a few good things.

TWSS: Alan Rickman

2012-01-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yes indeed you do Alan.

TWSS: Helen Keller

2012-01-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

The Inevitable Post

2012-01-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

Resolutions time, which has become sort of a mini-tradition on for me here on the blog. I used to go crazy, but last year I did quite well in making & keeping resolutions. Plus, I'm still working on this list.

So here we go...

01. Have better posture. I've had to sit myself up straight twice just while writing this post.
02. When I'm with someone, be with them, not worrying/thinking/planning other things. This especially applies to my daughter, husband & home.
03. Do something daring. I want to be bold in 2012. I don't know how, but there are cogs in motion.
04. Floss more. Because what is more important that your own health?

I'm curious to know what your resolutions are. Have you already broken them? Don't worry... starting over tomorrow is much better than giving up entirely.

The pretty pictures are from here.

Something...

2011-12-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

...pretty

I love Monet. Seeing Waterlilies in person at MoMA reduced me tears in public. Happy almost Christmas!

Bookshelves

2011-12-21T05:52:00.001-07:00

Remember when I did this? Yes, I'm a crazy book lady. I fly my freak flag with pride.
Well, now I know there are other freaks like me!!! More of my people, whom I love. Consider yourselves hugged fellow-nerds.

Check out more gorgeousness here, at Bookshelf Porn. All links are 100% safe, for anyone (mom!) who might be put off by the name.

One of these nooks (or both!!) will be in my future abode. Also, thanks to Devin for sending me this link. I owe you lover.

Good Thing Monday

2011-12-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

To be honest, I was going to do several things on one post, but this one link just made me cry in public. No fear... they're tears of joy.

OMG.. Cravats. Please, please, please do yourself a favor & look at this. It is not particularly cry-worth for everyone, but I am just so happy to know that there are people like me in the world.

December Letters

2011-12-16T12:37:00.005-07:00

Dear Girl Wearing Red Lipstick on a Monday Morning,
Thanks for being awesome.

Dear Christmas,
Please don't come back until after Thanksgiving next year. I refuse to be friends if you don't do so.

Dear Work,
Thanks for two three-day-weekends in a row. My under-eye dark circles appreciate the extra sleep.

Dear Pile of Christmas Candy,
Meet my willpower. Now take him out at the knees.

Dear Bestie,
I'm sad I saw you for like two minutes. I will come see you for a long weekend asap.

Dear Hubs,
Here's a big ol' kiss.

The Professor...

2011-12-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

I really can't handle how sad I am over him dying. On the bright side, I can always drown my sorrows in fan fiction.

Also, I just read this article in Wired magazine & this quote made me happy.

'Harry Potter revealed a mass audience for fantasy that nobody was aware of, not even the people who were part of it. We were legion, and we didn’t even know it. Dostoevsky once said, “We all crawled out from under Gogol’s ‘Overcoat,’” and it’s just as true to say that we all crawled out from under Harry’s cloak of invisibility. He made being a fantasy nerd cool. Or, no, that’s not quite right. We didn’t change. The world changed around us: Harry Potter made everyone a little bit uncool.'

Required Reading: Beatrix Potter & then Some

2011-12-13T06:04:00.001-07:00

Beatrix Potter was a genius. When I was small there was a point when I realized that bunnies don't actually wear shoes & coats that was quite devastating for me.

I must recommend this book, which Paige got for Christmas last year. Many a happy afternoon has been spent looking through it together.

And, for those of us that love Ms. Potter & her world, there are The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. I just finished devouring them & enjoyed every minute of it. A little mystery, a little history & a whole lot of charming.

Preschool Hack: Unplugged Play

2011-12-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

My friend Trudy loaned me this book on Friday & I spent all Saturday morning jumping from project to project with Paige.

And just as a heads-up, it does not make you feel bad about being a busy parent, nor is it a treastise of the wrongs of the modern world. Because the last thing any of us need is to feel guilty about those 30 minutes of peace we get whenever we turn on a little Tom & Jerry, Dora or what have you. Sanity is sanity, however it is achieved & I'm not above giving my kid a harmless distraction so I can putter in peace, rather than locking myself in the bathroom to chew on a Xanax while she bangs on the door endlessly. Not that that would ever happen...

What you do get from this lovely book is ideas for toddlers, preschoolers, and then 6-10 year olds. I seriously wish I'd had this book from Paige's birth on. There are so many cute things from the toddle section that I would love to have watched her try.
Also, you don't have to buy a bunch of stuff to do the activities. Paige & I made an artist's smock for her out of an old shirt I had, painted some noodles to make into a necklace & then built a giant fort for her princesses.

Ultimately, the best thing about this book is that it is a terrific jumping off place. You read the ideas & then suddenly you're coming up with a zillion fun things to do. Which, if you have an almost 4-year-old, you know you need.

Stressed Out?

2011-12-07T05:53:00.001-07:00

This is my motto right now. Work is the cause of 99% of any stress I feel. So to calm down, I recite this mantra when I feel that wad of panic eating up my insides. Then I take three deep breathes, eyes closed, hands unclenched. And I sit up taller because then the weight of my worry is not physically bowing me over.

What is your way of coping with stress/life/worry?

Working Girl: Part Deux

2011-12-05T06:03:00.001-07:00

I know that I ranted about this a while ago, but I found this quote from Daniel Craig to fit my thinking about how I view what I do now.

'I'm definitely not satisfied about my career. I don't know how you can be, it's the very nature of things.

'I'm always trying to figure it out, and I'm kind of unsatisfied constantly. I always want to get it right and I don't know what the answer to it is.

'But I do know that it's out there and I do know it's worth looking for.'

It's weirdly comforting that someone who is successful still feels that itch to improve & morph what they are doing. Also, he's got those eyes that kill you, no?

Giveaway Winners

2011-12-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

Congrats ladies!!

I shall be emailing you for addresses so I can send your cards out.

Preschool Hack: Alphabet Fishing

2011-11-18T06:01:00.001-07:00

The alphabet is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated. Mostly, I feel like a drill sergeant & that is not my goal. Granted, learning is not always rainbows & lollipops, but at times, both Paige & I feel like dissolving into tears over what comes after the letter D.
Anyway, I decided to make it a little more fun this week. The goal is to fish for the words that match the letter being used as 'bait' on the end of your fishing line.

Supplies:
the 26 letters of the alphabet on little pieces of paper
26 words that each start with one of the letters on separate strips of paper
string
paper clips
magnet

I made Paige find & match each of the words to its corresponding letter on the wall. After she matched them, I put a paper clip on the slip of paper.

Then, using the individual letters as 'bait', she fished for the word starting with the letter. The string had the magnet on the end.

Pretty simple & easy. Also, just a disclaimer, do not let your kid play with the string unless you are supervising them. No need to have any fatal alphabet-fishing accidents hanging over my head.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

Maintenance: Hair Style

2011-11-16T06:20:00.001-07:00

Is it at all possible to love your hair all the time? Mine is crazy thick, but fine too, so the body is all out of whack. It likes to pouf & frizz. I have to deep-condition it weekly to keep it from being so brittle it just breaks off.
Doing something with it is a battle most mornings. I try not to use too much heat, letting it air-dry. But achieving stick-straight is basically a pipe dream.

Most of the time, I wish I could get away with loose bedhead like this.

But then again, I love to be styled, with my hair away from my face. Lately, I've been tucking it up into a twisted bun along the base of my skull, with loose bangs. It stays off my neck, but it is fancier than just a ponytail. The top knot still gets a weird eye because I live in Idaho & we're about 10 years behind the rest of the fashion world.

Mostly, I wish I could find this perfect inbetween every day.

Or something timeless. What do you do to keep your mane in check?

all images via

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

November Letters

2011-11-14T06:10:00.004-07:00

image via

Dear Snow,
Really? So not cool.

Dear Christmas,
Stop showing up a week earlier every year. Honestly, you weirdo.

Dear Freshly-Made Bed,
I just need you all the live-long day.

Dear Newly-Clean House,
Never let yourself go. You are so worth it.

Dear Skin,
Let's find a lotion that works & stick with it this time, eh?

