Commander in Chic FAB FIVE-2016 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (Las Vegas)

I have just returned from KBIS 2016, the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas.  I was fortunate enough to be one of 24 amazing design industry leaders and bloggers invited to join Modenus on their BlogTourKBIS for a behind-the-scenes and over-the-top tour of all things kitchen and bath.  I was as blown away by the other members of the tour from all over the world as I was by the show and encourage you to check out what each of them has to offer.  Our trip was sponsored by some amazing companies who treated us all like royalty and went out of their way to teach us about what they have to offer to us and YOU!  I look forward to sharing more in future posts, but want to give you the Commander in Chic FAB FIVE!  Drum-roll, please…

1. THERMADOR stopped traffic with the electric blue ombre finish on this CULINARY PRESERVATION CENTER, and this stunner is ALL ABOUT YOU!  You can create a perfect line-up of cold storage combinations to meet your needs and lifestyle

Thermador’s Integrated Refrigeration System is easily personalized to meet YOUR needs!

I was so floored by this beauty that I kinda forgot myself for a second and agreed to pose for this picture.

2. LA CORNUE, whose luxury ranges makes my culinary heart skip-a-beat, has teamed up with the beautiful and talented Suzanne KaslerAND THIS HAPPENED.

I have died-and-gone-to-Heaven thanks to Suzanne Kasler’s new Couleur Collection for La Cornue.

Suzanne Kasler has outdone herself, AGAIN!

As if the dreamy pink weren’t enough, you really CAN have “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” with this Tiffany Blue finish! (Sigh…)

3. WELLBORN CABINET, INC. definitely dressed for the occasion!  These gorgeous green cabinets remind me of The Emerald City!  I looked  everywhere for a yellow-brick-road and Toto, but unfortunately they don’t let doggies in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. wins “Best-Dressed” at KBIS 2016! (photo from Wellborn)

I love the bold, saturated color with the black and white graphic tile!  The brushed brass hardware and light fixtures warm-up and complete the look.  We MUST be in the Emerald City because this design took Courage, Brains and Heart!  

Kelly Wearstler tile for Ann Sacks.

4. ANN SACKS has taken their tile to a whole new level of gorgeous!  Their recent collaboration with KELLY WEARSTLER is over-the-top!  It is no secret that I adore Kelly’s work, and everything that woman touches turns to fantastic.  Her three new tile collections are no different.  Sooo, what’s Black and White and FAB all over?!?

Liason Collection by Kelly Wearstler

Tile Magic by Kelly Wearstler for Ann Sack.

The amazing thing about this killer floor tile is that you can customize the inlay to any size you need!  I. Am. Not. Even. Kidding.  Eeeeeeeee!

5. ART FOR EVERYDAY blew me away with their amazing architectural wood carvings.  They design and produce over 1200 decorative corbels, capitals, mouldings, corner posts, island posts, mantels, appliqués, rosettes, custom wood carvings, and other decorative architectural components.  I was floored by their display at KBIS, but it is only a small sampling of what they have to offer.

ART FOR EVERYDAY offers so many different styles of architectural mouldings.

Nice legs, right?!? But don’t overlook the chain-link trim!

I never met a Greek Key I didn’t LOVE!

I could not even focus on the camera because I was worried I’d miss something at Art for Everyday.

Holy BLING! I love mixing materials, especially when one of those materials is SPARKLEY!

ART FOR EVERYDAY has really “stepped-it-up” with this design!

Well, this wraps-up the Commander-in-Chic FAB FIVE for KBIS 2016!  If you haven’t already, you should definitely read this post on the FAB FIVE and making The List.  I would like to say thank you to MODENUS for selecting me to come along on such an amazing adventure.  It was a life-changing trip for me.  Thank you, sponsors, Thermador, Wilsonart, WoodMode, Mr. Steam, Top Knobs, BLANCO, Karastan, TOTO and KBIS.  I can’t wait to fill everybody in on the amazing things we saw and learned from them on our trip. Believe it or not, there is still so much to share with you!  Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a thing!

