Jay Strongwater's Easter Egg

Note to readers: Formats may be off due to new template. I am working to reformat past posts.


Beautiful...





http://www.jaystrongwater.com/






Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition (Thumb Indexed)

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Whether you live in a big city with a rapid-transit system that is usually packed, or a small toen bus, there are things you must remember to do and not to do.
If you are sitting on a bus, and the bus is filling up, do not leave a bag, backpack, or other objects in the seat next to you. A polite rider offers their seat to someone that needs it more – a pregnant woman, parent with young children, an elderly person, a mother holding a baby, a person with an armload of packages, or someone who looks frail or tired.

When standing, move to the middle of the bus or train, making room for passengers at the next stop. Make sure that you have maneuvered your way to the door by the time you reach your stop.

Backpacks are a source of frustration and a person should take the pack off of their back and carry it around the waist.

Keep your conversations quiet and try not to yell over the noise on the bus. DO NOT use profanity or talk intimately on the bus or train.

On rainy days, do not put your wet umbrella on a seat or the overhead rack. Keep the umbrella on the floor in front of you at your feet, making certain not to let it stick into the aisle.

If eating is allowed on the public transportation, try to keep it to a minimum, such as a candy bar. Try not to smell up the train or bus with something like French fries.

Tomorrow we will cover specifically Riding the Bus.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Dish With Trish

Flood Watch:


It's so weird how things happen sometimes...I am having my hardwood floors refinished at my house which is very exciting. We recently decided that we had to have the ceilings done because they were all peeling and then we thought maybe we should paint the walls too and then it became obvious that while we had already cleared all the furniture we should just go ahead and do the floors too. Awesome.

So while they do the floors and then they dry we had to be out of the house for the week. We went to stay for the week at the Marriott in Warwick near the airport, glamorous -no, functional -yes! Meanwhile the rain continued all day yesterday and things were flooding like crazy.


We looked out the hotel window last night and realized that they had closed the road to the airport and route 95! it was so quiet! and actually really creepy. My husband referenced the book The World Without Us and some Armageddon type things, not comforting.

When we woke up this morning we realized that 95 was still closed going both ways and that all of the traffic traveling south was being diverted right through where we were staying and that it was going to take forever to get up to Providence and that getting back to the hotel in the evening was going to be near impossible...turns out that we were basically staying in the hardest hit area, so now we are booked at the Hampton Inn far from the major flooding! But I know that there are so many people who have had to evacuate their homes and have lost so much, so I feel very fortunate that I only had this crazy story to tell...

This is the view from the parking lot right outside our room, well maybe it is a little glamorous...This is what they call the airport connector, this road goes to and from the airport and exits off route 95! You can see a little bit of the guard rail sticking out, this is on the side of the road, there is another set of guard rails in the center of the road too and they are completely under water! I wonder how long this will take to drain out???

A reporter said on the news last night "history is happening now" which I thought was hysterical and I will say it as much as possible from now on. But it inspired me to make this little vintage panorama to depict the 'history' of the flood of 2010, worse than any other flood in over 100 years, maybe more.

This is another view from the other side of the hotel that shows route 95 totally under water as well. Both north and south lanes travel under the little bridge shown here. In front of the geese is an on ramp and beyond them in the 95 south lanes, then you see the jersey barrier and the north lanes are under the sign. Nuts!!!


(BTW photos are from my point and shoot camera, and this is exactly the reason I always have a little camera in my purse, you never know! now I don't have to wish I got a shot of the highway that time it was flooded and I was there to see it...)

Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Dorm Room

As much as I do love the look of a gorgeous bunk room, I have found that bunk beds really are such a pain to make. Lately I have been preferring the look of a large dorm room with rows of single beds like the picture above. I love the lidded basket placed at the end of each bed - perfect for storing each person's clothes in. I personally would be much happier making these beds instead of numerous bunk beds.

image - cote maison via aged & gilded

Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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It's raining...Babies!

Well, to complete my baby trifecta, I headed into the hospital again this past Saturday to photograph the new and fabulous Rachael Emma!!! Isn't she perfect?! She's going to have to get used to her auntie Trish snapping a lot.
I love her expression in this photo below, it's actually amazing how many different expressions a new baby makes. Thank goodness because they don't really have much of a variety in posing.









Did I mention that she is the cousin of Carter who debut on the blog last week?!








The nurse came in to tend to mom and we took the baby with us to the hallway...she looks kind of lonely here, but rest assured she has a huge family to love her!








This pose is classic.









I think this might be my favorite.








Someday she will laugh about this 'old timey' iPhone.








