It's a GORGEOUS fall day here in Boston and I am totally wishing I had this robins egg blue Gary Fisher bike to cruise the town on!

I just had to publicly lament about the fact that after all my hard work and planning to hold my party outside on the patio, it's going to pour tonight for my birthday party.
Of course it is.
New England, sometimes I really, really hate you.

After making yet another Twilight reference in my Facebook status update yesterday (yep, I'm turning 30, not 13, this summer) one of my brothers wrote me and said "Can you please explain to me what everyone's fascination is with Twilight, and more specifically this Edward guy?" I thought for a minute about all the Twilight commentary I've heard simply in passing this week alone: the woman in Border's telling her friend that she took the series on her honeymoon and got legitimately pissed off that her new hubby was not Edward (followed by strangers telling her they "totally understood"). And the fact that one of my fave design bloggers showed off her "Twilight" section of her bookshelf. And the Facebook updates I see about skipping dates, work and the gym to stay in and read these books. So what is it about Twilight that drives us women to such craziness?
Let me start off by sharing that I was a total doubter when Twilight first came out. My friend Zoe told me about it a long time ago and I said "Wait, it's about vampires? I don't read vampire books. Eww". "Trust me", she said, "you'll thank me later". Time passed and one day I saw a copy on sale at the checkout counter at TJ Maxx for $5-so I picked it up. The 50-something year old checkout lady looked at me with longing eyes and sighed "Oh my God, have you not read this yet??" Seriously? 48 hours later, cut to me driving frantically to Borders at 9 a.m. to buy the rest of the series and then rush back home. I read them in a month and I couldn't tell you anything my husband did or said in that time, I'm not sure I even took a break to shower. What had become of me? It's not like the writing is even good, but there is something about this story that just renders even the most mature woman a thumping-hearted, lovesick tween. And his name is Edward Cullen.
So here's the deal with Edward, for those not in the know like my brother. He causes such a stir because his character is the perfect man. He's handsome, wealthy, romantic and devoted. The mysterious, brooding bad boy who writes lullabies on the piano for his girlfriend but also rips out the throats of bad guys in defense of her honor. He says things like "Your my own personal brand of heroin" and "I don't think I have the strength to stay away from you any longer" (cue knee buckling). He is the perfectly impossible combination of poet, athlete, intellectual and bad ass- the human(ish) equivalent of a unicorn. And having Rob Pattinson to use as an image of Edward, well, that's just icing on the cake according to yours truly. Now to give my brother credit, he made a good point of saying that if a normal guy ever said such lines to a girl, they'd be laughed at and/or slapped with a restraining order. Good point, and probably true. But this is make believe, so I'm gonna stick to my guns and swoon anyways. Every woman wants to feel coveted, craved, defended and protected and well, that's just what we get from reading about this fictitious character who was crafted to feed that desire (because let's face it, we don't always get that from our real life men.) So thank you, Stephanie Meyer.
Frankly, to women over the age of 18, these books are a bit like what internet porn is to guys (you all look at it. We know.) It's an escapist fantasy that allows you forget all the bull going on in your life and just enjoy the pleasure of a hot, undead teenager who would kill people for you and then buy you a brand new Audi for your birthday. Maybe it's because of the times we're in, where watching the news is just to depressing and so we cling breathlessly to something fun like this? Laugh at me all you want, but don't knock it until you've tried it! I sang that tune and now I not only dragged my husband to opening weekend of the film (he would have happily traded his ticket for a prostate exam and even I agree it was AWFUL) but I am literally counting the days until New Moon comes out. I'll be the one camped out in line on the sidewalk with a flask of Pinot Noir.

Now to end on a somewhat redeeming design related note, here are some shots of the house used as the Cullen family stomping grounds from the film. A very cool space indeed, and although I don't show it here, one of the other reason I loved Edward is because in the movie he has a Barcelona chaise and Sapien bookshelves in his room. Of course I was the only person in the theater who noted that! A vampire with good taste? Could a girl ask for more? ;)

One last post before I really sign off for the vacation... this card from my favorite site someecards just cracked me up because if my finances were in order, you better believe Baxter's gifts would be three times as much as anyone else's.
(Gotta love the Red Sox "B" on the scarf too)

Spent the weekend in Connecticut relaxing in the crisp October air. A much needed few days off!
Check out these insanely gorgeous dahlias I bought from a man selling them out of big buckets at a cafe in my parent's town. $1 a stem and knock you down beautiful in person!

The leaves were gorgeous and Baxter had a good time rolling around in them while we took it easy. We had friends down and made a fire outside and cooked a big meal with lots of wine.



We also went to check out my Dad's new building on the Pomfret School campus. It's fabulous- slight Craftsman influence, which is not typical of my Dad's work, and just the most amazing dual sided fireplace ever!



I think I needed a couple more days out there! Hope you all had a great weekend too!

