More to Life

By Kate Riley August 6, 2012

I stumbled across this quote last week by the late Albert Hadley, interior design icon and legend.  It came to my attention at the appropriate moment as I was readying for a family vacation.

“Make your home as comfortable and attractive as possible and then get on with living. There’s more to life than decorating.” ~ Albert Hadley

More to life than decorating?  More to life than paint and fabric swatches, fixtures and furniture?   Nooooooo, that can’t be true!   :)  I say that jokingly of course because I think and write about those things all day long during the week.  Our homes are our havens, worthy of the time invested in surrounding ourselves with beautiful things, but that’s the point, at the end of the day, they’re just things.

After 3 ½ years of blogging, it’s time to take a break, and so this week I’m off the grid.  I’m officially on vacation and as my sister and I discussed last week, it’s kinda like leaving your baby for the first time with a babysitter.  Remember the anxiety?  And then looking back you think, what was I worried about again?  Why have I not taken more time away?   :)   It’s so very important to take the time!

 

This break couldn’t come at better time for me, I’m in need of some new adventures and fresh sources of inspiration too.   This week I’m far away, from the blog and from my hometown.  There’s a house sitter taking care of the plants, the mail, and Coco the cat, and thankfully my daughter left very clear instructions.

I’ve got a few light posts scheduled later this week, but mostly I’m offline and taking a week to recharge with my family.  Time to unplug, see new sights, and savor summer.  Be back soon.

 

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53 comments

  1. Good for you Kate. Enjoy and soak it all in. Can’t wait to hear all about your vacation and where you went. You always take such wonderful pictures that I can drool over. :)

  2. SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE ON VACATION!!! I was worried that you might be one of those people who work, work, work and forget to live. You have made quite a success of your blog and this has come with hard work. It shows. I respect that. Now go have fun!

  3. Enjoy your vacation !! It’s good to go of now and then, you’ll come back with even more inspiration.

  4. Promise you won’t refinish your hotel dresser, desk, or headboard. Have fun.

  5. i took last week off and totally unplugged myself from all things blogs…i didn’t even read any while i was away. i just soaked up the last bit of summer with my family and friends…..totally worth it! have fun girl!

  6. I read your daughter’s instructions on the cat! That is so precious! She is very specific. :) I hope you have fun!
    Ashleigh

  7. Your daughter’s note is adorable. Make sure you save it to show her in about 20 years!

  8. Oh, good girl, you so deserve it! I did this recently and found that I actually got more done unplugging. If you are coming down your brother’s way, and want to visit our inlanders, give me a shout.

  9. Love that quote. Such a good reminder. And I am giggling over that note–just clicked over to read the “very clear instructions.” Can your daughter write the instructions for our cat sitter when we go camping next weekend? :)

    Enjoy your time away, Kate!

  10. Beautiful quote as I sit with my home in shambles from my latest project! Part of me wonders if some of all this need for decorating comes from discontentment. A need for more all the time. Great thoughts to ponder Kate!

  11. Have a great vacation and of course we will be here when you get back to blogging. You certainly deserve a break.

  12. Nothing better than taking time to really enjoy one’s family! Have a lovely, relaxing, memory-making vacation!

  13. Wonderful to hear you’re taking time off. Although I’m a very new blogger, I can see how getting caught up with the feeling you ‘have to post’ or the world might stop revolving can happen. But guess what? It won’t so have fun, relax and maybe take 2 weeks off while you’re at it! ;). Love the list! Adorable!

  14. Enjoy your time with family and friends – certainly very very important but PLEASE hurry back. I so enjoy reading your blog.

  15. I enjoy your blog alot. Thanks for taking the time to share your great ideas and projects with us. But I’m glad to hear you’re taking some time to unplug and recharge. Enjoy your vacation. I hope you have lots of lazy days filled with laughter and family. Don’t hurry back – we’ll miss you but we’ll be here when you return – so relax!

  16. So nice to hear from you. I started following home blogs last Jan and have learned so much. My house is nicer and I feel more comfortable having others over to visit. I have been thrifting, painting and decorating like crazy and sometimes it makes me happy, but other times I feel empty and wonder what am I missing with my family. Balance!! I just realized, my house looks nice, relax. I don’t have to stop the projects, but there are other things and people that are more important. Thank you for all your help and inspiration. Praying you will be profoundly blessed by this time of rest and regeneration.

  17. I love that quote so much I might have to frame it – such great perspective! Enjoy your adventure – the blog can wait – your life can’t!

  18. Good for you. I just took 2 weeks off and LOVED it. I left pre -scheduled posts, CLOSED comments, and enjoyed every minute of my free time.
    Enjoy your time off.
    xo bj

  19. Good for you and savor each moment. Everyone needs a breather and I honestly don’t know how you everyday bloggers do it on top of everything else. I’m lucky to get two posts a month. ha!

    Anywho, kudos to you for taking a much deserved breather. I’ve been enjoying your blog for a little over a year now. I’m sure I will continue to enjoy it when you get back.

  20. I’ll go to my hometown to my family tomorrow. The quote of Albert Hadley and your quote on the picture makes me feel good, thank you.
    Have a nice holiday

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