Flirty florals

So while I was at Macy's this afternoon paying off the hefty balance on my store credit card (leftover from Christmas) with the extra money I have from my tax return (thanks Uncle Sam!) I stumbled upon this cute neon-colored, floral dress by XOXO that might be perfect for a wedding I have to go to in July.

XOXO Sleeveless Floral Dress, was $69, now $51.75 

(Full disclosure: this was in the juniors department. I can still shop there, right? Oh, and the colors really are more neon-looking in person.)

And while I was sifting through all the dress photos on Macy's website to find that picture, I also spotted this equally bright, cute and colorful dress by Nine West that reminds me of watercolors.

Nine West Sleeveless Floral Dress, $134

So what do we think ladies? I'd love to hear your opinions before I whip out the old credit card and start racking up a new balance! Either of these a winner? Or should I keep looking?

Images via Macy's

Bow and Arrow

Cupid, one of ABC's newest shows, is on tonight and I have to admit, as cheesy as it is, I'm kind of excited. As I have mentioned on here before, I'm a total rom-com girl, so I was pretty much hooked from the first episode. But it's not the plot line that has got me, because the last episode I saw—which was 2 weeks ago; I am pretty sure it skipped a week for some reason—was beyond ridiculous. Here's a recap if you missed it (though you can watch it online if you really want to): A teen guy searches for and finds his sperm donor father and then, realizing how great this donor is that his mother technically picked out, he tries to set him up with his mom. The catch? Sperm-donor dad is a Republican and mom is a Democrat. Which totally gets in the way of any romance until the two realize that, political beliefs be damned, they are perfect for each other and they both care about their son. Insert obligatory "aww" here. Oh, and by the way, when the son springs the news on his mom that her date is in fact his dad, it's all hearts and rainbows, no negative reaction from either. Reality? I say not. But I guess that's what you get from a show based on a mythical god.

Anyway, what I do love is the witty banter between the show's two main characters, Trevor Pierce aka Cupid (Bobby Cannavale) and psychiatrist/self-help author Dr. Claire McCrae ( Sarah Paulson). See, Trevor is assumed crazy because he believes he is Cupid and that he must match up 100 romantically-challenged New York couples before he can return to Mt. Olympus. So he has been placed under the care of Claire, who believes true love is more than the stuff of fairy tales (or sex).

As with any good rom-com sitcom, there is an obvious attraction and chemistry between the two and it's only a matter of time before they get it on. Until then, we can enjoy Trevor's snappy one liners and goofy-yet-adorable good looks.

So anyone else watching this show? Or is it a bit too cheesy for you? Any other new ABC shows you are watching? There's a lot of new ones like Castle (I like), Surviving Suburbia (Eh) and The Unusuals (haven't seen)...

If you want to set your TiVos (or DVRs as in my case), Cupid airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. after Dancing. Escapist TV is just an hour away! If you watch it tonight, tell me what you think.

Images via ABC.com

In the eye of the beholder

On Saturday, Ashley over at Writing to Reach You tagged me to play a little game called take a picture of yourself right now for which you literally take a picture right then and post it. Well, I didn't read that post until Sunday morning and although it was about 10:30 a.m. when I read it, I was still in my jammies (weekends are for sleeping in, right?). I had literally just woken up and hadn't even had a chance to run a comb through my hair let alone do any other "primping" measures. But being the good sport I am, I took her up on her challenge. I fought my primal urge to run to the bathroom to wash my face and put on concealer. You're welcome? Ha, you be the judge. (But not too harsh, ok? I had just rolled out of bed for Pete's sake!*)

Morning glory: scruffy eyebrows, unkempt hair, glasses and all-around sleepy face.

In my defense, here is a photo I took later that evening, also using my laptop, which imparts a nice glow, I think.

Better, yes? See, I clean up ok!

Alright, your turn! I did it, so you have no excuses. I tag Amber, Shoshanah, Andhari and anyone else who has the guts. Luckily for you I post later in the day than most bloggers. Make sure that if you do it you leave a comment letting me know so I can go check out your pic!

P.S. To see more faces sans makeup, check out the covers of the April issue of French Elle. Eight European starlets went bare faced in the photos and there was supposedly no Photoshopping or retouching of any kind. Now that's brave!

*Who is this Pete guy anyway?

8 years gone

I want to preface this post by saying, this is not my normal, “upbeat” post. But it is something that is on my heart today and I felt it was important for me to share. As always, thanks for reading.

