My husband has been assigned to an executive position with his company in Brazil and I couldn’t be happier for him. If there is anyone who deserves an opportunity like this, it would be him. He is an ethical and hard worker man who has been working for this same company since out of college, and like in everything else he puts his effort on he gives it all. I remember when our little one was born, I can’t believe it’s been more than three years, how hard he tried to break himself into three, having to be at work every day, going two and three nights a week to finish his MBA, and wanting to be here to help with the little one. All that meanwhile remodeling our home. And somehow he magically did, even waking up with me almost every night to help me. Looking back I know those days were though but thanks to his help and presence it almost felt manageable. I’m very proud for him! After weighing all the pros and cons we decided to finally grasp this once in a lifetime opportunity and move to overseas. At this point I’m not taking any clients unless the client is willing to work via online but my lovely blog will come with me wherever I go. At first I was very hesitant although never doubted about the move but it has slowly grown on me and now I’m extremely excited and anxious to see what we will learn in Sao Paulo. We already have a few plans while being there, such as visiting Buenos Aires and Punta Del Este, two places I’ve been meaning to go to.
Looking back. Way back, I remember I always wanted to live in different countries and one of our priorities is for our son to grow up with knowledge and awareness of all the different worlds out there and if possible learn different languages. It scares me to death for him to grow narrowed minded, so this will be an extremely important step in his raising. Evren once shared with me something he read about the first 5 years of a child’s life being heavily influential in their lives; and I agree. The environment as much as the people around them is fundamental so we will be paying a visit to Sao Paulo to house hunt soon, and I’ll share the process with you. There is a relocation company who is helping us with this but I’m too hands on to let go so I’ve been searching about rental properties, and unfortunately like in every other category in search engines, popularity doesn’t always match quality. Too bad there is no Pinterest for real estate. Why doesn’t someone come up with that. We were also told that rental properties are usually gone in one day. It’s pretty much take it now or never. God help us!
When my in-laws asked me to help them with remodeling their kitchen in their vacation home in Manavgat, Turkey, the first thing they asked for was for a modern kitchen. They had lived most of their lives in Istanbul so they wanted a space where they can come and rest their minds and eyes from the ornate and splendor of Istanbul. They are also big fans of modern design and big collectors of glass in every shape and color you can imagine. One main reason for the remodel was to make the kitchen more spacious and functional and to convert one full bathroom, next to the kitchen, into a powder room. I made the floor plan and suggested the use of local material such as travertine, which was used on the kitchen floor as well as for the hallway through the entrance. We did many Skype conference calls to make decisions and go over the details. It’s amazing all you can do with technology now a days! There are still some things left to be done, such as window treatments and other stuff.
For the powder room I suggested a sliding door and you can see a tiny bit of it towards the right.
As many vacation homes in the Mediterranean, the washer/dryer is in the kitchen, the small microwave/ oven is a sentimental object because it belonged to my mother in law’s mother so she made a point of keeping it. They are very happy with the result and am even happier that they love it.
Sometimes I seem to have little fashion sense or better said, I favored my common sense. Like over the weekend, when we went for a brunchy-bite at Pastis in the Meatpacking District and literately sabotaged my cute, Century21-find, Valentino flats with a pair of unattractive gray socks. It was cold! I much rather enjoy running errands on a pretty cobblestone street, even when aesthetically unmatched, than not doing so at all. Like that, I went ahead and took care of a few things we needed to do, among them, replacing our router which apparently was getting old and visiting Kiehl’s.
My husband has an obsession for stacking up on things. “Stack up sweetie pie. Get more.” he oftentimes says, to which I always reply “Why? Should we be getting ready for a famine that I don’t know about”. But this time though, I did stack up on Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Because I don’t only use it for it’s over-night recovering effects but also as “the best make up primer” ever. It really is that good! I’ve had a longtime love and hate relationship with makeup, afraid that if using too much it will make my crow feet stand out. But when I go out at nights or for important events I use this Kiehl’s product under tinted moisturizer and what it does is that makes the makeup run as smooth as a kid sliding down a snowy hill and not to mention the glow it adds. If you can, go to a Kiehl’s store get a sample and try it. You’ll see what I mean.
This blog has never been contacted by Kiehl’s, nor have we been asked to review any of their products. This is simply my personal experience.
“What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.” ~ P. D. James
“Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.” ~Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear
I’m helping a very good friend of mine to decorate her apartment in the Hells Kitchen area of the City and one, if not, “the” statement piece of the room will be an oversized photograph flanked by two swing arm sconces. Architectural photography works great in any design setting, bringing the much needed tension to a traditional room and/or lending visual weight to a very modern room. Enjoy!
To say that leopard is a trend would make Madeleine Castaign laugh in her grave, so I’ll not say that. It’s undoubtedly in its heyday lately and women and men alike seem to love it a lot. The small and continuous pattern takes leopard way ahead of zebra. It’s more livable and easier to commit to than zebra as well. Enjoy!
