[the bear naked truth]

Thursday Thoughts

2012-02-02T16:41:00.000-05:00

linking up with Miss Sar for some random musings :)

{one}

I finally made an appointment to have this mop cut! I haven't had anything done to it since JUNE of 2011. it's in definite need of some TLC. I think I'm going to keep my color the same, but trim the ends and add some more layers. still undecided on whether I want to grow out/keep my bangs.

{two}

I don't like the new actor playing Spartacus. I'm glad they're continuing the show, but I don't think it'll ever be the same without Andy Whitfield.

{three}

I have no idea who I'm going to root for during the Superbowl. I hate the Giants (Redskins fan), but I don't really like the Patriots either.

{four}

we have a little mini photo session planned with Jessica this weekend - it's been so long since we've had our pictures taken so I'm a little nervous. but Jessica is a fabulous photographer, so I know she'll work her magic. can't wait to show you all!

{five}

I may or may not still have Christmas decor up. no lights or tree, but stockings? yes. Christmas cards still hung? yes. talk about being a slacker.

{six}

I think Punxsutawney Phil is full of shit. it's 60 degrees here in Maryland today (and was yesterday too), so I don't see Old Man Winter hanging around for another 6 weeks. I'm sure I'll have my foot in my mouth when it snows next week or something, haha.

{seven}

I've read 6 books this year already! yeehaw! to be fair, they were mostly young adult fantasy crap, so I flew right through them. I'm working on The Red Tent right now, and it's proving to be much more adult, and therefore a little harder to get into.

fill in the blank Friday

2012-01-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

play here!

1. The last thing I ate was saltines. and ginger ale. weeeeee!

2. The last song I listened to was errrr, no idea. something country on the radio on my way into work this morning .

3. Using the letters in my name I can spell Mandee - man, name, mean, deem, dame, dam, mad, made, and, dean, need, mane, maned, and probably some other stuff I can't think of .

4. If I had to dress in one color for the rest of my life I would pick black or grey. boring, but versatile .

5. If you were to look in my bag right now you'd find a weekly planner, another planner, my wallet, Kindle, a mini brush, cover-up, lip gloss, chapstick, two pens, a mini notepad, bobbi pins, and some gum. I switched purses recently, so it's not a complete disaster yet .

6. When I finish filling in the blanks I'm going to get some work done .

7. My all time favorite song to dance to is Love Shack .

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-12-30T13:36:00.000-05:00

weeeeee! hello friends!

Christmas was great (I got a Kindle, a new watch, these sweet boots, a set of wine glasses, and a bunch of other awesome stuff) and we have very low key plans for NYE. all in all, the end of 2011 is looking to turn out perfectly, and I'm keeping fingers crossed that 2012 will kick ass too.

I've got approximately 2.5 weeks until school starts again, so I plan on taking it easy and relaxing until the craziness begins. I wish you all a very happy & safe New Years!

now onto the blanks! if you'd like to play along, head over here and visit Lauren and her cute ass bump.

1. New Years is not only a time to celebrate a new year and fresh starts, but to also reflect on the past and learn from it .

2. One of my New Year's resolutions will be ... I don't make resolutions, but I do have some goals in mind - one to be to finish the spring semester with a 4.0 GPA and to get myself into a steady workout routine .

3. A New Year's resolution I've made in the past was to read more books .

4. The most time consuming resolution I ever made was hmmm... I can't really think of anything. like I said, I don't really make resolutions .

5. This year I will be spending New Year's Eve with great friends and a wonderful husband .

6. If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be ... a secret. wishes don't come true if you share them, duh .

7. 2012 is going to be memorable!

tag!

2011-12-22T14:27:00.000-05:00

Rules:
1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Things About Me:
1. I lost my first tooth while sucking down a McDonald's milkshake in Norfolk, VA. I was there visiting my Poppop (who was stationed there as USCG) and I was VERY proud to show him my lost tooth.
2. I sleep with a blankie that my grandmother made for me as a child. It has cats on it.
3. If I didn't maintain my eyebrows, I'd look like Bert & Ernie. or Frida Kahlo.
4. My feet are disgusting right now. I am in desperate need of a pedicure.
5. I want a baby. BAD. I've yet to talk about our TTC struggles on here, and I'm not sure if it's something I'll ever delve into publicly. Just know that if you've been trying without success for a long time (12 + months), you are not alone.
6. I didn't put my Christmas tree up this year. By the time we had a free day to do it, it would only be up for a week. It ain't that serious.
7. I like some of my internet friends more than some people I know IRL.
8. I have been smoke free for 417 days today.
9. I have the tattoo itch! My calves will be next and I can't wait!
10. I'd rather clean the toilet everyday than wash another dish ever. (hint: we don't have a dishwasher)
11. I feed my cats people food.

Questions (from Kaley!):
1. favorite blogger/blog?
easy. YHL. <3

2. what's your favorite beauty secret?
shiiiiit. I just started painting my own nails. I have no beauty secrets, haha.

3. what is your favorite quality in another person?
compassion.

4. why did you fall for your spouse?
he swept me off my feet unexpectedly, he made me laugh, and he made me want to be a better person. so cheesy. it also helps that he's hot as fuck.

5. proudest moment?
my proudest moment is anytime someone tells me that my mom would be proud of me. also, quitting smoking was pretty awesome.

6. favorite concert you've been too?
oh man, this is hard. I can't pick just one. I'd have to say either Tom Petty, Counting Crows, or Pink.

7. thing you're best at?
creating. uh, except when it comes to babies? ha.

8. last thing you licked?
probably Kaley's husband's beard. mmmmm.

9. favorite iphone/droid app?!
Words With Friends.

10. what does your last text say? don't lie!
ACTUALLY, it's a picture of a cup from Kaley that says "mimosas at work?! yessssss!" WHAT A LUSH.

11. who is your celebrity crush?
Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Gerard Butler, Mila Kunis, Josh Duhamel. Zooey Deschanel, Ryan Gosling.

My Questions (if I tag you, answer these!):
1. What is the last thing you purchased?
2. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?
3. What is your favorite fashion trend right now?
4. Are your nails painted? What color?
5. What is one thing you wish you could improve about yourself?
6. Who is the last person to make you laugh?
7. What is one thing your spouse does to make you weak in the knees?
8. Favorite holiday song?
9. Would you rather stub your toe or have a paper cut?
10. Favorite book you've read this year?
11. New year's resolution?

I know I've got a slim chance of seeing these people participate, being that it's 3 days away from Christmas, but I'm tagging them anyway!

Amy, Becca, Mrs. Biscuit, Monica, Vicki, Nicole, Sar, Mrs. Parker, and um... that's it.
I don't feel like tagging anyone else. suck it.

