tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79328922618945064462024-03-12T18:45:07.746-07:00Just BeachyAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-42488586536035553572017-08-01T17:23:00.000-07:002017-08-01T17:23:09.139-07:00Dream House: Dining RoomIt has been far too long since I've posted something on this blog, almost a year, as a matter of fact. I've made some alterations to my dream house floor plan and I've been working slowly but surely on the dining room. I feel like my problem is that I have an idea in my head of how I want a room to look and I select certain pieces and then I see something I like even better in a new magazine and change the whole design around. Now I understand why it takes so long when someone remodels their own home. It's always different when designing someone else's space.<br />
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Here's the new floor plan of the house. I added an actual powder bathroom, as well as a bay window to the dining room. I'm much happier with it now.<br />
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The dining room I had a hard time with. I changed the dining table a few times and went through about 10 chairs before I finally chose the Saarinen chair. At first I was going to use a leather on the back of the chairs and a fabric on the seat, and then decided on using the blue snake-pattern leather on the backs of all the chairs with six different leather colors to go on each of the chair seats and back fronts. It would definitely be a colorful, moody dining room, which suits me. </div>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-3887695993960984652016-09-26T14:11:00.000-07:002016-09-27T09:22:45.808-07:00Fall inspiration<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/pantone-color-of-the-year-fall-2016.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo pantone-color-of-the-year-fall-2016.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/pantone-color-of-the-year-fall-2016.jpg" height="380" width="400" /></a>
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In honor of Fall I thought I'd share some fun ways to spice up a room for the new season incorporating some of the above selected Pantone colors. I wanted to start with a piece of art and I didn't mean to get so literal with Fall, but I'm a sucker for cityscapes and I think this piece from <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/p-16989-downtown.aspx">ZGallerie</a> can translate into any season.</div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Living%20Rooms/Fall%20color%20board%20pic.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Fall color board pic.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Living%20Rooms/Fall%20color%20board%20pic.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
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From the art selection I picked a paint color. It just happens that Sherwin Williams has already named their color for 2017, <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2017-color-forecast/color-of-the-year/?WT.ac=/architects-specifiers-designers/ CS1 /architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2017-color-forecast/color-of-the-year/">"Poised Taupe",</a> which I thought worked really well with the art and creates a really warm, inviting atmosphere. It's actually a really versatile color. As Sherwin Williams says: "This timeless neutral is modern, classic and a beautiful balance of warm and cool."</div>
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Paint can be a really obvious way to change up a room, but there are times -- like when you rent, for instance -- that this just isn't possible. Another big way to make a statement in a room is with an area rug and I'm completely addicted to rugs from <a href="http://www.abchome.com/">ABC Home</a>. I will admit these <a href="http://www.abchome.com/shop/aquasilk-overdyed-rug-7-11-x10-3-1435850">aquasilk rugs</a> like the one I chose are an expensive statement, but they do have sales and sometimes you can get lucky with the rugs on clearance. These are high quality rugs that would be well worth the investment.</div>
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The living room just made sense to choose as an example for this post because, after your bedroom, your living room should be the most comfortable room in the house. Arhaus has some gorgeous <a href="http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/living-room-furniture/sectional-sofas/">sectional sofas</a> and my favorite is the <a href="http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/living-room-furniture/sectional-sofas/truffle-122-inch-four-piece-upholstered-sectional-in-milano-millstone/">Truffle</a> pictured above. What better place to get cozy in the colder months? Of course, throw pillows are the easiest and most cost effective way to update a room. There are so many great colors in the art and the rug to pull from and you can change up the pillow covers all year round. I had to throw in that gorgeous skull pillow from Arhaus for Halloween.</div>
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Lighting can make a huge difference in a room. The general rule is to have three different sources of light in one room (overhead, table, ambience, direct, etc). Table lamps are the most fun, in my opinion, and I love this <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kelton-table-lamp/s565911">Kelton lamp</a> from Crate & Barrel, but even <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/lighting/10732/">Ikea</a> has some great affordable table lamps.</div>
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Last, but not least, I added some scented candles. One of my favorite things growing up was the smell of cinnamon candles in the fall and pine in the winter for Christmas. Not only can they create a mood with scent, but also with that soft, warm light. These candles from <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/antiqued-mercury-glass-scented-candles-d4039/?pkey=challoween&&challoween">West Elm</a> have the added appeal of stylish glass votives that you can use even when the candle is done.</div>
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Happy decorating!</div>
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<em><a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/p-16989-downtown.aspx">ZGallerie "Downtown" 33"Hx63"W $299.95</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.abchome.com/shop/aquasilk-overdyed-rug-7-11-x10-3-1435850">ABC Home Aquasilk overdyed silk rug 7'11x10'3 $12,900</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/living-room-furniture/sectional-sofas/truffle-122-inch-four-piece-upholstered-sectional-in-milano-millstone/">Arhaus Truffle 4-piece sofa in Deluxe Amethyst Cambridge fabric on sale now $5,199</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kelton-table-lamp/s565911">Crate & Barrel Kelton table lamp $249</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/antiqued-mercury-glass-scented-candles-d4039/?pkey=challoween&&challoween">West Elm Antiqued Mercury Glass scented candles $39 (medium), $59 (extra large)</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/brenner-rust-orange-20-velvet-pillow-with-feather-down-insert/s440554">Crate & Barrel Yellow and Rust Orange Velvet throw pillows $44.95 ea</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/teal+overdyed++cotton+throw+pillow.do?&from=fn">World Market/Cost Plus Teal Overdyed cotton throw pillow $34.99</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/decor/pillows-and-throws/all-pillows-and-throws/museum-silver-beaded-skull-pillow-in-natural-linen/">Arhaus Museum silver beaded Skull throw pillow in natural linen $99</a></em></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-31160289530284933062016-09-13T10:34:00.001-07:002016-09-13T10:34:33.790-07:00Guide - a short storyI had the idea for this story a year ago, but it stuck with me. So much so that I wrote it out in one afternoon a few months ago. I think it's ready to share now. Enjoy.<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Guide</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">She was making her way across a crowded, high-ceilinged
lobby when she saw him. There was a flicker of recognition, followed closely by
confusion. How could he be here? Was she dreaming?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then he saw
her and his face lit with recognition, and she knew she was dreaming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He stood
calmly, waiting for her as she approached. She couldn't understand it, this
compulsion to speak to him, but it felt right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A female
voice from behind called, "River!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He raised
his hand in greeting and said, "Hi, Laura," but he didn't move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In no time
at all he was close enough to touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hello,
Jane," he said. "I've been waiting for you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'm
dreaming, aren't I?" She studied his untroubled face, young and untouched
by time. His blue eyes were piercing this close. She was having a remarkably
vivid dream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He smiled.
That bad-boy, half smile like she remembered from </span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Thing Called Love</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"No,
you're not dreaming."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"How
are you here?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Where
is here?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She looked
around. They were no longer in the lobby full of people rushing to work. She
remembered it now, the last place she'd worked before getting married and
having three kids. But now a wide corridor stretched out behind her, its
stark-whiteness giving the impression it went on forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She looked
back at River, who was miraculously still there. "I don't know where we
are."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"What
do you remember last?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
stumbled around her memories for a moment. Why couldn't she remember? And then
his face popped into her head. "My husband." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But that
wasn't it. Will died three years ago. Their children were grown. One of them
lived in Colorado. She'd been on her way there. Some of it was coming back, but
it hurt her head. When she brought her hands up to her face to brush away her
swirling thoughts, she realized her hands were not her own. She looked down at
her body. She was young again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"This
has to be a dream. I haven't been this young in decades."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You're
not dreaming," he repeated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"How
else do you explain this conversation? You've been dead for decades and I never
knew you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He smiled,
so calm and steady. "You always knew me, just not on earth."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"On
earth?" What was he saying?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Do
you remember driving, Jane?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She nodded.
