Croatia, Yoga and Me

Knew there was a reason that yoga was calling my name.   I've made it to two classes this week.  Decided that an early birthday gift would be some groovy new clothes.  The Athleta catalog scenery looked strangely familiar. 

And guess where these shots were taken?

Yep. Croatia.  Wish I was there right now. 

A Ghost on Fire Island

We had a ghost in our house this weekend.

No doubt about it.

He was scary as he "floated" through the kitchen.

And into the living room.

And then finally revealed himself.

Stefan!!!

Fire Island, the Pines

Brad and I ventured off the Pines the other night, the community that gives Fire Island its name.  We loved the undulating boardwalks and houses, several of which had an Asian vibe going. 

We also loved the markets, much more upscale that Seaview.

Dinner was a treat.  But way too expensive although the scenery was quite colorful.  A wee bit strange to be the only woman at dinner, except for the 6 foot 5 inch guy in drag.  His wig did make him a wee bit taller.

Sail Cloth Here, Sail Cloth There, Sail Cloth Everywhere

I just had to have these nautical pillows for Stefan's room.  Made with recycled sail cloth fabrics. And the company, Second Wind Sails, has messenger bags and totes to boot.

Adorable.

Summer Accessories

Love this necklace.  Love this look.  What do you think?

Almost Ready

All of my beach projects for the summer are almost done.  Mostly I've been focused on the new curtains and blinds that have all FINALLY arrived.  There have also been some fun Etsy purchases, a site that I'm not addicted to for little handmade and vintage items, including new cushion covers for a 1950s retro chair that had been hibernating in the attic storage room for much too long.  And I found a cute wicker table and painted it a lovely hot pink.  So much fun to rummage out here on the island.

I'll be sharing photos of our attic soon. But in the meantime, don't you just love these photos?  Wish I had thought of that for behind my bed in the slanted upstairs room.

A Life of Popsicles, Swimming and Ice Cream

Here's what my life has been reduced to.  Popsicles. Ice cream.  Swimming in the bay.  Kids karaoke.  Working in my bathing suit all day.

We're back on Fire Island and I've been honestly diligent about work while Abby is off camping the day away (today, she was on fishing trip) and Stefan is cavorting with Andrea at the bay and the baby pool.

So, here's to this Fire Island summer.  Off to Kismet tonight for dinner with friends.

Ode to a Wonder Dog

Our 13-year-old German Shepard, Genie, had to be put to sleep last night. We are all really sad. Sad that it was her time to go.  But also sad that she suffered a bit at the end and it all happened much too quickly, without my chance to say goodbye and pat her head once last time.  I would have told her that she really had been a good dog, especially with Nathaniel, Abby and Stefan.

But we realize it was her time.  And she'll be joining our cat and her life long buddy, Charlie, somewhere in a place where they can resume their love/hate relationship. 

For now, her spirit rests on Fire Island, where she used to roam the beaches in her younger days, galloping back and forth chasing sticks and letting the wind blow through her fur.

We'll miss you Genie dog!

July, July...where are you going?

It seems like July is screaming past.  Not enough days and nights left in this mini vacation of sorts on Fire Island.  Not enough days to wear bikinis. Roll in the sand with Stefan and chase him around our house in his birthday suit as well as watch him brush his teeth in the sink.  Visit the candy store with Abby and bike back and forth and back and forth to camp.  Have a glass of wine on the deck with Brad.

Don't go so fast July. I'll miss you.

A Rainy Day on Fire Island

Today is a walk in the rain day. Put on your rain slicker and Crocs and wade through puddles kind of day.  Pick blueberries in the morning kind of day.  Take a nap kind of day.

Off to make blueberry muffins with Abby. 

Pink for Fire Island

I am absolutely in love...with this house. 

It's in this month's edition of House Beautiful.

Such great crisp pinks, whites, greens, blues and yellows.

There are some great ideas here for Fire Island, don't you think?

This pink Smeg fridge is to die for.

Retro Living...Fire Island

It's really going to happen. We met this week with our contractor and discussed ideas for our beach house kitchen renovation.  One of the most exciting things is getting to pick out a retro refridgerator.

Is it going to be this cool blue?

