Polaroid Hues: Lake Peyto, Alberta
Move over Ikat!
I’ve been waiting for the refresh button to be hit on patterns this summer. For awhile, the design and fashion worlds couldn’t divorce themselves from the Ikat print. And while gorgeous, some new prints have been catching my eye these days, including Aztec prints.
I let out an audible gasp when I saw the sweater on the left. I have an affinity for (read: problem with) over-sized, chunky knit sweaters. I cover up out of insecurity instead of wearing more form-fitting pieces that flatter my shape. Insecurities aside, it’s a simple fact that every girl needs a chunky sweater collection along with a stack of books and a hot beverage of choice for the impending fall season. Here are some of my other favorite iterations of Aztec print (the sweater above is hopefully coming back from market with shopredclover.com so watch their website).
1. Socialite Print Palazzo Pant from Nordstrom
Art on My Walls: Mathilde Corbeil
I love a drawing that uses few gestures to define a mood or setting. Mathilde Corbeil is a pro.
All images via MathildeCorbeil.com
Pasta for Lazy People
Ok, so here’s an update for you spaghetti-challenged Americans that are ruining the gene pool. This is how you make spaghetti.
1. You open the box.
2. You stick it into a pot of boiling water.
3. Yes, it may protrude more than slightly from the top of the pot.
4. But, it will eventually sink down and boil into delicious goodness within about 10 minutes.
If you need to buy this spaghetti that “changes things forever,” well, I can’t help you.
The Dogalog
Just a few recent pics of my catalog-worthy pooches. They’re only slightly cuter than that drawing of turkey giblets that’s been dominating the top of the fold for far too many days.
That Time When I Decided to Make Turkey Soup
When I was younger, my Gami took all the innards of the turkey and produced a magical, wonderful turkey soup that we would have for days afterwards. This year, I thought I could put all the giblets in a pot and do the same thing.
I googled “Easy Turkey Soup”. I looked at the bowl of innards, googled some more, looked at the bowl of innards and threw them in the trash. Couldn’t handle it. My broth will be coming in a box for the time being.
Black Friday: An Investigative Report
“Take that money watch it burn, sink in the river the lessons I’ve learned.”
– One Republic Counting Stars
Today is Thanksgiving. And, chained to our retail jobs, the BF and I stayed in town. When he took off at 2:30 for work I began to wander around the house looking for entertainment. I ate a piece of pie first and then I ate a sandwich. I watched Jimmy Fallon and then half of Kimmel. Fallon is the funnier of the James’. Then, I began to get restless.
The BF is on the management team at the local Wally World so I decided it was high-time I experienced the madness. So, I channeled my pie-eating loneliness into something better, an investigative report (sounds fancy, right?).
I fed the dogs and headed out around 5:42 P.M. Gretta the Jetta and I found safe haven in the Home Depot parking lot, about two football fields away from the manse that is the local Walmart (Observation: No one says Super Walmart anymore because they are all “Super,” a.k.a. with groceries).
Our first observation: CAMPERS. Yes, shoppers have moved on from the tent to the heated and semi-plumbed contraptions. I counted 5 (in view).
Observation #2: Cops
Well, dear citizens, if you need a cop tonight you are out of luck.
Tired of seeing the parking lot? Me too. I headed inside and was given a map detailing where all the sales would be in the store. The most hilarious had to be the produce section turned toy store. At second five the clock strikes 6 to begin the first sale. Listen for the “Oh, boy!” Dying.
The toy area was to be avoided as were the areas clogged from lines for the big ticket items like flat screens and video game consoles. I decided to do a loop to see if there were any smaller items worth waiting in the checkout line for (nope) and see what other people watching I could do.
Here are the crazy craft ladies… Turns out they were after bath towels and 700-thread count sheets.
Most items were a free for all, as you can see above. Giant pallets had been rolled out earlier and unceremoniously ripped open by the first customer that could squeeze past an employee at 6. Being a 24 hour Walmart, there was no line up or infamous rushing in of hot bodies.
Next it was time to check out the lines. Certain high demand items required a lime green wrist band, obtained from a Walmart-er wearing a yellow vest (god, bless them). The 32″ TV was a huge hit and people were getting very territorial and accusing each other of cutting like it was the first grade. Below we see John Doe getting his wristband taken in exchange for his TV. The smug man in black in the cop in charge of this line. The guy in orange is the Walmart employee who decided to go casual for the evening.
