Harmony's Nook

It’s happened. I’ve fallen in love with you. Deeply, head-over-heels, crazy in love. I didn’t think it was possible. Not with my baggage. Not with my expectations. Not with my limitations. But it happened. Now I just hope on every shooting star that you will accept me…because I’ve been destroyed by you. Everyone else will pale by comparison.

You are so lovely. I think we’ve got a good thing going.

Do you think these people appreciate what they have?

I sure hope so.

So we’ve changed our minds again. We ARE moving. I know. I know. But it’s for real this time. We need a place to move into on June 1st. ACK! I’m looking for a 2 bedroom with a dishwasher and the DREAM feature would be an in unit washer/dryer. I’d also like a nice bathtub and really good light.

And when I say light…

I mean glorious…

Awe-inspiring…

Cat Nap worthy…

Slightly overwhelming…

Slightly Obnoxious…

Completely Amazing Light!!!

Even a black room can look bright and happy with enough light!

This concludes the lesson of the day.

*All the above photos are from Domino Magazine. May she rest in peace*

It’s that time of year again. I’m happy that my windows are open. I’m not pleased with how DERN muggy it is out. It makes my legs ache. I’m only 31, but my body is already susceptible to the weather. Anyway, I have been neglecting this site for a bit. I got really busy theater-wise, which is always good, but can be very draining. It doesn’t leave much energy for much else. I still enjoy this place as my escape from all that, but if you’re curious about the theater part of my life I’ve started an additional blog called BEHIND THE CURTAIN. 

Anyway, because I’ve been so wrapped up in theater I haven’t been following my favorite Home Design blogs. I went on Apartment therapy yesterday for the first time in a while and realized they’ve already started their Spring Cure! I’m sad that I missed it. The Cure really helped me re-claim my apartment last year and I was hoping to do the same this year. Basically the cure is based on Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan’s book Apartment Therapy: the eight step home cure. The book “…will lead you through the eight weeks and the basic cure requires minimal expense as it takes you from room to room and helps you declutter, organize and clean your home.” I STRONGLY recommend it. It’s a great jumping off point for getting your home (and your life) back under control. 

An added benefit is completing the program WITH the Apartment therapy website. Basically, there are support groups and you post your pictures to a forum and if you’re making really great progress they post your pictures to their website. Mine made it 3 times! As silly as that sounds, it really helps, motivation-wise, to get a little pat on the back from time to time. 

So I’ve missed the interactive Spring Cure deadline. I’m going to have to do it without the help and support this year. I think I’m up to the task though. Birds are chirping outside. Winter is definitely over. We’ve propelled head first into Summer, almost by-passing Spring. I have about a month off before I start on my next show. So it’s time, once again, to reclaim my home from the mess I’ve made of it this winter. I’ll keep you guys updated of the progress made and feel free to ask me questions about the cure or anything else! I love questions!

P.S. Sadly, it does NOT look like I’m moving this summer as much as I would like to. So that is all the more reason for me to re-claim my space and feel happier in it! HAPPY SPRING/SUMMER/whatever everyone!

Okay I don’t have a fiance, or even a boyfriend…

and it’s terribly unconventional…

but is it wrong if I want to get MARRIED in this dress!?!?!

This dress is SO me…I can barely even stand it! I WANT it now.

p.s. Please ignore the anorexic twelve year-old in the picture. I know a real woman would fill this out quite nicely. 

Still dreaming of a bedroom. A bright and airy and lovely bedroom.

Peaceful…open…relaxing

Somewhere to dream, to escape, to reflect…

Somewhere to be creative. Somewhere to be me.

Somewhere to be comfortable. Somewhere to sleep.

It’s nice to dream.

Harmony’s nook now has a beautiful new design thanks to the enormous talents of EricMChicago (http://www.ericmchicago.com).  He’s a web and graphic designer, a wonderful actor, and he happens to be my roommate! He’s also quite a looker.

See for yourself!

