Kenya Concluded.

There isn't much more to say about our Kenyan safari (you can read my prior posts here and here ) its an experience I will never forget. It was everything I hope for in a trip - an exotic experience, luxurious accomadations, learning about different cultures, good weather and something beautiful to photograph. For those that are thinking of it, jump on a plane and go right now - you will not regret it. So while there isn't much more to say, I have plenty more to show you. Let's get to the snaps.






In addition to the animals, we also spent a few hours visiting a Masai village.





Right before we were set to leave I had a little run in with nature at lunch. Mr. Monkey wanted my bread. Even though it wasn't at all dangerous, I screamed my head off. Amazed I managed to press the shutter button.



It was only three days but it did feel like a lot longer. Maybe because its such a foreign experience? But I completely forgot about home for the entire time. But we had to go home sometime.



Back on the tin can to Nairobi before we took the long ride home.

Steal this Idea*: Painted Wallpaper

As someone who loves a good tutorial and knows just how much work goes into one, I think its only fair they get a wee bit more attention. Thus, the Steal this Idea series was born. Today's tutorial is from Emily of Jones Design Company who emailed me this amazing project.


The title says it all. She hand painted a wallpaper pattern! WHAT??? I can't even imagine the patience Emily has but it turned out amazing. Seeing her handiwork almost makes me believe I could do it myself. Almost.

She created a template out of cardboard and used it to trace an outline all around the room. She didn't even use a level!!


And then proceeded to fill in the lines with some leftover latex paint.


After what I imagine to be a lot of time with paintbrush in hand, it looks like this.


I admit it, I'm really impressed. I love it. Who is brave enough to give it a try?

Check out her detailed instructions (along with some other great tutorials on her blog) here.

postscript:
*When I say steal, I really mean borrow nicely and give proper credit!
**If you have an idea/tutorial you would like me to consider for a feature, email me. I'd love to see!

Who is ready for October?

As the curtains close on August, my absolute favorite time of year is almost here. Specifically, October. Why is October my favorite? Let me count the ways...


October in NYC is just perfect.


October is the month I celebrate my birthday. And yes, I still insist on making a big deal of it. Check out what we did for the big 3-0 here!


October is also the month Mr. L and I tied the knot. If you want to see how it went down, check out the recap here and here.


And of course, October just happens to hold the most fun holiday - Halloween. Yep, Im getting ready for it. Are you? Check out Halloween's past: 2009 party ; 2009 decor ; 2009 invitation; 2008 decor.

What are you looking forward to this fall?

Kenya Continued...

Had enough of Brooklyn for a minute? Let's flash back to Africa for today.

If you didn't catch my first installment of the Kenya trip, read it here. Picking up where I left off, we left Amboseli and took a short white knuckled flight to the Masai Mara.

If you are expecting wild animals in this post, I'm sorry to disappoint. There will be none today because I have to share with you some of the details of where we called home for 3 amazing days: Bateleur Camp at Kichwa Tembo.

I love a good hotel but even the nicest ones tend to be a lot of the same stuff. Its easy to get jaded. Not here. I was completely enchanted from the moment we touched down (and completely depressed when we had to leave). So who else would better appreciate it then my fellow decor porn addicts?

Imagine having an incredibly cosmopolitan friend who lived in the African bush who offered you her pad for a few days (while she jetted off to some other amazing place like Antartica, no doubt) complete with her staff and fully stocked bar. That is what staying here is like. Really. Hats off to the designer, whoever you are.

The commons space decor is on a raised wooden terrace overlooking a huge plain. Its a balanced mix of collected vintage items, bits and pieces of the local materials and a bit of whimsy - set against a backdrop of natural beauty.



I've never wanted a collection of Ostrich eggs before - now I'm dying for one! And who would think a ceramic pug would work in a colonial setting? Genius. Just goes to show you that being unpredictable in small doses adds a lot to a space.

Then we were escorted to our "tent". Bwah! If all camping were like this, none of us would live in houses!



Stone, rich woods and canvas walls. And yes, there was a ceiling fan that made perfect sense. Well done.

Just great design - functional and luxe and all out in the middle of nowhere. Great food and service surrounded by the most incredible wildlife. I can't imagine this experience will ever be topped so I can't help but rave about it.

And because I know you are curious: Yes, it was really expensive (but included everything) but so worth it. Staying in Kenya for just a week (one of most used travel strategies) help kept the total damage down but it was still a big number.

Ok, enough with the decor stuff. Next Kenya post will be all about the animals!

Dining Room Update

So for all of those following the dining room table saga, here she is.


Notice something missing? Yes, I have managed to make it to the age of 32 without owning 10 cloth napkins. How is this possible??? Any napkin recommendations? Of course I could just go white but Im feeling like a little color or pattern would be nice here.



Ps #1: In case you think I've gone off the deep end, I didn't set the table just for this photo. Mr. L was having his old country relatives over for lunch so it had to be done.

Ps #2: For those that commented they liked the old table better: I totally 100% agree with you! The problem was that it did not function in a way that I needed it to. Whats the point of having a big dining room table if I have to make guests eat standing up? If I could have made it so that it would sit 12, I would have happily paid a small fortune to make it so. (or if the table would have fit in any other room I would have gladly repurposed) So for $225, I have an intermediate solution that should last for a while and be more functional. Its not by any means perfect (it only seats 10 and it has its share of damage)but it works for now. When I find a table I love AND seats 12, I will be chucking this one and plunk down the cash to buy it.

PS #3: For commenters concerned about my hoarding tendances I'm happy to report that I have given the table to my brother who just happened to be dining room table less. Its still in the family but has gone to a good home. Everyone wins - especially my scare storage space.

And all this dining room talk has me itching to host a dinner party. Timing might not work out with Halloween coming up but maybe I can squeeze one in to christen the table?

Summer's Last Hurrah

I know there are a couple of weeks to go but the writing is on the wall - summer is just about over. Mr. L has some relatives from the old country in town and threw out the possibility of hosting a little summer barbeque in their honor. Did someone say par-tay? Im game.

The hitch is that it would be this week! You can probably guess I'm not too keen on the last minute thing. It doesn't give me any time to whip up fun little details. Be that as it may, if we do have people over, I still want to add a few sparks to the day.

I have a small backyard - no trees,grass or view. Just a little postage stamp sized plot of land to host our guests. So it would be a casual indoor and outdoor mixing kind of thing. During the day so candles, twinkly lights or tiki torches are out.

The menu will be traditional American barbeque - steaks, corn, chicken, etc.. But what about the fun stuff?

Here are the last minute ideas I've managed to find as possibilities. Real pineapples as cocktail glasses, flowers in ball jars, frozen vodka, colorful cupcakes...

photo credits: flickr, country living, martha stewart, phoenix times

After seeing this photo from Country Living, I just might have to buy a picnic table.

Do you have any other quick and easy ideas I can use? I'd love to hear/see them!