GIRLS LIKE CARS TOO

Mr. Baby Man

2011-07-09T08:36:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things about my friends is that they let me use their lives to practice my photography :). Yes, I realize it's a good deal for them as well, since they certainly aren't paying what they would with other established photographers, but there is really only one way to improve and get experience...

... and that's by doing it!

Below meet little Connor. Connor was just 5 lbs. 12 oz. when he was born - a little stinker bug. Let's just say the little guy is NOT a fan of having a camera in his face or even around. We had to break it up into two sessions to try to get enough shots, and both times he was happy as a clam before the session and after the session. But during? No way, Jose.

So without the sleeping baby photos that everyone wishes they have, I present a Connor preview.

Catch-Ups & Pupperonis

2011-07-04T20:03:00.006-04:00

There's been more photography in my life lately than there has been time - or want, to be honest - for design and home decor. That's neither good nor bad, but just kind of where my priorities are right now I suppose.

I've hired a designer to start helping me with a photography website and once that's done I'll have to decide how and if I transition to the blog to full-time photography or if I keep this personal one and have one for the pictures. Decisions, decisions!

Right now, a little bit of what I've been doing with a camera in a few posts!

See these little lovelies? They are Napoleon & Josephine (har har har, and yes, Napoleon is the shorter one), and are some of the cutest puppers around - just take a look and see for yourself!

A Ham & A Half

2011-06-01T08:23:00.001-04:00

How about this little lady who's obsessed with her Jackie O sunglasses? No, this was not a session, just a friend visiting during the afternoon one day.

Is this girl cute or what? (Oh, and you can see my new area rug behind her in the first shot ;) ).

Another Day, Another Decor Decision

2011-05-28T10:41:00.005-04:00

I know, life is tough. Decisions, decisions.

In a recent fit of deciding I hate the piece that my television is on, there have been some changes a' brewin'. The best way to describe the TV's current home is to just say it like it is: it's ugly, and doesn't work with the overall theme of the house. Yes of course it was a loved piece three years ago when purchased but for some reason it's not grown on me, and frankly I'm just tired of it.

While I can see the original attraction - it's teal (lovely), petite, and has a bunch of little drawers and storage areas - it just doesn't work anymore. So like an old boyfriend you've just got to kick to the curb for good, even though they are sweet when they call every 6 months after a few too many beers to remind you why you dated them.... there's a time to go, for good.

So here's the dilemma - what now for the television? I've never wanted a TV to be the center of any room and in fact there are no TV's upstairs or in the bedrooms in my house, and I hope there won't ever be. Since I end up breaking most of my self imposed rules (except flip flops in the office - that I'll never break), maybe a TV will end in my bedroom in like a month. Who knows.

In looking for new pieces for the TV I'm all over the map. I don't want a conventional television or "media stand," as they say, so working through options has been interesting. I suppose I'll visit some of them this weekend to see them in person.

Some of the contenders are below.

An option is something like this. I saw it in person a few weeks ago and can personally confirm it's not Ikea-ish. Now having Ikea furniture in my living room, that's not something I imagined, but this was actually rather nice. One challenge with this little guy is that the other "white" furniture in that space is somewhat distressed and not bright white - which this is.

And for giggles let's just throw in the completely unrealistic idea that I won't end up doing, but would like to dream about. Sigh, Wisteria.

Or like this smallish profile stand:

Then there is a more traditional idea, something like this. This poses a problem on one front, however. One of the challenges is that because of the size of the space, whatever the TV is on is rather close to the coffee table, so these two pieces need to be different heights - and this one is approximately the same height as the coffee table. Blerg.

From Pottery Barn, extremely reasonably priced:

See what I mean!?! All over the map. Can you guess which one I'm leaning toward?

A Little Spring for the Sofa

2011-05-05T23:38:00.003-04:00

A little note of an update for now before I hit the feathers, as an old friend used to say.

I've had such a hard time with throw pillows the last three years (when I purchased my furniture for the new house) - switching them out, leaving them mismatched, then trying matching, then hating matched pillows. You get what I'm saying.

A few months ago I found the most adorable Etsy shop and finally ordered custom pillows for my couch - yes, that is them below. And I adore them. They are a bit smaller than I thought they would be, but had I actually read the measurements in the description I would have known that. No matter, I still would have gotten them! It's hard to tell in my photo but they are a very light linen base with the flower petals all hand-sewn onto the linen.

They are my new throw pillows, they will be perfect for spring and summer, and now some of my mismatched options (which I still do adore) can take little nap in a tupperware bin and come out in the fall.

Do you like?

Fixer Upper

2011-04-18T11:40:00.001-04:00

Friends, sorry about all the issues with the photos lately that I pull from the web. I've heard from quite a few of you that you are seeing only error messages.

I think I've got it fixed, but let me know if you aren't seeing the pics! (Wow, that almost rhymed. Almost.)

I've Got the Fever

2011-04-16T11:03:00.001-04:00

No... not BEIBER FEVER! Please, have a little respect, people.

The fever to redecorate... everything. I love my house, love the decor style and the pieces I've brought in but something is giving me the the itch to change things up a bit.

Is it the longish winter and now that spring is sort of here I want to change things up? Could it be the Very Big Surprise (FR, you know, announcement soon) coming and maybe I'm doing like a non-pregnant version of nesting? Okay maybe that actually makes the most sense.

As you saw a few days ago I'm changing around tons of prints and wall decorations in the main areas of my home. (Love how I say "main areas" as though there are also non-main areas!) I've brought in three - THREE - new area rugs, and a new set of throw pillows are being made by one of my favorite little shops on Etsy. Unfortunately it has taken SO long to get them, but more on those little gems later.

Anyway, though I have that bug, first I must get to the organizing part of it and be diligent about it. Most people think I'm fairly organized but what I know is that it's all only organized on the surface, and that drives my Batty McBatterson. When I know that every drawer or cabinet looks like there's been a tornado, it drives me just as crazy as if it were just sitting on the floor. And it's been like this - unorganized - for almost a year.

Crazy town.

To get my motivation on and force a first attempt at a whole-house-re-org, I got a few supplies that came today from Mr. Container Store. I'll report back on how well each ended up working out after the long weekend:

Yeah. Confession. The project I did where I turned some frames into cork boards and starting using them for bracelet and necklace storage.... they're adorable, but they kind of suck as holding heavy jewelry. So now it can be hidden in the closet!

Um, fridge-organizing GENIUS!!!!....

Who doesn't need deep sweater bins? I've only ever found one moth in a closet here, but still - for protection and also to keep those crazy sweaters from having a life of their own on my shelves:

Teen Spirit

2011-04-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

A little photo interlude, if I may?

So the president of my company called to ask if I had some time, came up to my office, and said (now, it's a Wednesday, mind you), "you're not doing anything on Saturday, right?"

Of course I'm not [now].... sir.

Turns out he needed an event his daughter was part of to be shot and they had arranged anyone. My kind, caring, ridiculous photog coach volunteered me saying he was "sure" I could do it. Let the panic attack set in... I don't mind doing baby, engagement, maternity shoots for friends, but folks I am so NOT confident enough to get paid to do it.

Anyway it ended up being a pretty great day, and convinced me even more about my work to continue to get better. It is definitely all worth it. I'm not posting his daughter in any of these, but I got some good ones of her - which was a huge relief once I started editing.

Here are a few from the day - what they call Wh.ite vs. G.old at their all-girls high school, Georg.etown Visit.ation.

Botanicals Everywhere

2011-04-05T21:59:00.004-04:00

Yes, things have been sort of busy lately but still not anywhere near what the last year and a half has been like up until this last December.

I've been busy doing things I like, seeing people I like, prepping the house for some BIG NEWS coming your way in the next month or so. (There is a dog involved. And there is an FR involved. And that is all I'll tell you.) One of the pieces of my home decor that I have been forever trying to figure out are the prints that I want to keep long term.

You've seen before my photo design in my great room (is there a size minimum to call a room "the great room?" If so, I bet I'm under that.) and also for my bedroom. You'll be happy to know that I took the plunge a few weeks ago and found 6 prints that I really love. The three more colorful ones will go in my bedroom and the leaves will be in the great room.

I found them all at Art.com, which sort of amazed me. Have you looked through the website before? Literally ANYthing you can think of - and the service was pretty great.

Have a look!

And for the bedroom.....

Headboards

2011-03-02T09:52:00.000-05:00

I've long had an internal battle about headboards. Internal in my mind, that is.

I like them.

Then I hate them.

Then I want one.

Then it annoys me.

Now I'm at a place with my bedroom where I need to some something, but I won't be getting (or making) a headboard. You know the bed I bought - I platform bed, dark wood, which will soon have a lovely blue rug underneath (thank you, RueLaLa for ruining my pocketbook with your sales). With a bright white quilt that is sort of the centerpiece of the room, I've struggled on whether or not a headboard would take away from the bed.

So in my little interweb research, I realized that I don't use HGTV's website nearly enough and that it's really a pretty great resource for ideas. Check out this entire page with tons of ideas about headboards.

What I'll probably end up doing is using art - or something like that, maybe something dimentional - on the huge blank wall above my bed to mock a headboard. This will help me use some of the art I have laying around that I buy and don't have anywhere for it (oops!), and then also create somewhat of a headboard as far as anchoring the bed, but not so much that it takes away from it or competes with it.

Aside from what I'm going to do, here are a few headboards I am just loving right now:

(I have loved this West Elm headboard for ever, actually):

Not for me, but I do love the idea:

Life & Things

2011-02-27T10:33:00.004-05:00

Another day (okay, month), another hiatus. Want to know what's been going on? Life, that's what! But that's okay, especially now that I have the blogging bug back!

To be more accurate I have the redecorating, redesigning, moving furniture, repainting... and blogging.... bug back. Maybe it's the sun that has decided to come out for the first time in months, or maybe it's that I get a semi-permanent house guest in a few months (YES!), but whatever it is, it is back!

Some good things are on the move, and for a quick little life update, how about this:

* The semi-permanent house guest coming late spring. More on that. You'll be excited, I know I am!

* Gotten my b-u-t-t back to the gym. Ouch. I also bought hiking boots so I could get back into it (and "back in to it" I mean since my early 20's... let's just let that one go). Excited about the latter, but doing both.

* The kitchen remodel is underway, meaning that the first item is done and now the hard work begins. Yes, there will be endless posts about said kitchen.

* Window treatments have been changed out, put back, traded with other rooms... yes, this is big news

* Started a new photog project - well two of them - both being pretty fun for me

Okay enough about the mundane-ness of my day to day existence. How about a few Christmas photos to start off the catch-up posts?

Are you surprised that these are my grandparents?

Couldn't you just eat him up? Look at that ham!

And Next: Burlington, VT

2011-01-11T23:34:00.001-05:00

The last day of the trip to Vermont was spent in Burlington, putzing around to shops, cafes, and design stores.

Burlington is a wonderful little place, and in about 6 hours a lot happened in my mind and in my heart. Maybe more on the heart stuff later, but for now, just take a look at the town. It is so colorful, so bright, so... (bare with me) free. Everyone is different yet blends in. It kind of has the same vibe of downtown Seattle.

While having brunch in a little cafe I browsed the Design Sponge city guide for Burlington and it was a wonderful start. As you can see there are some commercial stores but then many locally-owned entrepreneurs as well.

More Than Maple Syrup

2011-01-08T10:44:00.006-05:00

After the elections in November (yes - that's how far behind I am in blog world!), a trip to Vermont sounded like the perfect medicine for election-cycle brain to attempt to disconnect, settle back in to real life, real people, and to remember the priorities I always SAY are the most important. Sometimes just saying those things don't matter enough - living them out is much more important.

So with two full weeks off work (which, I must say, is something I absolutely will try to do again because my mentor-man was right: you need a week to unwind, and then a week to full detach and enjoy your time off) there was much to do... in the way of FUN!

In Vermont there was art, okay lots of art, picture taking, dog-carting (yeah, a heatwave in Vermont in November - good timing), horseback riding, fly-fishing... the real deal. It was incredibly hard to leave.

A few pictures from the trip!

Stowe Mountain Lodge:

Some scenes from Stowe:

Then there was the dogsledding - an experience I'd wish for everyone, for anyone that sees God in nature and animals, who loves fresh crisp winter air. The silence out there, in the very north of Vermont almost at the Canadian border completely away from civilization was amazing.

More on more germane topics coming soon:). The trip ended with a day in Burlington which has MUCHO design and clothing shops, excellent art, and a wonderful spirit to it. More soon!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

He is born, He who was born to save us. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas full of crafts, lovely dishes of food, with photographic holiday decor, and sounds of your very favoritest carols.

For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given... and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Name That Website

2010-12-24T10:22:00.000-05:00

Speaking of getting that photography website up and running, first things first.

I'm going to need a name! This is so much pressure!!! The name needs to be something good because if I at some point were to ever make it a business (and by business, I of course just mean me & an extra tax form), I'll need it to work.

Any ideas? HELP. h.e.l.p.

Should it have my name in it? Should it be a "stage" name? It of course needs some form of the word photography, so should that be: photos, photography, some other form?

A Walk on Mansion Grounds

2010-12-20T22:11:00.005-05:00

A new shoot for my lovey dovey readers. If we're Facebook friends you've probably seen some of these, but thought I'd share the latest in my sessions.

