Thwack ....

Uhm, noted. Smack in the head from the universe in the form of a post by Anne Lamont. Go here for your own personal smack in the head.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's a quiet day at our house but with lots of tasty food planned and a little decking of the halls. I'm thankful for this little cutey everyday along with her Daddy who is also a cutey. I'm thankful for family and friends, that we have good jobs, house, cars, food and rarely consider the price of milk before purchasing. For a lot of people that's a huge luxury and easy for us to take for granted. During this holiday season help out when you can with whatever you can do. Happy Thanksgiving!

Austin day trip and a Wedding

We had a quick day in Austin last weekend and it was 50/50 in terms of super fan to pain in the ass. We had intended to get there on Friday evening for a rehearsal dinner, we went down for our friends Suzanne and Jairy who got married (woo hoo!), but a giant nail in the tire foiled that plan. We did finally make it to find our room was not what we hoped with an incredibly uncomfortable bed and a questionable pack and play with stains we ignored and covered in blankets.  The weather and wedding was beautiful and I have a few pics on the point and shot but so far it's been crazy busy so these are right now all you're getting are the few pics from my phone. Say what you want about smartphones taking over our lives, but without my iphone I would never have any pics in any kind of a reasonable time frame.

Sophy and Daddy getting ready to head out for breakfast. Sophy is pointing out the view of Austin. I also enjoy this one since you can't see the Movember (or the John Holmes tribute mustache) growth yet. It's for a good cause and all but seriously, hate Movember and Rolland loves how much I hate it. There may have been giggling. I'm sure this will be a thing they will both drive me crazy about when she's older and has expanded her come by it honest family taunting gene.

Snuggling at the Elizabeth Street Cafe which was fantastic! It was on a really lovely street with awesome cafe tables on the patio. I'm already plotting a pea gravel cafe area off our covered patio. As soon as we get gutters and a reasonable plan for backyard decorating. sigh.

She is a big girl and loves her sippy cup. I can't believe she is sitting in high chairs all on her own. Still refusing most food even the fancy glazed donuts.

Rolland's breakfast pho. He could eat pho everyday and be very very happy.

My daily breakfast of ham and cheese croissant and mexican coke. Seriously. Every morning and I love it! When I finally get croissant burn out it will be a sad day.

Fancy french glazed donuts that I wanted to love but they were just meh. They tasted doughy in a not done way vs a tasty uber tender kind of way. The glaze was sweet enough to immediately cause a toothache but was tasty.

Chewbeads are my new favorite thing and permanent go to baby gift. Pretty stylish for a rubber necklace and can entertain Sophy for a fair amount of time. At least to get most of your meal down.

Toy Joy in Austin! Love it and first visit where we could make Sophy purchases. We only selected two items on this visit. R2D2 lights for Daddy and Ice Bat with baby for Sophy. She's a fan.

This chair has dorm room written all over it and will not be coming home with us. Cute photo op though.

Oh my God tasty pizza from heaven! Seriously, this was soooo good I may have eaten all but 2 slices. Everything here looked good and unfortunately I don't remember the name. It was off of 2nd in Austin downtown across from the Wee baby store if that helps. How could you not find it with these clear and explicit directions?

Getting ready for wedding in dress my Mom made. There's also a jacket and super cute pics on the other camera.

Mommy and Sophy at lunch and at the wedding below.

The wedding was at Springdale Farm and totally magical. I made Suzanne's necklace that she wore and totally forgot to take pics. It was a lot of pressure since I wanted it to be perfect and ended up looking great. Her dress was incredible and the entire look was fantastic. They were both gorgeous and super cute.  No words for how happy I am for them and wish them nothing but love and happiness for a lifetime. Thanks for including us in your day!

Blue States Rule

and to that ... WOO HOO!

Love myself some Obamacare, Marriage Equality (not just civil unions but actual marriage equality), women's rights, and lots more democratic goodness.

Beadshow Update

These are my goodies from last weekend's bead show. It's also impressive that I'm posting this now, Wednesday, and not this weekend. I'm calling it significant progress. The show was incredibly disappointing with tiny vendor turn out. I think it's worth driving to Santa Fe for the much larger show and it's in Santa Fe which I'm determined to like if it kills me. It should be somewhere I love with all the arty goodness but the last trip was a nightmare. To be fair, it was in full on IVF stuff and no one was in the mood.