"Driving to Penny." Her daughter. Colorado. The snow. She'd never
driven in the snow. A sudden realization hit her. "I died, didn't I?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He watched
her, waiting for her to have a break down or explode.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally,
when she did neither, he said, "Your body died, Jane, but you're
here."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But I
remember." Her hands went to her head again. She remembered the impact.
She felt it. "I hit my head."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A mirror
appeared on the wall behind River, and her face reflected back at her, only it
wasn't her face. She was twenty-five again. There was no blood to be seen, and
instantly the pain vanished. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Anything
you're feeling now is a phantom. You're still tethered to your body, but that
will fade."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But
I'm dead." She felt the truth of the words the moment she said them, but
also the lack of emotion associated with them. Shouldn't she feel something?
Panic? Fear? Loss? There was a strange lightness in their place she'd never
felt before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Your
body was mortal, but your soul isn't. You're not dead, Jane."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mirror
dissolved from the wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Let's
walk for a while," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
followed him down more white, dizzying corridor, though doors appeared
periodically along the right wall. Even though she'd never been there, the
space felt familiar somehow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"So if
we're not on earth, where are we?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
never said we're not on earth."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She stopped
walking. "Is my husband here?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
hesitated before he turned to face her. "There are some things I can't
tell you, but you'll understand soon enough."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Why
you? Why did you meet me?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
volunteered."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But I
don't remember you."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He smiled
again. "You will. We've known each other a very long time."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She stared
at him, unable to comprehend any world in which she might have known River
Phoenix. "Where are you taking me?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'm
here to guide you to your door."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"My
door?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You'll
remember everything when you go through your door."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You
had a door?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"We
all do."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She turned
to face the door behind her. "Is this my door?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"No.
You'll know when it's your door."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Have
you done this before?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He shook
his head. "You can only guide someone once."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"So
how do you know what to do?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I had
a guide too."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Who?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You'll
remember her too."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled
serenely at her.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"So
this isn't your job, guiding people?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"We
don't have jobs. Each of us has a purpose, a specialty."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But...why
me?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
told you, I volunteered."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"</span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Why</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> did you volunteer?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Because
I wanted to."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She made an
exasperated sound. "How do I know you're not lying, making all of this up?
How can I trust you if I don't know you?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He flashed
that sly grin again and said, "What does it matter if you're dead or dreaming?"
He watched her for a moment before he started walking again.
"Besides," he said over his shoulder, "I can't lie, and neither
can you."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She caught
up with him. "You can't lie," she repeated skeptically. "How
does that work?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"People
still tell half-truths, only part of the information, but they can't lie."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Did
you believe your guide?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Not
at first."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But
it didn't take much convincing for you," she guessed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
shrugged. "I wasn't occupying a body as long as you were. Everyone's
different. Sometimes the stronger the mind and body, the stronger the hold it
has."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was her
turn to smirk. "Are you trying to tell me I'm stubborn?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That's
one way of putting it."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As they
were walking, their surroundings had changed again. She was struck with a
memory so powerful it was like she really was twenty-five again. "This
corridor reminds me of Versailles." Just as she spoke the words, the whole
corridor transformed into her favorite part of Versailles: the high decorative
ceiling, the gilded walls, the windows on their left, and one pair of double
doors on their right. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She knew
they were hers. They pulled at her like a magnet.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>River's
smile spoke volumes. He was radiant.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You
said </span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">a</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> door," she said, laughing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Like
I said, everyone's different. I know someone who told me their door was
actually a pair of French doors that were just like the ones that led out to
the balcony in their favorite apartment."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"And
yours?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A faraway
look crossed his face. "It was a large wood door, very ornate, lots of carvings
like something you'd see in Morocco. It was beautiful."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"And
the room?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He gazed
upward. "It was not like this." He laughed. "This is all
you."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You
made that mirror appear earlier." She hadn't realized until now that it
might not have appeared on its own.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He smiled
and nodded once. She saw then his true depth; how much older and wiser he was
than he first appeared. "Is everyone this young here?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Young
is subjective."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She looked
back at the doors. She thought she could hear the faint sound of bells or
glasses clinking together on the other side. "What will I find on the
other side? Am I going to heaven?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He looked
almost mischievous at this. "There is no heaven and hell, only
choice."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She let his
words sink in before an alarming thought occurred to her. "Does anyone
choose to not go through their door?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Yes,"
he said, sadly. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"And
what happens to them?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"They
stay here, able to visit their old life, the people they love, but they are no
longer a part of it."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That
does sound like hell."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His silence
sounded like agreement.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Can
they never go through their door then? Will it disappear?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"No,
they can come back. It's always here, waiting for them."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She took a
step toward the doors. "What will happen to you, where will you go when I
go through?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Home."
