Come on in and Laugh with Me

I saw an SUV dragging a case of beer that was caught under it's suspension on the highway to work today.


I was checking out this really cool woodland house on Apartment Therapy and loved the way one of the two men described their style:

Our style is a mix of laid back Hamptons and California ease. Think the gay male version of Ina Garten, “and who doesn’t love that?”

Michele-ah Bella Boo-Boo Bachmann isn't seeking reelection. If anything her outspoken sound bites have reinforced that I need to put the keyboard down sometimes.

In August 2006, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that in March 2006, Bachmann was on a Minneapolis radio show advocating for a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. A caller asked her to explain how he, a heterosexual, would be harmed if his gay neighbors were allowed to marry. Bachmann replied saying, "Public schools would have to teach that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are normal, natural and that maybe children should try them." The Star Tribune also reported that Bachmann has publicly referred to homosexuality as "sexual dysfunction," "sexual identity disorders," and "personal enslavement" that leads to "sexual anarchy." (via)

On a similar note, Bob Dole launches up out of his wheel chair for five points on today's Republican party. One of them is just. one. word:

3) Nixon?

She's 41, she's single, and she doesn't care that you don't have teeth.

Flip-It Friday: Design Tools

Happy Friday!

One of my career goals for 2013 is to learn InDesign. I am already a writer (stop laughing) and now want to diversify my abilities to create marketing materials, so I think... InDesign!

My boss has sanctioned it and my company will pay for the software and any training.

Question, though:

What about the whole Adobe Suite? Photoshop? Illustrator?

What do you, fellow bloggers and not-so-fellow-yet designers, think? Should I asked to be compensated for subscribing to the whole suite of Adobe design tools? Should I start slow with just InDesign and move up from there?

Thoughtful Thursdays: Curate Your Life

"Be open to change and gradual progression; not everything has to be perfect right when you start."

- Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere, via The Everygirl

At a book signing. Because she wrote a book. I want her life. Patience.

When the Mr. and I started organizing our house, we also started daydreaming about design and decor for it. Shockingly (I kid, I kid), we have two different approaches to setting up a home. 

He likes to getitalldonerightnow.

I like to take my time and shop around.

He likes to make decisions on budget alone.

I see quality as paramount. 

He prefers simplicity. 

I prefer unique, story-full pieces.

He's Ikea and Target.

I'm World/Flea/Farmer's Market.

See how this could be a conflict?

As most people do after a big move, we had Chinese takeout one night. One of the fortune cookies said something like:

"Persistence and determination will be rewarded."

Basically, stick to a plan and see it through. Be patient. You wont be sorry.

I promptly taped it up on the fridge (our fridge is not magnetized... I swear the Mr. did this to me on purpose... no quirky magnets!) to both remind us to enjoy the process, seek to meet both of our desires for designing a home (synchronously), and royally piss him off! In a loving way of course. 

Now we take turns moving the fortune around. I found it in the silverware drawer a day or two later. It's now on his sink in the master bath. Mwahahaha!

Flip It Friday: Ya Get Me?

Source: fab.com via J on Pinterest

A giant cartoon bear bathing in the landscape of a traditional painting.

Is this funny to you?

I like it and would put a series of this artist in the spare bathroom. See my pinterest for more ideas.

Is it quirky-cool or just childish?

Tipsy Tuesday: Feng Shui. Not Just for the Artsy or Asian

Deep breath in, and relax.

You are in a tranquil space of waterfalls and Ohm. Come with me to the world of Feng Shui. Or as westerners pronounce it "Fung Schway".

A few tenants of Feng Shui that I think could help us all achieve home-decor enlightenment and that I found here are:

1) De-clutter. Get rid of whatever is broken, unused or ugly. Make space.

2) Position furniture so that navigating a room is easy. There should be a "flow". My poetry professors at Purdue would hate me for using the word flow, but love me for that alliteration. I'm sorry/you're welcome.

3) Like in life, keep work and rest separate. Create a physical distinction between where you work and where you sleep. No TVs in the bedroom. No iPhone-ing in bed. Nap in the bedroom and not on the couch, etc.

4) Make repairs promptly. If you don't fix it right away, you're better off getting rid of whatever the item is or calling in a professional. Don't create work-arounds to existing problems.

5) Mirrors. I'm not sure if I agree with this one (the fact that if you hang mirrors at the front door that they will reflect good energy back into the home...ehhhh *shrug*). But if you do hang mirrors in small rooms, it will make them look bigger. If you hang them in dark rooms, it will help make lights and sunlight brighter. It might also feed into your vanity. You be the handsome, handsome judge.

6) Living things. Plants, flowers, fruit, (dogs!). I think it's nice to display an ecosystem in your home. Have things living and existing on all levels helps you feel the balance in the world. And dogs are cute friends, right?

7) Water. I naturally have water in every room with me as I carry glass upon glass of water with me everywhere. I'm the girl who even brings her adult sippy cup to meetings. I think having water (in a glass for drinking, a fountain for listening or a vase for flower-growing), is a mood-lifter and healthy.

8) Colors. I appreciate the look of a monochromatic or all-white space, but I do like it when colors are in balance and abundant, too. Feng Shui leans towards natural greens, golden  yellows mixed with purples and reds. I wouldn't put all of them in a room together in equal parts, but if you focus on 2 or 3 and then just have one square inch of the other two, you could pull it off.

Source: google.com.br via Darlene on Pinterest

9) Avoid sharp lines and corners. Unless you like angular style of course. And if you have children, they'll either cut themselves on your sharp stuff or file all the edges down for you :) Feng Shui suggests that you should avoid pointing corners toward beds or chairs as this will direct negative energy. I think that's smart because if you point the corner of your dresser toward your bed, chances are you are not making the best use of space anyway. Think of arranging your room on a grid.

