I decided to return a few duplicate gifts at Macy*s today, and on the way back I thought about the many things I want to do differently this year.� There are many, but the primary ones involve the house and, funny enough, what we do outside the house.
I want the house to reflect our personalities more.� I think I made a good start with the pink bathroom.� It’s not for everyone, and I think that’s what pleases me about it so much. It is nothing you would see in a model home, or at least I hope not.� Side note: I admit that for a very long time I wanted nothing more than a house that looked like a model home.
This is also the year to have more family adventures on the weekend.� We tend to stay at home, recluses that we are, and Mikey sometimes complains about being bored.� Mikey always complains about being bored and, given his usage, we believe he’s not entirely sure what the words means.� Nevertheless, from this point forward, Mikey will be bored at museums, shows, and other points of interest.
Inspired by my thoughts, I stopped at the supermarket and� bought the LA Times for the Calendar section.� I was hovering briefly in a check-out line, looking at magazines and about ready to move on, when I heard some child-centered commotion.� I looked up to see the woman in line screaming at her oldest son (around 8 years old), complaining that he was hurting his youngest brother (around 4 years old).� The other brother (around 6 years old) was watching the whole scene warily.� Well, the oldest boy didn’t move fast enough and the youngeset boy didn’t stop crying so the mom completely and thoroughly lost her marbles.� She started squeezing and pinching the oldest’s arm with a look on her face that was contorted with rage.� Again and again and again she pinched and pulled and growled obscenities at him, spittle flying from her lips.� She never comforted the youngest son.
I decided right then I wasn’t going anywhere.� I got close enough to make my presence known and stared directly at her profile, challenging her to look at me.� She didn’t.� She was too busy insulting and pinching her children, but not enough where a call to the police would do anything more than enrage her more.� Still, I know she was aware of my stare and that of the checker, as well.� She ignored both of us, paying for her items in between insults and pinches and pulls. If she treats them like that in public, you can only imagine how she is like when no one is looking.
It was upsetting and reminded me of everything I hated about practicing family law.
I came home, made lunch for the family, and started wandering around the kitchen while I waited for everything to finish cooking.� While I paced, I fantasized about giving that woman a piece of my mind.� In my fantasy I was thinner and could do a mean roundhouse kick, which I used to send her flying into an end-cap display of Campbell’s soup.
…………………
I just finished lunch, and despite the power I put into crunching my three taquitos and brown rice, I am still thinking about those boys and their crazy mother.� A diversion is imminent.
…………………
I found my diversion.� My returns at Macy’s netted me a $150 gift certificate.� In the spirit of this year’s goal to reveal more of myself with my home, I decided to disclose something at Macy*s I love but, before today, would never admit to online.� Let’s just say I never saw it featured on any popular design blogs.
I love this table.� There.� I said it.� I have loved this dining room set for well over a year, closer to two.� In fact, Nicole, do you remember when you were pregnant and complaining about your suddenly whimsical taste in design and I told you it only gets worse because I was in love with a table I refused to show you?� This is that table.� I even dragged The Mister to Ontario to see it in person last year, convinced seeing it in real ife would get it out of my system.� Nope!� I love it even more.� I’ve only shown it to one person other than The Mister, and that was one of my sister-in-laws.� She was aghast when she saw the chairs.� I believe she said, “That’s a whole lot of Queen Anne.”
I know what you are thinking and, yes, that is hand-painted detailing you see on the chairs.� And on the base.� And on the table top!� Smack my ass and call me Grandma Ruth, I don’t care.� It makes me love my little cabriole-legged wonder even more.
So, there you have it.� The disclosure of a different kind of abuse, an affront to design aficionados everywhere.� Do you hate it?� Are you shocked?� I warn you–I will not be talked out of loving this dining set.� It’s me and faux 18th century British decorate arts, now and forever.
You are welcome to post a link to something awful you love online, too.� I assure you it’s quite cathartic.
If loving that set is wrong? You and I apparently don’t want to be right. To.Die.For.