As though he could sense her next question, he added with a smile, "You'll
see."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"So
I'll see you again?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His smile
was radiant again. "Oh, yes."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She turned
back to her doors almost reluctantly. No matter their pull, she suddenly realized
his pull. She hesitated with her hand outstretched toward the ornate golden
doorknob, and turned back. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"River?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Yes,
Jane."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Why
do you think you were so unhappy when you had a body?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He hardly
paused before he said, "Because I remembered too much."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her hand
touched the doorknob when River said, "No matter what you see, just know
this is how it was supposed to be."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She didn't
know what he meant, but his encouraging smile and nod seemed to tell her that
she would know soon enough.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-42409614235825617582016-07-25T10:12:00.000-07:002016-07-27T15:30:39.369-07:00Ride with Norman Reedus<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/ride3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ride3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/ride3.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>(Episode 2 Death Valley: Dante's View)</em></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This feels more like a book review than anything else considering the show is already over, but I liked the idea of experiencing all of a show like <em><a href="http://www.amc.com/shows/ride-with-norman-reedus">Ride with Norman Reedus</a></em> before talking about it. Its debut season was only 6 episodes so it felt a little like a mini-series, short and sweet, but just long enough to really miss it when it's over. (I'm sure there's a "that's what she said" joke somewhere in there...)</div>
<br />
I've been on the Norman Reedus bandwagon for some time now, though I don't even like saying that because it's really <i>The Walking Dead </i>bandwagon. (But don't get me wrong, Daryl is my favorite character.) Everything about that show is incredible-the writing, the acting, the sets, the makeup, the zombies. Anyone who knows anything about me knows I love amazing, well told stories, and this is one of them. I have a hard time shutting up about <i>TWD</i> actually. After getting hooked on <i>TWD</i>, I got hooked on Daryl and then on Norman. Finding out what a talented, amazing man Norman is, it totally made sense that the creators of <i>TWD</i> invented the character of Daryl just to have Norman on the show. There's a reason why everyone who meets Norman tends to refer to him as the kindest human being they've ever met. I've never heard him say a negative thing about anyone or anything, and everything he says and does is genuine. He's one of the amazing few who, with no force necessary, brings people together and generally makes the world around them a better place. It's no wonder people are drawn to him.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/ride2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ride2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/ride2.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div align="center">
<em>(Episode 3 with Jason Paul Michaels in Appalachia: Blue Ridge Parkway)</em><br />
</div>
It's also no wonder that <i>Ride</i>, which AMC created just for him (I'm noticing a pattern here), is such a pleasure to watch. This is all Norman, not a character he is playing, and it's incredibly endearing to see these different sides of him as he experiences new things all across the US. (He seems especially brave about trying new food, which he often let other people order for him on the show, and he would try whatever was put in front of him.) Some of these new things include, but are not limited to, riding a dune buggy for the first time at Pismo Beach, learning how to pop a wheelie on a dirt bike in the Nevada desert, racing porta potties in Georgia, and walking through a Louisiana swamp to catch crawfish. (Most of that Louisiana episode had me in tears I was laughing so hard.)<br />
<br />
One of the my favorite things about watching <i>Ride</i> was that every episode made me want to get out and explore. All the places he visited, especially New Orleans, I would love to see. In episode one he travels up the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to Pismo Beach to Santa Cruz. I've grown up on the beach in Oxnard and I've only traveled as far north on the road as Santa Barabara. I was actually trying to plan a road trip up the coast to San Francisco for my birthday this year, and Vegas happened instead, but I'm still determined to make that trip happen. Maybe for my 33rd birthday next year. No matter when I go, I will be stopping in Pismo to ride a dune buggy.<br />
<br />
Another great thing about the show, besides drooling over gorgeous motorcycles for forty-five minutes, is how fun and uplifting the episodes are. I was in the best mood after I watched them, and as I said before, watching episode five in Louisana with Brent Hinds from Mastodon made me laugh so hard. That's probably my favorite episode. Norman and Brent were just the best form of entertainment.<br />
<br />
It's obvious, though, that the very last episode in Florida with Peter Fonda was Norman's favorite. He's said before that Peter in <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064276/">Easy Rider</a></i> was the reason he got into motorcycles, and he was totally geeking out riding with Peter through the Florida Keys. But if that was Norman geeking, then I'm impressed. He totally kept his cool, and Peter seemed just as taken with Norman as Norman was with him. I sincerely hope that more of Norman's fans will take a lesson from him and keep their cool when meeting him. He's a person too, albeit an above average one on the amazing-human-being scale. <br />
<br />
So here's to a second season of <em>Ride</em>. I would love to see where Norman explores next, and it's so cool that he's willing to share that with all of us. And really I hope there's another season because he looks like he's having so much fun. You deserve it, Norman.<br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/ride4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ride4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/ride4.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a>
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<em>(Episde 2 with Balthazar Getty in Death Valley)</em></div>
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P.S. I find it fitting that this is my 500th post. What better way to celebrate such a landmark than with Norman?</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-54084813066822273032016-07-08T08:27:00.003-07:002016-07-08T08:27:56.562-07:00Dream House: Kitchen Board<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Kitchens/Kitchen%20floor%20plan.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Kitchen floor plan.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Kitchens/Kitchen%20floor%20plan.jpg" /></a><br />
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I would say, out of most of the major rooms in a house, I probably spend the least amount of time in the kitchen. I'm not a terrible cook, but I don't particularly enjoy it. I love to bake, but when one is attempting to cut sugar out of their life, it doesn't make much sense to be baking things one can't eat.<br />
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I do know, however, that after living in apartments most of my life I've had my fill of white countertops. The top picture is basically my dream kitchen, just probably with grey cabinets, though I can't decide if I like the clean look of the cabinets in the top picture better than the more traditional look of the bottom picture. I figure it's a decision best left for when I have an actual kitchen to design. The easiest decision is the backsplash. Those Turkish ceramic tiles from Ann Sacks in the top picture really do take the cake.</div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Kitchens/Kitchen%20board2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Kitchen board2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Kitchens/Kitchen%20board2.jpg" height="461" width="640" /></a></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-73656272129273532092016-06-18T05:00:00.000-07:002016-06-18T23:02:55.175-07:00Jane Two<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/image.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo image.jpeg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/image.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I love this story. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it for the past two weeks. When I wasn't reading it, I wanted to be reading it. I can relate so much to Mickey, how he pines after this girl (Jane, obviously) who he knows without a doubt is the best thing to ever grace the earth, but is too shy to tell her, so he writes her letters instead.</div>
<br />
I first heard about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Two-Sean-Patrick-Flanery/dp/1455539430"><em>Jane Two</em></a><em> </em>when Norman Reedus posted about it on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BC0cZ3sscA2/?taken-by=bigbaldhead">Instagram</a>. I'm a fan of both Norman and Sean, and I'll freely admit I had every intention of reading <em>Jane Two</em> before I even knew what it was about. I was not expecting to be blown away with how good not just the story is, but the writing as well. As a writer myself, and an avid reader, I have to say, Sean, I'm impressed. <br />
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I love all the messages in this story: passing knowledge and wisdom from generation to generation, the relationships between grandparents and grandchildren, parents and their children, the sometimes tenuous love between siblings, family, what it means to be a kid, growing up, the power of music, a sense of belonging and home, loss, but most of all love--the unconditional, soul-deep kind that breaks boundaries and brings out who we really are, that makes us seek the impossible and makes it possible, that speaks without words; the kind of love that is even understood at the age of eight. And, most important, that life is too short to wait. <br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/jane%20two%20quote.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo jane two quote.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/jane%20two%20quote.jpg" /></a>