Do you Feng Shui?

The Secret to Success: More Meaningful Mornings

I just typed a lot about how to have a meaningful morning. Then I erased it. On purpose. I realized that I was wasting your time and mine with the babbling.

So if you want to read about meaningful mornings, go here.

If you want to see something pretty:

Source: Uploaded by user via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: olesiafx.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

These are a few of my favorite things.

You're welcome.

Ten Tips Tuesday: Haters (don't) Hate

I'm a double-bloggin' on Emily Henderson today (both my personal blog and this lil ditty.)

Emily suggested on her blog that we open our minds to wicker (which I personally already like). But then she also asked what other things we initially disliked but should keep our minds open to... what we said we'd never come around to but have maybe ended up liking.

Have you ever said "no" or "I don't like ___" to:

1) Leggings or Jeggings. I used to think they were a cop-out, but then I tried 'em. Now I'm a bah-leeevah.

2) Olives, black licorice, cilantro. I've once said no to all of them. But now I like each of them.

3) Primary colors. I know that I love secondary colors (teal, purple, orange, green, etc.) but yesterday I caught myself wearing a navy skirt, yellow sweater and red necklace...

4) The smell of coffee. Growing up I think I didn't like it because it meant that I had to get up for school soon. Now I would buy coffee perfume if they make it.

I don't care if it's mens perfume. I sometimes wear S's cologne and he's all like "mmm, what's that smell?" in a good way :)

5) The song Clumsy by Fergie. I remember saying that I disliked that song in college but then I found myself youtubing the song. I'm not a huge fan of the song currently, but it did capture my attention for a while.

6) The Harry Potter Series. I denied them in high school but then one of my very literary friends recommended them and I got to book 4 (which was all they had at the time) before wandering away. I am putting my foot down with Twilight though.

7) Democrats. I used to consider myself a Republican. I now consider myself post-partisan. Like a party should tell you what to believe...

8) The color pink. I used to be worried that it would make me too girly. I think pink is freshly transcendent now. You can quote me on that, yes sir!

via etsy.com

9) Beer. Now I love it in all kindas rich brews. My first dark-beer love? New Castle.

via

10) Going to church. I used to fight my parents every week to not go and now I feel cleansed when I do go. I listen to sermons online or do reading on my own to make up for the times I can't be there. I can't imagine my life without my church community. (Not that you need to attend a church to have a Godly community.)

[Disclaimer: I had a family emergency this week that caused this blog post to go up late. I was 1/2 way through when I had to leave work and go to the hospital. Everyone's gonna be alright and thanks for your prayers.]

Ten Tips Tuesday: 10 Fun Ways to Spruce Up Your Mature Decor (and a Few Rhymes!)

Yes, "mature decor" rhymes. Just love it with me, folks.

I know I've struggled with growing up when it comes to decor. When I moved I had to leave my pastel lace curtains behind and have thrown out some bright red, self-made collages because that's what adults do. We buy stuffy, rigid, beige, clean-lined art/pillows/rugs/linens. Gag.

We can be adults AND have fun decor. Oh yes we CAN!

(Note: There's nothing wrong with beige. I like beige. I just like other colors too.)

My lovely neighbors (Hi: B, J and H!) have included my husband and I in their living room re-vamp (i.e. We get to come see the finished product and they welcome our 2 cents!) and they've inspired me to look for patterns, colors and themes in home decorating that push the limit and really give pizazz to a room.

1) Pick a bright color. Mature patterns can be fun in brighter colors.


2) Pick a wild pattern. For those of you that say animal prints are for street walkers (does anyone say that? you know you picture it... leather skirt, faux fur coat, strappy stilettos... or maybe that's just Ke$ha.), I give you: Zebra. In a rich brown, zebra is warm and natural enough to be both inviting and mature. You know, the kind of inviting and mature that says "come here and take a load off" not "come hither and for $50 I'll..." you get the idea.

via

3)Get along with neon.

Used sparingly and over a backdrop of neutrals, a shade or two of one neon color can be fun put put-together.
via Pinterest

4) Personalize. You don't need to have your name on your door to keep your little brother out anymore. Your home will start a get-to-know-us conversation for you.

Monogram wallpaper found here.

5) DIY.
This was the song that my husband and I walked down the aisle to after we said "I do" and I've coveted this simple slab-n-paint since I first saw it. Also
via Pinterest.

6) Metallic adds color AND texture.

via

7) Be ironic. Glass next to iron next to wood next to pastel cutouts of animals.
via
Make your style what YOU like. And when you're at a thrift store and you ask yourself, "Do I need this ceramic horse?" Answer, "Yes."

8) Which brings me to thrift stores. No picture needed. Go at the end of a weekend after people have cleaned out their junk and stay hydrated. Furniture that no longer fits your mature lifestyle can be recycled there and sometimes you have find a gem to clean up, refinish or paint and make your own. Thrift stores are worth the sift!

9) Fake it. If you are just starting to cycle out your college collage for some adult art (that sound dirty... where's my head this morning!?), then sometimes big pieces can be out of the budget. Cluster smaller prints together to take up the wall space of a larger piece.

via

10) Dress it up. Save on basic linens by purchasing white or a solid colors instead of patterns or chic designer sets, but splurge on accent pillows or a nice duvet to draw interest. If you like the ease of bed-in-a-bag sets, mix it up by buying your own accent pillows or a contrasting bed skirt. Putting nice dressing on a basic bed can make it look upgraded.

And don't be afraid of purple :) via


Anyone have any suggestions on how to merge styles when you get married/move in together? I hear Secrets from a Stylist on HGTV advises on this, although I've never seen it. Anyone seen and love the show?