Wingin' It - Tales of a Girl's Attempts at Everything

I Done Learned It

2011-09-22T10:32:00.001-07:00

A few things I have learned lately:

1) Be careful of how you word emails, as the tone can come across totally differently than you intended it.

2) Don't buy the store brand of cottage cheese...splurge on the name brand.

3) When working 70 hours per week, general standards of house cleanliness, to-do lists and social events you usually enjoy must be knocked down a notch. Actually, make that 10 notches.

4) You actually can make money on Ebay!

5) The price of food has seriously gone up. My last grocery bill almost had me on the floor.

6) The only US city in which all sports teams wear the same colors is Pittsburgh, and the colors are black and gold. I bought 'Trivia' string cheese and that was my latest one. I love string cheese - especially when there is trivia involved.

7) Bare Escentuals makeup is making some of their products MUCH smaller, but for the same price. This, I do believe, is total crap.

8) And, this last one I already knew, but just want to say. I love my friends. They know who they are. I haven't been able to see them much lately due to my schedule, but they are so important to me and I cherish the times that I do get to be in their company.

Let The Haunting Begin

2011-09-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Last night while leaving work, there was that smell in the air signaling Autumn is approaching. It's a crisp, slightly smokey and almost indescribable ride of the senses that instantly had me excited for cozy nights by the fire, homemade soups and one of my favorite holidays: Halloween! My mind is now focused on how I am going to decorate our new place for the season and thanks to Martha Stewart and the internets, the inspiration is endless.

Choirboy Squashes - found here.

Bat Lights - found here.

Jack-o'-lantern Candy Bowl - found here.

Silver pumpkins and fun candy display - found here.

Spooky Floral Arrangements - found here.

I honestly can't wait...

A Wildfire Sunset

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

I think it goes without saying that I have simply not had much time to blog lately, much to my dismay. We are currently working about 65 - 70 hour weeks and what is left of each precious day is devoted to my husband and my house, for the most part. I have a lot of things to catch up on, but will do so when I have a chance to breath for a second...or maybe two...

However, I wanted to share a quick photo I snapped last night with my iPhone.

Dan and I live in a neighborhood that sits at about 1,100 feet above sea level, so we get some pretty nice views. Here in Oregon, we are getting some pretty extraordinary wildfires, about an hour from Portland and, as you can see in the photo below, they are lighting up the entire sky as the sun sets.

Wildfires are not a good thing, but this view stopped us in our tracks on the way home last night and we had to stop the car and snap a picture. I felt thankful for the view.

Okay...that is about all I have time for :) Have a great weekend and take care!

Try These!

2011-08-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

Nothing delights me more than discovering a new product that does what it says it will do, especially when it's something kitchen related.

I am still holding out on finding a face cream that performs as promised, but I believe I will continue down that road of disappointment for quite sometime.

Anyway...

I recently made a batch of these muffins, and used Reynolds Baked For You Baking Cups.

My baking life got a little bit better. I'm serious.

Here's why they rock:

1) They come in all sorts of really bright and beautiful colors.

2) The color/grease from the muffin does not soak through, changing the color of the cup. They hold their shape perfectly.

3) When spooning the batter, these things were sturdy. There was no folding, no moving.

5) They are lined with this pretty foil-like paper that creates a non-stick surface so when that moment of indulgence arrives, you waste no time dealing with finicky paper.

6) They came out of the muffin tin super easily.

7) They weren't that much more than the cheaper, regular version.

So, there you go. Try them!

You will like - I promise.

My Little Soapbox Moment

2011-07-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

I try to not delve into politics or my personal beliefs too much on this site because I firmly believe that everyone has a right to believe what they want and I don't want to push my thoughts onto others, however, this debt ceiling business has gotten me so riled up that it's hard to keep my mouth shut.

I'm going to keep this quick - I promise.

Whenever this issue is discussed, or any issue for that matter, the words 'Republican' and 'Democrat' get thrown around like dice in an endless blame game that ultimately gets us nowhere. Politicians personal agendas trump the needs and desires of the average Joe (like you and me) and all we are left with is a manufactured battle with people taking sides when really, I think if you stopped and looked at it, most people are more alike than we are different - but that is not what Washington wants you to believe.

Sigh.

Remember how when you were a child, you were taught the golden rule?

Treat others how you want to be treated

Whatever happened to that? Why the constant political division? We are all just people, trying to live the best lives we can, and be happy.

My Dad, who often says, "I am not a Republican and I am not a Democrat - I am just me," once said to me, "You know, at the end of the day, make sure people have jobs and the rest sorts itself out," and I think there is a lot of truth to that. But no...the political world wants us to feel divided, pitted against each other, and fighting their fights.

Well, I'm tired of it. Some of the people in my life who have left the most lasting impressions are those who see the world in a totally different way than I do, and that is okay.

So, dear Washington - just get your act together, mmmmmkay? Stop the petty arguing and the disrespectful innuendos - we would really appreciate it.

Please and thank you.

Hi...

2011-07-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in a long while.

My schedule has been frenzied, to say the least. I always say that, I know.

The other day I turned to Dan and said, "Why are we always rushing? When are we going to be able to just relax?"

His response was, "I know, but we should be thankful that we both have jobs and a lot of friends and amazing people in our lives to do things with and a house that is ours, that we get to do whatever we want to. I bet we would be a lot worse off without those things."

This is one reason I love my husband - his sense of perspective is always intact and he has a way of lovingly calming me down when I get a bit frazzled.

This coming weekend will be the first weekend at home in about a month, and I am so looking forward to it. I am going to take a copious amount of pictures and share with you some of what we have been up to in our little abode.

Until then, I leave you with and oldie but goodie that I can't seem to stop playing lately.

Have a great Wednesday!

La Mia Famiglia

2011-07-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Clockwise: Me (in silver dress), my sister Caitlin, Caitlin's boyfriend Joel and my husband Dan

While browsing through some old photos last night, I came across this gem. It was taken last September for my cousin's wedding and the second we saw it, we knew it was a classic. We call it our mob photo. Look at those facial expressions!

Dan, who is pushing my Grandma's wheelchair, looks like he is wielding a gun. My sister and I look like those don't-take-any-crap wives from those mob shows and Joel's suit and shades just finish it all off.

The wedding itself was a very lovely and happy occasion, but this photo just caught us in one great moment of looking like we are out for a hit.

Happy Friday Everyone!

P.S. - Speaking of sisters, mine came over last night just to hang out. We were both on my couch, watching Hording: Buried Alive, when she suddenly said, "God - I really want to barrel punch you in the back right now because I love the sound it makes," then proceeded to laugh hysterically. The weird thing is, I totally knew what she meant. Sisters...such a strange and wonderful bond...

Sometimes...

2011-07-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes...

...I go to CNN.com and read the entertainment section and nothing else.

...I eat peanut butter straight out of the jar...with my finger.

...I wear way too much eyeliner, on purpose.

...I think about opening up an antique shop that also sells freshly baked pie and root beer floats.

...I wonder about how different my life could be had I only made small, seemingly insignificant, different choices.

...I watch things that I know will make me cry just so I can cry.

...I go to expensive online stores, fill my cart with items, and never buy them.

...I look at my husband and think about how much I utterly adore him and it is almost too overwhelming for me to handle.

...I listen to songs on repeat, as if there are no other songs in the world. Here's my latest re-discovery...

...I find myself able to live absolutely in the moment, without thinking about the past or worrying about the future. Those are the best days...

Rest In Peace, My Sweet Grandma

2011-07-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

My Grandma Fran and me, at my wedding, April 2010

On Saturday, July 9th, my beloved Grandma, Frances, passed away. I can't even believe I even just wrote those words. It is completely and utterly surreal.

The past couple of months had been a fight for her. It all started with 2 broken vertebrae after she tripped at her house and that spiraled into a serious of treatments and medications that her body just couldn't handle. Eventually we were told there was nothing that could be done and we all made our way, one by one, to Lincoln, NE to see her and say goodbye.

It's only been 9 days since I got back from that trip, but I can honestly say that my decision to see her before she passed was one of the best things I have ever done. I will cherish that time forever. If you are ever unsure if you should visit a dying loved one, do it. No excuses. Just go.

My Grandma was an INCREDIBLE woman. She was the kind of person people write books about, overcoming so many obstacles that it would take hours for me to type them all out. However, there is one story that always sticks out in my mind. Living in the small mining town of Butte, MT, she was married at 17 and got pregnant shortly thereafter, having 3 babies in 3 years (the 3rd one being my Dad). During this time, her husband started to drink too much and began beating her on a regular basis. His drinking got so bad that she had to take a night job to provide for the family. One night, after working a long shift, she missed the bus and had to walk home. Upon arriving home that night, after her long walk, she found every single piece of clothing she owned cut into little pieces. Apparently her husband was angry that she had missed the bus. This was the last straw for her and she scooped up the kids, left the house (and everything she owned) and never returned again. She had nothing, but was determined to provide a better life for her children.

Shortly after that episode, my Grandma filed for divorce - something almost unheard of in the 1950's. A devout Catholic, she turned to the church for help, but was shocked to find that they now wanted nothing to do with her. She was a divorced woman, and that was a scarlet letter they did not approve of. Like salt in the wound, her church (that she had gone to her entire life) asked her to never come back.

But she did not give up. She never gave up.

In a story that is much longer than I am going to delve into here, she stayed focused, believed in her faith and did what she had to do. I take so much away from that story. I look at my Grandma as a shining example of how to keep moving forward. How to believe in better things. How to persevere.

'This too, shall pass' was one of her favorite sayings, and I know she knew the truth behind those words.

In the years that followed, my Grandma met Bill, my Papa. He was a wonderful man who took her in, along with my Dad, Aunt and Uncle. He treated them as his own, eventually adopting them. Years down the road, they had a child together. Life had it's ups and downs for Fran and Bill, but there was a deep love that lasted until my Papa's death in 2008. I don't think that it was any coincidence that since the day he died, my Grandma's health has been failing. It is the thought that they are now together again that is helping me more than anything else, as I navigate these murky waters, knowing they are both gone.

Oh Grandma - I love you so much. I don't think you will ever know how much you have inspired me and guided me. You were a feminist in your own time. You were a pioneer, a force of nature. Despite the miles between us, you and Papa were always there - always a part of our lives. Your sense of humor was sharper than a knife and I will forever miss that laugh. I loved that you always had your nails perfectly painted and your makeup applied like a pro. I've said it before but will say it again - we always had the best dressed Grandparents at every event. I hope you know how much you were loved. I look at my Dad, and what an amazing man he is, and I know that we owe it to you. Thank you for being you and for everything you brought to all of our lives. You fought so hard in the end, just as you did your entire life. It was so hard to see you in so much pain. I wish you nothing but the greatest peace, dear Grandma. I love you, forever and always. And, when the pain of losing you feels too unbearable, I am going to remind myself that this too, shall pass.

Have a good week everyone, and take a moment today to tell those you hold dear that you love them. At the end of the day, that is what life is all about.

New Little Treasures

2011-06-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

Since moving into our new place, it has been difficult to not just go crazy with buying new home decor. Pair that with the fact that Dan and I currently don't own enough furniture to even fill the place - we are pretty much thinking about shopping constantly. With that said, we don't want to just fill our house with random furniture because it is easy. We want to look around, search and find things we really love. This may take awhile, but we are okay with that.

But...that doesn't mean we haven't bought some stuff :) It's part of the fun of getting your first place, right? While we take the time to define our combined styles and find pieces that speak to both of us, here are a few things we have picked up in the last couple of weeks:

1) Ljusas Ysby Table Lamp from Ikea. Love these. At $80 a pop, they are on the more expensive side for Ikea, but still a great deal as far as lamps go.

2) Linen Hemstitch Tissue Box Cover from Pottery Barn. I always like to have tissues by my bed, but hate the way they look. These tissue box covers are so sweet and simple and I love them. I got mine without the monogram, as I am not a huge fan of monograms, but they look cute either way.

3) Organic Cotton Pintuck Duvet Cover from West Elm. This bedding spoke to me from the moment I saw it. I thought about it for a few weeks then decided it had to be done. Plus, I got it on sale - so what's not to love?

A Mini Catch-Up

2011-06-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hello there!

So sorry for the lack of posts lately. I keep trying to figure out how to balance my ridiculous work schedule with posting on this blog, which I really enjoy, but can't quite seem to get it right. It seems that, at this point in production, most of my hobbies have taken a backseat to the simple needs of eating and sleeping, which is about all we have energy for when we get home.

With most films that are live action, meaning with real actors, etc., the hours are crazy but filming usually only lasts a matter of months. However, I work in stop-motion animation (think The California Raisins, Wallace and Gromit, etc.) and making a feature-length, stop-motion movie takes a couple of years. We have now been in production for 10 months, with another 8 or 9 months to go, working 12 - 14 hour days (including weekends).

It is during this point in making a movie when you have to keep looking forward. You have to keep your eye on the prize and remember that you are involved in making something special, that will be seen by many around the world. You have to remind yourself what you love about film and the process in which it is made.

You have to take care of yourself. This is a big one.

Dan and I had a talk this past weekend that we need to slow down. We need to say 'No' more often. It is just a basic necessity at this point. We need to sleep when we feel like sleeping. Rest when we feel like resting. Do nothing when we have the chance. It is very easy to adapt a very unhealthy lifestyle while making a movie and since we don't really have the time or energy for working out like we were this time last year, we must do whatever we can to stay fit - both physically and mentally.

Perhaps I sound like I am being dramatic, and I get that - but it is simply impossible to explain our lives right now to those not in it. There is a general bond amongst everyone here at work rooted in the extreme nature of it. Perhaps that is why so many in the film industry marry others in the film industry.

