Still Crushing Hard

on Suzanne Kasler. I know I'm not alone in this, since loving her is as unique as saying I think George Clooney is the bee's knees. But, I am what I am, and what I know is that her rooms make me want to crawl right in to that photo. A friend lent me her copy of "Inspired Interiors" and after I promised not to let anything spill on it, I've been pouring through the pages.

What makes me love her is the restraint with colors and how conscious every decision of her's is -- It really feels like every piece is there for a reason, while still being traditional and warm and refined. None of that "don't you want to curl up on this 2x4 and watch a movie" thing, because I'm convinced people really don't LIVE in some of those rooms we see in the contemporary magazines. I'm all for layered rooms (it's usually what I live and breathe by), but the restraint that Kasler has is like a big sigh of "ahhhhh".

Those stairs just make me want to cry, they are so gorgeous.

Seriously. Beautiful. Kitchen.

I've got a thing for bookcases and these are the design equivalent of the aforementioned George Clooney on Oscar Night (Sans Italian girl with the armband tattoo)

I mean really, that sofa and seating area combined with the bed is out of this world.

*All photos courtesy of Inspired Interiors, Suzanne Kasler, (c) 2009

Who needs sleep?

This is the first summer I've been home with the kids and it is an experience to say the least. I have new respect for full-time moms. This is the hardest job in the world and it doesn't come with lunch or 15 minute breaks.

On top of being home full-time with two boys who are trying to kill each other at every turn, I haven't slept for years. And I mean four years. Unless you count the quick overnight business trips but those aren't very restful. When I do go out of town and leave my kids for my mom or sister, they sleep. They sleep like no tomorrow. They are WORKING me.

Last night I woke up at 12:30 and couldn't believe that my youngest was still asleep. He typically wakes up every night at 12:00. Every night and he usually gets up more than once. I really need to take him to a sleep specialist but I know they are just going to tell me that hes waking up because he can. I'm the problem - not him.

Anyway, I thought "this is it," he's finally going to sleep through the night. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep! At 12:45 he appeared in my room. We did the quiet walk back to his room and I snuggled with him. Which means, I fell asleep in his bed. I know, I know. But, what would you do if you hadn't slept in four years?

To make matters worse last night, my eight year old came into his little brothers room in the middle of the night and told me he had a bad dream. So, out of one twin bed and into another. Not sure what happened after that, but I woke up this morning back in my four year old's bed.

Stop the merry-go-round, I want off. I miss my big king bed, down pillows and down comforter. I miss feeling like an adult. I don't want to drink a pot of coffee to feel human in the morning.

I'm dreaming of crawling into this bed and sleeping through the night. Without my 4 year old.

Peaceful bedroom courtesy of Phoebe Howard.