fixin' the ole basement...

we have a gianormous basement that's totally not utilized to its maximum potential. of course i have grand plans of renovating it into a laundry room, playroom/man cave, added storage and updating the disgusting random 1/2 bath that's down there, but for now we've settled on a laundry/craft area for me and a more finished storage area with a little office nook.

thank god i work in construction and know amazing people who can help me get this work done for a reasonable price (because i have million dollar expectations with a $5 budget).

here are the before pictures...(excuse the mess)...

                     

and here are some progress shots with the framing in place. you can begin to see the laundry room defined, a few closets and the office nook under the stairs (not pictured) taking shape. thrilling pictures, i know. there's A LOT left to be done (electrical, plaster, trim, painting, flooring) but it's good to know it's underway...

i have a good excuse...

sorry i've been m.i.a. from blogging lately, but i have a good excuse...

this happened...

currently reading...

we're headed to jamaica in a couple of weeks, so i'm saving our march book group book for the beach. i can't tell you how very excited i am to dive into the end of your life book club by will schwalbe...

"This wasn’t the only project mother and son embarked upon together during her illness. Mary Anne, a lifelong reader, and Will, then the editor in chief of a major publishing house, began trading books to discuss when Will accompanied his mother to her chemotherapy sessions. As its title suggests, these discussions are the ostensible subject of Will Schwalbe’s memoir, “The End of Your Life Book Club.” But just as the books themselves served as excuses for Mary Anne and Will to talk of difficult things — particularly mortality — the book club serves here as an excuse for a loving celebration of a mother by a son." via nytimes

summer cocktails...

now that we have officially switched back to it being lighter longer, i've proposed to a friend a few summer cocktails we should start thinking about throwing back in the warmer months...

 pretty in pink
4 oz. Sparkling white wine
2 oz. lemonade

½ oz. lemon juice

splash of cranberry juice

garnish with mint leaves

dirty shirley
1oz cherry flavored vodka

5-6 oz sprite

Dash of grenadine syrup

garnish with a cherry

moscow mule
1 oz vodka

1 tsp simple syrup

fresh lime juice

1/2 cup ginger beer

1 sprig fresh mint

1 slice of lime

which would you choose to drink this summer?

vintage scarf necklace diy...

while we were abroad on vacation mom picked up a copy of cloth magazine, a british 'make it your own' magazine full of great sewing projects. one in particular i'd like to try is making a necklace out of a vintage scarf...

fresh cut...

yeah, so, this happened over the weeekend...

i think it suits him, no?

volunteering in the name of the prom...

saturday morning my mom and i had the great pleasure of volunteering at the metrowest princess boutique, an amazing event that allows girls to get prom dresses by easing the financial burden for them and their family. seriously? how awesome is that?...

dresses, shoes, make-up, jewelry, clutches, pashmina's...everything...donated. mom was one of the seamstresses, sewing & tailoring the dresses for each of the girls while i worked over in jewelry accessorizing the girls after they'd selected their dresses. it was so exciting to see the girls trying on their dresses, learning how to put on make-up, and blinging up their outfit with necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets.

i'd definitely like to volunteer at this event next year and will be asking many of you to send me your gently worn shoes, pashmina's, bridesmaid dresses, clutches, jewelry to donate for the 2014 event...AND/OR come volunteer with me. the gfwc marlborough junior woman's club did a great job organizing this event, kudos!