Sunday, October 31, 2010

All Hallow's Eve

Just a reminder that tomorrow begins an entire month of giveaways as part of our Great Holiday Gifts Guide!  If you're looking for totally unique, truly beautiful, and very affordable gifts this season, then stay tuned.  The fun begins tomorrow and lasts all month long!  Until then, here are some great decorating ideas for your pumpkins and gourds.  Have a safe and happy All Hallow's Eve!

via Country Living
via Country Living
via Poetic Home
via Cottage Magpie
via Country Living

Saturday, October 30, 2010

The Proust Questionaire


From an early age, Proust kept a journal titled "Confessions. An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, Etc." The first questionnaire was penned in 1886 and he went back again and again to re-answer the questions as he aged. Its fascinating to see how his reflections shift as he grows older. The questionnaire became an interesting way to chart his coming of age. The Proust Questionnaire remains one of the most popular methods of interview used by media throughout the world.

There are many variations on the famous Proust Questionnaire - one of my favorites being the final question and answer session on "Inside the Actor's Studio". I always imagine what I would answer if James Lipton asked me "What is your favorite word?" My answer changes all the time, but currently its "frisée" - you know, that stuff in salads. When I asked Malte, my sweet cross dressing German friend, "What is your favorite word?" he said with out hesitation, "Sussussudio". Who doesn't love Phil Colins?  I recently got my hands on a copy of the original Proust Questionnaire and since James Lipton won't be knocking on my door any time soon, I thought I'd give it a whirl. Below is a photo of the original.



Your favorite virtue?
Compassion

Your favorite qualities in a man?
Inner-calm, humor, intelligence, smooth skin, imagination and a pleasant odor.

Your favorite qualities in a woman?
Creativity, kindness, intelligence, nice eyebrows, humor and a wide open laugh.

Your favorite occupation?
Food critic.

Your chief characteristic?
Optimism.

Your idea of happiness?
Life with my husband and the perfect dirty martini.

Your idea of misery?
Incurable body odor and unrelenting humidity.

Your favorite color and flower?
Peacock blue and Sweet Peas.

If not yourself, who would you be?
Someone with amazing metabolism and a safe, unlimited source of income.

Where would you like to live?
Portland OR, Scotland, The Loire Valley or Tuscany.

Your favorite prose authors?
Lorrie Moore, Steinbeck, Henry Miller, Marquez and Virginia Woolf

Your favorite poets?
Shakespeare, Nikki Giovanni, Rumi and Neruda

Your favorite composers and painters?
Shostakovitch, Chopin, Picasso, Gauguin, Klimt, Goya, Sargent

Your favorite heroes in real life?
Bill Moyers, Jimmy Carter, MLK,

Your favorite heroines in real life?
Margaret Sanger and Mom

Your favorite heroes in fiction?
Robin Hood and Atticus Finch

Your favorite heroines in fiction?
Viola from "Twelfth Night"

Your favorite food and drink?
Sushi and Pepsi.

Your favorite names?
Matilda, Viola, Constance, Henry, Walker, Charlie

Your pet aversion?
Veiled sexism.

Your biggest flaw?
Over-eating and occasional theft (I used to steal chap sticks from the drug store when I was a kid.)

What characters in history do you most dislike?
Those that tortured, raped and committed war crimes against humanity.

The military deed that you most admire?
Peace.

What is your present state of mind?
Alert and content.

For what fault have you the most toleration?
Exaggeration.

Your favorite motto?
Love is all you need or eat dessert first - I have a hard time deciding.

How would you like to die?
Softly.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Painted Screen

Portable folding screens have been used in the home for centuries.  They are used to cordon off space for dressing, to divide a room or to shield the sun coming from a window or heat from a fireplace.  I am particularly fond of the two painted screens below.  I know its ambitious, but I think I could construct and paint something similar.  Mine certainly won't be as detailed or beautiful, but I think I could achieve a similar affect. What do you think - possible DIY?

via Angelo: Home
via Nan Whitney

P.S.  Charlie is back from his MRI and feeling his normal self again. We won't have any results for a few days, so I'll keep you posted.  Thanks to everyone of you for your positive thoughts and kind words of support.  We feel it!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

MRI Day

Today, my husband and I are taking our baby Charlie back to the hospital for another MRI.  The doctors will be doing a brain scan and a spinal scan in addition to a bajillion blood labs.  Our neurologist will compare Charlie's first MRI, which revealed his hemorrhagic stroke, with the new MRI to assess the state of Charlie's brain.  If all looks well, then we can begin to decrease Charlie's Phenobarbital dose, a medication that keeps him seizure free.  I've posted a recent photo of Charlie with his big brother, Walker, below.  Charlie is doing really well and we are all hopeful and eager to get the results of this new MRI.  Thanks, dear readers, for all your well wishing and positive thoughts.


More info at Help Charlie Heal.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Proud Mary

I'm not a Catholic, or religious at all for that matter, but this famous mama has been speaking to me since Charlie's birth.  To me, Mary is the original, "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster. I'm inspired by her commitment to her family and her faith that in the end, all will be well.  So, dear readers, here's my little bit of Goddess worship for the day.  Isn't she lovely?

H&M
via Sanctuary
Hans Blomquist

Monday, October 25, 2010

Dark and Handsome

We had a wonderfully dark and dreary Saturday which even entailed a tornado watch for the DFW area.  All the gray-blue thunderheads put me in the mood for dark cocoon-ish colors.



via Greige

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Because I love you...

Beginning Monday, November 1st, La Maison Boheme will be hosting an exciting slew of giveaways as part of our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide!  I'm certainly no Oprah, but I can't wait to share some of my favorite things.  If you're looking for totally unique, truly beautiful, and very affordable gifts this season, then stay tuned.  The fun begins on November 1st and lasts all month long!

Cheers,
Sarah

Friday, October 22, 2010

A woodsy retreat by the sea

 This is what I'm dreaming of: a sweet retreat at some seaside hide-away.  Combing for sea shells, the smell of wood smoke and Conifers and the crackle of dries twigs beneath my boots while out walking with my son.  Maine?  The Oregon Coast?  Someplace magical with internet so I can continue to blog while I'm away.








 


All photos by Patric Johansson.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Eclectic living rooms

Today, I'm loving the look of these eclectic living rooms 
filled with beautiful furniture, quirky pieces and art and comfy seating. 

via Travel for Design

via Greige

via Lonny

Pierre-Jean Verger

Nan Whitney

via Travel for Design

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Whole Cream

 I love all these creamy white spaces.  The layered cream on white on gray on ivory is soothing and grounded.  Sometimes all white rooms feel like they're floating above my head a bit.  But each of these rooms has a hint of untreated wood - a side table, a clock, furniture trim, etc. - that help keep your feet on the ground.  Just lovely!

Nan Whitney

via Nuit-Artdecor

via Nuit-Artdecor

via The Lennoxx

via Desire to Inspire

Monday, October 18, 2010

Six years ago...

...I married the most miraculous man.  
He is the whole world and everything in it.
Happy Anniversary, my love!


Our program cover










The flower girls
The bridesmaids
The groomsmen




Photos by Jose Villa