Get thee to Barcelona

Due to a rare cosmic alignment, the Nation was able to score super affordable tickets to the Mediterranean playground of Barcelona for Memorial Day holiday.  In less than 2 days, Nation and Baby Bro will embark on a little academic reconnaissance mission. 

Checkout the view from our uber lux hotel

Gran Hotel La Florida

Planning to take breakfast La Boqueria

Kisoko Universal

Perhaps watch a little match, you may know it as the UEFA Championship League Final!

Take in the sites and sounds of the city

Segrada Familia

Full report upon my return!

Peace, Nation

I think a saw a ghost...chair!

As future-hubs and I prepare for our new home, I must admit, I struggle with what to furnish our new home with.  If future-hubs had his way, our home would be clad in wood paneling and dark leather.  And the home wouldn't be complete without the classic smoking cigar indian statue in the corner.  But since that's not happening anytime soon (he can design his future man cave any way he sees fit), I continue to struggle with the style of our home-to-be. 

I am a traditionalist at heart and love the Louis 16th era for it's simple elegance and grandeur but I do not like applying one era of style as it makes for a dated look.  With the plethora of design inspiration on the web, I eventually found the look that worked for me ... care of Lynne Scalo Design.  I love the marriage of French elegance and modern whimsy, particularly the clean and fresh color palette, modern crystal chandelier, acrylic coffee table... ah heck, I love this entire room!  Did I mentioned my obsession with tufted anything?

What I take away from this room is that you can achieve the perfect balance between traditional and modern by blending modern materials and textures with classic shapes and lines.  It's a look I hope to bring into my new home. 

And in my quest for design zen, I am happy to share my new find: the acrylic ghost chair in the style of Louis XVI.  Is that a fun or what?

Stay well Nation!


 

Somewhere over a rainbow and beyond a monsoon

Hi Nation - Last I wrote, I had a week to go before the party ... and what a week it was!

Between the last minute shopping runs, the late hours at work, and the million other things I like to fill my days with, I managed to pull myself together for a very fun (if I do say so myself) engagement party... just about a year and a half after the proposal, but who is keeping track :)

Saturday came and my nerves, surprisingly, were steady.  Bit of an emotional morning remembering those who could not share this special day, but other than that, I took care of everything I could think of, catered lunch for the girls getting ready, thank you cards for the special people playing during or capturing the evening, music, hair, and makeup-I had it all under control.  

Claudine doing her magic

I'd say they're enjoying their meals

What I couldn't control, however, was the monsoon that hit in the afternoon.  I keep telling myself it's good luck (everyone kept reassuring me of that all day) but I've never seen rain like it!  It was mean rain, it was intent on ruining the day.  And it almost succeeded, but it was no match for the Nation - we had a show to put on :)

 

Getting my prep on

The chaos of getting 20 girls to the venue was soon forgotten the minute the music started playing.  You couldn't tell what was going on outside.  We were tucked away in a bubble of pure joy, music, dance, food and good times.

I'd like to report that the chandeliers were well worth the effort and the end result was beautiful (the pictures do not do them justice).  

Check out the chandeliers :)

Sad to report that the mercury glass did not fare so well.  Nation, please note that you should seal your paint if you will be using water.  Needless to say, the paint chipped off and you couldn't tell what the original vase looked like by the time the night started.  

Yanal's entrance was hilarious...he thought his friends were by his side, but slowly they let him take lead and he found himself walking alone to the front of the room...I kept telling him he was just that excited to see me.

Running ahead

He put the ring on my finger we exchanged hugs (keeping it PG) and then the party was off! 

Here's your ring - again

Dance, dance, and more dance....we covered all genres and traditions.  The Adiga dance practice paid off and the joug was a hit!

By the time we left the venue, the sky was clearing up and the monsoon was long gone.  More fun times at Portabello's and then a big sleep over to conclude the night.  

The next day was sunny and warm.  Perfect lazy sunday for recapping the festivus and refueling our bodies.

Fantastic breakfast next day

Still feeling the love from that night.  I want to thank my family, friends, and Yanal for making it possible :)

xo

Nation