Road Trip: Monterey and Carmel

We are heading out today to spend the long weekend in Monterey and Carmel, a couple of the most beautifully scenic areas in California:

We will be seeing the famous Lone Cypress tree:

Visiting the Cannery in Monterey:

Shopping. Did you even doubt it?

Hitting the spectacular Monterey Bay Aquarium (I think there is an interiors color scheme here):

I love seeing the Carmel Mission:

And downtown Carmel is full of shopping: art, antiques, boutiques and restaurants (a little spendy all the way around, but sometimes you find a treasure you can't live without!):

Carmel is famous for it's artist colony, and there is no need to wonder why:

We plan to do some of this:

And visit Julia Pfeiffer State Beach in Big Sur (if there is time!):

So I wish you all a wonderful long Labor Day Weekend! I will be back on Monday....late.

BYE!

All photos from flickr

Harris Marcus Home. Cool.

Just some stuff I found today on the Harris Marcus website here.

I Love LENOVO

I'm really loving Lenovo! I've been a partnership with Lenovo since May, blogging about my various experiences. They provided the tools ( a laptop and camera) I simply type. And let me tell you, its nice to know there are people out there that want to hear about your rambling. But, this isn't the real reason I love Lenovo.

Let me tell you why I think they are great! While I was in Singapore I accidently injured my laptop. Apparently laptops are designed to open and close, and opening a laptop beyond its desire range of motion can break the hinges...umm.... well let's just say I did the latter. Gradually my laptop no longer would stay open, it would either violently close or go back 180 degrees.

So, I shamefully brought in my new laptop, to Lenovo (which was onsite in the Village) to take a look at my once beautiful Lenovo Laptop. Yes, I was ashamed of the destruction I had performed, in such a short span of time. To my surprise, Kevin Walker a representative with Lenovo and the VP of Gobal Web Marketing, David Churbuck took extraordinary care of me.

They replaced my laptop, providing me with a sleek upgraded Beijing Special Edition slim version laptop (IdeaPad U110). Placed all my documents on my previous computer on my new computer and external hard drive. And provided me with nothing but love, support and kindnss. Never making me feel bad about my accident. These guys were great! Customer and Client Service -- Grade A.

I have used a lot of various laptops over the years, and without a doubt I can say that none measure up to Lenovo.

Loving Lenovo,

Nicole

So Sylvie

I got a very sweet note from Sylvie of the So Sylvie blog the other day announcing that her beautiful shop Blossom Home is sadly going to close. If you were unaware of Sylvie's talent, take a look:

Not only is her shop beautiful, but so is she. She has had a bit of hardship lately, which you can read about here. I hope you will join me in your support and well wishes by visiting her blog.

Sylvie is letting some of her very special pieces go on Craig's List so you might want to check things out here.

This etagere is one of the beauties being sold.

I wish I had gotten a chance to visit her shop in person, but I hope Sylvie will be starting a new chapter where her talents will flourish!

Wishing all good things for Sylvie and her family!

Restoration Hardware: baby & child

I don't know if you all noticed that Brocade Home, a subsidiary of Restoration Hardware, is no longer taking orders. Perhaps it is because of the launch of this site: Restoration Hardware Baby & Child.

I was looking for a Dining Table and noticed the new logo at the top of RH's website, so decided to check it out. There are quite a few nice things here (like the sweet personalized crown piece above).

The furniture, I would suspect, is the same high quality you would expect from the parent site. This four poster is a really timeless design I think. And the bedding hosts a hive of little bees fit for a little Josephine.

The lamps are great looking and quite a good price. This gourd lamp is $119, plus the shade at $25.

Cute lamp reminiscent of Jaime Young. Painted ceramic, comes in a bunch of colors (as does the gourd lamp), and different shade choices. $69! Plus a shade at $25. This is not a tiny little lamp either. It stands 22" high. (Sometimes with a price like this I double check the size to make sure it is not a mini lamp.)

And there are area rugs and window coverings as well. I thought this woven rug (comes in other colors also) was very nice!

I was very impressed overall. Restoration Hardware has great things that blend in with many different decors, so I was very pleased to discover this site. Hope you will be too. Worth a visit for sure.

The Light in the Hall

This sconce was not up when I showed you my hallway way back last November (see the post here).

I bought a pair for either side of the Butler's Pantry cabinetry. What I love is the mirrored back plate reflecting the sconce and doubling the effect. Great for a hallway.

