Some name game giggles to get you into weekend mode.
Leslie at the Weighting Game (who found it on the Semi-Charmed Wife blog...I have no idea how references work on blogs. And my MLA style guide (circa 1992) doesn't really help) posted this today and I was laughing so hard over it that I am "borrowing" it and posting my answers here.
YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Daisy Cavalier
YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
R-Hut
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Chocolate Brown Alligator
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Jean Marquette
YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Sonre (hmm…sounds like something from a French novel)
SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
Pink Frappuccino
NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Ray Charles (Ha, I could sing during tire changes)
STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Spellbound York Peppermint Pattie
WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names )
Elsie Harry
TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Gosa Green Bay
SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Lilac
CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now + "ie" or "y")
Asian Pear Tunic-y
HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Oatmeal Weeping Willow (....and my skirt is made of hemp)
YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour")
The Graphic Design Thunderstorm Tour
What are yours?!!? Do them and post some/all in the comments!!!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Um, Jimmy Choo-Choo Train?
Okay I am still debating whether I find these completely adorable or utterly disturbing. Or maybe a combination of both?
Yep, stilettos for babies. Courtesy of Heelarious (great company name!)
Okay so they are pretty cute. But I swear to God, if I ever see a toddler walking down the street carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag, I will vomit.
What do you think of the heels for babies? Too much? Or just cute enough?
Ganache to meet you, Daring Bakers
Chances are if you have conversed with me any time recently, I have uttered the phrase, “I was reading a blog and….” or “Oh, you HAVE to check out this blog.”
I read a lot of blogs. I have determined that the regular news is just depressing and celebrity gossip is just boring and kind of sad as well (Amy Winehouse in the hospital again. SHOCKING!). And I have declared that I am tuning out the presidential election until some time at the end of October. When they can cut down the campaign process to a three-month affair, I may pay attention more again. (Seriously, did I need to know that John McCain had a spot removed from his face?!?)
So I turn to blogs for escape. Mainly recipe and baking blogs. So in my readings, I kept coming across references to the Daring Bakers. I was intrigued. It sounded like a secret baking society. And I wanted in. I love secret society lore. The movie “The Skulls” with Pacey from Dawson’s Creek is one of my favorite movies ever.
I researched the Daring Bakers and sent an email to the coordinators and after reviewing the rules and regulations, I was in. The group works like this. Each month, one member picks a recipe for everyone to bake. Members have one month to bake and everyone posts their output on their blog on the same day (that would be today). And it’s very top secret. I kept waiting for the BBI (Baking Bureau of Investigation) to bust through my door and scream “Stop and place the oven mitts behind your head” every time I asked a question about in an ingredient in the recipe to someone in my office.
I was SUPER excited for the July Challenge, my first baking challenge as part of the Daring Bakers. In past months, they had made Cheesecake lollipops (I had made these on my own), opera cake, and a braided Danish. YUM! So when the day came for me to access the July challenge, I was trembling with excitement. And then saw the recipe:
“Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream.”
Um, huh? I do not even know how to pronounce the second word.
And the instructions….six pages long.
I felt like I was walking into an Abstract Algebra final exam without ever having passed eighth grade algebra. AAHHHHH!!!
If you walked past my desk during lunchtime in the past month and saw me huddled over my desk, looking perplexed as I paged through pages and pages of paper, no I was not closing in on creating the theorem that I so desperately named after me. Nope, I was studying this recipe, Googling terms, having an anxiety attack, and developing a plan of attack.
I fancy myself a fairly talented baker but with this, I was pretty sure that I was way, way, WAY out of my league.
So when the day rolled around for me to bake this thing, I hopped out of bed, did a few warm-up stretches (you know, for the whisking), and got to work. The recipe is really long so I won’t post it all here (if you really want it, let me know.) but the recipe entails the following elements:
Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream
From Great Cakes by Carol Walter
So I made it through the Challenge. And I am looking forward to the August Challenge. Which hopefully I can pronounce.
Some notes from the July Challenge:
I read a lot of blogs. I have determined that the regular news is just depressing and celebrity gossip is just boring and kind of sad as well (Amy Winehouse in the hospital again. SHOCKING!). And I have declared that I am tuning out the presidential election until some time at the end of October. When they can cut down the campaign process to a three-month affair, I may pay attention more again. (Seriously, did I need to know that John McCain had a spot removed from his face?!?)
So I turn to blogs for escape. Mainly recipe and baking blogs. So in my readings, I kept coming across references to the Daring Bakers. I was intrigued. It sounded like a secret baking society. And I wanted in. I love secret society lore. The movie “The Skulls” with Pacey from Dawson’s Creek is one of my favorite movies ever.
I researched the Daring Bakers and sent an email to the coordinators and after reviewing the rules and regulations, I was in. The group works like this. Each month, one member picks a recipe for everyone to bake. Members have one month to bake and everyone posts their output on their blog on the same day (that would be today). And it’s very top secret. I kept waiting for the BBI (Baking Bureau of Investigation) to bust through my door and scream “Stop and place the oven mitts behind your head” every time I asked a question about in an ingredient in the recipe to someone in my office.
I was SUPER excited for the July Challenge, my first baking challenge as part of the Daring Bakers. In past months, they had made Cheesecake lollipops (I had made these on my own), opera cake, and a braided Danish. YUM! So when the day came for me to access the July challenge, I was trembling with excitement. And then saw the recipe:
“Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream.”
Um, huh? I do not even know how to pronounce the second word.
And the instructions….six pages long.
I felt like I was walking into an Abstract Algebra final exam without ever having passed eighth grade algebra. AAHHHHH!!!
