WE HAVE A DATE!!!

Bond Ballroom 2010!

WE'RE ENGAGED

This post is very very long overdue (about 12 days to be exact). But I have been busy, I'm a soon to be bride. There is so much planning. Apparently not as much as what Gavin went through to get us engaged. It was quite a story, involving a boat, a parade down the Mystic River, and a sign in lights that said "Nicole Marry Me." I still get goosebumps and teary-eyed when I think about it. I am a VERY LUCKY GIRL!!!

Happy Almost Thanksgiving

I will be starting my turkey festivities as usual, in front of Molly's house watching the road race (it's the 73rd one). Over the years, I have found that it is much more enjoyable watching the race with a cup of egg nog, than running in the freezing cold, sometimes rain, and even snow a couple times. I can't wait!!!

http://www.manchesterroadrace.com/default.asp

What am I?

I took the Homegoods StyleScoop Quiz (fyi - LOVE that store). This is what I am:

Nicole, you are a Glamorous Classic
You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty and craftsmanship. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a balanced layout give order to a room. But you definitely like to shake things up with some unabashed luxury and glamour to keep things from getting boring. You go for rich materials like velvets, one-of-a-kind objects, lady-like touches, glimmering accessories, and a sense of old-Hollywood romance that makes your home dramatic and elegant.

You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

http://www.homegoods.com/hghq_quiz.asp

Getting Festive - Halloween Style

Last weekend, in the rain, Gavin and I decided continue our tradition (this only marked Year 2) of going deep into eastern CT, to see a house with a mass of carved pumpkins a lit up outside. There was at least 100 if not more and I'm sure people will continue to drop them off as the week progresses. It looks so great all lit up and there were quite a few of us braving the inclement weather to get a close look at all of the carvings. Below are a few of my favorites.

Horoscope today . . .

Now, I am not one who really believes in horoscopes. However, I will admit, I am quite the virgo (except I do let my condo get a bit messy at times but otherwise, I am type-a at it's best, etc). I was a little alarmed this afternoon when I quickly read my horoscope for today (source: astrocenter.com):


"You're not exactly someone who follows all the latest fads, NICOLE, but you may realize that recently you let yourself get taken for a ride. In fact, even though you're not necessarily an impulsive person, that doesn't stop you from buying things on the spur of the moment that just sit there in your closet or somewhere else in your house. What do you do with all those clothes anyway? Be more careful with your money!"


It's a little scary when it is sooo right. I have a closet full of things that I have purchased on a whim and have never used/worn/hung up in my condo. V. dangerous.

Maybe tomorrow it will say "you will win powerball" and it will also be right!

Take my breath away . . .

This lamp from anthropologie. I must find a place in my condo for it. I will repaint a room just to make it work.

Mission Rubber Duckies

While on beachbungalow8 a few weeks ago, I saw a post about doing things anonymously. Gavin and I decided we'd do the same while in Mystic on Monday. We were total nerds about it and had such a good time secretly leaving our package. Hopefully whoever got the duckies enjoys them! If anyone actually reads this blog and is looking for a good deed to do themselves, go to the site . . . http://secretagentlinpgh.blogspot.com/ and get a mission of your own. Gavin and I are already plotting our next one.

Our ducks ready to be packaged.

One of the duck packages just waiting to be placed in the spot.

Location #1.

Location #2.

This Weekend = Baby Shower

Ahhh . . . the fun of being a female, getting to attend a baby shower! (Note sarcasm in my voice.) It is not that I'm not extremely happy for whatever friend/relative is having a baby, or that I don't love babies. I just plain old do not enjoy baby showers. The games give me hives, I'm not kidding.

One of my oldest friends, Kendra, and her husband, Darren are having a baby. Kendra grew up next door to me. Her mom is like an aunt to me. I was in the wedding. So, I thought it was only appropriate to crochet a baby blanket for them. I rather like crocheting and am often looking for a reason to do it. What better than the new arrival of a baby to one of my oldest friends. I know, I know - mad camera skills from my blackberry. I apologize. I'm not good at blanket draping.

