The Princess Bride

I have been in love with the British Royal Family ever since Princess Diana came into the picture. Now granted I was super young, but my grandmother has collected just about every magazine, picture editorial, etc. about the royal family since I was born, and it has become our shared guilty pleasure. I was in 5th or 6th grade I believe when the Princess died, and I stayed up (no lie) all night long to watch the funeral. My two friends and I had a sleepover and I was the only one who made it the entire time, since in the states, it was about 3 or 4 am when it aired. I cried my eyes out. Harry's card that said 'Mummy' absolutely did me in. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate even more the amazing things Di did with her fame, that actually had nothing to do with bringing fame to herself. I could go on about her work all day, but I'd rather you go google it and see for yourself. No matter what horrible scandals the British press tried to slap on her, she struggled through it, and still came out with the full admiration and sympathy of the people. She is truly one of my idols.

Of course, then there's her sons. When I was younger, I had a crush on William. Harry was never on covers since he wasn't the next in line for the throne. There was a TIME magazine cover in particular that started that whole infatuation...

I was 11. And I had just discovered boys were cute anyway.
Then People Magazine went and made it worse.

So by 2001, as a freshman in high school, I admittedly still had girlish daydreams (however unlikely I knew them to be) of being his princess. Obviously, I'm being silly. But, I did have a little crush. Then, this story came out...

 and oh dear, Prince William who? Now, confession. I have a thing for Gingers. Big time. Don't ask me why. I just do. So, needless to say, I developed a much bigger crush on the younger prince.

 A puppy and a cute ginger headed guy? Just too much

 In this one he looks IDENTICAL to my middle school boyfriend.
Maybe subconsciously that's why I find him so attractive? Weird.

So, all joking and girlish fun aside, they are some good looking boys. AND, they are continuing on in their mother's footsteps, especially Harry (which is probably the other reason I find him more handsome now).

Flash forward to present day, where this gorgeous girl--with my name I might add-- came waltzing in. Now, this Friday, I'm definitely going to geek out again and be up at 4 am to watch the Royal Wedding.

(I mean honestly, could they be any cuter? She is so naturally beautiful it's stupid. And as much as it's been criticized, I think it's precious that he gave her his mother's ring.)

You'd pretty much have to be living in a cave underground for the last year to not know about it. But I am so stinkin' excited its embarrassing/ridiculous. So here is Ms. Kate in all her glory, with some stunning hats. I have always been the only girl of my friends to rock the hat at Derby or feathers in my hair-no matter how much I encouraged the others to too- so now maybe since Kate is in the spotlight, they'll be more likely to follow suit this year....

I even like her Indiana Jones hat.

 I want to know how a girl's body can look like that and not only survive on a slice of radish.

And then, my favorite hat, and one of my favorite pictures of them as a couple...

Just to die for. Friday is going to be epic. Now while I won't be wearing , holding, eating, or sipping from any of these (and lemme just say, there's some even stranger paraphernalia floating around out there)

...I do fully intend to, when I get off work that morning, come home, make myself a spot of tea, put on a fancy dress (or maybe fancy pajamas since I won't be watching it with anyone else), and watch the wedding coverage until I'm cross eyed. 

I warned you folks, total gushing. I'm sure I'll have plenty to say after Friday, too. So I'll leave you with this that had me cracking up.

 Royal Wedding by T Mobile

No matter how devilishly handsome I find Harry to be, or how deeply I admire his mother, the truth is, royalty is just a title. And "men don't follow titles, they follow courage." Courage to take on causes like Diana did and her boys now do. Still, every girl, whether she admits it or not, has the daydream of being a princess, crown, castle, prince and all. But here is what I say (borrowed from The Little Princess herself)

"I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny, old attics; even if they dress in rags; even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us."

And for the girls out there actually still dreaming of the real thing...

CHEERS.

With a dreamy far off look And her nose stuck in a book...

