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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Super Saturday

Even though it's frigid out there, it's still possible to have an awesome Saturday spent eating yummy food, shopping for spring goodies (even though it's WAY too cold to wear them now!) and hanging out with my favorite momma!  Happy Day!








Friday, January 30, 2015

Friday Five

1. "Wake Me Up" by Avicii: I'm in love with this song!
          

2. I'm ashamed to say that I've used I'm Sorry in every single one of these scenarios.  I really try not to say it, but it's one of those Pavlovian reactions to stress.  I say it even when there isn't a single thing that's my fault.  How does that even work, exactly?  

3. I don't have any faith in Turbo Tax or any other program that relies on me understanding a single thing about taxes (or math in general.)  However, whoever designed their new ad campaign deserves a huge raise! So darn cute!
        

4. I'm also not a mom yet, but I can totally appreciate this campaign for Similac, There is way too much in-fighting going between different kinds of parents.  Most parents are just trying to do the best they can and as long as you love your kids unconditionally, you're already ahead.  Along with the Turbo Tax ad designer, the designer of this campaign also deserves recognition and awards!

5. Love these ideas!  Thinking I need to try every last one of them!
Thursday, January 29, 2015

January in 5 Words

I love Twitter for all it's insanity.  Every day I go online, open up Twitter, and proceed to peruse the ridiculous things that have trended in the last few hours.  Usually it's things that are in the headlines, like Marshawn Lynch or Snowpocalypse.  But other times it's crazy ideas that people have created that have caught on like wildfire.  Some in the last week have been RedneckaBook and MakeaMovieSmarter.  Some people are just way too creative for their own good!

That brings me to today's trending topic.  I loved it especially since I was able to think of something clever to go with it (in my humble opinion, that is : ).  So here it is: My January in 5 Words

Holy Cow, It's Cold Outside!!!

This January, we've seen snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind and single digit wind chills.  I have only one question: When will summer be here?!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Obsessed

In the last few months, I've developed a bit of an obsession with HGTV.  Honestly, it's a bit out of hand.  In the last week I've watched House Hunters, Property Brothers, Buying & Selling, Fixer Upper, and Ellen's Design Challenge.  And we're not just talking single episodes here.  I'm not sure if you know this or not, but HGTV is a fan of marathons of their programming.  And seeing as they're basically the potato chips of entertainment, you're forced to watch every episode. 

I don't even love every show.  There are a few I'm not even fond of, but still I watch and covet and dream.

House Hunters: I like it but they're not always in fun places.  International is definitely the superior House Hunters (yes I have a preference...)

Property Brothers: Love Love Love!  The carpenter's a cutie and their design choices are spot on!

Buying & Selling: Same boys on Property Brothers and same cuteness factor.

Fixer Upper: Here's the deal.  I really want to love it.  Her designs are gorgeous, but her husband is super annoying.  I so don't like the dude!

Ellen's Design Challenge: I love Ellen but I just don't get it.  

The worst part of this obsession is the dreaming.  Because Drew can do it, I assume I'm just as capable - but without all the fancy tools!  Now I just need a new house, and some design brothers to help me.  But all I really need is their tools and their manual labor. Thanks to HGTV, I have thousands of ideas of my own  : )
Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Sew Confused...

On Black Friday, I bought a sewing machine.  I was super duper excited because I've been coveting one for years.  For someone that spends as much time on Pinterest as I do, it was basically sacrilege that I did't own one.  So when I saw a nice simple, beginner model at Target, I just had to snatch it up.  I couldn't wait to whip that baby out, and start sewing wonderful creations including some great paper crafting ideas as well.  But Christmas craziness took over and I didn't get a chance.

Now that the holidays have died down, and I'm moving along on my other crafty (super-secret) project, I took the chance to take the machine out of the box and learn all the nuances and technical jargon I'd need to sew to my little heart's content. 

Yeah...that was what I was hoping would happen.

What actually happened was me staring at the "Quick" (what this thing was, was anything but "quick") start guide with the machine sitting next to me silently judging me for the fact that I'm an idiot.  Women have been sewing for decades with sewing machines, when did they get so  complicated?  When did loading the bobbin take 6 different steps, and apparently a PhD to accomplish?  And more importantly why can't I figure out how to do a darn thing with the machine?  Do you know how many buttons this thing has? Do you know how many are labeled? Zip, Zilch, Nada. And most importantly, if little old ladies have been accomplishing gorgeous works of arts with these things for years why can't I sew a darn straight line on some fabric?

I'll tell you why, it's because the Singer people have it out for me.  At least that's what I'm going with.  It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I've never used a sewing machine and am rubbish with reading diagrams.  Nope.  It's the Singer dudes.  They're evil...
Monday, January 26, 2015

In the News

~ After all the talk about #Stormageddon hitting the East Coast, I had my heart set on a snow day this morning.  Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to squat.  No snow.  No ice. No nothing.  Of course, that all changed, as soon as I left for work and the snow finally started falling.  Seriously!?  But even though I was forced to go to work, I'm actually quite happy that I don't live a bit further North.  Those poor people are getting slammed.  I'm sure they'll love the snow days and I'm sure it's nice to live in Manahattan during a snow storm (no shoveling necessary when you live in an apartment.) But being locked in the house for days on end with nothing to do but nap, and read, and craft and binge netflix?  Who am I kidding?  That sounds fantastic!  Think I can beat the snow to the city?

