I'm going to Europe!

Well, tickets haven't been bought or anything but I cleaned out the attic by Bryan's due date so he's running out of reasons to tell me no.  I condensed some of my boxes of crap and threw out a ton of memorabilia.  You should see some of the stuff I hung on to.  Movie ticket stubs, old valentines...Devon Sawa and Leonardo DiCaprio posters!  I threw them all out.  Of course I looked at every little thing first so it took me all day. 

There were some hilarious notes from friends discussing boys, and who they would ask to dances.  I think if I showed them now they would be embarrassed.  I think if they showed me the same I'd be embarrassed too.  I  kept a few, along with a poem someone wrote me and a song someone wrote me.  Wow!  I miss those teenage expressions of love.  I remember reading them with my heart beating so fast, butterflies in my stomach.  Your friends always reporting back that so and so was asking about you, and has a crush on you. 

When Bryan and I decided to get back together (that's right, he broke up with me and came crawling back ;) his girlfriend and I were headed to hang out and she was totally selling him to me.  She said how sweet he was, and that he makes mixed tapes and writes poems.  Do you think I ever got a mixed tape?  Ahem I think someone owes me one...9 years later!

The other night in bed though he had my heart beating fast again ;)  I was dreaming he was about to get run over by a train and I was trying to drag him out of the way.  I'm pretty sure I was out of bed pulling him by his arm to my side of the bed when I woke up.  He doesn't remember it, but I woke up out of bed with heart pounding.  I did save him in the end, but then he rolled back over to his side.  So unappreciative.

Anyway.  The one thing I didn't know what to do with was this box of pointe shoes.  I'm not sure I'm ready to part with them.  I know I should just keep one pair and toss the rest but they're so pretty and have so many memories attached.   As I sifted through them I remembered getting my first pair.  They were Blochs, and I wanted Capezio.  I wanted tiny narrow feet and slim pointe shoes but Bloch's were a bit wider.  I even stopped wearing Birkenstocks because someone told me my feet would spread, so I stuck to structured shoes.  Crazy talk I know, but for some reason I thought the narrow ones were prettier.  Funny the things we worried about that don't matter anymore.  And funny the things we still worry about that don't matter.

What would you do with a box of these? 

I am considering hanging on to them until I have a bigger house.  Then I'll pair them up in a huge black shadow box, or just a frame and hang them on my wall like a large art installation.

Sort of like this but with more:

What do you think? 

Flashback Friday: 100 and some pounds of gelato

Thanks for all your great advice yesterday.  I mostly liked it because it was in the direction I was leaning...which isn't always the case when I ask you guys stuff ;)

Bryan is on board with France.  Mostly because we watched the Lifetime Movie about Amanda Knox the other day and suddenly he dislikes the Italian justice system.  Figures.

I came across this picture of my Mom and I in Aosta, Italy and I thought...I better make it to Italy when my kids are young because there is nothing worst than dragging around a 16 year old who can eat their weight in gelato.

Thanks for waiting until I was done licking the cone, Dad

I also got my belly button pierced on this trip.  I begged and begged so my Grandma gave me money for it.  My Mom went with me and when the man was about to put the needle through he pointed to the ceiling and told me to pick a photo to focus on.  They were all photos of pierced genitalia.  It probably won't surprise you that it got infected and I had to take it out.

So, what can you eat your body weight in?  Any piercings?

France vs. Italy

Bryan and I have been having the serious "okay fine let's go to Europe this year" talk if:  I put together a fake itinerary to give him an idea of costs AND clean out the attic by...this weekend.  The man loves ultimatums and well, I work well under pressure.

Now the question is...Switzerland and France, or Switzerland and Italy?  We have to go to Switzerland because important people live there.

I really really wanted to do Italy, but time and money keeps us from getting as far south as I'd like.  So I told myself, do Paris this time.  Just the two of us. 
It would look a little like this...

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Kissing in a private place because Bryan hates PDAs

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See...he'd totally know people were watching us and thinking we're in love.  The horror!

I might need this photo framed because it's me totally in the moment, and him watching his back.

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And we'd eat Nutella crepes...or I would.

But I would find the stinkiest blue cheese for him because I just found out that's his weakness...

After 9 years I just found that out.

And then, in 6ish years...when there are kids (adopted, borrowed, or via c-section). 

We'll go to Southern Italy and hang out at the beaches and go wine tasting...

What?  Kids like wine tasting...they'll be too busy playing with the barn cat

 

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I'll get a fedora for the occasion

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And my babes will be bronzed and playing in the sand.

ya ya, I know I'll be a hypocondriac and put them in swim shirts,

immediately targeting us as Americans.

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But seriously my kids will probably be like this anyway.

Forget the barn cats.

