Three Things

1) This, I don't understand:

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"Sturdy cellulose, crafted to look like a rumpled and rolled paper sack." Anthro, I love you, but a washable paper bag?  Really?

2) This, I want:

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I think it would go very nicely with these (ahem, if they ever come out of their boxes...):

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3)  I recently discovered there is a Sprinkles in Houston.  Yes, I will be going when I'm in town next weekend.  Yes, I may go all three days.  Yes, I may bring some home.  Hellloooo cupcakes :)

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Happy Monday, All!

Three Things

Office Furniture

Yesterday I received some very happy news:  my business is relocating to another office space!  This means a few things for moi:  a larger office, an actual window, new furniture, and an opportunity to make my work space my own. 

At this point I'm searching for a new desk.  My current desk is old and cramped.  I'm hoping to come across something a little larger and more modern.  Right now, I have a serious love affair with furniture that combines metal and wood. 

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Some of these are quite a bit out of my price range, but I think they serve as a good foundation for inspiration!

Office Furniture

After April...

So, my absence lately is due to the fact that I've been studying my little head off for an exam I'm taking on 4.8.11.  I am seriously counting down the days until it's over because that means I can have a life again and how much fun will that be?!? Then again, I'm kind of not looking forward to it because the anxiety over said exam has officially begun (hello sleepless nights and coffee overload).  Anyways, in the moments that I do get to spend deep in thought (ahem, on my drive to work), I've been formulating a very long list of projects/hobbies/things-other-than-engineering that will begin 4.9.11. 

• Master crochet.  So that I can create numerous items involving granny squares.
• Paint.  About 5 years ago, my go-to hobby was painting.  For some reason I stopped, I think a combination of moving, discovering sewing, and work somehow distracted from my love of it.  Now I have several unfinished/unpainted canvases hidden away in my closet that are begging for my attention.
• Sew.  I have one unfinished quilt that needs to be completed and I have some other design ideas swirling around in my head that I really want to implement.
• House Projects.  This is a list that keeps on growing.  I still need to finish up the throw pillows for our living room, organize a bookcase that was recently moved in to the study, and hang up art work.  Additionally, we want to:
• repaint two of the guest bath and half bath
• paint the cabinetry in the master bath and guest bath and add cabinet hardware. 
• add molding around the mirrors in both bathrooms.
• replace the lighting in all bathrooms
• replace the mirror in the half bath
• repair the ceiling in the guest bedroom and then repaint both the ceiling and the walls
• repaint the baseboards in the living room/study/hall
• repaint the window seats in the kitchen/dining area
• reorganize the master closet (again...)
• replace the carpet on the stairs and all of the upstairs area
• install tile in the master bath
• replace the door knobs/handles with nickel (if this is not too costly, the current door knobs are an ugly yellow gold that makes me cringe)
• do something with our back yard, create a flower bed along the back fence maybe?
• create an outdoor eating area adjacent to the covered porch
• invest in a composter
• repair the fence line
• good grief, when are we going to find time and money to do all this?!
• Plan a vacation.  Um, after all the house repairs, I think husband and I will need one :)

I know this list is more for myself than for any of my readers, but I hope you'll enjoy following along during the process. 

In happier news, I think I can officially say that it is Spring in Austin!  It has been so gorgeous outside for the past week, I wish it would stay this way forever. 

Happy Monday peeps :D

After April...

Spring Wreath

Amidst the snow we had last weekend, X decided it was time for the berry wreath on our front door to go.  Over winter?  Perhaps.  I dug up some leftover wedding supplies and came up with these:

Dried twig wreath and faux floral items; all from Hobby Lobby.

After some cutting the stems with a pair of wire cutters, I hot glued the green leafy branches and green berries to the wreath.

Originally I was going to use only green in the wreath, but after showing it to X, he said it needed more color.  I added some purple to break up the green a bit:

It's not fabulous, but it brings the hope of spring to our door.  I'm hoping to repaint the ugly gold colored wreath hanger (which you can kind of see at the top) with some of this at some point (in the satin nickel):

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Oh, and in case you're curious, this is the snow that shut the City of Austin down on Friday. 

Yes, everyone from the north that reads this blog can now begin laughing :)

Spring Wreath

Reverb10. Continued

Now, I know it's already mid January and #reverb10 ended in December, but gosh darn I WILL finish this.  So here we go:

Day 12:  Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

I'm not sure there was one?  I guess I feel myself most when I am crafting, sewing, or being creative.

Day 13:  Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

My next step in my career is taking an exam.  My next step(s) in my personal life is enjoying every second with my husband, nurturing my relationships with friends, and taking the time do the things I love.

Day 14:  Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

My husband :D  (typical newlywed answer, perhaps?)  In all seriousness, my husband is my rock.  He has helped me get through so many hoops this year and is always on the sideline cheering me on.  I try to show him that I love him every day and I try my hardest not to dwell on his imperfections (ahem, like his inability to use his clothes hamper and hang up towels :P)

Day 15:  5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.

1) My friend C's wedding.
2) Vegas with my husband and finally meeting familiar faces
3) A wonderful birthday spent with my loved ones
4) Holding my friend H's newborn for the first time and seeing her and her husband glowing with happiness.
5) Little moments with my husband that make me laugh and smile.

Day 16:  Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

I'm not sure that my perspective on the world has changed much.  I think hearing about every day events, not only in my neighborhood, but around the globe, is constantly causing me to rethink about the world and what is important. 

Day 17:  Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

It takes a lot to break me and I somehow get through the hard stuff in life in one piece.  I think if I just remember other points in my life that I have struggled, it will help me realize that every challenge I encounter can be conquered.

Day 18:  Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

I would like to try to be more physically active.  I really want to incorporate more yoga in my weekly schedule.  I'm not sure if there was anything I really wanted to try in 2010.

Day 19:  Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

My friends and family healed me this year.  I would have to say it was a drip-by-drip because the parts of me that needed healing were slow in scabbing over.  I'm not sure that there is anything I need heeled this year, but I would love to help someone else heal.  Whether it's just an act of kindness or a physical contribution of money or food remains to be seen.

Day 20:  Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

More creative projects.  I have a long list of art/sewing projects that I would like to complete/start.  My avoidance of these projects was mainly due to being busy.  I would like finish some of those projects from last year, this year.

Day 21:  Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

Dear 10-years-younger self: 
Walk away from that boy you're hanging around.  He's not worth all the time, pain, and effort.  Soak up every second of your courses and don't take any of it for granted:  your FUTURE SELF will thank you.  Be picky about the friends you choose.   You deserve friends that are selfless about your relationship with them.  Pick your chin up and don't let people get you down.  You must believe in yourself!!  You will find a wonderful man who loves you, flaws and all.  It will happen, don't fret over it.  Try out sewing and flex your creative muscles... you will love it!  Stop trying to rebel so much, there's no need for it (and it's a stage, you will grow out of).  And finally, spend every moment you can spare with your parents and family.  They won't be around forever and those few moments are more precious than you can ever imagine.

Reverb10. Continued