I just want to say a big "THANK YOU" to Blogger and all of my wonderful readers. Without you all, I would not have realized I really had to clean up all of the junk mail, catalogs, magazines, notepads, used batteries, old receipts, school papers, yellow pages, rubber bands, ( how do they get everywhere?!?) off the counter before I could take this picture:

The sconces are from Hudson Valley Lighting. Hudson Valley is known for their reproduction light fixtures and their very reasonable pricing. To find out more about the details for this sconce, click here. Oh....and thank you to Hudson Valley for the very cool sconces!

Managing the Unexpected

Where to start... Well how about I start from the end and work my way to the start. Today was the qualification rounds for the Women's High Jump. I finished 11th in my field with a height of 1.89m.. just missing qualification for finals by the smallest of margins.

Under normal conditions this would be devestating, but, actually I am well recovered and pleased with my resolve. Obviously a qualification would have been wonderful, but sometimes you have to keep things in perspective to sustain some sanity.

Yes, it was raining. Actually "terrential down fall" is probably more accurate. However, the rain wasn't so much an issue. (It just sucked trying to stay dry!) And to the credit of my competitors I think everyone did a good job staying focused and competitive. I was never nervous, but felt very comfortable in the 100,000 seated stadium. I made sure to enjoy the moment and every jump. At the very least I wanted to make sure I left EVERYTHING on the track and could give no more. And I did do that, but it wasn't enough.

On this day, I could do not much more. But, why I am okay with this performance has to do with my ability to adjust to the unexpected. On Monday at the warm-up track I sprained my jump ankle, tripping on a railing. I was in shock, pain and devestated as I limped over to my medical people -- the tears forming in the corner of my eyes. They did a good job keeping me calm and controlling the swelling. However, a subsequent assessment at the village did create panic for me (it's not a confidence booster having your foot x-rayed 3 days before an Olympic qualification round). There is also a history with this ankle. I spent 6 weeks rehabing it in March & April, and a sprain at the Olympic Games poked a hole in my balloon.

However, with some alteration in my training and some aggressive physio we were able to put me back on the track and in competition mode. I'm applying 4 to 7 times my body weight on my ankle in each jump and confidence in that joint is needed to commit to the jump.... like I'm either attacking the bar 100% or I might as well not be jumping. And I did attack. I never backed down. I attacked with the same intention as I would if I was jumping in optimal conditions. Fighting for every height, as best I could. And this is resillency for me. It's raining hard, I'm wet, I'm cold, my ankle is stiff and taped up for support but none of that matters. My only concern is execution. And to give it my all.... And I do!

There is one last thing I should mention. When you perform less than what is expected usually people don't know how to react. Some people will give you the pity look or try to avoid asking you how you are doing. I don't identify myself by my performance. Just because I'm jumping well or poorly does not make me a good or bad person. I'm still Nicole. Answering media questions after competing today was more difficult than the competition itself, because there was an insuiation that I would be really devestated by my performance. So I found myself questioning what I had or hadn't done -- when in fact I walked off the track with no regrets. Ultimately, I realized that my initial assessment was the correct reaction. I left EVERYTHING on the track and could give no more.

We all have good days and bad days, but the lessons learned and how we respond is what makes us better... And if I'm sounding positive or upbeat, it's only because I've had other competitions where I've learned this lesson.

Still learning,
Nicole

Birthday Room Redo

When we moved to our new/old house, my oldest daughter called dibs on the best bedroom for herself. It has French doors leading to a sunroom with great windows, and is quite charming. In fact, it was one of the selling points for the house. My younger daughter waited very patiently while we decorated her sister's room first. So, I have been secretly planning to redo my younger daughter's bedroom for her birthday. I have yet to figure out a way to get her out of the house for a weekend while we repaint and install all of the new furniture and draperies. I have already received some of the furniture, but need to order some things ASAP to get them here in time. I thought I'd share a quick sketch of the plan:

I just picked up this bed from IKEA and need to paint it white. You may have seen it recently in Domino:

We already have this bedding from Pottery Barn, shams and Duvet Cover. So the walls will be painted a coral-y pink:

I received these nightstands from Bungalow 5 the other day. Storage is always an issue for my little fashionista:

I need to get these Pagoda lamps ordered right away from Worlds Away. I am going to add some grosgrain ribbon to the shades top and bottom to add a little color like these shades from PB Teen:

