Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I Don't Pay Her To Be My Friend

Namely, because I can't afford to.  But I would if I could/had to.  Luckily, my bestest friend, Pharon, has her own blog so I get to enjoy her for free on a daily basis!  Which basically means you should too.  Cause she's funny.  But in the words of LaVar Burton-- Don't take my word for it

pharon square
http://www.pharonsquare.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

There Goes All My Free Time

I heard about this site a while ago and my initial thought was "eh, I don't really see the point in that".  But then I decided to check it out and I'm a tad bit obsessed.


Pinterest.com



It's kind of hard to explain but basically, you create inspiration boards filled with whatever inspires you.  You can have multiple boards that you can separate into categories such as "House stuff" or "Pretty Things" or "Quotes to Remember" or whatever you feel like.  I'm just starting to get a feel of how I want to separate my boards.  I'm obsessed for 2 reasons--1) I constantly see great ideas for decorating, projects, future parties but never remember them an hour later 2) It's a playground for AMAZING ideas!

I could spend days staring at Pinterest...I dare you to try it and not fall in love

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Love Today

Yippee to New York!

Can I say that I am all about open minds, open love, and the ability to live without judgement.  Do what you want to do and be nice to everyone else.  Really.  Honestly. 

But in the Highland Park hood, where every other car is a Jag/Mercedes/Bentley and the median home price is right around $400,000 (with a median income of about $200,000)...Is this really indicative of the same sex couples around here??

http://highlandpark.suntimes.com/5894038-417/were-official-civil-union-couple-says.html

Really?  Beanie babies and plastic pink flamingos??  Really? 

Granted, I'm thrilled after 34 years together they were able to celebrate but there had to have been more fantastic pictures that don't make them seem like the cheesiest couple alive....In fact, I looked at the photo gallery, and there were a couple cute pictures! I'm not even mocking their choice in decorations!  If that's what they wanted, then great.  But let's not give people who don't already know and love them fodder for jokes.

Instead, feel free to make fun of how much I love Cher!


And, in the spirit of love and a fabulous weekend

Thursday, June 23, 2011

I'd Like To Go Home Now

I'm much more efficient at work when I cry at my desk instead of in the bathroom.

Can I Borrow 6 Million Dollars?

While I am not a big fan of Nick Lachey's decorating style, I'd say this house has a smidge of potential...If someone could lend me (probably not ever to be paid back) 6 million dollars, I'd really like to purchase this bit of poolside heaven....


Check out the details
via Trulia real estate listing

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

What Is Your Point??

This blog post by Scott Adams (Dilbert cartoonist) has gotten a LOT of flack recently.  While I think he made a number of incredibly ridiculous statements, I also don't know that I have ANY idea what point he is really trying to make?  Initially, I believed (along with I think the general public) that he was saying that men are ultimately beings that have uncontrollable amounts of sexual desire and they can't possibly be happy unless allowed to fufill these desires without limitation?  Adams seems to be making the point that women tamper any chance of men being truly happy as it's expected that men are monogomous while in a relationship.  However, Adams also mentions that Hugh Hefner wasn't fufilled when he was single OR married.  He also seems to be making the assumption that women are in no way sexual beings or that their needs are drastically lower than men. 

I don't know.  His argument doesn't make much sense to me.  I don't know whether to be offended or just think he's an idiot.  I'm leaning toward idiot. 

Anyone else have any thoughts?

Good Effin Night Moon

Monday, June 20, 2011

Monday Must Reads

I'm sure you've all heard of this one before but it is updated every Sunday so it's on my Monday to-read list

PostSecret  http://www.postsecret.com/

Image hosting by IMGBoot.comOne of my new found loves... http://www.dearphotograph.com/

And just in case you need something funny

http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/

Friday, June 17, 2011

Random Friday Facts

Bennifer called off their wedding 4 days before it was scheduled to happen


Easy E attended a Republican Senatorial lunch in 1991 because he supported George H.W. Bush


An entire book about Jello shots has gotten AWESOME reviews by professional review journals


In the Pullman area of Chicago, it is illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while sitting on the curb. (guess I'm coming up with new plans for the evening)



Ok, let's be honest, I just wanted an excuse to talk about Bennifer and Easy-E....