MERRY THURSDAY.

eye candy

2011-12-13T16:18:00.000-05:00

[all images via decorpad]

recent happenings...

2011-12-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

here's what I've been up to lately

(besides being buried in school work - tonight is my last class! WOO!)...

please excuse the quality of these photos - all cell phone pics.

replicating some Dali artwork, circa 1923

cooking the most delicious baked ziti known to man, topped with MY VERY OWN fresh basil

[recipe here]

acing physics exams

creating holiday decor & handmade ornaments

painted ornament tutorial here

"ribbon" ornament is just strips of curled scrapbook paper

and the scalloped felt tree was a huge pain in the ass

cuddling with a cute Rhys

drawing my iron reindeer that sits on the bookshelf

painting my nails a very festive green for only $0.99

spending time with this adorable guy

so yeah... that pretty much sums up why I haven't been around.

have you been doing any holiday decorating?

have you been cuddling babies as cute as Rhys? (doubtful)

Happy Monday!

all was calm, all was bright [Etsy goods!]

2011-12-09T14:54:00.000-05:00

since the holidays are right around the corner, I figured it was time for a little seasonal Etsy roundup!

printable wine labels

holiday plaid baby gear

happy Friday!

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-12-09T12:17:00.001-05:00

play with Lauren here!

1. Love is all we need .

2. Being in love feels like having butterflies everyday .

3. My favorite quote about love is "My heart starts to pound now, to the rhythm of yours..." - a lyric from the song, Still Dreaming, by Silverstein - we have it tattooed on our forearms .

4. The most important thing in a relationship is communication. if you don't have a way to get your message across to your partner, you're doomed. I feel thankful that Sean and I have each other down to a science when it comes to communication .

5. A "deal breaker" for me in a relationship is someone who is untrustworthy .

6. The way I show love in my relationships is by doing little physical things - nothing sexual, but rubbing/scratching his back, or scratching his palms (something he REALLY loves). I love to make him feel wanted and adored. we are big huggers too .

7. I love life .

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-12-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

play with Lauren!

1. The holiday season is best spent with those you love and those you are thankful for .

2. Snow makes me happy, only when it's enough to get me out of work. any other time, it makes me stabby, because people don't know how to drive in it .

3. The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is grilled cheese and soup .

4. Winter is the best time for snuggling. and hot chocolate with extra marshmallows .

5. I can hardly wait for winter break! just have to get through 2 more weeks and then I can relax for a bit .

6. When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to give them. I usually spend a lot of time trying to pick the perfect gift, and it's a comforting feeling to watch someone open a present that you worked so hard on .

7. If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a 9. I absolutely LOVE the holiday season, because I enjoy seeing my family and spending quality time with the people around me. I give a 9 and not a 10, because it's also the time of year that my mom got sick, and therefore the cold weather always reminds me of that. the holidays really just haven't been the same without her.

currently

2011-11-29T15:36:00.000-05:00

I will be back in full force soon. I have two weeks left of school (which also entails 50ish sketches to complete, 2 physics exams, and a 10 minute presentation on rainbows) until winter break.

until then, I'll do fun little memes like this, haha.

saw this over at Sometimes Sweet today and decided to play along.

Obsessing over: Christmas decor. I keep finding ideas on Pinterest and wanting to recreate every single fucking tree, ornament, and wreath out there. so far I've made a crap load of ornaments, some wall art, and a yarn "tree" out of a cone, but I have supplies for even more projects.

oh and also? Bikram yoga. it's incredibly challenging, but I love it and I'm pretty certain it will change my life.

Working on: not failing my second physics exam of the semester, which is mostly the sound portion of this light & sound course. once I get through tonight, I will be working on completing my 100 sketches for my drawing class, and then the weekend will consist of rainbow research. OH, and I'm also in the process of getting a stray kitty at my work adopted through a rescue organization, which is proving to be a lot more work than I anticipated.

Thinking about: what I'm going to do with my free time once this semester is over. HA! and also how I need to sit down and make a supply list for all my DIY Christmas gifts.

Anticipating: registering for spring semester courses (which will be my first time taking ID instruction in several years), Sean's 29th birthday (we're celebrating out with friends AND I'm cooking dinner for him & his family... eeks!), Christmas, our 5th annual Secret Santa party, and many many more events that we have coming up.

Listening to: sirens. I work in the ghetto, so it's pretty much all I hear during the day. and typical office chatter.

Drinking: water, as always.

Wishing: that it would stop raining so I can have a non-hellish commute to school after work. AND that I could find a good home for little stray kitty before the weather gets too cold... otherwise we'll be fostering him until we can. =/

Happy Tuesday!

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-11-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

ahhh! I've been MIA for a little while - things are wrapping up with school in the next few weeks, which means I've been swamped with end of semester projects and presentations. in the next three weeks, I have 2 major art pieces to complete, a lab for physics, two exams for physics, and a 10 minute long presentation for physics.

but I did just get some awesome news - I emailed the head of the interior/architecture design department at my school to inquire about some courses that I should be waived from completing, since I took similar courses when I started the program yeaaaars ago. turns out, I am exempt from taking 3 of the remaining 13 courses in my program, which means I'm THAT much closer to finishing my degree and moving on to a university. needless to say, I'm ecstatic.

I'm going to have to put my career on the back burner for a few semesters unfortunately and work part time, but I put this degree on hold for many years because I had to work and pay my bills, and I refuse to do it again. I'm at the perfect time in my life to finish this up, so I'm going to take advantage of it now.

ANYWAY. onto the blanks! play along with Lauren over here.

1. A nervous habit I have is picking at my nails. I used to bite my nails like crazy, but now that they're grown out, I pick at them when I'm nervous. I also get real fidgety.

2. Something that makes me sad is thinking about the upcoming month of January... in two months (to the day), my mom will be gone for 9 years. crazy. the winter always reminds me of visiting her in the hospital.

3. Today I am thankful for the fact that I have a job in which I can work from home on the days that I will need to be in class next semester. I don't know if I'd be able to finish this program if not for the flexibility that my job provides.

4. My favorite room in my house is my living room. my couch is, hands down, the best thing Sean & I ever invested in.

5. I can't stand a lot of things. I'm in too great of a mood today to be negative.

6. If I had an extra $100 to spend on whatever I wanted today I would probably spend the entire thing on wine at Kaley's launch party tonight, haha.

7. The last person I hung out with was Sean, when I got home from class last night.

what I've been pinning lately...

