Bring out the Bubbly!

Happy Birthday to Me!

In honor of this big, monumental Birthday, I thought I would post some thoughts about the subject. As everyone knows, turning 30 is a big deal. In fact, I found a bunch of blog postings online on this very subject. I guess a lot of people have a lot to say about this particular birthday :) So, I thought I would join in!

I can honestly say that I am okay with turning 30, because I've got big, fun things happening to me in my life right now. B. and I have been married for 5 years, yes, it's been a tad emotional (anyone who knows us is agreeing) but we've overcome it all. We still love each other, and it's only brought us closer. This month, we've also bought a house in an adorable neighborhood, AND I'm feeling more confident about my career path and where I hope it will lead.

Good things are finally happening for the Carver Clan. Copper agrees, He's very excited about his new backyard, and the fact that he has a whole entire room to himself in the house. He's pretty psyched.

Please read this post about being 30 that I found online, and let's all embrace it, 30 Somethings. Let's face it, none of us feel old, so obviously we were mistaken when we were 16 and thought 30 was old. So, have a glass of champagne and feel fabulous.


"Samaraleigh feels comfortable being in her 30s:

I remember when I was quickly approaching my thirtieth and my older friends would rant and rave about how great the big 3-0 was. Back then, in my 20-something naïveté, I thought it was a big old lie they were telling me. To make them feel better about getting older. I quickly discovered it was not a lie at all. Since turning 30 some 7 years ago I have learned a lot about me. I don’t feel the need to sugar coat my words, or explain my actions. I don’t apologize for my mistakes and I no longer beat myself up over them either. I don’t live by someone else’s definitions of what I should be, how I should look or what I should wear. My madness is my own, even without rhyme or reason.
I can drink with the best of the 20-something crowd. But I have the wisdom to know when to stop. I take pleasure in my size 10 frame. I have a level of confidence that most women in their 20s have yet to discover. The type of confidence that attracts men of all ages. From 22-62. Yeah, you can’t do that in your twenties."

Hello City!

Given that I have a new found appreciation for Richmond, I am looking at it through much different eyes. And I have to say, I like what I am seeing. I think it's time that I give Richmond some much deserved props for all of it's growing up and expanding that it is doing.

As of May 1, 2010, Richmond re-opened the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. And I have to say, it is an amazing Art Museum. Now, before you say that this is old news, I would challenge you to actually go and check it out. Because when you do, you will agree. Now that the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has had it's face lift, it's unrecognizable!

It feels hip, and open, and modern. Very urban and New York-ish. Anyone who has spent any time in New York's Museums will know what I am talking about. Being inside makes me want to curl up in the lobby in one of it's red, retro, chairs and read a good art book with a cappuccino and biscotti. I love it. My friend and I went last week, and had a glass of wine in it's newly redesigned restaurant and it was amazing.

Really. You should check it out. As always admission is free, and they have tons of great events coming up. Plus, on Thursdays it's open later...I may even get a membership.

Check it out!

http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Default.aspx

Staining

Hello friends,

I apologize that I have fallen off the face of the Earth for the past several weeks, things have been a tad hectic. But, more news to come on that later.

The reason for this post is to show of my new "staining skills." Who knew refinishing furniture could be so fun? I'm rather obsessed with doing it (I have about 4 more pieces that I want to do.) But, really what's not to like? You get to keep your cash by making good "old" furniture new again, with a new color and hardware.

So, here's our chest before:

And here's the beaut after: (please note that the lighting in the room was horrible, and you really can't tell how dark the color is. It's now a deep chocolate brown, and very glossy.)

It looks fab. We are going to convert it into our bar. Our wine rack fits perfectly, and we are going to get this from Bed, Beth, and Beyond for our glasses to finish the look.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14914927

Love it! Staining in so easy, so if any of you out there need tips, please let me know! Happy Staining!

Local Cupcake News!

