My new therapy:

Intern in the Hub

In the meantime, how awesome is this photo?

David Beckham with sons Romeo and Cruz

Just kidding!!  Okay, I know that when I start talking about astrology and other New-Agey things people start getting a little weirded out, but a few weeks ago when I was home my mother and I had a tense misunderstanding that I think can be explained by this book:

Yes, Never Throw Rice at a Pisces definitely explained it all.  But let me backtrack for a minute to the beginning of the story.  The setting was Deep Eddy, a pool in Austin that has a chlorinated and a spring-fed section (kind of a non sequitur, but interesting none-the-less).  My mom and I were sitting on the edge of the pool and I tried to bring up some fun wedding topics (color schemes, signature cocktails) and my mom was (as usual) not interested and somewhat antagonistic, which threw me into a self-pitying state.  We hashed out the misunderstanding on the drive back home and the critical moment was the following exchange:

My mother:  What I really don’t understand is why you haven’t gotten a wedding planner yet.

Me:  You think I should spend thousands of dollars on a wedding planner??

My mother:  No, I mean a wedding planning binder/book.

Typical Virgo-Gemini throw down, according to Never Throw Rice, which I found the next day at Book People when I set out to look for a non-pastel wedding organizer.  This book immediately distilled some of the major issues that surround my own experience with wedding planning.  According to the author Gemini brides will enjoying researching wedding details (yes) but have difficulty committing/making decisions (yes) unlike our Virgo  counterparts who are extremely detail-oriented and perfectionistic, ie the ones who buy a wedding organizer before their engagement rings are even re-sized.

The outcome of this story?  I now have an electric pink binder/book complete with plastic envelopes for all of my wedding materials, business cards, color swatches.  And my mother and I have temporarily tabled the discussion of signature cocktails.

I am back in Austin for a week where the temps are spiking at 100 degrees, reconfirming my understanding that if you want a seaside June groom, better to have the wedding in New England! And speaking of New England beachiness, Kathryn over at Snippet and Ink is doing a week of beach-inspired idea boards. They’re all fabulous, but the New England beach wedding one is just the scheme I’m going for: blues and hydrangeas and the natural hues of the sand, clam shells and driftwood.

Here’s a peak:

Let that be a lesson to us all!

So, I’m dying to know: what did everybody think?  I’m really not sure what the critics are complaining about–the movie version of Sex and the City was like watching 5 episodes with higher production values and more loose ends being tied up by the end of the film.

Can anyone explain the black, red and blue bridesmaid dresses?  Patricia Field, please?

Oh, I love this–it really adds a new dimension to the peacock-themed wedding:

Loved the whole NY Public Library scene!  So Spanish and dramatic!  So Lorca!

On Memorial Day I dragged my dad and grandmother (the other Grace!) out to Narragansett to see the South Ferry Church (since I had only seen it in photos).  It was beautiful, if somewhat off the beaten path (which in Narragansett is Boston Neck Rd/ Scenic 1A).  My dad was concerned that parking would be scarce for the 150 person capacity the church reportedly has.  How very Texan to be concerned about parking!  I told him about the wedding photos I love where everyone in on bicycle.

And here is the Narragansett town beach:

I just got around to looking at the photos from this recent royal wedding. I love the subdued tones of the castle, horse and carriage and the bridesmaids celadon gowns.

And oh, the hats!

Sorry for the breakizinho! I’m been busy engagement partying, graduating and turning 26! In honor of this, and the fact that it has been exactly 10 years since I turned 16 today, and in light of my recent croquet post, I am posting this photo from my famed sweet 16 croquet party. I’m that happenin’ gal in yellow.

Ann Taylor dresses I’m digging as engagement party/ garden party/ rehearsal dinner frocks:

Cynthia Rowley “Dirty Dishes”

Bags from Mabel’s shop:

When I have pangs of sadness about not marrying in Texas, I now have a reference photo:

Am I crazy, or does it look like sweat is literally dripping from their faces?  Looks like it was a hot one for Jenna and Henry!  So when I the occasional mixed feelings about having an Ocean State wedding I just need to remember that no matter how hot it will be here in June 2009, it will be much, much hotter in the heart of Texas.

Since the lilacs are in full force here in RI I thought I would post my “Self Portrait with Lilacs” that I did today.  This was the most fragrant painting experience I’ve had yet.