2011-11-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

you can see what else I've been pinning here,

but here are a few of my favorites from the past few weeks...

these bracelet stacks. MUST HAVE.
[originally from here]

this super fun engagement session - SO creative & quirky
[originally from here]

this mimosa bar - what a GREAT idea for a brunch or afternoon party
[originally from here]

free mandala printables
[originally from here]

Caitlin Wilson textiles, which belong on my couch.
[originally from here]

oven baked zucchini chips with parmesan cheese - will be making these soon!
[originally from here]

Alexa Meade creates photographs that look like paintings
[originally from here]

this dreamy mustard sweater
[originally from here]

have you found anything awesome on Pinterest lately?
I know... it's like asking if you've seen any attention whore status updates on Facebook.
but really... please share! :)

Happy Tuesday!

weekend recap (with cell phone pictures!)

2011-11-07T10:51:00.000-05:00

Friday Night:

Sean & I met up with our awesome friends Kaycie & Adam and grabbed lunch at a local Irish place before heading into Baltimore. we had some drinks at Howl at the Moon and then cabbed over to Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to see this excellent fellow perform stand up comedy.

and THEN I laughed so hard that I couldn't feel my face and I'm pretty sure I urinated a little in my pants. if you ever have the opportunity to see Louis CK's stand up, fucking DO IT.

after the show was over, we headed back to Howl for some more drinks and good times all around. lots of dancing, singing, and people watching. and then Taco Bell for the drunk ride home. nom.

Saturday:

clean clean clean clean clean clean. I cleaned my house from the minute I woke up until I had to leave for my cousin's sweet 16th birthday party in preparation for the Scentsy party I was hosting Sunday. I scrubbed baseboards, mopped floors, rearranged kitchen appliances, and hung up fun cork boards in the kitchen.

cousin Sammy turned 16 years old. CRAZY! she's so beautiful and free spirited. love her to death. we had pizza and cake to celebrate. it's always wonderful to spend time with my mom's side of the family.

when I returned home from the party (at about 9:30PM), I did a little more cleaning/straightening up and then convinced Sean to help me build our IKEA dining table that's been sitting in the kitchen (in the box) for MONTHS.

I also decided that there was no way I could put together IKEA furniture without wine. this may or may not have had anything to do with the mistake we made while building, causing us to backtrack juuuuust a little bit to fix it. woops. the table only took us about 2 hours to put together, and that was mostly because we had to use a screwdriver because the drill battery was dead as a door nail.

yes, I've already broken out the Christmas pajama pants. don't judge me.

oh well. we got her done, and she is beautiful! there are two additional leaves to expand her to seat 8, but 4 is perfect for now. now I just need to figure out how to decorate a dining room table.

Sunday:

got up super early since I STILL had more cleaning to do. I wanted the house to be absolutely spotless, so it got the deep clean that it so badly needed. finally got out to the grocery store and back to the house about 30 minutes before people started to arrive.

the next couple hours went something like this: eat, drink wine, cuddle baby, gossip/girl talk, check the score of the Skins game, cuddle baby, drink more wine, show off Bear's amazing balancing skillz, drink more wine, eat, smell Scentsy, drink beer.

it was a great time for sure. now that the house is completely cleaned, we will be having people over more often, fo sho. after everyone left, we cleaned up and parked our butts in front of the TV for the remainder of the evening. I vaguely remember falling asleep while watching Homeland last night.

WHEW! so it was a great weekend for the Quinns and now it's back to reality... I've got a week full of work, school, a vet appointment for Miss Mama Cat, and a visit with a friend who recently decided to take in and foster her own mama cat and 4 wittle babies! eeeeks, can't wait to meet them!

I hope you all had a FANTASTIC weekend like I did.

oh, and tell me what you're reading right now.

I haven't picked up a book in WEEKS and I really need to get back on the wagon soon. it's killing me!

Bear says HAPPY MONDAY!

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-11-04T13:33:00.000-04:00

play here!

1. My favorite thing about this week was/is it's a three way tie between having sushi with a friend, seeing Louis CK tonight, and my Scentsy party on Sunday .

2. Colder weather makes me appreciate Maryland for it's 4 seasons .

3. Three things that make me terribly happy as of late are red lipstick, Gollywobbler Red wine, and Taylor Swift .

4. If I could only wear one kind of shoe for the rest of my life, I'd choose flats, for sure .

5. My personality type is ESFJ. "ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic. "

6. I have a serious problem resisting pizza. I'd say it's my one weakness.

7. My favorite color to wear is green!

Friday loves!

2011-11-04T13:06:00.000-04:00

Sherry's DIY Christmas ornaments that she revealed through their Fall Pinterest Challenge.

I'm definitely going to make my own ornaments this year, along with holiday cards.

I also love the idea of using bright colors... weeeeeee!

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this little kitten that I added to my 2011 wishlist has found a forever home.

cheers to that!

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discovering illustrator Sujean Rim.

I love watercolor more than any other form of art, and it's probably because I wish I could be successful at it. this lady is seriously talented.

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this roundup of paint chip related projects.

that green calendar at the end? yes please!

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my tattooer and his shop were featured in this article on BuzzFeed.

they are great artists and deserve the recognition and exposure. Mike has tattooed all but one of my pieces, and I can easily say that I would never have a reason to go to anyone else for tattoo work. he's one of best guys I know!

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Martha Stewart tutorials for homemade holiday cards.

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how to make the perfect snowflake.

can you tell I'm on a holiday decor kick lately?

I love Christmas.

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Jimmy Kimmel & moms who tell their kids they ate all their Halloween candy.

specifically, this one.

"YOU SNEAKY MOM!"

hysterical. I can't wait to do this to my kids one day.

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we're going to see Louis CK for the ~~billionth~~ 4th time this evening.

we're dragging Kaycie & Adam to Baltimore with us tonight and I am SO EXCITED!

I'll be spending the ENTIRE day tomorrow prepping and cleaning house because I'm hosting a Scentsy party with Kathy on Sunday. I've never really had a big group of people at my house before, so I'm a little nervous, haha. lots to do and as usual, not enough time! ;)

Happy Friday ya'll!

happy halloweenie!

2011-10-31T11:34:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend celebrating All Hallow's Eve! this is the first year EVER that I didn't dress up in costume for Halloween. hubs & I decided to treat ourselves to a little date night instead. we got all fancied up and had a romantic dinner at Ruth's Chris. it was DELICIOUS (as always) and it was so nice to get out and spend a little alone time together, considering we don't see much of each other these days.

of course I didn't get a picture of the both of us (he hates pictures... party pooper), but I did get a picture of my outfit. not pictured are my hot ass argyle tights and sexy black pumps.

you've probably seen this dress before, because it is my go-to LBD that I pretty much wear for all special occasions, haha.

