Martha Made My Day!

You know you are getting old when you absolutely cannot wait for your CHINA CABINET to arrive. But in all fairness, Dave and I ordered this lovely gem from Macy's in late June, along with our new queen mattress (yes, we somehow have squeezed in a full-size for the last two years), so both are a long time coming. The cabinet apparently arrives in Chicago this week, and then all we have to do is schedule a delivery time.

It's the Martha Stewart Lily Pond East Hampton sideboard and hutch:


We own a loft, so I had a hard time finding something that was modern enough not to stick out like a sore thumb in our current digs, but to blend nicely into a more traditional home or dining room in the future. I love the dark wood matched with the pewter/silver hardware. So many were either brass, which would match nothing in our home, or just not the right stain. Plus, I love the light colored bead board on the back of the hutch, which make it a little more shabby than just chic.

Now I just need all the great china and crystal for which we registered!

Paris Hilton Ad in Response to McCain

This was just too funny NOT to post:

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

Bye, Bye Jennifer!

Ok, Project Runway is my one real show that I MUST watch weekly. And luckily, it works out nicely since it is the one weekday that I don't have to go to Wedding Bootcamp!

So anyway, tonight's challenge was great: To create the look for the women in the open ceremony of the Summer Olympics.

I'm all for creativity here, but C'MON PEOPLE! 90% of the looks were so bad, that they weren't even good for everyday wear, nonetheless Olympic Athletes. Dear designers, are you really so artsy-fartsy that you refuse to even use the colors of the American flag in the Olympians' outfits?? It's simple, USA = Red, White & Blue. Beyond that, feel free to be as innovative as you please.

I do have to say that Joe may be the darkhorse in this competition, though. Watch out for him. He's been strong in each challenge thus far, and has flown largely under the radar.

Although there were many disappointing designs this episode, they did make the right decision in the end. Bye, bye Jennifer.

What's in a name?

Ok, I know I am a bad blogger. One month between posts is unacceptable, so I'll try to be better!

But as I inch closer and closer to my wedding day, I realize there are some decisions that are bigger than centerpieces and hors d' oeuvres. For instance, in 90+ days I will become "Stephanie Married" instead of "Stephanie Maiden". Yikes!

I really struggle with the name change dilemma and feel different about it daily. I want to take my fiance's last name legally and for our eventual family, but I do feel like I have made SOMEWHAT of a name for myself professionally and am unsure of how a sudden change will effect it. (FYI: I am a recruiter and often times candidates find me thru searching linkedIn and referrals, etc.)

So should I change it legally and just transition into calling myself Stephanie Maiden Married for a while? Then eventually drop the Maiden?

Or do I stay Stephanie Maiden at work and Stephanie Married elsewhere?

I'd hate to make it all confusing, but then again what isn't confusing about living 27 years as a Maiden and then suddenly being called a Married??

Just one of the many struggles that ladies face, that men never even have to ponder.