Travel Watercolors

 Hotel Belvedere on Lake Como

I found a number of my old watercolor paintings while I was organizing all the papers in my house. I had tucked them into old notebooks, guidebooks and in an art portfolio that was lost in the mess. Even if most of them were painted more than ten years ago--I felt that tug in my heart and remembered that watercolor painting was once a passion of mine--way before the hubby and the kids came into the picture.

Earth Colors and Ikat

Someone is in Bangkok right now looking for ikat fabric in earth colors. So here is a guide on what earth colors are. Basically they are muted colors as opposed to high-intensity colors, or "muddy" instead of "clean" colors.

By the way, these are the exact opposite of what we should be wearing, being "winter" skin tone--dark hair, fair skin.

Old Teacups, an Antique Cabinet and a Fancy Party

I started collecting old teacups many years ago, bidding for them one-by-one on eBay. None of them are very expensive or precious--and I chose them for color, pattern and shape and not by brand. They're displayed in this antique display cabinet which was once the medical supplies cabinet of my husband's grandfather the doctor.

Paris on my Mind

I came across this post in House of Turquoise blog and absolutely love the interiors of this Paris home. I love the chandelier of this bedroom, the armchair, the headboard and the big windows that overlook a balcony. I have the balcony windows in my own bedroom, but they have more of a Spanish feel to it.

Starting the Year Right

Newly organized  files in my home office

It's been really quiet today and I've been able to finally sit down pay my December bills in only a few minutes.  I sorted through the bills in my inbox, worked on the papers scattered on my desk, and then filed everything away. Normally I wouldn't be so efficient, but last November, I asked a professional organizer to come over and help me wade through the chaos of my home office.