Update on the photo world: A friend and I are in the beginning stages of a new website just for me. Little old me! It might be part blog, part website to show some of the things I can (eh em, or cannot) handle as far as family or kid sessions... so this is pretty darn exciting!

Anywway, a few images from the Silas J shoot. Is he too adorable or what?

Tie The Bow

2010-12-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

So now that we've talked about nice little host(ess) gifts, how about what to put them in? A friend just shot me this link, and of course I was immediately obsessed. OB-SESSED. So I'm putting my order in now...

Truly.

Maybe another post later on great wrapping ideas, styles, and options. Personally I only use one wrapping paper - it's sort of my signature when it comes to giving gifts. I use only brown packing paper. I've ventured into plain white wrapping paper as an alternate, but I can't really see myself going beyond that.

The good thing is that using on these two papers is really inexpensive, and available year-round, which means that I can then spend my money on super-lovely-cute-and-maybe-fancy-sometimes ribbon, bows, and adornments.

Score.

Anyway, how about these adorable personal bags - maybe for a guest treat? Or, if you do like we do in our family, a lot of the women get the other women a small gift (an ornament, or notecard set, etc.) that are all the same, for each person.

Order yours now!!!

Host(ess) Gifts Part Duex

2010-11-28T09:10:00.001-05:00

Part II of giving host(ess) gifts!

"It really can be complicated," is what I kept thinking after I published the last post. So, I've been drudging through the depths of my little brain to think of other, creative, unusual ways to thank your host!

So a few more...

I am such a fan of the 5 year journal that I found a few months ago. It may sound a little cheesy, but really it is the solution for people that don't "journal" (like me) and/or who just can't even MAKE themselves "journal" (okay, me again). It has a small-ish space for each day of the year, and a place to enter the year. It's been a great way for me to jot down one or two sentences - that's really all the space there is - about something I thought, learned, or did that day.

I also imagine it being a really good way for a parent of a baby or kid to remember all those little things that happen every day that end up being forgotten. "Ate first peas." "Copied me when I swore after dropping pan on my foot." You know, those types of things :).

Coming in around $17, in blue/black or red, a lovely little coffee table addition as well:

Are you a REALLY good party guest? The one everyone wants to invite? Me either. If you're not, maybe you want to give your host a small house plant that will live on so they CAN remember you? :) Kidding, kidding. We'll all remember you, promise. How about tying a lovely ribbon or fabric around a clay pot, write a small thank you note, and replace it in the little sticker-thing-with-prongs (technical term) instead of the card that says what type of plant it is.

(Then check and see if they kept it alive when you go to their holiday party the next year, of course....)

If you're going a little more "all out" in your host gift, I love Martha's idea about a morning-related gift. She has a lot in her basket that I may actually skip and replace, but I like the idea.

Besides the funny things you could add to a little basket (maybe one you get at Home Goods for $3.99? Of course!) like a little pack of Tylenol, etc., there are a bunch of inexpensive items that would be so nice for the morning after hosting a party: a foot bath salt or miniature nice hand lotion (after doing all those dishes!), maybe two wrapped home made (that you buy at the store of course!) scones or muffins, a nice individual-sized coffee grounds from the market, an apple & orange... you get my drift. It could go in a variety of directions!

Here is what Martha's looks like, which of course is lovely - of course! But it could be done any way to personalize it!

Host(ess) Gift Time

2010-11-24T13:17:00.005-05:00

Is it official? Have the holiday parties started?

The reality is - yes, they can never be too early, or often. And this means, of course, that YOU need to be prepared before you get those bundles of invites delivered to your mail box & inbox!

A few cute ideas for host & hostess gifts that I like to bring to parties are below.

Why just bring a bottle of wine (well not "just," it is very gracious of the guest) when you could spent $1.50 at Target and put it in an adorable little bag? (Yes, I keep these in stock!)

Or, once I did a years subscription to one of my favorite decor magazines for a friend who had just bought her new house and was throwing her first Christmas party. Usually they are about $15 for an entire year, and I can promise no one else will think of it! Put a nice little bow around the current issue, and bring it on over.

There is always the route of bringing something that can be used during the gathering, but also kept by the host. I've received cheese knives with a cute Christmas-y pattern, and a small serving dish. Both were lovely ideas. Or, how about a festive wine stopper?

As long as you know the host's home is going to bear a Christmas tree - even if not when the party is - fun and interesting ornaments can be a good choice as well. Here are a few of my favorite this year from West Elm, Z Gallerie, and Pier 1.

Z Goodness on Sale

2010-11-17T09:58:00.002-05:00

Did anyone else catch the 20% off sale that Z Gallerie had from the 11th - 15th?

Well I caught it, but I resisted, and now think I should have picked up a pair of window panels that I think I like, but am not sure really work in the house. Decisions!!!

So I was thinking... don't you kind of just wonder what my wish list was from the sale? Yes, yes I thought that you did.

1) Oh what I would give to have the kind of space that a standing, 3 foot tall, mercury glass, has-absolutely-no-purpose-other-than-to-look-good vase, could go in just to look pretty. Maybe a few twigs, as they suggest. Or, what about some itty bitty purple buds. Or I could just stare at the mercury glass all day...

2. Obviously I need a large silver bowl for display. Obviously. You do too.
3) A small mercury glass hurricane lamp? Don't you think my mercury glass 3 foot tall vase would need another friend... a hurricane lamp?

4) And what about... okay, enough about the glass, just know I love it as much as it sounds like I do.
5) And yes, believe it or not, I am in the market for another Little Table. I know, I know, some will say I have simply fallen off the wagon, only to repeat the mistakes I made before going into a 2-year period of Little Table sobriety. But I SWEAR I need one for beside my best so I can move my actual nightstand across the room and build out a little sitting area. See what I mean? Major need.

Merry [Almost] Christmas

2010-11-14T07:51:00.000-05:00

As promised, a preview of the Christmas card selection process. As most years, I used TinyPrints.com - I'm comfortable with the site and their really excellent service, as well as knowing what the quality of the card will be like, how the colors differ a little... you know, I'm basically just a good loyal customer.

I needed to get the cards in before Thanksgiving so I could spend that time starting the process. Now, I almost regret not waiting just a tad longer because they got in a whole new batch of designs since I ordered mine a week ago! I do still love my choice - which you will just have to be patient and see when it lands in your mailbox! - but now looking at some of the runners up, I'm getting a little greedy and wondering if I like them more!

Alas, they are ordered, and these were the finalists...

Oh, Baby

2010-11-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

This is a bit of a look in more than I'm comfortable with, but suppose it's healthy every once in a while.

Recently I've started getting requests from a few friends (and others - eek!) to do easy shoots for them. This is one of my best couple friends and they asked if I'd do a maternity shoot before Baby arrives in a few weeks. Of course I said yes. The portfolio needs to be built out - a lot - so doing sets for friends is exactly what I need to be doing right now.

Below is the preview with the time that's been available to edit... which is very little. Good thing editing my work is something that helps me calm down, focus, and get ready to sleep... otherwise it would never get done!

One day I'll detail in words what photography does for me - but for now, have a looksee.

It's Getting Closer...

2010-11-06T21:53:00.004-04:00

... so I hope you've ordered your copy of "Holiday with Matthew Mead."

It's only the best magazine on holiday decor, some gifts, styling, foods, and of course... host(ess)ing. He calls it a book-a-zine. Whatever it's called, I'm telling you it's something you definitely need. It's only THE most hip holiday designing that I'd put in that "within reach" category, meaning... affordable or easily mad affordable, realistic (style-wise), and well put together.

Get your copy so you can get your 2010 holiday decorating on!

This & That

2010-11-04T10:12:00.003-04:00

It's been quite a week. And quite a few months.

Good things have happened the last 8+ weeks with a few crazy moments, not a whole lot of sleep, a lot of stress... but also a lot of fun.

I'll be taking a much needed breather in a few weeks, FOR a few weeks. Fantastico. So many things are ahead in the next two months that make this my favorite time of year: Thanksgiving, cold weather, Christmas, Christmas cards, the whole shebang.

Today is the day for Christmas cards so I'll be putting that order in this afternoon, oh the decisions! It's down to three different versions so I'll share the outcome and the final contenders after the choice has been made. Then on to the writing and the sending!

Other than that the decor updates for the house are few. A Home Goods has gone in up the street from me and it is a big one. Danger, danger! So there have been a few new towels and such but nothing outstanding. I did, however, purchase a rug for my room which is slowly coming to the end of being complete decorating wise. I'll post some pictures after I get it out and make sure it works.

My hopes for an excellent last month or so for you. Can't wait to get in to the season now that my times has freed up some, and catching up on all your blogs & my magazines!

You & Yours

2010-09-29T22:34:00.004-04:00

I suppose this is what happens when you title your last post "Monday Night..." anything.

The next time you go to blog you realize what a slacker you've been. The shame, the shame.

Since really all the time in the world that I have is going to work lately (well that, and preparing for the house guests I have seemed to have almost every other weekend for the last 8+ weeks...), I've really only been able to just about tread water following the OTHER blogs and not writing my own.

So I thought I'd share whose I'm loving most lately. [Real] friends, you are officially out of the running so that I don't have to admit if I am loving your blog right now. :)

I'm sure these are mostly what you're reading - but I have a big list and sort of get stuck on 5 or 6 favorites at a time. Here are the currents:

Phew. These ladies & gents keep me busy enough... let alone all you friends that I read. Every. Single. Post. Every. Day. (Of course.)

Who am I missing that should be making it in to my Top Six for the next few months?

Monday Night Musings

2010-09-20T21:58:00.003-04:00

I learn so many little tidbits from reading other people's blogs all the time. I learn about new sites, new color combinations, new layouts and design "rules" to break. Really, it's quite a world out there of people that really - REALLY - know what they're doing.

I'm not one of them. So I'll take every opportunity to learn from them!

There isn't always enough to build an entire post, so maybe I'll just leave you with a few little nuggets from the weekend.

First, this magazine, Lonny Magazine. Not sure how I am so completely and totally out of the loop on this one, but I am!

Second, I saw a quote this weekend that read, "I think of you in colors that don't exist." I don't know, a little "art geek" as where I saw it described it, but it struck me. Maybe it's not an obvious person in your life - or more likely what others would think would be your obvious answer - but is there anyone in your life that is so full, and so complicated, yet wonderful, that you do in fact think of them in colors that don't exist?

This is one of my most favorite shots I've taken - and I thought of it immediately.

I Totally Wear Hats

2010-09-12T09:16:00.002-04:00

I just saw this ad for the first time (on TV) and thought to myself... THIS is how I shop!

No, I don't at all have her "perfect husband" and "perfect kid" thoughts - but more like I see something I like, I think about all the reasons that I NEED it, and eventually i realize "what the heck, how could I even have the thought that I might NOT need it?"

It's true.

I totally wear hats.

Smelling the Roses

2010-09-07T08:54:00.001-04:00

Do I need this necklace?

I think I might. Or, should I pass up this [sure-to-be] fad, at least necklace-wise? I have plenty of little rosette-bearing cardigans or pins & headbands. But a necklace?

What say you?

They also come in a variety of colors - but I thought in this combination it would remain a statement piece without becoming an over-statement piece.

Now there's always the brooch, belt, or headbands to keep me feeling appropriately rosette-d.

But I like the necklace, let's just be honest.

Printed Vintage Book Pages

2010-09-04T20:28:00.006-04:00

Along with the new bed (are you tired of hearing about it yet? I didn't think so.) my master bedroom is getting a bit of a mulligan. With the addition of the new bed frame, and then sending my lovely white painted bookcase off to a very good home, the room now leaves some space for new things!

Do I pull in a new color? A new little table? Maybe a chair - something to... right, throw dirty clothes on. Look I know myself and if there's a place to throw clothes, I'll do it, which means chairs are NOT allowed in my bedroom, ever. Not even a desk chair unless necessary because clothes will end up over the back of it, I can promise you.

I've had all these great frames - some empty, some with prints, some with glass only - that I've been waiting to use and collecting the last few years and so there is something telling me they can go on the long [now blank] wall in my bedroom. I just can't figure out how, though. I suppose more on those another time.

But in the meantime I was roaming around Etsy (always dangerous) and found a whole world of prints on antique book pages. I went bananas. These aren't my favorite, but I do like them. The favorites will be shared when you see the post where I actually bought my favorites and they found a new home on my bedroom wall!

What do you think? Cluster? Alone? I just like the whole idea of them...

The first set (lemon, spoons & bicycle ) can be found here.

The second set (coral, iris, & peacock) can be found here.

Update: Bed & Things

2010-08-29T22:32:00.003-04:00

I bought the bed.

I bought the bed, I bought the bed, I bought the bed!!

Now if receiving it could just so happen to coincide with the two following things: 1) when the new mattress comes (please?), and 2) in a few weekends from now when I have The Handyman visiting from out of town for the weekend (triple please?) so I don't have to put it together on my own.

NOT THAT I COULDN'T, of course. But, you know, a helper is always better...

I gave the cute painted white tall bookcase with lovely clear knobs away this weekend - but to an excellent home. I do love giving away furniture to good homes, where I know they will take into consideration the piece and how it looks and its character... so I am happy about this one. The piece just didn't work in my house anymore. All to say - when the new bed comes, I'll next be looking to complete the room... again... finally.

Yipee!

