Me in Melange

Dirty little secrets.....

I'm reminded of a funny story as I sit here and look at my "x-less" computer.  By this I mean, the letter "x" key fell off of my lap top. Gone.  Disappeared.  No more "x" for me.  This is just part of the story my laptop tells.  You see, everyone's computer tells the true, deep, dark secrets of its owner.  You don't have to be much of a techie to search around and find out just what someone is like from their computer.  This little black box is a window into the soul. 

Which brings me back to my funny story.  When I stopped practicing law, I had a short 2 year stint of working for a company that makes legal software with which attorneys do legal research.  My job was to teach the attorneys how to do their research with this software.  (my most cushie job ever...calling it a job doesn't do justice to my long afternoons of doing nothing, and my late start mornings).  ANYWAY...I had an appointment to teach the managing partner of a huge LA firm.  He was a normal looking guy, "the guy next-door" if you will.  Mid-40's, gorgeous office, smart looking suit.  Impressive.  Well, it was...until I started messing around on his computer.  I needed to clean out his "cookies" so that our program would stop hanging up.  As I scrolled through his cookies I became privy to ever dirty nasty secret he was harboring.  And by dirty and nasty, I mean DIRTY and NASTY.  You name it, he was visiting the site.  Every over the top kinky porn site, he was on it.  Row, after row, after row.  And I don't mean the tame stuff, I'm talking some seriously randy stuff.  The names were absolutely obvious (how do you mistake "bare-a** babes in bondage")--and as I scrolled and secretly gasped, Mr. Managing Partner sat with quiet confidence and didn't say a THING.    It's a wonder this guy got any work done at all!

What does my computer say about me?  I think it says I shouldn't let the kids play with it, I need more sleep, I'm a textile junky, love clothes, have an unhealthy sweet tooth, use www.dictionary.com far more often than a person who spells well, and buy stacks of books that I couldn't possibly have time to read. 

And your computer?

Signed, ME {lv}

The coolest blog!

The Little Travelers is one of my favorite new blogs.  It documents the travel adventures of a family (the mom is a documentary filmmaker), and the two young children.  I absolutely love that they are going to exotic places, like Iran and Dubai.  What an amazing experience for their children.  What is really fun is that the children have a blog within the blog, and they post their own little tidbits and pictures (all from the perspective of little ones).  Check it out!  Signed, ME {lv}

Our new groovy site and giving yourself an overhaul !

Have you seen our new site?  It is new, sleek-ified, and I absolutely love it.  We did a little self criticing a couple of weeks ago, and all of a sudden realized it absolutely needed an overhaul.  Once I really thought about it, I couldn't believe I hadn't realized how bad it needed an overhaul-I was aghast I had  let it go so long!  Now I just can't image going back to the old look.

I've had this feeling before, the "o'crap, I didn't realize that" moment.   So before the new year starts, I am taking a moment to give myself a quick, and slightly critical, "once over".   Time to have a "o'crap" moment and give myself an updated look....the end of the year is the perfect time to break-out of old habits and old-looks.  Inertia tends to move most of us forward, and I don't think about certain things very much unless it is really an issue in my face.  Luckily I have sisters who are brutally honest, and usually they will slap me back to reality if I stray too far off the path ("really, did you wear this in high school?? (much laughter) "could you please not wear it anymore??")  But I have decided I can't wait for it to get so bad my sisters are making fun of me, instead I'm going to be pro-active! 

I was a little overwhelmed at the daunting task, so being a list maker....I got to scribbling....

1) Hair...is the cut working, color?  Does it feel nice?  Do I need a shine rinse?? 

    -make appointment for color/cut

    -do home shine rinse regularly

2) Skin & Nails...is my regime attacking my wrinkles?  Does my makeup look fresh and updated?  Chipped toenails from a pedi 4 months ago?

    -make appointment for facial

    -make appointment for mani/pedi

    -hit up sephora for new makeup

3)  Body....am I working out regularly?  Is it working?  Is my skin soft, or is the winter making me feel like a lizard?  Am I eating healthy?  Stop holiday binges (curse on you peppermint ice cream), start protein shakes and vitamins.

