Xo- Etheline
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
In which the light bulb clicks on
I try to keep my kids stuff as organized as possible, but let's be honest, they don't always cooperate. Richie loves to pull Chas's clothes off the hangers, but never his own. I worry what this all means sometimes late at night. {lol}
I found a useful notion from a blog I use to frequent about organization and it went along these lines;
This is what happened with Chas's ties. No matter what I tried they always ended up on the floor in his closet, or other places that I will not be mentioning. Then I had what can only be descibed as a brilliant, beyond brilliant idea. Why not decorate with them? And that's exactly what I did.
I found a useful notion from a blog I use to frequent about organization and it went along these lines;
"If the solution you haven't found isn't working,
don't kill yourself to change and make it work. Change up
the solution. Find something that works for you."
It was like that infamous light bulb went of in my head, one of the 100 watt babies, and I couldn't help thinking, "that makes total sense." And so as I go about my life I try to always remember this little secret. Now mind you, that's not to say that I try 17 1/2 things before I finally find what works for me. That would be silly and who has the time for that.
It was like that infamous light bulb went of in my head, one of the 100 watt babies, and I couldn't help thinking, "that makes total sense." And so as I go about my life I try to always remember this little secret. Now mind you, that's not to say that I try 17 1/2 things before I finally find what works for me. That would be silly and who has the time for that.
My point is that even if you think- That is brilliant and will totally work for my family, and 3 weeks, 8 months, or 6 hours later you realize how wrong you were; don't worry about it. Find a new solution.
This is what happened with Chas's ties. No matter what I tried they always ended up on the floor in his closet, or other places that I will not be mentioning. Then I had what can only be descibed as a brilliant, beyond brilliant idea. Why not decorate with them? And that's exactly what I did.
It's simple, yes, but great solutions don't always have to be elaborate. Feel free to jazz up your of course:) Now he can pick a tie when he needs it and actually have a place to hang it back up when he is finished.
xO- Etheline
Friday, January 13, 2012
In which I make a front page announcement
In my relationship with my husband this how things go when it comes to new things:
Royal: (totally stoked) Lets do this- it will be awesome!!
Me: (kicking and screaming, finger nails clawed in dirt as I'm being drug to see the light) No you can't make me!!
Not in a horrible way mind you, I just..well; I can be stubborn.
Not in a horrible way mind you, I just..well; I can be stubborn.
Then a few weeks pass and I'm totally on board. I come to see the light. He can be very persuasive. Have you met him?
More often than not though things come up that we are both on board right away. Like traveling, no need for theatrics there.. Another thing we agree on is the idea that we shouldn't have to wait until after we retire to explore and see the world.
So we decided to do something about it. Something that people constantly ask, "You're doing what? Why?" (or...we get; that's cool). We have decided to go against the normal idea of the norm and make our own blue print. As of right now we are makingtthe preparations to go to Prague in the beginning of April. For 3 months.
In true blog fashion I will document the journey and will start off with some follow up posts about why Prague and the preparations that we will be making in order to get going. Stay tuned. You won't wanna miss this.
xo- Etheline
Monday, January 9, 2012
In which we go on a family outing
Saturday afternoon we took the kids to The High Museum, the art museum here in Atlanta. I have been wanting to go for months, but with the holidays in full swing it wasn't exactly a high priority. And seeing as how I'm a frugal Betty I am only willing to go on the first Saturday of the month when it's free for Bank of America card holders {don't forget your card cause you have to show it}
When we got there I suggested we go straight for the Picasso to Warhol exhibit. I was really excited to see these pieces. Royal was on stroller duty with Margot while I had Chas and Richie, one on each hand. I like it this way cause I can get down to their level and chat with them. Most of my chatting with Richie went like this:
When we got there I suggested we go straight for the Picasso to Warhol exhibit. I was really excited to see these pieces. Royal was on stroller duty with Margot while I had Chas and Richie, one on each hand. I like it this way cause I can get down to their level and chat with them. Most of my chatting with Richie went like this:
Richie:I want a snack.
Me: You can't eat in here honey, but as soon as we are done you can have something. Look at that.
{its all about misdirection with that one ;)
Chas on the other hand is now old enough to be interested in art; if I ask the right questions. For instance, when we saw this one I said:
Me: What do you see?
Chas: A girl
Me: What else?
Chas: Lots of colors and then listed pretty much them all.
Up next was Matisse-
Me: How many people do you see?
Chas: 5
Me: What do you think they are doing?
Chas: Playing ring around the rosie.
This of course bough on laughter from both of us. I thought it was so stinkin cute, and he just thought it was funny.
Up next was my personal favorite of the exhibit. Jackson Pollock 1a. When I went though my phase of being in love with abstract art, this one was the first one I fell in love with. Along with many other of his pieces. My boys kind of had the look on their face that read, "I could so do that."
This was the final part of the exhibit. Warhol. Andrew Warhol. Andy Warhol. Can I just say that you would think that this kind of stuff would be right up my alley, and normally you would be right. But I saw a movie a few years ago where Guy Pearce played a very nasty portrayal of him and it kinda stuck with me. Whether or not that was actually how he acted and treated people, I don't know, but it ruined Warhol for me. Chas loved this though. He was particularly enthralled with the Chicken Noodle soup one because he had just had that a few days before. What a coincidence??
After we were finished up with this wildly satisfying experience of seeing priceless works of art we went up a floor to see the permanent 19th Century European art collection. This is my favorite part of the museum because it holds my favorite piece in the museum.
The Veiled Rebecca by Giovanni Maria Benzoni. Some say this sculpture represents innocence and purity as Giovanni Benzoni skillfully creates the appearance of a transparent veil, an outstanding artistic creation. I totally agree. I am in awe at the beauty of this piece every time I see. This is one of those pieces that I could stand and look at for hours. The intricate detail of each crevice of the veil is so remarkable and amazes me how talented people are in the world.
