my week, currently, vol. 3

It's been such a busy few weeks here, and it doesn't look as though they're slowing down anytime soon! I mentioned that I was in Minneapolis and Chicago earlier in the month, and this past weekend, I was home in NH for my father's birthday. In two weeks, we're in Iowa for the weekend. Steve's sister is having a baby in August, and they are having the baby shower. I am so pleased with myself, as I finished a quilt for her, and the baby is not here yet! This is the first time I've ever finished a quilt before the baby arrives! Now, of course, I have three more quilts to finish. 

Reading: I mentioned the other day that I am finally reading Lean In, and I am also reading Wedding Night, the new one from Sophie Kinsella. Yes, it's fluffy, but everyone needs that once in a while. Has anyone read this yet? I also have a huge stack of magazines to get through. I am such a magazine junkie! 

Eating: I have a beef stew simmering for dinner! I know it's 75* outside, but I was having a craving for it, and it seemed like the perfect thing. I am using the recipe from the Tasha Tudor cookbook, and I just love it. Comfort food at its best.

Listening: I have a rerun of How I Met Your Mother on tv. Speaking of, what did you think of the finale? THE MOTHER!!?!?!?!

Thinking: I'm thinking about becoming a Stella and Dot consultant. I had so much fun with the party I hosted last fall, and would love to try it out. They have such gorgeous pieces. I've never done anything like this, and not sure if I'd be good at it, but am thinking about it. Maybe I should have another party first?

Laughing: While I was home this weekend, I saw my best friend's boys, Jackson and Owen. Jackson is my godson and will be six in July, and his brother Owen will be two later in the month. During desert of cupcakes, Renee pointed to me and said to Owen "who is that?" and Owen giggled and said "Auntie Wexy," which I think was two-year old speak for Auntie Lexi...to which Jackson replied, "Ow-ey! she's MY Auntie Lexi, not YOUR Auntie Lexi!" Those boys are the best.

Wondering:  Why I don't have a lilac bush in my yard. I rarely see them in DC. I picked some at my parent's house and am wishing I had some here! Likewise, they have TONS of lily of the valley in their yard, and I am dying for some of those too!

Wearing: Yoga pants. Perfection  ;)

Loving: The three day weekend coming up! I am in need of a break, and I am so happy that we have no plans for the long weekend. I need a nap.

Wanting:  A cup of tea, but I have no milk for it right now. Apparently Steve didn't do any grocery shopping while I was gone this past weekend  ;)   I did a tea tasting with Capital Teas and Living Social a few weeks ago, and I need to blog about it. I had so much fun!

Needing: To clean the house. How is it always such a disaster? 

What's your week looking like?

my week, currently, vol. 2

It's a rainy Tuesday here in DC, and I'm hearing mixed forecasts for the remainder of the week...but, I won't be here for part of it, so I don't mind as much! I love these "my week" posts I see all over the place. I did one a few weeks ago, and thought I'd do one again. Should this become a regular feature? We'll see! 

Reading: the latest from Jennifer Close, The Smart One, which follows her debut book, called Girls in White Dresses. I enjoyed that one, and am just a few chapters in with this new one, but so far, so good! Also, I learned that the author lives in the DC area and teaches courses at George Washington University, where I did my second Master's degree! Maybe I should take one of her classes? Have you read either of Jennifer Close's books? 

Eating: Crunchy Curls, found at Trader Joe's over the weekend! Made from lentils and potatos, they are gluten-free, for those of you who are. I am not, but I find myself eating a lot of G-free snacks these days, which probably isn't a bad thing, eh? If you have a TJ's nearby you, go find these, they're wonderful! 

Listening: There is a meeting going on in the conference room across from my desk. They did not close the door, and I can't decide if it would be rude if I got up to do so....

Thinking: I feel like my hair is shrinking. I haven't cut it in a few months, but it somehow seems shorter than it was not too long ago. It grows so slowly anyway, and I've been taking biotin supplements and prenatals (not for anything else!), because I've heard that they can help promote hair growth, but they don't seem to be doing much. Has anyone had any luck with this? 