So, I will try to post more. I have so many projects going that I want to share, but I will have to do it in my own time - when I have the energy. In the meantime, I hope you are all enjoying your summers!!

Also, in case you are interested, here is a link telling you a little bit about this movie we are working on: IMDB

See you soon...

Our New House: An Inside Look...Finally

2011-06-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

Wow...has it really been a month since my last post? Holy moly - where has the time gone? Actually, I do know where it's gone. Since moving about a month ago, I have had exactly 3 weekends in the new place. Two of those weekends I was out of town and the rest of the time I have been basically at work or sleeping...and that pretty much sums it up. The last month has been a true whirlwind (hence the lack of posts) and I am now looking forward to a calmer couple of weeks.

So...the new house. I LOVE living in it. I LOVE coming home to it. I LOVE that it's ours. It's a very peaceful place, which is what Dan and I need, especially right now with the hours we are putting in at work. Believe it or not, I have not had a chance to really take some proper pictures of it lately, so the pictures I am going to share are from moving day. Before the moving truck started to get unloaded, I handed my camera to my sister and asked her to run around and take photos. We have already started to change things and make it our own, but at least for now, you can see the bare bones.

The Stats:

3 Bedroom
3 Bath
1,660 Square Feet

Here is the front entry way, and then what you see from the entry way (2nd pic actaully taken when we were viewing the home...aka - that's not our stuff). The house is 3 levels in all, but here you have the downstairs, which leads to a bedroom/bathroom and a door to the garage. This will be our guest suite, as we like to call it.

View from the downstairs towards the front door.

Downstairs bathroom, which is connected to the guest room (which I don't have a picture of...oops.) Planning on some changes to this bathroom.

In the downstairs guest bathroom, there is a door that leads to this outdoor area. It is not very big and quite plain, but for right now, that is perfect for us. We simply don't have the time or desire to deal with keeping up a yard (or garden, for you English folk out there). I think at some point we may put pavers down or add a deck/patio, but we'll see. For now, it is what it is.

Okay...heading back up the stairs now, here are picture of the main living area. The little alcove with the hanging light (which we plan to change) is our dining room. The second pictures are basically taken while standing in that alcove area.

Here is the kitchen (and my Step-Mom, on moving day). There is a big pantry, which you can't see in this picture, that I love. It's not a huge kitchen, but it is plenty of space for us. I love the granite counter tops and that I have a gas stove - whoo hoo! We are planning on changing the color of the cabinets, but that will come a bit later.

Off the kitchen is this little room that is full of light. (Sorry for the darkness of the first pic, by the way.) The owners before us had it set up as a little sitting room, and I think we may do the same. It is just such a cozy little space. We have already painted over the dark red, to try to warm it up a bit, but that will be in another post.

Off the main living area is this balcony, which I adore. Our entire place backs onto this green space full of trees, a little creek and frogs that chirp at night, which I love. Nobody can see into our windows, and that is a rare blessing in a tightly packed, attached townhome community.

From the main living area, there is another set of stairs taking you up to the top floor, where there is the master bedroom, another guest bedroom and two more bathrooms.

Here are a few pictures of the master. The color on the wall is probably not one I would have picked, but I really like it, so I think it might stay.

Here is the en suite master bath. We love the tub (it's big) and there is a sky light, which is nice - but we have plans for this room (and all the bathrooms, in fact). The color of the cabinets has got to go, as does the pea soup paint color.

Last but not least, the 3rd bedroom. Pretty plain and simple. I think this is going to be sort of like an office/craft room/etc. kinda space, which I am looking forward to having. I finally get to be in a house where papers don't have to end up on the kitchen table and the computer printer doesn't have to be next to the couch. Amen to that!

Also - must find a way to cover up that electrical box. HELLO that thing is UG-LY!

So, there you have it. It's a basic look at our new place. I can't wait to show you pictures of what we have started doing to it, and what our plans are. I wish I could spend every second there, but, I am having to accept that not everything will happen right away.

Things like that are hard to accept when you are a type-A, oldest child like myself. It defies my nature, but, that is okay. It's the nature-defying stuff that makes you a well-rounded soul, so I am going to try to just go with it.

See you soon!

PS - I forgot to mention all the bathrooms have heated floors. I didn't even know I needed these in life until now, but I am not sure I can ever live without them again.

It's Official!

2011-05-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Our New Townhouse

Dan and I are officially homeowners! Whoo hoo! It's kind of hard to believe that I have actaully taken this adult step, but it's a step that feels really good.

We cannot wait to move in tomorrow and start making that place our own.

In Living Color

2011-05-17T08:40:00.001-07:00

After 5 (almost 6) long months of looking for a house, we are due to close on our first home this Thursday. I couldn't be more excited, or freaked out, but I am choosing to just dance with the excitement at the moment and leave the freaked out alone and isolated in the corner.

You have no place here, freaked out, so move it along now...

One of the things that I am most excited about in owning my OWN house is paint. PAINT! For years I have had to live with white, apartment walls and I couldn't be more sick of it. I have spent hours upon countless hours devouring design magazines and blogs, drooling over rooms with beautifully painted walls. Finally, I get to pick out the colors that I want to be surrounded by and I feel like a kid in a candy store.

When looking for ideas, I find that inspiration is everywhere, which can at times be overwhelming. The good news is that our new place has hardly any paint at all, so we have a blank canvas, if you will. It is very important to me that whatever we choose fell calming and comfortable. With the high-stress jobs we work, our home needs to be as soothing and relaxing as possible.

While I still don't know what we will end up choosing, here are some images that have stimulated my senses:

From the blog Lola B's

I'm obsessed with the grayish/greenish/blueish color on the walls in this picture. This image is from the home of Kasey Buick, whose blog I love. I actually emailed her and asked for the brand and name of this paint. She wrote me back; it's by Ralph Lauren and called Faded Silk. I am seriously considering this as a strong contender for at least one room.

From Remodelista

This combo of the wainscoting with the earthy taupe paint color actually makes me feel excited. And, don't even get me started on how much I love that rusty vintage mirror and black wire basket. The contrast of old and new is something I definitely am hoping to incorporate into our new place.

From theLENNOXX.com

I am LOVING gray right now and in fact, I am pretty certain we will be painting our main living space some variation of this color. It's an interesting neutral to me and I find that other colors really compliment it in a way that I don't find with neutrals in the beige range. GO TEAM GRAY!

Found here

While I am a bit hesitant to use yellow since it is not a color I am naturally drawn to, I do think that it looks nice used in a bedroom, especially with white linens.

Oh me, oh my - so much to choose from.

I can't wait to get started!

Wait...How Much Stuff Do We Have?

2011-05-14T17:52:00.001-07:00

Dan and I spent the day today packing up our belongings. If all goes well, by this Friday we should have the keys to our new place - our first home that we own. Ohmygoodnessgracious!!

As I type this, I am in need of a shower and surrounded by a pile of poxes, bubble wrap and tape guns. It's been a productive day.

However, whenever I move, I am amazed by three things:

1) How much I own. I am only 28 yet seem to have accumulated quite a lot since moving out of my parent's homes 10 years ago.

2) How much dust is everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Especially behind the TV - icky. This is the main contributing factor as to why I am currently desperate for a shower.

3) How heavy books are. I love my books and always want to keep them, however I question this sentiment each time I am forced to pack them.

Alright, break over...and time to get back to it. I hope you're all having a lovely Saturday!

Friday the 13th!

2011-05-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

It's Friday the 13th (in case you haven't noticed)! Personally, I am not a superstitious person, but I find superstitions interesting nonetheless. Here are some interesting Friday the 13th facts for you, on this infamous day.

- Many buildings don't have a 13th floor.

- The Turks so disliked the number 13 that it was practically expunged from their vocabulary (Brewer, 1894).

- Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue.

- There is an actual phobia named Paraskevidekatriaphobics which describes people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th.

- According to Smithsonian Magazine "fear of the #13 costs American a billion dollars per year in absenteeism, train and plane cancellations, and reduced commerce on the 13th of the month."

- Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune.

- Lizzy Borden uttered a total of 13 words at her trial.

- There were 13 original colonies.

- A witches coven consists of 13 members.

- Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper (although it is read as transition or change and not literal death).

- Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. Same with floors of buildings and the elevators without a #13 button. Highways sometimes will skip exit 13 altogether also.

- There are 13 steps leading to the gallows.

- 13 knots in a hangman's noose.

- 13 feet which the guillotine blade falls.

- The driver of Princess Diana hit pillar #13 at Place de l'Alma when she was killed in Paris, France.

- 13 people, Christ and his 12 disciples, were in attendance at the last supper. This is where the Christian belief ties in, making Friday a believed unlucky day, as the crucifixion occurred on a Friday.

- Certain ocean liners will be held in dock until after midnight to appease passenger's fears on Friday the 13th.

- British study concluded that even though there were less cars on the road on Friday the 13th (as compared with other Fridays) more accidents were reported.

- Apollo 13, 1970, the 13th mission launched from pad #39 (13 x 3), mission was aborted, after an explosion occurred in the fuel cell of their service module. The rocket had left launching pad at 13:13 CST and the date was April 13th.

- The US Seal has 13 stars, bars, feathers in the eagle's tail, 13 bars in one claw, 13 olive branches in the other.

- A "quatrorzieme" is a professional 14th guest hired by the French who had only 13 guests in attendance for dinner, who felt that was unlucky.

Happy Friday!

***

2011-05-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yummy in My Tummy

2011-05-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

A few grocery store finds that I am loving right now:

I eat about a 1/2 cup of this yogurt every day for lunch and, after trying many different brands, I really think it is the best on the market. It is actually made locally here in Oregon, but is distributed nationwide. I like to sweeten it with a little Splenda or fresh fruit. Or - if I'm wanting more of a dessert-esque treat, I pour a little bit of real maple syrup on top. Yum.

When it comes to lunch, I like to bring my own and keep it simple. Truth be told, I basically have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich most days (with yogurt and string cheese) and I love to eat it on these wheat sandwich thins. They are tasty, freeze amazingly well (so I stock up when they go on sale) and only 100 calories.

Please excuse this photo. Taken with iPhone.

This is the best instant oatmeal I have found (thanks Trader Joe's). I like to keep it with me at work and eat it as a snack on days when I am working long, long hours and find myself starving at 5pm. It is low fat, low sodium, whole grain, full of heart healthy flax seeds, and perfectly sweetened.

I know I already mentioned yogurt, but I see this more as a dessert. Lately I have been buying this Chocolate Mousse flavor and sticking it in the freezer. Then, at night when I am craving something sweet, I reach for this. Is it as good as real chocolate ice cream? No it is not. Is it a good dessert alternative? I think so.

What about you? Any good grocery store finds lately?

Just When I Thought I Couldn't Love It Anymore...

2011-05-10T08:26:00.001-07:00

It is no surprise to anyone that I love Target.

l.o.v.e.

However, something was always missing; a void in my Target shopping experience.

From time to time, along with my receipt, I would be given a little slip of paper at check-out, asking me to log-on to their website and take a survey about my shopping experience. I would then be entered into a drawing to win a $100 Target gift card. Never one to pass up the chance for some free merchandise, and a lover of surveys (yes, I am one of those people), I would partake.

The last question of the survey would always ask something like, "Are there any additional products you would like to have at your local Target store?" to which I would always type 'Fresh food please."

Well folks, it looks like they listened.

This is what my last Target purchase looked like. Sigh.

Bless and thank you.

Oh and please do not judge the Pace Picante salsa on the conveyor. It is the best salsa ever. Period.

A Few Things...

2011-05-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

1) Dan and I are getting really close to closing on our first home. YAY! I've been so hesitant to talk about it in fear of jinxing it, but it's looking like it's going to happen.

2) The movie that we are working on had it's official press release today, which is always an exciting moment for any studio. You can read about it here.

3) One of my favorite people ever in the world is coming to visit from NYC this weekend. Her name is Amy. We went to the same high school but didn't become friends until after college. She is amazing and I love her and I can't wait to see her.

4) I think I am going to try to start working-out before work. I know. Kill me now. But, I see it as literally my only option to fit in exercise these days. Don't hold me to this declaration, however...we'll see how it goes.

5) Today is Friday. The Friday of a very, very busy week. Thank you, Friday, for being here today - it means the world.

A Reminder to Myself

2011-05-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have so many post ideas swirling around in my head right now but in all honesty, I am too tired to write them.

Dan and I are both in the thick of production on the current film we are working on and 60 hour work weeks have become the norm. It's hard to fully convey what that means, but I can tell you that each day is full of running around, craziness and intense deadlines which you leave at the end of each day feeling like you've just completed a triathlon and taken the SAT's all at once.

This is the life I chose. I went to film school for a reason.

I need to remind myself of those reasons, from time to time:

1) To be involved in something that moves people. I love how movies make people laugh, cry, feel scared, feel goofy, feel...anything. I don't think there is another art form out there that consistently moves people as much as film.

2) To do something different in life. I easily could have a desk job that is steady, consistent and much less daily insanity, but that is not what I wanted. When I worked at what we call a "real job" it just did not feel right. I needed creativity. I needed to be on my feet. I needed to be in film.

3) To work in a field that genuinely interests me. I love movies. I love seeing them, I love talking about them and I love analyzing them. French and South American films are some of my favorites, but cinema from around the world interests me. Since I was a young girl, I found film fascinating and I suppose, it is that love which is truly why I am here.

4) To meet interesting people. There is no denying that this industry attracts a vast array of people. I currently work with people from England, Iceland, Japan, France, Germany, Canada, Russia, Italy, Ireland and all across the US. I work with artists, architects, producers, accountants, puppet makers, costume designers, editors, directors, sculptors, animators, camera men, cinematographers and engineers. People around me have won Oscars, Emmys, BAFTAs, etc. It's amazing and I know that had I not gone into this field, there is no way I would be routinely surrounded by such an eclectic group.

