January 17, 2018

winter games

January 17, 2018/ Meryl

we've been lucky enough to have had some snow - which has lead to all sorts of outdoor fun! of course i won't talk about how ridiculously cold it's been.

my husband and son are a really into it!

i was so excited for him when he got some air on that run! (please excuse the chainsaw-hubby was cutting up christmas trees for the firepit.)

they were outside for hours.

since it was so cold our local pond froze. you must clear the snow before you can skate and that's exactly what my boys did... down to the park they went and cleared they did.

after a break for hot chocolate inside the pond house and a pit-stop at the chalet for a clothing swap and to get their hockey sticks - they were back for skating fun!

nothing makes me happier than my son enjoying the same simple things i did when i was a kiddo, skating on this pond and sledding - here i am Christmas day 1972 i remember how exciting it was to try and get the toboggan to run all the way down to street from the backyard. pure joy!

back when i was a child the pond house was a shack with a few benches and a pot belly stove. the Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy has taken amazing strides for the betterment of our local park - the new pond house is only one of them.

the pond in the winter of 1948.

there was one lone gentleman out there Wednesday night when i snapped this on our way home from hockey.

the gang hit the slopes. this was my sons 3rd time and he improves every time he straps on his skis. he loves spending time with his Cousin Teensie (in the foreground) and my sister - Aunt Reen.

they had a great day at Camelback.

now, there's talk of a trip to Switzerland!

i shouldn't wonder - here's my hubby back in the early 90's in Davos.

snow is definitely a theme around the chalet

while i couldn't lay my hands on a picture of my hubby on the frozen lake behind his childhood home. i had to share this great image of his parents. Marge and Tom circa 1978.

do you skate, ski, sled or are you more of a sit by the fire kinda person?

til next time.

January 10, 2018

style love

January 10, 2018/ Meryl

while i was redoing the bits and bobs around the chalet - putting Christmas away - i started thinking about design styles - specifically mine.

it's pretty obvious i lean toward traditional - there are four inherited pieces in this image (and more on the other side of the room), but i enjoy many different aesthetics - i also have chinoiserie and mid-century in this room - along with trendy touches from the IKEA lamp and my Target bits.

it's a conglomeration - is that a style? insert emoji with hand on chin? HA!

but, what if i could scrap it all? had a gazillion $$$ - what would i do?

so with that in mind - i'm presenting some of my IG friends whose styles i admire and desire.

Elizabeth @edbdesigns had me the minute i saw the expansive exposed beams in this lovely light-filled space and that wall.

well you all know my wish to #saynotoemptywalls. baskets on a wall=love to me!

Erin @francois_et_moi ability to combines neutrals and such delicious patterns - so effortlessly. resulting in a space filled with personality, not overwhelmed by any single element.

that sectional is calling to me... it's saying momma come and relax!

aah Simone @honeyandfizz what's not to love about the stunning clean lines and brilliant pops of color!

don't you wish you had a surfboard in your livingroom?

Jane @jane_athome has all the blue and white a girl could dream of. her home is a study in luxury done unpretentiously.

never letting her surroundings get stagnant Jane is constantly changing things up - furniture layouts, rugs, decorative elements.

it's so very enjoyable to watch!

Jo @jogalbraithathome use of traditional pieces paired with rustic touches really speaks to me on a visceral level.

her use of blue throughout not only her livingroom but, her entire home is delightful.

Hayley @mumslittleloves has stunningly decorated her home with equal parts white and blue that only enhance the amazing pops of her favorite pink!

every room has a distinct point of view - but, all work together blissfully.

the secret is certainly in the @roomsauce Bev has layered all the ingredients together and the results speak for themselves. with a Julia Child inspired pegboard and a custom shelving unit - this space is wonderfully warm and inviting.

Nicole @sweet_domicile is a country girl making her second stint as a highrise dweller in Gotham.

her modern bohemian vibe is punctuated with tons of yummy blue and all her pretty plants.

isn't it divine?

so tell me - would you chuck it all? build a castle around that heirloom piece or start a new aesthetic based on your latest curbside find?

make sure you check out the IG links for the lovely ladies featured.

please sign up for my mailing list.

til next time.

January 03, 2018

HEY 2018!

January 03, 2018/ Meryl

happy new year everyone!!!

at this time of year it's only natural to stock - think about what made us happy in 2017 and what plans do we have for the new year. so here goes...

i accomplished my biggest personal goal - getting this site up! woo hoo! thanks so very much to my amazing designer Kelly Christine of Kiki & Co.

there are some things about 2017 i look back on and think oh crap. i totally lost my way with my exercise routine! Liam and i were walking to and from school - i was achieving a high heart rate walk 5 times a week. i felt great but, once the rain and cold set in - and the need to get to the market or Target and get on my ToDOList - the walking stopped. ugh! i need to finally stop talking about getting in shape and just freakin' do it! just to be clear friends - my getting in shape is to fit into my clothing better not give up things i love like my daily dose of Prosecco.

i owe to myself and my boys - to take better care of myself.

i'm bummed i only read 6 actual books this year - you all know what a total #bookjunkie i am- so boo on me! gosh i read 18 in 2016 - i must set the technology aside and read more.

but, speaking of technology

i've mentioned it before but, if you still haven't checked Hoopla out you should. i listened to 8 books this year- mostly while walking - sometimes while cleaning the chalet. if i hadn't flaked on walking there would have been more - i even watched a few videos.

i was blessed to reconnect with my bff. i hope 2018 we'll give us a chance for more time together. thank god for facetime!

friendships are what sustain us in this life.

a colossal transformation in 2017 was the porch. my hubby redid it! can you believe the after ?!? turning what was outdoor space into interior space is a HUMONGOUS change for the chalet. cantilevered space over outdoor or garage space is never a good idea but, the craftsmen weren't thinking about that in 1924 when the chalet was built as a vacation home. now the bedrooms are warmer and quieter and we gained living space which is invaluable! this is something i can never ever thank Steven for enough.

thank you B xo

goals for 2018.

some are chalet updates...swapping french doors for windows in Liam's bedroom. i really want to tackle the basement. the walkout level has all the clutter because we don't have a single thing in our attic. i led the charge a year and a 1/2 ago and carved out a small play area with a tv and toy cubbies - you can see here - but, we need finished space and another bath. we'll see how far we get on this project this year.

since i'm writing these down and putting them out into the universe i pray i will stick to them.

using my calendar everyday - to better use my time.
map out chaletmomma brand production: daily, weekly and monthly.
to plan meals and make less trips to the market.
use my crockpot more.
read more books - hopefully while sitting on the porch.
exercise.
clear out clutter quickly.
take items to the consignment shops regularly.

iron clothing weekly.
travel.
play more games.
go on more adventures with my boys.
to always have cheese, humus and yummy crackers in the chalet and ready for friends - anytime they can pop over!
drink more Prosecco!