One of the more strange, yet oddly satisfying aspects of blogging is making new friends in cyberspace. Relationships between bloggers develop over emails and comments left on each other's blogs. Last summer Megan, aka Beach Bungalow 8, and I started just such a friendship that neither one of us would have predicted would have lasted this long. Megan is a very talented interior designer and artist from L.A. She lives with her two darling daughters, and a few dogs, on a beautiful walk street in Manhattan Beach, one block from the Pacific Ocean. Can we say, jealous? At first, we talked about mundane things like drapes - how long do you like them, how do you combine blinds with drapes, things like that which only an interior designer would find even mildly interesting. Over time and endless emails, I realized that Megan is actually an hysterically funny person - maybe one of the funniest I've ever "known." We Instant Message each other late at night, when her two daughters are asleep and she has time to talk. I always wonder what my neighbors think when they hear me outside on my porch laughing hysterically to myself, out loud, at 1:00 in the morning. Megan can make me laugh that hard. Though she looks like a Parisian model, she's can be a total ditz. There's just something about the girl that I love - she's the Lucy to my Ethel.
Megan's Mexican wedding to Nick is just days ahead and so, today, design bloggers all over the world are gathering in cyberspace to throw her a bridal shower. So, Megan - here's my idea of a bridal shower for you and Nick. I hope you two have a long and happy life together and a new baby too!
For the shower, the guest list includes this group:
Megan's parents are sure to attend the shower, not so sure about Melissa Gilbert in the middle?
And Megan's sister, the talented AND famous ceramic artist, Deirdre Daw, on the left, will be sure to attend. Megan, on the right, of course will be there.
And a wedding shower wouldn't be complete without Megan's favorite TV Stars: The Duggars with, guess what - ANOTHER new baby. Don't be surprised if Megan shows up with Mrs. Duggar's hair style, she's been threatening to copy it.
And one last invite goes to Megan's childhood friend and neighbor - shoe guru Kate Spade.
The Address:
Beach Bungalow 8, of course! This is Megan's adorable home on a walk street in Manhatten Beach. How romantic can you get?
We'll open presents in Megan's living room with its beachy aqua walls and beautiful aqua linen slipcovered chairs. I love this room!
After we open the presents, those who are tired can take a nap in Megan's famous bedroom.
And those with energy can go for a walk on the beach in Megan's "front yard."
We'll take the dogs to the beach - including these two - painted by the very talented Megan!
After the party is over and all the guests are gone, Megan will go back to work in her home office. Oh, wait, this office has been moved to the garage in order to make room for Nick's moving into Beach Bungalow 8. What a body!
HERE is where Megan works now - her garaffice, as she affectionately calls it. That's her surfboard in the back. You did know that Megan surfs - how else do you think she keeps her gorgeous figure? One late night Megan and I were online together and she screamed as she saw a mouse scooting across her garaffice.
And here's the beautiful Megan hard at work in her garaffice! Unbeknownst to Megan, her daughters put this picture of Megan on her business emails. It took Megan a few days to first realize this, then a few more days to figure out how to remove this picture from her emails. Don't ask how long the two of laughed over this picture.
The happy couple, soon to be married! Nick is one special man. An Arquette, first cousin to the famous Arquette acting siblings, Nick started and runs a wonderful charity: Walk With Sally. Nick's mother Sally passed away from breast cancer when he was a child which has deeply affected his life. His charity, named after his beloved mother, pairs adults with children of terminally ill parents, who then act as mentors and big brothers and sisters.
Megan: my bridal shower gift to you - a donation to Nick's charity "Walk With Sally." Please consider making a donation to this wonderful and heart warming cause. A fledging charity, donations are very much appreciated. The picture above shows Nick with the young boy he is mentoring while his mother is ill.
Joni - this is amazing - what a fabulous idea. You are a gem.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet, Joni. Megan and her bungalow are both gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJoni... you rock!
ReplyDeleteAnd love the picture of the lab!
Joni, you truly are an amazingly thoughful person :) In all honesty this is my first introduction to Megan and Beach Bungalow 8. Thank you ever so much. I enjoyed this post immensely.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and best of luck Megan :)
Anna :)
How great to hear the story of how your friendship all began. Oh, by the way, how did Megan get my house? Ahhhhh, I love all the pictures, I would be in heaven.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful post.
Best Wishes Megan!
I'll be frequenting both of your sites now!
JONI! i love you my dear friend. what a fun tribute! man.
ReplyDeletehey thanks for tossing up the photo that caused us to pratically wet our pants one night IMing (the freaky, distorted picture of me ) you forgot to mention the hid. wreathes lurking in the back.
you are one of my favorite bloggers, and blog buddies. and most of all THANK YOU for the donation.
i thought of you the other day when we took nick's mentee on a trip to catalina. it's because of people like you, that walk with sally is able to help children who sometimes have no family left because of cancer.
if you were standing right in front of me i'd grab you and give you a big smooch and a long hug.
btw. the garoffice doesn't exist any longer. nor do the wreathes. i have moved into my respectable space above the ex-garaoffice.
I loved your blog...its so interesting and have amazing photos.
ReplyDeletecongratulations!
Vera
Joni, you are such a sweet person! I love this!! What a nice post and tribute to your friendship.
ReplyDeleteThis was great, Joni. Very personal and infused with spunk, (which is becoming your trademark, BTW).Congratulations to the lovely Megan and her fiance,Nick - they make a great couple and I wish them all the best!
ReplyDeleteI loved this whole entry. How fun! Megan is beautiful; we all have pictures taken when we're...not so beautiful. Embrace them! Your site is gorgeous, by the way. You are just too funny. I live in Texas myself. The Piney Woods; more commonly referred to as Tyler, Texas between Dallas and Shreveport.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Love the bridal shower gift idea and the good cause in contributing to the "Walk with Sally" charity.
ReplyDeleteI'm in!
May your friendship and blog chats continue to blossom and grow!
Joni
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute you have done to Megan!!! You are a true friend. I lived several blocks from Megan while I had my brief sojourn in LA....boy do I wish I had of know her then. She is a real sweetheart. Happy Wedding day Megan.
Lovely posting! She's a beautiful gal -- what a gorgeous bride! And to find such a man with a generous soul -- a treasure! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJan at Rosemary Cottage
Congrats to the Beach Bungaolw 8 Couple!
ReplyDeleteJoni- you are the sweetest to post such a nice tribute to your IM buddy. I am laughing over that picture!
What a thoughtful way to give a gift!
Congratulations to the happy couple! Long may they enjoy their little slice of beach bungalow paradise together! And what a very thoughtful gift for your friends.
ReplyDeleteOh congrats Megan!! And what a lovely tribute Joni, to a gal who's sense of humor delights me!
ReplyDeleteJoni you are just great! What a wonderful post. All the very best to Megan and Nick!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! Now who's got the toilet paper for a "wedding dress" (I once saw people do that on tv and thought it was hilarious) However, knowing how clever everyone here is -you'd probably rock the toilet paper! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat post and she is just amazing! All my warmest wishes for Megan and Nick. What a great charity too.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear and to read this kind of story. The bloglandia world is so magical, so friendly, so surprising ..JUST LIKE YOU
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet hommage to a friend!! :-)
ReplyDelete