The Best Decade for movies

I so love '90s movies. Cheesy but lovable story lines, predictable characters but you still love em. Unpretentious clothes, goo goo dolls soundtracks and one hit wonders. Bill pullman, sandra bullock, meg ryan, tom hanks, and julia roberts could do no wrong... I feel like now all that comes out are animated childrens movies with underlying adult humor, or another comic book story. I want to go to the movies and there's nothing good out... bring on the holidays, good movies are bound to come out then.

And is it just me, or is black friday becoming grimm thursday? First 6am, now 4am, malls at midnight, and "pre black friday" sales starting at 8pm thursday? That's a Lot of people getting taken from thanksgiving dinners, and family time. I plan on doing a lot of local shopping for gifts, I don't want to feed into the sales madness that fuels this craziness.

shop local!!!

Another midnight premiere!!

Twilight Day!

Sitting outside in the freezing cold!, with hundreds of people for the midnight premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1. It was about 4 hours before they let us into the grand auditorium but we had great seats! *nerd love*

:)

Well I just won $50

Sheer genius

Wait for it....

Wait for it!!!

Oooooooh...

Mr. Architect, designer, whoever came up with this magnificent concept, I salute you.

and if a tornado comes, I'll be down in the cellar folks...

Thanks Apartment Therapy! You know the stuff I love...

This hard day

The church was filled, an army of motorcyclists guarded the perimeter, and held doors open for us, brave and beautiful speeches were given, a soldier came home to thank the man of the hour for saving his life just two weeks before. His name's been all over the news, people lined the streets with flags to honor and welcome him home, and my whole heart goes out to his sisters who were strong enough to talk about their brother. I can't believe all this... The motocyclists were so wonderful! Bowed their heads as my blubbering tearstained face said thank you. I hate funerals. And I never understood when people said this until now, but it was absolutely beautiful. All my love, Bret

This Soldier,

Sept 9, 2011

i havent been able to let it sink in, keep hoping to wake up and find that this whole wkends been some dellusional bad dream. or a mistake, he's just wounded, it was a miscommunication, he'll be fine... a few days ago my heart broke, when we lost an amazing soldier in afghanistan, this funny, thoughtful, bighearted guy we know as Bret. i'm so thankful for him, and every soldier that sacrifices their life and leaves their family to protect us at home. Leaving their comfort zone, putting their dreams on hold, not knowing where they'll get sent next, so brave, and here I am so selfish bc all i want is them home. here. i wanted bret to find someone amazing. i wanted her to be perfect. and i wanted to see him have babies, and i wanted to see him laugh about his thinning hair, and kids, he loved kids. they gravitated to him. he was so happy to be a firefighter. always a protector. I can't even gather my thoughts... Bret, I can still hear your laugh, and see that look on your face when you roll your eyes and smirk before you tease me about whatever. I can hear your laugh when I told you oops I just backed into a tree in ryans front yard. I miss your stories. And talking to you over in Iraq while I was off in malaysia... I'm laughing, but i'm crying, suddenly there are a hundred things I want to to tell you. Your brothers love you. And you will never be forgotten. There's no one like you, always so hardworking, always looking out for your friends, always a gentleman, i don't think you ever once let me get my own door... even offered to take me to see Twilight :) and cook for me just to cheer me up after a funeral. So sweet... And to hear that you saved another soldier's life just 2 weeks before yours was taken, you're nothing short of amazing. It's an honor to know you and call you a friend. With all my respect, and love, and prayers, our heavy hearts will never forget you.

Playing with yellow

very cute! reclaimed wood

Feng shui says yellow inspires thinking and creativity. Great for an office space and the kitchen.I just like it :) such a sweet focal point in a minimalist's design. How very Swedish :) *adore* and those chalkboard walls and floor make me miss my chalkboard kitchen...
Images from google & anthropologie...

My Little Trixie

A little black soft top mustang, so perfectly made for me, you were a wonderful car... You were my college life. Thanks for the memories :)

In five years, you've driven on roadtrips, gotten 2 speeding tickets (5 warnings), carried furniture like a jigsaw puzzle, and helped me master a stickshift! What a trooper. Even after my little sis nearly ripped your door off on halloween! Thanks for never getting a flat tire. And for making it thru all those ice storms. I'll miss driving with the top down, hair swept up, sittin behind sunglasses, drivin on a long stretch of highway, with john mayer playin. Even the girls have great memories of you. You'll be the car I always remember...

and as your new owner pried your keys out from my hand, I bawled and watched him drive away, revving your engine, my heart sank. I just bought those new exhaust pipes! I've become so attuned to the sound of a mustang... having one is like being apart of this American tradition. Some say they're ubiquitous, but that's part of their charm, they were intended for any household in the '60s to enjoy a sports car. Ford's special little baby. From Caroll Shelby racing, to Steve McQueen and the most famous cinematic car chase ever, to "Eleanor", and even Britney Spears videos, it's The Car always picked for fast, sleek, American muscle. And they're sexy as hell! I'll miss u Trixie!!

