a Kate Day

Bah! Martin Sexton groupies.

2012-01-31T10:24:00.000-08:00

On Sunday night I went with my parents to see Martin Sexton at the Bing. He was really chilled out and fun to see. It was my first time seeing him, but my parents were on their fourth time, two of those times being that weekend. Here's a picture of them and their friends meeting him in Portland. What groupies!

Spring Dreamin'

2012-01-30T15:20:00.000-08:00

I love the cold weather. Really. But sometimes I dream about Spring. And, hopefully, this will be my uniform. To make getting ready easier, I'm thinking I'll turn my whole wardrobe mono-chromatic (it's mostly blue anyhow):

{source}

In all seriousness, I probably won't be wearing a $250 silk Marc Jacobs shirt this spring. But otherwise, I'm hoping I can land something like this. Also, I'll be listening to this.

Five New Favorites: Things that Make Me Want to Sleep

2012-01-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm in the swing of this teaching all the time business I know two things: both me and my students will be totally fine and, also, I'm gonna be one tired lady this semester. I'm gearing up for it. But, when I can't actually sleep, I can gaze at these pictures and pretend.

1. I used to fall asleep to this when I was little. It was one of my first cds. My dad brought it home from a business trip when I was so little I thought love songs were about your parents:

2.I dream of expensive pajamas. This isn't too out there--just too out there right now:

3.How have I never thought of or seen this double coffee table business? I love it. But sleep related--sometimes I love to nap in bright places--you wake up feeling so fresh!

4. Camping. I would love some warm weather camping. I would sleep like a baby!

5. I need to start a 4 New Favorites. I keep running out of juice!
 

Three

2012-01-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

Hey! Here are three little scenes from my place: 

Greens and stripes.

Dish wash station--dish soap in vase and baking soda in shaker for sink-scrubbing.

Finishing touches wall.

Music from a Pretty Man

2012-01-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

This semester is going to be a busy one. But I think these M, W, F mornings off are going to save me. First of all, I am taking the mornings off from talking. My voice is taking a serious hit. Speaking of voices, I've got a beautiful one for y'all today.

For a long time, I thought Rufus Wainwright was the most attractive man on earth. I once dated a boy mainly because he looked almost exactly like Rufus Wainwright. And just a friendly warning, this is not a great way to choose romantic partners. Turns out looking like Rufus Wainwright doesn't make you a nice person. Funnily enough, he got really macho and defensive when I told him of his famous doppelganger. He was all like, "Oh thanks. He's really gay, you know." Because obviously being gay makes it impossible for you to be attractive. But, anyways, here's a little Rufus for the weekend:

Free Music!

2012-01-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

Wanna see what the NPR folks are groovin' too? 

Here are there top 100 songs & more excitingly, here are 11 of those for free!

 (I'm loving on the Alabama Shakes tune)

Also, since it's MLKJ Fay an' all, check this out. S' good.

Five New Favorites: Getting Happy on a Sunday

2012-01-15T10:07:00.000-08:00

1. I love People are Awesome News. I love this one especially. 

2. Shirred Eggs. Someday soon I'm gonna break down an have some eggs. When it feels right:)

3. I think we're all supposed to hate it when actors start musical careers (Billy Bob Thorton, Jared Leto). And I think everyone is getting tired of Ryan Gossling being such a fox and super talented at everything he does. But, why? Let's just let him be the most obnoxiously perfect famous person alive, already. And I love the 'tude coming from some of these kiddos!

4. Dancing makes for big smiles.

Any ideas for 5?

My (now very tiny) Closet

2012-01-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

This post is more than you ever wanted to know about my closet. But I feel compelled to share.

I'm almost 28 and I feel like, when it comes to clothes, I'm finally differentiating between items I like, and items I would actually wear. For example, I have a felt floppy hat. When I see ladies wearing them in the winter, I always think it looks great.

But I always feel silly. I guess I'm a traditionalist hat wearer--brimmed in the summer, stocking cap in the winter.

Also, I'm getting too old to wear clothes that don't fit me. Which inspired me to go through my closet and get rid of everything that I don't actually wear/doesn't fit me. After I had donated about 3/4 of my clothes (over the course of the last year), I realized my criteria applies to maybe 1/12 of my clothing. So I had to stop before I was left with four pair of pants, five dresses, six nice shirts and an armload of sweat pants, t-shirts and pajamas.

All this to say: I want to restock my closet with Madewell's sell.

This is my favorite.

Nice Butt.

Work Shirt/Play Shirt.

Two-tone.

A replacement shirt.

I didn't think I liked this look until just now.

I love how the sides are longer.

OK-I'm done.

How to Wind Down

2012-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

Here's the rub: I have improv practice on Wednesday nights. And I have to wake up at 5:30 to make it to my 7:30 class in Coeur d'Alene. And even on those nights when I'm dead tired--like tonight--I'm a little wound up when I get out of improv. So, while I'm finishing up my last bit of lesson planning for tomorrow's class, here's my wind down plan:

Grab a cup of this:

And listen to this very pretty song:

Then read some of this, which started slow, but has got me hooked:

Now I just need someone to hire a nightly masseuse and I'll be sleeping like a baby. Sitting at a desk all day makes my back want to cry.

Five New Favorites: Am I Too Old for These?

2012-01-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

1.


I want one of these lunch boxes! Big time. And I want someone to pack it for me.

2.

I would have killed for these in high school

3.

Listening to a song over and over.

4.

Sitting and day dreaming about things that will probably not happen or would maybe be really terrible if they did. Like, if everyone I love lived in my apartment building. Or if I learned French before summer and they really needed an unpublished writer to teach in Nice for the moths of June and July. That's a fun one. 

5.


Here's something I am assuredly not too old for! Just slightly too poor. Dear Madewell, please make these well into next year, and I'll buy two pair.

I don't think I'm actually too old for any of this, by the way.

Dance, Beer and Rhianna

2012-01-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

It's been a long day of class planning. I don't think I've put in this long of a day since grad school! Wahooo! And although I'm feeling pretty proud of myself for being halfway through the semester for one of my classes, I'm getting loopy and I still have lots to do. And I'm turning loopy. After failing to find an easy listening station that does not play Creed or Lifehouse or Nickleback every other song (seriously people? Aren't we sick of these guys yet!?!?!) I tuned into the Hip-Hop station and am now alternating between pretending like I know how to dance and drinking beer. And then I took a picture of myself cuddling my beer.  

