Snow, Old and New

It's very white and bright in my neighbourhood. It's a winter wonderland. Lots of snow. Something very quiet happens whenever it snows, you know. It's like when I was growing up in Jamaica and if we had a power/electricity blackout, the entire neighbourhood went quiet, still, ghostly. That's what happens when it snows, I think. Everything goes quiet, still, ethereal, ghostly.

This morning am still working on putting my living and dining rooms together. This time, I am sorting artwork and pictures. I have an old painting I bought at a Brussels Brocante that was hanging in my living room. And, if you read this blog often, you may know I hate extremely modern homes and I love furnishings of all styles and periods but I prefer a mix of everything (old and new) in my home. So I love old gilt frames (sparingly used) and I love modern lithographs; so I am combining the two. Once the framing is done, it will go back in the living room again. I like the idea of re-purposing the gilt frame. 

'Tis The Season: Hostess Gifts

Cressida Bell is a discovery I made about two plus years ago. She is a great designer of pattern, and is versatile with her illustrative paint work. She designs and paints fabrics, cakes, lampshades, throw pillows and laundry bags. You will find great hostess gifts at her online shop. This year I may give phone cases or wrapping paper as hostess gifts.

Bedlam

This is the "before". Am painting walls, sanding and painting furniture, back- and forth-ing to Ikea, drilling holes, doing the school run and dancing to 3T's version of Lionel Ritchie's Stuck on You.  Basically, it's bedlam at mine right now. Insurmountable is the word at the moment. I am leaving it all though, and am  heading to Kaunas to hang with friends and do some horse-riding and spa-ing at one of my favourite getaways. See you you guys on Monday. I hope to have an "after" story to tell you.

No Clocks in the Dining Room

I can't remember which hotel it is, but I know there is a hotel in Nice, or maybe Paris, that has a policy of keeping the clock in the dining room/restaurant at 12 noon, perpetually. This way diners do not feel rushed to finish their meal or to get back to business. I like that policy; and I try to follow it by never putting a clock anywhere near my dining room. Dining is for relaxing and enjoying family and friends over delicious food. It shouldn't be rushed, you know.

I have clocks in my office (these are always set at the correct time, to the minute), a clock in my kitchen (I frequently burn dinner though...), in my foyer (this clock is always set 20 minutes fast) and in my bedroom (also 20 minutes fast...this way I am never late) and also in my bathroom (10 minutes fast...). Despite all the clocks in my home (or perhaps because of all the clocks in my home..) I never quite know what the correct time is.