the cape on the corner

Scorsehzee...Scorsayzee

2012-02-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

This is the best thing i've seen all week. And when i see it, I actually laugh out loud. And when i think about having seen it, I laugh out loud then, too. It's a good sound.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Thecape on Pinterest

Hope this has you laughing out loud. Enjoy the weekend.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

2012-01-31T14:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

These days, people are doing anything they can to save money. But what about those extra necessities, like medicine that seem to cost an arm and a leg even with a prescription plan? Thank goodness my medical benefits at my agency are great, but it's something that as a non profit we are always worried about losing or having to pay more money towards. On my salary? Paying more towards my premium or for a prescription is something i couldn't afford.

Knowing about the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens can really mean a huge savings for families that are struggling, or just for people who want the most out of their medical coverage. Right now they are offering a special discount on annual membership-For $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family including pets! For individuals, the cost is only $5. Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, diabetic supplies, as well as savings on more than 8,000 brand name medications are only some of the benefits. Why not make the coverage you're paying into go the extra mile?

Stay updated by liking Walgreens on Facebook or following Walgreens on Twitter @Walgreens.

Missoni Accomplished

2012-01-31T08:27:00.000-08:00

Missoni, instead of mission. I kill me.

But seriously. The mission, should you choose to accept it, is the constant quest to debrownify the living room. As frugally as possible. I have been on this mission for years....and by golly, it may actually be accomplished.

Allow me to set it up for you-You're in the Targ. You see 2 turquoise ottomans that are a little too flashy for this space so you don't pay attention to price. You later have remorse....internal dialogue goes something like this. "Hmm, those ottomans were turquoise with silver bases. They would debrown. But they were fancy pants ish. I'm pretty sure they were expensive anyway. Let's look online and torture ourselves." You type in turquoise ottoman. Those fancy ones are no where to be found on their website. But what's this? Missoni for Target online clearance? Internal dialogue happens: "Would it be chevron overload? Is there such a thing? What about all the other stripeyness happening in this room? That's a great price. Should i get one? Two? The one in black and white for the basement? We'll put this one in the basement if it doesn't work here so hold off on the black and white one."

3 days later, here she is in all her chevron aqua goodness. Consider this living room thoroughly debrownified.

Still hating the tv cabinet and the end tables, though. I said we were done debrowning, not tweaking.

Look at that adorable little face peeking behind the new ottoman.

Just waiting for her chance to join me.

And lest we forget the brownier before pillows and ottoman, here ya go. Methinks the old ottomans could become a redo project, but they need to be cushier as well as covered.

So what did this fabulous new find put me back??

826.69 from all modern?!?!

249.99 from west elm?!?

Nay. 33.99. Seriously. On sale from 99.99. How stupid am i for not buying the black and white one? Super stupid, because after stalking the website for days, there ain't nothing there.

What's your latest "one that got away" that you're kicking yourself over?

Showing this puppy off at before and after party @ thrifty decor chick, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Amaze me Monday @ Dittle Dattle, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter, DIY Project Parade @ DIY Showoff, Met Monday, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty tuesdays @ coastal charm Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design, sugar and spice @ 733, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman winter blues @ diy by design, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, 100 and Under @ Beyond the Picket Fence, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloogy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, free for all @ 5days5ways, home sweet home @ charm of home

once, twice, three times a (lucky) lady

2012-01-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Isn't that what they say, that things happen in threes? So there was my lucky streak, and these are the goodies i so humbly won.

Judy had a giveaway from Elemenopillow, and i got to choose this set of fun and funky turquoise pillow covers. I have to tell you that Karen from Elemenopillow is fabulous. In the middle of hectic holiday orders from people who were actually paying for her goods, she worked with me to find the best fabric (she wasn't pleased with the batch she got of another pattern) and created a custom order with the pattern on both sides. Then she shipped them super quick, and they are great quality. I highly recommend working with her if you were interested in pillow covers.

Then Myra had a Wuslu giveaway-I can't wait to pick something from them! I've bought this corner unit in the past, and i looove it. It holds all my getting ready in the morning goodies, like makeup and hairspray and brush. Yet it looks super nice, right?

And then, my final win, Gail had a Partylite giveaway, and i chose these items from the clearance section! These prices were ridiculously better than the original price.

Faux bois candle holders!

And a dual usage candle holder or reed diffuser. However, this can only be used with a partylite reed diffuser, which i did not realize, nor do i have.

I just thought it looked neat sitting together or apart as bookends or something.

Thank you to all the companies and the blogs that held the giveaways, i am super appreciative.

Who else is on a winning streak? Speaking of winnings, anyone have Oscar predictions or must see movies of the year? Beginners with Christopher Plummer was my favorite this Oscar season.

If it makes you happy

2012-01-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

It's been, like, a really long time for not blogging. I haven't gone on an exotic vacation. I've been here, right here, trying to comment and sometimes being able to comment on blogs. It's amazing how easy it is to not blog. These 3 weeks have flown by. At least for me...i'm not really sure if you've noticed my absence.

This transition into the new year was really hard. My dad's birthday was January 7th. Instead of celebrating with him, i went to the cemetery and laid flowers on the disturbed earth where we buried him 5 months ago. There is no gravestone yet. I suppose that's better, as i know seeing his name etched in stone will be greatly upsetting.

I found this on a blog this week:

Source: urbansavior.com via Paloma on Pinterest

Yes. I need to do that. What makes me happy and what do i need to do more of?

Travel. Specifically of the passport stamping kind.

Theater. Specifically of the musical variety.

Shopping. Specifically of the clearance deals.

Reading. Specifically of the women centered fiction genres.

Sunday. Specifically of the feline that is mine.

The boyfriend. Specifically focusing on demonstrating how much i love and appreciate him and his genius ways.

Sheryl Crow asked "If it makes you happy, why the hell are you so sad?" Because you have to actually DO the things that make you happy. Travel costs money, but i love it. It doesn't do any good to want to travel and not actually do it. You can't take your money with you when you leave this earth.

So we're going to Aruba for two weeks in the spring. Aruba was my dad's favorite place in the world-he and my step mom were even declared honorary citizens by the government and were written up in the local newspaper. Even last year, in between rounds of chemo, he fought to be able to go and feared it was his last visit. I know he'd be thrilled for us to experience and share his love of this island, and it is my way of honoring him this first year the island will be without him.

All the while doing more of what makes me happy.

So what do you need to do more of?

2011-A Rehashing

2011-12-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

2011.

Things started off strong this past year, in terms of home improvement tweakings. A Christmas gift from the boyfriend prompted our master bedroom to receive the paint it had been waiting 3 months for. You see, in October 2010 for my birthday, all i wanted was the bedroom to be painted. I even bought the paint. You read that right...for my birthday...I bought the paint. My gift was going to be not actually doing the painting myself, and we'd finally quit treating the whole upstairs as an afterthought.