So - there you have it. Or, rather, there I have it. Those are the big four: my reasons for taking this on. I guess as is the case with anything you love, it's not always easy.

I think I just needed to remind myself of that today, as exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed has started to take over. There is a reason I am here. There is a reason I knew I wanted to do this since I was about seven. And, at the end of the day, I have a lot to be thankful for.

Sorry for the drivel and thanks for listening ;)

Friday Fun

2011-04-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

I swore I wouldn't do it, but I'm doing it anyway: posting a pic of the royal couple. I haven't watched much of the footage yet, but I have it all recorded and I can't wait to watch it tonight. I know I've mentioned before that I work with a TON of English people, and I'm married to one as well, and for weeks now there has been mixed reactions by the English around me: those who care, those who don't care, those who say they don't care but do, those who wish they were home for it, those who are just annoyed we aren't getting a day off here in the USA like all of their fellow countrymen are in England - it truly runs the gamut.

I was sort-of somewhere in the middle of it all - not obsessed but certainly curious and excited to witness this pop culture moment of the highest level. However, I must say that when I woke up this morning and watched a few of the highlights, I felt really into it. If there is one thing that England truly knows how to do, it is put on a grand affair such as this. With every detail meticulously planned and her dress...oh my that dress - stunning, it is like nothing I have ever seen in my lifetime. All in all, it is a fun moment in time to get to experience and I think today at work will be a bit of a happier place because of it, which is always welcomed in my book.

In other news, I picked up a very tired husband-o-mine from the airport late last night as he returned after a week in England visiting his family. Before he left he asked me if I wanted him to bring anything back from Blightly, to which I replied, "Just bring me some of the tackiest Kate and William Royal Wedding stuff you can find." To my delight, he DELIVERED on that front. More on that to come...

And, lastly, Dan and I have an inspection tomorrow on a home that we are, I believe, very close to buying. I haven't said much about it b/c we have already lost 4 houses now and I don't want to jinx it, but I am truly excited. Hopefully it goes well and we can continue to move forward. Fingers crossed!!!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I'm Kinda Over Skinny Jeans

2011-04-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Skinny Jeans.

Skinny. Jeans.

I'm so over them. SO over them.

When these first started to hit the scene, I automatically thought to myself, "Pffffttt - great...as if finding jeans wasn't hard enough already, now I have to be mocked by what they're called."

Then, slowly, I came around to the trend and I bought myself a few pairs. Being a girl with a curve or two, I was pleased to find that even I could wear skinny jeans and I liked how they looked with my flats and heels.

Now, let's speed up to, well...to today, in fact. I stopped by Banana Republic on my way home from work to have a look at the jeans and all they had were skinny jeans. Bleh. I tried on a few pairs and they were okay, but I stood in the dressing room, looking at myself, and realized how incredibly and utterly bored I am of skinny jeans.

I miss flare legs. Wide legs. Boot cut.

I miss the look of really incredible heels framed perfectly by a bell of dark denim.

I miss throwing back to the 70's on a daily basis.

I miss being able to buy jeans that balance out the wideness that are my hips because, let's be honest, skinny jeans don't do us ladies with hips any favors in the world, do they?

The answer is no.

I don't know...perhaps I am totally uncool and old-fashioned but at the end of the day, I know what I like and I know what I feel good in and skinny jeans just aren't it.

Anyone else feeling me on this one? I suppose fashion always circles back around, so I have to believe the trend will swing back in my favor at some point.

Please swing back in my favor.

Tomorrow would be good.

Or today even. Whatever.

Baby Watch 2011

2011-04-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

No, I am not having a baby. Let's just clear that up right off the bat.

However - if you ask any member of my family, they would tell you that they are hoping, praying, and wishing for me to have a baby every single second of every single day.

Little did I know before I was married, that the minute you become betrothed, you suddenly enter into this new reality where your uterus is not only up for discussion, it is a valuable family commodity.

It comes from every angle. I can feel the laser hot glances if I only order water in a restaurant. If I ever don't feel well or have an upset stomach, surely I must be pregnant. God forbid I gain a few pounds or buy myself a padded bra...

The worst offenders? Ma Familia. Here's a little breakdown for you:

My Dad: After years of worrying about his two teenage daughters, my Dad has now been able to let go of the fear that I would one day come to him, unmarried and still in college, and tell him I was pregnant (I believe this to be the ultimate fear for all Fathers). However, this is one pendulum that has swung so far in the opposite direction that at times, I don't even recognize it. My strict, curfew-enforcing, tough love Dad has become a ball of mush. He wants a grandchild and reminds me of this constantly. To my surprise, he is one of the worst offenders.

My Mom: She is actually the least insane about the topic...I think. Maybe the fact that she actually carried me for 9 months and gave me life gives her a little bit in leniency in this department, but the pressure is still on from her as well. In fact, I do believe it was just yesterday she said to me, "Oh - Easter will be so much more fun when there are little ones around." Mmmmmkkaaaay...

My Step-Mom: She has two favorite tactics that she uses often. 1) "Oh Jocie - you're Dad is so excited to have a little grand baby," and 2) "I will be a full-time baby-sitter so you won't even have to worry about daycare!" Ah yes...the guise of caring, concern and DAYCARE promises! I'm on to you lady!!!

My sister: Okay...this one makes no attempt to hide her feelings on the topic: she wants me knocked up quicker than you can say "baby." As is the case with sisters, there is really no filter. No pretense. No secret messages...at least not with my sister and me. Nope - it is the whole truth and nothing by the truth. "Jocelyn - just have a baby! I will babysit! I want to be an Auntie! Why can't you just do it? I'm really good with kids! I will change the diapers!" Uh huh...

My Brother: Yes...that's right. My brother. My 20 year old, sophomore in college brother. Even he has hopped aboard the baby train. "My roommate is already an uncle and I want to be an uncle too! I will be such a good uncle!" Excuse me, young child, but aren't you supposed to be thinking about girls and cramming for finals and, and, and ANYTHING else besides babies!?!?! What is going ON!?!?!

Now - don't get me wrong - I plan on having kids. I have always known it was something I wanted and something that is in the plans. The FUTURE plans. Last time I checked, I've only been married for a year. Last time I checked, I've only been working on building my career for 6 years. Last time I checked, I remembered how much I love being able to sleep in on the weekends, travel, go for drinks with friends whenever I want to, see movies, stay up until the wee hours of the night drinking Pinot Noir and playing Nintendo Wii bowling with my husband just because we feel like it.

Why doesn't anyone ever tell you about this? It's like a secret society amongst married women - however it's operated more like the draft than the volunteer army.

So, dear family, just back it up a bit. This is not 1955 and there are just a few things I need to cross off my bucket list first.

Please and thank you.

Cheese Straws

2011-04-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite memories as a child is when my Mom would make cheese straws every Christmas. She would keep them in a tin on top of the fridge and my sister and I would beg for them each night; they were so delicious.

Recently I found a recipe for cheese straws on one of my favorite food blogs, smitten kitchen, and decided to give it a whirl. I am delighted to tell you that these taste almost exactly like the cheese straws my Mom used to make and this recipe it a total keeper. It is easy, fast and ridiculously yummy. I took a bunch of these over to my Dad's as an appetizer for Easter dinner and they were a hit. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces

3/4 cup flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon half-and-half (although I ended up using about 1.5 tablespoons to get the dough to stick together)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a food processor, combine the cheese, butter, flour, salt an red pepper flakes in five 5-second pulses until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the half-and-half and process until the dough forms a ball, about 20 seconds.

3. On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 8-inch by 10-inch rectangle that is 1/8 inch thick. With a sharp knife (or a pizza or pastry wheel) cut the dough into thin 8-inch strips, each 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch wide. Gentry transfer the strips to an ungreased cookie sheet (I lined mine with parchment), leaving at least 1/4-inch between them. The dough may sag or break occasionally in the transfer, but don't be concerned - just do your best. The straws can be any length, from 2 to 10 inches.

4. Bake the straws on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the ends are barely browned. Remove from the oven and set the cookie sheet on a rack to cool.

5. Serve at room temperature. Cheese straws will keep in the refrigerator, in a sealed container, for two days.

Thank you Smitten Kitchen for this fantastic recipe! I recommend doubling the recipe as these literally go so quickly. I hope you enjoy!

Saturday Slothfulness

2011-04-23T23:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Dan is in England. He went home to surprise his Mom for her 60th birthday party, which is great and I am so happy he could be there with her. However, that means I am all on my own - left to entertain myself. I had a list of things to do today, but, well uhm...sometimes lists just need to be forgotten. Or ignored.

What I DIDN'T Do Today:

- Laundry

- Vacuum

- Take out recycling

- Make the bed

- Put away my shoes, which I have taken off in different places around our apartment

- Clean the shower (which I swore I would do today...LEAST favorite chore EV-ER!)

What I DID Do Today:

- Slept In

- Enjoyed my coffee, slowly

- Did some desperately needed clothes shopping

- Napped for about 2 hours

- Watched a boatload of DVR'd shows (See: Oprah, Glee and more Oprah)

- Made myself a really yummy dinner

- Read magazines

Today was the nicest day we have had here in Portland all year (72 degrees) and I know that I should have taken better advantage of it, but I didn't. I was so, so tired from this past week at work and just needed a day of letting my heart be my guide and doing as I pleased - which meant not a whole lot.

On the list for tomorrow? Easter dinner at my Dad's house and other than that - I'm not sure. The shower still needs to be cleaned and the apartment needs some major straightening up, but I'm not making any promises. Sometimes slowing down and letting yourself have a break is far more important than any to-do list.

Friday Blabbering

2011-04-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Thaaaaaaank goodness it's Friday!!!! This has been a long week with even longer hours at work. Does that even make sense? I don't know.

Anyway...

I need to ramble. It's about all I am capable of at this moment so, without further ado, I give you my rambles:

Have you ever heard the phrase, 'Thoughts Become Things, So Choose Them Wisely?' I think it is a really good phrase and something that I think I believe...at least something I would like to believe. The power of positive thinking. Faith. The Secret. Whatever you want to call it - I like it in it's various incarnations. However, as is the case with most things that matter in life, sometimes it is totally an easier said than done situation.

I am really hating that Oprah is about to end. I mean, really hating it. When I get home after a long day, there is nothing like clicking on the DVR and watching my recorded Oprah. It calms me down and usually teaches me something. However, I must admit the episodes this last week have been a bit lame. I am hoping that they are really going to start to step it up here, since the official countdown has begun. Oprah ends every episode now with saying, "There are only 28 more episodes left," etc. etc. It hurts my fragile heart.

Franco Sarto Luxe

I need some neutral heels. It's just not an option for me to not have them in my wardrobe, I have decided. I need some new black ones too as my current pair, that I adore, are seriously on their last leg...or should I say foot???

Why is it that sometimes, coming up with something to make for dinner is the HARDEST THING EVER!?!?! I swear that Dan and I are always at the grocery store yet we get home and stare blankly into the fridge and have conversations that go something like this:

Me: "What do you want for dinner?"

Dan: "Uh - I don't know, what do you want?"

Me: "I don't know, what do you want?"

Dan: " I don't know."

Riveting, isn't it?

I am sure it has to do with our increasing hours spent at work lately, but it's just HARD sometimes! I just want a chef. That is what this really boils down to. And this is coming from a girl who LOVES to cook.

How long do you think this owl trend will last? Not sure if you have noticed, but there are owls everywhere. I think they are really cute but is it going to be one of those things that is gone in 60 seconds?

Okay. That is all for now. Sorry for this unsightly glimpse into my tired brain. I need to get it on to the page and out of my brain, so to speak.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Skiing in April!

2011-04-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love about living in Portland is that we have great skiing about an hour away and often, if the snow keeps falling, the ski season runs into late Spring.

My sister, Dad, husband and I all headed up there this past weekend to take advantage of what's left of the snow. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and some of the warmest temps I have ever skied in.

I took these pictures with my iPhone, so they are not amazing, but even still - there is something so breathtaking about looking up and seeing the top of a mountain.

This is one of my favorite spots. Every direction you look is beautiful and you do feel like you are on top of the world.

I do believe this was my last chance to experience this until Thanksgiving rolls around, and the mountain once again becomes a winter wonderland.

Aside from the ridiculous goggle sunburn marks I had the next day, it was a great time. Thanks to my sister and Dad for forcing me out of bed at 7am Sunday to go - I know that wasn't pleasant for them. And thank you to Mother Nature, for once again reminding me there is so much beauty around, if you just take a moment to realize it.

The JELL-O Thing

2011-04-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

I recently had to compile some of my favorite recipes for a cookbook being put together at work. It was a challenge to select only the recipes that I really loved and I truly had to stop myself from going overboard. However - there were a few that were absolutely, without question, some of my favorites...especially the pale pink, fluffy concoction above.

This, my friends, is what my family lovingly refers to as 'The JELL-O THING.' It's a classic in my family and we have it every Thanksgiving. Back in the 1950's, my Great-Grandma used to make it for my Dad, and for whatever reason, it stuck. Despite the fact that we endlessly make fun of this recipe, we all know the truth: never has JELL-O tasted so good!

Ingredients

1 large package of JELL-O (Your favorite flavor - I like strawberry)

1 package of Cool Whip or 2 cups prepared whipped cream

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or another nut of your choice

2 bananas, mashed

Vanilla and Almond extract to taste

Instructions

1) Prepare JELL-O using only half of the required water. Let chill until set.

2) Add the chopped nuts, mashed bananas and cool whip to the JELL-O and mix with an electric mixer until well blended and the JELL-O has integrated with the cool whip. Do not over mix.

