Call me a thief

Cheers to an amazing weekend. I had really been looking forward to this four day weekend since... well... spring break. :) Which was two weeks ago? Teaching certainly does have its perks.



Viernes: Lunch with a great lost friend (Tess). It's crazy to see people after it's been years. Hopes to further lunches. I bought bikey (see below). Its a motobecane nomade. I am learning how to be a biker- I hope for a country ride sometime this week (with camera strapped on my back). Friday night rock climbing outside of Chicago. Super fun. Super sore.



Sabado: mucho mucho cocinando. All day in the kitchen. Beet salads, mimosas, perogies, and mimosas. All in preparation for Easter.



Domingo: Lots of goodbyes... it was a little emotional. But also very exciting. Portland is 7 weeks out. And lots to do by then. We ate. We flew kites (its tradition). And played frisbee (perhaps my favorite part... grass stained knees and hands- disregarding the fact I was in my Easter dress and heels). I shared a moment of grieving with my grandma in the kitchen. The reality of my situation is sometimes difficult and it was really comforting/ necessary for my grandma to hold me for a good ten minute hug. I think we both needed it equally. Things will be difficult before they get better- which is a surprisingly comforting truth. More hugging. Some napping. Perogie dinner. mwah.




A few things that I am really in love with right now:
Going sans makeup
However when appropriate (which I can justify whenever), Amplified Dubonnet MAC lipstick (it's crazy crazy red and looks great with dark hair)
Being effortlessly feminine
Milosh: Creepy
Cutoffs (I will make them sexy- promise)
Dancing to radiohead (this is a very recent love of mine)
My ray-bans- I love them more every time I wear them
Freshly painted red nails
I'm just really in love with red right now (never thought that would happen- it's my least favorite color)
Salsa dancing
Singing in the shower/ bath
Champagne
Sunning

Portland application gets finished this afternoon. Cheers to that. And cheers to my first run (planned for tonight) in two weeks- its going to feel great. And a final cheers to said bike ride (can't wait). Enjoy your week lovies.

I have been so quickly set free

Currently listening to: James Vincent McMorrow (perfect for a coffee shop and writing on Sundays)

Portland trip: success
So turns out- Portland is more like Dreamland. I had a phenomenal trip. Just a little overview of the 5 short days I spent in what will soon be my home (shh. that's supposed to be a secret. but it's floating around in social circles everywhere). I did return with feather earrings and about two steps from a tambourine (it was in my hand and I changed my mind). It rained everyday I was there and for now I am perfectly fine with that. People adjust and plan around it... 'oh its raining again? Bike over (in your most beautiful rain gear- of course) and I will make you tea and we can watch a movie in bed' or.... 'It's Saturday morning and it's raining but the farmers market is still happening so bundle up! Let's get coffee and breakfast at the market and listen to live music'. Dreamy. Right?

Day one: fly (surprisingly emotional and accompanied by the most amazing playlist (thanks matty). walk across town to see the most beautiful girl at her coffee shop (Kristin). thai food. nap. rainy dinner sitting in the window on e. burnside (I think...) in swings and candles. pepper rabbit (beautiful live music).

Day two: walk to breakfast. go west for shopping. antique necklace. red lipstick. spring dress. tea. nap. drinks with eric. wine in bed with kristin.

Day three: oregon country drive. lots of pictures. beach (misty and cold and lovely). picnic. candy shop. coffee. drive home. lookout. nap. pambiche. burlesque (adorned with red lipstick)

Day four: headphones on and walk. coffee and breakfast alone at powells. shop. shop. coffee with kristin. people watch. nap. dove vive pizza and wine. wine and movie in bed with kristin. laughing till we fell asleep.

Day five: farmers market (oh my goodness goodness). ace hotel. lunch and drinks. drinks and movie (blue valentine- pretty appropriate). vintage store shopping. nap. house warming party. fly.

Give me a few months and I will return.



Since I have been home I have been really inspired. I love crafting plans for my free time and getting dressed has been a slight obsession. Example of Friday night planned activities: Outfit (this is really important to the planning)- Way over sized chunky sweater + leggings + big socks + crazy hair + rain boots + pearl earrings. love it. Plan- favorite red wine + brownies + phase 10 + thai food + newest playlist/ mixed in some vinyl + thunderstorms + sun room. I could not have been more pleased.

Last Sunday I went to the city to see a favorite girl of mine- Christina- well... and Carrie. She wined and dined me all day long. We sat outside in the 80 degree weather in a sundress and sunglasses and drank a bottle of red and a bottle of champagne. We ate cheese and honey and crackers. I mean... she has to be crushing on me at least a little to be given that treatment. :) It was so peaceful and I am so grateful for my girlfriends. I never thought I would say that... I'm not much of a girlfriend kind of person. But they have been so important and such a joy as of late. And I think I am just the luckiest.




Please do see blue valentine if you have the chance. And please do listen to Islands by young the giant. And if you complete those two tasks... then listen to truth by alexander and dance sexy with red lipstick on- you'll love it.

baby come on

I have strayed from posting for almost a year now- I think that is a sufficient break. Let's just say I had a dry period...

It is almost spring time again. My favorite time of year. So much new life (and not just for me!). I hope for a beautiful garden to emerge- the one I spent all my energy on last summer. It is my art and I have been waiting to see it bloom. The peonies and hydrangeas :sigh:. Patience darling.

I watched happythankyoumoreplease the other night. beautiful movie. And a great reminder to be grateful but then ask for more- because we all deserve it! What a dreamy concept. One of the characters in the movie (Sam 2) is a photographer but claims that he isn't- in fact- he just likes to take pictures of what he thinks is beautiful so that he can remember it. And that is what I have found true lately. I have been using my camera more lately, and if only to capture what makes me feel at peace. What I find beautiful.