This last picture, even though its hard to make out, is of my 3 men; one big, two little. I just thought it was such a nice picture to take so that I could remember them sitting amongst statues that were hundreds of years old. As if they were in some Grecian palace and not the High in Atlanta. It just made me smile.
I hope that you all grab the opportunity to go to The High Museum, or any art museum really. I really recommend it. It is such a fun experience with your family, a group, or even all on your own.
xO-Etheline
In which I have a life changing experience {the good kind}
For as long as I can remember I've wanted to go to New York, Manhattan to be exact. To stand in the heartbeat of the world.
Recently while we were on vacation we had to drive through New York and as we were driving AROUND the city my husband said to me, it's a whole other world going on in there. And that is how I've always thought of it even before he said that-- a whole other world.
I have driven past New York and saw that skyline 3 times in my life, but was never granted access inside. On the way back from New Hampshire the bridge was open and I went in. It was amazing. I spent nearly all the time in the car, but to finally see the life and hear the sounds with my own eyes and ears, it was a dream come true already.
When I think of New York a few things come to mind:
-The brisk central park runners
-When Harry Met Sally
-Sophistication
-Forward thinking
-Taxi, horns, sirens
-Rockefeller plaza
-The household names that line 5th Ave.
-Broadway lights
-Pizza and bagels
We pulled in and took a street that dead ended us into Central park. While we were turning a police man who was directing traffic yelled at us to hurry it up. As we, being tourist, had our windows down and grins on our face, as if he was telling us we had won something free.
While driving down 5th ave. the streets were packed with people, most were tourist taking pictures, pictures, and more pictures. I could however spot the occasional local. She was dressed in a flowing winter cashmere poncho, ivory leggings, and brown ankle boots. Probably Jimmy Choo. She was elegant and graceful. I was jealous in that instant right there.
We saw the famous holiday window displays of Bergdorf Goodman and Barnies. They were extravagant and exotic. And my eyes finally understand why people talk about the displays and how much magic they infuse into the air.
Our travels took us downtown to Time Square were the stages were already in place for the infamous new years party that would take place in just a few days time. We saw the theaters of many plays and musicals that have awoken many generations of people to have the arts as part of their lives. We saw the signs and the light, and the ads that bombard you at that great intersection. It was fantastic.
When we made it to our real destination {Little Italy} it was roughly an hour later. 2 miles and one hour later. Since parking was a nightmare {no surprise there} my husband said he'd drive around while I got the pizza. I opened the door, jumped out and on December 27, 2011 I was officially in Manhattan. I found Sal's pizza at the end of the block and ordered a large cheese pizza and was corrected that I wanted a large cheese pie.
Once he picked me up we decided to take off. While he drove and we all ate pizza it finally clicked for us. Why people all over the country try to imitate New York pizza. It was in a word heavenly. And I also know where the saying "the secrets in the sauce" came from.
My brain was on overload trying to grasp every image sound and smell while we were there, but it just wasn't possible. It's impossible to do it all there's to much. I've heard from people that live there that they are still trying.
I love New York and can't wait to go back.
Xo- Cat
Recently while we were on vacation we had to drive through New York and as we were driving AROUND the city my husband said to me, it's a whole other world going on in there. And that is how I've always thought of it even before he said that-- a whole other world.
I have driven past New York and saw that skyline 3 times in my life, but was never granted access inside. On the way back from New Hampshire the bridge was open and I went in. It was amazing. I spent nearly all the time in the car, but to finally see the life and hear the sounds with my own eyes and ears, it was a dream come true already.
When I think of New York a few things come to mind:
-The brisk central park runners
-When Harry Met Sally
-Sophistication
-Forward thinking
-Taxi, horns, sirens
-Rockefeller plaza
-The household names that line 5th Ave.
-Broadway lights
-Pizza and bagels
We pulled in and took a street that dead ended us into Central park. While we were turning a police man who was directing traffic yelled at us to hurry it up. As we, being tourist, had our windows down and grins on our face, as if he was telling us we had won something free.
While driving down 5th ave. the streets were packed with people, most were tourist taking pictures, pictures, and more pictures. I could however spot the occasional local. She was dressed in a flowing winter cashmere poncho, ivory leggings, and brown ankle boots. Probably Jimmy Choo. She was elegant and graceful. I was jealous in that instant right there.
We saw the famous holiday window displays of Bergdorf Goodman and Barnies. They were extravagant and exotic. And my eyes finally understand why people talk about the displays and how much magic they infuse into the air.
Our travels took us downtown to Time Square were the stages were already in place for the infamous new years party that would take place in just a few days time. We saw the theaters of many plays and musicals that have awoken many generations of people to have the arts as part of their lives. We saw the signs and the light, and the ads that bombard you at that great intersection. It was fantastic.
When we made it to our real destination {Little Italy} it was roughly an hour later. 2 miles and one hour later. Since parking was a nightmare {no surprise there} my husband said he'd drive around while I got the pizza. I opened the door, jumped out and on December 27, 2011 I was officially in Manhattan. I found Sal's pizza at the end of the block and ordered a large cheese pizza and was corrected that I wanted a large cheese pie.
Once he picked me up we decided to take off. While he drove and we all ate pizza it finally clicked for us. Why people all over the country try to imitate New York pizza. It was in a word heavenly. And I also know where the saying "the secrets in the sauce" came from.
My brain was on overload trying to grasp every image sound and smell while we were there, but it just wasn't possible. It's impossible to do it all there's to much. I've heard from people that live there that they are still trying.
I love New York and can't wait to go back.
Xo- Cat
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