Monday, May 31, 2010

Packing


I have started procrastinating, I mean packing. We're moving next weekend and so far I have managed to wash a colossal load of laundry and to throw out a bunch of garbage. I am completely lacking in motivation despite the fact that I had a brilliant plan for packing that sounded so efficient and easy. I need packing elves or to at least crank on some fantastic motivating music. Any tips to help motivate a helpless procrastinator?

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Anniversary

*Image by Cheryl Jones

Happy first anniversary to my wonderful husband! I cannot believe a whole year has passed.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Patio


I always seem to luck out on Craigslist. Yesterday night I found some beautiful patio chairs and an ottoman. I'm going to take a look at them sometime this weekend. I can imagine myself sitting out on my patio with a fancy drink in one hand and a book in the other. That sounds like a lovely way to spend my summer. I'm going to spend my weekend packing and daydreaming about a relaxing summer. What are your plans for relaxing this weekend?

Friday, May 28, 2010

Almost

*Image by RetailByRyan95

Today is Friday. I have a three-day weekend to look forward to. I cannot wait until next week is over. I cannot wait. School is almost over, we're moving soon and summer is peeking over the horizon. What are you looking forward to?

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Minnow

*Image & fish via Anthropologie

My husband thought I was strange to want to add a tiny decorative pair of salt & pepper shakers. For some reason I have been captivated by tiny crystal shakers since I was little. These little fish made me smile. Smiling is good for a Thursday. Are you taken in by any nick-nacks?

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Award

*Image by pouryourheartintoit cupcake by Trophy

Yesterday, despite my feeling crappy I co-chaired our 8th grade awards ceremony. It was lovely seeing how well everything went, especially because everyone now wants to put me in charge of things. While searching for some award representation or trophy, I landed on too many photos of tasty cupcakes. Everything brings me back to Seattle. Just yesterday I saw a car with WA plates driving down the road and it made me smile. (Actually I wanted to drive up next to the car and wave, like a fool - I have TX plates now).

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Really?

*Image via jslander

Summer has been in full force here for quite some time. Now, that we are so close to summer vacation I can taste it - now, I get a cold. Oh the irony. Thank goodness for soup and husbands who pamper and bulldogs to cuddle with. I only wish I didn't have students and learning to contend with. Uggg...

Monday, May 24, 2010

Ribbon


Aside from paper, my other downfall is ribbon. I love the idea of having a ribbon display with my sewing & wrapping work station. My favorite part of packaging a gift is to chose the perfect ribbon to put the finishing touches on the parcel. I'll add this image to my inspiration file for the new office. What is your favorite finishing touch?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Gift


A traditional first anniversary gift is paper. Knowing my husband, giving him a paper gift he would appreciate and find meaningful felt like an especially difficult task. I was browsing the interweb and looking for inspiration. I thought back to our first dance song, Keepin' it Real and was using it as inspiration. While browsing on Mason Jennings' website, I discovered that he was playing a show in Austin on May 22nd. The paper gift would be tickets, the real gift was the show. My brother suggested I write Mason a letter requesting our song, explaining our situation so I did that too. The show was amazingly intimate, and the last song played was Keepin' it Real, I couldn't have asked for a better night. We had a great time and I am proud, most of all that I kept this whole thing a secret until we walked up to the will-call line.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Ticket

*Image by Lonny

I woke up too early and got totally beaten in my first real water polo game. The first game where the competition has been playing since they could walk and where I felt like I had almost some idea of what was going on... Not bad. Only one more game left today and then we're off to Austin. I am so excited.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Tools

*Image & card by The Spotted Sparrow

Yesterday we went to look at refrigerators for the new house. Refrigerator shopping is nothing I've ever prepared to do. I usually move into an apartment and deal with what I get. I've lived with a too-small stove, old appliances, burners that are too hot or not hot enough and even a fridge shelf held together with duct tape. Of course, a trip to look at a fridge would not be complete without a pit stop to look at tools... oh husband.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Secret

