One Week to Paris + A Little Something Else

I hadn't really felt all that excited about my upcoming trip.  Oh, don't get me wrong, the thought of the trip totally excited me; but I had yet to get that giddy feeling on the inside.  You know the one I'm talking about!  Well, now that I've finally gotten my passport renewed, as of last Wednesday and picked it up on Monday, day before yesterday; I am giddy like a kid the night before going to Disney World!  I actually began packing over the weekend to ensure I don't forget anything!  In thinking ahead, knowing me the way that I do, I called to check on international plans for data, texting, and calling...Lord have mercy Jesus!  Really?  Not sure yet what I'm going to do because I really wanted to use the Instagram app, but I will have to work around it some way or another!

 

 

One of the things I am most excited about is being able to walk the streets of a city that is so rich in history and beauty.  To be able to sit in an intimate cafe and enjoy the food and wine, to sit on a quiet bench and just revel in the moment, to attend the ballet at La Opera and be moved not just by the performance, but the experience of it all.  To be able to fall in love over and over with the life that I've been so blessed to live.  To fully realize a dream of traveling to a place where I've always wanted to go, but seldomly thought about because I knew it would happen.  Pinch me now!

 

 

 

 We will be up before dawn and long after sunset. I'm not sure we will even sleep on this trip!  Yes, yes we will, on the flight over and the flight back!  My bestie, Tomeko and I, were talking yesterday about living on purpose.  I've never given much thought to this, but it's so important to live each and every day on purpose.  The alternative is to take each day as it comes.  Really?  Is that something any of us want to do?  God only knows what will come from that!  There are always going to be things that are out of our control, but those things that we can control, we should.  We can purpose ourselves to be happy; to enjoy all the day brings knowing that we can have the best and be the best because it all begins with our thoughts; which reveal themselves in our behavior and actions. 

 

 

 

This trip is going to be such a huge source of inspiration for me! Huge in the way of knowing I can live the life I want and totally enjoy my friends, family, peers, and career. I can get through those struggles knowing that they are par for the course, so that I am able to have the life of my dreams, made possible by the setting of goals and the discipline of doing the most simple things day after day regardless of what it looks like.  How wonderful a gift for us all to be able to decide what we will accept and not accept.  To decide who we will be and how we will impact the lives of those around us.  To decide not to let the set backs hold us back.  To decide to go out and live the life of our dreams because we've been given a gift to just that.  The best way to show our gratitude for such an amazing gift of life is to live it to the fullest!

 

 

 

No matter the struggle, no matter the challenge; we get to decide how we're going to handle it.  We get to decide if we're going to be overwhelmed, overcome, and defeated by our situations; or if we're going to devise a plan, perservere, and keep it moving.  I've chosen to...

 

 

Rendre ETTONANT!

Rhonda

 

*Images & Quotes



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My Countdown to Paris has Begun!

Wow!  What else can I say, but WOW!  Last year was a fantastic year for me!  Not all of it smelled like roses; but does it ever?  Anyhoo, it was just a year where Rhonda E. Peterson experienced tremendous growth and incredible awakenings.  Now, here it is barely two months into 2013, and I am already realizing dreams and goals that are taking my breath away.  One such goal is my trip to Paris next month!  I am finally beginning to get very excited about going!  As I was browsing through my Pinterest boards searching for images, I became totally giddy with excitement, so please excuse me if I just show pictures of places, architecture, and elements that will cause my heart to skip a beat everyday that I am there!

 

 Paris vista

 

 Eiffel Tower

 

 Champs-Elysees

 

 Musee de Louvre

 

 Paris Pont (Bridge)

 

Montmartre

 

 Palais Garnier (Opera Garnier)

 

 Cathedral of Notre Dame

 

The Gardens at the Palace of Versailles

 

The River Seine

 

 Pont Neuf (Paris' oldest bridge)

 

 Le Procope (Paris' oldest cafe)

 

Parisian residence (Art Deco at it's finest)

 

I can totally see myself standing here wanting to split myself into, so that I can see it all!

