I have lived in my house for about 4 years now. At the time I bought it, I bought it for the same reason I bought the car that I have - it was the cheapest one on the market. (Yes, I'm a cheapskate with certain things). Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it. It does have some redeeming qualities and I've decorated quite nicely so there's that. But, let's just say, if I'm still living here in 10 years' time with 10 cats, I'm going to be quite depressed.
Because of this and the whole I want to move to England thing, I've resisted doing anything crazy or making big renovations because I want to save the money for English pursuits and I don't want to get too attached so when I do move, I'm not disappointed. It makes sense in my head if not down on paper, I promise. But thanks to Pinterest and some serious googling, I've been in spring cleaning re-do mood for the last month. I'm not entirely sure why but it's been quite fun. There's been painting, and shelving, and re-organizing and now I'm in to the "let's build this crazy thing - it shouldn't be too hard" shabang. My father loves this phase...
I have plans for nearly every room (lucky for me I have a handy dad that can pull off most of my whims) and crazy ideas that may or may not work for all other spaces. Don't fret, I'm still on the England kick and when I meet Prince Charming who will ultimately sweep me off my feet and move me to his brownstone, I'll leave this place in the dust. But for now I'm here, so I suppose I should make it at least a bit more fun than it has been. Also, the better it looks, (in my head at least this is true), the better it will sell when the time does come. Of course, with the market the way it is, I'm thinking this darn little slice of paradise will be stuck with me for at least a few years to come...
Monday, April 7, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Thank You!
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Happy Saturday!
Friday, April 4, 2014
At 29 + 2...
1. I’ve finally gotten the hang of saving money for things I really want. I was able to save cash for 3 different trips by just not keeping it in an account. As long as I can see the money add up, I’m much better about not spending it.
2. However, I do still spend a great deal of the non-saved cash at Target, Michael’s, HomeGoods and Barnes and Noble. Seriously, not a week goes by that I’m not in at least one of these stores. It’s an addiction but there are others that could be a lot worse. (That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.)
3. I’m enamored with all things England. Tea, BBC, Benedict Cumberbatch. You name it, I’ve got some crazy fact about it. It’s my happy place and I’m still dreaming of my teeny tiny flat in Kensington that I hope to have some day – that is until I meet my Prince Charming who will move me to a much bigger brownstone in Kensington of course.
4. When I hear people whispering, my first thought still is that they’re whispering about me. It sounds paranoid I know, but I’ve never been able to ditch that feeling.
5. I’m crafty and creative but I work better when I have a template or a starting point. Seeing blank cards and blank scrapbooks stress me out so much that I’m at an utter standstill. But if I see an idea online or in a magazine, I’m able to make my own version then adapt to other projects. I suppose you could call me a baby crafter who hasn’t really grown up to an adult crafter yet.
6. I want more than anything to have a husband and a house and a baby but the thought of Match.com terrifies me. I don’t know what it is about it but I just can’t make myself do anything, which is a pain since I’m a terribly boring person that stands no chance of bumping into a straight eligible bachelor dreamboat at my local Michael’s.
7. I love to travel. If I could find a job that allowed me to pick up and go wherever I wanted anywhere in the world, I would take it in a heartbeat. Living out of a suitcase (note to self: learn to pack first) seems to be about the perfect way to live. That being said…
8. I travel very differently than other people I know. The bestie got annoyed with me the other day because I had no desire to tour the palaces in England, but I was more than willing to tour all the food markets, eating my way through all sorts of cuisines. I understand history and learning about the cultures of the places I’m visiting. I just believe there are better ways to do it than taking walking tours and seeing how the Royals live. I want to see plays and musicals with people I admire. I want to visit old buildings and churches but I don’t really want a tour guide to show them to me. I want to walk through gardens and go on boat rides. I want to learn a bit of the language and shop where the locals do. I want to frequent every bookstore and craft store I come in contact with and bring home something special that I’ll remember instead of some dinky tchotchke. And mostly I want to devour pretty much any food, market or restaurant the place has to offer. In my mind, that’s how you get a real sense of a place, not by blindly visiting all the tourist traps. I may not know exactly when King Henry VIII had Anne Boleyn executed even after touring the gorgeous grounds of the Tower of London, but I do know where to get the best tea I’ve ever had and I’ve seen David Tennant (i.e. one of the greatest theatre actors in the world) do Shakespeare.
