Nurseries

Decorating a nursery can seem a momentous task when you're an exhausted, hormonal, sometimes bed ridden mommy-to-be. I sometimes wish I'd given mine a bit more thought, but ce la vie, it turned out cute enough. Besides, what was the point considering what it would turn into? Picture this: 2 contemporary cribs (that haven't been slept in in months) flanking a queen mattress on the floor (this is where both babies actually sleep), a train table with blocks and Duplos, etc. We actually play in our nursery fairly often.

Although my nursery in no way resembles these images, I did actually use them for inspiration!

I love this room for being gender neutral and having the mini Barcelona chair that I covet.


Most parents don't have the nerve to use a lot of black in a nursery, but the black wall, striped ceiling, white floor, and Nelson Bubble Lamp, make this very modern and bit preppy at the same time.

Clearly, for slightly older children, I love the eclectic look of this room. it's contemporary yet a little folky.

This is Interior Designer Julie Richards son's nursery that I discovered on La Dolce Vita's blog http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2009/05/personal-style-defined-julie-of-shelter.html. Also check out Julie's blog http://shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com/ for more amazing ideas.


This nursery is exactly what I love: an adult living space that works for an infant. The chaise is where you'd read stories and cuddle, the artwork and its gallery-look is quite sophisticated, and I adore the Netto crib. The chalkboard paint along the walls is a cute touch for what you'd imagine is the bedroom of a future artist. This room looks unisex which is great for those parents who want to be surprised.

I'm not a join-er?

I can only assume that being a twin mom is certainly a little different than mothering singletons. For example, I spent the months prior to giving birth trying to figure out how to have enough contraptions (bouncers, jumpers, exersaucers, boppys, carseats, strollers, etc.) so that I would always have a place to put my twins, so that my hands would always be free in case one baby had an emergency. The babies didn't seem to mind, and in fact, seemed quite happy all of the time.

My twins do many things at the same time. This includes, teething, pooping (yes, they nearly always have bowel movements within minutes of each other), eating, bathing, and many milestones seem to happen within days of each other, and I'm looking forward to many more.

However, they've had individual personalities from the beginning, and now that they've reached their 1-year mark, Sienna's already toddling around, and Sophie's still scooting (she doesn't crawl traditionally, but scoots on her bottom) alongside her sister. Sophie loves her pacifier and Sienna doesn't care about it other than at bedtime.

I embrace having twins. Many days I dress them alike, mostly because I think it's funny and it's also just easier to buy two of everything. I'm not even put off by the incessant attention we receive when we are in public. I can only liken it to walking around with a celebrity. At first it was a little off-putting, but seeing babies really seems to make people happy. Only occasionally will I get an obnoxious reference to a creepy Jack Nicholson thriller with a scary pair of twin ghosts.

Despite all this I eschewed joining the local chapter of the Twins Club. Since pregnancy people have basically harassed me about joining. They'd tell me it's "incredible support" and that I'd need it. But I felt like if I got a night out, I'd prefer to spend it having dinner & a drink with some real friends, trying to feel like a human being for just a couple of hours. Once I was accosted by two separate Mother of Twins while standing in line at Trader Joe's . One turns to me and says, "are you a member of the twin group?" To which I replied, "I'm not really a join-er."

Hmmmm...I'm "not really a join-er"????? I never really played a sport, joined a sorority, or the like. It's not as if I walk to the beat of a different drummer, but in some ways maybe I thought I wouldn't be good enough? Who knows, I'm not a psychotherapist, but I just knew I was sick of all these women bothering me about their group.

Here's what I pictured: A bunch of post-partum women, sitting around the basement of a church, drinking coffee (this part I like), and complaining about how they never get enough sleep, and how their husbands never help.

Fortunately, I had no such issues (okay, maybe I'm a little tired and my back always hurts), and have always felt that misery is quite contagious.

Fast forward 12 months, and I realize that mothering twins can be quite isolating, and your long-time girlfriends rarely bring their kids to play or invite us over. Who can really blame them, we're a handful. I was convinced by another mother of twins to JOIN the group. Not for the meeting or support or any of that business, but to get into the Twin Tag Sale a whole two hours earlier than the general public! It was totally worth it. Additionally, I opted to join a playgroup with other twin moms and their kids. I think that I'd misjudged the group.....from what I hear, they seem to be welcoming, kind, informed, supportive, and a wonderful resource for new twin moms. Maybe I am a join-er!

A Thoughful Gift

I received the loveliest housewarming gift from a girlfriend who recently came to visit. She's now working for a swank New York gallery/bookstore, and she brought me a print from one of their recent installations. It's from a series called "Storefront" from husband/wife photographers James ands Karla Murray who documented the disappearing mom & pop storefronts from in and around NYC.

