KittyMarie

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-31T10:02:00.001-08:00

I think I will keep posting some Sweet and Cheap items when I come across them, though back to my sporadic blogging schedule as things heat up for me at work!

Today I found a wonderful site called PaperPunk - and these items would be perfect for a dexterous kid or even a husband!

Ride, $18.95.

Bot, $18.95.

Pup, $18.95.

315

2012-01-27T12:42:00.001-08:00

We pin all of our hopes on 315, because there is nothing else of substance available on which to stick the sharp point of a hopepin.

This was at least four months in the making, if not several years of slow decline to an inevitable bottom. But this is a bright bottom. They are lucky. They can afford to be cared for and catered to, when so many are relegated to dusty corners and sub-par standards. If they allow it, they might even flourish, away from one another and the four walls of 315.

If nothing else, I did all I could to help get them there. Now they just have to stay.

I spy with my little eye

2012-01-27T12:35:00.001-08:00

While running an errand over lunch today, as I sat at a stoplight, gazing out my windows at the frosty faces of passersby, who did I spy on a certain street corner but BlindIrishPirate! She was running (she refers to it as "scuttling," which tickles me), wearing several layers and a colorful hat that I envy. She didn't see me, and I didn't want to honk and ruin her concentration (it was frosty, I tell you!). I have enjoyed her recent posts on her running adventures, and I cheer her on from this side of the screen. You go, woman.

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was out of commission, sweating and swearing while moving heavy belongings about (not my own, it should be noted, altruistically). Since I missed a Thursday post, today I will give you a Sweet and Cheap double header, from Dimmalimm and Laserist - they both have wonderful offerings.

I love these unique "stay on" coasters from the first shop mentioned.

Fest in Wine, $18.

Fest in Teal, $18.

From Laserist, I adore these interesting wooden puzzle models. You assemble these yourself, but that's half the fun!

Bucket Loader, $19.95.

Revolver, $19.95 (I can really get behind a toy gun that looks obviously fake - I don't care for the realistic ones).

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-25T09:43:00.000-08:00

I am in love with these unique and inexpensive stencils from Stencil1. Cheaper than wallpaper, you can create interesting patterns, or just stencil one to your wall for a focal point - wonderful!

Birds on Wires, $12.99. I would love this for my own bedroom!

Moroccan Petal, $12.99. This would be wonderful in a bright kitchen or breakfast nook!

Typewriter, $10.99. Can you imagine this one adorning the walls of an office? Too cute!

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-24T08:33:00.001-08:00

I found an adorable site with delicious randomness called The Goodie Bag -- I think you'll agree!

Crayon Rings (set of 6), $6.00

Animal Head Hat, $10

Moustachio (handmade), $20.00

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

I so enjoyed the Sweet and Cheap challenge last week, that I've decided to extend it another week.

I adore the Tiny Confessions shop on Etsy. The designs are kitschy and hilarious -- and cheap!

Labrador Retriever (5x7), $12.

Black Cat (5x7), $12.

Witch (8x10), $20.

An open letter of thanks to a certain couple

2012-01-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

I want to thank you, unnamed couple, for teaching me what love is not.

While you have always done an outstanding job to demonstrate for me the kind of hate that causes poisonous bile to spill from one's mouth, the last few weeks have truly reinforced your life's message - your legacy, really.

Unfailingly, over the 26 years than span my lifetime so far, you have shown me how to live daily in close confines with someone you abhor. As a very young child, after spending time at your house, I returned to my mother and confusedly asked, "Were they fighting or talking?" She didn't know how to respond, because there was always one answer, and it was always the wrong one.

You've shown me that all that matters is what the other person can do for you, and when they fail (or even sometimes when they succeed), how to properly berate your partner for his or her character flaws and mistakes and accidents -- or perhaps, for simply being alive and in your way. As the decades slipped by, your unflagging dedication to physical, mental, and emotional abuse has been noteworthy.

I have only witnessed your relationship for 26 years, and yet I am so very tired. Aren't you tired, too? After over 60 years together, aren't you just exhausted? In spite of what must be a weariness that has seeped into your very marrow, you soldier on, determined to continue to live and hate one another. You made a commitment to each other. I can see that you will honor your vow to treat one another as contemptuously as possible until your very last breaths.

So you deserve my deepest gratitude, unnamed couple. You have shown me how I never want to live. How I never want to treat my spouse. How I never want to be treated. And I thank you for that.

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-20T05:24:00.001-08:00

Today's Sweet and Cheap comes from Built NY, my favorite go-to place for lunchboxes, at the very least. They have many other wonderful items as well, all of them with great, bright patterns, including:

Water Bottle Tote, $14.99.

Cheers Wine Bottle Tote, $16.99.

Two Bottle Tote, $17.99.

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-19T05:38:00.001-08:00

Today's Sweet and Cheap hails from my perennial favorite, Anthropologie. We find ourselves in the kitchen:

Penciled Hypericum Towels, $9.95-$19.95.

Four Seasons Dishtowel, $14.95.

Chinotto Apron, $19.95.

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-18T06:22:00.001-08:00

Day three of Sweet and Cheap finds us mining Decal for That, which beautifies Apple products - very simple but neat!

Robot, $5.50.

Panda, $7.49.

Portal Figure, $7.49.

Daily Eye Candy: Sweet and Cheap

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Day Two of the Sweet and Cheap challenge. Today, I bring you offerings from Pink Tank Ltd., a site with wonderful bookmarks, for those of us who are still in the Kindle-less Dark Ages.

Hard copies keep me in business, people. Enjoy!

I heart u, $9.

Shuttlecock, $9.

NYC Landscape, $9.

Daily Eye Candy: A Challenge!

2012-01-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

I have been challenged by a certain someone to post a week's worth of Daily Eye Candy, with each offering under $20. My recent posts have been a bit pricey and unrealistic (ooo, the Balenciaga!), and I always appreciate a bargain.

SO, I ACCEPT.

I will start off the week properly with not one, not two, but three Sweet and Cheap offerings.

These hail from Rifle Paper Co., and they are all delicate, appear hand-painted, and are darling as can be!

Lemon Recipe Cards, $12.

Dachshund Cards, $4 (single card) to $16 (boxed set of 8).

2012 Garden Calendar Print, $20.

Daily Eye Candy

2012-01-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

I adore this Rose Pear Ring from Lorak. I love that the metal isn't buffed and glossy, and that the stones appear somewhat roughly placed. It's a beautiful departure for my obsessive-compulsive soul.

And it's only $1,050. What a bargain!

26

2012-01-05T11:11:00.001-08:00

I never really feel like it's officially the new year until January 5. I like things to be orderly and symmetrical and simple, so I'd rather just condense the new year for the world and the new year for me into one date, seeing as they're so close together.

An early January birthday is much like letting the air out of a balloon - the wind is cold and you're more stretched out and wrinkly than the year before. Everyone is decompressing from Christmas and still pretending like they will actually keep their New Year resolutions past Super Bowl Sunday. I didn't make any resolutions this year, because I'm already doing everything right, obvs.

So today I turn 26, which seems both utterly ridiculous (I've been driving for ten years, what?) and completely unexciting at the same time. Last year for my 25th birthday my insurance supposedly went down, but I'm still not yet old enough to run for president. I have no idea what the perks are of turning 26. So I asked Google. And it turned up bupkis. But I did find a stupid, generic, "Top 10 Things To Do Before You Turn 30 List." Here's how I measure up.

1. Drive a wickedly cool car, even if you have to rent it. When I was 16 I got a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. That's pretty much as wicked as I get. (In retrospect, this is depressing. My wickedness peaked at 16. Thanks, you douchebag list.)

2. Date against type. I started dating my first boyfriend a decade ago. Five years after that I married him. We are currently still married and plan to be so FOR-EH-VER. Moving on.

3. See the world. I've been to a pretty good number of US states and to France. I do really want to fulfill this list item and see more, but I also want to pay my mortgage and save some money to replace all of the stuff I'm inevitably going to break over the next 60 years (see number 7 below). But travel will happen. Belie'dat.

4. Live in a cool place. My town doesn't count as a cool place? C'mon! We've got Indiana's highest waterfall up in this beotch. And we recently acquired our first set of stoplights. It's happenin'.

5. If you're going to drink a lot, do it when you're young. Meh, I could take it or leave it. I'd rather fill my caloric load with mounds of macaroni and cheese.

6. Take risks with your job. I have a job, which, very unfortunately, is not something that a lot of people can say in this economy. I (usually) don't want to drive a metal stake into my temple while I'm doing my job. Yep, good enough for me.

7. Do something physically adventurous. In the last two weeks I've broken three glasses in a sudsy sink -- and fished them out risking arterial damage, nearly slipped and tumbled down our carpeted staircase, and walked into a door. Seriously. The door was open, and my left eyebrow made the initial contact, very, very forcefully. And the problem is, these things happening to me are not unusual. That's just a regular Tuesday. Do something physically adventurous? Are you serious? I'm lucky to still be alive.

8. Take your parents to dinner. What kind of asshole has never taken her parents to dinner by the time she's 30?

9. Do volunteer work. I used to do a lot of this. I now do some of this. I should do more. I acknowledge your commandment, List.

10. Use this decade to go to extremes. As a rule, I don't like extremes, probably for the very reason that this list recommends them -- because they're dangerous. I like to keep an even keel, avoid confrontation and complication, maintain stability. "Keep Calm and Carry On," and all that. But I suppose I have engaged in a few extremes by my mid-twenties. So far, I've gone from student to career woman. From dating to married. From renter to homeowner. I imagine the next few years will hold the transition from girl to mother. I'm ready for the good parts, and already I steel myself for the difficult parts. I'm sure there will be plenty of both.

23, 24, 25

Great Gifts

2011-12-28T23:55:00.001-08:00

This was one of my Christmas gifts from Husband. It's pretty much the best gift ever.

It might only be trumped by this gift, which will find a place on my desk at work.

Better late than never

2011-12-28T23:43:00.001-08:00

Scenes from a Christmas to remember...

The 2011 Hallmark ornament that Husband went out and purchased for me.

Our tree.