Revamping Some Zzzzz's

2010-08-14T11:23:00.004-04:00

I think it's time for a new bed.

I've been avoiding this purchase for some time, being that my mattress is entirely comfortable, and frankly a new mattress, box spring, and bed are a pretty heft purchase. But, the last time Mom was in town, we figured out exactly how old my mattress was and.... let's just say... it's time.

I'm not sure why, but since I really like my sleep - and get entirely not nearly enough of it - this new mattress purchase feels like a really big deal. I've been sleeping in the same bed for a lot of years and it feels like a big upheaval! I'm actually hoping that the mattress I bought two years ago for my guest bedroom is still around and comes in a queen because THAT mattress is so comfortable that sometimes I sleep in the guest room! (Sorry, visitors, no, it's not only yours...)

The mattress is one thing....

... the bed is another. What in the world do I want to accompany my mirrored furniture, wood floor, and wonderfully taupe and grey walls? Right now I have this bed frame in mind, but in a dark wood, not in white. My lovely lovely lovely quilt that I am still absolutely obsessed with is a bright white, so the loveliness of the bed frame would certainly be lost with the white quilt. I just don't know! Decisions, decisions...

The Best Laid Plans...

2010-08-10T22:35:00.004-04:00

It's true, the blog hasn't been updated in a bit - which was mentioned to me today. True. Fact. All the way.

I suppose life keeps getting in the way, which is so strange since I really do enjoy writing here and sharing my decorating finds and the like. A few weekends ago I took a quick trip back to Aldie, VA to visit Bella Villa - one of my most favorite vintage shops in the area. I picked up a few gifts, some antique wrapping paper (which I, of course, gifted since I only use my one signature wrapping paper!), and some other cute little finds.

There's also been a trip to Las Vegas in the mix. Yes, really. No, never again. It's not like it's bad or anything, but I think I didn't really get a real flavor of what the city was like because I was at a conference and then entertaining clients all day/evening - so getting out wasn't really an option, and even if it was, it was between 111 and 115 degrees the days I was there, so.... yeah, I would have melted.

Then there is today. Do you ever have what you think is the perfect plan for the day, thinking everything will work out like its scheduled and supposed to, and then it just doesn't? I guess for a variety of reasons, but it just seems like everything you try doesn't work - and you have no choice but to think that it's for a reason, and it wasn't supposed to work out. Disappointment, or whatever the feeling may be, that there's this overriding notion that what your plans were were not the best for you - or anyone - and that's why they didn't work out.

The life of a former and recovering control freak is not always an easy path. And despite the jokes and laughs, it really is former, and recovering. People in my current day-to-day life don't know how much effort I put into not making the assumption that little I could know the plans that have been set for me - be it meeting times, or life plans. It's not easy - and I fail miserably all the time - but I know the plan before me is Good, and despite my failings and misgivings, and total lack in judgement at times (like today), that these are the reasons I need a Savior.

I suppose some days I am more thankful for that than others!

More Bugs

2010-07-21T21:00:00.001-04:00

A little glimpse of my little Bug?

I made an emergency trip out to see her (and her mom, of course!) a few weeks ago. Well, not emergency, but unplanned, yes. I had been thinking about a lot of things lately, and had to make a few decisions on some career and other life-related items, and felt like I really needed some time outside the Beltway, away from all the people and things I needed to make decisions about!

I heard someone say once that the best friend and advisor in your life should be someone that loves you and cares about your life and what happens to you, but loves God more and cares more about what God wants for your life than they care about you. So she's one of those people for me.

Anyway, made my decisions, am hoping to make a few changes, and in the meantime I got some SERIOUS Bug time!

I know - she is just irresistible!

Invited to the Party

2010-07-19T11:49:00.000-04:00

Am I the last person on Earth to know about Rue La La?

A friend invited me a few days ago, and I'll be completely honest I kind of thought - another shopping thing? Hm.

Good thing I went forward! Just in case you're like me, and you are not familiar - the site is a sale site for designer brands and items, but only for a limited amount of time. So for example, if you are a member and go on the site, they list on the right the designer sales that are upcoming and on which dates they will go live - and all at 11 a.m. those days.

The designers range from French Connection, to Kenneth Cole, to Cuisenart & Lenox. It's really fantastic but needs a bit of looking and looking at the schedule ahead to see when your favorite products are coming up for sale.

I've been tempted by a few kitchen appliances but have been too late to purchase them! The sales are for a few days usually but I haven't been checking quite often enough.

That all said, it is INVITE ONLY. Which, I'll admit, is kind of fun. It's totally free, so if you'd like to be invited, comment and I'll invite you through the site!

Return Flight

2010-07-18T10:45:00.002-04:00

I miss you.

Yes, you. I've missed the blog, and I've missed you reading it, and I've missed my free time lately...

But, like a good blogger friend told me, you can't force yourself to write, and you should only write when you feel completely inspired, or your reader knows. So, you're smart - you'd know. That all said, there's quite a few posts in the hopper, so stay tuned!

A preview? Well sure.

Another trip or two with photos ensuing. A major rug purchase (sweating!). A re-org of the guest room. A wedding in the south. You'll be checking by the minute for updates, I know.

See/show you soon!

Going to the Chapel...

2010-06-18T13:06:00.003-04:00

So the wedding I was planning finally happened, on June 12, and went off witout a hitch! Well, maybe a little hitch here or there, but nothing major at all. In the following week there will be more pictures to post on the decor, ceremony decorations, inside the Woodlawn Manor, programs, and during the reception.

But here, just for the sake of time, is a little preview!

Mt. Vernon Wine Festival

2010-06-02T13:30:00.003-04:00

I’ve been delinquent – don’t tell me that, I know. I’ve heard the outcries from the adoring fans…
(eh em)

A few weekends ago I was soooo excited to go to the Mt. Vernon Wine Festival. A friend invited me to go, and I had never been – let’s be honest, I had never even heard of it – so I was definitely excited.

That day I had my cute-wine-festival-on-the-lawn-in-not-too-hot-weather-outfit all planned out. I was pretty excited. A black cotton maxi dress (casual!) and just some cute flat sandals, and a straw bag to carry all my stuff in. It was a hit! (Side note: I know the critics are split on the maxi dress in general, but I adore them.)

Essentially Mt. Vernon opens up it’s lawn, it’s grounds, the buildings, and everything else so that people that bought tickets to the event can come and sample Virginia wines, listen to music, and eat. And drink a little vino. And maybe drink a little more vino. Despite a last minute temptation to ditch my plans, I had a really fun time and will definitely be going next year. Some of the highlights?

A friend decided to pose with Martha & George. Honestly, how much better does it get than this?

And silly pictures around friends you've just met? Always fun.

The wine was great, particularly a vineyard I was at right when it opened recently, and was show-casing there – Philip Carter out in western Virginia. Other than that, the good (no, great!) company, fun times, great scenery, and good weather made for a perfect night.

Easy Bisquik S'Mores

2010-05-21T20:20:00.003-04:00

Yum.

And, oops.

This is how far behind I am with the posts... I went to a most excellent "Sweets Exchange" Christmas party at L's house. As you may know, I'm not the greatest cook... baker... recipe maker...

So I needed something quick and easy - and out came the Bisquik cook book I thought I'd never open or even take out of the cabinet after my Mom left it at my house one time.

Hello supppper easy! This was basically all of the ingredients, got the mixer out, and started going...

It might have been 20 minutes to bake - practically nothing!

Cool...

Enjoy!

Entertaining with Kiddos

2010-05-14T12:15:00.003-04:00

I don't do a lot of entertaining where people bring their kids over, but the next time I do, I'll be doing this and a few other fun ideas. Most of my friends' kids are still just babies and toddlers, so couldn't do this anyway, but something I'll be keeping in my back pocket.

When you've got yourself a chic little dinner party, with no kids allowed, sometimes things just come up. The babysitter got sick - you know the drill. What a fun idea to make something fun and likeable for the kid that was dragged along, and a way to make them feel involved and not over on the couch with a grilled cheese sandwich.

The pictures show it easy enough, but click here for photo credits and a link to the real recipe:

Nothing Is Ever Black & White

2010-05-05T20:09:00.005-04:00

I've talked about my colors with you before, right?

Base neutrals: grey, brown, and white. Accent shades, in order of dominance: teal (dusty & bright shades), green (apple), yellow (strong but not bright).

When I bought this townhouse, it was all pale yellow inside. Yes, they had repainted it for the sale, but it wasn't really even a shade of ivory or white, it definitely would have been on one of those little yellow paint strips! At the bottom... but still! To have the entire house one color would simply have driven me batty, so the first thing to do... paint. And paint. Oh, and maybe paint some more!

I chose a light - but still substantial - dusty grey for the downstairs main living/dining area, and carried it up the stairway to the upstairs hall. Some people balked... "grey?!" they said with a little hint of, "ew, so boring, why GREY?!"

At the time I happened to be on a grey/brown combo kick, but looky who was RIGHT ON THE MONEY!! Not that this front page of Z Gallerie proves I am, eh em, ahead of the curve, but... okay, it does.

Pat, pat, pat my own back...

But really, let's take a look - grey has made a huge resurgence as a main neutral instead of the yellows, taupes, and ivories, and every time I look at my walls, it makes me realize it all fits together so nicely! A few of my favorite grey pieces are below - not all decor!

A little top I bought from Old Navy recently because I just loved the grey and yellow combination so much:

Hellllllo chair that I'm in love with and want to hug and kiss and sit on in black skinny pants and my grey and yellow tank (over the top? Yeah, well, welcome.)

Z Gallerie's Labyringht bedding, which they have carried in a variety of colors, also now in grey:

Oh how I'd love to wallpaper the wall that runs upstairs to my second floor - just on that one wall, all the way up. Heaven. For now, I will just keep coming back to this post and to Brocade Home's site to gaze at it:

A nice little Ikea cushion, grey and yellow as well, only about $30:

Talk about a dream shoe. This is a metallic silver from Butter that looks just lovely - so lovely I could never get them for fear I'd sit around looking at my feet all day instead of working!

And finally, who can forget my newest obsession with grey nailpolish?!

Meet Max

2010-05-01T18:53:00.003-04:00

Well, world, The Parents got another doggy.

You may remember about a year and a half ago (I can't believe it's been that long sometimes) I lost my childhood dog, Taffy. You can read my sentiments here. You can. I won't. Still gets me sometimes. I know she was "just a dog," but she was part of our family and I loved her so. And my goodness was she a trooper - 16 years old!

After 18 months, my mom has gotten a new dog - Max. She reports it was difficult, and that sometimes she still feels bad because Taffy was her true doggy love, but I have to say that Max is really wonderful.

As you can see he is SUPER cute. And he has a great personality too. The little guy is 3 years old and they got him from a kill shelter where he was about to be... well, you know. He had been beaten by his previous owners and you can still see that today. If you lift a hand too quickly to pick something up, or drop something near him, or simply startle him, he winces and cowers and rolls over because he expects to be hurt.

He is slowly and surely coming out of that, though and it gets better every day. They've had him for about a month and he is fully acclimated - having won the battle to be allowed to sit on the couch (only on a random 49-ers blanket though - don't ask me where that came from!), plays a few times a day, sleeps and tans in the sun the rest of the day, and basically already has my mom and dad wrapped around his little paw.

Surely there will be more pics (of course!) but frankly I haven't had a moment to start editing yet so you can see some uncut ones now!

Oh, Hi, Hello

2010-04-26T10:47:00.003-04:00

Quick update from the old-people capitol of the world: Florida!

There will be a bunch of blog posts from my last week, mostly because I've taken quite a few shots of the different places I've been and stayed, but for now, only a quick update (for one of the reasons listed below):

Wednesday: Left for Miami for a work conference - well, sort of. I did in fact end up leaving, but after I missed a flight, went to another airport, was that person and hopped airline counters until I could get a flight. So I arrived in Ft. Lauderdale, but eventually I made my way to my hotel, the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort, which was lovely. (This gets it's own post - the decor is beautiful!)

Wednesday Night: Hosted a 15-person dinner at Bourbon Steak, in an amazing and beautiful private room, with pretty excellent food. Bourbon Steak gets its entire own post later too!

Thursday: Got a monster virus on my work laptop that basically fried it. Let two hours on the phone with work's IT department commence... And yes, I may have lost everything, but I'm not allowing myself to think about it yet!

Thursday Night: Hosted 25 people at Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian steakhouse with the servers walking around with meat on swords and all. It was an experience - a fun one! This gets it's own post too!

Friday: The Moms picked me up, we drove back to their side of the state, I grocery shopped and settled in, and started pondering my Big Purchase for Saturday...

Saturday: I'm a Mac now. Ahhhh!! Well, I technically am still a dual citizen: Mac for personal, PC for work, no getting away from that. I bought myself a nifty little Macbook Pro 13" and am quite the happy camper (still in denial about the possibility I lost everything from my PC of course.). Well and before that I bought my summer handbag, but we'll address that later...

Sunday: Who knows I can't remember but I'm sure it involved errands, the beach, maybe a nap, work, and being bored...

And here we are. Monday. Aren't you glad you know everything I did? Here I sit in a Starbucks, burnt (yes I use sunscreen, yes I reapply, yes I still burn), a teeny bit bored, and starting on a bunch of new posts for you!

Addicted

2010-04-24T10:34:00.001-04:00

Yes, I've now become your enabler.

