Sabbatical

For a while now I have had the thought of a break rolling around in my head. In truth, I have been working full time for the better part of the last 18 years since I left college. I go to work every day for the paycheck, I really don't have a passion for what I do. I'm good at it, I like the people I work with and my salary is pretty decent. I did not go to college for what I do but kind of fell in to it. I take pride in doing my best every day. But I'm tired. I have a passion for other things. Other things like travel, independent film, cozy surroundings. Things that I want to be more central in my life. Other things that I would like to earn a good living at. Things that are not material stuff but experiences. Call me a late bloomer (pretty accurate really) but I feel I have finally figured out what I want out of life. Enter the sabbatical which literally means "a ceasing", a rest from work, a hiatus, lasting from two months to a year. I am planning one of those. A year off to transition in to the next phase of my life. If you have seen the movie Eat, Pray, Love this is kind of the idea. This move is based on a real book that a real person lived through. The book is amazing and inspirational and a must read in my opinion. The author took a year off to really discover who she was while living in Italy, India and Bali (all places I would love to visit). I want to travel, experience new cultures, learn new languages, eat new food, take beautiful photos, imerse myself in something different to gain new perspective. Really become centered and setteled. I am inspired by others who are following a somewhat similar path. People like Rachel from Small Notebook who with her husband and two small children are taking a year off to live in Florence Italy. Crystal at Twenty Eight and a Half who left her job and is following her writing passion. She also will be traveling to Greece and Italy this summer for the better part of a month. A friend "IRL" at Unemployed Winner who was recently laid off from her day job and is making a go of her Etsy store (she's an incredible knitter) as her full time job. Frugal Babe who has no debt and works from home with her husband. They are trying to be self sustaining through their rather large garden and other home improvements. Stephanie at Brooklyn Limestone who started her blog detailing the rehab of their home and also posts about her extensive international travel (jealous). Laurie at Crazy Aunt Purl who turned her newfound love of knitting in to two books. These women and many more are inspiration for me. This sabbatical will not happen for a couple years, probably five. We have debt we need to finish paying off, we have two kids to get through highschool. Kid # 1 will graduate in 2012 and kid # 2 will graduate in 2014. We have to save money for this endeavor. But we are going to do it. My husband at A Kilted Travel Agent is a daily inspiration for me. He recently started learning how to tattoo which is a passion for him and combined his love of art and drawing. He is starting an internship today. While we are on sabbatical he wants to learn new ways to perform this craft from other cultures like the Balinese. I have already started this journey by simplifying my life. We are agressively paying off our debt. We are decluttering our home and our "stuff". About a month ago I ventured in to the world of film by starting a production company with two friends I met on set of the indie film, The Book of Zombie I worked on in 2007. I was the costumer and an executive producer. We will sell our condo before this all starts. The money we make will go in to an account for a down on a place after we are setteled from our sabbatical. We will place the items from our home we are keeping at my FIL's house while we are gone. Our cars will stay at my parents. The only other thing I need to research is traveling and living internationally with our dog. Looks like we will need to get him a Visa and an International Travel Health certificate. Have any of you out there in blog land taken a sabbatical or are thinking about it?

Amazing Rehabed Building!

An article from the New York Times has me dreaming of finding a great old building I can make my own.

It has taken a total of $250,000 of the owners money to purchase and partially refurbish this old building in Selma. When can I move in?

Planning for a new Home

C and I have been doing a little home window shopping. We have popped in to a few open houses to see what is out there, what we like and what we definately do not like. After living in our condo for the past nine years (C for 16) we have fully developed our want list.

• No angled walls
  
• No shared walls (with other units)


• No HOA's


• Open floor plan for family living spaces (great room - kitchen/living/dining)


• One and a half bathrooms
  
• One floor (no stairs)


• Character


• Garage


• Fenced back yard


• Storage
  
• Lots of natural light

Things we thought we needed are not as important like a fireplace (we wouldn't complain if we had one though) or more formal spaces. Where some people are looking for more square footage, we are looking for the square footage we buy to be efficient with small luxuries.

