Pink Tulips

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T06:11:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers! I have to admit that I'm feeling a bit lackluster about the holiday today. However, I did enjoy seeing all the kids hauling their bags of valentine's on my way to work this morning. As I mentioned, we're going to celebrate with some pink macarons and champagne (if the husband gets home before I fall asleep). If it looks like he might have to stay really late, I'm planning on stopping by with some candy and a picture frame of the two of us for his office (he's wanted to bring one in, but just never gets around to getting it all together).

I must say, I'm excited to see and wear all the pink today. Yes, I'm totally decked out with my pink heart bracelets from Forever 21 and a bright pink scarf. I hope you have a lovely day!

Forever 21: Some Cheap Thrills

2012-02-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I saw these cute heart bangles on a guest post at Elle Sees and I thought they'd be perfect for Valentine's Day/a great excuse to indulge in my love of pink. It turns out they were from Forever 21, which meant they were a cheap thrill I could afford. I know it's not classy or timeless, but I checked with the husband and after some ridicule, I got the green light. Originally, I was going to send one or two to my sister for Valentine's Day, but they didn't arrive in time. I also bought this. I couldn't resist this bag either. My purchases arrived on Friday afternoon, and I've been admiring and wearing them ever since. Have you ever had any luck with Forever 21 before? I think I might be checking out their stores sometime soon, despite the fact that I'm not exactly their target clientele.

Cupcakes and Champagne

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yay for Friday! It seems like it's been a long week, and I'm definitely ready for it. I'm looking forward to a weekend of no plans and just relaxing. At the last minute, it looks like the husband will be working from home all weekend, so I'm going to be entertaining myself with some cleaning, a bit of shopping, and hitting up our apartment's gym.

Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I plan on picking up some champagne when I run my weekly errands and maybe making some type of baked treat. Don't these rock candy cupcakes look festive? What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Some Sunny Yellow

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I could use some yellow today! Hopefully, this will inject enough optomism to get us to the weekend. First up, I love this yellow and pink space. That duvet looks so cozy, I wish I could dive right in. And as you know, I love my stripes and blue. I also like how these little throw pillows and lamp can inject so much color into an otherwise neutral space. And because who knows what could happen today, here's a cheerful sign to keep us going.

Valentine's Day Cards

2012-02-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

I love Valentine's Day. I think it has something to do about all the pink and red, and the fact that it involves candy and sometimes flowers. The husband isn't a huge fan of the holiday, so I've had to scale down my enthusiasm and expectations, but one thing I love to do is to send cards to family and friends. Isn't this card from Tiny Prints cute? I ended up just picking up a value pack of cards from Target, but I don't think they are any less cute. Are you a fan of sending out cards, or is that just too elementary school for you?

Kate Spade Sample Sale!

2012-02-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

It looks like Kate Spade is having a sample sale today. I wasn't too tempted by anything, but it's always fun to look. If you're in the market for a new bag, today might be your lucky day! I also have to say that the cocktail rings look like fun. I don't wear such large jewelry, but I think they'd make a lovely little gift!

Party Recipes

2012-02-06T08:42:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday! I hope that everyone had a lovely weekend. Mine consisted of errands, cooking, and the Super Bowl. I didn't make the Blue Moon cupcakes, since the husband didn't seem too intriuged, but I did make this guacomole from Ina Garten, corn bread to go with chili, brownies from the box, and macarons that were blue. I was happy to see that my food was quickly eaten! One of my friends also made Cowgirl Caviar from "I Love Trader Joe's Party Cookbook." It was delicious; I think I need to get a copy of that cookbook. What are your favorite recipes for a party?m

Super Bowl Sunday and Beer Cupcakes

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

I found the recipe to make Blue Moon and Corona cupcakes from Mo Pie, Please, and I thought it'd be perfect for the Super Bowl festivities this Sunday afternoon. The husband doesn't seem as enthused, so I'm still on the look out for something fun for Sunday. Any ideas? I found all these recipes for dips from Design Crush, but I'm still thinking. What are your plans for this weekend? I couldn't care less about the Super Bowl this Sunday, but I'm excited about seeing friends. I'm also looking forward to just catching up with everything and relaxing. Happy Friday!

Kindle Love

2012-02-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

For the most part, I'm okay at going through my stuff and purging things that I'm not using. However, I am a book hoarder. For a few years, I had books stashed at my parents' house, but over Christmas I decided that they must come back with me. When I hauled them back, I realized that my bookshelf was already crammed with books (they were at my parents' home for a reason), so I shoved them under the bed.

Then I realized that with my new Kindle, I could hoard books a whole new way. The great thing is the books I've been storing are all Victorian Lit, and written before 1923. So I could download them for free. It took me a few weeks to adjust to the idea, but last weekend, I finally was able to donate the rest of the books that we really didn't have space to store. The best part is that I still have them electronically, and they are much lighter to carry around and take up less space! Even though I never thought I'd be converted to the Kindle so easily, I must say that I adore how easy it is to have multiple books with you. It's also much easier to read on the Metro, as you can turn the page with one hand (and with your other hand cling to the bar for dear life). Anybody else won over by the ease of the Kindle/Nook?

Design Books

2012-01-31T03:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Overstock sold design books? You can get Domino for 20 dollars, and Jonathan Adler's books for less than 15 dollars a piece! I think I might be adding some new books at some point.

Decorating vs. Organizing

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about decorating and organizing. While I enjoy reading magazines like House Beautiful, I could never really see my husband and I fitting in the spaces. The husband decidedly doesn't like things too decorated. However, we both want our spaces to look pulled together, and neither of us really like clutter. Of course, as my sister points out, other people's stuff is clutter, my things aren't.

I was reading an interview with Simplified Bee, where she stated that "clutter is visually exhausting." I think especially when you live in a small space (and have a decent amount of stuff), it's important to have some sort of organization. Our closet is sorely lacking in the organizational department. We have enough space for all of our things, but the problem is trying to figure out how to use the space efficiently, but still have it look nice. Do you care more about decorating or organizing? Of course, I don't really think you can have one without the other!

Happy Friday!

2012-01-27T05:59:00.001-08:00

It's quite a rainy Friday here in D.C. However, I'm still happy that this day is here! This weekend I'm looking forward to celebrating a friend's birthday and just spending time with the husband. After not seeing him all week, it will be nice to just relax together. I'm also thinking that I might make him some "welcome home" macaroons. I'd meant to make them earlier, but the week went by so quickly! What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Pink and Blue

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

The husband has made it safely over the pond and on Sunday night I found myself alone in the city for the first time in a few months. While I miss him, I've been trying to embrace all the things that I usually don't do when he's around for one reason or another. So far that's meant a whole lot of girly tv (Downton Abbey), Sephora, cleaning the apartment very thoroughly, and hopefully some exercising tonight.

By the way, don't you adore this image? The husband hates it. Ahh, compromise. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Friday!

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to have a short week, but I'm still looking forward to the weekend. The husband is flying to London for work on Sunday night, so we will probably have a quiet weekend. I'm not going to be able to go for such a short trip, but I think I'll probably end up trying to help him pack a bit. Even though he won't have much time to sight-see, I'm excited for him, since he's never been out of the country! I've been fortunate enough to travel a bit around Europe, but I love London the best. Perhaps it has to do something with the fact that I absolutely adore British Lit, so a trip to their National Library is super thrilling (they have tons of original manuscripts, etc.). What's your dream place to visit?

Dreaming of a Bathroom Update

2012-01-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

My husband is usually not too picky about the way our apartment looks. For instance, he let me keep my pink-polka dotted desk chair that I love. We're also slowly trying to update our college and post-grad belongings. However, one thing he will not entertain is updating our bathroom. The shower curtain that he's had since law school (and was given to him gently used) isn't going anywhere anytime soon. To take out my frustration, I thought I'd share with you what I wish we could do. I'd love to buy this shower curtain from West Elm. I think the color would match our tile perfectly, and I think the white would brighten up the space. Of course, I'd also like the matching mat, since I feel ours has seen better days (the husband insists that this isn't true...) What would you do if you could get a few updates for your space?

A New Year: Some New Notes

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned before, I love sending notes to others. I really think it brightens the day. So when Shutterfly sent me a coupon, I couldn't resist getting a set of these. Has anybody else seen some note cards that have caught your eye? What type of letters do you like to send? Do you prefer cards to personalized stationery?

