I’ve been at a loss about what to cover during these crazy days - I started a half dozen posts that just didn’t feel right. But as I looked around, I saw so many women I admire using this time in really uplifting & profound ways….so THAT is what I want to share with you now! And maybe just maybe it will spark an idea or a solution for you during this trying time. Be well!!
Read MoreAs we’re all still processing the turn of events & coping with a LOT of family togetherness, I thought I’d send along my favorite kind of therapy: MOVIES. All five of these movies/shows have an element of travel & sophisticated dialogue….which let’s just say I’m bit nostalgic for as I sit here in a very frumpy sweatpants/PJs outfit, with background noise of my daughter using blender for a smoothie, my husband talking loudly on international conference call & the dog scratching on door to be let in. Calgon, take me away!!
Read MoreSummer is finally in full swing - so why can’t I relax?? Crazily, it’s because I always overestimate how our summer house will be “done” by this time & then find myself facing reality of projects still unfinished from last summer:( Talk about a First World problem, I know! But if you are on nice long summer vacation or have a place of your own somewhere special, you want to ENJOY it. Here are a few hacks I’ve found to get you there quickly - so you can chill out…
Read MoreIt’s the time of year when we all need a boost to stay motivated, right? For me, that energy almost always comes from entertainment or infotainment — some way to get out of my own head & think about or LAUGH about something else. I’ve been lucky lately, finding all kinds of stuff to keep me engaged. Check these out & feel free to add your own favorites in the Comments so we can ALL enjoy!
Read MoreI’m not a real estate professional, but thankfully I work with a great one, my longtime friend Hans Wydler of Wydler Brothers! Hans sold our previous home in record time and did so again this time around, with contracts submitted just 1 week after first listing. My husband & I were not “planning” to move from our house below this Fall after 12 happy years here, but the chance to try a different lifestyle (moving from Washington DC suburbs to closer downtown, in Georgetown) kind of fell into our lap & so our move is ON — officially set for 10 days from now (gulp!).
Read MoreLast week was my husband & my 21st anniversary, bittersweet because it was same day as a memorial fundraiser for our late friend & Best Man, Bob Miller. So there was no celebration exactly but there was some talk about our time together. “You’ve done some CRAZY stuff in the decades we’ve been together,” Ted said, "but THIS... is by FAR…. the craziest yet,” shaking his head. “This” is our decision to put our house on the market and move to this place….a 19th century row house in a historic part of DC, Georgetown.
Read MoreI’ll admit, I’m 99% motivated by the aesthetics vs. health/planet, but I feel that virtue should not be denied from me. THIS IS A LOT OF WORK & I’m looking for big satisfaction in the end!! I’m such a sucker for home makeover projects.
Read More“Do you have any wrapping paper?” Why yes, I thought so — afterall, I LOVE wrapping presents and finding new ways to put a package together. But in point of fact, my wrapping supplies were picked clean post-Christmas and I hadn’t replenished any supplies. Arghhh…
Read MoreLet’s face it - we are ALL doing too much. I mean it - too many of us are chasing the dream of Pinterest-perfect homes (guilty as charged here), insanely accomplished offspring, healthy gourmet meals (now that one, I cannot be accused of!), stunning social media presences for our businesses & causes, & on…and on.
Read MoreSo against this crazy backdrop, it is a welcome distraction and relief to talk to you about some great fashion items for Spring, brought to us by two amazing women entrepreneurs! I needed an escape & some inspiration today and these ladies do not disappoint.
Read MoreSo against this crazy backdrop, it is a welcome distraction and relief to talk to you about some great fashion items for Spring, brought to us by two amazing women entrepreneurs! I needed an escape & some inspiration today and these ladies do not disappoint.
Read MoreOne of my intentions in starting this blog was to help the design-obsessed homeowner find unique ways to express their style on their own, often without access to an interior designer.
Read MoreLet me state at the beginning that I am an old house snob. I grew up in an 1890’s Victorian house in Darien, Connecticut which was not even considered old by the town’s standards.
Read MoreSince launching this blog, I’ve received so many inquiries from friends and new aquaintances about how THEY can get started on their own website or blog too, which I find very exciting. The funny thing is that as a brand strategy consultant, I’ve helped clients around the world design multi-million dollar online ventures & can do it in my sleep….but doing it for oneself (everyone’s toughest critic & client) and on a shoestring budget - that is hard!
Read MoreWhile not every week is this full of calamities, everyone has SOME weeks that are like this. So the question I’ve been pondering lately (& need more help on!) is how can you automate your home more, so that you — and your brain — are not the exclusive starting engine to keep things humming along??
Read MoreMillions of Americans who say they value their photos more than anything else in their house still have these images scattered in corrosive plastic photo albums from the 80’s and all over their computer with dubious backup. How do we get this done??
Read MoreYou may have heard the rumble about “capsule wardrobes” – and now its cousin, the “Lean Closet” is getting even more traction.What is this and why should you care? Because embracing their principles can save you tons of time, stress – AND help you dress better season after season.
Read MoreI spend a good deal of time in the car. Too much! But last year I discovered how transformative that time could be if I took a tiny bit of time at home downloading some great podcasts.
Read MoreIn my case, I started the year with a great plan, but I quickly realized through trial & error that my new system wasn’t going work - no matter how pretty it was!
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