My Domicile Style

Still Here…

2011-11-17T11:04:00.001-06:00

Everyone is asleep; the two littlest ones are sick, so I have about 5 minutes to write before I tackle mounds of laundry. I am STILL trying to figure out how to manage three kids, multiple therapy visits every week, parent visits, foster care paperwork, keep a clean house, feed my family and write blog posts all at the same time. It has been harder than I thought possible! So while I

Artful interiors With Contemporary Rugs

2011-09-06T11:14:00.001-05:00

So, I have been on hiatus. Perhaps you think I am busy renovating my house, or jet-setting off to exotic locations? Well, in reality, I am chasing after 3 humans: ages 5, 23 months and 3 months. Yes, another foster placement that came the end of June. And I am busier than I could have ever imagined, as fostering entails not only raising children, but filling out reams of paperwork, making tons of

How to Light Your Backyard for the Summer

2011-06-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

We are fully in the swing of summer, and this week, our niece is staying with us for a week full of swimming, museums and other types of fun activities. So, this is a perfect week for a guest post about how to light your backyard for all your summer activities! Hi, I’m Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting (a terrific source of lighting for all décor styles). I live in Boston and we’ve had a long

Best Kitchen Before and Afters 2011 from This Old House

2011-06-09T09:25:00.001-05:00

I am still working on cosmetic changes for our kitchen. Our home was built in 2002, and had many upgrades when we bought it, so the bones of the kitchen are good. Still compiling ideas, so this article on the 23 Best Kitchen Before and Afters of 2011 is great. Look at the winner and their before (shown below), and the after (shown above). Even more impressive is that these homeowners did ALL

Swedish Egg White Facial Soaps

2011-06-06T17:24:00.001-05:00

I have a tiny addiction to soaps (and lip glosses). Has anyone tried these Swedish Egg White Facial Soaps? Egg whites, lanolin, and rosewater, 6 soaps for $22.

Tastemaker Tag Sale – Michelle Nussbaumer

2011-06-03T14:24:00.001-05:00

I have written about Dallas designer Michelle Nussbaumer before. So, I was intrigued to see that she has a Tastemaker Tag Sale coming up this weekend on One Kings Lane. It is always fun to try and find a great piece or bargain during these tag sales. I have some preview pictures to share with you. The sale runs from Saturday, June 4 – Tuesday, June 7.

Barbara Barry Bowmont Outdoor Collection

2011-05-26T11:17:00.001-05:00

“Renowned designer Barbara Barry brings her innate sense of style and sophistication to McGuire with a collection of contemporary and graceful designs. Barbara Barry for McGuire is furniture of distinction; each piece is created entirely by hand and finished to evoke the patina of fine furniture cherished over time.” They don’t list prices, so you can only imagine that this collection is

Tabletop Mobile by Matthew Richards

2011-05-24T09:43:00.001-05:00

“Matthew Richards was pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering when he was inspired by the work of Alexander Calder (who was also a mechanical engineer) and began making mobiles (2009).” Made by hand, these mobiles rotate 360 degrees, moving freely with the slightest breeze or vibration. Very cool movable art; exclusive to Design Within Reach.

Tips to Decorate Like a Pro

2011-05-23T13:28:00.001-05:00

So, I received these tips months ago. And yes, I am a little behind on my posts, but helpful hints are great any month! So better late than never. THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF DECORATING “There are basic guidelines you can follow to ensure you’re not only on the right track, but on-trend in your décor,” says Kate Hart, president of Hart & Associates Staging & Design. “Best of all, you don’t have to

Marianne Guedin Candles

2011-05-18T09:24:00.001-05:00

I thought these candles from Marianne Guedin were just lovely. And when you are done, you reuse the handblown glass containers. They are featured now at One Kings Lane, and are one sale until Friday, 5/20. So much has happened lately. One incident is that I accidentally deleted the library of pictures on many of my blog posts! Sorry, I am trying get them back online one post at a time.

Healthy Spring Recipes from Belle Chevre

2011-04-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

This free downloadable e-book features four recipes from Belle Chevre and Chef Marvin. I can’t wait to try them all. Onion & Sweet Pepper Strata with Goat Cheese Corn Cakes with Herbed Goat Cheese Cream Topping Spinach, Applewood Smoked Bacon & Goat Cheese Salad with Pecans Bloody Mary’s with Chipotle Goat Cheese Crème Fraiche Visit Belle Chevre to download your copy.

Hardware Store Decor

2011-03-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Cardboard Tube Wall Storage I may have to get Home from the Hardware Store: Transform Everyday Materials into Fabulous Home Furnishings by Kathleen Hackett and Stephen Antonson. They ply the aisles of the home improvement center and emerge with a host of ideas for clever, original decorative objects using pedestrian materials. Drain covers, cork matting, plumbing parts, light sockets, brass

Tiny Texas Houses

2011-02-22T15:45:00.001-06:00

image via here From 25 Reasons Country is Chic Right Now, comes Tiny Texas Houses, based in Luling, TX (close to my hometown of San Antonio). “My goal is to show people what can be done with a concept I call Salvage Building, thus what you see is 99% Pure Salvage. That means that everything from the doors, floors, windows, lumber, porch posts, glass, door hardware, and even the siding has

Design Tips from Rosita Missoni

2011-02-18T00:18:00.001-06:00

A suite at the Hotel Missoni in Kuwait I have mentioned before that I am a fan of the interiors at Hotel Missoni. So, I enjoyed this interview with Mamma Missoni in the Wall Street Journal. Doormen at the Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh in Missoni-print kilts Don’t forget, today (2/18) is the last day to enter to win a $45 gift card from CSN stores.

