I decided , long ago, to live the life I imagined.

 

Often times, I am reminded of what that life really truly looks like.   For many of us, we have so many HAVE TO’S that we forget about the ~  WHATEVER’S  ~ and just slow down that train to soak in the moment.

 

 

Photo’s and music put my mind in that chillaxin’ place –  and some chocolate doesn’t hurt to throw in the mix.  Uhm, don’t feel bad if you have a piece of chocolate in your hand right now.

My world would come to a grinding halt without chocolate.

It is all good.

That is keeping your eye on the prize…slow your world to a grinding halt, if only for a moment (with chocolate in hand).

 

 

Today, I was equally  inspired to write about my OLDER brother, Mikey. I managed to bribe him to my house on this fine, sunny day.  He also bribed me into making lunch for him and his work buddy, so I am not sure who really got out ahead on that one.

 

The way I look at it, if someone is related to me, and that certain someone is an ELECTRICIAN, well….at some point… I am going to beg that certain someone to get over here and give the tree fort some funky lighting.

Low, soft lighting…like this….

 

 

That is what I refer to as : hide our wrinkles, lighting.  Want my design advice on lighting ?

Don’t use fluorescent lights, kids.  Gross.

So, my problem of the day was – my brother has a short attention span.  Haha.  He likes to look at pictures, not words.  I need to entertain him though, if I am serious about having a nice cold beer fridge, coffee maker and flattering lighting in the tree fort.

So, in the spirit of keeping MY EYE ON THE PRIZE, I am posting some relaxing photos of Dubai…to entertain my bro, and keep our minds chillin’.

 

 

I was fortunate enough to travel to Dubai on the way to the Seychelles this year.  I was doing some design work on a home in the Seychelles, and couldn’t resist a Dubai stopover along the way.

I shot these photos on a safari trek in the deserts of Dubai.

They are so relaxing for me to look at now, but in the moment….ahhh, not so much.

 

 

When in Rome, do as the Romans do…when in Dubai, do as the crazy tourists do (who have clearly lost their minds~ myself included).

In my moment of wisdom, I thought it would be brilliant to try a 4 wheel drive with a tour guide in the deserts of Dubai.

It was one of the THREE times ( YES….I say that screaming) THREE TIMES, that I thought I was heading to the big white pearly gates in the sky.

I have heard the expression…

” Be compassionate.  See the light at the end of the tunnel, and become the light for others.”

Well….I earned that star on that day.  I literally thought I was about to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

I just happen to look all chillaxed in this picture, only because I was just so relieved that I was still alive :

 

 

If you are a serious risk taker, and you want tempt fate, I dare you to give this little adventure a try.  Double dare you.  It is dune bashing, on soft dimpled sand, at high speeds, with drop off’s that make a roller coaster feel like a walk in the park.

If you live to tell the tale, you may go on a ride on a camel (no kidding!).

If you don’t think that started some “camel toe” jokes, well…..who could resist ?

It is not every day that you get to hop a camel.

 

 

I must say though, that my design work and home life are completely inspired by TRAVEL.  Travel opened my eyes to this beautiful world of ours and all that we can explore in it.

 

The larger you see the world, the smaller your problems will feel.

Hold your head high, and look the world straight in the eye.  It is pretty invigorating !