All Things Loved In March

I honestly don't know what happened to my March! One moment it was right here in front of me--31 days of possibilities stretched out across my calendar--and now it's gone! And here comes April knocking on my door and saying things like, "Hey! I thought we agreed you were going to water the plants in March!" Well add it to the list, April. Add it to the list.

Speaking of lists--I'm not going to do my typical "All Things Loved..." list for this month. March--you made me your bitch. I can't deny it. And the only thing I'm loving about you right now is that you're over. So long sister!

And April--just so we're clear--I'm not letting you get away from me that easily. Consider yourself warned.

Related Posts:
All Things Loved In February
All Things Loved In January
All Things Loved In December

Caution: Alcohol & Infomercials Do Not Mix

Originally posted on 8/27/08

I was just thinking to myself: I could really go for a frozen pizza. I haven't had one in a while. G and I should have frozen pizza for dinner one night next week.

And then I thought: But I'd have to buy two--one for him and one for me.

Which led to: Hmmm...is that blog worthy? The fact that I can eat an entire frozen pizza by myself in one sitting?

My decision: Nah. Not blog worthy. But oh my God that one night in college when I ate an entire frozen pizza and passed out on the couch is!

So here's the story:

I got home at bar time one night and had my usual beer munchies, so I threw in a frozen pizza and plopped down on the couch for some late night TV.

The next morning I woke up to this:

An empty cardboard pizza circle on my chest.
TV still on--tuned to an infomercial channel.
My credit card beside me.
Phone on the floor.
Limited recollection of the night before.

Several days later the Torso Tiger ab exercise machine arrived at my door.


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The Wine In Me
Just a Bunch of College Kids...With a Mortgage
Outfit of the Day 2.18.09

Handbag Therapy

Last month I was about at my wit's end with everything and feeling the most stressed I've felt in awhile. Luckily G and I had a vacation planned just in time! We spent the last week of February down in sunny Florida with two other couples. Prior to our vacation, G--my fabulous husband, who was about at his wit's end from dealing with his stressed wife--planned to treat me to a spa treatment of my choice while in Florida. Well--prior to my spa day--us girls had a shopping day while the guys went fishing, and we came across a Coach outlet. That afternoon, G came home with a bucket of fish--and I came home with 3 new handbags! And had zero regret with my decision to forgo the day at the spa to put G's gift toward my new bags instead!

Here's the first one that caught my eye the second I walked in the store. Coach's Ergo Pleated Frame Satchel in this gorgeous magenta leather. I think this is my new favorite handbag--it's so beautiful!

I love the inside of this bag. The frame opening is nice for easy access, and each side opens open for even more storage (click to enlarge pics).


My second outlet find was this large Coach Signature Canvas Tote. I love this bag! It's nice and simple, and matches pretty much everything! I used it as my carry-on during the flight home, and since getting back I've carried it to work, fitting all my usual handbag items, in addition to my planner, notepads, and folders. And on the days I hit the gym over my lunch hour my gym clothes and shoes easily fit in here as well. This baby holds everything! And I've really enjoyed having a non-leather handbag option on those rainy days now that spring is here.


Chase wanted to get in the photo, too--a true handbag diva in the making!


And last but not least--this small Coach Signature Canvas Hobo--same material as the large tote above, but with a white leather strap. I love the little pleats, and it's the perfect size for a night out when I don't want to carry a large bag. And again, it's so nice to have a non-leather option for nights out!


Cute lilac lining:


The best part? The outlet had such great sales that I got these three new Coach bags for what one would typically cost. And without a doubt--new handbags are much more therapeutic than any spa treatment could ever be!

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This Handbag Needs Me!
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My Sister's Kitchen Transformation

I'm so proud of all the blood, sweat, tears (and wine!) my sister and I put into transforming her kitchen from the red-headed stepchild of her home, to the beautiful and budget-friendly space she's no longer embarrassed to introduce to her friends. So proud, in fact, that it's my next republished post. Enjoy!


My Sister's Kitchen Transformation
Originally posted on 5/19/08

My younger sister, Brittny, bought her first house about a year ago. Unfortunately she lives 4 hours north of me, but when I get up to visit we make the most of it by working on home improvement projects. Our main project has been her kitchen--the whole space was very dark and outdated. Dark cabinets and trim, terrible lighting, peeling wallpaper, and a floor that we're certain was never in style.

