Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Arte + Diseno

The last six nights of our recent trip to Isla Mujeres, we tried someplace new!  Arte + Diseno on Juarez.  Today I thought I'd post a link to the Facebook page and website and include some of my photos from our April stay in the studio.  Like the Facebook page and take a look! 


Old colonial style door to Arte + Diseno.


 Looking out the window onto the front patio.


Comfortable patio benches.  I spent a few afternoons lying here reading a book.


The seaglass collection looks like it belongs on the rustic white table. 


The patio that fronts Juarez.  It actually sits about a half-story above the street.  This area of Juarez gets a cool breeze from the ocean, so it's a great place to relax, read a book, listen to music, watch the neighborhood, etc...  Early in the morning and late at night, you can hear the sound of the waves!


The shabby chic Yucatan colonial studio comes equipped with A/C, sound system, and a small kitchen area which includes microwave, fridge, and hot plate.  I'll admit to never using the microwave or hot plate! 

For those who don't feel like walking the few short blocks into the heart of El Centro, La Lomita and Victor's Cafe Havana are just up the street.  In fact, we could see La Lomita from the front gate and Victor's just a few steps on up the hill for carryout!


La Lomita is just up the street.


Looking down Juarez from the front of the patio.


Dining on Victor's Cuban sandwich and salad on the front patio.
 



Bathroom window.  The entire studio has a very Zen feel.

We really enjoyed our stay at Arte + Diseno. Meg and Peter have done a great job creating a comfortable chic colonial studio in the heart of the Juarez neighborhood on Isla! 

And here's a little tip.  You're very close to a special treat! The Flan Lady's right next door.  She sets her glass case out on the plastic table in the street most evenings. 





Friday, May 17, 2013

Life in the Museum

That's what we're calling it now.  Life in the museum.  We're up at 5 a.m. to begin maid service maintaining the museum and wiping away all evidence of human habitation.

Yesterday I was having a moment.  After going through this routine for three days with no showings, I decided it was useless and threw myself on the couch to nurse my sore throat/cold.  Why do this crap if no one's arriving for the museum tour?

With books, laptop, mags, kleenexes, candy wrappers, and the remains from lunch strewn about, I was dozing in a Coricidin HBP haze when the doorbell rang.  I couldn't answer because I didn't have my tooth in.  (Remember the implant story?)  Craig answered and I heard the voice of real estate.  I'm in the neighborhood with clients and can't get in touch with your realtor.  Would you mind . . . .

Oh God.  20 minutes!  20 minutes! 

Craig grabbed the vacuum and I manned the paper towels and cleaning bottles.  The doorbell rang again and it was our realtor.  She lives directly across the street and her husband had sounded the alarm.  There's a man at their door!  Do they have a showing?  She grabbed the paper towels and granite spray and told me to start turning the lights on all over the house.

Lights.  Camera.  Action!

Now it's 7:00 a.m. and we've already tidied the front wing of the house (no one lives there and we're looking to ditch about a 1000 sq. ft. with this move) and moved on to laundry.  The museum must be ready to open by 9 a.m.

Craig's become obsessed with the little yellow palo verde flowers that drop from the trees in the park behind and blow into the pool. Yesterday he was trying to determine if the Bumpuses were getting the brunt of the flower fall into their pool.  He peaked over the 6 foot wall and oh my God!  There was Mrs. Bumpus in a white bikini splayed in a lounger by the pool with those little suntanning booth goggles on trying to maximize the skin damage before she flies home on the tail end of the snowbird migration.  He came back into the house chuckling.  We had no clue she was still there!  Love those quiet neighbors.

On that note, here are some photos of other people sizzling in the sun on a warm white beach in the tropics.



Oh to be this young again!






I spy a pigeon enjoying a Dos Equis with his coconut.



 

On an end note, got crack?