Laughing: Yesterday's mail brought two letters from my World Vision babies in Albania, Majlinda and Redion, as well as a World Vision magazine. With part of my tax refund, I had sent them extra funds to purchase things the family needed. I received letters back, as well as a photo of each of them with the things they bought with the funds I sent. Majlinda, as always, drew pictures on her letter, but when I went to read the translation, it was the wrong letter! They had accidentally sent me the translation to another child's sponsor! I guess that means someone got my letter too! I called WV, and they were so apologetic, though it isn't their fault at all, and just a little mistake. These things happen! I said I'd mail back the letter so that they can send it to the right sponsor, and they will request a new copy of mine to be sent. It made me laugh though. I've been sponsoring with them for almost six years, and this is the first time anything like this has happened! 

Wondering:  Why can't I be a stay-at-home quilter? That would just be the best thing. 

Wearing: My favorite necklace from Stella and Dot, the Isadora Pearl Bib. I can't get enough of it. I love their jewelry and the company. Maybe I should become a consultant?? 

Loving: The little bookshelf mini quilt I finished a while ago. I did blog about it once already, but at last month's meeting of the DC Modern Quilt Guild, I showed it off, and someone snapped this photo. I don't know why I look so awkward, but I don't have many photos of me with the things I've made, since I am usually taking the photo! I've done this pattern before (blogged here), and just love it. I need to hang this one in my sewing room! 

Wanting: New shoes like whoa. I am in desperate need of new shoes. 

Needing: I need to start packing! I am going to Minneapolis and Chicago this week for work! I'll be in Minneapolis for two nights and Chicago for three, and will be gone Thursday through next Tuesday! I've been to Chicago, but never Minneapolis. I'll have a few hours of free time here and there. Anything I can't miss in either city?

How's your week looking so far? 

my week, currently

I've seen a few posts like this recently, and thought it might be fun to do. I've been in a bit of a blogging rut recently, it seems, so maybe something like this will help get me out of it?




Reading: The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy. Apparently I'm wildly into World War II-era novels recently (oh what am I saying, I'm often reading them!). I recently finished The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult and His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal, and will review them both soon. Well, I'll review The Storyteller soon, but His Majesty's Hope a bit later this spring. It will be released in May, and I received an Advanced Readers Copy, and was asked to wait until closer to the release date to post my review. Needless to say, I loved both and can't wait to write about them!

Eating: Likely, a wheat bagel with chive cream cheese with my coffee. I wrote this post last night, but scheduled it to post for the morning, so I am assuming that is what I will be eating when it goes live  ;)

Listening: At time of writing? I have Kourtney and Kim Take Miami on in the background. Gosh this show is ridiculous, and I can't believe I watch it, but I do. Khloe is the best of the three, in my opinion, and most days, I can't decide who is worse, Kim or Kourt....usually Kim, I'd say. She's just awful awful awful. Awful.

Thinking:  How to really get organized this spring. I feel a bit out of it (maybe this blogging rut is spread into other parts of my life?), and I need to do some serious purging and cleaning. I think I might actually make a schedule. This house is a disaster. Also, thinking that I am excited about a sewing day with the DC Modern Quilt Guild this weekend! We meet monthly, and it's been several months since I've been able to attend a meeting, and I am looking forward to seeing the girls and some inspiration, and also, work on a baby quilt for my sweet friend Christine's new little baby Ada!

Smelling:  Not a lot at all. I have an awful, awful cold and can't smell a thing at the moment!

Wishing:  For a vacation. I spent most of last week in Las Vegas for a wedding, which was spectacular, and worthy of an entire post or two, but I can't be the only one who often needs a vacation from vacation! We took a red-eye back Saturday night, and I was miserable for the second half of it - my ears were going crazy during the descent, and hurt so, so much, and I spent most of Sunday in bed because I felt so awful! I've been a bit jet-lagged since. So, another vacation is in need, I think!