BEFORE:
We started by tearing down wallpaper and painting her kitchen cabinets--without a doubt two of the toughest home improvement projects I've ever had the enjoyment of doing. First we scored the wallpaper and then used a mixture of water and fabric softener to loosen it. The first layer of wallpaper--a lovely pink and blue pattern depicting watering cans and coffee grinders--came up pretty easily, but the original orange & yellow flowered wallpaper was a nightmare. It's quite possible it had been super glued on--if super glue was even in existence that long ago. It took hours and hours of scraping to get it all off.

As difficult as the wallpaper removal was, painting the cabinets and trim was much more tedious and time-consuming. We started by removing all cabinet doors and sanding down everything by hand. Then we painted all the trim and cabinets with two coats of primer:


We finished off the cabinets with two coats of off-white paint (the color is Wells Beach by Dutch Boy) and beautiful new bronzed knobs. The two of us managed to complete both these projects in just one weekend! Here are pictures of the cabinets completely finished, and the walls wallpaper-free:

Before & After of the cabinet doors and hardware:


Last weekend, I again made the 4 hour trip north to visit my little sister. This time we finished things up in her kitchen by painting the walls and installing new lighting. From the start I had a vision for my sister's kitchen--off-white cabinetry, warm chocolate walls, and a bamboo shade on the back door for some added texture. Brittny had tossed around a few different ideas before we started painting, but in the end she trusted my vision and agreed to go for it. She made the final choices on both the cabinetry color and the chocolate brown wall color (Dutch Boy's Firewood) which turned out so gorgeous!

Here is the picture that best captures in real life (finally!) what I was seeing in my head for so long:


She plans on getting a new stove eventually, but for now this beast has to stay. Not the nicest to look at--but at least it has a pretty backdrop!

We can't believe the transformation--especially when we compare the before & after pictures side by side.

Before & After:

Before & After:

Before & After--this is the view from the entryway/dining room/living room area, looking into the kitchen:
Her next project is new flooring, but the room is almost done! What do you think?

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A Lot of Wine Went Into This Kitchen
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My Twilight Saga

Remember my Twilight coma, circa 2008? I started reading the first book on the last day of a spa weekend getaway and became so engrossed in it that I was actually annoyed my facial lasted so long. You couldn't get me out of Forks, WA any easier than you could get Edward out of Bella's bedroom. I was in love, and I was there to stay!

I wrote several Twilight-related posts during this time, and--in honor of my upcoming blogiversary--I had a tough time deciding which one to republish. In the end I chose this one because I think it's important to assure all my fellow vampire lovers out there that YES--there is life after Twilight. But I'm not going to lie--it's not pretty.

Life After Twilight
Originally posted on 11/16/08

I've finished reading the Twilight series books and all I can say is: WOW. I cannot believe how much I loved them! As I wrote in previous posts--vampire love stories (let alone teenage vampire love stories) are not typically my type. At all. But once I started, I devoted nearly every ounce of free time I had--not to mention time I didn't have (who needs sleep?)--to reading these books. I just finished Breaking Dawn--the last book in the series--and I begrudgingly realize it's time to take an honest look at what happens to my life when I do nothing but read for 3 weeks.

Blogging: I've nose-dived from my average of 5 blog posts a week to 1. Definitely not my A game. Keeping up with other peoples' blogs has been even more of an abysmal failure. I currently have 920 posts backed up in my Google Reader.

TV: I have 22 TV shows stored up in my TiVo that I haven't watched yet. Three of which used to be Grey's Anatomy (my favorite show) until G got so concerned I was slipping into a dark place that he started 2 episodes of Grey's while I was laying on the couch reading, and--like a moth to a flame--I couldn't resist focusing on the TV. G has since given up trying to stir me from my Twilight coma, so I still have last week's episode--along with 21 other shows--to catch up on.

My Job: Still intact, amazingly enough. There were a few days there when I considered quitting my job so I could stay home and read all day, but I managed to make it through still employed.

Health & Fitness: I haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks. However, the fact that preparing meals and eating also slid to the bottom of my priority list, I haven't eaten in 2 weeks either, so it evens out.

