chalking it up....

it always amazes me what a $12 can of chalkboard paint can turn a space or piece of furniture into....i'm off to spruce up taylor's $5 chalkboard table and then it's time to turn her loose w/ a piece of chalk and let the creativity begin...

while i have the paint brush out, i wonder what else needs a little chalkboard paint.....

*images courtesy of sarah kaye, domino, source unknown, sarah kaye

Travel Khan Shatyry Entertainment Center

Travel Khan Shatyry Entertainment Center

The Khan Shatyry Entertainment Center in Astana will become a dramatic civic focal point for the capital of Kazakhstan, the soaring structure, at the northern end of the new city axis, rises from a 200m elliptical base to form the highest peak on the skyline of Astana. The 100,000sqm centre’s unique concept - to provide a sheltered environment embracing an urban-scale internal park, shopping and entertainment venue - was developed in response to the harsh climate of extreme weather in both winter and summer. The building will become a lively public space and an unprecedented amenity for the people of Astana which can be used throughout the year.

clawfoot tubs

when i see an old clawfoot cast iron tub, i am immediately taken back to my childhood....i grew up in a 100+ yr old house that my parent's renovated themselves. all of the bathrooms, except for my brother's, had clawfoot tubs. they were great for taking baths- super deep so the water could get really high w/ out overflowing (except for the one time i fell asleep w/ the water on...the library ceiling unfortunately paid for that mistake). my mom painted all of the bottoms of the tubs. mine was (and still is) red. it matched an accent bird on a vintage scalamandre wallpaper that the previous owner's had in the bathroom. i hope that one day i can have a clawfoot tub in our house....and i, like my mom, would have to paint the bottom a fun accent color!

*images courtesy domino/amanda peet, apartment therapy, jessica helgerson interiors, flickr/sarahleead, kathryn ireland

Gherkin behind the Tower of London

Gherkin behind the Tower of London

The Tower of London was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078. In contrast the Gherkin Building, which is actually called 30 St Mary Axe or the Swiss Re Building was designed by the architects Foster and Partners. Construction started in 2001 and the building was completed in 2004.

London Tower Bridge

London Tower Bridge Image

Tower Bridge was originally painted green, then brown, before becoming the current red, white and blue in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Thankfully for the British taxpayer it was decided not to cover the bridge in gold leaf for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. The bascules currently lift around one thousand times a year, or three times a day. Originally powered by pressurised water from the engine room housed on the south side of the bridge, when first opened the bascules were up and down with more regularity than a vicar in a brothel, and with this in mind the design called for two pedestrian walkways joining the tops of the towers.

turning 2

there is one thing that i am truly blessed with and that is an amazing family. i cannot tell you how lucky i am to have such wonderful parents and in-laws...warren and i are constantly saying this. and they couldn't be better grandparent's to taylor. she is definitely loved...maybe a little bit too much at times :) it is so crazy to think that she is two....here are some pics showing how we celebrated her special day (well twice).
my mom gave me one of those giant cupcake pans for xmas and i thought that this would be a perfect occasion to try it out. luckily, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are fabulous cooks and basically made the entire first one at the beach. it looked great!! we shared the party celebrations w/ my nephew who happens to share my same b'day. both loved opening presents...tay is so animated when she opens a gift...it doesn't matter if it is stickers or a doll house the excitement is just the same! i think that is what makes having kids so special, seeing their eyes light up just makes my day.
we headed to my parent's house after our beach trip was over...tay's actual b'day was on sun. so mom and i went out to find decorations (aka the dollar tree....hello, great balloons for a $1). in the meantime, tay and dad made gingerbread cookies. they were too cute...the m&m's were so randomly placed. on the way home from decoration shopping, i made mom make a pit stop at one of my favorite junkin' spots...she hates it but i love it b/c that is where i scored my DR table. i told her i could make it super quick and within one minute i spotted an activity table for taylor. something that i have been trying to find for awhile now b/c she loves to draw. for $5 and a quick coat of chalkboard paint, it will look better then ever! and btw, tay loved it.
once tay took a nap, it was time to begin making another giant cupcake...well, let's just say that the task is a lot easier when your mother-in-law makes it. mine didn't turn out so great. poor tay, her mom is no betty crocker. once tay woke up from her nap it was time for the presents to be opened...once again the excitement on her face was priceless. unfortunately, by the time her favorite meal was made (hot dogs and pickles), tay was feeling terrible (the beginning of a 103 temp) so she ate very little and went to bed w/ no ghetto giant cupcake or ice cream...
we felt the need to continue the fun in tay's honor and cooked fab hamburgers and homemade french fries. fortunately, my family was sweet and said that it didn't matter how the cake looked but that it tasted fabulous...

The London Eye Travel

The London Eye Travel

The London Eye, at 135 metres, is the tallest observation wheel in the world. I believe that the London Eye is most spectacular to non-riders when it's illuminated in the evening.One of the nice things about the London Eye is that you can combine it with other attractions. One time I went on a riverboat cruise that left from just in front of the Eye, touring the river from Westminster down past Tower Bridge and back. We got off the boat and got right into the queue for the Eye, on one combined ticket.

London EC3N 4AB England

London EC3N 4AB England

To prevent the birds flying away one of their wings is clipped by the Raven Master. This does not hurt the raven nor does it harm them in any way. By unbalancing their flight it ensures that they don't stray too far from the Tower.

i'm back....sort of.

i think i need a map that says: you are here....please proceed back to your normal life.
does it seem like life takes awhile to jump back into once you have been gone?? we have been on the go for the past 10 days- celebrating our wedding anniversary (warren was so sweet and surprised me w/ a romantic night away), going on vacation w/ the my husband's family for a week, having two b'day parties for a certain 2 yr old, surviving a double ear infection w/ tay, and now moving onto strep throat diagnosed this AM....
i kind of feel crazy...not to mention the entire contents of my house is sitting on the LR floor waiting to be unpacked...so i'm off to find 'the real world' again. be back soon.
ps. i missed y'all...

*image courtesy of sarah kaye

happy friday!

allison from my little happy place did a fun post asking some of my favorite blogger's to share a room in their house that expresses their individual style...click here to see how we keep it real!! thanks so much for including me allison!!
have a great friday...thank goodness the sun is finally out...back to the beach for moi!! see you next week :)

Dubai Towers Dubai

Dubai Towers Dubai

Dubai Towers Dubai is a four tower complex proposed in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The developer, Sama Dubai, intends this to form the centrepiece of The Lagoons, a megaproject located on Dubai Creek which will consist of seven islands. The towers have between 57 to 94 stories[1] and although the heights are not known, it is believed the tallest will top 400 metres (1,310 ft) while two others will rise beyond 300 metres (980 ft).

sometimes everyone needs a vacation...this week, it's officially ours. posts maybe limited b/c the beach is calling my name....

*image courtesy of this is glamorous