Turned out to be one of my most popular posts. Warning, if you click through, you will be singing Boy George the rest of the day.

Then i got the strong urge, and better decorating ideas since i'd been doing this whole blog thang, to de-brownify the living room. Let's enhance the light blue, and finally, embrace the chevron craze. I also saw napkins in a whole new way.

I felt it was time to grow the blog, as we were now celebrating our one year blogiversary. Shout out to my bloggy friend Jill for twisting my arm. The summer would bring additional guest posts and a facebook page (which i still find pointless).

But the biggest blow in 2011, and that which defined my entire year, was my father's diagnosis of the bastard known as pancreatic cancer. I could barely post, and when i did, it was random crap. I just couldn't spend energy composing some witty or amusing commentary when i was in hell. Nor was I in the mood to do anything terribly creative. There are literally less than half the posts than in the previous year, and this was after proclaiming i was going to "grow the blog."

We pretended everything was going to work out, and went to Spain for a much needed 2 week reprieve from thinking. It worked, but made it all the more depressing to come home and know what we were having to face.

I posted this in August when things were getting bad and i didn't want to think, but didn't want to not blog either. We had actually gone on the trip back in April, so for time line purposes it falls here.

Taking to the outside of our home, we got rid of the mudpit! I think S did a fabulous job here, considering we spent so much of the summer at my dad's house.

On August 25th, 2011, barely over 4 months ago, my father passed away. Devastated. Still devastated.

That's me as a happy little girl celebrating Chanukah. Much different than how i viewed this holiday season, the first holidays and birthdays without him all occurring in these recent months.

Because of that, i hardly decorated for my favorite time of year, Halloween and Autumn.

Just a used car lot for Autumn and winter whites and snowflakes now.

That brings us to the end of the year, and the beginning of a new one in only a few days. As much as i want this year to be over and done with (as my family also lost my step pop-pop), it is truly unimaginable that now, year after year after year, will be years spent without my father. And for that, honestly, i don't want this December to come to an end.

But. There's nothing i can do about that. I just hope that 2012 brings us, and you, my friends and readers, a drastically different and positive year. Thanks for sticking with me.

Yabba Dabba Don't

2011-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

This post has nothing to do with decorating. For Winter. Or for holidays.

This post has nothing to do with the house. No basement updates. No thrifty finds.

This post has to do with fashion. A first for this blog? A fashion faux pas.

Scrolling through reader, I came across a post from La Dolce Vita. Noticed something a little familiar about the fashion choice of the Olsen on the right...

Does it remind you of anything?

Ah yes. There it is.

"Barney, my pebbles. Tis the season to be sharing, Fred". Remember that xmas commercial?

There you go, maybe this post has to do with the holidays after all.

Have you ever unintentionally dressed like a cartoon character?

Intentionally, then?

winter in white

2011-12-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm being seasonally lazy this year! Just like for fall, when i didn't change the decorations for halloween, i'm now in winter decor mode, and have yet to add in any xmas or chanukah. And i'm not sure that i even will. Aside from the tree, this set up could take me straight through the whole season.

Hehe, if you look in the mirror you see a sans decorated tree in the above photo, and then with ornaments in the photo below. I added some extra snowflake ornaments to even further winterfy this table/quasi mantel. Those white "snowballs" are part of my summer woven ball filler, but i thought they could work for winter grouped in this way.

This is the maiden voyage for this tree, and she ain't so bad. Much narrower than our other tree, yet much better for the space. And she went up in literally one, two, three....as opposed to our usual assembly line of "find correct branch color. separate into piles. fluff each branch. add to tree. repeat. repeat. repeat" over an hour or so. Not to mention then string the lights.

I was suckered into spending 10 bucks on this sparkly winter beauty. And by suckered, i mean i saw it, and i needed it. Darn you, big lots and your aisles of seasonal goodness!

Continuing with the white, we adorn the outside. And by we, i mean the boyfriend. No way I'm going onto the roof for those dormers!

Frosty aglow and gentlemanly.

His big lot friends (who miraculously have lasted through 4 years and were 8 bucks for the pair). That left guy looks like he's up to no good with that smirk.

Because we're on the corner (hence the name of this blog) S thinks it means the lights need to span the entire perimeter...

And circle the entire house. He threatens to add lights to the bump out (which you can kind of see above the sunroom) and to around the detached garage. I fear it would be bordering on Griswald-esque if that takes place.

I promise there's nothing green being projected on the house-that's got to be coming from the street light. In case you were wondering if that green glow was purposeful. Surely not on my neutrally decorated half Jewish house. Surely not.

Don't you love seeing other people's lights up? It's the internet equivalent of driving around aimlessly-think of the gas we're saving!

Christmas scapes @ It's Overflowing, Vignettes @ French Country Cottage, Mantel Party @ Southern Hospitality, Tablescapes @ The Lettered Cottage, Mantel Party @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, 2011 Holiday Mantels @ From My Porch to Yours, Xmas Mantles @ Home Stories A-Z, Xmas doors and porches @ At The Picket Fence, Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Amaze me Monday @ Dittle Dattle, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter, Making Monday Marvelous @ CRAFT, DIY Project Parade @ DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Xmas Outdoors @ Sassy Sites, Tabletop tues @ A Stroll Thru Life, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design, How Pinteresting @ The Vintage Apple, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, 100 and Under @ Beyond the Picket Fence, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, SAS @ Just a Girl, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloogy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life, Open House @ The Answer is Chocolate,

out, out, damn (empty) pots

2011-12-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

Nothing like starting the morning off with a literary reference to keep you on your toes, eh?

So this is the ol' homestead all suited up for the season. We like the snowmen. We don't like the empty pots adorning the stairs.

Frosty says top o the morning to you.

This picture was inspiration for the empty pots. S's dad graciously scoured New Jersey for large pinecones and brought me back a grocery bag full. None were the mammoth size that this person has, wonder where they live.

Source: ploughyourownfurrow.wordpress.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Glee! Not too bad, right? I knew there was a reason i left these things on the stairs!

Just the right amount of cheer, just the right amount of "huh. would you look at that."

These are at the end of our walkway, by the sidewalk. Perhaps as you're walking by with your dog,

you notice a bit of bling, a bit of holiday cheer. Puts a little more spring in my step when i see something i like and maybe haven't seen before.

Sure, my pinterest inspiration was full of lush greens and undoubtedly taken with fancy camera-so what! Super happy with my now not empty and holiday-fied pots.

Whadya think?

What do you do with your pots when it's too cold for plants?