Lourdes Sánchez Bull's-Eye Rug

2011-02-15T16:18:00.001-06:00

This Bull’s-Eye Rug caught my eye while looking over a recent West Elm catalog. Only available online, this would be great in our entry hall! Reinterpreted from a hand-painted watercolor by artist Lourdes Sánchez. Plus, all side and coffee tables are 20% off right now. I have been needing a little drinks table to move around the living room, maybe the Faceted Mirror Side Table or the

A Simple Valentine’s Day

2011-02-14T08:54:00.001-06:00

Leviev Chameleon Ring You could give me a 5.89-carat chameleon diamond (which changes from light yellow to dark green with fluctuations in temperature and light), surrounded by eight oval diamonds totaling 1.68 carats and with more than a carat of white and pink pavé diamonds. But, I would be happy with the following: Green & Black Dark 85% Chocolate AND Heitz Cellar NV Ink

Abstract Art

2011-02-11T16:16:00.001-06:00

Rex Ray "Megalaria," exclusive to World Market. 52”W x 27”H I got an email this week about savings up to 50% on select wall art at World Market. While I do own lots of original art and plan on framing some of my photographs, on occasion, the quick and easy route appeals to me. I saw these two and found their colorful images captivating. The one above is groovy, and it is 52”W; we need something

CSN Stores Giveaway

2011-02-07T12:07:00.002-06:00

I let the cat out of the bag my last post, and explained why I have been missing for the last 7 weeks. Increasing our family from 2 individuals to perhaps 6, will necessitate some changes. I see two alternatives: finish creating a well-functioning home (even if it will be more crowded) buy a new home (what we want is a renovated ranch or to build something similar)

Instant Motherhood: The First Month

2011-02-04T23:41:00.002-06:00

I can’t believe the last time I blogged was in December of 2010. If you recall, I had a huge list of things to do and not to do. Well, I am happy to report that SOME of these things got done. The REASON why more didn’t get done, was a call on the evening of December 23, asking if we would foster a baby girl. I turned to my husband and asked what he thought. He

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…

2010-12-17T15:29:00.001-06:00

and I plan on embracing each moment of it. I am officially “on vacation” the next 2 weeks, as I encouraged my husband to use his vacation days, they were piling up! BTW - the shower for my brother and sister-in-law was a success, even if we had frosted brownies and cookies instead of some authentic dessert. I plan to spend the next two weeks NOT: using my cell phone answering emails

Pear Crostata with Figs and Honey

2010-12-09T08:38:00.001-06:00

Another quick update. The red bean cake was strange. I do not confess to be a baker at all, but this was just fine, not great and definitely not what I was hoping it would be. I was hoping I would have a winner like the Pear Crostata with Figs and Honey I made at Thanksgiving. Now granted, we had to make it twice (the first one was much prettier as we had more dough and it made wider edges),

How to Have an Organized Holiday

2010-12-08T14:59:00.001-06:00

I love expert tips and of course, The Container Store always has great ones. I miss seeing the gift wrap and stocking stuffers, and really do need to stop in and see everyone. Whether it is to clear the clutter before the holidays (which is what I am currently doing, just took a 5 minute break), guest room organization, gorgeous gift presentation, or gift wrapping accessories, they have you

Adzuki Bean Cake

2010-12-07T15:04:00.001-06:00

image I am attempting to make an adzuki bean cake today. Lord, have mercy, not sure why I decided that for a Japanese-themed baby shower, we needed an authentic(ish) dessert. Here is the behind-the-scenes. My brother and sister-in-law are pregnant with triplets! And this is her first pregnancy!! Since my brother imports sake, and they loved their trip to Japan, my sister and I decided to do

Gift Ideas Under $50

2010-12-03T11:19:00.001-06:00

This is the laziest blog post ever! I have been sick for weeks, thanks to sick foster boys, and I need to get well. We have a baby shower next week for my brother and sister-in-law and my whole family is coming into town. While at the doctor’s office, I was thumbing through a Family Circle and saw this gift guide. Now when I see ideas I want to remember, I pull out my phone and take a picture,

The Book’s Story – Cara Barer

2010-11-29T15:11:00.001-06:00

First Edition, 2007 Just in case Santa needs some hints, I was excited to see that one of my favorite photographers, Cara Barer, has a self-published book on Blurb: The Book’s Story. I have not yet inquired about one of her pieces, but I have a feeling that they are a big-ticket item. However, the book is only $79.99. Her work has been featured in multiple shelter magazines, and in each home,