Showing posts with label shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shoes. Show all posts

I'm writing on a Sunday! What, what! Today is a hang around the house, cross items off the to-do list kind of Sunday. A lazy-feeling, but accomplished much kind of Sunday. If that makes sense.

It's the kind of day that invites uncharacteristic blogging practices. Though naive, newbie me used to blog 7 days a week. While going to college. She was nuts.

If you read those How to get your blog noticed! kind of articles, and I have, they often talk about posting at the "right time". A Sunday afternoon post is a waste of a post! they exclaim, No one reads on Sundays!. I do! And if I don't, I appreciate a blogroll full of interesting thoughts and ideas come Monday morning.

One thing I've come to love on a Sunday morning, coffee in hand, are "weekend link" posts. The ones where my favorite bloggers round up their favorite things discovered throughout the week and put them in one place.

So often I read a blog post or news article, or stumble upon a great Etsy find, and make a mental note to mention them. Then I randomly remember them at 3 o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon and they end up in a miscellaneous post where one thing often has little to do with the other. Then you guys think I've lost my marbles. Or worse, I forget about them altogether. Woe is me.

So! So! Without further ado (after much ado), I'm writing my first weekend link post. Because I can. And because I hope it becomes a thing.


// Thoughts on the evolution of a blogger's food photography. Do you ever look back and cringe? I do.

// Although our wall space is quickly filling up, I'm still on the hunt for fun, unique pieces of art. I am utterly smitten with these deer photographs. (Though I've had a bad experience with Society6 and their prints come in really funky sizes. Have you noticed? Fortunately, many of the artists have Etsy shops as well.)

// Remember my little meltdown about blogging the other day? Or are you trying to forget? (I don't blame you.) Jenni articulates it so well, as usual, in her post Things I Don't Miss (About Blogging). If a seasoned (and uber-successful) blogger isn't immune to comparison and other blog (and life) related emotions, well, it gives my feelings a little more validation. P.S. I miss her!

// Finding the perfect print with the perfect quote and getting it in two days.

// I'm rather obsessed with minimalist jewelry these days. Earrings in particular. These tiny bar earrings are perfect.

http://www.soleandluster.com/products/morgan-sandals

// I find myself gravitating toward comfort and simplicity in shoes, too. Like an old standby: the Birkibuc sandal. Mario thinks I've lost my mind and Portland's crunchy-ness has overtaken me. But really, can you beat the comfort? The Morgan Sandals from Sole + Luster are en route to my house as we speak. (The price! The price!)

// Turning your Instagram photos into mini memory books? Brilliant.

// Finding a new (to me) blog with beautiful photography and delicious recipes makes me really happy. I have two of her recipes planned for this week.

// We all have moments in life when we realize we need to quiet the noise. For me that realization means less television, more reading, home cooked meals, putting my phone away, really looking at and listening to Husband and Kiddo when they speak to me, and more time spent pondering what's affecting me rather than drowning it out with background noise.

// This article, posted earlier this summer, is what really got me thinking about the whole idea of distraction and "noise" in the first place. My original thoughts on it are here.

// Sometimes reading about a person's journey to find health, even if you've heard it before, can motivate you to make a change. For me, that means resuming CrossFit and reeling in my diet.

// I'm thinking about signing up for a Quarterly box. Anyone have a personal experience with it? Curator suggestions? How about NatureBox? I like the idea of having a happy show up in the mail that we can open as a family. (Like my Birchbox subscription... but for all three of us.)

Happy Sunday! I hope it's wonderfully lazy where you are.

Weekend Links

Sunday, August 24, 2014

The inevitable post-semester, post-graduation bubble burst. Big time. Family left, Kiddo is still in school, and Mario has been out of town all week. My serious lack of sleep caught up with me and, for the first time in months, I had no idea what to do with myself. Mentally or physically. I found this is a common epidemic, as my favorite professor expressed the same woes, verbatim, as I did when I caught up with her yesterday.

So when the professor I'm doing research with this summer told me I could take a few more days off before starting, I was tempted to take her up on her offer. But I didn't. Instead, I focused on sleeping well and eating healthy; working to ease myself into the limbo I'll be in for the next 10-12 months until we decide to put our house on the market (and more importantly, sell it) and my grad school plans are solidified.