    -put my exercise regime into my calendar and give myself rewards for sticking to it

    -buy new vitamins and healthy stuff

4) Closet....do I have nice lingerie?  PJ's?  Do I have a look that says more than, "bored and busy"?  Am I harboring stuff in my wardrobe that is hideous but I feel bad chucking it?  Is someone looking at my ratty handbag wondering if I was homeless 3 months ago?

    -donate what isn't working for me

    -shop end of year sales for holes in my wardrobe

    -vow to make an impression every day that really reflects what you want it to reflect

Employ your good, and only the honest, girlfriends to help.  Then employee professionals.  I'm crafty, but can't hold a candle to those DYI people on HGTV.....so know your limitations and ask for help from people who do it everyday!   Good luck...I hope you have as many "o'crap" moments as me and that the results are new, fresh and updated!  Signed, ME {lv}

{CA}'s New Year's Resolution...

It seems that {LV} and I are getting a head-start this year. ;)  My resolution is to be more organized... to not let the mail pile up on the kitchen table, to not let my crafty closet get out of hand (inhibiting any sort of craftiness to happen) and especially to strive for my closet to look like this...

       

I never realized how much I absolutely hate my closet (despite my recent efforts to clean-out and reorganize) until I saw Nicole Balch's work of art!  How lovely would it be to get dressed every morning with that closet!  (her blog, 'making it lovely' is one of my new faves!)  So the spring cleaning will start ASAP... and a trip to ikea I think will be a must, right after all the snow melts in Portland, that is.  signed, me {CA} 

Big underwear, New Year's resolutions, and meditation.

It went something like this....

Having disrobed, leaving my pile of clothes next to the girls as they too got ready for our nightly shower, I headed toward my closet...then I heard, "mommy, why are your underwears so big?" (emphasis on under-WEARS and SO).  Within moments 20 thoughts popped into my head....

"Good question, why ARE my underwear so big?  I've gone granny.  The sex appeal factor is out the door.  I'm getting ancient, this is probably why I noticed a wrinkle above my knee yesterday, granted, I had to flex my knees to see it, but I swear that wasn't there two years ago.  Maybe if I worked out I'd want to wear cute small undies.  I vow to buy better underwear.  I vow to work out.  I vow to bring sexy back to my undies drawer."

Then I turned around and saw that the SO big undies were in fact boy shorts, and kind of cute and sexy ones at that.  HA.  Note to self, don't be neurotic.  But, point was made, that nice undies are a must, New Year's resolution mental note, clean undies drawer and pull out all the uglies and put too huge granny undies in emergency stash hiding place somewhere out of reach (because I DO in fact have them, despite not wearing them right then).

Mental note number two, to avoid above said mind ramblings and try to refocus, prioritize, and stay slightly more sane (not really going for healthy, but don't want to be committed), daily meditation is a must for 2009.  I haven't done it since 2003, but I still remember how centered it made me feel (after overcoming the initial feeling that it was kind of odd and my whirling mind worrying about my laundry, cat litter box, parking tickets and other worthless things all during meditation.)  Must center self...must center self....must center self.....

Signed, ME {lv}
  

   

keeping it simple...

When I was home for Thanksgiving my Mom and my sister-in-law decided to introduce me to 'all things baby' by taking me to babies R us. I suppose I should have been very overwhelmed by the whole event, you do need quite a bit when having your first child... but really I just couldn't take my eyes (and ears)off other moms-to-be shopping for their little ones on the way.  I actually overheard a woman explain to her wide-eyed hubby that she needed THREE different strollers. What?  I kept looking at a very ugly graco stroller just so I could hear her explanation. She stated that she needed one for when they were traveling, one for when she went jogging, and one for when she went shopping (seriously?). Her hubby nodded aimlessly and she checked her list (which was several sheets long it looked like) with her choices for each.  Now I'm all for being well-prepared, but I also don't want my kid's carbon footprint to be that of a senior citizen by the time we are celebrating his or her's first birthday!  So I wasn't much enthused about getting baby stuff after the visit to the mega-mart for baby crap.  When I got back to Oregon, I reluctantly started our registry for such crap on the internet... and I thought, there HAS to be a better store than this, with more earth-friendly, non-stereotypical products.  And after a little searching, I came across Baby Earth.  A breath of fresh air!  This site is wonderful, it has all of the essentials that Mom & baby need plus a full line of eco-friendly products that won't last longer than you or your child will on this Earth.  I quickly erased everything from mega-baby-crap store and started the registry here instead.  I especially love that it was started by a Mom, because she too was frustrated by not being able to find the latest and greatest products plus all the essentials in one place.  And believe me, my tune has quickly changed from not-so-stoked to somewhat obsessed with all things pertaining to baby gear. ;)  signed, me {CA}