Laundry: I'm not going to lie--it's not pretty. Thank goodness I finished Breaking Dawn this morning so I can get some laundry done before the work week starts. If G had asked me tomorrow if brown dress pants, a grey and white striped shirt, and red socks matched, I would have answered yes--because those are the only clean clothes he has left.

Friends & Family: Those who I've actually seen (plans I committed to before starting Twilight, of course) aren't sure they know me anymore. I can see how the vampire obsession could throw them off a bit...

Personal Hygiene: Sometimes I brushed my teeth.

Chase: This poor pooch was so neglected by my Twilight obsession that she started whining as soon as I cracked the book. She is lucky to have such an attentive dad, because I have failed miserably as a mother.

My Marriage: G is about 5 minutes away from joining Match.com.

In the end--the Twilight books were incredible. And although I've neglected nearly everything in my life while pouring over them, I've still gotta say it was worth it. I'm pretty sure my friends, family, Chase, and my house will forgive me. I'm not so sure about G yet, but I've got a back-up plan--I don't think he'll get too far on his dates with mismatched clothes.

Ooh! And I've still got the movie to look forward to--EEeee!!


Interested in reading all the posts from my Twilight Saga? Here they are in chronological order. Enjoy!

All Things Loved In October
Don't Send Out the Search Party Yet
Life After Twilight
The Only Thing on My Mind Right Now
The Twilight Movie
Bite Me

5 Things I've Learned About Bangs

1. After getting bangs for the first time in decades, your friends will tell you they think you look hip and trendy. You--on the other hand--will go back and forth between thinking you look like a 6 year old child, or thinking you belong in the witness protection program. Try to believe your friends.
   (Side note: Mascara and eyeliner go a long way toward looking more Katie Holmes, less Suri Cruise.)
   
   
2. After showering, comb your bangs down right away and let them air dry that way. Trust me--this is much easier than combing all your hair back, blow drying, and then trying to style your bangs straight down later. So simple really, but it took me a month to figure out how to style these damn things.
   
   
3. Okay, this next one is very important: Just because you think the top 1/3 of your face is hidden does not mean people can't tell when you raise your eyebrows in disgust. Same holds true for eye rolls.
   
   
4. When your bangs get so long they become a driving hazard, it's okay to trim them yourself--just make sure you haven't been drinking. In fact, let's just make that a rule right now--no using sharp instruments after a cocktail or two. At all.
   
   Unless it's a corkscrew.
   
   
5. The best thing about bangs? They're much cheaper than Botox for hiding those forehead wrinkles!

So those are my lessons learned and pearls of wisdom on having bangs over the past two months. Got any of your own to share?

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All Things Loved In February

All Things Starbucks

As some of you know, this past year was not only the year I discovered blogging--it was also the year I discovered Starbucks. And in no time I went from a Starbucks virgin to a Starbucks regular, starting my "Starbucks Monday" tradition of kicking off the work week with a delicious caffeinated beverage. So this morning--as I lovingly caress the cardboard collar of a Grande Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte...Skinny--let's take a look back at my "first time."

The Last Starbucks Virgin?
Originally posted on 9/29/08

I received a Starbucks gift card as part of a birthday gift last week from my fabulous Seattle-living sister-in-law, Lesley. I’ve never been to a Starbucks before and was very excited about experiencing my first time, which--after careful consideration and much soul-searching--I decided would be today.

It’s a gloomy Monday morning in Madison, WI and while driving to my nearest Starbucks I was quite proud of my decision to start the work week off with a delicious cup of gourmet coffee. As I parked my car near the green mermaid sign I grew increasingly smug with my Monday morning Starbucks coffee run and decided I should start off every Monday morning this way for the rest of the year.

I have been craving pumpkin-flavored anything for weeks now and at the top of my list was pumpkin-flavored coffee. I’d heard Starbucks had an amazing Pumpkin Spice Latte which I was really excited to try…until this past weekend when--while flipping through a health magazine--I came across one of those "you could enjoy this" (insert unhealthy option here) "or all of this" (insert 5x more food here, but make it all healthy; bonus points for organic) articles. I discovered I could enjoy 1 Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte OR for the same amount of calories and fat I could enjoy 1 regular cup of coffee, 2 slices of pumpkin pie, 6 organic bran muffins, a cup of yogurt with blueberries on top, half a turkey sandwich, a salad with fat-free vinaigrette dressing, and 72 candy corns.

