The Little American's Summer 2013

Well, It's been a busy, festive and memorable summer with our Little American . Unfortunately, it's already time to focus on Fall.   School starts in 3 weeks and we are already getting announcement calls from the school's principal reminding us the semester is just around the corner.  The good news is(as far as blogging) that Daniel will be starting the first grade which means a full day at school should give me some free time to blog.  In the meantime,  here are some(okay, several) photos highlighting his summer.  Also, included are 3 short videos.   I apologize in advance for the photos not being in proper order.

Bermuda July 2013

Le Parker Meridien Hotel Manhattan July 2013

Le Parker Meridien NYC

Dinner aboard the Norwegian Break Away July 2013

Relaxing with a movie before bed at the Ritz in NYC

Ritz Carlton Central Park

Breakfast in the Club Lounge Ritz Carlton NYC

Turning in after a long day sight seeing 

Central Park

Central Park

Leaving the musical Cinderella 

Times Square

Russian River

Strolling the deck aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Relaxing in the cabin aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Metropolitan Museum NYC

Le Parker Meridien NYC

Metropolitan Museum NYC

Posing at one of the beaches in Bermuda with his Broadway Cruise camp counselors Ryan(L) and Kevin

asleep with kitty(or maybe sheepy?) after a long day touring the big apple

A weekend at the Dacha 

American Museum of Natural History NYC

The Frick Museum NYC

A view of central park from the Le Parker Meridien

Metropolitan Museum NYC

American Museum of Natural History NYC

Dinner in Greenwich village NYC

A not so happy moment here...time out for running off without Daddy's knowledge/permission.

First day of soccer practice,August 7,2013

Kid's waterpark aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Ritz Carlton Central Park

Broadway Cruise Camp musical number rehearsal aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Broadway Cruise dress rehearsal aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Papa Dan and Daniel bonding on the balcony

The boys dressed for Bermuda shorts night aboard the Norwegian Break Away to Bermuda

Hanging out with cousin Elena from Dallas who was in town visiting Grammy and Grandpa. 

Bryant Park

Frick Museum

Frick Museum

Metropolitan Museum

One of the several water features in Central Park

Bermuda

Times Square

His favorite thing to do at hotels...order room service and dine in his underwear

A view of Lady Liberty from the balcony of our room aboard the Norwegian Break Away

Waiting for cab to see the musical Cinderella

Ritz Carlton Club Lounge

Ritz Carlton Club Lounge

Ritz Carlton 2013

Musical number from the play "Annie" performed on the Broadway Cruise aboard the Norwegian Break Away.

Daniel's first waterslide experience aboard the Norwegian Break Away.

Daniel's Shake House.

6 years of age birthday party on August 10th at Funderland Amusement Park.

Bookstores Around The World

I had to share a post sent to me by my local library of beautiful bookstores around the world. 2 of my favorites on the list of 16 are below.

Image via fotopedia

This beautiful store is the El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Image via portosweethome.com

This is the Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal.

To see all 16 stores click here: 16 Bookstores You Have To See Before You Die

Out-of-the-Box Options for Bringing Outdoor Furniture Inside

Out-of-the-Box Options for Bringing Outdoor Furniture Inside

By: Chris Long

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One of the best ways to express your home décor individuality is to choose furniture that fits your personal taste and personal lifestyle. And just because something has most traditionally been associated with the great outdoors doesn't mean it's off limits for your inner walls!

Here are some out of the box ideas for putting your own personal touches on a few unique furniture selections.

Wicker Tables & Chairs

Without a doubt, the king of outdoor furniture is wicker! But that being said, there's no reason why wicker won't work well in your living room, sitting room, glassed-in or screened-in porch or sun room.

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Add some pillows in your favorite fabric and place a glass top on a wicker table and you now have a special seating area for any room in your house.

Wicker Glider

When you picture the perfect nursery, there's a good chance there's a rocking chair in there somewhere. So if you want a timeless staple of nurseries the world over with a twist, go with a wicker glider.

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Rattan Table for Two

At the height of its modern popularity in the middle of the last century, rattan furniture was all the rage. This is due to increased demand for outdoor furniture and an appreciation of earlier styles of furniture and this sturdier type of wicker fit the bill.

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But up-fitting a rattan table and chair set with a fresh coat of paint and some comfy cushions means you no longer have to dine outside – now you and your special someone can share a café-style morning bite or an after-dinner dessert in your eat-in kitchen.

Adirondack Chairs

Originally designed to be the ultimate lawn chair, with their thick arms just perfect for resting a morning cup of coffee or sunset cocktail, Adirondack chairs have moved off the lawn and migrated indoors!

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By adding a comfy cushion on the seat, the back or both, you now have a comfortable place to rest yourself and your drink while you relax on the porch, in your sunroom or in front of the TV.