Laughing: At the fact that this "Private Investigator" took Kim K along on both a ride-along and to talk to "clients." Really? That is allowed?! Please.

Wearing: Yoga pants. I pretty much change into them as soon as I get home from work. Ahhh, cozies. Perfection.

Loving:  The previews for the new Tine Fey/Paul Rudd movie Admission. It looks really funny! The line "Mom?" "Who is it?" "Who else calls you Mom?" gets me every time! I want to see it!

Wanting: A pair of mint green jeans. I know, I know, I'm totally late to that party, but I've just decided that I can't live much longer without a pair.

Needing:  A new job. Like crazy. 'Nuff said.

Feeling: Like I really need to get back to going to yoga regularly. I was good for a while, and then got out of habit of going. This cycle repeats itself all the time, and I need to change this! Also, I want to try barre classes. I took a spin class a few months ago, but it really bothered my knee, but I've heard the barre classes can be good.

Clicking:  Too much pinterest, of course.

That's my week! What does yours look like?

ettiquette?

As I mentioned, my sister is engaged and planning her wedding for this November. She and Scott, her fiance, are working on registries. They had set one up at Macy's, and then found that several things had been discontinued, so over the weekend, they went to work on them.

Here's the situation-

They went to Bed Bath and Beyond to do a registry there, and before, she checked the Macy's list to see which items were still needed, and also which things should be deleted from

Macy's and add to BBB, based on price.

Side note- apparently Macy's has an app that emails you everytime someone buys from your registry?! How awful, I think!

Meanwhile, the Macy's app showed that someone bought the set of everyday glasses and the silverware that they registered for. Apparently the buyer in question is the best friend of my sister's best friend's sister (does that make sense?). So, Bethany's best friend is A, A's sister is B, and B's best friend is C, who bought these two things from the registry.

Bethany, of course, knows C, and they are friendly, but they are certainly not friends. C was at A's wedding, and we all saw her then, but that was the last time, and that was almost three years ago. Bethany and C certainly don't talk often, maybe the occasional facebook note, but nothing more. We can't imagine that C would think she would be invited to the wedding. Bethany has sent out save the dates, but C didn't get one, obviously, and they were sent out a month ago, and mentioned on facebook, so C would likely have seen that post, knowing they had gone out and then she didn't receive one at the time, or since!

It just seems so strange that C would buy Bethany a gift, and buy two things, at that.  Bethany said that she was planning to delete that silverware, as she later learned that it isn't great quality and out mother suggested something nicer. So, they added a different set.

Now Bethany is feeling weird that C bought them stuff, and isn't sure what to do. Should they return them? She doesn't think that she can ask A or B about it, because it is an awkward situation.

It just seems to be really strange to both of us!

Have you ever been in a similar situation? What would you do if you were Bethany? Is this the strangest thing you've ever heard????



current loves

Happy Tuesday, friends! 

Picture post, and some of my favorite things at the moment!

Butter of London's All Hail the Queen. Perfect brown, with the right touch of sparkle!

My first ever pair of TOMS, in classic navy. I'll post a photo of them later too! Do you have any TOMS? What do you think of them? I've been wanting to try them, as everyone raves, so I finally ordered a pair!

Peonies. 'Nuff said!  :)

I've heard lots of things about this book, so now I'm reading it. I'm only a few chapters in, but it's good so far! No babies for me now, but eventually  ;)

Goodies from a local farmers market on Sunday!

Peach wine from Virginia...mmmmmmm hmmmmmm!

New-ish cupcake shop! This is a blackberry cupcake, and was amazing.

What are you loving this week???

a random bit

Just some random thoughts, in the bullet-point form.

• I still have not started watching Downton Abbey. I need to get on this, since everyone and their mother is raving and raving.

• I am not enough of a fashionista to know who Jason Wu is or realize the big deal behind his recent design for Target, though when I looked at them, there are some very cute things.