If you walked past my desk during lunchtime in the past month and saw me huddled over my desk, looking perplexed as I paged through pages and pages of paper, no I was not closing in on creating the theorem that I so desperately named after me. Nope, I was studying this recipe, Googling terms, having an anxiety attack, and developing a plan of attack.
I fancy myself a fairly talented baker but with this, I was pretty sure that I was way, way, WAY out of my league.
So when the day rolled around for me to bake this thing, I hopped out of bed, did a few warm-up stretches (you know, for the whisking), and got to work. The recipe is really long so I won’t post it all here (if you really want it, let me know.) but the recipe entails the following elements:
Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream
From Great Cakes by Carol Walter
- 1 Filbert Genoise
- 1 recipe sugar syrup, flavored with dark rum
- 1 recipe Praline Buttercream
- ½ cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 1 recipe Apricot Glaze (I used black cherry instead of apricot)
- 1 recipe Ganache Glaze, prepared just before using
- 3 tablespoons filberts, toasted and coarsely chopped
PS: A filbert is a hazelnut.
I set to work. And I got through it. But I will say that if not for the fact I felt obligated to do this, I would have quit halfway through. My frustration level=high. But this is the Daring Bakers so chances must be taken.
Here is the finished product:
So I made it through the Challenge. And I am looking forward to the August Challenge. Which hopefully I can pronounce.
Some notes from the July Challenge:
- Several parts of the recipe required the use of a liqueur. Here’s the thing: I never buy liquor. This is why Happy Hour was invented: So other people could mix my fruity beverages for me. I gladly pay the labor costs on that. So I had no clue where to even look so I consulted with friends and headed to one of the neighborhood liquor stores. Of course, I chose to do this immediately after I had my pupils dilated at the eye doctor. I could barely see, was stumbling through the liquor store, and am pretty sure the staff thought I was completely hammered. Around the time I realized that I was not in any shape to be doing this, the manager came over to ask if I needed to be helped. I stammered out, “I will come back when…I can see.” I was kind of mortified. So I could not go back.
- So I headed to liquor store number two when my vision was restored. I walked in wearing what I call my “Home Depot Face.” You know, the look that screams “I have no clue what I’m doing. HELP ME HELP ME.” Two rather weathered gentlemen came to my rescue and helped me pick out an amaretto liqueur. They even offered some recipe advice from their own baking experience. Who knew?!?! They did not seem like the Martha Stewart type. [They are also working to track down a wine that I am desperately searching for: Fish Eye Chardonnay. Has anyone seen it?!?!]
- I knew the minute that I saw this recipe that I would not like it so I did not even try it. So I started packaging it up to take to the office (they’ll eat anything) and the cake promptly spontaneously combusted. I really did not want to sully my baking reputation by bringing in this disaster. Some things are better left untasted.
- I am totally naming my first child “Filbert Genoise”
Sunday, July 27, 2008
It's like the Three Bears - Garden Style!
My mom sent me this picture this morning and I had to share.
The biggest one weighs almost a pound, my mom reports.
Apparently, it's tomato bumper crop this year. [Okay, I always hear/sometimes use the phrase "bumper crop" but really have no idea what it means. So I googled it. And found this. But the author seems to doubt herself. Anyone know?] I have never really liked tomato except in ketchup form but I am slowly, slice by slice, trying to add them to my meals.
If I did not have a terrible fear of snakes, I would love to have a garden. Also, I live on the 14th floor of a high-rise with no balcony and barely have room for a bed. So a garden is not so feasible at the moment.
Currently, I am attempting to keep an Aloe Vera plant alive. And we celebrated its one month birthday. Which is huge for me. Normally, plants die when I merely walk into a room.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Hummus Among Us and Staring at Us
I am certain that "Shop for Rebecca's Birthday Present" is at the top of your Saturday to-do list, right? Who cares that my birthday is not until Christmas. [Hey, my mom's workplace celebrated Christmas in July yesterday. So 'tis the season!]
Anyway, I always have your best interests at heart here as shopping for my birthday and Christmas gift can be a bit tedious. So I thought I would give you a helpful idea.
I worship at the base of a container of Sabra Hummus. I freakin' love, love, LOVE the stuff. If you have not tried it yet, your life is NOT complete.
So what I REALLY want this year....someone to commission a Sabra hummus sculpture of my head!!!!
Anyway, I always have your best interests at heart here as shopping for my birthday and Christmas gift can be a bit tedious. So I thought I would give you a helpful idea.
I worship at the base of a container of Sabra Hummus. I freakin' love, love, LOVE the stuff. If you have not tried it yet, your life is NOT complete.
So what I REALLY want this year....someone to commission a Sabra hummus sculpture of my head!!!!
Seriously, why should only Clinton, Obama, and McCain get all the hummus glory? They may bring environmental improvement plans and troop reduction plans to the table...
...but I bring baked goods to the table.
So I win.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Challenge Accepted!!!!
Growing up as the youngest of five girls, I hero-worshiped the fabulous four girls who came before me in birth order. There is a substantial age gap between me and the next youngest, so the four of them always seemed SO grown up. I wanted to be them. I marveled at their cool outfits, their cool friends, and their cool music—I blame my lifelong love of Meatloaf and Belinda Carlisle music on them.
While I have grown up to be my own person, I am also each of them. Every thing I admired about each of them became part of me: a flare for the dramatic, a quick sense of humor, stubbornness, complete selflessness, courage.
While half of a country (and an entire ocean, in one case) now divides us, that is merely a geographical separation. Family ties can never really be severed. The ties may be tested but that can only make them stronger. When they hurt, I hurt. Their pain becomes my pain.
On a sunny Saturday morning in early February of this year, I answered the phone and the words that followed knocked the wind out of me. Until that moment, I really never understood what people meant by that phrase “knocked the wind out of me.” It means that you have completely fallen but yet are somehow still standing, gasping for breath yet still breathing steadily.
