Weekend Pleasure: Holmes

Sometime last year, I discovered a great way to spend an early weekend morning. Not alone with my coffee and the dog, while everyone else slept in, but with this guy:


Overalls and a took belt, his usual attire.

For those of you who don't know who Holmes is, in my opinion, he's the best thing on HGTV. Mike Holmes is a contractor extraordinaire!!! He knows more than any contractor I've ever met working or seen on television. And, for the times he doesn't know something, he knows people that know. Yeah, talk about the ultimate fantasy guy to know. Currently he has two shows:  Holmes On Homes and Holmes Inspection. Both are entertaining and informative. Oh, and he has a magazine too. Something for the beach or pool bag?


Mike, that aqua shirt is so cool!

I found Holmes by accident when I was channel surfing looking for my other favorite contractor's: Norm, Tom and Richard aka the This Old House guys. It seems they had another schedule change and that's when I found Mike. Within 15 minutes, I was having a total love fest. Although, after making introductions to my husband, it's now a threesome. He says things like "let's fix this and make it right" and "let's rip this all out and start over". Makes me want to move to Canada. He points out all the things that bad contractors do without coming off arrogant.  And, despite his tough guy looks, he is seriously compassionate and very charming. I'd even say charismatic!

Cleans up pretty good, eh?


Both his son and daughter work for him, along with a great guy named Damon and many other very skilled craftsman. Each week there is a different disaster, courtesy of an incompetent and often
unlicensed/dishonest contractor. The distressed homeowners at their wits end enlist Holmes to find the problems and correct the mess. He always goes beyond what any "normal" contractor would ever do.  The ladies always hug him at the end and often the men do to....he's that good. Check your local listings for times!

You'll want to have a leisurely breakfast with this weekend pleasure. May I suggest pancakes. Extra syrup.

Valentine's Weekend Illusions

What is the best way to polish off your box of chocolates this weekend? On the sofa watching a good movie of course! May I suggest one of my favorite movies, The Illusionist. It came out in 2006 and stars Edward Norton as the turn of the century magician, Eisenheim. Paul Giamatti is an inspector and Jessica Biel plays a Duchess. I remember the first time we rented it and literally right after it was over, my husband turned to me and said "do you want to watch it again?"

This is not a chick flick or likely to be found on Cupid's list of cinematic recommendations. It's more of a mystery/drama, but has enough romance to make it quite suitable for Valentine's weekend. The movie, I think, is well-crafted and very stylish. It does takes great liberties with fantasy and illusion, but the acting by Giamatti, Norton and Rufus Sewell (who plays Crown Prince Leopold) should get you well past any criticisms. It takes place in Vienna, Austria and the sets and costumes are fantastic. The ending will likely leave you pondering the many twists and turns. Which is one reason, I'm glad we didn't see when it was released in theaters. If you've never seen it, start early, so you can enjoy a double feature!

Click here for a preview and have a great weekend!!!

George Clooney: Foxy Inspiration?

Pier 1 Imports was my go-to store when I had my first apartment. It was close to where I lived and cheap! Fast forward 20+ years and some things haven't changed. Except the go-to part. I will still pop in every once in awhile looking for glasses, storage baskets or some other odd thing and I do like to go in around the holidays and check out their ornament selections. Not long ago I had to hit 3 different locations buying up all the $4/bags of robin's egg soaps for a client. Not kidding. Otherwise I would have had to allocate $20/jar plus shipping for the same thing. Money I needed to spend on other items!

I never look at their catalogue. Yesterday I did. For one simple reason. Foxy George Clooney was on the cover. Okay, it wasn't really him, more like the thought of him. Alright, it was just the sound of his voice. See......

If I lost you, it just means you haven't seen "Fantastic Mr. Fox". Worth renting. George Clooney is the voice of Mr. Fox.  I've seen it 3 times.....don't ask.