• I did my taxes on my birthday and had my return the week later. It's now mostly gone, having paid bills and a few other things. I'm okay with it though, since bill paying is the responsible, though less fun thing to do.

• I found a channel that has reruns of Family Ties and I am obsessed. Alex P. Keaton forever!

• Have you seen the perfume by Harvey Prince called Ageless? It's gorgeous, and I treated myself to a bottle with the above-mentioned tax refund.

• I'm going to Atlanta this weekend for work, and have never been there before. One thing that I want to see is the Margaret Mitchell House!

• I've sort of been watching this season of The Bachelor and Ben is seriously dull. I've read the spoilers about who supposedly wins, but won't say here. Ben is the worst Bachelor ever, me thinks. The only thing that he has going for him is the winery!

• Sometimes I buy foreign fashion and home decor magazines even though I can't read them. I love the pictures and find them so inspiring. I love British mags, and especially British crafty mags, and yes, I can read those ;) Is this odd of me?

• I really want to see the movie The Vow. Rachel McAdams is adorable and the movie looks so sweet. It comes out this week!

• I took a Valentine making class at Paper Source last week and need to post photos about it...it was so much fun!

• I had so much cake and cupcakes during birthday week, it was a bit ridiculous.

• I want Kelly Ripa to be my best friend.

• As a result of birthday week, I need to lose about 400 lbs. Perhaps Weight Watchers is in my future?

• Or, as I am a Nintendo Brand Ambassador, I will be hosting a February Workout Challenge! Do you have a Wii Fit and want to take part from your house? Let me know!

What are you randomly thinking about today???

check me out!

Hey! One of my blog friends, Little Miss Can't Be Wrong, asked me to guest post for her while she's out of town! Of course, I was happy to, as guest posting is quite fun, I think.

Hop on over and check out my post...it's all about the Royal Wedding!

(how much do you want that gorgeous blue dress that Kate wore?!)

Also, if Little Miss Can't Be Wrong isn't already in your reader, she should be! Please add her and read her blog- she's hilariously funny and posts the loveliest quotes and pictures often!

ten on tuesday (on wednesday!)

I've seen this floating around a few blogs today, so I thought I'd do it too. You should too, of course!


1) What is your ideal best date?
I've always liked dates that involved being outside- the beach, an outdoor concert, something along those lines. I wouldn't consider myself an outdoorsy person, per se, as in, I'm not much of a hiker, but even something as sitting at an outdoor table at a restaurant works well for me!


2) How long does it take you to get ready to go on a date?
oh, probably an hour or so? it depends on whether or not I'd already decided what to wear ;)


3) What would you wear on the date?
that would depend on where we were going, and what time of year it was! if it was summer, maybe a cute sundress, but in the winter, likely jeans and a cute top


4) If you are married, how often do you go on dates? If you are single, when was your last date?
Steve and I aren't married, but we do try to go on dates, at least twice a month. we both like trying new restaurants and seeing things, and we both are always finding something interesting that is going on in DC that we should see or do.


5) What was your worst date?
I can't really think of one that was that horrible, really!



6) Do you (or did you) kiss on your first date? it depends on the guy...I have before, but not always!



7) If married, how long before you knew he/she was "the one?" If single, how long before you know if the person is marriage material?
well, Steve and I have been together for more than six years now, and if he wasn't marriage material, I wouldn't still be with him! I'm not sure when I realized that he was...maybe I did all along, and just never realized it.



8) Do you prefer day or night dates? probably daytime! lots to do and see, I think! one of my best dates ever involved a castle in Krakow!



9) How old were you when you were first allowed to date?
I'm not sure. that sounds silly, yes, but honestly, I didn't really date much in high school, and I never really went on dates. it would always be a group of people.



10) What is the most embarrassing moment you have had on a date?
I can't think of anything truly embarrasing, if that makes any sense!

bachelorette party weirdness

This weekend, Steve has a friend from high school who will be in town for a bachelorette party. She lives in Chicago. She asked Steve if she could stay with him, and he said yes.

