Been Awhile

OK, I admit it, it's been too long since I've contributed to blog-land. It's like when you put off going to the dentist for too long - and you don't want to go because it's been so long, but the longer you wait the worse it will be. Yeah, it's been kind of like that. A lot has happened over the last month, I'll try to recap if I can.

A lovely Thanksgiving with my family was followed very closely by little Lala's first birthday. Lia let me share her birthday with her again this year - we each got a cake with one candle - further solidifying the fact that from here on out my age in my mother's eyes will be known as "Lia (plus 25)".

A few weeks ago Julie and I were browsing at Anthro and we came across these pepper grinders, I mentioned that I love the yellow, teal, and red color combo right now, and in a happy accident, I soon had those same colors all over the walls of my new place. I just moved out to Lafayette to a very cute little house that is just the right size for me, I'm very happy with my new abode. And while I have "settled in" I think it will be a work in progress for many months to come, which I'm quite excited about.

Other big news of the month is my first hotel opening! I was in Iowa the first week of December for the public area install of this hotel. What a treat it was to get to watch visitor's jaws drop as they walked into the renovated lobby for the first time. The hotel's first wedding was that weekend, and I must say that the ballroom was beautiful - those Iowa brides are lucky! And we decorated for Christmas while we were there, which made the space so cozy...although 3 large trees, 6 wreaths, and 4 garlands later, I felt christmas decorated-out for this year, and I still have yet to put up even the tiniest bit of holiday decorations around my house. I just love the first picture here for some reason, I love the movement it shows - reminds me of how that week felt, rushing around to get everything ready in time.

I spent all last weekend hanging out with these fabulous people - eating, laughing, drinking, general silliness, it was just what I needed this weekend.

We spent a very long time at Beatrice & Woodsley on Friday night...I could just get lost in place forever...

The last month has brought about many life changes and emotional hurdles. I have not created anything, or done anything crafty since before November - which that in and of itself has made me feel like I don't recognize myself. I am feeling encouraged everyday that the decisions I have been making are the right ones, and I feel that I am slowly finding the ground under my feet again. I promise to take the time to blog more often - not only does it encourage me to take time for reflection and stay in touch with those close to me, but it reminds me to be intentional in how I spend my time and where I put my energy. More to come...

Warehouse Treasures

I just came back from another week in Iowa, it's so exciting to see the hotel progress, we had lots of fun - our clients own several warehouses in town, and they are a bunch of gems! We got to go exploring in the warehouses one day - they are beautiful industrial buildings, with big windows, cool elevators, brightly colored sliding doors. And the best part - they are stuffed with old architectural salvage that has been collected from other properties. While we were looking for items that we could work into the hotel, I couldn't help myself but snap up some photos. Here are a few of my faves...

Vacation in my Mind...

Last week Renee and I were reviewing concept images for a restaurant that we are designing. We came across this one and both commented that though we have no idea where this is, I want to sit right here at the window, because I think there will be really good people-watching on that street.

And I would be drinking a capuccino,

And there would be a slight briskness in the air, so I would be wearing a really great coat like this one,And really fantastic boots, like these,

And then I woke up from my daydream...

A Reason to Celebrate

Tonight we had a fun celebratory dinner at one of my favorite local Italian food joints, Radda. It's been a big week for Sean - not only did he turn the big 3-0, but my smarty-pants brother received the first (of what I expect to be many) acceptance letters into Med school. I feel aglow with sisterly-pride. Even our new friend Giovanni survived his first Oldroyd-family dinner, with flying colors.

We had a fun Halloween...

Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, and Miss Scarlett

election

I am feeling such a sense of relief with the election being over... the past couple days have been a mix of anxious excitement for the next four years, my faith in this country a little stronger.

My blog has been a little neglected lately. I don't have a good excuse, I've just felt a little emotionally taxed this week, and haven't been able to post. But, this morning I found this really cute print on etsy, appropriately named "It's a New Day", so I thought I would let it speak for me...

Print courtesy of http://www.goodbloom.net

Halloween

Finally the plans are coming together...I'll give you one c l u e ...

Martinis and Pizza

Is there a better way to cap off the weekend? I think not.

Since Ross decided to pull 72 hours at work last week, and it was his birthday on Friday, and he got the Jamie Oliver Italian cookbook as a present, we decided homemade pizza was in order tonight. And really, nothing goes better with pizza than martinis.

Tonight is "The Big Chill" night.... another step in our effort to pick up on all of the AFI 100 movies we've missed.