9. Hair and Makeup completely confound me. Every few months, I decide to either cut all the hair off or grow it out, which always results in the opposite happening just a few months later. I don’t have any idea what to do with it and having it be staticky the entire winter is not my cup of tea. In regards to makeup, I buy it at Target which is probably a huge faux-pas but it’s cheap and it gets the job done.
10. I’d rather have something sweet (and usually chocolatey) instead of something salty. When it’s the choice between cookies or chips, I’m always going to choose the cookies.
11. I hate most vegetables (Brussel Sprouts, asparagus, carrots, raw onions or peppers). I really should eat them more but they just taste gross. Call me a 6 year old, but brussel sprouts smell like feet and I will never ever willingly eat those little balls of mush.
12. I’m an introvert who hates being the center of attention, but I’m ok with it. I’ve spent my life, trying not to be shy or quiet but I’ve learned it doesn’t work. It’s who I am, and every personality test (I was a Psych major, so I’ve taken quite a few over the years) I’ve ever taken has agreed with that fact. It’s me, take it or leave it.
13. I spend an inordinate amount of time trolling Pinterest either chuckling at some ridiculous GIF on the geek board, finding some amazing new recipe to try or browsing some beautiful crafty & creative cards. If it weren’t for Pinterest, I think I’d be a bit bored pretty much all of the time. Sad I know, but the site I originally thought was a stupid idea, is my gateway to pretty much anything I want to see.
14. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I don’t usually have more than cereal during the week but on the weekends, I love finding new places to try. Unfortunately, Maryland doesn’t have many really cool places like New York or Boston do, but there are a few and they’re delicious!
15. I’ve slowly started to understand Football and Hockey. I’m not the perfect fan by any means, and rattling off stats is never going to be my thing, but I know what Power Play and 1st down mean, which admittedly makes most games a much happier experience for all involved.
16. Seeing as I work for a tech company, I’ve tried to be something I’m not. I tried to be a computer-y, programming hacking whiz and quickly discovered that Abby or McGee I’m not! I actually tried to teach myself how to code, and found it unbelievably tedious and dull. I don’t understand how Tech people attend college for 4 years specializing in that stuff. Not only is it incomprehensible, it’s not nearly as fun as say, crafting or teaching little people how to read.
17. I live on Iced Tea. I’m pretty sure if I were to cut my finger, I’d bleed Lipton. There are days that go buy when the only thing I ever drink is copious amounts of the liquid gold.
18. For a total of one month, I had finger nails long enough to have a real manicure for the first time in my life. Then they all broke and my hands look like they were never there. Since they’re so short, they look ridiculous painted but that’s the only way I’m going to be able to grow them out again.
19. I hate being surprised in regards to books, television or movies. I live for spoilers so I’m always prepared. Recently Scandal and The Good Wife pulled off HUGE deaths without me knowing about them beforehand, and I must admit I was shocked and most definitely teared up at both. I don’t like sad things happening so if there’s a chance I’m going to cry, I need to be ready.
20. I rely on text messages and email a lot more than I should.
21. My new guilty pleasure is costume jewelry shops like LouLou and Charming Charlie. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the real stuff, but there’s just something so fun about buying necklaces and earrings and scarves to match every outfit I own on the cheap.
22. I can quote episodes of television, movies and books, even classics like Shakespeare a bit more than I should be able to. Because of the randomness of what I watch and read, almost no one “understands that reference” but it makes me giggle and that’s all that matters.