As Christmas party favors and small gifts, I made over twenty ornaments out of felt. Six of these were bacon. Am awesome.

Happy KittyMarie.

Happy Daddy.

Happy Husband.

A Gift: Banana Bread Recipe

2011-12-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

Not everyone likes bananas, and for those of you who don't, well, you must come to terms with your own insanity. I love bananas, I think, mostly because there isn't a lazier fruit. You don't even have to wash it. You just wait until the phallic phruit reaches your preferred yellow/spotty balance, peel, and insert into your large face hole.

However, bunches of bananas have a tendency to ripen before Husband and I can eat them, so I put the pieces past their prime in the freezer and then make banana bread whenever the mood strikes. At Christmastime, I make each of my co-workers a full-sized loaf, because it's my mission in life to give all of my acquaintances the gift of diabetes.

As my Christmas gift to you, here is my old family recipe. I don't believe you'll find a better recipe in the whole-wide, banana-loving world.

2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening (I use butter-flavored Crisco)
2 eggs
3 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
9 T. sour milk
3 medium real ripe bananas (When I'm ready to use my frozen bananas, I just set them out on the counter on some paper towel for a few hours to defrost. They don't look very pretty (completely black), but they are safe to eat and have great, deep banana flavor!)
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream sugar, shortening, and eggs. Dissolve soda in sour milk.* Add alternately milk and dry ingredients. Add mashed bananas, nuts, and salt. Pour into two loaf pans or 5 smaller ones. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until done at 325 degrees (my oven runs colder, so I usually bake for 1 hour 10 minutes; just make sure a toothpick comes out clean).

*To sour milk, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to milk.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-12-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Today I'm loving this feather necklace from janiecox on Etsy. And it's only $19! Beautiful.

Her shop has a number of really cute items. I don't even know if I could call this one my favorite! Check it out today!

WHY DID NO ONE BRING THIS TO MY ATTENTION?

2011-12-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Come on, people. I know you. Every single one of you is smarter, wittier, and intellectually more quick than I am. In other words, all you all do think good.

So why, may I ask, upon my marriage almost five years ago, did no one bring to my attention the ramifications of taking my Husband's name. It begins with "P." People regularly shorten my name to "Kat." My name is "Kat P."

I only realized this last night, when my aunt told me how my name is programmed into her phone.

Yep, you guessed it. And then she laughed.

Seriously, you all should be ashamed of yourselves.

I'm off to the courthouse to locate a name change application now.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-12-07T06:49:00.000-08:00

I just found an adorable online shop with an adorable name: The Curiosity Shoppe. It doesn't get more cute or more interesting than the items here! Take a peek for yourself.

I don't really want to talk about how much I need these gloves. Hello, my name is KittyMarie, and I have trouble telling right from left. Just ask Husband, who often tells me while driving, "That's the leftiest right I've ever seen." $60.

I adore this simple and sweet heart tote bag. $48.

I love these two tea towels together, but the ship is probably my favorite. Washing dishes can be fun if you have cute towels! $28/each.

This is the "How-Tie" for you inept gentlemen (or ladies, not judging) who...um...don't know how. It's certainly not a skill I've mastered. I personally like zip-up ties. $18.

This is a brooch that looks like a pipe. Love it! And it won't give you lung cancer! Score! $30.

Lucky

2011-11-23T11:25:00.001-08:00

Nearly a week ago I attended my monthly "Bunco Club." It consists of a group of young, local women (all mothers, or soon-to-be mothers, aside from yours truly) who get together at each other's homes for an evening of dice rolling and snacks.

Last Thursday, it was held at my old house. The family that moved in has three young children, and they are expecting a fourth in the spring. I felt a bit apprehensive that afternoon; I wasn't sure if I could go. The last time I left that house, it was almost a year ago, and I was in tears. I didn't want to leave that house; I didn't want life to change.

But, change did occur, and I did end up attending the game night at the house. And I realized how lucky I was to be able to do so. Not many people are able to visit their old homes and see what the new owners have done with the place. The new owners of the farmhouse haven't changed much beyond a ceiling fan in the living room and a shower head in the bathroom, but the place felt different. It was warm, filled with soft couches and a snuffling dog, and lots of sweet (and very polite!) children. The house was full.

When my parents and I lived there, it was tomb-like quiet. If I wasn't watching some nasty television show filled with bleeps (something my dad never failed to comment upon), then very little noise filled the air. We each went about our own projects, and we probably could have gone a few days without seeing one another. It wasn't empty of love or life, it was just empty of humans.

The new family that has made my old house their new home is wonderful. My old playroom is now the father's music room, with his guitars hung across the wall. My old bedroom is now their son's room, with a bunk bed suspended in the air. The old hired man's room is now retrofitted with electricity for the youngest daughter. She likes to listen to conversation below in the kitchen through the floor vent. My parents' old bedroom, the one with the pretty pastel roses, is now the oldest daughter's room. And the parents reside in the spare bedroom - the room we never really had a use for.

I feel lucky because I got to see. I got to understand that the house is now warm and wild and full of life. I got some closure, and the ache isn't as deep now.

Hiatus

2011-11-23T11:21:00.001-08:00

I am finally coming up for air after several months straight of nonstop work.

Luckily, I did get to spend some quality time with my couch this weekend. Unluckily, it was because I had food poisoning earrrrly Saturday morning. I don't recall ever being that sick. The body really is quite amazing when it comes to purging bad food. I just wish I hadn't gone with the lemon pepper flavor for my bad fish or the wild rice medley. I am not exaggerating when I say it was the worst thing ever to come back up. Dear God.

But, now I've started eating again, and so I will also start blogging again. It feels good to be able to breathe.

Gorgeousness for your earholes

2011-11-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

I saw a link to this video the other day, and I can't get it out of my head. I'm not sure I've heard a more beautiful melody in recent memory. I also don't believe I've heard a song that so perfectly matches its title. I wish I could have been married to this song. I wish I could fall asleep to this every night. I wish I could die to this song.

Reverie (Claude Debussy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LQzBlp93BA&feature=player_embedded

P.S. Something is wrong with blogger's linking functions, but it is well worth your time to copy and paste that link into your browser.

The Outcome

2011-11-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to our local city council meeting, where it would be decided if the factory that wants to build in our backyard would receive approval or not.

We lost.

And we sort of won, too.

Let me explain.

We knew we would lose. For a variety of reasons -- not least that this is a small community, that this is a bad economy, that the factory owner pretty much owns the town -- we knew that the expansion of the factory would be approved. And so it was.

However, the concerns brought up at the advisory council meeting in late October, the precursor to the city council meeting, were heard. The factory VP will do his due diligence to mitigate the noise, and as they dig out the entire hillside (yeah, it's stupid), they will deposit the dirt behind the expansion, creating a berm. On top of this berm they will plant the landscaping. And they will pay for a privacy fence on our and my in-laws' property. This berm (and, of course, fence) will also end up discouraging factory workers from taking a shortcut across our property (something that happens now).

So, we lost, but it's the best possible loss. We shall see what the future holds.

A Whole New House

2011-10-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

At long last, our home has landscaping.

It has morphed from a sad, empty (save for the numerous weeds), ugly space into something streamlined, and beautiful, and blessedly low-maintenance.

Observe, the horror of before:

And the gorgeous after, with plants (with room to grow) and neutral rock.

The little teensy spot on the other side of our garage might be my favorite...it's so cute!

From the road...a house that NO LONGER looks abandoned!

Having this project complete makes me very happy. Please e-mail if you would like the name of our landscaper. He did a wonderful job (in nearly freezing rain, no less), and we hope to expand the landscaping down the sides of our house in a year or so.

P.S. Husband and I can take credit for painting the porch the much more pleasant shade of brown. Let's hope it not only looks lovely, but also staves off the carpenter bees next summer!

The Year of the Praying Mantis

2011-10-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

I've seen so many praying mantis this year. One on our truck, one in my hanging flower basket, one on the door to my work building. They are strange and elegant little creatures.

I almost imagine their slender arms are waving to the warm summer as we slip quietly into fall.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

2011-10-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Pointing out the obvious: our economy is bad. I read articles that say it's getting better, things are turning around, it is all going to be ok. I don't yet believe those articles. I want industry to grow, people to obtain jobs with adequate compensation, for our world to not seem so gloomy.

So it is with this mindset that I find myself, conversely, fighting against a growing business.

We purchased our house in January 2009, next to my in-laws, who built their dream home and have lived it in for more than a decade. Our home was about to go into foreclosure, and we saved it. We renovated it. We improved its value immensely. We had planned to enjoy our starter nest, to start our family there, until we, too, were able to one day build our own dream home.

So our dismay was great when we learned that the beautiful, natural field behind our house might be sold to a nearby factory, for expansion purposes. They plan to put in a big, bright blue building, with an access road for heavy semitrailers and the new 24-hour staff. All this would be 75 feet from our backyard.

75 feet is a far smaller distance than I'd previously ever thought.

We are already awoken by crashes from this factory dumping their excess at 5 a.m., but they are currently far enough away, and work two ten-hour shifts. It was not much more annoying than the train, whose whistle blows each time it enters town. A mosquito buzzing, a minor inconvenience.

But now they want to put this factory and this road nearly in my backyard. And I am not happy about this. Next door, a playset for the children who live in government subsidized apartments would be just feet away from this access road. A church would become completely landlocked by the factory and access road.

I can't imagine what this will do to the property value of our and my in-laws' homes, and our peace of mind.

So off we went to the city council advisory meeting last week, to explain our position and our concerns. The factory vice president also presented his position, and the advisory committee truly gave him a harder time than I'd expected. They were in a difficult position - we've known many of the members for years, even been taught and mentored by some of them. They don't want to be against economic growth, but they wouldn't want this near their homes either. The meeting was relatively moot as the actual city council itself will come to a decision on November 1. We will be there, too, pleading for an alternative solution.

I don't want to be against economic growth. I don't want to be against the opportunity for job creation. But I don't want a factory in my backyard.

Our backyard extends to the nearest line of small trees in the picture. And then, a factory. We are distraught.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-10-25T05:51:00.001-07:00

I once saw a girl with a handbag that I coveted. I didn't ask her where she got the bag, and it is one of my life's great regrets. This bag, however, looks a little bit like that one.

