Tie it up update: We have a winner!

Ladies, thanks so much for your advice on the tie sitch last week.  I've always wanted to use "sitch" on this blog.  Dreams come true!

Anyways, I brought home a million ties the other day (or maybe six) and Peter tried them all on with his suit and shirt.  This one is the current favorite!  And since I'm really sick of thinking about this, the current favorite had better be the future favorite, too!

Postcards from Millerton, NY

We took the long way home yesterday and made a quick stop in Millerton. 

Lots of cute shops, but hardly anything was open -- Sunday afternoon, and all.

I've had this feeling for a while that I would really fall in love with Millerton and want to add it to our growing "after NYC" list of possible locations.  But both of us left feeling kind "eh." Something comforting about finding those spots, too, though.  Helps you focus on the ones you do love.

Dry your eyes

I didn't have a whole lot of luck at Brimfield.  I was looking for a dining room set that was small in scale and not painted, which turned out to be an impossible order on the last day of the sale. I could only find odds and ends. 

I did come home with a bag full of darling hankies, though. We're going to give them away to all the emotional criers at the ceremony. 

Started making in 1989

I was in Connecticut last weekend, and while I was there, my grandmother asked if I could come over so that she could give me a present. 

I sat in her living room with my eyes closed while my mom made a lot of noise unzipping and flapping and arranging, and when I finally got to open my eyes, I saw this rug.

This beautiful rug that my grandmother started making in 1989 to give me when I got married.  She finished in 1992, so it's been ready and waiting for quite some time.  Of course, I was six at the time, so really, it's a good thing I wasn't ready for it. 

About last night

Last night, Peter left on a flight to Las Vegas for a weekend of bachelor party shenanigans. 

Unconfirmed at this time, but I may or may not have watched three quarters of 27 Dresses on FX and then put on my own wedding gown, complete with fancy underwear, jewelry, and shoes. 

P.S. I really hated the shoes with the dress. Hmm.  What to do about that. 

And counting

The wedding was lovely.  Isn't their garden beautiful?

There was lots of BBQ and cake and delicious wine from the Bridge.

Peter and I were taking mental notes all day.  This was an especially good wedding to study since it was about the same size that ours will be.

People kept saying, "And you're next!"  Oh, I know!  Fifty two days and counting.




Who just said that?!

Tie it up

(Source)

You guys, we are having a tough time picking out ties for Peter and the groomsmen.  

I was originally planning on fun pink ties, but the wonderful man at Zabians, where we have been doing all our menswear wedding shopping, convinced me that pink would be bad with my ivory dress and the men's ivory shirts.  

(Source)

He said that a tie with navy would be dressier and look better with ivory.  I tend to agree, but all the men are buying their own navy suits to wear.  What if the blues don't match?  Am I being crazy?

(Source -- looks tan here, but the big stripe is actually silver)

I think these are the front runners.  Want to vote on a favorite?  I have tie shopping fatigue and don't trust myself.

Backyard wedding

(Photo from Life photo archive)

Peter and I are heading down to Virginia this afternoon to attend what is sure to be a charming backyard wedding.  I'm so excited to enjoy a fun weekend with Peter's family.  And also take lots of mental notes about all the fabulous details of the day.

Wishing you all a very happy May weekend! 

P.S. Don't forget to call your mothers on Sunday!

Just drink it

Someone gave us a lovely bottle of champagne over the holidays, and it has been sitting patiently in our wine rack ever since.

Last week, Peter suggested we just drink it.  So we did!

He picked up some Iberico jamon from Brooklyn Larder and I made a few tapas to munch on.  In a happy turn of events, we also both brought home a bouquet of flowers.  I literally have flowers in every room of the house right now.  Even the bathroom!

Here's to more flower-filled, champagne evenings!

Thank you

A girlfriend of mine once said a wedding is like one giant stream of thank you notes.  I have always had a big basket filled with treasures from the Crane paper sale, but in the last few months, my stash has taken a serious hit.

It's all for a good cause, of course.  And I actually like writing thank you notes.  Dare I say: I love it.  

In order to stay on top of it all, I've adopted a kind of compulsive habit.  Meaning, I write the note immediately after the gift has been opened or the event occurred.

In order to facilitate this process, I keep pretty note cards, a pen, and stamps under my coffee table all the time.  Make sure everything is housed in a decent looking box, or else you'll be tempted to put it away.  But I've found that having all of the materials ready at hand makes it as easy and painless as possible.

Thank you for stopping by Fresh Basil today.  It has meant so much to me!



See what a natural I am?

Take advantage of the space

Inspired by this post, I decided to take advantage of the space above my kitchen cabinets for my growing collection of...awesome things.

I'm lucky to have high ceilings, and I love how this draws the eye up a bit.  Further from my cluttered counter top.

P.S. Both the map and chicken in that picture are from my sister.  I love her taste.  Thank you, Sar!

Negative two

I just asked Peter what we'd be doing in two months.

"Line dancing!"

Umm, no. But we will be married, drinking caipirinhas in the gardens at the Mount. Happy negative two month anniversary, my dear.