3) Chill until set - usually about an hour. Enjoy.

Garden Tea Party Loveliness

2011-04-15T10:47:00.001-07:00

Every time I visit countyliving.com, I find something that grabs my attention and sparks my creativity. The latest post I found that has me swooning involves throwing a Garden Tea Party...on a roof top...in NYC. (!!)

The post highlights the work of Pamela Scurry, an entertaining expert, who loves to use everyday items in a dressed up manner - my kind of lady! In her own garden, she displays how to throw a lovely tea party, in her own NYC garden. I hope you enjoy this eye candy as much as I did.

Isn't it lovely? All of the fabulous spring colors! I want to have a tea party now.

**side story: Dan and I received a beautiful crystal Wedgwood bowl for our wedding, which I love. One day, Dan was looking at it, baffled and said, "What do you do with a bowl like that?" to which I replied, "You use it at tea parties and baby showers." He looked at me like I had three heads - but I think these pictures perfectly demonstrate that I am indeed, not crazy.**

For more information and to read some of Scurry's advice on throwing your own tea party, click here.

Darn You, J.CREW!

2011-04-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

I've been eying this top for about a week now, trying to talk myself out of it because I already own a million (a.k.a. five) white and navy striped shirts, but I caved.

I told myself if I was still thinking about it in a few days, then I would get it. Well...it's been a few days and, there you have it. I got it shipped to work so that I can have something to look forward to. HA! That sounds so pathetic! I didn't mean it to - it's just that getting packages at work makes the whole day better.

Happy Friday!

What the HECK!

2011-04-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Okay - so, I have come to the conclusion that it may never stop raining here in Portland...ever - and this is coming from a native.

We Oregonians are used to the rain and we also appreciate and understand the fact that it is all of the rain which provides us with the beautiful green landscape we get to enjoy all summer - but this year, it's getting to me.

Maybe it's because I work almost 12 hours a day in a window-less, dark film studio, where the use of light must be controlled at all times.

Maybe it's because I feel like being whiny.

Or, maybe it's because IT NEVER STOPS RAINING!!!

Ugh, I've just HAD ENOUGH!

Some hard-core natives will act like you must praise the rain at all cost (see: hippies) but I am not one of those Oregonians. There are times when I cannot STAND living here! Is it too much to ask for some warmer temps? Maybe even just three days straight without rain?

So - I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and I decided to stir my own pot and look at the temps in the rest of the country, just to get totes jelly of everyone else, and their spring-like temps. This is what I found:

Whoa! I guess I was wrong! Half the country is dealing with some seriously crappy weather! So, to my friends in all the blue states up there: I feel your pain. And, to all y'all in the yellow/orange states: be thankful...very thankful. And send some sun our way, will ya?

Please and thank you?!?!

Pretty Bedrooms

2011-04-13T08:57:00.001-07:00

Just a little bit of bedroom loveliness for your day...

This whimsical and charming bedroom is in a tree house! How fun is that??!?

I have long loved the idea of using old luggage as storage/furniture and I love this stack used as a nightstand. I think I can say with confidence that I will have this look in my home one day - I just need to find some great old luggage first.

WOW! Have you ever seen such gravitas in a bedroom? I know this may be too much for some, but I love it. What a grand place to wake up in each morning. Though, I bet I would still hate waking up early as much as I do now, but who knows.

Have a lovely Wednesday, everyone!

A Year Ago Today

2011-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a year...

...since I married my Daniel.

With our our friends and family by our sides, from many parts of the world...

...surrounded by beauty and love...

...we did it our way, together.

This past year has been the best year of my life.

My best friend, my heart...

...who makes me laugh every day and always reminds me that we are in all of this together.

Dan, my husband - Happy 1st Anniversary.

You are my world: today, tomorrow and forever. I love you.

Here's to many more to come!

Trying To Buy A House is Like Shopping For A Bathing Suit

2011-04-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

I have decided that trying to buy a house is exactly like shopping for a bathing suit:

It starts out full of hope and promise.

You take a risk and look at all different kinds.

After looking awhile you take the plunge and "try it on" - meddle it over.

It's scary, nerve-wracking and you're not sure if you've made the right decision.

You look at your choice from all angles and sides, scrutinizing it up and down, left and right.

Finally, you become confident and decide to go for it. You make an offer.

Then comes the waiting and waiting and waiting.

It's going to be great. Summer plans are already being forged. It's going to look great!

Then the time comes to put it into action and you realize that it's just not what you thought it was.

Boo.

Stupid ~~bathing suits~~ house buying.

Long story short: we found out that the house we thought we were going to get has a crazy, massive lien from the State due to back taxes. Double boo.

Such an emotional roller coaster.

Okay - so, house #2 lost. In the words of Jay-Z, on to the next one...

Today

2011-04-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Today...

My hair is doing it's own thang - I mean, like, seriously having a little field day. Whatever.

The temperature here in Portland is 48 degrees. It's bloody freezing!

PG Tips - An English classic that I have become obsessed with

I am going to drink tea instead of coffee.

We are supposed to hear back on an offer we put in on a house. Actually, it was the counter to the owner's counter. Counter, counter, counter.

I decided to really shellac on the mascara. I try to fight it, but I love stupidly shellacked lashes.

I am fighting the urge to be on craigslist every second for things to put in the new house we don't even have yet.

I am coveting these striped pillows, but I recently bought myself a sewing machine so I may have to make something similar as my first project.

And that's about it...

How is your day, today?

Food For Thought

2011-04-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

I recently heard the great Maya Angelou quote the following:

Since I heard her say it, it has been pulsing around my mind.

We are all more alike than we are different. Everyone.

A little food for thought on this Tuesday, April 5th.

Books I Am Hearting Lately

2011-03-31T08:57:00.001-07:00

I love to read (thanks Mom!). There is something about getting comfortable, holding a book in your hands (I have not yet embraced this Kindle business...call me old fashioned) and letting your mind go someplace else that is beyond satisfying.

While I would like to say that finish book after book - these days it just isn't so. Life in the Pascall house is quite crazy at the moment. By the time we get home and eat dinner, it is about 9pm and if I even try to get into a book, I fall asleep after 2 pages. However, I still crave the wind-down that going through a book gives me at the end of a long day. My solution? Books that I can just pick up, turn to any page and read. There is no story. There is no commitment. There is no guilt that comes from taking forever to finish a book. There are just interesting facts, lovely tips and the relaxation that I desire. While I miss reading novels, they will just have to wait until we have finished this current film. In the meantime, here are a few books that I have been enjoying lately:

The Book of Origins

I love this book. It has the history behind everything from coffee to cell phones. Pistols to plastic surgery. Musical instruments to Morse code. If you love random trivia and interesting tidbits of information, you will like this book.

English Bread and Yeast Cookery

If you have ever baked a loaf of bread, from scratch (sans bread machine) you can appreciate the information in this book. It details much of how bread was developed as well as provides recipes for all types of breads. It's like a cookbook, textbook and memoir all in one. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love it.

The Pantry: It's History and Modern Uses

Dan would laugh at me every time I picked up this book, and I'm pretty sure my sister is going to laugh at me when she sees this, but I don't care. I have always been interested in domestic history and I found this book super interesting. The pictures are great, the historical facts are amusing and the design ideas are even better.

Restore. Recycle. Repurpose.

This is my newest book and if you enjoy antiques, vintage shopping/decor and using reclaimed pieces, I recommend this little lovely. It's full of design ideas all based around using what you already have and/or revamping reclaimed pieces. I could look at this book for hours and hours.

What about you? What are some books you like to simply pick up every now and then to relax?

An Open Letter To Today

2011-03-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Today,

You are killing me and I am ready for you to be over.

Love,
Jocelyn

My Weekend

2011-03-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

The weekend. So cherished. So loved. So fast.

We made the most of it, though, in our own little way.

Dan and I work until about 8:30pm most Friday nights, which means we miss a lot of normal Friday night social events and are so tired by the time we get off, we have very little energy left. However, this last Friday we decided to stop in at a local auction house that is right by work.

I. Loved. It. LOVED IT!

I have been to charity auctions before, where items go for thousands of dollars, but this was a real, down-home auction, folks. Anything and everything was up for sale. We wasted no time in getting a bid card and a seat up at the front. It was ON!

This was the item I wanted more than anything: a dinged up, scrappy, old milk can. To many, this might look like a piece of junk, but to me, it is beautiful. With every dent and bit of scraped up paint, I see a history and a story. I felt nervous when bidding on this, but walked away with it for a cool $25.

And this was Dan's big purchase: an old woodworker's tool box full of old tools. I don't usually get too excited about tools, but there are some really cool pieces in here. Dan was bidding against 5 old men who had been eying the box all night, but won it in the end.

Saturday morning, I was in the mood for baking, so I whipped up these scones. However, I must note that I didn't make mine as large as the recipes says, and I used all whole wheat flour instead of 1 3/4 C. all purpose and 1/2 C. whole wheat and they turned out great!

A major player this weekend, and many we have had lately, has been the weather. This picture pretty much sums it up perfectly: sunny one minute, rainy the next, then hailing and thunder after that. The seasons are a changin' here in Portland, OR and Mother Nature isn't going to let it happen without making us suffer a bit. Perhaps it's so we appreciate the summers more. Perhaps it's because we have to be reminded where all this beautiful greenery comes from. Or perhaps, it just is.

Our weekend also consisted of a dinner with my sister and brother, who I love more than I can ever say, a Sunday brunch and an Indian curry with friends. It was a bit more eating out than I am used to, but that's what weekends are for.

Oh yeah...and we put in another offer on a house. Actually, two houses. One is a short sale (which we like better) and the other is a normal sale. That is all I can really handle to say about it right now in fear that if I talk about it too much, it will be jinxed or something. I don't know. Bleh. All this grown-up business drives me crazy at times.

Anyway - I hope you all had a great weekend and that the week ahead treats you well!!

A Short Sale Short Story

2011-03-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

About a month and a half ago I mentioned that Dan and I had put in an offer on a house. We were super excited and, despite the fact that it was a short sale, felt confident that the house would be ours. We did everything by the book, offered the asking price and hoped that some good karma would come our way.

That was all before I remembered that banks don't really work with karma.

Long story short - the offer fell through. Apparently the short sale department of the bank does not always talk to the foreclosure part of the bank and so the house was foreclosed and sent to auction despite our offer being in and us being totally qualified to buy the home.

Funny...I suddenly had a flashback of dealing with US Immigration...

Anyway - Dan and I stewed and felt sorry for ourselves for a few weeks. It was a loss and felt as such. We had already made grand plans for what we would do to the place and how cute it would look and blah, blah, blah...time for a reality check...also known as a life lesson. Here is what we learned:

1) Going after a short sale is a gamble. You may walk away with a great deal - or you may just have to walk away. The banks are in it for every cent they can get while at the same time trying to deal with a large volume of short sales and foreclosures, so don't go into it under the false impression that they have all of their ducks in a row because they very well may not.

2) In a weird matter of procedure that I don't totally understand, in a short sale, it is the owner of the house who sets the price - NOT the bank. However, it is the bank that ultimately has to accept the offer. This means that just because you offer asking price of the home, the bank can still come back and say they think the home is worth more. We were never afforded this option, but don't get fooled into thinking the price of the short sale is actually reflective of what the bank is hoping to get out of it.

3) Going to Home Depot and pricing out a new kitchen, new hardwoods, new showers, new tiles, etc. etc. for a home that you don't have yet is not the best idea. I believe the phrase, 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' nicely illustrates my point.

4) Lastly, as my Dad always says, "There is always another house and another car." 'Nuf said.

So, after weeks and weeks of looking at more homes, feeling discouraged and wondering if this was something we should even think about doing right now - we found another house that has caught our attention. It is not a short sale (YAY!), a bit of a fixer-upper (which we like) and we think it has a lot of potential.

Keeping in mind that this one could fall through, and staying far away from Home Depot, we are cautiously optimistic.

Fingers crossed!!

Mystery Item

2011-03-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have a couple rules when buying things at antique stores, otherwise I will walk away with way too much:

1) I have to know exactly what I am going to use it for...

and/or

2) I have to know exactly where I am going to put it.

The above item does not follow either of these rules. I bought it about a month ago at a little antique shop about 30 miles South of Portland. It was barely visible on the back of a cluttered shelf. I don't actually even know why it caught my eye but there was something about it I liked, so I bought it.

As I paid for my item, I asked the lady running the shop if she knew what it was and she said no, she wasn't sure. Hmmmm...I am still curious. I am guessing it is some kind of churner or masher of sorts - but I don't know for sure. I would love to know exactly how this was used as I think it would make me appreciate it all that more.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Pretty Things

2011-03-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

A few Etsy finds that have caught my eye...

1. Vintage Wooden Spools

2. Emerald Quartz Earrings
3. Vintage Large Scissors
4. Grain Sack Pillow

That website endlessly has my attention and admiration.

My Newest Treasure

2011-03-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am always on the search for beautiful things. Here in Portland, there is an abundance of vintage, antique and thrift shops which means the possibility of finding treasures around every corner.

Recently, while doing some clothes shopping, I stumbled upon this wooden box. It was being used as a shoe display and caught my eye instantly.

I loved all of the little details and that it used to encase fresh herbs in Harborside, Maine.

I loved the weathered nails and haggard wood. I loved that it once served a real purpose - a livelihood, a hobby, a passion. Now it was there before me, as a display for $200 shoes. The irony in that pleased me.

However, what I loved most of all was the little white tag on the very back corner of the box that said, simply, $35.

I wasted no time finding a shop assistant to help me unload the shoes.

"We are going to be so sad to see this go," she said.

" I understand why," I replied.