Movie Review - Julie & Julia

My big weekend outing = going to see "Julie & Julia." It was about all we could handle after me being sick most of the week and Gavin spending the entire day in the extreme hot sun doing his good deed for the month and running the "Fill-A-Mini" food drive at Highland Park Market (side note, I am so proud of him!). Back on point, the only thing I can say is that the movie was ENCHANTING!!! Why didn't the reviewers describe it as such? Actually maybe they did and I didn't read them. It was delightful. I was so sad when it ended because I wanted it to keep going on and on. I loved every single character to bits. There were scenes of Paris. The entire audience couldn't stop laughing. And Gavin probably didn't notice this, but I actually got a little teary-eyed at times because the characters were just so lovable and relatable (I have no idea how to spell that). I am super psyched to have an evening with my mom to see it again. Such fun!!! I wish I could master the art of French cooking! Maybe I will have to make a pilgrimage to see Julia Child's kitchen at the Smithsonian too.

Bon Appetit!

Note: Above picture is from Smithsonian website and is the badge that Julia Child wore every episode of The French Chef and is for her cooking school for Americans that she had with 2 of her friends while living in Paris.

I wish I was There!

I don’t want to be at work so badly I’m actually giving myself a headache. I didn’t even know that was possible to do. Being bored, and the fact that I have to go home and clean isn’t helping. Ugh – the life of a homeowner! I have been reminiscing today about how in past years, on this date, I was in Barcelona (at the end of a fabulous trans-European tour, or Ireland, or at least on a RI beach. This year – CT, hard hittin’ to be exact. So depressing!

Bon Semaine!

Bright Lights, Pretty Living Room

I am so excited! After searching and searching, I finally found what I was looking for (not to quote a fabulous U2 song). I love the light that will soon be hanging in my living room. And while you all might thing, "it's pink, she just complained about a pink entryway!" It's not so pink, and I do love tulips, and my living room does have many pink accents against the blue and brown. The semi-flush pendant is a Crystorama Southport Light. Happy almost birthday to me!

It's Pink!

I finally am starting to attack the entryway. It has been over a year and definitely is time. Because it leads to my main floor which is a lovely eggshell blue (and has pink and brown accents) I decided a pale pinky off white would be appropriate. I painted my little fingers off for 2 days. I'm still finding paint on myself days later. And what did I end up with you ask? I will answer . . .

A PINK ENTRYWAY!!! I should have known. The color was with the off whites and from the chip, it truly looks off white, but it is called "pink damask." You are sneaky Ben Moore.

Sunflowers Everywhere!

On Sunday, Gavin took me to Buttonwoods Farm in Griswold for ice cream and the sunflowers. They all bloomed this past week so everyone was out to see them. It was nuts. There are 14 acres of them. INSANE!!! Unfortunately, my camera phone does not do the sea of flowers justice, but you get the idea. And the best part, they sell the flowers for the CT Make A Wish Foundation.

Vacation Milestone

So today marks a milestone until the big vacation to Disney World. Still too many weeks away, but I thought I’d post about it just to get in the mood a little since I'm in the middle the 10-Q process.

I’m so excited to be staying at the Contemporary.

Source: WDW website.

The rooms look amazing from the pictures online. Very much NOT Disney World-like (although hopefully we can manage to get a lovely view of the Castle which is very much Disney World-like).

Source: WDW website.

I’m also so very excited to be dining at the California Grill while the fireworks are going on at the Magic Kingdom.

Source: Image copyright Charlyn Keating Chisholm

This was Gavin’s one request of the trip. He is so good to me and letting me have my way with this whole trip. In the past, when I’ve gone with my family, it has been all go . . . go . . . go . . . with bathroom breaks even scheduled by my dad. I think this time will be a little more relaxing and we will actually get to enjoy and experience things.

And while we will not actually be in the UK, we will get to do a walk-through of Epcot’s version of the UK.

Source: wdwinfo.com

And to top things off (which I think was the icing on the cake for convincing Gavin to even go with me), we will get to experience the Int’l Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. So exciting!


Happy a few weeks until vacation!!!

New Addition . . .

I am happy to announce the newest member to my household - Smoochie. He is a crazy fish that will probably jump out of his bowl within a week, but he has already provided minutes of entertainment to Gavin and myself and we've only had him for 24 hours.

Holiday Weekend

In addition to doing all the regular 4th of July things (such as enjoying the traditional burger and hot dog made on the grill and watching any fireworks my eyes can find) Gavin surprised me with a side trip to the Sharpe Hill Vineyard. I've never been before. It is georgeous, even with cloudy skies and continuous thunder. Somehow after a glass of reisling, that doesn't seem to matter. These pictures are amazing (especially since taken from a camera phone). Enjoy!

Cheer Up The Week

Gavin is an absolute sweetheart. Look what what was on my front steps when I got home the other night!

New Artwork

I finally decided on something for over my bed which is a total change from what I was originally going to do. I decided to go classic with the Monet print. And it was only $70 on Overstock. Yay!

