Do you ever…
* Flit about your house on a Sunday afternoon… in your robe or PJ’s… cup of tea in hand… reveling in little nooks you’ve created… finding inspiration for your next weekend project?
* Sing REALLY LOUD, but only in the car? (BTW, I recently ran across a great CD called Happenstance by Rachel Yamagata… We’ve got this one on repeat right now!)
* Keep a standing date night with your hubby? John & I do this almost every week… We literally plan it right into our schedules. It brings us calm & balance amidst all the lovely chaos… (Mind you, it’s also a great reason to get glammed up during the week!!)
* Tuck a hand-made card into his suitcase for him to find when he’s traveling? Or leave love notes strewn about his favorite haunts, before you leave on a long trip??
* Hang a sumptuous mirror in your favorite room… and then stare at its reflection, imagining how grand it would be if the room layout were reversed – or doubled in scale – for a day?? (I’ve honestly done this… a bit Alice in Wonderland of me, I know……)
* Tell your parents (or children) that you love them? Every day?
* Squish your toes into cool, wet sand? (Pretty much doing anything without socks is fabulous in my book!)
* Eat grocery store birthday cake & ice cream – even when it’s not your birthday?
* Plan a weekend brunch with your grandparents?
* TiVo Oprah so you can watch her early in the morning?
* Send your mom or sister a little goodie “just because”? (It’s always nice to be remembered throughout the year… not just holidays & birthdays!)
* Keep framed photos of your loved ones at work? Even unframed will do, to keep them close to your heart! If your desk is rather petite, try a small ribbon memo board instead. These are great so you can add & subtract new photos and other bits of inspiration on a whim… Of course, as you know, we’re big on the galvanized steel and magnets gig here at the studio!!
* Encourage your kids to catch fireflies in mason jars? (Ahhh… summer can’t get here fast enough!!)
* Get lost in a local bookstore?
* Plan your April Fool’s gags weeks in advance? (Maybe it’s just us.)
* Have an impromptu picnic lunch for two in the middle of the week?
* Wear cocktail rings to type? You’ll often catch me raiding the jewelry bin here at the studio if I forget to wear one to work… No lie!!
Labels: be extraordinary, do you ever...
Reader Comments
I do “flit about my house” on any given day and look at the “nooks i’ve created.” My husband and kids think i’m staring into space and then I start moving things around and the cycle contiues.
I love your suggestion of giving your sister or mom a goodie. It seems that family is the easiest to take for granted and it just shouldn’t be that way. You have inspired me to let my family know how special they are to me.
Getting lost in a bookstore is my favorite way to spend the afternoon. Now that the kids are grown it’s a real luxury to be able to stay as long as I want.
ohhhhh, how I love donut holes. They just speak to me and I have to grab them at my local grocery.
And cocktail rings… ANYTIME!
When I was a kid, my mom used to make cute little “love notes” and put them into my lunch.. then I was totally embarrassed.. but looking back now.. how adorable.. definately something I see myself doing with my daughter!
Ok,..my Tracy blog friends,.. my mom won Oprah tickets last week and I’m off to Chicago this week!! I’m soooooo pumped that I just had to share with you ladies!!
Seriously,.. this is way too cool,..this was on my “things to do someday” list… now I just have to meet Tracy and I’m all good
Oh Jeanna have a wonderful time with Oprah!!! Do you know what the show will be? Lucky girl!!!! You must be living right Darling.
Tracy~
Ok…the donut holes…YUM!! If you are ever in Seattle…the is a vendor at the Pike Place Market that makes and sells FRESH donut holes…I am craving them right now!! After that you can stop in Market Spice tea and pick up some of your favorites…Let me know when you’re in town…and I’ll meet you for “donut holes”…1 bag for each of us!!
Have a great day!!
*Jeanna! I am sooooo envious. Oprah is on my “bucket list” also. And that road trip to Tracy Porter, Inc. is now down (in ink!). I’ve heard a TP Convention is in the works: tee-hee.
*im – I flit around my house, changing table scapes ALL the time. My men think I’m insane. My youngest comes in from school every day wondering what is different.
Jeanna, IM, Tracy…have you girls started to thaw yet?