You can find me here, and also in my sidebar:

Xmas Crafts @ House of Hepworths, Multi Color Holida Decor @ DIY Club, Holiday Crafts @ Centsational Girl, Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple, Amaze me Monday @ Dittle Dattle, Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter, Making Monday Marvelous @ CRAFT, DIY Project Parade @ DIY Showoff, Met Monday, Xmas Outdoors @ Sassy Sites, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design, How Pinteresting @ The Vintage Apple, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, 100 and Under @ Beyond the Picket Fence, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, SAS @ Just a Girl, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, Addicts Anonymous @ A2D, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloogy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life, Open House @ The Answer is Chocolate,

Pinterest Daydreaming-Winter Wonderland

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Autumn feels like it's coming to a close (even though we've had a weekend of warmer weather, and the first day of winter isn't until the end of December).Technicalities, people. It's what we did with the warmer weather-decorate the outside of our home with white icicle lights and hat tipping snowman-that has me ready for a winter wonderland.

Warm woollen mittens and hot chocolate...ain't nothing better on a cold day.

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Source: littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com via Thecape on Pinterest

For a home that has a little bit of Christmas....

Source: hgtv.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Source: ploughyourownfurrow.wordpress.com via Thecape on Pinterest

And a little bit of Chanukah...

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Thecape on Pinterest

And a mixture of both...

Source: etsy.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Source: perpetualkid.com via Thecape on Pinterest

However you decorate or celebrate, happy wintertime to you!

Source: weheartit.com via Thecape on Pinterest

I can't be the only one who busted out the lights while it's still November--how far along are you on your winter decorating? Outside only? Tree and menorah aglow? Stockings hung?

Not too shabby winner

2011-11-25T05:33:00.001-08:00

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I don't know about you, but when we got home last night i was full and i was sleepy. Too sleepy to go online, that's for sure. That meant this morning was time to draw the winning number for the Shabby Apple giveaway.

Lucky number 13 was Christina, who said "i like shabby apple on facebook." Yay, Christina, i'm super excited for you. Now it's back to coffee sipping and paper reading for me.

Enjoy the long weekend, my friends.

What i learned at work today

2011-11-23T06:13:00.001-08:00

I love being out of the office, though it means i can't blog or read blogs-not that i do that at work or anything, no of course not...

ahem...

and today i realized some things about myself that i would like to share with you, randomly, on the day before Thanksgiving.

Number 1. I could not be a teacher. Now, usually i think this way because i wouldn't want to be "on" every day, but today i think this because I would get fired for not keeping my shit together when talking with disrespectful and rude teenagers. At a health fair recently i may have gotten a little too sassy when illustrating how little disrespect i would take when talking about an important topic. There was gasping from the other students in our conversation. There were looks from surrounding students as i reiterated this conversation to a colleague. Guess these spoiled kids aren't used to being called disrespectful? They were, and i'm not gonna whisper about it.

Number 2. There is such a thing as a Pennsylvania Dairy Princess whose role is to educate about milk and cheese and the goodness of those things. She wears a crown and a sparkly sash while she does her educating. I educate about important topics (see Number 1). I want a crown and sparkly sash. I want to be Pennsylvania Dating Violence Awareness Princess. Let me see if the agency will go for that.

Number 3. I am strangely excited about Thanksgiving this year, more than other years. There is no logical explanation for this. It will be the same family (who i love) and the same food (that i can't wait to eat) yet my feelings of giddiness are freaking me out a little bit.

Number 4. Going along with those excited Thanksgiving feelings is a recent shopping frenzy. Why? Is it brought on by all these Black Friday commercials? I don't even need anything, yet i can't wait to pour over the newspaper and call aloud the deals and steals to S. Yesterday i bought a new coat.

I then bought a new work bag, because one clearly can't use rainbow polka dots alongside this gray and yellow plaid. Black Friday sales starting at 12am...things for me or things for others. A hard decision.

Number 5. Speaking of shopping, don't forget the Shabby Apple giveaway ends tomorrow. Go here to win this skirt.

I want to know...do you have a game plan for Black Friday shopping? Sticking by the computer or braving the crowds?

Not Too Shabby (Giveaway)

2011-11-17T11:32:00.001-08:00

Maybe if i excitedly squeal really loudly you'll be able to tell how super pumped i am to bring you a fabulous giveaway from Shabby Apple. Who'd like some new clothes to wear for the holidays? This gal would (hint hint, shabby apple powers that be!) If you're not familiar with Shabby Apple, not only do they have tons of women's dresses, but they also have some great jewelry and shoes i'd be equally excited to try. (subtle, right? i know).

Look at these beauties-they're called Gasp. And i literally did just that. For reals. I want them.

Santa?

Chanukah Harry?

Size 8, if you please.

What we are offering you, dear readers, is this little black skirt. I chose this one because i thought it would be the most versatile piece and would work on all figures. Do you not love it with that sweet bow?

Know what else has a sweet bow? My future shoes.

If you want this skirt to be in your future, here's how to win it.

1. You must like Shabby Apple on Facebook. (Mandatory entry)

2. Do you happily follow the blog? Let me know with another entry.

A winner will be chosen on Thanksgiving.

Thought it'd make somebody a little more thankful. And that somebody has to be a US resident...sorry, my foreign friends!

Good luck, everyone!

Weekend Update

2011-11-07T08:09:00.000-08:00

This weekend I:

-took in all things Halloween from outside. See you next year, light up spiders and animatronic spooky tree.

-walked in memory and honor of my father in the Pancreatic Cancer Purplestride 5k in Philadelphia. We had an impressive team of 24, and raised over $1600 in his name. It was a beautiful day, but one filled with mixed emotions from me. I hated that we were there, yet I wouldn't be anywhere else. I wore my crocs, which seemed to beguile some family members. Sneakers feel too heavy since my normal shoe attire is flats. Besides, if these crocs can walk for 12 hours straight while on vacation, then they can surely handle 3.2 miles.

-ate some fabulous Mexican food that, although i've only eaten at this restaurant once, i've been talking about the entire year since. It didn't disappoint. Flautas Mikey-you, me, my stomach-it's a date.

-attended a comedy show after said fabulous Mexican food. Tell me, comedians, why must everything be about the size of your you know what. Three comics, three people insisting theirs is bigger and how much the ladies love it. Give me some word play over that kind of humor anyday.

-went to the Wilma Theatre for the play Our Class. Intimate theatre, fabulous and haunting performances. I like this venue. Must see what their subscription looks like.

-finally have heat! Yes, for the coldest week of the year thus far, we had no heat. We had to wait for the duct work to be made for the new energy efficient system S put in. The duct work is bigger than the system. Seriously, it's a behemoth, but it's a silent behemoth. And hopefully a money saving one as well.

I need a weekend to recover from my weekend. What about you, was your weekend jam packed or spent in your jammies?