And before I get back to work---I saw three seconds of Rhianna on Ellen the other day. She's so adorable! And I've kinda been groovin' to this song as of late--partially because she seems to be eclipsing Katy Perry for most played artist on radio. She was voted Sexiest Woman Alive, too! I don't remember who was holding the election, probably the world's political leaders. And I kinda (with the exception of Amy Poehler) agree. She's getting pretty raunchy here, which is one of many reasons this video is sort of ridiculous (and fun):

Found Myself a Little Treasure!

2011-12-21T15:49:00.000-08:00

The best thing today: the school library on break. Fancy computers and no one is here!!! So I thought I might as well throw up a blog post while I've got the internet connection.

I'm trying to take more picture with this little iphone camera here.

A little Christmas Cheer from McCall! And man, did it cheer my little place up or what! I was starting to get bummed with no visible signs of Christmas.

Marbled tight-my new favorite item of clothing. Although I did just buy a velvet dress today. Which I will most likely never wear (where the heck do you even wear a velvet dress?) but once I saw it, I couldn't imagine not having it in my closet.

Snuggling up to Sam. I looks like I'm hanging off his shirt horns.

Marianne is not gonna like me for putting this up, but I can't help it--she looks so pretty! Don't worry MA, I only have, like, two readers and you're one of 'em.

I want this on my wall so bad. And these, too:

Spacey!!!

I don't want something I need

2011-12-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

As I do every holiday, I watched Love, Actually (that airport love scene--so great) and was delighting in the evilness of when Alan Rickman's secretary says, "I don't want something I need, I want something I want." I always think two things when she says this: Ahhh, you little bitch and, Well, duh.

But I haven't quite progressed to the point in my life where I let myself seriously want things I want, but if I did...

Can't decide between the orange and the black. This want I might just give into, since I've been wanting one big time, for a long time.

I am not science-y. But I really wish I were and if I were, I'd get this.

This is at Costco. I stared at it for a full minutes before my mom came up behind me laughing, pulling me along.

This and this? Wow. They are so far out of my price range, but Pendleton meets Opening Ceremony? I'm going to wear this dress in my dreams tonight.

A Radio Essay, A Painting, A Book

2011-12-08T07:58:00.001-08:00

This is my snobby blog post. NPR and art work.

Last week I laughed my butt off at a David Sedaris reading and although I get this guys point, it's got me craving for more Sedaris style laughs. So I'm revisiting some holiday favorites in class today.

I don't always get art work. And although I love looking at it, I rarely find things that I'd like in my home. This, however, takes the cake. Again, not sure I get it, but I like and want it.

{source}

I finished Middlesex a couple weeks ago and am thinking about plowing through Jeffery Eugenides' new book for my winter break book.

A Song, A Dress, A Print

2011-12-06T11:30:00.001-08:00

Pop music! Screw love, the world needs more pop music. This video isn't the most interesting, but the song rules. Some of their songs are a little 80s for my taste, but all in all, I'm digging Voxtrot.

This is the prettiest dress ever. 

Even though I know it's sort of lame to get a concert poster from a concert you did not attend, I want this poster for my bathroom. I want it bad.

Tuesday Morning Sleepy Time

2011-12-06T08:07:00.001-08:00

I am often singing this to myself lately:

I love all their clothes in this video. It inspired the wearing of these pants! My new favorites. You can't tell, but my socks are different colors. Hopefully no one peeps too close at my peep toes.

Yesterday I posted about a bed, too. Maybe it's because I'm kinda perma sleepy lately. I really want to lay around in this bed, listening to the above song, drink Sleepytime tea and snuggle up to a hot water bottle.

I think instead I'll grade papers! 

Winter Activities

2011-12-05T10:55:00.001-08:00

So, it's cold. And almost winter break time. Which means it's time to catch up on movies I only half want to see (like this one), cook and make stuff. Here's whats on my "(Relaxing) To Do List."

Green Tea! After years of trying to like the stuff due to it's million health benefits, some one finally told me that green tea gets bitter if put in too hot water. And go figure, it doesn't make me want to gag! Mighty Leaf makes the yummiest tea.


Shane made this soup the other night and it was really good! I'm gonna make a pot myself.


These look like super easy stocking stuffers.

Doctoring up my sheets is just about the last thing on my to do list, but still, these sheets look pretty cozy. Not to mention that little hot water bottle cover.

And I swear to god, this winter I'm going to finish the quilt that I've been working on for four years. 

Five New Favorites: Power

2011-11-30T17:10:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you need something to make your feel mighty. Here are my top five choices right now.

1. Power Dress

If I had this dress, I'd find a seventies dance club to go to for New Years Eve.

2. Power Anthem.

This video makes me want to dress up and dance. And so that's what I do. Well, I don't dress up, but I do dance.

She's got his super dramatic freak out thing going on and, for some reason, I buy it. Maybe it's because of her face...so weird and pretty. And she does look pretty, you know, powerful.

3.Power Hair

Big hair makes me feel kind of like a scary lion.

4. Power Drink

Well, coffee, duh. But the creamer is the key to drinking lots of it without feeling too sick. I am fully aware there's something wrong here, but let's not get into it.

5. Power Crush

It's a tie. These two inspire many a laugh. And what's more powerful than a good laugh. Nothing, that's what.

Tiiiime, it's on your side.

2011-11-28T19:55:00.001-08:00

When I was a freshman in biology class, we used to sing "Chyme, it's on your side, yes it is!" We thought it was super funny. Give us a break--we were largely serious, studious, tired people and when there was a chance to laugh, we snagged it up.

That's what this image made me think of:

Then I thought, Oh jeez, I'm posting a quote from The Doctor. Like, the show with that Oprah doctor? But I like it so much I'm not going to research where it came from.

I'm really into lady singers lately. If you were to stand outside my shower, you might hear me trying to creak out a faster version of this little diddy. It got put in my head a few months ago and it will just not go away.

Today is the first day back after Thanksgiving Break and I have a feeling we'll all need a little pep talk. I'm off!

My longest break yet

2011-11-28T10:23:00.001-08:00

It's been so long. Too late to apologize, I know. Every time I get a regular following I fall off the blogopshere because, you know, I like a challenge.

Jeez, I wish that were it. But I'm not going to go into what it was. And I'm not going to try and play catch up. I am, however, going to show you some cute pictures. What else could aide me in my attempt to weasel my way back into your heart(s)?

I made Roscoe a toy, but since I didn't have a pattern, it turned into a bear/rat/bunny hybrid. Good thing he just wants to rip it up anyways.