Anyhoo...really not comfortable with that phrase but also trying to embrace it. It's not going to stick, I can tell. Ok, for reals... better? Rolland found all the super cool beads from a specific vendor. He's awesome with the hunting and gathering even if he detests the outing. I"m hoping Sophy will acquire this skill as well. TWO of them hunting for treasures would be heaven.

I've got plans for these babies and am trying to overcome my hoarding tendencies which makes me buy like 10 of everything so I can use one without breaking into a sweat that I've lost some of my stash. I know, crazy. It's also why Sophy has had multiple purchases of the super awesome cute outfits in varying sizes... is there a support group for this?

Dallas Arboretum - Pumpkin Village

Continuing the trend, these are LAST weekend's pics from our outing to the arboretum with some friends. I posted most of the photos on Facebook (Mom, yours were via email :)) so I think the intranet is fully blanketed it with Sophy's adorableness in pumpkin village. I don't care. She's pretty adorable!The kid knows how to pose.

This weekend was not picture rife as we went to the Beadshow. Disappointing. And Northpark for pants for Rolland. Not disappointing but not picture worthy either. Sophy and I are both a little under the weather so we're laying low and resting up. Rolland did venture out last night to the parade on Oak Lawn but I have no pics of that either. Next year I think we'll venture out as a family. Definite pictures then. Happy Sunday!

Weekend Planning

Super excited that I know have Bouchon Bakery in my hot little hands! Well, depending on the recipe having hot hands wouldn't be a plus but I'm pretty sure you get that I love myself some hyperbole. I actually picked it up at Barnes and Noble yesterday with a my member discount it was $45 vs Amazon's $30 but I wanted to support one of the sole brick and mortar businesses left even if they are a giant chain but not $15 bucks worth. From now on, online ordering is it. Also, I clearly have a lot of pinions...also not surprising to anyone who knows me.





I'm also super excited that Beadfest is this weekend in Arlington. Larger shows are great for finding some harder to come by beads and findings. The International Gem Show is in Ft Worth in February and I've marked it on my calendar. I'm ready to spend some time in the studio to finish up a couple projects and then get started on some new goodies.

I got Solder Technique Studio: Soldering Iron Fundamentals for the Mixed Media Artist at B&N with a coupon - only exception to new frugal book buying policy - and want to make everything!



I'm back on the handmade bandwagon and want to make at least 1 thing for everyone for Christmas. The likelihood of this is a solid 20% especially with Sophy but we'll see. I can't wait until she's old enough and we can do projects together. Also, projects handmade by Sophy would be big hits with the fam for gifts.

Anyone else have fun weekend plans?

p.s. Cool weather has hit Texas and I got to wear my new motorcycle jacket and snuggle under extra covers. Baking and soup creation are on the docket as well. Also solid 20% on all of my weekend plans but dreaming of major productivity is almost as good as actual productivity.

Pink Isn't Always a Good Thing

My husband and I watched this documentary the other night and found it fantastic. It was really eye opening. It's easy to feel like we're doing our part when we buy all things pretty and pink. We don't have to do anything but buy stuff we normally would but just pink up the pink versions - and everyone knows how much I love myself some pink! - BUT, we don't always do the leg work to figure out if that purchase is really going where we think it is or for the amount we think it is. Does it do as much good as simply writing a check to a research organization? The example of Yoplait yogurt and sending in the pink lids which if eaten 3 times a day for the month of October actually only generates about $34.00 towards research vs how much they make from your purchasing that much yogurt. OY! Now, if you are going to purchase that yogurt in that amount anyway then why not but going out of your way to "support" the cause would be better served with a researched donation.

It was also incredible to realize how little we're really doing for prevention. It's crazy how much money has been raised and we know almost nothing more than ten years ago on the causes of breast cancer. It's insane.  

Also listening to this episode of Tell Me More on NPR about 3 women in various stages of breast cancer. Heartbreaking. As a new Mama I can't imagine having to tell Sophy I was sick, or even worse, dying when she's little and she wouldn't remember me. It's horrifying and ridiculous that we can't figure this out. 

Now, I'm just as upset about a lot of other things but this is the "month of awareness" so I'm sharing what's made me more aware. I know folks are tired of politics, tired of soap boxes, tired, tired, tired. Well, suck it. This is my blog and I'm tired too. A 7 and 3/4's baby going through sleep regression is exhausting. Again, suck it up. This might not be your issue but I bet you have one and we should all do more to support those: volunteer, write a check, even donate old clothes, coats, etc to organizations you do support. 

... and now I'm done.

Halloween Party Pics: The Guests

So the only pics I didn't get are ones of us. Oy. I only managed glimpses of Rolland but I promise he was there!