*Image & card by Elevated Press

I am bursting, bursting at the seams for this weekend. Our anniversary is coming up in just about a week, but the gift I have for Trevor is awesome and he'll get it this Saturday. I am so proud of myself for not telling him and until Saturday at 6:30 my lips are zipped. It doesn't mean I'm not excited. I can't wait to brag about how clever I am. Holy cow, almost a year.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Donkey

*Image & calendar via Linda & Harriett

I will own this. Birthday calendars have been popping up more and more, this one takes the cake. Usually the month of September sucks on calendars. Some focus on fall, or apples and back to school themes. Whenever I go to purchase a calendar I immediately flip to September and use that as a basis for my decision (a September birthday is a result of all of this insanity). This was too easy - I imagine all kinds of great birthday party themed drawings. I can't wait.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Rugs

*Image via Anthropologie

My husband likes color, bright bold color. I was showing him conservative rug options when we stumbled across the Anthro goodies. After testing the waters with a more masculine colored rug with florals, I showed him the other color options. Imagine my surprise when his favorite was a rug that predominately featured pink flowers. Such a pleasant surprise, truly. I like what a rug can do to expand our color palate. How have you been pleasantly surprised this week?

Monday, May 17, 2010

Yard


This outdoor space makes me smile, the bright chairs and the rug are nice and inviting. The only lament I have about our new house is all of the lawn we have. Our hot summers are not conducive to a green lawn. It isn't a sustainable idea, and I'm looking at other landscape ideas using native & drought resistant plants. I am excited to have a yard, I just don't want to pay an arm and a leg to water grass. I'd love to create a space that is beautiful, sustainable and relatively easy to care for. Any tips for hot-climate plants?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Delivery

*Image by Oh Joy!

Today, while I was washing dishes I heard a knock on the front door. Trevor was busy tinkering on the porch so I went to see who was visiting. When I opened the door a woman greeted me with a beautiful bouquet of purple orchids. Apparently, the neighbor above us wasn't home and these flowers needed a place to stay until she returned. This flower delivery inspired me to clean house and, I must admit, it was hard to see them go. Something about the vibrant color really brightened our space. I do love fresh flowers.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Large

*Image by Cheryl Jones

I've been pondering about what type of art I want to hang in our new living room. I've scoured etsy for all kinds of pieces and ideas. What I keep coming back to is this image from our engagement photos. I think I want to blow it up, but I don't know how large to go. This will have to wait until we're in the space. I can see Trevor agreeing with me.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Patterns

*Image via Root, top by Roberta Freymann

I am really digging these billowy patterned summer tops. They look airy and comfortable, exactly what you need when your days are spent hiding from the heat. I do agree with Roberta Jane's comment about not wanting to look pregnant. I have to admit to myself that I am at that fragile age where if I start to fatten at the mid-section people will just pat my belly and assume. Is this where all of those skinny belts come in? I have many solids, this summer I need to add some prints to my wardrobe. What will you be wearing this summer?

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Bali

*Image via Kate Spade

I've never won a contest, but I always enter just for the fun of it. Interested in your very own chance to win a trip for two to Bali? Click this link, enter and take a little quiz to increase your chances:

Plaid

*Image & dress via Ella Moss

I'm laughing to myself because ever since I blogged about having blue on the brain I've been posting predominately yellow items. I guess I am one of those lucky few who can pick up pretty much any shade of yellow and wear it well. I saw this top while I was in Fredericksburg and loved the breezy plaid. The dress option is great, styles like this might convert me to the dreaded leggings. I would brave this minus leggings on a weekend, but for work extra cover is a must. What are your go-to styles for the summer?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Flutter

*Image & top by Anthropologie

Usually, the air conditioner is on and I throw on a sweater or curl up with a blanket. I have never been a person to crank up the air, until Texas. I finally started getting hit by the heat and humidity and have been creatively incorporating short sleeves and skirts into my school day wardrobe. Thank goodness I own a cardigan in every color, covering up the arms inside is a nice temporary fix until I head to the sweltering outdoors and need to peel it off. Until then, cute tops that do double duty are on my list - being on sale is a bonus too.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Baking