Can I say that I love Richmond Bizsense? For those of you that don't know about it, it's like the daily gossip column on all things with local Richmond businesses. I really love it. Especially since I want to own a small business here one day soon, I'm really hooked. http://www.richmondbizsense.com/

Anyway, I love that I found this out today. I can admit, that I am a little jealous (remember when I said that my cupcakes tasted better than these?) But, it's still an amazing opportunity for Frostings! Good luck guys!

Food Network show Cupcake Wars asks Frostings to audition

From Richmond BizSense:

“The producer was adamant that we use the video to highlight who the chef and assistant [Matt Fraker and Tricia Argoe] are as people. She wanted a glimpse into them, their lives outside of cupcake baking and what kind of charisma they have been working together.” Ferrell said they were less interested in the actual process of baking their cupcakes for this segment. Fraker and Ferrell contacted local video production company Mediapond to put together the video on short notice and sent it to the network.“Now that we’ve sent them the video, it moves to the next level of producers. We get the sense that they’re casting for multiple episodes.”

Ferrell said Frostings will be notified by the end of March if they’ve made the cut to be featured in an episode of Cupcake Wars.The premise of the show: Four cupcake bakers, each of whom gets to bring an assistant, are put through a series of challenges. In each round, they are given an assortment of secret ingredients and a time limit to bake their creations. There is a panel of judges who evaluate each contestant on creativity, taste and presentation. After each round, someone is voted off.

The winner of the show gets $10,000, and their cupcakes are featured at a culinary event.“It’d be unreal to have a chance to compete on Cupcake Wars,” Ferrell added. “We’re very proud of our cupcakes and we know we can go toe-to-toe with any other cupcake bakery in the country.”

Treasure Hunting

Over the weekend, B. and I scored this great chair on Craigslist, for only $25! I am absolutely in love with it. It has so much more detail on it than I had originally thought, so when we saw it we knew it was coming home with us. I'm imagining it as an accent chair in the guest room or in the foyer.

Here are some photos of our lovely new chair:



(There are a few spots on the seat that need to be "re-canned" but B. and I are going to take a one day class to learn how to redo it. See, we got a new chair AND get to learn a new skill)



(Don't you love this cushion from World Market?)




(Some of the details on the chair..and if you squint you can see the brass seal on the inside of the seat)

This weekend, I also went to an antique show and got some fabulous vintage earrings. I heart them so much, I have planned my outfits around them so I can wear them this week. Don't worry, I'll post pictures of them soon. :)

Have a great day everyone!

Thought for the Day

I beg.....you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.

Don't search for the answers, which cannot be given to you now because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions for now, perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually without even noticing it live your way into the answer.

- Ranier Maria Rilke



(ummm.....was this written entirely for me? I found this online and it has made my entire day.)

Happy Day Everyone!

Copper loves the snow

Hello!

In Lieu of more exciting news (such as where we will be moving) I have decided to keep my dear blogging friends up to date on what has been going on since our New York trip. Now, don't get too excited, it's not much. I haven't met any celebrity chefs this month, I know...bummer. But we have been doing a bit of frolicking in the snow, furniture refinishing, and taking pictures of our dog.

B. and I continue to forge forward in our search for where we will be living. No real leads yet. We still would love to live in Charlottesville, so our focus is there. But, are keeping all options open (job? anyone?) and looking forward to the day comes when we can MOVE!

(Quick poll...how should we let you guys know where we are moving? What should the blog title be that day?)

Reminds me of when I was a sophomore in High School, I had a good friend who was anxiously awaiting to hear from the colleges she had applied to. She waited and waited everyday for THE letter to arrive. She long tired from us asking her everyday, "where? where? Did you hear yet??" So she devised this system, that when she found out, she would wear to school a sweatshirt from the school she got into.

Now, I can appreciate her idea.

Maybe one day, friends, you will open up this blog and see all sorts of information, maps, and visitor information for Miami, FL :)

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In the Meantime here are some photos:


a scenic winter view:




is that a Lab/Husky in the woods?


Charge!


Enjoy you the snow as much as our pal Copper here!