23. I’m opening an Etsy shop and it’s a little scary. I realize it’s probably the least scary way of opening a business ever, but in my head, everything should have to be perfect before it opens, which is taking me forever. I just need to press the button and get it over with.
24. While I wish I could do amazing things with Photoshop that everyone I know seems to be able to do, I just can’t. I’ve spent hours trying to figure out how to use a template, and I still haven’t gotten that one simple little thing to work. What am I missing?!
25. Lately, my reading life has been a bit jumbled. I can’t seem to settle on a good book to read. I’ve started and stopped at least 5 in the last month. It’s not like I don’t have a lot to choose from waiting in the queue, I just can’t get my brain to focus. I’ve been more focused on other things than sitting down and reading. Hopefully, when the good weather comes, I’ll be back to being the rabid reader I’ve always been.
26. I get excited about “creativity”, and “new ideas.” I think that’s why I’m so drawn to Etsy and Pinterest. These sites consist of thousands of people sharing these new ideas in creative ways.
27. I value kindness and empathy more than anything in other people and I try to always (though I do fail sometimes) practice what I preach. There are public figures and not so public figures (such as family and friends) that I just have to admire because they are legitimately good people doing good things and while they may not be as famous or noteworthy as their counterparts, I’m much more willing to follow them in anything they choose to do and I look up to them a great deal.
28. Sarcasm is my go to response for just about anything. It may not be intelligent, but it usually works.
29. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to a future wedding even though I’m completely single and have been for a while. I’m thinking this might not be something I want to share on any upcoming dates…
30. I’m useless at any handy type things that need to be done on cars or around the house. I’m not one of those girls that could change a tire in the rain or hang a shelf. I’m one of those girls that would be calling a mechanic and my father.
31. I hate being “in my 30s”…
2. However, I do still spend a great deal of the non-saved cash at Target, Michael’s, HomeGoods and Barnes and Noble. Seriously, not a week goes by that I’m not in at least one of these stores. It’s an addiction but there are others that could be a lot worse. (That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.)
3. I’m enamored with all things England. Tea, BBC, Benedict Cumberbatch. You name it, I’ve got some crazy fact about it. It’s my happy place and I’m still dreaming of my teeny tiny flat in Kensington that I hope to have some day – that is until I meet my Prince Charming who will move me to a much bigger brownstone in Kensington of course.
4. When I hear people whispering, my first thought still is that they’re whispering about me. It sounds paranoid I know, but I’ve never been able to ditch that feeling.
5. I’m crafty and creative but I work better when I have a template or a starting point. Seeing blank cards and blank scrapbooks stress me out so much that I’m at an utter standstill. But if I see an idea online or in a magazine, I’m able to make my own version then adapt to other projects. I suppose you could call me a baby crafter who hasn’t really grown up to an adult crafter yet.
6. I want more than anything to have a husband and a house and a baby but the thought of Match.com terrifies me. I don’t know what it is about it but I just can’t make myself do anything, which is a pain since I’m a terribly boring person that stands no chance of bumping into a straight eligible bachelor dreamboat at my local Michael’s.
7. I love to travel. If I could find a job that allowed me to pick up and go wherever I wanted anywhere in the world, I would take it in a heartbeat. Living out of a suitcase (note to self: learn to pack first) seems to be about the perfect way to live. That being said…
8. I travel very differently than other people I know. The bestie got annoyed with me the other day because I had no desire to tour the palaces in England, but I was more than willing to tour all the food markets, eating my way through all sorts of cuisines. I understand history and learning about the cultures of the places I’m visiting. I just believe there are better ways to do it than taking walking tours and seeing how the Royals live. I want to see plays and musicals with people I admire. I want to visit old buildings and churches but I don’t really want a tour guide to show them to me. I want to walk through gardens and go on boat rides. I want to learn a bit of the language and shop where the locals do. I want to frequent every bookstore and craft store I come in contact with and bring home something special that I’ll remember instead of some dinky tchotchke. And mostly I want to devour pretty much any food, market or restaurant the place has to offer. In my mind, that’s how you get a real sense of a place, not by blindly visiting all the tourist traps. I may not know exactly when King Henry VIII had Anne Boleyn executed even after touring the gorgeous grounds of the Tower of London, but I do know where to get the best tea I’ve ever had and I’ve seen David Tennant (i.e. one of the greatest theatre actors in the world) do Shakespeare.
