New Year, New Beginnings

Happy 2010 everyone! Its been a whirlwind of a year here so far... hence my lack of posts. My new job is underway and is extraordinarily busy. I can't complain about surfing the web all day like most new jobs! :)

Now that I'm working in the design world... I've decided most of our furnishings and the design of our place need a major overhaul. I suppose this is the downside of this industry...... more money to spend on my decor than on my wardrobe! So, I'm thinking about redoing the look of our bedroom this month... mainly because its probably the least expensive room to change -- some new bedding, lamps, nightstands, and we'll probably be pretty good to go, save a few accessories.

so, I thought I'd share my latest iterations of the decor... not sure if this will be the final vision of the room. I'm definitely heading into a more mid-century modern look. If you have thoughts -- let me know. I'm thinking a gold /orange/blue color scheme -- all based from the new duvet cover by Dwell Studio. (if you haven't checked out their stuff, you should. its so beautiful). I'll definitely take pics of the final look once i've honed it all down.

Bedroom Inspirations by AlexisPH on Polyvore.com

Hope you're all off to a wonderful 2010 and a bright new decade!

Best,
A

A girl can dream, can't she?

We've been busy squirelling money away lately to save for a new home. Its all very exciting (for us city dwellers, at least) thinking that we may own our own single family home... wow. we've lived upstairs, downstairs, next to, across from people in all kinds of apartment and condo buildings here in the city. to think we may actually own our own home that isn't attached to anyone else's is all very exciting. so, while we keep saving, i linger occasionally on real estate websites, looking up fun new places.

Most days are pretty much the same. but today was different. Today, i found my dream home. they always say location, location, location.... well, I think this location might just be pretty good.







and, the finishes look pretty nice too, so no renovations there.





i'm pretty sure that i wouldn't mind waking up to the view, either.


(Thanks to Rees Roberts who designed this gem of an interior... its so lovely.)

if you have some time, you can check out casa finisterra ... there are many more lovely images to drool over.

MGMT

Okay, I thought I'd share another link to one of my recent favorite groups. They've been around for awhile, but I just love some of their songs. They make me want to get up and dance, so I just had to share. And, we've finally gotten our record player replaced over here... so I even have some new records (this being one of them). I love owning records. There is something very retro, but kind of lovely about them... its like taking a trip back in time.
Enjoy the tunes!

Happy Holidays!

Wow - its been a long time, hasn't it? Sorry about that. I've been really overwhelmed at work lately. Although I have spent the past two weeks in North Carolina, which would usually mean that I'd enjoy warmer weather than here in Chicago. But, no such luck. I was there earlier this week when the huge snowstorms hit - 6-12" across the state. In Chicago, no big deal really. In North Carolina, this is a BIG deal. A really BIG deal! Our hotel shut down all of its restaurants and bars, which left us exhausted and pretty much starving after our final day on the photo shoot. But, all in all, it was a great trip. And, its always fun to see the models and watch the retouchers take 20-30 pounds off of them on the computer. (if only someone could do that to my photos!)

I'll be putting out a few new posts over the next several days, but did want to send out some happy holiday wishes to everyone. I know its a busy time of year and this year we weren't able to get our Christmas cards out on time. But, I wanted everyone to know that we are thinking of them and wishing them love and friendship. Thank you all for being a part of our lives. We are lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

Love,
Alexis & Jamey

Cool Shops

I love to share new Etsy shops when I find them... partly because its a small business and its creative, but also because they have some really cool stuff! I just was introduced to a few new finds and I thought I'd share them with you.

Elemental Threads recycles those old t-shirts that you love, but probably shouldn't wear anymore, into a brand new bag. You can choose one of their already made bags, or even send in a tshirt that you love to be repurposed. How cool is that? most recycled t-shirt bags are a steal too - at only $19

PataPri sells the cutest hand towels and aprons. What great inspiration for the kitchen. Wouldn't it just make you happy to cook if your hand towels all looked like these?!

SilhouetteBlue has the cutest personalized notecards and stationary. Isn't it wonderful when you actually get something in the mail these days? I'm hoping I have a use for these someday soon... because they are just too cute to pass up.

ChromaLab makes the best clocks. I'm not usually a fan of the wall clock... I suppose it reminds me of all those years of school spent staring at the wall clock, willing it to be 3pm. But, these clocks just might make me change my mind!

Bumblebelly Designs has some really fun pillows (plus some really cool other items). I especially love the Old MacDonald series of pillows that say "woof", "cluck", or "quack". Definitely a touch of whimsy.

If you've got any Etsy recommendations, send them along. I'm always on the lookout for new ones to peruse.

Happy shopping!

Great Site for Giving

I just got word about a new site called www.Kiva.org. What an amazing idea - you can help fund a micro-loan to someone around the world. Here's what Kiva says

The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on Kiva, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else.

Check it out sometime when you're in a giving mood.

Another special birthday!

I have another special birthday wish to make (I know, all of a sudden, I'm back on the birthday post bandwagon).


Happy birthday to my husband and best friend Jamey! Thanks for everything that you do all year to make things special for family and friends. Here's to another wonderful year (and that special part of the year where you're 2 years older than me -- old man!) and lots of fun surprises. I even found a special birthday tribute that's just your style... I love you! Happy birthday!


I'm stuck traveling this year on Jamey's birthday (boo hoo), so I'm sending him happy thoughts from afar... but for those of you who get this and have a minute... give him a ring and say hello!