My sister Debbie was on the other end of the call and told me through tears that she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I stood there listening, understanding every word yet comprehending none of it. You never think it will happen to anyone you know until it does.
I saw her over the Memorial Day Weekend and she looks fabulous and is full of positive energy. She has handled the past few months with a grace and inner strength that seems to defy human capability. She has approached the disease with the same fierce determination that she attacks everything else. Clearly, MS has never stood between Debbie and a Blue Light Special at K-Mart. I have and it was scary.
When I returned to work after the Memorial Day weekend, I was busy going about my day when I noticed the voicemail light on my cell phone was blinking. The message awaiting me literally left me gasping for breath at my desk as I replayed the message five times to make sure that I had heard it correctly. Because the message seemed so improbable that it could NOT be possible.
Another one of my sisters had been diagnosed with MS.
One day, I may be able to articulate the fog of emotions that have filled my world since then. A fog that has left me doing exactly what human nature forces us to do when the Earth falls off of its axis: Grasp for anything that you can control. But in this scenario, there is nothing to grab on to. So in absence of control, you seek anything, ANYTHING, however small, that you CAN do.
So on September 27 and 28, I will be lacing up my sneakers and walking 50 kilometers (that’s 32 miles for all of you metric system haters out there) as part of the Capital Challenge Walk for MS.
I realized at a very young age that I was not destined for a career in sales. I hated selling cookies for Girl Scouts and I hated selling cheese and sausage for the eighth grade fundraisers. I mean, seriously, the kids whose parents worked at the paper mills always won these sales contests.
But for this cause, I am willing to set aside my cookie-selling anxiety and raise money for a cause that is now SO important to myself and my family. I have pledged to raise $1,500 for the National MS Society. Part of that money will go to research; the remainder goes to help pay for other important services such as MS patient’s medication and provide rides to doctor’s appointments when patients just cannot make it on their own.
For me, for this cause, every dollar is important. I am completely dedicated to seeing this through. And I hope that you will help. My personal fundraising page can be accessed here. I am so thankful for any amount that you can donate.
And I will share with you my progress as I train for this walk. Because clearly shopping will need to be done…new workout clothes, new shoes, etc. And I will share some of my training walks with you. As luck would have it, I live in quite the walkable, scenic city.
While I have grown up to be my own person, I am also each of them. Every thing I admired about each of them became part of me: a flare for the dramatic, a quick sense of humor, stubbornness, complete selflessness, courage.
While half of a country (and an entire ocean, in one case) now divides us, that is merely a geographical separation. Family ties can never really be severed. The ties may be tested but that can only make them stronger. When they hurt, I hurt. Their pain becomes my pain.
On a sunny Saturday morning in early February of this year, I answered the phone and the words that followed knocked the wind out of me. Until that moment, I really never understood what people meant by that phrase “knocked the wind out of me.” It means that you have completely fallen but yet are somehow still standing, gasping for breath yet still breathing steadily.
My sister Debbie was on the other end of the call and told me through tears that she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I stood there listening, understanding every word yet comprehending none of it. You never think it will happen to anyone you know until it does.
I saw her over the Memorial Day Weekend and she looks fabulous and is full of positive energy. She has handled the past few months with a grace and inner strength that seems to defy human capability. She has approached the disease with the same fierce determination that she attacks everything else. Clearly, MS has never stood between Debbie and a Blue Light Special at K-Mart. I have and it was scary.
When I returned to work after the Memorial Day weekend, I was busy going about my day when I noticed the voicemail light on my cell phone was blinking. The message awaiting me literally left me gasping for breath at my desk as I replayed the message five times to make sure that I had heard it correctly. Because the message seemed so improbable that it could NOT be possible.
Another one of my sisters had been diagnosed with MS.
One day, I may be able to articulate the fog of emotions that have filled my world since then. A fog that has left me doing exactly what human nature forces us to do when the Earth falls off of its axis: Grasp for anything that you can control. But in this scenario, there is nothing to grab on to. So in absence of control, you seek anything, ANYTHING, however small, that you CAN do.
So on September 27 and 28, I will be lacing up my sneakers and walking 50 kilometers (that’s 32 miles for all of you metric system haters out there) as part of the Capital Challenge Walk for MS.
I realized at a very young age that I was not destined for a career in sales. I hated selling cookies for Girl Scouts and I hated selling cheese and sausage for the eighth grade fundraisers. I mean, seriously, the kids whose parents worked at the paper mills always won these sales contests.
But for this cause, I am willing to set aside my cookie-selling anxiety and raise money for a cause that is now SO important to myself and my family. I have pledged to raise $1,500 for the National MS Society. Part of that money will go to research; the remainder goes to help pay for other important services such as MS patient’s medication and provide rides to doctor’s appointments when patients just cannot make it on their own.
For me, for this cause, every dollar is important. I am completely dedicated to seeing this through. And I hope that you will help. My personal fundraising page can be accessed here. I am so thankful for any amount that you can donate.
And I will share with you my progress as I train for this walk. Because clearly shopping will need to be done…new workout clothes, new shoes, etc. And I will share some of my training walks with you. As luck would have it, I live in quite the walkable, scenic city.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I won the shoe lottery!!!!!!!!!! (Well, almost)
How did the world function before online shoe shopping? With the free overnight shipping and free returns, it is so much easier and more efficient than (gasp!) actually going to a shoe store. Seriously, between online shoe shopping and Netflix, the likelihood of me becoming a hermit increases every day.
Piperlime was having their "lime tag" sale and two pairs of shoes that I have been eyeing for a very long time were both 50 percent off. Cha-ching! They were mine! Upon their arrival, my doorman called to tell me that the package had arrived. I went down to pick them up and was handed two gigantic boxes emblazoned with Piperlime logos. Since I had ordered two pairs of flats and not two pairs of extra tall UGGs, I was baffled by the size of the packages.