Dear Husband,
I adore you. Please know your kisses make my world go round.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

Required Reading

2011-11-11T05:18:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading Treasure Island & fell in love with the pirate-y accent all over again. Also, has anyone else ever seen the old Kidnapped movie? I was obsessed with that for about a month in eight grade. I would watch it every day after school & then spend the rest of the evening in floaty contemplation of being kidnapped by pirates.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

Coconut Bread

2011-11-09T05:25:00.005-07:00

This delicious stuff tastes like a glazed doughnut & a tropical nut made a baby. Heavenly!

Coconut Bread

4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
2 tsp. coconut extract
1 c. buttermilk
Whip all together until smooth & frothy.
In a separate bowl, mix:
3 c. flour
1 Tbsp. soda
1 c. shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. finely chopped nuts (I used glazed walnuts)

Bake in a well-greased pan for 65-75 minutes at 325. When done, let sit in pan for 30 minutes before drizzling with glaze.

Glaze:
2 c. powder sugar
2 Tbsp. coconut extract
2 Tbsp. milk
Whisk together til smooth & runny.

After glaze has been absorbed, bread can be removed from pan & devoured.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

Follower Giveaway- Closed

2011-11-07T05:13:00.002-07:00

The other day I was feeling craft & so I got to work. After busting out my homemade stamps, I made a bunch of cute cards. Then, after plotting what to do with them, I decided to give them away to three of my followers!

There are five each of the mustache & banner cards.

There are ten heart cards.

To Enter:
+You must be a follower.
+Leave one comment on this post before November 30th.
+Three winners will be chosen & I will send you one of the packs of cards. If you have a preference, state it in your comment.

Good luck lovelies!

Happy Haunting

2011-10-31T05:18:00.001-06:00

Don't eat too much candy my lovelies. Or do. Tis the season.

Do you see my ghostie-girl? We had such a nice walk in the lovely cemetery near our house a few weeks ago. She kept asking me to tell her about the people who were attached to the headstones.

Something Nice for Friday

2011-10-28T05:13:00.001-06:00

A lot of Richard...

Some Michael...

Just a touch of Geoffrey...

There has to be a bit of Alan...

And for Heather, a dash of Ciaran...

Treats

2011-10-26T05:19:00.002-06:00

What sort of goodies do you hope to find in your pillowcase/cauldron/plastic grocery bag at the end of the night?

By the way, to my parents, I know now that the candy you were 'checking & keeping because it didn't look right' was probably the best stuff. Don't worry, I don't hold it against you. I have a little to exploit now.

My best Halloween treat memory... Hot cider & a cake doughnut. My face was a mess afterwards.

All of this stuff looks pretty decadent, but none of it is mine.

Costumes: Homemade or Store-Bought

2011-10-24T05:06:00.003-06:00

This picture has nothing to do with costumes.

Its just that I can't believe my miss was that little once. Sheesh!

I am torn. Are the best & most memorable costumes homemade or purchased? I've seen ridiculously fun ones either way.
In fact, Paige is going to be both a pirate (purchased) & a lumberjack (homemade). I figured the lumberjack would be nice & cozy for trick-or-treating & the pirate can be worn again as a dress-up outfit.

My costume will be a black shirt covered in plastic spiders. I favor homemade costumes, or at least something that was put together with things already on-hand. Sometimes they don't translate, like the year I was a nerd & everyone though I was trying to be Harry Potter. Really?! Just because I have black-framed glasses & a cardigan does not make me Harry Potter. But that is a rant for another time.
As a little, I loved rooting through my parents' closets for something the night before Halloween. Or painting my face with my mom's black eyeliner and lipsticks. I don't even remember having a purchased costume, except for maybe a clown wig once.

What are you dressing up as?
Do you prefer home-imagined or something clever from a bag?
Do tell & share your genius.

Preschool: Monthly Update

2011-10-20T05:12:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share a little of what I do at the beginning of each month.

First, I read all my literature & sort of evaluate what Paige needs to work on next. We spent last month battling through numbers (who knew that getting her to count endless repetitions would actually work?) & now we're moving on to letters.

The alphabet goes up & we tidy up her desk drawer & the preschool box. There were a lot of cute little scribbles that got filed away for when she's 18 & I need something to cry over.

Then I put up a new calendar. I love this post-it note method. Really easy to replace & maintain. Plus, it just looks nice when you walk into the room.

We are working on a new thing: a monthly 'virtue' for lack of a better word. We are practicing Honesty this month. I'm sure you can guess why.

And then I look over the calendar & try to prep as many things ahead of time as I can. Also, I make a list of new supplies to buy.

That's about it. Does anyone want my last few months of activities? I could email the lists.

Preschool Hack: Patterns

2011-10-18T05:11:00.000-06:00

I never really realized how important patterns were until this whole preschool adventure. Patterns have all sorts of applications: learning before & after (an abstract idea to a kid who has the attention span of a goldfish), logic, & reasoning among others. Now, I'm constantly finding ways to incorporate the use of patterns in our activities.

This hack is pretty basic & can be done with cards, small toys/objects, or whatever you want. I used heart stickers & index cards for the blue cards. Then I made long strips of patterns with more stickers & walked Paige through recognizing the pattern.

She was so anxious to get the right answer that she would blurt out random colors, even when she knew the correct one, which is pretty normal. Silly smarty-pants.

Best Movies: Date Night

2011-10-14T05:02:00.002-06:00

Sometimes, for reasons beyond your control (or because you just can't be bothered with putting on shoes one. more. time.), date night turns into movie night. And that bowl of popcorn & bottle of the bubbly makes it perfection.

These are my top three picks:

Stranger Than Fiction. Funny, quirky, & just all the characters you'd want to be friends with in real life. Will is charmingly lost. Maggie is tough but tender. I love!

Wimbledon. Basically the adult make-out movie. Which I know because... well, you know. Plus, I really love Paul Bettany. He is one of those actors who's movies I will watch, no matter the premise, because I like him so much.

A Good Year. Nothing beats the fantasy of inheriting a French chateau. Nor does Marion or Russell disappoint. Funny & very sweet. Perfect for leaving you & your date all warm & fuzzy.

Happiest of Fridays to you. Hope you have a hot date to snuggle up with! Kisses!

Kitchen Bliss

2011-10-12T05:24:00.000-06:00

Just imagining having a stainless steel kitchen with lots of white subway tile & a few colorful rugs & copper pots. Devin & I agree on this idea perfectly. Which is why he's mine.

Images from fbd.

Fashion Dilemma

2011-10-11T05:09:00.001-06:00

I have been waiting with bated breath all summer for the first dip to sub-60 degree weather so that I could wear my new arsenal of scarves. And despite all the compliments I got on my delightful yellow pashmina (that I wore on a very blustery day when I had a cold) the only comment that really sticks in my head is the one guy who asked me why I was wearing a scarf inside.
Scarves are like a big colorful necklace that keeps you warm too, right? Or is it really weird to wear a scarf around all day? I need some fashion advice my lovelies!

Also:
+fun ways to tie your scarf.

+men wearing scarves.

Obsessing Over...

2011-10-03T05:12:00.000-06:00

+this modern doll house. i'm itching to make a sturdy doll house for Paige. I also love this one.

+handwriting. has yours changed since middle school? mine went from loopy to minuet chick-scratch. find out what your handwriting says about you?

+boots with skirts. have been collecting skirts and long socks to wear with my new boots.

+fall flowers. i love berries & leaves. i love the colors raspberry & mustard.

More 4th Birthday Inspiration

2011-09-30T05:25:00.000-06:00

Paige still wants the unicorn & rainbow birthday party. I'm still happy to indulge her. But only if I get to make a pinata!

+ unicorn party

+unicorn shirt diy

+fruit rainbow

+rainbow pinata

More inspiration for this birthday here.

That's What She Said: Paige

2011-09-30T05:20:00.000-06:00

"I remember that from twenty years ago." Funny girl.

More of what 'she said'.

Dressing Little Girls

2011-09-28T05:18:00.001-06:00

Fall clothes are my favorite. {And just in case anyone might be wondering, I'm currently wearing dark jeans, a navy & white striped shirt & a yellow pashmina wrapped around my neck to death:)}
When it comes to kids clothes & being on a budget, it is rather difficult to find things that suit my tastes. I like Paige to look like a kid, but also a mini-adult. There is something about the juxtaposition, with a dash of whimsy, that makes her more irresistible. Luckily, there are some really sweet ideas to be inspired (read: steal for non-profit wearing) by.