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Umbrellas

2012-01-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

I really could have used one of these this morning. Just saying. Hope your Tuesday is less rainy than mine!

The Real Simple Winner!

2012-01-16T06:38:00.001-08:00

Good morning, the Real Simple winner is MCW from Saving the Best for last...(fingers crossed). A big thank you for everyone who entered. I hope that each of you realizes how much I appreciate you, even if you didn't win.

I'm wishing you all a happy MLK Day too. I hope that a few of you were lucky enough to have the day off. In related news, did you know that they are going to change one of the quotes at the MLK Memorial?

*Please note, I have no affiliation with Real Simple and they didn't sponsor this giveaway. I just thought it would be fun, since I always enjoy picking up their magazine.

Stripes and Polka Dots

2012-01-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday, Everyone! It's been a busy week, and I'm really looking forward to a long weekend. This Friday, I'm dreaming of stripes and polka dots.

I love this dress from Banana Republic. I also really want a striped sweater from the Loft. I'd take either of these! Can you tell I love navy blue with kelly green and fuchsia? Wishing you all a great weekend, and I'll be announcing a winner on Monday! :)

Giveaway: Real Simple Magazine Subscription

2012-01-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned last week, I feel that I've been lucky enough to win two giveaways, so I should pass it on! I wanted to give away something I thought I would enjoy, so I picked a subscription for one year to Real Simple. (If you win and already subscribe to Real Simple, you may give me an alternate address and give it away to a friend.) I hope the giveaway can still be seen as a sign of my appreciation; each follower and comment means so much to me!

So here are the rules:
1. To enter, be a follower of my blog and leave a comment telling me so.
2. One entry per person
3. The giveaway will close Sunday night at midnight and I will choose at random.
4. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Best of luck!

Weekend Recap

2012-01-09T06:43:00.000-08:00

This weekend the husband didn't have to do work, so we were able to go exploring D.C. a little bit. We visited the memorials, and finally checked out the MLK Memorial that opened fairly recently. We also stopped by the Smithsonian. Even though I'm a reluctant sightseer, I'm always pleasantly surprised. It was a beautiful day, and we're pretty lucky to live so closely to so many interesting things (and by interesting things, I might be referring to this duck below). I got this picture at the beginning of the trip, and I knew that it was worth going out just for that.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to a Wizards game. They're having a pretty horrible season this year, but I enjoyed attending my first professional basketball game. The fact that the husband bribed me with Chipotle from close by also might have had something to do with it. See I actually look happy, even though the team got crushed and I'm not a huge fan of sports. All in all, it was a great weekend. We did enough things so we didn't feel super lazy, but we were also able to just hang out. How was your weekend?

A Turn Around Thursday

2012-01-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

I was delighted to learn this morning that I was the lucky winner of Kendall's giveaway from A Girl in the World. I always enjoy reading her blog, so I was especially delighted. Soon this lovely calendar will be hanging up in my home. Each design is of fruit; I think it will be the perfect pick-me-up to have summer year round! This definitely turned around my Thursday! I think I will have to figure out a giveaway soon to pass on the joy. :)

Thank You Notes: A Dinosaur?

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

First of all, I want to thank everyone for all of their kind comments yesterday; the encouragement really means a lot! I'll keep you posted. I'm aiming for just three times a week, since I already walk two miles everyday thanks to my commute, and I think it's a reasonable goal.

So on to another topic: gratitude. With the new year, it was time to get out our thank you notes. I get a huge sense of accomplishment of writing thank you notes; I feel that it makes the giver feel appreciated. It's also a task that doesn't take that long, so it's a cheap thrill. However, the husband hates writing thank you notes, and last night I found myself dictating "suggestions" of what he could say. It reminded me of a few months ago when my sister and I were basically helping my brother and his wife script what they could write in their thank you notes from their wedding. It also reminded me that I don't receive that many thank you notes, but I'm pretty sure that it's not for lack of gratitude. I think that everyone expresses themselves differently, so while I'm not going to give up thank you notes any time soon, I wonder if they're on their way out?

New Year's Resolutions: A Healthy Life

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Every year, I make some dramatic New Year's resolution to the point that it gets ridiculous (and my sister makes fun of me), but that doesn't stop me. I still looked at my husband and made an absurd statement that this year, that I'm really, REALLY going to try to exercise regularly. Now, this has been a goal of mine literally since high school. And I'm almost 28, so it's beyond sad, since most people manage to do this everyday without fanfare. However, I'm not most people. Nonetheless, I am going to give it a serious go this year, since I've been eating one two many Christmas cookies for too long. I'm also going to try to eat more fruits and veggies. It won't get too crazy though; it might just be simply adding frozen asparagus to a meal of mac and cheese. Small changes though, right?

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T10:36:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish you all a happy new year! The craziness of the holidays is winding down, and I'm looking forward to beginning blogging regularly again on Monday. :) As we get ready to begin a new year, I just wanted to thank you for popping into my blog and reading. Wishing you and yours a joyful, peaceful, and prosperous new year!

I'm ready for Christmas!

2011-12-21T10:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I might not be entirely ready for Christmas, but I'm definitely ready for a break from work. Beginning Thursday at 2:30, I'm looking forward to spending my Friday cleaning up the apartment, exercising, packing, and leisurely finishing up my wrapping and Christmas shopping. I'm really looking forward to having some time to just relax. And then I'm looking forward to celebrating Christmas! I'm looking forward to being with the husband on Christmas, Christmas carols, enjoying the Christmas tree and treats, and seeing family. Wishing you a merry Christmas filled with peace and joy!

*Image from Recycled Design Blog

Christmas Cookies

2011-12-19T10:17:00.001-08:00

While I was celebrating Christmas with my family this weekend, I spied a Pillsbury roll of peppermint cookie dough in my parents' fridge. I was intrigued, so my mom sent it back with me (most likely because she knew I'd drive her crazy). On Sunday, I whipped these up. I was pleased with how they turned out, and they taste delicious! I made a few other types of cookies, and boxed them up. There aren't that many cookies per box, but I still went through 4 dozen cookies.And here is a finished box all ready to go. My sister bought me the merry Christmas ribbon last year, and I think it definitely adds a little something. The boxes are from Martha Stewart. I bought them a few years ago, and finally I'm using them. They're not Christmas themed, but that was intentional. For people who don't celebrate Christmas, I just use a plain bow.I know it's not much, but last year, all I was able to do were candy canes and cards for my co-workers.

Busy Week!

2011-12-16T12:04:00.001-08:00

It's been a busy week, as the person I'm replacing left today. There was a lot of last minute activity as we tried to get all the training done. However, I think things are getting ready to slow down and I'm looking forward to spending the weekend with my family to celebrate our Christmas, since I'll be with the husband's parents for the actual holiday. It will be great to see my family, but I'm a little bummed, since it looks like my husband has a lot of work to do this weekend. But, the important thing is being together, even if it's not as long as we'd like. It never is, is it? What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Cooker, Baker , or Neither?

2011-12-14T07:39:00.001-08:00

I'm probably neither if we're being completely honest; however, with the holiday season I feel I've gotten into baking a bit more. Last night, I made some chocolate chip cookies, and the husband remarked that I've started to bake more (but that's also coming from the point of not doing anything). I really like to bake, even though it's not very healthy. I think part of the reason I don't enjoy cooking as much, is that the husband lives to eat meat and I am a vegetarian. It's a battle to pick a meal that we both like, besides mac and cheese (yeah, we're classy like that). So it made me wonder, are you a cooker, baker or neither?

Some Early Christmas Gifts

2011-12-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

When some of my friends came up for the weekend, I exchanged gifts with one friend. Since she's been into baking lately, I bought her a cookbook holder, Williams and Sonoma cookbook, cookie decorating set, and a pumpkin flavored ice cream kit for her to use with her ice cream maker (that she really loves). I think I did pretty well, all things considered. We're lucky enough that we really have everything we need.

However, she did pick me up this lovely Kate Spade scarf. While it's not something I'd pick out on my own, and I certainly wouldn't spend that much on a scarf, it's a lovely treat and I enjoy the variety it adds to my wardrobe. I'm also horrible at taking pictures by the way. She also gave us an apartment warming gift in the form of 12 mini dessert cups. I'm sad to say that I was so excited that I whipped up some no bake cheesecake for that evening's game night. I'm obsessed with mini desserts! While the gift is certainly not important, I was really touched by her thoughtfulness.

