Heavenly Days

These last two weeks have been so busy and I have a lot to tell you all but for now, this picture of some bros enjoying the pretty Lake Michigan colors will have to suffice, I have a sketch to write.

Violated

If you tried to check the blog in the last 24 hours, you probably got a message saying it had been shut down due to a violation of the terms of use. I contacted WordPress and they admitted that this was in error. Thankfully,  they acknowledged that I haven’t been using this blog as a front for my Colombian drug cartel (that’s another website entirely) and they restored it to its former *glory.

Rest assured that you are completely safe in reading and commenting here. :)

*compilation of dumb stuff

Trying Something New

I promise I’m going to post something of worth soon. But until then… I’m trying my hand (forgive the pun) at a trend in nail polish.  I bought some steel gray nail polish this week and I’m semi-self conciously sporting it today.

Sausage Fingers

9 times out of 10, I look like a child when wearing nail polish so I can’t decide if this looks ridiculous or cute. Maybe it would look better on someone with a skin tone slightly darker than Powder’s? Oh well, if  it looks silly, at least I’m only out a few $$ and I think at 26, I’m still young enough to get away with trying trends (but you won’t catch me dead in a pair of Uggs.) The secret to pulling off a trend is probably 90% confidence.

I have a feeling my grandmother is going make a comment about how my nails are already dressed for Halloween when she sees me. What do you think? Hideous? Cute? Just alright? Have you tried any fun or silly trends lately?

Query for a friend

These barstools were featured on Erin Gates’ blog recently.  Anybody know where they came from? Or where they can be purchased?

Necklace Update

Self-Control has never been one of my strong suits. I couldn’t narrow the necklace choices down to just one so… I ordered the peacock and hot air balloon lockets! They should arrive early this week.

Thanks for your input, everybody!

UPDATE: I love these necklaces! Forgive the terrible quality cell phone pictures/weird boob angle. 

Etsy Favorite

When wasting time working diligently last week, I found this Etsy seller, FreshyFig and favorited almost everything in her shop. Her adorable and affordable jewelry is so cute and fun that I could probably spend all $126* in my checking account.

However, in the interest of not being flat @$$ broke, I shall only choose one piece.  Now, dear readers, I need your help choosing which one.

Should I go with the elegant peacock locket?  

The vintage hot air balloon locket?

The vintage copper bumble bee locket?

Fun vintage owl locket?

The vintage cityscape locket?

Or should I go with another necklace I haven’t listed here? I can’t guarantee I’ll pick the one you choose.  What you think this is, a democracy? But your opinion will be greatly appreciated.

*Gross exaggeration… I only have a dollar twenty six.

Oh, girls!

After Martin Kaymer’s win in Wisconsin yesterday, my blog counter was abuzz. Apparently I’m not the only one who finds the 25-year-old German gut looking.

Glad to see Nick Watney and Dustin Johnson also got shout outs.   There’s good news, girls… they’re all three unmarried. I’m sure we all have a really good chance with them. ;)

photo from here

Good Grief

Posts like these make me want to give up on writing. Jules is such a talented writer and I don’t think I could ever come up with anything this brilliant no matter how many times I edited.

Too lazy to click over? It’s okay, I’ve posted her post below.

Mario Giacomazzi wasn’t always a Trader Joe’s checker.  He is older than most by around 30 years and whatever he did before checking my groceries, it required a back straight like a plank with pulled back shoulders to match.  The short gray hair so perfectly pomaded atop his utilitarian head is probably only a requirement for Mr. Giacomazzi, but I trust his former employer appreciated the effort.  A good countenance counts in business.  Or the military and engineering, which are the other professions I like to imagine Mr. Giacomazzi steadfastly pursuing for 40 odd years before life landed him shocked but dignified on an OSHA approved rubber mat in front of a register.

He is slow and methodical, which allows me time to size him up while my fingers somersault the debit card on the counter in front of me.  I keep time with the groceries as they inch their way across the scanner.  Long side of the debit card, bananas.  Short side of the debit card, cereal.  Long, short, long, short.  The orchid presents a problem (where to put it! where to put it!), but eventually we hit the yogurt.  I am officially scanned.

Now, the packing.

His eyes take in the groceries in front of him and I can see him plotting the most efficient way to bag them.  He opens a bag, takes a deep breath (much like a high diver before a great jump) and begins.  I am not surprised, but I am impressed.  He excels at bagging.  Second to none.  The very, very best.  Only once, towards the end, did he fumble.  He bagged the bananas when clearly, to Mr. Giacomazzi, the bread should have gone in first.  He regroups, takes out the bananas, and bags the bread with the bananas on top.  Everything is going to be okay.

Definitely an engineer.

I walk out of Trader Joe’s with two bags that hold a box of cereal, a pint of sour cream, a large can of tomatoes, a pound of dried beans, two eggplants, 2 cartons of vegetable stock, one bag of lettuce, a jar of saffron, a large jar of applesauce, several pounds of oat bran, a large tub of yogurt, sushi, corn tortillas, a loaf of bread, two dozen eggs, and a bunch of bananas.  The orchid remains safely nestled in the cart, flanked by one bag and my purse. Mr. Giacomazzi prefers it that way.

Brilliant. Pardon me while I stop trying.

Want to read another brilliant and talented blog? Read this one.

I’m Expecting…

to have a fabulous time on July 11 at the Scott Antique Market with Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar!!

I’ve wanted to join the dynamic duo on one of their excursions for quite some time and it’s finally happening!! What a delightful early birthday present to myself.  To read about last year’s spin through Scotts, take a look at this AJC article.

*Image taken from Eddie’s Facebook

Now if you’ll kindly pardon me, I’ll be picking out an outfit for the next 2 weeks.

Quickie

I NEED these (update: I’d also take some in green or blue or yellow.)

Apropos nothing: my birthday is July 27.