At this point, three thoughts went through my head simultaneously,
I was perplexed.
Then I pulled out the receipt and realized that they had put a shipping label with my address on some other person’s order.
Mystery solved. I have returned the mistaken shoes.
But it would have been so much cooler to have won the shoe lottery.
Piperlime was having their "lime tag" sale and two pairs of shoes that I have been eyeing for a very long time were both 50 percent off. Cha-ching! They were mine! Upon their arrival, my doorman called to tell me that the package had arrived. I went down to pick them up and was handed two gigantic boxes emblazoned with Piperlime logos. Since I had ordered two pairs of flats and not two pairs of extra tall UGGs, I was baffled by the size of the packages.
At this point, three thoughts went through my head simultaneously,
- I WON THE SHOE LOTTERY! WOO HOO!!!
- I know that I do not sleepwalk but do I sleep shoe shop?
- I really need to write Piperlime a letter about the environmental impact of overpackaging.
I was perplexed.
Then I pulled out the receipt and realized that they had put a shipping label with my address on some other person’s order.
Mystery solved. I have returned the mistaken shoes.
But it would have been so much cooler to have won the shoe lottery.
Um, Grandma?!?!
I was walking home today in the crazy D.C. heat and decided to cut through the neighborhood park knowing that the trees would provide some refuge from the sun. Seriously, it’s freaking hot out there. I had my Ipod on to that perfect volume where it was loud enough for me to zone out yet quiet enough for me to still be aware of my surroundings (safety first!) .
As I was walking, a little boy (maybe 3 or 4 years old? I’m never good at guessing kids’ ages) comes running up to me and hands me a leaf—yes, just one small wilted leaf. You have to love the randomness of kids—and starts talking up a storm. Worried that something might be wrong, I turned off my Ipod just in time to see a look of realization come across his face and hear him say…
"Wait, you’re not my grandma."
Um, grandma? WHAT?!?!? Honestly, as I was leaving for my walk, I looked in the mirror and thought, hey I look pretty cute today. At no point did I think, wow, I look elderly today.
I live in a building and neighborhood that has a high concentration of senior citizens. I know there is a theory that after while pets and their owners start to look alike but do you start looking like your neighbors after while?
For now, I am just telling myself that to a child, EVERYONE looks old.
But you’ll have to excuse me, I need to go buy some anti-aging eye cream.
As I was walking, a little boy (maybe 3 or 4 years old? I’m never good at guessing kids’ ages) comes running up to me and hands me a leaf—yes, just one small wilted leaf. You have to love the randomness of kids—and starts talking up a storm. Worried that something might be wrong, I turned off my Ipod just in time to see a look of realization come across his face and hear him say…
"Wait, you’re not my grandma."
Um, grandma? WHAT?!?!? Honestly, as I was leaving for my walk, I looked in the mirror and thought, hey I look pretty cute today. At no point did I think, wow, I look elderly today.
I live in a building and neighborhood that has a high concentration of senior citizens. I know there is a theory that after while pets and their owners start to look alike but do you start looking like your neighbors after while?
For now, I am just telling myself that to a child, EVERYONE looks old.
But you’ll have to excuse me, I need to go buy some anti-aging eye cream.
FridgeWatcher!!!
Okay, when I take a break from laughing at the train wrecks cakes on Cake Wreck, I have a new blog obsession, FridgeWatcher! Who knew seeing the insides of other people's refrigerators could be soo entertaining??!?!?!? I am fascinated! I find myself analyzing and critiquing the organizational qualities, the selection of condiments, and the number of magnets on the door. (I do declare this fridge the King of Condiments!)
And it's kind of an international learning experience as people from all over the world submit pics of their fridge. And this fridge gave me a total flashback to studying abroad in Sweden and the bizarro things I ate there. They had this liquid yogurt that we ate with our cereal. I kind of gag thinking about it now.
In the spirit of Fridgewatcher, here are some pics of my fridge (hey, you've already seen my bathroom counter...I've got nothing to hide. LOL!). Note: I had just gotten back from grocery shopping when I took this picture. So the fridge actually has stuff in it. Otherwise, it would just have some hummus, some wilted broccoli, and some white wine that has been sitting in the fridge since 2005.
Oh, and I am not a soda drinker at all. The Sprite is leftover from my wisdom tooth surgery when my doctor suggested I drink it as part of my recovery.
What's in your fridge?!?!? I wanna see!
And it's kind of an international learning experience as people from all over the world submit pics of their fridge. And this fridge gave me a total flashback to studying abroad in Sweden and the bizarro things I ate there. They had this liquid yogurt that we ate with our cereal. I kind of gag thinking about it now.
In the spirit of Fridgewatcher, here are some pics of my fridge (hey, you've already seen my bathroom counter...I've got nothing to hide. LOL!). Note: I had just gotten back from grocery shopping when I took this picture. So the fridge actually has stuff in it. Otherwise, it would just have some hummus, some wilted broccoli, and some white wine that has been sitting in the fridge since 2005.
Oh, and I am not a soda drinker at all. The Sprite is leftover from my wisdom tooth surgery when my doctor suggested I drink it as part of my recovery.
What's in your fridge?!?!? I wanna see!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Cake Wreck!!!!
I found the Cake Wreck blog today and, as a result, I have been laughing hysterically all. day. long. An entire blog devoted to professional cakes gone wrong. Fantastic. The best part is that I am sure every creator of every cake featured on Cake Wreck came up with a fabulous vision and executed it with precision, but the end result, at least in the eyes of others, was not quite what the baker intended.
