I know it’s been a couple of weeks since the finale here in the States and I know most of us are caught up on the drama, but as an Official Downton Abbey Addict I must share some thoughts on Season Three.

Matt and I watched the first two seasons together but this time we watched it separately, me at first all by myself kept company by a bag of popcorn and with each episode awaiting every character’s lines and plot turns.

With him, I watched Season 3 the second time yes, the second time  while he was the one carefully listening for the brilliant lines and plot turns, I was eyeing the fashion and interiors and the subtleties uttering out loud things like “oooh, that writing desk” and “oh the beading on that dress” much to his annoyance.

So I have to get these thoughts off my 21st century chest since I love this show so much and I’ve been saving these snapshots for weeks and weeks, but first:

* SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER * alert 

Do not read this post if you’re not caught up on the entire season!!!

May I begin? First of all the hats! The hats this season were so amazing, my compliments to the milliners, I especially loved the plumes on Shirley’s head.

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First of all, I’m so sorry to anyone experiencing site problems in the last 24 hours.  Long story short, I’m trying to switch servers to save money but everything is not going according to plan, so thanks for your patience.  Also, I appreciate so much those who have already volunteered to come to the three day event in April for the Alma Project, and also to those who have donated so far.  We do need to raise money, so please read all about our ambitions here and we’d appreciate if you can donate what you can, it’s for a great cause!

Also, CG is a finalist in The Homies and while it’s a bit uncomfortable for me to ask for your vote, I’m just going to break down and do it!  If you learned a trick or two from visiting here over the years or been inspired by a project, cast your vote for CG for Best DIY Blog and/or Best Home Design Blog – you can vote for me in both categories if you wish (but sign in with Apartment Therapy first through FB or Twitter), thanks so much!

Now let’s get down to business.  The weekend was spent demolishing the vanity side of the hall bathroom I’ve been meaning to remodel for oh, three years now.  Saturday morning began with the official clearing out of the cabinets and true confession time, I haven’t completely cleaned out this cabinet in *hanging head in shame* six years.  How do I know it’s been six years?  Because look what was discovered at the way back: a first response pregnancy test kit and ovulation predictor.  TMI?  I’m sorry, it’s just the truth.

After clearing out the cabinet and its embarrassing contents, it was time to pull down the mirror. When you’re working with glass you must exercise extreme caution and you should use vacuum cups like these for very large pieces.  Ours was held up with two brackets and some adhesive, but with some gentle prodding we were able to get if off and carefully move it out of the bathroom. Carefully being the key word!

Next came time to do the thing I’ve been dreaming of for years – ripping out the yellowed cultured marble countertop.  I really don’t have anything against the more modern cultured marble countertops in shades of white, they have certainly come a long way, but this one was a weird yellowish color that frankly reminded me of the color of an armpit sweat stain on a white dress shirt and it had to go.

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