Balenciaga, $988. Really, Balenciaga? Only $988. That's such a steal.

Originally found through OhJoy.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-10-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

I realize I've had a bout of radio silence here...wow...a whole week with no new posts! Shameful.

Two Mondays ago I came in to work and was greeted by an e-mail from my Dad (yes, he e-mails now. The whole world has gone mad.) that my grandmother had fallen. It turns out she broke her hip.* Life seems to have spiraled from there for yours truly, with commitments and busy days and a giant freelance project coming due.

Mea culpa.

On a completely frivolous note, I got a new iPhone. New, in this case, is new to me. I received Husband's hand-me-down phone while he grasped the new 4S in his sweaty little hands. I hold no grudge, however. I hated my previous damn phone. And now I can play Tetris! Whenever! I! Want!

Built must have divined my new acquisition, because I just found some beautiful new accoutrements on their site. These are actually for the 4S, but Husband tells me they're practically the same. Swearsies.

Observe:

Silicone Soft Case, $19.99

Ergonomic Hard Case, $29.99

Neoprene Phone Sleeve, $19.99

*The most stereotypical of elderly injuries. She's currently recuperating in a local nursing home (the same one my dad recuperated in, unfortunately). It looks like she will ride out the winter there, at least. For those who are familiar, let us hope they never let her return home.

Best friends in our hearts

2011-10-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Husband and I participated in our final wedding of 2011 on Saturday. My best male friend, Philboy, had stood with the bridal party on my side during our wedding, so I was touched that he included me (and Husband) on his side in his wedding. We have been friends for 8 years (yeah, dude, it's been that long), and he is one of the most intelligent and funny people I know. Lucky for him, he found a partner who is all that and more.

Exhibit A. Gorgeousness personified.

Their ceremony was just the right mix of traditional and modern; religious and irreverent; solemn and celebratory. They wrote their own vows, they symbolized their unity through a sand ceremony, and Philboy was so excited about getting married, he tried to say his "I do's" twice.

Rather than throw sand or blow bubbles, each guest was handed a personalized flag to wave as the newlyweds left the chapel. It was an absolutely adorable touch.

I have to give a special shout-out to my hair (or hairdresser, that is). It wasn't sleek and it was off-center and totally not something I would ever request, but I absolutely loved it. I didn't want to take it out after leaving the reception. 45 hairpins later, however, I will admit my scalp was a bit happy. (And check out the Adonis I conned into posing with me!)

The bride and groom made their own cake topper out of Lego. Behind the little figures is a red heart. It was so sweet and unique!

Dee-licious:

The bride and groom are honeymooning in Disneyworld (I had to look that up, because I always forget which is in California, and which is in Florida). These adorable hats sat in front of their places at the head table. They wore them as they departed the reception.

Squee!

The Puritans. We're all a little older, a little wiser, and a little drunker. But we're still all together. I love these people.

This has nothing to do with anything, but what would a wedding be without moustaches? I'm thinking about adding this as a permanent accessory.

Thanks to their wedding reception, I've had LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" stuck in my head for seven days now. At least it isn't "Pussy Control."

Every day I'm shuffling.

This is one of those weddings that I will remember. Not because it was any better (or worse) than any other wedding we've attended recently, but because I know that these people will be in our lives for many years to come. In fact, when they return from their honeymoon, they are going to become our neighbors for awhile. They are two seriously wonderful people, and I am so happy that they found one another. They deserve so much happiness. They are our best friends in our hearts.

You know that, RIGHT?

Daily Eye Candy: A mistake

2011-09-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

I'm a girl that likes nice things. I don't actually own any of them, but I like to think that if I earned a great deal of money (I don't) and wouldn't destroy nice things accidentally upon first touch (I would), that I might have some nice things. It doesn't hurt to look, though!

Today I peeked at the handbags on Stylebop.com. My credit score only allows me to peek, you understand. Not to look, or - gasp - even to dare gaze. Peeking was a mistake. The bags are gorgeous, with price tags to match. Observe:

Von Furstenberg Black/White Suede Bucket Tote, $775. I adoooore this pattern, but it is more than my mortgage. Seriously.

Marc Jacobs Natasha Espresso Leather Shoulder Bag, $390. The little gold birds! How adorable is this bag?

Seriously, this isn't even a bag. It's a tiny wallet. A Mulberry Holly Slim Zip Black Wallet, to be exact. For $460. But isn't the tree cuuuuuute? Yes, however, if I'm going to spend almost $500 on a clutch, it had better come encrusted with diamonds and some kind of butler service.

This isn't even really a bag. It's a shopper. So you can carry it around and buy more things! Consumerism! Yeay! It is a Marc Jacobs Miss Marc Black Packables Shopper, $65. The cheapest item on this list, and sassy to boot. But...y'alls know you can get yerself a shopper for, like, a buck at Teh Wal Marts, dontcha?

Say it with me. Vah-lehn-teen-o. Chocolate Crocodile Leather Bag, $14,070. I promise I didn't make up that price. I didn't pay that much for the brand new car that I traded in for. Not even close. I wonder how many starving African orphans the cost of that one, single, lone little bag could feed. Let us ponder.

In all honesty, I would never want a $14,000 bag. I would never want a $400 bag. I could never take it out in public. And what's the use of sitting at home on a Friday night, stroking the gorgeous crocodile leather, gazing wistfully out the barred window. You know, at the peasants. No good at all, I tells ya!

But I can still peek and love from afar.

Uhmmm...if you don't mind, now I'm going go to drown in my own envy drool, thankyouverymuch.

A groomsmaid* at a bachelorette party

2011-09-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

Although I will be standing on my dear friend Philboy's side during his wedding this coming Saturday, his beautiful and sweet fiancee included me with her bridesmaids this weekend during her bachelorette party. We painted pottery, ate a fabulous meal, and then debauched. It was a glorious evening.

If you've never had a girl's event at a pottery painting place, I highly recommend it. Everyone gets to do their own piece, and you end up with something to remember the event by.

*Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?* that was me singing. I cannot wait to see her in wedding regalia!

Both mommies attended the painting and eating portions of the evening (and debarked before the debauch).

Speaking of mommies, I made this for my mommy! I hope it turns out well after firing!

Eee!

Thanks to the gals for including me! Especially that hottie in the middle!

*Husband pointed out that I'm actually a groomsmatron, which I detest. I need to be ten years older and have several more chins before I will call myself a matron, thankyouverymuch.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-09-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've been on a Wicked kick lately, listening to the soundtrack whenever I'm in the kitchen washing dishes or in the car driving alone or working out in my living room (with the workout tape on low, to drown out the She-Devil, Jillian Michaels).

I purchased this "Popular" shirt for sistercousin (who took me to see the touring musical in our Big City for my birthday), and it's just the cutest thing.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-09-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, I went on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

For me, Mecca is DSW.

It was a religious experience.

I needed to purchase a new pair of black heels for a wedding I am in next weekend.

Well, I'm using the word "need" loosely here. I'd bought a new black dress to wear in the wedding, which I "needed," so surely I also "needed" a new pair of shoes to go with the new frock.

Ah, consumerism. I shall avert my eyes in attrition.

My sistercousin, who has an interesting taste in shoes (I'm using the word "interesting" here in a positive manner), helped me pick out a pair that I might have otherwise glanced over. They were black satin with an asymmetrically cut sequined feature on the toes. The heel doesn't look that high in the picture, but I felt a bit like a newborn fawn as I wobbled up and down the aisles of the store. But it was undeniable; on my feet, they were pretty darn cute.

Caparros Meredith Pumps, $54.95.

If I fall flat on my face while walking down the aisle next Saturday, please focus on the way the light strikes the sequins and how the heels highlight my calves when my dress goes over my head.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

Friday Fashion: A Bigger Chill in the Air

2011-09-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

So, I might have lied yesterday. I think I would rather skip along a tree-lined road, enjoying the crisp weather, wearing this jacket.

Can't Chard-ly Wait Coat, 149.99.

Or this jacket.

Couture Allure Coat, $123.99.

Or even this jacket.

Cobblestone Street Style Jacket, $59.99.

Head go 'splody from adorable outerwear. Must now lie down.

Daily Eye Candy: A chill in the air

2011-09-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day that I have felt a serious fall chill in the air.

And it's wonderful.

I wish I could skip along a tree-lined road, enjoying the crisp weather, wearing this cape.

H&M, $199.

'MERICA

2011-09-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

On a less solemn note, we spent the weekend engaged in the most American of activities: killin' and shootin'.

Okay, well, not so much with the killin'. Husband and I went fishing with my Dad, but we just did catch and release. We'd only made it to our fishing hole one other time this summer, so it was nice to spend another day on the pond with my two favorite men in the whole wide world! While Dad and I caught several bluegill and sunfish, Husband couldn't cast and reel fast enough (he even caught a largemouth bass, the only one of the day)! It was only his third time fishing in his entire life, and I swear he could have caught a fish that day without any bait on his hook! I'm contemplating divorce. I just cannot stomach being married to a better fisherman than myself. What would that fall under? Irreconcilable differences?

The following day, we spent the afternoon with one of our favorite couple friends at a gun range in The Big City. It was the same gun range that I'd taken half of the favorite couple for her bachelorette party several months ago. Husband brought his 9mm, which I tried for the first time. I also had the opportunity to shoot some stranger's gun when he randomly handed it to me. I think it was because I was wearing an unfortunately low-cut shirt, and hot bullet casings kept flying down my cleavage. The little dance I had to do to get the hot metal away from my delicate lady bits must have been quite enticing. I'll be honest, I felt a little strange handling another man's piece, and I wasn't sure how long I should touch it, but I held it steady and emptied the cartridge.

Have I been sufficiently innuendous? (No, I don't think "innuendous" is a word, but it should be.)

Could that perhaps be Husband's reason for divorce? Irretrievable breakdown?

Oh, dear.

God bless 'MERICA.

On this day in history...

2011-09-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

...ten years ago, I had just begun the tenth grade a few weeks prior. During the passing period after the first class of the day, I noticed a flurry of activity and harried voices surrounding me. I asked a classmate what was going on as she scurried down the hall.