It would be easy to get caught up in the exhaustion and what now? feelings, but I refuse. There is too much to be happy about. The landscape has come alive. I have amazing family that rallies around me. I can call myself a college graduate.

I'm joining Lauren for one of my favorite link-ups: High Five for Friday. Participating every week reminds me to photograph (and really, truly embrace) the lovely things around me. To stop and take notice of even the little moments that make life so good. Because it is. I just have to get out of my head and look at the big picture.


1// My brother-in-law and his girlfriend gave me this candle from Anthropologie for graduation. Hands down this is the best candle I've ever smelled. The glass jar is my favorite color and will definitely get upcycled. I haven't lit it yet and my whole living room smells divine.
2// I'm getting paid to do research! I'm totally in awe. First up? Finding the counter tops. In just a few hours yesterday, I made a huge dent in the mess. If only I could apply those organizational skills to my own home.
3//  I live with two boys which means I see a lot of action films. For once I may actually be more excited to see this film than they are. Can't. Wait.
4// Could I love this kid more? Impossible. And now that my evenings are free, I can take him to swim lessons and actually stay to watch.
5// A graduation present from my sister-in-law. She saw these yellow crochet Toms in one of my blog posts and got them for me. They are beyond cute. Love, love, love.

Happy Friday!!

I hate to burst your bubble...

Friday, May 17, 2013

Today is the official one week mark until the end of classes. Two weeks from tomorrow I will have a diploma in hand. The biggest portion of my college career is coming to an end. Have I mentioned this five zillion times before?

I have a lot to accomplish over the next week, but thankfully my motivation is at an all time high. I am determined to go out with a bang.

I have all summer to catch up on sleep.

My life feels like it is on the edge of a precipice... in a good way. Scary but good. I have a lot to be thankful for. Here are a few things that are currently making life sweet. High Five for Friday, indeed.


1// The transition to cool, comfy spring shoes was long overdue. These Converse All-Stars fit perfectly straight out of the box. I want to wear them every single day. And have. A turquoise pair is en route to my mailbox.
2// Trader Joe's meals have made brown bagging so much easier. So. Good.
3// Our new food co-op has a smoothie/juice bar. This bad boy had a kale-spinach puree, mango, and pineapple. That's it. I want moooore.
4// I hit another blogging milestone this week. My blog has been a little neglected lately and I was feeling a bit stunted in terms of inspiration and growth. I am so excited to be able to devote more time to writing and reading in the upcoming weeks. I also can't wait to interact with my new followers!
5// I know. I had flowers in last week's hfff post. But having a little color in my life has made all the difference.

Happy Friday!

One down, one to go...

Friday, April 26, 2013

I'm sensing a spring thing going on around here. As in, I'm craving it. Despite the fact that we are under a winter storm warning, and if we are lucky, facing a much-welcome snow day tomorrow. I suppose I can put off spring for one more week.

My loves, this fine Thursday, are floral prints. I'm not talking Hawaiian print muumuus here. Nah. Delicate, colorful and oh so cheerful is the name of the game. I have always been attracted to the Shabby Chic style, but these are little more spring-y and a little less vintage-y. Don't worry Rachel Ashwell. You know I can't quit you.


a. Slim Stretch Jeans in Blush Floral [Garnet Hill]  b. Favorite Cotton Shirt in Vibrant Floral [Garnet Hill]  c. Jane Liberty Print Flat [J. Crew]  d. Vintage Floral Earrings [TheEclecticElement2]  e. Bohemian Garden Bedding [Sundance]  f. Ruched Bandeau Swimsuit [Boden] 
 

Also, am I crazy for loving these as much as I do?

Keene Whimsical Mary Janes
As always, linking up for Loves on a Thursday!

Flower Power

Thursday, March 7, 2013


My anxious anticipation for the spring season. The need for a little brightening. A newly painted buttery yellow room. Seeing the sun before 7:30a for the first time in months.

Already a fan of yellow (it is my all around favorite color), I find myself gravitating toward this sunny hue more than usual lately. Actively seeking it out, really. While I'm not exactly sure why, the reasons listed above are sure possibilities.

So it is only natural that my loves, on this fine Thursday, are all about yellow. Just try not to feel cheerier. I double dog dare you.

