18 Friday Jan 2019
Posted in Life in the 95448
Removing smoke smell from a almost new parka. After airing out and then washing, the jacket needed a deeper dive into removing the smell. A cup of vinegar usually works but this time I also added a cup of baking soda. The same stuff to get the tuna smell out of the refrigerator works on clothes too. Success! She must have flown too close to the sun.
29 Thursday Sep 2016
Posted in Life in the 95448
Maybe a sign of OCD, being frugal or not having enough to do (not), but I’ve always been a laundry geek. My girls still bring me their clothes that need tender care or indelible spots removed. And yes I guess I take pride in getting the stains out and the endearing pieces of special clothing looking new again. We all need our own accomplishments. Here in Sonoma County I do a fair amount of drying and freshening my clothes and linens outdoors. That just adds to the delight of what I call a country clean attitude. Like throwing open the windows on your first warm spring day. I’m also delighted that my dryer has a steam setting which tends to fluff out even the oldest sweaters, winter coats, and snugly scarves. As you can tell I have if not an addiction to being a laundry geek, at least a healthy dedication.
So for my millennial and gen x daughters and people like them, I’m creating a diary. “MOM, the Laundry Geek,” to go along with all my other advice like: keep your girlfriends close, speak up confidently in meetings and wear clean underwear.
Nothing like clean pajamas.
24 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Life in the 95448
Tags
#gardening#lavender#pajamas, #karenneuburger, #spring#womenadvocate#weather#winecountry, #Where aretheynow, Oprah
Hacked away at my lavender today so I would get new healthy and lush spring growth. Using my allergy medicine already as budding happening in every corner of the yard and the county. I remember when living back in the Twin Ports we would have about 3 to 5 days of spring in February. I would roll down the windows in the car, house, everywhere. Shorts would come out of moth balls. Then the snow would come again. The worst (and best) snow storm ever was on St. Patrick’s Day. You had to be very strategic deciding where exactly to get stranded during a snow storm. I’ve found exciting places to be marooned. Truth, this is not my lavender, but hoping for a beautiful spring crop. 
18 Thursday Feb 2016
Posted in Life in the 95448
17 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Life in the 95448
This Saturday night, Feb. 20th. We laughed – we cried. 
19 Wednesday Aug 2015
Posted in Life in the 95448
Yes I now have an UBER APP. Getting around LA. is so much easier. I remember walking miles in my corporate heels after the LA Market because there were no taxis to be found. Now we have a ride in 2 to 4 minutes. Of course now I’m usually in my sneakers. Oh well.
On the plane my seat partner recommended we find The Little Door. My girls can get us thru any velvet ropes but this place was welcoming. Rustic doors with no sign open to a magical exotic garden. All with trees branches and sparkling lights between you and the stars. Miraculous bartender and beautiful photo deserving drinks I’ve never heard of. Yes, food is outstanding and inventive. Best of all: I was with my two daughters. Don’t wait too long to do an adventure with your daughters. On with ours today at The Lot. So excited for today to meet up with my friend and introduce my daughters Dany and Alex to her. 
18 Tuesday Aug 2015
Posted in Life in the 95448
16 Sunday Aug 2015
Posted in Life in the 95448
Heading to LA to visit an old friend. My two daughters in tow. If you are going to be the least coolest one in the place, at least it’s your girls that out shine you. So looking forward to this. “When you say it out loud a little hurt goes away. “. More mid week when I know how great I feel. Or not. At least it’s cooler in LA. 102 in Sonoma right now. See you Wednesday.
05 Wednesday Aug 2015
Posted in Life in the 95448
Hi to anyone who maybe listening. (Like ET phoning home) I haven’t been writing on my blog for over a year. My New Year’s resolution ( as in birthday new year not calendar new year) is to get back up on the horse and ride again. Not a great metaphor but you understand. I don’t even remember the tech of adding photos or media so this note is just to hold myself to myself. Once you say it out loud, or as it is in my blog – it’s a commitment. Like the diet you tell your friends you are starting. So more to come about life in Sonoma County, 95448 and my in home studio creating conversation, questions, and inspiration for everyday life in 2015.
23 Monday Apr 2012
Posted in Life in the 95448
Be careful what you ask for. Really! After several years of both a “time out” and “time off”, I’m seriously back to work.
I was exhausted my first day. As if I’ve never worked a day in my life. I can’t say I was uncomfortable, just the opposite. The design studio feels very familiar. Walls lined with style boards, fabric rolls in every corner, everyone multitasking, and garments draped on anything. I found myself just tired from thinking.
Now my home is not quite as neat. There is still laundry in the hamper and a load in the dryer. Hand washing a few dishes because I haven’t emptied the dishwasher. A couple of weeks ago this would really have bothered me.
Over the last few years I’ve worked from home on a few fashion assignments. Convenient, but solitary and somewhat boring.
I’m excited to have interesting projects and smart conversations with knowledgable people. It’s fun to have small personal discussions about men, kids, movies, lunches, men, weddings, friends… It just feels so good to be in a creative atmosphere again. I think I’ll go back again tomorrow.
Note: prep for 1st Day of Work. Hair, nails, clothes chosen, iPad charged and car washed. More highlights please.
Karen Neuburger 