting me be completely and wholly myself. It has been the greatest gift anyone has ever given me.

15. The gas card that is still connected to my grandparent’s account.

16. Shelby, you are my precious angel.

17. My youth and my health.

18. John McShane- for teaching me the importance of family tradition and always having the wisest advice.

19. Granny- for your gentle spirit and never- forgetting birthday and holiday cards.

20. Todd- what more can I say. For being brave enough to accept my mother and I into your lives with open arms. (the most open arms ever)

Photograph: Leo Patrone

Awaiting the election….

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 22:15:11 -0500

Awaiting the election….

There is a lot here… but it is so good. I’ve...

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:54:37 -0500

There is a lot here… but it is so good.

I’ve learned- That you cannot make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.

I’ve learned- That it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. That it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

I’ve learned - That you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you better know something. That you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do. That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I’ve learned- That it’s taking me a long time to become the person that I want to be. That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I’ve learned- That you can keep going long after you can’t. That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. I’ve learned- That either you control your attitude or it controls you. That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is a first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I’ve learned- That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I’ve learned- That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you are down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned- That sometimes when I get angry I have the right to be angry, but it doesn’t give me the right to be cruel. That true friendship continues to grow over the longest distance, and the same goes for true love.

I’ve learned- That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have. That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I’ve learned- That you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what tragedy it would be if they believed it. That no matter how good your friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.

I’ve learned- That it isn’t always good enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you must learn to forgive yourself. That no matter how bad a heart is broken; the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned- That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become. That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other, and just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned- That we don’t have to change friends, if we understand that friends change. That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I’ve learned- That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you. That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned- That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. That the people you care about the most in life are taken from you too soon.

I’ve learned- That it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting someone’s feelings or standing up for what you believe. That no matter what happens to me on earth or how much my faith falters, God’s faith in me never dwindles or fails.

I’ve learned- That life’s lessons never end and wisdom can always be passed on.

- Susane Pieffer

Gift for Guys

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:51:36 -0500

I always have trouble buying for men. Especially the men that seem to have everything. On Of A Kind today, they have awesome “gift-bags” for the guy in your life. Whether it is your hubby, assistant, or neighbor, they have you covered.

I really like your blog :)

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:46:08 -0400

Well thank you so much!!!

Photo

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:40:02 -0400

Photo

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:39:15 -0400

Photo

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:32:03 -0400

This year…. I want to start a vintage book collection...

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:26:13 -0400

This year….

I want to start a vintage book collection (and actually read each of them)

I want to get my Graphic Design Professional Certificate

I want to make joy in people’s lives

I want to replace my kitchen fan with a pretty chandelier

I want to buy more classics for my wardrobe: more LBDs and pumps please…

Etsy Obsession of the Week

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:27:31 -0400

While browsing for Christmas pillows on Etsy today, I came across this little gem of a store. I absolutely love all of her throw pillows. Take a looksie and enjoy! Go visit the shop here.

Ciao!

effortless chic

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:04:13 -0400

effortless chic

So reminds me of Blake and I….

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:02:02 -0400

So reminds me of Blake and I….

How's a Girl to Manage?

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:33:00 -0400

If you’re anyone like me, you are finally on your own, have landed a job- A job that pays your bills- well some of them…

The transition is already hard: you leave home for college, you spend 4 years (some even more) partying, realizing/trying to figure out who are, dating men (or more specifically boys who think they’re men) living off of your parent’s dime, living with roommates, dealing with roommates, learning things that will HOPEFULLY teach you something for later on in life, and then you leave. Au Revoir. Done. Finito. The phase is quickly over. You are even ready for it when it comes along.

But then… then the real world approaches you like a giant monster in your sleep. The first few months are ok. You get satisfaction from your parents actually not having to pay for your meal every night. “I am an independent woman.” “I can support myself.” “I can do this.” All of these self-constructive thoughts after wa few months decline… and things start catching up…All of a sudden out you are trying to manage bills, rent, paying for your own car insurance, your own dinner, paying to re-decorate an apartment to come home to (now that you live alone), gas, clothes for work that happen to not be sheer, too short, or just a t-shirt, a cute dress to wear on the weekend for those times when you are NOT so tired from working every day that week. How is a girl to manage? How are we supposed to handle all of this with grace and poise and still manage to try to beat all the men at work? Does anyone else feel my pain?!

It is week three with my new little man. People who have dogs...

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:53:16 -0400

It is week three with my new little man. People who have dogs are underestimated, let me just start there. You always hear that it is just like having a baby, but that is an understatement. They should just say, “You are having a baby. Your life will change. You won’t have a social life.” But, I will say, it is worth it. They are precious, they love you unconditionally, and they give you security knowing that even if your day still goes to total s***, there will be a wagging tail, a cuddly face, and a wet tongue at your feet when you get home. Just like Anna, an 8-year-old girl said, “Love is when you have left your puppy home alone all day and he still licks your face when you get home.”

Photo

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:48:46 -0400

Because I have not blogged in so long, I thought I would share...

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:54:28 -0400

Because I have not blogged in so long, I thought I would share this photo with you. Usually I do not like dark walls in such tiny spaces, but this is done beautifully. Loving orange lately. It has a certain summer moving into fall feel that I can’t get enough of.

Calming Kilims

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:37:00 -0400

Lately, my inspiration has been drawn from rugs. The richness, the coolness, the abstract, the printed, the geometric, the floral. I just picked up a long kilim today for my house, but I have not yet purchased it. I have two days to decide… aka…go to the Internet for inspiration to make your decision. I could not help but share these pictures, as they are so “jaw droppingly” beautiful.

Loves? the sheepskin, the layering, the Chandelier. Enough said.

This is a great example of mixing contemporary with a Turkish/Moroccan theme.

The poufs are wonderful, and so is the “A” on the wall :)

So cozy. Looks like a rainy day.

Who knew a pink and white striped couch would look good with this?

Close-up detail says it all.

The simple pleasures: Pouring cream in your coffee and seeing...

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:17:01 -0400

The simple pleasures:

Pouring cream in your coffee and seeing the beautiful swirl

That warm hug upon seeing your best friend

That wet kiss from your puppy

The feeling of success…because you and only you did it

Rainy days and white sheets

Black and white photographs

French music with red wine