My Harlequin Romance

Growing up, my mother collected music boxes, and one of my personal favorites was a small piece containing the figure of a Harlequin, who danced when the box was wound.  For my third birthday, she hired a real French Pirouette to entertain the neighborhood children.  My memories of that day stem mainly from stories and pictures, but I've always held a special fondness for French clowns, maybe because they seem more refined and less garish than typical circus clowns, and they were such a special part of my childhood.

Another treasured music box with a tiny clown.

This clown dances when you open the drawer.  Notice his ruffled collar.

For the past year, I've had a huge crush on the Harlequin Rug, created by Allegra Hicks for her collaboration with West Elm.  It's no secret that I'm a West Elm fan, and I especially love their willingness to work with artists from all cultures and backgrounds, from little-known Etsy artists to designers like Hicks, who is Italian and married into the famous British design family that includes her legendary father-in-law, David Hicks, and her sister-in-law, India Hicks.

The Harlequin Rug initially caught my eye with its bold pattern of raindrops that mimic the folds of a harlequin's collar, and I love the muted colors printed upon the natural jute material.  I first discovered the rug before we redid our floors and much of our decor, but I knew I wanted to use it somehow, someday.  Finally, my patience was rewarded when the rug went on sale recently, and I was able to purchase the blue runner for a steal.  It recently arrived and I am in love, though I had a little trouble finding the right home for my lovely harlequin to live.

After spending two months in a house undergoing renovations, I'm in no hurry to finish decorating, if such a thing truly exists, and I believe in allowing your home's furnishings to grow and evolve over time.  I really try to find pieces that I love and will use for many years, and I had my eye on the Harlequin rug for quite a long time.  I just wasn't sure where I wanted to put it, so I did a bit of experimenting.  I wanted to brighten up the main hallway a bit, so for now, the rug is here, and I think it works well.

West Elm's Allegra Hicks Harlequin Jute Rug, in my main hallway.

Another view of the rug in my main hallway, where it currently resides.

A view from the kitchen.  I really like how the colors play against each other.

Layered over another West Elm rug in our master bedroom.  It works well with my Marie chair, but not so much with the duvet.

I also tried it at the front door (just ignore the mat underneath), but it was too long and too narrow.

And finally, back in its current spot, where I like it best for now.

I'm so thrilled to finally own this little piece of heaven, and it was certainly worth the wait.  The blue color I chose is now sold out at West Elm, but they still have the smallest green size in stock.  Of course, I might have to get that one, too, for the area near my kitchen sink.

Is there something you've had your eye on that you finally brought home?  I'd love to hear about it.

More Summer Beauty Buys: The Sunshine Edition

I'm a big fan of Jane Iredale Cosmetics, and though it's been out for a while now, I just recently decided to purchase their Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen.  With an SPF level of 30, this powder can be worn alone, under or over makeup, and also anywhere on the skin.  It's great for men (though it did appear powdery on Ryan's face when he let me try a dab, good sport that he is!) and children, too.  The powder's package can be a bit tricky to figure out, so here's a short tutorial to guide you.

The powder arrived in a beautifully wrapped package, with a lovely sprig of lavender and a sweet note.

 Powder-Me SPF with a mirror on the lid.

Once the lid is removed, the sponge applicator is visible. 

The powder comes in a small cylinder with a mirror on the top, and once you remove the lid, the sponge applicator is visible.  You then unscrew the applicator, dip it into the powder, and apply it to your skin.

Just unscrew the sponge, dip it into the powder, and apply.  Easy as pie!

Since I have oily skin and larger pores, I've found that this sunscreen works best if I apply it under my mineral foundation, rather than on top, where it settled into my skin a bit.  It took several days of experimenting to get the right look for me, but I'm happy with the powder and know that I'm getting plenty of protection from the sun.

I've also been applying it to my neck, chest area, and arms without any problems.  Once you rub it in, it basically disappears, and the best part, in my opinion, is that you can't feel the powder at all, so it's not heavy, like SPF lotions.  As far as sunscreen goes, this powder is definitely on the expensive side, but I can use it every day, in every season, all over my body, so it's worth the extra cost.

And, as a little gift inside my pretty package from Jane Iredale, I also received a deluxe sample of Tantasia Self Tanner.  Let me just say that my natural skin tone is pale, not in a lovely Dita Von Teese-alabaster-kind-of-way, but in a bright-white-snowblind-kind-of-way.  I'm okay with that and have never used a self-tanner, especially after listening to my sister recount the story of how she once applied too much tanner and used nail polish remover (acetone, anyone?) to try and, um, remove it. 