Houses in movies? Check.

Tiny houses? Check.

Old houses? Check.

Funny houses? Check.

Bad MLS photos? Check. (And funny!)

Might as well save this one for a Saturday morning - you'll spend a good hour on your first looksie through Hooked On Houses...

LongestBandNameEver

2010-04-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

We haven't talked much about music on this blog - and frankly I don't intend to start.

UNLESS... I come across something that hits me like Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Hopefully you haven't all heard of them and been playing their tracks on repeat for the last six months and I'm just now stumbling across them.

They haven't hit super main stream, but are becoming more frequent on the mainstream alternative stations, and I can see why. With a bit of a nod to Johnny & June Carter Cash, their tracks are not only fun but super catchy. When I first heard "Home" (below) on one of my alternative XM stations, I checked the station thinking I was hearing a song from the 60's... but I wasn't.

I think one reviewer hit it on the head when he wrote, "the sound is strangely familiar, yet somehow new," and "... the smile widens and widens across the listeners' face as the album goes on."

Take a listen for yourself. The other songs on their first album, Up from Below, have similar sounds but some are less cheery. Let me know what you think!

***Update: Turns out I didn't embed the video right. Try clicking the link here for the song Home.***

Glen Echo Echo Echo Park

2010-04-18T08:12:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite things about living in Washington, DC is that I am constantly finding new places that I didn't even know existed. And I say this being a pretty adventerous Saturday-without-a-map kind of person.

I remember when I discovered Middleburg, VA and was so happy - new town, new feel, new experiences (new antique shops!).

Along those lines, a few weeks ago I was visiting the opening of a friend's photo exhibit and thought I was just going to some building or strip mall with a studio in it. Couldn't have been further from it!

I arrived at the address, which ended up being Glen Echo Park right on the Maryland border. I'm not really sure how to describe the park except that it feels like you just stepped into the 1950's - from the buildings, to the decor, the feel, the rides, the swing dance hall. It's wonderful.

The exhibit was a sucess so a few friends and I went over to an Irish bar right outside the park and spent hours on a beautiful spring night talking, drinking wine, cracking up, and enjoying each other's company.

But first while it was just dusk (hello, best time for building shots!) or a little before, I snapped some of the below. I could have taken pictures for much more time than I got even though it's not a big park.

Maybe another trip across the river for some more shots one of these days!

New Restaurant: Source

2010-04-13T21:23:00.009-04:00

I'm trying to be more willing to try new restaurants and foods - especially places I haven't tried in DC yet. I swear... I'm trying!

Today I had a lunch appointment at Source, a new-ish restaurant in DC that is inside (more or less) the Newseum, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant.

I'm really glad we tried it! Here's the menu - what would you have picked? I ordered the chicken salad sandwich, trying to not worry about the curry (which I hate) but it turned out really good - couldn't even taste the curry, and the rest of it was good!

The ambiance was nice and airy with a ton of natural light even though it was raining. The table, bar and seating set up was interesting but pretty - mini benches (okay the light suede did leave little fuzzies all over my black pants though) up to tables with white cloths and stemless water glasses.

Worth a try? Yes.

The best thing about lunch? Easy. The company.

Round on the Sides & HI in the Middle...

2010-04-11T18:36:00.006-04:00

If you've been reading very long you know there are a few places I just can't get enough of - and they aren't your normal to-die-for destinations usually.

That's okay with me though. Less tourists and tourist-y! Lately I've been pining for some Ohio, remembering the great time I had last fall over a long weekend. I go to the Cleveland area almost every fall - and this last October's trip was just as beautiful.

So I went to high school outside Cleveland and might have a special affinity for it... but it's also quite adorable!

Check out some of our fun during that perfect October weekend... sigh, I can almost smell the countryside now!

(First a funny one - a friend sitting with Kate.)

The Menu...

2010-04-03T22:13:00.003-04:00

The tomb is empty, and He is risen!

Now let's celebrate! Happy Easter everyone.

I've invited a bunch of people over for an "orphan Easter" this year. You know how I just love hostessing - truly, it could be one of the loves of my life - but making that decision 2.5 days in advance? Hmm. Sanity check, aisle Me, please.

Twelve friends are coming over around 1.30 pm and I can't wait! I've spent nearly two full days preparing for what might be a 2 - 3 hour gathering. Good thing I can laugh at myself.

Yesterday was a lot of grocery shopping, menu planning, and buying stuff, stuff, stuff. Today was: grocery stores (again), making Easter bags for the guests (yes, really), straightening up the house a bit, and then the bulk of the time getting the back yard in shape. That, readers, is a whole other post (let's just say I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight).

I've started preparing the food tonight, but here is the full menu:

Drinks: a lemonade champagne, white & red vino, Green Mountain coffee, OJ, Coke Zero (duh), and regular Coke (does anyone still drink this, by the way?).

The brunch: an egg brunch (made by the roommate), french toast bake, some spiral ham, banana bread, mini Fiber One blueberry muffins, a grape salad brought by a guest, and I will probably run out tomorrow morning and pick up some fruit.

And dessert: some carrot cake bars being brought by the one and only L, sugar cookies that will be in the Easter bags as guests part, and there will be little bowls around with pretzels dipped in either white or milk chocolate.

In summary: An incredibly unhealthy brunch. Good thing it's a one meal kind of day tomorrow... At this point (late Saturday night) I'd say 1/4 of the menu is complete. Tomorrow morning will be a hustle, but all for the fun of having company over!

Can't wait to show you the back yard too, it is slowly becoming more presentable... slowly.

Happy Easter to you!

You Said WHAT?!

2010-04-01T21:50:00.008-04:00

I got the nicest compliment I've ever received about my house and decorating the other day.

My temporary roommate had a few friends in town. After they walked in and took the [tiny] tour, one girl said (sit down for this, dear reader):

"Your house looks like a spread out of an Anthropologie catalog."

Be. Still. My. Heart.

Now I don't think that's necessarily true, mostly because on home items I find most of them at bargain stores, Luckett's, or furniture flees - but hey, I'll take it any day!

I rearranged some furniture recently in the family room, so here's what it looks like for the moment (the photo wall & tv are off to the right....)

It's Spring!

2010-03-21T22:21:00.009-04:00

There are so many wonderful signs of spring arriving: the chirping birds, warmer temperatures, being able to leave the windows open at night...

But also, the arrival of the Bodens Spring Catalog! Well yes, I've been pouring over it for the last three weeks. Tagging pages, bending corners, tabulating and justifying "needs" v. "wants" v. "seriously, I just cannot allow myself to buy that"'s.

So I thought I'd just share with you a few of the items I'm obsessing over. How this usually goes is I'll let myself get one of these, then maybe hope the others are still available in the right color and size by the time it all goes on sale!

Care to vote which item I should splurge on?!?

There are these beauties - purple (though they call it blue, so I'm not 100% sure) sandals which a perfect heel height, and lovely little ruffles. Other colors here.

Butterfly, teal, flat slingbacks? WHAT?! When, how, and where do I apply to work in the Bodens design studio? I sort of think I could get these no where else - and frankly nothing like them - which means they are beating out the above ruffle shoes at the moment.

A dress... or two. I've narrowed it down to two dresses that are so pretty, and so different (even if not in print, in shape and styling they are), that they are worthy of the "top choices" list!

And last, what is needed to pull everything together in this set, and a wardrobe? DUH. A clutch!

Okay, this is the dream list. I'm not getting all these - I may not even get one. But if I did choose just one item... which should it be?

Nail Trends: Spring 2010

2010-03-17T20:22:00.005-04:00

Nails are a fun trend to completely dive in to during different seasons for a few reasons.

First, it's inexpensive. Trends are usually so incredibly expensive but two new bottles of nail polish will cost you what, $15 - $20? That's a trend I can definitely try with confidence that if I don't like it in a few months, it won't have been a waste.

Second, everyone sees your hands! It's a fun way to dress up your normally-appropriate and, possibly, a little boring work outfits. Not because you are boring OF COURSE. But because, well, it's work.

Third, super easy. Take old polish off, base coat, new trendy color, top coat, dry time... all done from start to finish while watching one episode of The Office. Easy peasy!!

Some "Don't Forget"'s...
First - short. Keep. Short. Nails. Long is gross, annoying, hard to take care of, and get dirty. Second, no chips please. I can't promise you I've never have chippy nails - I have. But I shouldn't - no one should! Third, dude, do your own nails.

Use Essie. Okay, that's not a trend, that's more of a personal preference. I use Essie exclusively because it's the only brand I've found that doesn't chip, has a good brush, has excellent colors, is $8 or less, and... and... who knows, I just think they are the best, k?

Grey Is So The New Black
Are you over the black nail polish of the last few seasons? (P.S. I'm not.) Or, have you been trying to get up the courage to wear black to work, and you never quite have? This season's grey trend just might be for you then.

It's a little less jolting, and very pretty, and incredibly versatile. It can go casual or dress it up with some super shine top coat. A few brands are below in the photo that seem like nice shades of grey - personally I am still looking for the perfect hue and haven't found it yet.

And yes, grey has been on it's way in for the last few months. But I think for us normal girls (aka non-Fashion-Week-attending, being-appropriate-at-work-liking girls), grey is an incoming trend.

No Shine Here!
Next trend - matte nail polish. I can't lie, it took me a while to get used to this one. I've only worn it twice now (once right now, I might add, in black), but it's growing on me. There are two ways to go to acheive the matte look - either a matte top coat (see Essie's Matte About You below), or to buy matte nail polish.

My vote is the matte top coat because it's a lot more versatile.

Is this not only a really intruiging color (OPI Russian Navy matte), but honestly just a beautiful photo? (I'm always a sucker for an over-exposed, and over-saturated image.)

Pedal to the Metal

My final major trend is using those nails to go metallic! Beyonce got this going a few months ago when she started sporting Minx nail products - a "green" option for nail color, it's almost a piece of color that is heated and stuck on the nail (or so I hear, I of course have not had it done and don't plan to).

From the look of different magazines and articles I've read lately, Minx has a bunch of different options, it's just that the silver and gold metallic are all the hype right now. A little research shows it can cost anywhere from $40 - $80 per service (not that I would ever get it done anyway, but I definitely wouldn't now!).

Some examples below. Not that you asked, but I like-ish the silver, and want to gag at the gold. So, there is my verdict on metallic nails!

Love Your Guts

2010-03-13T19:57:00.002-05:00

Sad as it is, it looks like the end is nearing for our dear Sarah.

Her cancer journey over the last five years has been difficult, it has been exciting when it was reported gone at times, and terrifying at other times for her and her family. I remember the desk I was sitting at 5+ years ago when she called and said that, at 25, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was a week away from a double mastectomy. And so her cancer story began.

These years later, two months since her last surgery, two weeks since she moved to hospice, the Lord seems to be calling her Home. You can read for yourself about the last few weeks here.

Her breathing is slowed. Her friends and family have gathered around her bed, and it seems her time to meet Jesus is very near. I can only wonder, when you're aware you are so close to the end of this life, how real Jesus seems. To know that not at sometime in the future, but that soon - maybe hours - she will see His face and will hear "welcome, good and faithful servant."

Leavin' On a Jet Plane

2010-03-12T13:35:00.007-05:00

I'm off to see a little bit of this:

And some of this:

And maybe a little bit of that:

Oh, and get some slobbery presents from:

Can't wait. Be back next week friends!

Make My Day

2010-03-10T14:37:00.004-05:00

No, really, please – make my day.

Just like the man on the corner waiting with me for the crosswalk just made my day. Originally on the other side of the crowd on the corner (you know, downtown, lunchtime) was this man who walked over to my side of the corner while everyone started to cross and said, “I really like your shoes.”

BAM! POW! ZAP!

He made my day. And no, not because the subject of his compliment was my shoes!

He made my day because it was random, it was sincere, and it was for no reason at all – he just decided to say something nice. He could have said it about anything, it was just nice and not because he needed anything because he said it and went on walking.

Lesson of the day? Never underestimate what saying one little - sincere - nice thing can do for someone who needs a pick-me-up – whether or not you know they need one!

(And for no reason whatsoever, here's a little shot that makes me happy, so I hope it makes you happy too!)

Viola!

2010-02-28T09:50:00.006-05:00

And this is why I love going to dinner with L.

Not only does she know how bad I am at making decisions about restaurants, but then willingly overcompensates for me by always having good, new, and interesting recommendations. So this week - a long one, with some not-so-great days - it was a great respite to try Cafe Bonaparte in Georgetown.

I'll let her tell you about our fun meal, but definitely somewhere worth trying. Key is to get there at or before 7 to have an easy parking experience and also get a good table.

This leads me to wonder what DC restaurants I need to try next - not that I'm a big "fancy restaurant" person, but I should probably step outside my comfort zone a little bit this spring!

Update: The Birdcage

2010-02-26T07:17:00.000-05:00

Some of you might remember my adventures in covering up an incredibly ugly thermostat a few months ago.

I found a lovely bird cage at - wait for it - Home Goods, and planned to attempt to hide the ugliness of that thing. I think I'm there. I admit it was a little bare when you saw it last.

But now I've added a few more items, with incredibly easy access to the temperature-changer-knob-thing on the side. Hint: it's aligned right with the right edge of the frame (which also now has a picture of Ms. E in it).