Even if Blogger decides you have not earned the right to center your Pinterest sources today.

 1. Not only do I love the color, I love the flavor. No, not banana. Least favorite food next to liver. Oh my. What I meant to say is that I could eat anything and everything lemon flavored. These lemon blueberry cupcakes are going to make an appearance at my house this weekend. [recipe courtesy of Annie's Eats2. This animal print comforter comes in queen size! I don't even care that it is from a children's company. Love. It. [Animales Graficos bedding, The Land of Nod3. These buttery yellow dishes are sure to brighten up any meal [Emma dinnerware, Pottery Barn4. The array of textures and cheery color sold me on this hoodie immediately [Channing hoodie, Sundance Catalog

 5. I love yellow pants. In theory. Unfortunately, I find most to be unflattering, the wrong shade, or too sheer (i.e. good thing I tried them on while wearing black underwear...otherwise I might have really embarrassed myself). These are jeans and the perfect shade of yellow...I would wear them in a second. [Red Engine Cayenne Skinny Jeans in Buttercup, Garnet Hill6. I immediately fell for the cute delicacy and lemony color of these shoes. I would wear them now, if there wasn't a real threat of my toes falling off. [Lemon Crochet Women's Classics, Toms7. I love my trusty black KitchenAid mixer. But I might love it more if it was yellow. [KitchenAid stand mixer in Magestic Yellow, Target].  8. Sometimes just a touch of yellow can make all the difference. [Colorful Times Watch, Sundance Catalog]

And because my love of yellow knows no bounds, I had to check out "yellow kitchens" on Pinterest. You would, too. I wouldn't turn down a single one of these.

Source: bhg.com via Sarah on Pinterest




I'm pretty sure, upon closer examination, that the last one is a laundry/craft room. I'll take it! I am perhaps more awed by their level of organization.

Be sure to stop by The Daily Tay and enter to win some awesome prizes. I don't advertise much anymore, but her blog is the exception.

Happy Thursday! 
Hope it's sunny where you are! 


As always, linking up for:
Loves on a Thursday


They call me mellow yellow.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Source: weheartit.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I think the drab weather has me craving color. Bold color. Between that and all the lovely Valentines Day posts I have been seeing, red is really striking my fancy. There are so many interesting ways to experience this mood-brightening color.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit that although I admire bold, bright reds, they are a little outside my comfort zone. I have come to realize that this wallflower tends to shy away from colors that draw attention to myself. I often find them beautiful on others, but usually admire them from afar. Besides, wearing a bold red lip to a class full of girls wearing Uggs and sweatpants might just be a skosh out of place.

Over the past year or so, I have been working to step away from 'safe' and take risks in the beauty/wardrobe department. Starting this fall, I hope to be a part of the working world for the next couple of years before grad school...and a career woman after that. Self confidence is a must! As is a professional (but contemporary) wardrobe that may just set me apart from other applicants/employees. Embrace color! is my new motto.

 
1. My brother-in-law told me years ago there is research showing people who wear red perform better on exams. I don't know if it is true, but I think about that every time I get dressed before a big test. It can't hurt, right? This Boden blouse has the cutest leaf pattern. [Boden Soho Blouse in Vermillion Leaves2. The second I saw these glasses, I was sold (but not on the $500 price tag...youch!). They are the perfect pop of color and have a fun shape I wouldn't normally choose for myself. [J. Crew cat-eye sunglasses3. I am not one for western wear, but these ankle boots are definitely the exception. Imagine how cute they would look with a skirt in the spring and fall! [Sundance Catalog Blooming Boots4. These earrings are darling and would add the perfect touch of red. [Red flower earrings by SharonClancyDesigns5. These dishes might just make eating veggies fun. [Pottery Barn Cambria Dinnerware 6. My husband loves Marimekko designs. This sheet set is so vibrant, they may just help me get up on these dark winter mornings. [Marimekko Pieni Unikko Red sheet set7.  Red lips well done? Enviable. I bit the bullet and bought my first red lipstick last year. I really do love it! Its pencil form makes it a no brainer to apply. You can find it here. I love how Drew Barrymore paired the perfect red lipstick with minimal makeup in this photo. So pretty!

