Girls' night out

Girls' night out is taken very seriously among girlfriends of the 325. Especially when girlfriends are home from London. Last night, GNO was in danger of becoming Girls' night in. Thunderstorms threatened my outdoor "Swank Mexican Fiesta." This was a real problem because the dining room is being prepped for painting and is a total mess. When the world gives you lemons, make mojitos!

The deck furniture was moved to the front porch, where we would be covered from rain

I strung tiny white lights and flowering vines

The dining area

Humidity

Gazpacho

Mojitos

Dinner served. Gazpacho, flank steak and chicken fajitas with grilled onions and peppers, and Spanish rice.

P.S. It never rained.

College

This weekend, 325 hosted its first "325 Invitational Beirut Tournament." Beirut is a solid party tradition among our friends, most of whom still believe they are still in high school, 325 owners included. So we decided to celebrate the return of our good friends the W's by partying like it was 1996.

The W's thanked us by making us this ridiculously awesome Beirut table. Most tables are made out of plywood, and you really have to know Meg's mom, Michelle, to appreciate this, but this table is made out of solid birch! It was then hand painted in Ralph Lauren's finest. Let me just tell you, there is no quicker way to B's heart than a birch, Ralph Lauren, hand-painted, 325 monogrammed, Beirut table. Best. Hostess. Gift. Ever.

Considerably heavier than plywood, they rented a van to deliver the prized table!

The biggest difference between parties in 1996 and 2008 is the inclusion of offspring. Here are Matt and Meg with internet celebrity, TCW. Note adorable American flag jumper.

It's true what they say on the George Lane Blog, this kid is happy.

Tournament winners, PD and AS

Thunderstorms forced us into the garage for the rest of the night.

Then the power went out. As you can see, we continued to have a great time.

More great hostess gifts

From CD and PD. I LOVE this frame from the Metropolitam Museum of Art Store. Also, how pretty is their stationery? As I recall their wedding stationery was similar, and this card reminds me of them as a couple.

MM brings creativity and fun with her always. Can't wait to get into these.

To my dad

Here's to 325's favorite handyman, my dad.

Buh-bye

I've been tagged

Fun. Thanks, Teal Chic!

1) What did you do ten years ago?
Ten years ago, I was a junior in college. Actually, Memorial day weekend marks ten years exactly that I started dating my now husband. I wasn't old enough to drink.

2) Five items on your to-do-list today?
In order:
a) Put dinner in crock pot
b) Gym
c) Home Depot
d) Food store
e) Dry cleaner
f) Work from home
(All complete except for (e). I forgot to go to the dry cleaner--again)

3) Snacks you enjoy?
Right now I'm loving:
a) Robert's American Gourmet Pirate's Booty
b) Haagen Dazs chocolate chocolate chip ice cream
c) Strawberries
d) S'mores
e) Guacamole with fresh cilantro from the garden

4) What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Hmm, tough question. At the risk of sounding like a total martyr, I do believe I would use a significant portion of it to try and make the world a better place. I would also travel a lot more. I would live by the beach.

5) Places you would live?
I would live in any of these places--again
a) New York
b) Montreal
c) Washington, DC

Bloggers I am passing this challenge off to:
St James Street Renovation
George Lane Blog

Herb Garden

More props to the previous owners of 325. They planted this herb garden long before we moved in. I heart herbs from the garden. I don't see the sense in buying them at the store for $2.99, when you can buy a whole plant for the same price, which replenishes itself all season and grows back every year.

Thyme, basil, sage, dill

Jho's peppers: jalapeno, banana, and cubanelle

Here in NJ the strawberries are a few weeks away from being ripe, but down in VA at St. James Street Renovation the strawberries have probably already been eaten.

Flea market find

One of the things I love about the blog Teal Chic is that she is always asking her readers for opinions on her great finds. Over the Memorial Day weekend, I found these mirrors at a flea market in Pennsylvania. I want to touch them up a bit and paint. I thought about painting one turquoise to match the other turquoise accents in the lair. But I also like the idea of painting it the same creamy white as the other furniture and fabric in the room, so that the other turquoise elements really pop. I bought two and was thinking they might look nice next to one another somewhere else in the house. SO--you've seen the house, what do you think?


I'm also curious if anyone knows anything about this mirror? I was intrigued by the detail on the top panel. As mentioned, I'm not a designer, so I don't know a lot about furniture. Perhaps knowing more about them will help me to place them...