Photo Friday 94

Jenna On My Coffee Table in New Jersey

(Creativity at Work by Heather Clawson)

Self Portrait in Pennsylvania

I Spy

As I peeled the blue, plastic bag off of the Sunday NYT in my driveway, imagine the joy when I spied Jenna Lyons on the front page of the Styles section. Sigh. As the JCrew brand has rocketed to super stardom, so has she. For a woman who spent half of her life working at JCrew (twenty two years to be exact), it is interesting how she has become a celebrity in her own right.

I appreciate how Jenna Lyons wears JCrew, of course, but doesn't drown in it from head-to-toe. I think she wisely mixes it with other brands (lots of Celine lately) and, best of all, makes it her own. Her subconscious message seems to say that a girl can squeeze JCrew into any outfit. (I know I do!) What I am not clear about is whether the style of JCrew and Jenna are one in the same or mere reflections.

I hope you get a chance to read the article. I hope you get shopping..40% off final sale at JCrew.

tricia   

WELCOME

Welcome old man winter.  

Today the temperature hovered at 15 degrees all day long.  

There is nothing like some good, cold, fresh air.

"While I relish our warm months, winter forms our character and brings out our best." Tom Allen

                                       

Life is a Highway

It is time for us to get a new vehicle..and with six of us, plus a dog, the choices are limited. Our minivan  or "people mover" has served us well, especially with the built-in DVD system. A godsend for lengthy car trips. Imagine the shock and surprise of five family members when we realized the new vehicle wouldn't have a DVD player.

Well, this t had a few ideas up her sleeve to fill in the gap ~ imagine audio books, auto Bingo, music and I Spy. We could learn another language together as we cruise along. (we own a set for Portuguese) I picture our faces gazing out the windows, enjoying the scenery of unknown towns en route to vacation destinations. My hopes are high for traveling the way the t's did when we were young.

The reality is this --> the kids will plug into their electronic devices and pop headphones on before we pull out of the driveway. And if things get dicey, Grandma tells me the portable DVD players are inexpensive - get one for everyone! (I think Henry may have put one on his birthday list already)

Auto Bingo anyone?

tricia

the trusty van helping with

our Christmas tree

Photo Friday 93

Hostess Gift in New Jersey

(thanks Jeannine!)

November Photo Shoot in Pennsylvania

WHITE

Planning for a vacation is quite a lot of work. I give credit to people who do it and do it well.  And people who have a knack to seek out a good deal.  A coworker of mine visited Iceland last year.  Crazy.  He and his wife went in the winter because it was a cheap destination.  They loved it.

While I'm not in that planning mode right now, I am planning my first house project of 2013.  A bedroom renovation.  More specifically the boys room (they share a bedroom somewhat to their dismay). 

My plan is relatively simple and it will be a DIY project.  Yikes.  A built-in closet system, a desk for homework (possibly a two person workstation), paint and decorating.  Easy, right.  I'm thinking about doing two different wall colors.  A darker grey on the far wall with windows and matching paint on the near wall where the desk will be located.  The side walls will be white (imagine that).  So I am searching for the perfect white paint.  I've yet to find it.  I'm looking for a white with grey undertones.  A white that gives a vintage, I've been here for awhile tone.

Does anyone have the perfect white paint color they would be willing to share?

Tracy

Some Design Inspiration from Houzz

love the heavy wood shelves and 

red filing drawers 

drawn to a fun modern space, the great light 

fixture and wall mural

Oh the Places We'll Go

Why does the gray winter nudge me along in planning the blue summer? And by blue, I conjure up blue skies, blue water, a blue bikini and our ancient, blue beach umbrella. Even with fun-filled memories on the horizon, the whole planning part seems like an enormous project, which it truly is.

With few precious weeks of summer vacation, four kids, two adults and a dog, the plan needs to be precise in order to squeeze it all in. After filling in our calendar with swim team commitments, summer birthdays, the July 4th BBQ and some camping for kids, there are spaces left for an adventure or two.

This summer, Maine is on my radar. It has been for awhile. With such a large coastline, it is hard to pinpoint an exact town. My project continues. And, our family always pays a visit to Avalon, NJ. We have been summering there forever it seems. A beach town we know like the backs of our hands. Especially after Super Storm Sandy, it is important to support the Jersey shore communities. Now to fit it in somewhere..

Wish me luck. And, no, I didn't forget sneaking down to LBI to spend some time with you sister ~ save me a chair next to you at the infamous beach camp.

tricia

My Ocean Loving Kids..