 

The case against a rise that is too high!

The other day my 4 year old--the ultimate style servant in the making-tried on a pair of pants that her grandmother bought her.  They were a little big, but mostly they had a really, REALLY long rise.  She say, "I don't want to wear these, I will look like I have a penis."   Hmmmm, interesting observation.  I have to say, it did bunch up and I guess I can see the possible penis resemblance.  Reason #1 why not to wear pants with too high of a rise!  Signed, ME {lv}

JibJab Ecards & Happy Friday!

So I've decided that this is my last Christmas to be an absolute slacker... the hubby and I are sending a very nice group gift to each side of our family and then we're done.  We may even just exchange kisses on Christmas day and bask in the joy of a relaxing, non-whirlwind, day off.  With that said... I may have to make up for some of my slack by putting together one of these hilarious JibJab Ecards.  I just got this one in my inbox from a friend back home, it was too cute!  She plugged in pics of herself, her hubby, and their three dogs and then Jib Jab animates a snowball fight greeting card (one of many cards to choose from).  Looks super easy and is sure to send a smile across the internet. ;)  Enjoy the weekend everyone!  signed, me {CA}

My fashion armour is getting packed....

Tomorrow I leave for a visit with the in-laws, so a large portion of today has been dedicated to packing the family up.  I've just finished setting out my attire, and I've got a full proof fashion plan.  Why so necessary?  Well, as many of you might suspect on any visit to the in-laws, the odds are stacked against me.  1) My in-laws aren't so jazzed we are coming this weekend and not for Christmas 2) My kids are sick--again. 3) Because of said kid colds, they are grouchy, snotty and generally disagreeable.  4) Irrational or not, I always feel like an inadequate, loser parent once I enter the in-law zone. 5) For some reason my hair reacts with drastic ramifications when it hits the San Diego air and I look like I have an frizzy bush of a head despite copious amounts of product. 6) I'll probably wake up with some adult acne from the stress. 

So, clearlyI need to be empowered by fabulous clothing, the armour against all things sad.  Honestly, you can't feel THAT bad wearing a great Diane von Furstenberg dress, or sporting a sassy Trina T. top can you?

So, have an awkward holiday party to go to?  Have a lunch date with a frienemy?  Hoping people won't notice your gray roots?  Just wear something fabulous and you'll be sure to kick, or at least not BE kicked, some ass.  Signed, ME {lv}

Hard Tail tanks are up for the challenge.

A "shelf" bra is a loaded claim.  As far as I'm concerned, you've got to actually hold something in place to even claim a relation to the word "bra".  So it is with a skeptical eye that I first tried the Hard Tail sports bra tank.  I know I've blogged about how great it is before, but the brand new colors that arrived today makes me want to blog about it some more.  This puppy does the trick...holds the ladies in place, doesn't give you unnecessary breast squish down, and smooths everything out through the mid section.  To be honest, since I'm pretty lame on the work out front, I've never worn mine to exercise, but I do wear it layered under just about everything.  And as usual, it ends up being washed and dried along with everything else and has stood the test of time.  I've only ventured out to the classic colors, but with the introdution of "punch" pink...I'll have to step out!  Signed, ME {lv} 

Hard Tail Long Sports Bra Tank

Another cute holiday tradition idea!

My awesome friend Jolie gave me this idea (she read about it somewhere) and I'm super excited about it!  So...it goes like this....you buy a white tablecloth, and each year everyone signs their name on it in washable ink.  Then you do embroidery over the names and wash the tablecloth to rid it of the washable ink.  I think it would be adorable to also write the year, and each year do the year and the names in a different color thread (maybe around the edges of the tablecloth to make a border).  After just a few years you'd have a colorful border that memoralized the people you shared the holiday with each year!  Signed, ME {lv}

ready for 2009, officially!

