Make it a Double

Now that we have two chilluns residing at Casa Giese, we're shuffling our three bedrooms a bit - losing our ever-welcoming, yet hardly-used guest bedroom.

Our three year old, Avery, will take up residence in said guest room, and Isla, the newborn will inherit Avery's smaller, old room as her nursery.

Ben has lamented my decision to put a set of twin beds I redid with new paint, bedding, etc. into Avery's room - rather than keep the queen bed. He claims we won't have anything decent to offer guests, and no adult cares to sleep in a twin bed. I agree about the comfort level of a twin, but I rebut with:
a) We've rarely had overnight guests - and don't foresee having many in the near future.
b) I can't bear the thought of not using the design I just finished for Avery's room less than a year ago.

If I had a do-over, I'd pick up on a trend I feel is a perfect solution: a set of double beds. Not typically seen outside of hotels, but really, what a great compromise: more room and comfort than a single, while maintaining symmetry and separation - in the event of non-married guests.

Bunny Williams' (non-hotelish) application of two doubles was featured recently in Lonny.

In a more cottage or rustic setting, two of those vintage not-quite-twin, but not-quite-double beds would certainly be charming.

However, if like us, you've got twin beds to work with, you could always use them together, as Meg Braff did in this Jamaican beach home.

I absolutely love the look, and it makes a set of twins seem less Donna Reed.

What do you think? Substitute doubles when budget and space allow, or stick to twins?

*Images via MLHP, Lonny, Southern Aspirations, Coastal Living

One for the record books

Do you remember when air travel was easy, fun, even exciting? Probably sometime before 9/11 for most of us.
After twelve weeks, five flight changes, and two missed connections, we finally arrived at our house in Brazil on Tuesday.
Are you ready for the tale? Hope you have your coffee (or other choice beverage) in hand...
*Pics of ordeal not available. See inserted inspiration images for monologue relief*

Saturday, the 24th was my birthday. We had finally received Isla's visa after a twelve week ordeal of government bureaucracy, and we were scheduled to fly home. The girls and I had been in Texas, while Ben worked both in Brazil, and The States, so it was actually a great gift to finally have my family together. The plan was for me to fly with the girls from Houston to Atlanta, where I'd meet up with Ben for the overnight direct flight to Brasilia.

A garden I need - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

When I checked in in Houston - six bags and two kids in tow - I asked the "kind" lady at the counter if she could give a birthday girl some decent seats. Instead I got, "Well, I can give you some bad news on your birthday - your flight has been delayed - you'll get in thirty minutes before your flight to Brazil departs."

I took a deep breath, and just prayed we'd make it - maybe Ben could tell the gate keepers in Atlanta our situation, and they'd wait. I must not have much pull with my prayers, because very shortly thereafter, the flight was further delayed, making it impossible to make our connection.
The direct flights are only offered three times a week, so I knew the earliest we could catch the next flight was Monday, and the agents said there weren't any seats available, anyway. Tears. Restless and tired kids in an airport is not a happy place.

My make-believe Parisian pied à terre

Fast forward to Atlanta. My flight arrived about ten minutes before the Brazil flight was set to take off, so I grabbed the girls, and started to haul it, but Ben met us, and said our seats had been given to standbys. We had to go to the re-booking counter, a train ride three concourses down.

When we got to the counter, I realized I didn't have my carry-on, which I had gate checked. The carry on that contained my $$$ camera/lenses, laptop, iPod, prescription meds, jewelry, oh, and all of Isla's new social security and birth certificate cards. It was a flippin' goldmine for someone with sticky fingers, and I was beside myself. Picture a frantic woman with baby in Bjorn running down the concourse back to the gate - that was me. At the gate - no dice - no one had seen it. Had I left it? I don't know - I was in a serious hurry. It wasn't with the stroller and car seat I had also checked. Again, tears.

