Hard or Soft Shell?

No, not taco preference. Luggage. The last few times I've travelled, I've contemplated returning to a hardshell suitcase. Usually it's prompted by the ticket agent roughly throwing my suitcase packed with my breakable souvenirs onto the conveyor belt. I figure if that's the roughness I see, way more goes on behind the scenes that I don't see.

Oprah had these in her July 2009 issue. I agree, they do match the ocean and sky at the vacation spot of my dreams.


But you know me... I'd have to go for the orange.

Imagine me at the baggage claim. One quick glance, and bam, spotted my suitcase. No more trying to distinguish my red from the other 1,487. Of course if I was a little more on the wild side (unfortunately for my husband i'm not, paragliding off the nearby mountain thrills him, makes me cringe), I might go for these.


There's 4 Japanese made 360 degree swivel wheels that allow for effortless rolling without tipping the bag.

And it zips, allowing for 25 percent more packing space when needed. And you know you'll need it. At least I will.



Best of all, they're made of 100% recycled plastic. (Made by Heys.)

Happy Monday

photo taken by me, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, June 2009

Happy Weekend

via irenesuchocki

Lovin' These

via here

via here

via here

If You Can't Beat 'em...

This is my view everyday when I'm working. They (you know... them) say you pick up the energy of those around you. No wonder I'm so tired. (And let me preface this day in the life of Pixel with this. Before we even brought home this furry creature, Steve and I agreed on house rules for Pixel. No table scraps. No dogs on furniture. No counter-surfing. No standing at the window. We were in sync. We were adamant. We are weak*.)

9:36 am10:59 am
11:45 am. Is that Daddy I hear coming home for lunch?
1:26 pm
2:42 pm3:53 pm
4:36 pm. Oops, I've been spotted.
Scooch over, Pixel. I've got a few minutes before starting dinner.

*We're still adamant on no table scraps. That one's easy. Can't break Pixel of counter-surfing. Any ideas, dog owners? No dogs on furniture lasted until this winter when we were snowbound for a few days and had movie day and decided to let Pixel join us on the sofa, by invitation only, and on a lap only. That lasted a few months. Until one day Pixel helped herself to the sofa. We decided it was ok since she's not harming the leather sofa. It had nothing to do with how cute she is. Swear.

Distraction

Churches are beautiful. Churches are peaceful. Looking at churches will help me keep my mind off the fact that I've had no gluten or sugar for 3 days now. And I'm cranky. And moody. Looking at churches will keep me from thinking about this

and these.Okay, here we go. Little brown church in beautiful Makena on Maui. Brown. Like chocolate brown.

12 pews tops. Complete with fans.

Meticulously maintained cemetery.

Simply-put headstones. I bet she was a baker. Probably baked pies.

Church halfway between Kula and Peia, Maui. Love the roof.

Prayer table. I pray I forget about pie.

Stained glass front.


Simple, white church Kapalua, Maui. White reminds me of soymilk. Soymilk goes with pie. And brownies.


See, that worked well.
(photos taken by me, Feb 2009 and June 2009)

Center Stage

Found these over at Martha Stewart.

My husband would love this one. He's mildly obsessed with irish moss. After dessert we could plant the moss in the shade garden. No waste here.


We just bought hostas yesterday for the shade garden. Maybe by the end of the summer I'll have a few spare leaves for this display.


Love the cool blues of this one. Add some greens and you're set.


Love, love love this! Vintage tiles serve as table runner and trivet. Add bowls, water, and flowers for a floating garden.


Crudite style. So creative and original.


My favorite. How cool would this be for your July fourth celebration? Agapanthus, alium, and globe thistle mimic fireworks.

A Few of My Etsy Faves

via JessicaDoyle

via PoleStar

via papaververt

via rachelaustin

via EstherCoombs

via buckscountyframes

via kailochic

via amberalexander

via ellembee

via postroadvintage

Happy Weekend

photo via alicia bock

I'll be at the Fall City Days street fair today selling my stationery. Come see me if you're in the area.

Rude Awakening

Every morning at 6:14 am this walks across my throat.


Sure, I agree, she looks cute. 6:14 am, cutting off your air supply ... not so cute.

Meet Cali, Pixel's sister. Short for Caliente. She's 3 months old in the photo above. This was how she slept at night. She's 9 months old now and 3 times the size. She no longer fits in the sink.

Pixel likes her, too. Here's Pixel looking to us for help... help because there's a kitten in her crate. HER crate.


A little sibling play.


Cali's a good work assistant. Good up until the point where she sat on my world map I have yet to frame. See, 3 times the size. She's now our 'big girl'. If the vet ever tells us that she needs to lose weight, we'll just shave her.


Her typing skills are lacking though. Just like Pixel coordinates with the decor, Cali matches the granite.


My sister-in-law sent me this.

So true. So true.