my favorite overall interior

I love it all especially the neutral tone walls and colorful art and accents! (the perfect mix of old and new too).

charleston cottage

white, rustic and modern

The following are shared ideas and article-power of white- for a friend. These are for you MS - esp. the white and green bedroom reminds me of yours....

another one

Here is another great example of old and new from Cookie magazine pasadena house. I love the prints in the kitchen seating area, kids rooms. Love it all. My fav. home mags Domino and Cottage Living - are no longer being published so I don't have my monthly inspiration any more. Also, I cannot share some of those ideas online but have them sitting right in front of me(kept the old mags that I cannot part with) too many good things... Darn.

new and old

I have always been drawn towards old or antique furniture, objects, etc. It's in my blood and was around it as a child going antiquing with my mother at a small age. Lots of great memories. But when I married an architect things swayed a bit more modern. I was out of my comfort zone for awhile and learned to appreciate it through him and while working for a interior designer - they both taught me lots about clean lines and the simplicity of forms, which I now love more than anything. So at our house I try to blend the two and sometimes things get out of balance - too much of one look. I quite like it to make a more sparse look feel more homey with an older piece whether it's a vintage lamp, artwork, print, basket for books, table, etc. I came across this mixing old and new article that had some great tips. There is not a right or wrong obviously but putting your personal stamp on what you love in your home - a reflection of you (colors, patterns, materials).

curry

If you like curry at all, you should try this dish cashew curry recipe. I have a fav. food site called 101 cookbooks and have always admired the dishes she posts. I have never taken one on (from this site) quite frankly cause I forget about it but need to remember it big time. But this one is so good and you can use the left over veggies as a side for another meal.

DELISH!

FLIP FLOPS

If I had to pick a favorite shoe ever, this would be it. As as child I never liked to wear shoes so I guess this is the next best thing between your feet and the ground. I picked a few favorite styles and each come in lots of colors. My ultimate favorite is the Reef pair since they have a bit of arch support and you can buy them in two packs. Bang for your buck if you wear them year round like I do. Also, you can pick these up at any local store - J. Crew size and color permitting, and Nordstrom.

classic wedge flip flop
skinny flip flops
reef flip flops
havaianas
slim peacock

Coming out of the fog...

I have been lax on my posts due to some shifts in my children’s growing process and not having the time. Growing pains for all at the Sommers’ house. I have had one too many “Two Rivers” days as I call them – which refers to a local mental facility as I feel I am balancing my fragile state of mental health lately. I say this with humor as I am fine but I think we as mothers all have had those days where you are not sure you are getting through to anyone, let alone yourself.

My husband was out of town while some of these shifts have been occurring and upon his return I made a bee line to a bookstore for some “me time” and to locate some form of reference as a voice of reason. I felt like I was losing grip on what used to be a solid ground and sense of confidence as a parent but as your children age, each stage is different and some take you more off guard than others. This phase has thrown me for a loop. I think I have been in the trenches too long which goes to show how important it is to nurture, protect and preserve your self in the midst. A very tough balancing act and for some it is easier and easier at different phases in your life!

After a couple hours break, I felt like a new shiny penny. I found what probably most of you know about and I did know about and even picked it up one day. It wasn’t really what I needed at the time but LET ME JUST SAY IT WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ordered for me and my family- Parenting with Love & Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. (updated and expanded edition). I sat down with my beverage of choice, Starbuck’s mocha, and read the first few pages – “You had me at hello”…….is all I have to say. I know most of you may even have a copy but I highly recommend it if you don’t. I believe there is one for teens for those with older children. I read a few pages then scanned some more but came a across a sentence which I felt relieved to come across, basically it was never too late to implement their philosophy, whew!

A must have manual and constant companion for all parents!!! Hallelujah!

P.S. Did I mention my sweet husband walked in from his trip carrying a bottle of my favorite wine, an orchid, and lovely bar of soap. Sweet man-o-mine!