Eight years ago today, my big brother, Jeremy, left this earth. He left before I had a chance to say goodbye. He left before I really had the chance to get to know him as a person, as a friend. In some ways, I think he left before he really got a chance to know himself and all he could be. I mean, he was only 26. That’s just 2 years older than I am now. He had a difficult childhood really, with a lot of heartache and ended up choosing the wrong paths early in life. But he was just turning things around and finding success when his life was cut short.

It was a car accident. My brother was the passenger and his friend, John, was driving them home from a night out. It was very early in the morning and John fell asleep, leaving the truck to veer into a turnout and hit a tractor-trailer parked on the side of the freeway. John survived with a few cuts and bruises. My brother was killed instantly. It’s the type of thing that makes you question life. Why did this happen to him? To me? You ask a lot of “what ifs?” And then you realize you will never know the answer. Slowly, sadly, you move on. My friends marveled at my strength, but I didn’t feel strong. I felt broken.

I was only 16 years old when my brother died. I had never even had a boyfriend. I wish he could have been around for that. To be that overprotective brother that I know he would have been. To give my boyfriend a hard time. I would have hated it probably, but since I didn’t have it, I miss it. I think I was just getting to the age where we could have been friends and really talked. He was 11 years older than me, so it was hard to relate when I was younger. He moved out of the house when I was in elementary school. Sixth grade, maybe? I can’t remember. But I do remember him and his posse strolling across the elementary school playground, the yard duty approaching him to reprimand him and tell him to get off campus. And then me, running up to “save him” and tell the yard duty, hey, this is my cool older brother! I loved any chance I got to hang out with Jeremy.

When I think about my brother now, I have mixed emotions. Sadness, happiness. Not so much anger anymore. I’m sad about the facts of what happened, of course. The horribleness of this day, eight years ago.  But I am more upset about what will never happen. My brother won’t be at my wedding. I won’t be at his. We won’t see each other grow old, have babies. Sometimes I dwell on these things and I cry, particularly on this day. Holidays are always tough, too, and not just for me, but my entire family—especially my mom. For the most part though, I think about my happy memories from the time we had together. The funny songs he would make up on his guitar, wrestling with me and my younger brother, Patrick, and giving us noogies, helping me with my homework, playing video games at his house, buying me a stack of chick flicks (on video!) for my birthday or the new Brandy CD, and picking me and my friends up afterschool in his brand new car. When I got older, he gave me my first driving lesson in that car—the same one I now drive. These are just some of the memories I cherish.

I don’t usually talk about my brother much. There are people in my life who don’t even know I had an older brother. But time has eased the pain and I love talking about him now and sharing his life with others. It makes me feel like he isn’t totally gone, that his spirit still lives on in my heart. That somehow there is some purpose in him leaving so soon. I can honestly say now that, while I would give anything to have my brother back, I believe I am a better person for having endured such a loss. So I hold tight to my memories of Jeremy, the best big brother a girl could ask for. Though the years may fade the sharpness of my memories, I will never, ever forget.  

Jeremy Peter Weed

August 25, 1974 to April 26, 2001

Bloggy Awards

As promised, it’s time to hand out some blog love! What better way to spend a Friday, right? So here goes…

The first blog award I ever received was from my very first commenter, the lovely Amber over at Amber Alert. She gave me the Cute’s Blog Award. She gave it to me awhile ago and I have been holding on to it for too long. Time to give it away!

Not sure exactly what the rules are on this award, but I think I am supposed to list 10 uncute things about me. Well, that’s not that hard to do!

I am uncute when…

1. I wake up in the morning. Think tangled hair, major cowlick, lines on my face from the pillow and sleepy eyes with remnants of mascara that wouldn’t budge.

2. I bite my nails. Such a bad habit that I just can’t seem to break!

3. I work out. My face gets all sweaty and red—as bright as a tomato, really—and my thighs jiggle. Nuff said.

4. I wear sweats all day. Working at home leads to many uncute moments.

5. I have greasy hair from not taking a shower. Again, working at home leads to uncute moments. My boyfriend can attest.

6. I pig out on Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. Soo good!

7. I am stressed out. Nothing like a high-pressure situation to bring out the bitch in me. My boyfriend gets the brunt of that though.