While I am sure I will manage to use this modest wooden box in many ways, for now it houses various pillar candles - all in shades of white and cream. At night, after a long day, I love to come home and light the candles.

It is the simplicity that is the most beautiful to me and I treasure it.

5 Truths About Making a Feature Film

2011-03-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

For those who don't already know, I work in film. The company I work for is currently in production on a feature length animated movie. It is an extremely intense and high-pressure undertaking full of long hours and a fair amount of personal sacrifice. That's really all I can say about it, aside from the following 5 truths.

When Making A Feature Film:

1) You don't see your friends or family as much as you do between projects. It kinda sucks but I am learning that it is just part of it all.

2) Working out at the gym becomes a serious challenge. When your average work day is 8am - 8pm - you get home so tired and hungry that any prospects of working out get thrown out the window quickly.

3) You learn to truly appreciate the weekend. Dan and I MUST make the most of them because they are really our only time to chill out. R&R is an absolute and I think we value the weekends more during the height of production than during slower times.

4) Asking for time off gets really scary. What we do is SUCH a collaborative effort that it gets really difficult to get time off. Even trying to have a few hours to get your teeth cleaned is a STRUGGLE.

5) You drink a lot of coffee. A LOT. I mean...seriously, a lot.

It can all get really overwhelming really quickly, but I do try to step back and remind myself that this is what I've always wanted to do and there are so many people who would love to be here. It is a really cool thing to be a part of and I need to just take it day by day.

What are some truths about your vocation??

My Latest Obsession

2011-03-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Her name is Adele Adkins. This is from her second album and is one of the best songs I've heard in a long, long time. I hope you love it and that it brightens your day.

The New 'Do

2011-03-01T10:09:00.000-08:00

Last week I wrote about trying to figure out what in the heck to do with my straighter-than-straight hair and I got some really great suggestions - thanks y'all! However, it was an email from my friend Ashleigh that sealed the deal.

She sent me these pictures of Jennifer Aniston, who had just revealed her new haircut that day. It is a well known fact that I love Jennifer Aniston (and actually met her once, but that is another story for another day) and when I saw these pics I knew that I had found a winner. It was exactly what I was looking for - not too long, not too short - a longish-shortish A-line.

**Ahem - Please note that I know my hair is not like Miss Aniston's, nor will it ever be...she was simply the inspiration**

Without further ado...my new hair...

So, there you have it. I can't wait to really tease the heck out of it before a night out to make it really big in the back.

Thanks Ashleigh, for the pics!

My New Favorite Breakfast

2011-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hey-oh! I hope you all had a delightful weekend - truly.

Holla at ya, weekends! You are a real lifesaver, you are.

When it comes to weekends, I love a good breakfast. Monday - Friday I am a bowl of Cheerios gal, but weekends present the cherished opportunity to sit back, relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy the first meal of the day.

My love of breakfast foods is across the board - I mean, please - it's all kinda delish BUT, I have a new favorite. And it's so simple, it's not even funny.

Here are the four ingredients:

2 Multi-grain Eggo Waffles (don't judge)

2 - 3 T. REAL Maple Syrup

1 Banana, sliced

5 - 8 strawberries, sliced

Toast waffles. Heat syrup in microwave for 20 seconds and pour on top of toasted waffles. Add sliced bananas and strawberries on top of waffles. Eat. Love. Surf Internet. Watch DVR'd Oprah episodes. Watch DVR'd Glee episodes. Drink more coffee. Get ready only when you feel like it. Feel free to not get ready at all. That's what weekends are for.

***Three Notes***

1) You could totes use real waffles but I have a thing for Eggo waffles. They are totally awesome and perfect and easy and quick.

2) I am the first one to defend imitation maple syrup. It has a permanent place in my life, right next to Splenda and Pace Picante salsa, but I highly recommend real maple syrup for this one. It brings out the natural sweetness in the fruit in a way that imitation maple syrup just doesn't do.

3) You must pour the syrup on the waffles before adding the fruit. It soaks into the waffle and is just the best way to do it. Don't doubt me on this one.

Happy Monday, little lovelies!

Meetings About Meetings

2011-02-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

After I graduated from college I worked at my Dad's insurance brokerage. I had worked there on and off through college and it seemed natural to move into a full-time position once the demands of school had ceased. Their plan was to train me up through the ranks, making me a full-blown insurance professional. At the time, I didn't really know what I wanted but I fully embraced the job and was excited about the opportunity.

Not long into my training, I got invited to my first meeting. A real meeting. With executives. And suits. And a boardroom.

Important issues were discussed.

People got angry. There was tension.

I nodded along the entire time, playing the role of a business woman, pretending to understand the insurance jargon that filled the room.

As I left that meeting in my 4 inch heels, herringbone pants and notebook in hand, all I could think was, "That was SO COOL!"

I bloody loved it.

A real meeting with real business-thingies being discussed. It didn't seem to matter that I understood the business about as well as I understood quantum physics - all that mattered was that I was invited.

Okay...now fast forward a few years. I ended up getting a call from a Portland based film production company that wanted to give me a job working on their new film, which was what I went to school for. I took the job, worked on the film, met my now husband and am now working for the same company on their second feature film.

It's been about 4 years since I left insurance and let me tell you, my views on meetings have CH-ANGED. My day is one meeting after another and, while I love what I do, I could never have imagined the amount of meetings. Meetings about everything. Meetings about problems. Meetings about solutions.

Meetings about meetings.

The meetings come and the meetings go but one thing is for sure - there will always be more.

If I ever hear the words "We are going to have this meeting but you don't need to go - we will just fill you in," I cherish that moment. It is a beautiful thing.

I know...I have joined the ranks of the jaded. It happens to everyone, I suppose, but, there is something sad to me about that. I loved the experience of feeling grown-up and that I was actually being taken seriously. To suddenly have adults around you, including you in their business and giving you validity is one of the best feelings a 22 year old can have.

Now I cherish moments of goofiness and uncontrollable laughter. The moments of playing pranks and flinging rubber bands.

The moments that make me feel like a kid again.

With no real business whatsoever.

I Need Hair Help

2011-02-22T08:30:00.000-08:00

I hereby declare the following truths about my hair:

1) Hair does not get straighter than my hair. It really doesn't. There is not even the smallest amount of wave, curl or natural volume. Any hair style I have must take this into account as even the slightest misstep with a pair of scissors shows up drastically.

2) I have never dyed my hair and I don't have a plan to in the near future. I used to hate my reddish/brownish hair as a teen but my Mom would never let me touch it. Now I am so thankful for that as I actually like the color of my hair. Until I see those little grays popping through - coloring my hair is not an option.

3) I am so very, very bored with it. Double bleh.

Over the past few years I have developed a predictable habit of growing it out, then cutting it all off - time after time.

5 years ago my hair looked like this. It was an A-line cut and I think it suited my kind of hair. However, I went through a super traumatic break-up around this time that caused me to instantly want to change my hair (something that I later learned is really common). I wasted no time in growing it out. Silly break-ups.

As it grew out, it formed a layered bob which I think worked alright too.

Fast forward a few years and, after 4 years of growing (with intermittent trims of course) my hair looked like this. This photo was taken last June, a few months after my wedding. My hair was the longest it had been in years and while I liked the options it gave me, I got tired of always having to deal with that much hair.

This is about what my hair looks like now. It is a little below my shoulders and...well, that is about it. I am feeling the urge to chop it off again into another A-line, or something like that - but I'm scared. It took years to grow my hair out and I just don't know if I'm ready to do something so drastic - ya know?

This hair business can give a girl STRESS!

So - here's the deal. After work today I am getting my hair cut and I cannot decide if I am going to do something drastic or just get a trim. What to do, what to do...

I need some help y'all. How do you decide when standing at the haircut crossroads?

Any advice?

The Seasons Are Changin'

2011-02-20T12:29:00.001-08:00

On the morning of Wednesday, February 16th, the view from my back balcony was snowy, cold and flirting with all shades of gray.

On the morning of Saturday, February 19th, the view from my back balcony was sunny, warm and full of color.

This is a game the weather, here in Oregon, will play for the next few months. We are quite used to these alluring teases and know that it will change again soon - but the feeling a day of sunshine brings after a dark and gloomy winter is one of life's little pleasures.

Today, the clouds have rolled back in and Dan and I are heading up to the mountain for a day of skiing. We might as well make the most of it since Spring is clearly on it's way.

I Love

2011-02-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

I love how the days slowly get longer as Spring delicately plans it's envied return.

I love when I manage to eat only healthy foods for an entire day.

I love staying in hotels.

I love salmon.

I love that in a few weeks I get to go to a birthday party where the theme is 1930's films and you have to dress as a film character from that era.

The Wizard of OZ came out in 1939. I love that.

I love weekends away at the coast with my husband.

I love to travel.

I love my friends.

I love bright pink nail polish and mascara.

I love when I am walking in the wind and, for only a second, I can smell the sent of my shampoo.

I love the smell of new leather shoes.

I love having brunch on a Sunday.

I love French Cinema.

I love the red telephone booths all over England.

I love crossing items off my to-do list.

I love cooking.

I love unexpected snow storms.

I love that it's a 3-day weekend.

I love.

How about you? What are you loving these days?

Oh La Le Creuset

2011-02-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

When I was about 8 or 9 I got my first real bike with gears and brakes on the handle bars. It was white with pink Pollock-esque paint splatters.

At least that is my recollection.

I still remember coming out Christmas morning and there it was, perfectly upright with a shiny new kick-stand, illuminated by the tree's lights.

For weeks I would get so excited thinking about it that I would run to the garage, swing open the door and stand there, admiring my metal freedom while contemplating my plans for the summer.

It was Christmas magic. A childhood feast for the imagination. Perfection.

Many years have passed since that Christmas, but I recently discovered that it is still possible to feel that joy, that bliss, that excitement.

Let me introduce you.

Oh, hello, you. Little darling, you are.

I have wanted one of these for years and Macy's recently made me a deal that I just couldn't refuse. Never pay full price for anything at Macy's - it will always go on sale eventually.

That is a lesson for the ages.

Layer by layer, my Le Creuset emerged.

In the words of Randy Quaid from one of my favorite films, Christmas Vacation, "She's a real beaut, Clark."

Oh the soups and the stews. The breads and the roasts. The meals big and small.

I love my new French oven. I can't stop looking at it. To many, it may just seem like another kitchen pot, but to me it is a vessel of opportunity.

Now, the question is - what to make first...

Happy Heart Day

2011-02-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

I have never been super into Valentine's Day.

I liked that the day made you stop and think about those you love, but I always felt like you should do that every day and I didn't like that it made some feel sad.

In years past when I was single or miles away from my love, I always made a determined effort to stay happy on Valentine's day, no matter what.

Because the truth is, there is so much love all around. Always.

But I must admit, on this day...

...with my husband here by my side...

...and our families healthy and strong...

...that I am definitely feeling the love.

May you all feel the love in your life today - no matter where it comes from.

I Love Beautiful Buildings: Part I

2011-02-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

Every time I visit England, I spend months afterwards thinking about how beautiful it is. I feel as though I have been to many, many beautiful places but there is something about England that has me totally enchanted.

A large part of my unabashed love for the place lays in the architecture. It is beyond idyllic. I must have hundreds of photos of English buildings, but I can't stop myself. Imagine coming home to little places like these!!

While visiting in December, Dan and I had a day of sight-seeing in a town called Chester. Chester is walled town which means the original castle walls, that were used for protection, are still standing. Any excursion to a new place usually gets me excited, but when we arrived in Chester, it took my breath away. Towns in America definitely do not look like this.

The buildings ooze charm and are dripping with history.

Sometimes I almost feel like I am in Disneyland, in one of their master-planned little worlds - it is all so perfect looking. But this is a real place and the buildings were actually built in the middle ages. See how this one is leaning? It's because it's been there since about 1610!

And this place? It's a pub that has been there since the 1420's - before America was even discovered. That's right folks - before the U.S.A. was even on the map, the English were sitting it pubs drinking lager :)

Oh, and this building - it's the oldest standing building in Chester, built in 1274. 1274!!! I think Dan gets tired of my obsession over how old the buildings are, but I can't help but think about what things were like when the building was built and how many generations it has stood over, through time.

Ah yes, Chester is indeed a beautiful town.

See those beige, curved raised beds that look like planter boxes? Well, they are actually ruins of a Roman amphitheater, because you know, no town is complete without them.

And some ruins of a Roman garden, pillars and all.

Then there is the cathedral, which is in the center of town. The churches in England are as abundant as they are beautiful and I find the architecture of them totally breathtaking.

My goal is to explore a new English town each time we visit. There is so much to see and I have fresh eyes to lay upon it all. If you ever find yourself in NW England, I highly recommend a day in Chester - it will not disappoint.

Hello Again, My Friends

2011-02-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile - this I know.

Life has been...full of life. Since Dan and I returned home from England, where we spent Christmas, a lot has been going on. I haven't posted in over a month, which has been both unintentional and unplanned. So far, 2011 has been off to a "full-speed ahead" start and we are still fumbling for our seat-belts.

Here is what's been UP:

1) England

For the first time in my 28 years of life, I spent Christmas away from my family in Portland, OR, USA. Dan and I spent Christmas with his family in England and it was lovely. We were only there for about 10 days, which is really not quite long enough when traveling so far, but I think we made the most of it.

This is where we were: Dan's Mom's house. Uhm...is it not beautifully beautiful? These pictures were taken on Christmas day. There was one of the biggest snow storms in England's history while we were there and we reveled in it.

It was the most perfect day. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and the snow was like powder.

With the amount of time Dan and I have had to spend apart, we delight in being able to be together on a holiday - especially Christmas.