I spent all day Sunday cleaning/decluttering the house in preparation for my Scentsy party next weekend. it's the first time I've really had a big group of people over, so I want the house to be in tip top shape. I think I need to throw parties more often, because it is a GREAT motivator to deep cleaning/decorating the house.

of course, I also took some time to cuddle this cute guy...

tonight I'll be in my drawing class (with a nude model) until 9 or so, so I won't be celebrating Halloween at ALL this year. we don't get trick-or-treaters at our house anyway, so it's not such a big deal. I definitely missed dressing up, but nothing beats a date night with the coolest guy EVAH.

Happy Halloween!

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-10-28T10:54:00.000-04:00

play along with Lauren!

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be the little mermaid when I grew up.

2. As an adult, my dream job would be a stay at home mom with a flourishing interior design business .

3. W hen I was younger I wanted to be just like my mom. and Captain Planet .

4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was the pink ranger... for like 3 years in a row .

5. My favorite childhood toy was Littlest Pet Shop... surprised?

6. The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when I oh god, where to start? the time I pushed my brother and he ended up with stitches on his face was pretty bad. I had a habit of staying out late as a teenager, so I was grounded quite a bit. OH, and I called my mom a bitch to her face once, and I received something similar to the bitch slap heard around the world .

7. I get daily inspiration from Pinterest, mostly .

eye candy

2011-10-26T11:08:00.000-04:00

[via]

Friday loves!

2011-10-21T12:22:00.000-04:00

it is my best friend's birthday today!

go give her some love! :)

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the story of this married couple in Iowa who died only an hour apart while holding hands. I can only hope Sean & I will be as in love as these folks were after 72 years of marriage.

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this tutorial for a hand painted mug.

guess what everyone is getting for Christmas? hot chocolate (or maybe coffee. or vodka.) and one of these babies!

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this woman completed 38 random acts of kindness to celebrate her 38th birthday.

she fed quarters to parking meters, paid for strangers' tolls, delivered balloons to hospital patients, and a lot of other sweet things for other people. her selflessness is SO inspiring to me. I think I may save this link for my birthday next year.

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2012 mini cat calendar.

it's going on my wish list.

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these Seychelles pumps.

I am in dire need of a pair of plain black heels. I hardly ever wear them, but the only pairs of heels I own are open toe, and I feel like it would be a good idea to have some closed toe shoes as well. EITHER WAY, I want these. right now. except Sean will never approve of spending $90 on a pair of shoes.

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this feather printable.

I love this blog and I get almost all of my printed art from there for the gallery wall in the entryway. I love the colors in this print... it will be up on the wall this weekend!

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that's all I got for today, folks. I've got a busy weekend (what else is new?) full of birthday celebrations, errands, and drawing homework.

Happy Friday!

the OFFICIAL 2011 wish list

2011-10-20T14:12:00.000-04:00

no lie, I just sent all of this crap in an email to Sean. I'm guessing he'll pass it on to his mom, dad, and probably Kaley too so that he doesn't have to buy everything.

I was having a shitty day until I started compiling a list of things that I will most likely have in my life in two months. and then I felt better. materialistic? possibly.

how many fucks do I give about that? not a single one.

contrast trim hangbag - Tilly's - $19.99

nixon player watch - Buckle - $170.00

urban decay naked palette - sephora - $48.00

washington redskins vintage raglan sweatshirt - nfl shop - $49.99

this kitten.
YES I'M SERIOUS.

washington capitals sweatshirt - nhl shop - $69.99

toms - ash canvas classics - $44

"meow: I love cats" - crate & barrel - $14.95

3 piece elio vase set - crate & barrel - $49.95

custom book stamp - etsy - $27.95

that's it so far. SO FAR being the key words there.

do you have your gift wish list put together yet? do you even do wish lists?

we find it makes it so much easier to buy gifts for each other when we have some ideas on hand. we still get surprise gifts too, but this way we know we can get what we REALLY want in the end. easy peasy lemon squeezy.

HAPPY THURSDAY!

6 things that make me happy today and a photo

2011-10-17T13:19:00.002-04:00

1. we had an amazing time in Atlantic City on Saturday, and the memories that were made were very special... and hilarious. we started the morning off with mimosas (I'm talking 10AM) and didn't end until the bus ride home around 8PM. needless to say, it was a damn good day.

2. I'm down another 2lbs. I haven't been doing anything crazy, but I've recently started to really watch my eating habits. I've also been making sure to park far away from my buildings at school so that I have to walk further and taking the stairs everywhere. either way, it feels good.

3. we booked our flights for our friends' wedding in St. Thomas. SO EXCITED. once we get the rooms booked, we'll be all set.

4. being domestic. yesterday I spent a majority of the day doing things around the house - I scooped the litter boxes, did ALL the dishes, completed a few loads of laundry, vacuumed all the floors, took the trash out, completed this map project, and made dinner that was ready as soon as Sean walked in the door. productivity = happiness.

5. I finally have a hair appointment set for this weekend and I cannot wait. I'm contemplating doing this. I am not cutting my hair (only a trim), so I figure I can pull this off until my next appointment, when it's faded. thoughts?

6. I'm skipping art class tonight. I didn't do my homework (see #4), and I have tons of stuff I need to do around the house... like hanging said map project, making another canvas painting, and grocery shopping. I'm also going to make this for dinner tonight. Sean is in complete shock that I'm cooking dinner two nights in a row. to be honest, I am too. ha!

and just so this post isn't completely photo-less, here's what we did all day Saturday.

what are you happy about today?

Happy Monday!

Friday loves!

2011-10-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

this Maryland necklace.

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this video of a vicious turkey attack. hilarious.

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this tutorial on adding a tile frame to a raw edge mirror.

when we get around to re-doing the bathroom, this is on my list. such an easy and affordable fix!

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this recipe for baked apples. nom.

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while we're on the subject of food, this recipe too. I'll be picking up some bone-in chicken (I usually buy boneless breasts) and trying it out for Sunday dinner.

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25 ways to wear a scarf.

I wish there was an app for this that I could just save on my phone and play any time

I needed a new scarf tutorial. seriously, it's SO helpful!

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this tribal maxi skirt from Express.

my only problem with maxi skirts is that I don't know what kind of shoes to wear with them if it's too cold for flip flops. any suggestions?

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Barberry & Lace, one of my all time favorite Etsy shops, is having a $100 giveaway. how amazing is that?! I want the anchor cameo ring SO BAD.

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before & afters on Design*Sponge make me weak in the knees.

especially this one.

can you guess my favorite part?

if you guessed the chevron wall, you know me too well.

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a grown-up tree house.

I think all my dreams just came true.

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we are taking a day trip with a big group of friends to do some gambling (and drinking) in Atlantic City tomorrow, which I am super excited about. it should be a great time, and I'll be sure to report back on our winnings next week, along with some pictures.

have a good weekend, ya'll!

Happy Friday!

All Hallows Even [Etsy goods!]