She gifted me "Richard's Barbershop." It's truly a timeless gift!


http://clicgallery.com/info/2009-07-murray/


http://www.clicgallery.com/locations/index.htm

Connecticut's Quiet Corner

Having a baby (make that babies) can be a bit isolating, which is why you need interesting friends. If they live states away, all the better for babies to nap. I've started driving to my friend Hillary's Connecticut home at least once a month. I adore her son, and her style!


Hillary and her young family relocated from Providence where she was a boutique owner (my neighbor on Thayer Street) for a quiet and peaceful existence in this quintessentially New England place. The colonial home they purchased has mature gardens and grounds and a house that has a soul, having sheltered people for over 200 years.




They made some upgrades and made the house work for them, while essentially maintaining its colonial history. I really appreciate that ability in a non-professional designer since it's so easy to get side-tracked (my own pitfall when it comes to decorating). The floors are original, and the walls still look remarkable. The couple did a kitchen update, and yes, there's a plasma on the wall. Even though it's a very old home, it feels like a young family has breathed a new life into it. the family entertains often, taking advantage of their phenomenal patio and gardens.


Farmers markets, neighbors stopping in, weekend guests, dinner in the gardens. Hillary's husband calls their life in the Quiet Corner wholesome, and it sure looks that way. Where can I sign up?

Drink? I think I will, thank you.

Based on the name of my blog one might assume that I enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage. While I certainly do partake in the occasional (okay, frequent) libation, I chose the name of the blog with Webster's version in mind:

Main Entry: 1lush
Pronunciation: \ˈləsh\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English lusch soft, tender
Date: 1610
1 a : growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage b : lavishly productive: as (1) : fertile (2) : thriving (3) : characterized by abundance : plentiful (4) : prosperous, profitable 2 a : savory, delicious b : appealing to the senses c : opulent, sumptuous
synonyms see profuse
— lush·ly adverb
— lush·ness noun

The Urban Dictionary meaning is simply a coincidence.

However, that didn't stop me from finding the coolest new(ish) bar in Boston, Barbara Lynch's Drink. So I'm nearly a year late getting to the bar, but hey, I've been having babies! It's located on Congress St, across the street from another old fave Lucky's, in the area named Fort Point. The design is slick: more asian-inspired with lots of angles, and no bottles to be seen, but don't let that fool you, they are serious about their cocktails!

A friend visiting from NYC was gushing at how terribly cool it was to see a huge block of ice being chipped from to make cocktails, and after a few words with our genius bartender we realized champagne was not the right choice and that we needed to sample his expertise. Mixers like bitters and Cassis are in medicine droppers, and you won't find things like prepared sour mix in this joint.
http://drinkfortpoint.com/

Fall Shopping: Shopbop.com

It's easy to feel out of touch with the world of fashion when you're a stay at home mom of two one-year-olds, which is why Shopbop.com is so spectacular and addictive. Their Lookbooks are fabulous. Hmmmm, this season I'm going to be a "classic." No, I changed my mind, I'm definitely a "wanderer." Point. Click. 40 pieces of clothing that fit that life, oops I mean look. Here's what I'm feeling this Fall,:

Dolce Vita "Zigzag" sweater $297 & "Silvia" dress $188; Stuart Weitzman suede platform boot $595;

Marc By Marc Jacobs Parker Plaid Jacket $858; Nightcap Clothing Equestrian Tights $198; Ashe Pearl Wedge Boots $462;

Ode to Domino

It makes me sad every time I'm reminded that Domino magazine ceases to exist. I have a near complete collection, because somehow I miraculously had the good sense to keep nearly every single issue. The ones I'm missing, believe me I know exactly what's in them, I look forward to finding someday. Domino launched as I was starting to nest, and having no design background, looked to it for inspiration.

They called it a "guide to living with style" and it truly was. It was a step-by-step on how to live an elegant yet bohemian lifestyle: menus for entertaining, cocktail recipes, how to launder correctly, floral arrange, and of course how to decorate. It was a great accompaniment to higher brow home pubs that are good inspiration, but that you can't always see ourself living the life on their pages.

I found that some other fans had the ingenious idea to share images on Flickr. At this moment I feel an overwhelming need to share a couple of my faves....

This is the image that made me realize my own personal style. I thought it was a perfect blend of traditional, contemporary, and exotic. (The woman in the corner is the interior designer).

The kitchen images happened to arrive as we were about to embark on a major kitchen renovation. The wall color ( Benjamin Moore's Cliffside Gray), white cabinets with recessed door faces, hardware, dark floors, and carerra marble really hit it out of the park. I told myself it shouldn't matter that I was inspired by Katie Lee Joel. Who? You know, the chick who was married to Billy Joel and wrote a cookbook. Really it was Nate Berkus' design and we love him.