Or in the case of my favorite cake, exactly as it was intended. How freakin' fantastically funny (and, yes, disgusting) is this cake?!?! Can you imagine coming home to this cake after a crap-tacular (!) day/week/month? How could it not put a smile on your face?!?!
(And you have to check out this one. Um, bridezilla much?)
Or in the case of my favorite cake, exactly as it was intended. How freakin' fantastically funny (and, yes, disgusting) is this cake?!?! Can you imagine coming home to this cake after a crap-tacular (!) day/week/month? How could it not put a smile on your face?!?!
(And you have to check out this one. Um, bridezilla much?)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
It all started with a tiny speck of mold
I adore my landlord. He is simply amazing. He cares SO much about his properties and makes sure they are meeting the needs of their residents. What particularly amazes me about him is how quickly his mind works.
For example, a few weeks ago I pointed out a tiny piece of mold on the bathroom wall. Twenty seconds later, we were drafting plans for a bathroom remodel (this was before the Great Flood).
He decided that I needed more shelving. This is true. My bathroom is very, very tiny. So my bathroom counter generally looks like this:
(Yes I have a lot of stuff. Don't judge. It takes a lot to make me happen.)
So he decided to cut out the wall and install shelving in the wall. For a while, I was living with this fab hole in my bathroom.
But then on Friday morning when I was awakened by my landlord and a team of construction workers knocking on my door, I suddenly had these great shelves. (They still have to install the trim around the shelves.)
I found these great hooks at World Market to hang my bathrobe and towel on.
I feel so much more organized. Without all of the clutter, my bathroom seems bigger.
I love, love, love all of the shelves. My favorite shelf is the one where I store all of my travel-sized products (and my travel cosmetic case, so cute, right?). I love letting myself indulge in decadent travel-sized products at Sephora. For one, they are so much cheaper than the full-sized version. And two, it's nice to have a product to treat myself when travelling.
For example, a few weeks ago I pointed out a tiny piece of mold on the bathroom wall. Twenty seconds later, we were drafting plans for a bathroom remodel (this was before the Great Flood).
He decided that I needed more shelving. This is true. My bathroom is very, very tiny. So my bathroom counter generally looks like this:
(Yes I have a lot of stuff. Don't judge. It takes a lot to make me happen.)So he decided to cut out the wall and install shelving in the wall. For a while, I was living with this fab hole in my bathroom.
But then on Friday morning when I was awakened by my landlord and a team of construction workers knocking on my door, I suddenly had these great shelves. (They still have to install the trim around the shelves.)
I found these great hooks at World Market to hang my bathrobe and towel on.
I feel so much more organized. Without all of the clutter, my bathroom seems bigger.
I love, love, love all of the shelves. My favorite shelf is the one where I store all of my travel-sized products (and my travel cosmetic case, so cute, right?). I love letting myself indulge in decadent travel-sized products at Sephora. For one, they are so much cheaper than the full-sized version. And two, it's nice to have a product to treat myself when travelling.
And my bathroom counter looks sooo much nicer.
Yes, I know I need a new toothbrush holder. I just cannot find one that I like. So until then, my bright blue plastic Whole Foods cup will have to do.
T-Rex in the Tub
I have a tremendous fear of slipping in the shower. I really have no idea why. Maybe I saw an episode of Rescue 911 when I was younger where this happened.
I have not yet gone as far as to install the railings in my shower but I do invest in the tub non-slip appliques. For whatever reason, they are enough to quell my anxiety. For the longest time, I had this super cute flip-flop set from Wal-Mart.
But no matter how much or how often I cleaned them, I could not get rid of/keep up with the mildew. Then I was reading Women's Health magazine (my new favorite magazine) and came across a tiny little article about these great new shower non-slip things from Mookie Gifts that did not acquire mildew.
I ordered a set immediately. None of the designs really match my bathroom decor so I just decided to have fun with it. I went with the dinosaur non-slips. I was obsessed with dinosaurs when I was a kid, particularly brontasaurus. Probably because it was pudgy and slow...much like myself. But the only dinosaur in non-slip form was T-Rex.
They were super easy to "install." They are more of a sticker whereas most non-slips have suction cups. This is how they escape mildew.
And they are super cute. And my slip in the shower anxiety is eased for one more day.
I have not yet gone as far as to install the railings in my shower but I do invest in the tub non-slip appliques. For whatever reason, they are enough to quell my anxiety. For the longest time, I had this super cute flip-flop set from Wal-Mart.
But no matter how much or how often I cleaned them, I could not get rid of/keep up with the mildew. Then I was reading Women's Health magazine (my new favorite magazine) and came across a tiny little article about these great new shower non-slip things from Mookie Gifts that did not acquire mildew.
I ordered a set immediately. None of the designs really match my bathroom decor so I just decided to have fun with it. I went with the dinosaur non-slips. I was obsessed with dinosaurs when I was a kid, particularly brontasaurus. Probably because it was pudgy and slow...much like myself. But the only dinosaur in non-slip form was T-Rex.
They were super easy to "install." They are more of a sticker whereas most non-slips have suction cups. This is how they escape mildew.
And they are super cute. And my slip in the shower anxiety is eased for one more day.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Anything BUT Comcast-tic
I am back online after losing my Internet and cable connection. Again.
And having to deal with another horrific Comcast customer service agent. Again.
There were tears. Again.
And this time, I was told that if I upgraded to a business account, I would get faster repair service because apparently Comcast values their business customers more. A small, vindictive portion of myself is contemplating making up a business name like "Comcast Is Driving Me Insane, Inc." or "I Made Up This Business Name To Get Faster Repair Service, LLC." But that would require giving Comcast more money which I just cannot bring myself to do.