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Mickey is such a likable protagonist, and the situations he gets himself into--including, but not limited to, the opening of the story in which he climbs up a flag pole to rescue Jane's shoes--made me laugh aloud. I particularly enjoyed his conversations with his granddaddy (and the fact that he calls him his granddaddy.) who speaks with a thick Louisiana accent, as well as every single reference to the 70's, like every time I opened up the book I was going back in time. It brought back the feeling that I've had many times over my lifetime that I was born in the wrong time.</div>
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What's so great about Sean's storytelling is the vivid sense of place--using the culture of the 70's (I love all the references to music) and setting and all five sense puts the reader firmly in the small Texas town where the story takes place. Sense of smell is especially great, like when Mickey comes home as an adult and so much comes back to him with smell. It felt really clear to me that much of this story is semi-autobiographical because of the clarity of Sean's voice. If you've ever seen any of Sean's movies, you'll be able to hear him like he's telling the story to you in person. Even without knowing him, I heard so much of him in the story, which made it all the more poignant, especially the end. I was in tears. And I'm sure this story will move me to tears even after I've read it again and again.<br />
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So thank you for telling this story, Sean. You have no idea how much I could relate to it, and how much I needed to hear it.<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-52121013636672633592016-06-16T17:08:00.000-07:002016-06-16T17:08:26.206-07:00Dream House: Powder Bathroom Board<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Dream%20house%20floor%20plans/FB-%20Floor%20Plan%203.30.16.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo FB- Floor Plan 3.30.16.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Dream%20house%20floor%20plans/FB-%20Floor%20Plan%203.30.16.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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I always start out with projects like these with every intention of posting monthly. Even the best of intentions cannot withstand the shitstorm that life sometimes churns out. As it was I didn't post my first dream house design board for the entry of the house until April (you can see it <a href="http://amandabrookeb.blogspot.com/2016/04/dream-house-entry-board.html">here</a>, and since it's been a little while I thought I'd share the entire plan above again).<br />
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It wasn't long before I realized how much work I had cut out for me with just about every room in this house, and it was a great reminder as to why interior design is a full time job. Not that I need reminding. I do this for a living, but in a completely different field of design (commercial office spaces) and it's been a while since I had a hand in designing a home, even a pretend one. It was also a great reminder as to why I chose to go to college and get a degree and do this for a living and read design magazines like a fiend. This stuff is fun.<br />
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So this isn't the most traditional powder bathroom. It's technically just a guest bathroom, but I couldn't work an actual powder bathroom into the plan, so just go with it. I found the Ann Sacks Marrakech mosaic and was in love immediately. It would surround the shower and extend across the vanity wall. Feels like it would be a very moody bathroom. </div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Powder%20bath%20layout.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Powder bath layout.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Powder%20bath%20layout.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Powder%20bath%20board.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Powder bath board.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Powder%20bath%20board.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ann Sacks <a href="http://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/chrysalis-mosaics#/chrysalis-marrakech">Chrysalis Marrakech mosaic tiles</a>.</div>
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Sherwin Williams SW6510 Loyal Blue high gloss paint.</div>
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Ann Sacks <a href="http://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/cirrus-field-tile">Cirrus Porcelain flooring</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Purist-widespread-bathroom-sink-faucet-with-low-lever-handles-and-low-spout/productDetail/sink-faucets/421471.htm?skuId=373098&brandId=1152540">Kohler Purist fixtures</a>.</div>
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Restoration Hardware <a href="https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1553006&categoryId=cat1639032">Classic wall mirror</a>. </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-31150285266737676532016-05-12T11:42:00.000-07:002016-05-12T11:59:29.958-07:00Life is Now<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/9b137ad901deb207c8d250e6c217be14.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 9b137ad901deb207c8d250e6c217be14.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/9b137ad901deb207c8d250e6c217be14.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a>
</div>
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<em>Life is now, not tomorrow or the next day.</em><br />
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Do you know how difficult this concept is for me to grasp? It's like trying to hold water in my hands. (I suppose a smart person who does live in the present would say, "That's crazy. It's not a concept. It just is," like you either did the homework or you didn't.)<br />
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I don't know why but I've never (other than when I was small and didn't know any better) lived in the moment, always the past or the future, constantly worrying, wondering, dreaming.<br />
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I suppose my mulling this over in my head is close to living in the moment. It's a self-actualization moment. Or something.<br />
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Really, I was trying to fall asleep and these thoughts popped into my head, and some rang true and poetic so I had to turn the bedside lamp back on and drag out my pen and paper from the nightstand (because what self-respecting writer doesn't always have pen and paper on hand? or a smart phone; that works too.), and scribble it all down.<br />
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I don't know why writing my novel can't be as simple as spilling all my thoughts out on paper. <br />
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Well, I do know: I think too much. Dreaming can be a good thing; one must always have goals and plans and things to look forward to, but, as JK Rowling (via Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) says, "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." (you know, that might actually be from the movie, but whatever.)<br />
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When did I forget to live?<br />
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It must have been some time in elementary when I realized people harbored opinions of me, and I decided to fear those opinions, like walking through a minefield. That dreaded mis-step and <em>poof!</em><br />
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It's absurd, I know. But the first step to recovery is acceptance, when you've past that stage of crippling denial and you want to change your circumstances.<br />
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So why am I laying here, my eyes burning, my hand already tired of writing out my random stream of thought? Perhaps I'm hoping I'll talk/think/write my way into an epiphany and everything, all this muck I've been stuck in, will become clear, everything will make sense.<br />
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And maybe I'm hoping that when I share these random thoughts on this little, insignificant blip of a blog, somewhere someone will read them someday and say, "Yes!" *<em>lightbulb</em>*<br />
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There I go again, grasping for the unknown future.<br />
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<em>Oh, lord help the idealist who cannot save herself, for she knows there is no knight in shining armor coming to save her.</em><br />
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<em>P.S.</em> I'm still working on my design boards, in case anyone was wondering. I'm having a difficult time deciding what room to do next (and a difficult time with time), but it will most likely be the kitchen, dining room, or powder bathroom.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-30137035530187952912016-04-08T06:00:00.000-07:002016-04-08T15:55:37.657-07:00Dream House: Entry Board<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Dream%20house%20floor%20plans/FB-%20Floor%20Plan%203.30.16.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo FB- Floor Plan 3.30.16.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Dream%20house%20floor%20plans/FB-%20Floor%20Plan%203.30.16.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last year I had so much fun collecting inspiration photos for my <a href="http://amandabrookeb.blogspot.com/search/label/Dream%20House">dream house</a>. This year I wanted to use a floor plan I adapted myself and design it room by room using digital design boards as though it was my own house. I haven't been this excited about a make believe design project since design school. I've been delayed the first few months of this year with real design work and my novel (that still isn't done), but I finally got around to finishing up the plan above. It's probably quite a bit bigger than any house I'll end up living in, but you never know, and I wanted to have a few guest rooms just for the fun of showcasing different themes.</div>
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For obvious reasons, I thought I'd start with the entry.</div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Entry%20plan.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Entry plan.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Entry%20plan.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Entry%20board%20rev.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Entry board rev.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Entries%20and%20Powder%20Baths/Entry%20board%20rev.jpg" height="477" width="640" /></a></div>
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Paint: Sherwin Williams Slate Tile SW7624</div>
