Good morning readers of EAD Living! Have you had your morning coffee yet? Perhaps you’d like to pour a cup, grab a bite and stay a while? I thought I’d like to start off by introducing myself, but first I would like to express how completely delighted I am to be a new contributor here at EAD Living. I have been a fan since EAD launched the Living blog so it is truly a thrill to be blogging here amongst such a distinguished group of ladies.

My name is Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo. I go by “ABC Dragoo” and write a blog called ABCD Design. My blog is a daily sketchbook of sorts where I write about all things related to “nesting” and living a well lived life. I like to aspire to the highest level of artistic domesticating and aesthetic living. My motto: Life is short. Eat off the good china!

I studied fine art in college and have a soft spot in my heart for textiles. I focused my coursework on knitting, quilting, painted-printed fabrics, and weaving. After college I worked for a cottage industry knitwear designer. The sweaters were made out of slubby, fuzzy, wonderful colorful wool, cotton and rayon. They were adorned with vintage buttons. Each collection told a story. I must say, we made the most beautiful sweaters E-V-E-R. I have knitted dozens and dozens of items in my day, never once following a pre-made pattern. I always design them myself. Last Fall I made my hobby an “official club” and started the Saturday Knitting Society. Please let me know if you ever have a knitting question, I will be glad to try and help!

My birth name is Amy Beth Cupp -I have to admit that it was pretty fun to grow up as “ABC”- and in the early Summer of 2006 I caught the bouquet at my best girlfriend’s wedding in Chicago. Less than three days later – I was engaged!

In February of 2007 “ABC” married Mr. D at the very best party ever thrown at the St. Regis Hotel. That fateful day in the middle of Winter I added a new initial and became “ABCD!” What are the chances, right?

You ask “How’d this Mid-Western girl end up in NYC?” Well, after a HUGE car accident (in 1998) I decided to move to New York City. I figured “Heck, I could be dead -what am I so scared of anyway?” So I packed my bags and headed East from Chicago to attend culinary school. It was a six month, full time chef training program at The Natural Gourmet Institute. The school was different because it focused on health supportive cooking. At that point I had been a vegetarian for nearly 10 years and yearned to create wholesome food that was also delectably tasty. I came away with the ability to plan a well balanced menu, mean knife skills and the realization that eating everything in moderation (including red meat and an occasional cookie) is a very good thing.

Mr. D and I have been living together in NYC since we got engaged. During our engagement, we bought and renovated our dream apartment. *I decorated and nested my heart out!* In the past three years his job has kept us in London for more time than we lived in NYC. We realized when the financial sector became uncertain last Fall – if we were smart – we’d sell our apartment for optimal flexibility. We thought maybe his company would ask us to be in London full time. NO. SUCH. LUCK. London closed the New York office on May 31st. Mr. D lost his job.

We are as free as birds. No real estate. No kids. Nothing to hold us here. I can work anywhere there is a laptop and an internet connection! If you could move anywhere and reinvent yourself as anything … what would you do? Would you stay where you are doing what you are doing -OR- would you make a move and try something else, anything else?

The two of us are faced with some very interesting decisions to make over the next few months. We’re starting by taking the month of August in Michigan where I will be working on a new ABCD {interior} Design project. After that, only time will tell. I hope that you will come along for the ride!

Well, there you have it. Now you know a little more about me than when you started reading this post. I hope the EAD Living community will be a great place for us to discuss home decorating projects, knitting, recipes, and all things nesting related.

Until next time, be well!