The whole situation had driven me to announce to my Pilates glass last night that I was becoming Amish so I did not have to deal with technology anymore. And so in a baby anti-technology step, I did not even set an alarm clock this morning (also, it was a rare day when I could sleep in). And sleep in I did. I only woke up when my landlord and a team of construction workers were pounding on my door. Which I answered in my pajamas and my hair completely askew. Luckily, I was still half asleep so I was not alert enough to be mortified by my appearance.
The Comcast technician came next and he could not have been more helpful or gracious as he got me back online. Whatever customer service training it is giving its technicians, Comcast is clearly NOT giving to its phone reps.
SO I am back online. But still considering the Amish thing. As long as I can keep my Ipod.
And having to deal with another horrific Comcast customer service agent. Again.
There were tears. Again.
And this time, I was told that if I upgraded to a business account, I would get faster repair service because apparently Comcast values their business customers more. A small, vindictive portion of myself is contemplating making up a business name like "Comcast Is Driving Me Insane, Inc." or "I Made Up This Business Name To Get Faster Repair Service, LLC." But that would require giving Comcast more money which I just cannot bring myself to do.
The whole situation had driven me to announce to my Pilates glass last night that I was becoming Amish so I did not have to deal with technology anymore. And so in a baby anti-technology step, I did not even set an alarm clock this morning (also, it was a rare day when I could sleep in). And sleep in I did. I only woke up when my landlord and a team of construction workers were pounding on my door. Which I answered in my pajamas and my hair completely askew. Luckily, I was still half asleep so I was not alert enough to be mortified by my appearance.
The Comcast technician came next and he could not have been more helpful or gracious as he got me back online. Whatever customer service training it is giving its technicians, Comcast is clearly NOT giving to its phone reps.
SO I am back online. But still considering the Amish thing. As long as I can keep my Ipod.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Seattle Day 4 (Part 2): So windy would be an understatement
After a visit to the Pike Place Market, we set off on... wait for it... a ferry boat ride!!!! (McDreamy does love the ferry boats, so there was the potential for a sighting. :) ) When I studied abroad in Sweden, ferry boat rides across the Baltic were a way of life. But, here in the States, I am not sure that I have been on a ferry boat (at least that as I can recall). Random fact: I tend to fall asleep on ferry boats.
We caught the ferry in downtown Seattle and took a quick 35-minute ride to Bainbridge Island. The Island looked cute from the Sound but we quickly discovered that, much like my hometown in Northern Wisconsin, the town completely shuts down by 6 p.m. We did make on quick trip into a fab little boutique where Linnae found a great Kensie dress for 70 percent off. And that made the trip completely worth it.
On the way back, Linnae and I decided to head up to the sun deck. We thought it would be windy but when we first got up to the deck, it wasn't bad at all.
And then we rounded the corner to the front of the boat.
And at that point, the wind nearly whipped us off the boat. Scarves were flying everywhere. Camera straps were flying. Linnae demonstrated the saying "Hold onto your hat!!!! My hair was out of control.
Downtown Seattle
Queen Anne neighborhood
The Sound
A passing ferry
We caught the ferry in downtown Seattle and took a quick 35-minute ride to Bainbridge Island. The Island looked cute from the Sound but we quickly discovered that, much like my hometown in Northern Wisconsin, the town completely shuts down by 6 p.m. We did make on quick trip into a fab little boutique where Linnae found a great Kensie dress for 70 percent off. And that made the trip completely worth it.
On the way back, Linnae and I decided to head up to the sun deck. We thought it would be windy but when we first got up to the deck, it wasn't bad at all.
And then we rounded the corner to the front of the boat.
And at that point, the wind nearly whipped us off the boat. Scarves were flying everywhere. Camera straps were flying. Linnae demonstrated the saying "Hold onto your hat!!!! My hair was out of control.
All of this proved to me that there is NO WAY that the "I am the King of the World" scene from Titanic could ever really happen.
Once we stepped off to a less windy section of the boat, there were stunning views of Seattle to be seen (without the wind knocking me unconscious).
Downtown Seattle
Queen Anne neighborhood
The Sound
A passing ferry
Seattle Day 4 (Part 1): To Market, To Market
The Pike Place Market is absolutely one of my favorite places ever. It's magical!!! The vibrant, fresh produce, colorful vendors, and fellow shoppers are just sights to be seen and appreciated. It makes any other farmer's market pale in comparison.
Beautiful flowers!
Stunning raspberries!
The selection of seafood is amazing!
Beautiful flowers!
Stunning raspberries!
These apple and pumpkin butters are simply delicious. I am fully stocked up and ready to try them in my oatmeal.
Cherries that about five dollars cheaper per pound here than in D.C. Those transportation costs add up :) [Note to my Mom: Check out the uber cool shopping bag. :)]
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Seattle Day 3: Sangria, Cheese, and Fireworks: Does life get any better?
I hope you had a fantastic, firework-filled fourth of July. Once again, it started out as a cloudy day here in Seattle, but it turned into a stunningly beautiful, sunshiney day.
After getting my weekly Target and Whole Foods fix, we were off to a fabulous Fourth of July Party on the shores of the Puget Sound. It was a lovely party filled with fabulous food, friends, and fireworks (and even more fabulous-er sangria!!!!) And naturally, the Wisconsin girls gathered around the cheese plate.
After getting my weekly Target and Whole Foods fix, we were off to a fabulous Fourth of July Party on the shores of the Puget Sound. It was a lovely party filled with fabulous food, friends, and fireworks (and even more fabulous-er sangria!!!!) And naturally, the Wisconsin girls gathered around the cheese plate.
I absolutely fell in love with the views from the house. AMAZING!
The house is so nicely positioned that when twilight arrived, we were able to watch the firework shows take place at the numerous cities around the Sound. SOOO cool! We were able to see the firework shows for Des Moines, Lake Union, downtown Seattle, Fox Island, as well as several little shows in between. I believe the Fox Island fireworks show were the favorite among the viewers.