Does this seem odd to anyone? Would you travel with friends for a bachelorette party, but then not stay with the party? I suppose it could be seen as a cost-saving method, but really, when I've gone to bach parties, there has been several girls, so the cost of a hotel room (or two) was minimal.

It just seems really strange to me. I wouldn't fly to Chicago with the bride and then not stay with her! Isn't she the reason why I am there? Of course, if I had other friends there, I would try to make plans to meet them for lunch or something, but if my main point of being there is for the bride, then I'd spend the majority of my time with her. If I wanted to see friends, I'd see about the possibility of staying an extra night or something. She arrives Saturday morning, and then I assume leaves Monday (long weekend!), but I don't know for sure.

Am I the only one who thinks this is bizarre? Thoughts?

hair today....

Has anyone tried a Brazilian Keratin treatment for their hair? I've been reading a bit about them and am intrigued. I think it could work well with my hair, but the price makes me hesitate a bit. There is a place in DC that does them and I read the reviews on yelp, and every single review was amazing and got five stars. Still, I'd love more opinions, if possible!


Also, I just made the amazing discovery that there is a Serendipity 3 in DC! Apparently it is in Georgetown, and opened in May! I have no idea how I missed this news! I must go, and soon!


Oh, and remember my giveaway? VA Girl, you're the winner! Please email me (find my email on my profile page) and I will put you in touch with Eileen, in order to claim your prize!


PS. Have you voted for LiLu yet? GO DO IT!!!!

randomitis

Randoms of the day

• I hate the term hubby. Likewise, I despise preggers and preggo. It pained me to even type them. When I have babies, I will never, ever use those words and people better not refer to me that way either!


• You know when you buy a skirt with a slit in the back, or a new coat? You know how the two pieces are held together with a large X stitch? Once you bring the coat home, you are supposed to snip the X stitch. It drives me bananas when I see people walking with the X still there. It's one of my peeves. Yes, I am weird, I know this!


• Trader Joe's has these "powerberries," which are dark chocolate covered fruit pieces of acai, pomegranate, cranberry and blueberry. They are amazing. If you have a tj's near you, stop reading right now and go buy some. Then come back and finish reading. You'll thank me, trust me.
  
• I'm really bad at remembering to take my vitamins, even though I keep them in plain sight on my desk. This is to remind me to take them, so I always forget to. Do you take your vitamins?


• I have about a million things going on over the next several weeks and am feeling incredibly overwhelmed by all of them.


• I have two friends having babies (one anytime now and the other this summer) and I want to make baby quilts for them.


• I think my sister and her boyfriend are coming down Easter weekend. We have tickets for the Red Sox vs. Nationals game (last pre-season of the year!)


• I miss getting fun mail. I need to start sending more, so I get more. Anyone want a love letter from me?


• My crazy boyfriend signed up to run the Dublin marathon. Looks like I may be going to Ireland in October.


• That reminds me that I NEED to renew my passport ASAP, since you aren't supposed to fly on your passport within six months of its expiration date, and mine expires in October


• I have two international weddings this year too. Both in Canada, August and November. Oy.


• I am totally in love with the Albanian class that I am taking.


• I have a new obsession with lotus bowls lately.


• Last night I finished reading Jodi Picoult's new book, House Rules. I enjoyed it, but found the ending somewhat lackluster.


• I've never bought myself an expensive piece of jewelry. Maybe I should. Have you?

What are your random thoughts for the day?

if I were something else

I saw this on another blog, and thought it was lovely...so, enjoy, and post the same on yours! I'd love to see your answers!

