Anastasia Was Here

I'm not feeling so hot today. It could be because I have not slept well in a week. Or it could be that the aftershocks from Girls' Night Out are slapping me all up in the face. Either way... ugh. I am no condition to communicate with the world, and it's days like these that make me wonder why in the world anyone is reading my posts. Maybe it's because you often find yourself drawn to places you would never live. Maybe you enjoy playing pretend fantasy life party like I do. Maybe you want to talk about this house.

When I was little, I told everyone my name was Anastasia. My mom was a bit confused by this revelation, but she didn't stop me from spreading the news far and wide that I was the long lost daughter of a Russia Tsar.

I feel like this house suits my fantasy Russian Duchess perfectly.

Leopard wallpaper and all.

[AD Russia]

Persian Rug Fever

Ok everyone, I have something to admit:  over the last few months my house, which once was pulled together with some semblance of design direction, has become the land of lost coffee tables:  a castaway island where craigslist comes to die.  Tired of living amongst the winnings of the thrift store lottery, I bribed Erin with booze to pretty please come over and help me refocus.  No more random tables!!! I cried while swiftly pouring double vodka tonics.  My living room needed a new direction and that direction, we both agreed was a Persian rug.

While just one persian rug will do for now, I plan to relocate here within the coming years.

Yes,  a warm red rug against my white floors, couch and table will get me back on track

These lights may not hurt either.  But the rug, the rug is my beacon shining in the night.

Of course, my whole inspiration was 2-year old Ike's room, which seems both totally ridiculous and absolutely appropriate.

Shiny Kitchen Bling, Plus Some Other Stuff

I had ambitious plans to write an epic post regaling you with tales of golden glory longer than Rapunzel's hair. But since I was up late helping the in laws move into their fancy new pad and didn't even get to scarf down my pizza dinner until after 10 pm, I think I'm just going to keep it summer short (with some awesome good pictures at the end). Ok and maybe I was too busy swimming in their fancy new pool to put anything major major together...

Julie has already christened this "margaritaville" and I am quite sure she is right. Guess I'll break that to the inlaws, uh... now. They read this little old blog sometimes.

Anyway, expect A LOT of paint, furniture and kitchen posts to come in the next weeks as the inlaws have a ton of decorating to do. Woo hoo! We already kicked things off with an inaugural trip to Ikea, where I spied the most amazing mirrored oven:

Sorry -- pictures of this stupid oven are rarer than a one legged unicorn, but I think you get the idea. It's insane. And I think it belongs in one of these kitchens:

I haven't the faintest idea what this gorgeous kitchen bar is made of... Karly would say angel tears.

Jesus, this kitchen even has a gold dishwasher, wtf do they need with a mirrored oven?

Uh.... yeah. Those cabinets + that oven = fingerprint hell. But also one heavenly kitchen.

Later, taters. I have important proxy shopping to do.

[Dimore Studio, Philippe Stuebi, Pia Ulin via Head Over Heels]