 

The best part of all is that I get to share this experience with a person that has truly supported my dreams, goals, aspirations, and all those things that make us who we are at the core of our being.  Those types of friends are so rare, and I'm so glad Deirdre is mine!

 

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*All images via my Pinterest boards



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With A Man In Mind: Reed Krakoff's Manhattan Office

As I was perusing through Architecturaldigest.com, I came across an article featuring designer Reed Krakoff and his Manhattan office.  If you're not familiar with his name, maybe you are a little more so with the leather goods brand at which he is the president and executive creative director, Coach.  In 2010, he launched his namesake fashion label where he creates a clothing line that includes accessories, handbags, and shoes. 

 

 

Okay, this table is so beyond!  I am so that person that needs to spread out while working, and what better way to do that than on a stunning piece of art like this table by Joris Laarman! 

 

 

I have books and magazines spread about my work space, but they just don't look like this!  I'm jealous!  But I suppose if I had such a lovely sculptural piece in their midst (such as this table by Jeroen Verhoeven), then maybe just maybe, my clutter would be just as artistic!

 

 

There are those times when I am able to have my desk looks like this; nicely styled and wonderfully organized!  It just doesn't look like that today!

 

 

I've often professed my love for framed wall compositions, so it should come as no surprise that I find this one to be inspiring as well.

 

 

Hmm, is that chair the same one that is in miniature in the image before this one?  A-maz-ing!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

Images via architecturaldigest.com



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Dream Homes: What Does Yours Look Like?

 Just the other day I was thinking about getting started on designing my dream home.  There are two reasons I am doing this; (1) because I can, (2) because this is how dreams become reality!  It's really not a difficult thing to do, seeing that there are tons upon tons of resources available; not to mention you are able to "Google" any and everything!  A few of the resources that I use to get inspired and find ideas are Houzz.com, Decor Pad, and Pinterest; not to mention the thousands of fantastic blogs in the blogosphere, and all of the incredible magazines on the bookstore shelves! 

If you haven't already, begin collecting those pictures of elements that you would love to have in your dream home.  You can organize them on an inspiration board that you can hang in your home in a place where you will see it daily, place them in a binder and organize them by room, finish, etc., or like what many are now doing, join Pinterest and create boards for different interests!  Now that you know how to start and where to look, get going!

Make it AMAZING!
Rhonda

*Images



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The Last Official Weekend of Summer!

Wow, time really doesn't wait for anyone!  Can you believe we're already on the front porch of Fall!  Do you have a special way of bringing the season to a close?  Around my house we usually do some type of home improvement project, but not this year.  We are going to spend the weekend doing a lot of nothing!  The first bit of nothing on the list is to pay a visit to Serenbe, a lovely little community in Chattahoochee Hills, that is hosting several events over the holiday weekend.  It is also the site of this years HGTV Green Home Giveaway, that just happened a couple of weeks ago!  They are also hosting the Bosch Net Zero Home Tour this weekend that should be an inspiration to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food at these three restaurants is soooo good and well worth the visit!  The Farmhouse is located inside the Inn at Serenbe.  The Blue Eyed Daisy is a special little place that serves incredible sandwiches and pasteries!  The Hil, I've only eaten at the Hil once, and it has been while; but what an experience that was!  What I do remembe,r is that most, if not all of the produce came from the serenbe farm and the menu is hand selected by chef/owner Hilary White.  If considering an evening out, visit the website for restaurant times for the Farmhouse and the Hil.  The Blue Eyed Daisy has more accommodating hours, especially on weekends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lovely images above are from the model home of the 2010 development the "Nest Cottages".  This model home was built with energy efficiency in mind.  It is a truly fascinating story!  To read more about it click here.  What I love about this community is just that, a wonderful community that is focused on the quality of life of not just the homeowners, but the business owners (whom I think probably reside there as well), and all who visit.  It's very lifestyle specific.  If you appreciate nature, sustainable design, footworn paths, fresh vegetation from the local farm, and everyone you pass saying hello; then this is a place you need to experience, if only for a day!  I encourage you to visit their website and read their blog to learn more about this amazing place that was born from the vision of Marie and Steve Nygren.  I have had the pleasure of meeting them both, once at ADAC and again on the property in summer of 2008.  They are so down to earth and incredibly warm and welcoming!  It you live in the metropolitan Atlanta area and are looking for something to do this weekend, make the trip to Chattahoochee Hills and enjoy a day you've probably not had in a long while!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via The Serenbe Community