+Contrasting ribbon on shoulder. LOVE!

+Layering like a school girl. Plus, how sweet are her tousled curls?

+Top-knots, stripes, jackets, buttons, and twirly skirts in muted colors

+Mustard cardi, more strips and classic cut jumper dresses. Love.

Things that make me cringe:
+Cartoon-printed anything. I let Paige wear a few shirts that she's been given as p.j.'s.
+Over-embroidered items. Why can't little girls have pants that have no stars or hearts sewn all over?
+Too grown up, like high-heels or tight, revealing clothes. Little girls should be modestly dressed. It just seems wrong otherwise.

images from olive juice or sayyestohoboken or shirinnyc. but none are mine.

The Many Mr. Rochesters

2011-09-26T05:26:00.002-06:00

I recently acquired the newest Jane Eyre. Loved the music, the lighting, the actors were superb . And Michael Fassbender has the grandest sad face ever. But... he is a teensy bit too young, and if I'm allowed to be a bit petty (and who isn't allowed when it comes to their favorite fictional characters?), rather too pretty to be Mr. Rochester. Sorry Michael. I do love you with Mia endlessly. But the movie was terrifically done, if a bit pared down. The chemistry was believable, and all in all I award Michael... errr... the movie, that is, four stars.

Then there is Toby. Oh, deliciously melancholy Toby Stephans. He is also a bit young in his version, but he is perfectly surly & grumpy. Also, pretty great chemistry with his lovely Jane. However... the picture-perfect ending and some of the liberties taken with the story make me cringe. Then again, I am one who likes her classic lit right on the dot, frippery-free & how the author would have done it. This one gets three stars from me, but only because of this scowl.

I think Ciaran was a terrific choice for Rochester. Older, not super handsome, but regal & with a terrific voice. His long, dark glances make me shiver right down to my toes. Warning: This version has the world's worst kiss of any movie. Rochester just finishes telling Jane how he loves her, begs her to marry him, the music swells, the wind gusts & Jane.... bites his face. I kid you not. Ciaran Hinds right there and Jane gnaws on his mouth. Not pretty. But overall, a great version that is really close to the book. I award it three stars.

And then... and then there is William Hurt. Oh my heavens. I love this version. He is gruff & flirtatious. The chemistry is good, it stays on track with the book, Jane is plain, but clever & quick. I love-love-love it. And he is so lovely. His voice. His eyes. Sigh... I give this four stars as well.

I've never seen the Timothy Dalton version or the Orson Wells one, but I'm sure they're excellent. Timothy plays my favorite Heathcliff. He really is one of the best darkly romantic actors. Those eyebrows... Shiver.

Anyone else like a particular Mr. R? Annie, I know you will have one!

no images belong to me, but rather to their original creators. kisses...

Working Girl

2011-09-23T05:11:00.001-06:00

I'm a very employed person. And I am happy to have my job. It is what I do now.

But then, I am not doing my 'dream job'. I don't see myself doing this until I retire. This life is full of my loves. Full of a happy, laughter-filled home. And I am sometimes afraid of success, which is why, despite having been published, despite having made some headway into my chosen field, I am the only thing holding me back. Which is why I do what I do.

But what would it be like to do something else? To just take that running leap off into the dark unknown. Could I do that to my family? Especially where Devin is still in school & I have promised to be his support, like he is mine? This article has me full of envy & relief that I still have not tried to fly completely unfettered.
And this article has me full of wonder that we need jobs at all. It makes me happy to find other people with my same thoughts, if much better articulated.

Would you give up your job to do your dream job? Or are you currently doing it? What was your dream job when you were young? Devin wanted to be a garbage man. I wanted to be a librarian. All those books :)

Fascinators

2011-09-21T05:10:00.002-06:00

I have this small thing for hats (i.e. I adore them), but they are just weird on my head. Something about my hair being flattened & my head being too giant makes it not fun. But this is where the fascinator is perfection. It just clips in & voila! instant fancy.

I made one for Paige for dress-up. To make, layer the elements on a little round of felt. I used hot glue, but I'm sure some people sew things on. Undoubtedly, my technique is far from perfect, but they've held up thus far.

One of mine. Pardon the hardly-done hair.

Would you wear a really ornate fascinator? Or a hat? Do you have the clipped-in feathers? What makes you feel dressed up? I'd love to know!

Preschool Hack: Quiet Games

2011-09-19T05:33:00.001-06:00

Take a bunch of felt, snip it into a variety of shapes & what do you get?

A way to pass the time with nary a peep from the little one. Perfect for passing time & learning shapes/colors/patterns.

I love when Paige makes people. Devin always gets a heart for a beard.

Other fun quiet games that are more easily transported are threading/weaving boards. Made from scraps of cardboard, they are great for the car, shopping, or wherever little fingers just need something to do.

Inspired by this project on Made by Joel, one of my favorite 'things-to-do-blogs'.

Date Ideas

2011-09-16T06:06:00.003-06:00

Today, I've been married to Devin for five years & I never imagined that I could love this deep into my cells, but there you have it. In commemoration, we'll probably be cracking open a bottle of sparkling cider & going to bed by 10. Give us a break... we have a 3.5 year old.

For all you exciting folks, here are some of my favorite date ideas:
01. Stargazing. Find a clear, preferably high, place and enjoy the sunset. Then, whilst snuggling under a blanket, try to be the first to see the first star of the night. Devin won last time.

02. Browse a used book store. Or an old records shop. Try to find something you think your lover would like.
03. I cannot tell you how fun it is to lose at Scrabble. Or any game I play with the brainiac. But seriously, games make for a rad date.
04. Go for a walk at dusk. The light is flattering, the air is sweet & it just feels good to be outside right now.
05. I know this sounds cheesy, but draw a picture of each other. It can be goofy (I'm no Picasso!) but its fun to try! Also, you could just lay in bed & take pictures with a camera. Silly, but fun because it leads to canoodling.
06. Also, slightly cheesy, but pretty romantic. Make a time capsule for different anniversaries in the future. Tell your future selves what you hope they have managed to do for each other.

Thanks for putting up with all of the luuuuurve. Slurpy kisses for all!

More Lovey Stuff

2011-09-14T06:08:00.001-06:00

via here.

Want more? Check it:
+Series of love letters I wrote Devin.
+My favorite thing he emailed me.
+Funny things we talk about.

Husband Update

2011-09-12T05:47:00.004-06:00

It's been too long since I've talked about Devin around here. So, since Friday is our 5th anniversary, I thought I'd post some about my love. (Please note that he is going to HATE this because he is a non-spotlight person)

+He's just started his Master of Public Admin. After two semesters, & the LSAT (which he'll ace because he is brainy as hell), we will be moving so he can get a joint MPA & law degree.

+Devin is really awesome to talk to. He is well-read, opinionated, clever & a master at picking apart your brain. If you meet him, prepare yourself for a great talk.

+There have been very few days that Devin hasn't made me almost fall over laughing. He's seriously funny. Also, him reading a book to Paige is awesome.

+He has the best music collection of anyone I know. Much better taste than his wife, who has been listening to the same 10 artists since high school.

+He's really hot. Those eyes. That charming smile. His muscles. The beard... Drool. I severely love him.

Want some more? I feel ya. Enjoy:
+Our story that I shared here. And here.
+Also this.
+10 reasons I love him.

Maintenance: Beauty Tips & Tricks

2011-09-09T06:02:00.001-06:00

I am not a huge make-up wearer, but I do adore me some lipstick. Also, I love collecting beauty/health tips. Some of my favorites:
+If you have trouble brushing your teeth for the full two minutes, split your mouth into four quadrants (top left, top right, ect) & brush each for 20 seconds. Much easier to commit to.
+For super soft kissable lips, exfoliate gently with your clean toothbrush & then slather with lip balm.
+Pluck only hairs that do not fall into the natural arch of your brow. Leave the shaping to a pro. Over-plucked 15-year-old self, I'm talking to you!!
+Shave your legs with conditioner. Leaves your gams feeling silky smooth.
+Use your face scrub (like this one) as an acne-zapper. I also adore this stuff.
+This is how I think a perfect manicure should be done.