#commanderinchic having a ball on BlogTourKBIS

All of the photographs in this post are by Yours-Truly, unless otherwise noted.

Commander in Chic “FAB-FIVE” – Making The List

 

As the self-appointed Commander in Chic, I hold myself to a very high standard and do not take THE WOW FACTOR lightly. That said, I am a hopeless romantic and have a tendency to fall in love with stuff. A lot. I have found it necessary to establish a ruthless system to pare down my llooonnng Lists-of-Fabulous to present you with only the Best and Brightest. The system is comprised of THREE rigorous rounds of potential elimination, so let me assure you, the FAB FIVE is an elite and distilled set. I have outlined the system below.  Brace yourself.

ROUND ONE: Does my first encounter with the Potential-List-Maker give me Goosies? Does said item cause me to feel faint or experience shortness of breath and weakness in the knees? ROUND ONE is really pretty straight forward and resolved with a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

ROUND TWO: Do I need to go back to pay my respects and say my good-byes to the Potential-List-Maker before departing for fear I will miss said item in our time away from each other? I am amazed at how often an item passes ROUND ONE with flying colors, but is forgotten when a certain commander (wink, wink) is swept-off-of-her-feet by a “sparklier” anything. The quickly-forgotten-item is referred to as a Commander-in-Chic-Crush.  I have lots of them, but no Crush has eh-ver made the FAB FIVE. The FAB FIVE represents only true and lasting Love.

ROUND THREE: Do I find myself in the dark of night staring at my ceiling thinking about the Potential-List-Maker and wondering if said item is thinking of me, too?  Am I sacrificing sleep in order to devise a plan to be reunited with Potential-List-Maker?  Well, the loss of sleep is not in vain because we have a new member of the Commander in Chic FAB FIVE. Woo-Hoo!

Scientists may question the validity of the Commander in Chic FAB FIVE Test, however, let me assure you, this system delivers.  Stay tuned for future FAB FIVE posts delivering ONLY the cream that has risen to the top with sprinkles and a cherry on top!  #CommanderinChic #FabFive

Lean on Him & carry on, Warrior.

It’s just so much to carry all the time.  I try and be brave.  I try and have courage.  I try and stay positive.  I try and see The Good.  I try and make good choices.  I try and do the things I have to do to stay sober and be the best mama, daughter, sister, wife, auntie, friend I can be.  But.  I’m.  Tired.  It’s a lot to bear and to bear all the time.  I wish I could get out from under The Weight for just a little while.  The Pain is real.  My little heart is tired.  Heartache is physically exhausting and actually hurts.  I give it to God.  I pray and I lean on Him, but The Pain is still there.  I can’t help but ask God why?  I know that He is a good God and does not test us, then what?  What is it you want from me, God?  Why do you think I am able or strong enough?  What is The Good I can do with This Pain?  Please light The Way so that I can go do It.  I don’t question out of disrespect.  I question because of My Faith.  I believe.  Help me use this pain for The Good.  I am ready.

Grief is Sobering One Day at a Time..

So, I thought the hardships in my past were God’s way of making me strong enough to get sober. Now, in my 8th year of Recovery, I realize that my Recovery is God’s way of making me strong enough for #TeamTyler. Everyone says, “don’t get sober for other people. Do it for yourself.” I say, “it is My Recovery. I’ll do it for whomever I want and for whatever keeps me Sober.” I will choose my own Touchstones, thank you very much.

I feel like I am strong in my sobriety, but Addiction is a sneaky and deceitful beast not to be trusted.  She will trick you and lie to you and pounce on you when you are the weakest and most vulnerable. She is patient, too. She will wait years, if she has to, to find a way back into your life. She feeds on weakness and self-doubt and heartache, but all her deceitful strength has got nothin’ on my Faith.