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Hee hee. Hoo boy. I have to have my fun. This is my favorite picture of him.

Here’s a superhero shot.

That’s it for now folks!

I don’t get this craze at all! Will someone explain this to me?

I’m not out everyday picketing the streets for PETA or anything, not that this is even real zebra, I just don’t get this fad. I think it’s pretty ugly. I KNOW IT’S IN RIGHT NOW! I’m sorry. I can’t like everything because it’s in. I may change my mind in the future. A woman reserves the right to change her mind at anytime. ESPECIALLY a woman LIBRA. So there.

Nope I still don’t get it and I think this one might be real. ew.

I’m so excited. The roomie and I have decided that enough is enough and we’re going to be moving in a couple of months. I’ve completely had it with this apartment. I’ve had it with the faulty plumbing, the insulation problems, the bug problems, etc.

So anyway, it’s time for me to look at a lot of apartments and to dream a little. My absolute requirements are 2 bedrooms, a bathroom that is in good shape (no broken tile, calking problems, plumbing problems), a decent kitchen that is in good shape WITH a dishwasher, and my dream item would be in unit washer/dryer.

I would love to incorporate these ideas into the new place:

I like how this room is bursting with color, but is completely grounded by all the wood and neutrals in the room. I got a little carried away with color in my current apartment and would like to tame it down for the next one.

I want this to serve as the color inspiration for the apartment. I LOVE the peacock blue with gold and little shots of red and pink. There is also chocolate brown (of course!) and some black and neutrals. I would also like to OWN this pillow. It’s so beautiful.

This also serves as general inspiration for the apartment. It has all my inspiration colors in it and I just love what it says to me. I love that it says Life at the top and that she seems to be becoming a butterfly. It’s so encouraging and life-affirming. I WANT THIS VERY BADLY.

I love the blue velvet! I have two blue velvet arm chairs that are similar to this. I would love to make them pop with apple green and/or fuchsia. (Let’s see how many times I can say love in this post!)

I like the pops of fuchsia in this room. I also love the combination of fabrics. It looks so multi-layered and cozy.

This is my dream bedroom. I love how serene the bedroom is with the unexpected hot shot of color in the drapery. This is the color scheme of the bed area that I would like. Soft and soothing neutrals with a gorgeous golden curtain enclosing it. Sort of like….

…THIS! I would love a curtain enclosure like Ebeneezer Scrooge has in the Christmas Story. I’ve always wanted one! I’ve also always wanted a Princess and the Pea bed. I haven’t given up on that!

I really love unconventional art. I hate hanging framed art on the walls. Probably because I suck at it! I never seem to hang it exactly where I want it. I don’t want to steal this exact idea, but I love the idea of a quote on the wall with the literal representation hanging below it. So clever.

Anyway, wish me luck on my apartment search. I have to FIND one before I can decorate it!

One of my mom’s amazing talents is being able to show up at my apartment and take a half box of stale crackers, an onion, and some stewed tomatoes and turn it into a feast. Okay I’m exagerating a little, but not much. One of my favorite things that my mom cooks my family calls gypsy stew. My mom just takes whatever is in the cupboard/fridge and throws it in a pot and somehow makes it taste amazing.

I’ve been cooking for a while and I love it, but with a few exceptions I cook mostly with recipes. Well today all of that went out of the window for a couple of reasons. A. I’m “financially-challenged” at the moment. B. It was -17 f when I woke up today. Am I going outside to pick up groceries???? HECK NO!

So I took out my crock pot which has pretty much only seen my vegetarian chili (to die for) and started throwing stuff in it. I put potatoes, carrots, corn, onion, heavy cream, sour cream, chicken broth, spinach, butter, flour, and a bit of apple cider vinegar in the pot. I had no idea what to expect. Well it’s heavenly, especially on an awful cold day like today. It’s light and creamy without being too rich. The little bit of vinegar really made it come alive. It’s glorious. My mom would be proud.