8. All my laundry is dirty and I have nothing to wear but pajamas, baggy shirts or dirty jeans. Ew.

9. I am sick. But isn’t everyone? I complain a lot though when I am sick. That’s not cute.

10. I am in pictures. I am not the biggest fan of pictures of myself, particularly candid shots. I hate those! My dad likes to do the sneak attack shots when I am not ready. Geez.

I would like to present the Cute’s Award to these five “cute” blogs written by some lovely ladies:

1. From L.A. to LA

2. Reading my tea leaves

3. You are my fave

4. A room somewhere

5. In Good Taste

Next on my list of blog awards is one Shoshanah over at From L.A. to LA gave me on Monday. It is the Fabulous Blog Award and the rules are I list five of my guilty pleasures and then pass it on to five people.

Hmm, I have a lot of guilty pleasures, especially in the food and TV shows category. Here’s just five:

1. Nutella. If you haven’t had this chocolatey, hazelnut spread you are missing out. On calories and yumminess, but mostly yumminess. I literally had to look away when I passed it in the store the other day.

2. The amazingly creamy Tuscan Tomato & Basil Bisque at Vons/Pavilions. It is to die for in a sourdough bread bowl, both literally and figuratively because it has like 30 grams of fat per serving, which is less than half the container! Oh why must I love it so? (same goes for fried zucchini...)

3. Reality shows like The Hills, The City, Dancing with the Stars and American Idol.

4. Cheesy romantic comedies, in particular, Lifetime movies. I am such a sucker for a chick flick.

5. Magazines, because I buy so many that my boyfriend said I am single-handedly keeping Conde Nast in business.

*I almost put Sex and the City on that list, but I don’t feel guilty about watching that one bit!

The five Fabulous blogs I want to send this award to are:

1. A Cup of Jo (One of the first blogs I read that inspired me to start my own)

2. Amber Alert

3. Cupcakes and Cashmere

4. Miss Jane

5. Double Takes

The next two awards I have to hand out were actually given en masse to the blogger’s entire readership/blogroll. Even though they weren’t given to me individually, per se, I am going to pass ‘em out anyway, because I feel generous and I like giving out awards!

Without further ado, I’d like to send the Honest Scrap award (which I got from Shoshanah) to these seven blogs that always give it to you straight (I think I am supposed to send to 10, but rules be damned):

1. Confessions of a Chicago Girl

2. Insomniac Lolita

3. Oh! How Lovely!

4. According to Ashley

5. Free and Flawed

6. Working Girl

7. Writing to Reach You

With this award, I'm supposed to tell you 10 honest things about me, but I already told you 10 uncute things (and they were pretty honest). So if you really want to know more about me, in numbered form, click here and here.

I have given a lot of awards out now, so I am going to do the somewhat-lazy thing and give the last award (which I got from Amber) out to all my readers. Kind of a thank you for reading and I think you and your blogs are wonderful!

So this is for you!

Have a great weekend!

Let our powers combine

I’m back! From outer space! *singing Gloria Gaynor in head* Ok, no, not really outer space. But I have been MIA the last few days and for that I apologize. It has been a C-R-A-Z-Y workweek, with not much sleep last night. The stress has been palpable and I am starting to see it on my face by way of blemishes. So not fun. But, I am so glad it is Thursday because the rest of the week is all downhill from here and soon it will be the weekend!

I feel a little guilty though for not posting on Earth Day, which was yesterday for any of you who might be living under a rock. I kid, I kid. I really only knew it was coming because my planner says so. Anyway, I had this whole idea of posting about green living and what we can do to be more eco-friendly but then I realized today, I’m glad I missed Earth Day. Because writing a post like that would make me the biggest hypocrite on earth! That is a slight exaggeration, but what I mean is that writing about how we can do our part to save the planet doesn’t mean much if the person who is writing about it doesn’t even practice what she preaches.

"Captain Planet, he's our hero. Gonna take pollution down to zero." 

You know you love it.

I wouldn’t say I have a Big Foot-sized carbon footprint, but I am sure it's not that small, either. I'm no Captain Planet. I go through probably 2 or 3 writer’s notebooks a week—and I don’t write on the backside of pages unless I am forced (i.e., when I run out of paper mid-interview). We buy paper plates, plastic cups and, until recently, bottled water. We have now switched to buying plastic jugs of water, which probably use less plastic but still. Living in an apartment has caused us to slack on recycling. I constantly forget to turn off lights when I leave the room, or the house. Whenever I am brushing my teeth I let the faucet run until I remember the conservation stories I have written on the fact that California is in a serious drought and that I am wasting 3 gallons of precious water a day by letting the tap run as I brush (thanks bewaterwise.com for that factoid). Oh, and I regularly take 20-minute showers.