Theo--the newest addition to my sister's brood. Notice that little bubble in is mouth. Ughhh! Too freaking cute.

Gigi skating around the house.

Lucy, the tiny kitten. I wish a kitten wasn't the last thing I needed. The thing about kittens is that they turn into cats.

And if this doesn't work, I'm afraid I've lost you forever.

Hopefully I'll be back soon:)

One thing I've struggled with while blogging is keeping a consistent voice. I recently read a hint to imagine one person you really like shooting the shit with and, in your head, always be addressing that blog to that person. And that's kind of what inspired me to start blogging again. Although, she might scoff at this embarrassing attempt of winning you all back by exploiting all the cute things in my life, but what they hell.

So, what have you been up to?

Spokane is Fun!...Cassano's Italian Imports

2011-09-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have got to find a way to spend less time grading. This semester I'm only teaching part time and I'm realizing that if I were to be teaching full time, I would pretty much never do anything besides grade papers. Ever. So I'm working on that. In between, of course, working on catching up on grading papers. But this morning I took a much needed break and hung out with my momster.

We went to Cassano's, the only Italian import store in Spokane. It's been around since my mom was little and although it's changed locations, still reeks of childhood memories. I mostly associate it with Christmas because it was the only place we could get dried salted cod for fish spaghetti (I'm sure you've suddenly lost any appetite you might have had). And we always got italian meats, cheese, bread and a few random treats. Although I still eat fish spaghetti on Christmas (I represent the fifth generation to do so and i think that is kind of important) I'm now don't eat all that other yummy stuff. But I still like to go in there. Watching prosciutto and salami being sliced is one of the only times I feel really tempted to eat meat. Even without eating it, I love going.

It's traditional to throw these candy almonds at weddings. Ouch.

My mom getting fresh bread from my Aunt Shari, who now works there.

Hard candies! The rootbeer and lemon are the best.

They have amazing lasagna, sandwiches, pasta salads and pizzas. And so much more! It makes for a fun afternoon:)

Making Pine Nut cookies with my mom. Notice her new sparkly countertop!

Pretty mama making bruschetta.

After the fun morning I went to school and conferenced all afternoon! It's nice to be able to talk one on one with students. I feel like we get 500 times more accomplished. That's right 500.

Have a fun weekend--and maybe go to Cassano's?

Lines

2011-09-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

Most often I see tattoos on people and I think, "Nice." There are a few that I really like, but they're mostly on people I know and have come to associate with their skin. And I've thought often about getting one. I've even blogged about it a time or two. But the question--obviously--is what to get. I know shouldn't get one solely because I think the general idea is neat. And then this weekend at an English Composition conference, I saw a girl who just had designs all over her shoulder, in a light brown. Although the designs looked awesome on her (they were Calder-esque)they weren't what I would want. But I do love the idea of a non-black tattoo. Black is a little to harsh for me. So thinking of lines, there's something about Art Nouveau lines that have moved me since I was a little kid. They seem so frivolous and dark at the same time. It might have something to do that my sister always had up really weird and original prints from that design era and I worshiped everything she did. Whatever it is, I'm thinking something of that vain on my shoulder would maybe help to cover up/distract from some pressure cooker burn scars I acquired earlier this summer.

You'll have to click for this one.

{source}

Maybe'd it would look silly. But I'm thinking it over.

Plus, I've gotten to the point where I have so many scars on my body that I'm over preserving whatever integrity I thought it had in my early 20s. Maybe I'm just having a late 20's life crisis (I tend to have one every 6 (15, 21, 27) years, I've calculated). Who know. I'll stew on it. Or maybe I'll stew on more important things. Like this, the most well-articulated political speech I've heard in a long time. I dream of a day when politicians don't talk to us like were stupid.

Jazzed!

2011-09-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

I made the mistake of saying "jazzed" in class today. It's one of those pesky words that I know sounds super dumb, but for some reason it slips out from time to time. And today was one of those days. After class my student came up to me and asked what "jazzed" meant. I would have been less embarrassed if today weren't the day my bosses were observing my class. Eh.

I'm digging these things today:

This song. The album version is a little more rockin, but I love how they're all dressed. These guys have so many different styles going on. Cracks me up.

The prospect of wearing these boots. I feel like they are strictly fall/spring ware:

Five New Favorites

2011-09-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a while y'all. Because I haven't had much to say.

But got a couple of things.

1. This article is rocking my morals and making me feel mad guilty. Isn't that everything you want on a Sunday evening? But seriously, it's really good. We're talking about it in class on Tuesday.

2. I cannot get over this bench. It's so pretty I want to lick it.

3. I identify with this asshole. Not the guy with the insanely high voice. Although I'd probably be a better person if I were more akin to him.

4. Wishing I weren't too old to dye my hair blue. But I am. I wish I would have done this in my younger days.

5. Last night I had a dream I was walking around in these shoes in Seattle. I don't particularly like these shoes and even if I did, there is no way in hell I'd be able to walk around in them, but it was kind of happy, if not rushed (I was late in my dream), dream.

This is an extra, not included in things I like because I do not like it at all. But it's worth watching and not believing. Head over to Ben Delaney's blog to see.

Come on. Give a smile.

2011-09-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

In between grading, I was meandering through my new favorite time sucking website: GOOD.

You won't believe what I came across. Something on the internet that is all about making you a little happier. And someone else, too. You just smile at someone, and you get a smile back. Crazy, right? So I did it, skeptical that it would indeed bring me happiness--but hopeful nonetheless.

As soon as the application opened I started getting happy. It was like magic.

Here's what happened:

Doesn't my smile buddy have an amazing smile? I think so.
So, it totally made me happy! Give it a try. C'mon. You'll love it.

Check out my wood panelled office. Pretty awesome, huh?

Funny Show

2011-09-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

I'd heard a synopsis of this show a while back and even though I think Will Arnett is all around badass, I thought, "Eh." But when I saw the trailer on Cup of Jo this morning, I thought I'd see him in action. I laughed the whole time:

And thank the lord---it's on Hulu. God really is gracious.

Nice furniture, happy people.

2011-09-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have another reason, besides the awesome furniture, to love Denmark. And the furniture is pretty amazing, huh?

{source}

Also, the Danish are the happiest people on earth. Isn't that insane? I can't wrap my head around it.

I want to know why. What I've taken away from this article is that you're no better than anyone else and they have a name for "spontaneous and intimate get togethers." I don't even think I can conceptualize that, let alone name it. The article is worth a read. It makes me feel good to know that Denmark is out there. Maybe I'll work on getting an international job....

