i'm just putting it out there...

things that i am totally & utterly obsessed with…okay, i guess that’s a pretty strong word. i’m…i’m…yea, obsessed is accurate!

·        magic bullet. holy cow, thanks to mom & pops, i hit the jackpot for christmas! seriously, i am in love with this thing. dubbed the “booster” by monkey, this sucker turns out “smoovies” in seconds. salsa, dips, tuna salad? are you kidding? we are smitten!

·        new coffee maker. is it weird that i make kissy noises to a kitchen appliance? hamilton beach must’ve had my number when they designed their carafe-less brew station. just put your mug up to it, push, & voila! another holiday hit via the sis. perfection!

·        new vanity spot in the guest bedroom. now that all my clothes, accessories, makeup, & hair stuff is in the same spot, i feel like such a grown up. it’s super fantasticalicious!

·        mason jar meals. oh…mah…gah! have you seen this? heard of this? it’s fascinating. meals in mason jars! i stumbled upon it by accident & i’ve been googling my booty off ever since. the best website/blog so far is one called bigredkitchen.com. (not to mention it’s a wonderful cooking blog over all…you must check it out! trust me!) when i start knocking some test jars out, i’ll report back & post pics…deal?!

·        the pioneer woman-ree drummond. if you’re not familiar, you gotta be…like now. she is amazing, blog is marvelous, & her bio is one of my new favorite real life romance stories.

·        pinterest. i am truly obsessed with this whole outfit! i have been so inspired by this & feel absolutely no guilt about my time spent “repinning!” request a log in today or if you already know of this awesomeness, look me up & i will follow you…totally!

·        the smiths station on pandora radio. do i own like every album? uh-huh. is this station the coolest? indeed. plus, all my pretend boyfriends are there…robert (smith), bowie, simon (lebon) & billy (idol); not to mention whenever ‘new order’ or 'psychedelic furs' come on i have to squeal like a teenage girl…every time!

·        american horror story. this show is insane! (fx) if you’re scared of the dark, i wouldn’t watch this alone…just sayin’!

·        jessica seinfeld cookbooks. deceptively delicious & double delicious. yes, this is jerry seinfeld’s wife & yes, she will help you "trick" your kids (with love, of course) into eating their veggies! (& maybe even your hubs…but don’t repeat that!) i adore being able to pick my battles at home & these great recipes ensure it’s not at the dinner table.

·        finding a ginormous jar. you know the big, bulk size pickle jars? like that or larger. (preferably larger) & i have no idea how i want to utilize it, but i know i must seek it out & possess it! eh, i don’t know why either.

now, you do realize that this is just for this week, right?! i’m gonna be dorkily crazy & infatuated with different new stuff sooner than later…that’s evolution, baby! ha! oh, & by the way, with this nutso south carolina weather that is 30 in the morning & 75 by midday, i’m sure the hubs would love for me to be obsessed with “breathe right strips!” me, snore? pfft. (no, i do…& i love the fact that they help me breathe) hilarious story about those things, i think i’ll save it…*cliffhanger*

reso-huh?

if you guys remember, i had made “resolutions” over the summer. (’resolutions in july’…july 27, 2011) & although i’m happy to report that i’ve accomplished most of them, it seems others remain untouched. (best intentions though...always) & there are even new ones to explore…

for those not familiar with this previous post, the highlights were as follows:

1.      buy all new undergarments…pretty much check (still hunting that “perfect” strapless bra…does it even exist?)

2.    handwritten correspondence…unfortunately, nope.

3.    hug more…yep!

4.    learn to play sonic…ugh, i still really stink at those games, except perhaps the racing variety.

5.     organize, organize, organize…on track & making things happen!!

6.    treat myself once a month…*sigh

7.     document through photos…as often as i can. hooray!

8.    practice my french…hahahaha. mon dieu!