Ha, and there I was sitting on the grass watching the fireworks, wrapped in my baby blue pashmina to ward off the evening chill, when something fell out of the sky and hit me. ALIENS!!!! Ha! Nope, I got hit with a firework remnant. HA! No worries, it was not on fire or even heavy. It was the equivalent of getting hit with a vanilla wafer.
Seattle Day 2 (Part 3): Take me out to the ballgame. Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some garlic fries and dippin' dots.
After a busy day exploring Seattle, I was off to take in a Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers game. My previous Major League Baseball experience was a Washington National game (no clue who they played) that left me reading a J Crew catalogue by the 3rd inning.
But I was feeling strong and up to the challenge of making it through the whole game. Plus it was Girls' Night Out at the stadium so that promised to be at least a little intriguing. Maybe some free swag?!?!
After a pregame warm up in the beer garden, we were feeling ready for the game so we headed into Safeco Field. Which has some amazing views of the city!!!
While we were taking in the views, Kevin happened upon a group of women seated in the "best seats in the house" aka the Barcaloungers on the 300-level. The women had won them in contest but wanted to slip away to eat dinner. And they wanted to know if we wanted to sit in the seats for a couple of innings? Um, YES!!!!!!
So we watched the game in style and pure comfort (but the chair did not have cup holders. um, seriously?!?!)
I have discovered that the minute you mention that you are going to a Mariners game, the very first thing others say is "You HAVE to try the garlic fries." And try we did. Garlic fries are basic French fries drenched in diced garlic.
And they are delicious. And unbelievably garlicky. I am writing this two days after consuming them and I still have garlic seeping through my pores.
And while we noshing on garlic fries, Kevin was eating BBQ with the Man Sauce. The Man Sauce even comes with somewhat of a legal disclaimer when purchased.
In the sixth inning, the ladies returned for their Barcalounger and we returned to seat reality.
But Dippin' Dots made the plasticky chairs feel a little more comfortable. And clearly whoever was sitting in the seats above us was quite comfortable as we turned around to find a foot hovering above us.
The game was close for a while. But the Mariners ended up losing. I cannot remember the score though. Or much else. I saw highlights of the game on the news afterward and immediately thought, wait, that happened at the game I was just at. I SO don't remember that.
But I was feeling strong and up to the challenge of making it through the whole game. Plus it was Girls' Night Out at the stadium so that promised to be at least a little intriguing. Maybe some free swag?!?!
After a pregame warm up in the beer garden, we were feeling ready for the game so we headed into Safeco Field. Which has some amazing views of the city!!!
While we were taking in the views, Kevin happened upon a group of women seated in the "best seats in the house" aka the Barcaloungers on the 300-level. The women had won them in contest but wanted to slip away to eat dinner. And they wanted to know if we wanted to sit in the seats for a couple of innings? Um, YES!!!!!!
So we watched the game in style and pure comfort (but the chair did not have cup holders. um, seriously?!?!)
I have discovered that the minute you mention that you are going to a Mariners game, the very first thing others say is "You HAVE to try the garlic fries." And try we did. Garlic fries are basic French fries drenched in diced garlic.
And they are delicious. And unbelievably garlicky. I am writing this two days after consuming them and I still have garlic seeping through my pores.
And while we noshing on garlic fries, Kevin was eating BBQ with the Man Sauce. The Man Sauce even comes with somewhat of a legal disclaimer when purchased.
In the sixth inning, the ladies returned for their Barcalounger and we returned to seat reality.
But Dippin' Dots made the plasticky chairs feel a little more comfortable. And clearly whoever was sitting in the seats above us was quite comfortable as we turned around to find a foot hovering above us.
The game was close for a while. But the Mariners ended up losing. I cannot remember the score though. Or much else. I saw highlights of the game on the news afterward and immediately thought, wait, that happened at the game I was just at. I SO don't remember that.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Seattle Day 2 (part 2): Let me call you cupcake
After we left Ballard, we headed to the Wallingford neighborhood for lunch. It is another adorable neighborhood whose streets are lined with shops and restaurants. We ended up dining at Julia's where the food was SO delicious!!!! My tuna melt was fantastic!
We then went to a shop called Bonnie River that, sadly, is going out of business. However, this meant that everything was 30 percent off! I found an adorable little sun dress handmade by a group of women (Global Mamas) in Ghana.
From there we headed off to partake in what we affectionately called "Dessert Part 1 and Dessert Part 2." We had received glowing recommendations for an ice cream shop and a cupcake shop, both located in Wallingford. Rather than choosing the greater of two decadent things, we opted to choose both.
First up, Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream. With a menu filled with flavors like honey lavender, thai ice tea, balsamic strawberry, and mandarin chocolate sorbet, the shop is a step above the ordinary (they do also have good ole vanilla and chocolate on the menu). I had the cardamom ice cream; Tiff chose honey lavender.
BOTH flavors were delicious!
Next up, was little piece of heaven also known as Trophy Cupcakes. First, let me say that this little cupcake eatery tucked away in the Wallingford Center is just about the cutest place ever. Decorated in Tiffany blue and chocolate brown, it was really love at first bite, er, sight for me.
I ordered a Lemon Strawberry cupcake and Tiff picked the Green Tea.
(And no, the camera is not playing tricks. I did get my haircut in between Ballard and Wallingford at a fab little salon called Tart. So when/if I ever move here, I have a fantastic stylist named Elizabeth already lined up. And I am seriously loving the Seattle haircut prices compared to the D.C. haircut prices!!!!)
We picked up some cupcakes to go for our friends Linnae (Red Velvet) and Kevin (Vanilla Vanilla). How cute is the to-go packaging?!?!