One of the things we always have to do while visiting Dan's house is say hello to the horses. There are stables on the property as well as about 5 horses. Horses are so beautiful, especially against the snowy backdrop. This particular horse came right over to us and made my day. I am equally amazed, humbled and terrified by these magnificent creatures.

Our trip to England went by in a flash and before we knew it, we were back in Portland, year 2011, which leads me to my next little section.

2) Work

I know, I know. Work. Bleh. Boring. However, it has been so very, very consuming as of late. For those who don't know, Dan and I both work in film and we are currently working for a company that makes feature stop-motion animation films. We met working on the film 'Coraline' and are 25 weeks into our second feature production together. Since we arrived back at work in early January, the movie has moved into full swing with us working between 10 - 12 hours each day. It's hard to explain how much working on a film takes over your life to anyone who has not fully experienced it, but I recently wrote a haiku about it for a competition at work that goes a little something like this:

Never-ending grind

No life, no sleep and no love

The film must get made

I am still trying to figure out how we are going to balance our work with our life for the next year or so. I will keep you updated on that one...

3) Thinking About/Putting In An Offer On A House

Now, this was not something I expected. It all started out so innocently.

Dan and I live in a apartment complex at the top of a large hill. On that hill, there are a lot of townhomes. One of those townhomes happened to have a 'for sale' sign in front of it one day and Dan and I, out of pure curiosity, looked it up online.

Never, ever look things up online.

We liked what we saw and decided to see if we could have a look inside. Once inside, we liked it even more. Uh oh.

We showed our parents and they liked it too and told us to go for it. Double uh oh.

"Oh well, the bank probably won't even approve us for a loan," we said.

The bank did approved us for a loan. We had no choice. We made an offer.

EEKS!!!!!!!!!!

As much I would like to finish this story with a "WE GOT THE HOUSE" exclamation, there is a little kink in the story which is this home is a short sale. That means the home is on the way to foreclosure, but more is due on the house than it is currently worth, so the bank is trying to sell it before they have to go to the expense of foreclosing the home and prepping it for auction. That way, they can try to get as much out of it as possible. What this means for us a lot of waiting. Waiting for sellers to agree. Waiting for the bank to decide. Waiting, waiting, waiting. There is every chance in the world that this whole thing could fall through, but right now we are just excited and hopeful that this home is meant for us. Fingers crossed.

So - there you have it. That basically sums up the last one and a half months of my life. It has been pretty manic and ridiculously quick, but exciting and hopeful at the same time. I feel I will have a lot to share in the coming months, which I look forward to sharing.

It's good to be back.

'Till next time...

Off to England

2010-12-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas tree this year in a vintage bucket I found at an antique store. Small apartments require small trees :)

In about 4 hours Dan and I fly to England for Christmas. I am so excited! The last few weeks have been a bit crazy in preparation but it has all been great and we are ready to go.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas full of love and laughter and remembering the important things in life.

Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday Conor!!!

2010-12-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

Conor my brother - on this day of your birth.

I love you more than ever.

Twenty years ago today was one of the sweetest days of my life.

You were the early Christmas present that I had hoped for for years.

You make me laugh daily and are a true joy.

Your intelligence and humor surpass most.

Your perseverance and will this last year has made me proud.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for you.

My brother.

I love you.

Happy, Happy Birthday.

Crazy December

2010-12-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

Well, December is here and it has truly hit the ground running. The film that Dan and I are working on is building momentum daily and we are working at least 10 hours a day - a number that will only increase for the next year and a half. This has drastically affected my working out schedule, my blogging, my cooking nice dinners, my cleaning of the house, etc. etc. It is that old familiar feeling we had on Coraline when you realize that for the next year or so, you will not have much of a life.

I chose the life I lead. I chose the life I lead. That is all I can say about that :)

In more exciting news, some friends of ours are getting married in Mexico and we are leaving tomorrow night for a 5 day getaway. We are desperately looking forward to some sand, surf and relaxation. I have never gone anywhere warm in December, so it will be a new one for me.

Then, about a week after we get back from Mexico we are flying to England for Christmas for 10 days. Ha! Travel makes me really happy and I am feel really fortunate to be able to have 2 great trips in a row.

I love England. LOVE it!

How can you not love a place that has mailboxes that look like this?

And buildings that look like this?

And city streets that look like this?

And English men who make you happy every day?

I dare say it is impossible not to love it.

So - as you can see this is going to be a crazy month. We are trying to get all of our shopping done and everything squared away ASAP. Never have I loved online shopping more than I do this Christmas season.

I hope December is going well for all of you. What are your Christmas plans? Do tell...

The View From Our Back Balcony

2010-12-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

I've said it before and I will say it again, I love the view from our back balcony.

We've had some pretty wintry weather here in Portland lately and waking up to views like this makes me feel all warm and cozy.

We are up pretty high and there is something so mystical about the way the fog settles into the tree line.

Then there are the sunny but cold mornings. Most of the leaves have fallen, but it is still a beautiful sight.

A light dusting of snow doesn't hurt either. I do believe these hills are really going to come into their own this winter.

For what our apartment lacks in space, it makes up for with this view.

I love it each and every day.

My Sister

2010-11-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

My Sister (in pool) and Me (standing)

My sister.

She is part of me.

She knows me too well - whether I like it or not.

She understands me - again, whether I like it or not.

I hate it when she touches me with her feet.

Her nail polish is always chipped.

She makes me laugh harder than anyone in the world.

We have had some pretty incredible fights over the years.

Not many people will still hang out with you the day after such fights - but she has.

She loves raw cookie dough and used to pay me to make it for her when we were kids.

She used to collect and play with as many bugs as she could find. Ew.

Her heart is true and prodigious.

Her sense of humor is wicked.

If I ever ask her, "Does this make me look fat," she is probably the only person in the world who will give me a straight answer.

She is my sister.

She drives me insane sometimes.

But I am grateful for her every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you All!

As is the case every year, it is the time to think about what you are thankful in your life and, when you take the time to think about it, you realize there is so much to be thankful for.

2010 has been a roller coaster of emotions: from not knowing if Dan would be allowed in the country in time for our wedding to getting married to friend's having babies, etc., etc. I have SO much to be thankful for.

Here are my top ten:

1) I am thankful that Dan and I are on the other side of the immigration process and that we made did it out intact, albeit a little worn around the edges.

2) I am thankful that we were able to have a beautiful wedding with the people we love most in the world.

3) I am thankful that the family I have married into is truly wonderful.

4) I am thankful for my friends and family. They are everything - especially my parents.

5) I am thankful that Dan and I are able to work together on another film project. To be able to work in your dream industry with your partner in life is a gift I cherish.

6) I am thankful for the fact that Dan and I are able to go to England for Christmas. It will be my first Christmas away from Portland but I am truly looking forward to it.

7) I am thankful that my friend Ari gave birth to a beautiful little girl a week ago today who is healthy, happy and perfect.

8) I am thankful for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges. If you have ever tried them, you understand. If you haven't, try them and they will be on your list next year.

9) I am thankful for my sister who is finding herself and making plans to expand her world and for my brother who is doing the same, in his own Conor way.

10) And lastly, I am thankful for Glee, which improves my week and makes me feel like my love of choreographed song and dance is not only okay, it's cool - haha.

I hope that you all have a lovely Thanksgiving and enjoy this long weekend.

It's Giving Season!

2010-11-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things about this time of year is searching for the perfect gift for those I love. I always feel like I have failed when I just go the gift card route because it is not as personal - not as "them" - whoever they may be.

Sometimes I will simply find the item first, and then assign it's new owner. There is just a world full of great finds out there and I could endlessly be on the internet searching for them.

Here are a few things I currently have my eye on:

The Barn House

Okay - I have a thing for dish towels. I want to buy them all of the time. They may be boring to some, but not to me. I think these are adorable would look great in a few kitchens I know.

Etsy

Have any friends or family who love mid-century decor? These 60's liquor bottles would be perfect. With a bottle for bourbon, rye and scotch, you can fulfill all of your Mad Men-drinking-in-the-office fantasies.

Fishs Eddy

How cute is this spoon rest? I love it. I don't have a spoon rest in my kitchen because usually I don't like them, but this may change my mind. Perhaps this will be a little gift to myself? (This is always a problem at Christmas, isn't it???)

Etsy

Aren't these great? I love how simple and versatile they are. Etsy, Etsy - you get me every time.

Pottery Barn

For that wine lover in your life: the wine holder basket. I imagine giving this full of a few of your favorite bottles, some good bread and even better cheese.

Restoration Hardware

What are these, you ask? Cashmere-wrapped hand warmers. Sound expensive? They're not. For fifteen dollars, you can provide someone with warm hands for the winter season. I know a few people who could use these for sure.

What about you? Any fun little finds you want to share?

How To Open A Pomegranate

2010-11-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite fruits to eat this time of year is a ripe, crimson pomegranate. The small, juicy seeds are like little hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. However, like most things worth anything in the world, you have to work for them.

My Mom told me a story once about her and her siblings opening and eating a pomegranate around their kitchen table as children. By the end of their snack, there were splatters of red juice all over the kitchen, especially the ceiling. I always loved the imagery of that story but unless you feel like scrubbing pomegranate juice off of your ceiling, I suggest you try it my way instead :)

Start by scoring the fruit so that it creates 5 or 6 sections. Make sure that you get the knife in there deep enough to separate the fruit but not too deep or else there will be splatters. Go slowly. Next, fill a large bowl about 3/4 of the way full.

Submerge the pomegranate in the water and slowly break it apart, section by section. I like to only work with one section at at time, setting the larger portion of the fruit to the side. And - beware: the juice can stain counter tops, so be careful.

Making sure you are always working with the fruit sections submerged, gently break apart the seeds from the creamy flesh that holds it all together. They will come out quite easily and sink to the bottom of the bowl.

Once you have broken up all of the seeds, you will find that any remaining white skins automatically float to the top of the bowl. This is one of the main advantages to opening your pomegranate in water because trying to peel this stuff off seed by seed is not much fun. Trust me on this one.

Take a slotted spoon and remove the excess skins.

What you have left are these little delights. They are SO good.

I like to keep them in the fridge and just grab handfuls as a snack or mix them in with plain yogurt. Yum.

Enjoy!

The Reason I Haven't Posted Lately

2010-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

It's been about 3 weeks since my last post and the withdrawals have not been pretty. However, I do have a bit of an excuse.

In my last post I mentioned that I was sick, and I was. Really sick. Two days after that blog, I ended up going to the emergency room and found out that I had pneumonia! I couldn't believe it. I am truly a person that rarely gets sick. However, it seems like when I do get sick, I get really sick.

So, yeah. Pneumonia sucks. Pneumonia made me the sickest I have been since I was about 19 and got salmonella. Pneumonia's symptoms are a lot like the flu, so if you take anything away from this post, let it be this: If you think you have the flu but continue to have high fevers (mine was 102 - 103 degrees) for seven days straight, go to the doctor. In fact, don't wait 7 days. Go sooner.

It kind of freaked me out afterward that I was so resistant to go to the doctor. I ended up having something that is a) very serious and b) easily cured. A little less medical stubbornness would have had me feeling better much sooner. Lesson learned.

Two chest x-rays, a round of antibiotics, two bottles of prescription cough syrup, painkillers and a LOT of sleep later (it's seriously all I wanted to do for 3 weeks), I am pretty much back to normal. I'm still dealing with a bit of a cough and a bruised rib from coughing so much, but it is a far cry from a few weeks ago.

I am so looking forward to getting caught up on all of the blogs I love and for getting back into the swing of posting. Stay happy and healthy, everyone, and go to the doctor if you think you need to! That is my P.S.A. of the day.

My Army of Sickness

2010-10-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

This week I have had the flu.

I know, breaking news - right? The thing is that I am not a person who ever gets sick. I have always counted myself as one of those lucky people who every year seems to bypass all of the illness around me. Not this year. Not this girl. It got me good this time. I suppose I had it coming.

Why does having a high fever suddenly make you feel like you are 7 years old again and totally helpless? And the chills. And the sweating. And the general grossness. Ugh.

Thankfully, I have a husband who is an excellent caretaker and a Mom who taught me the tricks-of-the-sick.

Trick #1 is this soup that my Mom made for all of us when we were sick. It literally could not be simpler or more delicious when you are ill and nothing sounds good. All you do is cook some orzo pasta in salted water, drain and return to pot. Add chicken broth and heat. Right before you serve, add just the smallest pat of butter and mix around. That's it. I have been living off of this all week.

Unfortunately, chicken broth can't do it all. I have taken a lot more meds than these in the last few days, but these have been the key players that have kept me from crying.

And, uhm, I apologize for posting anything with the word 'Mucus' on my blog.

Mucus.

Bleh.

Drink lots of fluids. Everyone knows this, but it is so ridiculously important that I had to say it. In my normal, healthy days, I am already an avid consumer of water, but I have UPPED it this week, let me tell you. I have had about every kind of tea in my house, but so far, the most successful remedy has been hot water, lemon and honey. Dan ran to the store to get me a bag of lemons and I have been downing this concoction since. It is literally my only reprieve from coughing.

Then, there were the flowers. They didn't make my fever go away. They didn't make my cough go away. They most certainly didn't help the fact that I felt dizzy every time I moved.

But, they made me happy.

And they were from my husband, lovingly, as I laid on the couch under a pile of blankets, with sweaty hair and not looking pretty. In the slightest.

Last but not least was the matzo ball soup that my friend Ari (who is due to have a BABY in 2 weeks) made me last night. It was so sweet and caring of her and I was so thankful. It gave me some relief from coughing and was absolutely delicious. I was so excited to eat it that I forgot to take a picture.

Thank you to all of my peeps who helped me out this week. I owe you all one!

Hope you all have had a better week!

It's Flu Time!