 

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We'd eat lots of gelato...and they'd get pissed because I ate most of theirs

Or I could just show Bryan this article about Newfoundland lifeguards in Ostia, Italy

and we'd be on a plane next week.

 

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It all makes sense in my head.



I lost my hiking buddy...

My hiking buddy Angela is moving to Colorado.  I'm miffed I'm losing her, but happy for her and her 331 days of sunshine.  To celebrate the occasion we took one last little hike to Twin Falls in the beautiful 24 degree weather. 

Frosty path

Icicles?

Falls #1...just kiddin'

Falls #2

Me

 

My hiking buddy Angela

Did I mention she's narcoleptic?  Makes it hard to hike sometimes.

Just kidding!

I love that people leave their hiking sticks for others to use.

Washingtonians are so polite.

There was sun, unfortunately it never hit the trail.

So long Angela, next time we hike together it will be in the Rockies!

a walk in the park

The other day I took a nice long walk with my Grandma and the dogs.  I was going to walk them in her hood, so I gave her a call at 9am to see if she'd like to come along.  I called her 21 times and got a busy signal every single time.  At 11am I finally just showed up and got her off the phone.  Such a popular little lady.

It was a beautiful day, but so cold and windy!  We decided to stroll the river down to the lake.

Lake Washington, and a blooming cherry tree!  Spring is that you?

Gracie all bundled up.  Isn't her hat cute?

Charlie basking in the sun

Issy could not peel her eyes away from the seagulls for a photo

Crazy kayakers.  It was freezing!

Adorable little grey house downtown

A pea patch growing brussel sprouts.  My Grandma didn't know what they were.

She said "I didn't know they grew like that", I said "you're 91.  I'm 28 and even I knew that!"

What did you do this weekend?  Did you see the sun?  How about your Grandma?

Eating, an adoption assignment

Our friends are in the process of adopting two children from Ethiopia.  It's a long process, but they are enjoying learning about the culture of their future children, and we love hearing about it.  I'm very excited for them and can't wait to meet their babies. 

One of their assignments from their social worker was to eat at an Ethiopian restaurant.  There is a small Ethiopian community in Seattle so we tagged along for a wonderful dinner at Lalibela.

The tables.  I wouldn't mind a few of those chairs actually.

Me, Sarah and an amazing mango drink

Beef and lentil samusas



Injera.  Used instead of forks.

The sampler.  It was so good, but a little spicy!

This was supposed to feed 3 people, but there were 4 of us and leftovers.

When they told us they were adopting, I saw this video on Design Mom and sent it to Sarah.  I couldn't believe their situations were so similar and the woman's name was Sara.  They also have two children, a boy and a girl and will be growing their family to 6!

So sweet.  I always get choked up when they first meet their babies.

Speaking of baby...names.  Thanks so much for all your great names!
 She's bound to find something in those lists.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Happy President's Day!

Flashback Friday: Hey baby!

My little niece is halfway here!  But poor Katia, everyone keeps naming their babies the names she picks.  What's a Mama to do?  Sure there are ton of names out there, but you know what it's like when your heart is set on something.  Let's help a Sister out and toss out some lovelies for her.  I know you have a stash of them that your bff named her baby and now you can't ;)

My Mom is going to cry when she sees this picture.  We went through all our old toys a few weekends ago and although my Sister and I had no problem tossing stuff in the Goodwill box, my Mom kept pulling them out!  I think both those babies probably have $.95 tags on them now.  Jackson had a rough time too.  Everytime I put the Steve Urkel doll in the giveaway pile he would pull it out and say "No, we keep!"

So let's hear those baby names!

 

Why you're not married

Hmmm...this article makes marriage seem like so much fun ;)  I don't completely agree with Tracy because I know the dating world is rough, but her take on marriage is definitely interesting.  Especially knowing she is a writer for Mad Men.  I see Don Draper in there...yes I do.   I know I say it often, but it's all about compromise.  If you can't compromise, then don't even bother.  I seriously dislike compromising.  I think that's why I have so much trouble with the world. 

So which are you?  A bitch or a slut?    And what do you suppose the male version of this list would be?

Why you're not married by Tracy McMillan

"Because ultimately, marriage is not about getting something -- it's about giving it. Strangely, men understand this more than we do. Probably because for them marriage involves sacrificing their most treasured possession -- a free-agent penis -- and for us, it's the culmination of a princess fantasy so universal, it built Disneyland"

My Husband says Disney Princesses ruined women, and that I never believe anything he says unless I  a) read it somewhere else or  b) my Dad tells me.  Hmm...do I have to tell him he's right?

via decorno


In another news,  Florida Girl gave me a Stylish Blogger Award!  Whether or not I am stylish is to be determined.  Although I would consider this a half truth because a) I read it...on her blog.  Now I just need b), Dad are you reading this?  Tell me I'm stylish!