All pulled together, here is the full picture of that section of decor. I'm hopefully getting around to photographing the house as it is now - on it's two year anniversary coming up - since basically everything is almost done now.

But here is a little section of decor love for now.

Making Room for More

2010-02-23T18:19:00.007-05:00

No, not like that. Not that I know which “that” you thought I meant, but I know I didn’t mean that “that.”

My good friend LK is moving in next Monday. She and her fiancé are getting married on June 12 (did I mention I’m planning the wedding? More to come.) and her lease is up next week, so… she needed a place to live.

Just so happens my guest bedroom would like to have a long-term visitor. Which all means I will have a roommate for the next three months. In preparation for LK’s arrival, I’m having to clean a bunch of rooms so that she has enough space for her things in her room, but also elsewhere in the house.

The first space I tackled was the front/coat closet. See here what a disaster it was:

I know, doesn’t look that bad.

Allow me to explain: this thing is what, 18 inches wide? 20? Maybe. Further, it is the only closet on the first floor. Wait, it is the only closet in the entire HOUSE that is not a closet in one of the two bedrooms. That’s right – no kitchen pantry, no linen closet, no storage closet. In fact, no bathroom cabinets even (hello lovely pedestal sinks – I love you, but I also hate you).

You can see where this is headed. So in this itty bitty closet was everything else: coats, winter gear, hardware, tools, step ladder, camera equipment, umbrellas, racquet ball equipment, two overhead lights I want to switch out, light bulbs, reusable grocery bags… you get the picture. (And you’re impressed it all was in there).

So I emptied the thing out.

Then I moved a little shelving deal I had in my upstairs closet into this closet, but sideways. One cubby for camera equipment, one for winter gear, one for reusable bags, etc.

Then, I found this nifty little hook that I got at World Market years ago but never put up. (Another post one day on all the hooks I have in my house.) Turns out it's a pretty decent scarf holder.

And I couldn't leave the top of the white shelf unused, so this fabric basket is where the "currently being used" items go. For winter it's hat, mittens, and scarves. For spring it will be umbrella and who knows what.

See, and then the coats have their own designated little space:

On the top shelf we have, from left to right, electric drill, grill equipment, and a boxed mini chandelier. And in another fabric basket (yellow & gray) we have two seasonal wreaths for the front door, light bulbs, and extra hardware.

And voila! A brand new, organized, crafty closet that just might allow space for someone else's coats too!

Hey, when you live in an old (ie no closets) little house, getting creative with your organization is pretty key. On to the next project!

Welcome...

2010-02-22T10:56:00.001-05:00

When the Saints Go Marching In

2010-02-08T23:39:00.003-05:00

“…I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!” Rev. 19:1

A good friends’ dad died tonight.

He had been in hospice for some time, suffering from liver disease.

I didn’t know Mr. P well, only a little bit over the last 10 years, so my sense of loss is really only for Amy and her family.

What an honor it was to know him even the little bit I did, though. He was…

**A good father, to three daughters, one with special needs.
**A hero, a veteran, and a POW in Vietnam for a significant amount of time.
**A man who once scoffed at the Cross, and then believing only in his “need to do right,” and who then became an evangelist, leader, and a living testimony to God’s grace.

He is home. I can only begin to imagine the welcome home party the angels are throwing for him tonight.

Pretty Pretty Paper

2010-02-06T11:07:00.005-05:00

I’ve been kind of obsessed with stationary & notecards lately.

I've always liked pretty papers, but I’m starting to look at so many new stationary styles online and thinking that I need to start making up reasons to write on real paper and write people notes and letters!

There are a few personalized sets in my collection, but I may have to re-organize them for better usability and accessibility so that I remember them more often!

Here are a few that are on my wish list right now…

Calling All Green Thumbs!

2009-12-31T10:07:00.003-05:00

Where do I even start on the backyard?

And I say “backyard” as though it is an actual space – which, frankly, it’s not. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, because I do love my backyard space, but the photos are deceiving. It is quite teeny tiny!

Bloggerettes: I need your help.

What is a Girl to do?

Here are some of my preliminary thoughts. First, a deck. Second, a deck. Okay – so I want a deck. The biggest hurdle at this point will be the neighborhood association, which has to approve all new structures. When the time comes, I’ll go through the appropriate motions but I don’t want to get into the forms and requirements until I’m decided that’s what I want to do .

So second option might be… ground cover with walking stones? This is a great suggestion that I think would look great, but then a green-thumb friend of mine said that ground cover, especially in the DC area, is a great place for rats – RATS – to make their home.

Rats? Yes, rats – and I’ve seen in the neighborhood flyer that there are a few people that had rats in their yard before. Hrm.

Last, just a few points you should know if you have some thoughts about the yard. The dirt portion is 100% shade because of the tree, and the brick portion is about 80% full sun. Also, the roots of the tree are at the surface of the dirt, so it’s a very bumpy terrain, and the roots actually protrude out of the dirt. I think before I moved in, there was brick patio extended to the tree, and they had to remove that part because of the roots.

Help, friendlies, help!

Another Day, Another Injury

2009-12-29T23:04:00.003-05:00

September.

This is appproximately how far behind I am in blog world. Yes, I've been writing since then, but I guess it's just about a three to four month gap at this point - at least for items that aren't time consuming!

Since I've documented some of my awesome self-injuries on the site, thought I'd update the most recent of the stories - from September.

This one involves a spider, an SUV, a good friend, and maybe a faulty spider-get-away plan. And a broken joint. I'll leave it to the imagination what actually happened, but did want to document the ever-evolving world of my hand injuries.

I can report the pinky is working great, and living up to everything it was meant to be.

I'll end with this thought. Much like when I stabbed my own thumb and have to have surgery on it, and was in a cast for a few weeks (yes, really, friends) - you don't really know how much you need the pinky until you can't use it!

A to Z Seating

2009-12-13T10:20:00.005-05:00

Recently I was traveling with a client and was putting on a 30-person dinner in a town I’d never been to.

For someone as crazy about events as I am, this was a challenge. I had to put a lot of faith into recommendations and talking with people about the venue, the food, prices, transportation.

The dinner was on a Tuesday night, and I arrived late Sunday night. Monday afternoon I met with the restaurant, checked everything out, signed the contract (nothing like last minute, eh?), made a deal with a taxi company to transport everyone, and we were off.

Except one little detail…

… place cards. You never let 30 people just scramble and sit where they want at one long table, with multiple clients involved. So I started on a mission: find place cards in a strange city.

The restaurant was so fun and hip, too, that I didn’t want a plan gold foil-lined little place card. So finally I found a paper store with a great selection of note cards.

First, find a note card with significant white space to write the guests name. Check.

Second, put the note-cards-turned-place-cards on the settings (I’ve recreated a place setting here since I forgot to take pictures at the restaurant!).

Voila!

An extra step to be a) a great hostess, b) environmentally friendly, and c) creative?

Pick the note cards up at the end of the night (be quick to gather them before the wait staff does!), and as long as nothing got on them, use them for your thank you notes – which is exactly what I did!

Loved it, and think I’ll do it again in the future!

Rockin' Around The Christmas Wreath

2009-12-05T06:22:00.003-05:00

Every Christmas I think I’m going to get crafty.

And every Christmas, I just run out of time. Sadness.

But, my friend Martha keeps me dreaming every year! One of these days I’ll figure out how to organize myself well enough to complete Christmas cards, finish gift buying, AND get crafty! This year I would love to find time to make a Martha wreath. There are so many different “flavors” that there is definitely something for everyone.

I just might try one of these beauties. I’m thinking either the bells, or the glass ornaments.

Suggestions?

Pretty, right? Does this look too hard to make?

How about this gold wreath that has a few different kinds of greens, plus gold hints. Learn how to make this one here.

And this one is so unique. Not sure about how it would turn out if a non-professional-crafter like me did it, but it's pretty adorable, and would like cute in my house where pops of white are frequent!

Maybe you want to make this FOR me? Who knows, they say even a six-year-old could do it!

Pucker up!! Not only is this mistle toe, and not just a little piece hanging in a doorway, but a big slab of it!

Make this smootching wreath by looking here.

Last but certainly not least, this gorgeous glass ornament wreath. I want to do this one so badly, but I just know it won't come out looking like this at all, and I don't know if I can handle that!

Decision Engine: Kitchen

2009-12-02T11:16:00.000-05:00

That’s what I am right now – just like Bing. I’m a DECISION ENGINE.

I’m making decisions, and moving on them. We all know how rarely this happens for me, so let’s just soak up the decision-making glow and be on with it.

Ready for my latest decision? READY?! Sit down for this.

The kitchen. It’s time. It’s getting redone (or started, at least).

Nonsensical white and brown tile kitchen floor, you’re outta here. Creepy dark grout that no sane person would ever put in between white tile, you’re outta here too. Ugly countertop that would probably be fine on your own but just knowing they put you in to match the ugly floor… you’re a goner.

So maybe I’m dreaming and this won’t all get done, but I’m setting a goal. By the end of 2010 I want to do the following:

*Glass tile backsplash (ohhhh, ahhhh)
* Or (option!), dare I say there may even be a crazy idea in here that I would pursue
*New floor
*New countertop

New appliances? Nah, I’m okay with the white ones I have. A girl would always love stainless steal, but it’s certainly not a necessity. Also, great white cabinets that I love. Good windows, love my window treatments, and good layout. See, lots of good things about the kitchen too!

I’m sure I will document the whole thing, whenever that might be!

Magazine Heaven

2009-11-30T18:10:00.007-05:00

What magazines do you read?

Don’t even get me started on the rise and fall of Domino. Sigh. It could bring a tear to my eye even now, thinking about how good the day was that I’d come home and see a Domino sticking out of my cute little mailbox.

Now they’ve replaced it with Glamour. I mean, okay, fine, but I don’t WANT Glamour… I want Domino.

So around Christmas, you know, when I can’t think of anything else to tell my mom for ideas she wants to give my aunts and uncles, I give her loads of magazine subscription ideas. In my alternate universe mind, where my overactive imagination is king, I imagine that some day I will be a magazine executive in a penthouse office in Manhattan, yelling like the editor that I am that “this page just does NOT go here, can’t you feel it?! It’s just not right here!”

I love the magazines – this we now know.

Right now I’m subscribed to Glamour (as per previous whine), Real Simple, In Style, MotorTrend, and Newsweek. For some reason it feels like a lot more, quite possibly since I let them pile up for months before I get a chance to read them.

What should I add to the collection? I know I’m re-upping MotorTrend and In Style. Should I be getting Martha Stewart Living? I usually just buy it at the grocery, but I should probably start getting it at home. I’m also considering Southern Living, Time, Elle Decor and maybe People Style Watch.

(Just LOOK at some of these covers - they are so tempting I want them all.)

Suggestions, please!

Don't Recognize Me

2009-11-18T17:01:00.002-05:00

So here’s what I thought was funny today – a Consultant I have got a mention out of me about the blog.

Yes, I mentioned GLCT to someone outside my friend space. I mentioned it, however, because I thought that maybe someone at my firm had seen it – a variety of reasons, but I had good reason to think so. So, while being upset about this potential fact, I mentioned my “secret blog” to him.

Mistake.

Now he’s scowering the Interwebs for said “secret blog.” He can’t find it, I know he can’t. Am I that predictable – or predictable at all? I guess the real question is, in the way that I live my work life, do you think the people in my work world would know how to find me somewhere on the web?

Do they know my heart, my interests, and what I find funny?

Just some food for thought. How real am I at work? What do I really let people know – and where do I set my boundaries?

Plus, if Consultant DOES see this – he’ll be so overwhelmed with “being right,” he won’t be able to not tell me he found it…

Come Back To Me

2009-11-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

You saw all the Christmas card drama.

Knowing that I had 400 cards to do meant that there was no way I would be writing a return address on all of them.

I also didn’t feel like getting a bunch of return labels. 1. I wanted something a little different, and 2. You all know I’m trying to be as green as possible, so I didn’t want to just waste the paper.

Hence… the stamp!

I scoured the Interwebs for a cute stamp, and while it is not Christmas-y at all, I thought this was adorable and I’d be able to use it for a long time. I’d say a worthy $21 investment considering what you would pay for labels over the years.

Tickled Pink Paper Ink has some adorable stamps if you’re in the market.

If you just search for “return address stamps” online there are really great ones with self-inking stamps, to any style you can dream of!

Christmas Card Preview Time

2009-11-15T11:01:00.002-05:00

The Christmas card process has been quite a, well, process this year.

First there are the personal cards. I’m committed to it this year. COMMITTED. No more getting to December 20th realizing I haven’t even started them. Now, yes, truth is I’m on my third weekend of saying I’ll start them and then, in fact, not starting them.

But I’m still committed. I swear. It’s true.

Then there are the professional cards, and only one word describes this process and it’s “ugh.” Ugh.

My company decided that to cut costs and supposedly “show off our digital offering” that we would do HTML or e-cards. What?! Seriously?! Can you say TACKY? I don’t even know what to say because as many of you may know, the holiday card thing in DC is quite important. Who you send to, who you “forget,” how good and quality the cards are… it’s all ridiculous, I admit, but it is nevertheless a big deal.

And let’s just review what I do for my company: external communications. So as you can imagine, my list is quite large because sending out holiday cards is, well, externally communicating.

So after a conversations with my boss (who is also against the e-card idea) we decided I would just buy my own cards and send them out and charge them back to the company. It’s just not right to send someone an e-mail card – I’d be the laughing stock!