2010-10-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

After recently declaring that I never get sick (which I swear was true), I am currently at home with the worst fever I have had in years.

I am pretty sure it's the flu since I have every single symptom and I am realizing I forgot how much the flu can stop you in your tracks. Just getting up for a glass of water is a PROCESS right now. Ugh.

And I had a flu shot.

Boo on you, flu.

Please go away really, really soon.

Burlap Baby Shower Banner (aka Bunting)

2010-10-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

In the last of my little Baby Shower posts, I wanted to show you how I made the burlap 'Baby Shower' bunting. It really could not have been easier.

The first item of business was to buy the burlap. I bought 5 yards, which was way too much, but I wanted to have some extra around because burlap makes me feel happy, but you could easily do this project with about 2 yards.

I then cut a triangle out of a paper garbage bag. My triangle was approximately 10 inches wide by 12 inches long.

Next, I put the triangle on the burlap and cut around it. If you wanted to, you could pin the triangle to the burlap so it doesn't slide around, but I am too impatient for such business and just went for it. There was some variation in the size of each piece, but I actually like that imperfect look.

Now it was time to paint! I purchased these oil paper stencils at Michaels along with the cheapest black paint they had and a stencil paint brush. I slowly filled in the stencil with only a small amount of paint. You have to make sure to hold down the stencil so there is no bleeding of the color. You can buy a special spray that will keep the stencil in place while you work, but if you are willing to get your hands a little covered in paint, it is possible to work without it.

Make sure that you give each triangle ample drying time. I let these dry on magazines overnight.

At this point, there is very little left to do but glue! I had two spools of dark brown ribbon that I actually sewed together at the ends to make it long enough and stretched it out on the floor.

I have mentioned before that I live in a small apartment and I think this picture demonstrates nicely that I am not a liar.

Once I had the spacing the way I wanted it, I went along with a glue gun and glued each triangle to the underside of the ribbon.

After about 10 minutes, all the glue was dry and it was finished!

Here was the bunting I made, hung at the shower. I was really pleased with the result and how easy it was. And, if you are not a burlap fan, you could really use any fabric. Also, if you are not into the mess of paint, you can buy vinyl decal letters to stick onto the fabric.

So, that is it!

Happy Bunting Making to You!

Baby Shower Garland

2010-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

There is nothing I love more than simple crafts - they are relaxing and provide almost instant gratification.

I posted a few days ago about the baby shower that I helped throw for my friend Ari, and one of the things I made for it was a garland out of tea stained paper doilies. Now, I know that doilies are a bit of an old-fashioned accoutrement, but I think that with the tea stain, they go from old fashioned to somewhat vintage - at least that is what I tell myself.

I started by putting the doilies on a metal baking sheet.

After letting a tea bag soak in hot water for about 5 minutes, I simply squished out the lovely tea stain onto each doily.

Some I did a little darker than others just to mix it up a bit.

Once I had stained them all and given them time to dry, I cut a long piece of raffia ribbon and wove it through the holes in the doilies - and there you have it. I think this would look cute used at a little girl's tea party or anything girly really, for that matter.

Enjoy!

Baby Shower - Oh Yeah!

2010-10-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I had the honor of helping throw a baby shower for one of my dearest friends, Ari, who is due November 12th.

Ari is the first girl in my group of friends to have a baby and I had been excited about this for months.

One of our friends lives in this really amazing building in downtown Portland which has this communal space you can rent out for parties. It worked perfectly for the baby shower since everything was already so nice, all we had to do was add some details.

There were many of us helping with the planning so we all took on different responsibilities; mine was decor. I wanted the decorations to be a little different and not your typical pink and purple pastels which you find at many showers. I started with this simple garland that I made out of paper doilies and raffia ribbon. I simply stained the doilies with tea bags and wove the raffia through them once they were dry. It was simple, inexpensive and I was really happy with the result.

The other little project I took on was the 'Baby Shower' banner (aka bunting). This too was incredibly simple using only burlap, stencils, ribbon, paint and a glue gun. I'm going to do a post with step-by-step instructions soon, in case you want to make one of these yourself. Also, how great is this space? The views were really incredible.

We had a bit of an owl theme going on which was our inspiration from the beginning. They were on the invitations and made little appearances around the room. How cute are they? I made these using a Martha Stewart owl punch and gluing the owls to little wooden stir sticks. I wish I could use these stir sticks every day. I love them.

Another detail that was important to me was flowers. I wanted there to be vases of flowers everywhere since I think they can do so much to any space. I spent a few months collecting vases from Goodwill in all different colors and shapes. No two vases were exactly alike, which is a look that I have often admired.

Then, there was the food, of which I can take no credit. The table above only has about half of what was actually served on it and it was delicious. I am lucky to be surrounded by ladies who seriously know how to cook. We had homemade butternut squash soup with sauteed sage, hot apple cider, stuffed mushrooms, cheesy bread with Gruyere, the most incredible Parmesan-artichoke dip I've ever had in my life, macaroons, meatballs and a plethora of other delectable delights.

This picture cracks me up because of Ari's face - haha. She looks disgusted, but I know for a fact that she loved all of the food since half of it was her recipes (she is a chef.) Tell us Ari, why so glum?

We decided not to do too many games since, let's face it, they can get a bit old, no? Most of the time was spent socializing and we had a bunch of onesies out for people to decorate, but the only real game was "Guess the Size of Ari's Belly." You had to cut a piece of string and who ever measured the closest was the winner. I still feel badly about how big I cut my piece of string. Sorry Ari!

After the games came present time! I love present time at showers because baby clothes are the cutest things in the world. It was also funny to see my friend, who I used to party with at frat houses, get excited about nipple cream and breast pumps - oh how the times have changed!

I love this photo. I think Ari looks beautiful and so, so happy - it is exactly how you want an expecting Mother to look.

With the shower done, we are now in full counting down the days until the baby is here! I cannot wait to meet her. I hope you enjoyed your day, Ari. Lovesies!

Ten Things I Know For Sure

2010-10-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

I know that...

1) The exhaustion from a hard day's work can feel really good.

2) Spending time with girlfriends you haven't seen in a long time is like oxygen.

3) Being married is my cup of tea. I really, really love it.

4) You should drink as much water as you can - always. There is a vast difference in the way I feel on days when I drink a lot of it and days when I don't.

5) J.Crew is too expensive. It bugs.

6) Vintage wire baskets will always be in my life.

7) Break-outs don't stop in your teens...un-freakin-fortunately.

8) Weekend getaways can make all the difference.

9) Travel. Travel. Travel. It is good for you.

10) 100% acrylic sweaters are a waste of money. Never buy them. (Thanks, Mom!)

And there you have it.

What do you know for sure?

Wedding Recap

2010-10-06T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to my cousin, Shawn's, wedding. I love a wedding at any time, but when it is a wedding filled with family that you love, it is all the more enjoyable.

The wedding took place at Zenith Vineyards, a stunning winery about an hour south of Portland. I've said it before and I will say it again - the green in Oregon is one of my favorite things in the world.

Here is the little groomy. Shawn moved out to Oregon from Colorado about 5 years ago to attend school and since then he has become like a brother to me.

Shawn has 4 brothers who I also love dearly. Conor, my brother is also there on the right. This group of boys - oh my. I adore them. It is such fun to have cousins around and a treat that I rarely experience. The group in that photo are some of the best men that I know.

Also in attendance, my beloved Grandma. She could truly write a book on survival and love and is one of my idols in life. Standing next to her is my Dad, who was also the best man.

I love you Grandma!

Here is my brother again, being goofy as usual. The beautiful young lady next to him is his girlfriend who I find to be a total delight.

I am still trying to figure out when my baby brother decided to grow up. To this day I cannot see a Thomas the Tank Engine without imaging Conor as an adorable 4 year old, surrounded by cars, trucks, trains and Toy Story toys.

The ceremony was beautiful and the rain just barely stayed away.

I have decided that the smile a bride has on her face as she walks back down the aisle is the most real smile she will ever give. I remember as Dan and I were finally married and walking down the aisle, I could not have not smiled if I tried. It is a totally joyful moment in life and there is nothing else like it.

Also - uhm...can we just look at her dress for a second? Beautiful.

After the ceremony we all headed inside for the reception. This is the first wedding I have been to with long tables and I have to say that I really liked it. It gave a simple elegance to the room that matched perfectly with the tone of a vineyard wedding.

After dinner, toasts and the like, came my favorite part of any wedding: the dancing. In this photo, my Dad has decided to get jiggy with it while my sister (left) looks on. I can tell just by looking at her that she is mouthing something along the lines of, "Oh. My. God."

I too got a bit into the dancing. If at any point in my life the song, "Don't Stop Believing" comes on, there is a 99.9% chance that I will look like this. It is an inconvenient truth of my being :)

Then there was the joy of dancing with Charlotte. Pure bliss.

She was trying to imitate the dances of all the adults around her and was the center of everyone's attention. It was so cute, I almost couldn't handle it...

...then she started doing this. Everyone was taking pictures of her and it looks like she wanted to get in on the action.

The bride works as a wedding coordinator and therefore no detail was left unattended. The flowers on the tables were all in vintage silver vases and bowls. It was stunning. Apparently her Mom spent months scouring Goodwills across Oregon to come up with the beautiful collection. They all looked like antique pieces passed down through the generations. I was very impressed. Don't be afraid to get thrifting, brides! Nobody will ever have to know :)

One of things I loved the most about the wedding was the guest book. Christina, the bride, loves the book Pride and Prejudice. Instead of a traditional guestbook, she glued little envelopes into her favorite book and everyone could write on a card, place it in the envelope, and there you have it - a super creative and personal guest book.

Another beautiful detail was the large, old frame which held the seating arrangements. I am a TOTAL sucker for old frames, so this caught my eye immediately. Fantastic idea.

Last but not least, the hors d'oeuvres. During the cocktail hour, these were out on a table in the middle of the balcony and looked stunning. The pops of color set among the white linens grabbed everyone's attention. It is all in the details, isn't it?

Well, another wedding down for the year. That makes 2 weddings for our family in just 6 months and to be honest, I am kind of sad it is over. Everyone has gone home and I miss them all dearly. It has left me wondering, who will be next?

My sister, perhaps :) Love you, Caitie!!!

A Quick Recap

2010-10-03T21:53:00.000-07:00

Life since my last post has been B-U-S-Y. I barely remember this last week and have spent most of my short weekend in a fog.

Last weekend my dear cousin Shawn got married which meant a lot of family - which I love. There is only a small group of my family here in Oregon, which means that big events bring everyone to town. I cherish these times since they are sometimes years apart. Every spare moment I had, I was over at my Dad's house visiting with everyone and taking it all in.

The wedding itself was stunning. I have a lot of photos to share, complete with some great decor ideas for future brides - but that will be in a few days. I simply don't have it in me at the moment.

One of the real joys of this last week was getting to spend time with this little one: Charlotte. She is my 2nd cousin and I adore her. She provided us all with endless entertainment. Why are kids the greatest things in the world?

The other aspect of last week that added to the craziness is that I stepped into a new role at work. It was a promotion that happened very quickly and is something that I am very excited about. I am going to be more involved in the day-to-day process of getting the film made, spending more time with the directors and on the studio floor. However, with my excitement comes nervousness, pressure and the fear of failing. I know that I will be fine, but I think that until I feel like I really have my head wrapped around this new job, I am going to feel stressed. Making a movie is an incredibly fast-paced and unconventional environment and it can easily consume you - my goal is to rock the position, but still keep perspective of my real life.

Hopefully this week will be smooth sailing. Whew. Wish me luck!

Weekend Wedding

2010-09-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend my cousin is getting married at the beautiful Zenith Vineyard about an hour south of Portland. We have lots of family in town from Nebraska and Colorado, which is wonderful because we hardly ever get to see them.

I am loving that this time around it is not my wedding everyone is here for because I get to actually visit and relax.

I am also excited to wear my new dress. It is gray - a color that I am currently obsessed with - and I got it at Target for $29.99.

Target. Target gives me problems. I wrote about why here.

Anyway - I hope to have a lot of photos and wedding prettiness to share, but for now I am going to enjoy the time with my family.

Have a great weekend!

Oh My

2010-09-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

I was just talking on my cell phone while searching my desk for my cell phone thinking, oh crap - I left it at home.

This basically sums up September so far.

La dee da.

Fake Animal Heads. That's Right. I Said It.

2010-09-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Country Living

Has anyone else noticed that fake taxidermy is everywhere? I have spotted them in malls, catalogs, boutiques - all over the place. While I am not a huge fan of real taxidermy, I find these to be somewhat charming, in a totally kitschy way.

Z Gallerie

Dan and I spotted this big boy recently and I thought he was great. I think if you had a home with really tall ceilings and the right kind of look, something like this could look really great.

What are your thoughts on this trend? Could you see one of these in your abode?

Rainy Saturday

2010-09-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

Today is rainy and gloomy. The bottom of my jeans are currently soaked from walking around downtown Portland. My hair looks a fright. As I type this I am watching fog float by the trees outside our balcony.

It is perfection.

I can honestly say that I am a true Oregonian in the sense that I love rainy days like this. It justifies relaxation and lazy weekends. It keeps this state ridiculously green and beautiful. And, it forces me to do things like get a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.

It isn't fall until I have a pumpkin spice latte. That is a fact, FYI.

In an hour or so Dan and I are off to see The Town. It currently has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so I am super excited.

Weekends truly are the greatest thing in the world.

Skirts: I Need Them

2010-09-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

I am in desperate need of some skirts. Fall skirts, to be specific. Badly.

In the summer on the weekends, I live in dresses. Shorts and I are not really friends, but summer dresses make me happy. However, I have realized that when it comes to the cooler seasons, I tend to resort to pants far too easily and that needs to change.