I am so jazzed to be co-hosting Loves on a Thursday with Lish and Colleen! This was one of the first link-ups I participated in and I absolutely love it. I learned how to create collages and embed Pinterest photos thanks to this link up. Needless to say, I am beyond honored to be included.

Are you a Pinner? Etsy stalker? Blog hopper? Photographer? Have cute kids? Loving life? Always looking for pretty things? I would love to see what your loving lately!

Grab a button and link up your pretty finds!
Loves ona Thursday



PRIOR TO LINKING UP

Colleen, Sarah and I would love for you follow us :) If you could provide a link back or display our button in your post, we would love that! And please credit the original source when using others projects and photographs!

Loves on a Thursday: Red-y for my first cohosting gig!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

I ran into my professor/academic adviser a couple days ago and started talking cameras. He is an ornithologist (bird scientist) and zoologist who takes amazing photos of animals around the world. He advised against taking my camera out in frigid temps because once you take the camera inside, condensation can build up inside and damage some of the components. I also didn't want to have to leave it in my freezing car between classes and appointments. Because I am most definitely not an expert on properly warming up a camera, I decided to look a little closer to home when snapping this week's prompts.

My point: Subzero temperatures all week made it difficult to photograph nature.

Being confined to my house for this project was actually a good thing, I think. I had to look at my surroundings in a way I hadn't before. Wait, that blanket is made of fabric. Whoa. It is amazing how we sometimes exist in our environment without really considering it. 

Next week's prompts will probably be more inventive, but here goes nothing.

1. Lace



You know how guys get attached to one ratty pair of shoes in particular and you stop remembering how long he's had them? These shoes are it for my husband. The laces are frazzled and they've seen better days, but they also form to his foot in a way that only years of wearing can.

2. Bling


Next to my wedding and engagement rings, this is my favorite piece of bling. Kiddo made it for me out of duct tape, and I picture his little hands cutting out the heart and carefully folding the tape just for me every single time I wear it. Love. It.

3. Wood


This is part of Jared's 'Woodland Dwelling' he made at school using only objects found in nature. There is moss, rocks, twigs, tree bark, flowers, etc. The idea is that once you build it and put it outside, woodland fairies will come to live in it. He did it all by hand using nothing but his imagination. It is really fun and unique, but is also three stories tall and takes up a lot of space. I can't bear to part with it just yet, so I just need to find the right place for it to live. And the fairies, of course.

4. Fuzzy


Mr. Vista loves being photographed. Which is why he is the perfect muse. This cat has fur like I have never felt...and only nature can make. He is the softest, warmest little creature. And most definitely fuzzy.

5. Fabric


My aunt made one of those fleece blankets with the knotted edges for my birthday. It is big, cozy and oh so warm, which is why it instantly became our couch blanket...perfect for lazing under. I've always loved the color combination, too. So I decided to experiment taking photos of the different textures and liked this one. It could also have counted as 'fuzzy', but the cat would not count as fabric.

Happy Sunday! Until next week...


Scavenger Hunt Sunday: Around the house

Sunday, January 27, 2013


Howdy, Folks! The past 7 days have been a real zinger. Not the actual Zingers, because Hostess is kaput. Is it weird that I'm all upset even though I've only had one or two Twinkies in my whole life? I guess I took comfort in knowing they were out there if I ever needed them.

Anywho...two quizzes, an exam, my husband's job, my button-pushing offspring, and my senior research presentation conspired to give me a heart attack. My stress levels were through the roof (which is why I have The Cold That Will Not Quit). Why all at once, Professors? Trying to kill this old gal?

Still, I made it to other side. Phew. And Husband is home from France. Now I can enjoy Thanksgiving and all it has to offer. And by offer, I mean a 5 day weekend. Duh. 

It is Thanksgiving week, so it's only natural that I talk about food. As in, there hasn't been a lot of nutrition going on around here. Stress-relieving comfort foods were the name of the game. But I think I'm back on track. Just in time to swim in gravy.