(And this is the space I would go on a thing about the “holiday card” versus the “Christmas card,” but I really don’t think anyone is interested to hear what we all already know – it’s kind of ridiculous, but it is what it is.)

So here is a preview!

For the personal card, well, you don’t get a preview because if you’re reading this and you’re one of my friends, you’ll see it in mail!

For my professional cards, however, I’ve ordered two from one of my favorite sites, TinyPrints.

The first is a Christmas card. Because TinyPrints is so lovely, you can change any of the text on the cards – so mine say something a little different than what you’ll see. I also changed some of the fonts. But it’s Christmas colors and a Christmas ornament, so… I went with it.

I bought 200 of these:

Next, we have the totally vanilla any-holiday-you-want-card. The Holiday card. You could do the little circles in different colors so I chose the green and blue (which you’ll see here), and also changed the font to a less script-like font, and also changed the text a wee bit.

I bought 100 of these:

So in total, I have saddled myself with 400 cards. 400. Honestly, I could maybe not sleep for a month and they wouldn’t get done – so no, I have no idea why I’m doing this to myself, but I am.
And hey, Merry Christmas!

Wood. Wick. Wood. Wick.

2009-11-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

I’m not a huge candle person – but I do like a nice one here and there. I used to be like every other girl and bought tons of them, but once I realized I only really like a few kinds, I stopped that insanity.

Now I just have a few brands that I really like. One, introduced to me by someone that gave a gift to FR, is Wood Wick.

The website is just terrible, but the product is the exact opposite!

The basic premise is that the “wick” is made of natural wood materials, and is flat and very wide. When you light these little beauties they sound just like a [very quiet] crackling fireplace. It is quite lovely, especially for sitting down in a quiet room to read a book.

Not to mention, their smells (smells? Fragrances?) are wonderful. They are full and strong enough to get a wonderful whiff, but not overpowering at all.

Can you tell I’m listening to/smelling/enjoying a little Wood Wick as I write?

Thanks for Having Me Back

2009-11-07T09:25:00.001-05:00

My, my, my. What a whirlwind few weeks I’ve had. And a few weeks that I’ve ignored this little blog.

More than a few. Okay, you’ve got me.

This week isn’t over yet for me, but I had a mini-meltdown this week over work and after a few days past that I think I’m getting back to that point where I realize the job just isn’t everything. It’s not. But I forget that so often.

I don’t really know how I got there either – I had/have a workaholic dad who worked constantly, and I always vowed to not be like that. Yes we had everything we needed and more growing up, but I wanted to get out more, enjoy life more, have people over for dinner often. And here I am, not having eaten anything but cereal in my own home for the last three or four weeks and looking around at a month of piled up mail, and a disaster that some people would call laundry.

But sometimes it takes a bit of a meltdown to clear the mind – right? Let’s hope so.

Onward.

This week ended a full week of travel that started in Chicago, went straight to St. Louis, and then on to Asheville, NC for the remaining three days. And guess what. No, guess.

I didn’t check luggage. That’s right – I’m a girl, I traveled to cold, sort of cold, and cold again, and I had everything for a week of living in carry-ons. You’re impressed, I knew you would be.

One of the great things is that I got tons of pictures from the St. Louis trip, so you’ll be seeing some sweet Halloween shots of our little baby friend Elise soon:).

Glad to be back.

Go Upstairs

2009-09-27T10:41:00.000-04:00

I’m back on the wagon to showing you all some of the little pieces of my house that are completed. But am realizing – 18 months after buying this place – that it really does never end!

This is a shot up the stairs (duh!) from my first to my second floor. I bought the tin square you see at the top from Luckett’s Fair a few months ago. I had been looking for something for that wall for a long time, but hadn’t really seen anything that jumped out at me.

Sixty dollars later, and a great story about the old building it came out of in Brooklyn, and me and my tin ceiling tile were on our way.

A little more detailed...

I’ve often thought that maybe I should do something fun with the white part of my stairs. (Is it called the “rise?” If not, does it have an official name?) Any thoughts?

My crazy thoughts in the past have been… paint them a fun color. Do some sort of paint stencil treatment. Just clean them up and fix the chips and nicks in the white paint. That’s as far as I’ve gotten.

Listography

2009-09-24T22:59:00.002-04:00

Do you write lists like I do?

I make lists. List of what needs to be done on the weekend, lists for groceries and errands, lists for packing, lists for work, lists of projects that need to be done to and around the house.

Lists.

Then I make lists of lists, i.e. House, Grocery, Weekend. That’s what would be on a list of a list.

In fact, I have often started journals that are just about life, and I’ve tried the prayer journal, or other types of journals, but can never keep it up past a week. A few years ago I realized one day that I just am not a journaler – and that’s okay!

You don’t have to write in paragraphs and long pages to record your life in writing! And thankfully, there is something to help with that.

One day – in fact, I remember the day, it was the night of my first Psalms summer class and I needed a quick new notebook at Barnes & Noble – I happened to run across this just life gem:

Listography has been one of my favorite little pieces of Stacey World the last few months. Occasionally I take it out and try to add a few things, flipping through the pages here and there.

Essentially it’s just a book – or journal of sorts – and on every page is a new question or statement, and then a bunch of lines below it so you can LIST out the answers! Same questions and categories include:

People I have loved…
Pets I’ve had…
My favorite movies…
Places I have kissed someone…
My favorite meals…
Countries I’ve visited…
People that have hurt me…

As you can see, some are light, some are not. I have teared up at more than one answer I’ve written – and I’ve had a happy memory that made me giggle at the same number.

Sometimes you just find one of those little things that makes you so happy – Listography is one for me!

The Fall Runway

2009-09-06T19:40:00.009-04:00

I have the Fall bug.

Being the transplanted northern girl that I am, I yearn for cooler weather, the feeling of Fall, the smell of chill air, and the changing colors that the season brings.

Alas, these are later, shorter, and fewer between here in DC. I will, of course, take what I can get though!

I’ve taken a different strategy on my Fall/Winter ’09 wardrobe, however, and have decided to put thought and strategy in to the pieces I need, and not pick up so many pieces on a whim, without really thinking about if I need them or if they work with what I already have.

And then, abstain from shopping. (This, of course, will be the true test!!).

My strategy? Clean out the closet (in process), and the shoes (completed!), the drawers (can’t even think about it), and determine what is really needed. I am in need of statement pieces is what I’ve decided, and almost all “work appropriate” that can move to casual as well.

Here are a few pieces I’ve either ordered or plan to order soon. I’ve tried to pick out items that will work with what I already have and complement my current wardrobe and NOT buy anything that would need an entire outfit built around it. That is for sure a no-no!

Thoughts? Reactions? Is this a system that will set me up for failure?!

Now a reminder that I work in an office where I need to be in something that is either a suit (well, I don't do matching suits - too boring - but I mean jacket and bottom) or something close enough of a suit if I need to run over to a client's office last minute. e.i. A nice cardigan or sweater-ish.

From Old Navy:

I liked this with pants and heels, or over one of my many black or black and grey dresses, or even a pencil skirt.

We all need waist belts for this season!

Okay so I got one casual tee too:)...

From Talbots - I swear, it's not just for old ladies, as long as you look around:

From The Loft:

From Boden's (ahhhh, my favorites):

This one has little elbow patches, and I can't wait to wear to work but also with jeans and black boots. Sigh!

Fly Far, Far Away

2009-09-02T07:06:00.000-04:00

Speaking of going crazy on Etsy...

I may have also re-jeweled myself this week.

That is such an exaggeration. I bought two necklaces, that’s it, I swear! One of the little guys I purchased might now be my absolute favorite “fun” pieces that I have to wear.

What is it about this little piece that touches me so much? Not sure. But isn’t it funny – a little piece of jewelry, $16 later, and some how just looking at it touches my heart. I suppose that’s what “art” is, regardless of the cost.

(More views here.)

Allow me to be annoyingly reflecty and introspective for a time – when I take time off and actually have time to get inside my own head and straighten out priorities and think about L.I.F.E., I get a little introspective for a few weeks after.

And something about this little bird has me doing this. Maybe I identify with this bird a little bit – she’s outside her cage, but still hanging close to home where she is safe and does what she knows. Yet her wings are still spread.

Did my new Etsy friend think through all this when making her piece? Who knows – but if you see me wearing this a lot, now you know why!!

Print Me Crazy

2009-08-31T09:47:00.000-04:00

I went a little crazy on Etsy this week.

I find so many things from different artists that I’d love to have in my home (or wear!). And when I’m committed to the process, I always find something inexpensive and incredibly unique – which is just what I’m going for!

This week I started looking at some prints for different parts of my house. The idea of prints has grown on me a lot in the last few months – and I’m now comfortable having them, missed in with photography, around the house. At first it felt too different in feel and mood from the photographs – and maybe even a little… modern?

I’m not sure.

But what I know now, is that your fickle little decorator friend (me), now likes them mucho! I picked up this print in an 8x10 this week from a neat designer. Its in an antique-ish frame (which balances it, I believe) and is in the main room.

I was sitting around this week and realized that there was not even a bit of yellow (my third secondary accent color – and obviously no, that is not a technical term, but one I just made up!) on a certain wall of the room. Hence the purchase.

But, now that I have it up, I am loving it! My bedroom is still posing a bit of a problem for me on the wall décor side of things, so these images are rolling around in my mind even though I’m not sure if they will work or not.
Not to fear, no purchases have been made yet. One thought is that I have a massive old frame that was painted green by my Primitive & Proper friends I plug all the time. It’s empty – no glass, etc.

What if – work with me here – I framed a couple of these prints and hung them inside the huge green blank frame?

Just a thought.

"I Said REST!"

2009-08-29T09:51:00.001-04:00

Whew – an interesting time of vacationing I’ve had this last week!

I was off work and decided that instead of going anywhere, I really needed some time around my area, around the house, and to catch up on life. That sort of happened – but you know the saying. The best laid plans of men…

Have you ever had one of those times when you know God wants you to take a rest, step back from “life,” take a breather, and regenerate?

I have known that I needed this – and frankly, was being told to do it – for about a month, but still had a two-page list of to-do’s ready to attack for my “vacation week.” I think the Big Guy had other plans. Long story short, I got a nasty cold on day two, and broke a finger on day three.

Two things that make plowing through a to-do list a little less productive. This is one of those strange times, though, where I am so thankful that both happened! While irritated at my lack of accomplishments over this week at first, I now feel truly rested, rejuvenated, and in a better spirit and attitude to return to work on Monday, and return to “real” life. We all know I wouldn’t have given myself more than a minute of downtime if this had been up to me!

Now on to some super posts for you, reader! I rearranged a few housey things, bought some new small accents, made some clothing decisions, tried a new recipe, and started (and almost finished) a new book, and will be writing about all of them!

Three Month Photo Shoot

2009-08-18T20:20:00.004-04:00

You might remember Elise from when she had just joined us back in May. Cute as can be, tons and tons of hair, and making mom and dad so happy.

(You probably also remember the incredibly cute new house she was about to move in to!)

I visited E and her mom and dad a few weeks ago. I just love her – it was funny because I knew that I did from pictures, but then when I saw her and smelled her and held her… it was love. We laughed, we cried, we pooped, we cleaned the poop, we stared at the fan (who she has a daily stare-down with). We had quite a few days together.

Oh yeah, and mom and dad were fun to hang out with too;).

Mom and I went for a wonderful pedicure, and we both decided that our feet, in fact, were perfect afterward. Now, our feet were perfect mostly because of the spa's apparently-famous 60 Minute Pedi. Now you're saying, 60 minutes?! Yes. Sixty. One hour. Two half hours. I loved every minute of it, and it was a great birthday present for me - but put the two most impatient girls in a spa where there's one technician, and it creates quite a scene. We laughed about it the rest of the weekend!

Now Elise is so cute that people often stop in public and look and coo at her and want to ask questions. While mom and dad were doing groceries in Wal-Mart, I was walking Elise up and down the isles. It gave them a little time to do some super fast shopping and focus, and let's be honest - it gave me more Elise time!

So we had a little party, her in her stroller, me walking back and forth in the meat section, and we just watched as the world went by.

I can't wait to go back and see what she looks like, what she's doing, what fun things she has found to stare at, and how her little personality has grown in a few months. For now, a few photos – maybe more in the future but I worked up these few for fun first.

Mom and Elise outside a great little cafe in downtown St. Louis where we ate lunch outside.

How funny is Elise just hanging out on dad's shoulders? She looks so tiny!

Oh, Annie. She's such a good dog and has taken really well to having someone else be the baby in the house! Here she is hanging out in Elise's room. (Shh! She's not supposed to be in there!)

Just a Small Town Girl...

2009-08-13T18:49:00.002-04:00

It has been quite a few weeks, I will say that much!

As you saw, I have been travel-mania for a while, which sadly means that the bloggity blog suffers! But, now that there have been some adventures, it means you – loyal reader – get to hear about them!

My MOST FAVORITE memory from the last few weeks was attending Rock of Ages, an off-Broadway musical, in New York City.

I took clients and some other work associates to town for a few days of meetings, and one of the nights I was Ms. Entertainment Finder. We ate at a most amazing restaurant (details later!), and then went to a showing of Rock of Ages.