Head over to test your own happiness compass. Cause don't we all need an internet site telling us who much happier we'd be if we slept 8-9 hours a night. I know, I know!

Ahhhh tomatos, I knew you'd ripen.

2011-09-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

Look at this tomato! It tastes as good as it looks. It's our first heirloom tomato that is not either cherry, pear or roma. Our first slicer, if you will.

When I get enough, I can't wait to make this recipe from 101 cookbooks:

New Glasses?

2011-09-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Fajita night! I made fajita stuff from scratch for dinner last night. Since rejoining the work force, I've been pretty tired upon arriving home, but I feel like I need a yummy meal to relax at night and we're trying not to go out to eat this month. So I run a round the kitchen like a maniac (or Rachael Ray) throwing dinner together. We planned our meals this week, which was a big help. This picture is sort of terrible, but there's seitan strips with onions and peppers (from our garden!), guacamole, roasted tomato homemade salsa (still perfecting the recipe then i'll share), lettuce and tomatoes (also from our garden). I also made homemade vegan sour cream. Shane and I were happy eaters! I was sad that they were so filling because I wanted to eat them all night.

And here are my new glasses? Maybe. They're on loan from Warby Parker and so far I've gotten three thumbs up. I think Im going to get them! I have really loved the glasses I currently own but they're almost ten years old! A little outdated. Also, the veneer is coming off which does not look so good.

This picture reminds me of how I know that I've let my hair go too long between high lights. My dad says, "So, you still planning on staying blond?" I've gotta make an appointment!

Five New Favorites

2011-09-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

1. Margarita cupcakes. Our friend's Hannah and Jonathan made had us and a few friends over for dinner last night. Vegan Dinner. We felt pretty special:) Here's what topped the night off:

2. Parties. I suppose parties cannot be my new favorite thing since they're an old favorite thing. But a friend was just pointing out to me, suggestively, "Hey, remember you you used to have a bunch of dinner parties? Well....?" Maybe a Fall Party is in order:

{source}

3. Hannah's slopped ceilings:

4. Four people and a dog in 480 sq-ft? I think that's pretty admirable.

{source}

5. Turning the school system around. Finally, a how-to guide.

I'm adding a sixth one: Shane saying, "Isn't it a miracle that people still come up with new songs?"

Labor Day Weekend Fun

2011-09-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. What a fun weekend. It's nice to work again so I can enjoy things like 3 day weekends!

Before I throw up some pictures, here are a couple of links to get your week started off:

We should all do this challenge. Who doesn't want to feel more connected?

I was recently complaining that the hardest thing about being vegan was breakfast. Come on, Kate. Google before you complain. Check this and this out.

Speaking of food, totally craving this mock tuna salad sandwich. My friend Elissa used to make a killer one.

Want this sewing tutorial book so bad. I have her other two and although I have only made one shirt (which was quickly relegated to a workout shirt) I plan to someday make my whole wardrobe.

Everything except this jacket. Which I just want to buy and wear right now.

And to the weekend:

Shane's friends Josh and Zach had a photoshow this Friday night at Soulful Soups and Spirits and they invited him to put a few pictures up. And he sold two of them! They were both from our trip to Paris. His family and a bunch of our friends came out and we had a great time. We ended up at the Satellite and who would have known, they have multiple Vegan Options! It was a yummy end to a fun night.

Shane, Tyler and their mom. Aren't they all so handsome!

Me and my mother-in-law. We kind of look related in this picture---weird. Both Shane's parents look really young for their age, which means I'll look like a cradle robber in no time here.

Yesterday a few friends and I caught the early (and cheap) showing of Crazy. Stupid. Love. It bordered on cheesy, but was all in all a really funny and uplifting movie. If you want to escape the heat, it's a good one to see.

More bathroom pictures coming soon!

Happy Monday.

People who bought this, also bought that.

2011-09-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

Did you know that, on Amazon, people who bough How to Draft Basic Patterns also bought the Wicked Witch of Oz Doorstop? Crazy, huh?

The things you learn on a three day weekend. And check this out:

That's our bathroom floor! I'm starting to feel like I might once again use our bathroom. Progress!

Five New Favorites

2011-08-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

I'm breaking the rules today, pulling out all the stops. My five favorite things are being condensed into one, because I like this one thing as much as I normally like five things.

Shane discovered him and knew right away that I'd love his style. And, oh, how I love his style. Hopefully you dance in your seat, too. I'm dancing right now. Well, squirming kind of. But it's too early for real dance moves. Maybe after coffee.

Distraction

2011-08-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

This morning I had to say goodbye to one of my most favorite people, Danielle. We met the first day of teacher training for graduate school and I immediately feel in love with her sweet demeor and crass sense of humor. I love people who can embrace extremes with such grace. She will be greatly missed.

And now I am planning my little heart out. My first day of class is tomorrow and I am so excited! I don't get nervous for teaching until right before class, but I sure wish I could get that to go away. IN between bursts of brain-draining class planning I am doing laundry, cleaning, making juice and sneaking peaks at Emersonmade's new fall line:

And I've been listening to The Long Winters, an old favorite band...

...and Aesop Rock, a new favorite. I've heard so much about him but, but didn't think it was my thing. Then I read an article in the Inlander and I have to say, I'm impressed.

Happy Monday y'all.

Craigslist Finds

2011-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

Just poking around.

If I was given $600 to spend online, this is what I'd get.

My living room wants you. Bad.

I don't really want a truck, but I kinda do.

Last night in Hipstamatic

2011-08-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

Some of these pictures are not great. Some of them are. That's what you get when you use your phone for pictures.

Last night was M's real birthday and what a fun one it was. I feel so lucky to have that girl in my life, not to mention the rest of the crew. We were all tickled to get together and celebrate her awesomeness.

Head over here to check out the rest.

Five New Favorites

2011-08-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

1. We have these same windows upstairs in our bedroom. I want to replicate the trim and curtains. Way down on the to-do list.

2. I just got a few of these because I got sick of feeling like I had no tops to go with my bottoms. White t-shirts go with everything. So easy. Apparently I'm a little late on this trend seeing this picture is from 2009. Eh.

3. Semisonic. Ahhh, an old favorite.

4. Eating from our garden.

5. Playing with the Hipstamatic app. It's harder than I thought. I'm reorganizing our house every day! We moved the rug into the dining room to cover up the rough floors. We love it.

This one is actually a Instagram, but what the heck.