Adding a pop of color with a fresh coat of paint is a great way to upcycle a previously-enjoyed Adirondack chair. Pair fun chair colors with complementary coasters, candles, pillows or rugs.

DIY Tips for your Painted Adirondack Chairs

Now that you're ready to tackle your own indoor refurb project, here are some painting tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure your chair is clean before you paint.
• If you use a latex paint and primer-in-one product, you can rejuvenate an older chair and eliminate a coat at the same time. My preference for furniture is to always use both an oil based primer and semi-gloss or gloss oil based paint. These take a lot longer to dry, but the end result will be a much harder, smoother surface that never feels gummy and resists scuff marks.
• For wood items like these, a foam roller is a better choice than a regular nap roller because the foam creates a smooth, even application and won't pick the paint back up.
• Use both rollers and brushes simultaneously – rolling will cover the large surfaces and if you use the brush while the rolled paint is still wet, you can get in between the cracks and slats for complete coverage and a nice finish.
• Always allow a coat of paint to fully dry before applying another coat and it's advisable to apply two thinner coats as opposed to one thick coat – the heavier, thicker consistency has a tendency to droop and sag or even drip!
• On a smaller, linear project such as a chair, always paint in the same direction to maintain consistent lines – if you start painting up and down, don't switch to back and forth.
• If you must put away your paint job overnight and pick it up again the next day, place the brush you are using in a plastic bag and pop it in the freezer – pull it out at least 15 minutes before you need it the next day and you're ready to go without having to wash it twice.
• If you use an interior/exterior paint product, you can move your chairs outside on occasion – like for those summer nights perched around a fire pit or sitting on the porch for early morning coffee or an end of the evening nightcap!

What are some of your favorite pieces of furniture or types of materials that are traditionally associated with the outdoors that you have tweaked to fit in with your interior décor?

Chris Long is a Home Depot store associate in the Chicago area, where he has been helping customers since 2000. Chris is also a contributor to Home Depot's Home Decorators.com website. His home décor interests range from providing advice on furniture, including end tables, bookcases and coffee tables.

Guest Post: How to Create an Eye-Catching Accent Wall By Carolyn Heintz

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Accent walls are a great way to spice up your space. Through the use of paint, texture, wallpaper, or art, accent walls serve to create dimension and interest. If you’re afraid of color, it’s a great way to add just a touch without being overwhelming. It’s chic, it’s exciting, and it’s easy! Here are some different ways to create an eye-catching accent wall.

1. Pop of color

This is the traditional approach for an accent wall—using it as an opportunity to add a shock of color to the room. It’s a great for color-phobes who want to add personality to their space. The key is to pull the color from other elements in the room. For example, in the first image, the accent wall is the same color as the couch. Otherwise, it will be too jarring and create a lack of cohesiveness that will make the room seem disjointed.

2. Subtle and serene

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The change in color does not have to be drastic. By choosing a color that is only a couple shades different or one that is in the same family, your accent wall imbues a sense of serenity into the space. In this case, the accent wall is subtle and works to create interest in a mellow room. This is especially great in bedrooms.

3. Change in texture

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A feature wall isn’t just about color; you can create an awesome accent wall by bringing in new textures. This can be anything from adding a tiled wall, using Venetian plaster, utilizing different painting techniques, or other architectural differences. You can even use the same paint color, which can be a chic way to add dimension. Making use of different textures adds a richness and tactility that can really elevate your space.

4. A work of art

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Instead of using paintings or other art pieces, why not add a design element directly to your wall? You can use paint to create an interesting pattern, or apply wallpaper or fabric to create the same effect. If you do choose a pattern, you want to keep the wall art to a minimum or else the space will look cluttered. It’s a good idea to keep the other walls neutral—you want the wall to be the main attraction!

5. A small addition

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If an accent wall scares you, adding something as small and simple as polka dots or a framed picture collage can make your room more interesting. (Check out how chic the gold polka dots look in the office space.) These subtle differences are an excellent way to gently introduce the accent wall into your home.

Accent walls can go wrong if they are totally out-of-place in the room or if they are used too frequently throughout your home. You shouldn’t go out and add an accent wall to every room in your house, but choose the spaces that could use more dimensions. They are also great for highlighting an awesome piece of art or architectural element. Whether you are looking to add color or texture or just a little something, there is an accent wall for you!

Author Bio: Carolyn Heintz is a nutritionist, coffee lover, and wannabe interior designer. She runs a personal blog and her life philosophy consists of rewarding fitness, embracing the arts, preventive health, and (most importantly!) lots and lots of laughter.