If I were a month, I’d be early November.
If I were a day of the week, I’d be Sunday afternoon.
If I were a time of day, I’d be dusk.
If I were a planet, I’d be Earth.
If I were a sea animal, I'd be a seahorse.
If I were a direction, I’d be North.
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a papasan chair with a cozy quilt.
If I were a liquid, I’d be water with a slice of lemon.
If I were a gemstone, I’d be amber from the Baltic Sea.
If I were a tree, I’d be a magnolia tree.
If I were a tool, I’d be a rotary cutter (for quilting!)
If I were a flower, I’d be a pale pink peony.
If I were a kind of weather, I’d be a winter snowstorm.
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a saxophone.
If I were a color, I’d be deep red.
If I were an emotion, I’d be surprise.
If I were a fruit, I’d be a raspberry.
If I were an element, I’d be a cool breeze.
If I were a car, I'd be something vintage.
If I were a food, I’d be strawberry shortcake!
If I were a place, I’d be the Tatra Mountains of Zakopane, Poland.
If I were a material, I’d be vintage lace.
If I were a scent, I’d be honeysuckle.
If I were an animal, I'd be a corgi (obviously!)
If I were a facial expression, I’d be a blush.
If I were a song, I’d be "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago.
If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be red high high heels.

So...what would you be?

would you eat these?

A few days ago, Steve and I were at the grocery store. As always, we went up and down every isle (yes, that's how I shop...) In the chip isle, I saw these---


conversation---

Lexi- "cheeseburger doritos! we have to try them!"
Steve- "you're disgusting."

Ha. He loves me, I swear.

He always makes fun of me, because I always feel the need to try the gross flavors of chips. We didn't buy them, as I didn't want a huge bag if they were indeed gross. Yesterday morning, my co-worker and I ran to the vending machine and I saw a snack-sized bag! Perfection!

They taste exactly like Burger King.

So friends, would you try them???

rumbles

Hello lovelies! Hope your Valentines Day was happy and chocolate-filled. Steve took me to a restaurant in Georgetown called Sea Catch, which looks out over the C&O Canal, and, according to its website, is one of Georgetown's best-kept secrets. They had a prix fixe menu (did I spell that right?) and I lived up to my true New England roots by ordering the lobstah for each course! First was a lobstah and corn chowdah, second was a lobstah ceviche and the main was a lobstah thermidor! So, so good! For desert, it was a chocolate mousse cake. Amazing.

Other random tidbits-

• We watched Couples Retreat last night. have you seen it? Cute movie, I thought. It had some funny parts. I feel like it didn't get very good reviews when it came out, but it wasn't terrible!
• Jill over at Peeptoe, Pumps and Pearls is having a lovely giveaway that benefits Scarlett Threads, a business that specializes in "unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia." Go have a look at the site- the aprons are so beautiful!
• I am hoping that my Albanian class will finally begin tomorrow. It was supposed to begin two weeks ago, but the snow canceled class both weeks. I even bought a new notebook! I totally love back to school supplies. I'm really excited about this too, I want to learn Majlinda's language!
• I bought a bottle of Firefly sweet tea vodka on my way home Friday night and mixed it with lemonade. Gosh that stuff is good!
• I really love the song "Where the Green Grass Grows" by Tim McGraw
• Last night was the premiere for The Amazing Race. This is one of my favorite shows. Miss South Carolina, a la the Iraq, is a contestant this time. I think my early favorites are the grandmother/granddaughter, the father (baseball coach)/daughter and the lesbian couple. Are you watching?
• I ordered an iphone on Friday! I used most of my tax refund to pay bills, so I treated myself to an iphone! Hurray! I've needed a new phone for a while, as mine is three years old (!!!) and really needed to be replaced. Do you have one? What apps are a must-have?
• I am so depressed because I found out that one of my favorite restaurants in the world closed down over the weekend. It is a family favorite, and I am sad, because I never got a chance to take Steve there! It's in NH, and every time we were home, there just never seemed to be time, though I had mentioned it several times to him.
• I'm thinking about hosting a giveaway soon. I enjoy them. Also, I know I mentioned this before, but I am still thinking of organizing a swap. Still want to play?
• I came across at etsy shop (via twitter) that sells the most lovely dresses for weddings. Isn't this lovely? I think it is ideally a bridesmaid dress, but maybe I can wear it to one (or all!) of the six weddings that I have this year? I think I adore it.

