Dream cottage: I love ivy-covered walls.

Temporary option for my dream library: faux-library wallpaper.

There is famine in Afghanistan, and drought in Kenya.

And in Liberia, the president is directly involved in torture.

And the war in the Congo has stopped only long enough for tens of thousands of people to literally run over the border with nothing but their children.

Pakistanis are freezing with no aid after a massive earthquake.

Bombs killed innocent, unsuspecting civilians going about their everyday business today in Afghanistan, India, and Thailand.

Many of the 350,000 children who Buckner serves everyday are hungry, because food prices have doubled or tripled in the world's poorest places.

We are so, so very lucky. I need to be more generous, and more grateful.

Happy Halloween

Thank you, Coco .

I love good design ideas so much. This shows a good solution for what to do when you have the back of a couch facing the door (from the vantage point of this picture, the front door is on the right). Just put a classroom table behind your couch, adorn with fiesty books and lamp, and voila!, you have a great focal point for your first impression through the door.

Wisdom from the Rink

My fiance is very into sports. His favorite sport is hockey, which is not the norm in Texas. Earlier this year he responded to a post by his favorite hockey writer for ESPN, and now they email back and forth. Today B emailed me this:

This is a paragraph from John Buccigross' weekly column. John is my favorite ESPN personality. He write so well, providing hockey insight and sage wisdom at the same time. I love the way he makes hockey bleed into real life.

"Sometimes your life and your team have flow, and suddenly it all seems very easy with a building momentum. These moments are rare. Mostly, hockey and life are about grinding. You need to outwill your fellow applicant, employee or opponent and wait for those smooth times. If you are persistent and patient, they will come. A large number of people don't do this. By the way, you also can do all of this with grace and simple repetition. It's not that hard to be good to yourself and good to others while living and competing." - J. Buccigross

Lady in Red

I just can't help myself. My eye always goes to the red option- in hair, in shoes, anything.

Above is a really cute wedding idea: put your place cards on the chair. I'm thinking...The chair above is a chiavari chair, the same kind we're having, except ours are blonde wood. They are my least favorite part of our reception decor, because light colored wood sticks out against all the deep, rich reds. I wonder, could we hide some of the chair by putting some sort of card tied with ribbon on each one? With a monogram, or picture, or something? Even if there were only, say, three per table, that could still have an impact. Something to consider.

I feel a trip to Hobby Lobby coming on.

French and pheasant feathers? Say that three times fast. And yes, please!

King Tut & My Dream House

This weekend B and I went to see King Tut at the DMA! I cannot believe that this empire allowed a 9-year-old to sit on the throne, much less to lead a revolutionary religious overhaul. He changed the gods of the nation. We are very lucky that our leaders have lots of checks on their power, and that we get to choose them.

In other news, I move into our new apartment on Wednesday! I am dreaming of my new home:

I like the idea of pushing several short, wide dressers together on a bedroom wall. Ben currently has one of these Ikea dressers:

So maybe we could buy another and put them side-by-side on a wall?
Secondly, I LOVE this idea, of putting the bookshelves in the dining room. It's like dining in the library, which we all know I would love, since I am obsessed with libraries.

This weekend I also participated in Early Voting, and it was so easy! I have only voted in Waco before, so this was my first time in Dallas County. Two differences:

1) In Waco, the campaign volunteers have to stand a certain distance away. In Dallas, mind you, they can jump up in your face, shove flyers at you, stop you to tell you things about their candidate, and hand you a nail file decorated with Tony Goolsby 's face. What?!

2) In Waco, you get an adorable little "I Voted" sticker.

In Dallas, you do not get this sticker. Even if you ask. I know.

The reason I really needed, not only wanted, this sticker, is that B & I are going to a party on Election Night, and I get in free with the sticker, and now I'll have to take my stamped voter card instead, which is not nearly as cute. If anyone wants to join us, you are welcome to.

This week's wedding to-do's:

-Move into Newlywed Love Nest, set up house

-Choose bridal portrait

-Make stickers for candy bags

-Find perfect color of satin ribbon

-Decide on videographer or not

-Proof wedding program

-Book wedding-day makeup

-Schedule last meeting with florist

-Finish rehearsal dinner slideshow, give to Best Man

26 days to go.

Hmm.

What is wrong with this picture?

http://www.harmlessasdoves.com/

Premiere & ReForm School

Last night I attended a Premiere house party at Eden's. Premiere is a jewelry company founded by the sweet Horner family in Dallas, and, like Avon or Mary Kay, is a great opportunity for lots of moms and young women to support themselves. I wish they had an online catalogue so I could show you their beautiful rings!

You can find these great cards by David Shrigly at my favorite new design shop, ReForm School Rules.

This poster has quite a history. It was originally designed by the British propaganda department during World War II to cheer up and strengthen the resolve of citizens facing the bombing of London. The crown is that of King George, QEII's father.

These adorable cloth mice are actually sachets, filled with organic lavendar. ReForm School also has an amazing library full of books on sustainable design and generally fabulous eco-chic living.

I am getting married in ONE MONTH! What a delightful season.

Coming soon: Bridal portraits, King Tut exhibit, ELECTION DAY, final floral consultation, final music consultation, move into the newlywed nest, Dad's 50th Birthday Bash, Baylor Homecoming, Sutton wedding, Bachelorette Party, Lingerie Shower, and the big wedding weekend.

A delightful season indeed.