Did you see the article: 23 Things Every Woman Should Stop Doing

Loved this recent article.

23 Things Every Woman Should Stop Doing

Snow Globe Your House

I love this link. Want to see your house as a snow globe.  http://www.draftfcb.com/holiday2011/

What did they find on Mars?

I am totally enjoying all the speculation about the big secret they found on Mars. My money is on organic matter of some sort..the suspense is quite fun as are all the guesses.

Top Chef Seattle

Top Chef, People seem to be absolutely nuts about this show.  I have never watched it before, but as it was filmed in Seattle this time I think I will try and catch it.

I also came across this recent article in Fast Company, Creating “Food Porn”: How “Top Chef” Makes Viewers Love Food They Can’t Taste. Food styling has always been an interest of mine and they seem to do it well. Seriously though, if they want to add drama and a level of extreme sport to Top Chef, try cooking a dinner with a barking dog trying to steal scraps and a screaming two year melting down at your feet.

Currently Enjoying ...

I am drunk on autumn and about to head into my second favorite season Christmas.. okay not yet, but having worked in the retail world, anything from September 1st to October 31st was called Falloween and anything from November 1st to December 31st was Christmas.

 A fond memory, When I used to own a store (many moons ago) we would hand out candy to kids on Halloween and then shut down around 6pm and paper the windows. Over the next 4-6 hours we would transform the store into a winter wonderland opening up on November 1st in our full Christmas finery.

So currently I am really enjoying...

• The Best Podcast for a Slow Day at Work from Apartment Therapy
  {No if only my days were slower so I could actually listen…} 
  
• Land of Nod Holiday Catalog
  {I have always loved this store and they are totally delighting my inner Christmas elf with lots of traditional and quirky items made by independent artists. Plus they have how-tos in their look book. }
  
• If Money Were No Object What Would You Do... Brain Pickings by way of Mighty Girl
  {This just blew my mind because I really don't want to be doing what I am doing now..and because my next career currently in the works is exactly what I would be doing even if I did not need to earn a living}
  
• Planning out my Christmas Decor at Martha Stewart.com
  {We are planning to decorate early this year so we can make the most of the next two months of merriment and insanity.. really the season is too short to enjoy everything..}
  
• Rediscovered a site I love,  Hooked on Houses
  {After owning houses for 14 years we are renters once again. A sad serious of events that are turning out to be a great experience.  We really enjoy our rental house and I have finally learned that home is a feeling not just a place.. that said the next place I buy will be a little bit of Heaven.}

Favorite New Show of the Season is the Mindy Project!

At some point watching TV became a luxury.  These days, if I can't tape it or get it on my iPad, I am not watching it.  In fact I have pulled away from most of my favorite shows, (Glee, 30 Rock, Raising Hope) figuring I would catch up with them on DVD... Time is just too precious...  The exception is The Mindy Project.  As fate would have it, one night when utterly brain dead I plopped myself down in front of the TV and to my delight watched the Mindy Project.

She is funny, sexy, smart and (wait for it...) brown and chubby!  The show is hilarious but also makes me feel really good (in an empowering sort of way).  I love when mainstream media busts out of stereotypes and portrays characters I can relate to...

So all you funny, sexy, smart and chubby goddesses (brown or otherwise) Check it out! And keep your fingers crossed for a long run!

Have you used PicMonkey?

Someone please remind me why I paid all that money for PhotoShop!  I just discovered PicMonkey and with it, the realization I don't need professional tools to get the results I want!  I have been putting off redesigning my blog head in part because I did not have PhotoShop for my Mac.  I stumbled across a blurb about PicMonkey and within 30 minutes I had a new blog header and a major crush!  Don't get me wrong, PhotoShop is amazing and all.. just not what I need at this juncture in my life.

My blog needs a makeover....

Taking a break to reevaluate and recreate my blog... 


My theme is going to be along the lines of a favorite tweet.. 

"a large part of succeeding in today's world, is suspending disbelief and plowing on like you simply cannot fail" 

Stay Tuned.... 

California Dreaming

I love the idea of the California Lifestyle.  I want to live in California for at least a couple of months at some time in my life, Santa Barbara maybe San Diego or even LA.  Long enough to soak up some serious sun, stay some place gorgeous, sit around and drink macrobiotic vegan shakes and get mani pedis every other day.

For now, I live in Seattle, I drink too much coffee, have a vitamin D deficiency and pruny skin from all the rain.  Not that I am complaining... okay maybe complaining a little. At any rate the site that makes my little waterlogged heart get all sun drenched and go pitter patter is LA in Bloom.  Seriously, the photography makes me swoon and I have already tried one recipe that was amazing.  And the webisode videos that she does are better than anything on TV.

So if you are cold, wet, tired of winter  and live anywhere in the US but Hawaii, this site will not disappoint!!!!

LOVE THIS SITE!!!!! Need a smile? Check out Draw a Stickman.

