Anticipation and Preparation

In preparation for our NYC trip (Count 'em--16 days!), I started reading Wicked last night. (Thanks, Mo-Weezy!) I'm attempting to maximize my enjoyment of the musical. Get my money's worth, if you will. (I better have a basic understanding of the story line b/c we are sitting in the "rear mezz" as they say. I think that's equivalent to what we used to call the way way back in my parents old Suburban. We dubbed the various seats: the front seat, the back seat, the way back seat, and the way way back, which wasn't really a seat at all. And that's as far back as it goes. Once, on the way up to or back from Colorado, I gave Sara a black eye by knocking her into some latch or hook or something back there. I like to say it was an accident... but well, you know. Little ones can't bait and aggravate too much or, well, consequences happen. As my dad liked to say, "You mess with the bull. You get the horn." I've taken it as a guiding tenet of sorts. It's the law of the wild... and the law of the way way back.) Let's hope things don't get so crazy at the in the rear mezz.

House Pictures--Powder Room

It's pretty nondescript now, but someday, it will develop a snappy attitude. Just wait. I have been encouraged by several people in the know to wallpaper it in grasscloth...


but Schumacher also has this chic little girl. I put the celadon and white combo on here to show the pattern a little better, but I think I'd choose the wheat and ivory if I were in a position to choose.


Since we're discussing Schumacher, I'll offer up this linen loverliness, as well. Thanks to Lu, I have a half-shredded orange chair and ottoman sitting in the living room that's begging to be reupholstered in fat neutral stripes. I'd be happy to oblige. I'm just trying to help stimulate the economy by giving my upholstery girl, Raquel, a little business. Shout out to Raquel.

Look Who's Comin' to Town!

Get ready--Tillman's arrives in November. Tableside s'mores anyone?

House Pictures--Deck

Obviously, that ray of morning sunshine you see is gleaming across the deck in the backyard. And what else do I spy? It's a pot of basil! I still haven't killed it yet!

You Might Say I'm a Dreamer...

I have something like this in mind for the dining room hutch. (Pic stolen from Cote de Texas)

And, uh, something at this end of the spectrum for the kitchen. Now, I know you're saying, "Whoa! That's one dead sexy kitchen!" And you would be right in that estimation. But you're probably also saying, "Beth, be realistic. Your kitchen is like half that size, and you definitely don't have those windows or that ceiling height. Please get real." And, here too, you are correct. I need to be realistic in what I can do, but don't you think I could get kinda close to this look? I mean, I showed you the backsplash tiles. Remember?

(Also, I forgot where I stole this picture. I sorta think it was from My Favorite and my Best, but dunno.)

House Pictures--Kitchen

The dining room opens very directly into the kitchen. I've debated about buying/building an island to establish a clearer boundary between the two, but I don't know. I love this free and easy space, and I'm so grateful to have a kitchen bigger than the closet in which I cooked previously. (A small kitchen does have benefits though. You know, the convenience of having everything within arms' reach and not much floor to mop.)



Eventually, we want to make a few improvements in here. The backsplash is white beadboard, and the counters are a speckled formica. Nothing horrible, certainly livable, but not exactly the dream either. The stovetop is downrightugly... although the oven does have a window and an interior light, which my previous one did not and which caused a few sharp reprimands for Carter who likes to peek in to see if things are done yet.

Anywho, I'd like a new stove and a matching stainless microwave/hood, and while we're at it, why not throw in a stainless dishwasher, too, b/c we couldn't have everything else matching and the sore thumb slouching next to the sink. I think not. We got a great deal on our future honed Carrera mosaic backsplash tile. I heart it, but it unfortunately lives in the garage until the time is right for it's unveiling. I would also like to install some undermount lighting to show off the backsplash and her future sister, the honed Carrera countertop. I know the dangers of marble in the kitchen, and I've decided I don't care. Those stains are a patina, people.



Sideways pic (from left to right ): the back door, the pantry, and the frige. Yes, the cabinets and hardware are fairly boring, but in my mind, they won't yield enough return to make the investment worth it when we sell. They don't offend me, so I'll let them be. I have other fish to fry... so to speak.

Crafty!

D pulled me over-- said, "Hide your gold!
The girl is crafty like ice is cold!"
The girl is crafty--she knows all the moves
I started playing records--she knew all the groo-hooves...
She's crafty! She gets around!
She's crafty! She's always down!
She's crafty! She's got a gripe!
She's crafty, and she's just my type!
She craft-tay...

Have you seen all the corsage tees floating around lately? Most notably, on J.Crew's site. Someone decided that this is perfect DIY project. I concur!

Check out the How-To Instructions here.

I want to make a long-sleeved jewel-toned one. I would just do it by hand though. The machine seems like more trouble than it's worth in this case.