I'm decluttering the kitchen today. We never really thought of organization when we moved in, we were so excited to just get stuff in the cupboards. So it's nice to give it some thought. I'm trying not to entertain dreams of remodeling at this point. We need a break!

Outfit Post: Travel Pants

2011-08-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

These pants have made a few appearances on this blog, but I thought I might as well give them their own outfit post. They are the most comfortable travel pants/bottoms/skirt in the world. That's right. The world. I am very confident in the comfort of these pants. I wore them on our trip to Portland a couple of weeks ago.

I call them my Misdirection Pants because they have haphazardly pointing arrows.

You can't even tell that they're pants, huh? Typing that makes me feel like a little girl in awe of her skorts. "You thought this was a skirt, but look!" This is when you pull up the flaps to reveal the shorts portion of the skort.

Well, it's finally hot in Spokane and I've been running around town in my no AC car all morning. I'm staying indoors the rest of the afternoon and soaking up my last few days of laziness!

Coming soon--the after pics of this forever ago project. The room is all ready, I just have to wait for dusk to take some pictures.

More Birthdays!

2011-08-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday was my pops birthday and tomorrow is my brothers. I don't have any pictures from their actual birthdays, but here area few from 4th of July camping weekend, at which they were both present. I've been waiting to share pictures and this is a good excuse!

Yawny Roscoe, pretty mom.

Roscoe is all about my dad's beard

Roxie holding flipped ear Roscoe.

A picture without Roscoe! What? This is my beautiful niece, Carson.

Handsome sailing papa.

If you look close, you can see two of my favorite men in this picture.

Doesn't this look like a pre-Kate Moss-grunge 90's Calvin Klein advertisement. If only he had his shirt off.

Pippi is too cute.

Hilarious Pose #1.

Hilarious Pose #2. A girl after my own heart.

Cheesy cute Shane

Foil packets!

This is the second year in a row we've done the Fourth of July camping trip up at Ferregut. It's such a nice reason to get together and hang out. This year my Aunt, Uncle, cousin and her husband joined and we all had a great time. Frisbee golf, baseball, sailing, and, of course, eating. We all missed my sister and her husband this year, but were so happy the kids got to come. If it weren't for the bathroom project, we would have spent most of this summer camping. The weather was perfect all summer--not too hot, not too muggy.

So there's Fourth of July post. Only one and a half months late.

Music for a Sunday

2011-08-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Have you all heard about Spotify? It's rocking my world. Right how I'm listening to Jared Mees and The Grown Children. I actually red about them in The Inlander and then plugged it into Spotify. It's easy, happy music--the best kind for Sundays. They're kind of funny to watch, so I'd recommend listening to their album, which, luckily enough, you can stream for free!

Stream album here.

I'm sipping on my morning coffee waiting for the husband to wake up and take my tired ass on a walk!

Hope your Sunday is beautiful.

Birthday Time

2011-08-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Today is Sholson's birthday. We've had so much fun today already. We started the fun last night by South Perry Pizza take out and X-Files (we were both a little hungover from Marianne's amazing birthday party), woke up this a.m. and went for a bike ride, ate lunch at Picabu Bistro, worked on some barefoot running techniques at Manito Park and now Shane and his pop are working on the bathroom. More fun to come! But first, a little love post.

Being married to Shane is awesome. In addition to all the stuff you'd know about Shane right off the bat--he has a sharp sense of humor, he's kind, he's completely nonjudgmental, he's also one of those guys who is always listening. This means he is learning at about 10 times the rate that I am since I am normally talking too much to be an excellent listener (I'm working on it). So he is getting smarter and more interesting every day and that is a very cool kind of person to be married to. We're really into teaching each other stuff and finding new things to be obsessed with. And although I know its superficial, every time we go anywhere I feel like he's the cutest boy around. I feel like I totally scored with him. He even will dance with me (in the privacy of our own home, for now). So he rules and I love him and am happy that he's having a birthday.

Our friends Josh and Zach helped us get our claw foot tub home last night. So this morning Shane cleaned it up while I was making him coffee and when I brought his new birthday mug out to him (from my parents, he loves it!) he was sitting in the bathtub.

Shane might be the focus of this day, but he has to share this month with a lot of my favorite people.

August is birthday season, for sure. I have four friends, four family members and one husband with August birthdays. Here are sneak peaks of some of the parties so far:

Carson, my niece, August 10.

Carson's Birthday Tres Leches cake. Decorated by her crafty gf, Roxie.

Marianne, August 24. But this picture is from the 18th when we threw her a surprise party. A little grainy because it was dark inside, but doesn't she look pretty?

Surprise Party location. They were so awesome!!!! A larger post on this night to come, because it was pretty magical.

Family Activity

2011-08-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

I can't wrap my head around this picture. Funny.

Five New Favorites

2011-08-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

I realized I missed my Wednesday Five New Favorites! Here they are.

1. We used to vacation at the Oregon Coast every year. For some reason, the summer before I met Shane is the last time we went. These blog posts by photo master Ben Delaney are making me a tad heartsick.

2. I love fearless girls. When did I get so afraid, I wonder. Found via Tomboy Style.

Carving the Mountains from Juan Rayos on Vimeo.

3. Beautiful Blue Vintage Dress. I'm hoping that it's still available by the time I get my first paycheck!

3. Someitmes I feel like it's uncool to care about stuff and I often feel like an oddball when I get fired up about stuff. I admire people who can be chilled out about everything, but I am not one of those people and neither is this lady. Here's to giving a shit.

4. Everyone is obsessed. Me too.

5. A spot in our home that I'm happy to look at.

Pig Roast Preview

2011-08-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we went to a town outside of Portland for a pig roast. I know. You wouldn't expect us, a couple of vege-terribles (as my dad has taken to calling us), to make a vacation out of a pig roast, but we're not ones to miss out on festivities due to the consumption of an animal. Shane documented the trip. We went and saw Calexico and Amos Lee, went running on dirt roads, slept outside and hung out with a damn nice group of people. The host's house and surroundings is beautiful--woodsy and sunny. The three of us loved it.

Shane is putting a gallery up soon, but here are a few sneak peaks:

My parents are the most adorable. This might be one of my favorite pictures ever.

Two of the many cute kids running around.

We got a million of this adorable pup. He had the time of his life, raging around the property.

Unshowered, on a mini-hike.

Babe.

Dead babe

Dancing

What lead to the dancing.

The hosts giving a toast.