Oh man, I am so AWESOME in my fantasies, too! One involved me hiding my triathlete status (um, I’ve done one sprint tri, and barely survived) on the show Survivor, then rocking the other contestant’s faces off with my physical prowess in challenges.
Also, I don’t think the table is *that* bad.
Is that a big round pedestal table?! Rowr… I’ve always wanted one-and that one is a beaut!
I don’t think it’s awful. Not what I would pick out but isn’t that the beauty of it all? That we all have different tastes.
I still can’t get over the mom in the store.
I would have be-headed her…..and placed her oversized dome on the checkout belt.
Just sayin’.
Umm I completely love the table … and the credenza.
The lady? What an asshat.
Yes, it’s a pedestal table! And, since it’s made today instead of 60 years ago like my current table, when you extend it to place an additional leaf there is a little mechanical pulley system that goes clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. It’s all very fancy. ;)
The mom in the store was AWFUL. Just beyond awful. I didn’t mention the part where the 8 y ear old was embarrassed and crying and tried to give the mom a hug.
She elbowed him in the chest. Hard. Like Kendra says–a total ASSHAT.
I wish that I could have flown in to rescue those kids a la “Rescue Mom!” I get so sad when I see behavior like that. I, too, would have had a hard time forgetting that.
And I can’t believe how embarrassed you are about that dining set. Seriously? If the decor gods think it atrocious, then I would have been struck down a bazzilion times. No, A kazillion! It’s so sweet! Good for you.
I really like the table. And most design blogs SUCK. They all post about the same shit you know they really don’t have in their homes.
There I said it.
And I would have jacked that Mom up. 2010 is all about me stopping the bullshit train.
Again, great post.
I want to dress head to toe in black and hunt down that mean mommy in the night…I’ll sneak up and pull a Mr. Miagi on her. Is that psycho? Eeek, I’m scaring myself. But I can’t help it, I feel terrible for those poor 3 little boys!!!!!!! I’ll admit to losing my cool on a bi weekly basis, but don’t pinch and curse at my children even behind closed doors.
The thing I love that’s not the best? My $200 clearance outlet Ballard chaise. It’s so “wrong” and bulky, but can’t help it, I love it. Even bought two slipcovers to go on it. Love to curl up in it with my cracktop and blog. Or snuggle husband during a movie.
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=8893&fromNewSearch=true&mercadoResultId=4
P.S. If you love the dining set, make it yours! It’s so important to have things you love in your home!!!
Side note: I <3 Zakary.
Seleta-- I LOVE your chaise! I've seen you post pictures of it before and thought it would be an awesome place to read blogs or books. And, no, you are not psycho. Let's not forget I'm the one who had a martial arts fight sequence playing in her head. And I agree--I lose my temper with the boys, too, but never have I lost control like that in public or private.
First, it makes me sick to see people being awful to their children in public. Just like you I then can’t stop thinking about what home life must be like for those poor kids. I wish I was stronger and more confident so I could speak up for poor kids like that.
Second, if you like that table then there is nothing wrong with it. I personally love it. I think it’s elegant. I also like the matching buffet. Since starting this house re-do project that I seem to have unknowingly started, I have started adding things that I love to my house and that make sense to me. I don’t really care if anyone else likes it. I do and that’s all that matters. I have a picture hanging in my kitchen that would embarass most, but I’m in love with it. As soon as my laptop has been healed I’ll post pictures of it.
Wow, if you had roundhouse kicked that woman I would have given you a standing ovation.
i think this table TOTALLY goes with the modern estancia idea you posted. it will not look out of place in a home that is more personalized. the Cuban part of me loves the idea of wrought iron beds, large tile floors, and huge metal pots for arroz! (does brown rice get as crunchy at the bottom?)
Roni–It does when I cook it. I am notorious for burning the rice every. single. time. (I thought it went w/ modern estancia, too! )
Jules, I see right above on here another Cuban fan (roni) …lol. OK, I love love this table, I don’t like it with the chairs though :( I would get some other type of chairs, just sayin’.
