Sit Back And Relax...

My number one goal in life is to sit back and relax! 
NOT!
 I sure wish it was!

But when I first saw this issue of House Beautiful that's what I felt when I turned to this fabulous article on the home that William Christie bought in France and decided to "breathe new life into it!"
Oh, how I used to love doing just that! In fact, a wonderful designer/friend stopped by the shop today and we were discussing the problems with "downsizing!" 
She said, " I bet you are just like me and you have to put your soul into it!" 
She hit the nail on the head! 
And this is exactly what Mr. Christie has done with this most wonderful estate that was at one time "dilapidated"!

Of course I've never worked on a 16th Century estate in France…but I sure would like to!

And the older I get…the more I realize that not only is the house itself so very important…but the grounds are just as important! They need to be exquisite and they need to be a  place to sit and  quiet your soul! 
I love the sound of the fountains in our pool…they are not grand by any means but they are relaxing! 
They make me feel at home!

And though I am certain that I am way behind on posting this lovely and very well restored estate...

I must admit my take on it was to simply sit and enjoy it's beauty!
 I chose the pictures that I love the most..the ones that make me feel "quiet".

This man is a genius in many ways and House Beautiful did a remarkable job at giving credit where credit is due…to his painstaking efforts at restoring a home and making it a place where he can simply be...

The house as I said is remarkable….

Who wouldn't love this library?

Who couldn't envision themselves sitting alone, quietly on these steps just listening...

Who couldn't envision themselves relaxing and reading in this fabulous slip covered chair?

Or day dreaming in this lovely nook?

Or spending hours out by this pond?

Or simply, feeding the swans by the reflecting pool! 
Really? I can imagine it! Can you?

There is something to be said about the art of being quiet and happy in one's own skin…in one's own home and in one's own surroundings…it may take a bit of getting used to but when it happens…I am sure that it is glorious! ;)
Happy Wednesday! 
Wish you could all stop by our Trunk Show tomorrow! Maybe we should have a "virtual" show one day!
We shall see!
Love to you all!

It's Monday And I Need A Kick Start To My Week!

So….I thought I'd show you just a few of my favorite pics from our family vacation in Hilton Head Island just a mere 3 weeks ago! You're going to love it! 

It all started when Jim and I decided to go a day ahead of all of the kids…."To get the place ready!" You know, grocery shopping, cooking, unpacking…it's the best decision we've made in a long time! 

We loved that 24 hours to ourselves!

We loved the house when we drove up…loved everything about it!

But…when we walked in…all I could think of was TINA!!! I was wanting her to see this lovely blue and white ginger jar that sat alone on the kitchen island! It made my day! My husband didn't really "get it" but he let me take the pics and tell him all about Tina's love for blue and white!

I tried to be excited about the bikes….and the lovely home with the wonderful downstairs area for all of the kids to watch tv in, etc…I say kids like they're little! The youngest is 19 and the oldest is 30! (that doesn't include sweet 6 year old Layton of course!)

I loved that we were right on the beach…had a pool and had a swing set for Layton to play on! Not that she really had time to…but it was a nice idea!

But the more I went around the house taking pictures before it all got "messed up" with everyone arriving the more I saw blue and white at every turn! I simply couldn't help but think of anything else except for Tina's love for blue and white!

The planters outside were blue and white….

The lamps on the outside patio downstairs were blue and white!

Even the ocean and the sand and the umbrella were calling out blue and white to me…yes…those were my first impressions on arriving at our lovely home for the week in Hilton Head! It was funny to me and it was also fun to understand the love someone would have for blue and white! I get it…I have that love for brown and white…for black and white…Transferware that is! But I still get it!

As we enjoyed ourselves at the home all alone…and began to set up "camp" for the week…we were mesmerized with the beauty that draws our family back each year…we were excited to make new memories...

And we were greeted by our loyal friends….they seem to return year after year! Just like us!

Wonder if they love this home for all of it's blue and white as well? I would venture to say they love it for all of it's lush foliage! It's such fun to watch them! They truly are mesmerizing! 

I can't believe I haven't said something about this part of our trip yet…I remember distinctly walking in and seeing this fabulous kitchen and thinking that the gorgeous blue and white ginger jar was almost smiling at me!

I remember thinking…." I cannot wait to blog about this!"

We had such a great family trip! So far…I would say it was my favorite one ever! I hope we can continue to go back but if not, I know for certain we can make special memories wherever we are!

I'm so very thankful for my family! I'm so thankful for vacations where we can spend quality time together! I'm looking very forward to our trip to New Orleans this week to stay with Holly and Brad! I hope to have lots to report about! I need to shop…for my shop….I need new ideas and I need to have fun with my kids in a laid back atmosphere to bring back these great memories of summer! 

I certainly hope that if you don't know who "Tina" is as I've been talking about her throughout this post…that you will check out her incredible blog HERE! It is amazing!

I sure hope there is something to report on after this 4th of July adventure in NOLA! And Yes…it is ALWAYS an adventure there!

 I also hope you read the post on Wednesday…we are detouring from the Birmingham designers to the NOLA designers…one of my all time favorites!

XOXO and Take Care!