 

1. This girl earned her Icee. Which I got at Target. Two birds. One stone. 2. Who owned her Icee tongue?  And teeth. I swear I'm a good brusher. I floss every day. Well, close to that. I get tired sometimes. Don't judge. But somehow that Icee manages to make me look like a hillbilly. 3. Hey, Orville! When a lady is in the midst of a crisis and needs cheddar microwave popcorn pronto, you don't give her half a cereal bowl's worth. Besides, the last thing I need to add to the stress heap is a broken tooth courtesy of the 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels at the bottom. No broken tooth, but a lot of broken dreams. Now I know why I never buy microwave popcorn. Fail. 4. While I was knee-deep in homework, Kiddo ate this entire jar of pickles. In one sitting. He's growing like crazy and eating like a rabid racoon...but geez. If I did that, I wouldn't be able to get my shoes on for a week. 5. Those crazy art students decorated the Student Center with canned food sculptures. I want to be an art major. 


6. Target had this beauty last year, but I procrastinated thinking it would go on sale and it sold out. Fast. Determined not to let it slip through my fingers a second time, I pulled the trigger. And it was on sale for 15 bucks. Hurrah! [Merona Sequined Sweater] 7. Ebony and ivory, live together in perfect harmony... 8. A friend just got a new puppy! He is a tiny little nugget of sweetness. Upon holding him, I immediately went into "I want a puppy, too!" mode. Someone needed to throw cold water on me. Thank goodness I snapped out of it, because I do not want a puppy. Yes, I do. 9. I bought a plaid version of these Sorel snow shoes a couple years ago and love them like a turtle loves its shell (I wanted to say "like a fat kid loves cake" but thought better of it. Oh, I just did. Oops.). Upon seeing them recently in the Sundance catalog, I realized that they are, in fact, shoes. Which means it is perfectly legit to wear my slippers warm, comfy shoes in public. I found them for half the price at Sierra Trading Post. Order up a size. Sorel has its own definition of what constitutes a normal shoe size.

Happy Tuesday! 


Icees, Twinkies, Orville and puppies...oh my!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

I'm exhausted. After a summer of late nights, differing time zones and sleeping in, I am having to adjust to being up early again. Earlier, actually. My son begins his 7:55a middle school start time in a week and I have an 8a class, so I now have to get up at 6a to get myself together . . . a whole hour earlier than in previous years. Kuddos to those warriors out there who have always worked this early (or earlier). You have my respect.

His elementary school started at 8:45a, so we've been spoiled over the last 4 1/2 years. My classes started at 10a (because I couldn't take the earlier ones), so I had a nice buffer for a Starbucks run. Those days are over. And I am feeling it.

A whole lot of this lately!  (Photo: slashfood.com)
The problem is, I'm not a morning person. It is hard for me to go to sleep at 9p in preparation for a 6a wake up time. I like to be up, and tend to be most productive around ten or eleven at night. Like a lot of people, I often find myself working against my natural rhythm.



It's not all bad, though. Sure, the adjustment period is rough, but it also feels really good to be up and at 'em this early in the morning. The day is my oyster. I have never really understood what that means. In the spirit of becoming a morning person, I'm looking at the bright side. In the form of my favorite back-to-school things.

A New 'Do:

Conair Infiniti Prodryer

I've never been a big blow dryer. My hair is fine, curly/wavy, and frizzy, and I've never quite mastered a technique to tame it. And with 10a classes, I always had plenty time to let it air dry. Not anymore. I have finally discovered a great system that gives my hair oomph for two days:  root lifting foam, blow dry with a round brush, run my flatiron over it to smooth . . . voilá! Manageable hair! The next day my hair slides right in to a chic, voluminous ponytail; cutting down on the lengthy primping time.

When my old blow dryer from high school blew its last breath a few months ago, I replaced it with a $10 Target find. Now that I'm actually using it regularly, I am realizing just how inadequate it is. And that I might be deaf by winter if I keep using it. Blow drying my hair took fifteen minutes yesterday. And it was frizzy. I am a mom and a student. I barely have fifteen minutes to bathe, let alone dry my hair!

I had a couple hours between classes and used part of it to research blow dryers. Studious, I know. This one came up a lot. I'm willing to pay for a really good flatiron (I have a Sedu), but firmly believe that there are reasonably priced blow dryers that can do the job just as well as the expensive ones. Cue the Conair Infinit Prodryer.