Yard makeovers and flower bulbs

2011-11-04T01:02:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My favorite flowers are daffodils and tulips, so needless to say i have dug plenty a bulb in my day. Unfortunately the pesky squirrels love them, too, and last year they made off with them before they bloomed. Thank goodness the ladies at Dig Drop Done are giving me a "Bulb-ucation" of tips to remedy that. Especially Evelyn, who has given me a new idea on which bulb to plant to help keep those critters from my yard. Visit visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more.

"Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done"-an educational effort designed to excite women about the surprisingly simple beauty of flower bulbs-is giving away a $5,000 yard makeover! All you need to do is submit a photo of your yard at their other site, Curbside Chaos, and you are entered in not only the makeover, but also for a visit and tips on planting from Taniya Nayak (@Taniya Nayak on Twitter). Consider me entered!

Even better, for every share on Twitter, "Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done." will donate $1 to Rebuilding Together, the nations leading nonprofit that works to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities.

While you're over there entering, make sure you check out the interactive Garden Guru Tool in the lower left corner that lets you completely customize your planting by picking your state and your bulb of choice.

I didn't know about daffodils in pots-i'm totally gonna try this idea! Ain't no squirrels gonna get these!

Fabulous and cheerful...like me. Now get those hands dirty and get to digging!

An all too crowded carve

2011-10-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

I can't believe it's Halloween, and i can't believe it's only 2 months until the end of the year. That's ridiculous, where did the time go?

We had snow in Philadelphia-now that is ridiculous. The last time it snowed in Philly was the year i was born, 32 years ago. This snow made the annual pumpkin carve we attend pack jammed because like us, everyone assumed the Saturday showing would be cancelled, and it was.

But we braved the extra crowded crowds, and started a new tradition: Pumpkin carve followed by Ruby's Diner for a milkshake. Why hadn't we thought of that before?!

These are the transformations i loved most. Enjoy!

The Little Mermaid-very old movie to reference, but there was something i loved about this candle lit silhouette that got me all nostalgic.

Look at the "blood" dripping from the cleaver! Great use of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin carriage

This won most Halloween.

This was runner up for best use of pumpkin.

Angry birds!

Batman

I'm not really sure...spaceship...the pyramids...very neat though.

Talk about a knuckle sandwich.

Witches Brew

Love this-would have voted for it as best use of pumpkin.

Love the little mouse dangling out of its mouth!

Wowzers.

Fabulous! This was awarded best overall, and i think i appreciate more in picture than in person. Whooo else thinks so.

If you want to see more, check out last year's pumpkin carve. And speaking of carve, we attempted to do so on Sunday. Only problem? The stores around us had no more pumpkins!
Hope you and your families had better luck!

You can find me here: diy showoff, making the world cuter,metamorphosis monday, before and after party, show and tell,whatever goes wednesday, transformation thursday,, show and share day, flaunt it friday, show and tell friday, feature yourself friday, the shabby nest,

seasonal sunday, fall into fall, wow us weds, home sweet home, weekend bloggy reading

halloween lights gone wild

2011-10-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Have you guys seen this display of Halloween choreographed light goodness? Insanity!

This song's more my style!

Also, this is on tonight. It is creepy and scary and the perfect seasonal amount of fright. Last Wednesday S was away on business, and i had to seriously debate whether or not i could watch it in the house alone. Not like there'd be a creepy rubber suited man trying to impregnate me with his demon child, but still, you wouldn't want to sleep with your back to the door and take that chance.

The writers and creators made sure this 13 episode series would air during Halloween-seriously can't wait to see tonight's show. I hope it involves more of Dylan McDermitt's smoking hot bod. And tush.

I can't believe i said smoking hot bod. But it is.

Who else is watching? Let's discuss.

Rest, Relax, Read

2011-10-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

You are going to have to indulge me. This ~~completely is~~ may be the cutest animal in all existence.

Can you make out the word in the background?

This needs to be blown up and framed.

Or maybe this one...

But look at this one. That little chin, that little paw!

Two paws, ah ah ah. I used my best Count voice, could you tell?

I just feel terrible though...we had to take away not only her "bed" but her elevated vantage point for the best bird and squirrel and bunny spying...

The good news is, that means it's in the basement bathroom! Wahoo! At least somewhat...we're getting granite cut for the top instead of using the laminate one piece that came with this. Two steps forward, one step back?

Hope you all had a relaxing weekend, too. Can you believe it's practically November? Unreal.

Fixing what ain't broken

2011-10-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

Last year i loved my halloween display sooo much, that i'm really at a loss for what to do this year. I bought a few new things on clearance, but nothing that would really shake anything up.

It's ok to recycle the same set up from a previous year. If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

Lovin' those leaves, mon

2011-10-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love perfect fall weekends? Don't you just love perfect fall weekends where people take advantage of the cool, crisp weather and still have yard sales? Don't you just love when you're on your way somewhere and your significant other stops the car because your excited squeals have alerted him to said yard sales that are taking place down your very street?

What a fabulous thing to stumble upon! With fabulous pricing, to boot.

This heavy, large leaf candle holder thingy was a dollar!

Except in its current state, it was very reminiscent of the Jamaican bobsled team. Cool Runnings, anyone? I knew it would be a cinch to make it a little more gnarly and a little less Marley.

Oh come on, it's funny.

Seriously, this thing needed fall inspired natural looking color, instead of a clear line of Rasta demarcation.

Now that's what i'm talkin' bout.

A little gold, a little bronze, a lot more natural. Instead of a candle, i filled it with more corks and pine cones. And to really get a sense how large this is...

I have instructed the inspector to step into the shot at the perfect time. Well planned, mon, well planned.

Who else has tweaked a yard sale find?

A ghetto fabulous fall

2011-09-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Alternately titled "A lazy girl's guide to first tier fall decorating" or " how to recognize our favorite season without schlepping out the bins o' fall."

What? It's like one of those puzzles where you have to shift everything around just to get to the piece you want. I'm getting tired just thinking about it. Thankfully there were some pine cones and jars in my dining room closet, and it was an opportunity to get in on the bunting craze.

Still working off the same pile of scrap book paper from crafts of yore, this time it was a hunt for oranges and browns. I think it's adorable, S asked if it was a used car lot. Clearly, he is not in on the bunting craze.

Said thrift store jars, said pine cones. Stack o' books with orange polka dot ribbon. Bam. Fall.

Ghetto fabulous! You see how i affixed these?

Staples! And tape!

And yes, those are two previous attempts at snagging the ribbon that didn't go very well. Remember, this is the lazy girl's guide. And lazy girls don't look for staple removers.

Bunting over here, bunting over there.

Bunting, um, no where else just yet.....Let's go see what's in the dining room...

Ooh, corks and pine cones. What fun textures.

A layering of table runners...I thought the white made the leaves pop.

Who else is in tier one of decorating out of laziness? Or are you full throttle head to toe Halloween? I've got to get to those bins.