~ As opposed to waking to snow this morning, I woke instead to an "unidentified object" landing at the White House, which apparently wasn't really a big deal since the President and First Lady were in India.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they weren't in harms way, but what about the other 500 people that work at the White House, shouldn't we have been worried about them too?  In the end, it was just a drone that some random dude was flying...at 3 am. Who flies a drone, for fun, at 3 am? Isn't the Secret Service at least a little skeptical about this story?

~ And in sports news, Lance Armstrong, gave one of his first on camera hard hitting interviews to the BBC since his downfall.  Now Lance is a former hero of mine due to his Livestrong Foundation.  And I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for a while there, but the evidence was just too strong.  After his most recent interview, in which he said, and I quote "he'd cheat again" if given the opportunity, he's proven exactly the kind of man he is.  And it's definitely not the good kind...
Sunday, January 25, 2015

Best. Day. Ever.

I am a shopper.  I like to shop.  But I'm not that shopper that goes out everyday and plunks down hundreds of dollars on the perfect pair of shoes or the newest in purse fashion.  I pick my battles.  I tend to buy clothes only, and just make do with accessories I have.  And I live for sales.  I used to be terrible about buying everything I wanted the second I saw it.  Now I've learned that they will eventually go on sale and if they don't, there's always the outlets. Outlets are the best things ever!  However,  I never knew just how great until today.  I somehow managed to buy not 1, not 3, but 6 pairs of shorts.  That's 5 + 1 pairs of shorts, at the Loft Outlet for $2.88 per pair.  You heard that right.  Holy Moly!  

Shopping at the mall is great and all, but when you get a sale like that, you can't help but pledge your allegiance to outlets from now until kingdom come! 
Saturday, January 24, 2015

It Has to be Said

There are some definite perks to working at a tech company rather than an elementary school.  A Gala at Ravens stadium is at the top of the perk list...









 This is totally as intimidating as Ray Lewis, right?

Friday, January 23, 2015

Friday Five

1. In my humble opinion, this man deserves to receive all the awards he's ever been nominated for.  He's a fantastic actor and seems like an even better person.  I love that he seemed completely shocked and humbled in his speech.  (Note to American award shows: Surprising award recipients with big achievement awards, makes for much better television!)
          

2. Since CHA a few weeks ago, when Hello World! was released, I've been coveting it.  I can't wait for it to hit stores next week.  I anticipate buying every piece and using it in all my travel albums this year.  Love a good travel line!

3. So apparently the Lego movie was so good, LOTS of people thought it should be nominated for an Oscar.  Of course, the Oscars being the Oscars, it wasn't, which ticked a lot of people off (judging by twitter).  Though, I don't think it ticked off the director as much as it could have.  If you're going to miss out on an Oscar, you can't beat this guy's attitude.

4. Having a friend that's up for anything is pretty darn nice.  In the last month, I've been pushed to sign up for a knitting class, the color run, attend a crazy anti-valentine's day show, geek out over attending a convention, and yet another paint nite.  At this rate, my calendar will be full from now to kingdom come.

5. Having a travel plan.  I know this sounds ridiculous but after finally cracking the nut of this insane England Adventure, I'm so very happy.  For weeks now I've been scrambling things around trying to fit in all the adventures we're supposed to have to no avail.  Finally yesterday, I worked it all out.  Wahoo!  Now we just have to pay for it all - I don't think that part is going to be as much fun...
Thursday, January 22, 2015

Currents

For lack of anything fun or witty to say today, I am:

Watching: "The World's End" which it has to be said, is a little more depressing than I assumed it would be.

Wearing: Flannel Life is Good PJs that aren't doing much in the way of keeping me warm. Have I mentioned I hate winter?

Hating: This whole Patriots #Deflategate. I'm so done with it.  Whether they did it or not, they're still going to be able to play in the Super Bowl, so it's all sort of useless.

Loving: I adore Bad Lip Reading.  Every single time I watch this year's I laugh like a lunatic. It's up there with Dog Shaming in the hilarity department.

Working: A plan for the England trip.  At this point, I think we'll need to be gone for weeks on end just to fit all the planned excursions in.

Eating: A chocolate PB cupcake and hot tea from the Edinburgh Tea company.  Yum!

Thinking about: Someone around the world and missing him.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015

#DeflateGate

In all the strange sports news that's happened this season, I'd say this may just be at the top of the weird list. I don't quite understand the story, how it's happened and why.  The stories say, the Patriots somehow deflated 11 out of the 12 game balls used for the championship game against the Colts.  Of the things that I ponder in this story, at the top of the list is why only 11?  Why not 12?  For some reason, that's the point that loses the thread for me.

Because of the low air in the game balls, the Patriots were supposedly able to keep a hold on the ball better as well as kick them more accurately, which in turn allowed them to beat the Colts (seriously beat the Colts.)  But in my head, here's the other question I keep asking - if the lower inflation point on the balls helped the Patriots, wouldn't it have also helped the Colts?