Dawn – Those donut holes sound dangerously deliscious (I know Trace has mentioned her addiction – but truth be told, we all here at the studio tend to have a slight problem with them!!)!!! As far as the thaw… it is starting!!! We had our first thunderstorm today and it was absolutely wonderful!!! We are all so ready for some green! xo – katie
Katie, could I send you some pollen?
Artist we are getting 7 inches of snow today. Can you believe it? This better be the last of it. I told myself two weeks ago that i’m not putting on my north face again this year and i wasn’t going to wear socks but today i had to give in and i put on socks. I bought a planter today and i’m planning my flowers and herbs.
That’s good IM, send out warm vibes!!!
Katie~
If any of you come to Seattle then…let’s meet for donut holes!!
Jeanna , you lucky girl! Did anyone see Oprah last week with the haircuts? That was so awesome…loved the guy who went from caveman to classy. Also thought of Virginia with all the red heads…red must be the new ‘in’ color. Have fun on Oprah!!
-Priss
Yes Virginia, a TP CONVENTION! We must make it happen.
Artist, I’ll send you our humidity here. Seems like the grass is always greener on the other side, doesn’t it?
Oh my goodness, y’all….I walked outside this morning and was slapped in the face with humidity! I think it was in the upper 70’s today. It’s so hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that y’all are still getting snow. WOW! It’s definately warming up here in the south. I had carpool duty this morning and felt like I needed to go inside and re-do my do!!!! Ugh!!!
Seven inched of snow?! Im you have my sympathies indeed.
Speaking of wearing cocktail rings to type/work, has everyone seen the April cover of Domino (great mag) featuring Drew Barrymore in her office? The entire cover shot speaks,’Tracy Porter Style’ to me in terms of mixing-it-up/color/fashion…totally glamorous!
Stephanie, I thought the same thing. The cover looks like TP designed it. Isn’t Drew Barrymore beautiful?
Tracy, you need to do a magazine!
Stephanie, refresh my memory…where are you living? I’m trying to keep up with our ever expanding and joyful family. CC, Virginia,Priss, Melissa and I are in the south. Jeanna, IM,Dawn, TP gang are in the North. Hope I have this right. Anyone feel free to make corrections.
I know! I love these conversations but it is hard to keep track! Artist, I am in southern Ontario, Canada. You asked me about ‘Dreams From Home’ – you must not have seen my response (see ‘five minute bookshelves’post – I think!). I purchased the book through Amazon. Hope you find a copy – you will love it!
wow!i feel like that was about me and i’m amazed! date nights – tick, travel love notes – tick… everything – tick! i do all these things… even planning april fools (although todays did not go down too well at all whatsoever!)
Alright girls, this will kill you…I had to turn on my air conditioner in the car while running errands today. We are in for a HOT summer!! That’s when we’ll all wish we were up north.
Domino was a first for me. It was FAB! I noticed it was their “decorating” issue so no wonder we all loved it! Drew’s office space is unbelievable. Then, note the male designer at the end of the mag!!! He, too, is a Tracy clone. LOVE his place!!! Check out pg. 168!
Tracy,
Do you ever…feel like you opened pandora’s box with this blogsite? Since we always want MORE, MORE, MORE!! You have spoiled us! But…on the subject of more…do you think this summer, when your snow is finally melted and just a bad memory, and your garden is in full lushious bloom that you might do a video of your garden and show us what you have growing? would love love love to see!
Priss….crack me up! How subtle we are, wouldn’t you agree, Tracy? Remember Oliver Twist, “Please sir, may I have some more?” So, Tracy, “Please, m’am, may we some more…videos…and make that one of your garden…please…if you don’t mind?”
ohhhh, this is sooo juicy in here! Really it’s like a cocktail party with a bunch of fabulous inspired women! Pandoras box, Yes, yes…i love it and too funny. My grandmother gave me a “Pandora’s box” when I was a kid, still have it actually. Oh, indeed I will share my garden. I love the garden….my gets a we bit rats nesty from time to time, but then nature can get this way, so I go with it. ( my way of admitting it can be weedy sometimes:>!!) Yes, this months Domino is very scrumptious. I will say the green issue while very PC and important did not excite me. I just think i want that from someone else , not Domino. I can hardly stand that you are needing your air conditioner artist…..well rain for us is thrilling. ( it could rain everyday or at least every night for me!) Dawn, see you out there for the donut holes…maybe me and Katie! I am officially admitting is a problem, the donut hole addiction that is. Did any of you ever try that donut recipe I shared from Christopher Kimball….it is insanely good. remember, i made them twice one weekend. I was putting Dunkin’ donuts to shame!
