[Celebrating the first day in a month not spent with dirt caked under my fingernails with Raventos i Blanc pink cava.]
Now that you know I’ve been bananas busy like my backside’s on fire—so busy—I thought it’d be a good time to put a few more dirty socks on that pile and tell you about two more glorious projects I took on in the midst of the mayhem: the bathroom renovation we’ve undertaken and are doing completely by ourselves (follow along at Our Own Fan House tumblr, but promise you won’t go too far back—it gets embarrassing) AND I revamped the entire backyard/garden just in time to be a part of the 75th annual Garden Tour on our street.
True to form, I wasn’t going to say no and not join in. Disappointing people: not in my DNA.
You don’t just “not partake”—there are emails, flyers, forms to fill out—this is serious business on our street. And I didn’t just participate—most houses do, opening their back gates up to crowded alleys full of Richmonders who descend on our tiny 3 blocks to pop in and out of gardens for the day—I competed.
Even with all the work I had to do, I spent every Saturday for four weeks slaving away, making numerous trips to Lowe’s and back, hauling, lifting and pulling until my legs would quake and my hands were bleeding. I laid bags of rocks, planted maple trees, hauled enormous pots around, weeded, mulched…
The day before the tour day was judging day, and it was a total wash. Miserable, rainy, and cold. You can imagine how thrilled I was, given how much I’d sacrificed to get ready for the damned thing. Eli, in a regular display of fortitude, opted to stay outside and hunt birds despite the weather. I made him a pallet so his little cat butt cheeks would stay dry:
My mom sorta looked at me sadly and said, “No good deed goes unpunished,” and I literally was so done, it didn’t matter.
Also: don’t ask me what the theme was, because I don’t know—Japanese bohemian Victorian?
Then, the sun came out, everything dried up, and it was the most gorgeous day ever. All worth it.
Pictured above: proud parents.
Because, it was all worth it—we won 3rd place in the small yard category! Here I am shocked post-win at the annual cocktail party, Bluecoat martini in hand:
Now that that’s done, off to Lowe’s to empty my bank account on beveled subway tile.
Cheers!
-C.
[Deets for the cheap seats: top photo/ Dolce Vita shorts + Sigerson Morrison April suede sandals + vintage turquoise squash blossom / bottom photo: Anthro sweater + B-Low the belt belt + Which We Want dress, Need/Supply.]
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