Upgrade Ya

When we were in New Orleans this weekend Jane and I checked out a furniture store on Magazine Street. I scoped out this little nightstand on Friday when we were on foot, fretted about it and went back on Saturday to buy it when I had the car. It's super turquoise and super functional.

I had been using that chair as a nightstand ever since we moved into the house. (The chair was theoretically an upgrade from the rubbermaid-type drawers I had been using for ages before that.)

I had been waiting until we got a full bedroom suite, but realizing that isn't a priority but that I still wanted more function beside the bed I started the hunt. I'm really happy with this and if we ever do get a matching set of bedroom furniture this can always go in Jane's room. Although I can't imagine I'll ever want to give it up!

We're also in the market for a china cabinet -- and there was definitely a contender at this store. We're looking for small-ish footprint, dark wood, blocky/clean lines with drawers, lower cabinets and glass-front upper cabinets for display and glass storage. We might like to have a buffet surface too (the contender here didn't offer that). I keep checking Craigslist and maybe need to look at thrift stores and estate sales. I'm super cheap, which is why I didn't just buy the one at this store. It would be great to have something though so my fancy wedding china wouldn't still be sitting in a box in our utility room. Oh me.

Resolving Sentimentality

Although we're almost half-way through January, I've started thinking about resolutions. I've got them into categories, and most I started before 2009 ended but never really codified them. I won't detail them here, but the general categories are Fitness (i.e. gym going and healthier eating), Savings ($$$), Giving (also $$$), Crochet (baby boom underway for people in all parts of my life!) and the ever-present struggle Organization (both workwise and personally).

This was in my Upper Room email this week, and I liked it, want to save it here because it goes with my fitness resolution and how that is really the impetus for a more-than-a-resolution focus on my faith: "Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future."-1 Timothy 4:8 (TEV)

As I was putting away Christmas stuff I found myself losing some sentimentality. This year I tossed almost all of our received cards. Then I found that last year I had saved every single one, but the chain was broken and I had to throw these out too. The pack rat in me says "I would love to look at these from year to year, you've thrown out something priceless" and the clutter-busting girl in me says "Good job." (That's also what Shawn said when I told him.) I saved the picture cards -- with babies and such. My mom had a Christmas book (probably still does) with picture cards she had received that we always liked to look through each year, even if we didn't know the people/they were friends from her pre-Oklahoma days. So I guess I can still do that. Or am I just a grinch and should have saved everything?! Too late now.

Aunt Lee Ann gave Shawn this Mensa puzzle-a-day calendar that we have been LOVING. I am good at the word puzzles and Shawn, of course, kills the number/math ones. Together we're a pretty good team (and not just at Mensa puzzles, mind you).

This is my seven hundredth post, since that first one in Boston from the 2005 WAM conference I went to with Katrina, then grad school friend, now Facebook friend.

Epershand, at 28.5

A few weeks ago, I purchased this epershand necklace from Etsy seller Isette. I saw it on MightyGoods and fell in love with the curvy curl (reminiscent of my wedding stationery designs), plus MG said "for the copy editor in your life." WELL, I'm the only CE in my life (although that's only a small part of my life) ... I decided to get it.

I have worn it somewhat a lot (at least for me). Wore it to both weddings I went to in May. I figured my journalism friends would like it, but no one said anything about it. Then at the second wedding I got tons of compliments. Huh. Makes me happy to see it on my neck though, so that's what matters I'd say!

I'll be honest that I didn't know what an epershand was before this necklace. Epershand is what the Scots call an ampersand, or "and sign." Anyway, I really like this necklace, even though it looks sort of like an "E" ... I guess in another lifetime that would have been ideal (see: eels, music).

Today's my half birthday. I know that I'm nuts to mark it/think about it, but what are you going to do? Other highlights in my history - I've been out of high school for ten years. Yowza. About 10 years ago we were loading into white vans to head to Houston for our senior trip. Insane that it's been so long. Time flies, whether you're having fun or not (and for the most part I am).

Speaking of, Shawn and I are closing in on wedding anniversary numero uno. How about that? Luckiest girl alive, I know.

And speaking of Shawn and fun, we had a great time this weekend. Saturday was an NYC street fair and finding "Surprise, Surprise," a store with loads of good stuff - kitcheny, bathroomy, anything-related-to-housewares-y. We got a storage ottoman and a beach umbrella, jar opener, plus bathtub decals we've been looking for EVERYWHERE, including online. Good times!

We put the beach umbrella (provides SPF 50 in its shade!) to good use on Monday, when we took the subway to Rockaway Beach. How crazy is it that $2 gets us to the Atlantic Ocean? Score another for NYC I guess. The ride back is always a pain, just from being tired and sun soaked, but definitely worth it. The water was way too cold for swimming, but the waves and the sand and the sun were great. We also walked more than three miles, which is a lot for my poor dogs. I need to get moving like that daily! And bonus - we didn't get sunburned at all!!!

The beach has this great playground on the sand. Can't wait for Owen to come visit so we can play!!!


A picture of the waves, which doesn't show how crash-y they were. Plus who knows who the crazies in the water are. There were some lunatic teenage boys near us. They actually got into a near-fight with a woman sunbathing, calling her fat, etc. because she asked them to stop swearing and throwing sand

Seen Around Today

I want this “Newly Married” necklace - but it’s almost my one-year anniversary. Shouldn’t I be less excited about my new name?



Don't Bite Me Patch: How it Works »

Uh, this makes it sound like it COULD work for bedbugs - and I bet it’s safer than DEET bugspray … I sent away for a free sample. I’m not actually getting new bites, but I’m as paranoid as ever.