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Area rug: Overstock Safavieh Antiqued Vintage rug</div>
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Console table: West Elm Lacquer Storage Console</div>
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Side Chair: Wayfair Clairborne side chair<br />
Side Chair Fabric: Maharam Chenille Cord, Tide (407808-003)</div>
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Table Lamp: Pottery Barn Glazed Glass Lamp</div>
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Mirror: Overstock</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-77585332827959448462016-01-22T17:08:00.001-08:002016-01-22T17:08:41.904-08:00Goals for a New Year<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/a3746f0dca0b73c0ba499c2a4ad9b317.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo a3746f0dca0b73c0ba499c2a4ad9b317.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/a3746f0dca0b73c0ba499c2a4ad9b317.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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I'm making this my motto for the year. It applies to so many aspects of my life right now it's scary and exciting at the same time. Things will change this year, big changes, drastic changes and I think I like that. Already things are changing in certain areas of my life that I did not ask for and I'm not happy with. I will be the first to admit I don't do well with change, at least not immediately. It takes time for me, but over time, as I've been told before, I am very adaptable. I'm trying my hardest to see the silver linings here, but I think I might have to make some extremely hard decisions this year. </div>
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All that being said, making the hard decisions for myself means I'm being honest, and it means I'm the one creating the life I want, and not one that is dictated by people that are under the misconception that they can use me for their own means or gain. </div>
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I started out this year on a good note, making my goals I'm about to share on January 1st and feeling like this was going to be a good year, and now I'm tired and I'm angry. But I have been learning that <a href="http://goop.com/the-anger-detox/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Read%C2%A0more%C2%A0&utm_content=Read%C2%A0more%C2%A0&utm_campaign=2016_01_14_newsletter&_bta_tid=3.AIvR.CJgbvw.F2Q8.AUcPmA..AgqLwQ.b..l.CDV9.n...rNe64A">anger is a powerful emotion</a> that should never ever be ignored or stifled. It means there is something vital to our soul's happiness that is not being expressed, though learning how to express anger in a way that is powerful and productive is an art. Learning to channel anger into creativity and drive to get the things you want most in life is a challenge I'd like to take on. </div>
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For now I'm going to continue a tradition I started back in <a href="http://amandabrookeb.blogspot.com/2013/01/hello-2013.html">2013</a> of sharing memories from the previous year, and goals for the new year.</div>
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<u>15 Memories of 2015:</u></div>
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1 Re-wrote my entire novel</div>
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2 Finished Calling in the One</div>
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3 Reconnected with someone I hadn't seen in 8 years on Facebook, and now we're dating.</div>
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4 Went to Aftershock Music Festival in October</div>
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5 Consistently kept up yoga and found a wonderful friend in my yoga instructor.</div>
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6 Started archery in August<br />
7 Got my first bow<br />
8 Celebrated 3 years at <a href="http://poi.bz/">POI</a><br />
9 Went to Universal Halloween Horror Nights<br />
10 Tried dating on both Match and Eharmony (neither went very well)<br />
11 Sent Norman Reedus a fan letter :)<br />
12 A friend from high school passed away<br />
13 Spent Thanksgiving with the new boyfriend and his family<br />
14 My mom got herself a new car after being car-less for most of the year<br />
15 Had someone to kiss at midnight on New Years eve<br />
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<u>16 Goals for 2016:</u><br />
1 Finish my novel (I feel like I've said this every year since 2012, but I'd really like to finish it this year. It's so close to being done it's frustrating.)<br />
2 Find an agent for my novel<br />
3 Move into my own place<br />
4 Start the sequel to my novel<br />
5 Keep up my dream house posts monthly: boards by room<br />
6 Share excerpts from my novel on this blog<br />
7 Pay off more debt<br />
8 Get enough of a raise to move out on my own<br />
9 Be consistent with my French lessons<br />
10 Buy new pieces of furniture for my new place<br />
11 Complete my gallery wall in my hallway<br />
12 Buy my own <a href="http://www.enagic.com/shop/en/machines.html">Enagic</a> water machine<br />
13 Do a handstand in yoga<br />
14 Visit the beach more often<br />
15 Ask for what I want (I need to get more comfortable with this)<br />
16 Follow my <a href="http://www.passionplanner.com/">passion planner</a></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-81044088368444805812015-12-09T15:34:00.000-08:002015-12-09T15:34:25.921-08:00Dream House: Gallery WallsI've been wanting to put a gallery wall together in my apartment for months. I have yet to buy enough frames, but I'm hoping these photos will get me motivated.<br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/Gallery%20wall-%20ED-Daniel%20Beauchemin.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Gallery wall- ED-Daniel Beauchemin.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/Gallery%20wall-%20ED-Daniel%20Beauchemin.jpg" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/house-interiors/g2345/going-dutch/?slide=7">Daniel Beauchemin</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/york%20ave-jaqui1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo york ave-jaqui1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/york%20ave-jaqui1.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://yorkavenueblog.com/my-home-tour-on-apartment-therapy/">York Avenue</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/AD-contemporary-bedroom-aero-studios-new-york-new-york-200711_1000-watermarked.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-contemporary-bedroom-aero-studios-new-york-new-york-200711_1000-watermarked.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/AD-contemporary-bedroom-aero-studios-new-york-new-york-200711_1000-watermarked.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/contemporary-bedroom-aero-studios-new-york-new-york-200711">Aero Studios</a></em><em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/design%20dump%20office.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo design dump office.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/design%20dump%20office.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://mydesigndump.blogspot.com/2014/05/one-room-challenge-reveal-my-mini-office.html">Design Dump</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/HB-stair-wall-gallery-Miles%20Redd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HB-stair-wall-gallery-Miles Redd.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/HB-stair-wall-gallery-Miles%20Redd.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/entryway-ideas/news/a1689/top-pin-of-the-day-012014/">Miles Redd</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/ED-%20Nate%20Berkus.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ED- Nate Berkus.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/ED-%20Nate%20Berkus.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/news/a5659/most-popular-chicago-library-nate-berkus/">Nate Berkus</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Gallery%20Walls/ED%20vintage%20maps.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ED vintage maps.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Gallery%20Walls/ED%20vintage%20maps.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/renovation/advice/a3308/gallery-wall-mistakes/">House Beautiful tips for Gallery Walls</a></em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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Since I've started this post I've purchase a few frames and I'm getting super excited about getting everything up on my wall. I promise to share photos when it finally happens!</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-90171491882347448742015-12-04T08:15:00.001-08:002015-12-04T08:15:38.359-08:00Holiday InspirationI can't wait to get a tree this weekend and decorate my apartment for Christmas. I think putting up the decorations is one of my favorite things about the holidays. Here are some gorgeous ideas I've collected for this holiday season.<br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/potterbarn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo potterbarn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/potterbarn.jpg" height="576" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">Potterybarn</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/HB%20holiday.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HB holiday.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/HB%20holiday.jpg" height="433" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/entertaining/holidays-celebrations/a4903/bryan-rafanelli-christmas-party/">Bryan Rafanelli</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/AD-holiday.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-holiday.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/AD-holiday.jpg" height="640" width="492" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/van-wyck-new-york-christmas-article">Bronson van Wyck</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/Holiday_lookbook_06_horchow.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Holiday_lookbook_06_horchow.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/Holiday_lookbook_06_horchow.jpg" height="369" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.horchow.com/Holiday/The-Holiday-Collections/White-Christmas/cat18320733_cat11410731_cat10860731/c.cat?cmCat=cat000000cat10860731cat11410731">Horchow</a></em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/AD-carolyne-roehm-holiday-decorating-tips01.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-carolyne-roehm-holiday-decorating-tips01.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/AD-carolyne-roehm-holiday-decorating-tips01.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/carolyne-roehm-decorating-tips">Carolyne Roehm</a></em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/pinterest.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo pinterest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/pinterest.jpg" height="640" width="541" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/394487248583781729/">Pinterest</a></em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Holidays%202015/ED-christmas-tree-style-personality-01.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ED-christmas-tree-style-personality-01.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Holidays%202015/ED-christmas-tree-style-personality-01.jpg" height="640" width="637" /></a></div>
