Reason #147

I love my brother. He makes me potato soup when I'm sick. Not just any potato soup either. Potato soup with a sour cream, butter, and cheese base. Oh yea, and bacon. It's called baked potato soup. If my brother loved you, you'd be lucky enough to get some when you got sick too. It makes this phlegm, gooey, watery eye thing a tad more bearable.

Reason #587

Reason #587 I love my husband:
On the couch today he turns to me and says, "I found something for us to watch tonight."
I'm thinking there must be a Laker game or something. But no, he's talking about "The Notebook." And no, he was not joking. He actually admitted to me that he likes the movie. Somewhere in there is a romantic. I knew it!

*As with many other popular things. I was also once a hater of this movie (like twilight) and refused to watch it for years. One winter day visiting my grandma, Sevan and I found it in their house and decided to watch it. Now, I love it! It makes it even more enjoyable for me since I think the leading man looks like my hubby :)

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Now that vacation is nearing, I'm thinking of all the wonderful projects I want to get my hands on. There seems to be an overwhelming number of them this time around. And I have that problem where once I start something and then I walk by something else I stop what I'm doing and start that other project and then I take a break and start another project and then I have 20 things going on and none of them gets finished. Yea, that's me. 2 unfinished paintings, wallpaper half stripped, closet half organized...ME!

So number one on the start up list: Finish the bedroom!
The husband has given me free reign to make it as romantic and french as I want since our living space has turned out pretty modern. So I'm thinking...Lilac walls, but you know the gray kind of lilac...and since our bedroom is so large, I'm thinking of mirrors and an ottoman.
But the mirrors are where I get a little confused. I really want this(the ottoman included):

since our bedroom lacks a full-length mirror. But I don't have $900 lying around.

This little look is enticing too, and at $30 quite a bargain. But, that doesn't solve the full-length mirror issue.

Not sure if these serious decisions are actually going to get made in the next few weeks.

FINALLY!

We finally purchased a coffee table, and we drove all the way to Covina to do it. We'd never been to Covina, but we noticed there were a lot of white people there. Not just white people, hicks. I decided that the closer you get to mountains, the more hick-like people get. I think they are actually called "mountain people." Like in the Appalachian Mountains. Anyway, I think mountain people don't care much for the mid-century look because all the Ikea's near the city were plum sold out of this model, but the Covina one was stocked with them. Maybe mountain people prefer antiques.

This city person is loving having a place to put all her junk, glasses of water, computer, AND feet!
yeehaw!

The Coffee Table Hunt

After nearly 3 months of living in our new home together, we are STILL without coffee table. We've been hunting relentlessly but alas no such luck. These days finding an affordable piece of furniture that's made of solid wood as opposed to particle board is very hard to come by. Sure there are a lot of great designs of solid wood, but for 1,800 bucks I don't think so. We find that a mid-century coffee table is a great option...now just trying to find one that we love.


Like this one.

Loving It Slowdown

Having a blog dedicated to positivity and things you love is GREAT! It makes you focus on the good in your life. But when you start to notice a hiatus from entries...uh oh. Maybe you're not looking hard enough for that silver lining.

After a few weeks back at school, I had a hard time thinking of things I loved. I could only dwell on the stress and craziness I had to look forward to each and every morning. So I decided to comfort myself with a few purchases. A new pixie haircut for the summer, a nice dress for the sweltering Valley days, a neon green t-shirt for weekends, a cute brown belt for dresses, some new teacher pants from Gap and a white cardigan for the cool evenings. And I haven't even hit up the Nordstrom anniversary sale yet. Hollah! Do I have a problem? NO, I am merely trying to mask my internal struggles by looking damn good on the outside. Now I'm going to get dressed in my fun weekend clothes and feel good about myself until Monday. I love weekends!

Jacob or Edward?

Now that I'm on Book 3:Eclipse, I feel torn between the two main men in Bella's life. I think Edward is just a bit too much. Too much drama, too oppressive, too serious. Jacob is growing on me. He's more easy going, light-hearted, and fun. (Don't worry I know these guys aren't for real.)

While none can deny the beauty of either one, I think Edward wins that battle.

You Knew It Was Coming

Since this site is dedicated to things I love/want...you knew it was bound to make an appearance...

You know what I'm talking about.

That book series that I ridiculed but a month ago. That movie I scoffed at when my friends wanted me to join them in watching it. The obsession of millions of dateless teenage girls and hopeless romantics. That's right...


I know you're laughing right now. But stop, really. I'm not saying the writing isn't horribly cheesy. I'm not saying the movie has great special effects. I'm not denying that I think the Mormon wife is trying to brainwash us to be chaste, and is making a poor metaphor for the temptations of the human plight (or am I giving her too much credit?). I'm just saying there is something engrossing about the drama of it all. Something appealing about forbidden love (so what if it's with a mythical creature).