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Sunday Special

There's something about a beautiful Sunday... I can't really place my finger on it, but it has a feel about it like no other day (for me).  There are scattered, puffy, white clouds against an icy blue sky that are moving by at a snails pace; which lets you know the wind isn't high.  Just being outside and gazing up, and enjoying the quietness of it all is at this point for me, indescribable.  Do you have those moments where you are able to quiet your mind, enjoy the silence, and be at ease with who you are and your place in the world?  I try to go to this magical place whenever I can.  It can be the dreariest of days, just listening to rain.  Have you ever really listened to the rain?  I think of it as God's lullaby, telling me to be still and take in all that He is.  Anyhoo, if you don't think you have time for moments like these (Daddy, hint hint), then you really don't know what you're missing...

 

 

The first thing that attracted me to this space was the window.  I thought to myself, how odd it was and I could totally imagine a homeowner not knowing where to begin when considering a window treatment! 

 

 

I would love to think that I would have thought of this; and I'm fairly certain after a little bit of time and sketches I would have!  The entire space is just so comfortable.  The light finishes of the floor, walls, furniture, and upholstery all come together to create such an elegant environment that doesn't take itself too seriously.

 

 

I think this space has feminine touches, but allows for a masculine sensibility through the rustic quality of the floor and the minimum linearity of the stairs.  I want this mirror!  The frame is gorgeous and is positioned just right, on a wall that gives the illusion of more depth and spaciousness.  It is so important for a mirror to reflect something lovely to look at!  The reflection in this mirror makes for a wonderful picture!

 

 

Is it just me, or can you too see how the ceiling beams adds so much character, balance, and interest?  The beams seem to have a rhythmic flow with the floor planks running in the same direction.  The lighter finish of the floor seems to make the room float a bit; while the darker ceiling grounds you and gives a sense of intimacy with an open and airy feel.  Hopefully that didn't just make sense to only me!

 

 

Allow me to give a little insight behind the making of this posting!  I follow a blog Inspired Design, written and edited by an amazing mother of two named Debbie!  I love reading her stories and getting her perspective on everything that inspires her.  Her blog is where I got the first image of that lovely room.  After uploading that image on Google image search, it revealed other places the image had been shown; but I chose to click on the link that belonged to Christina Colli, an artist, writer, and interior designer living in the UK.  She had a wonderful posting about a Lithuanian online magazine that I'd never heard of called Llamas Valley.  It was in this posting that Christina featured some of the images from the summer 2012 issue of the magazine.  Of course, I had to pop over there and take a look around; and let me tell you, it was filled with some of the most interesting and beautiful images!  I am now a subscriber to Christina's blog as well as Llamas Valley magazine!  All three that I've mentioned in this posting are definitely worth you visiting and subscribing to!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Image credits:  [1] [2] [3]



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Timeless Elegance

The September, 2012 issue of Architectural Digest "Timeless Elegance" features some of the most stunning interiors!

These photographs are of Sidney Torres IV, home in New Orleans, LA.  The interior design was done by architect Lee Ledbetter.  If you have not already gotten a copy of this issue, a trip to your local bookstore is in order!  You will not be disappointed!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images via Architectural Digest



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My Random Inspirations From My Pinterest Boards

My random inspirations are like my thoughts.  Sometimes they are very clear and focused, and at other times they are somewhat all over the place.  Do you ever get like that?  I'll just see different things; whether they are images, objects (animate or not), and be totally inspired by them for no reason in particular; but obviously for some reason that is just yet not known.  I'm rambling now!  So on with the pictures...

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*via my Pinterest boards



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