2011-10-14T09:58:00.000-04:00

ouija board ring

baby sushi

kitchen print

mosaic silhouette wine glasses

the raven pillow cover

Happy Friday!

I pin stuff. a lot.

2011-10-11T11:27:00.000-04:00

also known as...

"the shit I'm putting on my Christmas list"

HILARIOUS what happened? bandages
[originally from here]

white ceramic elephant salt & pepper shakers
[originally from here]

gorgeous kitchen
[originally from here]

DIY written dinnerware
[originally from here]

wine cork coasters
[originally from here]

fun striped pens
[originally from here]

business cats 2012 wall calendar
[originally from here]

sushi post-it notes
[originally from here]

I don't know why, but it seems that I've been drawn to office related stuff...

what have YOU been pinning recently?

Happy Tuesday!

10 things that make me happy lately

2011-10-10T11:16:00.000-04:00

1. the weather in Maryland has been fantastic.

it's 75 degrees outside, but you can still feel that crisp chill of fall on the horizon.

2. Dexter.

this season is going to be amazing. I think Colin Hanks is a great addition to the cast, and I can't wait to see how he stirs things up.

3. my hair is growing SO fast.

I've been growing it out for a long time, and it's finally starting to get some length and I'm absolutely LOVING it. it's to the point now where I can pull it back without strays everywhere and it doesn't take TOO long to style.

4. My Dear Watson Scentsy.

mmmmm. smells like a well dressed man... I ended up buying TWO bars of it at the last party I attended because I knew I'd be burning it all the time.

5. friends.

we have a lot going on in the next few weekends and thankfully, they are all friend-related events. I've been feeling sooooo burned out with school and work, and spending time with good friends is such an outstanding break from the hustle and bustle.

6. HOCKEY SEASON IS HERE.

and yes, the caps are totally necessary.

[taken at the Caps home opener against the Hurricanes this past weekend]

7. these jeans from Old Navy that I talked about buying a few weeks ago.

I have seriously been wearing them out! they are so comfortable and look great with everything - tee shirt & flip flops, sweater & boots, or a dressy blouse and heels.

8. the countdown to Christmas.

I know the holidays often stress people out but I love it. I'm the type of person who strives to give the perfect gifts, and this year will be no exception... only I'm taking the homemade gift route this season. I already have some ideas and supplies together, so I'll be sure to share that journey once I get started.

9. listening to old CDs.

and yes, I still listen to CDs.

Kaley made me a bunch of mixed CDs to listen to on our way to Baltimore in the limo for my bachelorette party, and I've been reminiscing by giving them some time in the CD player in my car. let me just say... there have been entirely way too many solo dance parties in my car lately.

10. Bvlgari Man.

I got this in a sample size with my last Sephora order. I decided to choose it because Sean never really wears cologne, but I want him to, haha. it smells SO FUCKING AMAZING that I want him to bathe in it. and then I want to rape him. mmmmm yum, husband rape.

Happy Monday!

SHAAAARKS.

2011-10-05T17:12:00.000-04:00

I realized yesterday that I never uploaded pictures from our Myrtle Beach vacation... from August. it might have something to do with the fact that I only took about 130 pictures, and they were only taken on one day... the day we went to the Ripley's Aquarium.

I don't know why, but I was not in the picture taking mood while we were on vacation. I wanted to relax completely without worrying about documenting every single experience... even though visiting the aquarium was about the most exciting thing we did. the rest of the time was spent ocean or pool side, which was A-okay with me!

I'm a sucker for anything animal related, and although we didn't make our usual trip to Alligator Adventure, the aquarium was a pretty substantial substitution.

if we make it back to Myrtle Beach next year, we will definitely be taking a repeat trip to Ripley's Aquarium. and I might try to swim with the sharks. we'll see how it plays out.

Happy Wednesday!

ramblings: I'm lucky.

2011-10-04T14:24:00.000-04:00

I like to ramble. sometimes I go through these emotional spurts where I feel like I just need to write and get my feelings out. my soul has the desire to spill every single thought, and so I abide by rambling.

I've said it once and I'll say it many, many times before I die... I am a lucky woman.

after reading this article, sent to me via the husband, I realized one more thing... WE are two lucky people. we are so fortunate to have found each other - we are truly each other's counterparts. I found myself wholeheartedly agreeing on all points within the article, and thinking to myself, "well, if that's what it takes, we've got this in the bag." to have discovered the strength and energy it takes to have a happy and healthy marriage within 2 years of saying our vows was a pretty huge feat, I'd say.

marriage is so much more than just loving each other and being there for one another. it's taking on life itself as a team, as two people with shared goals in this world. you can be best friends all day long, but if you don't have the balls to stick it out when shit hits the fan, you have nothing. if you don't have trust and respect, you have nothing. if you can't have a serious conversation about what you can do to better yourselves financially, followed by hours of laughing at past memories or fart jokes, you're not cut out for it.

anyone who has ever been married will tell you that marriage is hard work... if they don't, then they've either never been married, or they have a crappy surface relationship that requires no effort whatsoever, and neither parties really give a shit about maintaining a healthy and fulfilling partnership.

the day in and day out of managing finances, house work, personal needs, social lives, entertainment, and careers is draining, honestly... but once you get into that rhythm, there's nothing like it. you get into this ebb & flow of life where you each have your own responsibilities with school work, career work, or social obligations, and then you have joint aspects that you take on together. and sometimes it's a little stressful... but most of the time, it just... works. like a well oiled machine.

I really find it hard to put into words how completely (and I hate to use this word) blessed I am. not in the religious sense, but in the sense that I am so incredibly fortunate to be married to Sean. he is my absolute best friend in the entire world, the smartest person I know, and the person who makes me feel the most confident and respected. the bond we share is so much more than just "love." it's a mental and physical connection that rivals the relationship of body and brain. we finish each others' sentences without even thinking, and we can push each others' buttons like no one else.

without Sean, I am a complete person. I don't like when people say that another person "completes" them... because if you're not a complete person by yourself, you won't have the ability to love another fully. so, no... Sean doesn't make me a "complete" person... but he makes me a better person. he makes me want to go out and become a greater version of myself, to ensure an inevitably awesome future for us and our future children. we compliment each other, we supplement each other... we are not polar opposites, but there are several differences between us that allow each of us to learn something new about this life that would have gone unnoticed otherwise.

don't get me wrong - we are not perfect by any means, nor do we claim to be. but we are constantly working together to make our relationship stronger and to communicate efficiently. we argue, but we argue in a smart way - we're quick to admit when we're wrong, and we have no problems using the words "I'm sorry". there are things that he does that drives me up a fucking wall, but in the big scheme of things, I can live with those annoyances, because I know he doesn't really like it when I forget to throw out the used coffee K-cups, yet he deals.

and guess what? sometimes we even go to bed angry (insert gasp here). and you know what else? I'm totally a-okay with that. there are moments when you really need to cool off before revisiting a heated conversation, and sleep is the perfect prescription when you've got a case of the "damn, I said some fucked up things last night" syndrome. trust me on this one.