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<em>Just for fun follow <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/fun-at-home/g2807/christmas-tree-style/">this link</a> to find out what your tree style says about you.</em></div>
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<em><br /></em></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-50592147693672263312015-09-22T10:31:00.001-07:002015-09-22T10:31:37.646-07:00Happy Hobbit Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/LOTR%20fireworks.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo LOTR fireworks.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/LOTR%20fireworks.jpg" /></a></div>
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Today we celebrate the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and the simple joys of the life of a hobbit. Thank you J.R.R. Tolkien. </div>
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P.S. Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn! Here's to cooler nights, fall clothes, and holidays!!</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-26082402176763671532015-09-11T09:08:00.001-07:002015-12-10T15:32:09.558-08:00Never Forget<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/9-11.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 9-11.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/9-11.jpg" /></a></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-25563990634394117082015-08-27T08:47:00.000-07:002015-08-27T08:47:08.918-07:00Dream House: Outdoor Spaces<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Outdoor%20areas/pinterest.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo pinterest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Outdoor%20areas/pinterest.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure I need any further inspiration than this photo for any outdoor space I'll have. I've always been in love with the idea of a pool (and, obviously, there could still be a pool in this backyard just out of sight), and I'm sure I'd use a pool, but I think I'd rather have a smaller yard like this in close proximity to a beach. </div>
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But who knows, maybe I'll end up in a city like New York where a backyard like this would most likely be a balcony, which would still be absolutely perfect. </div>
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In the spirit of inspiration for the unknown, here are a few more ideas for outdoor spaces that make me want to grab a book and curl up on a cushy chair in the sun.</div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Outdoor%20areas/AD-de-la-torre-design-studio.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-de-la-torre-design-studio.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Outdoor%20areas/AD-de-la-torre-design-studio.jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/modern-outdoor-space-de-la-torre-design-studio-cooper-robertson-partners-new-york-new-york-201308?sponsor=stunning-vistas">De La Torre Design Studio</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Outdoor%20areas/AD-terry-hunziker-inc-los-cabos-mexico.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-terry-hunziker-inc-los-cabos-mexico.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Outdoor%20areas/AD-terry-hunziker-inc-los-cabos-mexico.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/beach-outdoor-space-terry-hunziker-inc-olson-kundig-architects-los-cabos-mexico-201211-3?sponsor=stunning-vistas">Terry Hunziker Inc</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Outdoor%20areas/Wadia%20Associates11.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Wadia Associates11.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Outdoor%20areas/Wadia%20Associates11.jpg" height="552" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://wadiaassociates.com/#/home">Wadia Associates</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Pools/AD-mac-ii-istanbul.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-mac-ii-istanbul.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Pools/AD-mac-ii-istanbul.jpg" height="485" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/exotic-pool-mac-ii-istanbul-200508-2?sponsor=breathtaking-pools">Mac II</a></em><br />
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I used this last one in my post for <a href="http://amandabrookeb.blogspot.com/2014/07/dream-house-pools.html">pools</a> a year ago and it's one of my favorites from that post. I can imagine coming around the corner of the house and finding a secluded little oasis like the first picture. </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-1117111521033390682015-08-16T16:48:00.001-07:002015-08-16T16:48:52.334-07:00Dear Husband-to-be,I miss you.<br />
<br />
You're my best friend, I know you are even though we've yet to meet, so I miss you. You are my lover, my friend, my partner in crime and all things silly and ridiculous. I can tell you everything and nothing at all. I accept you and understand you, as you do me. There isn't anything we can't do together because we make each other stronger.<br />
<br />
Already I would do anything for you and that means being ready for you, even when I'm terrified I never will be. But I know you're waiting for me. Somewhere, right now, I know you are already ready for me, wondering where I am and when the hell I'm finally going to show up. It's not just a feeling anymore. I know this.<br />
<br />
So you'll know when we finally meet, and you're real and solid and I can touch your face, and smell your skin that I wasn't holding us up on purpose. Apparently I have some shit to figure out. Still.<br />
<br />
(Yes, I know. Don't even say it.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Your best friend,<br />
<br />
Amanda<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
I love that I don't have to hope or worry that you'll wait. I know I'll never have to ask that of you.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-92136347272262470332015-08-14T12:54:00.003-07:002015-08-14T12:54:44.224-07:00Glass Animals<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z4ifSSg1HAo" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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I have to share music when I'm obsessed (well, I share everything and anything when I'm obsessed :), and I can't stop listening to <a href="http://glassanimals.eu/">Glass Animals</a>. This particular song, Toes, is the one that made me stop and take notice on Pandora. The song comes from their debut album, Zaba, which came out last year. You can listen to the whole album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFuSoPbg2tI&list=PL2kI801DjQIs-ZII-2Q8rFBjJ0tkdvusd">here</a>. </div>
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Happy Friday!!</div>
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P.S. I just love that one of the first lines is "Welcome to my zoo." </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-13683709697329182982015-07-28T11:02:00.001-07:002015-07-28T11:02:56.930-07:0031 Things I've LearnedToday being the day I celebrate having spent 31 years on this planet, I thought I'd share some things I've learned in that time. Some of these little nuggets of wisdom are my opinion and may not apply to you, but most, I think, are worth sharing.<br />
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1. Your friends are the family you choose.<br />
2. Relieving stress is all about the exhale.<br />
3. People don't change. You can only evolve.<br />
4. Not everyone will like you (and, God only knows, you won't like everyone you meet), and that's okay.<br />
5. Generosity is the key to loving relationships (and I mean all of them, not just your other half).<br />
6. Honesty really is the best policy. (Not always the best solution, though.)<br />
7. You don't have to be besties with your co-workers. In fact, don't even go there.<br />
8. For me personally, yoga is the best workout I've found so far.<br />
9. We already have everything we need within us, we just have to remember.<br />
10. Asking the universe for what you want really does work. It's like magic.<br />
11. Vegas totally is as awesome as everyone says it is.<br />
12. I love Disney more and more the older I get.<br />
13. Inspiration is EVERWHERE!<br />
14. Putting your feelings on paper is like therapy.<br />
15. There is nothing more theraputic for a woman than time spent with her girlfriends.<br />
16. Massages are essential.<br />
17. Book stores are my church, stories my religion, and music my soul.<br />
18. Sleep is the key to good health.<br />
19. Most things you hated as a kid: baths, naps, early bedtimes, you love more the older you get.<br />
20. You will never, ever find the same kind of meaningful relationship as the one you have with your sibling(s).<br />
21. Our dreams and beliefs are like the stepping stones that get us through life. Don't ever sacrifice them for someone else.<br />
22. Worry is poison.<br />
23. Fear is essential. You can't have courage without fear.<br />
24. There is nothing wrong with crying. Crying is to your soul what sweat is to your body.<br />
25. Everyone has a dark side. There can't be light without the dark.<br />
26. Find the things in life you are passionate about. Without passion your soul withers like a flower.<br />
27. Life is not about being right. It's about what you can give to others.<br />
28. When it comes to opinions, no one is ever right or wrong. They are simply different opinions.<br />
29. If you didn't grow up with traditions, then start your own. They make life more memorable, and give you something to look forward to.<br />
30. Words are so powerful they really can hurt.<br />
31. The grass is never, ever greener. Don't waste your time comparing yourself or your life to someone else.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-51593988330713459172015-06-30T11:43:00.002-07:002015-06-30T11:43:26.194-07:00Dream House: Walls<div style="text-align: left;">