And as far as this mommy, she needs a time out. I have had my share of telling mommies off, end of this past summer in a strip mall in Rancho Santa Fe, mom leaves child asleep in locked car in summer time, and goes in store, oh.no.no !!!!! she actually called me lots of names and told me it was not my bussiness. It escalated from there with her calling me a f’n biatch, really, really loud. I should off called the police. As a mother of 3 grown kids and a grandma of 2 there is no excuse whatsoever for this type of behavior.
I have always loved pedestal tables.. I just at this moment realized that I don’t have this chair height in my house except for my eat-in kitchen. Low sofa, high bar stool/ work chair, but no middle.
My big awful secret is that I’m thinking about painting my walls… white. It’s crazy because I love color so much.. but then I think life would be de-cluttered somehow.
Here:http://decorno.blogspot.com/2009/12/right-white.html
ps. I was a huge Alias fan and the one thing that kept me coming back (except for Will and Vaughn) were the girl kick moves. Good for you staring her bullying a** down.
wow. . . . you have a lot more self-control than I do. I would have been crying my eyes out along with those kids, all while giving her a piece of my mind.. .
And you need to keep going toward the vision you have for your home. I just started implementing that idea last year, and I love that my home more and more reflects my husband and I. Remember that vintage sofa from my studio??? It’s now in my living room. . . yep. I love it. And it’s got my West Elm skinny rectangle orange pillows on it. Oh, and the slippers chairs are here now too. My husband and I even made art for the walls. Here’s a little taste of it: http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww333/rejoicebags/lvrm.jpg
There is definitely something that makes me totally happy knowing that when people walk into my home, they can get a sense about who we are just by looking around. :) I can’t wait to see that table in your home!
Favorite part:
“Nevertheless, from this point forward, Mikey will be bored at museums, shows, and other points of interest.”
Yes, I wonder about why it is people that are so seemingly not fit to parent get to be parents so easily and those that would cut off an appendage to become a parent can’t. It’s a strange set-up…
I think your table is perf for your Estancia look, the detailing seems very old world Spanish. Queen Anne doesn’t go out of style, it’s classic and to make it more personal you can change the upholstery down the road. I am a fan of the cabriole leg but that’s just because I like lady-like details but the substantiallness of the table keep it from being too femme. Anyway if you love it and it makes you happy and you create big, gorgeous meals to serve on your table who cares what anyone thinks?
This post was fabulous & I just wanted you to know that. I smiled from ear to ear at the end.
I think the fact that the chairs are black keeps it from being too precious. It makes them kind of graphic and sculptural. I like it. I think it’s very “modern Estancia” (as I understand it, at least).
My Mom used to be a pediatric nurse for the public health department and once had to confiscate an extension cord from a women who was using it to beat her six year old out in front of the building. Out on the sidewalk in front of everybody! People are crazy. Scary crazy. Good for you for getting in her space.
totally wacky way to deal with it, but HIGHLY effective – and you would have felt good when you got home instead of stewing about it –
give the MOm a VERY sympathetic look (even if ya wanted to roundhouse her!) and say something like ” you seem so overwhelmed, is there anything I can do to help?” reference how hard it must be to have 3 boys or whatever – suddenly, you’ve got her on your side AND give the kids a reprieve. oddly puts the onus on her “bad” kids (we know they aren’t) and she gets a second to realize what she’s doing both at that moment and long-term to her poor kids. I’ve done it a couple times – the kids will want to hug you and go home with you. You just have to hope when she gets home, she recognizes what she has done and is nicer to her kids.
I have really made my house our home and I love it! It’s not for everyone, but it’s for us and it is us. Good for you painting your bathroom pink and you should so get that dinning set.
As for that mom, that behavior makes me sick, sick, sick – literally. I always think my hubby and I are SO blessed to have our children, but when I see moms like that, I think my kids are so blessed to have us, too.
