Etcetera: Trippin' and signin'

Last week was a whirlwind....but it was a week so full of goodness and fun that I am having a hard time getting back into the swing of reality around here these past two days!We started our trip visiting family in Virginia for a day and then drove up to Frederick, Md for a signing at the barn.....now under new ownership, and with a new name....Sweet Clover.   We stayed with Cassie B and her family while in Frederick, and it was such a fun time getting to know them better while at the same time feeling like we had known each other forever. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and could have stayed up all night talking!As you can see from the pictures, the barn was a beautiful and peaceful place nestled in on a working horse farm {my daughter B was all about that!}. The barn is packed full of goodies from all different vendors and I did not walk away empty handed! I purchased the sweetest little metal and wood milking stool ...and still need to find where it will land in my home! It was wonderful to meet new friends who had come from far and near, to sign books, and just enjoy!On our way up to NYC from Frederick we stopped in Gettysburg to have lunch with my good friend Marian and her husband which was a nice treat...and then...since we were in Gettysburg we did a quick drive by and through of the battlefields and all of the history  that is in that area.....it was pretty fantastic!Then we headed to NYC for the signing at Pink Olive! It had been over a year since I had been to the city, and I absolutely could not wait! I feel like the city is my second home and told my husband..." I can't wait for my first inhale of city air"......yes, it's that good. We stayed at the Lexington Hotel which we booked through Hotwire..... but were a little nervous about it since upon being informed what hotel we were at it said "under renovation". Sometimes that can be a bad thing....but in this case the hotel was absolutely gorgeous and we stayed in a brand spanking new room that was so beautiful it just made you happy to be staying there...period. The hotel staff was amazing and I can't say enough about them....great experience.We had planned a few extra days in the city and we packed so much in! On Saturday we had the signing at Pink Olive in East Village...and as I walked up the street I saw the bright orange and pink balloons welcoming me....and then when I stepped inside.....oh my! Grace had decorated the shop and made it even more beautiful and special just for Furniture Makeovers....and I was absolutely beside myself! Thank you to Molly from Glitter + Rye for making the event so very special.......and to B Cake NY for the amazing cupcakes with the little sugar Furniture Makeovers books on top! All of the details were just so very exciting and special! I got to meet blog friends face to face for the first time, completely new friends that blew me away, my brother and his family drove down from upstate NY just for the event......and  hanging out where it all began 6 years ago was just a dream...really.We shopped and shopped til we dropped {yes, I came home with new shoes}, we ate pizza, we saw a Broadway show, attended the Stationary Show, had dinner with friends, and all in all..........it was a SPECTACULAR week! I love making memories, and have the best friends and family a girl could ever ask for!Have a great long weekend!xo,Barb