"Our country's at war!" she exclaimed.

I looked around, dumbstruck and confused, without any comprehension of the words she had just uttered. I turned back to ask her, "What do you mean?" but she was already gone.

Friday Fashion: One for One

2011-09-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

Tom's has expanded from shoes to eyewear. They maintain their slogan, "One for One," and for each pair of glasses purchased, Toms will provide either medical treatment or prescription eyeglasses or sight-saving surgery for someone in need.

I've heard cynics complaining about Toms customers, asking, "Why don't they just donate money directly to the cause? Damn hippies/yuppies/[insert pejorative term here]." I disagree. I think Toms is doing wonderful work. If you need a new pair of shoes or want a pair of sunglasses and are going to buy a pair one way or the other, why not purchase from Toms and help others out while you're at it? My life is all about multitasking, and I appreciate companies that feel the same.

Numerous color options are available in three distinctive, classic styles:

Classic 101: Or, as I would call them, the "Tom Cruise in Risky Business Sunglasses"

Classic 201: Or, as I would call them, the "Audrey Hepburn in anything Sunglasses (sorry, Tom, this look isn't for you, apparently)"

Classic 301: Or, as I would call them, the "Tom Cruise in Top Gun Sunglasses"

Daily Eye Candy

2011-09-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

I love this teal cross front dress from Dorothy Perkins! And another perk (ha, see what I did there?)? It's only $28! I know, right?!

Friday Fashion: Landscaping

2011-09-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my recent motivation, we received an estimate from our landscaper today. We have to finish staining our porch before the plants can go in, but here's a little taste of what we might expect! So excited! :)

Links from here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Motivation

2011-08-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

The last few years have seen massive changes to the interior of our home. We still have a few things we want to change, but for the most part, we've completely revamped the house to our taste. It is completely different from when we bought it, and we love what we've accomplished.

The outside of our home, however, is a different story. It looks pretty much abandoned. Any changes that have taken place mostly center around removal: we ripped out ugly bushes in front of our porch; we took a chainsaw to several badly placed or dying trees; we've drug wheelbarrow full loads of rocks from our vegetable garden area (and by "we," in most instances, I mean "anyone in my family except for me").

We have had the best intentions of making the outside of our home as beautiful as the inside. But...the best laid plans...

Then, last weekend, my in-laws dropped by with an amazing gift. They gave us a set of chairs and table that they had found on sale. I had wanted to purchase something for our front porch for a long time, but it just never happened. And then, like magic, they showed up; I couldn't have chosen a better set; I absolutely love what they found. They are pretty much the best in-laws ever.

This has helped provide the motivation that I needed. I finally called a local landscaper. His estimate will arrive this week. Once we get a nice, rain-free weekend, Husband and I will finally stain the front porch a lovely dark brown (and this will also hopefully eradicate our carpenter bee problem). Then the landscaper can do his stuff, and we can get our electrician to install some new light fixtures.

I am so darn excited.

A single daisy, in repose

2011-08-28T10:55:00.001-07:00

Happy birthdays

2011-08-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

August is a big month for birthdays 'round these parts. The month begins with Husband's birthday, and it ends with several friends' birthdays, as well as my dad's birthday. So happy to celebrate these milestones together with our closest friends and family.

Happy birthday to all!

A short, hot summer

2011-08-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe September begins next week.

Already a kajillion students are back to swarm the campus, as classes began yesterday. Husband and I can no longer eat, drive, or walk anywhere with ease. I am currently whimpering beneath my desk, the only place I feel I won't be run over by a myopic co-ed who can see nothing but the phone in her hand.

While the afternoon has warmed to just under sweltering, the morning was so chilly that I thought about wearing a jacket. A jacket. Jacket weather.

While I enjoy the crisp fall days and the changing leaves and the fresh school supplies aisle, I feel a little cheated out of summer. Yes, we were fortunate enough to take about a week's vacation to New York, and while it was a memorable experience, it wasn't at all like the gentle, leisurely vacations to which Husband and I are accustomed. I admittedly run at a slower pace than NY, and I didn't feel like Husband and I got the chance to re-charge our batteries in preparation for the long, icy winter ahead.

I never wore a swimsuit once this summer. And I really, really like to swim.

Sistercousin and I had discussed plans to visit a water park, which I happen to adore (don't judge me). The plans almost became a reality, but time and work got in the way, and now the plans are postponed until next summer. Just like the plans have been postponed every summer in recent memory.

Husband isn't a list maker or a plan creater, so activities are generally left to me to figure out and organize. And I'm so tired of trying to plan.

Maybe next summer.

Daily Eye Candy: For a Friend

2011-08-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

P.S. I adore RedBubble, which is where this design originated (artist Karl Gookey). You can buy it there as a poster for $22.80, which I think you should go do!

Showering with a group of women

2011-08-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I worked 25 hours on my home computer. Out of the 48 hours allotted for a weekend. On a project for my "day job," which I do not get paid extra for in any way. Because I'm that dedicated. For the record, I feel I have earned the right to whine about that.

I earned a short reprieve on Saturday morning, when I attended one of the nicest bridal showers I've ever experienced. It was for one of my best friend's fiancees, who has quickly also become a dear friend. She is a doll.

We were met at the door with mimosas, we had a lovely plated brunch, and we feasted on adorable cupcakes. And there were no games. Bridal Shower For The Win!

I can't wait for their wedding!

Birthday celebration (cont'd)

2011-08-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

And it is finished.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-08-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

I love fonts on paper, but I bet I would like them even better on person.

Lenora Dame, Alphabet Necklace, $95.

Lenora Dame, Syntax Stretch Bracelets (set of 5), $70.

Birthday celebration

2011-08-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

I submit to you the following exhibits, proof that I am a pretty darn good wife.

We celebrated Husband's birthday this past Thursday, and I finally got to give him the gifts I've been hiding and plotting about for a long time. I was very excited.

When we visited Katz's Deli during our vacation to New York this summer, I started to wonder if I could somehow order up some of that deliciousness back home in Indiana. By the magic of Fed-Ex, I could! A two-person meal included pastrami (you get a choice between pastrami or corned beef), 2 pickles, 8 slices of seedless rye bread, 2 square potato knishes, and a 1/2 pound of Katz's mustard. I ordered the deliciousness at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and the package arrived by 3:30 p.m. the following day.

Husband was pretty happy (and extremely surprised). He's also now a pastrami convert; I don't think there's any possibility of a return to corned beef after this experience.

In addition, ever since the New York vacation (are you seeing a trend here?), when we visited the Lego Store, Husband has been coveting the Lego Death Star Kit. He kept talking about it, and talking about it, and talking about it, and I had to keep disparaging it so he wouldn't know that I'd already ordered it in mid-July. Or, rather, that I was extremely sneaky and asked sistercousin to order it so that the charge wouldn't appear on our credit card statement! I had the (giant, heavy) box shipped to my parents' house where I wrapped the monster and then snuck it over to my in-laws', where he finally opened it. My in-laws went in on it with me, which turned out to be a great gift from all of us.

He was shocked by the size of the manual.

He almost has it completed (in just five days). If he wasn't required to go to work and to sleep, I think it would have been finished a bit earlier.

I will post pictures of the final product soon.

Oh, and I also made him a pecan pie (perfect recipe here). Because I'm like that. (He said it was the best pecan pie yet, but I'm afraid he may be legally obligated to provide that compliment.)

I hope you had an amazing 28th birthday, my love! I have more fun planning for your birthday than I do mine! I'm so glad we got to spend it together!

Happy birthday to Husband

2011-08-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my dearest love, my one and only, my darling; to the man with the best sense of humor, the best eyebrow raise, and the best derriere; to the guy who will let me use his computer from time to time, who steps up to take care of the household when I am buried beneath work, who always makes me feel special and pretty and worthwhile; to the person with whom I share my life. I love you!

Blog-a-Thon

2011-07-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

BlindIrishPirate's wonderful blog, A Human Attempt at Flight, chronicles the life of a woman and her work and her family and her musings. She's pretty cute in person, too. This week, while she is out of town, she is having a "Blog-a-Thon" featuring guests posts, and one of them is mine! The other posts from this week are great too, so check them all out!

Daily Eye Candy

2011-07-27T10:29:00.001-07:00

LET IT BE KNOWN: KittyMarie does not wear shorts. She does not like shorts. Her thighs reject shorts. She owns exactly two pairs, and if you see her wearing one of those two pairs, then the sun must be scorching the earth with the fire of a thousand..umm...err...suns!

Today my friend gasped when I showed up in long pants for our lunch date, but she should have known better. These legs haven't seen UV rays in many moons (there's some kind of mixed metaphor there...).

I do own one pair of capris, which I almost consider shorts, but Husband doesn't like them for frump-related reasons, so I don't wear them as often as I used to (the things I do for love).

But, BUT! If we were in another time and another land and I was another girl, I would be all over these Lucca Couture Scallop Shorts ($49) from Urban Outfitters, because CUTE.

My abs would also look like that.

Discovered through Oh Joy!

Daily Eye Candy

2011-07-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend my wonderful sistercousin took me to The Big City to find a little black dress (LBD) for an October wedding I am in. I had printed off several ideas from online searches, and the last store we went to had my top online pick! I loved it on, too, though they didn't have the proper color/size combination in the store. I ordered the dress online that night, and I can't wait for it to arrive!

I won't look as good as this lovely model, but I won't look too terrible (ruching is my friend)!

JAX Ruched Stretch Satin Sheath Dress.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-07-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Husband just turned me on to Ript Apparel, which offers a different daily T-shirt for just $10, among other items. These are limited-edition, never to be printed again! Here are two past designs, which are my favorites for Shaun of the Dead and Firefly themes. So cool!

The things I do for money love (continued again)

2011-07-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

For the second wedding for which I created invitations, the bride knew that the ceremony room would be quite small and the reception room quite large, so she wanted two invitations to send out to guests earmarked to attend both the ceremony and reception or only the reception. She is an incredibly laid back person, so I mocked up a few designs, she picked one she liked, and a few tweaks later we had the finished product! Her colors were yellow and raspberry. The raspberry looks terribly purple on the screen, but it is actually a lovely, deep, rich color.