Five New Favorites

2011-08-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a short week at home. I got home on Saturday night and we leave tomorrow morning for a four day vacation in Portland. We've been racing to get some home things done--me in my office, Shane and his crazy helpful dad in the bathroom. And I spent some time catching up with friends and sadly, I didn't get to see everyone I wanted. Only 26 days until I start work and in that time I want to get our house decluttered and in order (check out Sam's Wellness Wednesday on decluttering), spend a lot of time with my peeps and get our freaking bathroom done!

Here are Five New Favorite things of mine. I'm trying to make this a regular Wednesday thing if you haven't noticed. But it's not official yet because I can't handle that kind of pressure:)

1) Ethiopian Food at the Queen of Sheeba in the Flower Mill. Shane and I ate here last night and they had a ton of vegetarian options. Everything was amazing. We got the Vegetarian Combination Plate, Sweet Potato Fries and Beet Salad. Huge portions, totally cheap, and fun to boot. It's our new favorite place. Well, new favorite non-pizza place. Don't worry South Perry Pizza, you're still number one in my stomach.

{picture source}

2) New Pant Jumper from McCall and 3)my new bag from Seattle. On Sunday Shane and I, shirking all reposnisbilties, went to Coeur d'Alene. I had the brown bottle flu (eeekkkk-it's been a loooong time)so I didn't want to do anything that wasn't 100% fun and relaxing. We ate at Garnet Cafe, took pictures and then got sunburnt swimming in the cold lake. It was really a great way to say hello to each other after a week apart.

4)I'm totally Unstuffing my Life. It's been sucking up many minutes of my day. How did I get so much stuff??? I don't know, but I'm getting rid of it. Well, I'm trying to, at least.

5) DIY from A Beautiful Mess. I am not going to make this since I need to seriously reevaluate my crafting situation, but you should make it. How adorable.

So excited to share out Portland/Hooffest adventures with you! More soon!

Houseperation

2011-08-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

I love being back at my computer! It's really nice to take a break, but it's fun to come home and catch up on all my favorite blogs.

Bungalows!!! This post might make this short break a long break.

Wouldn't it be great if advice actually worked?

Why can't I get the hang of this simple living thing?

I'm working on my closet/office. I'm using this accessories wall as inspiration. Although mine will assuredly be much more condensed because, even after major pairing down, I still have a lot of crap:

{source}

When I finish my room (hopefully tonight), we're moving onto the bedroom. I think I'm going to build a platform bed:

{source}

Shane edited a bunch of pictures and there are a million great ones. I love this one because you can see Roscoe's adorable lips that are more exposed than your average pup, due to his strangles scarring. I think he's kind of funny looking (and adorable, duh):

I'm back in Spokane and I really miss all my family in Seattle, but I'm glad to be back. It was a sweet reunion:

Hopefully I'm back with pictures of my room tonight!

Seattle pics and Guest Post on Blue Pea

2011-08-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hey dudes! Still in Seattle.

These flowers are almost as big as my head!

Little kid ballet class is the cutest thing ever.

Last, check out Gianna's blog for a guest post by yours truely. So fun:) i don't know how to add a link on my momma's iPad, so look at buttons on the side and have a looksies. And maybe drool over her outfit posts. I love all her clohes!

I'm in Seattle!!

2011-08-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I'm not posting much this week because i'm in Seattle waiting for my big sister to squeeze me out a nephew. So exciting. Not much computer access, but i thought i could squeeze in an instagram post of the trip so far:

Stay tuned for a guest post about our bathroon remodel from Shane!

I've been making some things....

2011-07-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of some things I've been making and would love to share with you. Maybe one of them will be on Gianna's blog sometimes soon. Maybe you'll just have to check and see. Maybe I'm teasing you. Nah.....

Dream House Tour

2011-07-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

For the most part, I love our house and what it's becoming. But every once in a while I see pictures of a house that I feel like I could move into and feel just at home.

Oh, the dinners we could share here!

Looking out the window and chopping? Yes, please.

There are a few changes I'd make in here, but otherwise, sign me up!

Go check out the rest. So beautiful.

Also, this One Room, One Week might turn into One Room, Three Weeks. I want to do a really thorough job and rich now I've spent a lot of time getting rid of stuff. Getting rid of stuff requieres a lot of going through of stuff. Like right now, I'm uploading my remanding CDs to the computer so I can get rid of them for one and for all! All right! Very exciting, very time consuming. Switch CD, wait, browse internet, don't hear beep telling you CD is done, browse more, switch CD. Here I go.

Five New Favorites

2011-07-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

Some of these photos are a little grainy. I keep forgetting to change the ISO! I'm just a baby when it comes to photography. I'm learning from a master of lighting though:)

1. Sunday Breakfast in pretty dishes. That blue Pyrex was a gift from my
friend McCall when I moved to Denver. It's the prettiest pieces I have.

2. My dad showing up to Sunday Vegan Breakfast in his Hot Doug's shirt.
It reads: There are not two finer words in the English language
than 'encased meats,' my friend."

3. Succulent Necklace via Poppytalk. I'm obsessing
over succulents right now.

4. Two things here, actually: the umbrella plant from my parents. Changes the whole room.
For the second, see mirror: thrifted
70's style high wasted jeans. I want to wear them every day.

5. It's over. I cried. At least I have this article. Found via 101 Cookbooks.

One Room, One Week: Craft Room/Closet

2011-07-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

I am super lucky that we snagged a house big enough for us to each have our own rooms. Not like, sleep separate bedroom, but one room where we get to use for whatever we want, decorate however we want. My room us upstairs next to our bedroom and I use it for my closet/office/jewelry/sewing room work bench. It's a big room, but not quite big enough to house the business of getting dressed, getting work done and making jewelry. Getting dressed and jewelry making are very messy ordeals for me, and I need a clean space to get work done. So I'm giving myself a challenge. If it goes well, I'll continue this was throughout the house. One room, one week. I'll assess what I love and don't love about the room and weed out anything unnecessary. Of course, during this time I'll be working on the bathroom, too, but there's a lot of bathroom work that's for one person only. So when Shane is working on that, I'll be working on my room. Here's the pictures of the room as it is now. I'm warning you, it's crazy messy.

What I love:

The vintage yellow table

Stumptown postcard

Orange file organizer

Wood dresser

purple lamp

hardwood (softwood, actually) underneath

mirror

What I'm not sure about:

curtains

jewelry organization

hooks for belt

leaving clothing visible

corner sewing desk

What I hate:

closet organization

having jewelry stuff packed away

too many pieces of furniture

carpet

chair--love the chair, not the fabric

color

goodwill lampshade
too messy to be in there without loosing my mind and being reduced to a weepy pile of Kate on the floor

I started to pull out the carpet, but then I realized I should paint first. So, I have to rummage through our paint downstairs and see if we have anything that might work. I'm on a serious budget or zero-$20. I'll let you know what I work up! As I go through my craft room, I'm going to be constantly referring to this post. The getting rid of stuff is so hard! But I'm determined to free my house of anything I do not love or believe to be beautiful. That's my other mantra. Okay, gotta go help Shane with the bathroom!

