Reveling in a Design Moment

Oh, I am SO happy. I must share this.

You may recall we've recently redone our house. Of course, there is decorating to do...which will undoubtedly last forever. For starters, this includes some relatively major kitchen decisions like cabinet hardware, backsplash and what to do with an entire blank wall across from the island. Oh, and stools for said island.

If you ever read this, you may have picked up that I am an Anthropologie junkie. I love their clothes, shoes, accessories...home stuff. Yes. Home stuff.

So...seeing as I get every catalog and email they generate, I clicked on the new email today and head through to the site. Well, whammo. I find our new kitchen cabinet hardware. ON SALE.

They are actually made of bone. Maybe that's a little crazy, but...whatever.

It fits all the criteria:

• Not boring.
• Not metal.
• Doesn't become the main focus of the kitchen.
• Haven't seen it before. I know...I have issues.

C bought in and we ordered 44 pieces. Score. Happy dance. No fingerprints on the cabinets anymore.

Hi, I'm a New Mom and I Bought a Bikini

Someone needs to smack me or send me to a 12-step program.

Let's start with the premise I love a good deal. I LOVE a good deal. On anything. It's like a high for me. (Vices could be worse, right?)

So I stumbled across this new site that has designer sales, and some of them are just fantastic, killer deals. I signed up for the email...thinking, okay, we're on a budget at the moment because we're still recuperating from the reno. But they have kids' stuff, accessories...everything. I'll behave and be very selective if I purchase.

So a few days ago, I got a sale alert, and I bought a Syla swimsuit--a two-piece tie bikini. The one on the right. Except like a deep coral color (actually, the color I want to paint my front door). I figure, oddly enough, the tie bikinis usually work on me because you can adjust them, as I am somewhat short-waisted and it doesn't "cut" into any tummy or hip, since you tie it. Two pieces with fasteners never work because they are never tight enough under my chest based on my "size".

It's small. Let me explain...it fits, I chose the right size. It's just a small bathing suit. It didn't look that small on the model.

But then, the model doesn't have my tush. And probably hasn't had two kids.

I suppose it will provide sufficient inspiration for our upcoming vacation in Aruba. I guess I know what I need to work on.