9.    end each day on a positive note…most important & yes, i rarely forget to practice this, but could do better!

the thing with “resolutions” is that people make them every new year. which i get it…a new year=fresh start, but why can’t we change or alter or set achievable goals any time of the year? like, i am not about to say weight loss is my focus. i am doing the opposite, & for once, i am NOT going to harp on that at all. i haven’t the time. granted, i can work on eating better, moving more (i did learn how to ride a bike…stop laughing! lots of 35 year olds are new to this activity…wait, what’s that?), but i am not going to consume myself with body image. it will drive me nuts if i do! seriously, i won’t be a prisoner in this body any longer, dammit…can i get an ‘amen!’

okay, back to the above. i am still dying to put my fun stationary to use. i have some lovely friends that i can’t see very often who deserve a love note, if you will. i am still not treating myself (in a retail therapy sense), but i am

excited about starting back to school, which i feel is the ultimate indulgence for me. i do want to speak french fluently again! i have revisited poetry, prose, music, & movies, but have yet to grab those audio cds…it’s on my radar. also, i think american sign language would be pretty rad to add to that (i don’t know, maybe monkey will want to learn with me…it could happen.)

i also need to annoy the shit out of my friends (& myself) until i actually see them & spend time. the best laid plans always fall through…i message or text & then a month has flown by. which, it is a two way street…i always think about it at the most inopportune times. (life at its finest, right?!) maybe i will get that ball rolling again. like, soon-ish! (i need some lady-friend time desperately!)

no ginormous sights on places to visit or adventures to uncover. not scheduled, anyways (there are definitely a freaking ton of things i’d love to experience.)  i just want to be more spontaneous in that regard. & when opportunities arise, go for it! (& not be terrified of something that isn’t necessarily on the calendar…do you know what i’m talking about? parents? besides, how the heck do you do it with more than one child? i am lame...my one child equals not enough hours in the day!!) time management…i need a refresher course in that. unless anyone wants to donate their unused time...

so, i know that this doesn’t really seem like much, but they are attainable & i’m not kidding myself with ridiculous stuff that sounds good, but i know will not happen!

did anyone out there make any resolutions? simple or simply life changing? you can do it…i have faith in you! mine are probably ‘meh,’ but they’re mine & i can own them. taking everything as it comes…my new ‘tude. soo…good news for you, miscellane-folk, as i am most positive that there will be pah-lenty of randoms to come! excited yet? me too! *wink

so long, sucka...

it is officially a new year...2012! halle-freakin-lujah! i mean, i thought 2011 would never end. it was a terrible year, & it's not just me; i've gotten the same response from more than one person.

okay, so let's recap, shall we? i lost about 5 childhood friends &/or acquaintances this year to car accidents, illness, & suicide. folks i know lost jobs (like, breadwinning-esque jobs). while another had a complicated pregnancy (to say the least) resulting in every parent's nightmare...a little twin spirit  earning her angel wings). & just overall, i have been more depressed than ever this past year...lots more lows (i really needed the highs, people!)

oh, & just a few nights ago...our little green "pretty bird," paco, met up his bengal kitty sister, rita, & doggy sister, delia, at the "rainbow bridge" http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

it has been like, holy cow, will i ever catch a break? & i'm a generally positive person!!

wonkiness with work & people, in general. it's as if i was constantly being tested. did i pass, universe? well, i'm still here...i'd say that counts for something, right?!

& i hate to be all "debbie downer" on everyone. i know, it's been rough for many. way worse than my experiences & i am truly thankful for that.

in the last week, the hubs,  monkey, & i enjoyed a wonderful    christmas holiday & break. we had a nice long visit with my sis & niece from pennsylvania (which was too much fun). all of which was a great prelude to the final day of ole '11.

& so my friends, crappy year is all behind me...us! i have never been so stoked to celebrate the dawn of a new year...new opportunities...new possibilities. it's going to be fantastic. i just know it. even my pops said just this morning via text "it's going to be a great year!" agreed, pop...totally agreed!