-p.s. i kept your spare key, just as a token. i couldn't help it.

Sweet Southern Summers

So pretty...

I don't know if I could scoop into this, it's too perfect

recipe here

I found a strawberry huller

at a craftshow for about $6 The Chef'n StemGem, can also be found at Williams-Sonoma or on amazon.com.
Now I want a strawberry trifle... guess I'll have to make one :)

Hello Amy Butler bedroom!

I just found my new treasure hunt!

I've seen people post pics of their homemade amy butler rooms (which are stunning!), and I'd heard somewhere she had a small linen collection, but that it was a bit tame, basic hues, not amybutler'esque... but this is gorgeous!!!

She has other brighter colors in her line, but this one takes the cake! The bright tangerines and hot pink paisley prints are fun, but I like my bedroom to be either crisp white like a spa resort, or dark and cozy. And her sheets are organic and 400 thread count to boot! Wow...

images via amy butler

Summer Hair Care

Summer months always send me for some Paul Mitchell tea tree products. They smell amazing, have great clarifying shampoos and conditioners (to get all that beach water out!), and are known for the cold, massaging tingles.

You know when you smell something and it transports you back to a place? When PM first launched the Lemon Sage (omg!) quite a few years back, I had brought some with me during a summer in Malaysia. I knew I'd be at the beach a lot, and it's incredibly hot so of course I'd love some good teatree shampoo to cool off. Well I fell in love with the new Lemon teatree scent. Every time I took a shower, the whole bathroom had a light air of this lemony herbal fragrance, and now each time I use it, I remember my grandmother's house, and fixing my hair in front of the hanging mirror against open white shutters.

PM Teatree. It's good stuff :)

The best seat in the house

The Sweet Summer Swingason Found at Pier 1, for $269

hanging in a tree, on a porch, or with the stand. So comfy and cute, I had to get one. Side pockets for books & magazines, and cup holders, I could swing all day, flippin thru a magazine with some ice cold strawberry lemonade... I bet it's even nicer in the fall with a blanket... oooh the fall, cool breezes, craftshows... ok I'm gettin ahead of myself... The summer's just started and its gonna be a long hottt few months. So I'll hydrate with these

during the 104 degree heatwaves and hope I at least get a golden bronze tan from it all :)

I went to a MAC makeup class, and learned about new products, and new ways to use staple products, they've got some good stuff this summer! I've been missin out on the wonderful Fix It Plus spray! Setting spray helps keep your makeup in place, and mac artists were saying keep it in your fridge! Spray as often thru the day as you like! Totally refreshing and seems to last for a while. To use primer first, and this after makeup application, your makeup is sweatproof!

My skin's a little toasty

Spent the day soakin up the sun at the "beach" :) and by beach, I mean the lake, and that *orange water is the Oklahoma red dirt :) I'd like to think I got a nice tan, but the water's not exactly crystal clear... so all I got were burnt shoulders and a toasted face with big sunglass tanlines :) sexy I know... but being out on my friend's boat was fun, and the water was cold!! So I was a happy girl. Cheers to the summer time!

I'm in love with this picnic basket at work. If it weren't a wopping $159, I would already have it. So cute, but really, that much for a picnic basket? I haven't succumbed yet... it has wheels like carry on luggage, and has everything you need. It even has a freezer compartment on the bottom half. Oy, I spend way too much money at pier 1... I'm holdin out for a clearance sale

Kindle me this

The long wait is finally over :)))))
My Kindle has arrived!

YAY!!!

And I guess I was a little overzealous... because I immediately added 26 books on the first night :) Most though were either free or sunshine deals costing .99-2.99 so I couldn't help myself.

Three books on my To-Read list

A light summer novel, a bookclub checkoff, and the *fictional read they say is very clearly written about Laura Bush.

Recap and lull music

Winding down after a long week of working & class, with a cup of chai tea (my sweet addiction)... Spent the weekend at the lake with friends, and Memorial Day weekend Texas style :) Found tons of goodies at world market and ikea :) Outdoor furniture is on a super sale at Crate, Pier 1 & World Market! A Kindle is making it's way to me as we speak (Yay! so excited!!) so i've been rifling thru piles & drawers trying to find all my little post-its and scribbles of my jotted book recommendations 

My days are filled with a never-ending soundtrack, of imaginary background music always goin in my head, maybe manifested from only child boredom, who knows. But I do love drives down Oklahoma roads with a convertible top down, it's not much for scenery but you'll have a  déjà vu bob dylan / the wonder years / Elvis and Annabelle scene if you get really lost after a while

Remember

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels... - Faith Whittlesey

Happy Birthday Bob!