Ceremony and reception invitation

Reception invitation exclusively

If you have any questions about my work or would like an estimate for a project, please do not hesitate to contact me at kittymarieblogs AT gmail DOT com. My rates are reasonable and my work is fast. Freelance graphic design is not only a way for me to supplement my meager publisher's income, but also as a creative outlet personally. I would love to design something for you!

The things I do for money love (continued)

2011-07-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

I've recently branched into some new design territory: wedding invitations. The first matching invitation, reception card, and RSVP card that I created were for my cousin and his fiancee. She was very particular about what she wanted to see, and we went through many stages of revisions, finally landing on something that (I hope) she loved! Her colors were pink and green, and she wanted a beautiful, traditional motif with cherry blossoms, birds, and script font.

Note all names and identifying information have been changed.

Invitation

Reception card

RSVP card

More invitation designs to come soon!

Daily Eye Candy

2011-07-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is working on an art project in honor of endangered owls, and since learning that, I keep seeing owl jewelry everywhere. This may be the sweetest owl I've found yet!

Owl necklace (small), $85. Comes in white or yellow gold. LOVE!

The things I do for money love

2011-07-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

When I'm not busy with the duties of my "day job" as Lead Production Editor at a university press (duties that often bleed into my nights and weekends), I do freelance graphic design work. I took the only graphic design class offered at my college while pursuing my degree, and I am mostly self-taught.

I got my start in graphic design my last two years in high school, in yearbook class, working on antiquated machines with PageMaker. I graduated to InDesign, and even got into Quark for an internship at a newspaper during college. I now work in Adobe Creative Suite 5, having learned all the ins-and-outs of InDesign, and most of the abilities of Photoshop and Illustrator.

I have designed newspapers, advertisements, entire books, book covers, bookmarks, brochures, flyers, business cards, invitations, billboards...the list goes on and on.

I would love to begin using this blog a bit more dynamically, so I am going to begin showcasing a few (personal) projects that I have completed in the past. I have several clients for whom I am paid for my freelance graphic design skills, but all of what follows were on a pro bono basis, either for friends, family, acquaintances, or for my own events. Note all names and identifying information have been changed.

The things I do for love!

Bridal Shower Invitation

I created this double-sided invitation for a kitchen-themed bridal shower. I was a bridesmaid in the wedding and helped throw the shower, so I wanted to come up with a clever "recipe" card to invite female guests to the event. I thought I was being pretty cute with the "without nuts" line...it works on so many levels! The "coffee cup stains" are, of course, intentional.

Front:

Back:

Baby Shower Invitation

I created this baby shower invitation for a friend who was pregnant with her second child. I had never thrown a baby shower before, and it was great fun to come up with a simple but sweet and impactful invitation.

Business Card

I created this business card for my mother. She paints ordinary rocks to look like animals, butterflies, flower motifs, among many other designs. She sells these works of art in local venues and then donates all proceeds to Habitat for Humanity. She hasn't kept track of her many years of sales and subsequent donations, but it is certainly thousands of dollars by now. What can I say, creativity must run in the family!

I should probably say something biblically clever here about "building your house upon stone..."

More designs to come soon!

Daily Eye Candy

2011-07-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend was filled with friends and food and the final Harry Potter, but I promise that the magic of the world will never die. At least not so long as creatives like J.K. Rowling and Kate Spade continue to draw breath and create beauty in the world, however impermanent.

Love this New York "Lawn Party" Straw Tote, $299.90.

Fourth Anniversary

2011-07-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

I think that my heart cannot grow to love you any more than it already does, and then I am surprised when I discover a deeper commitment than ever before.

Happy fourth anniversary, my One and Only.

First

Second

Third

Incomprehensible

2011-07-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon we got word that my classmate, whom I was good friends with in high school, was killed Sunday morning. He was riding on his motorcycle when an elderly woman driving home from church carelessly failed to yield and hit him head on. He was wearing a helmet, but it didn't matter. One of his last posts on Facebook in May read "Bought a Harley today. It's gonna be a crazy summer."

He's the second person from my graduating class to have died so far, following another young man a few years ago. He was 25.

During high school, we spent a lot of time together toiling in French and yearbook class, he came to my church often and sat with my family, and he dated one of my best friends for a long time. He came to our wedding, too. I hadn't talked to him in quite awhile, thanks to the usual excuses of time and distance and opportunity, and for that I am regretful.

I wish I possessed the eloquence to state the big things that should be stated at a time like this. Grand overtures about our fleeting time on earth and the fragility of life and the tragedy of death, especially young death, but I don't have the words. All I can say is, he will be missed by a lot of people, and I wish it didn't have to turn out this way. It's incomprehensible.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-07-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

I might have forgotten to blog one of the most exciting moments during my four part vacation series.

While Husband and I explored the depths of Rockefeller, we came across an Anthropologie store. This was beyond exciting to me, since I had long pined for items from their Web site but had never had the opportunity to step foot in an actual brick and mortar store!

Husband played on his iPhone while I wandered around in a state of bliss. I didn't want to take time to try on outfits (thereby also trying the limits of Husband's patience), but I did find a pair of lovely earrings! These Druzy Rounds are agate set in gold or silver bezels.

They come in green:

Coral:

And I purchased this set in white with silver bezel! I wore them for the first time to Phantom on Broadway! Love!

New York Chicago State of Mind: Part 4, The Second Wedding

2011-07-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

We left for home on Thursday through what I can only adequately describe as the asshole of New York. Also known as LaGuardia. I've been through a lot of airports in my time, and it was the dirtiest and most claustrophobic. The airport horrors were magnified when our plane was delayed for an hour. Finally, we escaped to a layover (*cough* four hour layover *cough*) in Milwaukee, which was bright and clean and had a Chili's where we wasted time by ordering dessert. We arrived home around 2 a.m. Friday morning and were gone twelve hours later, this time by car, headed to our second wedding in two weekends, located near Chicago.

The drive, though long, wasn't bad, the hotel was nice, and we got to see many college friends.
The handsome groom.
The gorgeous bride.
Unfortunately, unlike the wedding a week prior, this was not Catholic Lite but rather Full Monty Catholic. Maybe even Sadomasochistic Catholic, because the bride and groom didn't even get to sit, they pretty much had to kneel the whole time. It was a really neat wedding, because the priest who married the couple is the bride's brother. Awww!
They, too, done got hitched.
We were mercifully shuttled to the reception site, which was quite lovely. Check out this beautiful couple, and the bridesmaid's bouquet!
The cake was red velvet - delicious!
Pretty Gerbera daisy centerpieces.
The gentleman on the right once puked on my shoes. I still love him. Surprisingly, the gentleman on the left has never puked on my shoes. I'm sure it's only a matter of time. I still love him, too.
The favors were hockey pucks engraved with the bride and groom's names and wedding date - so unique! The groom was in my Freshman Orientation class in college. I couldn't remember his name at the time, so I called him "Hockey Boy." I'm sure this favor makes a little more sense to you now.
Sweet and playful couple.
Sweet and playful trio.
So glad to see them happily wed!
Husband, as per regular wedding tradition, got down with his bad self with the bride.
She was too cute throwing her bouquet.
*Giggles*
It was a wonderful wedding, and we got to spend time with so many great people that we only see once in a great while. The celebration was a perfect way to end our vacation. We drove home the next morning and then spent the day after that recuperating before returning to work. It wasn't a relaxing trip like our vacation to Michigan last summer, but it was an unforgettable trip.

New York State of Mind: Part 3, The City (Tuesday and Wednesday)

2011-07-01T11:22:00.001-07:00

We got a late start Tuesday, having been out very late the previous night at the comedy show. We decided to "mack on some cupcakes" at Magnolia's Bakery. The icing was particularly spectacular.

After that, because our digestive systems hadn't been punished enough, we set off to have lunch at Katz's Deli. Upon entrance to Katz', you are given a ticket, on which everything you order is tallied. You pay at a cashier right before leaving (note: they only accept cash!). Word to the wise: Losing this ticket means a $50 minimum payment to get out the door. Do not lose the ticket!

Remember this from When Harry Met Sally?

Husband had a corned beef and I had turkey. The best turkey I've ever eaten in my whole entire twenty-five years on this planet. And, believe me, I've eaten a lot of turkey. Eventually, I abandoned the bread. The pickles were also amazing (the dill, at least. I didn't have the sweet pickles thanks to a personal aversion and also my stomach at a near-bursting point). Everything is cooked/sliced/made fresh on-site. *Drools*

The owner, who appears with various celebrities in pictures covering the walls, even stopped by our table. That was so unexpected and nice that, even though he owns this famous (and rightfully so) deli, he still cares about the everyday customers that come in.

Next we went to the Rockefeller area. This is a chapel directly across the street.

The Lego Store is also nearby. Husband had to get a picture with the biggest Lego set he's coveting - the Death Star.

The Lego Store is decorated with - surprise - Lego. This is a dragon created from Lego suspended from the ceiling.

We also visited the Nintendo Store. Husband decided against the backpack purchase. Ah, at least he'll have the picture to remember it by.

Then we went to the "Top of the Rock" observation tower. This is a view of Radio City Music Hall on our way up.

It was a little rainy, but the views from the top of Rockefeller were amazing. This is where I learned that Husband has a real aversion to heights. It was an interesting revelation. I guess in the decade we've been together, we've never been to the top of something really, really high. You learn something new about your partner every day!
Awesome, right?
You can even see the tiny Statue of Liberty in this picture. She's located in the middle of the bay on the right side of the picture.
After leaving Rockefeller, we made our way to Grand Central Station to meet up with our friend, getting thoroughly drenched in the process. It was the only bad weather we experienced during our entire vacation!
The next day, Wednesday, we began the morning with a crepe from a tiny Creperie (I swooned over strawberry, and Husband went nuts for nutella/banana). *Additional drooling*
We walked by the NBC studios on our way to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
MoMa was my main sightseeing pick for our trip. It didn't disappoint. And, for the record, it was acceptable to take pictures without flash! Does this look familiar?
Monet's Water Lillies. The scale of this painting is incredible. It spans a room.
Another famous piece I'm sure you'll recognize!
No, not a kindergartner...Pollack! The scale of this painting was also massive in person.
Girl power!
There was a helicopter suspended from the ceiling...for some reason...
This might have been one of my favorites - a typography exhibit!
After MoMa, we joined our friend and went to a Broadway Show, my other must-do for our trip.