Getting Excited for Christmas: What to bring the office?

2011-12-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

With the advent of Christmas and the holidays, also comes the dilemma of what to give your co-workers, if anything. The husband has already received a small food gift, and is now wondering if he should reciprocate to six other people. The problem with office gifts is that it can get out of control really quickly, and you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Even if we only give to the immediate people, we still have to come up with 12 gifts, and really it's probably more.

I used to look down on baked goods (because of my lacking culinary skills), but last year my department head gave us all delicious white fudge that I'm still thinking about a year later...that really changed my attitude!
Right now the husband is trying to cajole me into making macaroons for his office, but I'm pretty insecure with how they might turn out. I was already thinking about just doing a cookie medley for my co-workers, since that's more traditional and quite a bit easier. What do you do for your office mates? Do you have any creative ideas that are fairly inexpensive, but still thoughtful?

*Picture from a Google search. I wouldn't do Christmas colors, since not all of our co-workers celebrate the holiday.

A ThankfulThursday

2011-12-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a pretty busy and long week for me. I tend to stress over what I haven't done/what I'm not, versus what I do and am. Anybody else ever do that?

With that said, I have so much to be thankful for today:

1. I have a dress to wear for tomorrow night that I think is appropriate. My sister bought it for me online from Banana Republic as an early Christmas present. Even with expedited shipping it was still cheaper than in the store. When I found out that I had a dress, I was seriously just so relieved. This is a super frivolous thing to be excited about, but I spent Monday and Tuesday night trying to find something after work, and it was no fun stressing about how everything is so expensive, not appropriate, and looked horrible on me.

2. Which brings me to my sister! Only she would put up with my craziness as I agonize over what to wear and all my imperfections. Sometimes I really need to talk to someone about ridiculous things without judgment, and she's always there for me.

3. The sun is shining! After two days of trudging through the rain, I'm delighted to see the sun.

4. The husband is going to be home at a decent hour tonight. He's been at the office until 2 or 3 am, so I haven't seen him this week.

5. Friends are coming up for the weekend! I'm trying to forget about the fact that our apartment isn't really company ready, and the medley of Christmas cookies that I was determined to make aren't going to happen.

6. We finally took the plunge and bought our coffee table. Now we just have to put it together before our friends arrive. Having furniture is always a good thing, right?

7. This blog! I truly appreciate every comment and reader. I never imagined I could have a legitimate blog when I first started.

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

*Photo via Pinterest, Eddie Ross

Gifts for the friend who Spends Hours at Sephora with you

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

One of my really good friends adores make-up and we used to spend lots of time in Sephora and Ulta. She's always the one to tell me about the latest thing (or because I'm so behind on the curve, things that have happened in the last few years). Since she's always helping me find current things, I know I could never pick out the best products for her. So, for her Christmas gift, she will be receiving a subscription to Birchbox! I think she will love the idea of getting a gift every month and enjoy trying out the products.

I also plan on getting her a giftcard to Sephora, so she can immediately stock up on her favorites. I love Sephora, since the giftcard comes with a little mirror for your purse too. What are your favorite gifts to give to those who love make-up and all things girly?

Holiday Attire Advice?

2011-12-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

The husband's firm is having their holiday party this Friday night, and I'm really panicked over what to wear. Originally, I bought a herringbone skirt from the Loft, and I thought it'd look dressy enough with pearls and a black sweater. I also purchased the black lace skirt, but again, I don't have anything to pair it with.Now, I'm finding out that it's more "business cocktail attire"; whatever in the world that means! Anybody have any ideas? I've been trying to look for dresses, but I'm not feeling terribly good about my body lately and I can't find anything. I really think this dress would be lovely from Banana Republic, but I'm worried it won't do me any favors (err, work the miracles that I need it to). I also don't even know if I can get the dress before Friday...

What stores do you usually love to check out? Any tips for looking fabulous? As you can tell, I'm feeling very insecure, since the holiday parties I'm used to took place in the school's cafeteria.

Wishing you a Relaxing Weekend!

2011-12-02T05:46:00.000-08:00

This week flew by, and I'm looking forward to the weekend, even though I think the husband will be working the entire time. I plan on enjoying my work's holiday party this evening, getting most of my Christmas shopping finished, and cleaning the apartment. I'm also looking forward to just curling up on the couch reading and looking at our Christmas tree. What are you looking forward to? I'm sure you weekend will be more exciting than mine!

Getting Excited for Christmas: Our little Christmas Tree

2011-11-30T05:35:00.001-08:00

Happy Wednesday! It's been a busy week, so I thought I'd share my little Christmas tree that we have in our bedroom. I love it because all I have to do is set it out and I'm done! I also traded some sad looking votives for two new candles that I got last year at Target after Christmas. They smell so good, and I like the added sparkle that they give. Yes, I know that it's a bit tacky, but it makes me happy...kind of like those tattered books below. And, yes, my husband is pretty darn tolerant. The upside is I think our apartment looks a bit better than last year. What decorations are getting you excited for Christmas?

Getting Excited for Christmas: West Elm Picks

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

I've never shopped at West Elm in person, but I found their online store a few weeks ago, and several items have caught my eye as perfect Christmas gifts.

For my grandmother who has no material needs whatsoever, but loves animals, I think this mug would be perfect. I think she will enjoy looking at the dogs on the mug, and half of the cost is donated to the SPCA. I also think that these bowls are so unique looking, and would be a lovely addition to any kitchen. And finally, a part of me really loves these cosmetics bags. I think they'd be perfect for my old college roommate who likes things with "an edge." I think these are nice because they aren't too "sweet." I was going to get the gray one for my sister, but they sold out too quickly! Are you a fan of West Elm?

Our Christmas Tree is up!

2011-11-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving break! I really enjoyed having the opportunity to go to my parents' home and visit with my family. My husband and I came back to our home on Saturday, which gave me time to put up our tree and start wrapping presents! I know our tree isn't fabulous looking, but I've had it since high school. My mom got it for 99 cents, and I enjoy putting it up every year!

In a moment of pure lunacy (originating from me), my sister, husband and I went to Target to participate in Black Friday at midnight. We were after a Kindle, and I don't think that the majority of the people there could have cared less, so after over an hour of standing outside, we headed back home. The good news is that they still had them the next morning! So, the husband has his Christmas shopping done. I am super excited about the Kindle; I think I'm going to get a lot of use. The selling feature for me is that any book written before 1923 is free, so I really think it's going to be cost effective. Did any of you participate in Black Friday or are starting to put your Christmas decorations up?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

I get to leave work at 2:30 today, and I'm looking forward to cleaning up the apartment and getting ready for our trip home! I'm looking forward to being with my family and husband, and I'm especially eagerly anticipating hanging out with my sister. I love being with my family, and I'm truly blessed. Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving.

Thankful

2011-11-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

Last night, I made two pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving, and they made the apartment smell so good. Now, the real trick will be not eating them before the big day and making sure they actually make it to my parents' house. I bought the pie crusts that you have to place into the pie pan. It didn't turn out perfectly, so the husband thought I made the crust from scratch. It's funny how the hallmark of homemade things are their imperfections sometimes.

Sometimes I get really stressed out about the logistics of the holiday, which is why I appreciated being able to participate in the I'm thankful for...series. Here's some of the few things I'm so thankful for. I hope that you find a few moments to reflect amidst the preparations for family and friends.

Getting Excited for Christmas: Christmas Cards have been Ordered!

2011-11-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

Going home for the weekend was really wonderful. Even though my mom is still in a decent amount of pain and has quite a bit of recovery to go, it was really great to see my family. I can't wait until this short week is over and we go home for Thanksgiving!

While at home, I did order our Christmas cards. I'm looking forward to when they arrive. I also set up a Christmas tree at my parents' house and started going through some of our Christmas decor and some of the things I purchased on sale last year. I'm looking forward to wrapping up a few gifts, but this year I'm going to really try to give things that are meaningful instead of just filling an obligation. I don't know how successful I will be though, because obligatory gifts definitely exist. I'm interested in hearing any ideas in how you give thoughtfully.