So see what I mean? I can’t write about being green. But, I don’t want to sound like a cop out. Every day is a new day and I can try to make better choices in the future. Do my little part to save the planet. Make the Captain proud.

Tell me, what do you do to try to live in a more environmentally conscious way? I will add your tips to my “eco-do list.” And does Earth Day make you feel guilty, too? If so, watch out. National Arbor Day is tomorrow. Better go plant a tree! Or buy this cute, reusable tote and the dirty work is done for you (meaning, for each purchase, one native tree is planted in an ecosystem restoration project in the United States). Me likey.

For $12.95, this "pod" is in the bag. 

(In honor of Earth Day, get 20% off until the end of the month. Just enter EarthMonth09 at checkout.)

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Stay tuned…

Check back later for when I hand out some Blog Lovin.’

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Forest print via Bee's Knees Studio's Etsy shop

Captain Planet image from here.

Reusable purse from BeGreenNow.

Sweet Temptations

This is in our fridge right now:

Melt-in-your-mouth Krispy Kreme doughnuts. They are like sweet, fluffy pillows of goodness, aren't they? Our box is filled with an assortment of glazed, maple and chocolate. Yum. The boy brought them home after going to the Dodgers game with some of his buds. He just loves Krispy Kreme, and who can blame him? The bad thing is they are not very conducive to dieting. I went grocery shopping yesterday and tried to buy healthy foods for us like yogurt, fruit, veggies, chicken... And then he comes how with a box of fresh-baked calories. Boys. I feel like whenever you are dating someone for a long period of time, they just had inches to your hips. Especially when you are dating a guy who considers pizza a food group. Anyone else have this problem? I guess I just need to muster up some willpower but when you open the fridge and a box of Kremes are staring you right in the face, it's so hard to be good. And so delicious to be bad. So far, I've had one. Half a ring last night. Half a ring about 20 minutes ago... All in moderation, right?

Cartoon via Evalua8

Getting back to books

I miss books. I can't say I miss reading because, well, I do that every day. In some form. I mean, I read press releases, staff reports and sometimes research for work. I read emails. I read magazines. Online news. Blogs. Text messages. I read everything but books.

In school, you have to read books because they are assigned. Some good, some bad. But I remember thinking that once I was out of school, I would read all the books I wanted to read. Suffice to say, that hasn't happened. 

And I love reading books, I really do. But it seems I never have the time anymore. Or, at least, I don't make the time. At night, after work, instead of grabbing a novel I grab the remote. Because of this, "Eat, Pray, Love" has been sitting half-read on my nightstand for two months (probably longer, actually). Now, whenever I look at it and contemplate picking it up again, I feel like I have to start over from the beginning...

Another thing I miss is my bookshelf. At our last apartment, we had a nice built-in bookshelf. It was small, but it worked. I had some of my favorite books on display and those I had yet to read. In a way, it served as a reminder to not mindlessly watch TV all night. To take a book off the shelf and get wrapped up in those fictional characters instead. But in our new apartment, there's no bookshelf. I am ashamed to admit that my books are still packed away in a cardboard box! (I moved in February, if you remember.)

I have so many more books needing to be read at my parents' house, too. In my old childhood room I have a big, white Ikea bookshelf that takes up two walls. Stacked on the shelves are dozens and dozens of books. I think bookcases are so beautiful in a home and wish I could have a reading room like the one pictured above. Isn't it amazing? I have made the promise many times not to buy any more books until I read what I have, which works for the most part but not always! Sometimes, while browsing Borders, I just can't help myself.

Anyway, I really want to get back into reading books. I think one of my New Years resolutions was to read one book a month. Eek. It's April and I have read none! Reading magazines is fine but I feel so much more accomplished when I finish a book. It is like I'm a better person for having turned its pages. I read this quote the other day by Paul Sweeney and it is so true:

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

My plan? Finally finish "Eat, Pray, Love." I have heard it is amazing, which is why I started reading it in the first place, so I just need to devote myself to reading it. No more wasting away on the couch. Starting this weekend.

In the meantime, tell me, do any of you have this problem? A ton of books to read and no time (or too tired, unmotivated) to read them?