While this is all true, I wonder, why am I so obsessed with this series? Is it because I am on vacation and have endless time to waste? Is it because I have no cable TV? Is it the curiously handsome young actor that makes me want to keep reading?

After much thought on the subject, I've decided the reason why I love the series so much is that it makes me feel like a teenager again. All that angst, drama, intense emotion. The feeling that you could like someone so much you could absolutely die (even though they've never even spoken to you). I feel pretty old when I reflect on those feelings, but I think that's what I like most about the series. It takes me back.

*Note: To all you haters out there. I was once like you. But I tell you now, it's not as bad as you think. Or, maybe it is.

A New World of Shopping

Now that we're thinking of building a home of our own. It has opened the door to websites I've never before frequented. That's right the genre of home furnishing websites. I still haven't built up the best repertoire of sites, so if there are any suggestions out there for inspiration or bargains, send them my way. First article to purchase: a sofa. My current couch is about 5 years old, and at $600 was not built to last. It's dilapidated and saggy, and while it is the perfect napping place, sitting on it can be quite painful. If you think you want to sit on the outer cushions, you'll be squashing the person on the center cushion in no time. yep, no use moving it to our new home. Might as well save the elbow grease of moving it in a few months. Here are some replacements I've been looking at (prices may affect purchase):


Modern yet retro


Soft yet bulky
These are both from plummer's, the most affordable yet fashionable site I could find.




More cute choices from Room and Board. Not sure how the pillow backs would last though.


Any other suggestions in a similar vein?

My Little Writers

Victory of the day:
My students actually LOVE writing. They groaned today when the timer went off on their 20 min. of brainstorming time. That's write 20 min. to brainstorm their ideas on what fossils are and what they tell us of long ago, and how they are found. Apparently not enough time for them. There are some things I will truly miss about this class. They're some smart cookies they are.

If I Were a Rich Man...

la da da da da da da da da da da da da da da deee...
I'd have a wedding planner and a clear design scheme.
But alas, I am not rich...
So no wedding planner for me, and all my random design ideas that don't go together are making the vision muddled.

Example #1: The dress
-I have a real form fitting dress (no ruffles, lace, or frills)
-Birdcage veil
-but now I want this bolero and it doesn't go with the look:


Example #2: The Hair
-On the one hand I want to have my hair pulled into a bun, but my hair is so short

-On the other, loose waves with chin length hair seems a good alternative


This confusion and indecision carries over into the floral arrangements, reception decor, and favors. I see all these cute websites about beautiful weddings and I wish I could have a cute "vintage" wedding. Or a "romantic" wedding. But I'm having some trouble planning it.
I think I lack the ability to envision how all parts look together. And now I'm doomed to have a wedding that will make people barf at the sloppiness of it all.

Flowers

One of the few things missing from our wedding planning venture is a florist. It's hard to decide who to go with, there are so many out there and the potential for really funky arrangements.

Things I hate in floral arrangements:
1) tons of types of flowers
2) tall centerpieces
3) hangy things coming off centerpieces
4) enormous bouquets
5) purple themes

Things I love in floral arrangements:
1) A few types of full flowers
2) shorter centerpieces
3) simplicity
4) light yellow, pink, and peach color themes

example of love:

I love the big blooms and the fact that these flowers are arranged in porcelain vs. glass. CUTE!

example of hate:

Too much going on, with hanging fruit. blech!

Decisions, decisions...

A Proud American

Finally. I can finally be proud to be represented by somebody I respect. Just listening to him speak makes me happy. He's educated, intelligent, eloquent, inspiring. He's not a bumbling fool who can hardly speak English. Isn't it refreshing?
Nevermind the fact that it's historic. Forgetting about the years of civil rights movements that have now culminated in an amazing reality. Put all those struggles and efforts aside. It just makes me happy to hear him speak.

I'm a Biker Now

Check out my wheels:

I pretty much love it! So far I've only gotten to ride it around once, but my goal is to go on weekend rides around town. Eventually I want to get a basket for it so I can go shopping and run errands on it. As of right now, I can't really take it out anywhere because I don't have a lock. And let's face it, this puppy is so cool it would get swiped.
But as soon as I get a secure lock you'll see me at the cafe on main street sippin my tea, bike parked outside. So next time you see a turquoise bike in Culver City, look around and you might see me!