A Lucky Day!

2011-11-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm looking forward to going home and seeing my sister and family this weekend. My mother had a hip replacement on Monday, so we're going home to see what we can do. Fortunately, she's progressing as planned, but the recovery is still quite a process and I think she's in a decent amount of pain. My brother and his wife live close by, so they have been doing quite a bit to help my parents. I'm happy that I only live a few hours and can go home relatively easily for the weekend. Also, I haven't seen my sister since Labor Day, and I miss her so.

In other news, I won something! To be specific, I won these four pillow covers from the lovely blog Roost. I truly cannot believe my good fortune. I rarely win anything, and if I do it's rarely useful. I've been nagging my husband about getting throw pillows for our new sofa that we bought a few months ago. I think that the colors will work beautifully. Even though pink is very feminine, my dear husband is nice enough to let me have pops of pink in the living room. In fact, he actually buys me pink accessories on rare occasion. See these little pink vases next to our t.v.? He bought those for me a few Christmases ago. I think that they will go well with our new pillow covers! Here's wishing you a happy weekend!

Late to the Party: Something Borrowed

2011-11-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

My husband likes to save money by only seeing movies via Netflix. So, I hadn't seen Something Borrowed. I didn't think I would like it very much, since the idea of cheating really bothers me. Cheating with one's best friend's finace bothers me even more. But, the husband was working late last night, so I decided to watch it. And it wasn't actually that bad. I actually thought that all the actors and actresses did a great job, and it was perfectly cast. Any other movies that you've been surprised you liked?

Getting Excited for Christmas: Holiday Stamps

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

I care about a lot of trivial things, one of those being stamps. Specifically, I like to send cards with "cute stamps" that match the occasion. The problem is though, that you have to go to the post office to get cute stamps, and I'm at work when the post office is open. (Which might be why I found myself "stocking up" on the flower forever stamps like a crazy person before the husband and I moved to D.C.)

Unfortunately, I got inspired by the holiday themed stamps that the U.S. Post Office issued and really wanted them them for our holiday cards. Enter ordering stamps online. All you have to do is go to the website, and for a dollar for shipping, those stamps will be in your mailbox in a few days. Considering I don't have a post office I can go to during the day, and the lines that you have to stand in anyways, I'm happy to pay this dollar. And aren't they lovely? I can't wait to put them on our holiday cards! Anybody else particular about something mundane?

Decor for the Husband's Office

2011-11-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

The husband has a pretty nice office, but it's extremely barren. Considering how much time he spends there, I asked him if there was anything he'd like to bring in. He requested a cactus and a picture of either our undergraduate school or his beloved VA Tech stadium. Sounds easy enough, right? I didn't really know where to find a cactus, but I thought that maybe Lowe's or Home Depot would sell them. But I didn't know where either of those stores were in our new locale. And I'm not going to lie, driving in NoVa on a weekend scares me a bit when I have no clue where I'm going. I did discover a Home Depot, and aren't these cacti cute...err masculine?

Then all I had to do was figure out a picture. Since we already own three VA Tech framed pictures, not to mention all of the other paraphernalia, finding a photo we didn't already have was tough. So, the husband decided he'd rather have one of our undergraduate institution. I made a collage, and I think that it came out pretty well. The husband actually liked everything, and now both items are happily living in the office. Anybody else have any ideas for making an office feel more personable?

Macarons: Part Three

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

So, to continue the insanity, I decided that I wanted to try making macarons one more time. This recipe gave me hope that they weren't that hard. And you know what? For someone who doesn't cook regularly and her baking involves mixes, I think they turned out beautifully. The husband even remarked that they tasted as good as the ones you buy. Well, he will certainly be getting some more macarons sometime soon. I had some issues piping them onto the wax paper, but by the second pan, I was getting slightly more adept. By no means did they turn out perfectly, but I can see feet, they at least resemble macarons, and they are tasty! Maybe the third time is the charm? I can't wait to try another batch with food coloring...I'm thinking red for Christmas!

Another Friday!

2011-11-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! I guess the husband's weekend will be pretty full of work this weekend too, and I think my weekend will be pretty quiet. However, I think we're going to try to go out with some of his co-workers this evening to celebrate all the passages of the Bar.

I am going to attempt to make macarons again, if only to provide me some entertainment. Also, the mess ups taste pretty delicious, and the hubby isn't picky about how they look. I also fully expect to be taking full advantage of my Netflix instant play, and to get some cleaning done around the apartment. Hopefully, we will just have a minute or two to just relax. What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Coffee Tables

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

The husband and I have been thinking about getting a coffee table. You wouldn't think this would be a very big deal, but it is. Typically, the husband doesn't like coffee tables, since he thinks they block a lot of open space. However, we both agree that they are handy to store the remote control and to put drinks on, etc. I've thought about putting a large upholstered ottoman there, two little ottomans, or two little tables, but I think a coffee table would be best, since we want a place to be able to play board games and we don't have a kitchen or dining room table. Ahh, the joys of apartment living. I don't think we're going to get one anytime soon, but I like to dream. One of our limitations is that the coffee table must be wood/look like wood. Obviously, I didn't set this stipulation...

Here's what the space looks like: See, plenty of space for a coffee table, right? Also note that the husband is busily working away, trying to ignore me.
Option 1: I love this coffee table from Pier 1; I think that the rounded edges feminize the space a little bit. I don't think the husband will go for it though, and it's almost two hundred dollars. But isn't she lovely? Option 2: The other option is to buy the coffee table from Target that matches are entertainment stand. I know that having things match too much is bad, but I feel that just buying another random table might feel chaotic. And this one is just under one hundred dollars.
Option 3: And finally, we could spend a mere twenty dollars at Ikea. It might not last forever, but at least if we don't like it, we'd only be out twenty dollars.
I'd love to hear which one you would choose or any suggestions!

A Few Flowers

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, I picked up a few flowers from Whole Foods when I bought the ingredients to make macarons. I love fresh flowers, even though they're a waste of money, and I'm still enjoying them. Look what one little five dollar bouquet can do.

On my nightstand: I really love waking up to these, instead of just seeing the alarm clock glaring at me.

In the bathroom:

And next to the tv: I don't think the husband was as amused.What's your favorite pick-me-up? Can a few carnations brighten your day, or do you prefer something else?

A Baking Success and a Baking Failure

2011-11-06T18:04:00.001-08:00

So, the macarons that my friend and I made this weekend didn't turn out perfectly. They did, however, taste really good! I bought the super expensive Almond Meal (literally costs 14.00 at Whole Foods), and I think that made a huge difference from the time I made them two summers ago. When I made them two summers ago I had really NO baking experience, but I was able to get the egg whites to peak. My friend and I struggled with that yesterday, which gives me hope that I might not actually be a complete klutz in the kitchen. Even though I went home yesterday convinced that I would never attempt to make macarons again, I think the husband has convinced me that I might want to try again. But I think he just wants to eat some more malformed macarons. So to be continued...

In other news, a super easy treat that I blogged about early were Oreo cupcakes. Mine actually turned out like the inspiration! These turned out great and I made them twice because they were such an easy but fun treat before Halloween. Anybody else have any recent successes or failures in the kitchen? I'm trying to think up a Christmas treat to make my co-workers in the office, and right now all I can think up is peppermint bark.

What's up for the weekend!

2011-11-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

The husband will be busy working all weekend, so I've decided that I'll be watching Jane Austen's Emma on instant play via Netflix. I've been reading the book on the Metro, and that's made me want to watch the movie again. I think it will be a fun distraction in between the usual errands and cleaning that takes place on a typical Saturday.

I'm also planning on getting together with a friend to make macaroons. I've tried to make them before, but they didn't end up cooking properly. Hopefully, the two of us can figure them out this time! What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Seven Years!

2011-11-03T05:31:00.001-07:00

It's been seven years since the husband and I first started dating. We've been through undergrad together, my grad school, his law school, three years of me teaching, time living far apart, time living near each other, time dating, time engaged, and now time married. They've been the best seven years of my life.

A Very Late Weekend Recap!