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Grammar Girl To The Rescue

I'm not going to pretend that I always have the best grammar.  I'm still not sure when to use "lay" vs. "lie".  I occasionally have to look up when to use "effect" vs. "affect" even though when I write them like that it seems totally obvious.  I've also been known to avoid using "i.e." and "e.g." because I'll almost always choose "i.e." regardless of which one should be used. 

That being said, I think I have better grammar than the average schmo.  I know when to use "your" vs. "you're" and "there" vs. "their" vs. "they're".  I know, you're impressed. 

In my lie lay effect affect i.e. e.g. confusion moments, I let Grammar Girl do the work.  She's retro, smart, and willing to talk about participles.

 Grammar Girl

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

My New Summer Treat

Watch out party people! I've found my next hot summer day treat!  In addition to the champagne floats that I found online (and that my lovely friend Kim made herself yesterday)

 Champagne and sorbet (picture stolen from Kim..hope she doesn't come after me)
I'm totally going to try making these beer popsicles!



Granted, they don't look nearly as pretty, but the novelty wins out. 

Check out the plan, stan!
How To Make Beer Popsicles

Euro-Blog-Hopping

It's good to know that customers can be incredibly dense no matter where they reside.  I wandered across this blog post from London..For those of you in customer service--Enjoy!

http://jen-campbell.blogspot.com/2011/05/weird-things-customers-say-in-bookshops.html

Customer: Could you recommend a book for my grandson? He's two.
Me: Sure, what about this book - 'I Really Want to Eat a Child' by Sylviane Donnio? It's about a little crocodile who really wants to eat a child, but his parents try and make him eat bananas instead.
Customer: That sounds very violent.
Me: No, no, it's amusing; the kids love it.
Customer: I don't think it's a very good message to send to him.
Me: It won't make him a cannibal, I promise.
Customer: I think something with flowers would be better.


Check out the rest of her blog too...it's pretty hilarious...

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday Yet Again

The weekend is over.  I accomplished 3 of my 5 goals this last weekend.  I did wash the duvet (though it's yet to make it back to the bed), I ran the North Shore 5k (30.21!), and hit up the Volo Antique Mall. 

I didn't make it to the mall to spend my gift certificates nor did I finish the side table.  But, we did pick up some super sweet stuff at the antique mall and I'm excited to keep the projects ocming! 

I guess those remaining goals will end up at the top of the list for next weekend! 

In the meantime, I'm gonna daydream for a minute or two about this cozy spot



Happy Monday!  Here's to it being 1 day closer to the weekend!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Why Is She Single????

Decorating Crushes

I'm seriously antsy to decorate things.  Luckily for me, I've been given the ok to decorate a room at Andy's house.  Granted, I don't think this includes painting the walls or doing anything super major...but I'm pretty sure it means I can try moving the bed and adding things to the walls.  I'm starting to get ideas...

But in the meantime, I'm daydreaming about having a whole entire house to decorate and make AMA-ZING

I'm fairly certain that it would be a giant cluster of random right this second as there are a million different things I love..

The things I'm drooling over currently:


courtesy of Younghouselove.com
I heart the giant comfy chairs at the island...Also, the island counter is poured concrete (sigh)

IMG_0722 courtesy of Alittlepaint.wordpress.com
I have a weird desire to fashion something awesome out of an old door.  I've seen them really cheap at antique stores and I'm confident that I could make it into something cool.  Lately I picture it having a whole bunch of hooks and using it as a tie rack-ish thing..

vintage bedroom courtesy of shelterpop.com

The wall is covered with book pages.  I'm not sure how that holds up but it certainly looks pretty.

Well, maybe I won't have any of these things really soon...maybe in the meantime I'll fantasize about having a duvet cover that isn't covered in dog hair (ahem, Nickels). 