Lovely Monday Dreaming

2011-07-25T18:35:00.001-07:00

Here's a little snapshot of what I'm dreaming about this Monday. I feel like I would be much more chipper if I was placed in this world. I know, I know, I'm fully aware that I'd still be cranky, but I'd look really nice:

Outfit Post: Coffee Shop Saturday

2011-07-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

Coffee is the Roslon household's preferred way of starting out the morning. This is especially true on the weekends. Although we often sit on the couch and groggily sip our way to chipper, we love to go to the Shop and plan our weekend. This morning we went and planned how the rest of--not only our weekend--but our whole remodel will look. We're penciling in the end of August! Hooray!

Anyhow, this is what I threw on. Notice the lipstick, sunglasses and hat. Those are the tell-tail signs I haven't actually gotten ready. They're the easiest way to not look like you've just rolled out of bed when you have just, well, you know. Rolled out of bed.

Hat: San Diego (don't remember where, but you can get them everywhere!)
Shirt: thrifted
Skirt: Macy's (on clearance for $8.00!!!)
Bag: Vintage Couch, gift
Shoes: can't see them and I don't remember
Earrings: jbk
Cuff: gifted
Lipstick: Clinique Ginger Flower (my new favorite color)

Normally I'll have Shane take one or two pictures, but this morning he followed me around like my personal paparazzi! I can tell how much Shane likes an outfit by how many pictures he snaps. I think he liked this one because I have a ton--I'm just putting two up:)

Pretty flower by Shane. Not made by him, just captured.

Here's a little bathroom picture. We both, on separate occasions, sort of lost our shit today. But we were really nice and sweet and soothed each other back into optimism. A forced optimism, but isn't that the definition of true optimism anyway?

I'm off to watch Friday Night Lights, the movie! Let's see how Billy Bob works as a coach. I have my doubts.

Make This! Eat this!: Green Soup

2011-07-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

One day last week I was running around doing errands and one of them was to drop off some bins at our family friends' home. We had misplaced the bins in a pre-party rush to shove anything unsightly away in a corner. So I gave them a call and lo and behold, when I get there they have a bunch of vegan delicacies and iced tea for us to munch on. There was this black eyed bean salad thing and dolmas made from their own grape leaves. If that wasn't awesome enough, they sent me home with a grocery bag full of yummies from their garden, and a few recipes. I made this one, which includes lovage, which I just learned about and sorrel, which they introduced me to last year and has been a culinary staple in my kitchen this year.

All the pretty veggies, cooking in the pot

Heirloom lettuce. I made a vegan caesar to go with the soup. So good!

Green Soup with Chard, Lovage and Sorrel.

2 T of butter (or olive oil)

1 medium onion, chopped (calls for red, I used Walla Walla)

1 green apple, chopped (optional)

2 small Yukon Gold potatoes, coarsely chopped

3 small carrots, thinly sliced

4 cups of sorrel leaves, desteamed

4 cups of chard leaves, coarsely chopped (may include stems)

2/3 cups of lovage leaves, finely chopped or slivered

6 cups of low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

3/4 t sea salt

Fresh ground black pepper

1-2 T lemon juice

1/3 cup of creme fraiche or vegan sour cream

1.2 cup of cooked orzo or pasting

Cook orzo/pastina and set aside

Heat butter/olive oil in large soup pot. Ass onions, potatoes, carrots, sorrel, chard, lovage, salt and 1/4 cup of water. Cook covered until chard and sorrel collapse-about 15 minutes.

Add stock and bring to a boil. Summer, partially covered, up to an hour. Puree soup with handheld blender. If you don't have one, use a regular blender, but make sure you let the soup cool quite a bit first. Hot things blended tend to explode.

Season soup with lemon juice and pepper. The original recipe called for 2-3 teaspoons of lemon, but I used 1-2 Tablespoons.

Before serving, stir in creme fraiche/vegan sour cream and orzo/pastina. I skipped the creme fraiche/sour cream and it was so good! But if we were having guests, I'd probably go ahead and add it. Although, you might want to test how the vegan sour cream works. Might be better to add cashew cream with a little vinegar mixed in. I'll let you know if I try it.

This soup is healthy and so good. I've already made two huge batches! The lovage gives it a taste I've never met before. I hope you can score some lovage and sorrel at the farmer's market!

Perfect Wednesday Y'all; Wednesday in Pictures

2011-07-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

Y'all is not actually a part of my vocabulary. But after I've watched few 'sodes of Friday Night Lights I sometimes say it in my head. Like an exasperated, "Come on y'all" in the middle of rush hour. I'd feel too weird, as a Washingtonian, to throw it into an actual conversation.

Like I've mentioned in the title of this blog post, I had an amazing Wednesday, start to finish. Here it is in pictures:

So many awesome things in this picture: Shane (duh), bagel with peanut butter, my favorite mug with coffee and coconut creamer, free magazine from garage sale leftover, cute dog making me laugh, cafe table at the Shop (which is great because that means that's where we were). It was a good start to the day. A great start. A perfect start.

After Shane departed for work, I did a few worky things, then moved on to hanging out with Gianna of blue pea and Marianne. I helped Gianna funnel her crazy-spot-on decorating talents into a sewing machine:

Sewing up the pillow.

This picture is equal parts adorable and hilarious. And how freaking amazing are those pillows? She has great taste.

The staggering in this picture is funny to me.

Shane scored that mask at Goodwill for $0.49. Glad it's being put to good use!

I then went and met my mom and Nana for dinner at Twigs in the valley. We had a nice yummy meal and I had a Grey Goose vodka martini. Hands down my favorite hard-A drink. It was way good and we had a really fun time.

Then Marianne came over because we were in the mood to laugh and, although I can rarely remember what we laugh about, we always seem to crack up.

We were trying to capture our very era-specific clothing but I think we were feeling too goofy to take a good picture. This is the only one we're not cracking up in.

After pictures, we watched a funny, silly movie and laughed lots and lots. Laughing is the best way to start/end/spend a day.