2011-11-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

I usually don't recap the weekend, since most of my weekends consist of cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and just hanging out (not exactly thrilling activities, but I like them anyways). Of course, my weekend included those things, but the husband and I did venture to the Air and Space Museum and the Botanical Gardens on Sunday after "surviving" the Saturday snow. Even though we live really close to D.C., we really are bad about getting out and doing stuff.Most importantly, though, we made a trip down to Richmond for a short visit with my parents and also for the husband's swearing in ceremony. I took the day off to be with him and see my parents. It was really wonderful to have the extra time, and I enjoyed being home for just the short time.

Sometimes just an extra day can give you such perspective and some renewed energy. We arrived back home by four, which gave me just enough time to register our car (something I haven't been able to do because of the M-F, 9-5 hours). It's funny how little things can give me such a sense of accomplishment. I feel the same way when I get to go to the Post Office. Do you have any errands like that?

*Photos from Google Images

All about Argyle!

2011-11-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

With the cooler weather (and even snow on Saturday), the husband and I have both started to break out our winter clothes. Lately, it seems that there has been quite a bit of argyle making it's way into our home. I'm really shocked that the husband likes argyle, since I feel that it's a little progressive for him. It's kind of fun to see what he gravitates towards now that he is assembling a work wardrobe.

Exhibit A: The husband purchased this from Banana Republic in a light gray and purple. Surprisingly, the color combination looks nice on him. But again, something I'd never have thought he'd like in a million years.Exhibit B: Shockingly, he also suggested that he'd enjoy wearing some argyle socks. Again, since I'm a fan of argyle, I didn't hesitate to pick some up at Target over the weekend. When I told him they were three dollars, he wondered if I could pick up some more! (This is quite a surprise for the husband who already has a plethora of black socks and really just doesn't buy clothes). I'm happy to oblige, though. Exhibit C: And of course, I had to get myself a little argyle, and couldn't resist this pink and navy cardigan. Anybody else ever surprised by what your significant other chooses? Or any loving argyle this season?

J.Crew Factory Sale: Some Fall Picks

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

I used to adore J.Crew, but for the past few seasons I hadn't bought anything from them. They're just so expensive! However J.Crew has had their Factory Sale running all this week, and I couldn't help but take a few minutes to look at some of the items. I don't really need anything, but sometimes it's fun to look.

First up, I really love this shirt. I adore navy blue and pink. This looks so cozy for a lazy Saturday with jeans. It's too much to pay for a Saturday shirt, but I do like it.I also think the pattern for this pencil skirt for fall would be lovely for work. Finally, I love this scarf. The pattern seems great for fall, but I just love the colors. Anything from J.Crew catching your eye lately?

A Parents' Visit and Some Zucchini Quich

2011-10-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday, and I'm going to meet up with my parents this evening, since my dad is coming up for a conference. Last night I cleaned up the apartment, made some zucchini quiche, and baked some cinnamon crumb muffins. My zucchini quiche didn't end up looking that impressive as this picture, but considering I've never made it, I was just pleased that it tasted good (I snuck a bite). Mine was crustless and it involved bisquick. The recipe seems easy enough, but we will see what the parents think. I am really looking forward to the visit, since this is the first time they've seen our new place! What's making you happy this Wednesday?

Happy Monday!

2011-10-23T16:50:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone had a nice weekend! I certainly enjoyed mine. I was able to see some friends and spend some time with the husband. I also did a bit of online shopping. The husband needed some new sweaters for work. I hadn't bought him anything for a few years after he got a few lambswool sweaters from J.Crew. He told me not to bother buying anything else, and the sweaters hold up pretty well. But it was definitely time for a few updates. We found two inexpensive sweaters from Banana Republic, so hopefully they will be nice once they ship. I ended up buying something for myself. I'd been eyeing this necklace from the J.Crew factory store. It was fifteen dollars, but I've liked it since the summer, so I took the plunge. The husband is getting his Christmas shopping done early! And yes, I really will wait for Christmas. How was your weekend?

Glamming up my Desk

2011-10-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

When I used to be a teacher, I decorated my classroom and made it as friendly of a place as I possibly could. I loved the way my classroom looked, and it was a representation of me. It truly was a "happy" space, full of bright colors and polka dots. With my new job, decorating my desk has been more of getting rid of all the clutter from the previous person in my job (who I'm still shadowing) and trying to introduce a few cute items to personalize the space. It's a little difficult because I share the office space with a few others and it's a pretty serious office, so I can't let my decor be too over the top. I've added some really basic stuff like a picture frame and cup for pens. My cubicle isn't going to look like these anytime soon, but I'm a huge fan of these cubicles. What do you do to dress up your office space?

Two Little Pumpkins

2011-10-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

It's really starting to feel like fall! The weather is turning cooler and the leaves have started to change color. I love my walk to work; I see all of these houses decorated for autumn. Even though it's a small thing, seeing these two pumpkins on my porch makes me so happy. What fall decor are you loving?

I'd Love to Make these Cupcakes!

2011-10-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

Despite the excitement and relief from the news that the husband passed the bar, we had a pretty quiet weekend. The husband had a lot of work to do this weekend; however, we did have time to go out to dinner with friends on Sunday and of course we had some Thai food on Friday night to celebrate. But I had lots of time to search for recipes that I'd like to attempt to make. I ran into this delicious recipe for Oreo cupcakes. I think that I will be making these sometime soon, since I love Oreos. And this recipe involves a cake mix, so I have a fighting chance at being successful.

Here's the recipe that I found from The Larson Lingo blog: And I'm pretty sure that I want to pick up these cupcake wrappers from Crate and Barrel that are on sale (which is right across the street from where I work and what I will be doing during my lunch break, I hope). I hate scary Halloween themed items, but I can get behind some polka dots! I can't wait to see if I can successfully make them.

The Husband has Passed the Bar!

2011-10-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

The husband passed the Bar today! I'm so thankful and proud of him. Tonight, we're going to celebrate with some Thai food (our favorite). Unfortunately, he will be spending the weekend working, but I'm thankful he has as job. I plan on trying out a few new recipes, cleaning and relaxing. What are your weekend plans?

Paisley!

2011-10-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

A part of me really loves paisley. I know it can look a bit dated and goes in and out of style, but I like it. So it should be no surprise that I love this blouse from Banana Republic.But it's pretty expensive and I probably won't be able to get it by the time it goes on sale. But I did find some 3 dollar wrapping paper. And I might have lined the back of my closet with it. A pretty cheap paisley fix, even if it's not as classy.

Pumpkin Candles!

2011-10-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned previously, I love my Yankee Candle Pumpkin Creme Pie candle. The fragrance makes the whole apartment feel cozy and really makes me feel relaxed. I stocked up at the end of last season when they were 75 percent off, and have been enjoying them all season. Over the weekend I stopped in Crate and Barrel and found another cute pumpkin candle item. This time it's a holder carved in soapstone marble. The husband wasn't terribly amused; he thinks that it's ugly. However, I think it's a nice gift to give to my friend who is obsessed with pumpkins. What fall decor has caught your eye lately?

*Image from Crate and Barrel

Adventures in Cooking: Are Mixes Really so Wrong?

2011-10-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

Last week, I saw an interesting recipe for pumpkin spice fudge. It sounded absolutely delicious, and I was highly determined to make it for a friend's fall party. I noticed the recipe called for a candy thermometer, so I added it to my list. When I arrived at Target, I noticed that the candy thermometer cost about 10 dollars. And then I'd probably have to spend another 10 dollars on ingredients. The real problem, is that I know as an inexperienced cook, it probably wouldn't even turn out and I'd be out 20 dollars. I thought about it for a few minutes (and am still thinking about it), but since I'm really trying to save money on groceries, I wandered over to the mixes section. For less than three dollars I picked up a Krusteaz's cinnamon crumb cake and muffin mix. I've made it before, and I know that with some cute fall themed wrappers I can move on with my life. Does anybody else ever resort to mixes?

Falling into Knitting

2011-10-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

With the cooler weather, it seems perfect for the coziest of activities, knitting! When we moved up to the city, I had my parents store all my crafting materials, and I'm realizing now that I really miss doing all those little activities.

So this weekend, I figured out where Michaels was and stocked up on yarn. I might have gone a bit crazy, but there was just such gorgeous yarn. I only know how to make scarves, but there is something so relaxing about knitting while watching t.v. It also might help with all the snacking that I enjoy to do. I'm almost done with my first scarf, and if it turns out, I'm hoping to give it to the husband's aunt. She always gives us something beautiful that she made. While I know that my gift can never measure up, there is something so touching about a homemade gift, isn't there?