As long as the footprint is something we can work with, I aspire to have an aesthetic that is a combination of vintage/old world/industrial/minimalist. Ultimately we want an open great room with a half bath. This will be connected to a small master suite by a den/library/craft room as the pass through.

A tall order - but we are pretty certain what we want does not exist so we will have to tweak whatever we find with the right bones.

In our journey towards minimalism some people might wonder why we are buying a house in the first place. Owning a home is definately on our minimalist list but no too much house.

It's no wonder then that a lot of the photos I see at greige really represent what I am looking for in a home - decor and space wise.

The inspiration for the master bath is a combination of the two bathroom images below. I love the sky light, tall ceiling height, steel beam, walls and open shower area (look above the little bench for the shower head and on the floor for the drain) of the first photo.

The only thing I would change about the above photo is add the tub from the next photo and possibly paint the outside. I do love the shutters on the window too.

Or a nice copper whirlpool tub.

I would really like an open concept "great room" for my living, dining and kitchen areas. Kind of like these photos from Gerard Butler's New York loft.

Some inspiration for the great room and kitchen (again Greige and Gerard Butler).

Inspiration for the bedroom and den/craft area (Gerard Butler and Cher's LA pad).

I think a minimalist environment can be acheived with using only furniture pieces you need and getting that luxuriousness from things like paneled walls, velvet fabrics and copper ornamentation.

Help For Haiti

Shelter 2.0 is a group that creates temporary housing. Cost is between $1500 and $2000 per structure. In an effort to help out the people of Haiti they have created a newer version that costs between $600 to $800 and have started sending these structures to Haiti.

Click here for more information on Shelter 2.0.

Focus on What You Want Most

I came across this blog post through another post from Frugal Babe I read today and the quote really did resonate with me.

Never sacrifice what you want most for what you want right now.

This is something I am starting to realize as I get rid of the clutter around my house. I can see the finish line which is so awesome. I know that I will meet my June completion goal for those hidden areas in my home. In fact, another closet was completed last night. I do stiil have a few tweaks I want to make. We will still have small condo projects to complete but they will be so much easier without stuff lying around that has no permanent home and we can find the tools we need to complete a project. The small condo projects are not my goal for this month anyway.

As I focus on getting this project completed and look forward to the fun projects that will come out of them this quote means even more to me.

I think a lot of unhealthy attitudes in life come from the instant gratification of getting what we want right now. Wether its sacrificing our health for something quick or buying an item we think we need because we can't find something at home or its the perceived the answere to all our prayers.

Case in point. I have been sewing since I was eight years old. I will never give that hobby up. I organized all of my patterns last night. I found four patterns for robe/PJ's. I don't need four patterns, I had them because I was not organized enough to have my patterns in one place when I wanted to make a new robe. I even found (and kept) my favorite pattern for PJ bottoms. One pattern piece - love it. I managed to get all the patterns in to three shoe boxes but am already looking for a better way to store them.

The simplicity of this quote is so great and if I keep it with me in times of uncertainty or the spontanaeity of wanting someting right now, it will further the goals I have put in place.

Loft of My Dreams

Today is my first day of Holiday and the hubs and I spent it doing a little shopping preparation for our trip tomorrow. While browsing in the magazine section of Borders I saw yummy Gerard Butler on the front of one of my favorite magazines, Architectural Digest. His loft in the Chelsea area of New York is TO DIE FOR!

People, this is EXACTLY how I would do a loft if I was ever lucky enough to find the right space.

Picture exposed beams, 15' ceilings, original wooden floors, palms and large plants, leather and luxurious fabrics covered cushy chairs and couches, textured walls that look like old plaster. And the theater! One of my favorite things about it is the three different chandeliers over the dining table hung at different heights and his kitchen cabinets are made from old flooring.

It took him four years and instead of using an interior designer he teamed up with production designer, Elvis Restaino to create the interiors. They definately have drama that is for certain!

If you get a chance, do check out the May 2010 issue of Architectural Digest. There are articles in there of Trey Parkers Japanese inspired home in Colorado, Sting and wife, Trudies London town house, Robert Zemeckis and his wifes villa in Tuscany. Total eye candy for the decorating enthusiast!

