Which was the reason why I didn’t buy everything on this stand. This is a little display at the local boutique called J Pink which I frequented a couple of months ago. I don’t trust myself to go back. The artist who was there that day specialized in jewelry made from claimed sea glass from the Chesapeake Bay. I loved the story, I loved reclamation of the environment and I loved the jewelry.

However, because a major piece was at the time out of my price range – darn budget – I only purchased a couple of little pendants. I then put the pendants on a chain I already had. Each one is unique and none is the same, I love that too. They were about $20 a piece.

I cannot stop thinking about the little necklace made of blue sea glass – probably some kind of beer bottle. See the dark green? It was probably a Heineken bottle. Though I detest the littering of the bay, I am happy that someone has the creativity and talent to create something this beautiful out of someone else’s carelessness. I looked all over the internet for Liz Printz and I finally found where she will be selling her wares next. I may just make the trip down there…

Don’t tell the husband ok?

The husband was born in a very small town in Indiana. Last weekend, we drove through the town to show the kids his old house and his father’s old garage.

Years ago, back in the 1900’s this little town had a glass factory that made beautiful molded glass for sale. It burned down after only nine years in operation and the factory was never rebuilt.

This is a typical piece of Greentown glass. The opaque caramel color was very popular and though there are many pieces left, most are collectible items now.

Years ago, right after we were married, the husband and I purchased a compote just like this. We didn’t pay that price for it though. I wanted a piece of history and it was nice that history was made in the town where the husband has roots.

Here is more typical Greentown glass. I love the emerald green color.

This is a beautiful piece. Look at the intricate pattern and the opalescent shimmer. It’s really delicate. Off to a high shelf you go!

I bought this little cutie for my sister-in-law who was our host last weekend. It’s Hobbs glass and I thought the bubbles were fun.

This is what I had my eye on. The dolphin style was a popular Greentown glass pattern. For some reason it really spoke to me.

The pattern was made in many other types of glass and color. I wanted them all. I was told that these were used to serve condiments like mustard. I would need one for ketchup and salsa – the other ketchup.

And fish sauce.

The proprietor of the antique store was so nice and so patient. I insisted on seeing every single dolphin in the store.

And he obliged. There was a big discrepancy in the price of each one, depending on the condition.

The detail was amazing and though they came from molds, each was a little different from the other.

One of the above lids is a reproduction. I got to the point where I could tell which was genuine and which one was not. Not that it mattered to me.

I ended up purchasing the lowest price dolphin – and I talked him down $10 on top of it. He said I drove a hard bargain. I was rather proud of that comment actually. My dolphin has issues but I love it all the same, chips and cracks and all.

One more…I think this bowl was one of the priciest pieces in the store. It was really beautiful. I can see it filled with popcorn but I wouldn’t have the heart to do that. It too belongs on a high shelf.

This museum is an homage to the town’s heritage. It wasn’t open when we were there but it was for the better. I would have wanted to buy everything in the gift shop I’m sure.

So now I have two pieces of Greentown glass. I’m well on my way to a collection. A monster is born…

Five years ago, we added a bathroom in our basement.

The vision was to have a guest suite where our company can comfortably (but not too comfortably) stay for the duration of their stay. It also would give them (and us) some privacy.

Only half of our basement is “finished” and unfortunately after we remodeled our kitchen, we ran out of money so we couldn’t build a guest room to go with the guest bath.

The guest bathroom though still is one of the nicest and cleanest places in the house and the reason is simple. No one really goes down there.

I put some of our most prized antiques in the room. Our antique Chinese chair and our old Japanese kotatsu that I turned on the side for a side table.

I hung our favorite prints from the art gallery in town where we lived in Japan. I loved that place and have several pieces from their collection.

The bathroom is wonderful but the rest of the basement really needs a lot of work. Anyone want anything from my basement? It’s full of finds from flea markets long past. Some of it is cool too.

But this post is not really about our guest bath.

It’s about this…

Our guest bath is really illegal. Illegal in the sense that with all of the permits we obtained and passed, there was one that we missed. Two weeks ago, the county contacted us and said they needed to come back and inspect the work.

We said, “Really? It’s been five years.” I guess it doesn’t matter.

So the inspector came and inspected – and we failed the inspection.

The short story is this, there have been contractors, workers and inspectors in and out of our home for the past two weeks. There were holes cut and dry wall taken down. There was insulation pumped into the walls and there was insulation that burst out of those same walls.