Then there's the question of inspection.  Aren't the refs and officials inspecting the balls before the game?  Why didn't they pick up on the lower inflation before the game?  And in the case that they're not inspecting, why aren't they the ones responsible for bringing the equipment to the games?  Wouldn't that be more fair?  And lastly, why in the world would any team assume they wouldn't get caught if they tried something as stupid as this?

So as much as I'd like to believe the stupid Patriots (ugh!  I'm so not a fan!) cheated and will disqualified from the Super Bowl (thus opening up a spot for the Ravens to play the Colts for a chance, naturally), I just can't believe they did. I'm pretty darn sure, they won that game fair and square (unfortunately.)  But I'm also not getting on the "Yay Patriots, you really are a great team!" train either.  That'll never happen!
Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Day Tripping

Alexandria may very well be one of my new favorite cities.  It's super cute like I said last month, and there are some serious foodie destinations there.  This trip around I found a pie/gelato/coffee shop.  I'm not sure who came up with that combo, but it totally works.  I felt like I was back in England, with my English Breakfast Tea and my Nutella Banana hand-pie.  Yum!  

Then from Alexandria, it was on to Fairfax, to the Mosaic Shopping Area, which is basically just a shopping area.  But it's a shopping area with some serious foodie destinations too: a bakery that kicks major butt (Boston Cream Cupcakes - Delish!) and a Mexican restaurant, that completely beats any chain we have here in MD, from decor to food.  To die for!













Sunday, January 18, 2015

How Did That Happen?

I watched the entire game, and I still have no idea how the Seahawks managed to pull out a win.  Going into the game, I assumed they'd win.  It was in Seattle afterall, and the 12th man is deafening during a usual season game.  In the playoffs, it's 10 times worse. But after the first 2 interceptions thrown by Russell Wilson, I thought the Packers had them beat.  Then the Packers preceded to nail them for the next 2 quarters, and it was almost a foregone conclusion.

But it wasn't.

In the gosh darn last 2 minutes of the game, the Seahawks managed a TD, a 2 pointer and an on-side kick.  Luckily, the Packers were able to tie it up in the last few seconds.  Then heartbreakingly, it was all decided in the first possession of OT - with a touchdown by Seattle.  

After following Twitter for most of the game, it seems I wasn't the only one shocked by the outcome.  Post season football is always crazy but I have to say, this game was crazier than most!
Saturday, January 17, 2015

The Meaning of Life

Let the record show: One of the smartest men in the world, believes my "One Little Word" is actually the meaning of life : )


A few weeks ago I decided my one little word for 2015 was going to be "Explore."  So far, I'm pretty happy with it.  I was even more happy about it when Neil deGrasse Tyson revealed it as the meaning of life to a 6 year old.  It's good to know I'm on the path to enlightenment this year.  

The explorer in me has already seen an awesome concert, planned 3 separate vacations for the coming months, and has already signed up for the Color Run, the Emporiyum, and some crazy shows I'd never agree to seeing last year. Also I'm documenting more and learning new ways to craft and create.  Also, I'm loving it!  Bring it on 2015!  I'm ready to explore all over you!
Friday, January 16, 2015

Friday Five

1. Note to every single guy planning to propose to his girlfriend (including the one that will hopefully propose to me in the future, whoever he may be).  This is the MOST perfect proposal ever!  You will never be as cool as this dude : )

2. Woohoo!  This made me happy!  

3. If more young girls grew up to wanting to be like Ellen Degeneres rather than Kim Kardashian, the world would be a lot nicer and a lot funnier place.  She has the most perfect response for just about anything.  She rocks!

4. Food Writing combines my 2 favorite things in life: food and reading.  Some people do it terribly and some people do it very, very well. Serious Eats is one site that does it fabulously. Somehow I just discovered it this week and I've been pretty much reading it every day since. 

5. Blackwall Hitch, a new restaurant in Annapolis, is so fabulous I'm mulling over going back sometime next week - and I was just there 2 hours ago.  The decor is cool and hipster-y, pretty much everything that's in right now - industrial lighting, chalkboards, mason jars, etc. - and some new, leather sofas for booth seating, classic rock on the speakers, and some seriously delicious food.  The fried zucchini was to die for and my short rib sandwich was perfect.  Love new restaurants, especially when they're as delicious as this one!
Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Story of a Day

As I thought, today was sorta kinda mundane, but I finally had the guts to do the picture thing, so there's that : )


 Apparently, I'm not so great at the photography before dawn...


 Not that this pic is fantastic, but you'd appreciate it more if I'd have the guts to show you the before pic (i.e. before shower, before makeup, before consciousness...)

 How have I just become a boot person?  They are my most favorite thing!

 If there were awards for cubicle decorations, I'd totally win them, right?
 How one knows they work for a tech company...
 Went out to lunch, and completely forgot about the whole story of a day thing.  At least I remembered to take a pic of the website.  That has to count for something, right?
 I think the real reason I don't teach anymore is that I couldn't figure out how to not write on a white board without my handwriting listing to the right.


Time out for some breaking news!





Good Night!