Another great combo: a Wisteria etegare, Kohler sink, B&W area rug, and animal print towels in neutrals.

Someday I'll blog about outdoor spaces and include this. It's Sunrise Ruffalo's patio.

Ahhhhhhhh, it's nice to walk down memory lane. Sometimes it's easy to forget why you like certain things and where you honed your sense of style. Domino gets a lot of credit. I feel lucky that whenever I'm stumped for design inspiration I only have to wander into my library, pull down a West Elm magazine organizer, and flip the pages.

I thank my lucky stars that Elle Decor's still in print, the next best thing to Domino.

Real Housewives of Atlanta

I think that I've already mentioned that I have the inability to finish reading a magazine, so forget about books, newspapers, or anything relevant. So what's a mum to do with her two hours of free time after the girls are in bed? I have one word for you: BRAVO.

I'm addicted to Bravo's vast array of reality shows: Real Housewives (of everywhere), Rachel Zoe Project, and Flipping Out! I'm even guilty of watching NYC Prep, an utterly boring, yet none-the-less addictive, reality version of my fave Gossip Girl. I guess that I can thank Anderson Cooper for initially turning me on to Real Housewives of Atlanta which is where it all began for me. He gave an odd recommendation when he was co-hosting Regis & Kelly last summer. Stunned that the Anderson Cooper couldn't turn away from the show, much like a car crash, I started watching.

NeNe, Sheree, and Kim kill me, and I'm gonna keep watching. Catfights, gossip, sugar daddies named Big Poppa, fights with top level executives, 30-somethings throwing themselves parties equivalent to a Super Sweet 16. I love it! I suggest you tune in too. I can't wait for tonight's show so that I can watch Sheree open up some whoopass on Kim and pull her hair/wig. http://www.bravotv.com/

Inspiration Folder

I have an "inspiration folder." It's a manila folder with design ideas that I've torn from magazines, catalogs, and the like with bathrooms, kitchens, sofas, baskets, doors, lights, swimming pools, you name it, that I might want in my house (or some other future house). Now, I've started an online version too which means that I can share it with you!

Today's inspiration is Thom Filicia's (you know him from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy among other things) Hudson Valley Lake House. The now defunct Domino magazine featured it last summer, and it's exactly what a lake house should be. Dream on......

Gossip Girl

Lately I've been doing a lot of gossiping, and I can't stand myself for it. There's nothing worse than a gossip. It started when my girls were a couple of months old, and it was a terrible winter so I was shut in my house with little adult communication during the day except via telephone, and any information gleaned from a phone call was front-page news to me. Luckily, I realize what I'm doing when I gossip and that's half the battle.

I think I'm particularly cognisant of gossip because it's not something I heard too often as a child. I never heard my own mother utter a word about another person unless it was relevant in some way. In retrospect, I was always able to keep other people's secrets, I considered that part of being a good friend.

I once read something that said people who talk about other people are uninteresting themselves, and interesting people talk about events, topics, interesting things. I'd truly become a bore with nothing to talk about other than other people's news and baby-stuff. I can't make it through an entire novel, newspaper, or news program without being interrupted. I don't go to the movies, theater, or concerts. I barely even go shopping anymore!

Things I am able to do regularly is go out to dinner with my husband and friends, lunches out because my children love to eat at restaurants (for now), go on many walks, find and cook new recipes, and do my best at raising two little girls, which brings to another reason why I don't want to be a gossip.

It seems that children and young adults are becoming mean. This winter there were headlines about teens and/or tweens harassing classmates on Facebook, MySpace, sending mass text messages trying to destroy reputations, and clearly causing a lot of anguish. If memory serves, I think there was at least one case that resulted in group violence against one young girl. I'm concerned that this mean spirit is coming from their mothers. Children learn what they see and hear, and I'll bet there were some pretty gossip-y, unkind, sarcastic, and cruel mothers who never curbed their behavior in front of their children.

So I'm attempting to put an end to unnecessary talk about others so that I can regain some self-respect and set a good example for my daughters. I don't know if I'll be 100% successful, but it's worth a try. I plan on retaining the guilty pleasure of watching the show Gossip Girl because I can't quit gossip cold turkey.

Agri chic design - I love it

I love my house, mostly because we live here and not necessarily because of its groundbreaking design, but I'm kind of obsessed with a style that I saw a few years ago when we stayed in Sonoma, CA. The hotel was agri-chic and I really dug it.
http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/

What will I be when I grow up? Lately people have been asking me what I plan on doing when I'm done being a stay at home mom, which I think is a little odd because don't your children still need you when they're 5 and older? In fact, don't they need you to be around even more when they're pre-teen and teens?

