In the Land of the MIA

Remember when we were kids and summer vacation rolled around? It was a time to skirt our responsibilities and just play for a couple months. Apparently little has changed for me in adulthood. But hey, I'm self-employed, one perk of choosing that lifestyle is being able to set my own schedule and follow my own agenda...hence, my most recent disappearance.

For the last month I've been enjoying some much-needed time with family outside of Seattle. Wonder what a summer in Seattle looks like? (No, it's not always gray and rainy.) Have a wee look:

A lovely day at Pike Place Market.

The Mountain is "out" -- Mt Rainier showing off on a clear day.

Getting up close and personal with Mt Rainier via lunch atop Crystal Mountain - a gorgeous gondola ride to the top!

My assistant Frankie enjoying some beach time.

The view from my "office" -- my back deck space overlooking the Puget Sound.

Know that saying "all work and no play"? Luckily for me, my work is play, so while I've been enjoying my time away from the heat of Manhattan I have squeezed in some actual work (though I've clearly been neglecting this blog!). One such work project I'm excited about is that I've signed on to be the Topic Writer for About.com's Wallpaper and Wallcovering site. Each month I'll write articles geared to help guide readers on all-things paint and wallpaper, from techniques and product reviews to DIY ideas and user-friendly tools to help you get the job done. Here's a breakdown of some of the articles I've done so far, in case you're in need of some summer paint- or wallpaper-project inspiration!

Get a Touch of Italy: A Venetian plaster finish adds texture and interest to a boring wall. Try this DIY project to get the look yourself!

See Red: Red is a popular color choice for adding drama to a room, but it can be a tricky color to get right. Here are some tips to nail the color-selection process.

Be in the Know with a Glossary of Paint Terms: If you've ever undertaken a paint or wallpaper project of your own, you're likely familiar with the basic terms. But take a look at this glossary of paint terms, broken into Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 and you'll be in-the-know like the pros!

I look forward to enlightening the masses to the endlessly creative world of paint and wallpaper. Have a question or project idea you'd like me to cover? Just ask! Until then, I'm back to my summering... xo