What's new with you?

you are an obsession, you're my obsession

I find that I often get addicted to certain things and am a bit obsessed with them for a while, then moving on without looking back. Strange? Yes. It has often been that way, I think, though some obsessions are carried on.


Here is what I am currently loving.

• zinnias--- so bright and fun and colorful, they brighten up a room with just a glance. there is a flower stand at Eastern Market and I often stop and buy myself a bunch (or two!)

• Red Velvet cupcakes--- no explanation necessary :)

• English muffin pizzas--- last week, I bought a package of English muffins while grocery shopping, mostly on a whim. the next day at work, I couldn't stop thinking about them, and suddenly had a craving for English muffin pizzas. so, I stopped at Trader Joe's on my way home for some pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese and was so happy at dinnertime. there is something that is just so nostalgic and so good about English muffin pizzas!

• dark chocolate covered blueberries from Trader Joe's--- just delish!

• Victoria Magazine--- it is so classic, elegant and lovely and makes me yearn for a home of my own to decorate any way I wish. I've also been loving Southern Living magazine. NH isn't exactly the south, but this northerner is a bit enamored by all things sweet tea and southern. I really want to go to Charleston too! I think I need a subscription to both magazines....

• making baby quilts--- I have about four in the works right now, since I find myself constantly making quilt tops before binding them! (this is an obsession that I hope doesn't go away anytime soon!)

• notecards from English Tea Paperie--- Chloe, the owner and designer, is SO talented. I hosted a giveaway from here earlier this summer and have bought a few sets of note cards for myself since. they can be personalized however you like and are absolutely lovely, and I plan to order some for Christmas presents too, I think! if you are a stationary lover, go check them out!

• red beaded necklaces--- I am on the hunt for one or two. I am IN LOVE with this one (feel free to buy it for me for Christmas or my birthday!) and might like another more casual one. I saw a woman on the metro the other day in a white button down blouse, black dress pants and a simple red beaded necklace. she looked gorgeous.

• thimbles--- there is just something so lovely and adorable about thimbles, in my opinion. I have a few, one that I especially love that is shaped like a little babushka! I am thinking of collecting antique thimbles and pin cushions, because I love them both so much. I actually saw a really cute photo of a sewing room where there was a shelf on the wall with three large jars; one filled with thimbles, one with those pin cushions shaped like a tomato and one filled with spools of thread. it looked so pretty, I am thinking of trying something similar!

What are you loving right now?

top heavy!

Apparently my blog is over the top, so says Lacey! So, she gave me this lovely award!

Hooray!

In order to accept this award I have to answer the following questions and then pass the love onto six other bloggers, so here goes:

1.Where is your cell phone: in my purse on the floor, because I don't get reception in my new building...boooo! send me emails!

2.Your hair: is a bit crazy today, because of the rain

3.Your mother: is so amazing and encouraging

4.Your father: is so supportive and wise

5.Your favorite food: clam chowdah, deviled eggs (I will so serve them at my wedding!) and snowballs from the William Tell

6.Your dream from last night: I can't remember one

7.Your favorite drink: orange juice, Earl Grey tea

8.Your dream/goal: publish a book or two, live abroad again for an extended time (with my children, so they experience it too), adopt internationally, and have a corgi and a Polish puppy that I am obsessed with, called owczarek podhalanski (they are HUGE dogs!)

9.What room are you in: my little cubicle, three stories underground

10.What is your hobby: cooking/baking, visiting wineries, quilting

11.What is your fear: moth and dragonflies. they freak me out. a lot. silly, I know.

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years: married, baby or two, corgi (or two!), house, career, book in the works!

13.Where were you last night: dinner at Uno's with Steve and his parents who are visiting. Steve and I tried their new lobster blt pizza. it sounds bizarre, I know, but it was very good!