Jules, first this post made me feel a plethora of emotions in the few moments it took me to read it. Kudos!
First off, I agree. That mom = total asshat.
Secondly, I never heard the word asshat before but I’m quite enamored by it and think I may try to incorporate it in the more of my insults. hehe
Third: The table and chair is NOT bad at all. I agree with a previous poster that the black really helps save it. If you love it, totally get it. Having things you love (whether or not they are featured on decor blogs) is important.
Finally, I’m thinking “2010 is all about me stopping the bullshit train.” is a great resolution. Thanks Zak! That comment literally made me LOL.
{ Lindsey }
I love the table and chairs.
I would have given that woman a piece of my mind. I do that sometimes. I am not a popular person.
Girl, I want you to have it. That table is round and will hold all your parties you are planning. It is easy to squeeze one more around a round table. One thing I will say about the decorators, they all say if you buy what you LOVE, it all comes together. So GO AND GET IT!
I have to stay focused on the table. As I read your post, I wondered if I have ever been the mom in the grocery store, oblivious. I sure hope not.
This set is beautiful! And I love round tables! I agree, “it’s easy to squeeze one more around a round table.” Something about a squeezed square table makes me feel like my space is being invaded, but with a round table…that squeeziness {lol :)} doesn’t bother me at all…and when it’s a large party, I love seeing everyone without having to stretch my neck out!
Abuse – either child, elder or animal is just absolutely disgusting and makes me so angry. Next time, I say the round house kick is in order – and you do an awesome verbal one. You might be the person that makes an impact and influences the abuser – in a positive way. Never underestimate the power of the verbal round house! It will certainly slow down the bullshit train. ARGHHHHH, my skin is boiling and there is steam coming out of my ears right now.
Love the table, has a french aspect to it that I love.
I think it’s gorgeous! I love the chairbacks and the table post. Wow. Great taste, I say!
While I troll all the home decor and design blogs as much as the next person, I say who the fuck cares if we like your table or not? YOU like it, Jules. YOUR home should be all about you and the others in it. I buy stuff because it makes me feel a certain way–whether that’s physical (comfy) or happy (bright or soothing colors). I don’t mean to shout, but I say make yourself happy in your home and BUY IT.
About that mom: so so upsetting. I worked at Macy*s (coincidentally) a million years ago in the kids’ dept. and there was a customer who used to come in and berate not only us salesminion but her own children. On my last day on the job I was THRILLED to see her come in. I knew she wouldn’t disappoint me. She treated me and her poor little daughters like crap so I decided to tell her about it. My words were something along the line of “Does it make you feel like a more important person to make us and your children feel small?” She turned beet red and said she wanted to tell my manager about me. Secure that I already had a new job, I smiled and looked at her and said “Go ahead.”
Did it turn her around? Nope. And in my naivete I never considered how she might direct her anger on her kids when she left me. But it did feel damn good.
I love, LOVE the table! Girl, you got good style and that’s all there is to it!
Oh and about that mom. Funny thing, before I had kids I would see women like her and think nothing of the yelling, my mind would just race with thoughts of how children drive you (me) crazy and I never wanted them. Well along came my little sunshine (total surprise) and everything changed.
Once I was witness to something similar and I asked the woman if there was anything I could do to help her, and started unloading her cart for her. It was enough for her to stop, take a breath and stop being so mean to her child.
I love the table! I would love to own the table. I’m not into the whole throwback 1960’s mod decorum. My taste is settled nicely in all things pre-war.
I really like this table. I’m not sure if I’m partial because I’m totally living in Ontario.. but very nice just the same:)
The story about the mom made me sad:( but some of the comments make me sadder. It’s funny how we all agree that abuse is horrible but some of the solutions for the behavior include abuse. Sometimes when we see people being mean and hateful to others it is because they have experienced mean and hateful behavior directed at them. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t condone her behavior but I don’t think physically or verbally attacking her would help either. Plus, what would that teach those 3 boys??
P.S. I like the table