We saw The Phantom of the Opera, a true classic (and now Broadway's longest running show), at The Majestic Theatre.
We had front row seats, which we purchased that day through TKTS. If you ever want to see a Broadway show, purchase tickets from a TKTS booth...up to 50% off incredible shows! I was so pleased with our seats. We could look right down into the orchestra pit, and I could watch the Phantom spit as he sang to my heart's content!

I expected the theatre to be massive, but it was actually pretty intimate, around the size of Elliott Hall on Purdue campus, if not a bit smaller even. Incredible! The large chandelier at the top of this picture is part of the set. If you know Phantom, then you know it is movable. It came swooping down right over the audience and onto the stage. So cool!

Thank you so much, Husband, for taking me.
We walked home from the show through Times Square.We had such a wonderful time in New York City. I would have loved to have a few more days to see some more sites and eat some more amazing food, but I don't know that we ever would have had enough time to see and do everything. It gives us a reason to return someday.

New York State of Mind: Part 2, The City (Sunday and Monday)

2011-07-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

The morning after my cousin's wedding, our journey to New York City began bright and early. We caught the train from Port Jervis, the last stop on the line. It was perhaps the shadiest train station I've ever seen. "Train station" is actually a rather kind term...it was more of a desolate bus stop. My sistercousin was rather fearful of leaving us there that morning, but we survived. The nearly two-hour ride allowed us to see the beautiful scenery as it turned from country into city. In Hoboken, NJ, we took the PATH train just a few stops and then walked to Avenue of the Americas where we would stay with a friend and his two roommates in their apartment. We are forever indebted to this friend and his hospitality. It was so wonderful to spend our pennies on meals and sightseeing rather than hotel fees! We arrived around ten in the morning that Sunday, and our friend took us to a few places so we could familiarize ourselves with the city.

Our first stop was the World Trade Center site. The site itself was surrounded by construction fence, so it would have been hard to look in, but the tall buildings surrounding the massive void was profound. The area was covered with cranes and heavy machinery, but we could see 1 WTC, formerly known as the "Freedom Tower" being constructed.

We walked just a few feet away to Saint Paul's Chapel, which looks like it belongs in an English countryside rather than smack dab in the middle of skyscrapers and industry. Many of the volunteers and rescuers took shelter inside Saint Paul's immediately following 9/11, and the Chapel has become a kind of memorial in and of itself, with numerous items of memorabilia displayed throughout. For example, we saw one of the rescuer uniforms and shoes, left on a scuffed pew. A placard noted the Chapel was refurbished recently, but the scuff marks left by the heavy equipment of the rescuers was left intact, a tribute to the victims and survivors.

The interior of the Chapel.

This Sphere was located in a nearby park. The plaque inscription read, "For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled 'The Sphere,' it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center."

Afterward, we went to the financial district and saw the famous bull, surrounded by tourists. It was amusing to stand and watch the various ways tourists pretended they were being excreted from the bull's back end. I won't ruin your lunch with that one. Here's the more appetizing front end. This picture is like a "Where's Waldo?" except "Where's Husband?"

The New York Stock Exchange.

"You're fired."

Unfortunately, Tiffany's was closed on Sunday. I really should have bought a bagel before visiting...

This picture exemplifies how most people imagine stereotypical New Yorkers will treat you. Rather, we found everyone was very polite, and we never felt unsafe while wandering around the city.

In keeping with Husband and my summer vacation tradition, we visited a hat store. I tried on a fascinator.

And Husband and his friend purchased hats!

We spent most of the day, when not sightseeing, bar crawling (this could explain the hat purchases...). This was at a pub, which I believe was called McSweeney's or something similar. The city is so filled with history. Before World War II, men who were headed off to fight would go into this bar for a chicken dinner. They would then hang their wishbone, in tact, from this light fixture. When they returned from war, they would come back to the bar and break the wishbone. As you can see, many never returned to complete this task.

Monday morning Husband and I arose and set off on foot toward Central Park, well over forty blocks away. Before Central Park, however, we made our way through Times Square.

Finally, we arrived in Central Park, a lovely green haven in the center of a whirlwind of activity and development.

I loved the juxtaposition of the skyscrapers against the lush green trees and lake.

After meandering through Central Park, we headed nearby to the Museum of Natural History, which also houses the Hayden Planetarium (which is directed by the kick-ass Neil deGrasse Tyson), a must-see on Husband's wish list.

We saw three wonderfully presented exhibits, including "Journey to the Stars," "Brain: The Inside Story," and "World's Largest Dinosaurs." We also got to meander through the museum itself.

You cannot convince me that these guys are not aliens.

It was amazing to walk among bones older than I can even fathom.

I can't even fathom the age of Husband's bones (*old man dig*).

Just take in the scale of this guy. Those little ants crawling on the floor are people!

After a full day of walking and looking and walking and eating and walking, we went to a late-night show in an intimate comedy club located in the basement of a bar (a bar that, by the way, had the best drink I've ever had in my life - Hot Apple Grog, OMG). We were feet away from Dave Attell. In addition that night, we saw Nick Griffin, Poppy Champlin, Judah Friedlander, and Godfrey, among others. It was incredible!

New York State of Mind: Part 1, The Wedding

2011-06-30T08:35:00.001-07:00

Just a few days after I returned from a work trip to Baltimore, I turned around and packed up my bags and was off again. This time, Husband got to tag along. We've been together for almost a decade, but we had never traveled on a plane together before. He had never been to the state of New York, and I had never been to New York City proper. We were in for an adventure.

After two hours of sleep, we were up and out the door by 3 a.m. to catch an early morning flight, with a layover in the Airplane Mall of America, also known as Detroit. This is where I obtained my first blister.

We reached Middletown, NY around noon, and my sistercousin and her husband, who drove out for a cruise to Canada the week before, kindly carted us around for the whole weekend. We were exhausted. Exhibit A:

I can still smile, even while semiconscious!

That night we had dinner with the impending newlyweds at my aunt's home, somehow managing not to fall asleep in our plates of lasagna.

The next day, we went to see my cousin (the groom's brother), his wife, and his two adorable boys at their home, just across the border in Pennsylvania. We wandered around their subdivision's wonderful lakeside beach and then had a picnic on the lawn of their adorable home. We had only ever met the oldest boy, who was just a few months shy of one year old at Husband and my wedding almost four years ago!

Sistercousin and Brother of the Groom Cousin.

Sistercousin and me.

Possibly still semiconscious.

After lunch, sistercousin, cousin's wife, and I got our nails done in town. Our husbands got lost on their way to pick us up (*cue Deliverance banjo music*). Eventually, we were all reunited, and we ventured into Middletown for the rehearsal dinner where we saw the most spectacular display of stereotypical New York/New Jersey guido behavior. It was beyond our wildest, delighted dreams.

As we approached the pub where the rehearsal dinner was to be held, a giant, rather unattractive man pushed a very tiny, mincing man out of the front doors and commenced screaming at him. "You disrespectin' me?" he asked. "No! I wasn't disrespectin' you, Tony," the mincing man replied fearfully (I don't remember if the guy's name was really "Tony," but I can only assume that, yes, every guy with that brand of accent is named Tony). They went back inside, and we followed. But, unfortunately, there was a second set of double doors in the foyer of the pub, which the pair set up shop right in front of, continuing to argue in a lopsided fashion. We eventually edged our way around them without taking any elbows to the face.

It. Was. Awesome. And became the running joke for the rest of the trip (ok, we're still reliving it. Often).

The next day we had to check out of our hotel before the wedding, so eight adults got dressed and primped in my aunt's house (note: one bathroom). It worked out well, though, and I even did my aunt's make-up. Then we made our way to the church for the Catholic Lite wedding (no communion, easy on the kneeling, and the bride and groom didn't even sit, phew!).

My cousins are handsome blokes.

The bride looked just beautiful.

It was a wonderful ceremony.

Eww, stop that!

And they done got hitched.

Upon our exit of the church, we were greeted by a bagpipe player. So unique!

After the ceremony, we drove an hour or so up a mountain to the Ardmore Mansion, the reception site.

We took pictures, partook of the hospitalities provided, and danced the night away. I am so happy for my cousin and his gorgeous bride. Watching them wed was worth the long journey there. It was a whirlwind weekend, but we got to spend time with everyone we'd hoped to see, and we made some lovely memories. I wish you all the best in the world, Mr. and Mrs. H!

Stay tuned for Part 2: The City

One reason why I love my parents

2011-06-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend Husband and I went black raspberry picking with my parents and cousin in a little woods that my dad owns. It was one of the best black raspberry picking experiences of my life, because it wasn't 800 degrees outside, miraculously. Husband and I trekked off by ourselves to find a patch on the far side of the woods, next to a small graveyard, dotted with family and local townspeople whose dates of birth and death stretch two centuries past. It is a peaceful, lovely place, one with which I've always been enchanted.

As we walked along the fenceline that encases the graveyard, we heard meowing, and a little calico cat with golden eyes sauntered out of the undergrowth. She was the friendliest cat I've ever met, and she immediately rolled on her back so we could scratch her belly. She was a little skinny, but her coat was glossy, so we assumed she belonged to one of the closest neighbors to the woods. Husband and I forged through the dense weeds and bushes in search of black raspberries, and the little cat followed us for an hour or more, picking her way gingerly around stickers and tall grass.

She followed us back to the truck, and I gave her a small bowl of water, which she eventually lapped up. I hated to leave her, but I hoped she really did belong to someone close by.

The next morning, however, I got a phone call from my dad. It began as many conversations with my parents begin, a preface to some crazy thing they'd gotten themselves into, "Well, you'll never guess what we did..." My dad has a wonderfully soft heart when it comes to animals. I've never seen him be cruel to any living creature, and he never turned away the various animals that were dumped off at our old farmhouse (a common occurrence in the country).

