Featuring . . .

Yesterday, I was the featured guest in Layers of Meaning's fabulous Through Her Eyes series. Check it out! But be warned: it was by far the fluffiest thing I've written in a while. Something I thought would be so simple to write actually turned out to be quite hard!

Fe, the creator of LOM, is one of my best friends and does a kick-ass job of regularly posting cool things that inspire her and others, including:

• Etsy Find of the Day - sweet picks from Etsy, an online store featuring handmade items to purchase and sell
  
• Check It Out - a sneak peak into what's hot
  
• Image of the Week - snapshots of Fe's favorite images
  
• Right Now: Favorite Blog - links to blogs she's diggin' at the moment
  
• Our Home - a look at what Fe's doing in her new home, which she shares with her super cool husband, Brad, and their precious Chihuahua, Nico
  
• Artist of the Week - an up-to-date view of what talented artists are producing
• Loving . . . - the name says it all

Check out her blog!

"We Are Family . . ."

An e-mail I received yesterday from my sister-in-law, Kay, made me realize that now, more than ever, is I've-Got-to-Spend-More-Time-With-My-Family Time. She had no idea B and T were moving to Charleston or that I hope to move there in November. And to top all that, I haven't seen her or my brother or my nieces and nephew (I'm not counting the brief encounter I had with my niece, Kelsea, at Barberito's a couple of weeks ago) since Memorial Day. That was back in May, people. That's bad. Oh, and did I mention they only live about 10 miles from mi casa? That's right - all the more reason we should get together more often.

So I've got to make it happen. Kay suggested having a slumber party at my house . . . I'm going to take her up on it! An all-girls slumber party sans boys (sorry brother and nephew!) is in the works. And in the spirit of family, here are a few photos of mine.

My niece, Kelsea, and me

My niece, Emma, with my sister, Beth

My SIL, Kay, and Kelsea

My nieces, Lily and AbbeyHmm . . . I think this is circa '92 or '93 of me and my baby brother, Josh? Not sure of the year, but you can see how much love we had for one another! (Check out the elbow he's throwin' into my ribs).

Bradford, Thomas and my nephew, CodyScooby Snack sittin' on Mema's lapMy SIL, Stacy, me and MemaWow, my Pops looks pretty fly in his white V-neck tee and gray corduroy pants! And me? I guess I had a thing for The Flintstones.

Factory Girl

I can't explain why I like Sienna Miller so much, but I do. There's just something about her that's effortlessly cool. So naturally, I was stoked to find her on the cover of the latest issue of Nylon magazine. And I was even more stoked when I got my Nylon mag update e-mail and saw this. She's silly and sassy . . . and I like it!

Chucktown, USA

In just a handful of days, my love and his son will be living in Charleston. I'm so proud of Bradford for finally pursuing one of his passions (he'll be studying graphic design at the Art Institute of Charleston). He's excited as can be, and in the spirit of it all, he brought home the latest issue of Charleston magazine last night for me to peruse. I haven't opened it yet. In fact, I kind of turned my nose up at it when I saw it on the table . . . I guess I do have strong feelings about him leaving, no?
While I'm sincerely happy for him, I'm also incredibly sad, anxious and nervous that he and T are leaving. Sure, I'll have more time to myself and to hang out with my friends and fam, which I'm undoubtedly ecstatic about. I REALLY AM! But there's nothing like crawling into bed at night after about 12 hours of working and snuggling up next to my man. (Pops, I hope you're not reading this!) I've always been pretty possessive of our time . . . especially since we both work during the day and coach soccer/teach dance at night. So once we get the little guy tucked in, we crawl into bed and talk about our day, watch a movie or make each other laugh. It's QT, for sure.

Now I know I'm making it sound like he's moving thousands of miles away. I know I'll see him . . . often, hopefully. And HOPEFULLY, I'll be able to join them here in November, maybe sooner if I get a sweet gig I can't resist. But in the meantime, I'm gonna' need one of my amigas to sleep over from time to time and snuggle with me. Any takers? Anyone?

Channeling the Girl in the Green Scarf, Rebecca Bloomwood . . . well, kinda'

Pretty often, I feel (and act) like Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions of a Shopaholic (p.s., if you haven't seen it, rent it today. I went with Fefa to see it at the movies, and I loved it). Now, I'm not saying I'm thousands and thousands of dollars in debt like Rebecca was (I sho' don't make enough money and am terrified of credit cards, even though I have one. JUST one, though!), and I'm not even saying I shop all the time (when in the hell do I have time between my J-O-B and co-running a dance studio?), or that I have to buy something I see in a window every time the mannequins in it come to life and lure me into the store (BTW, if this does happen to you, go on ahead and make an appointment to see a therapist).