9. Hair and Makeup completely confound me. Every few months, I decide to either cut all the hair off or grow it out, which always results in the opposite happening just a few months later. I don’t have any idea what to do with it and having it be staticky the entire winter is not my cup of tea. In regards to makeup, I buy it at Target which is probably a huge faux-pas but it’s cheap and it gets the job done.
10. I’d rather have something sweet (and usually chocolatey) instead of something salty. When it’s the choice between cookies or chips, I’m always going to choose the cookies.
11. I hate most vegetables (Brussel Sprouts, asparagus, carrots, raw onions or peppers). I really should eat them more but they just taste gross. Call me a 6 year old, but brussel sprouts smell like feet and I will never ever willingly eat those little balls of mush.
12. I’m an introvert who hates being the center of attention, but I’m ok with it. I’ve spent my life, trying not to be shy or quiet but I’ve learned it doesn’t work. It’s who I am, and every personality test (I was a Psych major, so I’ve taken quite a few over the years) I’ve ever taken has agreed with that fact. It’s me, take it or leave it.
13. I spend an inordinate amount of time trolling Pinterest either chuckling at some ridiculous GIF on the geek board, finding some amazing new recipe to try or browsing some beautiful crafty & creative cards. If it weren’t for Pinterest, I think I’d be a bit bored pretty much all of the time. Sad I know, but the site I originally thought was a stupid idea, is my gateway to pretty much anything I want to see.
14. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I don’t usually have more than cereal during the week but on the weekends, I love finding new places to try. Unfortunately, Maryland doesn’t have many really cool places like New York or Boston do, but there are a few and they’re delicious!
15. I’ve slowly started to understand Football and Hockey. I’m not the perfect fan by any means, and rattling off stats is never going to be my thing, but I know what Power Play and 1st down mean, which admittedly makes most games a much happier experience for all involved.
16. Seeing as I work for a tech company, I’ve tried to be something I’m not. I tried to be a computer-y, programming hacking whiz and quickly discovered that Abby or McGee I’m not! I actually tried to teach myself how to code, and found it unbelievably tedious and dull. I don’t understand how Tech people attend college for 4 years specializing in that stuff. Not only is it incomprehensible, it’s not nearly as fun as say, crafting or teaching little people how to read.
17. I live on Iced Tea. I’m pretty sure if I were to cut my finger, I’d bleed Lipton. There are days that go buy when the only thing I ever drink is copious amounts of the liquid gold.
18. For a total of one month, I had finger nails long enough to have a real manicure for the first time in my life. Then they all broke and my hands look like they were never there. Since they’re so short, they look ridiculous painted but that’s the only way I’m going to be able to grow them out again.
19. I hate being surprised in regards to books, television or movies. I live for spoilers so I’m always prepared. Recently Scandal and The Good Wife pulled off HUGE deaths without me knowing about them beforehand, and I must admit I was shocked and most definitely teared up at both. I don’t like sad things happening so if there’s a chance I’m going to cry, I need to be ready.
20. I rely on text messages and email a lot more than I should.
21. My new guilty pleasure is costume jewelry shops like LouLou and Charming Charlie. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the real stuff, but there’s just something so fun about buying necklaces and earrings and scarves to match every outfit I own on the cheap.
22. I can quote episodes of television, movies and books, even classics like Shakespeare a bit more than I should be able to. Because of the randomness of what I watch and read, almost no one “understands that reference” but it makes me giggle and that’s all that matters.