Party along with me here-Fall Mantel Party, Under $10, Countdown to Autumn, Fall Festival, DIY Showoff Fall Festival, Fall Open House, Hooked on Houses,

Letters about coffee

2011-09-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Starbucks,

Are those pumpkin spice lattes you have this time of year really that good? Everyone seems to be over the (harvest) moon for them, yet i have yet to try them. It's your location that keeps me away-your parking lot is the size of a postage stamp. Cars circle 'round like vultures and two or three tail you to your car. I don't need that sort of pressure when i'm trying to back up. Also, your pricing is ridiculous. Shall i bite the bullet for this once a year treat?

Dear Wawa,

New pumpkin spice cappuccinos? How similar to Starbucks, and yet your price is so right. Shall i see what all the fuss is about? (After sipping) Ooh, child, this is fabulous stuff. I can see why people get excited over this drink. Thank you for selling 16 ounces for, like, a dollar. This is my new favorite fall treat. I am already thinking about the next Wawa run i can make.

Do me a favor, ok? Bring this back every year. Don't tease me like you did with your winter time sugar cookie cappuccino, because where's that been these last two seasons, huh? Believe me, i look, and i've been disappointed. Gingerbread is most certainly not the same.

And, um, i promise that wasn't me taking all those packets of sweet n low. That was somebody else super excited to be ~~stuffing them in~~ rocking their burnt orange fall bag.

Yours in good drink,
the cape on the corner

Pinterest Daydreaming-Autumn Style

2011-09-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if i were a bird i would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. -George Eliot

The. best. fall. quote. ever. EVER. The reason why my pinboard is titled Delicious Autumn, having nothing to do with taste. As i am working my way into full on autumn mode, i am getting in the spirit from these gorgeous pins.

This reminds me of something you'd see at Peddler's Village, for all you locals..

source

I have lanterns that haven't seen the light of day...perhaps they'll get the pumpkin treatment.

source

Gorgeous. You know, the boyfriend and I were just talking about birthday gifts....

Source: appalachianspring.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Could do.

Source: divinedistractions.blogspot.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Flipping adorable kid craft. Or...31 year old craft. Just sayin'.

Source: family.go.com via Thecape on Pinterest

Ah, mawige. My board called "the big day"houses an abundance of fall themed wedding images.

Source: idealweddingdresses.com via Thecape on Pinterest

A perfect and pretty dessert.

Source: tasteofhome.com via Thecape on Pinterest

What wearing autumn looks like.

Source: hometowngirl.typepad.com via Thecape on Pinterest

What are you pinning (or pining) for this fall?

Feeling the spirit here

Countdown to Autumn, Seasonal Sundays,

Follwing the path to fall

2011-09-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Ok. Enough wallowing. Who am i kidding, of course there'll be more wallowing. I'll forever wallow. It's my blog, and i'll wallow if i want to. But. Amidst all this wallowing, what do i see? A good and proper sign of fall. A perfectly placed, "hey, you there, look here" sign, literally showing me the path that will bring me out of wallowsville.

Look at this perfect little leaf and its rain drenched outline.

"That's right", i thought to myself. This is most wonderful time of the year. I want to want to decorate my home with leaves and pumpkins. I want to link up to fall blog parties, and enjoy what others are creating. I want to be able to enjoy this delicious autumn.

Thank you, friends, for your kind words during this time of great despair.

Thank you, little peaceful, perfectly placed leaf, for showing me the way out.

Stop all the clocks

2011-08-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

Stop all the clocks by W.H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Monday, after a 6 month battle with pancreatic cancer, i buried my father. He passed away on Thursday, August 25th, at 4:20pm with my family and i by his side. To say we are devastated and distraught is not nearly saying enough. I don't know how we will live without him.

Southern Spain in pictures

2011-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Not really feeling it, you guys. Let's just pretend we're in Southern Spain and Tenerife, ok? I've never showed you any pictures from our adventure back in April, and today seems like a good day to do so.

Alhambra, Granada

Casa De Los Balconies, La Orotava, Tenerife

Candelaria, Tenerife

Granada

Alhambra, Granada

Granada

Playa de las Americas, Tenerife

Reflection of Alhambra in boyfriend's glasses. Hehe.

Punta de Teno, Teno lighthouse.Westernmost point in Tenerife. Violated rental car agreement to get out to this lighthouse.

Mijas

Papas arragudas, Canarian cuisine from Tenerife

La Orotava. Amazed at how you just walk right out into the street from your door.

Playa de la Tejita, at the base of Montana Roja. We asked our hotel where a smaller, closer, less populated beach was. They suggested this. Nude beach. Naked, old men, running on hot sand. Not exactly the spanish scene i had in mind.

All the wines made in Tenerife. We bought 4 bottles. 3 made it home safely. The most expensive, the one
intended for me, broke. Tip-wrap each bottle individually. Just because it survives one plane ride intact does not mean it will survive the long one home.

El Tiede, Tenerife, tallest peak in Spain.

Everyone keeps asking where we're going next, and i think we'll stick a little closer to home. Any statestide suggestions??

Also, i'm one follower away from 400! Woo hoo! Lurkers/readers-Can we make this happen? With a bit of a buffer, too, if you don't mind?

You can catch me here: wayfaring weds and weekend bloggy reading.

And i quote

2011-08-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

For the gallery wall, i'm definitely feeling typography involvement. Maybe some song lyrics or just a nice saying. This is when pinterest and etsy come in extra handy.

OR this scandalous idea, guaranteed to give you a one up on your ~~intrusive~~ in laws who pop over ~~all the time~~ more than a little occasionally.

From Daily Candy's website: Inspired by Yves Klein’s abstract expressionism and Andy Warhol’s performance art, Love Is Art founder Jeremy Brown has hit upon a sophisticated approach to expressing your love. Couples strip down to their birthday suits and roll around in specially formulated black paint while doing the deed. The end result is a graphic work of art that wouldn’t look out of place on a gallery wall. Brown spent months researching materials and, after looking high and low, came across a hypoallergenic cotton canvas and nontoxic pigment that won’t irritate sensitive parts.

How's that for personalized artwork, eh? Eh?

via pinterest, pinterest, scenicglory, tessyla, pennywishes, capow, tenderbeasts, handz, lovesugar

Stick 'em up

2011-07-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Uprinting giveaway for 250 stickers is.....

Wow...this actually does happen...comment number 1 is...

Meg at The Pendleton House!

Congrats, Meg! I'm so excited you won! I'll be sending you an email in a moment!

Friday Thoughts on Wednesday

2011-07-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well hello there. How's everyone's week thus far? Are you having a temporary break in humidity? We are, and i think it's making me abnormally giddy and upbeat.

We're going to do Friday thoughts today-I've had a lucky week and there's things that need to be said and Friday is sort of up in the air.