Last month I posted inspiration for <a href="http://amandabrookeb.blogspot.com/2015/05/dream-house-ceilings.html">ceilings</a> and I think the two should merge together (the first picture below is a really good example), but there are some really awesome ideas I found just for walls. </div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/AD-%20Hein%20%20Cozzi-%20Manhattan.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD- Hein Cozzi- Manhattan.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/AD-%20Hein%20%20Cozzi-%20Manhattan.jpg" height="640" width="459" /></a></div>
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Hein + Cozzi</div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/bev%20hills5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo bev hills5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/bev%20hills5.jpg" height="417" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.cweisner.com/cpe.html">CW Eisner</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/hollywood2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo hollywood2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/hollywood2.jpg" height="515" width="640" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.cweisner.com/sro1.html">CW Eisner</a></em><br />
<em>(Custom Gracie wallpaper)</em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/hollywood3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo hollywood3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/hollywood3.jpg" height="515" width="640" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.cweisner.com/sro1.html">CW Eisner</a></em><br />
<em>(Custom geometric design, by me, of two tones of faux leather fabric)</em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/hollywood8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo hollywood8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/hollywood8.jpg" height="640" width="510" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.cweisner.com/sro1.html">CW Eisner</a></em><br />
<em>(Glass mosaic tiles, mirror, and faux finish paint)</em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/Walls-ED-John%20Derian.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Walls-ED-John Derian.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/Walls-ED-John%20Derian.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<em>John Derian</em><br />
<em>(Such a cool idea, but unless you found a wallpaper, I don't even want to think about how much time this would take, or where the pages would come from!)</em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Walls/kara%20paslay%20designs9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo kara paslay designs9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Walls/kara%20paslay%20designs9.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Kara Paslay</em></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-60927592116065297772015-05-28T15:49:00.001-07:002015-05-28T15:49:38.322-07:00Dream House: CeilingsThe more I move into the architectural details of design (walls, floor, ceiling, etc.), the more I realize when looking at a photo of a room these details can go unnoticed, or fade into the background. I've been looking through so many photos over the last year for these posts that the idea of having to pick out photos purely for wall and ceiling details is daunting. I think I might have gone about this backwards. And it would make sense to decide on wall and floor and ceiling details first because that is what is built or finished first.<br />
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When it comes down to it I think I prefer dark wood flooring and high ceilings with a good amount of molding details all uniform in color with the walls (usually white). Pairing this with my taste in mixing contemporary furniture with antiques and it seems my style is decidedly French (and that first photo is a good example). I didn't do this on purpose, but there it is. The French do have great taste.<br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/AD-thad-hayes-inc-boston-massachusetts.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-thad-hayes-inc-boston-massachusetts.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/AD-thad-hayes-inc-boston-massachusetts.jpg" height="493" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/traditional-living-room-thad-hayes-inc-dell-mitchell-architects-boston-massachusetts-201310-4?sponsor=white-livingrooms-2">Thad Hayes</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/office-library-geoffrey-bradfield-columbus-ohio-200605_1000-watermarked.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo office-library-geoffrey-bradfield-columbus-ohio-200605_1000-watermarked.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/office-library-geoffrey-bradfield-columbus-ohio-200605_1000-watermarked.jpg" height="522" width="640" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Geoffrey Bradfield</em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/Wadia%20Associates4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Wadia Associates4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/Wadia%20Associates4.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a>
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<em>Wadia Associates</em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/ED-jerry-maggi-mehal-griffey-edc-1212.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ED-jerry-maggi-mehal-griffey-edc-1212.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/ED-jerry-maggi-mehal-griffey-edc-1212.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/house-interiors/g345/italian-design-jerry-maggi-mehall-griffey-interiors/?slide=1">Jerry Maggi & Mehall Griffey</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/AD-shostak-co-inc-claverack-new-york.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-shostak-co-inc-claverack-new-york.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/AD-shostak-co-inc-claverack-new-york.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/traditional-living-room-shostak-co-inc-claverack-new-york-201306-3?sponsor=white-livingrooms-2">Shostak & Co Inc</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/AD-carolegan-interiors-water-mill-new-york.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-carolegan-interiors-water-mill-new-york.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/AD-carolegan-interiors-water-mill-new-york.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/traditional-living-room-carolegan-interiors-andre-tchelistecheff-architects-water-mill-new-york-201307?sponsor=white-livingrooms-2">Carol Egan Interiors</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Ceilings/AD-rockwell-group-new-york.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-rockwell-group-new-york.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Ceilings/AD-rockwell-group-new-york.jpg" height="640" width="575" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/contemporary-living-room-rockwell-group-rockwell-group-new-york-new-york-201401?sponsor=inspiring-living-rooms">Rockwell Group</a></em></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-16760604559822740922015-05-13T08:59:00.000-07:002015-05-13T08:59:09.467-07:00Boring<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/7fbe81029616a9da9fbe7e14dede9960.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 7fbe81029616a9da9fbe7e14dede9960.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/7fbe81029616a9da9fbe7e14dede9960.jpg" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been feeling introspective lately. I think I used to
feel that way all the time and now I don’t even keep a journal. I tried to do
those 5-year journals to keep a record of my life, but I always get bored
because nothing ever happens. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone that I thought was my friend recently called me
boring and I had to fight back the irrational desire to burst into tears. I
know it shouldn’t have hurt me. I have a feeling <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boring</i> was not the adjective this person was searching for (I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> a tiresome, uninteresting person,
thank you very much), but it’s still one of the meanest things anyone has said
to me in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been
able to stop thinking about it either. Is my life boring? Am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> boring? I know the use of the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boring</i> automatically indicates opinion.
There isn’t anything clinical or exact about referring to something or
someone as boring. It is completely subjective. But I’m letting it get to me;
one stupid word spoken by someone too selfish and emotionally immature to think
before they speak. In this particular situation, the real issue came down to
the question of how does one explain to an extrovert what it’s like to be an
introvert?</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the first four months of this year I threw myself into
finishing my novel. It’s the first part to a trilogy that I have been
re-writing and re-writing for the past five years. I still have a ton of
editing to do, but I feel that it is really done this time. And I feel
remarkably empty inside like a piece of me has died. Everyone kept asking me
this past week what I was going to do to celebrate and I honestly don’t have it
in me to do such a thing. How do I “go out” and “do something fun” when I’ve
become so accustomed to shutting myself off from the world all these years to
write? </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps I am boring.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or, at least, my life has become so.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The truth is I get depressed when I don’t write. But I get
depressed when I’ve been cut off from people for too long. And then I get
overly touchy and moody when I’ve been around too many people for too long.
This is the hardest part of being introverted. I know life is all about
balance, and finding that balance is everyone’s greatest and most important
journey. If we can’t find that balance then we’re never really living, we’re
just treading water, hoping to stay afloat long enough for the tide to carry us
to shore. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If this is how we are living, just barely surviving, waiting
for life to come along and save us, I don’t think we’re going to be very happy
with what is waiting on that shore.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m going off on a weird tangent, but basically this is how
I’ve been living.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s getting old.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m ready for change.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Change that I make instead of letting life happen to me. We
are all creators. We create our own happiness, or sadness, or anger, or worry.