She has fabulous hair too!








She's looking like the other cousins here...strong genes!








Uncle Stephen comforting his new niece...since he's been a Dad for a week now he's a pro!








The whole package, so sweet!

Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Decorating A New Home {Over Time}

When I look at these images I love that they are all so casual and not overly decorated. I am leaning towards this more pared back look in our new house. I want it to be a home where we can relax and not be too worried about the white slip covered sofa when the big 1 year old {yes he turned 1 yesterday} Golden Retriever jumps up on it.


I am dreaming of faded denim fabrics on sofas, washed out florals and checks and stripes and mismatched pieces of cane furniture on the verandahs - not new cane - old mismatched cane collected over time. I will retain all of our Antique pieces of furniture which Brad & I have collected over the years. That's what I love about Antiques...they transcend fashion and trends, they are the pieces we hold onto and they are the pieces we pass onto our loved ones. I find I never tire of my Antique pieces. It's the mass-produced pieces I tire of very quickly.


This time round Harry and Brad have made me promise not to have the floors painted white. My obsession with keeping our current white-painted floors clean is all too much for my boys. All the internal walls will be painted my usual white but this time I think we might just sand back the old wide plank floorboards and apply an oiled, not glossy finish.


Everything about this house will be about living and enjoying and adding to it over time. I find that so many people {me included} rush into renovating or decorating a new home. I have learnt that you must live in a house for a period of time before you start the process of change....something my mother has been trying to instill in me for years!!


This time, I am going to take my time and enjoy the process of decorating the house which my children will call home for many, many years to come.



image 1 - pamela easton's home via creative homes, image 2 - deborah needleman's home via lonny, image 3 - via charlotte, image 4 - via charlotte, image 5 via lonny
Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Pristine Surroundings ~ Kay O'Toole

.
Kay O'Toole uses statues and other forms of handmade eloquent heirlooms to make these clean rooms feel comfortable.

ENJOY!








These images can be found in the April 2010 issue of Veranda Magazine.




Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition (Thumb Indexed)




Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

WALKING THE DOG

If you are walking your dog on an urban street, make sure that the leash doesn’t block traffic or trip a pedestrian. Retractable leashes are dangerous in this setting, and they become virtually invisible to some walkers, cyclists, and joggers.
I am not sure where these people live, but if you tie your dog to a parking meter or lamp post while you shop or eat, make sure they don’t bark. This bothers the passerby and establishment patrons. (I was tempted to leave this out, but it may be important for someone living in Mayberry, which is not a bad thing.)

YOU MUST REMOVE YOUR DOGS POOP WITH A POOPER-SCOOPER OR A BAG. This sends me. It is hard for me to believe that there are actually people irrational and pathetic enough to let their dog poopie on someone’s property and have the audacity to leave it there. You know who you are, and I don’t want to know you. Ok, back to the book. It doesn’t matter how big of a hurry you are in and where you are. CLEAN UP!

Before letting your dog socialize with another dog, make sure it is alright with the owner of the dog. Double that for children. Ask the child’s parent if it is alright. Now if you have a ten pound monster like I do, it wouldn’t be wise. Make certain that your dog doesn’t jump on, nuzzle of bounce off of the child.

Tell adults and children alike about your dogs personality and habit, even if your visit will be short. No surprises please.

Tomorrow we will cover Public Transportation.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo
Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Mondays with Mariah

I thought I'd post today about two of my favorite things...
I am absolutely obsessed with this book, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez is a Colombian author. He won the Nobel prize for literature in 1982. This book takes place in Coastal Columbia during the last century. It follows the life of Fermina Daza and the two men who love her. I am currently reading this book for the fourth time in a row. I am not in the habit of re-reading a book as soon as I finish it, but this time I feel compelled to read it again (and again and again.) It is extremely hard to describe the spell created by this book and the best way to describe it is to call it magical. Actually, Marquez's style of writing is called magical realism and he blends perfectly the every day occurrences of life with spiritual, mystical, and magical happenings that most people fail to notice. He has an unbelievable grasp on the emotions of love and this the best unconventional love story I have ever read. Something about this story really resonates with me, I haven't quite figured out what it is exactly yet, I guess that's why I keep reading it. It just seems like there's a lot of wisdom packed into it's 348 pages.