Draw a Stickman....
http://www.drawastickman.com/index.htm

They have an app... will be checking that out as well.
Enjoy!

Really need a vacation about now....

What to work on first.... a great starting point

One of my favorite blogs posted this list, 50 Ways to Waste a Life. Lately as I have strived to make changes to cultivate a life and lifestyle I love, I have been stuck on what to change first. This list is a great starting point.  I am guilty of far too many things on this list and when you see them spelled out so clearly, it is easy to see how they can hold you back and waste a life.

Summer was a Picnic.

It was a nice a summer despite the weather. We exposed Pudge to a large variety of activities, but by far her favorite were the picnics. She loves eating outside and lounging on the blanket.  She loves to look at the trees, and as this is one of my favorite things to do as well, I think it is pretty wonderful.

Now that Summer is over, I am beyond excited for my favorite season, Fall.  Priority number one, take care of me!  I have been so busy with work,family, Pudge and all of life's little stresses that I have really neglected taking care of me.  If I was a plant, I would be parched, mummified and close to death.  So, this month to get back on track I am taking a few days off, catching my breath and seeking some new directions.  Stay tuned...

And so it begins... again.. the return of Fall Cooking

I generally don't cook in the summer.  Yes, I know how weird that sounds, but I can't stand being hot.  The idea of a hot kitchen on even a mildly warm day just sounds awful.  I basically assemble and reheat...  Salads, simple casseroles and anything that can be boiled.  But the other day I saw this recipe for Lemon Olive Oil Cake and could not get it out of my head or rather out of my mouth.. I swear I could almost taste it. And after reading the post and recipe a zillion times, I stayed up late one night and baked the cake.  Mine  was quite dense (no self-rising flour in the cupboards) but still delicious.  Then this weekend I made Paella, the way I like it, (a little spicy, a little wet and with lots of chicken). Now I am dreaming of onions.. Walla Walla Sweet Onions are in season and as soon as the temperature drops I will be cooking up something yummy.

Typical Toddler Meal for Pudge

Of course the other reason to start cooking, Pudge loves food.  She is especially fond of baked goods and cheese.  I make her some quick muffins (rice flour, low sugar) but it is time to start expanding her diet.  I want her to love food, all kinds.  I believe a love of food starts early.  And the desire to try new things come from a diverse diet when you are young.

The Things We Do For Love...

I have no doubts whatsoever what I would do for our little bundle of joy.  Things I would have run screaming from 14 months ago, I now do without hesitation.  Case in point.... The NoseFrida, the infamous Swedish Snotsucker.  Look at the picture and you have some idea of how it works.  This is basically a plastic straw with some tubing.. (and yes I paid $15 bucks for this...) But, I don't even think of the money or how gross this is, when I know how much relief it gives to a toddler who has not yet learned to blow their nose.  Anyone needing a baby shower gift, this is the best one ever!!! Practical, shocking and under $20. 

What would I do without the Internet?

Just read this amazing article on Blogher, Balancing on the Limbs of the Working Mother Issue, she summed up what it took me months to accept and stand up for….

I am lucky enough to have been to France 3 times with plans to eventually visit again.  In the meantime, I am LOVING Design Mom and her year-long adventure of living in France. 

Pudge is on Odeedoh Apartment Therapy

I am a big Apartment Therapy fan and am especially fond of their children's site, Odeedoh.  I love the tours of children's room, but really enjoy reading the Happy Birthday Wishes.  I kept telling myself, one day, I will be able to wish my own child Happy Birthday on Odeedoh.  Well that day has finally come.  Although I submitted Pudge's Birthday Wish in May, she was just selected and is gracing the pages of Ohdeedoh today.  So happy to wish her happy birthday and also happy to realize that voicing a wish is the first step in making it come true.

Check it out at http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/happy-birthday/happy-birthday-haven-149585

Procrastination

I should do laundry, I should clean, I should make lunch for tomorrow, did I mention I really should clean... but instead:

• Design Mom | http://www.designmom.com/
• The Art of Non-Conformity | http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/
• Every Day Treats | http://www.everydaytreats.com/
• Morgue File | http://www.morguefile.com/
• Young House Love | http://www.younghouselove.com/

Appreciating the View

Snapped during a walk on the beach, with Haven of course.  Although it would be lovely to have a view of the water from my window, as long as I can see the water everyday I am happy.

Totem Animals and Signs From Above

If I believed in such things as totem animals and signs from above, I would swear that whenever I am on the right path I see a hummingbird.

Today, taking Pudge for a stroll in the park, I listened to the breeze and the birds, marveled at all the green, sneaked peeks of the water and thanked every higher power I could think of for the little girl I get to share it all with.

Pudge drifted off to sleep and I just walked until I could see no one and the only man-made sound I heard were the wheels of the stroller. 

I just kept thinking that despite the current challenges and problems in my life, things will get better and I can choose to live the life I want. And then as if to say “that’s it keep going”, was a hummingbird….