In March of 2020, our lives changed virtually overnight. The shock of it has sunk in and the new “normal” for the moment involves long lines at grocery stores, working from home, wearing masks, and apparently a toilet paper shortage. I’ve been extremely fortunate on the TP front, as I always stock between 20-30 rolls…it’s something I never want to run out of…especially in Big Sur where the closest market is 45 minutes away and there are constant road closures.…
After spending Thanksgiving in Big Sur, I was a little slow getting my Christmas decor on in Santa Barbara. Our plan is to spend Christmas in Big Sur as well, but winter storms are unpredictable and rock slides and closures on Highway 1 are common this time of year. So I’m hedging my bets and decorating a bit in both homes. I’m just not sure which one will get the tree! I favor an organic approach to Christmas decorating…pinecones, driftwood,…
After a winter of record breaking rain, we’ve had one of the prettiest springs I can remember since moving to Santa Barbara. Yes, we do have seasons here in Southern California, although they are very different from New England where I grew up. No late winter snow here! California spring begins in late February and early March with flowering fruit trees.…
After putting in new hardwood floors 2 years ago, I definitely wasn’t anxious for another renovation, but I finally bit the bullet and started planning my new bathroom. After I sorted out what I wanted to do, I reached out to my friend John Henderson of Apex Building & Restoration. He and his family recently moved to the Santa Barbara area and besides radon mitigation, he also does construction, plumbing, and electric. He’s a very handy guy to know! The bathroom…
After a 2 week holiday hiatus from my blog, I’m ready to jump back in. Happy New Year to you all! With the New Year comes the inevitable lists of trends for what we should be buying and what we should be ditching. First off, let me start by saying that I only buy things I love…if they happen to be a trend, great, if not, that’s ok too. Secondly, who exactly decides what’s in and what’s out? I recently…
When I think back to the Christmas of my youth, I marvel at how my parents pulled off a miracle every Christmas Eve. When my sisters and I awoke at a ridiculously early hour on Christmas morning, we would run into my parents room and wake them up so that we could not only open presents, but see the tree for the first time. My dad would go in first and set up the movie camera and the bright light…
This is one of my favorite times of the year. However, that is not the case for everyone. The holiday season can be fraught with expectations unfulfilled, family drama, and often a bit of mayhem. The new year can be a time of great anticipation for new experiences or it can be a time of uncomfortable uncertainty. This year, I felt the need among the hustle and bustle to just stop and take a deep breath. I can think of…
I love the color green. It’s the color of grass, plants, trees, and my bathroom, which is literally swimming in a sea of green. Don’t get me wrong, I love this tiny green mosaic bathroom. It’s just time for a change. I’ve had six years to think about what I would like it to be. After installing new wood floors in our home in 2015, I just couldn’t face another messy renovation. Maybe it’s like childbirth and the pain of the memory will…
I loved autumn when I lived in New England…the crisp air, colorful leaves swirling about, hot mulled cider, and the scent and sounds of a crackling fire in the hearth. What I never really enjoyed was fall decorating (or the winter months that followed). Even in Connecticut, I was not a fan of the reds, oranges, and russet tones that spelled out FALL. And don’t even get me started on Halloween decorations! I guess you could say I’m a bit…