Jeanna, you will LOVE Oprah. Have so much fun, she is marvelous and has such presence. A remarkable woman indeed. John and I have been guests on her show a few times and each one was exhilarating and something I will never forget. Please let us all know how it is…too much fun!! Will you hang out in Chicago a bit?
TTFN…xo
Oh yes Tracy, a garden video! How enchanting that would be. Please do it.
We also want to see the stairway’s new carpet and the foyer’s new paper and paint.
On the other hand…it would be nice just to hear from you guys. Where is everyone?
Ok, I’m new to this conversation, but I second what artist just said! And Tracy, I love the Earl Grey, but I got addicted to Earl Grey and ginger snaps when I lived in England. So, for me, the weakness would be those. The garden video sounds really cool!
I second Artist’s request for photos/ videos of the foyer and new stairway with the carpet and rails. I’ve been on the edge of my seat ever since you mentioned it Tracey. You must not leave us hanging now:)
Here in West Tennessee, though the weather has been warm, we are dealing with a lot of flooding. Unfortunately!
I really thought I was the only adult on earth with a fancy for donut holes. So glad to hear I’m not abnormal. I may have to dig up that recipe Tracey, thanks for sharing.
Artist, way to keep up with everyones geographical info. You must be a well organized person:) I can never keep all that kind of stuff straight in my noggin:)
Oh my goodness I’m so behind that Artist forgot to list me as one of the girls from the south. I keep a pad and pen by my laptop so that when i open a TP email I can take notes. LOL. you all are so inspiring. I’m working on an “April in Paris” tablescape for my dining room. Sur La Table had a great eiffel tower for the center piece….breakfast room has a tablecloth i bought in Provence and a bowl of lemons. Can’t find Maison Francaise (my B&N quit carrying it) guess i’ll order on amazon. its cold in Dallas today (50) oh well thats cold to us. TP i printed the email with the your fav books, went to B&N ordered a latte and got lost in my own little world of books. so fun. ok i’m off to swim…bon vivant to all. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE have to use anon cuz i can’t remember my password LOL
Our talk IS an excitable party with either an overdose of mimosas, caffeine OR Tracy treasures!
Artist – I would love some pollen! Very exciting – we are supposed to get to 50 tomorrow!! That is almost t-shirt & sandal weather at the rate we have been going!!! Needless to say – I am ready to wear sandals and be rid of the socks for a while!!
Girls, please do know that we are here – as with everything in life some weeks get a litte crazy and it is always the balence of keeping all of the plates spinning!!
Jeanna – you of course must give us the full report on how the show was – what great fun!!! And as long as you happen to be in the Chicago area you must take advantage of Michgan Ave – so much fun shopping to be had!
Dawn – you are on for the donut holes the next time I get out to Seattle (was there a handful of years ago and absolutely loved every minute – what a beautiful place for you to call home!)
xoxo & ta~ta!! katie
Oh Texas Francophile I do apologize. I didn’t mean to leave anyone out. Just trying to organize the group in my brain. Sounds like your tablescape will be beautiful. My daughter returned from France in January and didn’t buy a thing! She spent all her money in London. Can you believe that? Enjoy your swim and come back to chat this afternoon.
Welcome Annielnb, You will love chatting with the gang in Tracyville. Now I must add you geographically to the list…where are you? BTW, I too am addicted to Ginger Snaps. It’s a cookie of choice.
Katie-As wonderful as all TP product are, I would imagine y’all would ALWAYS be crazy busy. I’m just glad that y’all take the time you do for us fanatics in the blog world.
Texas…Good to have you back! Your day at B&N with coffee and books sounds wonderful.
