{ tara frey }:: typing out loud

armed and dangerous

If I see something I like on TV (or anywhere for that matter) I will hunt it down and find it like Dog the Bounty Hunter capturing a fugitive. Busting down doors. Armed and dangerous, screaming into walkie talkies.

So I saw this subtle gold necklace on Bethenny Frankel, queen of the one liners, from Real Houswives of NYC.  I know what you are thinking...how can she watch that crap?  But I already divulged in a post here, which was sort of a mini essay of things I learned on my summer vacation (which included that I'm a Bravo junkie and that my mom will eat paper)  My our secret is out.

Searching high and low and not finding quite what I wanted, I thought.. let me try the greatest place on earth...Etsy.  A quick search and low and behold, a beautiful delicate gold disc necklace popped up from this talented designer.  The necklace is perfect, and handmade beautifully. I really love the size of the gold disc because it's so tiny and fits into the little hollow area of the neck.  Best of all, I didn't need to have a gun, walkie talkies or hair like the lion from the Wizard of Oz to get it.  (all of which are on stand by for future use, just in case)

                      {Extreme close up of almost every freckle the sun has bestowed upon me, courtesy of the laptop killer}

morning monsters

 

Like every mom with school-aged children, I encounter monsters each morning.  Beasts.  with wild tangled hair, puffy eyes, red cheeks and swollen lips.  It's quite scary.  They lie stiff and pretend they don't hear the calls from the human who has dared to enter their jungle and bring the light into their wild dark den

 

 

they try to stretch and make weird sounds while still playing dead, hoping it's not noticed by the human

See the monster below trying to pull its own face off?  Very beastly.  I tell you, it's quite a dangerous place.

 

Repeat 5 times daily.

the granny chair

 

     When this chair arrived 7 years ago, I was sick to my stomach.  Dear God, I just bought a granny chair. (and a purple couch to boot as you can see in the background)  This is the sitting room that is attached to our bedroom and was carefully planned out before we moved in with a talented decorator who recommended colors, fabrics, layout, etc.  

     I was overwhelmed and had a new baby to tend to (you know, the wedgie picking helmet head) and worked on the details with this designer (whose services were free from Ethan Allen...and you gotta love that?)  I remember calling in a panic saying this must be a mistake, take it back, blah blah.  She was so calm and just said "trust me, you will love it, and when all is pulled together it won't look like a granny chair, I promise"  Then in came a plaid french chair, pillows, a large ornate mirror that we propped up against the wall instead of hanging, and other accessories, etc.

 

     I posted about my favorite room here about 2 years ago. Do you have any decorating "dear god" moments?  Thankfully mine all pulled together nicely, just as promised.  The fabrics are so beautiful and were chosen with great care. (even with my half brain at the time) I highly recommend free design services whenever offered.  I haven't felt like a granny once!

helmet head

    After school, the noise and commotion from the side door as they bustle into the house always springs me to my feet.  They are either chattering or fighting, backpacks banging, shoes are being chucked off.  It sounds like 6 kids instead of 2.  It's all so noisy, but a sound that I love...my little mice are home.

So she comes in with this thing on her head, which looked to me like a helmet.

  

me:    "Why do you have a helmet on your head?"

her:   "Mom!  It's not a helmet!  It's the greatest thing to like ever happen, I swear.  You won't even believe it.  Ok, so like me and my friends were like playing at recess"{we should pause right here...yes, I have one of those children that says "like" every other word, oh and to top if off, she's an up-talker.  Duct tape, please}

continuing:

her:  "well we were at recess and kicking this ball around and it's like my favorite ball EVER and it got like this giant hole in it and all the air came out, so like, the recess aides were SO cool and let me keep it and now it's my new hat, do you like it?"

me:    "Let me take a picture of this for mom-mom." {snap, putting camera down, hands on hips, in my best mommyish voice}  "no, I don't like it because you're wearing a dirty old ball on your head and it's disgusting, now go get in the shower and for the love of God, stop picking your wedgie" (see exhibit A, in photo above)

her:   "ok.  toodles!" and as she skips off she says: "I'll take it in the shower with me and wash it so I can wear it to school tomorrow!"

your mama's moo moo

    Do you have a favorite robe or sweater you wear around the house?  Back in the day, they were called "housecoats".  I remember my grandmother's, it was a strange looking moo - moo thing.  Sorry mom, but I think yours was too.  I wonder if my kids will look back and remember mine and think it was hideous?  Regardless, I love it more than oreos and wear it all the time.  And you caught me...because, look... it's gray.  But in my lame self defense, I bought it at Victoria Secret way before the intervention.

 

gettin eggy with it...

 Like Will Smith gettin jiggy, the Frey fam (well, really just me) has been getting a little eggy.  Spring can't come soon enough and there are too many cold gray days in March here.  The laptop killer doesn't get it, since his first words when he came home from work were "what's with all the eggs?" 

So I come here for comfort, I know you all will understand and get eggy with me.

 

 

 

 

ps:  have you started any Spring decor?  Post a link in the comments so we can all be inspired! xo

riddle me this

If a 60 foot tree falls in the middle of the woods (your backyard) while you're in the shower, does it make a sound?

 

 

I'm sorry, make that two trees.

prairie girl

 

She loves this skirt.  When she puts it on, she is transformed.  To another era, another lifetime ago.  She talks different. acts different...it takes her to some special place where her mind and old soul remembers things.  It makes her dance and twirl...

 

and sit and think. ..

about all the magical powers it has...that only she knows. 

French Inspired Friday

 

some inspiration to start the weekend, thank you flickr for your fabulousity (especially on Friday's) 

really old stuff in the clutter room

 

    My love of "really old stuff" {as my kids call it} is on display in the studio.  Limoges, Bavaria, delicate plates, platters and the like sit on a rescued buffet table or a vintage shelf.  My favorite in the "clutter room" {as the laptop killer calls it} is this vintage apron.

 

    I picked it up for a song at an outdoor flea market.  The man who sold it to me said it was old and from France.  Was he just telling me something I wanted to hear to make the sale? Maybe the shirt I was wearing that day was a dead giveaway which said "I buy old french things".  I guess I'll never know

 

    What I do know is that the really old stuff in the clutter room is getting packed away to make room for the most repulsive thing you can imagine:: furniture.  yes.  a couch, chairs, an armoire for a tv and books.  Technically the clutter room is supposed to be a parlor/living room (I say "technically" because that's what it says on the blueprints when we originally built the house..and blueprints are technical I guess)  We have a cozy family room where we gather, why do we need a 2nd?  I'm really not sure myself and what is a parlor anyway?

there's something about mini's

    First up, thank you for the birthday well wishes and personal emails on Friday!  I called the Blog Rag Mag and told them I survived and was no longer in crisis, I'm hoping they print my statement.....

Off to the land of mini's and all things adorable (or ATA for short) ...

    Just like my daughter wanting to be small enough to live at this place... My tiny wish is to meander through this little village and shop for a bit, sit on the bench..eat ice cream and people watch.  I started collecting these little handpainted houses in the early 90's.  As you can see, I didn't get very far with only 3 stores and a lamppost but I'm happy to find after I googled the signed name on the back that they are still being sold on eBay.  If you are interested, the name is "The Dresden Village Collection by Gail Duke".  They are so sweet in person with all the tiny details and adorable 3 dimensional quality, perhaps you love mini's like me and will join me on the tiny bench?  The only thing missing is a little pub for cocktails! 

 

 

the pieces are smaller than a postcard.  perfect!