Vintage floral prints

I love these vintage flower images. Visit the site for dozens more.  I'd love to be able to incorporate them into the wedding in some way, but I'm not exactly sure how.

Difficult loves

I'm still waiting for my next book club book to arrive from Amazon.  In the meantime, I've been reading the short stories in Difficult Loves by Italo Calvino. 

Italo Calvino would be a great name for a cat.

Anyways!  I got this book years ago, before I left to study abroad in Italy during college, but never read it then.  I'm so happy I'm reading it now. 

In each story, Calvino takes a very small moment, like a soldier sitting next to a widow on a train, and turns it into a lusty, tortured saga.  The most sexy thing that happened in the train story involved a drawn out knee-graze, but trust me: it was very sexy.

Highly recommended if you are searching for some spring-fever reading material!

Space like a grown-up

(Un-functional office space)

Our apartment is now home to some beautiful new things, and I've been taking a critical eye toward the bones of our rooms -- the key pieces of furniture, colors and the overall feel.

I'm trying to think hard about what we want our space to do for us, how we could use it better, and what we might invest in for the present and future home we may live in.

Thinking about space like a grown up is hard!

Any suggestions, brilliant friends?!  What have you done to eliminate wasted space in tiny rentals?  How do you decide to make big purchases for your home?

Ikea orchid

I got this orchid at Ikea about a month ago for $11, and it's still going strong.  I'm insanely proud about that.

Peter and I are headed up to the Berkshires this weekend to scout out a bridal lunch location, among other things.  I hope you have a fun weekend!

Model face

All my friends know that I take great pride in being able to make an awesome sucked-in-cheeks model face. 

This woman is excellent model face inspiration.  Look at the charming way she's pushing her lips out to make them look all puffy and model-ish! 

On a slightly related note: I've heard a lot of brides say that once they got their dress, they had to stop looking at dresses because it made them question their own gown choice.  Well, I have the complete opposite problem.  I look at all these new wedding gowns and think, "Eww!  Thank God I'm not wearing that." 

Bridezilla moment, or I'm just an awesome, super decisive shopper?!

On another slightly related note, I've started saying "BRIDEzilla" every time I say something weird or demanding, i.e., "The car is too cold, turn on the heat."  Pause. "BRIDEzilla!!!"

Don't you wish we saw each other more in real life?

Truly amazing

I know people talk about this feeling a lot when it comes to wedding activities, but it was truly amazing to walk into a room on Saturday afternoon and see my fiance's sister, my dad's aunt, and a friend I've known since fourth grade all in the same space.

I had a lovely time chatting with people and eating cupcakes and opening a giant pile of presents.  Our apartment is busting at the seams.  All afternoon, while Peter and I were making space for the new treasures, I kept saying things like, "Oh my gosh, this is from [cousin, aunt, bridesmaid, ect.]...isn't is fantastic?!"

Looking at my kitchen counter or dining room shelves, I see all these people I love. I know it's cheesy to talk about a toaster this way, but it's true.

P.S. These are my maybe-weddings shoes -- I gave them a test drive this weekend.  They passed the comfort test, for sure.

April showers

I'm heading to Connecticut this weekend.  My bridal shower is tomorrow afternoon, and I'm so excited! 

Hope you have a wonderful, springy weekend.

P.S. These are my favorite kind of flowers.  They last such a long time!

Goodbye, 26

(Photo of High Line.  We took a walk here after Nougatine!)

How to have a proper send off for your 26th year:

• Have your lovely fiance surprise you with lunch at Nougatine
• Go for a walk at the very cool, very hip High Line
• Eat lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, peas with mint and CAKE
• Go visit Swish!  I mean...the Yankees

Today is Peter's 27th birthday.  We've been celebrating all week, and tonight we are heading up the Bronx to see the Yankees crush the Angels. (Peter would say I've just jinxed them now.)

 Happy, happy birthday, my dear. XO

Haute lodge

I've been thinking a lot about glamping, and how amazing it would be to make this part of our honeymoon. But in most cases, it's more expensive than a night at an amazing hotel, so it doesn't really make sense for us. 

But still, fun to think about.

The Haute Lodge line at Pine Cone Hill would be absolutely perfect for a fancy camping lodge, don't you think?

Maybe I just need to re-do our bedroom, glamp-style.  It would probably be cheaper than spending a couple nights at one of those amazing lodges!

Day in Amelia

And multiply that by six days.  Ahhh, vacation...

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!

Cakes!

(Photo from Food and Wine)

Peter's birthday is one week from today. Every year around this time, I put together a list of yummy looking cakes, and he gets to pick one for me to make.  I just sent him this years list, and they all looked so good, I thought I'd share with you all, too.

1. Almond Macaroon Torte 
2. Caramel Walnut Upside Down Banana Cake 
3. Chocolate Espresso Cake
4. Chocolate Cake with Caramel-Coffee Mousse 
5. Gingerbread Cake with Quark Cheesecake
6. Toffee Almond Crunch Cake
7. Tres Lechese Cake with Dulce de Leche

Obviously, Peter is a big fan of almonds, caramel, and coffee!  I'll let you know which one he chooses.

P.S. In 2008, I made this one, and in 2009, this one.  I love cake, so much.

Totally exploded

When I left a week ago, this tree in the backyard was filled with buds.

Now it's totally exploded into bloom.  All the trees in Park Slope are filled with little white flowers and baby leaves.

It's beautiful, but it doesn't make coming home any easier.