TX Franco (pardon the abbreviation), SO glad you are among the living! Great idea about having pad & paper when we blog. A latte & Barnes and Noble….ahhhh the thrill of it: books and a coffe. Ta-ta.
Tracy talked about going barefoot in the sand, I love to go barefoot in the summer. When I go in the yard or to the mailbox I don’t wear shoes. It makes me feel so alive and young to feel the grass on my feet.
Katie,
Oops….we forgot…you ladies are actually WORKING at the studio! hee hee
I totally understand girlfriend…I have a wild and crazy career myself! I can’t even blog till I get home and run to my computer for my therapy session…I mean my blogfest!! ta ta to you too!
Tracy,
Last summer when I was in Black Mtn., NC which is a beautiful little mtn. town (I bet artist has visited there), I bought the cutest little vintage picture of a weed fairy with butterly wings. On her dress it says: “Make no mistake: the weeds will win. Nature always bats last”. a quote by a guy named Robert M. Pyle. They say the truth will set you free, and having that little quote hanging in my kitchen window makes me feel a little better when I see all the weeds in my garden. But, it can be a bit troubling when the weeds are bigger than the flowers. We grow some good weeds in the south!! Happy Gardening!!
Haha Priss. I can totally see you running home and immediately logging into Tracyville, because that’s exactly what I do.
I get so many inspirations from the lovely ladies here:) Thanks gals!
IM, I do the same in the summertime. I think that’s one reason God created grass the way he did. As a natural carpet for our feet. What do you know…God was “green” before everybody else caught on to the trend:)
Sarah,
Where are you?? We haven’t heard from you in awhile!! (Durn, she must be working too…!)
TEXAS FRANCOPHILE, Welcome back! You’ve been away too long.
I love reading your blog entries. They are always full of life. Love it!!! Please oh please give us a very wordy description once you have your tablescape in place. I really want a great visual. Merci beaucoup!!!!
Priss, that is a great way to put it, “therapy session” ha, ha. It is so hard to not want to know more about everyone here at our blogfest.
Girls, I am so jealous reading about your gardens!!! All the girls at the studio know I am by no means a green thumb… infact, the sheer idea of planting makes me a little nervous and I am completely lost when any type of gardening/flower talk comes up–never quite sure what would work where, etc! But this year, we are going to start a vegetable garden!! I am so excited to be able to cook with ingredients from the garden this summer – I can hardly stand it (not quite ready for the landscaping gardening – I think next year though!!)! We grilled out for the first time last night and although we had to bundle up a bit, it was absolutely wonderful! So, any gardenign tips you have, please feel free to send them my way:)!!!
And thank you all for being so kind and understanding as every now and then the weeks seem to get the best of us here at the studio:)
xoxo & ta~ta katie
Katie it’s all in the soil! If you’re potting start with good fresh potting soil. Pots dry out quicker so don’t forget watering.If you’re placing your pots on a concrete service etc…raise them so the roots won’t burn. Make sure you have good drainage holes in the pots. My favorite no fail are potted boxwoods. They have class!
Artist – thank you for the tips!!! I would have never thought of the concrete trick! xoxo
Katie,
A fun thing to do is plant in an Earthbox…last summer I had tomatoe plants in it, and it literally took over half my deck. It’s fun…I think the website is earthbox.com or google it. You’d enjoy that.
Artist – potted boxwoods!!! What a great idea. Can’t we ALL use a little more class? Merci!
artist, do you keep potted boxwoods out all year or just in the summer. I went to Boston last summer and saw so many boxwoods in little gardens in front of brownstones with a lot of black iron and black doors. They were so inspiring. I came home and painted my front door black and planted a boxwood. I can’t tell if it survived the winter. I would like potted boxwoods on either side of my front door but I don’t really know anyting about them.
I’m with you on the concrete trick, Katie. I never knew that artist. I will definitely try that tip as I venture out in to my yard this Saturday:)
Girls, I keep the boxwoods potted outside all year, but remember I live in the south. They stay green and when they are too big for the pots ,they go in the ground. It’s a rotation thing and money well spent. My patio is full of potted boxwoods that will be in my yard in about 3 years. IM, if you saw them in Boston it must work in the north. Boston is very cold. If you want to see a perfectly lovely yard done with boxwoods and white hydrangeas pick up a copy of the magazine GARDEN IDEAS. It is a Better Homes and Garden special interest publication. That will be written across the top and Garden Ideas is in big red letters. Oh my gosh! It is so lovely. It’s the last story in the magazine.