As I walk up to the Starbucks counter, mentally trying to figure out how I can somehow negotiate enjoying a Pumpkin Spice Latte and 72 candy corns for breakfast, I begrudgingly ask the woman at the counter, “Do you have any pumpkin-flavored coffee?”

Her answer: No. But we do have a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Dammit.

Me: Could you tell me what exactly is in a latte?

She rattles off what makes a latte a latte and nowhere in her description do I heard the words skim, fat-free, low-fat, zero calorie, or organic.

Dammit again. I scan the menu of assorted caffeinated beverage options on the sign above me and--when I don’t recognize any of them--decide to just order blindly.

Me: I’ll just have a plain cup of coffee.
Her: What size?
Me: Large.

The collective gasp behind me, coupled with the counter lady’s look of confusion, reminds me what my years of pop culture education have taught me: We don’t speak English in Starbucks.

Total rookie mistake.

I attempt to recover by quickly adding, “Jumbo! Mucho! Grande!” but it’s too late. Before I know it, I’m dodging my next rapid-fire question:

Her: Rmfercreem?
Me: I beg your pardon?
Her: Duneedrmfercreem?
Me: Huh??
Her: Do. You. Need. Room. For. Cream?
Me: Oh! (I clear my throat, raise my chin, and reply with my last shred of dignity) Um…no. (ahem) No thank you.

And that’s when it hit me--losing my Starbucks virginity isn’t too far off from losing the real thing. You start out all smug and self-assured and end up all confused and wide-eyed looking for the nearest exit.

But wait--we’re not finished yet! At the beginning of my order the lady behind the counter had offered to add a little pumpkin-flavored syrup to my plain coffee to see if that would scratch my itch. I had happily accepted, “but not too much!” I told her. (Gotta save room for candy corn.) Now, as she handed me my Jumbo Plain Coffee with Not Too Much Pumpkin Syrup, I was fully aware she could tell this was my first time. She gave me my coffee and said with a smile, “If you don’t like this just bring it back and I’ll get you something different.”

Wait. Did I hear her right? Was I just given a satisfaction guarantee on this first time experience? An offer for a “take back” should I need one?

Where the hell was that years ago??

As I walked away--confidence slowly rebuilding now that I had a mermaid-emblazoned paper cup in my hand--I took a sip of my gourmet coffee and it was delicious. Thank you Starbucks! Thank you. Despite the confusion and self-doubt, I have to admit you treated me well and I’ll be back next Monday for Round 2. In the meantime, I promise to do some research and brush up on my coffee lingo. Because if there's one thing I do know, it's that practice makes perfect.


Interested in more Starbucks posts? Check these out!

Weekly Starbucks Adventure--Take 2
Some Chai for My Chi
Starbucks Monday
So Long Pumpkin, We'll Always Have October
My 2008 New Year's Resolution
Starbucks & I Are On a Break
Reunited and It Feels So Good

10 Things You Need In Winter

I've learned many survival skills while braving years of Wisconsin winters. The following is a series of posts on things that have come in handy for me during those blistery winter days and nights. Enjoy!

1. A full tank of gas
2. A cross made out of popscicle sticks, stolen from a nursing home
3. A laundry basket full of dirty clothes
4. A 5th Avenue candy bar
5. The Amish
6. One Clydesdale horse
7. A shovel
8. A vacation!
9. Alcohol. Any will do.

10. A sense of humor
As our Wisconsin winter winds down to make way for our next season--still winter spring--I hope you've learned that the most important thing you need to make it through this time of year isn't an ice scraper in the backseat, a blanket in the trunk, or hell--even a Clydesdale horse. What you really need is a sense of humor. If you can laugh at spending more time in a snow bank than you do your living room, giggle at needing to be pushed up a hill by the SUV behind you, or joke to your neighbor "It's not so much the heat, it's that damn humidity" while walking your dogs on a -10°F day, then I can promise you one thing--winter will be a little warmer for you.