Or this simple crisp white?

Or this aqua.  I even saw one today that was a lovely light pink.  So exciting.

A Fire Engine for Fire Island

It arrived all shiny and red. With a bell that clangs and a steering wheel that's fun to turn....

It's fun to ride in a diaper, oh so fun to ride even naked.

What could be better than a little red fire engine and a 17-month-old on a hot Fire Island day?

Ride little man, ride!

Fire Island 4th of July Fun

It was another crowded, hot 4th of July Fire Island parade. Plenty of red, white and blue.

And some tie dye too.

And some large funky, earrings to go with a refreshing slushy after the festivities.

 Even Stef got into the spirit.

And we all got free ice cream coupons and trophies. Yeah!

 Until next year....

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

My six-year-old left me tonight. Boarded a plane for Boston with my dearest friend. There was a quick kiss at the airport and then they were off.  

"Good bye mom I'm going to Boston," rings in my ears, the little song on the CD that we listen to with Stefan.

Such a big girl.  When did she get to be so grown up?

Oh Frank!

I had such warm and fuzzy feelings about Frank Lloyd Wright, having visited his family home in Oak Park where he lived with his first wife and six children in the late 1890's and early 1900's.  There was the wonderful, over sized playroom with the grand piano placed strategically in the wall which then hung by a hook over the back staircase; the choir loft with three rows to accomodate a growing brood; the raised ceiling and warm lighting.  He seemed like a real family man.

But then I became curious about Frank.  Seems he sort of "abandoned" his family to take up with a few other women, one of whom he eventually married after cavorting in Europe.

Architectural genius?  Absolutely.  Winner of the Father of the Year award?  Definitely not.

But if you get a chance to stroll through Oak Park, put it on your Chicago To Do List.

Chicago weekend

Chicago.  What a wonderful city.  I really have to admit I was quite impressed. 

Most of you know me. I like nice hotels.  It sounds like a bit of a confession and I guess it is.  I would prefer the Four Seasons to the Holiday Inn.  A nice marble tub to a plastic shower.  500-count Egyptian sheets to scratchy, nasty blankets.  Room service over a vending machine. 

Is that so wrong?

So, is it any wonder that we spent a night at The Drake?  It is one of those historic, iconic hotels that makes you feel good just to pass through the front door (where you are greeted by a monstrous bouquet and an expansive lobby).  

We only had time for the girls to order 11 pm room service while we grabbed a drink at Coq D'Or.  But that bed was oh so nice.  And the lobby.  And the friendly concierge.  And the flowers.  Did I mention the sheets?

Packing, Repacking....

Seems like I am always packing, unpacking, repacking, packing, unpacking.  So, now I'm going to write down a list of all of my must have items, as a checklist for me to have next time I get ready to embark.  I really should do the same thing for the kids, but it's just too darn exhausting:

My IPOD: Definitely need some new tunes but it's a keeper.

My Bose headphones:  When Brad bought these for me a few years ago, I thought they were tremendously overpriced.  Worth every last darn penny. Love 'em.

Eye mask: Yep..I put it on a few minutes after take off on the long hauls.

My pashmina: Love my big purple one which I can wrap around me like a blanket.

My small Acer: I can fit it in my purse....wonderful. 

Accessories galore: I'll admit it.  I'm an accessories whore.  I have about 20 necklaces from different countries, am amassing an equal in number ring collection and oh yes, then there are my large bangles.  I  am one of those girls who believes strongly in accessorizing.

At least 2 cotton shawls:  One from Egypt and one from Mexico are my current faves.

My favorite t-shirt:  Magnolia Bakery from NYC. 

Oodles of small bottles and perfume samples: Thanks to the Jo Malone counter at Nordstrom and my endless quest for the perfect travel lotions from Duty Free, I'm all stocked up in that department, thank you very much.

One groovy dress or tunic:  Always comes in handy.

From Burqas to the beach

Thanks to all of you last week for your comments on- and off-line about the burqa column in the Washington Post.  As one of you put it, it is affecting 2,000 women in France -- but the implications are much larger than that.  To be continued...

But for the weekend, we ran away to Fire Island. This is what life there is all about.