What tricks/tips do you use to keep yourself feeling gorgeous? I would love to know!

not my lips. image via here.

Required Reading: Helen Humphreys Interview

2011-09-07T06:36:00.000-06:00

Chalk it up to reading too much Dickens & Christie, but every so often I forget that the authors of my favorite books are, happily, still alive & well. After recently finishing Coventry, I decided to send a little fan(e)mail to Ms. Humphreys.
Lo & behold, she sweetly answered a few questions for me. Cue embarrassing squeal of excitement that was swiftly converted into a coughing fit as I was checking my email at work. I got some eyebrows that day.

Where does your inspiration for your stories come from? It says in Coventry that the sources were some books on the bombing and eye-witness accounts of the bombing of Baghdad. Do you find it easier to create from a situation that already exists?

Usually my inspiration comes from a small thing I come across, a fact, or photograph, something that catches my interest and which I think about for a while before pursuing. Coventry happened because I was thinking about the Iraq war, and I had come across the fact of the bombing of Coventry years before, when I was researching The Lost Garden, and I thought it would be interesting to tell the story of one war through another war -- also, I liked the fact, from a purely narrative standpoint, that Coventry fell in one night. It made the scope of my story more contained and manageable.

There is so much heartbreak in The Lost Garden that I (and my entire class) cried through the last few chapters. Is there ever a point where it becomes hard for you to tell part of a story?

Yes, if it's a hard story, it's hard to tell it, as I have to feel the emotions my characters are feeling in the story. But funnily enough, even though The Lost Garden is a sad story, I had a really good time writing that book and was mostly in a pretty happy state when I was working on it.

Have any of your books or poems been your favorite?

The Lost Garden because of the fabulous experience of writing it, and The Frozen Thames because the concept worked out just as I had wanted it to, and Wild Dogs because I think some of my best writing is in that book.

Which books or authors are you inspired by, or just enjoy reading?

Early on I read a lot of Faulkner and Woolf. The books that I've read recently that I've really liked are, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, Just Kids by Patti Smith, The Empty Family by Colm Toibin.

I've been taught that writing every day, no matter what, is the best way to become a better writer. Do you have any other advice for aspiring authors?

I would say that reading every day is almost, or perhaps even more important than writing every day. There is so much to learn from other writers.

Check out Helen Humphrey's site. And many thanks again to Helen for letting me pester her.

Preschool Hack: Parachutes

2011-09-05T05:52:00.001-06:00

Want to see gravity in action without any broken bones? Here is an easy way:
Cut squares out of plastic bags, tie a string to all four corners, tie the other ends to something heavy-ish. Then find something tall (aka the hospital parking garage) to toss them off of.

This was mostly a Creative Play activity that I used to show that things always come down. Paige told me that balloons never come down. I really couldn't counter her brilliance.
Or her charm.

Also, we used the empty parking garage for tricycle riding practice.

Coming tomorrow: An interview with the author of some of the best books I've ever read!!!!!! You should not miss this!

Stolen Camera

2011-08-31T05:58:00.000-06:00

Someone stole my camera...

I love seeing the world from her perspective.

There were also about 500 pictures of the fridge magnets. Not sure what's up with that.

Home Inspiration

2011-08-29T06:18:00.001-06:00

Since rearranging & cleaning up Paige's room, I've been really itching to spring-clean my whole house. Mostly because we have no storage so it just feels crowded. Any pictures of clear a counter top just seems luxurious to me.
I've been stalking the following blogs for inspiration and a little sanity:

Chez Larsson. Super organized. Super clean-cut. So love.

French by Design. I gasped out loud when I saw the block of wood being used as a nightstand. Love!

My Scandinavian Retreat. I think I am in love with EVERY space shown.

I love the casual grace of this apartment. Brick!

Where do you go for home inspiration?

The Nose Knows

2011-08-26T05:58:00.000-06:00

My nose must be hypersensitive because I often remember people by how they smell or the scent of food we ate while together. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by the scent of honey or lavender in my dreams. The coffee dispensers at the grocery store wipe out my ability to smell anything for several minutes.
Weirdly, I hate to personally smell like anything other than clean. I want to be a non-scented person. Scented lotions or even really nice perfume sometimes just makes me want to take a shower.

There are a few scents I really love:
Citrus, especially lemon. Just smells so clean. I love my home to smell lemon-y.
Tart & sweet apple. Like something you just plucked from a tree in a sunny orchard.
Peppermint. Not just for your mouth; a dab behind your ear is very nice.
Honey. I love Burt's Bees Milk & Honey lotion. This soap looks nice too.
Cold air. I remember hugging my dad after he came in on a fall evening & he smelt of the cold mountain air. I don't know if there is any way to replicate this though.

What do you like to smell like or smell in your home?
I'd love suggestions... Kisses.

Guest Blogger: Heather from Bitter Harpy Press

2011-08-24T06:14:00.000-06:00

Heather is my amazing, ridiculously lovely, cake-baking bestie. She graciously allowed me to bully her into guest posting about her favorite girls' night movies. Without further ado...

I’ve been given an assignment. I feel like I’m back in school and I have to write my report on What I Did this Summer. Of course, having said that, this really is what I did this summer. Movies. Girl movies. Chick Flicks!
I fail though, in the assignment to come up with just one. I can’t do it. I just can’t narrow it down to one. There are Chick Flicks for every occasion!

I Hate Men Night:
The First Wives Club

Come on girls, admit it. No matter how happy in the relationship you are, there are still days where you’re fed up with the Y factor. Then there are those of you (us) who are chronically single and for that reason alone we are man haters (ok… hate is too strong- man... dislikers?).

Cry Me a River Night:
Beaches

Why is it that we become so invested in the interest of these fictional characters to the point of becoming blubbering marshmallows? It’s a girl thing I guess.
I also recently discovered...
My Sister’s Keeper

But this hits a liiiiiiittle too close to home so it’s still hard to watch.

Then there is Oh My Gosh It's So Romantic I Can't Contain Myself Night
North & South

Mr Thornton? Ummm... Yes please.

I also really like It's Just Nice to be a Girl night.
13 going on 30.

It's bubblegum for the brain. We all know how it will turn out- but don't you just wish you could have a do-over like that? A chance to see how your life could have been? And knowing what to do to not mess up your chance at true love. {{{sigh}}}

Then there's the Maybe it Will Happen Someday night:
The Mirror Has Two Faces

How they expect to pass Babs off as fat and ugly is beyond me, but they try and she still gets the guy- gives a girl hope, no?

Do you see a trend here? It's a cycle. Bitter-Crying-Romance-Hopeful... then the Hope runs out and we're back to Bitter. All in all though, those are my favorite picks for estrogen filled movie nights!

Thank you Heather!!

all images via Google.

Paige's Room

2011-08-22T06:09:00.001-06:00

Paige & I were constantly tripping over one another in her room/my office. Plus, we had nowhere to do preschool stuff. I hate hauling things from one end of the house to the other if they can just stay where you use them.
Here is a bit of what my part looked like before the make-over. Eek!

After making a few sketches of what I thought would work, we set to work.

The top drawer is Paige's coloring stuff/puzzles. She is a puzzle fiend! This is her desk. All I need now is some sort of little chair. The other drawers are packaging supplies & scrap-booking bits. The bookcase holds her preschool supplies, books & my too big office supplies.

My desk is to the right of the above bookshelf & to the left of her bed. I hauled out two crammed-full garbage bags of trash & bits of paper that I had been saving for who knows what. The post-its are our calendar of things to do for preschool. Also, I sneak in her room at night to tip-tap away on my computer, which used to not have a space on my desk.

Paige doesn't know where anything is now, but she loves it. She told me that this was how she always wanted her room to be. On the night stand is her jewelry box & Harry Potter #1, which we are reading at bedtime.

Her pjs are in the night stand, along with her Barbies & soft little animals. Extra blankets are under the big stuffed animals in the truck at the end of her bed. The black-framed picture on the wall is from Inside a Black Apple.

The toy chest & kitchen straddle our shared (& slightly messy!!) closet. She found some toys that were so old they became new again. She didn't even notice when I tossed the junky stuff.