My Touchstones are my Faith in God, my promise to Tyler, and the fact that if Schuyler ever needed a Sober Mama, he needs Her now.  God is my Strength.  He will not allow any of the Pain to be in vain.  He will Light my way and guide each step.

Michelle and Emily and I realized yesterday how much “one day at a time” applies to Recovery from a tragedy as it does to Recovery from addiction and alcoholism. Just hang in there for a minute, an hour, a day… You will get through. Hold each other up and lean on Him.

It’s All So Fragile…

The past two weeks have been the longest split-seconds of all time.  How can it be that just 14 days ago I was happily fixing breakfast for this crew?!?  That very day that ended so painfully…

We had such an amazing day!  Tyler, Schuyler, Ava Jane, my daddy, Cade, Prince Charming and I all held hands to say a blessing over breakfast.  After sausage and biscuits, we piled on the golf carts and headed to the pool...

Schuyler, Tyler and Cade made friends with some other boys at the pool and had a blast with a crazy version of hoops that they made up to include the younger kids.

Ava Jane and I focused on more important things like adding to our endless collection of Auntie-Niece Selfies.

We had lunch by the pool and mom and I convinced the kids to play one of our favorite games where we take turns asking eachother interesting questions and each one of us answers.  Schuyler, Cade and Ava,  who have been playing their whole lives, were less excited to play than Tyler.  But Tyler played eagerly til we ran out of questions, excited for each one.  We learned a lot and laughed a lot.  After lunch, Daddy, Schuyler and Tyler set out for the East Beach of Bald Head Island, where the waves are perfect for bodysurfing…

Now, two weeks later, Tyler is still unconcious in the ICU at the hospital in Wilmington, NC. How can it be? He is the most wonderful boy who belongs to the most wonderful family, so why?  How? How can such a good person who does so much for others with no expectations of anything in return be suddenly fighting for his life? Someone who did so much for others for the pure Joy of the doing. And finally, what does one do when she is totally helpless, but feels painfully responsible? How do you get out from under the weight of it all? There must be Light amongst these darkest of dark shadows…

Recovery is NOT a straight road.

Ten days ago, my son’s best friend nearly drowned while swimming with my father and son in the ocean on a family vacation with us on Bald Head Island, NC.  He is on life support in the ICU in Wilmington, NC and has not been conscious since the accident.  There are so many things I could say about our precious Tyler and the events surrounding this accident, but one thing is weighing on me particularly today.  The weight is incredible particularly because I KNOW better, but cannot reason with My Heart.

Within the first few hours at the hospital, the doctors explained to us that Tyler’s Recovery would be a roller-coaster.  We would have forward progress and setbacks, but we musn’t be discouraged. Ok.  I get it.  We all get it, IN THEORY.  In actuality, we have clung to every morsel of Promise and Hope we can find.  We are positive and prayerful and hopeful and encouraged.  However, even the slightest setbacks have been devastating.  We have to be disciplened to not get unraveled by the “bumps” in the road of Recovery.

So, it should not be a surprise to me that my emotional journey would be any different.  But, I am moving backwards!  I am becoming MORE of a mess, not stronger!  Why am I not on a straight upward trajectory?!?  I don’t want to lose ground. I can’t bare to think that tomorrow might be harder than today.  I can’t believe that I would be feeling even MORE heartache after 10 days than after 2.  Is it because the shock has worn off, now?  Is the reality setting in now?  Is it because I miss Tyler?  He is such a wonderful boy and a joy.  Could it be that school is starting and he should be here in Richmond buying school supplies and practicing with the football team?  Could I just be exhausted from it all? 

My son, Schuyler, says that Tyler’s mama, Michelle and I are so much a like!  I never knew how much til we faced Tyler’s accident.  She has been a rock and an inspiration to everyone around her.  She also has a wonderful sense of humor, even in this tough situation.  However, she has been struggling more the last few days, too.  Do I just feel her pain? 