1. Why is Friday up in the air? Because i am supposed to have jury duty this week! Gah! I am very curious about jury duty, actually, and wouldn't mind serving, but we are supposed to spend the day with my dad and (although it isn't even 100% certain) i'm already freaking out and imagining being stuck in a trial instead. If you're new here, it must be said that i have a tendency to get easily excited, and jump to conclusions, and freak out before events even happen, and just get ahead of myself.

2. My sickness is back, darn it all! I don't want to visit with my dad and his compromised immune system if i am sickly.

3. Quadruple score-a surprise package from my sweet friend Linda, a win from Chelsea, a win from Brittany, and a win from Stephenie Lynn. Feature posts to follow.

4. Speaking of feature posts...Laura and Andrea from Ever After Blueprint asked me to be a part of their Front Door series. Please pay their gorgeous blog a visit.

5. I have rediscovered the forgotten joys of honey roasted sesame sticks.

6. Hey big money-JC Penney and Pier 1 coupons for $10 off a $10 purchase? It's like stealing!

7. A trip to Ocean City Maryland is in the immediate future...any recommendations of places to eat or other must sees?

8. The sticker giveaway ends tonight! I wish it could have ran for longer, but jury duty (or the possibility of that) is mucking up the timeline and there are rules i must adhere to involving the giveaway.

9. So enter it, for goodness sakes! It ends tonight at 11pm eastern. Good=your chances of winning.

Sticker Shock

2011-07-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

I am so stinkin' excited to offer this giveaway from Uprinting!

250 customizable stickers for one lucky winner.

Do it as an address sticker. Do it as a "Good job from Mrs. So and so" if you're a teacher. Do it as an awareness raising aid. Do it to promote your Etsy shop. In the immortal words of Nike, just do it.

They also offer these labels, using the standard label templates.

The particulars:

*You need to be a follower of this ever so wonderful blog
* Leave a comment telling me what you'd do with your stickers

For extra entries:
* like Uprinting on facebook
* like my facebook page
*leave a separate comment for each

Giveaway will be open until 11 pm Wednesday July 27th. Good luck, my friends!

*Stickers are 2" x 3.5" 70lb Label Matte, Front Only Printing, with 4 Business Days Turnaround. Giveaway limited to US residents 18 and over, and ineligible if won another Uprinting giveaway in the last 6 months.

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given but I will receive stickers for hosting, which i shall use for my outreach events for my agency. See, totally selfless, i am. Check out the standard label templates on Uprinting.

You should be framed in a fine art gallery

2011-07-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

I know, it's nothing new to blogland. But swimming around in my head is a gallery wall for the living room, above the tv. Last week i finally laid it out. Every frame is free except the ones flanking either side, and even those were 4 dollars with matting. Since they were free, they came with questionable artwork....please keep in mind i won't be using Americana bunny in upper right corner, or middle frame's wheel and mailbox scene of loveliness. In a rather genius maneuver, that trifold is representing the TV.

I do not know why this did not play out when i actually put the tester pieces on the wall (over the existing artwork, no less). There's something amiss, but what? Clearly not as much as a genius maneuver as i thought.

This is how i keep myself busy while S is away on business.

Do you guys think it's too much for such a little space?

It's also hilarious when your partner, having returned early from said business trip, sends you a text wondering what the heck is this shite all over the living room wall. The man even used a red faced angry emoticon! Cracks.me.up!

Friday Thoughts

2011-07-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

You know, i quite like this. A weekly post where venting or excitement or just things looking forward to over the weekend can be shared. I imagine it like the Saturday Night Live "Deep Thoughts" segment, so in my head there's a voiceover all airy and breathy going "And now....Friday Thoughts."

Ahem.

And now....Friday Thoughts.

1. We are having an ice cream social this afternoon at my office. And then we are closing early. Have i mentioned how much i love my agency?

2. Because apparently one can never have enough ice cream, the boyfriend and i are going to New Jersey's ice cream festival. He hopes to enter the adult ice cream eating contest. Note to self. Charge battery. Bring Camera. This we must document. Maybe even enlarge for the basement.

3. This weather is faaabulous! It is momentarily not humid, nor feel-it-on-your-skin disgusting. Windows were open last night. In July. Unheard of.

4. I desperately need a haircut. My lady up and quit a month ago, which i only found out when i went for my appointment. Nice. Not only that, the shop was closed for a "princess party" which they neglected to tell me. Explains why little girls in tiaras looked at me like an intruder when i started banging on the door. In all honesty, i was giving them dagger eyes for being up at 10 am on a Saturday when the place is usually quiet. Let's just say they went home pretty, and i most certainly did not.

5. On the dad front...it's been a fricking roller coaster. I'm not gonna lie, as of Wednesday that was it, all options explored. Then yesterday...how can another hospital magically come up with 2 more chemos that the cancer center never mentioned in 4 months of care? This isn't a used car, for god's sake. You shouldn't have to shop around for the best price, or see what another dealership has to offer. This is someone's life. Because at what point do you stop looking? At what point are you supposed to feel confident in the care that you are getting?

6. Netflix, i take back that i boasted about you in a previous post. I do not appreciate your rate hike one bit, nor the removal of instant movies unless i pay extra. I even called you my best friend! Best friends don't do that to each other. You should be ashamed.

7. My wonderful aunt and uncle and cousin are in from Florida. Very excited to be spending time with them this weekend. We will be about 8 people (and 1 dog) crammed into one little condo, but we'll make it work. I hope.

8. It's starting! The back to school ads are out, harvest decor is on display. I, for one, am ~~ecstatic/high/manic~~ happy about this. Until they start with the "holiday" stuff....i give them about a month til we see some reindeer.

9. Does it not feel like a Friday to anybody else? I love this, it's way better than feeling like a Friday midweek and realize there's still more days to go.

What are your thoughts this Friday? Anything you're looking forward to this weekend? Anything you need to vent?

So Wonderful, So Marvelous

2011-07-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

I'm guest posting at Michelle's fabulous and smart and snarky blog whilst she's on maternity leave. I list a few like and dislikes...want to see if we share some? Want to see awesome makeovers, like her son's rockin' big boy room? Seriously, that's some good gallery wall.

Head on over to So Wonderful, So Marvelous! Tell her i sent ya, and maybe congratulate her on baby number two!

Mostly free thrifty finds

2011-07-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Anybody go to one of those "i heart thrifting" events? I heard at the last second there was a Philly event, but it was too last second for my preplanned kind of mind. So, not from this weekend, but here are some recent thrifting/yard sale finds. Enjoy!

How neat will this be for the basement? We're super excited for this guy. This is the only item in this post that actual money was exchanged for ($20).

Buh bye bears, hola picasso print. Direct from Spain. Shh-i know it's just a print that could have come from anywhere, but this one i guarded and finely handled through 2 different airports, security checks, and a 7 hour plane ride. Looks a bit fancier with matting, too.

