Wicked Mint on Apartment Therapy

Got a nice mention on Apartment Therapy on August 18, 2010 as part of a round up of designers on Supermarket.  Of course my chair got more action in the comments than my pillows, but at least I got a bunch of orders.  Man, I wish I could make those chairs - I must receive at least one email a week asking if someone can buy it from me or find it in a store.

Still Looking to Give My Jewelry a New Home

I've been searching for a jewelry box forever.  I don't think I even have all that much jewelry, but what I have sits in 4 boxes and it's just annoying, isn't organized, and I hate having them stacked on my dresser looking like crap.  I thought about getting something like this, I thought of making something to mount on the wall, but none of it felt right.

Well, praise the jewelry universe because I just discovered what I've been looking for - vintage machinist chests.  Once used for tools and hardware they have lots of compartments and look pretty.

Now I just need to win an eBay auction...

Image from MachinistChest.com

Of course, there is also the option of buying a new chest by the same manufacturer, but they're very expensive ($300 and up).

However, when I started browsing I found a new version of the same chest and some other options - all within my budget plus I don't have to limp through eBay anxiety.

$145.00 from Grizzly.com

$31.95 from Grizzly.com

$59.95 from Grizzly.com

My Best Friend's Wedding

This weekend Abe and I went to Kennebunkport, ME for Allyson and Mike's wedding.    Allyson and I have been best friends for 18 years and I've known Mike since they first started dating over 7 years ago.  I can't even begin to describe how beautiful the weekend was - both visually and emotionally. -Let's just say that this wedding was one of the best days of MY life.  I'll never forget it - we had soooooooo much fun!

Allyson was a pretty chilled out bride, but tagging all lollipops almost pushed her over the edge. Carolyn (one of the bridesmaids) made all the pops - amazing!   They were used for seat assignments.

Allyson and her parents practice the big walk!

Sorry little guy, you were very delicious.

Shana's turn for make-up.

Pre-ceremony lobster rolls (not shown here because they were devoured).

Our bouquets done by Danielson Flowers were GORGEOUS. 

We took photos before the ceremony so we could all enjoy the cocktail hour.  Such a good move.

Me, the maid of honor, smooching the bride.  I love Mike's face.

Glambert Nation

This weekend was a biggie - an Adam Lambert concert at Musikfest and Colleen's grown-up bridal shower.

I've been hearing about Musikfest, which takes place in Bethlehem, PA for as long as I've known Colleen - about 11 years.  This was my first trip to Musikfest and it did not disappoint.  Colleen, Kenny, Miles and I gripped our mugs of cold beer and attended the most glitter-filled concert I've ever attended.

Kenny wrote up a great review of the show and has video and photos over on the MOG site.

 And the next day we washed the sequins off our faces and went to Colleen's lady-like bridal shower thrown by her mom and sisters.

Electric Windows and Sunshine

This weekend I battled with a sore throat, but managed to fit in quite a bit:  power washing the deck & porch, refinishing a table, Electric Windows art event, meeting 2 new friends, a coworker's family BBQ with amazing Jamaican food, and a picnic and live music on the Cold Spring waterfront with Piper.

Россия

My grandparents died a couple years ago and I miss them a lot. Sometimes I notice things about myself that I definitely got from both of them - namely not being able to throw things away. You'd think I was the one who lived through the war. I just found some pins that my grandmother brought back from a trip to Russia (maybe circa 1990). She organized all the pins by attaching them to a Russian postcard. There are a few pins missing and next to the spaces are the names of which grandchild took the pin.  I have a lot of things that belonged to my grandparents, but this card was so my grandmother and it really makes me smile.

(Becca, your name isn't on the card. I think it means you're owed a Russian pin!)

It's Always Blazing Freaking Hot in Philadelphia

Went to Philadelphia this weekend to visit my sister, Ezra and Wesley.  It was too hot to do much, but we didn't have a problem eating, swimming with dogs, lounging in the cool water hot tub, or playing Family Feud on Wii.

Abe and Wes waiting for dinner to commence.

A dinner fit for kings.

Post-dinner trip for ice cream.

Me and Wes raced for the tennis ball and I won!

Huevos Rancheros

Jaime is all business when it comes to brunch.

Brunch dessert:  rhubarb, strawberry & blueberry crumble

Wes wanted a taste of that crumble soooo bad.

Dumbest Family Feud category ever.

I Got Color...and I'm Not Afraid to Use It.

Smoldering Hues Shower Curtain - Anthropologie - $118

Silk Screen Art Print (You, Me, and Everyone Else-2) - Beau Ideal - $35

Destiny Womack Original painting - $179.00

Color Theory T-Shirt - Non Fiction Tees - $15.00

It Was a Scorcher

Abe and I had planned on doing some Hudson Valley activities this weekend, but it was so freaking hot we didn't feel motivated to leave the house/yard. At least we managed to ride our bikes over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge at dusk on Friday and then had burgers at Max's before I passed out on the couch watching Real Housewives of New Jersey.

At least the garden is enjoying the heat!

Siobhan came over Saturday night and we had a decadent meal at Max's on Main while listening to Chowderhead.  They play some serious hits for classic rock lovers like me & Sio.

After Max's we retired to the backyard with Abe and Paws and enjoyed the warm, summer night and s'mores made in the microwave.

Happy 30th, Kim!!

Spent a lovely evening in Williamsburg, Brooklyn last night as we celebrated Kim's 30th birthday at Berry Park. We had a little sprinkling of rain while on the rooftop, but it cleared up and ended with a beautiful sunset over the Manhattan skyline.

Lychee, red bean & green tea ice cream cake from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.