JJ and Sophy

Andrew and Sean had some baby time. To be fair, Nolan is in fact his baby so he was really being a total baby hoarder and not spreading the baby love. But I did get in some snuggles with the cutie. Sophy didn't care. She was OBSESSED with Sean. JJ, Sean's wife, called him Sophy's boyfriend. Super cute.

Sophy in her devil costume for about 2.5 mins. I am choosing to not post the outraged angry baby pics.

Full size shot of Sophy

The Siegel's in super cute pirate and parrot wear. Seriously adorable.

Elizabeth and Devin. Mother nature and her little ladybug were beyond cute.

Group pic but Mae is primarily featured. Cutest little cowgirl Jesse.

Jeff and Randall. Jeff was incredibly authentic in his costume. Randall was incredibly patient with Jeff and his costume. :)

Randall and Eric. Eric and I bonded over our love of Ina Garten and the love of orange tulips.  I've invited them over one weekend for patio dining with a Barefoot inspired meal. Jeff and Rolland can talk movies. Randall, Eric and I will talk food tv and decorating.

Mark, Kristen and Rolland's ear. Ugh. They were super cute and patient with the posing. I took a great pic of Mark and his wife Robin with the polariod but missed the point and shoot opportunity. I'm still working on the entertaining juggling. Next time, I'm setting out cameras for folks so they can get in on the fun.

See, I wasn't exaggerating. She LOVES him. Sound asleep after lots of giggling and playing with Nolan.

Sophy and I. Cute little hat from Target. I was a Steampunk, Hogwart's scullery maid/witch. IE odd choices thrown together but I mentioned costumes and was therefore required to think of something! Also, I had super cute grey skirt I've been trying to work out a good reason for wearing. Of course you can't see it so you just have to believe me, it's fabulous.

Since I'm a weekend behind, by next weekend I should have pics of Saturday's visit to the arboretum with The Siegel's. Never again visiting outside of first thing in the morning but cute baby photo ops were had.

Mid-Week Recommendation

 

 I bought The Happiness Project not long after it came out but have just started reading it. I am loving it. Gretchen Rubin's writing style is perfect for me. Conversational and anecdotal for what worked for her and clear instruction that this is what worked for HER. Apply appropriate type of planning to your own life since her happiness isn't your happiness. I'm also loving the reminders that it's important to take care of yourself. That said I went to bed very late last night but previously I had been doing better! I swear. For like, two days I was asleep before 10pm with walks being taken. We've also been eating at home and it's been tasty and wallet friendly. But last night  I was working on a jewelry project for a friend and got totally inspired. Damn day job is interfering with my creative muse!

This weekend includes big plans for cleaning out and organizing. The studio, inside and out, since the weather is gorgeous and we can work in the garage without risking heat stroke. The house will get back under control so say we all... little Battlestar Galactica throw back there since I don't want to lose my geek street cred, and I want to rid it off about half of the crap that has totally taken over. Big goals people, big goals!

Next, I promise more Halloween pics with cute babies.

Halloween Party 2012 - Part 1: The Decorations

We had a Halloween Party on Saturday and it was fantastic. Great company who appreciated the tasty treats and cute kids who were just the perfect amount of cute and trouble making. Sort of the best part of kids really. They know they're on the edge so they pull out the cute. I'm setting the scene with all the pics of the decorations pre-party. Follow up will include party goers. :) 

Well stocked bar with cute pumpkins on a stick. Also Absinthe that was not busted open so will have to find another appropriate occasion for it. New Years?

This is how you can tell we're from the Midwest. We got this at the farm supply. :)

Village in our entry that we collected from the defunct Illuminations. I loved that store.

Halloween tree that took me forever to spray paint. It's old school before everyone decided they should have a Halloween tree and they come out of the box black. Well, I can still "keep it real" with all my bitching that it took two weeks to cover that sucker.

Mantle with homemade pumpkin garland made with glass ornaments found at Paper Source for $13.00 a box. I seriously coveted these but they became out of stock and the price tag of $40 a strand was kind of ridiculous.

Savory table

Sweets table. It took 3 dozen cupcakes to just make that holder not look empty. It still wasn't full!

Cute little decorations next to my favorite pic of Sophy and I taken the day she came home.

 Everyone needs a cute little Halloween wreath and since we have a Trader Joe's I was able to pick one up for under $15 bucks  -  Ignoring the pumpkins constantly falling into the floor and desperately holding on to the cuteness.

Next up, party guests!