I have also really enjoyed getting dressed lately. It can be an art form for sure. If I weren't feeling so sick I would wear something similar to this today...




{ knight cat }

I have a couple of very exciting weeks ahead of me. Haircut by ben eash (he makes me feel gorgeous- if I could justify a haircut every week- I would). Lots of running. And then a most relaxing trip to portland (any places you would suggest?). I will probably return with feathers in my hair and a tambourine but I am fully willing to except that. Probably even embrace it. Life is moving pretty quick, and I don't mind it. 9 weeks and school is over.
Where to.
I have some tricks up my sleeve...

If you are looking for a spring album- listen to y la bamba: Lupon. Its delish.

we have a devious little one

The boys are outside working on the yard (Jeff and Oliver) so I thought I would take advantage of this time to have some tea, put a record on (John Lennon: Imagine), and write. There is some Easter candy nearby but I didn't think that needed to be disclosed. I fear that my time will be short today because the boys keep coming in looking for my attention.



This is Oliver as the Easter bunny... on Easter of course. He is on his way to grandma's house.

Spring break has been good. My to-do list is diminishing... slowly by surely. I may have been a little ambitious. But the bathroom has been given attention and things have been purchased (I found the tile for the shower today which really made me happy: tile), the 'staging room' has been cleaned out, I went though ALL of my clothes and donated everything that has not been worn in a year, Oliver has been neutered, kitchen chairs have been painted and reupholstered (as shown), and we met with people about getting new windows in the bathrooms and having the house painted (oh please, please happen!).





Today I looked at getting some Magnolias for the front yard. Oh so dreamy...
But instead I potted some seeds because it was much cheaper. Oliver was no help- I can assure you. In fact he ate half of my seeds out of jealousy (I wish I was kidding) . Obviously he is feeling better from his unmentionable surgery.



Jeff and I are going to have a date night tonight because it is my last night off until I go back to teaching. We are going to do romantic things like: see How To Train A Dragon (maybe even in those sexy 3d glasses), test drive some sitting tubs at Home Depot, and then possibly even snuggle with Oliver before bed. Ah. Romantic.

un problema

I love this bag- mostly because of Oliver- but I have no idea what 3,675 yen equals. I mean.. what if its like 3,000 dollars for a canvas bag? Jeff wouldn't have that- even IF it means I wear a poodle purse.

Anyway- it can be found at: http://www.ornedefeuilles.com


enjoy!

spring break broke

Spring break began officially at 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Since then it has been the best Rockford vacation possible. Jeff and I (and oliver- in fact he had most of our king size bed) slept in this morning. 8:30 rolls around and it is officially time to bask in the internet blogging glory- while in bed of course. 9:30 rolls around and it is time to begin seeds- of course. I jumped out of bed and before I even opened the drapes- I went straight to the kitchen to get my baby seeds started. I picked up some hollyhock seeds last night while at Lowes and I can't wait to get them in the ground. All of the neighbors have somehow managed to come up with beautiful gardens over night- and we here are a little bit lacking. Needless to say- I'm a little jealous. I dream of having a beautiful garden- something french like- something chic. Something full of flowering trees, lilacs, peonies, hydrangeas, and ranunculus. I am a little concerned that this will consume me for the rest of the week- it can't be the worst thing.

Jeff and I took the day and went to Madison today. The drive alone- and being away from Rockford- was worth it. State street was beautiful today, the wind and the rain blowing in, lovely. My whole goal for the day was to get a new spring scarf- one of which I found at the beloved GAP. It is so wonderful that I have been wearing it ever since we left the store- even now in a tank top and pjs... and scarf.

Tomorrow the bathroom project begins again. My hopes that are by purchasing some key items we will be a little more motivated to finish the project. I even have a toilet picked out- which is amazing considering I don't even like toilets. But this my friends- was so inspiring to me today:


I love the insert in the tub and the shower head- so clean and fresh. Hopefully by the end of tomorrow our bathroom will look like this... :) no?

Well brownies are in the oven and the windows are open and its raining. I must get back to relaxing. I will leave you with a picture of Jeff and the easter bunny at our kitchen table. Good night.

oh spring

I find myself a little guarded against this weather. I really don't trust it. I want nothing more to do with snow- so this little 45 degree and sunny day we have going on right now- I am not fooled! It has pushed me into spring cleaning and working out, which I appreciate deeply, so I'll take it.

Today I began working out again. I mean it this time. This is a serious workout plan and I intend to follow it- FOREVER. We will see though.

So Jeremy, Jeff's brother, recently said that having house plants are good for people who have had cancer. Seeing Jeff has had skin cancer I have begun planing an indoor cancer garden for his well being- and because I think it could be beautiful. My mom already donated lots of lost cause plants to our new garden. We have a tree, some ferns, a cactus... and a poinsettia. I was fully against the poinsettia- however, it was left with no where else to go! Thus- it sits in the corner of our formal living room, lonely. Anyway, I will have to post photos once this project is completed.

Jeff and I have also been planning our master bathroom remodel. Ugh. What a headache. It is very exciting though to think we will have a bathtub in our house- ah- our very own soaking tub. :) I think once we get past this silly deconstruction phase the rest will be much more inspiring. I bought a beautiful shower curtain from Anthropologie and it is serving as my inspiration for the whole remodel. I am dreaming of white glass subway tiles in the bathtub with a mint green on the walls, all white trim, a pedestal sink, and red accents (hopefully I can find a beautiful red light).
Well anyway. I need to do less talking and more working so we can have a bathroom soon!
I will leave you with a wedding picture from our wedding- I have been having planning withdrawals lately- seeing this time last year I had picked out a dress, location, and a groom :).