August 27, 2013

Books, Books, and More Books

I started to read an article the other day about how to downsize your library. I stopped reading the article. Yes, I have a book addiction, but I have gotten better. Several months ago I got rid of at least 30 or so books to lighten up my shelves, but I know I could/should probably get rid of more considering I keep adding to my collection.

The large bookcase in my living room is filled, the shelves and tables in my office/den are sufficiently covered, even my bedroom has stacks of books on every available surface. (And let's not discuss the girls' rooms. My oldest daughter just found out she has a built-in bookcase in her dorm room and she is thrilled.) But sometimes you have to get a little more creative for those of us who would rather sacrifice surface space than clear away our beloved reads. Here are a few storage ideas you may be able to use:
  1. Think up and over.
  2. Round and round you go.
  3. Expand a staircase.
  4. Think outside the bookcase.
Yesterday while I was in Boston touring my daughter's soon-to-be college campus yet again, we took in the shops at Kenmore Square and I promptly fell in love with the local Barnes and Noble (technically, the B&N at Boston University bookstore). It has five floors filled to the brim with books, notebooks, and everything else a college student could possibly need, including a small café. I was green with envy. I went to school just around the corner and I don't remember having as many bookstore/café options back then. We counted three on our journey without really looking.

We left the store with just one purchase (a record!) and then finally went to the North End for dinner and coffee after walking almost the entire length of the city so she could get her bearings above ground as well as below it. Although she has ridden the "T" countless times, she never had to pay attention. At least my husband and I feel more comfortable knowing she can get around without getting lost. We both have our own personal subway stories, we just wanted hers to be a little less painful. And, of course, find the shortest route back to her dorm with an armload of books.

Photo: decorpad.com

August 15, 2013

Getting Ready

 Last Saturday, I had the privilege of watching my youngest daughter compete in her first official triathlon. To say she actually trained for this event wouldn't be true. She continued her daily workouts, biked along the trails here at home, but other than swimming the course route a couple of times, she was only familiar with the rest of the course because I drove her through it. She and my husband held their 2nd personal triathlon in July on the Cape, and even though the bike and swim portions were longer during their personal competition (take a look back here and here), it doesn't compare with the challenging hills she faced during the Monadnock Challenge. But, boy can that girl fly on a bike!

 It was the ladies turn after the men started things off. I kayaked the route with her and she could manage the .4 mile swim in 15 minutes. During the day of the race, she veered off course to add almost a minute and a half to that time.

Now it was time for the 15.8 mile bike ride up some of the toughest hills around here. I can remember driving the route with her thinking this was going to be rough. We caught up with her when she was more than half way done and finished with a 65:37 having never biked it before. AND she was on a mountain bike, not a racing bike.

Although she ran cross country in middle school. She is not a competitive runner. She runs to clear her head and condition her body. There were times this past year that when I was heading to bed she was heading downstairs to run on the treadmill. Even after playing lacrossegame or practiceshe ran. We caught up with her a mile into the 5K (3.1 miles) and she was hitting a wall. The only thing she might like better than running on her treadmill is running on her treadmill with her iPod. This race didn't allow her that luxury. Let the mind games begin.


She went into this race just to see if she could do it. But as she passed last year's winner (in her division) on her bike, you could see this was becoming more than just a let's-see-if-I-can-do-this sorta thing. My girl finished with the official race time of 02:02:33 coming in second in her division. Well, it fueled her fire. Next year she's planning on actually training.

She is the reason I keep up with my own fitness routine. If we're out for a ride, I ask her to push me faster. When she's taking me through her routine of 1,000 sit-ups in our basement gym, I don't complain. She inspires me in so many ways.

First or last, she's always a winner to me.

August 14, 2013

Black and Brown

When it comes to design, whether it's interiors or fashion, I believe in breaking a few rules. In fact, I encourage it. So when you find something you love, something that works for you, go for it.

A fashion no-no? Not at all. I've always loved combining black and brown (Gray and brown, too for that matter). To say there is a lot of black in my wardrobe would be an understatement. I love neutral pieces that I can dress up with colorful accessories and lots of texture and layers. So this fall, I will snub the naysayers once again and combine colors, styles and textures that speak to me and represent my own personal style. And if you love brown and black as well, check out my Pinterest board, Classic Combinations and a few other photos of lovers of black and brown here.


Fashion Inspiration



Images via maitaispicturebook.com, crushculdesac.tumblr.com, zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com, theaveragegirlsguide.com

August 1, 2013

Had a Blast!

This past weekend (and the start of the work week) has been filled with lots of celebrations and events. We're counting down the days of summer and fitting in as much fun as we can. It just happened that these three events occurred within 4 days!

Taylor Swift did not disappoint her fans last Saturday at Gillette Stadium. This was my second (the girls third) TS concert and the Red Tour was just as wonderful as Fearless. We had fun having lunch at CBS Scene restaurant, walking through the shops of Patriot Place, and running into fellow Peterborough people!


After getting home at 2:30(!), the girls and I headed back down to Foxboro (Crazy, I know, but my husband was kind enough to drive us to and from the concert, but opted out of the second girls-only event. Thank you again honey.) to attend my daughter-in-law's baby shower. Pink was the theme. We're getting ready to welcome another little girl into our family in the next few weeks!


Now it was time for my husband to have some fun. We attended the Red Sox game Tuesday night and enjoyed a small part of the city for just a little while. Our schedules prevented us from making this a day trip, but we did manage to walk around my oldest daughter's future college campus just around the corner. We'll be heading back there soon for another game and to spend the day before the girls head back to school.

Quote I heard over and over from my girls this past week... "I don't want July to be over." I with them. In my next life, I'm inventing a time machine.