Lipstick Trials: Current Winner

2011-08-19T05:59:00.000-06:00

I'm loving this combo: chapstick and the non-sparkly half of my Rimmel Kiss & Stay lip gloss. It is matte & stays stuck on no matter what. I just layer until it looks right. What I like about this look is it is softer than lipstick, which looks cakey sometimes, even when I just dab it on. The color is still vibrant, better than the L'Oreal lip stain I tried, which just licked right off.

Travel List

2011-08-17T06:22:00.003-06:00

I am a novice when it comes to real travel, like with airplanes or places more than two days from home. But I have traveled all over the western side of the country, & NYC was my hangout for a summer. Mostly, I feel like I've seen what there is to see on this side of the US.
One thing about traveling by plane though... I would have to find a travel buddy. Devin does not like planes! He makes up for it by being a great road tripper.

Here are a few places I'd love to see:

Paris. Uber-romantic. I think Devin would wander here with me.

London + all of the UK. Obviously I would be doing some major geeking out.

Iceland. Icebergs & volcanoes. Plus super cool city names.

Germany. Castles, the foods sounds great & it is so pretty!

Italy. PASTA, & I dream of driving a tiny car around the countryside, stopping to nap on ancient ruins.

Maine. Fresh seafood, lighthouses, ocean & some pretty awesome accents.

Nova Scotia. More ocean & forest. Mm-mm... & Canadians are really cool.

Saturday Walk

2011-08-15T06:16:00.003-06:00

Paige & I wandered ourselves up to the pillars on Red Hill.It was a lovely, sunny day. I might have sunburned my nose.

It was so fun to walk & talk together in the sunshine. So often I find myself tuning Paige out in the car or while I'm cleaning (is that a terrible thing to admit?!). During our walk, I just listened & answered questions, when she let me get a word in edgewise!

Perfect Outfit

2011-08-03T07:39:00.002-06:00

The balance of texture and color and layers is just right. My goal this weekend is to, without spending one red cent, construct a perfect outfit & wear it with abandon.
Image via {this is glamorous}

Also, if you read my posts in a reader format, I've updated the right sidebar. Check it out!

Obsessing Over...

2011-08-01T06:38:00.000-06:00

01. My bestie's awesome celebrity lunch date list. Mine would have the Professor, Heathcliff, Mr. Rochester, Geoffrey Rush, John Wayne, Shakespeare, and Robert De Niro. Who is on your's?

02. Tattoos. I'd love to have Paige tatooed on my wrist in some beautiful font, but I'm way too nervous about infections. Would you have someone's name inked somewhere visible? Joanna has a fun little list of pretty tats.

03. Being with my family. Hearing my brothers laugh. Telling funny stories about growing up. Snuggling with my baby in front of a campfire. Going pants shopping with my momma & finding out I'm a size down! What?! I love going home.

04. English Bulldogs. Scrumptious.

all images found on Google.

Preschool Hack: Patterns

2011-07-29T05:20:00.000-06:00

Paige & I had fun stringing some beads the other day. I was hoping she would pick up on pattern making. She was obviously hoping I would get off her back because at one point she told me to just let her play.
Sigh... but we did have fun!

Required Reading: Hunger Games Series

2011-07-27T06:17:00.001-06:00

Like everyone, I've been swept away by this series. Unlike everyone else I talked to, I was so in love with the final book I couldn't put it down for more than two minutes at a time. Paige & Devin may have almost starved to death.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that the movie doesn't slaughter the terrific details that make all three of these books unforgettable.

Internal Debate

2011-07-25T06:49:00.002-06:00

What say you? Expensive designer shoes or the cheaper ones?
I'm a shoe fanatic, but it seems a bit much to lay out 100 bones for something that I might step into a puddle with.
Granted, I've never ever had cash to put into really expensive clothes, so I guess what I'm debating is:
Is the label/name really worth the money?

Shoes vs Shoes by me on polyvore.

This set was made on Polyvore.

Obsessing Over...

2011-06-29T07:18:00.001-06:00

1.Simple Desktops. I've got about a hundred for my computer now.

2. Party Perfect & One Charming Party. Paige wants a rainbow/unicorn birthday party. I say done & done. Little girls really are the best.

3. Sans-serif fonts.

4. Harry Potter Seven, Part Two. My professor dies. I don't know if I can watch.

5. What Should I Read Next. It finds you books to read once you've finished devouring one of my recommendations... or whatever you happen to be reading.

June Letters

2011-06-27T09:11:00.002-06:00

Dear Sunshine-
Stay forever. I love you dearly. I'm looking forward to many freckles to remember you by.

Dearest Devin-
I really really appreciate you not freaking out when I chopped off all my hair. I also really appreciate you cocking your head to the side & telling me it looked nice on Saturday.

Dear You-Know-Who-You-Are-
I'm not mad. I'm not annoyed. I love you. I may have needed a break from being a good friend.

Dear Coming 4-Day Weekend-
You've never looked better lover. The Hillams are already looking forward to you. Bring on the hotdogs and fireworks.

Dear Blog Friends-
I've been neglecting you again! Please forgive me darlings.

Required Reading: Henry James

2011-06-10T05:25:00.000-06:00

Perhaps I am not as urbane as I like to pretend.

Or maybe it's not really me.

But I cannot seem to read anything by Henry James without feeling depressed/confused within the first two pages. I usually give up by the second chapter.

That being said, I've read all of The Turn of the Screw & The Aspern Papers & the first 5 chapters of The Wings of the Dove at least 6 times. One critic says James' work has no life. I say he needed to practise a little grammatical restraint.

I've maybe put down three books in my life that I just could not bring myself to read. In fact, I can list them here:
The Kite Runner. So so so so sad. Usually I can read sad things, but this was just too much for me. I was also pregnant & very emotional.
The Wings of the Dove. Just can't push through.
Helter-Skelter. I was supposed to read it for a True Crime class I took back in the day.

There is also a short list of books I had to re-read in order to finish. Here are a few:
Moby Dick. Took me three tries in one summer.
The Last of the Mohicans. So good & deliciously romantic, but Cooper weaves so many stories that it takes until the last few chapters to appreciate the whole tapestry of the story.
War & Peace. Russian lit at its finest. Long & sad & brilliant.

Have you ever not finished a book?

Or are you one of those people (like my own mother) that skips to the end?

30x30 Update

2011-06-08T05:42:00.004-06:00

As I am turning 26 today, I thought I would update my 30x30 list. Go check it out!

What are some of your life goals? I'd love to be inspired.

Preschool Hack: Supplies

2011-06-06T05:17:00.007-06:00

For supplies, I basically raided the dollar store for items that were clean & simple (no Disney characters or plastic-y toys) & office supplies (which are a big draw for me anyway). I tried to keep my goals for Paige's learning in mind & to get more than one use out of all the items purchased. In all I spent maybe $15, including a basket to hold it all.

Beads for Patterns, Sorting, Shape Recognition, Dexterity, ect.

Paint, Drawing & Writing Materials

Number & Letter Flash Cards & Puzzles

(some were homemade with Paige)

Magnifying glasses, Scissors, Glue, Popsicle sticks,

ect. for actually working on projects.

I also used items I had on hand like index cards, felt, homemade crayons, file folder games, ect. And we're constantly perusing the thrift stores for really great kids books, or even chapter books for when she's older. I want a strong library for Paige to learn from.

Up Next Week: A whole week of hacked preschool in action! See how it actually goes down.

Taking Applications: Wife Wanted

2011-06-03T05:06:00.000-06:00

Oh, not for Devin. I have that post happily filled by myself.

I need a wife for me. Someone to clean the house while I'm away (like devotedly scrubbing the shower tiles & moving the furniture when vacuuming). Someone to do all grocery shopping & budgeting. Someone to tend me when I'm sick. Someone who gives really good foot rubs. Someone who will take great blog pictures. Someone to review my rough drafts & give constructive criticism.

This position would not require more than a bachelor's in whatever field you so desire, but home economics is prefered. You must be well-read, discreet, & politically open-minded. I like to talk about things like CAFOs & I hate having to explain what they are somedays.