Another one of my favorite authors is the children's author Roald Dahl. My kids are insane for his stories such as: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. I also love the director Wes Anderson who's movies are on my top 10 list... The Royal Tenebaums, Life Aquatic, Rushmore, and the Darjeeling Limited. So, imagine my happiness when Wes Anderson adapted the story of the Fantastic Mr. Fox! Basically Dahl's short story has become the second act of the film and the first act and third act are all Anderson.
I bought this movie for Vianne's birthday and we watched it last night. It is an absolute work of art. The characters are rich and flawed and lovable. The music is amazing and the sets are unbelievable. I am sure I'll have to watch this movie over and over to really appreciate the genius and the pain staking attention to detail that is required of stop animation films. Throw in George Clooney (my Hollywood boyfriend) as Mr Fox and it's a home run.

Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Nursery Thoughts...

My friends keep reminding me that I have a baby's room to decorate. With approximately 8 weeks to go I decided last week that I needed to at least get a few things organised.


My few things ended up turning into a complete room scheme for our little bundle. It all started with the original joker water colour by Rupert Hamilton dated 1916 which I stumbled across at a little Antique store here in Brisbane last week. I then decided I would collect a few bits and pieces to work back with it to create an artwork cluster wall full of lovely colour.


From there I selected the watermelon coloured Brunschwig & Fils Ikat which I am having an old chair I have recovered in and a lampshade for a floor lamp will be made in the small patterned chinnoiserie fabric. I also have an old Eastern embroidered piece of cloth which I will have made into a little cushion for the chair.


Over the weekend I started to wonder what I would use as a change table so Harry and I made a quick visit to our friend Nick Wallrock on Saturday morning {the most wonderful European Antique store in Brisbane}. We purchased a lovely circa 1780 Swedish Walnut cabinet from Nick which will be perfect.


I plan to use fresh white bed linen for the turned white timber painted cot which I picked up on Ebay for a mere $57.00 {a new mattress will be made and it will be re-painted with a fresh coat of white paint} and a few little Etsy cuddly numbers will be hunted down over the coming weeks.

So I can now say to my friends...yes it is all under control, I am organised!! {Fingers crossed it will all be made in time!!}
Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens Part II

These are the remaining photographs taken by Angela at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.













Beautiful photographs, Angela!



Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

JOGGERS, SKATERS, AND BIKERS

Jogging or skating on a neighborhood sidewalk is fine if there is little or no traffic. There are those that decide that playing dodge the pedestrian is fun.

Bicycles are to be ridden on the street, not the sidewalk. An early morning ride down an empty suburban footpath may be acceptable, but riding on a busy city street upsets drivers, and has proven dangerous for the cyclist.

Tomorrow we will cover Walking the Dog.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxoSource URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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I Love...

Every now and then I spot a room I absolutely love and this one above, as published in Elle Decor, is one of them. I think it's the lovely fresh colours against the all-white background, the dining chairs and the beautiful old marble fireplace which I love most!
image - elle decor via frolic via seesaw designs
Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Inspiration from Kate + Peter

Melissa shot Kate and Peter's wedding last Fall and got all of these great shots, another surprisingly beautiful day among so many rainy ones last season!


Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Inspiration from Eileen + Doug

Mariah and Sarah had the pleasure of photographing Eileen and Doug last Fall. She had such a beautiful dress!!! And although the whole wedding was fabulous, let us not forget the two best things at the wedding...chubby baby legs and their adorable pup!

Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Friday Flowers

A weekend full of time spent with Harry is what I have planned. I have worked many long and crazy hours this week so this weekend will be catch up time with my boys. Hope you have a lovely weekend. See you next time.




xx
Anna
Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Inspired By

I save so many images in my picture files to keep as inspiration for co-ordinating different colour schemes. It's often the combination of different colours in a picture or different products or different textures which can inspire me to put together a scheme for a client's home. I love the colours in these two product images above. The first image is from Jean Brown, a Brisbane fashion mecca, advertising some of their latest offerings {I adore the bangles by Paula Bianco} and the second image is a product editorial from House Beautiful. I just love all the wonderful colour and patterns and textures in these images. I find them very inspiring.


Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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Beautiful Block Island

Posted by Mariah:
What a gorgeous weekend we had.... and such a teaser considering the cold and rainy week to follow. I am grateful that I trekked out to Block Island on Saturday and enjoyed the warm weather and gorgeous scenery. BI is such a different place in the off season...
A favorite spot along Corn Neck Rd.


Found this "infinity pool" while hiking along the Clay Head Trail.



This is the beach that I normally take my kids to for digging clams, it's called Andy's Way.











Don't mind if I do...



Totally rad house.



Bye Bye BI... till next time!
P.S. This was the view from the spot where Don and I got married last summer.
Romantical.



Source URL: http://idiesse.blogspot.com/2010/03/
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