*there were a few times last year where i asked myself...do i continue to blog? but then i felt like, seriously, if one person out there is reading about my nonsense & crazy mishaps & gets a laugh or is nodding their head along as they read about how the dang wind whipped up my dress in front of a huge crowd or something (just an example, of course...ha!) or knows what it's like to often be the square peg surrounded by round holes, then it's totally worth it for me! & i thank you for letting me share.

to you all, a most happy (super crazy awesome) new year!

mug of fun...

it's no secret that i'm always on the lookout for loverly things; be it crafty or a fun way to organize, funky styles, etc. & lately i've really been inspired to create. (i'd like to say that i had fired that part of my brain a few months back, but the truth is, she  just quit! we've since made up & are back on track)

enter today. cold & rainy. sis & niece in town. what to do...what to do...

i had seen this super fun creation via vlog by one of my fave daily must-haves, kandee johnson. mommy of 4, makeup artist, youtuber, blogger, & overall awesome creative lady! (you're gonna need to check her out...sooo cool!) anyways, back to my inspiration for today's boredom buster. i had remembered watching a how-to for "mustache mugs." & had been dying to do it. who doesn't love a mustache?

monkey & i made a quick trip to the local craft store for the supplies. then, it was time to play!

the amazing kandee: (is it too stalker-y to say i adore her without personally knowing her?) enjoy!

cute, huh?

so, how'd we do?

or, you can do your own thing! not into mustaches? maybe you prefer sonic the hedghog or mario...or want to keep your joe warm in a starry mug! no matter...just have fun!

ames, monkey, maizy, moms, & ash...cheers!

slowing down a bit...

this time of year is craziness...it is, for everyone. it's seldom that i can afford to zone out around mid december because there is just too much to do. i didn't get a whole lot accomplished yesterday except for getting cookies baked for a xmas exchange thingy & then going to said thingy. there was a good hour in there where i could have done something productive, but i didn't. on the verge of beating myself up over it last night after i returned home & settled in, a picture caught the corner of my eye.

it is framed on the book shelf in the center room of our house & i pass it every day, but i really noticed it last night. i stopped...remembered this beautiful moment frozen in time.

the picture i'm referring to is of monkey & his very first visit with santa. he was just 5 weeks old. & he was such a good little traveler. it was a busy day in december. we waited in a super long line at the mall for the meet & greet with jolly ole st nick. monkey tried to stay alert; taking in all the sights & sounds without a fuss. unfortunately, by the time it was our turn...the wait had taken its toll & santa would encounter a sleeping baby. what would happen next was incredible & turned out to be my most favoritest picture ever!!

does it get any sweeter? when the man in red closed his eyes & posed as if they had fallen asleep reading together, i got so misty-eyed...kind of like i am now.

taking a few minutes to enjoy this picture led me to then losing track of time all together & looking at other old pictures for awhile. i think that's what this time of year is really about anyways. not getting too consumed with the hustle & bustle, but slowing down a little & looking back on special moments; people.

oh, & another pic that is close to my heart is one with our 1st child in it. delia wasn't a "dog," she was my sweet baby girl. this was our last christmas with her...i still miss her every day!

the things i do for vanity...

i don't know what's gotten into me this week?! oh yea, i have a condition called bi-polarism (probably not the technical term, but it sounded good)...true story. it's not like super wonky crazy-i'm gonna hurt myself or someone else if i have a bad day-sort of thing...so, don't worry!! it's actually great when i'm on a manic "high"...it means that i get things done. & my passionate frenzies lean on the more creative side...with the help of holiday stress & a timeline, i frantically make impulse decisions & magic happens! i kid, but that's really how my brain functions. & besides, didn't every genius person in history have a mental condition of some form or another? i'm gonna stick with that excuse anyways.

okay, prologue aside, i have been up to another project. i actually decided, gathered materials, & completed it in the time 'silence of the lambs' played in the background on tv last night (love that movie). it started with a chair. which led to vinyl...yummy. & a shirt.