A Little Soup for Fall

2011-09-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

The weather is starting to turn a little cooler, which is the perfect time for some soup! That and I think the husband and I are both coming down with colds. So soup it will be for a few days!

I love potato and tomato soup the best; what are your favorites? My one friend makes a pretty good butternut squash soup, which sounds divine!

Things I'm Loving for Fall

2011-09-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

1. Scarves- I love how they're cozy and soft. I also like that it's pretty easy to add a little pizzaz to an outfit.
2. Candles-specifically pumpkin. I remember last year really loving this scent, and after taking a break during the spring and summer, I'm back in love with it's comforting scent. Something about it is just so relaxing.
3. Cinnamon Toast Crunch- Even though it's not healthy, it makes getting up just a little bit easier.
4. Jogging- With the husband gone last week, I managed to go 6/7 days. That's really good for me! Even though I don't go fast, I hope I'll be able to keep it up.
5. Enjoying the fresh air with the husband on our balcony and looking at the city.

What do you love this fall?

Sometimes

2011-09-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get sad that I don't teach anymore.
Like when I see this list of sayings we have because of Shakespeare.
But the problem is that if I did teach, I wouldn't have had enough time to
stumble upon it.

Kate Spade Pretties

2011-09-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

The husband has been in NYC all week for orientation at his new job. I'm very happy, proud and thankful that he's starting, but I've missed him! I'm very happy that Friday is here, and to celebrate, I thought I'd stare mindlessly at a few Kate Spade purses that I could never afford.

Up first, I love the shape and color, even though I'm pretty sure it would look dated relatively soon. But I love the color so. The next purse I love because of the bows and the matching coin purse. The cosmetic case is also adorable. So what's catching your eye this Friday?

Lamps/Merging Styles Yet Again

2011-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

With our fairly recent move, and attempts to have a more cohesive home/less dorm-like, the husband agreed that I could buy new matching lamps. Previously, we owned two $15 Target lamps. Our new lamps are also from Target, so I'm not really sure that we made any improvements, but check out what I was able to take home! My ideal bedroom would look very similar to this, minus the mirrored nightstands (I'd prefer them if they were smaller and wood). Image from Ethan Allen

The husband's ideal bedroom is not this. At all. His ideal involves a lot of brown, green, blue, and as much wood as possible. He'd be thrilled if I brought a lamp home like this (image from Pier 1).I tried to compromise with some silver/pewter colored lamps, but that just meant that neither of us were happy with the choice. Since I've been obsessed with these lamps for months/my husband is a saint, he said I should just by them. Because let's face it, he really doesn't care that much. And there is still lots of brown in the room. I love them, despite the fact that they're trendy. And even though our room isn't perfect, it's such a calming place to be. I know it's pretty crazy to be so excited about lamps, but it's the little things.

Happy Friday!

2011-09-16T05:31:00.000-07:00

This is the last Friday before the Husband officially starts work, so we're hoping a for a weekend of just relaxing. He goes to NYC for training next week, which I guess means some packing will also probably be involved. In other news, our new sofas finally arrived. Check them out. I know that they're a bit matchy-matchy, but it's much better than our living room before. The thing I'm wondering now, is what do I need to do to round out the space a bit more. Any one have any ideas? I'd love to hear them!

Things I love about DC: Metro Reading

2011-09-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about living in D.C. is that I can now ride the Metro to work. The Metro certainly has its drawbacks (sometimes super crowded, feels dirty, and can be slow), but it does offer me the opportunity to read. A lot. Since we've been to D.C., I've been able to read some classics that somehow I escaped reading before. I've recently read East of Eden, The Life and Times of Michael K., and Love in the Time of Cholera. I'm still on Love in the Time of Cholera, but I have to say that reading does make the time go faster. Now that I'm almost finished with my new books, I was wondering if anyone had read anything good lately? I'm in the mood for something a bit lighter.

Dessert Cups!

2011-09-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I went with a friend to Pier 1. I've been lusting after numerous items from their Tasting Collecting since summer, and finally took the plunge. For less than ten dollars, these little dessert cups went home with me. You can't tell from the picture, but they have cute little etchings on the sides, lines, polka dots, etc. I couldn't resist. Now I can't wait to figure out what to put in them!

The Anniversary Celebrations; Champagne and Cupcakes

2011-09-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I still haven't quite gotten into the swing of blogging regularly, but as always, I have high hopes for the future. Anyways, our first anniversary celebrations were a lot of fun. On Labor Day, we went to a local Thai restaurant that was really delicious. Our first date was Thai, and pretty much every time we go out to celebrate we find ourselves at Thai, so it was great to find a place close to us! And to commemorate the event, of course we enjoyed sharing our wedding cupcake together, minus the frosting. This poor cupcake survived my parents fridge dying, a hurricane without power for a week, and three days in the U.S. Mail. I'm not even sure what's worst. The husband cut off the frosting, because we were pretty certain that might not be safe to eat. Here's our little sad cupcake, still hanging on.We didn't have high hopes for our wedding cupcake, but we were pleasantly surprised that it was edible and pretty good! We actually ate the whole thing. Here's the proof! Since we didn't expect much from our wedding cupcake, the husband also picked up some anniversary cupcakes from D.C. Bakeshop, which we also enjoyed.
And of course we toasted using our glasses from our wedding. All in all, a lovely celebration!

One Year

2011-09-07T05:29:00.000-07:00

I was feeling under the weather yesterday, so I didn't get this post up, but on September 6th, we celebrated our first anniversary! Being married to the husband is such a blessing and always brings me such joy. As I've already blogged about, I loved our wedding day, but it's even more fun to be married!

New TV Delight: Design Star

2011-08-31T05:55:00.000-07:00

Do any of you enjoy Design Star? I randomly caught an episode on Sunday night, and then saw the next episode on Monday. I think I'm hooked. With DVR, I think I'll actually be able to follow the show. I really loved Monday's night challenge, since the designers all had to design an apartment on $2500. Even though $2500 dollars is still out of my budget, the challenge was a bit more realistic for me to watch. Anybody else hooked on anything good lately?

Hurricane Flowers, Cleaning and a Cupcake

2011-08-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Like most people on the East Coast, Hurricane Irene seemed to dominate the weekend. We were really fortunate in D.C., because we didn't lose power, but my parents did near the Richmond area, along with thousands of others. Of course, I was braced for the worst, and I think a lot of other people were too. When the husband went to go get batteries at our local CVS, there weren't any. However, he didn't come back empty-handed. Pretty drenched, he brought these lovely flowers back from the local Farmer's Market that somehow persevered despite the storm. They certainly made my weekend.

Since I was so certain that the hurricane was going to be really bad, we also ventured out in the early afternoon before she hit us. The husband was very patient as I walked around the Container Store for the first time ever. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing all of the displays. So much so, that I spent the remainder of a rainy Saturday working on organizing our closet a bit better. Specifically I tackled these plastic bins in our closet. While I wouldn't dream of getting rid of them (they're really handy), I was able to "cutify" them a bit by adding some tissue paper that I had lying around. I love that I can see polka dots; instead of a jumble of clothes. The closet still has a long way to go, but at least I'm making a little progress.

And finally, during our little outing out, the husband and I discovered a local bakery. He picked out a S'mores cupcake. It was a delicious treat to share, and I can't wait to visit again when my sister comes up to see us. There are some caramel flavors that I'm pretty sure she would love. Even though our weekend was pretty quiet, I'm just thankful that we were safe and could be together. How did you spend your weekend?

Bright with Boden

2011-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I purchased a Boden skirt, and of course posted about it. One thing about Boden is that there clothes are always brightly colored; however, I really like how cheerful they are. Of course, I was thrilled to buy a pink skirt, and was pleased with its work appropriate fit. I think that the gray somewhat tones down all the brightness. I realize this isn't the best picture, but at least the husband was kind enough to take the picture at all! In just three weeks at my new job, I've already worn it twice. If you're in the mood for some color as we enter a rainy weekend thanks to Hurricane Irene, you might check out Boden to get your color fix! Happy weekend, and I hope everyone stays safe.

A Search for a Sofa!