It's true... the new year may now start, I'm ready!  In years past, I've procrastinated getting a cute planner because I always hope that Santa will bring me the 'correct one'... but alas, the holiday passes and by the time I go to buy a cutie Kate Spade spiral they're all sold out.  But not this year, I was smart and got it before I even made a wish list.  It arrived today, and I'm in love with how adorable it is for only $20. It's a spiral so it lays flat on my desk, it's the perfect size to carry in my purse and still be able to write legibly in it, and has a monthly and a week-by-week... perfect!  You can find them here, here and here.  signed, me {CA}

      

My love affair with stripes continues....

  I've got an ongoing love affair with stripes.  I'm not sure what it is, but they always feel so youthful to me, sort of spunky and fun and just the kick I need to feel less...well, less like the opposite of spunky and fun :-).  This new hoody by Michael Stars was one of my favorite striped numbers from the whole group.  The picture doesn't do it justice at all...it has an open front, and a hoodie, and the fabric is the nice super soft and stretch cotton blend.  I looks super cute layered over a solid tee or turtleneck -and I plan on wearing mine right into spring layered over a tank!  Highly recommended!  Signed, ME {lv}

Northwest Favorite...

I think even more than not having to pump my own gas in the rainy season, my absolute favorite part about living in Oregon is crab season!  It just started here and my mouth is already watering.  After work I'm off to buy some dungeness at the Fisherman's Market...$3.50 a pound!  And tomorrow I'm making crab cakes for Ryan and some friends. After living here for 3+ years I've perfected my cakes (one key is to refrigerate them for just a bit before frying them in the saucepan, that way they don't fall apart!)  And the yummiest way to serve them is on a spinach salad with fresh mango salsa... much like this recipe from Emeril.  Yummmm.  Now the only question that still remains is whether or not it is safe for me, miss preggers, to actually eat the crab.  But after much surfing and book reading, I've decided that if it is thoroughly cooked and in moderation, it is ok for me and baby.  Any of you experienced mommas have any input on that?  signed, me {CA}

I might just Ebelskiver myself out of my dress....

   See this cute little pan.  This cute little pan might be the end of my wardrobe as I know it.  This little darling is an Ebelskiver pan.  Ebelskivers, for those of you NOT in the Danish know, are this little balls of delicious goodness that are like the combo of pancakes+danish+donut.  In short, they are good...real good.  Well, I thought I would buy myself my very own Ebelskiver pan so I can make these for Christmas.  I found a bunch on Amazon, and now hold one in my hot little hands.  I just looked up the recipe, thinking I could make these little orbs of goodness tonight for "breakfast for dinner" night.  The recipes looks like this.....5 cups flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspons salt, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 3 1/2 cups milk, 6 eggs....oh, and 1 1/2 cups HALF & HALF.  They were looking healthy right up to the very end weren't they?   I better wear my clothes quick while I can still fit into them :-).  Signed, ME {lv}

indie charmer

Last night my husband and I got thai takeout and watched an old DVD from our collection.  He picked 'The Station Agent', it came out in 2003 and I had forgotten what a wonderful film this is!!  If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend adding it to your netflix queue and plan for a relaxing evening in.  signed, me {CA}

Darling art.....

  I can spend hours sifting through art on Etsy....I find all kinds of treasures, and unique things.  Came across this artist tonight, Kate Endle, and I think her art is absolutely darling!!  Kate Endle Collage Shop  Signed, ME {lv}

A glimpse of Melange!

Download Melange Commercial   Thought a few of you would like to see Melange up close and personal--this is our current t.v. ad and you can see a bit of the store in it!  Signed, ME {lv}

uncommonly gorgeous

If I didn't already have my Christmas gifts in motion for my family, I would totally send the 'Moms' one of these beautiful recycled glass tree globes by Stephen Kitras from Uncommon Goods....