I actually ran over one of the contractor trucks with my van.

Once the work was done, the inspector came back but didn’t sign us off.

I don’t know what else it will take. But I do know that the contractors we initially used have been dolls. Absolute dolls.

I haven’t seen Bill or Jimmy in so long. They put in my kitchen after they put in the guest bathroom. Then they put in the upstairs powder room. They were like part of the family. I missed them, but I didn’t want to see them again like this. I was hoping the next time I saw them was to put in a new deck (sorry honey.)

The inspector on the other hand is a real…bureaucrat.

I feel a mini-renaissance period coming along in my life. It may be estrogen driven. Then again, it may not. In any case, I have been pulling things from the basement. I just think it’s a shame that they are hidden away. They should be shown in public, in their best light.

I love blue accessories, blue plates, blue books, and blue plants. And I love shells so I thought I’d put them together and see what I get.

And I get this…I’m not a designer, can you tell? But I like it. I wonder what other blue things I can find. I don’t think there’s enough stuff on this console.

Happy early Blue Mosaic Monday!

The Chanler at the Cliffwalk in Newport, RI – the home of my dreams…if only for a weekend.

As the summer continues its heated fast-paced march to fall, my mind turns to cooler, more leisurely moments, like our girls’ trip to Newport, RI a couple of months ago.

I pulled up these photos for Jolyn’s Blog Cafe…welcome! I thought I might be a little indulgent today and show photos of a very beautiful, elegant and very luxurious place, the Chanler at Cliffwalk. 

Neighbors Sue and Beth and I were given a tour of some of the rooms and this is the last room on our little tour. Lauren, our hostess extended this gracious invitation to us and well…who are we to say no.

We started off at the Louis IX Room, then the Williamsburg Room and now…the Regency Room.

This room was filled with antiques reminiscent of the English monarchy during the 1200’s or 1300’s…or so. Anyway, a long time ago…during the time of Knights of the Round Table, Guineviere and Lancelot…

This room however had running water and cable tv…but at times I’d trade both for a chamber maid.

Here’s a couple of photos of the gorgeous dining room…

…where I eat my fois gras and pot au choux, which I think is just a pot pie, but one would not eat a plain old pot pie in this dining room – so pot au choux it is.

But as far as I’m concerned, the best place is the veranda, where Neighbors Beth and Sue and I had spiced pear martinis and watched the waves break on Narragansett Bay.

Hi ladies…

I’m going back…anyone want to join me?

Thanks for the invitation to write for the Blog Cafe today Jolyn!

Posted on Mosaic Monday…

Grab a drink. Hopefully a martini.

Doesn’t this man look like he loves his job?

And grab a cigar…

Now this looks like a gentleman’s room doesn’t it?

 …because we’re going to the see the Williamsburg Suite.

I’m married to a history fanatic…one who reads every single word on every single plackert on every single display at the Smithsonian. It took us two hours just to get through the stingray display.

So I know that Colonial America didn’t have beds this sumptuous. Though I admit the prints on the fabrics are very close to the period.

Mt. Vernon, as beautiful as it was for the time, doesn’t hold a candle to the Chanler.

This bed was high, just like back then, but I’m sure it’s a thousand times as soft. I was so tempted to just sit down on it. But I couldn’t, no matter how many martinis I had or how many cigars I smoked. Kidding!

It just wouldn’t be right. But it was beautiful, that’s for sure.

Have any of you been to the Netherlands? No? Well neither have I. But I can say that this is a Delft pattern on the tile around the fireplace. So typical of the Colonial time period too. I don’t know why, you’ll have to ask the husband.

This was another gorgeous bathroom, but do you see what’s in the mirror?

It seems there’s a television in very bathroom in this house. I supposed I would spend more time in my bathroom if it looked it this. And I shall wear a fluffy white robe while doing so.

What a gorgeous house!

I have photos of the Regency Room but I will save them. In a few months, I’ll be tired of washing the dinner dishes, cleaning up cat throw-up, and nagging about kids’ messy rooms. Then I’ll post photos of the Regency Room and dream of what can be…

Here’s a link to the Louis XVI room on this blog…
Here’s a link to the powder room on this blog…
And
Here’s a link to the Chanler On The Cliff Walk. You won’t regret it…

p.s. I wanted to add that in the world of paid endorsements, this is not one of them. No one has ever paid me anything for LifeSignatures. Neighbors Beth & Susan and I just happen to have stumbled across this beautiful place while hiking on the Cliff Walk last weekend. And oh, what a find…

A round of Spiced Pear martinis for everyone please…

We were told by “people in the know” that we should do the Cliff Walk while we were in Newport, RI last weekend.