I just got back from a trip to Baltimore and had an insanely relaxing, fun time with my dear friend, K and her prince charming. I had such a great time I was sad to leave, and me and K spent several nights chatting til 4 am, which was lovely. We even talked about the prospect of me moving to Baltimore if I can't find a job in NYC, but more on that later...She has started a bit of an interior design/furniture remodeling, etc. business and we had fun exploring shops and talking decorating on their adorable row home all weekend. I can't wait to have a place of my own to decorate one day, and while most of my ideas are probably delusions of grandeur, it sure is fun to think about. One room I've always dreamed of having, started at the age of 6 with a little movie called Beauty and the Beast. I bet you already know where I'm going with this...

Here's the inspiration

These next few are real libraries--this is in Brazil

Prague

The spiral staircases are what makes it. Wouldn't that be magic to have in your house?!

Now we're getting more practical. This is gorgeous, I love how the bookcases frame the windows.

And this-this would just be a crazy awesome addition. The bookcase that becomes a door. How fun!

Really loving the blue. Not loving that boring door.

These next two are probably my favorite. The slanted shelves add such character. Not sure if it would be as effective in a ceiling that wasn't lofted and slanted though as well.

This is simply art. I want to live in this room.

 That's all for now I suppose. In totally unrelated news, I've been following the Royal Wedding taking place at the end of the month like a freakin' stalker, so I will probably end up spewing my crazy all over this page in the coming weeks. Prepare for my disgusting gushing ;)

Baby Fever

My oldest, craziest lovely best friend is pregnant. Due a week after I graduate, I'm DETERMINED to get to that baby when she gets here! It's killing me to not be around to see M's belly grow, so I try to check in on her and the baby as often as possible. Last time we were home together was Christmas, and just for the heck of it, we stopped in a craft store at home. We had just left a bookstore where we got some coffee and each took a baby name book to give her ideas. It was so much fun- I think I would offer to do this with random strangers! We then moved next door to the craft place, and that got us talking about nursery decorating ideas. She was not at all expecting to get pregnant so soon and was desperate to get started with a theme before she got to the waddling-feet-hurt part of her pregnancy. Well, true to form, I think about this kind of stuff way more than I ought. I've always had this weird thing for sailboats, but since she's having a baby girl, that wouldn't fit. We walked all over the store, throwing around a million ideas, and finally had to call it a day. Just as we were leaving, I saw some empty birdcages against the wall by the register (one of my favorite random house decorations- I'm fascinated by them). "That would actually be kinda cool...." M's face just lit up! So imagine my excitement when I talked to her after a shower yesterday and she told me she got some bird stuff! I can't wait to see it when she's finished. She's such a quirky, funny person, but also great at sewing and very creative. It's going to be one of a kind for sure.
I for one am so pumped to do this one day myself. The trick is doing something that can last for a while. Even though I would bawl every episode of Extreme Home Makeover, darn if they didn't always give a 10 year old girl a Miley Cyrus themed room or something. Honestly? That's going to be cool for about 10 minutes and that poor girl will have to stare at that til she's 16. Forget about having any sleepovers, honey!
Anyway, like I said, for a boy, I love the idea of doing sailboats. I think it would be easy to transition as he got older, and could at least last him until middle school. For instance (excuse me while I indulge myself)

 I think it would be cool to make one wall a wallpaper of an older looking map of the world

 And have a model sailboat of course- neutral versions of the traditional navy, red, etc. like this

 Once he was out of a crib we could maybe do a bed like this?

 Back in 1961, Ethan Allen had the same idea

But this is much MUCH better. I'd do without the window treatment, but the rest is perfection. From the wood paneled walls, down to the anchor (I almost bought one in a thrift store the other day and then realized I was being ridiculous) and perhaps my favorite of any of these pictures the compass around the light fixture. See how easy it would be to take out the crib, put in a big boy bed and man up the bookshelves? We're talkin' a good 10 years at least without having to change the room too much! Even if just the map and the anchor and a grown up model sailboat survived, it'd be worth it!

 I'd definitely frame a few photos like this on the opposite wall

 I have no words. This is just so stinkin' cute I can't even take it

Awesome idea for a mobile isn't it?

Not that I've thought about it or anything....Hmmm but what if I have a girl? Oh boy....


WAIT! I've got it- P E A C O C K S!!!