Applicants be willing to accept heart-felt thank-you's as this position will be unpaid.

Email me your resume or CV for review.

Other women feel the same as me.

Pretty Hair

2011-06-01T06:01:00.001-06:00

A tutorial in pictures.

Things I've Done in June

2011-06-01T05:10:00.001-06:00

Last year at this time, I:
Enjoyed some rain.
Made something clever.
Killed some houseplants.

In 2009 at this time, I:
Wrote about my first kiss. Here & here.
Baked some great bread.
Made a list that still holds true.

This year, I:
Am looking forward to lots of sunny days.
Plan on making my mom go camping with us.
Will post pictures of some cute outfits I've worn.

Preschool Hack: Creative Play

2011-05-30T05:20:00.000-06:00

Creative play is probably the one thing I've excelled at doing during this adventure. I'm a visual learner myself, so teaching visually just makes sense to me. And it's so much more fun!

My favorite projects so far:

Color wands.
Building blanket forts.
Experimenting with bubbles.
(re)Making crayons.
(re)Making playdough.
Puppet theater. Here's a lovely one too.
Launching parachutes.
Launching hot air balloons.
Marshmallow-toothpick creations.
Sock bean-bags.
Dress-up.
Paperdolls of all sorts.

Now I have to know: what do you do for fun? Any ideas on projects that can be put together simply?

Some helpful links:

- Made by Joel. Possibly my favorite website. Ever.
- Classic Play
- WhipUp
- Bloesem Kids
- The Write Start

Two Short Reads & a Question

2011-04-15T06:12:00.001-06:00

01. Via Spousonomics (one of my fav blogs these days) This article. Read it and then start paring out the time you sit in front of a screen. Unless you're reading this blog because we all know time here doesn't count.

02. Via Cup of Jo is this cool article. I love it because of the story as much as I love that NPR covered it. Seriously obsessed with that station. Whenever I flip over to a regular station, Paige always claims the song that is playing is her favorite. Even if its a jingle. Poor kid.

I remember hating the theme music when I was really little & my dad would tune in. But then I listened & fell. in. love.

What do you listen to on the radio? I'm endlessly fascinated by what music people love. Devin likes Les Mis & Wicked as much as Dr. Dre. He's a musical melange.

More (Not-So) Secret Crushes

2011-04-13T06:16:00.001-06:00

Can you imagine a world without men?

No crime

& lots of fat, happy women.

Marion Smith

quote here

Required Reading: Two for One

2011-04-11T06:14:00.000-06:00

I think I first read this in middle school but didn't really understand it at all. Then, one of my roomies back in the day lent it to me when I was in need of a book to read at night, & I fell in love. Totally mind-blowing & just a really great, sad read. Not too complicated to understand, even for middle-schoolers & sort of life-changing like 1984 is when you are older. Never read 1984?!?!?!?! Oh heavens! Follow to the link or find a copy & devour. It is so good.

Preschool Hack: Lesson Plans

2011-04-08T06:18:00.007-06:00

Planning out things in advance is a huge advantage for my brain which seems to be flitting from one thing to the next all the time. I plan my menus weekly (using this menu & grocery list combo). I have to write to-do lists all the time. There is even a (secret) schedule to my work clothes. Basically, if it is written down, I'm more likely to get it done.
So to get my preschool plans organized, I printed off three months of calendars, gathered my goals, & began the process of breaking them down into daily segments. For each month I chose three letters, two numbers, a color & shape, a theme to loosely follow (bugs, nursery rhymes, plants, ect.), and a place to 'visit'. I will repeat these three months again so it makes advance planning even easier!

My basic weekly set-up is:

Mondays- science project/cooking experiment & a trip to the library
Tuesdays- alphabet cards & finding the letters of the month in the books we read
Wednesdays- practice writing or drawing in mini journal, colors
Thursdays- Creative Play
Fridays- numbers, shapes, & skills practice

Also, one week of the month we learn about a new place & the activities can tie into that place. For example, in February we 'visited' China. We read books with pandas, found China on the map, & ate Chinese food. Obviously it was not an academic fieldtrip, but then she's three & just trying to learn about different cities is asking a bit much.
Figuring out how much time to devote each day is one of the more difficult parts. For my sanity, Paige goes to bed by 8:00. We get home from work/daycare around 5:30 & there is almost always bath time, dinner, walks to the park, & family time to squeeze into those 2.5 hours. Plus, sometimes Devin & I have date night or the laundry needs to be tackled as we will be gone all weekend.

In order to circumvent feeling overwhelmed & discouraged, I'm very flexible about what exactly happens. Some days, she & Devin do ABC puzzle cards or matching games. Sometimes we have an all-out lesson at the kitchen table. We try to read together at least every day. So far I've noticed that nothing works better than repetition.

Some resources I found helpful were:
- Design Mom's post-it calendar. Cute & helps with countdowns to the weekend!
- Monthly calendars. - Book lists & theme ideas from here.

Here's What's Cooking: Sunday Salad

2011-04-06T19:41:00.008-06:00

I've been trying to eat more salad. Really I have. But that dollop of Ranch just kills me every time. As do tomatoes. I can only eat so many raw tomatoes before I hurl. Then, whilst perusing an old family cookbook (aka one I stole from my mom when she was cleaning a cupboard out), I found a recipe for a salad that didn't make my teeth hurt.

Sunday Salad

1 bag of spring mix lettuce & a handful of spinach

1/2 c. craisins

1 crisp Fiji apple,sliced thinly

1/2 c. candied walnuts or pecans or even slivered almonds

1/2 c. grated mozzarella or monterey jack

Toss together and top with poppy seed dressing (we like Brianne's)

Take one bite & tell me that is not a little heaven.

none of the pictures are mine. i just googled them :)

Required Reading

2011-03-18T06:47:00.000-06:00

I've always been a lover of mytholgy. My father is a terrific story teller (if you meet him, ask him about waterbabies) & I have always loved to learn how & why other cultures think & believe what they do. The Megan Whalen Turner books have made me really happy.

They are sort of a mirror/twist on Greek mythology, but with enough similarity to feel of the same spirit. Plus, the main character just steals your heart. He is charming & shockingly adorable. Clever nit.
Also, this autobiography makes me want to become friends with the author.
Love on them with me!

For the Husband

2011-03-16T07:01:00.000-06:00

I think this one is for us my love. Never shave your face again!
Also, I wrote our story for another blog & its posted here.

p.s. Thanks for being my rock during the crazy two weeks I've had at work. Being near you makes me so calm & happy my heart might burst.

The Perfect Party

2011-03-16T06:21:00.000-06:00

I literally gasped when I saw the pictures for this party. Definitely going into my inspiration file!

Preschool Hack: The Beginning

2011-03-14T06:02:00.003-06:00

Let this be said upfront: I'm no teacher, I only have a B.A. in English, & I am hor.rib.le at math. However, I am extraordinarily interested in preschool & homeschooling my girl. Also, I think that as a parent, it is my responsibility to get her ready for school & to understand how she learns.

Being the crazy mom who gives my child an anxiety attack before she's six is not something I'm interested in, nor will I be forcing her to become a prodigy at anything. I just want her to like learning & to love to read. I am happy to be good enough.

To begin, I figured out what Paige already knew. She's terrific with some of her alphabet, all her colors & shapes, & sorting objects. She loves to read, draw, dance & sing. She is also good at naming people & objects. Her favorite color is definitely pink.

Next, I determined my main goals for Paige for the first half of the year:
01. To get her ABC's down pat
02. To count as high as she can
03. To begin learning about a broader world (i.e. other cultures & customs)
04. To spell her name, first & last
05. To work on basic skills like using scissors, coloring in the lines, ect.
06. To understand & create patterns
07. To begin to recognize letters/words when we read
08. To learn the concept of time (i.e. in weeks, hours, ect.)

The following were some of the resources I used to help me determine my goals & get started.
-Mother Goose Time Assessment. This was my main source for ideas, & they also have great freebies, booklists, & coloring sheets. More here & here .
-Preschool Activity Box. Lots of ideas & some printables.
-Preschool Learning Online.com. Lots of lesson plans I liked.

I think the most difficult part so far is not getting ahead of yourself, nor expecting your child to be a genius in two weeks. Paige is three so we have lots of time before kindergarten or real preschool starts to work on a large range of topics.