On the agenda for the weekend: 
1) Wash duvet cover
2) Prime and paint side table
3) Spend gift certificates
4) Hit up a garage sale and/or antique store
5) Run North Shore 5k

We'll see how many of those things actually happen...

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Some People Are Idiots

That isn't the most profound thing I've ever said..but SERIOUSLY. 

The amount of people that speak publicly without having ANY sort of idea what they're talking about is amazing. 

This article is a perfect example : "Darkness Too Visible" by Meghan Cox Gurdon

This quote put me over the edge
"By f—ing gatekeepers (the letter-writing editor spelled it out), she meant those who think it's appropriate to guide what young people read. In the book trade, this is known as "banning." In the parenting trade, however, we call this "judgment" or "taste." It is a dereliction of duty not to make distinctions in every other aspect of a young person's life between more and less desirable options. Yet let a gatekeeper object to a book and the industry pulls up its petticoats and shrieks "censorship!"

Dear Ms. Gurdon,

That's the entire point of librarians you moron.  We provide the materials.  YOU decide what your child should or should not read.  YOU don't get to decide what other people's children are allowed to read.  Just because YOU don't like the F word doesn't meant that people who don't find it morally offensive have no "taste" or bad "judgement".  Clearly your lack of good judgement has led you to write a national column that shows your lack of knowledge of a HUGE variety of books that include vampires, mental illness, and confused teens without being graphic or salacious.  If you can't find anything, feel free to ask your local librarian for suggestions.  We're more than capable of finding teen novels that are appropriate for YOUR child. 

Sincerely,
One of the thousands of people you've royally ticked off

M&M

Madeline and Midge
One of the pics from me and Midge's photo session...not one of the final pics we chose but cute regardless!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Shop It To Me

Yet again, I've wandered across a website that makes me desperately want pretty things.  Shop It To Me is addictive.  I'm warning you right now. 

So far I've only purchased 1 thing.  But I've got hopes and dreams of many other material things that should belong to me...

Tory Burch Juicy Couture Sequin-embellished hooded topJuicy Couture Striped cotton and cashmere-blend hooded top
Burberry Dégradé checked umbrellaMarc Jacobs Orchid DressTory Burch, JCrew, Juicy, Chole, Burberry, and Marc Jacobs.  You light up my life.  I will do my best to save my pennies and hope you're still around in 18 years when I have enough money for you.  Until then, I promise to visit your pictures often.  xoxoChloé Billie leather and linen shoulder bag

Friday, June 3, 2011

Blissed Out

Well, my birthday has come and gone.  I have to say---I am spoiled rotten.  I have had a fabulous birthday week including a visit from my parents and a fab-o steak dinner with Andy.  Plus, the epic party to come on Saturday! 

But let me brag about my most kick ass presents...I've already mentioned the sweet irons I got from my parents...

Last night I was gifted with this:



A TRIP TO VEGAS!!  TO THE BELLAGIO!!  IN SEPTEMBER!!!


AND I GET TO GO SEE THIS!

omg...I'm so excited..I can hardly stand it...I have a lot of work to do to get myself pool ready.  But I'm gonna be rocking out with my bad self!  Watch out Vegas!!

Oh, and did I mention I got this pretty piece of Kate Spade?

It's the Kate Spade Madeleine purse. It was meant to be mine.  It's navy.  It's gorgeous.

I'm pretty much in heaven.  I haven't even mentioned the other AMAZINGLY GENEROUS WONDERFUL FUN gifts that I got!  I don't want to make you too jealous.

I am such a lucky girl. 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Madeline Wie?

Yup.  That's what they're gonna be calling me after I start hittin the links with my new irons!


TaylorMade RAC

My craptastic previous irons will be donated to the teaching bags of my lovely friends at the golf course...I'll let them deal with re-glueing the heads on those puppies...

Now I'll just have to find myself a sweet little putter like this one:


<sigh>