Tracy, are you there? We’d love to hear from you.
Good morning ladies….CC i’ll get back to you on my tablescape have to go down and take notes…LOL…memory is a terrible thing to waste. Katie the boxwood idea is great for a beginning gardener…the other thing i do with evergreen container is swap out the annuals i plant in the pot with the boxwood depending on the season…geraniiums, petunias, etc. makes a great jewel box. when they die put a new flower in…low maintenance. On another note hub announced that he wanted to go to Jackson Hole, WY in June. While he’s flyfishing I’ll take my books,etc but wondered if any of you have been and have suggestions.
cold and windy in Dallas today so it will be an office day…probably place a big amazon order to reward myself for filing.
have a good weekend all.TEXAS FRANCOPHILE…have a hard time with username and password.
Texas Franc, scroll down and click on name/url. Then a form will come up for you to insert your name.you don’t need to fill in the url. You won’t need a password etc…either.
Hope this helps.
thank you thank you artist
Thank you so much for all of the ideas & tips!!! I love boxwoods as well (they always look great and the low maintenance aspect is key!!) – they happen to be both Sarah & Tracy’s favorites! Priss – the earthbox looks prettty cool! User friendly, which is an added bonus! Texas Franc – I like the swapping out idea… I think boxwoods make it thru our winters, so that would work well!!
Wow! Haven’t been on in a while since I couldn’t quite get the hang of the whole password/URL thing (thanks, Artist). It’s definitely gardening weather here in Atlanta, though we supposedly have some good rain moving in tonight. Nice and warm and pretty, if you don’t mind all your flowers dusted with chartruse pixie dust!
Jeanna, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Chicago but one of my favorite memories is going to a little place called “Ann Sathers” and having swedish pancakes with oodles of lingonberry sauce. TO DIE FOR!!
Hi Jennylou, glad you were able to log on. We’re covered in green dust too. I just brought our black lab grand-dog in from a run and he is covered, so funny looking. Isn’t this weather wonderful? I guess we’re looking at a very hot summer. Welcome back to Tracyville!
oh….boxwoods. Ok, I will share that my dear lovely husband gave me forty of them for my recent 40th. I have been dreaming of a boxwood garden and he is indulging me, god love him. They are the most delicious little beauties…tight, lovely, shiny…maybe the perfect contrast to my weeds…..to wander about with a cup of earl grey, barefeet…amongst the boxwoods…….( you they won’t go in the ground for a bit…but i promise to share when they do!)
ttfn…xoxo
I love the idea of planting a boxwood and then transferring to yard when it’s too big for the pot. I think I might could do that one:)
It’s supposed to be sunny and warm here in Mphs tomorrow so maybe I’ll give it a whirl!
I am so thankful for all the useful tips all of you lovely ladies freely give:)
John sounds so wonderful. What a great idea for a bday gift:)
Girls it is raining so hard here today. My yard is loving it but my grand-dog is not. We can’t go out and play. A perfect day for online shopping! Which makes me wonder…what would you buy today?
I can’t believe the Artisan Road Peacock bowl has not sold out!!!!!!!!!! Girls I have this one and it is a BEAUTY. Everything looks special in it.I have purchased a lot of Tracy but this one piece is my favorite and so reasonably priced.
You can tell I was doing some shopping and spotted it.LOL It’s wonderful!
A Very Happy Birthday to you Tracy! What a wonderful gift.
Tracy and Artist, I share your love of boxwoods – for their versatility. They can add structure and formality or whimsy to a garden. I used to work for a plant collector from England who had a wondrous ’secret garden’. We trimmed boxwoods to look like globes, teapots and ginger jars!
You have to be patient though, they are rather slow-growing. And, if you find you are losing the odd one, DO NOT DESPAIR! Bring them inside…they look amazing dried. They keep their leaves and in time, turn a lovely yellow/wheat color. I’ve made boxwood wreathes for Christmas, then let them dry.