2011-08-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

When we moved up to D.C., the husband and I brought our ever illustrious furniture, including a futon that we affectionately call "Fuie." Despite my husband's insistence that Fuie was good enough for us, our parents and guests frequently complained about Fuie's lack of comfort. So, with a move that we hope will be for awhile, we went about trying to find a sofa for our new apartment. I found the Metro Stationary Sofa at Lazy Boy, that I really liked, and we thought seriously about getting it, because it was fairly reasonably priced, and should last a long time. The only problem was that it wouldn't come in for a really long time, and the employees didn't seem very flexible. Out of frustration, we decided to shop at a few other stores, and we ended up finding this sofa and loveseat for about the same price as just the Lazy Boy sofa. Obviously, this furniture isn't going to last us forever, but I think that they will be pieces that will definitely improve our home and provide some better seating for our guests. The pieces won't be arriving for awhile, but as our first major purchase together, these two pieces seem fitting for celebrating our first anniversary.

An Earthquake on the East Coast?

2011-08-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

An earthquake is the last thing that I would have expected to occur in D.C. It seems pretty crazy, because the epicenter of the earthquake was about 35 miles from where we used to live. I really felt it, but when it happened, I was pretty incredulous that it was actually occurring. Even though D.C. didn't get much damage, it certainly put everything on hold. I was very relieved that I wasn't still a teacher, since I can't imagine how much chaos ensued during this event. However, since I still work for a university, the afternoon was pretty busy facilitating an emailed response to the event. I realize that it wasn't a huge earthquake, but I definitely felt it and I'm really relieved that there wasn't more damage. Living in the city makes you feel slightly more vulnerable. When you're on the 14th floor, it's not like you can easily escape. The husband seemed pretty unfazed by the whole event, but I'm pretty thankful that it's over. It definitely shook up a relatively calm Tuesday!

The Move into the City!

2011-08-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the husband and I moved to D.C. Even though I have been a bit apprehensive about this change, so far things seem to be going pretty well. I started my new job on Monday, and I really think that I will enjoy the change of pace. While a part of me is sad that I won't be teaching, I think that my new position might be well-suited for this next step in our lives. I'm working for a university, so I'm still in a school environment and everyone is very nice. We won't have all our belongings until Friday, but we've moved our air mattress into the apartment. I thought I would really hate our new apartment, but I actually like being able to see the city. Our place is a bit smaller than I thought, but I really love our living/dining space view. Our view isn't quite this good, but we can see the Capitol and Washington Monument. We don't have the internet until late next week, so I'll just be reading blogs during lunch!

Heading to Water Country!

2011-08-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

Even though I've had the summer off, it's flown by. The husband had the bar to study for, so we haven't had time for a vacation. With that completed, we've been visiting our parents and getting ready for our move. Before I start work on Monday, we're taking a little trip down to Water Country in Williamsburg to soak up the sun for a day and an evening. Have you had any time for a little summer get away? We're really excited about ours!

A Wedding Weekend!

2011-08-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

The long awaited wedding for two of my husband's and mine friends finally arrived! Everything worked out perfectly and we had a great time. The most important part is our two friends are married! I really love college friends' weddings, because at the reception we get to see everyone from then and it's a great time to catch up.

I didn't take a lot of pictures at the wedding, because I figured that's the photographer's job, but I did get a chance to get a picture of the husband and me. Now, I'm kicking myself because I can't wait to see all the professional pictures of her in her dress. It was at an inn and she was a gorgeous bride. They had a small ceremony, so we felt really lucky that we could be there!

The Husband Takes the Bar Today!

2011-07-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

The husband takes the bar today. Since he went out of town to take it, and I don't have work for a little bit longer, I went along for moral support/to go fetch food/whatever last minute thing he might need. He's been studying really hard for these past few months, and I can't wait until he's done. Once he's done with the bar we have a wedding for two of our friends to celebrate that we are both in, so I can't wait until the end of the week!

A Little Painting!

2011-07-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

When I went to help take care of my grandma a few weeks ago while my parents were on vacation, I was able to get a little painting done. Specifically, I was able to fix a couple of the mistakes I'd made a few years ago. I got the great idea to paint my bedroom blue with a darker blue accent wall, and then I'd painted the bathroom lime green. While my parents never complained, the colors were an eyesore. So, I took the opportunity to fix it to a nice creamy beige.

My dad has also attempted to turn my bedroom into his office. I didn't take a picture of the bookshelf before, but substantial improvements have been made. I'm pretty sure my old bedroom will always be a bit of a hodge podge, but at least it's not blue anymore!

Friend's Bridal Shower Recap

2011-07-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago, I helped host a bridal shower for my friend along with the other bridesmaids. Due to the bride and groom's families being very spread out, we didn't have that many people that were able to make it. The small group made hosting easier, since we didn't have to worry about cooking for lots of people. However, as the MOH it was a pain to have to somehow bring so many of the supplies that we would need for the shower (plus lots and lots of gifts that relatives had sent) in my little VW bug.

We did a cooking theme, and had relatives send in their recipes. This was nice, considering lots couldn't make it but wanted to participate. Then when the guests arrived we had them write a bit of marriage advice on a recipe card for a raffle. The recipe cards and card box I found at Michael's and they coordinated beautifully. We also gave out oven mitts as favors to go along with the theme. I found ones that fit her wedding colors at the Dollar Store and then made up little tags that thanked guests for coming to the shower and had a "Recipe for a Happy Marriage" printed on the back. I love to get crafty with my printer! And this is a picture of the food. We had drinks, silverware, napkins, etc. on the bar opposite.
Overall, I think it turned out pretty well, but it was stressful to try to plan how to set up for a place that I'd never seen and then there were some complications with the keys to the clubhouse, giving us even less set up time. But in the end, we had a smiling bride, and really, isn't that what matters?

Bashful at Boden

2011-07-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

So, with Boden's summer sale, I finally was able to work up enough courage to purchase a few items. With free shipping and returns via My Superfluities coupon code, I really don't have that much to lose. I just hate the idea of buying and getting disappointed when an item doesn't work. But both skirts are so lovely and were at the 30 dollar mark or under, which I consider reasonable, so I figured it's time to give Boden a try.

So here's the first contestant. I'm really not sure about the pencil skirt situation, but I liked the colors and I think it would be a nice work skirt that wouldn't be too hot in these summer months. Maybe it will encourage me to start running, who knows? I also purchased this skirt, and I think that the A-line will work out a little bit better. But really, there is just something about this print that I love. It seems so beautiful and cheerful at the same time. What lovely items have you all picked up during the summer sales?

Summer Reading!

2011-07-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I pretty much stopped reading for pleasure during this past school year. It's really horrible, but I found that hanging out with the husband was more fun and it was all I could do to keep up with my students' literature (which, with a new course to teach, is actually a decent amount). With that said, two trips to D.C. in this past week meant that I just finished The Help and The Lovely Bones and loved them both. It also reminded me just how much I miss reading. At this point, the biggest plus I can see to moving to D.C. is going to be the fact that I can read on the Metro. Hypothetically at least, let's not talk about how it gets so squished at rush hour that it's impossible to move, much less turn open a book or turn a page.

It seems everybody has read The Help and loves it. I liked it and read it quickly. It's a great story and enjoyable, but it's definitely not as revolutionary or brave as To Kill a Mockingbird, as NPR claims it is (at least that's what it said on the front of my book). I'm also super late to read The Lovely Bones. I know that a movie has been made, which I can only imagine would be weird. The text, however, is beautiful. I really enjoyed this book, but it was sad, as you might imagine.
As you might guess by the "bestseller commonalities", I picked up both these books at Target. I'm off this afternoon to Barnes and Noble, for a bit more selection, since I have another trip up to D.C. tomorrow. I can't guarantee that I'll end up choosing anything heavier or more "literary"; it is summer reading after all!

We now have...a wedding box!

2011-06-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

I loved planning the husband's and my wedding. I really enjoyed thinking and mulling over all of the little details, even though I drove everyone around me crazy. Our wedding wasn't perfect, but I'll never forget when it was over, how we couldn't stop gushing to each other about how great everything went. We were in bliss.