Also, how often do you curl up with a good book? Are you a fast reader? (I'm not. I like to read only a few chapters at a time.) What's the last book you read? (Mine was "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks.) And, what's your favorite book of all time? (I'd have to say, "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom.)

Thanks for sharing (and reading)!

Rainbow bookshelf image via Freshome.

Eat, Pray, Love cover found here.

Poor lil pooch

On Tuesday night, me and the boy decided at, oh, around 9 o'clock, to take Hazel for a walk. She had been cooped up all day watching me write articles and call sources, so once "daddy" got home she was game for a stroll.

After walking around the apartment complex for about 15 minutes we came home. It was weird though because Hazel really didn't want to stop. She kept pulling on the leash and running back down the stairs to keep going. Usually she is pretty good and will follow us up the stairs and in the house when we say it's time to go home. But not that night.

Anyway, we finally got inside and RR starts cleaning Hazel's dirty, wet paws when he sees blood on the floor! He turns over her back right paw and there is blood everywhere. I thought I was going to have a heart attack! Turns out, she had sliced open one of the pads of her toes. Don't ask me how. Strange thing was, she wasn't even whimpering or limping! Like I said, she had kept wanting to go for her walk! Crazy girl.

I wanted to take her to the emergency vet clinic but by the time we had called a couple different places-- one clinic had a 2 hour wait, can you believe that?-- and got ready to go, the bleeding had stopped. So RR McGuyvered a bandage out of paper towels and Band-Aids and we decided to just take her to our regular vet in the morning. Hazel is such a trooper, she didn't even complain.

Hazel was at the vet for 4 hours yesterday, getting sutures to close the wound-- the gash was pretty deep-- and a bright blue bandage. When she came home she was so out of it and sleepy. All she wanted to do was cuddle. My little sweetheart.

Just an fyi...

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Just wanted to let you know I would be MIA again from the blog today because I have a ton of work to do and a TEA Party rally to cover this afternoon for a story.

Also, it's me and the boy's 2 year anniversary today, so I am hoping that we can do something once I get all my articles written. The photo above is from our first "date." I took him to my sorority formal!

In the meantime, check out this new tumblr I discovered the other day (thanks, Tiffany!) called Leave Happier. It will definitely chase any "hump day" blues away...

Taste the rainbow

My Easter pretty much went as I predicted on Friday, with lots of candy and cupcakes. But I did make it to church, too!

Sunday morning started off in a tizzy, since I woke up late and still had to make cupcakes! I wanted to bake them the day of so they would be fresh but this was perhaps not my best laid plan (that's a little Easter joke in there). I was a bit stressed, to say the least, and the powdered sugar was flying! (Note to self: get an apron!) The boy warned me against this and I now have to admit, he was right. Hate when that happens! But it all worked out and I got them done.

Me and the boy then had breakfast with my folks at a local diner called the Firehouse Cafe. It was my first time there but it's actually a local institution in Simi. I had the eggs benedict and they were pretty tasty. Good food, good service, I'll definitely be going back for breakfast again. After we grubbed, the bf and I went to church, something we haven't done since Christmas (I know, tisk tisk). We then rushed home, made the icing, decorated the cupcakes and geared up to go to his parents' house.

It seemed RR's whole fam was there and it was definitely a packed house (a dozen in all, not counting us!) Luckily, my cupcakes were a hit. People even took some home. I was relieved because the icing turned out not quite as thick as I was hoping but I guess all the matters is the yummy-factor. And they were delish-- I should know, I've had 3 so far!-- so if you haven't tried the recipe, it's a definite do. 

Here's some close ups of my colorful cupcakes:

In a pinch, muffin tins make great travel containers!

Those are Easter baskets in the background for me and Rick, from my mom of course!

Bright and cheery.

I hope you all had a great Easter, if you celebrate the day. Tell me, what did you do?

Unchain my heart

Can I tell you how much I love this necklace? It is so different than anything I have in my jewelry box-- or even anything I've seen in stores-- but I adore it. Handmade by Nicole Ho of the Singapore-based OpusMuse, this ruched, silk/chiffon wonder has the perfect name: Nectar. Sweet, romantic and reminiscent of flowers. I'm thinking roses. Still, the chunky brass chain keeps it a bit edgy, not to frou-frou. I think it would look fantastic as the standout piece in a simple outfit, like a white tank and jeans. You would definitely be the center of attention wearing this! The chain is adjustable, so it can be worn as a long or short necklace and, if the the mood strikes, it can even be wrapped around the wrist as a cuff. If I had $51 to spend, sweet Nectar would be mine right now.