7 new things about me:

1.    I am so bad at geography...I have no idea what is going on in the middle of North America.

2.    My dream house used to be The Father of the Bride house.  The minute my Husband suggested we build it I changed my mind.

3.   A year ago I told myself the next time I had a beer it would be a pumpkin beer at the local brewhouse in October.  I totally forgot and now it's been a year since I've had a beer.

4.  Sometimes I stop on the weatherscan channel because it feels like I'm on vacation.

5.  On Valentine's Day I had about 9 pieces of chocolate, but in my head...1 1/2 weeks sugar free!

6.  I never take things to the dry cleaner.  I wear them over and over until I finally wash it and ruin it.

7.  The other day I decided I definitely wanted to have kids, and then I saw this video.  Guess I'm number 5 in that article.

I tag, Jaime of La Vie... J'aime!

Wild Ginger...I'm not talking about redheads

Friday night I met up with a friend for dinner at Wild Ginger.  We had a seriously yummy salmon curry that I'm going to try to recreate this summer.  Anyone know where I can find banana leaves?  The recipe was closest to this one.  So yummy and easy clean up right?

After dinner we walked about 9 miles looking for dessert...okay maybe not that far, and ended up back at Gelatiamo. 

Right across the street from Wild Ginger. Genius.

Sampling is my favorite part

Everybody looks good near the glow of an ice cream case

Our gelato's are holding spoons, so sweet!

The only decent photo of me all night

I had Chocolate Stout and and Chocolate Grand Marnier with candied orange peel! 

What's your favorite Gelato flavor?

I might as well play the lottery

I never win anything.  Once I did win 2 hot air balloon rides at my High School Senior night, but of course they expired when I came back from College for the summer and they wouldn't honor them.  But last week my luck changed.  First I found out I won a $65 CSN gift certificate from Sogni e Sorrisi, then I found out I won a $100 to Shopbop.com from Bright Bold & Beautiful!  Then I briefly considered playing the lottery but I'm a natural procrastinator so it never happened.  Oh well, I feel lucky anyway.

As usual I'm plagued with indecision.  Give me 3 options...no problem.  Give me 5,287 and I freeze up.  So here's what I'm looking at.

At CSN, I originally had my eye on some exterior lighting but of course we bought some at our local Repo Depot and they're already installed.  Not that lighting is a fun frivolous pick, but I'm thinking of going for practical and buying donut dog beds.  Our dogs like to be snuggled and I think this could do the trick.  Of course we have to get two.  But maybe I'll order one to begin with and see if they love it.   Anyone have one that could give me a review?

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With my Shopbop.com gift card I'm having a little bit more trouble.  So many options...how does one choose?  Here are a few things I'm looking at.

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Uggs.  Sure I'm 9 years behind on the trend but my feet are always freezing!  

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I need a new purse badly...what do you think of this one?

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Or this one?  I like that it already says it's dirty so I don't have to worry about ruining it ;)

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How about this cute dress from Madewell?  With my new black booties?

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No gift certificate for this haircut, but since we're doling out opinions...what do you think?  Could I pull it off?

My only concern is when I cut my hair semi short with a little bang last year my coworker told me I looked like a boy.

Thank you Laura and Connie for the great giveaways!

Sister Saturday!

My Sister and I had an awesome day together at the 2nd Saturdayz flea market this weekend.  We've dubbed it Sister Saturday and it is likely to be a monthly occurance.  Watch out world!

I went a little shopping crazy this weekend and spent $40!  I know, I know...I'm so cheap. 

Katia at Flying Apron with her gluten free cupcake.

Her baby girl wants chocolate so we fed her cupcakes and hot cocoa.

Katia's Valentine's Day gift from her lover...a right hand ring.

Make your own Valentine at the market.  I was too distracted to sit down and make one.

Katia and her friend Julie. 

She had an adorable vintage clothing booth where I found a few new loves!

(see below)

Seattle was trying to kill us as we crossed the 520 bridge. 

Water coming over the bridge, cars going 5mph.  It was so windy!

New love #1, a dolman cardigan. $8

I hope the ladies who helped me clean my closet aren't reading...

almost everything I threw out was beige ;)

New love #2.  A cream knit skirt. $12

Check out my Steve Madden Ollie booties...I finally got them!

Tell me friends, the skirt is only lined on one side...which side do you wear the lining?  Front or back?

I also found a million things at Urban Outfitters that I couldn't live without...but I did.

Instead I went cheap and found some sweaters at American Eagle..

American Eagle sweater for...$10.  That's right...I bought 2.

It's impossible to take photos when you have dogs.

Oh and Happy Valentine's Day lovelies!  Are you celebrating, or celehating?


stop by perpetually engaged to see my flea market wedding finds!