If I had been wearing socks, it would have knocked them off. It is powerful! My hair was completely dry in five minutes. If that. This beauty has shaved ten minutes off my prep time. Brushing my teeth in the shower while my conditioner works has saved me a couple more. This is hand down the best purchase I have made in a while.

 A Touch of Style:

Admittedly, I'm a bit of a scarf addict. I could write a whole post about them. Maybe I will. I wear them year-round and could probably circle the globe if I put my collection end to end. I am pretty picky these days, though. Too gauzy and you get two wearings out of them. Too thick and they don't lay right. And I have learned to be selective with prints. I used to buy a scarf simply because I loved it, but now I stop to consider if it actually goes with anything I own. A scarf that you can only wear with that one particular blue shirt is a waste of money and valuable closet real estate . . . no matter how cute it is. I have too many that just sit around waiting for something to match.

I'd seen this scarf at the Gap a few times and loved it, but never bought it (did I really need another scarf?). While in St. Louis we were invited out to a wine restaurant with some friends. We hadn't packed anything even remotely dressy, so I decided on a black tee, dark jeans and this scarf. The 30% off Friends and Family discount helped seal the deal. I love it. It's funky, yet neutral, and totally unique. It is out of stock on their website (some stores probably have it), but there are a couple others I really like here and here.


A Foot in the Door:

Women's Chelsea Flat by Lower East Side
I had written off Payless a long time ago. In the past, I couldn't find many things I liked, or they hurt my feet, or my son wore them out before he outgrew them. There is one in my town, but I often forget about it because it's hidden in the corner of a complex I rarely visit. While at a mall in St. Louis, I passed by one and saw these shoes in the window. They had to be mine. I was bummed to find that they were out of them in my usual size 9, but decided to check out the 9 1/2 section on a whim. There was one pair left! And because they apparently run a little small, the bigger size fit perfectly! They are delicate, sweet and appeal to my Shabby Chic-loving side.

What's more? They are sooo comfortable . . . and less than twenty bucks a pair. This lone pair of shoes has me rethinking Payless. They have really stepped up their game!

Although I aspire to be a high heel wearing professional in a smart pencil skirt, I'm really more of a flats girl. I have to lug textbooks around campus, take care of a kiddo, and live in a wooded area, so heels don't fit into my life right now. Maybe someday. More than anything, I like to be comfortable. And cute. Plus, at this price my feelings won't be hurt if they only last a couple of seasons. I will be sad, however, if I can't find an equally chic replacement.

Back to my homework. College professors like to buck the no-homework-on-the-first-day nicety. I'm hoping my blah state of mind lifts as the week progresses. I didn't have that little quickening of excitement in my belly on Monday like I have in past semesters. I think I am just growing weary. Still, it's good to be back and working toward the end . . . especially now that it is in sight.

Up and at 'Em

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

I have managed to maintain my sanity! Hurrah! Well, I'm not sure how much I had to begin with. Despite the fact that I want desperately to be a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda girl, I'm not. I need a schedule. A long-term goal. A plan.  Sitting around simply doesn't suit me. So although spending two hours perusing Etsy in my pj's is fun, it isn't good for my mental health. Afterward, I have a Crap! I didn't do any of the things I wanted to do! hangover. I have to stop resisting and face the truth. Deep down, I'm a schedule-loving, goal-making square.  Don't tell. I'm trying to maintain my rock star persona.

In celebration of my preserved psychological well-being, here are some more lovely diversions I'm enjoying during my last week of freedom. Next week I'll be wishing for more time and less distractions.
 
During our recent trip to St. Louis, we spent an evening at our old neighbor's house. We love them and want them to follow us around the country buying the homes next to ours.

Upon sneaking a peek in her fridge, I saw these cute little lidded bowls. They were filled with perfectly sized servings of pasta, fruit, etc. for her kids. Did I mention she's supermom?

4-Piece Round Storage Bowl Set ($20)

Later, I asked my husband "Did you see those bowls in the fridge?!"  His reply? "Yeah, the second I saw them, I thought 'Those are going to be in our house, too.'"  He knows me so well.  The day before we left, I ran down to Crate and Barrel to buy my own set.  At $2 each or 12 for $20, they are a steal.