Bookshelf goodness

Two hours later - about midnight - the international desk found us seats to fly Monday night, but they weren't direct - we'd have to route through Rio. OK, fine - we just needed sleep. Both girls were still awake - and totally, totally out of their minds tired.

We were told our bags were in a holding area, one we couldn't get to since it was so late. So they sent us on our way to a meager hotel, with a "care kit" that contained a t shirt, a toothbrush, and that's about it. But, before we left, I made a claim for my missing bag.

It was after 2 am Sunday when we all crashed. Happy Birthday to me.

Despite the trendiness, I still love this type of art - for the sheer thundering movement of it

Monday, we were back at the airport, trying to get our bags - for the diapers, changes of clothes we so desperately needed. Good news: bags arrived AND my carry on had shown up in Oklahoma City, and could be sent back later that afternoon. Good thing I got that file started the night before! Major happy dance ensued.

We took a long afternoon nap, and Ben retrieved my carry on that evening - everything intact. Dear God, I know these are not the important things in life, but I owe you one.

Settee and ottoman prettiness

Monday, refreshed with a full-night's rest, we took the girls on the MARTA downtown to the Children's Museum, where Avery had a blast. Took naps and showers, and got ready for our flight.

Before we took the shuttle, I asked Ben to check our flight status (our luck, you know) He got quiet - not good - then said, "Business."
Me: "Hmm?"
Ben: "Business - we got bumped to business - all of us."
Suh-WEEET!
With new spring in our step, we headed to ATL with plenty of time to spare.

Get out of my way, I'm jumping in first!

Then, watched out the windows as the Heavens opened up, and released an enormous deluge. We nervously watched the flight status - it stayed On Time.

We boarded, settled, and began smugly sipping champagne, when the Captain came on the overhead saying we were missing about 70 passengers who were delayed by weather - we would wait for them - for two hours. (Kinda wish they'd offered US that courtesy) Oh well - we were comfy, so it didn't smart as much.

But, it did make us miss our connection in Rio. Ugh, and freakin' ugh BUT with the help of a gracious airline valet - we were rebooked for the next flight, which boarded immediately.

My dream house would most likely have a similar courtyard

It's a short flight - Rio to Brasilia - less than two hours, but we and our kids were toast. Too little sleep. Too much confinement, and our now oh-so-refined rear ends felt especially punished by the coach seats.

We walked in the door of Casa Giese around 3:30 on Tuesday, beat to a pulp, but together, and home.

Avery 3 years, Isla 3 months

Shoppe Local

There's a lot to be said about buying local - from the small business owner trying to make a go of it in this not-too-kind retail environment that tends to favor Big Box discount stores. I've always found individually-owned gift shops offer so much more in terms of unique items, so I was delighted to learn that Lauren Bade was opening her doors in my hometown. My first glimpse of Lauren's clever collection of clothing, jewelry and home accents was at her flagship store in the tourist and shopping mecca of the Texas Hill Country: Fredericksburg.
Here, she's taken a large space in our historic downtown, remodeled half to be the darling shop, while the adjacent half gets a facelift to be a wine tasting room. Perfect!
If you're in this neck of the woods, this is some eye candy you don't want to miss! Beautiful entryway with hardware: You have me at Hello!

Some of that gaga-producing merchandising

Embroidered cotton and silk tunics - Eenie, Meenie, Miney Mo!

Unique jewelry

Frame-worthy papers - too gorgeous to cut!

Precious goodies for the pint-sized among us

And of course, more yummy-ness for grown-ups! If there had been any way for me to lug this tole and beadwork chandy back to Brazil, she'd have gone into Isla's nursery {sigh}

...More lamp lusciousness

Wouldn't a cluster of these reflective votives be beautiful on a tablescape?

...and, the impending Wine Room - can't wait!

Let's just say, her perfectly-selected items and winsome displays left a fine impression. Welcome, Lauren, Victoria is so happy to have you!