I don't really know where I'm going with this... like I said, I ramble. I guess I've just been reflecting lately, and realizing how crazy it is... how utterly fascinated I am with my husband... how undeniably giddy he makes me feel... how much respect I hold for him... and how I know that we are each other's perfect match. there is no one in the world who would make me laugh like he does, or call me out on my bullshit like he loves to do, or make me feel like I'm a better person just for knowing him.

so yeah, that's pretty much it. I love Sean, and am so grateful to have married someone as awesome as he is, and I am honored that he chose me to be his partner in life.

aaaaand /mush

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-09-30T09:55:00.000-04:00

play here!

1. My current obsession is greek yogurt .

2. Fall weather makes me happy.

3. My greatest strength is my passion to create, along with the need to make people happy .

4. My impulsiveness, along with the need to make people happy, is my greatest weakness.

5. My life is HECTIC right now. I feel like I never have a moment to breathe and relax .

6. In high school I was friends with everyone, including the outcasts and the popular kids .

7. When I'm super tired I get giddy .

DIY fall decor

2011-09-26T12:42:00.000-04:00

well would ya look at that. I promised to keep you updated on something I was planning on accomplishing over the weekend and I'm ACTUALLY posting about it!

anyway. typically, I skip fall and only decorate for the holidays, but this year, I was really hoping to add those warm fall tones to my decor. what I didn't want to do though, was spend a fortune on accessories that I would only be displaying a few weeks out of the year. so, I went to Michael's in search of cheap solutions.

I ended up picking out a few floral arrangements, a few plastic pumpkins, some fall colored scrapbook paper, a few fillers (pine cones, little mini pumpkins, wine corks), metal word art, a basket that says "harvest", and some candles. my total at Michael's was around $100, but that also included some other miscellaneous objects that were not used for fall decor. I'd say that I spent about $60-$70 on supplies for the fall stuff, which isn't bad considering that I would probably spend 3 times that much if I chose to decorate for fall by shopping at Pottery Barn.

here's what I did in the living room...

one of our end tables.
handmade art by me (tutorial to come later), CREEPY word art from Michael's.

the tray on our coffee table - the pumpkin & candle are new.
please excuse the mess.

I like to treat the top of my entertainment center as a mantle, and so I set up two vignettes on each end...

the only new items are the basket and the pine cones - I already owned the books, woven fillers, and the pear reed diffuser.

the pine cones didn't come up high enough initially, so I packed some paper into the bottom of the basket to allow them to peek out of the top.

the vase and the candle holder were things I already owned... just added the white pumpkin and flowers. I think that yellow vase could be my single favorite decor accessory... it makes it's way through every season!

for the middle shelf, I recreated this DIY artwork that I spotted on Pinterest using fall colored scrapbook paper and cut out letters spelling FALL from brown scrapbook paper. I simply glued everything together and placed them in simple black frames. easy peasy.

I decided to switch out some of the accessories in the bookcase this weekend too.

luckily, we already had those orange office storage boxes from Ikea, so it wasn't too hard to make the bookcase look ready for fall.

my excitement over this mustache scrapbook paper was embarrassing.

glass vase filled with mini pumpkins, wine corks, and natural fillers (already owned).

so that's it for our fall decor so far. I plan on switching out some of the art in the gallery wall for more autumn appropriate images and patterns (like this and this and this), so I'll make sure to shoot some pictures of that when it's completed. I still want to make a leafy garland out of scrapbook paper too (kinda like this, but strung together instead of hanging from a branch).

other than adding the accessories, I keep fall scents burning in my Scentsy warmers until Christmas time comes. right now, we're enjoying the smell of Gingersnap! baked goods always remind me of fall.

have you started to add some fall decor to your home yet?

ALSO...I'm already working on convincing Sean to let me get real pumpkins this year for our porch! he's not buying it just yet, but maybe with the prospect of home baked pumpkin goodies, he'll change his mind! ;)

Friday loves! [on a Sunday]

2011-09-25T20:39:00.000-04:00

YHL's anniversary week! I love their Q&A video and the roundup of stats from this year. I've been a follower for a few years now, so it's really cool to see how they've evolved.

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totally not internet related, but Sean bought me surprise tickets to the Caps home opener game against Carolina. CANNOT WAIT for hockey season to begin!

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the new baby girl, Shirley, over here.

GAH, she's so cute! I just want to squeeze her!

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this Mustache Mania print. so fun. would look great in any room.

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this roundup of painted pumpkins.

if time allows, I might take on a project like this in a few weeks.

I think it'd be fun to have one displayed in the house with a big ol' painted Q on it.

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dipped monogram bottles.

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the I'm a Giant dollhouse decorating challenge.

participants include Emily Henderson of Secrets from a Stylist and Jenny from Little Green Notebook.

I can't wait to see how they all create perfect little mini rooms.

Lonny did this dollhouse last year, and I wanted to be shrunk

"Honey, I Shrunk The Kids" style and live in there forever.

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Happy ~~Friday~~ Sunday!

what I've been pinning lately...

2011-09-21T16:36:00.000-04:00

since not everyone is on Pinterest (although, really... what are you waiting for? you should be there), I decided to share what I've been pinning lately here on the ol' blog. I've been feeling particularly inspired lately... probably has something to do with the change in weather, which further feeds my need to reinvent.

I'll be decorating for fall this weekend, so be on the lookout for that next week! I'm hoping to gather some supplies for a few cheap DIY home decor projects (and will document the process, if my pending homework allows) at Michael's... so fingers crossed those ideas work out.

anyhoodle. here's a look at what's caught my eye recently...

gorgeous black & grey nature sleeve
[originally from here]

printable gift tags
[originally from here]
and on a similar note, I'm totally DIYing Christmas gifts this year.
details to come in a later post.

these boots are fucking hot (and reasonably priced)
[originally from here]

I heart this drawing and I think it would look rad in my bedroom
[originally from here]

I truly believe I would be a happier person with this bag
[originally from here]

the Gibson tuck... haven't tried it yet, but it looks SO easy and fancy
[originally from here]

I'd never want to live in a studio apt, but if I had to, I'd want it to look like this
[originally from here]

Emerald Gorge, in Oregon
[originally from here]

what have you been pinning lately?

anyone else taking the homemade route for gifts this year?

Happy Wednesday!

oh, baby Rhys!

2011-09-20T10:45:00.000-04:00

I am SO in love.