   

(I'll have to keep it in mind for mother's day instead!)  Uncommon Goods has lots of cute gifty things, came across the catalog at my Mother-in-law's house.  I especially like the very colorful kid's section.  signed, me {CA}   

Cute Christmas tradition!

So in my hunt for good Christmas traditions, I came across this one that sounded pretty cute.  AFTER christmas, on the morning or evening designated to take down the stockings and tree (boo-hoo), you set your table with a little box next to each plate that contains a button (as in the kind you sew) unique to that person.  (i.e  cool vintage flower button, or finding a cool shape etc.)  Each year, before you put away your stocking, you sew the new button onto the stocking before you put it away.   Kind of a neat idea, and gives the kids something kind of fun after the holidays to lift the post-x-mas blues!  Signed, ME {lv}

Although it's always empty...

I do love a nice wallet.  I finally came to grips with the fact that my Mom is not going to let me have her Isabella Fiore Strawberry wallet circa 2003...

 

she's been carrying that thing for 5 years now and it still looks brand-spankin' new and cute as ever.  But alas, even though I made one last plea for her to pass it on to me, she's too attached to let it go.  Who could blame her... it's adorable.  So I started the search for a cute new wallet of my own to put on my Christmas list and here it is....

 

 Via, anthropologie....  a lovely look-a-like, same idea with the stitched applique leather and the design and colors are even a little bit more 'me'.  love it.  signed, me {CA}

East Coast Holiday...

I'm back from my Turkey Day Vacay in North Cackalack... it was so nice to be home and get to see all of my family.  We landed in Raleigh a week before Thanksgiving, it was so endearing to hear the whole back of the plane literally cheer when the captain announced our arrival, I don't think many hometowns get an audible 'hooray' upon landing.  We immediately got ourselves some Bojangles and basked in the joy on being back in the south.  My cousin's wedding was the first event (at a gorgeous resort in Kingston, Tennessee) I was so excited for many reasons, but secretly I was just giddy because I got to debut my new Nanette Lepore 'Do the Hustle' dress!  This dress was a complete winner ladies!!  Not only did my husband comment many times (even the day after) about how much he liked it, but I got tons of compliments from other attendees.  If you need a stunning holiday dress, I fully support this gorgeous piece!

   

Next we got to enjoy two Thanksgivings... one with my husband's family in the mountains of North Carolina, and then the next in Raleigh with my fam.  Cannot complain one bit about eating soooo much in a week, especially because I'm very happy to announce (now that our family has been told in person ;) that Ryan and I are expecting our first baby!  I do believe now, that Thanksgiving was made for pregnant ladies! I hope that all of you had a lovely Thanksgiving too!  signed, me {CA}

Advent calendar...DIY

  Yep, it is officially December 1st.  For the past 3 years I've wanted to buy a cute advent calendar for the kids.  Instead they got the $1.50, not so cute version at Trader Joes.  Of course they were content, as long as there is chocolate involved they are happy campers.  Well, this year on 11/30 at about 8:00 p.m. I decided that I was going to DYI myself a cute advent calendar.  I gotta say--it isn't half bad.  I just took Christmas colored paper I already had, folded them into little pouches, slapped on a circle with a stamped number, and then used laundry clips to clip them to a red grosgrain ribbon.  They are hanging vertically on either side of our fireplace and are a fun little burst of color.  They are just big enough to hold a chocolate piece for each girl (or some other sweet treat) and on some days I added another little treat (stickers, stampers).   The kids were pretty excited this morning!  Signed, ME {lv}

My antique store find!!

For our Christmas/holiday decor we needed to collect a LOT of birdcages, so I've been scouring the antique stores for the last couple of months.  On one such hunting expedition I came across this dress which I snatched up for a cool $25.  I thought I would post a pic so you can see how lovely it is (ignore the wrinkles)...a cool dark pea soup color, with a triple layer skirt (it has a nice crunchy tulle slip).  I love the retro style, with the belted natural waist, and slightly puffy skirt.  It actually fits me nearly perfect, with the exception of the bust being a bit big.  I'm not quite sure how the women in the '50's had such tiny waists and such huge bustlines.  I'm going to assume those pointed bras they wore added a cup size!  Signed, ME {lv}