Guest Post: The Importance of Interior Design and the Right Flooring in the Home By Jennifer Parker

Regardless of whether a home is built from the ground up or an existing structure is being remodeled, it is important to incorporate the following elements: 

Interior design

High-quality design can turn a room with bare white walls and no character into a home that accurately reflects its inhabitants’ style and personalities. Some homeowners choose to complete their own interior design while others hire professionals to do if for them. Regardless of who does the job, the following aspects must be considered:

Colors
One of the most important aspects of design is the wall color choices. Using a bright color will open a room up while a dark color can make an oversized room feel more cozy. 

Image via flicker

Furnishings
The next important design element is the incorporation of the right furnishings. This could include acquiring a stylish couch or chair in the living area or a beautiful dining room table that fits the home’s overall design theme. Of course, furnishings can also include small details such as pictures or pillow accents.

Home flooring

Another important aspect to keep in mind when attempting to create a certain look is the choice of flooring. 

Wood floors
Today, many homeowners are choosing prefinished wood floors, which create a sophisticated look throughout the home.  In addition, a variety of options are now available to homeowners such as laminate flooring, which has the look of hardwood floors without the expense. Trending now are dark wood floors, which are elegant and classy; however, homeowners should be aware that having dark flooring, dark furniture and darkly colored walls can make a home appear drab and too dark.  Therefore, it is important to balance the dark elements with lighter accents to ensure the home does not appear gloomy.

Image via flicker

Other flooring options
Most homeowners still prefer having carpet in their bedrooms although wood floors are still very popular in other parts of the house. For bathrooms, many homeowners are choosing tile.  It usually depends on the look a homeowner is going for and how much they can spend as to what type of tile they will use in their home.

The two elements listed above those being home flooring and interior design are both crucial to remember when creating a certain look in a home. Having the right design elements can make or break the overall ambiance of a home. Furthermore, flooring is the base in which the rest of a home's design is built, Therefore choosing these two aspects wisely is vital. 

Author Bio: Jennifer Parker is a handy woman to have around the house. Her passion is home living and she manages a home improvement blog in the living, design, and decor niches. Jennifer is also a freelance writer for Floor and Décor, a flooring retailer specializing in hardwood and laminate flooring. 

Guest Post: My (Ongoing) Quest for Clean and Convenient Shoe Storage By Maya Rodgers

For many people, shoes are the things that dreams are made of. It starts small, with a favorite pair of sandals, or hot pumps that are just perfect. However, a few pairs quickly become a mountain, and after collecting many pairs of shoes over time, you may get to the point where there is no closet space left for your beloved footwear. Your shoes end up in a huge pile, tucked away in your closet, making finding the right pair difficult, if not impossible.

Like many shoe-lovers, I struggled with finding spaces to store my own as well as my family’s shoes. Why not leave them in a neat little row beside the door? That sounds like a good idea – at first. But then my children trek through the front door constantly, and that neat little row of shoes that I spent time ordering is quickly destroyed. Even more, the dog sees our shoes as an array of chew toys, and I’ve had spiders lurk inside my unsuspecting shoes more than once. Yes, my shoe storage ideas never really work out. 

If you’re struggling with shoe organization, there are plenty of eye-catching and fun ways to keep your shoes tidy. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you can even make your own device.  In an attempt to organize my shoes, and help others do the same, I took a look at some very cool and functional ways to store shoes. All of these designs keep shoes neat, clean, and away from children, pets, and pests:

• Cantilevered shoe racks are a sleeker, more modern version of the original shoe rack. The construction of these racks, which are mounted to the wall, can give the illusion that your shoes are floating. 

image credit and shoe rack: available here

• Wooden thread racks can double as a shoe rack for small children’s shoes. Whether your thread rack hangs on the wall, or stands near a door, yours can be personalized with a fresh coat of paint, fabric, or wherever your creativity takes you! When it’s finished, just hang your children’s shoes onto the hooks.
• Bookcases are a great, simple place to store your shoes. Depending on the size, you may be able to display your entire shoe collection on the bookcase, making it easy to find the perfect pair of shoes for the occasion. 
• Room dividers can serve more than one purpose by doubling as a shoe rack. If you have a room divider near the front door or in your bedroom, just place an over-the-door shoe hanger onto the room divider and you have yourself another place to put your favorite shoes. 
• Shoe wheels seemed magical the first time I saw one. These allow a large amount of storage while also offering easy accessibility to pairs of shoes. 

photo credit and more information available at: The Telegraph

• Large wicker and decorative baskets can also be used to collect shoes. This works best for shoes that take up less space such as sandals and flats, along with shoes that get worn less frequently. Unlike the shoe wheel though, the basket risks the possibility of not being able to quickly find that pair you need.
• A final shoe storage idea is the use of crown molding to hang heels on the wall. Taking three to four rows of crown molding and mounting them high along your walls can add a decorative pop as well as a useful area to hang your heels. The photo below comes from a great DIY article that shows you how to make your own! 