70 years Forever Youngthat smokey voice...

the crazy 'fro from before Rob Pattinson

the song writer of Tangled up in Blue... Like a Rollin Stone... Sara... Lay Lady Lady... Forever Young... Hurricane!... Knockin on Heavens door...!

I love this guy. Real name: Robert Zimmerman. He makes me smile. As a song writer and musician, he's been making music for 50 years now, and thats what I love about the legends! They're not just a couple of good hits and a reality show stunt... They've lasted Decades!!! Musicians from our generation are doing their 40yr old covers (albeit not always doing them justice) and reintroducing these songs to a newer audience. The good songs are never forgotten. Bob, you're amazing.

All I need for a Perfect Saturday

Lately the weather has been perfect! Some sunshine and a few thunderstorms. There's some great music surfacing. It doesn't take much to make me happy. What would you need for a Perfect weekend? I look so forward to my weekends... For me, the ingredients for a lovely Saturday: a great anthro scarf, boyfriend jeans, a kindle, my cruiser, a goood playlist, spray me down with some tokyo milk, and top me off with a CoffeeBean :) *Bliss* Hope your weekend is beautiful!

Confession #114

I'm a music nerd. My ears are tuned into low strings parts (viola for 8yrs in school) and I can't help loving the cello lullaby twist of Beethoven in this
Admittedly, the song's probably really tiring to play, redundant your arm gets quite the work out, but it is a good song to zone out to. I never get tired of One Republic

Oh Meredith...

This is on a card from my big sis in college. We used to live together, and spent many a nights laughing & crying over grey's anatomy marathons. It was free therapy :) And right abt now... I'm having a Meredith meltdown! I miss being 21, 22, when everything was great and 25 felt forever away! I'm not ready to grow up!! Not ready for the days to blend together. 25 is just exhausting! I'm always in class, or at work. Always. "Free time" what free time? I get about 4hours of sleep a night. And I feel like I'm 50 when I say "i remember when...". I guess the kid in me will just look forward to Harry Potter 7 part2 the last installment.

I just have to keep reminding myself: God has a plan. Everything will work out. Don't question it, just go with it.

Playing House

I have a fascination with sets. :) Magazine sets, window displays, shows, movies, I look at the props, and take in the ambience. I can't help it. I would love to be a stager... or a set designer...! *Dream Job* :) I'm always drawn to the whimsical decor of nancy meyers or nora ephron films (especially their kitchens). And altho this is neither, I do find myself constantly going back to Milly's (mandy moore) apartment in Because I Said So

I don't usually lean towards warm colors, but here it works for me! I love a good tufted sofa, I've mentioned that before, and I've noticed at work, I'm definitely surrounded by perfect pieces for a remake of this room. Pier 1 has some great boho accents that go so well with this style...

And I can't mention this set, without pointing out how much I love her chalkboard fridge :) love love love, this citrus kitchen. Along with Rachel Ray's retro appliances, this would be my dream kitchen. Fun bold colors, with a farmer's market flair, I would be a baking Betty every day!

happy dream house hunting...

Singin in the rain

Rainy season... check.

Tornado season... check! check!!

But does it bother this girl? Not at all!!

It's just a little water ;)

I love the rain!!! I don't know why rainy days always have a sad, depressing connotation... I guess books and movies always play into the whole pathetic fallacy bit, but rainy nights give me the best sleep! And I'm not one who stays cooped up inside when it's pouring... I have 5 pair of galoshes and a pile of pretty umbrellas :) And currently I'm on the hunt for a good raincoat, because even the best and biggest umbrellas can't shield you from the oklahoma winds side swipin' ya...

But come rain or shine, how cute are these?!?!?

Bella Umbrella has the most beautiful parasols, I want one so bad!

Click to see her site, such cute stuff. She's located in Seattle, WA.

All images from bellaumbrellas.blogspot

Don't they make the sweetest photography props? I just love them!
Check out her blog as well, I especially love the photos with girls holding all the different colors and styles.
I haven't thought of raincoats since I was like 7, and had one from a trip to Knotts Berry Farm (which up until recently I thought was actually called Snoopy Land). I swear I should have been British... I could handle annual rainfall quite well I presume!

