Positively Nostalgic

Last weekend my friend Amber threw a friendship bracelet making party. I was feeling barfy on account of the 100+ degree weather so I wasn't able to make it. I had purchased embroidery floss with the intention of adding it to the party pile. I had been looking forward to the party so I decided to try out my old skills while I was stuck at home.

I still got it! I instantly remembered why we were all obsessed with making friendship bracelets. It is creative, relaxing, and fun!

Amber, thanks for the inspiration to take it back old school.  If you throw a tie-dye or bubble paint party, I'll be there!

Song of the Day
Speaking of taking it back...please enjoy Ace of Base's I Saw the Sign.

Worth Disrespecting Librarians

When trying to come up with decorating concepts for our apartment, Matt and I both liked this idea from Country Living's 2010 House of the Year.

Picture by Joshua Lyon

They framed drawings of oceanic life forms. I loved the idea, but I didn't think that it was something I could recreate as I'm no interior decorator. But then I was in Strand one day, and wouldn't you know it Art Forms in Nature was sitting right on top of one of the tables. It was meant to be.

This book includes loads of beautiful, intricate drawings.

Our version of this fun design concept is much simpler, but we still love it.

I had to down a few glasses of wine before I got up the nerve to rip the pages out of the book (I can hear a collective gasp from all my local librarians), but other than that it was a very simple project. We used frames from Ikea, which is what the talented people at Country Living did too.

Another fairly inexpensive piece of wall art that we are very happy with.

Song of the Day
Let's have a little fun....Please enjoy the B52's Love Shack.

Map It Out

Matt and I have come a long way in decorating our apartment. In New York, wall space (and all space really) is limited so we were very judicious about what we hung. We are happy with the pieces we have honored with a coveted space on the walls and wanted to share them with you!

Above our bed we hung a sailing chart of Casco Bay, ME. It is important to me that art in your home is personal. Matt and I both love to sail. I spent all my summers in Casco Bay, and Matt has come to love the area as well. So not only we do we like the colors and look of the chart, we are both reminded of happy adventures every time we look at it.

Here is a close up shot of Chebeaugue Island, where Matt and I hope to get married next summer!

I like decorating with charts and maps because they are relatively inexpensive, and they bring a personal, yet traditional touch to your home.

More map decorating ideas:
Martha loves decorating with maps. She's got loads in her own home.
Charts make great wallpaper.
And think beyond your walls. Check out this beautiful, chart-filled jewelry.

Song of the Day
We haven't had any Huey in a while. Enjoy Power of Love.

Positively Romantic

This is Paul Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward. I tore this picture out of a magazine years ago and have held on to it. I think it personifies connect, equality, and romance...everything love should be. Positively romantic!

Song of the Day
Today's song is Bruno Mars' Marry You. I've got marriage on the brain!

Our Engagement Story

Like any good story, the one of our engagement is filled with surprises, intrigue, lies, and true love. It happened last Thursday when I was supposed to have dinner with two girlfriends. They both had to cancel at the last minute with legitimate excuses (which it turns out were bold face lies!). Matt came to rescue and planned a date for us.

Now, I must rewind...my favorite date I ever had with Matt is when we randomly decided to take a walk in Central Park after work and then found ourselves at an outdoor cafe where we had amazing mussels and wine. We hadn't planned it, it was just one of those wonderful evenings that magically came together. I often reminisce about this night and was excited when Matt said he wanted to do something similar on Thursday. As I'm writing to you now I realize it seems odd I didn't realize he was going to propose, but I really didn't!

So Matt picked me up after work and we took a cab to a different, albeit equally as lovely outdoor cafe, and we enjoyed mussels and wine. We then headed toward the Park. I thought it was kinda strange that Matt wanted to walk North when we live South, but I didn't complain because it was a beautiful night. We strolled hand in hand, enjoying the scenery, the tourists, and each other.

We stopped on the Bow Bridge, one of the prettiest spots in the park. From there, Matt spotted an empty bench where we went and sat. What was said then is for me to keep and cherish, but it ended with Matt getting down on one knee and me excitedly committing to spend the rest of my life with him.

View from where he proposed. Not on the actual day but from when he did a practice run. Cutest thing ever!

Even though it was the perfect weather, we were both way to pumped to stay in the Park. We rushed out through Strawberry Fields and hopped in a cab. We called our families, shared the news, cried, and laughed. I was relieved when we got home because I really had to pee (see previously mentioned wine), but I was out of luck because there was a surprise party waiting! Matt had reached out to our friends in New York and asked them to all join in our celebration. I know they were touched to be apart the amazing night and it meant so much to both of us.

So surprised!

 It has been an incredible few days. I have been overwhelmed by the support that we have been shown by all of you. I've been blessed in every way imaginable, with the most important being my incredible fiance (AHHH! I love saying that!!)

Song of the Day
You all knew this was coming...the song of the day is Beyonce's Sing Ladies (Put a Ring On It).

We're Engaged!

Matt asked me to marry him! It was a whirlwind weekend and I'm feeling happy, overwhelmed, and excited. But mostly I feel lucky. Lucky to have so many supportive friends and family, lucky that my family loves Matt, lucky that Matt's family is so welcoming to me, and above all else, lucky that there is such an incredible man who wants to spend the rest of his life with me.

I'll tell you the story tomorrow, but I wanted to share our happiness with you right away.

Song of the Day
Today's song is I've Just Seen a Face, the Across the Universe Version.

101 Things in 1001 Days: 11

At around 1902, my great great grandfather, built his family a vacation home on Chebeague Island, ME. I would like to think he also built the house for it to be enjoyed by generations to come. And for that I will always be grateful.

The house is named Khatmandu (my great great grandfather was a big Kipling fan), and just like my father and his father, growing up I enjoyed every summer there. It is unquestionably my favorite place in the world and I recently got to share it with some of my most favorite people, crossing #11: take more than four people to Maine, off my 101 List.

One of the best parts of spending time in Maine is enjoying the outdoors. Between the picnics, the sailing, and the hiking, you are seldom inside. Unfortunately, it was raining and cold almost our whole visit. I'll admit, Positively Anna was not feeling so positive. I was actually grumpy and frustrated that I wasn't getting to show my friends exactly the weekend I had planned. Luckily these friends of mine are troopers and even if there was a monsoon they would have managed to have a wonderful weekend.

My wonderful brothers join for the weekend, which made it all the more special.

Rain does make somethings look better

Chandler's Cove

Beachcombing with Inspector Gadget

When I was a little girl I used to collect these little yellow shells. They are still my favorite.

Maine, the only place it is cheaper to eat lobster than chicken

Becca enjoying the spa package...a relaxing lobster steam bath

I believe I'm shouting "I made fire" a la Tom Hanks, but it is hard to know for sure

And wouldn't you know it...as soon as we got on the ferry home, the sun came out! Oh well. Still an amazing trip.

Song of the Day

Please enjoy Van Morrison's Into the Mystic.

Get to the Choppa!

Today is our five year anniversary. And guess what Matt surprised me with!? A helicopter ride! If you know me well, you know I have a things for helicopters. A helicopter ride has been on my life list since I was eight. And we did it! It was amazing!

I made a little video while we were landing (you may want to turn off your sound).

Matt thank you for an amazing surprise and another positively amazing year.

Song of the Day
Please enjoy Robyn's Hang with Me.

Thanks for the Treat Stupid

Hey all your fans for the Honey Badger, check out Randall's latest video.

Song of the Day
This song should be in the background of this video. Please enjoy The Token's The Lion Sleeps Tonight.