First of all, you're right. A bbq is not a bbq without beans and hushpuppies, corn bread, slaw and potato salad...AT LEAST. But I must say, "a grill filled with delicious meats" IS NOT a BBQ where I [and most southerners (where bbq was invented...)] am from. A bbq is pork. A whole pig or pork ribs or pulled pork. Meat on a grill is just grilling...

Isn't that platter to die for?! I love that you rarely see that kind of glass dish without an edge on it. So sleek!

And I personally LOVE the little lemon toppers (h)...I'm dreaming of a bright and sunny basil cupcake with lemon buttercream, topped off with those beauties! Yummy!

I actually have the same platters that I featured from Charm City. I found a huge stack of about 12 at a flea market a long time ago...and I LOVE them. It is so nice to have a set of matching platters that work for any kind of party and you never have to worry about what you're going to put stuff on!

I can't help you decide, though, because all of those things are great basics to have for all gatherings!

I like the idea of combining more modern looking cabinets like the st. charles with an old school formica pattern for the counters and big chill appliances. Its the perfect combination of new and old. I can just imagine Ernessa trying to mash potatoes with the back of a measuring cup in a swingy retro kitchen.
LA or greater LA is the perfect place to do your home this way! I LOVE all your finds!

I'm 7 out of 10...and I thought FOR SURE etc would more geeky than me...:-)

First of all, I love this series of posts. I get choked up every time I read one b/c I understand your concerns, but also because I hate that you are going through this level of worry/doubt/fear. I know its to be expected, but you just never want your friends to feel any pain no matter how normal it may be.

Secondly, I think the only way for Betty to grow up a confident child is for you to NEVER let her read this or see you doubt your own self worth. You may feel it everyday or every once in awhile, as we all feel it, but if a child knows that you feel fear regularly or doubt your worth, then they will begin to question their own. I mean, if mommy wonders why people love her at all, then why wouldn't she do same? Or, if you even just second-guess yourself too many times, maybe she'll mimic that behavior too throughout life. I say you should just try to fake it for her sake and then after years of false confidence, you'll start to believe it yourself and one day maybe you'll even see what everyone around you sees. And as a side note, I think a good mix of confidence and humility would be better than one or other...:-)

First of all, Betty will be "intelligent", a reader, introspective, and witty IF that is who she is. My mom raised four kids and none of us are the same. I would consider myself to be one thing, and my younger brother (who was in the same home with me the longest) to be completely different. We just are who we are and learning to accept and encourage what children are naturally is a tough thing for a parent who might be the complete opposite. Betty might just want to be popular or in talent competitions or a cheerleader and being the parent that supports that is what you should try to be. To me, its about introducing a child to a bunch of stuff and ways of life and then nurturing what makes them happy, what seems to fit.

And I'd like to clear up the raising-kids-in-Los-Angeles thing since I am one of the people that has said I'd rather not. My boyfriend and I have met many people raised here and we feel we can truly connect with about 1% of them. Its subtle. It has something to do with their sense of humor, their outlook on life, and what seems to be most important to them. Its not always the obvious "look pretty", "make money", and "never age gracefully". Sometimes its just the lack of a darker sense of humor. Sarcasm. Irony. Sometimes we say things that anyone, in any other part of the country would giggle at, but those natives just stare at us, glassy eyed and confused. They are not dumb, they just don't "get it". I live near a very big high school in LA and I worry about how jaded, how sad, and how old the kids here are. Dreams are crushed so easily by this city, and kids here are too close to it, I think.
And I'd like believe, because I'm trying to be more optimistic, that there is a place where I would feel comfortable letting my kids be free to play outside in cleaner air, pretend to be a star without living too close to one, dream big things without being jaded too early and also be exposed to great cultural differences, literature and art.
I'm sure that Betty will be awesome, and that you will do a amazing job, but once its all happening, it will be day by day and you will be doing the best you can no matter what the outcome. Thats how it always is.

I was just talking to ETC about this the other day b/c one of my family members was responsible for a large mixed income development in Pittsburgh that I thought was a brilliant scheme. The idea was to build beautiful new condos/ apartments/ townhomes that were different sizes and different prices. They were staggered throughout the complex, and labeled A, B, C, and D in price. That way, someone who would normally live in project housing with other low income families, would instead live next to a high income family and middle income one too. Their crown moulding might not be real wood, their stove might not be stainless, or it might not be three stories, but they were still in a diverse neighborhood and a nice place. I think more of these developments should happen. Building decent condos is pretty cheap in most states and there is no reason why they can't be more diverse within the structure themselves.

Jean Jeunet would be an awesome choice! And I would give my right EVERYTHING to work with him...

and I'm wearing a blue dress right now too. for reals.