When I look back at all of my questions, I realize that each should be answered with a “yes”.  Recovery is NOT a straight road.  Yes.  The shock is beginning to wear off a bit.   Yes.  The painful reality is slowly setting in.  Yes.  I miss that sweet boy and his big heart and kind spirit.  Yes.  It makes my heart hurt that he missed the first football game last night and that his junior year will start without him.  Yes.  I’m exhausted from it all.  And, yes, perhaps most of all, my heart is broken for Tyler’s wonderful family.  I do feel my precious friend’s pain.  Accident or not, Trey and Michelle trusted us with their most precious baby boy.  We did not bring him home safely as promised and my heart is broken and the pain and guilt come in waves.

Even still, God is good.  I know God has a Plan for Tyler and for all of us.  I am amazed by the Miracles and acts of Grace, from the terrifying moments on the beach until this very afternoon.  We continue to pray and travel together on this road to Recovery, no matter the hills and valleys, with our eyes on Him.

Baby gates…

Selfie w/Sugarbritches! Philadelphia-bound... #commanderinchic #nataliereddell #richmond #rva #basketballmama #thesquires #aaubasketball #aau #tournament #richmondsquires #squiresrichmond #philadelphia #fun #smothermother

Baby gates…

Missing the boy… #commanderinchic #nataliereddell #richmond #rva #motherhood #parenting #son #mom #family #ihategoodbyes #lettinggo #letgoandletgod #virginiawoolf #thatface #blessed #HurryHome

There are life moments that are so emotionally charged and significant that they take on a life of their own.  The bitter and sweet are bound up in each other in such a complex way that they become their own unique feeling.  So unique, that you can only identify it as a place you’ve been before if you have The Feeling again…

I am in the kitchen washing dishes while he plays on the floor next to me.  I am talking to him like he understands every word I say, because he does.  My mama told me that a baby’s ability to understand what you say to him is far more advanced than what he can express. The take away: Schuyler understands every single word I say to him.  The thing is, I know that already.  I see it in his face.  And, he knows that I know.

I grab something out of the pantry and come back into the room. Schuyler’s gone. A sense of panic is replaced by the realization that he must have started crawling!  I glance up to see the most precious little diaper heading down the hallway. THIS IS THE FEELING.  Joy, fear, excitement, heartache. Wait! Stop! It’s not safe! No, Go! There is an amazing world for you, precious boy.  How wonderful that you can explore it for yourself.  I want you to go and enjoy your freedom, but I want you to stay with your mama and be safe. Wonderful, awful, exciting and scary.  I am proud and afraid and sad and thrilled. The game has changed.  His world has just grown and I want him to love every inch of it but I also need to protect him.  

I had forgotten The Feeling til last week when that same baby boy got his license and started driving. The Feeling surprised and gripped me but I recognized it immediately. It was as if I were back in my kitchen standing next to his baby blanket with a Pacie in my pocket. Only, The Feeling is stronger and scarier with higher stakes and maybe even greater joy and excitement for this boy and the adventures that await him. Wait! Stop! It’s not safe! No, Go! There is an amazing world for you, precious boy.  How wonderful that you can explore it for yourself.  I want you to go and enjoy your freedom, but I want you to stay with your mama and be safe.  Wonderful, awful, exciting and scary.  I am proud and afraid and sad and thrilled. The game has changed.  His world has just grown and I want him to love every inch of it but I also need to protect him.

I want to put up baby gates! I want to know Schuyler is safe. I want him back on his baby blanket next to his mama where I can protect him. But, he needs to go and see for himself this big, beautiful, crazy, and wonderful world. And make mistakes and learn from those mistakes and grow and make his Own way. The Feeling hurts and scares me, but I have to remember the sweet part, not just the bitter. I have to remember that as his mama I am charged with the duty of instilling in him, to the best of my ability, a moral compass and sense of self that will replace the baby gates. I hope that by my example and mistakes, he will learn what to do and what not to do and to put his faith and hope in God. I pray that all the prayers, pep-talks, mistakes, and love for this baby are enough. And I pray that God’s Will Be Done.