Since it was such a happy day, in some ways I have a hard time letting go of all the paraphernalia surrounding the event. It helped that my brother got married a few months later, and two friends also were planning weddings this year that I was pretty involved in. I was busy teaching, and did get photo albums made, but all the little other things were strewn around the apartment and at my parents' house. As we do the purging and sorting process, one of the happy benefits is that all of our "wedding treasures" (programs, cards, menu card, favor box, etc.) are now safely stowed in a little box and duplicates can be tossed. Even though they are just things, it makes me feel good to know that everything is in one place!

On Sorting and Organizing

2011-06-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

The husband and I have found an apartment and we have a move-in date! We're pretty excited to have that step behind us. Now if only I could find a job, every thing would be set in place for our move. To distract me from the Washington Post job section, I've been trying to sort through some of our belongings and tackle our closets. Our new apartment is 700 sq. ft, so it's not really small, but we're losing some closet space and the kitchen storage is going to get even smaller. Yikes!

I love sorting through our stuff (well, if we're being honest, most of the stuff is mine). However, in the past, I usually just shuffle it around and get rid of a few things. It's really amazing to me how I can do that. So, now I've been trying to take an honest look at the things we actually use and to pass on the rest. Even if some of the belongings we're getting rid of are useful, they aren't useful to us right now. Case in point, we don't need tablecloths if we don't have a table. And two people really don't need ten towels. Yesterday, I was able to clean out the linens, and even though the space might not look amazing, it's substantially less dense. Once we get to the new apartment, we can figure out how to make it look like this pretty closet!

Image via Pinterest

Summer Entertaining

2011-06-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

The husband and I don't really entertain, but with my friend's upcoming bridal shower, I've been trying to figure out delicious and elegant dishes to make. Which brings me to Pier 1's tasting party collection. The cute little dishes and spoons really do make me want to have a party, or at the very least, figure out how to make something tasty enough to put in those dishes. I think that even I could handle these Kraft Banana Pudding Parfaits, and I really want to try these strawberry cheesecake parfaits. When I informed my sister of this new plan, she reminded me that the best way to make delicious desserts is to go to our local bakery. And I have to agree. After my macaroon debacle last summer, I've learned that it's best to leave some things to the pros. Or at least to people with an oven that bakes relatively evenly.

But, back to Pier 1's newest line that makes me want to throw away my hard earned money. Now, you can have dessert shooters at home. That is, if I could convince the husband to let me buy these cute little shot glasses and spoons. Most likely, we won't be having dessert shooters at home or out anytime soon.

And let's just say you had unlimited cabinet space. I think this little set would be perfect for a family of four or if the husband and I ever entertained another couple.
So what are your favorite entertaining dishes and tricks? Most of mine involve cutting up lots of fresh fruit and veggies and putting the chips and dip in a pretty bowl.

Restless for Summer!

2011-05-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. Somehow my students and I only have 12 days left of school, and I can't wait. I'm still trying to figure out what I'll be doing next year, since we will be moving. I'm sad to leave my school, but I think this next step (whatever in the world it will be) could be interesting.

I'm looking forward to some lazy summer days. I really want to start exercising and get in shape (a constant goal that I fail at). I'm also hoping to learn how to cook and get our apartment organized and ready to move. Already, I'm trying to pare down things in my classroom and get ready for the big move. It's amazing how much I've accumulated. I can't imagine not teaching some days, but at the same time maybe it's my time to figure out what the "real world" is like. You know, the types of jobs where you don't get summer vacations.

Things I made for Mother's Day!

2011-05-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

This past weekend included lots of cooking, cleaning, and visiting with my mom and the husband's. I'm a horrible cook, but I attempted and was relatively successful with Ina Garten's Cranberry and Orange scones, Martha Stewart's Fast Raspberry Scones (which ended up turning into muffins) and strata. I was super impressed that my scones actually turned out like what I would suspect scones taste like (delicious biscuits). I'd never had strata before, but the veggie version that I made was absolutely delicious to me. The husband didn't like the strata I made (but he doesn't like things that have lots of egg); fortunately, his mom was very gracious. It's too bad he doesn't like it, because it's a dish that's so easy to make and would be great for Christmas morning!

I hope all of your mothers had a nice day! :)

*Image from Martha Stewart

Spring Cleaning and Organizing!

2011-04-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling sick for the past week and just kind of dragging through each day. You know when you don't feel really great, but you don't feel like your on death's door so you can't justify calling in? That'd be my state this week. Even though I've been feeling poorly, I've had a strong desire to clean/organize. I still don't have too much energy to do anything at home, but I've been cleaning things out at school. I know some teacher's classrooms are an inspired mess, but I really try to cultivate a calming environment at school. Also, if I'm not organized my life pretty much falls apart. In a search to get some fun classroom organization ideas, I ran into this blog. It's not about the classroom at all, but it's enjoyable to read! What spring cleaning and organizing ideas are you doing?

Things I would like to buy with our tax return....

2011-04-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

The husband is pretty frugal, so it's doubtful that we will spend any of our tax return on frivolous things. To be honest, we need to save up for a deposit when we move and those accompanying expenses. But, if for some reason we decided to go crazy, this is what I'd like to buy.

I'd really like to get a new dress for the husband's graduation. I'm liking this one, but I'd like to try it on in real life to see if it is flattering.

Another thing that I'd really like to buy is a sofa. The futon that we have currently is pretty uncomfortable, and it'd be nice to have a comfy place for people to sleep on when they stay the night.

I also think that the husband needs some new clothes before he starts work. I think he could use some new casual and work clothes, since some of his shorts have holes in them...

Oddly, just "virtually" purchasing the items has made me feel a little bit better! It's still Lent, so I can't buy anything anyways, but it's fun to dream. The good news is that I have dresses that fit, the husband does have clothes, and a futon to sit on, so I don't really need anything. :) What would your splurges be if money was no object?

Something Beautiful

2011-04-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to buy some flowers this week for our house guests and to brighten up the house. I never quite got around to it, so here's my virtual bouquet. For more inspiring images, check out A Lovely Escape. For some reason this week has left me feeling exhausted and I simply can't wait for the weekend. I'm hoping for a little relaxation, the chance to re-charge, and finishing up playing host to our guests. *Image from Good Housekeeping

Preparing for Guests

2011-03-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we found out that some friends of ours from college will be coming through our town at the end of this week. We don't get to see them very often, so I was highly motivated to try to get our apartment as clean as possible. In fact, I'm pretty certain that our apartment hasn't been this clean since we moved in (unfortunately that doesn't say a whole lot).

Our apartment is relatively small, but I'm hoping that they will feel welcome. I put together a little welcome bucket and a bathroom basket for their toiletry needs. Sadly, our guests are stuck sleeping on either a twin air mattress or a pretty dilapidated futon (the husband is absolutely refusing to give up his bed). The futon is so bad that my sister actually prefers the air mattress when she comes to stay with me.

So while our apartment won't be confused with the Hyatt anytime soon, I'd like to at least look like I made an effort. Are there any things that you like to do for your guests that they really appreciate?

Cake Pops: The Finished Product

2011-03-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was spent visiting with my parents and lovely sister, cleaning, and trying my hand at cake pops again! Last time I made them, they tasted great (even though they are so darn sweet), but I didn't get the lollipop sticks. The husband bought me some for my b-day, so I wanted to see if I could actually be successful with putting the pop on the stick! As an extremely novice baker, I was very pleased that I could make a cake pop that actually looks like what it's supposed to. Now, I know that these aren't going to allow Georgetown Cupcakes to hire me any time soon, but at least they're edible.

Look how patient my sister is on the left, putting up with my craziness. Yeah, I know how to spend a Saturday night.

Chance to win a Tervis Tumbler!

2011-03-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Check out How Sweet It Is' blog for a chance to win a Tervis tumbler! I love bringing drinks with me in the car, etc., so this is a great giveaway! :)

Dress Dreaming at Boden

2011-03-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Even though I've given up buying clothes for a little while, I still like to browse online. Here are some dresses that I'm dreaming of today (and ever since I received my Boden catalogue).

My Superfluities posted that Boden was putting their dresses on sale for today. I really love this Boden dress, with it's forgiving cut and upbeat polka dots. I actually feel I could get a decent amount of use out of it, with the husband's upcoming graduation, weddings, and it really just seems like the perfect summer dress.

I also think this dress is pretty cute, but I don't think it'd be as flattering on my body. And I would never get this dress, but I have to love the polka dots! Although it might be a little much, even for me!