I want to start creating my own happy ending instead of waiting for it to
magically stumble into my path. I suppose I could start with incorporating
activities into my life that I find fun, not that someone else finds fun. I suppose I've lost sight of what I actually like to do besides sit at home on my weekends and write. I know it's going to take me a while, but it's a good place to start.</span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-42696907805421347622015-05-04T10:00:00.000-07:002015-05-04T10:00:12.584-07:00Star Wars DayHappy Star Wars Day everyone! In honor of this most momentous day, check out this amazing digital art my brother has been working on for the occasion. <br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/star%20wars-%20luke.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo star wars- luke.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/star%20wars-%20luke.jpg" height="280" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Blog/star%20wars-%20hanampleia.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo star wars- hanampleia.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Blog/star%20wars-%20hanampleia.jpg" height="282" width="640" /></a></div>
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Basically, he's painting over the image on the computer, and the incredible process takes days, but the end results are worth it. He produces such high-quality images that they can be printed on canvas up to 48" high x 108" wide. I recommend looking at the pieces up close <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mitch-boyce.html">here</a> where you can zoom in to see the brush strokes. It's pretty cool! He also has a few other pieces available for purchase in addition to the two above including one of Darth Vader! Enjoy! </div>
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And May the 4th be with you!</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-45620070063338925342015-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:002015-03-19T08:00:01.836-07:00Dream House: StaircasesI have an obsession with spiral staircases, as you might be able to tell from the photos below. I've always wanted one of those table top collectable miniatures. Gorgeous. As far as having a spiral staircase in my house, I think one would work nicely in a library, or perhaps even outdoors if you had a 1st to 2nd story patio...<br />
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When it comes to staircases in general, I'm attracted to anything different, anything that is not the typical carpeted straight span of stairs that was only built to get one from the first floor of an establishment to the 2nd floor. If I have stairs in my future house, needless to say, it will be a creative addition to the house.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/AD-peter-marino-architect-southwest-united-states.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-peter-marino-architect-southwest-united-states.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/AD-peter-marino-architect-southwest-united-states.jpg" height="640" width="419" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/traditional-staircase-hallway-peter-marino-architect-maurice-fatio-southwest-united-states-200905?sponsor=">Peter Marino</a></em></span><br />
<em></em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/Stairs-ED-Bunny%20Williams.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Stairs-ED-Bunny Williams.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/Stairs-ED-Bunny%20Williams.jpg" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/g1440/bunny-williams-transforms-a-park-avenue-penthouse/?slide=2">Bunny Williams</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/AD-jean-louis-deniot-new-delhi-india.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-jean-louis-deniot-new-delhi-india.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/AD-jean-louis-deniot-new-delhi-india.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a>
<br />
<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/contemporary-hallway-staircase-jean-louis-deniot-jean-louis-deniot-new-delhi-india-201008?sponsor=">Jean-Louis Deniot</a></em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/pinterest.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo pinterest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/pinterest.jpg" height="400" width="399" /></a><br />
<em>Pinterest</em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/AD-aparicio-associates-new-york-city.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-aparicio-associates-new-york-city.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/AD-aparicio-associates-new-york-city.jpg" height="640" width="445" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/contemporary-staircase-hallway-aparicio-associates-aparicio-associates-new-york-city-201104?sponsor=">Aparicio Associates</a></em><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/jean-louis%20deniot.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo jean-louis deniot.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/jean-louis%20deniot.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://www.thestylesaloniste.com/search?updated-max=2013-10-21T12:00:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=1&by-date=false">Jean-Louis Deniot</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/Miami_beach_luxury_homes_michael_bay_ed0910_01.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Miami_beach_luxury_homes_michael_bay_ed0910_01.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/Miami_beach_luxury_homes_michael_bay_ed0910_01.jpg" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/celebrity-style/celebrity-homes/news/a4014/michael-bay-miami-house/">Michael Bay's Miami home</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/EDC090112Wearstler09_lgn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo EDC090112Wearstler09_lgn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/EDC090112Wearstler09_lgn.jpg" /></a><br />
<em>Kelly Wearstler</em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/domaine%20home.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo domaine home.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/domaine%20home.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://www.domainehome.com/betsy-morgan/">Betsy Morgan</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/AD-Jennifer%20Post%20Design-inc-new-york.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-Jennifer Post Design-inc-new-york.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/AD-Jennifer%20Post%20Design-inc-new-york.jpg" height="377" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/contemporary-staircase-hallway-jennifer-post-design-inc-new-york-new-york-201308?sponsor=">Jennifer Post Design Inc</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/AD-martyn-lawrence-bullard-design-los-angeles-california.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-martyn-lawrence-bullard-design-los-angeles-california.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/AD-martyn-lawrence-bullard-design-los-angeles-california.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/contemporary-staircase-hallway-martyn-lawrence-bullard-design-los-angeles-california-201106?sponsor=">Martin Lawrence Bullard Design for Ozzy Osbourne</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/AD-Elizabeth%20amp%20David%20Brockman-east-hampton-new-york.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo AD-Elizabeth amp David Brockman-east-hampton-new-york.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/AD-Elizabeth%20amp%20David%20Brockman-east-hampton-new-york.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a><br />
<em><a href="http://designfile.architecturaldigest.com/photo/traditional-staircase-hallway-east-hampton-new-york-200511?sponsor=">Elizabeth & David Brockman</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Stairs/simplysunsigns-stairs.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo simplysunsigns-stairs.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Stairs/simplysunsigns-stairs.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Simply Sun Signs</em></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-46653134995059194292015-03-17T09:13:00.001-07:002015-03-17T09:17:18.706-07:00St Patty's Day music<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's a little Irish in the morning for you. Have a great St. Patrick's Day!</div>
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And if you're a bit more traditional:<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932892261894506446.post-27229273649359651772015-01-22T13:14:00.000-08:002015-01-22T13:14:23.745-08:00Dream House: FireplacesLast year I started posting collections of inspiration pictures for the house of my dreams, room by room. Now I'm focusing on more of the details of the house whether they be architectural details, accessories, or color schemes. This month I'm starting on one of my favorite architectural details: fireplaces. There's just something about having a fireplace in your home or apartment that makes the place feel more like home. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that I grew up on the beach in consistently cooler weather, but I find them comforting, and it is fascinating how a well proportioned and decorated fireplace mantel can pull a whole room together.<br />
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So, without further ado, here are some of my favorites.<br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/ED-%20Barnaba%20Fornasetti.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ED- Barnaba Fornasetti.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/ED-%20Barnaba%20Fornasetti.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://lookbook.elledecor.com/?Living-Room-Eclectic-Magical-Thinking/id145434">Barnaba Fornasetti</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/CW%20Eisner.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CW Eisner.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/CW%20Eisner.jpg" height="559" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.cweisner.com/nka.html">Chad Eisner</a></em><br />
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/Romano-EDC-06-13-20-lgn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Romano-EDC-06-13-20-lgn.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/Romano-EDC-06-13-20-lgn.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a>
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<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interiors/dressed-to-the-nines-living-room-fireplace#slide-2">Todd Alexander Romano</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/3_1304621079_harlem_apartment_0511_10.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 3_1304621079_harlem_apartment_0511_10.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/3_1304621079_harlem_apartment_0511_10.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/ideas/unique-fireplace-design?click=main_sr#slide-11">Elaine Griffin and Michal McGarry</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/HB-Nina%20Farmer.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HB-Nina Farmer.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/HB-Nina%20Farmer.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/unique-fireplaces?click=main_sr#slide-7">Nina Farmer</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/HB-William%20Hefner.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HB-William Hefner.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/HB-William%20Hefner.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/unique-fireplaces?click=main_sr#slide-4">William Hefner</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/HB-Kevin%20Isbell.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HB-Kevin Isbell.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/HB-Kevin%20Isbell.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/unique-fireplaces?click=main_sr#slide-6">Kevin Isbell</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/HB-Erin%20Martin%20amp%20Kim%20Dempster.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo HB-Erin Martin amp Kim Dempster.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/HB-Erin%20Martin%20amp%20Kim%20Dempster.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/photos/unique-fireplaces?click=main_sr#slide-5">Erin Martin and Kim Dempster</a></em></div>
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<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/user/evenstar_photo/media/Fireplaces/ED-%20Jean-Louis%20Deniot.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ED- Jean-Louis Deniot.jpg" border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/evenstar_photo/Fireplaces/ED-%20Jean-Louis%20Deniot.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://lookbook.elledecor.com/?Living-Room-Contemporary-Seventh-Heaven/id145545">Jean-Louis Deniot</a></em></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09528801797757394458noreply@blogger.com3