Pillow and the Orient Express

I needed a little pillow for my office chair and had so much cute fabric upstairs, so as a part of my resolve to Use-What-You-Have, I made this little pillow after getting home late last night.

Speaking of last night, every year the president of my university hosts a Faculty Dinner. The past couple of years have had themes and we all are encouraged to dress according to the theme. Well, this year's theme was the 1930's and 1940's Orient Express. Everyone was so gorgeous! Some people dressed like gangsters (even with fake tommy guns), others wore vintage stoles and pill box hats. But, my favorites were the two Kinesiology profs who both dressed up as boxers. They had white dress shirts, suspenders, newsboy caps, and vintage boxing gloves. They were sooo cute! And, on top of the cuteness of the outfits, the dining room was decked out with old luggage and other decorations straight out of the Orient Express. I even sat on pillows at a short table with a few others that mimicked a table from Turkey. I tell ya, we had a blast!

Categories: crafts_sewing

I did it!!!

I finally committed. I bit the bullet. I took the plunge. [enter your saying here].

I have a real - live and kicking - website!

http://www.bookwormadventures.com

Thanks to my Dad for giving me space on the official McLaughlin website, but I wanted to experiment with databases and other potentially website-crippling technologies that I really needed my own space. So, (for those non-family members reading this. Are there any? Hello, anyone?), if you want the family details, go to http://www.mclaughlin.web.st/mclaughlins/Welcome.html.

Otherwise, check out my new site for online photo albums and the occassional video. The blog is staying put for the time being.

You notice how late it is?!? I'm going to bed!

Categories: new_house

Corners of my home - Bathroom

It's a few hours early, but I doubt I'll be awake enough in the morning tomorrow to post this. For this week's "Corners of my home" I thought I'd highlight an area of the house people rarely highlight: the bathroom. Specifically, how the sweet yellow walls contrast with the bathrobe and old needlework that my sis gave me.




BTW, I'm pretty sure a cricket or two have gotten in through that cute old fashioned window. Just to add a bit of reality to the shots.

Categories: new_house

Monday Memories

I've been threatening my new sisters-in-law that their husbands once wore a dress. Well, here's the proof. I think my favorite aspect are the thumbs-up by Marshall. Hope ya'll enjoy. Now, go tease the boys.

Categories: my_family

Look, girls! Is it not a fine prospect?

Since I now live at Netherfield Hall, I thought I'd start a regular series showing corners of my new house. For now, be prepared to see lots of boxes but his first shot is for my mom. This room is called the Great Room and is the first room you enter from the front entrance. There's a fireplace on the right and two (of the four) bedrooms are through that door on the left. My master bedroom is down the hall on the right. Sometime later, I'll post pictures of the upstairs and kitchen.

Categories: new_house

Wedding Gift

I decided recently that I like to sew quick projects that I can finish in a couple or few days. But, since I have no need for so many purses and bags, that I ought to give them away. And, since many of my friends are gettin' hitched this summer, what better way to have fun sewing and give a unique gift. So, the following for a friend's wedding. She was in my group of 7 who went to Paris this past January so, I figured that her purse should be somewhat chic and dressy, just in case she and her new hubby jet across the pond to the City of Lights. Enjoy Melinda!

New Home!

For those who haven't visited or seen pictures yet, here's my new home! Most of my stuff are still in boxes and my furniture (expect the bed) is still in the entryroom waiting for strong houseguests to help me move it. The house is a 1920 English Tudor on a quiet residential street close to my campus. It has two fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, hardwood floors, pool, new landscaping, and even a big screen HD TV!

My favorite things so far about the house is being able to walk barefoot on wooden floors and not hearing noisy neighbors stomping or blaring loud music.