Coming next: Planning three months of lessons & time-management.

A Friday Thought

2011-03-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

"You have to be very fond of men.

Very, very fond.

You have to be very fond of them to love them.

Otherwise they are simply unbearable."

Maguerite Duras

Required Reading: Inkworld Trilogy

2011-03-09T06:10:00.001-07:00

I'm mid-series (Inkworld) right now & loving them. Cornelia (which reminds me of my favorite Anne) nails fantasy & action in these books. I like what she says about ideas, that they come from everywhere & she can't write them all down.

They are a great read, very lush with description & move forward swiftly. I really can't put them down. Also, just in case you've seen the movie, which is not horrid, they are much, much better. As all good books are.

Travel Tips

2011-03-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

I only consider myself a small expert in this area because I've had to travel a lot. Not anywhere exotic or even very exciting, and sadly mostly by bus, but travel nonetheless. Here are my best ideas for when you are hitting the road.

I wish my house was this gorgeous. Image here.

01. Leave your house in the best possible shape (i.e. beds made, dishes done, floors vacuumed) so you don't come home to an utter disaster. It makes you unpack faster!

02. Take a drawstring garbage bag (or if you have no children, a small grocery sack) to hold your dirties. That way, unless you can keep everything seperate & smelling nice.

03. Before you pack, set out everything you could possibly wear on your bed. Then take a really hard look at your schedule. Will you really need more than one outfit a day? Can you just dress up your day outfit with heels and a great necklace? Will you have time to do laundry so you can rewear things?

04. Leave a little squeeze-room in your luggage for the lovelies you will inevitably get wherever you are going. I love to go to shops that I don't have locally, but I have to admit a very dark secret. Old Navy is my fav.or.ite. store ever. I love scoring good deals, especially on classic kid clothes.

05. Always bring something to read & a snack because you never know when you will be stuck waiting & bored. For you veteran parents, I know this is an eye roller, but just think how much the rookie mom with the squalling toddler with love you when you hand her a granola bar or a little book & wink knowingly. I can't wait to be the veteran mom...

06. If you are traveling with a man, be patient. Also, don't try to talk over the TomTom. And you thought the calm British woman's voice would be soothing in rush-hour traffic. Silly you!

Oh Dear!

2011-03-05T21:46:00.002-07:00

It's been over two weeks since my last post. I'm so embarrassed & lonesome for the blog. Work has taken over any extra time or energy (we don't have internet so I have to go find a friendly signal to use) & when I get home, I just want to be with my loves.
But be assured, my brain has been whirling over ideas. In fact, I have been working on several projects just for the blog. Pictures need to be taken & then I will be ready to share the goodness. I've also been reading madly & have several new recommended reads for you all.
Now enough about me, what have you been up to? Have you been enjoying snow or sunshine? Been shopping? Got a good story to share? I need to know it!!!
Kisses-
Jessica

Now & Then

2011-02-18T06:24:00.001-07:00

In years past, mid-February, I was thinking about...

Finding the perfect shade of red lipstick.
This lovely photo by my favorite guy.
Making chunky jewelry.
Pretty thrifting finds.
Making chocolate molten cakes for my love.

Right now, I'm thinking about...

Paper dolls. I'm obsessed. Seriously.
My upcoming trip. Can you call yourself a MTP?
Speaking of travel, I want to visit the most romantic city ever. Another guide here.
Book list for little girls.
How I need to write & get published. Here are some prompts. And here.
Prepping for Easter.
Simple desktops. So nice on the eyes.

paris pic from here.

Required Reading

2011-02-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

Devin made me do it. Twisted my arm & forced me to read some of the best non-fiction I've ever gotten my greedy paws on.

I just finished The Worst Hard Time, a story about the Dust Bowl/Great Depression. It was so good I couldn't put it down. I even read it in the bathtub! I've also read Lasso the Wind & am looking forward to Devin finishing The Big Burn soon so I can devour it.

Timothy Egan is a brilliant weaver of words. And I think it is charming that he lists the books he has read on his blog. It is endlessly facinating what people read, no?

Also, my next non-fiction is going to be Food Rules by Michael Pollan. I love him.

Loverly

2011-02-14T06:16:00.001-07:00

These pictures are of my fraternal grandparents. Aren't they deliciously romantic?

Valentines (Notes)

2011-02-11T06:11:00.001-07:00

To Devin: I love thee & but thee til the sun grows old & the stars grow cold.

To Paige: I love you eversomuch. Please don't take candy from strangers.

To my family: You are stuck with me, but I love you anyway.

To the cold weather: Go away. I do not love you.

To my poor car: Please stop puttering. I will do my best not to wreck you. Again.

To my clean kitchen: There is one good thing about not cooking so much. I get to see the counters more often.

To my blog friends: I promise to bake one delicious cake & make at least two new things by the end of March. And also do a giveaway! Yay!

V-Day Confections: Part Deux

2011-02-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

This year, I wanted to make utterly girly valentines. I figure I get to have the ultimate say until she really gets what all these holidays are about.

Step 01: Barnes & Noble had some darling ephemera cards that we chopped & be-glittered into the following:

Step 02. Filled with candy for her little friends.

Step 03: Folded them up like so:

Step 04: Some we left plain & simple. I think these ones will go to the boys. They don't appreciate glittery hearts so much, but I like to think their mothers will be impressed.

Some we tied up with a doily to make them even sweeter.

What do you do for Valentines? Homemade or store-bought? I have a feeling that the homemade ones will eventually only go to grandparents.

V-Day Confections: Part Un

2011-02-07T06:13:00.002-07:00

I can't knit. It just doesn't make sense to me the way crochet does. Not that I'm close to being good at that either, but knitting just blows the top off my head.

Since hearts & pink are always terrific in February, I thought I would do my own variation of the above adorable hat for Paige.

The How-To Bit: I bought some cheap pink gloves & cut out the hearts from some felt I had at home. I inserted a little piece of cardboard into the glove to keep from sewing the two sides together & pinned the heart on. After stitching around it, I made sure to tie the knot off inside the glove to keep it from being picked at by inquisitive little fingers.

Hopefully, she will actually keep these on for more than one minute.

Also, this is a fantastic article on fearless creating that just made me want to dash home & make something! I think it translates in whatever you do that is your creative outlet, whether you share it or not.

Homemade Rubber Stamps

2011-02-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Voila! Stamps made from a rubber eraser in less than 10 minutes.

Tools: Erasers (I got a six-pack at the dollar store), pen to trace your design & an exacto knife to cut it out.

How-To: Follow these instructions & you'll not be able to stop!

Whole Wheat Pancakes

2011-02-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
3 Tbsp. oil
2 egg whites, beaten til stiff

Sift together the dry stuff. Form a well and pour in the milk all at once & mix til all is wet. Add eggs and oil & mix gently. Fold in beaten egg whites.

Bake on lightly greased griddle, about two minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Evolution of a Face

2011-02-01T06:20:00.002-07:00

First me at two-ish. Then Paige around the same age. My girl is so beautiful. Also, I think I look nothing like I did when I was small.

Coming up:
01. A craftiness or two. Its been too long since we've made stuff around here.
02. Some good books to devour.
03. Prepping for Valentines Day.

Required Reading: eBooks

2011-01-28T06:11:00.001-07:00

I have to admit, I'm terribly drawn to ereaders my friends. Especially the NOOK. It has a cleaner, easy-to-read screen. The Kindle and the others remind me of Palm Pilots with the flat, harsh screen.

I know... I know... Its such a travesty that the classic paper & glue book is being slowly erased off the face of the Earth by another toy/gadget that further isolates us from one another until we are pod people who only interact with machines...

Bollocks, I tell you. These are my reasons for loving the eReader idea.
01. It cuts down on waste from magazines. I love reading a good mag, but they are rather wasteful to make & recycle.
02. It prompts people who like gadgets to read more, something that is woofully becoming a lost skill.
03. I would think it would boost used-book sales as they are cheaper than the eBooks.
04. I don't want to buy or download my whole current library. But getting a new book everytime I go on a long trip or every six months or so would be worth it.

What think you about the eReader?