Funniest Site EVER: Awkward Family Photos. We have a classic one that cracks us up - it's an 11x13 (or whatever the biggest size is) photo from when I was about 3 and Beth was probably 1 and a half. She's woozy looking, I've got self-cut bangs and my mom's glasses. Oh, totally 80s! Love it.

technical difficulties

Currently I cannot reply to emails in my work inbox, but I can read them, so that's something. I don't know if it's IE that's acting up or what. I can reply to things in Firefox, but Outlook/MS Exchange e-mail HATES Firefox, as in, doesn't display properly, you can't preview messages (or I don't know how to configure preview), etc. etc.

This morning, into the afternoon, I spent more than three hours on the phone with an IT guy from work - we don't have an on-staff IT support person, but we do outsource that. Anyway, he had to remote in to my computer, meaning he was working on my computer and I could not. NICE. If there had been deadlines or something I could have figured out something else, but as it was, it kept being "only a few more minutes" or "let me try one more thing."

In the end, the problem isn't fixed. They're sending out a tech tomorrow afternoon (the IT firm has an NYC office, which is lucky).

Back from the whirlwind trip to DC and back - we had the holiday party and a gift swap. Here's what I ended up with - a $35 glass candle holder. Um, the limit was $10 - I took a $9 picture frame that I bought in Austin (that many people loved).

For my coworkers I created little gifts - magnets! Based on this tutorial at Not Martha, I made 23 small tins of magnets, using CHEAPIE CHEAP stuff, and they turned out so freaking cute. I think my favorite was an image of the Capitol dome in moonlight.

Speaking of Christmas, I still have a bit of holiday shopping to do. Was looking at my list, and I've done PRETTY good, but not completely finished. Hope to be able to go shopping this weekend and finish off the list. Not sure what "good" gift to get Shawn. We originally were going to get each other Ikea chairs - but we don't think our apartment/life will be back to normal any time soon, so that idea is toast.

Ah, and ideas for me - I will be updating my Amazon wish list. OK, in updating this it's a little depressing to look at my "recommendations" from Amazon - so much about bedbugs, because I bought our AllerZip bedbug proof mattress and box spring covers from Amazon.

Starting on dinner. I don't think I'll ever post as much as I did in November (although it was fun, I didn't even win any prizes from the NaBloPoMo Ning group), but will strive to put something up about my day during the week.

~M.

Comma Pendant

Chao & Eero Jewel - Comma pendant - Chao-Hsien Kuo:
"This Comma pendant belongs to our SIGNS collection, which was inspired by the use of emails and mobile phone messages. A comma is a little pause, such as in our busy everyday routine, it is precious to have a little break. The hand-textured surface gives this silver pendant an elegant and unique sheen. All Chao & Eero Jewel products are manufactured and hand-finished in Finland."

This seems like something that would be so simple, so sweet and so cheap. Uh, try 75 Euros, which is a BIT more than $75 if I know my exchange rates (which I admittedly don't).

Seeing as how I rarely leave the apartment, jewelry expenditures aren't really something I need. But it's fun to think and plot and list.

Edit: WOW - this is my 300th post!

Organize: ABC Paperclips

Charles & Marie: Alphabetical Paperclips:

"In any case, here's something that super fab designer Stephen Reed showed us at 100% Design in London a couple months ago: Alphabetized paperclips. At first we were thinking: OK – and now what? But then when we started playing with them the genius dawned on us: Whether you want to organize certain things alphabetically or just want to prioritize – always a fun task - or turn your Moleskin into an alphabetized notebook. Or if you are into lists and want to have organized lists or if you just want to fool your fellow people and seem as if you are all organized. They are simply a lot of fun!"

Via MightyGoods, I think. At $25, these are technically do-able. Wonder if there's a way to come up with a DIY-paperclip project. Because I think I would just love to have a full set of M's and W's for my office organization needs, and you have to buy these in full sets...plus $25 is a LITTLE frivilous. Although I'm always looking for gift ideas for others, and I really need to get started on my Xmas shopping list. (Which is going to be extra hard this year given the fact that Shawn is SUCH a good budgeter and stays on me about spending...)

I already had this bookmarked so MAYBE I had already written a post about them. Who knows?!

Nordstrom: Wrap Dress

Eliza J Ruffle Wrap Dress - Occasion - Nordstrom

Oh! How lovely. This came through MightyGoods in my RSS reader. Available only in size 10, but that's OK too, since at $158 I wouldn't bring myself to buy it ... how sad.

I DO have quite a few weddings coming up in the next 6-12 months. But I couldn't get into a size 10 in 24 months - I'm just too fond of chowing down. Oh well.

At least my blog can house this pretty pretty model picture. Tra la.

~M

You Rock - You Rule T-Shirt

You Rock - You Rule...

Need I say more?

Out for the niiiiight. ~M.

I WANT: Cards For A Year from Violet

Cards For A Year - Violet. | Cool Gifts. | Brilliant Consequences.: "Cards For A Year
$60 (sku AB020320)

Fortify them with all the cards they'll need for the next 12 months:

6 Birthday Cards
2 Congratulations Cards
2 Valentine's Day Cards
6 Thank You Cards
2 Mother's Day Cards
2 Father's Day Cards
2 Sympathy Cards
2 Anniversary Cards
2 Get Well
6 Holiday Cards
4 New Years Cards
4 Blank Cards

This boxed set contains 40 cards and 42 envelopes. Each card is imprinted with an icon; text inside the card states the occasion. For the person who likes to stay in touch, we can't imagine a more thoughtful gift.

Details: Boxed set of 40 cards and 42 envelopes.
Materials: Heavy white cardstock.
Dimensions: 4 inches W x 5.5 inches H."

Too bad they're out of stock... But there are many other cute things on this site... wish I could be notified when it came back IN stock. I swear I spent more than $60 per year on cards, and usually they aren't as nice as these are...

*SIGH* ~m.