I’m back! Gosh, it has been an absolutely crazy and hectic couple of weeks… full work weeks, school performances to attend, friends in and out-of-town, lots of gardening and planting, several weddings and parties for those too… I still have a couple of crazy weeks ahead, but I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Summer is almost here and I am SO ready for it!

In all the craziness that has been my life recently, I found an hour to myself and stopped by the local antique store (and for the first time actually had my camera with me!). Going to the antique store has always been therapeutic for me, it’s not about purchasing anything, it’s just looking and reading the tags about where and when the items were made that makes me happy! It’s always interesting to find an item that’s over 100 years old, that still looks amazing! I thought readers would enjoy getting a glimpse at what’s out there and what I have done lately! I’m curious to hear which piece is everyone’s favorite? My personal favorite was the Art Nouveau piece (I lived in Paris for a time and the architecture on my street was very Art Nouveau inspired, so that is what the piece reminds me of).

I hope everyone has been well since my last post and I promise not to go so long till my next one! I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday! Until next time!

B.A.

Like most people, I am gearing up for Easter Weekend, planning what we are going to have for brunch and what is going on the table. Here are some of the center pieces that I have looked at as inspiration for my center piece this year. I think I am leaning towards the floral arrangement in the drink cooler… but what are your plans for Easter this year? I’d love to hear what everyone else is planning on putting on their table this year!

I hope everyone had a beautiful Monday! Until tomorrow!

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Looking for something like this for your own table?

A Marigold Life’s etsy shop is selling similar bird’s nests right now.

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This cooler isn’t exactly the same as the one pictured… but it would look just as cute with this set up!

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Interested in getting a blue tea pot for your center piece? Here is a similar item that would look great too.

On a beautiful day, like today, I always find myself listening to this song on repeat. It’s a song that reminds me of my friends from college, Martyrs Park, Old Zinnie’s, Rhodes, random road trips… and everything else in between! Reminiscing on an earlier life that I wish could have lasted longer.

I hope everyone is having a beautiful Saturday afternoon!

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• Life: On My Playlist (theoccasionalaffair.wordpress.com)

Happy Friday everyone! I hope that it has been a fantastic week for all my readers! I have noticed recently that one of my favorite room additions is an industrial style table. Personally, I wish I could fully embrace a totally industrial style room in my home, but c’est la vie, it would look totally out-of-place in my home which is a very traditional. However, adding a touch of the industrial style, as in an accent table, to a room is never a bad idea! That’s why I loved the living room design by Beth Rosenfield Design. The room incorporates the industrial style but still feels very warm and inviting.

These are the industrial tables that I found this week that I thought would work well in any home, if you were looking to add a touch of the industrial style to your own home.

{French Industrial Coffee Table}

{Metal and Wood Coffee Table}

{Handmade Scrap Metal and Wood Industrial Style Table}

{Industrial Rolling Side Table}

{Salvaged Wood Console}

{Aiden 3-Shelf Console}

When we first had our son, I decorated his nursery in bright blues and greens. I loved it! Now that my son is getting older and starting to form his own opinions (and voice those opinions too) about what he loves, it’s time for a much-needed update. My son and I are still hashing out the details of the color palette for his room (yes, I admit it… I am working with him on this project!) but as far as wall art goes I am still pulling inspiration together for what we are going to do in his room. Some of the ideas I have played around with include:

• Alphabet letters (reclaimed/salvaged letters that he will get to decorate and paint)
• Hanging his own artwork in frames or from picture wire
• Retro prints or things (like airplanes, trucks, etc.) that he enjoys
• Maps of the world or even constellation charts

The re-do for my son’s room is definitely in the beginning stages but we have had a lot of fun so far putting it all together! If any one else has suggestions for wall art in children’s rooms, I’d love to hear them! What has worked well for you and your family? What hasn’t?

As always, I hope you had a fantastic Thursday!

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I hope everyone had a great Tuesday and I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did!

Archifon is a big interactive virtual musical instrument originally made for the Olomouc Baroque de-baptized chapel. Architectonical objects are re-interpreted by virtual visual elements via projection and sound. It is possible by mapping the virtual surface on the chapel’s interior.

Up to ten visitors at a time can interact with the Archifon through the laser pointers. By pointing on any of more than 100 elements different audiovisual actions are initiated.

New Orleans is one of my absolute favorite cities! My husband and I have close friends from college who live there and we make a valid attempt to make an annual visit. If I could own a second home, it would be in New Orleans! If I could afford Anne Rice‘s $3.19 million Victorian Mansion, that’s on the market, I would buy it in a heartbeat. It’s picturesque St. Charles Avenue New Orleans style is breath-taking.

One day maybe… one day! I hope everyone has a superb Monday!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! The weather has been so wonderful that the past couple of days were spent outside in the garden. The goal was to plant lavender, lemon thyme, rosemary, and onion chives, while my son watered each new plant that I added… well, as you can see by the photos, the plants were not the only thing that got a good soaking!

I am sure we have all done our fair share of laundry. I know I have! But have you ever actually looked at the laundry tags or care instructions and felt like you were reading a foreign language? Yes, I have. Actually, Monday afternoon when my son came home from school with colored pen all over his clothes… I really felt like I didn’t know what I was doing when it came to laundry, specifically because I was not sure what each symbol meant. Well, have no fear… I found the solution! Here is a visual of what each symbol looks like and what each one means.

I hope everyone finds this as helpful as I did and I hope that everyone has an amazing Thursday!

First impressions are extremely important, even with a home. Here are some inspirational statement making front doors that leave a great ‘first impression’.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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