With school starting, evenings get more hectic around here, and I love the idea of having dinners portioned off ahead of time for Little Man.  It will be so much less stressful, and my new resolution is to prep a couple meals on Sunday for those inevitable days when I don't have time to make something. A goal! While I was there, I couldn't resist this set of four lidded bowls as well.  They all nestle inside of each other! Stackable, lidded bowls are officially my newest obsession.



Although we own it, I tend to forget about this 2003 Tim Burton film. But the second it comes on, my love for it is renewed.  It is wondrous, creative, and touching all at once. I'll never tire of watching it.  It was Little Man's turn to pick out a movie tonight, and this was his choice.  At one point he said, "I forgot how touching this movie is!"  He really cried at the ending (even though he's seen it before), so we snuggled on the couch and talked about what a life well lived looks like.  It was a sweet moment for us.

This is a movie that affects you differently at different times.  It can be bittersweet or uplifting depending on where you are and what you are feeling at that particular point in your life. I do not tend to enjoy sad, despair-filled movies . . . and this definitely isn't one of them. Big Fish is joyous and thought-provoking and quite possibly Tim Burton's magnum opus.


  Mama's got a brand new bag! I found this little beauty during our trip to St. Louis. My son actually spotted it in the window of a Francesca's. I think my owl radar is broken, because this bag is owlicious.

The length of the strap can be adjusted simply by moving the knot up or down on the ring.  It's big and slouchy and I love it. Is it too teeny-bopper for a 32 year old to be wearing? That's crazy talk! And I'm not sure I would care, because we have a real thing going, this bag and me.

I feel the need to say this again: I'm not just jumping on the owl bandwagon. I have had a thing for quirky owl prints since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It's great that they are trendy right now because I can easily find things I love. I'm kind of particular, as just any owl simply will not do. On the other hand, it has become a bit watered down as a style. Everyone and their mother has owl stuff. Every nursery is owl-themed. There is nothing wrong with that! But I will be scooping up zany owl goods like this long after everyone else has forgotten them. They will just be harder to find. I'm sooo neurotic, and I'm pretty sure this rant proves it.

Speaking of prints, there is another brand that I totally love. Upon seeing this bag, my husband thought it was from Bungalow 360. The canvas material and cute pattern really resembles their style of product. And they are super eco which I love. I carried around a laptop-type messenger bag made by them for my first year of college. Then my books got heavier with my course load, so I had to upgrade to a heavy duty Patagonia one. Still, I have their penguin wallet (which evokes a "I love your wallet!" exclamation almost every time I pull it out to pay), and my birdie messenger bag is still up in the closet waiting to be used again.

Before I forget, has anyone been to a Francesca's? I've noticed them popping up everywhere over the last several years. They sell accessories and cool chachkies and some clothing, and their prices are super affordable. They have jewelry for every occasion and style, and I can't get enough.


photo courtesy of USGS

I am in full-on nesting mode.  There is not a cabinet or closet that is safe from my urge to purge. Or organize. And no, there isn't a bun in my oven. In hindsight, I probably should not have used a nest with eggs in it. Let's just assume they aren't fertilized, okay? I'm not sure if it is because my free time is going to become a lot less free come Monday, or it is simply nervous energy being put to good use. It might also be the fact that I'm back on crack. By crack, I mean coffee. Either way, I like how productive I have been.

Entryway closet
I finally assembled my night stand (we bought our new bedroom furniture in, um, March? February?). My unfinished nightstand was standing between bedroom perfection and utter chaos. I am so dramatic.

I deep cleaned and reorganized our entryway closet using an old hanging shoe organizer and some bins. I starting sorting through my out-of-control shoe collection (how many pairs of flip flops does one girl need?) and reorganizing my closet. I'm not sure I have EVER vacuumed the inside of my closet. Don't judge.




More photographic proof:

[The hideous pile from my closet floor]
 I'm turning this . . .
 . . .  and this . . .

[The overflowing basket on the bottom of my shelf]


Into this:  


While it's still a work in progress (this is less than 1/2 the closet), I should have it wrapped up by tonight. The lack of clutter is SO freeing! My new, white bedroom furniture makes the whole room light and airy, and I was doing it a disservice by being disorganized. 

Not only am I glad to have a diversion, but I'll be going into a tough semester feeling more in control of my surroundings. 










Staying Off the Ledge...

Friday, August 24, 2012

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