Something for You

Cry-worthy song #14173.

Welcome to the world Sophie!

Sophie Ladurée Dempster-Gullino entered the world on Tuesday. Weighing in at a petite 6 lbs, 1 oz, she is a beauty-- and already the apple of her daddys' eyes. Can't wait to meet you Miss Sophie!!!

Befores and Afters

Believe it or not, the work still continues... you'd think this small house would have been long finished by now, but... well, two work-a-holics later, we're still renovating. While this office renovation was done a year ago, I thought I'd post it anyway (no, K-- not JUST because I'm lazy and feeling blog-uninspired). Now we're (which is more of the royal "we" because it's really MRN, since he's the carpenter) working on boxing in the alcove under the stairs... more to come on that one. In the mean time, here's the office make-over... MUCH better and more conducive to-- well, working...

Yes-- this was my dump of an office. But thanks to Ikea and an awfully handy husband (and my spatial planning skillz-- said husband didn't believe that I'd be able to store everything in these new wardrobes-come-bookshelves but lo and behold... PLUS, had so much extra room, the one on the right is used as a dresser / closet. I really want to say, ha! so...).
























This is the horror over the stairs-- just a hole in the wall. MRN built custom shelves for the painfully deep and tall (it's 5 feet tall!) but completely useless space and I conceived the hinged door made of a fabric-covered frame (again custom made by MRN). A little ingenuity and wha-la! Decor + function (and for cheap-- because I'm not investing any more money into this money pit). Whoop-whoop.























And would be remiss if I didn't show off my Orla Kiely wallpaper lampshade. Wish I could take credit for it, but I bought it on eBay (from someone who makes wallpaper lampshades-- go figure). This adorns my office and for added fun, I bought the same wallpaper which I lined the glass-topped desk with. It's my wannabe not-so-crafty attempt... maybe the blog needs a new name.

Oh Summer, Wherefore Art Thou?

So, this winter thing is getting old. And no, that's not a typo. It is June 8th, and it's solidly still winter in England. Okay-- so, we did have a day where it was hot (80!) with sun... and one where it was hot (78!) without sun. And now we're solidly stuck in the 50s. In JUNE. I attempted to will it into summer by wearing shorts, but all I ended up doing is putting on knee socks and a sweater. I try to console myself by saying that I'd be complaining about the heat if I were somewhere, well, that had summer. And who am I kidding? Summer's my least favorite season. But don't you always want what you can't have? I do miss seasons, though. I always thought I'd be kissing them goodbye when I moved back to California and the land of perpetual sunshine. Instead I've moved to the land of perpetual rain. Good thing love can cure all ails, conquer all evils and all that fun stuff...

Welcome to the world, Gaffney-Girl!

Two of my dearest friends just welcomed a beautiful little girl to their family. Miss Amelia Mary Gaffney was ushered into our lives on Saturday the 22 May. Unlike her two older brothers who didn't dare be anything but exactly on time for their birthdays, Miss Amelia decided to throw a wrench in her parent's plans and arrive early. Oh, mom, you're in for it. I can't wait to see this little beauty grow. Much happiness and lots of love to two of my oldest and dearest Vassar chums on the newest addition to your amazing family.