Shoe Belly

Danskos,


meet Ophelia.

But be careful, don't get too close, she might eat you.... twice.
She won't enjoy it for too long though, she'll be sick for days, and won't get out of bed...

Let me introduce you to the craziest sport I have ever witnessed, and our newest weekend pastime: Cyclocross. Just because running and cycling wasn't hardcore enough on their own, some crazy europeans created cyclocross where participants ride round and round a 2 mile course as many times as they can in 45 minutes. Oh, and there's obstacles they have to jump over, mud pits they have to ride through, and stretches of sand and tall grass that they have to run through with their bikes thrown over their shoulders. And to top it all off this is just a fall/winter sport, so they get extra excited when it is cold and rainy out, like it was this morning...I think it's because they get extra muddy and feel tough. This morning was Ross's first race, and as far as entertainment value for spectators, cyclocross is hard to beat. My neighbor Emily (our other neighbor Paul was also racing today) and I split our time between the mud pit and a certain log in the road where more than one cyclist took the jump a little too steep, resulting in nose-diving forward flips.

Paul and Ross finished 35th and 37th respectively, not bad for a first-timer.

It feels like fall has arrived, for reals now. I made my first batch of chai for the season yesterday, and just because I couldn't resist, I made some cookies to go along. Yum!

AND...the latest addition to the liquor cabinet arrived yesterday. Our dear friend Elliot designed the label for the new Roundhouse Gin bottle (along with some creative collaboration and design workshops with Ross). Way to go guys, I think it turned out great!

Ross is busy busy making a big pot of chili...perfect to go along with gin and tonic!

I made these cute little business card holders the other night. I'm loving the purple and green right now...and the little orange button is just the right touch. Best of all these took all of about 10 minutes - I can't wait to make more with even more colors and embellishments.

Things I like about today:

• It was nice and crispy fall this morning when I took Ophie out, which inspired me to wear my mocassins and new 80's school boy striped cardigan
  
• I just made a date with Julie to take a walk on Friday...yes we have to make dates for these things, very lame... although she did use the word  "autumnal" in her acceptance email to the walk date, not-so lame
• It's now 5:43 and I think I am going to leave early (shock and surprise all around, I know), and I bought a new jar of cherries last night which means there's a really good chance that a manhattan is in the very near future
• A rep brought in some of the really good candy apples today to wish us "happy fall". You know the ones, they have about an inch of caramel on them and lots of goodies stuck on, yum!
• I started a new bag last night, I am using a big chocolate linen fabric memo from the library at work and my old bathroom curtain for the lining, which means the bag is either totally free or recycled (which is just as good right?) I can't wait to get home and rev up the sewing machine!
  

I spent all day yesterday with the lovely Tams. Our goal was to fix up her husband Matt's office for a big blowout party they are having this weekend, and after 2 trips to the local hardware store, 3 cans of paint, a marathon run for accessories through Target, I would say that we were successful. Since I had to leave while the paint was still drying I didn't get to snap any shots of the finished product, but Tam never fails to photograph the goods, so stay tuned.
She also took a look at some of the jewelry I've been working on and convinced me to get out there and try to sell some of it. She has a had a lot of success with her Etsy shop, and I think that I might give it a go as well. I think my goal at this point is to have something up and running in about a month - I want to get a good inventory before I open the store, so it looks like I'm somewhat legit. Here's some of the goodies I've been working on...





The hardest part right now is coming up with a name. I would like to find something that could grow into a business name, if things go that direction. It would be great if it could work for jewelry, accessories like purses and things, and maybe work for interior design too - in case I decide to do freelance work in that department too. So here's the deal, I need some help. I came up with some words that I like, or that I think relate to me and might be able to be worked into a business name. Here they are:

• my nickames: ducey and ruby
• nest, domain, adorned, accoutrements, bella, loot, goods, purple house, creates or creations
• something to do with hecho or mano - handmade in spanish
• something like encanto - glamour in portuguese
• a better, more creative way of saying finishing touches, or the little things...

I don't know, writing those out now they all sound really lame... I need some creative collaboration!

One of my very favorite catalogs came in the mail recently. I love looking through the incredibly stylish and well-placed pages for fashion, jewelry, set design ideas that I can never afford, but provide great inspiration. I've seen this necklace before at Anthropologie, and it keeps catching my eye so often that I think I have to give it a try. (yes, I realize, this is shameless rip-off happening right now). I'll keep you posted on how it goes...