I can't wait to snuggle you again on Friday.

I am so thankful that I get to be a part of your life.

you are absolutely perfect.

aye to zeeeeeeee.

2011-09-19T14:39:00.000-04:00

I've seen this floating around everywhere (most recently over at Vanessa's, Danielle's and Amy's blogs), so I figured I'd go ahead and participate. I'm fairly certain that I've done it before, but I don't think there are any laws against posting the same blog meme twice... right?

A. Age: twenty-five.
B. Bed size: king. it feels weird to sleep in a bed smaller than ours.
C. Chore that you hate: I have to pick only one? dishes. I HATE doing the dishes. this will change once we own a house built after dishwashers were invented.
D. Dogs: non-existent.
E. Essential start to your day: my long morning pee. feels so good.
F. Favorite color: green, grey, and mustardy yellow.
G. Gold or Silver: either or.
H. Height: five foot eight-ish.
I. Instruments you play: I don't.
J. Job title: Project Estimator. fancy.
K. Kids: sadly, none yet. but working on it. :)
L. Live: in Maryland.
M. Mother’s name: Mary.
N. Nicknames: Sean lovingly calls me stank ass sometimes.
O. Overnight hospital stays: just once when I had an abscess of fluid in my tonsils.
P. Pet peeves: hypocrisy.
Q. Quote from a movie: "do we have time for a movie montage?"
R. Right or left handed: right handed.
S. Siblings: four brothers: two full blooded, two halves.
U. Underwear: um. yes I wear them.
V. Vegetable you hate: green peppers. ick.
W. What makes you run late: anything and everything. I'm lazy and I like to wait until the last possible second to get ready for an event.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, wrists, face, ankles... pretty much everything but my head.
Y. Yummy food that you make: I can make a mean mac & cheese.
Z. Zoo animal: motherfucking hippos.

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-09-16T11:01:00.000-04:00

fill in your own blanks here!

1. You should always take time to learn. there's no such thing as too much knowledge.

2. Perfect weather make(s) the world a happier place to be.

3. I can hardly wait for the moment when I have a child of my own .

4. Saturday is my favorite day of the week.

5. Something totally dumb and ridiculous that I love is the Target "denim" jingle commercial . seriously, I laugh out loud EVERY time.

6. If I could, I would leave work right now and head down to meet little baby Rhys .

7. I rather like this crisp fall weather we're experiencing today .

Friday loves

2011-09-16T10:52:00.000-04:00

Missoni for Target. duh.

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book stamps!

this one is immediately being added to my Christmas wish list.

(and yes, I already have one started).

I lend my books out a lot, so I figured this cute stamp would help me keep track of my shit. also, my friend Jen has one and she LOVES it. yes please!

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this post by Veronika about how to pack, move, and stage your home.

lots of great tips, especially for those of us who tend to stress out about packing and moving.

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West Elm & 20x200 collaborating.

fabulous pieces, fabulous artists. weeeeee!

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the discovery of this blog.
this girl has lost 135lbs and has SUCH a great outlook on life.
her journey is so inspiring and I've found myself reading through her archives all week long.

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this DIY art project.

I'm thinking I will definitely be attempting something like this for our future office.

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John & Sherry's updated office light.

it's amazing what a little spray pant and a big ol' drum shade can do to transform an outdated fixture.

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Design*Sponge at Home.

yes please, for the love of Richard Gere, and thank you very much.

ALSO going on my Christmas list rightfuckingnow.

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Lisa Sherry's home in the newest Lonny.

if you haven't seen it, check it out. you will not be disappointed.

Lisa is one of my favorite designers and it is very clear that she didn't spare an ounce of talent when it came to designing her own home.

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Jenna Marbles' new video on creating unique pickup and hookup lines.
effing hysterical.
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I would also like to give my best friend a heartfelt congratulations on the birth of her new baby boy, Rhys Anthony! he is just as beautiful as the rest of the family, and I cannot wait to snuggle him!

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Missoni for Target

2011-09-14T12:33:00.002-04:00

it's here, it's here!

the extremely pumped up Missoni for Target collection has finally hit stores as of yesterday.

I haven't had the chance to hit the store yet, but I'm loving what they've got online.

here's a quick run down of what I've got on my wishlist that I'd love to check out in person

(most of which are sold out online)...

FOR ME:

ZigZag Print Swimsuit

Floral Silk Scarf - Yellow

Pleated Maxi Skirt

Two-Tone Tights in Rose

FOR THE BEDROOM:

Aqua Pentagonal Pouf

Jar Candle

FOR THE BATHROOM:

Small Ceramic Vase

Famiglia Wavy Bath Rug

Famiglia Wavy Hand Towel

FOR THE LIVING ROOM:

Framed Tile - Passione

Throw - Passione

AH! so many awesome things!

apparently the demand for the Missoni collection was

so high that the Target website crashed, and the stores looked like Black Friday.

I've talked to friends who say that all our local stores are completely

SOLD OUT.

how insane is that?

so have you been coveting the much awaited Missoni line as well, or is it not your cup of tea? (you people are crazy)

Happy Wednesday!

disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this blog post are purely my own. I was not perked or reimbursed for raving about the new collection at Target. I did not receive free merchandise or store credit or anything of the sort. although, that would be awesome sauce.

eye candy

2011-09-14T10:33:00.000-04:00

[all images via Decor Pad]

ketchup

2011-09-13T15:23:00.002-04:00

I just now switched to the new template for Blogger, and ya'll? this shit is weird.

how do you pronounce the word "ketchup?" it's "cat-sup" or "catch-up?"

uhhh, so things have been pretty busy lately. lots of school work. my drawing class is a lot harder than I thought it would be, honestly. I guess I'm just not used to creating "realistic" art... I'm more of an abstract girl myself. I'd rather slap some paint together or do more graphic art than draw a flower or a self portrait, both of which I had to do yesterday.

I finally had dinner last week with my wonderful wedding photographer and friend, Jen. it's always so much fun to get together and catch up on what we're reading, our pets, families, and the like. I'm sure the wait staff at Four Seasons hates us because we sit there for 30 minutes gossiping before we even order our meal. oh, and for anyone who thinks that I read a lot? ... Jen has read 100 books this year! she is crazy! ;)

I've recently discovered Mio Liquid Water Enhancer. it's possibly the best thing to ever happen to me. I'm currently drinking the shit out of the peach tea flavor. and no, they didn't give me free stuff to say that. I wish.

