One or Two?

Okay, you have to see this video.

Isn't the cutest thing ever?

Inspiration Paper

On the same note as yesterday's post, I've once again taken my mother's advice.

She told me a while back about finding a swatch of material that I really liked and use that as my inspiration for decorating. Since I seem to have a problem with following advice word for word, I chose stationary as my inspiration for the wedding party.

This time, I did it again. I chose scrap-booking paper I found online as the inspiration for my kitchen. I absolutely adore it. I think it's name is one of it's major selling points. Dutch Woodwork. It just seems so quaint and vintage, all wrapped up in one.

Not only does this paper have an awesome design on it, but it incorporates all the colors Jeff and I love.
Did I ever mention Jeff loves red?
Or my obsession with green? Does a green apple KitchenAid pop into mind?

Unfortunately, inspiration is one thing and motivation is entirely different.
Come on, Mom- I need some advice for that!!

I'd love to hear yours, as well.

Another Shot...

We're planning on having a party to celebration our marriage and when better to have it, but on our one-year anniversary.

As I begin the process of planning this event, I would like to share with you the little details. I know how easy it is to get caught up in all the hoopa-la and never appreciate the little things. I hope you don't mind!

I found this stationary for the invitations. I've decided to use this for the 'theme.' Sometimes, my Mom comes up with the best ideas!

Another Step...

I had such a good idea for a blog post today, along with my sister's move. It was so awesome, so creative! I was walking to my lab today, rehearsing what I wanted to post this evening and even thought, I should write this down so I can rewrite it word for word.

I didn't.

I forgot.

Unless I remember, while I write my other thoughts on today, I guess I'm going to have to wait for those creative juices to flow again another day.


Ah, Lindsey's move. I really did not expect it to hit me like this. For months, I watched her pack. I watched her make purchases here and there for her new place. She has new plates, new coffeemaker, silverware and root beer. Today, after class I came over to help. My parents, Lindsey and I moved a few of the little things and basically prepped for the rest of the move tonight. My Mom and I returned home to finish packing the rest of Lindsey's stuff, while Lindsey went to class. When I was home, stuffing her belongings into boxes, the reality of this decision really hit me.

I've seen other people move. It's not a big deal. So you move. You pack up all your stuff, buy new stuff and acquire more "stuff" to pay for. What's the fun in that? Paying $800 a month, just to be able to sit in your underwear, eating ice cream, watching a movie, all by your lonesome? All on your dollar? Having people come over and trash your bathroom, drop pizza on your white carpet and tell you 'you're awesome?'

It's so much more then that, especially for women. It's a right of passage. It's the ability to be who you are and show it.

Why am I trying to cover this up?
I'm sad.
I'm sad to see the end of another time.
I'm sad to be growing up and with my growth, comes loss. The loss of memories and experiences that will never happen again.

I'm sad that now, instead of two little girls "playing apartment," it's now the real thing. Instead of pretend letters, real ones. Instead of stuffed animals, real dogs.

This is going to take some getting used to.

Playing Catch... Up.

Wow.

I cannot believe it has been over two months since my last entry.

I had myself completely convinced that I would blog daily, or at least every other day. These entries were to either mark events in my life, projects or just log my trip to Europe. Alas, I did not fulfill my promise to myself.

As I look over my blog and think of my current situation, I see a recurring theme. I always mess things up the first time and always want to go back and re-do things of the past and never really move forward. I'm always in an attempt to make up for my mistakes but, as a result of living in the past, I make the same mistakes in the future.

It's an ongoing game of catch up.

I'm going to try this again.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Continuing on the Path...

I decided yesterday to re-start my dress project.

After promising a stop at Chipotle and to drive, Jeff agreed to make the trip to the material store with me. Since I ran out of material on my first attempt, I had to make sure I purchased enough this time. After opting for a light green and white design, which also happened to be on sell, we headed off for some quality time over Chipotle burritos.

In order to visualize the dress in my mind, I had spread everything all over the kitchen table. I decided immediately to change the pattern for my dress. I didn't think the new material would look as great as a pocket-ed summer dress as that bright yellow material did. I knew I had drawers full of vintage patterns, I figured I would find another that would fit me much better the the one I had previously selected. I did, almost immediately upon opening my drawer.

I loved it. I needed it. It was thee one.

Alas, it was not. Hence the penciled wording on the outside of the package, it did not contain the dress pattern, only the jacket pattern. The lack-there-of, of the perfect pattern was not the clincher. My shoes were.

A few weeks ago, before starting the original dress, I made a trip to the department store for one specific purpose: fire engine red lipstick. I had decided that red lipstick would be my (to quote Jeff) toe-hold on the horizon of my new life. It would be my inspiration. With my red lipstick in hand, while leaving the department store, these shoes called out to me. They were colorful, vintage, and on sell. Plus, they matched the yellow material perfectly.

With fire engine red lipstick and new shoes, I knew life was going to start going my way.

Until this whole dress-making crap.

It was starting to lose its initial spark. I lost all interest in it at that point. Did I need to make a dress, when I could go out or hell, order online, have it dropped off at my house, put it on and leave. No measuring, hemming, adjusting, making sure the pattern was on the grain when I cut it out, nothing. I could be sitting, quite contently and finish reading my book.

Instead of giving up like I normally would have, I decided to press on. Despite the original set-backs, the dress is almost completely finished as we speak. There is only one thing, the original pattern called for neckline and armhole facing, which doesn't fit. After another trip to the material store for even more material, the dress should be complete for Saturday.

Inspiration Comes In All Shapes and Sizes...

'Elements from the Past and the Future. Combined to make something not quite as good as either.'

I cannot begin to tell you what draws me in. Possibly the music? Or maybe the touch of British 'Monty Python-isc' humor? Whatever it is has me hooked, no possibly, shall I say obsessed?

You could bet one hundred smackers that when I turn on a computer or sit down to one, the first page I'll navigate to is youtube.com. I just type in those four little words: mighty. boosh. top. ten. Any where, time or place I can guarantee my response will be giggles.

I. can't. help. myself.

On a more serious note, the show has been some weird form of inspiration for me. Aside from the five or so main characters, each episode is completely different then the next. Completely random would probably be a better way to describe it. It's sort of the British, Post-Modern, Monty Python-Style Odd Couple. Howard is a jazz-lover and intellect versus Vince, the punk who's in love with punk music, clothes and his hair. Not only is this a comedy, but they incorporate music into every episode. It's amazing to see the wide range of music these individuals follow in order to produce such songs or 'crimps.'

A little history on The Mighty Boosh: it started out as a British radio show, traveled as a theater act and eventually landed a spot on BBC3.

Sitting here, trying to describe why I am so fascinated with this show, only brings me to tears... from laughter, that is. I love the setting, Camden. Camden is located outside of London; a hip area lined with eclectic shops and block-long markets filled with vintage clothes and tattooed Chuckies. I love Howard. I can relate to his personality, of wanting to fit in but always choosing the least likely of various options. Vince is who I would like to be like; good hair, good clothes, has all the friends and lucky!

Perhaps, I'm just looking into this too much...