Saturday, January 31, 2009

Dance off!



Here is what happens when you give young kids a camera and access to the internet. Ladies and gentlemen, my cousin with his 3 friends. ROFL.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Feeling stuck

"Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserve; it is life's undress rehearsal, its backroom, its dressing room. " ~Harriet Beecher Stowe

I don't know how the rest of you feel about New England weather, but I am over it. I'm tired of slipping and sliding every time I leave my house. Don't get me wrong. I love snow and the beauty it brings but this is just ridiculous. Thank God it is warming up a bit this weekend.

The weather has only been another check mark on my con list for Boston. There are a lot of those lately.

Cons/ Reasons to move back to Chicago
  • The boy is not here. I miss him terribly. 2 and a half years long distance is a long time.
  • Haven't had a lesson in a long time which makes me wonder why the hell I stayed here when I have more opportunities at home.
  • The way this city handles winter is annoying
  • I could save $ if I go back.
  • Family and friends are there. (I feel horrible when someone calls up in trouble and I can't be there for them.)
Pros/ Reasons to stay in Boston
  • I love my friends and housemates. I am so lucky to have them in my life.
  • I have a job! Would I even be able to find a job in this economy?
  • I feel very independent here. The last year and a half is the first time I have started to live my life for me. I have finally started to put my happiness first. Discovering who you are is incredible.
  • My lease is not up till Sept.
I want to go home to Chicago but the question is when?

I wonder what my dogs would do in this situation

Thursday, January 29, 2009

T Mobile Dance

Phone Booth Aquarium

Isn't this a great idea for an Aquarium. I would love to put one of these in my home someday. (Maybe in the basement.)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Thursday, January 22, 2009

For the Brides to be ...



Check out dates for a Crate and Barrel near you!

Suggestions


CGGI Suggests ...
The Best project.

Miss Jane Suggests ...
Elnett hairspray by L'Oreal. "It holds hair in place with absolutely no stickiness, creates a matte look, and sprays a nice even cloud."

Weddings can be fun and relaxed


I found this story on A Cup of Jo and Smitten.

When middle-school sweethearts KC and Sara decided to get married, they wanted to express their love and creativity. For their save-the-date, this couple photographed themselves lying on grass, printed their wedding date on the suitcase, and sent out the photo as postcards. Next, the couple attached a funny personal photo to street signs leading the way to the ceremony. "We then attached a bunch of white balloons to each sign," says Sara, "so that it looks like I’m holding them." The wedding programs were made into fans for the outdoor ceremony. The favors were jars of peach salsa. The couple printed their silhouettes onto craft paper, which were attached to each jar with twine.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Star Wars ... ?


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

Poetry brings life to new ideas and dreams...

Revelations

Some fun products that I have been using



This Ultra Lengthening Fruit Pigmented Mascara is from the line 100 Percent Pure. The great thing about this product is that it has a wonderful smell. When the smell is gone, you know it's time to throw it away. You can find this and other products at Ulta and Bath and Body Works.



Bumble and Bumble is now being sold at Target! I love the way my hair feels and smells after I use this product.

SLA also told me these products are also available at CVS!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Change is coming!


Sam Spenser's 'bloom'


5 Home Habits That Save $$$ from Apartment Therapy















Cooking at Home:
To save the most, cut back on ordering in or going out to eat. For tips on home cooking, recipes, and advice, check out our sister site, the Kitchn. Just to get you started, we're linking to a few of their ideas for cooking at home on a budget:
Recipes for Vegetarians (and Vegans Too)
More With Less: Frugal and Budget Cooking
Cupboard Challenges (working with what you've got)
Cheap Wines for Tough Times
Could You Eat on $25 a Week?

Repurposing and Reusing: Before you buy something new, try "shopping" within your own home. Look for items that could have a second life as something else. For instance, Rachel transformed this tea tray into a magnetic board for her kitchen. For a few repurposing ideas from AT, see these posts:
20 Ways to Reuse from AT:Chicago
House Tour: Rachel's Repurposed Mid-Century Place
Recycline: 10 Best Ways to Reuse an Empty Plastic Bottle
10 Upcycled Uses for Old Things
Creative Reuse: Best of 2008

Cleaning and Organizing: A chaotic, messy apartment is loaded with spending traps. You're more likely to overspend when you can't find something, you have no clean laundry, or you just feel depressed about your home. Before you throw any cash at the problem, start with a clean slate. You'll probably find that what you really need is less, not more. A few starting points from AT:
Cleaning & Organizing Tip: Start with the Bedroom
4 Steps for a Successful Closet Cleanse: S.H.E.D.
Tips, Tricks, and Tools: AT Cleans it All
Can Cleaning Your House Change Your Mood?
Clip File: 8 Great Cleaning How-To's

Thrifting and Scavenging: You know those people who always have a story to tell about how they scored an Eames chair on Craigslist for $20 or a set of antique silver at a garage sale for pocket change? You could be that person; it just takes a little effort and training. Begin your education in thrifting by reading these posts:
How To: Restore Thrift Store Furniture
How To: Collect Quality Furniture When You Don't Have Much Money
Flea Market Shopping with Eddie Ross
Craigslist Buying and Selling Etiquette
Clip File: 10 Thrifty Tips

Sewing: We learned the basics of sewing in our Girl Scout Troop, and those skills have paid off much more than the training we used to earn our horseback riding or campfire badges. With our very basic abilities, we've made everything from bedspreads to curtains to pillowcases, saving lots of money in the process. Our advice to learning a new craft is to start small and work your way up. Here are a few basic how-to's to begin:
How To: Sew An Envelope Pillowcase
How To: Make a Simple Bed Skirt
How To: Sew Lined Curtains
How To: Make Your Own Cloth Napkins
How To: Luxe Faux Fur Throw

Monday, January 19, 2009

Bathroom Art

Try sprucing up your bathroom with your favorite photos or art work.