Last Weekend

What a treat - I didn't work AND it was absolutely amazing out. Summer weather in April . . . the top was down on the Eos, there was quite a bit of imbibing of sangria (yum), and I got to spend all of Sunday outside at Wickham Park with my sweetie! It could not get ANY better. The park is so tranquil, even with a million people around. It has been a part of my life forever, but only recently am I really appreciating the fact that the below is only a 5-minute drive away.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

And it is raining out . . .

I was catching up on some posts that I subscribe to that are full of gorgeous flowers and since it is April (the first time I visited France/Monaco was in April) it got me thinking of quite possibly the most gorgeous smelling flower on earth - lily of the valley. When I was there, Monaco was full of them. It was all you could smell walking down the streets.

And maybe to some it is not the most beautiful, but to me it has such a sweetness and innocense. According to wikipedia the meaning of this flower is "You will find Happiness." How can that not put a smile on your face?

Top 10 Reasons Gavin Should Go to Disney World

So Gavin and I are trying to plan a vacation for later this year. I have gotten it in my head that I want to go to Disney World. I have not been in years and contrary to what many believe, it is just as much fun for adults than it is for children. Below are my top 10 reasons I think Gavin should go:
1. You have never been and do not know what you are missing
2. Where else on earth is it expected of you to act like you are 8 instead of it being frowned upon?
3. You get to hit up 10+ countries in a day (one of which is England)
4. If you go when you are an adult with no little kids you don’t have to worry about height requirements.
5. There is a ride for just about every Disney animated movie.
6. You will no longer hear the SHOCKED gasps when people hear you have never been
7. There is a monorail that speaks to you in English and in Spanish.
8. When else will you get to meet Mickey and maybe even dine with him?
9. You get to go on a safari and don’t have to travel all that way to Africa.
10. You get to ride in at least 1 pirate ship, if not more - aarrrgghhhh

Bedroom Project

I think I'm going to get my craftiness on and do my own design in my bedroom. As you all know, I have an odd fatuation with kelly green for my bedroom. I've talked myself out of repainting the walls (they really are a nice subtle grey) and have instead decided to paint a series on some canvases with navy, green and pink. I think doing so will satisfy the crazy kelly green obsession. I found the below stencils on Joann. I may have to check them out in person tonight to see what I can come up with. I predict either genius or a disgusting mess. Hmmmm . . .

Happy 1 Year to Us

Gavin and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary this weekend in RI. I can't believe it's been a year already! He kindly amused me as we drove through Bryant College to look around and then took me to the most fabulous dinner at Hemenways in Providence.

My actual present was the below Eiffel Tower clock. He knows I love anything Paris so this was very fitting and now sits on the table in my living room next to my t.v. Any time there is a commercial, I can look over and think of him!

Go Pier 1

I finally found it, garden furniture for my deck that looks so close to the lovely set from Anthro, but not even close to the Anthro price. Below is the chair (I will be purchasing in white):

And while this is not exactly the table that I want, it is very close and gets the idea.

And the best part, I can buy 2 chairs and the table for less than the table alone at Anthro. I knew if I kept my eyes open (or had good friends like Lindsay who keep her eyes open I should say), I would find it out there. Yay!!!!

Nichole's Room

Since I am currently on a shopping hiatus, I have to live vicariously through others. Today I am "designing" a room for my friend Nichole. By "designing," I mean that she said she has a study / home office painted a light blue, she is setting up and while bored at lunch, I came up with the below things that I wish I could put in a little study. So here goes:

To start, I know she did fall in love with the below chairs from Target (which I have had my eye on for a couple weeks as well. If only I had a place to put them). Two of these for a little sitting area, would be great.

In between the two chairs, LOVE LOVE LOVE this little table from Ballard Designs.

For a desk, she mentioned she might want an armoire so she can hide all the stuff that goes along with an office, papers, notes, computer, printer, etc. I found this nice looking one at Raymour & Flanigan, much less pricey than some of the others I found. I think its clean strait lines would work well with the rest of the furniture, although there is a beyond amazing white one at Ballard too.

I am obsessed with this (Ballard Designs I think) hanging light. You know how I feel about light fixtures. I think it would be great in the room.

And for the floor . . . What about this rug from Pottery Barn?

I would also put this on the wall. I am OBSESSED with Sunburst mirrors:

Well, that is it from this end. I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the (finally warm) weather!

I MIGHT HAVE TO MARRY THIS TABLE

From Stray Dog Designs