I'm not really insulted by the question, because it's something I've been asking myself lately too. I've done a lot of things in my 34 years on this earth. I've had a lot of little careers. Let's see I've slewn donuts and bagels, worked as a lifeguard, at a tanning salon, hair salon and daycare all before I graduated from high school. I was a manicurist, scheduler, advertising and marketing account exec, advertising sales rep, print sales rep, country club sales rep, and business owner all before I was 30. I was a designer for California Closets, the Cosmetic & Fragrance manager at Saks 5th Avenue and launched Skirt Magazine during my time in North Carolina.

Someone tried to recruit me for a job once because he was so impressed by all the things I'd "done." I guess I'd never really thought of myself as a "do-er" but the truth is that I really do like to try new things. How else would I ever know whether I was missing something great. Some people pick a career in college and stay with that choice until they retire. My mother picked my major (Journalism with a concentration in PR), and that was a fitting choice. I think I would have been a very happy magazine writer, PR exec (although I wasn't thrilled with working in an agency, but they weren't a particularly cool or PR focused agency).

It's a great time to not be in sales, so maybe by the time it's for me to go back to work the economy will have straightened itself out. Maybe I'll open another business (what's that they say about the definition of insanity?). Maybe I'll go and work at J Crew so that I can dress like Michelle Obama and get a discount on their adorable Crew Cuts kids line. http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/CrewCuts.jsp

Luckily, I think I have a while to think this through. The next job I choose will definitely be the one that sticks.

I should be wearing this dress

Can someone please invite me to a beach wedding or some other event where I can where this dress? It's too cute for my backyard. Or maybe my backyard just needs a reason to host..........
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446221816&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708015&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1245980559025&ev19=1:16

My Favorite Room

When I realized that I was pregnant with baby girls, I had to change everything on my baby registry from unisex green, yellow, cream, and brown to pink. It's just natural to embrace the girlishness of having girls. Thankfully, I did make those changes since even though my girls were dressed in head to toe pink, being carried in pink car seats, and wiped with pink burp cloths, I would inevitably be told what cute boys they are.

For some reason though I resisted painting their nursery pink. I had planned on painting it something neutral like beige or grey until a friend insisted it be pink. She's the kind of friend who's always right about this type of thing, so I listened. I searched high and low to find the perfect pink: not too pastel, still warm, and pretty of course. With the help of my mom, and about a million swatches, I found Benjamin Moore's Rose Petal, and I couldn't be happier.

Becoming a Domestic Goddess

I strive to be a domestic goddess. I truly want to be good at this job I have. I don't want o be annoying like Martha Stewart and do everything too perfectly, I want to more like the Barefoot Contessa who knows how to make a lovely dinner for 20, a terrific cocktail, and a romantic dinner for Jeffrey any night of the week. I want my house to be beyond reproach clean, but not too sterile that it's not cozy. I want to have a pot of coffee brewing every time a friend just pops by, and not have to say "there's a little left in the pot, hold on while I make some more."

I can still be a feminist (which I am) and want to be good at these things. However, I have some competition. It just so happens that my husband's better than me at all of the things mentioned above. He can have the house gleaming, a clam sauce bubbling, a mojito muddled and on ice, plus have the grass mowed, and a ceiling fan wired in under 2 hours.

I'm getting better, though. Tonight I surprised him with maybe the best oatmeal, walnut, chocolate chip cookies EVER! They aren't much to look at, but they are gooood. Lacy, crispy, and chewy. He begs for sweets, and try and surprise him a couple of times a week, even though I really don't like to have the temptation in the house. I'll have to remember to send the batch to work with him in the morning.
Note: I added chocolate chips & chopped walnuts Cookie Recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gale-gand/crispy-oatmeal-cookies-recipe/index.html

Jon & Kate We Ain't

I am the mother of 9-month-old identical twin girls. They are the loves of our lives. I never in a million years could have dreamed of having twins. It truly never occured to me. The closest I'd come to twins is Barbie's Hart Family, but even those twins are a fraternal girl and boy. Oh, and I'm also a Gemini, so maybe personality-wise I'm kind of like a twin(?) or just have multi-personalities.

I honestly don't watch the show, although the world seems to think I should because people are constantly asking me if I watch! I've tuned in a few times to see what all the fuss is about, but I really couldn't stand watching the parents, Jon & Kate. Here's how we're different:
Me: nice, loving
My husband: has a backbone

I heard on the news yesterday that couples with multiples have higher rates of divorce. I'm sure it's true, but I hope we don't become a statistic. Sure, alone-time is harder (especially with two babies in your bed) and it's a lot of work without a learning curve of having one baby at a time, but I think if you work on it, make time for yourselves, talk openly about money and difficult topics, than you stand more of a chance than the average couple. We're bonded by not just one, but two other lives, and a very interesting experience.