But, I figured I had nothing to lose, and so Saturday morning after my shower, I first applied my regular lotion, then a small amount of Tantasia to each leg.  I was really impressed by how well it went on, dried quickly, and left no streaks.  I made sure to rub it in until my legs were completely dry, and that was it.  There's already a slight glow, and since the lotion is buildable, I can keep using it this summer to safely darken my tan.

Of course, I'm quickly running out of my little sample, so Tantasia might soon end up on my Covet List, too.

A Joy Forever (With apologies to Keats)

John Keats' poem, "A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever," begins with these lines:

                 
                    A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
                    Its loveliness increases; it will never
                    Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
                    A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
                    Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

I am reminded of his words now while our house is wide awake, and not sleeping.  James, our eccentric three-year-old, recently found new freedom in his big boy bed, and though he has never needed much sleep to function well, he is currently testing the limits by waking at ungodly hours, turning on all the lights in the house, harassing his baby brother, throwing epic tantrums, and disrupting our early-morning routine.  I am running on empty lately, and we are working to set new patterns for him to follow.  

In the few quiet moments that I muster, I am thoroughly enjoying my online blogging class and learning new things daily.  One of our teachers, Jeanette Lund of FRYD + DESIGN, is a Norwegian graphic artist recently named Interior Talent of the Year by Elle Decoration Norway.  Jeanette's work is truly inspiring, and she is well-known for her lovely online magazine, currently in its third edition.  Her creativity is evident in the pages of her work; and to me, the fact that she has cultivated and self-published a series of beautiful journals, available to everyone, for free, adds her to the ranks of greats like Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, both writers who also self-published their works during their lifetimes.  To do so shows great strength and dedication to their art, in my opinion, and I admire all three artists immensely. 

While perusing Lund's piece, I fell in love with the work of another Norwegian pair, Wik & Walsøe, creators of gorgeous porcelain tableware collections.  I was drawn to the beauty and simplicity of their ALV series, and I hope to own the entire set someday.  I'm typically not the type to swoon over dishes, but these pieces are truly stunning in their art and design.  Only one retailer in the United States carries their work, Nordic Galleri in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and I decided to purchase a piece immediately, as an early birthday present to myself, using the money I've been saving to buy my much-coveted rose ottoman.  Some things are simply worth having immediately.

The vase arrived today, just as naptime began, and, in absolute quiet and heavenly peace, I was able to open and admire the beauty of my own little "Grecian Urn."  I also spent a while tinkering with my camera, attempting to capture its beauty myself. 

The Alv vase by Wik & Walsøe.

As I take this class, I am truly beginning to understand the need for some basic photography skills, which I do not currently possess, and I'm excited at the prospect of learning something new that will challenge and, hopefully, inspire my creativity.  As my boys grow older, I find myself searching for new ways to expand my horizons, away from them a little, as they are growing up and away from me.

It's definitely a complicated path, this time of self-discovery, but I feel so inspired by the work of others, and their creations are fueling my desire to keep moving forward in search of "truth [and] beauty."

Currently Coveting: Rose Storage Ottoman

"Lord, what is covet?"  That's what my mother asks every single time she sees something she wants and can't have, which, let's face it, is often in this economy.  I keep a running list, on paper, of things I would like to buy, which usually includes makeup for myself, clothing for myself, jewelry for myself, and things for my home, plus a few things for the boys.  (What kind of selfish mother do you think I am?)  It's fun to have a wish list, and I like to save a bit of money each month to buy things I enjoy.

Rose Reims Storage Ottoman

Currently, I'm coveting this rose storage ottoman, something completely impractical, but I want it so much (imagine me saying that in a really whiny voice).  I've seen it for sale at Joss and Main and also at Overstock.com, and I really can't justify buying it.  Even though I have the perfect place in mind and it goes so well with my summer touches of pink, we don't need another ottoman or place to sit.  Though the extra bit of storage it offers is nice, I know the boys will only use it as their plaything, and climb all over it while wiping their hands and mouths upon the lovely, tufted cover.

For now, I am content with staring at its picture every few days, dreaming of its rosy presence in the perfect little nook outside my bedroom door.  I do check the price, hoping for a sale, and one day, maybe if I'm lucky, I'll take the plunge and purchase it.

It's such a silly little thing, this rose tufted ottoman, but it's so lovely to behold.

What's on your covet list?