14.Something you are not: fearless

15.Muffins: lemon poppyseed

16.Wish list items: puppy, engagement, salary increase, Martha's Encyclopedia of Crafts, a new pair of Uggs

17.Where did you grow up: Lakes Region of NH...so, so lovely!

18.Last thing you did: chatted with my boss about a reception Monday night that I am volunteering at

20.Your TV: I got rid of cable a year ago and I don't use the tv at all. I should get rid of it.

21.Your pets: I want a corgi. we know this :)

22.Your friends: so wonderful

23.Your life: is a bit crazy sometimes

24.Your mood: not feeling too hot right now

25.Missing someone: always

26.Vehicle: I take the metro

27.Something you're not wearing: sweater, but wishing I had one! it's cold!

28.Your favorite store: Williams Sonoma, Barnes and Noble, Target, Gap

29.Your favorite color: red

30.When's the last time you laughed: earlier, during a staff meeting

31.When's the last time you cried: a couple days ago

32.Your best friend: She's too far away (distance-wise) :(

33.One place you go over and over: Target, Borders

34.One person who emails me regularly: my mum, a few friends, my sister, my dad

35.Favorite place to eat: the William Tell, Elephant & Castle, Matchbox

I am supposed to tag six of you, but I'd rather you all do it, so I can see your answers :)

remember when I won that giveaway?

Several weeks ago, I posted about winning Jamie's giveaway? Well, the shirt arrived weeks ago, but I am now remembering to post a picture of it!

Please ignore my crappy photograpy skills...and my messy hair....

(note to self: when wearing shirt in public, remember to wear black bra)

There are more details at the hemline, but I couldn't get a good angle, so I will have to have someone take a full-length shot when I am wearing it out and then I will post it!

mid week rumbles

• we had a staff meeting this morning, as we do each morning, and my tummy was growling so loudly. seriously, my co-worker kept looking at me and laughing. it was awful!
• after the meeting ended, I ran downstairs to get a snack and bought one of those naked drinks...I picked out the all natural protein juice smoothie with pineapple and coconut. its so, so gross.
• I was really sad to see that Survivor Africa winner Ethan Zohn has cancer. Does anyone else watch Survivor and saw the finale the other day? Am I the only one who still watches Survivor? :)
• the Mount Vernon Wine Festival was very nice. I'll have to post a few pics, as there are already a few on facebook. I only bought one bottle, which is far below my average ;)
• I seem to have lost a friend this week. I'm still sorting that out in my head.
• I'll be posting a giveaway later tonight! It involves one of my favorite things! Any guesses?
• My favorite band of all time, CHICAGO, is at Merriweather Post Pavillion next month. I must get tickets. I don't think they'll sell out...I may be one of their few fans left!
• what did you think of the Gossip Girl finale? 90210?
• I hate data entry, which is what I've been doing for the past two days
• I really want a pair of lobster flipflops from Tucker Blair
• I read the most amazing book yesterday. I might have to do an entire post about it, I loved it that much. Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay. Seriously amazing. I read it entirely in a day, a day which included eight hours of work!

What's new with you?

headband love

If you are a headband lover, you may want to go check out Kate's giveaway! Looks like a good one, I'd say!

PS. Check back tonight for my own giveaway, which I mentioned a few posts ago, but this time it is really going up!

Fri-YAY!

• I just had way more lunch than I needed to. Today is one of my coworker's last day, so a few of us went to a lunch buffet in the hotel nearby. I did not need to eat as much as I did! I am stuffed.

• This weekend is the Mount Vernon Wine Festival! I'm looking forward to it, even though none of my favorite girls are coming with me :( This just means that October will be better!

• So I watched Monday's Gossip Girl last night (I'm a bit behind). At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea of the Lily spin-off, but I liked the episode with the flashbacks and I think that Owen is adorable! What did you all think?

• I fell in love with another corgi yesterday. Someone stop me.

• I just discovered that you can set up a wedding registry for my favorite Polish pottery! I am SO doing that when I get engaged!

• What are you reading right now?

• Any weekend plans?