So my question is, would you wear this necklace/cuff? Or is it a bit too "look at me" for your taste?

Btw, Nicole's Etsy shop is full of other fabulous finds, just check out this lariat necklace, woven necklace, charm necklace, stud earrings, and pink/gold bracelet.

It's love x6.

Candy, cupcakes and church, oh my!

Don't these Corgis make adorable bunnies? Maybe I should get Hazel some ears!

TGIF, I am so glad the weekend is here! In honor of a lazy Friday afternoon, I give you my plans for Easter in bullets:

• For Easter Sunday, I am going to be hanging with the boy and his family in Woodland Hills. I am anticipating watching a lot of sports on TV, eating some yummy food (they always have a nice spread and gourmet desserts) and drinking a lot of wine (it's the first thing his mom says to me when I come in the door: "What would you like to drink? A glass of wine?" I think she likes to get me tipsy).
• Getting sick on chocolate eggs, jelly beans, Robins Eggs malt balls and Peeps. Even though I am 24, my mom still makes me an Easter basket every year. She even made RR one last year! While I have chided her in the past for doing this-- saying "Gosh mom, I'm not a kid anymore"-- I secretly hope she doesn't stop! Though if the "Easter Bunny" leaves me one this year (yes, my mom still pretends), I will try to be more careful with it. Last year's melted in the car!
• Trying out this recipe for Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes, which also means going grocery shopping for things like muffin tins, cupcake liners and sprinkles! I think it would be a nice treat to bring when I visit the bf's fam and I'm gonna save some for my own fam to try, too. Emily's post today over at Cupcakes and Cashmere is what inspired me. I hope mine turn out as good as this picture:

• I might also try to make it to church this weekend, being that it is Easter after all. Almost forgot this holiday isn't just about chocolate and cupcakes.

So, any fun plans this weekend? I wish I was still a little girl so I could dress up in a taffeta gown and go on an Easter egg hunt. Ah, the good ol' days. Hoping you have a fabulous time, whatever you do!

Corgis as Bunnies from here.

Magnolia cupcakes image from here.

Guest Blogging

Hey everyone! I am guest blogging over at Amber Alert today. It is my first time writing a guest post so go check it out! I'll give you a hint, it's about Hazel.

Oh, the adorableness. Yes, that's a word. Hope you are having a fabulous Thursday! The weekend is almost here!

P.S. If you don't already read Amber's blog, you should!

A story to warm and wrench the heart

Saw this on Cup of Jo this morning and thought I would share it here just in case you, like me, didn't know about the website called Days with My Father. Through photos and reflected moments, Phillip Toledano shares the story of his father who, because he had lost his short term memory, couldn't even remember that his wife had passed away.

Simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, I couldn't even get through half the pages before my eyes welled with tears. But by the end, I had a smile on my lips. Though sad, Edward Toledano's life is also inspiring. I loved what Phillip had to say about his father at the end:

My father had no time for growing old. He was like a river. Always in motion, flowing forward with loose-limbed vigor. Sweeping past every obstacle with a smile, dancing and shimmering in the sun. Every door was there to be opened. Every window to be peered into.

Just last week, on his 99th birthday, I asked him how old he thought he was.

Grinning, he said: "22 and a half?"

Though he didn't think anyone would care to read his father's story, I'm glad Phillip shared his experiences and opened his heart to world. It really put life in perspective for this 24 year old.

A first

I just visited Etsy a moment ago and an amazing thing happened. I liked every single handpicked item on the front page! What a lovely first. See for yourself:

1. Lovely Creamy Pink Rose earrings from dangsworld

2. Tender Winter print by Asil Art

3. Pink and Butter Cream Minky pillow case from Baby Jayne's

4. Zipper purse- Evelyn by Candy Argyle

5. Hummingbirds Love earrings from Nansglam

6. Pink/plum porcelain tim bowl by lizkinder

7. Sundance print from Studio Lyon

8. Cream Soda earrings by hollygems

9. Tiny Pink Dotted Bowl from MarymeeStudio

10. Feather Tags by Catnip Studio Too

11. Flight of Fancy necklace from Amy Hatch (Ruby Rose)

12. Strawberries and Cream earrings by Simply Different Jewelry

I'm not usually that into pink, but I am loving all of these. Which one is your fave?