At first I was in shock. Shock!! I thought to myself that I had brought clients and other people to a dirty (dir-tee) musical. But as the production went on, it soon became one of my most favorite stage performances I’ve ever seen.

The short of it… thin plot, resurrected 80’s and 90’s power ballads as the soundtrack, and ridiculous characters. It was phenomenal. Apparently it was nominated for nine Tony Awards, but didn’t walk away with any.

You must watch this You Tube clip here which doesn’t even start to show how amazing it was, but will give you a taste of it. This was a short snippet production they did at the awards show, and this is about half as good as an actual 5 minutes at the real show.

I can’t wait to go back – and I will!

He's Always Been Faithful to Me

2009-07-28T22:09:00.004-04:00

Friends, yesterday was my birthday. I'm not a big "birthday person," but what they have come to mean since I've lived here in DC for almost 8 years now (wow!) is a visit from my mom!

This weekend she came down, brought one of my friends with her, and we had a great time.

I tend to get a little reflect-y around my birthdays - not in a negative way, but maybe not in a positive-enough way either. I think about where I am, where God has taken and brought me, and consider what could be ahead.

This weekend, while approaching a reflect-y day, one of my favorite hyms kept running through my mind, as it is even as I type this.

I hope these words - and truths - bless you like they have blessed me.

Morning by morning

I wake up to find

The power and comfort of God's hand in mine

Season by season

I watch Him, amazed

In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He's always been faithful to me.

I can't remember a trial or a pain

He did not recycle to bring me gain

I can't remember one single regret

In serving God only, and trusting His hand

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He's always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song

The theme of the stories I've heard for so long

God has been faithful, He will be again

His loving compassion, it knows no end

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful

He's always been faithful to me.

Baking for Prizes... I Mean, for the Children

2009-07-27T19:48:00.004-04:00

Each year my company has a highly-competitive Coo.kie Bak.e Off. I can’t even begin to tell you the smack that is talked in the weeks leading up to the competition, or the lengths that people go to in order to provide the best entry.

There is baking, there is trash talk, there is the reserving of three connected conference rooms for an afternoon (talk about office management not being your biggest fan!!), internal “advertising” and grassroots campaigns, and big drama about how the entries are presented on the judges table.

All of this, however, for a great cause!

Each year we work with the Capital Area Food Bank to provide toys and Christmas presents to local children and families that otherwise would not receive any. At the competition our employees select names of kids who they’ll buy for.

The competition is one thing, but of course giving back is the best thing!

I could not, in words, however describe just how competitive, detailed, and intricate the entries get. So… you will just see a few pictures!

Keep in mind the categories one can possibly win in: best taste, overall best entry, most creative, best name.

And yes, the IT folks set up a virtual Christmas fire for the occassion. This SmartBoard is massive - about 6' by 5'.

The labeling and entry system is very complicated and technical...

Two final notes. First, yes, I'm posting about a Christmastime contest in July!

Second, I've never entered an item, mostly because I'm the "team photographer." I'm considering entering this year, though - any suggestions??

Cities, Cities, Cities

2009-07-18T19:32:00.005-04:00

I’m back on the travel wagon – hence the lag in blogging! This jaunt of travel won’t be nearly as extensive as this spring, but it’s funny how it often seems to happen a bunch of weeks in a row!

I’ve been each place I have to go in the next few weeks, so I’ll see what new photos come out of these trips – if I have time to take any! Here are some of my favorites from pervious trips.

This last week, I was in Atlanta, but for less than 24 hours. (When did my life get to a place where I am flying around the country for trips that are less than an actual day – blagch.) I have to say that I don’t really love Atlanta. That said, I have been there probably four or five times in the last few years and none of those trips involved doing anything except meetings in hotels and conference facilities – so I can’t say that I’ve had the opportunity to really explore.

On a business trip last summer, I caught a few fun images when we stopped at this park on the way to the airport.

This coming week I head to Philly for three days. I’ll train up on Monday (only 90 minutes on the Acela – who could ask for anything better?), do a dinner event, have all of Tuesday to myself and to work in my hotel room, and then another presentation event Wednesday morning.

Then I’ll hop another Acela at 1 pm and head on home! I didn't take any pictures on my last trip there, so I have to make sure to get some this time around!

The next week, I’ll visit S and her new baby Elise for the first time (YIPEE!) in St. Louis, some suburbs that I have grown to like and know well!

And to end the string of trips I’ll spend two days in New York City for another client event. This time I’ll be hosting 15 other people on the trip, so the stress level will be approximately 27 on a 1-10 scale. I don’t have great shots from NYC with a decent camera, but I’ll post them anyway!

Look for more photos from my quick trips – I already feel myself missing my own bed!!

Nothing says "Welcome to my home" like...

2009-07-07T10:26:00.000-04:00

Check out my new door mat.

Pretty cute, huh?

I spotted this little guy in World Market a few weeks ago and thought it would be the perfect addition to the front of my house. It carries some of the colors that are throughout the house (you know the palette by now – brown and grey for the base, and teal, green, and yellow as accents), but with a few new ones too for outdoors.

I know someone that might be jealous of my peacock-ish door mat, but let’s just hope that while she’s on vacation she isn’t keeping up on the blogs.

Love World Market, and since some of their locations went out of business, they are having great sales lately!

Little known fact – they carry wonderful textiles… window treatments, rugs, pillows, bedding!

We'd Like Our Field Back, Ms. Witherspoon

2009-06-29T20:46:00.006-04:00

If you live outside the DC area, you may not know that softball is a really big deal in our nation’s capital! People that work in Congress, at PR firms, and in different agencies are frequently part of inner-office teams, and there are several leagues.

My firm has had a softball team for quite a few years and I must say (buffing my nails), that the team is quite good. No, no I don’t play on it. But I AM the team photographer!

Last week we had just a total lame-o experience. We have a regular field that our team uses, but the opposing team was from a so-annoying-anyway-senate-office, and insisted on playing on a field that was not a regular field.

Our team got there.

We started playing.

Capitol Police started to kick us off.

Why, you ask? Because apparently the big mass of mess about 300 yards from us was the set of the new Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson movie. Yes, Reese and Owen were nearby. But we wanted to play softball!

After arguing with this incredibly stereotypical Hollywood Creepy McCreeperman, him making friends with the tattoo’d Capitol Policy woman… it was over. We were kicked off the field.

And the set manager’s reason that we – and another game across the mall from us – had to leave? Because if – IF – they began shooting, the people on our team may be seen in the shot, which by Screen Actors Guild rules would mean we’d have to be paid for “working.”

Bear with me for my one political statement on this blog: This is why unions suck!

Oh, Dear Kitchen

2009-06-29T20:18:00.000-04:00

I love the MSN articles on their home page every day, mostly because they are short (let’s be honest about my attention span), and have lots of pictures! Do I sound like an 8-year-old boy? I think I might.

Check out this “30 Great Kitchens” article they have up right now.

Even though the pictures are small, and it’s hard to see a lot of detail, I like the idea that some of these kitchens have. Gave me a few ideas for a few rooms in my house. Looks like I’m going to have to pick up the next House Beautiful issue!

And for those that know me, you won’t be surprised to learn that my favorite of these options is the “All White Kitchen.” I don’t know what it is about white brick, white cabinets, white paint…

Scand-o Adventures

2009-06-24T07:45:00.000-04:00

Is it allowed if I want to blog about things that happened in the past, way before Girls Like Cars Too came in to existence?

Hopefully!

One of the best trips I’ve ever been on was a Scandinavian adventure. I wish I would have known about my friend Lisa’s life growing up back in the Fall of 2007, since visits Sweden often!

Almost two years ago now (yikes!), I visited the great CP when she was working for a shipping company in Copenhagen. I strategically wrapped the 10 days around Thanksgiving, which meant I only had to take four days off work – come on, that’s genius, you agree.

We did so many things on the trip, but it was a great balance because I also had a lot of “The Girl time” to hang out in coffee shops, putz around local shops, walk around neighborhoods, and of course take gazillion million billion pictures.

We stayed at CP’s place in Denmark for most of our trip, but in the middle, took a quick flight to Tallin, Estonia where we were supposed to be in a nice little garden hotel, and ended up in a hostile. Hey, it was worth having the story!

After two days in Estonia, we took an overnight ship through the Baltic Sea to Stockholm, Sweden.

The ship was called The Romantika. I don’t know if I need to say anymore than that. The Romantika. There were Estonian “pop dance troops” for entertainment.

The Romantika. You get the idea.

One of the amazing scenes from the ship in the morning as we were getting closer to docking was all the small little houses and families that live on islands in the middle of the Sea with only their house (and a shed and dock for their boat) on it. There were tons of these - some, like this one, had just one home. Others had four or five.

After arriving in rainy Stockholm, we spent another two days looking around the city for an American store (we needed pumpkin for Thanksgiving dinner!), making friends with the Swedish Meatball, and seeing the biggest pirate ship ever.

We then trained back to Copenhagen through the countryside, which was amazing to see from the inside of a train.

It was a great time to spend with CP, and I go back to look at these pictures often because it was so much fun. The bicycle riding, the six flights up to her apartment (okay, not so much fun), her heated bathroom floor, the people, the things I learned about fashion and accessories, feeling like I fit in in a city full of very tall blond pale women. :)

Thought you might enjoy some of the photos from the trip!

Done?

2009-06-22T09:05:00.000-04:00

“Done” has been a word I’ve been avoiding thinking about for a long time as it relates to my house and my decorating.

“Done” seemed so far away. Forever away. Unachievable!

Well, maybe it still is… but the last few weeks, something has changed, I’ve apparently made it over a major hump, and the house feels almost… done!

Yes, I know this means I need to get my rear in gear and put some more pictures up. A mini house photo shoot will be coming your way soon. But wow, just sitting around on a weekend morning, catching up on e-mail, looking around, I realized, “this place is close to done.”

Wow.

So here’s my list of “to-do’s” that remain. It might seem like a lot but considering where we came from, it’s not at all!

Immediate items: the yard needs to get cleaned up, all the brush cleared, and some new planters. A new rug for the kitchen (to hide the ugly tile pattern I inherited), window treatments for the guest room, and clean out the coat closet, guest room closet, and re-organize the kitchen.

Medium-term items: decide what the heck to do with the backyard (a deck? Ground cover? Stones? Ugh!), and figure out if I want to buy a headboard for my bed, or if I want to leave it as is.

Long-term items (aka the wish list): granite countertops in the kitchen, replace the kitchen tile, new stainless appliances, and replace the first floor half-bath floor with tile.

With it all written down, it actually doesn’t seem like that big of a lift! At least the immediate and medium-term items are fairly doable.

Photos coming soon, but you all have watched the house take shape and watched rooms come together in real life and on the blog. Thanks for all your suggestions over the last 15 months!

Straight Cuteness

2009-06-20T09:46:00.001-04:00

Emma’s mom is a regular commenter here on Girls Like Cars Too (and how I love the comments you all make!), and has a great little blog herself over at Life Through Emma’s Eyes.

We all were at church on Sunday night a few weeks ago, and I snapped this photo when Ms. Emma was standing directly underneath me, almost on top of my feet.

Then she wanted my camera. I hear from Emma’s mom that this is a regular occurrence!

How adorable is she? I just couldn’t take it, so I had to share some cuteness with you this rainy icky Saturday morning :).

Frozen Water. Mmmmm...

2009-06-17T23:20:00.002-04:00

So I had this little idea when I hosted a few friends for brunch on Sunday morning before church.

Before the little idea, let me just say how fun that was! I have over one of my favorite couples, and then also ITT, and we had some eats, and some coffee, and morning laughs. More on the brunch later, but we walked to church and it was a fine little morning.

The night before I was prepping for what I would serve and had literally zero room in the refrigerator to put the big jug of water I needed to chill.

Hmmmm…

Ever since I went to Europe to visit CP (CP!) in the Fall of 2007, I have only served water from old wine bottles when I entertain at my house. So I experimented.

I poured in two inches of water in to each bottle, and stood them up in the freezer overnight. By morning they were totally frozen and I now had a two inch block of ice to help chill the water.

When I got some things out of the fridge to cook, I had room for the water, but it definitely didn’t chill all the way. The ice blocks helped, and made for a good conversation piece too!

Try is some time, just make sure that whatever you’re using – preferably and old wine bottle – it has a smaller top than bottom, or the ice block could slip out!!

Recession Chic: Organizing

2009-06-12T21:48:00.005-04:00

I’ve tried a lot of organizing gimmicks in my time.

I’ve had the white pressboard little stacking boxes. The three-stack tower. The plastic Tupperware systems that are supposed to work in drawers for socks or undies.

Let’s see, what else has there been. A bookcase here, an under-the-couch fabric blanket bag there, a hanging hook system everywhere.

This is what I’ve learned about organizational purchases – and it may surprise you since this is falling under the “Recession Chic” set. But, I am a firm believer that if you spend a little bit more money on your “system” – whatever it might be that works for you – you are more likely to actually use it, which then means you are less likely to want to pitch it and get something different!

I’ve included a few of the [still inexpensive] items that have really worked for me. As you’ve heard before, I live in a small home. An end-unit townhouse, two bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a kitchen and one living space. 788 square feet. That’s what I’ve got to work with.

Not to mention that a house built originally for military families and in 1942 basically means you have no closets or storage whatsoever! Add all these variables up, and you have the need to find lots of creative ways to store your stuff… because not only do you need somewhere to put your things, it will probably be out, and seen!