What I Did Today

I found a fabulous blog that I pretty much spent my ENTIRE DAY reading from the beginning. Stephanie and her husband bought a Brooklyn row house in December 06 and have renovated it. Now she is busy putting her personal stamp on the interior with carefully thought out furnishings and accessories.

Oddly enough my decorating style is exactly like hers as explained by Sproost.com as French Eclectic which is described as...

Parlez-vous français? Even if the answer is no, you can confidently say your home does! French Country, like its name, somehow manages to both be formal and casual, classy and unassuming at the same time. You like your spaces to feel inviting from the moment you (or your guest) opens the front door and this feeling should continue even after you've entered your most formal room. Even though there are French antiques here and gold details there, the rustic elements provide a balance and warmth that seems to say, "come in, relax and stay a while." Your love of antiques leads you to flea markets, garage sales and hours of eBay hunting.

More >

Materials

The materials and pieces you are drawn to play on the mix of formal and casual. Many of the pieces look like they were passed down from your great-great-aunt (even if they are brand new!) and you managed to upholster them in a way that made that piece both then and now. Much of the furniture is wood-framed and the wood is either left natural (hey there rustic!), painted white (hey there country!) or even gold (hello refinement!). And many times there is a strong mixture of all of these. If you find yourself leaning much more towards the "country" side of things and away from the Parisian side, drop the gold details and replace them with wrought iron.

Colors

When it comes to color, you are drawn to bright and airy options. Thoughts of the French countryside are key - warm colors such as yellows, reds and oranges hinting at fields of gold. But the nice thing about French Eclectic is you can just as easily go in the opposite direction: pale blues and greens hinting at acres of lavender fields and expansive blue skies.

Space Planning

When you think about laying out your French Eclectic room the key is to invite people in and encourage them to stay. So furniture should be grouped nicely to encourage intimate conversation and the main pieces should be comfortable in both look and feel. There should be plenty of places to set drinks, prop feet and lean back. And yet the functionality of these pieces doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't beautiful antiques or replicas.

After perusing her blog for the better part of the day I encourage you to take a visit. I am now very motivated to get my home completed. I honestly don't have a lot to do as far as major projects go. I do have a few ideas I want to employ after I do some research but I feel now more than ever I have a direction in completing my condo.

Even though our condo was generic and bare boned I have always wanted for people to walk in and feel somewhat transported and aware they have found a gem among the paste so to speak.

Steampunk

I love repurposing, vintage and things from another era. Many other eras to be exact. A friend showed me this amazing laptop a few years ago. Although kind of impracticle because it looks to be really heavy its definately one of a kind!

The concept of Steampunk is a combination of sci-fi and fantasy. The origins of Steampunk are found in the works of such authors as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, where modern or future technology is inserted into a time period in which it did not originally exist. If you watch The Legue of Extraordinary Gentleman you get the idea.

As far as fashion is concerned, steampunk is a fusion of an ornate, Victorian style and convenience of modern technology. I love the look below of a completely Victorian era top hat with a set of old fashion yet at the same time futuristic pair of goggles. Gypsymoon is an online retailer where you can find items with Steampunk flair. Clockwork Couture also has loads of Steampunk sytled clothing and really reasonable prices.

Some Steampunk works take on a kind of an “alternate history” path, where technological accomplishments such as computers are assumed to have been created at an earlier date. Take the computer featured below. Brass, vintage typewriter keys and an ornate sensibility.

Steampunk design is ornate and detailed and can be a refreshing change in the age of more modern design and utilitarian construction. The most well-known steampunk computer modification is from Jake von Slatt at the Steampunk workshop. People who crave modern technology with unique craftsmanship may find it in Steampunk.

I mean, who wouldn't want a Stempunk Vespa?

Amazing

I am a fan of vintage. I am a fan of people who love vintage. I am a fan of people who live vintage. Pop on over to Mary Deluxe's page and check out the chic headboard she made for her bed all by herself!


Did I mention I am also a fan of pin up girls?

Life Is Too Short

This last weekend here in the Pacific Northwest was absolutely beautiful! It actually reached over 60 degrees in some places and there was no rain! We had the patio doors open most of yesterday and fired up the grill Saturday night. I feel like Spring is officially here.