meet the shirt! it's a very leopard-y maternity sweater that was worn & loved by my sis, ames, when she was prego with my niece. it would be an understatement to say simply that the girl loves animal print. she's obsessed! when i found out that i was a gal in trouble (totally joking), this gem was bequeathed to yours truly. at first, i was like, "holy me-ow, batman!" but the beauty of this sweater is that it is the softest, most comfortable garment around!  & so i embraced it...don't judge me!

i've held on to it all these years, thinking that i might eventually take it in, make it into a little wrap dress or over-sized cardi. you know, something. i found it earlier in the week during the big closet clean out. it was on it's way to my hope chest full of material...



the canvas, if you will: i have a really neat vintage chair that i adore. i have a soft spot for chairs. i gravitate towards them. i've never figured that one out, but i always grab them (if they're in okay shape structure wise) at yard sales or the like. this particular one was with a group of 3. two of which i had redone a few years back & resold. i was hanging on to this guy for "hard times." i just thought the frame was too cool & because i was bound to need it eventually, yes?! i was right...i would & i do.

i smell an upcycle!

throw in some red vinyl (saved from a project past) & i've got my misfits in ready formation. add a hammer, staple gun, gerber tool, & electric drill, of course. POWER tools are awesome!! the new purpose of this chair is strictly for vanity! it's going in the guest bedroom to partner with an heirloom buffet & be the make-up, hair, pretty-fying area. "vanity, definitely my favorite sin." (name that movie) but seriously, i'm pretty excited to have my own space. did i mention how small the rooms & bathrooms were in this house & how much "stuff" i have? i am really pleased with the fruits of my labor...tomorrow, i bake 4 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange...hooray! oh, the chair...i almost forgot!

ta-da...so easy & super quick to do. man, i love saving things from the big bad landfill if i can. viva la green!

DIY? Y not...

we love candy!! we do. it’s my weakness & the monkey, well, he’s 7…sooo, there’s that. & we buy it, but not in mass amounts. i mean, every time we turn around there’s a holiday or special occasion that warrants sweet treats (or sour, our personal fave). there is candy in the cabinet, in the fridge (i like my candy bars cold), & finally, leftovers in the trick or treat bag.

i wanted to have it all in one place, so i settled on one of my vintage pyrex dishes, but i secretly pine for a fun or unusual apothecary jar of some sort to display in the kitchen.

so, for a few weeks now i have been looking around for one. ever notice that when you’re “looking,” said object doesn’t want to be found? yes, i’ve had this experience. locally, i’ve been unlucky…& online, well, the small plain jars start at 10 bucks. not bad, but i don’t want an ordinary one (of course) & the larger start at $30-35 & go up. ooh, i saw a super fancy, schmancy one for $70 dollars, but figured i could find something cheaper to break.

since i’m in no rush…at all, i thought i’d just wait. maybe after the holidays, i’ll come across something cool at a random location. then it happened. i saw the coolest idea via my new loverly addiction, Pinterest!! & geez, so awesomely simple…why couldn’t i have thought of it? that’s okay, i’ll take it. heck, while i’m at it, i’ll share it, too! (i thought that maybe some of you might just like it/get inspired/et cetera, et cetera!)

the materials were easy to come by. 2 jars saved from landfill...check. 2 candle sticks thrifted last winter for a couple of bucks; glad i grabbed those for these just in case moments. all i needed was to swing by the craft store & grab some funky fresh spray paint!

so with supplies in hand, i am ready for my nifty project...yay! jars are cleaned; labels removed. candle sticks are prepped for the luscious key lime paint. 2 coats & 24 hours later, i'm in business...the candy display business. (jars are affixed gluefully to sticks for a smaller chance of accident...i said smaller, no guarantee around these parts.) & this is the end result...

how cute did these turn out? so excited. this was just too easy not to try & it suits our family's needs to a t!