Here are a few of the items that have helped me:

1) I am a big believer in over-the-door storage. I have one of these in every room of the house, in fact, that has a door! In the bedrooms, I keep a robe and sometimes the work out clothes or pajammies that you are going to wear more than once. In the bathroom, it’s the towel storage and “equipment” storage. I never knew what those rubber hooks on hairdryers and curling irons were for… well, they are for hanging on hooks!

2) Belt organizer. Can’t. Live. Without. You. Mr. Belt Organizer. I have tons of belts – they go over button downs, under sweaters, around the waist – you name it. In addition to the belts we have scarves, sashes, and who knows what else. This little guy from Ikea saved the day. No more digging around in a box or unorganized shelf. All the goodies are right there, visible, and easy to grab. Oh, and it goes over the door!

And in full use...

3) The kitchen hutch (which is now, by the way, painted and bright white!). This is where I needed some storage, but also wanted something pretty. And we have the hutch!

4) Under the bed storage. Now there are a lot of contraptions out there that claim to be under the bed storage. There is the less-expensive Tupperware-types, fabric or plastic bags that are supposed to do the job. Take it from me… spend the extra few dollars to get the ones that have hinged tops and even, if you are feeling a little fancy, wheels. The worst thing to have to do when you’re searching for that sweater or shoe you haven’t switched out yet, is to have to pull and entire huge box out, maneuver it around the others, and try to find what you need. No way, Jose. Get the fancy one.

5) Soda can holders can save so much room in the refrigerator and leave more space for [real] food. I just may be addicted to my Coke Zero and Diet Dr. Pepper, but I still need them to stay in place while in the fridge. Added bonus… it’s not just for the fridge! If you buy the big boxes at a Costco-type place, you can use these wire racks in the cabinet or extra storage space that you keep the others!

My last little piece of advice is to always look for storage when buying pieces of furniture. I basically made myself follow the rule that when looking for little tables, or hutches, or bookcases, TV stand – whatever it is – it must have storage. It has made the process of keeping the house clean and organized so much easier (though still not easy!!)

What is your organizing secret?

Recession Chic: Day Trip

2009-06-05T21:39:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow, a friend and I are trucking it down to Ches.apeake, VA.

Now, just to be honest, I will have to tell you that we are going down there (over 3 hour drive, at that) just to go to one store - Gard.en Ridge. We both know about the store from different places we've lived and been.

The rest of the day is a complete surprise! We don't know what we're doing, but from the maps it looks like we will be close to Virginia Beach, so maybe we'll go to The Boardwalk, or just find a cute outdoor restaurant, or hang out at a park or something.

Who knows!

But, what I DO know, is that it will be a fun day with her, a chance to get way outside the Beltway (needed!!), and will probably get both of us a few good photos. A 3-hour drive, one day (aka no hotel), some cute parks or beaches or other nature finds, a cute restaurant or two, and a store we both love and all on the Eastern Shore...

... looks like a recession chic day trip to me!

Of course what I want to know is what are your recession chic day trips? If you are in DC - is it C-ville? Vineyards in Middleburg? Share. And if you are somewhere else... make us jealous of your lovely day trip ideas!

The Birdcage Project

2009-06-01T07:33:00.001-04:00

Have you ever had a just-fabulous décor idea, gotten all the parts or pieces, completed the project, and then said, looking at it from across the room…

… “hmmmm.”

Yeah. That’s what I’m doing with the heretofore known Birdcage Project.

There are a lot of little things that I don’t love about my house, but they are all necessary. An old phone jack. Some of the outlets, the sloping wood floors toward the middle of the house (yeah, this is a special one).

Whatever it is I just can’t deal with the house thermometer. It kind of drives – or drove – me crazy. It is this awful off white-almost-yellow color, and it hangs out right in the middle of a large wall. Unconcealed. Icky. Staring at me, day in and day out.

Here is the thermometer (don’t lie, you hate it too).

Here’s what the wall looked like with it always hanging out right in the middle.

And here is the birdcage I bought at – wait for it – Home Goods (shocking!) to cover it up. The birdcage, a few frames, and a nail… and I had me the Birdcage Project.

Now, don’t be concerned. I, too, don’t know what to think of this. I’ve added more around the cage since I took these photos – there is now a frame hung on the wall outside the cage, a tall candle on the teal furniture – that makes it a “set” of décor. It doesn’t look quite so lonely.

The door opens and right behind that frame is the thermometer so that I can be as temperamental about the temperature in the house as I am. Easy to change, not nearly as ugly, and the wall needed something large.

Thoughts? Be honest. It’s one nail, despite what it looks like. Tell the truth, kids.

My Alone Day

2009-05-30T09:27:00.004-04:00

This is what I'm doing today. I am SO excited - I've been thinking about it for days!

Last year I scored my coffee table there, and met the vendor who I've since gotten more pieces from. I also have to say that I have been very excited about today being a "The Girl Day." You know how sometimes you just need a day to yourself? An alone day?

I needed one of those. I've had painters in my house this week, and just felt like I needed a little alone time before a very busy week ahead! So, my super-awesome plans are:

Luckett's Spring Market
Leesburg Outlet (a stop by only... I swear... no more clothes!)
Super Target (every time I'm in Leesburg I go to the Super Target - I love it!)
Costco
Get my bangs cut on the way back
Home Goods
Drop off stuff at Salvation Army

I'm sure there will be a Starbucks stop in there too somewhere. I was recently telling a friend how much I love doing errands - she did not believe me! But I do! So I am looking forward to my day of errands, all by my self, and maybe picking up something cute to decorate my newly painted (and almost finished!) bedroom and guest room.

I'll post my finds!

Gro-dy!

2009-05-29T08:20:00.000-04:00

Don’t look. No, really, don’t.

Okay, there’s a picture, obviously you’re looking. This was me after a broken toe (in two places), and a torn ligament in the joint that connects it to my foot.

So awesome.

I got to go to a podiatrist for the first time in my life over this little gem. Just a tip for your future: don’t trip over an area rug while carrying a rocking chair, then catch yourself on it, but slam your foot in to the base of it.

Believe me. Just falling – and not “catching” myself… on a toe – would have been much less painful.

Oh how the saga of hurting myself continues:).

Sweet Matrimony

2009-05-27T09:11:00.001-04:00

I’ve been all over the place with weddings in the past five or so years.

I’ve been elated for the couple. I’ve been concerned for the couple. I’ve teared up during ceremonies because of the obvious love. I’ve cried afterward because it wasn’t me. I’ve judged (good and bad) decorative details, and vows, and bridesmaid dresses – and that was all wrong.

But that was a couple years ago.

Now? Sweet. I just think – and am able to see, with maybe a little grace – weddings as sweet. Sweet. Their love – it’s sweet. The work the bride and others have put in to details – it’s sweet. The speeches, toasts, delicate details of a dress, of shoes, of a table cloth – it’s all just kind of sweet.

A wedding I was at this weekend was just that. M & B got married at a beautiful little (and I mean little!) church in Potomac, Maryland on Saturday and continued the celebration at a farm even further out in Potomac.

The vows were lovely. B’s speech was nothing less than incredible, yet relaxed, and confident. The food was… amazing. The venue was… amazing.

I may have even taken a few notes. 120 guests? Perfect. Short reception ending by 11 pm? Perfect. Running off without having to be there for tons of goodbyes and clean up as the bride? Perfect.

And… a tunnel of sparklers as you run to your 1960’s white Studebaker to be driven away to your hotel? Per-fect.

A few quick photos. (Confession – new computer, haven’t been editing photos, these are the only ones I’m willing to share without having loaded my new software yet!)

Mini's!!

2009-05-24T21:12:00.004-04:00

For a wedding this weekend (more pictures on some fab-u-lous details at this wedding are to come…) I helped with the “dessert bar.”

This bride loves mini things. Anything mini. Mini this, mini that… she loves it! So, in addition to a cupcake tower (instead of a traditional wedding cake), she had a few friends make mini desserts and had an entire bar of them!

More on why this is in a barn – yes, it was amazing! – but I decided to make mini cheesecakes. They were a hit, although I almost had a near-mishap baking them the morning of the wedding!

I took a regular cheesecake recipe (the normal 16 oz. cream cheese, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. vanilla, ¾ cups sugar, 2 eggs) and beat it until it was extra extra extra fluffy. Hey, making anything mini means you need all the fluff you can get!

But first, I had to make the contraption these little guys would go in. I used foil cupcake holders thinking they would be a little more festive than regular white ones. Then I put two vanilla wafers in the bottom of each one to act at the “crust.” I fiddled with what some other options might be, or could I put actual crust, but crumbled, in the bottom… but the suggestion in the recipe turned out to be the best one.

Next, I filled each cup about 2/3 of the way since cheesecake always expands and then falls. They popped in the oven, cooled in the refrigerator, and were ready to go!

But first, a little added decorating on half of them…

After drizzling some chocolate, I then rigged up another contraption for the travel. 88F degrees. One hour ceremony. 30 minute drive to the reception. Add those all up, forget about the idea of refrigeration at the church, and you have got yourself in a pickle.

Thankfully, after a lot of icepacks and some homemade insulation, they survived and were the best thing on the dessert bar! Okay, not really. I mean they were good, but everything else was good too!

The Mission

2009-05-18T08:15:00.001-04:00

After LA, LB picked me up and we spent the weekend in Santa Barbara. It was really just so beautiful. The weather was perfect, and we had a great time laughing, catching up, and just hanging out.

Before I left, LB really wanted me to see the Rose Garden outside The Mission, and I am so glad that we did! While the pictures in the post, I think are pretty and the flowers are beautiful in their own rite… there is something that is a bit surreal about walking amongst hundreds – maybe thousands – of flowers in your bare feet.

Yes the realities of cars, buildings, homes, palm trees (okay, maybe I’m straight crazy, but palm trees just don’t do it for me), horns honking… it’s all there. But seeing all these amazing flowers and all at one time, the eye is almost overwhelmed with color.

I’m stealing and idea for Mother’s Day from LB to use these photos to make note cards for Mom. Yes, it’s after Mother’s Day. Yes, I’m always late sending things. But Debbie will like them anyway, I’m sure of it :).

I'll post the cards post-production!

The Penthouse

2009-05-16T09:11:00.007-04:00

Continuing on with my California adventures (I know, really, how late could this be?), the second day I was in Los Angeles for work, my client took my colleague and I to one of his favorite places – The Penthouse.

The Penthouse is a lovely – and I mean lovely – bar/restaurant at the top of The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. Just a 15 minute drive from our downtown hotel and it seemed like we were in a different world.

The shops were different, the people were different, the hotel was most definitely different. Much swankier, much more “LA” than down by the pier. The view at The Penthouse was one thing, being on the 13th or 14th floor of the building and looking out on to the ocean – but the décor was just as beautiful!

Their color scheme was cool, but not too “seaside.” Modern, but not also with some vintage mixed in. Modern with vintage mixed in?! I can’t BELIEVE this is something I would be attracted to immediately!!...

Just some of the pretties about the place that I couldn't get enough of:

** U-shaped tables along the window wall, but on a step, with the fourth remaining chair needing to be a bistro-height chair. Theirs, studded light blue suede.

** An extremely oversized leather chair – two or three people could have sat in this chair, and it brought in the vintage Hollywood feel. I sat in it for a moment and felt like a queen!

** The modern and straight lines and cubes, which were even more highlighted when tossed in the mix with pretty and soft curves and colors.

Little Miracles

2009-05-15T12:11:00.006-04:00

Please give Ms. Elise a welcome! S – who has been preparing with her new home – gave birth to her this morning around 3 a.m.

I was just with her this week before Elise’s big entrance, and having been around and looking at and feeling her belly, and now seeing this amazing little life, only one thing comes to mind:

Psalm 139:13 -- For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.

Recession Chic: Summer Sandals

2009-05-04T08:55:00.002-04:00

You know those summer shoes that are just a few pieces of actual material, but cost so much?

Yes, I know them too. I want them. I buy them. I wear them for two months. Don’t look away – you do it too!

Of course I want some cute summer sandals for the upcoming warmer weather, and there are some cuties out for this season! But, I decided that of all the things I could spend money on, this was going to be one of the items I was going to be smart on.

So I went cheap. There it is – I went cheap this year, folks. I made one summer shoe splurge in the form of a pair of Michael Kors sandals that can be dressed up for work, or dressed down with some crop pants… and the rest I’m going cheap on.

First, I wanted to at least attempt the gladiator sandal trend, especially since the likelihood of it being “out” very soon is high. Instead of spending some serious cash on them, I picked these up at Target. They are cute, fit the trend, and until you get close enough up to them that, frankly, you are just too close to my feet unless you’re a podiatrist… they look pretty snazzy still.

Here’s another version of an inexpensive gladiator sandal, from Old Navy. A little less chunky, and around the same price.
Also from Target, these little brown sandals that I have already worn many many times between a few nice DC days, a trip to Florida, and a trip to California. I have a feeling these are going to become my main summer casual shoes, because they are super cute (especially with pants, those little straps peeping out), and really comfortable.
How about the trend of chunky jewels or other fabric on top of the foot – sometimes in the form of a T-strap – on a summer sandal? Old Navy and Zappo’s both have some really great, reasonably priced, options.
Shoe shop away… and guilt-free!