He told me that he was thinking about that little cat all night long. He finally decided he just couldn't believe the cat belonged to someone, appearing in the woods all alone. Late that night he had told mom that he thought they should return and look for the cat. They almost went that night, but they doubted the cat would be found in pitch black, so they ventured out bright and early the next morning, skipping church to look for the lost little soul. And they found her, exactly where we'd left her the day before. They brought her home (into their house, an unusual occurrence given the cat allergy of their daughter *cough* me *cough*) and gave her food and water and many cuddles. Then they found a good home for her, with a neighbor just down the road. My parents already have nine outside cats, and they didn't want the dominant male to reject her, risking her running away.

So she has a new home and my dad can sleep easy and I can remember why my parents are really, truly wonderful people. He suggested naming her "Raspberry."

Boxing up the past (cont'd)

2011-06-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Three years and eleven months after Husband and I wed, the process of boxing up that last ~~giant, fluffy, millstone~~ little piece of our special day has finally been dealt with. I took The Dress to the adorable shop where I bought it (as well as both of my prom dresses). It is such a wonderful place, and I frequented there so often, that the owner even began to recognize me whenever I popped in. Not an insignificant feat, I imagine, considering the number of women that patronize her shop.

The shop took my dress and dealt with sending it off to be boxed and cleaned and returned safely and conveniently. I'm pleased with the results and, more than anything, happy to have it out of my closet and off of my mind. It was something that has needed to be done for a long time, and it is finally finished.

The company that boxed the dress, Wedding Dress Preservation Co., isn't only available through specialty shops. You can send your dress there directly and "preserve the memory" as their site suggests. I'm happy it is finished.

Radio Silence

2011-06-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

Three weekends ago I was in Baltimore. Two weekends ago I was in New York City. Last weekend I was in Chicago. I will put together many, many posts from the most recent trips very soon. In the meantime, in the middle of all the Crazy Traveling, Father's Day passed us by, and I don't want to miss it. Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-06-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

So, here's a new one to me: NewlyMaid. You mail in an old bridesmaid dress, and you receive credit (good for 18 months) toward a LBD (little black dress). The organization apparently only carries six styles of LBDs, but the site indicates that these styles are changed out intermittently. These are my top two current faves:

The old bridesmaid dresses that are turned in are either recycled or distributed to charitable organizations.

I haven't used this service, but I have a closet full of old bridesmaid dresses that I would love to pass on! And I have a wedding in October that just happens to require me to wear a LBD...hmmm...food for thought!

Memorial Day

2011-06-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

On Monday, for the first time in years, my Dad and I went fishing together. Whats more, Husband joined us, his second fishing trip in his lifetime.

For me, it was the perfect afternoon, and the culmination of several years of uncertainty. When Dad's infection first left him in agonizing pain, when he lay in hospital beds looking so gray and fragile, when he suddenly grew old within a few months' time, when he slipped to the floor of his makeshift bedroom because his legs no longer worked, when he lay on the operating table with a deflated lung and metal pinning his back together, when he struggled to stand upright for just a few moment in the nursing home, when he returned home relying heavily upon a walker - when I didn't know if life would ever be even a shadow of what he left behind.

The sun burned the air, but a breeze made the morning bearable. Dad sat in a folding chair on the bank and baited my hook with fat nightcrawlers, just like he has for my entire life.

I didn't take a camera with me. I don't think I would have needed one to remember the day, which was so precious to me. I got to relive old memories, watching Dad cast and reel, and I got to experience new memories, looking over to see my husband bent close to my father, learning to bait and cast and even catch his first fish ever (and the only fish of the day), a meaty little bluegill that I slipped back into the water.

A post with cute plants and asterisks

2011-05-23T11:54:00.001-07:00

As of one week ago today, our garden* was officially in the ground. This is a huge accomplishment for me, because in the past few years, I haven't been able to get a garden in the ground before Memorial Day.

As of yesterday, my mother-in-law's garden** was officially in the ground. This is a huge accomplishment, because this is her First Garden Ever. She's on my bandwagon.

In addition to outside vegetables and fruit, Husband and I are trying our hands at a little indoor herb garden. So far we just have rosemary and thyme planted, but we're looking to expand. The thyme plants are up (I planted them a week ago today also), and they are just the cutest little things you'd ever see.

*minus some surprisingly devious melon plants, which have walked off the shelves of at least three local stores, foiling my attempts to have a completed garden. A pox upon area garden centers!

**except for her cucumber plans, which have yet to be purchased. I like pickles,*** but I do not care for cucumbers. I also do not care for canning, which inevitably takes place on the hottest day of the year, but which one must do with cucumbers in order to get pickles. In summary, you're on your own, lady.

***last summer my grandfather spent a ridiculous amount of time arguing with his grandchildren over whether pickles and cucumbers are, essentially, the same thing. He thought they were two completely different vegetables. I fail to understand how someone lives to the age of 85 (*cough* he was a farmer *cough*) without knowing this fact.****

****86 as of today; happy birthday, Grandpa*****

*****no more asterisks, I promise.

Coming up for air

2011-05-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Like so many others on this planet, I've been swamped. Trying to fit too much work into too little time. But I'm starting to reach the pinnacle of the mountain. I even took time during my lunch break to read a wonderful little article by John Hodgman. Yes, that John Hodgman, the PC guy.

I didn't realize his actual profession is that of writer. I suppose I just thought he went about his days wearing old glasses and bland suits and extolling the virtues of PCs, tongue-in-cheek. Apparently, not; he's a wonderful writer. This is a great piece that he wrote, "Apologia to My Second Child." It is humorous and poignant. It also helps explain the experience of being an only child.

Read his article today; he's more than just a computer.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-05-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Love these Poketo! Dendrite Earrings, $35.

Daily Word Candy

2011-05-11T07:18:00.001-07:00

Have you ever read "Mrs. Kelly's Monster" by Jon Franklin? If you answered "no" to that question, I command you to immediately click on this link and read the piece. "Mrs. Kelly's Monster" is the first real feature article that I recall reading, and it changed my life, in regards to my love for feature articles. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979. It is a flawless, immaculate, engaging story about the struggle between a doctor and a "monster" and poor Mrs. Kelly, the victim caught in the "monster's" tentacles.

God, it's good.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Love you!

(Image from a few moons ago. Moi, one of my aunts, my grandma, my mother, and my mother-in-law)

Daily Eye Candy: When zombies attack

2011-05-06T08:53:00.001-07:00

When zombies attack, you'd better hope you had the foresight to purchase this Crovel Shovel, the "Ultimate Survival Multi-Tool," $85. Pretty darn cool. Thanks, Husband, for sharing your find!

Swing Low

2011-05-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

My family used to own a little cabin on a little lake in Wisconsin. And that little cabin had a front porch that looked out upon the little lake. And in that little porch was a little swing. If I ever had to pull a Happy Gilmore and "go to my happy place," I think I would mentally go back to sit on that little swing, its wood smoothed by coats of paint and years of gliding. The porch was screened with wire mesh, so the mosquitos were kept out, but the gentle Northwoods breeze, scented with pine, would blow in. When it rained, you could feel a gentle spritz as the drops hit the screen. The little swing's metal chains creaked upon their hinges anchored to the ceiling. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. I loved to take a stack of books, ferried across state lines from my hometown library, and read on that swing until the sun went out and the porch light went on and my Dad wandered down to the little wooden pier to fish for bluegill or rock bass or the errant walleye in pitch black.

I haven't been back to that little cabin to sit on the little swing for ten years, but it's still one of the happiest places I've known.

This is the porch swing at my parents' new house, and it made me remember the little Northwoods swing from all those years ago. I hope to get a swing for our front porch this summer, so I can sit with a book and glide back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

Current Events

2011-05-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know what to say about the killing of Osama bin Laden. Or, rather, perhaps I have too much to say, and too much of it conflicts.

All I can say here, is that, once again, Tom Junod writes my thoughts. "Yes!" I think. "This."

It is definitely worth a read.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-05-05T05:39:00.001-07:00

Important reminder! Mother's Day is Sunday! You run right out and get a nice card and a thoughtful gift, or be sure you at least call your mommy this weekend, y'hear?

I am planning to celebrate a belated Mother's Day with my mom and mom-in-law next weekend with a day of lunch and shopping and mani-pedis. I get so tired of wracking my brain trying to think up a gift, usually just ending with a boring gift card, so I try to make these special events about memories rather than things. I hope they will enjoy the day.

Meanwhile, Father's Day will be here before you know it. Perhaps to go along with those Steak Button Thermometers, your dad or dad-in-law would like this awesome Smoker Box from Williams-Sonoma, $39.95.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-05-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

I love scrapbooking, I really do. I especially love it because I can design the pages myself and add little items that I picked up from vacations or events - pressed leaves, ticket stubs, cards.

But sometimes a homemade scrapbook just won't do.

As a gift to commemorate my wedding anniversary, my sistercousin/maid of honor created and had a book printed online, and it is a lovely keepsake. There are numerous companies that provide these services, but for the design-minded like myself (or at least who I aspire to be), these companies can often prove frustrating due to their pre-designed templates, from which one is essentially unable to deviate.

So, when blurb.com was recommended to be by an art director colleague, I was extremely interested. Of course, I never wrote down the site name, and the information was promptly deleted from my memory. That is, until this week, when I came upon the site once again, and my memory was restored from my brain's the recycle bin.

There are some gorgeous examples of recently created books under "Staff Picks." Check this out the next time you want to create a photo book with a little extra freedom of creativity!

I fully intend to take advantage of this company's services the next time I need a book!

Letting go

2011-05-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Dad is down to using one cane in public, because it's easier to move among crowds of people with as few "legs" as possible. Our extended family gathered for a belated Easter dinner this past Saturday, and I stopped to watch him walk across the kitchen, stiffly but completely unassisted. He's returned to the driver's seat whenever my parents go out in the county. He mows the entire yard by himself, and he even runs to his favorite store when the inclination strikes.

But I can't let go of that fear. That pervasive fear. That anxiety, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for the next round of sickness or pain or death. The trepidation that has become a Pavlovian response whenever my phone rings.