I hope you've enjoyed this series, and hearing about some of my most memorable winter moments!

The Wine In Me

It's no secret that I love wine. And I do believe I've consumed enough wine over the years that it's become something inherently in me. At all times. Like estrogen. Or all that gum I swallowed as a child.

The wine in me reminds me not to take things too seriously. And to slow down when needed. But most importantly--the wine in me sees the humor in everyday life. Even when I'm not drinking...wine.

The following is one of my first "The Wine In Me" posts on this blog. Hope the wine in you reminds you to take time to laugh and play every day!

Are Those Sunflowers??
Originally posted on 7/28/08

About 10 minutes ago I was sitting outside--wine in hand, with Chase playing in our newly fenced-in backyard--and I gaze to the right and see this:


And I notice--for the first time--there are tall yellow flowers in the brush. I couldn't help but wonder--and I can never "couldn't help but wonder" without it being in the voice of SJP--if those yellow flowers in the distance--mind you, this is a zoomed-in shot--were sunflowers. Could they be?? Only one way to find out! The wine in me decided to go in for a closer look. And the blogger in me said take the camera.

So I hop the fence (and by "hop" I mean go through the gate) and race across the neighbors' yards with just enough dogs barking to let me know everyone within eyeshot is watching me. Climb through the brush (which is a polite word for weeds) to discover--why YES! Yes those are sunflowers! Mystery solved. Self-portraits taken (see our new fence in the background?). Blog post written. Now back to my wine!



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Pillowgate 2006

At the request of my very first reader and commenter--the lovely Allison (aka halfofvamh)--the next republished post in honor of my upcoming 1 year blogiversary is the one where I fess up to Pillowgate 2006. Ever wonder what the "64 throw pillows" in my blog header refers to? Read on!

64 Throw Pillows & Only 1 Living Room
Originally posted on 4/10/08

Once again we had a blank slate to work with when it came to our living room. This "before" picture shows the living room in the foreground, the dining room in the background, and the arch separating the two spaces.


Below is my first draft of our living room--I painted the arch a medium green color and the side walls a very light sage green. The sofa and loveseat are actually a cream/khaki color although they look a little pastel in some pictures. This look lasted a couple of months until I decided I wasn't in love with it. Back to the drawing board.

In true "accessorize first, paint second" fashion, I decided to start the room re-do by choosing new throw pillows. This is a good time to note--there are times when I can see something and know instantly that it will look great in the house and I will love it. However, my usual process is to purchase items I think might work, bring it all home, see it in the actual space, make my decision, and return the rest. I'm a big fan of the in-store return. They know me by name at half the customer service desks in town...and you'll soon see why.

Pillowgate 2006 all started out innocently enough. A stop at Pier 1 over my lunch break led to might as well go to Target while I'm over here. Swing by the mall after work (hello JCPenny, Kohls, & Pottery Barn) and before I know it I'm doing the equivalent of the "suitcase sit" to get my car doors closed. Purchasing 64 throw pillows in one day has got to be a record. Why 64 pillows, you ask? I drive a Ford Focus. Sixty-five pillows simply wouldn't have fit.

And what's a scandal without pics? Presenting the evidence:

Narrowing down my throw pillow options was not an easy task. Here are some finalists that didn't make the cut (click on pics to enlarge):

And the winners! The lumbar pillow in the center is the same fabric as the drapes in the dining room. I wanted to tie the two spaces together so I really wanted to make this pillow work.


Next up--paint colors. In the end I decided to paint both the living room and dining room (in the background) a wheat color--Sherwin Williams Whole Wheat, and both sides of the arch a dark brown--Benjamin Moore Branchport Brown.

A work in progress...

...and paint job completed!


I got these Victoria Hagen cross-back chairs and matching accent table (perfect for our DVD player and TiVo) at Target. The lamp and oversized clock by the loveseat are also from Target.

And would you believe it?? I went nearly two years before buying another throw pillow! (Well...for the living room anyway.) I just picked up these new ivory pillows from Pottery Barn. Unlike the previous ivory pillows, these have a removable cover and are washable so they're a little more practical. Another new addition is this fabulous overlapping squares rug from West Elm.



And lastly, our most recent living room picture:


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