Bevvy of garage sale left over frames and can easily be painted over artwork.

Read: FREE

Always room for Christmas goodies-perfect for the white elephant exchange that we do every year. (free from church leftover sale)

Gift bag. Full of gift bags. Plus a cat. Why not? (free)

Getting comfy, of course.

milk glass vase. (free)

Pretty (free) pitcher. I see lemonade, and sitting out back on a swing. And an imaginary world where there's no bugs. And no humidity. And no neighbors blaring the Phillies game. Hmm, this imaginary world is quite nice.

Who else has recent finds? Occasionally daydreams about an imaginary world-what happens in yours?

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flaunt it friday,frugalicious friday thrifty things friday the shabby nest, look what i found, all things good, bff open house, weekend bloggy reading, nifty thrifty sunday, under the table and dreaming,seasonal sunday

wop wop

2011-07-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

my bubble is burst.

you know i'm on this quest to debrownify the living brown. debrownify, to me, means adding white. just go with it.

i've never been happy with the hand me down/borrowed end tables. thought of spray painting them (white, of course.) they're yellowish and knotty. knot for me.

found these from ikea.

they're white. and silver. and modern. check.

S informs me the big one is the size of our ottomans. Not gonna cut it people, not gonna cut it.

Boo, hiss.

What's bursting your decor bubble these days? Let's commiserate.

Friday Thoughts

2011-07-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

Things that are happening on this wonderful Friday at the cape on the corner:

1. This afternoon I am guest posting on House of Hepworth's while they are on a month long road trip. I am jealous of the trip, not the road. Me in a car for a long time would not go well.

2. Spacklers are in the hizouse! Spackling the basement. The actual basement. I must post about this...it's glorious. And time consuming, which is why there's been like 3 posts relating to this space in over a year.

3. Spacklers cost a lot of money, especially for people who usually do everything themselves. We have not hired out for anything on this house except for the cinderblock for the garage. But these spacklers are going to be done in 2 days which would have taken the boyfriend...yeah, you know, let's not even go there. Happy thoughts.

4. I am done work in 3 hours. I love my agency.

5. Somewhere, there will be fireworks this weekend. I don't care where we see them, but we're seeing them.

6. Also, there will be grilling.

7. I am rocking a summer scarf. I think i'm pulling it off. Don't tell me if i'm not. It was only 4.99, thank you boscovs.

8. I have discovered Christina Perri, and have been listening to that voice for 3 days straight. Thank you swagbucks.

9. My ipod has the second and third Hunger Games on it. I am prepared for the long weekend.

What's happening in your world today? Happy 4th, everyone!

Girl, put your records on

2011-06-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

We discovered this local auction house that runs every Friday night. It's...well, it's a sight, that's for sure. I swear there was a hair metal 80's rock legend in the house when i went. As well as families eating ice cream, shop owners buying for their store, and other creatures coming out of the woodwork. A great place to people watch and item watch.

S sends me the listings every Friday b/c he really wants to go, even just to watch. That's what we were supposed to be doing....rotating our chairs as they move around this giant room and watching, when he randomly bid on and won this circa 1917 Victrola. (Rachel was spot on with that guess!)

No, there was no talk about it with me, his hand just shot right up, and bam. Victrola. Did we look at it closely before bidding? Negativo. Did we know there were gauges or scratches on it? That would be another no. But...it's still pretty cute. And not bad for 30 bones.

Bloggers are giving casters major love right now, and i loooove the shape of the piece. How great would this be repurposed as a jewelry armoire or other bedroom storage. Apparently this was S's idea if it didn't work...love that.

So, it slightly works. The needle is dragging on the record, which is weighing it down so it doesn't spin. Secretly i'm happy about this fact, because i want this to live in the bedroom. Right now it's living in the dining room, as yet another thing the boyfriend needs/wants to work on. You know, since it's not like we're finishing the basement or anything....

There is quite the musty smell coming out of them there drawers, but it doesn't seem to be fazing the ol' inspector.

She's rather smitten. She's a smitten kitten...(yeah, working in a spur of the moment Friends reference!)

She crawls thru the railings just to sit atop this thing. Unreal.

There were a few things i wanted to bid on, but they went for much higher prices than i'm willing to pay. Why couldn't everything be as reasonable as Vic here? I was scared to rub an eye, fix my hair, even yawn lest they think i'm bidding!

Ever been to an auction? Do any impromptu bidding? Just go to watch?

thrift share mondays, addicts anonymous, amaze me mondays,thrifty treasures,nifty thrifty tuesdays, trash 2 treasure, whatever goes wednesday, tales from bloggeritaville treasure hunt, strut your stuff, everything but the kitchen sink,show and tell friday, catch as catch can, show and share day, flaunt it friday, frugalicious friday, feature yourself friday, thrifty things friday, fabulous friday finds, the shabby nest, look what i found, all things good, bff open house, weekend bloggy reading, nifrty thrifty sunday, under the table and dreaming

A recent acquisition

2011-06-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Any guesses as to what our newest piece is?

She's pretty classic. And jazzy.

What are everyone's weekend plans? Tomorrow I'm heading to one of my favorite places to see Next to Normal and enjoy time with my mom, aunt, and cousin. Can't wait for yummy lunch and hopefully a great show! Sunday we'll be brunching with my dad, stepmom, brother, and others. Family filled weekend, for sure.

Walgreens and Wellness

2011-06-21T20:01:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I wish i was blessed with perfect vision. No more squinting at signs, no more worry of driving at night-that glare! However, the sweet relief of taking out your contacts, balling your hands into fists, and rubbing your eyes for the first time all day is a rather glorious feeling. Contact wearers-am i right or am i right? And as a soft contact wearer, i don't go anywhere without eye drops or rewetting drops. You don't want those puppies getting all dried out and gross. Because then you can't see. And that is not good.

There are a few brands for certain objects that i'm loyal to, but rewetting drops does not fall into that category. I like to keep a bottle in my work bag and one in my pocketbook, so i buy quite a few. Knowing that the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee as well as most containing the same active ingredients as other national brands and they are usually less expensive is a definite plus in my book.

Another plus is their community outreach, the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™. I like a big company that gives back, makes me want to support them even more.

Several bloggers are having giveaways for Walgreens gift cards, too, so there's another chance to try something new. Do you have any tried and true brands that you'd never stray from, or do you sometimes try out the store brands? I'd like to know if there's a store brand item that you think is even better than the name brand, since saving money is never a bad thing.