So obviously I had to link one of my favorite Glee moments to this post
The wonderful Umbrella/ Singin' in the Rain Mashup video on youtube
And yes, even Mandy Moore's version of Umbrella is one of my ring tones, it's so good

A Little Flag Banner

So many babies... so many gift ideas...

I love personalized baby stuff, especially for cute names that aren't easy to find stuff labelled with! And yes pink does seem to be the overkill color for little girls rooms, but I do like bold, sweet color schemes, and I couldn't resist this new designer print, thought it would be fun to use for letters :)

I loved this! I ironed on each letter to hot pink felt, so it was easier to sew on and had some weight to it. Also because I wanted the letters to pop a bit off the polka dots. I was going to use a lighter pink felt, but I was digging thru my fabric bins and used what I had. And I backed each triangle with felt as well, so it wouldn't curl up.

I love my trusty pinking shears :) Forgive me, the pictures aren't great, I'm a lazy crafter that takes pictures with my phone... It was fun and easy, just a Lotta repetitive steps...

My new find!

I finally cracked. And got some Toms. I still think they look like silly watersocks... but when I found one of my favorite little boutiques custom paints them in your choice of colors, I couldn't resist!

Super easy. I chose a peacock color scheme. She just tossed greens, blues, and purples all over, with tissue stuffed inside the shoes to keep them clean. And tada! Ready in 20 minutes! They had some really cute red ones, with white and gray all over for OU games.

Oh to be 11 Again

I was watching a teen heartthrobs 'where are they now' show, and started thinking, when I was just a wee preteen... who were the popular faces that graced the covers of Tigerbeat magazines? which inevitably ended up taped to my walls, lol...

I'm ashamed to admit yes, I was madly in love with Devon Sawa and Taylor Hanson...

They probably don't ring a bell for you, due to my having always had terribly awkward taste in boys growing up lol. I liked the randoms. I was obsessed with Devon Sawa after Casper (when he turned into a real boy), Now&Then, & my favorite, *Night of the Twisters* (a tv movie based on a book that we read in school) it was the worst acting ever. Eek! But I was crazy for that boy! He looks rough now.

Taylor Hanson, the middle brother of the band Hanson (mmmbop badubidop bah dowop, blah blah blah blah) he actually got cuter! People see him around here sometimes because he's an oklahoma boy, but he has like 5 kids now. Yikes!

And who could forget the cutie pie Jonathan Taylor Thomas aka JTT, who turned into such a smarty! He put acting on hold to go to an ivy league school!or the dreamy Leo Dicaprio? Those 2 I'm sure were taped up on every girl's bedroom walls in the '90s. I remember being 11 and bawling my eyes out over Titanic. Sad, I know. Remember lil leo on the Growing Pains episodes when they adopted him, he was so cute. I must have gone thru a blonde phase... thats weird, I usually dig the tall, dark, and nerdy types ;)

Speaking of, I loved Joseph Gordon-Levitt (even still today). Third Rock From the Sun and Home Improvement were my shows...

And Matthew Lawrence from Brotherly Love? Ohh Matthew Lawrence... he was so little, looking back on Mrs. Doubtfire now...

And of course ya gotta throw in a couple bad boys from those teen angst years

gavin rosdale & jared leto

I spent many preteen years listenin to The Cranberries and Bush...
But my adolescent heart will always belong to Zach Morris

Bring on the Saved By The Bell Reunion!!!

February snow

I'm over this weather. Is anyone suffering from the dreadful Cabin Fever besides me? All this gray sky, classes cancelled, but still risking the roads to get to work... I've got a bruised bum and a dent in my car, thanks to black ice. Convertibles are Not made for winter snow storms! It just slides sideways down the road, leaving me stranded inside for daysss :( And everything on tv is about snow or Egypt. Netflix has been my saving grace! I'm dreaming of *Home*, what would I do if I were in Malaysia this week?

All that glorious sun and sand, blue skies for miles... and tropical food?!? Only the best! I'd take all my family to the beach, order Cendol, lay out and work on my tan! For now I'll just skype them from the cold cold south central USA and dream of all the good food I'm missing.

It hasn't been all bad though, I did get an awesome deal at Best Buy. A $129 Insignia Camcorder was on sale last week only, for just $39! I've shopped the few times I've managed to get out of the house and off to work. It may be dreary outside, but inside it's very Springy and colorful! Several pillows including this one below are 20% all Feb at Pier 1. They've got a big French-market, garden party feel going on this season.

And I would love to find a florist that sells peonies.

They're my absolute favorite.

Randomly, I've decided I would love a garden/patio with nothing but white flowers. White peonies, white hydrangeas, now if only I could figure out this whole green thumb thing.

your mind wanders when you're stuck inside for a week