The hubs wasn't feeling to well yesterday or we would have gone out. If this weekend is pretty we will grab our GPS and definately do some Geocashing!

One of my best friends called me this morning and we chatted for a bit. She lives in MA and I am in WA. We have known each other over 20 years. She gave me good news about her dad - in remission thank you very much.

I have been inspired and actually started a blog post before I found this post which led to this post. Its like they were reading my mind. So, in the spirit of 'mushroom caps' I give you my life is too short list.

My life is too short to.....

Live in clutter and ugliness. Once and for all I want the clutter gone and I want my living space. The space I share with my husband and bonus kids to reflect us and how we choose to live. I want our surroundings to enhance our true selves and relaxed approach to life.

To put it bluntly - eat crap. I want what I eat to fuel me for the day and add to my health and energy. Not bog me down. I want to grow fruits and veggies I can cook with in my garden and shop the farmers market on a Saturday morning.

Move. I need to get out and exercise every day. The weather is getting nicer the days are staying lighter later and Spring is here. I am ready for it!

Relax - read more, sleep in more, enjoy my family and friends more.

Live creatively. Make more clothing like I sued to enjoy doing. Learn to utilize our power tools to make things for my home. Indulge in writing my book.

What is your life too short for?

Inspirations

The other day I was going through my house decluttering and came across my "tear sheets". I have been in the habit for the past twenty years to tear pages out of magazines of things I like. Clothing, recipies, decorated rooms, crafts, gardening ideas, whatever. Anyway, I had a stack of these pages that I finally organized. I pulled a bunch of clothing ones out and took some photos for inspiration.

This is a Ralph Lauren dress of camel colored herringbone cashmere and brown leather inspired by a horses saddle. Yum!

It would look great with these Adrienne Vittadini mules.

I have always loved the dress Nicole Kidman wore to the Oscars. The color was amazing and I think the choice of light blue shoes was perfect!

I love blue and brown together. This photo actually inspired me to make a similar skirt in red taffeta for a formal holiday party at my husbands work. I have worn it with a cashmere sweater and as pictured here with a white button down shirt and grey cashmere wrap.

This sweater looks so cozy and I love the detail on the hem of the jeans. As soon as I find some great ribbon I am going to do this.

Then I can pair them with a pair of shoes like the ones below (I actually have a pair).

Something about lounging around in velvet sweatpants styled like mens tuxedo pants - so decadent!

I think this next outfit would be great at a winter wedding. Something for the mother of the bride but of course not in white. Wouldn't want to upstage the bride!

There is something impossible about this outfit that I just love. From the see through top to the "bustle" on the pack of the pant.

And The Awards Goes To....

This will be a quick post as I need to go nap so I can get up and go see the 12:01 showing of Quantum of Solace (Kerry we are still going with you in two weeks!). It doesn't help that I was up last night (this morning) until 2:00 sewing PJ's. I was wired and just could not sleep. Love me some James Bond!

Mrs. B over at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom gave me my first ever blog award! Thanks Mrs. B!. If you have never checked her out you should click on over. She's tons of fun!



Now to pass it along. This is really hard cause there are so many good blogs out there that I read every day. Drum roll please...

First of all The Hubs over at A Kilted Travel Agent. I love the way he writes and he's the bestest most supportive husband in the whole world!

Weirdy Pants over at Unfinished Object. This is one of the first knitting blogs I started reading and one of my inspirations for starting a blog that has evolved in to what it is today. She's a total crack up, shares my interest in Geocashing and her dog Rufus is truly one of the cutest on this planet!

Benita over at Chez Larsson who has the most organized tiniest home I have ever seen! She's a constant inspiration for me to declutter and organize my home in the most beautiful and personal way possible.

Roland an expat from Britain living in the US over at Militant Ginger who is such a clever writer! I totally enjoy reading him as he always puts things in perspective for me. Weather he is talking about the new Knight Rider, his love affair with a very American car or the most recent political campaign.

FruGal over at Totally Money an Australian living in London who is managing to pay for her wedding without using debt.

That was fun and hard cause I could have kept going. If you want to get a taste of who I read every day just take a gander at my blog roll to the right. Off to bed!