Category Archives: Uncategorized
“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.”
This week was hectic and crazy and a little emotional too. A lot was happening at our showroom, the event in Astra restaurant and at the D&D Spring Market. I walked up and down the floors looking at all the beautiful window display in other showrooms, as I got near our window I watched my 11 year old daughter holding a big sign featuring GoodWeave image and our partnership with them, right by our showroom door. It took me a few seconds to “swallow” the moment, then I approached her and asked if she knows what the sign is about. She pointed at the children in the picture and said “oh mom, they to go to school…you sell rugs and give them money so they won’t have to work”. I heard her answer but wasn’t sure what her voice told me. A typical eleven year old? maybe not. But I rushed to explain to her, again and in simple words so an eleven year old would understand the big meaning behind everything she sees, touch even wears, how privileged SHE is, and how many children around the world are not as fortunate and miss out on so much that she, at a young age, have experienced in her childhood.
Some day, I told her, I want my daughters to join me on a trip to Nepal to see and talk to these beautiful children who are lucky enough go to school, eat, visit the doctor when needed and feel loved and cared for. And it is only because of a great effort and compassion, I added, that come from good humans who care enough to help. Simple but fundamental things that many children in this country take advantage of. And just like her, I added, these children have dreams and want to become somebody when they grow up.
I look at the children on the image and think about my daughters who are talented, beautiful and healthy, and can’t stop but thank god for the gift he had given us and for the opportunity to teach, inspire and support others. I hope that some day my daughters too will make a difference in someone’s life. The reward is priceless.
Goodbuy normal Kitchen
What is the secret to a happy kitchen renovation?
a tale of a kitchen re-do. part I
Patience. I choose patience.
You see, we are going through a kitchen renovation mess. My ex-kitchen was a good-looking one: dark glossy cabinets highlighted with stainless steel appliances and knobs. The lower cabinets supported a heavy and expensive black granite imported from Turkey. Glossy Travertine floors illuminated by nice spotlights. My ex held up pretty good with all the cooking and beatings, high traffic, big spills and lots of crumbs. It knew my good and bad pots. You see, I took care of my ex and kept it in good shape. I used every inch of it because I wanted our love to last. But honestly, I think my ex loved me more than I loved it.
It started on a sunny morning when I made my hot cup of Jo while gazing at my cabinets and sink, then it hit me: I didn’t want dark glossy or that ugly two hole sink with gazillions tiny scratches, even with my high maintenance routine, anymore. There was no love there. No pulse. YouTube movies about a new deep strong one hole sink started to invade my already busy brain. That wasn’t a good sign.
The Mr. noticed my dilemma. He knew. I looked him in the face and told him my dearest humble and honest opinion (I do it all the time). He knew exactly how emotionally disturbed I was by being surrounded with things that…didn’t mean to me anymore. I’m an artist and artists dream.
We knew we can’t change the sink without removing the granite and possibly damaging the cabinets which will make us spend more money on “the unexpected”. We decided to knock down the wall between the kitchen and dining to create an open concept. “This will light up the kitchen” the Mr. said, “yeah, but it wont change the color of the cabinets or the sink” I said. One wall down and an added island in the center for more storage. Agreed. After the first estimate the Mr. said “you know what, let’s get an estimate for refacing the upper cabinets too, just curious”. After we got the estimate we added “one small change”: to replace all the upper cabinets instead of refacing them (talk about staying on a budget). Agreed on that too.
When the guy came back to measure we told him “you know what, give us a number for refacing the bottom cabinets too, just curious”. Yeah right. I knew this curiosity would get out of hand. We finalized it by keeping the old refrigerator that looks like new, the stove that looks like new, the black expensive granite that’s also the backsplash and looks like new and the sink that looks like crap. That’s it! I’ll manage I thought.
But it wasn’t for long. Soon after the project started we were hunting for a new refrigerator…opening and closing french doors and playing with the water dispensers. It felt like a play date.
Now the wall is gone. Yay…we are loving it already. I can finally breath and see the light at the end of the room. Upper cabinets are gone. Phew. Relief. Seeing my kitchen without cabinets makes me want to stay without them. Almost.
Going along with the project it seems that things are on track and we are so excited we can’t wait to see the results. The project manager scheduled installation for the bottom doors and drawers then again, we found ourselves driving to the showroom because guess what? “one more small change”: we purchased Carrera marble for the rest of the kitchen counter top. No to black granite. What??? I looked at my husband thinking we’re crazy, can’t we just keep one word we say?
But the best part of all this: I get. to replace. the sink!
My dream kitchen sink is hand hammered copper that cost 3 years worth of grocery shopping. Should we eat less? Naaa I’ll keep it low…but wait, the faucet I want costs even more. I just can’t get out of it.
Are we on budget? like my mother always says: It’s like giving birth to a baby – it’s hurts like hell then you forget with first smell.
To welcome my new white kitchen I will share with you this amazing Orange roasted sesame cake. It’s to die for. Coming soon.
Are you familiar with the Children book If you give a mouse a cookie? It all started with a two-hole crappy little sink.
Quote of the day
I stumbled upon this inspiring note late last night, when i checked my last emails before bed and i couldn’t stop but wonder:
This couldn’t be more straight forward. Why live ordinary life? Be exciting, take risks, make people wanna be you even for one day, do the unexpected. Bring your life to new heights.
Do you do something worth writing about?
Been thinking lately
There is always room to grow
Have you ever done this before? writing all the good things, it could be even one, that happened to you today and put it down on paper and read it to yourself? if not, try it.
You see, it’s been a while since my last post and I’ve been itching to write and share my recent summer travels and inspirations with you, and talk about my work which i love and grateful for, but this time I’ve been doing some thinking even made new goals for the coming year.
The high holidays are approaching and Rosh Hashana is coming really soon. So naturally at this time of year, every year, it happens that I’m doing some thinking to “re-organize” my life and consider my future actions.
All I’m trying to say is that I’m grateful. But being grateful is more than just thanking g-d. Being grateful takes faith and a lot of hard work, task well worth its effort and one that lasts a life time.
This upcoming new year I intend to make some changes. Changes from within. It’s the only way to make them last and to value the new you. Concentrating on the quality of life which to me means everything, from the simplest task when I open my eyes in the morning to the moment when I close them at night, feeling grateful for another beautiful day to come.
The choices and aspects in life which dictate the way we live are priceless. To make the best of these choices we must use our skills wisely by paying attention to our loved ones, contribute to the community when opportunity rises, value the simplest most luxurious moments that life has to offer, the list can go on and on. There is so much to be grateful for.
It’s in our behavior and attitude to create this beautiful balance between what we need and what we want. Life is not a one way street. When we focus on the joys of life by simply being happy, trustworthy, respectful and caring of others and value them as much as we would like to be valued, everything else falls into place. Not because we deserve it, but simply because we earned it.
For those who celebrate Rosh Hashana and for those who don’t, I wish you a happy new you and life full of joy.
Yours,
Sigal
Quote of the day
“Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work”. Gustave Flaubert
