Monday Nook

Today's nook is the Master Bathroom in the Hampton Designer Showhouse, that I visited last month, in Southampton, NY.

It was created by Robert Passal Interior and Architectural Design, NYC.

The entryway into the bathroom was flanked by these two beautiful hand painted vanities.

Loved the mirrors and the moldings....with the little pink accents.

Of course I looked up! Beautiful!

In the centre of the bathroom, in front of the bath, was a gorgeous hot pink chaise on a gorgeous rug.

It was such a whimsical, elegant, feminine room...

.....with just enough pink to still have a serene air to it all!

What do you think? Could you soak in the tub in this bathroom?

Loved, loved, loved them. Grey and pink perfection.

Had to check out the smallest room. 

Delightful.

The tub.

Yeah, I could so do it. 

I wanted to get in right there and then, being all sweaty and non glamorous (with bike helmet hair) from my bike ride from Southampton to Water Mill. 

I thought it was all so positively lovely... right down to the pretty bath petals!

Happy Monday! 

My Most Favourite Store Ever

I know. Big statement. But true. 

Their most unassuming website does not prepare one for the real life experience.

I didn't even get to the furniture...

... I just wept over the lights.

Every style you could imagine....

... all there in the one magical emporium.

It truly was an 'Aladdin's Cave'.

People were so calm walking around... as if it was nothing to them....

..... like it's normal to have all this choice!!!!!....

.....at these prices. Weep.

My legs were weak after the whole, emotionally draining experience.

The doorman had a giggle and offered me a chair.

I felt like Crocodile Dundee.

It is 7.03am and I am in 'the shed'. Tuesdays are like that. Guitar Ensemble at 7am so shed at 7.01am

Unpacking some new goodies. After my ABC Carpet and Home experience I am so inspired to expand my range.... as best I can.... here.... in this lighting wasteland we call Australia.

Starting today.

Stay tuned!

Quick, Have I Forgotten Anything?

I've been awake since 2am #insomnia #devilswork Ref: Faux Fuchsia, 2010 At 2am it was 9am in LA and 12pm in New York. Maybe my body is responding to my fear of impending jetlag and it's getting me adjusted now? If I only I had the sun to stare in to at 2am. Anyway, I am awake for the Olympics Opening Ceremony so that's a gift with purchase with the insomnia.

Can you believe I am still going to be working today? I thought I'd shut up shop yesterday but I had some pleading emails from customers, "please, please one more before you go". I stood firm and said no, when the first two came in, and then I caved at the third. I'd mentally left work but I suppose I am opening the shop for a few hours this morning. #dedicated

Ok, so these are my belongings for the next few weeks. Everything fits into a carry-on sized bag which I have placed into a larger suitcase, that will all be checked in luggage. My little one said last night, when he was marvelling at my packing prowess, "is that big suitcase for all our presents?". Where'd he hear that? Who said anything about presents?

And just so you believe me.... there are 5 frocks under the top stuff, not including the one I am wearing on the plane with a light jacket. There's also one pair of slacks, 2 tops, 2 little scarves, a running outfit, jammies, underwear, a spare pair of shoes and a little bag of miscellaneous stuff.. medicine, some accessories etc, hairdryer.... and a tiny little flat leather day backpack lying at the bottom of it all!

I am taking all my toiletries on the plane with me, as they fit into the 20 x 20 <100ml allowance.... and then the rest in my carry-on is:

*a money neck thingy - I don't do the belt thing, too hard with frocks

*inflatable travel pillow

*passport

*cash

*VISA Cash Passport

*Visa credit card

*travel insurance policy number and helpline

*iPad

*iPhone

*portable iPhone battery

*phone to iPad adapter

*phone/iPad charger/cord

*socket converter

*TSA padlock - in a bright colour so I can recognise my bag

*earphones

*hand-wipes and tissues

*book

*spare glasses

*'origami good luck charm thingy', made with love by my little one last night

I am just going to take my little carry on bag with me on the bus to the Hamptons on Tuesday and leave the big suitcases at the hotel back in NYC. I am only up there for 3 days so I won't need much at all.

I'm doing the iPhone photo thing, like I did with Paris.... no big chunky cameras to carry. I might throw in my 'building site' handbag camera for insurance... if I can find it? I can't download the photos from it to my iPad (it's an old number) so it would be an emergency camera only if I lost my iPhone. 

That's it. Done. I'm ready... apart from work.... I just have to do the ironing today and clean the toilets and I'm ready to get on that plane guilt free tomorrow. I'll be switching over to my travel sim on my phone tonight. I spent all day yesterday getting it working... not for the faint hearted... and I am only using it for instagram when I am not around free Wi-Fi. Emails, 'attempted blogging' and skype phonecalls to the boys will be done via the free hotel Wi-Fi. 

What a big week. I'm looking forward to a good rest on the plane. I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning so I will say farewell now and catch you on the other side (of the world)!

Miss you already,

Countdown

Ok, it's sinking in that I'm outta here in 2 days time. I've started hugging and kissing my boys way more ....and telling them that I 'miss them already'. That's the hardest part, being away from them for a few weeks.... and being a long way away. I'll rise to the challenge. They are so busy with school and stuff, they won't even notice I've gone. Thank goodness for Skype.