I just finished reading Left Neglected by Lisa Genova. it's about a busy woman (think powerhouse professional, mom to three, and doting wife) who suffers brain damage following a car accident - she is no longer aware of the term "left" - meaning her left hand, someone else's left hand, the left side of a building, etc. it was an excellent read... full of witty snark and exploratory emotion.

one of my very best friends is moving to NYC in February. I am very, very, VERY excited for her and her fiance, who has been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. they both deserve all the success in the world, and right now, that success lands them in the big city. but on the other hand, I'm so sad that I won't be able to just come over on a whim and play games with them on Friday nights. selfishly, I think it will be very hard to handle for both Sean and I. I'm going to miss them both VERY much, but I'm so proud of both of them for making this huge step towards their future. I know it's not for forever, but damnit, I love my friends.

my other best friend, Kaley, is going to give birth any day now. Mr. Rhys is scheduled for eviction on Friday, but we're keeping fingers and toes crossed that he makes it here on his own before then. either way, he'll be here for the weekend! I'm so thrilled to finally be able to meet his little face. I know it's going to be hard having a toddler AND a newborn, but Kaley is superwoman, so I know if anyone can make it work, it's her.

we semi-cleaned the garage over Labor Day weekend. basically, we got rid of all the junk that we could, loaded up the truck, and then realized that the dump is not open on Sundays. sooooo we took our load (that sounds so dirty) to the dumpster at my work and then came home and pushed everything out of the middle of the garage. it's not done by ANY means, but it's an improvement, fo sho.

once we get some storage solutions figured out, everything will have it's own place and we'll be able to really organize. for now, this'll have to do.

and yes, Kaley, those are your beach chairs. promise to get them back to you before next summer. :)

Happy Tuesday!

fall fashion [shopping goodies]

2011-09-06T14:02:00.002-04:00

fact: I own three pairs of jeans that fit me at the moment. two of those three have holes in them. in the crotch/thigh area. needless to say, with fall approaching, it was time to invest in a few more pairs.

with my fall fashion inspiration post from two weeks ago in mind, I headed over to Old Navy (I haven't shopped there in a while, save a few basic tops here and there, but I know they have reasonably priced denim, so I decided to give their jeans a try) in Annapolis and started the hunt.

remember this outfit? ...

I had a couple things in my mind labeled as necessity items as I browsed the store:

one or two pairs of straight leg/skinny jeans,

one pair of wide flare leg jeans,

button up cardigans,

and colorful printed scarves.

on the "maybe" list were:

lace camisoles (depending on the colors),

flats (if they had some in mustard),

some striped items (bonus if they are navy, deep plum, and/or mustard),

and a brown leather handbag.

it was a VERY successful trip, as I picked up everything I needed and much more!

I was thankful to find jeans that fit me perfectly. I've realized that I can no longer fit into junior sizes, and that low-rise jeans are just not flattering to my body anymore. I'm okay with it, and was relieved to find some mid-rise pieces that fit my body perfectly.

The Rock Star Jeggings in Grey

Flare Diva Jeans in Watercress

Skinny Mini-Flare Jeans in Cotton Wood

The Sweetheart Skinny Jeans in Rinse

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I wasn't really shopping for tops, but I couldn't keep my hands off of these. not pictured: two lace camis in olive green and tan.

Printed Zip-Front Cardigan in Navy Stripe

Breezy Blouse in Grey

Camp Shirt in Purple Plaid

Sequined Henley Tank in Green Stripe

Dolman-Sleeve Cardigan in Pasture Present

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and a couple miscellaneous things that I picked up on a whim (and am SO glad I did)...

Pleated Maxi Skirt in Heather Charcoal

Faux-Suede Cap-Toe Flats in Mustard

Floral-Print Gauze Scarf in Cool

I'm excited for the weather to cool down a little more so I can wear my long sleeve shirts and cardigans. until then, I'm enjoying my new jeans and breaking them in! I haven't had a clothes shopping trip in a while, so I think this little haul, while a little more extravagant than I planned, was much needed and will motivate me to rid my closet of things that I haven't worn in a very long time. thankfully, ON had some pretty decent sales going on over the holiday weekend, so I'm pretty sure that most of these items were discounted.

did you do any shopping over the long weekend and score any deals?

Happy Tuesday!

fill in the blank Friday!

2011-09-02T12:10:00.000-04:00

gets ta blankin' over heeya!

1. One thing that is completely superfluous, but that I could never give up is uhh... I can't really think of anything. I could give up stuff if I really needed to.

2. Eating bananas makes me feel awkward.

3. I can't sleep without, the assistance of medicine .

4. Cream cheese & chives crackers is my favorite snack.

5. Lately I've been feeling very accomplished .

6. If at first you don't succeed fix what's wrong and try again .

7. Fall is on it's way, and I can't wait for football season, leather boots, hoodies, and holidays .

Friday loves

2011-09-02T11:01:00.000-04:00

this DIY map art that I found (and immediately repinned) on Pinterest.

I already have the maps saved to my computer ready for printing. funny thing I noticed while finding the maps themselves... all three of our locations (we met, we married, we live) are surrounded by water. pretty neat if you ask me.

I'm not sure where I'm going to put this yet, but I think it'll either be in the entry way or the living room. I think I'm going to nix the text at the bottom though... I don't like a lot of words and crap on my walls.

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these boots from Aldo.

who wants to buy them for me?

want, want, WANT.

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this home, designed by Caitlin Creer Interiors.

love the preppy style and the bright colors. I can't wait to see the details featured later next week.

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YHL's August superlatives.

it's a nice way to showcase their favorite posts from the month, and

I love seeing them all in one place. the amount of DIY they do is amazing to me.

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things organized neatly.

this site is like OCD porn. I want to recreate everything.

especially this...

...

::cue the sound of the heavens opening up above and angels singing::

...

[thank you Andrea for sending me this. my life is now complete.]

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my Thirty-One bag that I blogged about two Fridays ago.

it arrived this week and I love it. it's the perfect size to hold my wallet,

planner and other personal stuff, as well as my school books.

I kinda wish I would have gotten a different monogram or nixed it all together though,

cause it looks like it says "MOM" from far away instead of "MQM." woops!

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September desktop wallpapers.

I change it on the 1st of every month and I love this month's selections.

currently sporting Got Ink? on my desktop.

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an Etsy roundup of everything houndstooth.

for the love of lemonade, YES PLEASE.

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these artsy movie posters via Meredith @ Welcome To Heardmont.

I think they'd make a great addition to a media room or studio.

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this free print might have to join my gallery wall in the entry way.

he looks like a happy little bird. I love vintage prints used as art.

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I hope you all have a fantastic holiday weekend. we're starting our 3 day weekend off tonight by doing a little shopping for fall clothes (I need jeans BADLY), and then we'll be doing work on the house all weekend. we have plans to clean out the garage (which is a disaster, fo real), hang the roman shades in the kitchen/dining room, and put together the remaining pieces of the dining room furniture.

I hope to have some update posts for you next week!

Happy Friday!