I know that I am lucky to have a husband who loves baking. Today while I was ditching school we went to the grocery store and he mentioned several desserts he has planned for the week. It will be easier to get up and go to work tomorrow knowing that some special treat is awaiting my return from slaving away with the children again. This mini-vacation has me longing for summer, luckily it is right around the corner. I need to ditch school more often.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Red

*Image by Red

We have had a fun few days exploring surrounding towns in Texas. While up in Fredericksburg Trevor and I spotted this great shop. Sunday night all we could do was ooh and aah while peeking in the windows. We agreed that we would return first thing today and ended up scoring some great home accent pieces: fabric for new couch pillows, a door mat for the new place and a vintage pendant light for our new dining room. Even without the shopping it was a great trip, we look forward to returning to Fred.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mama

*Image & print by labokoff

Today we celebrate our mothers, what a great mother I have. Hopefully she has a wonderful day and doesn't have to do any mundane tasks and is spoiled a little. I am lucky and hopefully so are you - celebrating your mothers and mother figures today. What special things are you doing for these ladies?

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Waves

*Image & print by All Things Grow

Can you tell I've got water on the brain? To me warm weather necessitates water which, in Texas, requires exploration. I must admit that I grew up spoiled - surrounded by water. Hot Saturdays make me want to go jump in a lake. Now, I'll take any body of water I can get.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Ahhh

*Image by Steven Coen

This is what I have in store for myself. Plenty of water and plenty of fun this weekend. I'm taking Monday and Tuesday off with Trevor because it's his second week of vacation. I can't wait to have time off with my husband. So far, we haven't spent much vacation time together so this is a bonus. Any big plans for your weekend?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Melting

*Image by serendipityfoto

I desperately need to purchase some ice cream. Today the weather man predicted our first 100 degree temperature day of the summer. I don't know how I am going to survive this. I think that ice cream will be part of the solution for sure.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Mayo

*Image via Martha Stewart

When I saw these great streamers, I was inspired. Not for Cinco de Mayo, but for my own upcoming housewarming party. I envisioned some streamers on the front porch inviting guests in and more streamers on the back patio creating a nice party atmosphere. The fiesta theme is easy and perfect for summer in Texas, I can't wait to begin entertaining. Can you tell that I'm excited?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Appreciation

*Image via autumnsensation

Today is Teacher Appreciation Day. You have been influenced by at least one great teacher. One educator has made an impact in your life. I'm lucky enough to have several - my mentor and my friends and peers. I love my job (even when I complain). It is even better to find out that something I have done has influenced or impacted a student. Find yourself a teacher and thank them, hug them or high-five them. Is there an educator who has influenced you?

Monday, May 3, 2010

Stache


*Images & toy by Muttropolis via The Blah Blah Blahg

Picturing Odin with a mustache makes me laugh. This toy is ingenious. Nothing like a good laugh to start your week. Happy Monday to all. Now I'll be imagining other ridiculous ways to dress up my dog. I just showed this to my husband who has apparently known about this fantastic toy for months. Way to keep me in the loop eh?

p.s. check out my nifty new thumbs up button at the bottom of each post. Like something? Don't feel like making a comment? Give me a thumbs up!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Quote

*Earrings by Tom Binns via i am a greedy girl

These earrings could be dangerous for a person like me, you know, an English teacher. Would this make me take myself too seriously? Would I imagine that every syllable I utter would be notable? I know a few folks who could get just as carried away. Too bad one doesn't have her ears pierced. I am such a nerd.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

May Day

*Image © Diana Brennan

Today I imagined I would wake up to a beautiful blue sky and would be inspired to jaunt to the farmer's market for some May flowers. Not totally the case. If the weather holds up I will instead go on a garden tour and see some Texas roses. I'm looking for my own yard inspirations, so this will be helpful. In honor of May, I think I will make it my mission to get some fresh flowers for the house today.
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