I found this great New York Travel Guide through Flipboard last night. It's full of everything you could imagine... tourist tips and shows and updates on everything. How lovely that they will be lighting up the Empire State Building, in the colours of all the participating countries' flags, during the Olympics. I'm also very keen to catch a Central Park performance of Stephen Sondheim's 'Into the Woods'. I played in the orchestra of the Queensland Musical Theatre Company's production way back in 1996. It would be a wonderful trip down memory lane if I could see it again.... as an audience member and not a member of a 'flea pit' (that's what I called the orchestra pit in that production, as I am sure there were fleas down there). Glen Close is in it.... who'da thunk?  I hope the weather stays fine!

I have the longest wish list of things to do. I have been sent the most comprehensive lists of interior and design related things to see and experience, by my readers. Thank you so much everyone. I am so grateful that you took the time to write to me. I am collating it all on the plane trip. Everyone will be watching in flight entertainment and I'll be scheming with bits of paper and a notepad!

I have a big day ahead of me in the shed, finalising orders and shutting up shop for a few weeks. I so don't feel like it! I just want to go now!

I'm all packed! I'll share my packing experience with you tomorrow. You've gotta see it! I'm chuffed at how compact I am travelling. Helps that it is summer over there.

I can't sleep so I am off for a run I think... when it gets just a little bit lighter!
Happy Friday!


PS. Yep, mastered 'Blogsy'....although I cheated this morning and used the laptop when I am supposed to be practising iPad blogging. You'll just have to suffer what I send you from New York, with limited practice time under my belt. Any advice on Instagram? I have unlocked my iPhone and bought a 'Travel Sim' card which I am trying to activate and test. I tell you, those 'help desk ticket answerers' at Travel Sim have mastered sarcasm! Very intolerant of my blonde questions. I'm biting my tongue in my replies to them. Anyone else used this service?

Packing for NYC

Image Courtesy Rustic Meets Vintage

My thoughts are starting to turn to packing for NYC. 

I don't ever take much when I travel.... because I have learnt over the years that you never need/wear everything you take. I also think I cured myself of ever travelling 'heavy' again, having backpacked through Europe and the UK in my 20's.... back in the days when EVERYTHING I owned in the world was in my backpack. I worked in a Burns and Plastic Surgery Hospital in London, as a Dietitian, between 'adventures,' so I had to lug work clothes and shoes and work books around with me when I was on the move again too (one needed reference books as there were no computers... that 'Intensive Care Ready Reckoner' has seen the world with me!). Uggh, I don't think my back, hips or knees have ever been the same since. 

Image Courtesy Recylart

So this time? Am I the only one in the world NOT planning to fill suitcases full of cheap stuff to bring home?.. or are these famous last words? ... and will I be sheepishly dragging clutter home with me? All I can think of is the heartbreak of losing it through the journey home ....if you know what I mean. 'Never pack what you are not prepared to lose', they say.

Image Courtesy Apartment Therapy

So, first and foremost, my valuables are staying on me. My passport and cash/credit cards will be around my neck... you know the glamorous 'reach down into one's cleavage look' when you wish to buy anything?... yep, I feel safest travelling that way. Very handy apparatus for hanging over the shower head too... to keep your valuables within eyesight and grabbing distance, whilst showering... when you are staying in scary youth hostels in Cesky Krumlov, where you think you are going to be robbed whilst showering.... or murdered in your sleep (if my brother is reading this.....remember?... I was so grateful to wake up alive.)

Via All The Kings Houses

I''m not taking my laptop as it has my valuable 'work world' on it and if I lost it, my world would end.. well not really... but having to take the back up into some computer shop... and not seem blonde would be a stretch for me. IT and me?... need to know basis only. 

So, I have pinched my son's iPad 1... which sort of does nothing flash.... but I will be able to use Starbuck's WiFi and do stuff.... like a basic blog post with inappropriately sized photos etc.  I can 'bump' my iPhone photos onto it, so I have a back up of them... as I am only taking my iPhone (no camera... I know!... hey, I did Paris on an iPhone!) I have a little, flat, quite stylish, backpack handbag thing that is the exact size of the iPad.... so that's going on my back when I pound the pavement. The zipper can be padlocked and the padlock tucked out of sight ... minimising mugging scenarios....unless the mugger thinks, 'hey, that stylish handbag is the exact same size as an iPad, there must be one in there'!

Image Courtesy Recyclart

So I am still doing the carry on suitcase inside the larger suitcase as check-in baggage... just in case!.... and only taking stuff that fills the carry on.... a few summer frocks, walking shoes, yoga pants and singlet to RUN THROUGH CENTRAL PARK IN!!!!!! I'm getting new running shoes there. Yep, still got the 9 year old faithfuls..which I am sure are responsible for my worsening hip and my salt shaker sounding knees as I run up steps.

What else do I need to consider? Does anyone have any specific New York packing tips? Bit different to Paris... I dressed for the part with my Parisian cloche hat and winter scarves and boots! It's going to be hot over there this time! I'm only taking a very small bag onto the plane... book, iPad, toiletries (which I have whittled down to nothing) and change of clothes for lost luggage! 'Murphy's Law' always applies when travelling! 

Happy Thursday!