The Birdcage Veil

Now that the particulars of the wedding are coming into play, I have to somehow make my own style shine through. While I won't reveal my final dress choice, I will tell you one thing...I chose it because it would work with the style of veil I am in love with. I never wanted a veil. Except one of those Spanish lace ones, that are millions of dollars. But with that out of the picture, I can't see myself wearing a long veil with crystals or a soft tulle fluff attached to a crown. No, but I CAN see myself wearing a vintage inspired birdcage veil. Feast your eyes on these beauts (and I'm not talking about the ladies):

I see my hair worn in a low, loose bun and a nice vintage brooch attached to the back off to one side, holding tight to a delicate netting.
Yes...can't you just see it!

The 5K Outfit

In August some friends and I decided to run a 5K coming up in October. In September I pondered the perfect team outfit. Never mind that one of the runners is a male. He can color coordinate. I think the following outfit will suffice.

I Wish

I know this blog is mostly about things I wish I could buy. But right now, it's about to be about things I wish I could have back.

Today one of my students who was in my class for 1st and 2nd grade stopped by my room to deliver not a flower, not a dog, but a flower dog.
Check it out:


I have never seen such a creation of floral genius. Flowers, basket, pom pom, googly eyes!?! The actual gift is not as meaningful as what this student said. She basically thanked me for being her teacher for two years. What a sweetheart! What student is that grateful?

This is why each day I despise my new class. My last class was a group of kind-hearted, eager, helpful, quiet children, full of love and smiles. This class is a bunch of unruly, spacey, rude, loud brats, full of whining and stink eye.

Whenever I see my smiling waving old students, I get sad when I see my current students making ugly faces and flailing their arms about. This is not an exaggeration. So, if I may say so myself, I wish...I wish I had my old class back.

Maybe that's an unhealthy wish that will keep me from appreciating what I have. I mean my current students can outperform my old students academically, but I don't really care. How can I not want those sweethearts back!

It's True

I'm a lip gloss fiend. I have an endless urge to buy shiny tubes of sparkly pinks and nudes. It all started in high school with the strawberry bonne bell, then I turned to lip smackers, and now no less than a Sephora brand will suffice.

After all my experiences with lip gloss I have found that most of my glosses are in the same color family, with very subtle differences. For example one might have the same base color but just slightly more gold flecks. I'm not sure what's wrong with me. But Sev says one day the money I've spent on my lip gloss addiction will justify his purchase of an extravagant car. I disagree.

Take a look at my current lip gloss collection:

At one point I think I had over 20, but I've downsized. In case you're wondering how often one has to purchase a lip gloss to accrue this many, I'll lay your curiosities to rest...at least one purchase every 2 months. See, I'm not that bad. One could easily buy a lip gloss a week. I have self-control.

Wedding Fever

Today my lovely bridesmaids and I took our first trip to the bridal shops. It was quite a feat since I had no idea what sort of look I was going for. The only thing I knew was that I didn't want it to be that puffy and I want it to be part of a less formal setting. With no expectations for a dress, the hunt was going to be tough. But they were really good sports, especially when we went to Alfred Angelo without an appointment. The consultant kept adding to my pile of dresses which took quite a while to get in and out of. It was really funny because I could tell by their initial reactions whether they liked it or not. For example, a response of a short pause followed by, "Do you like it?" meant no go. While an immediate, "That is so sweet, so you." meant yes. I love how nice my friends are.

Shopping for a wedding dress is unlike shopping for any other. Browsing on the internet does not help you find something that suits you.

For example, I really liked the simple and elegant dresses with a waist that ended at the hips and had an A line skirt, like the dress below. What I learned today: that type of dress makes me look like a long-torsoed, short legged woman. Not the look I'm going for.


I did discover however that the lace bodice is really beautiful and romantic. Just the feeling I was hoping to find.



We found this romantic beauty at Rene Strauss. It was so pretty. I loved the hint of lace in the underskirt. Sadly, out of my price range. WAY out of price range. I find it hard to justify spending so much money on a dress you'll wear only once.

At Alfred Angelo I found a dress that was different, but pretty also. Not as romantic, a bit puffy, but I loved it anyway.



Being that I am extremely indecisive, this decision will be tough. But the search is not over yet.
I am still on the hunt for this Eden Bridal beauty.



I think after trying on the ones today that the lines at the waist on this dress will help me not look like a disproportionate bride and the simplicity of the skirt will be just formal enough. Where are you dream dress!?!

The Verdict

They are simple, classy, and satin. I thought the interlocking straps was a nice echo of the interlocking/twisty knot going on at the waist of my dress. Only one problem, I'm a flats kinda girl and these are the highest heels I've ever owned. When I tried them on my calves immediately experienced a shooting pain. But when I looked in the mirror, the pain seemed worth it. They are actually pretty comfy on the feet considering I only had them on for a few minutes. We'll see what happens. I hope I don't slip on the dance floor tonight.