23. I’m opening an Etsy shop and it’s a little scary. I realize it’s probably the least scary way of opening a business ever, but in my head, everything should have to be perfect before it opens, which is taking me forever. I just need to press the button and get it over with.
24. While I wish I could do amazing things with Photoshop that everyone I know seems to be able to do, I just can’t. I’ve spent hours trying to figure out how to use a template, and I still haven’t gotten that one simple little thing to work. What am I missing?!
25. Lately, my reading life has been a bit jumbled. I can’t seem to settle on a good book to read. I’ve started and stopped at least 5 in the last month. It’s not like I don’t have a lot to choose from waiting in the queue, I just can’t get my brain to focus. I’ve been more focused on other things than sitting down and reading. Hopefully, when the good weather comes, I’ll be back to being the rabid reader I’ve always been.
26. I get excited about “creativity”, and “new ideas.” I think that’s why I’m so drawn to Etsy and Pinterest. These sites consist of thousands of people sharing these new ideas in creative ways.
27. I value kindness and empathy more than anything in other people and I try to always (though I do fail sometimes) practice what I preach. There are public figures and not so public figures (such as family and friends) that I just have to admire because they are legitimately good people doing good things and while they may not be as famous or noteworthy as their counterparts, I’m much more willing to follow them in anything they choose to do and I look up to them a great deal.
28. Sarcasm is my go to response for just about anything. It may not be intelligent, but it usually works.
29. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to a future wedding even though I’m completely single and have been for a while. I’m thinking this might not be something I want to share on any upcoming dates…
30. I’m useless at any handy type things that need to be done on cars or around the house. I’m not one of those girls that could change a tire in the rain or hang a shelf. I’m one of those girls that would be calling a mechanic and my father.
31. I hate being “in my 30s”…
Thursday, April 3, 2014
29 + 2 for Year 29 + 2
1. Eat in all 4 Bryan Voltaggio restaurants in
Maryland (Volt, Family Table, Lunch Box and Aggio).
2. Visit at least 5 other states – and not just the
other ones I always go to (i.e. PA, DE, NY)
3. Master the art of the chopstick. Why is this so difficult? I swear a trained monkey would have an easier
time than I do trying to eat with these pointy little suckers.
4. Take more photos. I have the camera, why am I not using it
more.
5. Grow my Etsy shop into something wonderful. I know I’ll never get the chance to make it a
full-time career but if it gets me a bit more money so I can travel more, I’ll
be a happy girl.
6. In addition to the ColorRun in May, complete at
least one other run – preferably one for charity.
7. Get back to the theatre. I’ve already got tickets for Cabaret on
Broadway with Alan Cumming, and there are about a dozen other shows opening
this year in NYC that I’d love to attend.
But there’s also a great deal of fantastic theatre coming here to MD as
well, on top of what CenterStage has to offer.
Let’s put the goal as at least 3 shows by 2015.
8. I will travel somewhere by myself. My London trip has been postponed until next
year so I have a little bit extra in the travel budget this year. I haven’t quite decided where yet, but it’ll
be a weekend thing. I’m not exciting
enough to keep myself entertained for a whole week…
9. I will read the classics of travel writing. In every article I’ve ever read on the best
travel writing, 4 books always seem to come up: “A Year in Provence”, “A Year
in the World”, “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Eat. Pray. Love”. All of these, I actually own, but I’ve only
ever read “A Year in Provence” (which, in case you were wondering, is as
fabulous as everyone says it is). If I
want to become the traveler extraordinaire, I really need to get the ball
rolling on these.
10. Somehow, I don’t think this is ever going to
happen, because each year I put it on my list, and each year it goes incomplete
but let’s give it another shot. I’ll eat
authentic Ramen and Dim Sum.
11. Get organized.
I have a plan in my head for some re-vamps to my house. I already started and finished (90%) the
craft room. Up next is the hall closet,
then on to the kitchen.
12.