Lauren Bade

221 South Main Street

Victoria, TX

361.582.4222

**All photos by alison g. for My Little Happy Place

MLHP on Facebook - Join in!

Just a quick social media update - MLHP now has a Facebook "page!" Many of you have joined the MLHP "group" (I know, page/group = confusing). I'll be shutting down the "group," and to do this, I must remove all the members, but I hope you'll hop on over, and join the conversation on the "page". Here's a link, or you can get on FB, search My Little Happy Place Blog, and then click "like."

I'll post links to blog posts on the wall (that you'll see in your News Feed), as well as additional photos of projects that didn't fit into blog posts. It's a great way to get MORE Happy Place, and a fun way for you to leave feedback on posts, photos, and engage other MLHP readers. So, boot scoot on over, and get your MLHP social media ON! ;)

Eclipse Novella - Read it?

Have any of you read the new, Eclipse novella: The short second life of Bree Tanner? The story as told by a small character, a newborn vampire, from the third installment of the Twilight saga. My friend clued me in about it last weekend, and I picked up my copy today. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Design Super Sleuthing

I'm revisiting Gwyneth, again. It's OK. Stay with me...
After seeing the photos of Paltrow taken for the August Vogue article, I wondered if perhaps they were taken in her home, in her kitchen? The author alludes to the photos being taken on a "vast set," so I figured it was some other highly-stylized kitchen.
However, a few months back, The Happy Home blog did a little design sleuthing, and found images of what she felt were most certainly Gwyneth's Tribeca loft on designers Roman and Williams' website. Gwyneth hired the duo - former set designers known for their ability to translate a client's persona into an interior space - for her part-time, NYC residence. The images on the list of R&W's projects were not credited as the work done for Paltrow, but now, having seen the Vogue spread, I too, feel certain they are of her loft.

So, my question to you is this: If Roman and Williams have a reputation for realizing a client's being through design, what does Gwyneth's home say about her?

This is the kitchen that appears to be the location of the Vogue shoot. The sheer dimension of the Carrara marble on the cooking island is impressive, but overall, the space reads very sterile to me. The kitchen was styled much more warmly for the Vogue shoot, and for her children's sake, hopefully more realistically!

I know the cabinets are most certainly custom, but somehow I feel I could get the same look from Ikea pre-fabs. Am I crazy?

The living room. Again, beautiful, but stark. Hardly practical, especially where kids are concerned. Is that even a factor to consider when this home is most likely a stop-over point between London and L.A.?

The swing, made from an antique, Indian door and custom chain was one of Gwyneth's favorite touches.

A banquette area, most likely opposite the kitchen. I understand the designers wanted the room( not a lot of knick knacks) to be the focus, but I don't get the sense that this is a warm, cozy place where the family sits together to eat.

A "Bed Chamber" -Presumably, the master bedroom.

...and a gilded closet to go-with.

A beautifully-papered hallway leading to the "bed chamber."

The room that gave away the incognito status of the project - labeled "Apple's room." It's lovely, but lonely.

The words perfect, austere, untouchable come to mind. If in fact this home is an interpretation of Gwyneth's personality, I think it speaks volumes as to why people sometimes find her a tough pill to swallow.

Pint-sized soirée

Parties for the pint-sized people in our lives always tend to be a little crazy, but we did our best to create a pretty but fun look for my favorite 3 year-old.

Ice cream cakes - one for you, one for me.

A little natural sugar, too.

The Birthday Girl (it was a swim party)

Birthday Girl's baby sister - giving those cakes the wishful, side-eye

Not exactly a mag-worthy candy bar, but it made the kids happy.

Aaaand...we're done.

***Yesterday, as I read the horrific post about fellow blogger, Marija's, sudden death on Saturday, I was again reminded about the Universe's strange cycle.

As my family rejoiced in the celebration of another year of our child's life, another family's life was devastated. There just aren't words. Peace be with you, Marija.