10.01.04 be our guest

We came up with the idea of converting our humble back porch into a Parisian Bistro for a get-together with friends. We happened to be in the midst of the attic renovation, so we had some serious decorating to do. Like that was going to stop us.

Some leftover fabric leftover, old throw rugs, and decorations from around the house that were appropriately French-ish, and we had ourselves a cozy little outdoor café worthy of the quaintest neighborhoods in the City of Lights. Although the menu might've helped just a bit.

08.19.06 more authentic than olive garden

We have friends who've always wanted to travel to Italy, so we gave them the closest thing to it that we could afford. Our plan was to convert our backyard into a European courtyard garden and serve a traditional Italian dinner al fresco. Bringing Italy to them, so to speak. For one night, we would transport them across the Atlantic and the Mediterranean to a private table on the back patio of a wonderful little eatery that only the locals know about.

A collection of things from the house, a few wine crates and empty wine bottles, and some honest-to-god wine barrels, and our yard was ready to serve as the perfect setting for a magnificent Italian meal.

08.26.06 istanbul is constantinople

We had this great idea to invite some friends over and grill kebobs over an open fire in our backyard. And actually, grilling the kebobs was really beside the point, because what we were really after was an excuse to skewer some fresh pineapple, lightly coat it in a sauce of sugar and vanilla and lime, roast it over open coals until the sauce caramelized, and then serve it over homemade vanilla ice cream. That's how this whole thing started.

With a bit of imagination and creative use of stuff around the house, we managed to transform the patio into a Turkish Bazaar, complete with communal firepit. Dinner consisted of skewers of marinated beef, chicken, and vegetables that everyone roasted together over the firepit, then emptied into a large bowl of couscous seasoned with saffron and other spices. We passed the bowl around for everyone to serve themselves, using pieces of naan to scoop. And of course, dessert was the glorious pineapple skewers (and they were indeed glorious) that started this whole thing. Our guests even went home with little jewel boxes of Turkish Delight.

The end result? An Amazing Fantastic Terrifically Fabulous Party of Mindblowing Awesome.

07.01.07 extreme home makeover has nothing on us

On Thursday, June 28th, we snuck into our dear friends' (well family, really) house while they were away for a guerrilla decorating project. Our mission: to completely makeover their living and dining rooms using only paint, a hundred bucks, and 36 hours of backbreaking labor.

This is how it went.

01.15.12 the room fairy sprinkles a little magic

Transforming a room to more properly befit a little girl who loves pink, purple, dinosaurs, books, sea turtles, cooking, and princesses.

We take this godparent thing very seriously.