I have these drapery panels from Pottery Barn, and just need to pick up some wood rods from Home Depot to paint an espresso brown. This is the most economical way to get a substantial looking rod. (I have a thing about telescoping rods. I can't help it but they really bother me.):

We already had this area rug from West Elm in her room which she picked out quite awhile ago (in the dark brown):

A quick sketch of the dresser wall:

I am thinking about this dresser from Pottery Barn mostly because of the size. It is a good size and not too big for the space. And I like the detail at the bottom of the piece:

I am planning on painting it a warm black and changing out the hardware to something a bit more interesting like this from My Knobs:

I am thinking about this mirror from Horchow, a very good price at $189 I think:

And then add these resin branch sconces from Oly Studio on either side of the mirror with perhaps shells on them. (Somehow I think I may be overruled along the way with a couple of Hello Kitty items):

And there has got to be flamingos. Photos or vintage prints. Somehow flamingos are going to be in the room. I think a couple of pieces to the right of the bed to balance the window on the left. I may frame some photos I have taken. But if anyone has any other ideas, I would love to hear from you!

I am dealing with a pretty tight budget and a short time frame. I am hoping I have time to get things repainted. I might take a quick look at some shops for a more unique dresser and some other one-of-a-kind things to make it more personal. But I promise to show you the results. We'll see how close I get to the sketches!

New Beginnings

I have not been able to post in the last few days. Maybe you have noticed. Maybe not. I have been thinking alot since I found out some news on Friday that one of my very valued co-workers is going to be leaving the company I work for. Fall is, for some, a time to make changes, to take on new challenges. It is a time many think of as a beginning, rather than a winding down. Maybe this feeling is due to the fact that we associate starting school in the Fall as a chance to start over, maybe show our class mates a new "self" we have improved over the summer.

Our yard before

So, my friend leaving just happens to be at the same time my older daughter is returning to school. My daughter has all of a sudden become a young adult over the summer. It has been a learning experience for our whole family. But I am feeling it very acutely.

Our yard with it's new beginning

I have always loved the Fall. It is my favorite season. Not only because it is beautiful here in Sacramento in the Fall with the leaves changing and the air getting that crisp freshness, but because it seems like a time for new things, for possibilities.

Things are looking good

I am wishing my friend at work all good things in her future. I know she will be going places. She is so very talented and very sharp. I am sad to see her go. I will miss her for many reasons. She was always my sounding board for design and ideas. But I know this is good for her.

And for my daughter, I know this will be a year of challenges and opportunities. My hope is that she takes advantage of them with a cheerful and enthusiastic heart. It is all just beginning and I am so excited for her!

And as for me...well...we will see.

Angels in the Dugout

Okay.. So, its been a moment since I've last blogged. I've been busy in transit. I've just returned to the village after being away at a training camp in Singapore. It is nice to be back but I'm also glad I'm just returning. Competing at the end of the games as the advantage of greater preparation time. For me the latter is important.

Today something dawned on me. While we the athletes are on the frontline and ultimately deciding our fate there are many people in the back, that the spectators do not see. It's the physiotherapists, chiropracters, masseause, coaches, and sponosors (as well as the family and friends) preparing us for battle. Our team therapists have been phenominal. They are the last one leaving the track arriving back in the village at midnight only to return to the track at 7 am.

As we approach competition days our demands from our therapists become greater. Suddenly, a minor tooth ache can manifest into needing our neck and spine looked at... okay, I'm exaggerating of course. The point is we are trying to make sure everything is working as we want it to our therapists are there to make sure we are... and never showing fatigue. Willing to help us and reassure us for battle.

Thank you Team Canada!
Nicole

you're so vain

There is a time to be vain and it is every morning, every night, and every time you walk by a reflective surface.


Doesn't it seem like every evil wife in movies has a vanity? Her throne for beautifying and for plotting.

The unnecessary and luxurious corners:

These walls are v easily taped and painted. Would be v fun to do.

Mirrored surfaces are pretty huge right now. Fad or not?
I guess all the more surface area with which to look at yourself.
Chair looks bit like mine, but way more gilded, way classier.

Like the vanity/desk itself; chair fugly.

Skirting makes the chair look like Charlotte York, ja?

Lucite could be v nice if you aren't too clutterfull.

From Domino mostly, of course.