Feeling the Heat ... in Hot Springs!

Yes, it is one of my favorite weeks in the year ... the YaYa week!  And we are Road Tripping.  We are driving from Massachusetts to Alabama.  Why you ask? Well, my favorite people in the world and I ask you ... "why not?"!

In our quest to make life fun, we decided to stop along the drive at the Homestead in Hot Springs VA.  When I was in the hotel business, I visited ... it was probably 15 years ago at least.  And I started telling Callie about it and how fun it was, families vacationing "old style".  And one of my favorite memories was going to the Jefferson Pools that have been there for over 200 years and soaking in the 

"healing" waters of the baths.  

After an 11 hour drive on Day 1, it just seemed fitting that we begin our celebration with some bubbly!

Now Callie is an only child on this leg of the trip ... so she got to pick ... we started the day with yoga.  Thankfully the class was small and we were all pretty much beginners!

Then off to the Jefferson Pools BathHouse ... 

It looked just like I remembered and couldn't wait to have Callie and I put on the Rompers!

Then the note ... 

I told Callie of the beautiful older black woman who gave me my romper to put on and she told me how she made all the rompers for the guests.  

She is no longer there and I have to believe no one else wanted to take up that task in today's world. 

I was sad not to see her and I hope she felt my love today.

The Mineral Pools have never been proven to really be healing ... but they are certainly good for the soul.

I loved thinking about all the people that have come there before us looking for something.

I hope they left happy like we did.

I truly don't think much has been done here over the years and there was a terrific loveliness in that.

Our Dressing Room ... 

I love feeling history ... and I mean "feeling" history.  We spent about an hour here and when we walked out there was truly a feeling of peace.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time. 

xo,

kim

YaYa Weekend 2013 ...

1.  The Ya Ya tradition begins - 1997.

2.  Panama City Beach ... sugar sand ... can't get any better!

3. The Originals.

4.  Don's intro to the YaYa weekend.  He was a hold out.

5.  The Petites.

6.  YaYa Gifts.

7.  Pimento Cheese Sandwiches for the Beach. Yes, on white Bread. I know.

6.  Don and I celebrated our 9th Anniversary.

7.  Erin and Callie ... hip pose.

Life from Instagram.  Did you know that Instagram is the BIGGEST Data suck on your phone?  I just had to stop by Verizon and change my plan.  It's worth it, right?

Have a wonderful Weekend ... we are looking for a little heat relief ... what are you doing to stay cool this weekend?

Making the World More Beautiful. One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

A Day in the Life ...

I try to post my Travels on Fridays.  Sometimes I am in luxurious spots (thanks to my sweet husband who allows me to tag along when I can Ditch -Lovingly, the children!) and sometimes I have just as much fun Traveling in my daily routine!

Well, today is Not Friday ... but I was traveling yesterday!!

It was kind of special ... I had a lot on my plate!  Working with a precious young psychiatrist and we are creating a warm, inviting office for her to see and heal her clients.  It currently looks like this!!

Whoa, we have some work to do here!

While driving to see the office, I passed Wilson Farm in Lexington.  I had been there a year or so ago and loved it.  An old Farm Style grocery with fruit, flowers, fresh veggies.  It was 15 degrees outside yesterday.  FRIGID ... and Wilson Farm was warm and a such a treat for my senses ... 

Clearly I understand this is not "local" fruit ... but how beautiful on a cold day!

I checked out with flowers, tomato wraps, butternut squash and edamame.  Yum!  

Then off to another client's home to check out the tile she is considering for her new fireplace area.  I have to admit.  I would have NEVER chosen this tile.  I would have said ... Oh, no. This is for a backsplash.  She isn't that locked in ... she liked and said let's try it.

Well ... she rocked it!!  it is going to look amazing and fun!!  We just had her new Sconces hung over the mantel we found Here.  

Yes, the pink insulation is still showing ... we are putting on the finishing touches!  The mantel we found here.

Then home for some layouts and plans ... 

I Really didn't make any Resolutions this year.  But I did make myself a promise.  To try and slow down and enjoy my days.  Yes, they are busy and things need to get done.  But I don't have to be so frantic.  

I kept my promise ... for one day anyway ! How are you being true to yourself ... today?

xo,

kim

Lake Livin' Part II

Our second home tour on the Lake ... what appears to look like an old "camp" house turned out to be nothing of the sort once we stepped into the door!

Lots of windows brought in so much natural light ... quite the contrast to the dark exterior.

All of the rooms facing the water had these gorgeous floor to ceiling windows ... 

More windows in this office space. I probably would not get much work done here!

Overlooking the dock ... 

White Walls and a Dark Ceiling made it very light and warm.

A guest or child's bedroom with fun headboards ... 

Made out of cork!

Another gander at the dark planked ceilings!

We entered on the second floor ... then down to the main living space closer to the Lake.

Very modern, the furniture not quite as cozy warm as the first one but cool just the same!

The stained concrete floors make for great lake house floors.  No maintenance and you can't hurt them in any way!!

Part of our crew taking over the place!  Two sliding Wooden Doors close off the living space from the Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom.

Love the framed Black and White Photos hung on Wire.

View from the Master Bathroom ... 

First impression of the Master Bath leaves me feeling a little COLD!! ... and nervous!

Toward the left to the Shower ... better ... 

Back to the Right ... I don't know ... a little torturous to me!!

Master Bedroom ... a little more welcoming than the Bath!

Back down the hall to the kitchen ... still lovin' the windows!

Passing the Living Area ... 

 Up a couple of stairs to the kitchen ...

Love the separate refrigerator and freezer!

Back up and out we go ... 

House Hunting ... Model Homes ... They all bring new ideas and thoughts about Design ... 

Did you get any ideas you might use?

Enjoy your Weekend!

xo,


kim

Travel Friday? ... College Tour!

Travel right now revolves around colleges.  That is okay.   Have you been to a college lately? I want a do-over!  I swear I would do it much differently today than I did thirty years ago.  Alot differently.  So, like every parent, I try to impress my children with how lucky and blessed and talented they are ... and to not take this for granted. I hope they listen to me better than I listened to my parents.

Callie and I toured Boston College ... in the rain ... this past Wednesday.

It was beautiful ... even in the rain.  I had no idea that BC was formed for Irish Immigrants that had no other way to be educated.  My family is Irish so this kind of hit a chord.

It is rumored that this building was designed with "The Wizard of Oz" in mind.

Witch Windows.

The Tin Man Lights.

I did not take Latin ... in either High School or College.  But supposedly these benches indicate that Toto... 

Is not in Kansas anymore!

Did I mention that it was raining ... and I had to pull out my boots again?

I am an SEC girl ... but I respect the BC Eagles.  Maybe it is because they play Auburn every few decades.  Like, 1939, 1940 and 1982.  Well, Auburn lost the first two, but won the 1982 Game.  So There. We are in the same League.

BC is better at Hockey.

Sort of ... did I mention it was raining?

Can you tell that Callie is interested?  These are her feet.  Those used to be my boots.  She took them.

These are the rumored "million dollar stairs" because BC had them heated so they wouldn't need to be shoveled in the snow.  They had to produce paperwork to prove that they didn't cost that much. Does the main population realize how much more these stairs would cost if they had to hire people to shovel them?  Then they would be the ga-zillion dollar stairs!  I barely get my back walk shoveled.

 The flowers were beautiful.

 Callie instagramed my feet in the rain.  I like her creativity!

Boston College is truly beautiful ... even in the rain.  A fun adventure ... a day with Callie.  I will stop complaining about the Rain.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

kim