Anyway, I  liked the lines of the settee he had his foxy tail on. The fabric, uh...not so much. But this is the sort of piece if I could score a great fabric at a rock bottom price, I would consider recovering it for the right project or room!

I perused the whole catalogue. There were some other decent pieces amongst a whole lot of crap. Each page was an over-accessorized riot of color that required 2 Advil upon completion. Some of the vignettes I swear are from one of their 90's layouts and I am convinced they have stylist's on staff who are on crack.  See for yourself:

Warning: these are not even the worst pages. But, in all fairness, the front of the catalogue does say "Creature Comforts". So if you keep the theme in mind and Advil handy, incorporating a unicorn and a goose into your interiors makes perfect sense. Kind of takes the focus off some of the accessories.  Except for this last image. There are signs of crack use all over it. How do Goldilocks & the 3 bears fit into this???!!!  It seems none of the Pier 1 beds were just right.

Hope everyone has a fantastic long weekend catalogue browsing, renting movies, playing outside or just hanging out!!!  

Coffee With My Favorite Mad-Man!

Somehow, last Sunday I never got around to reading the paper. My husband was gathering the up old papers this morning and said " Oh, here...I saved this for you from last week.  THANK YOU, honey! In case you missed it too, there was a feature in Parade magazine of hunky Jon Hamm aka Don Draper!

So over coffee on the deck this morning, I spent some time getting to know Jon better.  Jon is only 39! I truly thought he was older...say 45.  He said so have a lot of casting directors and that's one reason it was hard to get parts when he was younger.....hmmmm.....were they blind!?  Anyway, sorry to tell you all.....he's taken. He has lived the last 13 years with the "love of his life." A beautiful woman named Jennifer.  I know...sigh! According to the article he can do a "wicked Valley Girl impression" and is quite the prankster on the set!  Who would have guessed? He is also an "obsessed" sports fan having played football in high school. He currently plays tennis and he says he carries his baseball equipment in his car-just in case.  Jon by all means stop by to play anytime! Or we will take you to a Nats of Orioles game if you prefer!!!

Fans of the show.....have you noticed how dark and drab Don Draper's rented furniture is in his new bachelor apartment? I think he needs the fantastic Petrie chair from Crate & Barrel.  And, we all know what a cad he is...bet you can convince him to sit awhile and chat.  Looks to me like there is plenty of room for two! Oh, and if you're a Mad-Men junkie, head on over to Parade.com/draper for a quiz!

Images from Parade magazine and A&A.

Confession: I Slept With Gerard Butler

It's the truth.  I make no excuses.  No, it wasn't planned.  Yes, my husband is away.  Of course I regret it.  But, if you must know, only because of the dull ache and indent on my forearm from the sharp edge of his thin white spine and the crazy dreams that followed of fragmented images and misguided design.

I tried to resist him, but he was here for 2 whole days.  I mostly ignored him.  Well yes, there were long admiring glances and an occasional smile as I passed him lingering in the living room.  But, I told myself I was far to busy to invest any real time for the thrill of a few photos.  That all ended last night.  I caved.  I asended the stairs embracing him in my arms.  I turned the lights down low, and began to read.  He talked only of his loft.  I could tell he desperately wanted my approval.  I tried to say flattering things.  Such as how I admired his good sense in selecting the right designer to execute his style.  But, I quickly ran out of words and drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke, there he was grinning, looking a bit rumpled.  Him sitting in this chair could have been the beginning of a beautiful relationship, but it was not meant to be.  I had to relay my true feelings and told him that I thought these spaces are far too theatrical for the context of a New York loft.  He said that was the point.  Well, then you have disappointed my perception of what I thought your home would look like.  So, darling, unless you plan to dazzle me with something classic and sophisticated befitting of your Hollywood resume...it's over.  Reduced to nothing more than a cheap one night stand.  And, oh Gerry,  I am sorry if you thought I could keep this little secret between us.  Oops!  I'm a blogger...we share everything!!!

House Tour:

Whatever Gerry!

images courtesy of Architectural Digest