I was finishing up my freshman year of college. I think I'd rather not think about that. I think I was one of the few people who actually did not like college at all. Might have to do with spending all 4 years dating the world's biggest douchebag. Ah, how much smarter I have become!

Five things on my to-do list today:
Rehash Sex and the City movie in my head. AMAZING!
See apartments with my little brother.
Lunch and shopping with the dear hubby.
Plot to see Sex and the City again tomorrow.
Babysit for friends! Practice parenting is good for us!


Anything made of sugar. Particularly Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, rice krispie treats, chocolate. Also Robert's Gourmet Smart Puffs. YUM.

A billionaire? That's some serious cash. I'd donate big chunks to animal cruelty prevention charities, to helping the victims in Burma and Darfur as well as homeless charities in the states. Then I'd go shopping- for my homes in Back Bay, Nantucket and Malibu- no, scratch that- Santa Barbara. All of the Madeline Weinrib rugs a girl could have! Fabulous custom furniture and finishes too, of course..... then I'd get myself and Andrew a pair of Aston Martin DBS's. And a orange Mini Cooper convertible with navy top and racing stripes for our beach home. (I've always wanted one). 50 yard line seats to the Pats, box seats to the Sox and court side Celtics tickets. And season courtside UNC basketball tickets for my hubby. And a private jet to get him there.
Amazing clothes, bags and Laboutins. And in those amazing outfits, we'd travel everywhere in the world, all the time (on said private jet, upholstered in yummy KWID fabrics).
The End. :)
Lame. Connecticut, Boston, Manhattan. So not adventurous.

A departure from design...
Even if you don't like American Idol, you gotta give David props for this killer performance- even Lionel Ritchie loved it.
So glad he beat David "Oh Gosh" Archuletta.
*swoon*

I just had to share.
Walking with Baxter along the pond this morning we came across a set of baby ducks with their mother. Quite possibly the cutest thing in the world. Granted, everything "baby" is adorable, these little fluffballs were hams. They seemed to be testing out their new legs and swimming alternately really fast, like little feathered speedboats, with a slow and wobbly pace. A couple seemed to be racing and looked as if they wanted to say "Hey Mom, look how fast I can swim!!!"
It made me smile, and I hope it makes you smile too.

Sorry for the delay in posting today, I was in CT dropping Baxter off before our trip to Idaho tomorrow! We're off to do all sorts of ranch-y things at Andrew's uncle's vacation home out there. Am excited at the prospect of perhaps shooting at empty beer cans and riding an ATV. Or perhaps just hanging with my favorite new family members with lots of wine in the hot tub!
Anyways, I was tagged by the exquisitely gifted Patricia at pve design to partake in a little blogger game of "6 quirky things about me". Just 6? But there are so many...

1) I like to read magazines backwards. I don't know why, but I always want to see the end first and work my way back.
2) I absolutely will not eat oranges with seeds. Seeds completely gross me out and even if I've made all the effort to peel one and bite into it and there is a seed- in the trash. I know, weird.
3) I talk to my dog all day as if he is going to respond and fully understands.
4) I have intense wander lust, but when push comes to shove, I want to stay in New England.
5) I totally believe in and follow my horoscope.
6)I like ketchup, tomato sauce, salsa and just about any other tomato byproduct, but I HATE tomatoes.

I tag Inside the Loop, Turquoise Chic and Annechovie!

See you guys on Monday!

Because someday I might actually land a six figure book deal. Ha.
(Thanks Marbury vs. Madison)

Courtney asked us to do this and I find it HI-la-rious. Angelina? Halle? BEYONCE? No, I think it's just because our faces are all tilted the same way. Monday morning nonsense. But fun, nonetheless. Hey, the results could have been worse!
Go here to see who they deem your lookalike.

I was just at the post office shipping goodies and picked up these GORGEOUS Tiffany stamps!!! They made my morning!

Actually, more like digital camera unloading.
Hooked up my new little SLR wonder and found a few things to share.

Like these antique andirons I scored for $35 at the giant Cambridge Antique Market. I've been trolling for some to replace our broken ones, but they were all at least $150. Score one for my wallet.

My little DIY project I finally finished today- pasting grass cloth wallpaper over a warped/cracked door that would need a custom replacement made because of it's dimensions ($$$). Now it looks clean and funky- a very easy way to fix a flawed facade.

My current all white mantle scape. Andrew says I've become a hater of color- not true- I just wanted something serene. I especially love my little white ceramic bird on a pedestal by Victoria Hagan that I picked up at Target (on the left).

I knew there was a reason I keep all my old bedding ensembles in trash bags in the basement. I pulled out some old embroidered blue and white Euro shams and threw them together with a 5 year old PB duvet cover and a 3 year old Hable Construction pillow and voila. It looks purposeful. Good thing I can be a pack rat.

Sad. A green foo dog I totally should have bought, also at the Cambridge Antiques Market.

And on a gloomy day, I had to buy myself some coral and pink roses at Trader Joe's for $7.99. And a box of the best chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches on the PLANET.
Really, they are like crack.