Submit at least one craft project to a
website. Each month, websites like
Creating Keepsakes make cattle calls for submissions, I always avoid thinking
my stuff won’t be good enough. This is
the year I’ll shut that little voice down.
13.
Try to take my little nagging idea
somewhere. I’ve had a small plan for a
project ruminating in my head for the last 9 months or so, that I think could
be really cool if I can get people involved.
I think that the Etsy shop has to open first before I can act on it, but
I’m going to try to turn it in to a reality somehow.
14.
Visit 2 exhibits at 2 different museums. I am in some serious need of culture in my
life.
15.
Attend one event at Brooklyn Craft Camp.
16.
In NYC, go to the ShakeShack and
Smorgasburg. (Hmm, I’m thinking #s 8,
15, & 16 could be accomplished all in one weekend…)
17.
Learn to make macarons.
18.
Throw a real actual dinner party with wine and
sitting…
19.
Decipher Letter-Press. I’m not sure why I can’t
quite figure this out, but it’s one of those elusive talents I haven’t quite
deciphered yet. It seems like it would
be semi-simple to do, and cards always look pretty after they’ve been pressed
but I haven’t a clue how it’s actually accomplished.
20.
Be more decisive. I can’t make a decision to save my life. Literally, it’s ridiculous how much I avoid
making decisions.
21.
Take a day trip to Philadelphia. This city seems like it has so much to offer,
and I’ve never even seen the landmarks.
Also, I hear there are some serious eats as well.
22.
O’s and Capitals Games. Ordinarily I’d add the Ravens too, but for
one they stunk up M&T last year and for another, tickets are just too dang
expensive!
23.
Attend the District Flea which certainly sounds
like the coolest Flea Market ever – also there’s food!
24.
Be a bit more patient with everything. I have no patience whatsoever. I’m always irritated with things taking too
long or having to wait for someone or something. I need to cool it.
25.
Take a beach day. This has something to do with the patience
thing. I get a little bored just sitting
on the beach so I tend not to go very often even though, I’m within 3 hours of
a pretty nice one (the crazy big bridge that needs to crossed to get there is
another reason I avoid it.) I need to
slow down and relax and learn to enjoy the beach time instead of wondering what
to do next.
26.
Learn French. It's not going as well as I'd hoped but it's going and hopefully by the time I finally get to move to Europe, I will be able to speak without making a fool of myself.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Craft Room Redo - Complete!
Thanks bud!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
April Fools!
I must admit that Google seems to be the King of April Fools jokes. Last year, I fell for Google Nose, hook line and sinker for about an hour until I realized the date. This year, I remembered that it was April Fools when I read about how Google images were going to make our photos more "#Hoffsome!" However, when I received an email from Gmail telling me about the new feature Shelfie, I thought it was a stupid idea but it actually made sense in a messed up sort of way. People love selfies so why wouldn't Google capitalize on that? Thanks to HuffPost, I learned the truth on that one too. Yes, as a matter of fact I am the most gullible person in the world...
While I love April Fools, I'm terrible at the whole thing. For one thing, I'll pretty much fall for anything, as you can see. Like I said, I usually forget it's happening until I see lots of stories on it. And secondly, I've never been creative enough to come up with a really good one. But I do love the creativity of people that do. They are truly awesome. After reading about all the fun stuff companies and people have done today, I am pretty sure this one from A Beautiful Mess is my absolute favorite.
Look at their little faces, how can you resist? I was this close to entering the giveaway... : )
While I love April Fools, I'm terrible at the whole thing. For one thing, I'll pretty much fall for anything, as you can see. Like I said, I usually forget it's happening until I see lots of stories on it. And secondly, I've never been creative enough to come up with a really good one. But I do love the creativity of people that do. They are truly awesome. After reading about all the fun stuff companies and people have done today, I am pretty sure this one from A Beautiful Mess is my absolute favorite.
Look at their little faces, how can you resist? I was this close to entering the giveaway... : )
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