Last week I missed a call from my Mom's cell phone, and when I couldn't reach the number, I called my parents' house to find out what they wanted (they almost never leave their cell phones turned on). Mom told me that Dad was out and about, and he had her cell phone.

"This is it," I thought, as my stomach dropped. "He's out there flat on his back, or worse, needing help, needing me, and I missed the call."

A few minutes later, my phone rang again, that same cell phone number, which I answered.

He was fine. He didn't need my help at all. In fact, he had driven out to our little woods, lumbered through the trees and underbrush with his cane, and found a whole sackful of mushrooms. All by himself. He wanted to drop by our house and leave them off for us to enjoy.

It bothers me more than it should. That he has regained his independence. That he goes out alone, especially into woods or areas with unsteady footing. I should be overjoyed that he is here, that he still has a wonderful quality of life, that he is able to enjoy his favorite pastimes, like nothing ever happened, like the cane isn't there.

But I'm having trouble letting go of the fear. And I so want to.

Spring, cont'd

2011-05-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

Daily Eye Candy

2011-05-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Maybe I could just marry Kate Spade. Then I would get all of her gorgeous designs for free. Or at least for a discount!

Kate and Kitty Spade. Has a nice ring to it, right?

Riley Fifth-Avenue Dress, $255.

Friday Fashion: Arf

2011-04-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

I adore animals. Unfortunately, thanks to my stupid body, I'm allergic to both cats (since always) and dogs (since early adulthood). Even though I would develop an off-putting rash on various unsettling parts of my body, my eyes would redden and slowly swell shut, and my nose would become my own personal fountain, it's hard not to pet and cuddle sweet little fuzzy-wuzzies when I see them.

My family always had outdoor cats (which soon became "porch cats" when I went off to college...perhaps because my parents didn't want me to come home). In my parents' new home the cats enjoy a luxurious lifestyle with run of their own spacious, freestanding garage. We also had two indoor dogs during my adolescence (which I slowly became allergic to over time, though I blamed it on their shampoo).

After a rather dispassionate relationship with my family's outdoor farm dog named "Spot," and her subsequent, mysterious disappearance while we were on vacation one summer, my parents finally caved to the whining of their only child, and we adopted Chanelle Lacy, "Nellie," from the local shelter*. She was a few-years-old miniature dachshund who had been given up by her elderly owner. I thought she was knobby and strange looking, but she soon developed a bossy personality and wedged her way into our hearts once we got her home.

Just a year or so later, my dad picked me up from elementary school with news that he had a surprise at home. I guessed everything under the sun except what he had found: another miniature dachshund. She was so skinny and frightened and had obviously been abused. He saw her wandering through a nearby field (quite providential, as her brown fur nearly perfectly matched the brown field in February). She became our fat, jolly "Sallie," though she would forever hate all men except for my father.

They were good dogs, and they lived for many happy years with us. Both were killed separately on the gravel road in front of our farmhouse when I was away at college (one by our mailman, who currently resides on my mental blacklist). Their loss was devastating, and my parents haven't had a dog since. But we had good years together, and they were like members of the family.

So, long story short, I love animals, and I have a particular soft spot for dachshunds. Also, I love ModCloth, in which all of the following appear:

Twin Tabbies Shaker Set, $11.99

Portable Pet Ring, $11.99

Ruff-And-Tumble Necklace in Pug, $37.99

Gal's Best Pal Brooch, $69.99

Ruff-And-Tumble Necklace in Dachshund, $37.99

Love you, Nellie and Sallie. Miss you.

*This is my personal exhortation for anyone interested in obtaining a pet to seek an animal from local shelters. I have trouble tamping down my frustration and scorn when people tell me they purchased a dog or cat from a puppy mill or specialty breeder. Yes, I am absolutely going to think less of you if you don't at least entertain the avenue of rescuing an existing animal in need, but instead have one personally engineered for your enjoyment. And I'm not going to apologize for my disdain.

EFFING OVER IT

2011-04-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Trump's incessant birtherism whining has been silenced and a couple of people from an entirely different country got hitched. FINALLY.

For the love of my sanity, can everyone stop talking about it now?

Becoming an isolated hermit looks better and better every day.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-04-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know if this falls under eye candy exactly. Maybe mouth candy (is that redundant?). Although these Steak Button Thermometers ($20/set of four) are adorable to look at!

All I know is, this might just be my father-in-law's birthday gift. He's really hard to buy for, and I am loathe to buy him yet another tool. I want to spice things up (punny!)! And he and I can always agree on one thing: We love food.

At least I called them on time

2011-04-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

I meant to post my congratulations yesterday for my wonderful parents' anniversary (though, ever a diligent daughter, I did remember to call them!). Not that they read my blog or anything. My mother's comprehension of computers stops just short of the "power" button. However, my father is savvy enough to figure out and become enamored with Google Earth. I particularly loved the phone call that I received, when he stated, "I'm looking at your house!"

Adorable.

So, happy anniversary, Stella and Stanley*

Love, Tiny

*No, not their real names, but, uhhh...you had to be there.

Boxing up the past

2011-04-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

Three years and ten months after Husband and I were married on that warm, sunny Bastille Day, I finally packed my wedding dress into the car and drove it back to where I bought the frock, so that it could be sent out and cleaned and folded and boxed.

So much meaning is put into The Dress, but after The Big Day, the dress just sits mouldering in the former bride's closet. Some women sell the dress or give it away. Other trash the dress. And I fall into the last category, the keepers. I have enough trouble getting rid of Christmas cards from ten years ago, so there's no way I would have the gumption to get rid of such an important outfit in my life. So I sent it to be boxed. Finally. But not without trying it on one last time.

Oh yeah, it still fits.

A place for everything, and everything in its place.

2011-04-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

I really like order.

I like neat little piles of similar items. I like everything tucked away (preferably out of site) in its own place. My environment reflects my state of mind. If papers and books are strewn about my desk at work, I'm probably deep in two or ten projects at once, and am suffering from an overcrowded mind. If Husband has left piles of half-opened mail and old receipts and god knows what else laying scattered about, I will scurry around, piling everything in one central location at his designated spot on the kitchen table (and hint rather blatantly that he should make the pile disappear).

Don't get me wrong. It isn't so much the clean part that I desperately need, it is the order. I can frankly go for months without scrubbing toilets, but I have trouble leaving the house in the morning if all of the dry dishes from the night before aren't put away. I cannot stomach going more than a week without sweeping crumbs and lint and dust from the dark hardwood of the first floor. Towels must be neatly folded and the couch pillows should be straight. I am forever lining up shoes near the front door.

All of this is probably some kind of violent reaction to growing up with my mother, who tends to leave a path of clutter and half-finished projects in her wake (one of her few character flaws, I promise; my mother is the sweetest person in the world).

Some children rebel from their parents by getting dyed and inked and pierced and arrested.

I cleaned.

So isn't it just so perfect, so orderly, to discover something cleverly labeled and situationally apt? Last weekend I was able to take a glorious shopping trip to The State Capitol with my sistercousin. I found a pair of dress pants from Express (on sale!) that magically fit my oddly-shaped lower half (aside from requiring hemming up, which is standard for unfortunately statured people like myself).

The pants had a nice pinstripe and looked pretty durable for years of work days and business meetings.

I got the pants home, took off the price tags, and what did I happen to find on the label? My job title. Seriously, I was delighted. Isn't that just a pretty little package all tied up in a bow just for me?

A place for everything, and everything in its place. Ah, peace.

Friday Fashion: Easter

2011-04-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

To finalize the Easter Eggstravaganza here at KittyMarie (ha, see what I did there? I'm a true original...), here are some sweet, springy Easter dresses that would work great for your church service or family luncheon or ritualistic sheep sacrifice (you, know, "lamb of God." Or was that in bad taste?).

I adore the white base of this dress and the graphic flowers (and pockets!). To prove that there does exist a vengeful God, I would be certain to accidentally spill some of that sheep blood on this lovely frock. Gallerista Party Dress, $325.

More with the big, graphic flowers, but what other time of year could you don giant roses and not be scorned and/or institutionalized? Abstract Floral Dress, $29.97.

Okay, don't judge me on this one. I love the soft colors (especially the gray bottom). Plus, I have a serious ruffle problem. I apologize; I am seeking professional help. This dress just might be the cure. Swan Cloud Dress in Pink, $199.99.

Go forth and binge on Cadbury eggs!

Daily Eye Candy

2011-04-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

To continue with the inadvertent Easter theme, here is an adorable Chickadee Delight Clutch, $22.99. I love the bright, spring yellow, and the bird illustrations are just adorable. It's so much better to buy a picture of a bird than to buy an actual bird (especially for an Easter gift!). You won't have to flush this clutch.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-04-19T06:59:00.001-07:00

Apparently my "Daily Eye Candy" posts have an Easter theme this week. What better way to celebrate the biblical Zombie Jesus story than with cute, fashionable accessories (in this case, a decapitated rabbit...)? Am I right, or am I right?

Mod Cloth Rascally Rabbit Ring, $9.99. Be sure to say the name of that ring out loud, in an Elmer Fudd voice.

Daily Eye Candy

2011-04-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

In Easter colors, no less!

Kate Spade New York Bow Hinged Bangle, $78.

Art for art's sake

2011-04-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

I feel lucky to work on a university campus, because it is generally a progressive environment, a place where art is embraced, and even the common employee gets the chance to enjoy something beautiful and interesting and creative. There are two such projects near the building where I work now (one permanent and the one that will stand for two years).

The first is a sculpture by Deborah Butterfield. It wasn't until I read this article about the sculpture that I realized the statue is made from bronze, not wood. My mind is suitably blown.

The other piece, which will only stand for two years, is entitled "Sidewinder" and was created from black willow and red maple saplings by Patrick Dougherty (with assistance from students in Art & Design and Landscape Architecture). The piece is interactive in that one can walk through the narrow branch corridors.

Spring

2011-04-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Daily Eye Candy

2011-04-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

Check out this beautiful felt and leather reader sleeve from Rib & Hull! $44.28

You should visit

2011-04-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

If you're into conservation or recycling or papermaking or just plain incredible people, you should visit http://anne-morningstar.blogspot.com/. She's pretty much the coolest thing since sliced bread.