Shed some lights on the holiday


Sometimes plans don't follow through and it's for the best

So I had a blast this weekend.


Friday night: (very cold)
Plans = I have the house to myself. Maybe work out and have a movie night.
Results = My roommate Steve convinces me to come out to Border Cafe with friends for a night of margaritas and fun! (It was like having the old Steve back. :) I had to go!) Wendy headed over with us. We waited a bit out in the cold but were rewarded with drinks as soon as we got in. I met a lot of new people. I really like them. (This girl Laila really seemed to be into Steve. I hope that takes off. He deserves to be happy and not keep getting screwed over. ) Pete and Jason were there too. :) Plus Aaron works there as a server. It was nice to see him. After a lot of drinks and great food, we walked around in the cold and finally got a cab home. Barry was up so the drinking continued for a while. It was a great night!

Saturday:
Plans = Maggie's party tonight
Results = Woke up. Made breakfast for Steve and Barry. I was still thrilled with how last night had gone. I even did most of the dishes to help Steve out because he was hung over. lol Maggie called and asked me to help her film a video for this cool job to be an island caretaker. If she wins, she is flying me out and I will be her cleaning lady. ;) We filmed in the Boston Commons.
Next, we went around getting things for the party. I got 3 bottles of my favorite wine, a yoga mat, bread and double stuffed oreoes for myself. haha
Ben surprised us by getting home early and we went to a Thai restaurant for dinner. I love Maggie and Ben! They are great friends and great people.
The party started at 9pm. It was a blast. I hadn't seen many of those people in a while. There was even sword fighting! My friends dropped me off thank god! It was super icy and I was a bag lady again.

Setback: While my friends were dropping me off, I noticed a smart car on the street. Sigh. Yes it means that Steve's "we're just friends" ex-girlfriend Brittany is staying over again. All I have to say is this. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me thrice and I am just asking for it." I haven't said anything to him because he is an adult and can make his own decisions. Also the last time I tried to say something as a friend, he treated me poorly for a while. You can't talk to people about love. However, if he turns into the person he did last time, I'm not putting up with it. He's better than that.

Sunday:
Plans = Go to see the movie Defiance
Results = Went to the movie with Josh, Lisa, Jay and Ru. I loved it! GO SEE IT! I think Daniel Craig is moving up to the top 5 on my list. ;)
Lisa left after the movie and the rest of us headed over to The White Horse Tavern. We watched the Ravens vs Steelers Game and played trivia. It was non stop laughs.

Minor setback for the day = I got home to find Lupus had had an accident. Apparently, no one had been home since 4:30pm. Also, the kitchen was not clean and there were still tons of dishes. So .... not into it. I am going to wait on my duties this week till that stuff is done.

Monday:
Plans = Go to Public House with Sarah!!!
Results = Had a great night with Sarah!!! Done!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Bunk beds get a makeover

This idea for a child's bedroom/playroom is just up my alley. I love movies and would love doing this kind of theme.

What Love really means...







This is the I love you more than .... project. Check it out.


I wrote these for my boyfriend, Michael. :)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Something I would like to try over the long, cold weekend

YUM!!!

Pumpkin banana bread

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
3 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2/3 cup water
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (1 large)
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

  • Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of two 9×5x3-inch loaf pans, set aside. In a very large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger. Alternatively add flour mixture and the water to sugar mixture, beating after each addition just until combined.
  • Beat in pumpkin and banana. Stir in pecans.
  • Spoon batter into prepared pans. I used a loaf pan and a muffin top pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven, 20-30 minutes for the muffin tops and 50 to 60 minutes for the loaf, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Wrap and store overnight before slicing, if you like. Makes 2 loaves (32 slices) or one loaf and muffin tops.

Cool idea for a wedding invitation!






Ok I absolutely love this idea!

These people actually put together a book for their wedding invitation. This gives you the opportunity to tell your story to friends and family as well as give guests a cute keepsake.


This can also be a great idea for your wedding favor!


Check out the whole story and how to do it here.

http://www.merrimentdesign.com/smythe-sewn-letterpress-wedding-book.php


Hopefully someday I will get to do this! ;)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Stolen from Creative Girl INc


This is the room dreams are made of. I only wish I had a house right now. LOL

I love how clean and inviting this room is. It makes me want to curl up and read a good book. :)

First Blog Post EVER!!!

Now...

There are many things that I have learned over the years. Some lessons I followed, others I left alone. Today, I am going to finally act on the advise I ignored.

Today I start acting instead of waiting. Today I start living my life!


Start Today...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to. (If you are religious, talk to God about what is going on in your life.)
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.
I am thankful for______________'.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in factories and plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him. If you don't believe in God, then tell a friend. Or both!

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are in need. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.


- Sent to me by my Aunt Leaann :)