Paris Love

2011-01-26T06:12:00.001-07:00

I loved all these images, but especially number one. Of course in Paris, even the graffiti is about love.

I took three semesters of French & all I remember is the lovely, dark-eyed boy with an even lovelier name practising his conjugations (of verbs, you silly people) with me. Sadly, he was not interested in women, but we were good friends anyway.

Newest delicious Links

2011-01-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

I save things on delicious in order to keep track of all the fun little projects or party ideas I'd love to work on.

01. Some lovely drinks

02. Something to keep Paige entertained.

03. The perfect little one party.

How clever to let them 'draw on the walls'!!!

Seriously freaking out!

An Announcement... of Sorts

2011-01-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

As far back as I can remember, when I made a huge decision, a little piece of my life-puzzle clicked into place. There is usually an audible noise when this happens, but it's just in my head.

When I knew what I believed in? Clink.
When I knew where to go to college? Clink.
Marriage to Devin? Clink.
Produce Miss Paige? Clink.
What color to dye my hair? Clink.

Like I said, major decisions.
As for the baby-making decision, I'd always thought I would have a brood. Imagined myself with eight children, swimming in tousled heads.
And then I actually had one. My hormones hated it. My body hated it more. My poor husband & family had to live with crrrrazy Jessica for almost a year. I had a miscarriage. It was a blue-colored time.
It was also glorious. I had the sweetest, most lovely babe. I have the kindest, funniest partner ever. I learned so much about motherhood & myself. It always helps to see the ugly to realize the beautiful within you.
So now, three years down the road, I start thinking, "Should I have another baby?" "Is it weird that most of the girls I graduated with have three kids already?" "Am I totally selfish to be wanting to go to school rather than pop out a kid?" "Will I be missing out on some integral part of motherhood if I don't catch up on the baby-making?"
If you need some questions to keep you up at night, ask yourself those ones.

But then, without any loud noises or bangs or thunderings from the heavens, I got my answer. In a beautiful article I read. And then reread to Devin, who was all for it. We discussed it with a higher authority & have gotten nothing but good feelings.

Only one kid. Only one mess-making, blue-eyed, terribly wonderful kid for us.
No need to kill myself to make more out of guilt. Love the one I have, try to do a good job with her, & be done.

Clink.

The weirdest part of all this has been telling family & friends about our decision. We've gotten some odd looks, but everyone has been very supportive. And my best friend can now steal my favorite baby name that I nearly used on Paige (Farewell Amelia!).

Required Reading: Fantasy

2011-01-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

I love me some fantasy books. They are adventurous, thrilling, nail-biting & usually just plain awesome.
My current favorite series are as follows:

1. Jim Butcher's Codex Alera. Just finished reading the next to last book & am dying. Dy. Ing.

2. Terry Brooks' Shannara Series. I have been reading these since middle school & I have to admit they make me ridiculously happy. My brother told me recently that he had to ban himself from them because he couldn't do anything else but read them.

3. Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Really terrific series that I'm only three books into. I am interested to see how they end.

Any recommendations?

Busy Busy Busy

2011-01-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

This new year is working me over, I'm afraid.

1. I started a new position that is slightly better pay & a little more freedom to just work. Which is nice, but once I get home, I don't want to do a single thing other than love my husband & baby.
2. I've been awfully sick since around Halloween. Just colds, a round of stomach flu that I felt in my toes, and now a second bout of sore ear, nose & throat on half my head. This is my first winter of being ill in a looooong time & I dislike it. I hope none of you have been poorly!
3. I've felt as if my privacy was being invaded by facebook. I've yet to delete my account, but I'm certain it's emminent.

Good things have been happening.

1. I have a lovely new red dress to wear on date night. Devin beware!
2. Paige is 99.9% potty-trained. Over-night is still iffy, but other than that, done & done.
3. I've determined what my Masters degree will be in & when I will be pursuing it. For the sake of not having to eat crow, I will keep that confidential for now. I'm notorious for changing my mind. There are just too many good options sometimes!

Also, I loved these things:
Darling Barbie clothes
Living a good story
Beautiful hair

Notes

2011-01-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

1. To Devin: I hide chocolate from you. All the time. All over the house. And then pretend it's in my sock drawer. Happy hunting love!
2. To Work: Sometimes I clock out for ten minutes & hide somewhere in the building just so I can stare at the ceiling & not have to talk to anyone.
3. To Mr. Darcy: I've neglected you shamefully as this may be the first year I've not read Pride & Prejudice entirely. I have read your delicious proposal a few times, but other than that...
4. To Paige: I may not always be nice, but I hope that means I'm an okay mother. Maybe when you're 30 rather than 3, you won't say I'm mean. Not that it breaks my heart, but there is a wound nonetheless. I love you monster.
5. To the Professor: See you in July.
6. To my recipe box: Perhaps my need to cook will reappear in the new year. Finger's crossed.
7. To the winter weather: Go away!
8. To my desk: I swear by all that is holy, I will see your pit-marked surface once again!

Jessica

Resolutions

2011-01-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

If we can remember last year... and the year before... My resolution-making has always been fairly ambitious and extremely short-lived. And I am always so unhappy with my body, which is a real shame. I have no interest in being obese, but when something that looks delicious makes it's way to my plate, I refuse to shoo it away. As if butter/sugar/chocolate was ever a bad thing.

Anyway, this year, I am working on my time-management skillz. Or lack thereof. Thanks to my husband, I've gotten somewhat better, but still, it's just shameful how I neglect my calendar. The worst is when I forget birthdays. People never seem to forget mine so it makes me feel extra bad.

Perhaps a new phone will help? Mine is currently being held together with electrical tape. Pretty unlovely.

What are you working on this year?

all images via bakerella on flickr.

Followers Giveaway Winner

2011-01-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Kila Bell!

Please email me (j.hillam@yahoo.com or hillamcasa@yahoo.com)

so I can send you your prize.

Thanks for playing peeps.

Christmas Wishes

2010-12-24T08:28:00.004-07:00

Happiest Holiday wishes to you and yours.

Be sure to check out my Holiday Bazaare posts from last year (scroll down a bit).

Also, don't forget to enter the Followers Giveaway by posting a comment on the original post.

Kisses-

Jessica

Outfit Inspiration Quatre

2010-12-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Pencil skirts and cloches remind me of very proper English ladies for some reason. How I wish I could tromp around at work in my heels.

Check out the details here.

What is the most lady-like thing you wear?

Outfit Inspiration Troi

2010-12-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

Let's say you're going out with the mister. Rock those slamming heels my friend, cuz you know every woman in the restaurant is going to be wishing she were you!

Check out the details here.

What's on your date night itinerary? We usually do dinner somewhere we wouldn't take Paige and revel in the fact that we can just sit quietly together. Marriage is nice like that.

Paige's 3rd Birthday

2010-12-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

Paige turned three with slightly less ceremony than Kate Middleton became the Princess of Wales. But only just. The paps managed to get a few shots in during all the wild festivities.

Paige was styling with a Dora backpack, which has been her hearts desire for at least three months. She would tell anyone (ANYONE!) that she wanted a backpack for her birthday.

p.s Isn't my brother John so cute & long-legged in the above picture? I love him! And my very nice father-in-law will never forgive me for posting a picture of him. Ha!

She got enough Lincoln Logs to make her dad a very happy fella.

And there was the Cake. Let's enjoy this moment...

Made by my bestie. Delicious and gorgeous. Contact her for reasonable rates and terrific service.

Such a ham! I'm so lucky to have such a sweet little monster to love on.

One more moment for just the cake...

Made: Dollhouse

2010-12-14T06:33:00.003-07:00

Paige's dolls are living it up in their new two-story condo. Paige picked out the paper, I snipped my favorite IKEA, Pottery Barn, Serena & Lily catalogues to bits & wielded my glue gun.

First floor shown above and below. Kitchen, dining area, & living room all in one spacious floor plan.

Below: A shared bedroom with seperate beds for brother & sister. I was going to do some sort of room divider (and some curtains!) but Paige wouldn't keep her greedy little mits off the house long enough for me to give the poor dolls a sense of privacy.

Oops & Daisy are quite content to be freed from Barbie's Dreamhouse. Rent-free I might add.

What do you make on rainy days?