I blame this on my profession. As you know, I work for a film studio which frankly, does not lend itself well to fancy clothing. Studios are dirty, full of equipment and machinery and absolutely massive. I spend much of my days running back and forth and wearing heels to work is simply not conducive to what I do. My poor heels now sit in my closet, alone and waiting for the weekends when they get to shine.

But at the end of the day, I am still a girly girl and I want to wear skirts. Thankfully, boots are really in this season and I think I can do boots. They are substantial, practical and look cute with skirts. I can easily still do all of the running around that I usually do but still feel feminine. Yay! Bring on the skirts!!!

Cord Pencil Skirt - J.Crew

I really like this one from J.Crew. I see it with a white collared shirt tucked in and with a belt, tights and tall boots. It is professional and doable in my life.

Moss Tweed Pencil Skirt - J.Crew

I also really like this tweed skirt. I like that shirt as well, however I am not feeling the socks. Perhaps I am just not fashion-forward enough, but I think they look ridiculous. Anyway, this is another look that I think I could easily incorporate into my day.

Looks like I may have to make a trip to J.Crew. Sometimes things just need to happen.

How about you? Anything you are looking to incorporate more of into your wardrobe? Do tell...

Country Eye Candy

2010-09-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was all kinds of crazy. Work threw me some very unexpected curve balls and, while all is well, it left me mentally and physically tuckered OUT.

So what did I do? Went home, poured myself a glass of wine and spent some time on the Country Living website. It worked like a charm. And, because I love to share, here are a few images to feast your eyes upon.

I love the blue china. Okay - so I have never been attracted to blue. It just never got my attention in any real way but in the last few months, I have started noticing it and loving it. Suddenly I am craving blue around me. Not sure where that is coming from, but I am going to go with it.

How much would you love a wall of books? It is one of my home dreams - especially with the ladder. It is so movie set. I love.

I once had a friend say to me in college, "Joc - you are probably the only person I know who would go shopping and just come home with baskets." She was right. I adore them. I much prefer to store things in baskets rather than bulky plastic containers.

Here is another thing I have been into lately: oval mirrors. They remind me of turn of the century farmhouses and I just find the shape really appealing.

Last but not least, this lovely pic. I would LOVE to take a nap on that, under the tree. Growing up, we had a hammock in our backyard and I remember my Mom just letting us nap on it as much as we wanted in the summer. There is nothing like waking up, staring at the sky.

Today is already looking to be less hectic, which is promising for my sanity. Happy Tuesday!

We've Got Cows!

2010-09-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Did you ever see the movie Twister? Remember the famous line, "We've got cows!!!" as a tornado engulfs Bill Paxton's SUV, swirling a cow in the air?

Well, that is me today - and I am the cow, swirling in the air.

Work is insane, therefore this post is all I have to give today. Have a good day!!!

Love,

Jocelyn the Swirling Tornado Cow

Our New Comforter

2010-09-11T23:27:00.000-07:00

I was really excited today because Dan and I were going to treat ourselves to a new down comforter. The one we currently have is old and the feathers have all migrated to the foot of the comforter, where they seem happy to stay. A few nights ago it was particularly chilly and we both decided then and there that the time has come for a new one.

Then we learned of Macy's one-day sale. Perfect.

We woke up, got ready and headed out to Macy's. Within 20 minutes we had our new comforter picked out and in the car. How exciting to have a new linen for our bed! Tonight was sure to be all warm and toasty.

About an hour ago we opened it up, all ready to put the duvet cover on it and make the bed. As we took it out of the plastic case it came in, we went on and on about how thick it felt. Score! Then we started to unfold it.

Uhhmmmm...

It was small. Really small. It fit our queen bed, but with not a lot of extra. That's when it dawned on me. I ran over to look at the label again and it confirmed my fears.

We bought a bloody down mattress pad. Apparently neither of us actually read what we were buying.

We will be returning to Macy's in the morning.

Sisterly "Advice"

2010-09-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

My Brother and Me - Christmas 2009

Last night I cooked dinner for 11 family members as we celebrated Dan's birthday. I made lasagna, which turned out amazingly well, if I do say so myself. The weather outside was horrendous, making the comfort of warm Italian food that much more delightful.

After dinner we all sat around talking and my brother, who is 19 and wonderfully ingrained in the college mind-set, as one should be at that age, said this:

"It seems like all of the other generations have tried to make the world a better place, but it is my generation that will actually be able to do something about it."

My immediate reaction was to giggle because I too remember having thoughts like that at his age. College has a way of opening up your mind, stuffing it with ideas, and leaving you armed and ready to take on the world.

"Yeah, that's just something college students say, Conor, but it's not really true," I said through my laughter.

Then I paused.

How. Jaded. Am. I? What has happened to me in the 6 years since I graduated from college? I am 28 years old and already declaring the total inability of future generations to make things better?

I think it stems from the fact that when I was 19, I thought that Anarchists were cool, my parents were the most annoying people in the world and that the drinking age should be 18. I no longer give any of those sentiments the time of day and I guess just applied my own opinion of myself at that age to my brother. Not fair, my dear brother. My apologies.

There is something so special about that idyllic time in a person's life/education. Feeling empowered with knowledge and will is not something a stupid older sister should take away or criticize.

And so, Conor, don't listen to what I said before. Stew and steep amongst the freshly educated around you. Bathe in the promise of what you can achieve. Live in your moment and, if you have some spare time, remind your sister that she needs a reality check.

A Coastal Weekend

2010-09-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely weekend and I hope that you all can say the same. Dan and I headed to the Oregon coast for his birthday and it was fantastic. The weather was incredible, which is not something you can really count on at our beaches, so we felt very thankful.

Due to the fact that I was having a lot of fun, I hardly took any photos. Sometimes I do that. The camera will be with me, but I just forget to actually take it out of it's case. La dee da.

To summarize the weekend, I will make a list of what we did because I love lists and they help me feel organized and on top of things.

This weekend we:

- Took naps on the beach each day. This was wonderful. It was warm and breezy and we had no idea what time it was.

- Checked out antique shops. Always enjoyable. Well, for me anyway :)

- Saw an Elk the size of a truck. Not even kidding. He stared at us for about 30 seconds before continuing on his way.

- Went kayaking on a little estuary near the ocean. I found this to be an extremely relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

- Biked into town and explored some of the area where we were staying. It was a challenging ride (darn hills) but felt great.

- Had a seriously incredible dinner at the Nehalem River Inn. If you are ever near the coastal town of Manzanita and feel like treating yourself - eat there. We both had one of the best steaks of our lives and a glass of Pinot Noir that I am actually still dreaming about.

- Made a campfire on the beach. One of the things I love about our beaches is that at night, there are campfires for miles, all along the water's edge. We had a big 'ol fire going and just laid on a blanket, watching shooting stars. I saw 5 of them.

It was truly a wonderful weekend, and as is the case with all good things, it was over far too quickly. I hope you all had a nice weekend and I would love to hear what you did!

My night

2010-09-02T21:35:00.001-07:00

As I type this I am laying on my bed with my beloved MacBook. I am listening to old Dixie Chicks songs and just finished wrapping birthday gifts for my hubby. Dan is in the other room watching something on TV, but I know not what. Probably something to do with cars. In fact, most likely.

The sheets and duvet cover on my bed are white with a cream floral design. I want a bright, patterned duvet, but I just have not come across the right one. It is also hard for me to stray from neutral bedding. I don't know why. I think maybe neutrals relax me? I have to try something new soon though, otherwise I am ripe for a design rut. This is the truth.

Dan and I are packing tonight to go away for the weekend. We rented a little place near the coast and I am really excited. There is nothing in the world I love more than time with him. People often ask us if we get sick of each other since we are not only married, but work together as well. The truth is that after almost 4 years of working together, I cannot imagine it any other way. Being able to share my dream of working in film with this incredible man makes me feel beyond lucky.

I feel content. My life is good. We had to work late tonight and were so exhausted afterwards neither of us could be bothered to cook anything so we opted for pizza by the slice and a Corona each. I am not a big beer drinker, but it tastes so delicious with a slice of pizza.

Alright - I need to go pack now, but before I do, I want to leave you with a video of one of my favorite Dixie Chicks songs ever. When I am feeling stressed, I love to listen to it. Enjoy.

Up At The Cabin

2010-09-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, Dan and I decided to head up to my Dad's cabin which is located near Mt. St. Helens.

We are so fortunate to have the cabin available to us. There is no cell phone service or internet connection. The cabin forces you to relax by the lack of modern distractions. I love it there.

Usually when we visit in the summer, we spend most of our time in the lake but it was a bit chilly for that. We decided instead to go exploring around the area, checking out some new places. The further you go into the forest, the tinier and less paved the roads become. We had a map with us so we felt confident in just seeing where the roads took us.

After awhile we came upon this vast field filled with huckleberry bushes. We decided to get out and pick some berries. If you've never had one, a huckleberry is like a smaller, less sweet blueberry. It takes a long time to pick enough to do anything with, but they are very yummy. I ended up making a blueberry and huckleberry crumble with mine and it was delish!

This was the view from the huckleberry fields. I had one of those moments up there where I felt really thankful that I live where I do. It is stunning.

I think Maddie liked it too. This is one of the best pictures I have ever taken of her. That is so perfectly her face and everything that I love about her.

On our way back to the cabin, we stopped at this view point. There she is: Mt. St. Helens. Breathtaking. Believe it or not, I have actually hiked to the top of that there mountain. I did it when I was about 14 or 15 and it was the hardest thing I have ever done, physically.

This guy was checking out the view too. What is it about big dogs - they never seem to realize just how big they are!

It was really fun to have a different kind of day up at the cabin. We can't wait until it starts to snow up there. They close some of the roads and you have to snow shoe in. I have never gone snow-shoeing and am excited to try.

Have a good one everybody!

Vintage Glass Bottles

2010-08-31T23:45:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up some vintage glass bottles at a flea market and I really adore them.

I think it is the beginning of a long and happy relationship between old bottles and me.

Because we live in an apartment the size of some people's closets, I decided to put them on the table we have on our balcony. I got the rusted bowl at an estate sale about a year ago. I have always had a thing for old, rusty bowls.

The day I found it I came home really excited and showed my sister, "Look at this old bowl I got today for a dollar!!!"

"Looks like a piece of junk to me," she replied.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

I hope you like your new home, little bottles. If I were a betting kinda gal, I would bet you may have some new friends to join you soon.

Homemade Cinnamon Bread

2010-08-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

I mentioned on Sunday that I was going to be making this cinnamon bread. My husband was off golfing and I was so excited to watch my recorded Oprah episodes and bake some bread! I started around 9am since I knew that there was quite a bit of rising time (4 hours in the recipe). In the end, my loaf actually had about 6 hours of rising time since I was running errands in between the steps.

I wish that I could somehow post how this bread smelled as it was cooking. It reminded me of childhood, The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon. It reminded me of coming home from school and smelling freshly baked cookies. It reminded me of the annual ski trips we used to take with another family. We would always rent the same mountain house and ski every day for a week. It was perfection.

Perhaps those seem like strange connections, but it all makes molds together quite exquisitely in my mind.

You know how recipes always say that you should let it cool before serving? Am I the only one who NEVER follows this rule?

Uhm....

I was quite pleased with how the swirl turned out and all of the cinnamon-sugary goodness that was just begging to be eaten.

Here is a close-up for you. It's kind of unreal how great this tastes with a little bit of butter.

This really is a good recipe and I suggest you try it if you enjoy baking. The dough was really easy to work with and it was smooth sailing from the get-go. Just remember to allow ample rising time. It. Is. Key.

Have a great Tuesday and if you try the bread, let me know how it turns out!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

2010-08-29T09:19:00.001-07:00

It is Sunday morning and my darling husband is out golfing with 3 of his mates. He loves golf and I am excited for him to get a chance to play.

I am also excited for my plans.

Homemade Cinnamon Bread - The Pioneer Woman

First up, I am making this cinnamon bread. I saw it. I love it. I have to have it. I've got my butter softening as I type and I am excited to get started. Hopefully mine will turn out as beautiful as the loaf in the picture!

Since bread requires hours of rising time (and I did all my cleaning yesterday - go me!) I am going to head out to find a birthday gift for the hubs. He turns 33 a week from today. Sorry darlin', but the truth, I do tell.

I may also take a quick stop by TJ Maxx. I have not been there in forever and I am in the mood for a hunt, so I think today is the day.

Did you know that in England TJ Maxx is called TK Maxx? The stores are exactly the same, but they have swapped the 'J' for a 'K'. Just a little factoid for you on this lovely Sunday.

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend and I will let you know how this cinnamon bread turns out :)

Feeling Fall

2010-08-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

While I have been feeling excited for Fall here and there, I have been trying trying to fight it off because I don't quite feel ready for Summer to be over. We have had an unseasonably cool season and I feel like I need some more hot days before I can really embrace the upcoming season. I felt really good about my resolve to milk every last drop out of summer, that is until I got my new Pottery Barn catalog last night.

Oh how they toy with my resolve.

I Love Snob

2010-08-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is my current beauty product obsession: MAC Snob lipstick. If you are a pink lipstick wearing kinda gal (or guy...no judging here) you should really give it a shot. It is described as a "ladylike mauve shade" and is one of their most popular colors.

I am not a huge lipstick wearer because I prefer to play up the eyes (aka - mascara is my best friend), but this is a super matte color, which keeps it toned down just enough where I can justify daily use. During the day, I like to wear it with a little bit of lip gloss to keep it simple. At night, though, I like to really put it on with some black liquid eyeliner for a semi-60's look.

This lipstick will set you back $14.50 and can be found here or at any MAC store. Enjoy.