And I’m telling you…you should too when you visit. Notice I didn’t say if.

We came across this railing nestled in rose bushes.

We followed the roses up the stairs.

And we saw my future home at the top.

It’s called the Chanler at Cliff Walk and I’m moving there next week.

After Neighbors Beth and Susan and I finished our hike along the cliff we stopped to have a bite to eat and an afternoon cocktail on the veranda.

This is obviously not my house but a girl can dream. I want to show you some of the gorgeous rooms inside.

Before I do though, I want to give you a tour of the bathroom. It’s the most gorgeous bathroom I have ever seen, and I’ve seen many a bathroom in my lifetime.

This is me taking a photo of the mirror. I’m sure this stance looks familiar to some of you bloggers.

You can use a washcloth to clean your face after a grueling five mile hike in the salty air, all the while catching up on the news.

Do you have a fireplace in your bathroom?

I had to show you this…using the word “stall” would be a total insult.

Every detail - I mean every detail - was absolutely, breath takingly, gorgeous.

I intended to sit here just for a few minutes to catch my breath and take it all in. And I ended up sitting there for ten minutes. I literally didn’t want to leave the bathroom.

I will show you some other rooms in the hotel/bed and breakfast/castle throughout the week. You won’t believe it.

I absolutely intend to go back and stay. And the husband has agreed. Or rather he said, “Uh-huh” which is good enough.

Posted on Wordful Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus.

I want to thank you all so much for coming by to vote and leave such helpful and constructive comments. I feel like I’ve been empowered. And I also feel like you’ve stopped me from doing something I’ll regret.

Unlike our hapless politicians in Washington, I unabashedly admit that I am letting the polls sway my policy decisions. I won’t deny it.

Thank you to those who gave me some sympathy votes so it didn’t look like such a blow-out. And the four people from Switzerland who voted, thank you to you too.

I’ve decided to go with your suggestion and ditch the glass tile, therefore admitting that my husband was right by default. And he’s very pleased about it.

See the results of the vote here. I don’t know how to turn off the poll so as of today, as it stands, Yes – 25%, No – 67% and “I dont’ want to hurt your feelings.” – 8%.

I bow to the majority! So now…back to the drawing board…

Last week, my new man was back doing his thing in the bathroom. Now that’s a statement if I ever heard one.

This is how a pilot does tile, very precisely, very carefully, very anally, and with attention to detail; it’s almost second nature to them. It’s a matter of life and death and that sensibility is brought into everything they do, even laying tile.

This is what it looks like now, I love it! I just finished painting the wainscoting. (I’m not sure if that’s what it’s called. It’s the paneling that goes halfway up the wall.) The husband just asked me what color I painted it and I told him a very very light shade of lavender/gray. Or basically, white.

I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here’s the new tub,

it replaced this old derelict thing. Ugh that was awful. So glad it’s gone.

Next thing to go is this wall paper. I painted over it with an awful yellow. The color looked great in the hallway but not so good in the bathroom where the light was different.

This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to tile over the entire wall above the wainscoting and the walls behind the bathtub – and I really need your help.

My question is: Do you like this tile?

Take your time. Be truthful. I can take it.

Here’s another look.

And another look still…

For the record – I like it, the husband doesn’t like it, the kids say “Yeah, I guess so.”

You are breaking the tie. My home is in your hands.

Update: Just for fun, I’m adding a poll…he he. Sorry for those of you who came already!
[polldaddy poll=1706834]

I want you all to know that I love my husband. But today, there’s a new man in my house. And he’s putting in my tile. The same tile that was sitting there since I wrote this post in February? Has it been that long? Since then the kids have been using the facilities in either the basement or waking us up at 5:30 am to take showers in our bathroom.

It can’t go on. I can’t go on.

I saw Kel at the 7th grade assembly yesterday and I said simply, “Kel I need you.” Bless his heart he had a concerned look on his face but he said, “Your tile isn’t done. I know, I talked to TJ yesterday.”

So now he’s here, right now. I love the sound of tile being moved around upstairs.

This is left over tile from our basement bathroom, I love the honey comb look.

And for today, Kel is my honey.