Perhaps we have Valentine's Day all backwards. And because we have it backwards, it makes us go sideways. And then we fall down. And we can’t get up.

Read More »

It is our most pervasive myth. Love is something you fall into. You are going along your daily life and BOOM, there she was just a walking down the street! I saw him standing there, and I knew. Cue the soundtrack! We have come to believe in chemistry, and kismet, and that we fall in love, like it was a camouflaged hole that we stumbled upon. The problem with this theory is that we also fall out of love. And then there is all the disappointment, and fingerpointing, and ultimately, we amputate that person from our lives, because the love wasn’t perfect.

Read More »

As it is still the very fresh beginning of a new year, it still seems appropriate to begin the year with another "best of 2013" list. For me and this little family of mine, 2013 has been the year of new activities to entertain and teach my ever explorative toddler. This year has seen me spend countless hours researching where to take my little one on new, fun and hopefully affordable activities. Below, is my summery of my top toddler activities in the Asheville area (that we've had the chance to experience):

Read More »

I used to avoid South Asheville at all cost. After moving to the south side a couple years ago, I have grown very fond and extremely comfortable here. Biltmore Park has grown and flourished into its own little community. Further, inviting big city names to become a part of our town. Dining with Metro favorites such as P.F. Changs and Brixx. Luxury hotel rooms in the Hilton. Education in town, instead of abroad with Western Carolina University. Specialty Shopping with REI and Orvis are here, now.

Read More »

Does your dog chew at his tail or feet? Does your cat have a dry, dull coat (or even bald patches) and always seems to be itchy? Are you constantly at the vet for ear infections or digestive issues? Food allergies or insensitivities may be to blame! While grain allergies are the most common seen in dogs, they can, and often do, develop allergies to specific proteins in their diets. Dogs and cats are not born with allergies to specific proteins; they are developed over time by feeding the same ingredients over and over. If a dog is given chicken every day of his life, for example, over time his body may become less equipped to break down those proteins. The body begins to mistakenly identify chicken as a harmful ingredient, and creates defensive antibodies to fight against the food. This is what causes the symptoms that many of us have become familiar with. It’s important to note that different breeds can be prone to different medical conditions and allergies, whether your pet is a golden retriever or a feline friend. You should be looking at what typical conditions that they might suffer from genetically and to pay attention to …

Read More »

Every mom started her life as a little girl and grew to have expectations and dreams of her own. Each of those little girls grew into young women that still held tightly (or not so tightly) to their dreams but responsibilities and expectations of others grew as well. As the girl grows into a young woman, and the young woman matures and is blessed with a spouse and motherhood, the responsibilities of life can become quite overwhelming. We as mothers can often get lost in nurturing the lives of those around us that we fail to nurture ourselves. We have to be careful when we continuously give because we can forget how to receive. I have been asked several times recently what my hobbies are. Things like “taking naps or sleeping in” and “having alone time” or even “taking a shower with no interruptions” and “going to the bathroom alone” come to mind. To my illusion, these are not hobbies. These are mostly fantasies that many mothers share. It amazes me how much thought I have to put into what my hobbies are. Then I can get off on saying something like, “these are what my hobbies would be if …

Read More »

While the definition of art is widely controversial in itself; Asheville is one of those rare places that defines its own eclectic culture and culture of art.  Art in Asheville is from the ground up; literally.  Art of a garden,  a gate,  driveway, the hand made home with no electric tools, or only from items of the property in which it rest.  Or yes that typical piece in the park, in your living room but expanded in Asheville to dinnerware, furniture, clothing and everything you touch or touches you from head to toe.  Asheville allows the individual expression of art in every aspect of life. So walk (read) with us in this column as we experience everything Asheville has to offer in  “Art Asheville Style”.  The typical Asheville resident takes everything into account when choosing to live here, and those who settle here for life take on the Art Asheville Style starting at their driveways.  Gate or no gate we all enjoy the beauty of each welcoming entry as we take in the views from our cars driving in our mundane work life from place to place. Thus I start our walk at the driveway! Any drive way… so today we …

Read More »

Hi everyone! I shared on my facebook page a few weeks ago a photo of the antique iron bed I had found here on the property. I have been wanting to restore it forever it seems, but didn’t get to it until last week. Here is what it looked like. There were several iron beds here that my grandmother had painted white, however, everyone thought this was a 3/4 bed, so it escaped the white paint, thankfully. My plan was to just use it as a headboard, then when I measured it, I found it was indeed a full size. I scrubbed with a mixture of vinegar/water and steel wool. It was a really messy job, but worth it. It had never been painted and looked like it was originally black with the top scrolls brass. I then sprayed the whole thing with Rustoleum metal primer, and this is what it looked like. I finished it with Rustoleum “Oil Rubbed Bronze” after several coats of .97 flat black paint. I don’t recommend the cheap spray paint. Just go ahead and buy the Rustoleum, because it will go much farther and is so much easier to spray. I used one can …

Read More »

All of us moms are different women with different personalities wrapped up in different bodies. However, we all have one thing in common and that  is our love for our children. I don’t believe I have ever heard a mother say, “I hope my child grows up and makes nothing of their life”. We all have high hopes for our children. We love and encourage them through the hard times and give them hugs and high fives in their achievements. They can bully their siblings all day long, not listen to a word us parents say to them and cause us an immense amount of frustration but at the end of the day, we love them and will do anything to nurture and protect these precious lives. I recently received a Newsletter from  Mom365 in my email and inside it had a quiz to determine what mom personality you have. My personality is a Traditional Mom. They define it as this: “You came out alright, and your kids will, too. There’s a good chance you’re using the same rules to raise your kids that your parents used on you. You believe that sometimes a kid needs a spanking, and teaching your …

Read More »

There is nothing I love more than aged, plaster walls, and I have been wanting that look for years. I finally just did it. I had some fabulous inspiration photos… This one from Spanish photographer Montse Garriga Grau HERE .   This one from Sweet Southern Vintage.. For my version, I first used joint compound, which I scraped on and off until I got the look I wanted. After it dried, I sanded just a bit, then painted with “Geneva Swan Grey” Colorplace paint in a flat finish from Walmart. I then mixed a couple different shades of light grey and brown and brushed them on where old walls would naturally be darker. It was not that easy, but I love the look. I changed a few things on the buffet including adding this inherited vintage lamp, and my dwarf Alberta Spruce in the ice bucket. My mom brought over some old family photos which I just propped up and decided I liked them that way, so they stayed. This is definitely not a look for everyone, but it definitely gives some character to the room.

Read More »