"Strawberries and Cream" items picked by shixie

note: the photos didn't post in rows like I wanted, so I hope you can figure out which number goes with which picture... sorry!

U + Me = Us*

Loving this hilarious word art by Craig Damrauer, the genius behind New Math. His "mathematical expressions" are simple but oh-so-true and oh-so-clever. I dare say this is 'rithmetic at its finest (and most applicable? Just kidding all you math whizzes). Below are just some of my fave "word problems."

*If you couldn't figure it out, the post title is my attempt at New Math, stolen from the 2000 faux boy band 2ge+her. "U + Me = Us (Calculus)" was the satirical pop group's "breakout hit," you could say. It's coming back to me now: "I know my calculus. It says you + me = us. Oh, yeah, sing it Chad, for me..." If you're in a need of a laugh this Tuesday afternoon, click here. Really, do it, you won't be sorry!

New Math first spotted on Design for Mankind

99 things

So I saw this blogosphere game here and I am sure you guys have seen it all over the Internet too, but I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and play along today.

It actually surprised me how many things I have done on this list! When you get done scrolling through my list, it's your turn.

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!



1. Started your own blog


2. Slept under the stars- does being in a tent count?


3. Played in a band


4. Visited Hawaii


5. Watched a meteor shower


6. Given more than you can afford to charity


7. Been to Disneyland


8. Climbed a mountain- more like hiked


9. Held a praying mantis


10. Sang a solo


11. Bungee jumped


12. Visited Paris


13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.


14. Taught yourself an art from scratch


15. Adopted a child


16. Had food poisoning


17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty


18. Grown your own vegetables


19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France


20. Slept on an overnight train


21. Had a pillow fight


22. Hitch hiked


23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill


24. Built a snow fort


25. Held a lamb


26. Gone skinny dipping


27. Run a Marathon


28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice


29. Seen a total eclipse


30. Watched a sunrise or sunset


31. Hit a home run


32. Been on a cruise


33. Seen Niagara Falls in person


34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors


35. Seen an Amish community


36. Taught yourself a new language


37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied


38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person


39. Gone rock climbing


40. Seen Michelangelo’s David


41. Sung karaoke


42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt


43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant


44. Visited Africa


45. Walked on a beach by moonlight


46. Been transported in an ambulance


47. Had your portrait painted


48. Gone deep sea fishing


49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person


50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris


51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling- just snorkeling for me, scuba diving scares me!

52. Kissed in the rain


53. Played in the mud- I liked making mud cakes as a child

54. Gone to a drive-in theater


55. Been in a movie


56. Visited the Great Wall of China


57. Started a business


58. Taken a martial arts class


59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen


61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies


62. Gone whale watching


63. Got flowers for no reason


64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma


65. Gone sky diving


66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp


67. Bounced a check


68. Flown in a helicopter


69. Saved a favorite childhood toy


70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial


71. Eaten Caviar


72. Pieced a quilt


73. Stood in Times Square


74. Toured the Everglades


75. Been fired from a job


76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London


77. Broken a bone


78. Been on a speeding motorcycle


79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person


80. Published a book


81. Visited the Vatican


82. Bought a brand new car


83. Walked in Jerusalem


84. Had your picture in the newspaper


85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve


86. Visited the White House- on the outside, at least.


87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating


88. Had chickenpox


89. Saved someone’s life


90. Sat on a jury


91. Met someone famous


92. Joined a book club


93. Lost a loved one


94. Had a baby


95. Seen the Alamo in person


96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake


97. Been involved in a law suit


98. Owned a cell phone


99. Been stung by a bee

In the comments, tell me one thing that you haven't done on this list that you would love to do. Everyone knows I would love to do #17 (walking to the top of the Statue of Liberty) + #73 (standing in Times Square), but besides also wanting to do #12 (visiting Paris) and #82 (buying a brand new car), I think it would be so cool/amazing to do #80. I'll let you scroll up to see what that one is :)

Also, is there something you want to do that is not on this list? What is your #100? Maybe running through a field of flowers or getting married? I want to do both.

P.S. I really hope #99 doesn't ever happen to me!

P.S.S. To learn more about me, in numbered format, read my 25 things post.