No worries, Katie and Melissa! The most successful gardeners learn through trial and error (and advice from friends like the TP ‘Blogettes’)! Love Priss’ quote,”…Nature always bats last.” ;o)
Stephanie, I haven’t lost a boxwood yet but nature is in control, not me. I will remember the dry tips and save them. Thanks!
Tracy…..did you have a birthday and not tell us!?!?! Katie….where are you girl….you should have told us we should have thrown Tracy a “virtual birthday party!”
Anyway…..Happy, happy birthday, Tracy! Hope it was a dreamy one!!! You are much loved and appreciated!!!!
Hugs,
CC
From Priss:
Wow Stephanie…that’s pretty neat to have worked for such an interesting gardener! I always have a boxwood wreath at christmas, but never kept it…this year will! I did always notice it lasted longer than any other kind, so this year, I will bring it in and just keep it to dry.
Tracy….what are your boxwood planting plans? You should do one of those mazes for the boys…ha!
All this boxwood talk has made me decide to give it a go….I too love the planter idea. Another plant that looks good in a planter by the door is a rosemary. Our local Olive Garden had rosemarys in big planters by their door, and it smelled so heavenly coming and going. Plus, good to just snip off of if needed for cooking.
From Priss
Tracy, I know all the Blogettes will agree…you look damn good at 40!!!!!
Such an enchanting life!!!!!~
Beautiful!~
CC – A ‘virtual birthday party’…what a splendid idea!!
Priss, I learned so much from my dear British friend…her color combinations were simply a joy to behold. And oh, the bits of plant material I would bring home…! I also worked for a 90 year old lady who could no longer deal with the physical demands of her garden and again… the lessons I learned! Most importantly, the stories, anecdotes memories and wisdom seasoned gardeners/women have to share, are so heart warming and interesting. Gardening truly does provide food for the soul!
(P.S. Enhance your dried boxwood boughs and wreathes with white and/or gold spray paint.)
Priss, you are full of great tips!
A virtual bday party for Trace, what a great idea!
Would someone please tell us where Tracy is?
I have been in Hong Kong!! Talk about inspiration overload! We took some videos and lots of photos to share with in the month ( I hope) it was a business trip with lots of pleasure wound in! *( cannot help ourselves!)Should you ever want to see an incredibly exotic and wildly inspiring corner of the world I would highly recommend it! I found so many interesting little goodies in the street markets…I am officially going to call our foyer the Hong Kong room…and our property…Shangri la………more to come!
xoxo
What a tease you are Ms. Tracy!!!
OOH Hong Kong Tracy…sounds so wonderful. I have been thinking maybe my husband and I should fly into Hong Kong a few days before we are supposed to be in the province where we will get our daughter, and do some sightseeing…the norm is to go to Beijing first(I haven’t been there either)…well, lots of time to consider…still waiting for our girl, probably close to July. Cannot wait to see what goodies you discovered!!
I am on the edge of my seat Tracy. Can’t wait for more on Hong Kong:)
Dawn, When we were in the airport we saw a woman and her parents checking in as well and overheard them ( so nosey of us…but….)saying they were going to get her baby!!!! Of course Sarah and I were crying…and I thought of you and your family. What a remarkable trip you will have, the entire journey will be magical!July is so soon…can you even stand it!!!! If it is possible to go to Hong Kong for even a day or so…do it!!! In a few weeks I will share photos, some video clips and cool places….. things to do. It would be incredibly worth it! I imagine you are counting the days!!
xo
Wow! So much has happened since I last checked in! Artist, thank you for the kind welcome, and to answer your question I live in eastern Maryland at the moment. Dawn, congratulations on your new baby!!!! How exciting!! We have friends that run an orphanage just outside Beijing, and I just want to take everyone home when I see the pictures they send. How wonderful for you guys! Tracy, I envy your trip to Hong Kong! We lived in Japan for 3 years as newlyweds, and we were poor, so I never got to fly over there, I can’t wait to hear more about your trip! Ok, I’m finished blethering for the moment, I can’t wait to hear what’s up next!