5/21/07

The Difficulties of Shopping For A Couch

Who knew that shopping for a couch would be so difficult. I've been trolling Craigs List and eBay; testing at Crate & Barrell, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie and Jennifer Convertibles; drooling at Natuzzi. I was told that they would be having a Memorial Day Weekend Sale and Fred the sales manager said that some floor samples would be 70% off. There was a gorgeous red leather sectional (too big I know but maybe in pieces), the Osaka...it was so comfortable. We'll have to wait and see.

5/13/07

Ambiance Antique Center

what would be your personal utopia? for friends of mine moving to a quaint town in Warren County just off Rt. 80W/Ex.12- Blairstown in North Jersey was the first step...They've since purchased and renovated a Victorian house in Belvidere and set up shop at their very own antique center, Ambiance.

If your interests lie in turn of the century decor Ambiance is the place to visit. Day trips to Warren County are heavily rewarded for antiquing aficionados, and it's a great side trip on a your way to the Poconos.

Bobby Hadrava, proprietor collects pieces at local estate sales and auctions. Stock photos can be seen www.belviderenj.com/ambiance.html.

Ambiance Antique Center
313 Mill Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-0032

Be sure to introduce yourself to Bobby and let him know that Andrea sent you.

5/12/07

May Rolls in Like a Bull



Ah May, sweet sunny May waking to a birthday serenade. Today is Dad's 82nd birthday; it's also Katie's, my dad's grandniece birthday, she turns 10. She called long distance from VA and together they sang Happy Birthday. That was a treat for Dad and a great way to start the day. Kristin & Sharyl each called to wish him a happy birthday and then we celebrated with chocolate cupcakes from Chelsea's famed Billy's Bakery (www.billysbakerynyc.com) for breakfast. Later in the day, my brother and the kids called leaving a cheerful message of good wishes on the answering machine.

2007 has been a good year so far, filled with lots of change...after 4 years I exchanged one set of intials for another and find myself back in the land of online media and loving it. I get to write and edit content all day long. It's an amazing feeling when your work is innate, something you love. All that effort (for the job search) and endurance (nearly 6 months worth of looking) finally paid off. I couldn't be happier.

In the few weeks before starting my new job I concentrated on the apartment but also stole a few days for a quick jaunt to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Two friends of mine, Emily & Tina accompanied me...it was the most relaxing and fun vacation I've had in a long time. Sleep. Eat. Beach. was my mantra. Dinner at Parrot Cay and Dragonfly; Corona and Smirnoff Ice. We stumbled upon a branch of Luquillo Beach
reserved for surfers that was absolute paradise. There we met a glass blower who made jellyfish and turtle pendants...I'll have to post a photo of the turtle at a later date.

The summer is nearly here (finally!)...the weather has been sporadic...but there are lots of fun things in store this summer: Dominique is back from Morocco, Lori & Alex's baby arrives; Ingrid & Stu's overdue wedding reception; there's the 5th Annual Moonlight Soiree, Uncle Dom's 80th Birthday and Charlotte turns 2; Steph & John's Wedding in Montauk...the big 3-6 come October.

Progress Takes Time

The apartment renovation is moving along. Sparked by the apartment Therapy Cure but lasting far longer than the 8-week cure.

The most up to date photos can be found http://homepage.mac.com/agp13/PhotoAlbum31.html.

I think prior photos included the laminated walls and new layout. Since then Carl my contractor has built and installed the cabinets, painted the walls (Benjamin Moore Semolina), tiled the floor (great 13x13 riverbed-ish tiles from Weissman's Discount Center) and grouted the tiles. Today he is installing the backsplash. I decided in addition to the marble subway tiles Liz so generously donated to the kitchen cause I would include 4x4 tumbled Venetian stone in a sandy beige. Still looking for a countertop solution. I may have a lead thanks to Kristin for a remnant granite distributor. I had hoped to keep the cost for this major renovation under $10K but it looks like it will cost roughly $15K. upon completion I will post total itemized cost as a reference.

Great Resource for matching paint colors: www.colorcharts.org