Today I had an equally amazing day with my mom in Coeur d'Alene (we ate at the greatest place I'll share in a later post), but I didn't take any pictures. I am thoroughly pooped out and excited to crawl into my bed and sleep like a baby.

G'night. Y'all:)

Front Entry Before & After

2011-07-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

I mentioned a while ago that I was needing a one day project. Well, I did it. And it was easy and fun and very rewarding. I'm happy with the results. Here's a few befores:

These are taken with my iPhone, so they look a little extra crappy compares to these:

Although now that I've seen these, they're a tad out of focus. I'll take another stab at them when I do a mini-house tour. But you get the idea. I didn't do much besides re-arrange and paint, but I think it makes a difference. I should probably make these look neater, but I wanted to show it on a typical we-just-came-home, threw-our-shit-everywhere day.

For the record, I hate that popcorn ceiling. But sometimes, you learn to live with it.

Instagram with my momster--same lipstick, different lips. I'm like a little girl when it comes to digging through my mom's purse!

Two posts in one day. Whoa baby. I'm out:)

Five New Favorites

2011-07-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago my favorite woman came into town: Neko Case. I'm not shy about the intense adoration I feel for her tunes and devil may care attitude, so I'm sure you're well aware that I think she rules. Well, because of the bathroom remodel, which is quietly and politely demanding all of our extra monies, we couldn't go to the concert. But my good friend McCall went and a couple days later showed up at my door, told me all about how funny and cool she was, and gave me this:

New favorite shirt! It's from her last concert tour. I wore it for three straight days afterwards! It's my new favorite piece of clothing.

New favorite snack: Ryvita light rye cracker, avocado and sun-dried tomato hummus. Crazy good.

New favorite toy. It's actually Shane's camera but he's been using a Nikon lately, which takes way better pictures. But this Canon is perfect for a newbie like me. Did you notice the pictures look nicer? I think they do:) This picture is taken in our new front area. I'll post pictures of it soon:)

New favorite shirt on Shane, which is also my old favorite shirt. This is my old shirt that has always been too big in the shoulders for me. I finally gave it to him and I want him to wear it all the time. What a babe.

New favorite picture. It's a close up of a pair of shoes I dyed. It's a little blurry, the way I like 'em.

I'm jazzed about being able to share nice pictures! Happy Hump Day.

If we weren't working on our bathroom today...

2011-07-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

...I'd be looking through my new favorite blog! Discovered via Beautiful Mess.

Happy Sunday!

What my day looks like...

2011-07-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

This is making me feel better about the state of our home.

Hands down my new favorite song.

Painting the front area! With the bathroom torn up, I need a small victory.

Going to give these babies a try for dinner tonight!

Let's Play Copycat

2011-07-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Want to see what your favorite lady rockers are into? I do.

Check it out.

I want to make these.

I'm pretty sure these swim bottoms would be my new best friend.

This is what I'd like to wear. Minus those heels. Ouch!

Wanna get happy?

2011-07-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Well then, have a listen:

Search around NPR Music for an afternoon of happy listening and some really great descriptions:

Girls: A Wonderfully Vibrant Summery Soup

"Carolina" sounds like a rock band recording a country song while high on the beach.

Love it.

Oh yeah baby! Craigslist is our new best friend.

2011-07-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

So, we've been gathering stuff to put in our new bathroom. The deals we've come across have been insane.

We budgeted $300 for sink and sink hardware. Thanks to craigslist we scored pretty much the exact sink we wanted for $40, hardware included. The hardware isn't perfect, but it's close and almost brand new, so it'll do until we're ready to splurge on what we want. Also, we were thinking we'd have to spend $1100 for a clawfoot and we just bought one that doesn't need any professional work for $250. We're thrilled with being able to buy what we want, buy it used and buy it cheap.

I want to do this!

If I could convince Shane to become a teacher, we could do some long term camping in one of these.

Charming

Circle Rainbow.

Must do this.

House Inspiration

2011-07-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

Our bathroom has been gutted. Hoo-freaking-ray. We're very motivated to fill it back up with stuff so we can once again use our toilet. Shane and his dad are taking their second trip to the dump. Plaster is messy business. No joking. And while they're dumping, I'm blog searching.

I love everything about this living room:

If I were being totally honest, I love everything except the couch color. I'd go with a green. But I still love it. See whole house tour on Design*Sponge.

There are only two unchangeable (without major work) things I don't love about our home: only one bathroom and no hallways. I love this one:

Add a gardening spot and this might just be my dream back yard. But that's a project we're saving until next summer...

I don't think this would be smart in snowy Spokane, but i love it. And check out that bench at the end of the bed. Gotta make me one of those.

I want to mimic this in our bedroom:

Time to get some mending done and go check out a claw foot tub!!!

Make this! Eat this!: Tempeh Sandwich/Catch up!

2011-07-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

Has it been a week? Well damn.

My last week: camping, gardening, eating, cleaning, gutting the bathroom, farmer's market, running errands, burn healing, picking out flooring, 4 trips to the Goodwill, Roscoe/Shane cuddling, Wonderfalls, job searching and right now, toast, tea and blueberries.

These are a few of our favorite summer things:

Heirloom Lettuce from Main Market/South Perry Market.
Serve with a little olive oil, red wine vinegar and S&P.
Perfection. If you're feeling wild, add some blueberries and walnuts.

Tempeh, Lettuce, Sorrell, Tomato, Avocado and Veganaise. I won't insult you with directions on how to do this--this picture should suffice:

Cookies!

I spy, I spy with my little red eye...two of my
three adorable nieces. Cannot wait to meet my nephew
in less than a month!!!

Sailing. My new favorite thing.

Morning walks with this babe.

This isn't actually my favorite thing because I don't own
it. But if I did, I know it would be worn way too much. It's my favorite thing
I've seen in a loooooong time.

We're gutting our bathroom!!! How crazy is that? It's taken us a while to decide to go through with it, but we're feeling good about our decision. The worst thing about it so far is that we missed Neko Case because we're trying to save moola. Lame. I love her so much.

Have a listen. Have a look.

Off to pick up beautiful, on sale flooring-hopefully!

Dream Summer Uniform

2011-06-30T23:20:00.000-07:00

Just discovered Polyvore. So that's how bloggers put these cute sets together. My blogging life has been altered. Hallelujah.

Dream Summer Uniform by katejreed featuring elastic waist shorts

Elastic waist shorts

$38 - modcloth.com

Miss Selfridge brown fedora hat

£16 - missselfridge.com

Ray-Ban ray ban shades

$145 - ray-ban.com