Then we have the view from the other side. Those specks are the people above and those are the TV’s waiting for their homes…
The best part of the extravaganza had to be the prayer circles formed around items not going on sale until 8. There were employees there to make sure they weren’t taken. But, I definitely saw a few contraband items in carts.
“Make new friends, and keep the old, one is silver, and the other you meet at Walmart on Black Friday Thanksgiving.”
I’m not sure if the guy in the bottom right was laughing at me but I definitely got a few laughs as I was taking this picture, especially from people hugging TVs and tablets. Maybe they realized how silly they are? Maybe they hugged their tablet a little tighter?
Letters from Gami
My Gami sends the best cards. Happy Thanksgiving, blog women and men.
Impulse Purchase #1: A Juicer
So this isn’t the first impulse purchase I’ve ever made, but it will be the first one I share with you on the blog. Does anybody out there juice? I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead the other week on Hulu and almost went vegan, but then didn’t because there were Oreos. Except, Oreos are vegan. Below is my very mechanically correct drawing of my juicer, the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor. *insert evil laugh of impending healthiness*
24 things to do before I turn 25.
Albeit a bit late, I was rather inspired by my good friend Claire over at Ordinary Goodness. I always admire her ability to meditate, reflect and set goals. She is a very conscious and conscientious decision maker, something I strive to be.
So, in the spirit of her post, and in light of my recent birthday (which my boyfriend likes to remind me puts me in my “mid” twenties), here are 24 things I would like LOVE to do by the time I turn 25.
1. Lose (at least) 15 pounds. Yes, I know, I know. But, I have gained a significant amount of weight in the past two years (35 pounds). My back hurts, my knees hurt and I feel things that I thought I wouldn’t feel until I reached 40. Read: I don’t want to huff and puff going up the stairs anymore. The BF and I are doing couch to 5k. I will keep you posted.
2. Indulge my passions. Even writing this simple blog post feels amazing. I know what makes me happy, I just have to carve out the time to do it. I think I’ll put a post-it on the TV remote that says “DON’T DO IT!”
3. Be a better friend. My smart phone is wonderful, but it is also a source of great anxiety. I’m the worst at answering phone calls and text messages. I promise message-leavers, I still love you!
4. Spring Fall Cleaning. Ok, so, I dropped the ball this spring, but the BF and I moved in together this June and there are still remnants of our move around the apartment. A box full of books, a hamper used as a temporary storage device and a suitcase full of clothes. My parents are coming to town this weekend. MOTIVATION.
5. (GRADUATE) FIND A JOB. This is possibly most daunting but most necessary thing that has to happen. I really don’t have any energy to expand on it because well, I’m just tired of talking/thinking about it enough in real life.
6. Read good and do other stuff good too. I think this issue will be solved when I’m no longer required to read for school.
7. Spend more time out of the house. Apartment = downward spiral/eating my face off. Coffee shop/Library = People watching, inspiration and lots of writing. It also equals draining of wallet on delicious foods.
8. Work on my sense of urgency. Sometimes anxiety keeps me from gettin’ er done. Go, go Gadget Gracie!
9. Do more writing like this. Prompts don’t always have to be boring.
10. Go to a city. Preferably New York.
11. Add a few new dishes to my repertoire. I’ve got stovetop quesadillas under control. Now it’s time for bigger and better things.
12. Work on self-fulfillment. Don’t look to others to fill the cup of happiness for me. “The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.” – Diane Von Furstenberg
13. Narrow down the goals of my business (plan). I can’t be a specialist at everything. That’s just not how it works.
14. Draw. I used to be so consumed by the process to the point of zen. Where is that in my life right now?
15. Clean out my closet. I guess this is an addendum to number 4, but it needs its own line.
16. Walk my dogs.
17. Use what I have. Don’t overbuy. Everything from shampoo to taco shells. Yes, I went a little crazy on taco shells the other week. What?! They were on sale!
18. Have friend reunion(s). College, high school, roommates, coworkers.
19. Be understanding. When I was younger, I would always mark on personality tests that I was a good listener and empathetic. Now I know that this always takes work. It’s a process.
20. Sleep. At the right/normal time.
21. Stop comparing myself to others. Yeah, I’ll let you know how that goes.
22. Drink less Diet Coke.
23. Keep a plant, of some kind, alive.
24. Be calm. Take baths, do yoga, drink tea. Whatever it takes!
Again, thanks Claire for giving me the idea for this post. We need to do number 18.
RUNS WITH MARKERS 