But when the end/first of the month arrives (a.k.a., paycheck time), I can't help but shop. It's a force greater than me . . . a force I can't control (just ask my co-worker, Paula). Buying something right when I get paid totally makes me feel better. I literally breathe a sigh of relief after I click the "Submit" button at the end of the ordering process. And it doesn't have to be clothes or shoes . . . it could be sheets for the bed. Mascara. Gifts for my peeps (love shopping for my boyfriend and friends). Anything - it doesn't matter. I shop mostly online, and I usually browse the same sites to get my fix. One of my all-time favorites is UO. Don't mock - I love it.

And this week, they're having a $9.99 and under sale. Say WHAAAAT?! Heavens! Please know that yesterday I took full advantage of this awesomeness. I did practice restraint, though, (it was tough, I tell you!) and only bought a few things. I didn't tell Paula until today . . . I was afraid she would scold me, which I need(ed). I'm pretty sure this is just one more piece of evidence that I have a problem.

Goody Bag
(Note: the skirt isn't $9.99 or under, but I couldn't resist it. See?)

Tears of pure, pure joy

I'm pretty sure everyone in the human race has seen this vid by now. Personally, I don't think I've seen something circulate the Internet so fast in my life.

In just the past couple of days, several of my FB peeps have posted it on their pages, 10 or so of my friends and family have e-mailed it to me and a number of bloggers (including myself now) have blogged about it.

If you haven't seen it, you must watch it now. If you've already watched it, I urge you to watch it again. I laughed and laughed and laughed the first time I saw it. The second time? I cried. Like a baby, I might add. I think it's just so damn sweet and endearing.

Pretty placement

Whoa, whoa, whoa I'm loving this Polaroid from here.

Indicative lyrics

I've been loving Au Revoir Simone for some time now, especially this little tune.

Sad Song
Play me a sad song
'Cause that’s what I want to hear
I want you to make me cry
I want to remember the places that we left
Lost to the mists of time

I know that you’ll go soon
You’ll find out so take me with you always
I know that you’ll go soon
You’ll find out so take me with you always

On buses that move through the night
We sleep on and on
We got off at Memphis
Black-top heat will make us thirsty
We’ll never get sick anymore

I know that you’ll go soon
You’ll find out so take me with you always
I know that you’ll go soon
You’ll find out so take me with you always

Play me a sad song
'Cause that’s what I want to hear
I want you to make me cry
I want to remember the places that we left
Lost to the mists of time

New bright and light.

I'm seriously wanting new colors in my bedroom. I need something a little brighter and lighter. Maybe something like this from OM Home.

Goodbye, mapquest.

We had some good times. Remember that trip to Fountain Inn with my BFF Toni, when you gave me not one, not two, but three different ways to get there? I thought that was mighty nice of you (a girl likes her choices, right?). Well, little did I know it was all a ruse and a 2 1/2-hour trip would turn into a 6-hour one. Gracias! Wasn't. Happy. At. All. But I forgave you . . . eventually. And now I have some sad news, for you, anyway. No longer will I have to type www.mapquest.com into my Web browser, click on "Directions," punch in an address that, inevitably, you won't recognize (get it together, will you?) and print out about six pages, four of which are usually completely useless.

I've moved on (I'm sorry, mq!) And up, for that matter. Just got my first GPS (shout out, Pops!) I didn't ask for it. I never "ask" for anything, really. Here's how it all went down: ole' Pops didn't want to do anything on Father's Day. Instead, he wanted to have dinner at Miyabi's the next Wednesday. So of course I agreed to go. About halfway through the meal, I grabbed the server and gave him my credit card to pay for dinner (it was the right thing to do.) Well, Dad was mad. No, wait. Correction. He was pissed. Didn't really understand why (and I still don't). So as we're leaving, he said, "You really shouldn't have done that." I said, "Dad. It's your Father's Day present. It's all good." He replied with, "Well, I'm going to get you a GPS." I'm thinking, "WTH?! Where did that come from?" but actually said, "Um, dinner isn't really comparable to a GPS, Pops. Not dinner at Miyabi's, anyway." He didn't say a word. He just tapped his feet, propped his right wrist up on his waist and shook his head. Oh, Dad.

Naturally, I didn't think the man was serious. I've never said anything about a GPS to him (or anyone, I don't think.) Sure, I always wanted one and have admired my friend's Garmin for quite some time now. But I always assumed I'd be the last person on earth to get one (this is usually the case with me and any new technology.)

Unexpectedly after lunch today, Pops stopped by my office to give me one. How freakin' sweet is that? I must say, I got a little misty.

So I raise my tomtom to you, mapquest, and say, "It was nice knowin' ya'! Peace out! Now get your act together, please."