We then went to a shop called Bonnie River that, sadly, is going out of business. However, this meant that everything was 30 percent off! I found an adorable little sun dress handmade by a group of women (Global Mamas) in Ghana.
From there we headed off to partake in what we affectionately called "Dessert Part 1 and Dessert Part 2." We had received glowing recommendations for an ice cream shop and a cupcake shop, both located in Wallingford. Rather than choosing the greater of two decadent things, we opted to choose both.
First up, Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream. With a menu filled with flavors like honey lavender, thai ice tea, balsamic strawberry, and mandarin chocolate sorbet, the shop is a step above the ordinary (they do also have good ole vanilla and chocolate on the menu). I had the cardamom ice cream; Tiff chose honey lavender.
BOTH flavors were delicious!
Next up, was little piece of heaven also known as Trophy Cupcakes. First, let me say that this little cupcake eatery tucked away in the Wallingford Center is just about the cutest place ever. Decorated in Tiffany blue and chocolate brown, it was really love at first bite, er, sight for me.
I ordered a Lemon Strawberry cupcake and Tiff picked the Green Tea.
Oh, the anticipation!
The first bite and I am already in heaven. It was SOOO good!!!
The perfect combination of flavors, amazing cupcake textutre, and substantial but not too heavey frosting.
(And no, the camera is not playing tricks. I did get my haircut in between Ballard and Wallingford at a fab little salon called Tart. So when/if I ever move here, I have a fantastic stylist named Elizabeth already lined up. And I am seriously loving the Seattle haircut prices compared to the D.C. haircut prices!!!!)
We picked up some cupcakes to go for our friends Linnae (Red Velvet) and Kevin (Vanilla Vanilla). How cute is the to-go packaging?!?!
Next up: A Seattle Mariner's game! (Yes, I actually sat through an ENTIRE sporting event. But when you see where I actually got to sit, you will understand why I made it through.)
Seattle Day 2 (part 1): Duck! Mallard! BALLARD!
Yesterday, I awoke to the sounds of thunder and lightning, my favorite way to wake up! It was quite rainy most of the morning--there was actually a mudslide in one of the rather posh nearby cities--but the sky cleared and it turned out to be a rather lovely day to explore some of Seattle's cutest neighborhoods.
First up: Ballard. Okay, for whatever reason, I can never remember the name Ballard. I do always think of a duck though. Which makes me think of a mallard. Which rhymes with Ballard. It's little devices like these that make me particulary lethal on vocabulary tests.
Ballard is an uber-adorable neighborhood where it is quite evident that the residents take a lot of pride in living there. Case in point: a t-shirt for sale that says "Rome Paris London Ballard." Ballard also takes great strides to prevent to much of the condo/big chain store development in order to maintain the original Ballardness of it all.
We set off wandering through the boutiques and coffee shops that line Market Street. First up, lattes at Sip and Ship where if we had had any mail, we could have sent it off from there as well. Now that I have been here for two full days, I am kind of a coffee connoisseur so I am allowed to say that the Sip and Ship nonfat latte was the best latte I have ever had.
One thing (among many) that I LOVE about Seattle is how many stores focus on selling free-trade items. (Another thing I love: EVERY store, not just the grocery store, asks if you need a bag. Since 90% of the time I can just slip my purchase into my handbag, it's such an easy way to save a bag.) One store had the most fantastic array of organic cotton hand puppets. One thing led to another and suddenly Tiff and I were putting on a puppet show. Which we captured on video. And yes, I totally realize that the quality and direction of this video merits an Oscar nomination. Steven Spielberg has already called to hire me.
I noticed a store called Cookies from across the street but could not quite tell what the store sold so I decided that I must go inside. And what do you know, an entire store devoted to the cookie baking process. Or as I now call it: HEAVEN ON EARTH. It was as though I stepped inside, the skies parted, and a light shone down on me.
I walked away with three adorable cookie cutters in the shapes of a martini glass, a coffee mug, and a triple-scoop ice cream cone and sprinkles in the shapes of jungle animals (gorillas!). SO CUTE!!!
First up: Ballard. Okay, for whatever reason, I can never remember the name Ballard. I do always think of a duck though. Which makes me think of a mallard. Which rhymes with Ballard. It's little devices like these that make me particulary lethal on vocabulary tests.
Ballard is an uber-adorable neighborhood where it is quite evident that the residents take a lot of pride in living there. Case in point: a t-shirt for sale that says "Rome Paris London Ballard." Ballard also takes great strides to prevent to much of the condo/big chain store development in order to maintain the original Ballardness of it all.
We set off wandering through the boutiques and coffee shops that line Market Street. First up, lattes at Sip and Ship where if we had had any mail, we could have sent it off from there as well. Now that I have been here for two full days, I am kind of a coffee connoisseur so I am allowed to say that the Sip and Ship nonfat latte was the best latte I have ever had.
One thing (among many) that I LOVE about Seattle is how many stores focus on selling free-trade items. (Another thing I love: EVERY store, not just the grocery store, asks if you need a bag. Since 90% of the time I can just slip my purchase into my handbag, it's such an easy way to save a bag.) One store had the most fantastic array of organic cotton hand puppets. One thing led to another and suddenly Tiff and I were putting on a puppet show. Which we captured on video. And yes, I totally realize that the quality and direction of this video merits an Oscar nomination. Steven Spielberg has already called to hire me.
I noticed a store called Cookies from across the street but could not quite tell what the store sold so I decided that I must go inside. And what do you know, an entire store devoted to the cookie baking process. Or as I now call it: HEAVEN ON EARTH. It was as though I stepped inside, the skies parted, and a light shone down on me.
I walked away with three adorable cookie cutters in the shapes of a martini glass, a coffee mug, and a triple-scoop ice cream cone and sprinkles in the shapes of jungle animals (gorillas!). SO CUTE!!!
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