Blogs, Books, and Snow

We have been surviving the "Blizzard of 2010" with lots of movies, good food, wine and thankfully heat and electricity! I always love when it snows because it seems to quiet everyone's souls. We took a 3 hour adventure outside yesterday to snap some photos, enjoy the beauty of the winter wonderland and stopped into the grocery store to restock our fridge.

The view from our front door. You can hardly see our mailbox!

A bit of perspective - the Mister is 6'4" and the snow was up to his knees!

Rock Creek Parkway

All out of meat

The frozen creek on Rock Creek.

I woke up this morning a bit sore from our long walk...it was quite the workout to trudge through snow up to your knees, but I felt a sense of accomplishment having worked off all the calories from all the wine and chocolate chip cookies we made.

I have taken advantaged of being snowed in to catch up on various design blogs and books. I recently read through my new book, Downtown Chic, and I've been meaning to post about it. I know this book has been heavily noted on other blogs, but I feel the need to chime in my thoughts too because this book is so fantastic!

Lets just say it makes me want to buy a fixer-upper and have six cool kids...I think the Mister is okay with that plan :)...oh and a Vespa wouldn't hurt too.

Essentially, this ubber cool couple, who has a brood of six, has spent the last 10 years buying run-down buildings and renovating them into beautiful works of art. Not only do they have an amazing creative eye, but they also believe in some wonderful philosophies such as:

1. Decorate with flea market finds. It's the easiest way to bring charm to a house affordably.

2. Sixx Design's Credo:

Experiment : Take risks: Have fun: Explore: Change: Invent: Change again

3. Kids' Parties - "Four-year-0lds don't need RSVPs. Kids are there to celebrate their friend's birthday, not to receive extravagant goody bags. We always serve beer and wine to the adults, but never to the kids. Never get your face too close to the stick when it's time for the pinata. When asked how I throw so many birthday parties for my children, I answer, "I bake a cake and invite a bunch of kids."

4. Mix high and low.

High: Goose feather lamp, oil painting above bed, matching fabric for curtains and bed frame.

Low: $25 nightstand from a garage sale, painted white, statue and vase from flea market, throw pillows from Target.

5. Use art you already own - this could be from flea markets to old travel poster to your own kids' works of art.

This is a collection of their kids' artwork that they shrunk and affixed to a large piece of white board. Many of their art aficionados gravitated toward this piece and asked if it was done by a well-known artist!

I could go on and on, but it's definitely a book that is incredibly inspirational and I highly recommend you add it to your library!

(all photos from Downtown Chic)