I found these solutions were very helpful in my ongoing quest for ideal shoe storage – though I also learned that these ideas work best in combinations. (My personal favorite is the shoe wheel.) Try using some of these suggestions and let me know how it goes! May your shoes stay clean, organized, and ready-to-wear!

Author bio: Maya Rodgers currently mothers two children and a yellow lab who loves stealing and chewing any shoes she can find. Maya also very much dislikes being surprised by bugs in her shoes, which is why she works as a pest control consultant. She can be found musing and experimenting at www.petsandpests.com.

Guest Post: Home Landscaping-Why Build Waterfalls In Your Yard By Madoline Hatter

When it comes to designing the look and feel of your home, there truly isn't a right or wrong way to do things. It all centers around what your personal preferences are and whether or not you can feel comfortable in your own home. Your lawn is no different. Miniature waterfalls have a great deal of aesthetic improvements within the confines of your property. As these can be hand constructed using various materials, the odds of duplicating the exact look and feel are next to impossible.


  1. Attractive - When it comes to building your waterfall, there are multitudes of ways and designs you can implement in order to give it that totally unique look and feel. These can be short two-foot miniature falls to much larger, six-feet and up elaborate structures that feed into natural swimming pools. You are the designer and you can base these beautiful additions on real-life water falls, or develop a completely different look and feel. For many home owners, the active waterfall in the yard has an allure regarding nature that they feel utterly comfortable around.



2. Stress Relief - For those who practice yoga or meditate on a regular basis, the soothing sounds of a small waterfall can put you in an excellent frame of mind. There are tens-of-thousands of people around the globe who actively find campsites or hotel rooms that overlook rivers and waterfalls for the sheer sound of running water at night when they sleep. It is a relaxing experience and can help relieve tensions and stress.


3. Creativity - Building a waterfall in your yard is more than simply stacking rocks on each other and running the hose through the top. It can be a way to express yourself through the use of nature as your canvas and tools. There are multitudes of ways to build your waterfall and you can be as creative as you wish. Different rock formations, small pools that feed into each other as the falls digress, even miniature houses and mills can be added as if you were putting together a model of nature.

4. Inexpensive - The more elaborate your waterfall is, the more money you will be putting into the construction. However, there are many people all around the country that wouldn't mind someone coming over to their properties and cleaning up rocks and other natural debris that you can fit into your design. If you can be creative about the materials you use, you can save quite a bit of money.

5. Entertaining - Many of us build or work on various objects because we think it's fun. Models, cars, computers, and more are used as hobbies in order to build something filling us with the feeling of accomplishment. As the waterfall could take a great deal of time to perfect, you could find yourself viewing your scenery as a hobby in order to bring you pleasure from something you have complete control of.



Waterfalls in your yard can do quite a bit in the terms of increasing your home's desirability. Although appraisers in some areas don't include lawn additions in this fashion when determining the value of your home, the personal appeal will arise more interest within those who are looking to buy. If you plan on living in the home for years to come, then you can enjoy your own slice of nature in the form of a running waterfall throughout the remainder of your stay.

This article is contributed by Madoline Hatter. Madoline is a freelance writer and blog junkie from ChangeOfAddressForm.com. You can reach her at: m.hatter12 @ gmail. com.

New Outdoor Dining

As promised, here are photos of the new outdoor dining furniture.  We finally received the wrought iron table and it looks great with the wicker style chairs.

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This past weekend we had our first dinner on the new set celebrating Papa Dan's birthday.  Our neighbor Robin catered the event as her gift to the birthday boy.  I only had to set the table.  I used the blue and white dishes to coordinate with the accent pieces in the sitting area.

I hope you enjoyed the photos.  Thank you for visiting.

Weekend on the coast

We had a wonderful time this weekend near the coast.  It was sunny and warm making it perfect for cruising on highway 1 to the beach.  

Heading west on highway 116, traveling the 12 miles from our cabin to the Pacific.   Does it get any better?

With every curve of the road, the excitement mounts as we get closer to the ocean.  Of course, this beautiful scenery always enhances our day trips to the seashore.

We spent all afternoon at nearby Goat Rock Beach.   The weather was in the mid 80's.   I took a nice nap while Papa & little Daniel built a sand castle and collected sea shells.

 Once our fun in the surf and sun (sometimes fog) is done, our return trip on this magnificent roadway usually includes a stop at Cape Fear Cafe  for a seafood feast in Duncans Mills.

Back at the cabin, we shake off the sand and relax on the porch.  Instead of the surf, we hear the birds singing and the breeze in the redwoods. 

It's always hard to leave this place.  We are looking forward to the Summer when the little guy is out of school so we can spend more days here.