Top Ten: Get more bang for your buck

2011-06-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

Last week, Lauren from Life Uncluttered invited me to participate in her top 10 series. I thunk and i thunk about 10 things i even knew about, wondering if there was such a thing. As a list lover, this is right up my alley. And as a ~~cheapskate~~ frugal minded person who wants to get the most for their money or their time, i thought the Top Ten Ways To Get More Bang For Your Buck would be a good fit.

the cape on the corner's top ten ways to get the most bang for your buck

1. Have a love affair with Swagbucks, and work it, work it, work it. I work it simply. Install the swagbucks tool bar, and search through it. Told you, really simple. It is just one extra step-instead of going directly to a website, you are going to insert that website or search into your sb toolbar, press enter, and magically points will appear. You don't get points with every search, but you get points A LOT! And with those points you can redeem them for anything listed, but i have chosen Amazon gift codes. What can't you get from Amazon? I also do the swagbucks daily poll to earn points, and subscribe to blogs that tell you when a new code is available. But that's it, and i'm getting rewarded for doing something i do-surfing the internet- countless times a day!

2. Memolink is my baby. The boyfriend and I have been members for over 10 years (oh my gosh, how did that happen!) and i talk about this site to everyone. You buy things online, right? Get rewarded for it. Before i make a purchase online-every time-i see if Memolink has the store. If they do, i go to the store's website via ML, and earn points per dollar. You know groupon? ML has it. So it looks like this-search ml through swagbucks-buy groupon through ml-earn per dollar for something i was going to buy anyway. Oh, if only they would have etsy! If i send you a referral link via email, i get bonus points. You'd like me to have that right? I know you would...

3. Restaurant.com-of course, clicked through ML at 120 points per dollar, is the best place to score gift certificates for cheap to the listed restaurants. There are restrictions, like only good certain days of the week, but when they are 90% off and you're getting a $25 gift certificate for $1...i don't mind what the restrictions are. You can search most cities in the US, so a genius idea i can't take credit for is buying these for your vacation destination or your vacation home since you'll likely be going out to dinner there.

4. It's my birthday, and i'll get free if i want to. Friends, i make no bones about signing up for every email list i can get on, if it's going to result in free food for my birthday. Just went to a new place for dinner last weekend, and hopefully they'll throw something my way when October comes. My inlaws think this means cheap, i think if the places offer it, why the heck not take advantage?? I'm getting older anyway, why not get something for it?

5. Netflix is my friend. Instant netflix is best friend. I haven't been to the slums they call movie theaters in months. 10 bucks for an entire month of indies and foreigns, or see 1 new mediocre movie. Yeah, let me ruminate on that....Redbox and Instaflix are also good, and they provide free codes via text and email. Hey, for a dollar i'll pretty much see anything. And some are surprisingly good! Gnomeo and Juliet, anyone?

6. Credit cards that give back-at this very moment there is a $10 dollar reward card to Old Navy burning a hole in my wallet. Shop where i would anyway, and they give me money for doing so. Yes, thank you, more please.

7. Coupons-ok, i'm not talking couponing like a crazy person that stockpiles 62 mustards just because they can-but use coupons. In college my roommates would just buy the things they needed from anywhere, used absolutely no coupons, and never bought a spare to avoid this in the future. Do you know how much they charge at a gas station for basic necessities? Memolink and Swagbucks offer grocery coupons you print out, therefore only printing the ones you need, and you earn points when redeemed. It's like a thrifty savey cycle of goodness.

8. Online coupons-never buy anything online without searching for coupon codes. You don't always find them, but it's worth the free shipping or extra 30% off your order if it's out there in cyberland. Again, use that swagbucks toolbar!

9. Magazines-Websites like Tanga, Best Deal Magazines, and even Amazon have fantastic deals on popular mags or ones you haven't heard of. Super Chevy magazine for the boyfriend who restores old cars...yes. Natural Health magazine for your new age coworker....yes. Rolling Stone for your music lovin' self...yes. Got 'em all for around 3 bucks each for a whole year.

10. Coke points-yes, i partake in the occasional soda, and underneath that bottle cap or 12 pack is a code. That code translates into more cokes or other goodies, like a Better Homes and Garden subscription. For drinking coke, which we'd do anyway. My dad and best friend used to give us all their coke lids-now that they see us getting such great stuff, they have signed up for their own account. I may have asked the bartender at a recent wedding for the coke lids, i may have torn the codes from the 12 packs from a family barbecue, and we may have our friends collecting from neighbors. But i'm not saying.

So there you have it, my guide to getting more bang for your buck. Yeesh, with it all piled together it sounds like a lot of work or i'm a lunatic, fanatically seeking out the best deal. I assure you that's not the case-i do a normal amount of fantatically seeking out the best deal.

How do you get the most bang for your buck (aside from thrift stores or garage sales)?

you can love your pet, but you don't have to looove your pet.

2011-06-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure exactly how this came to be...but i am not ok with this at all.

Even further and even more not ok with that!

And now it's dark outside.

And...in a vase in the dining room that holds no water, nor ever has. Interesting.

Should i be concerned with this? There are a few things that could be contributing to this...1) it has been hot lately and she was thirsty, yet she has clearly has her own bowl. 2) We usually drink out of water bottles and therefore she can not stuff her whole head inside...so this was a unique opportunity for her. 3) She really liked the ice cubes. 4) She no longer likes her metal water bowl and prefers plastic instead. 5) She is just a naturally curious cat.

This morning i left her with two water bowls, her regular one and a plastic one that i stuck an ice cube in, thinking that was the draw. However, she may now be scared of that one, since the ice cube melting startled her.

The burning question-would you drink this after your pet did? For the record, i did not. This crossed a line for me when i could see her tongue lapping up the water. I can't get with that and it down right skeeved me.

By the way, for no points, money, or recognition...anybody know the movie where the title of this post came from?

summa, summa, summertime

2011-06-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

*Check out my guest post at Lauren's blog, Life Uncluttered. She does a super fun series about her top ten, and with me at the helm, i've got the Top Ten Ways to Get More Bang for Your Buck*.

Also a big thanks to Diann for featuring my "new" table at her Nifty Thrifty Things party.

Ok. I'm not gonna lie. Summer is my least favorite time of the year. I know, i can see you all pressing the unfollow button as i sit here and tell you i won't be decorating with shells or other sea life. I think it stems from a childhood spent going to day camps, then working outside at camps, then post degree still working outside at camps. Nothing against those places, but I'm just a girl who loves her air conditioning. However, summer inspiration link parties are abounding, and i can't put off its inevitable arrival, so let's remind ourselves about the good points of summer with pictures from my old school favorite. Since i need some convincing...

Summer-the only time i really get a craving for ice cream. A cone of soft serve or mint chocolate chip on a warm day? Refreshing.

Out door concerts and festivals. Best when free, of course.

No denying the gorgeousness of fireworks for the fourth. I love feeling that pop pop pop thump thump in my chest during a killer finale.

Fire up that grill!

Get those fruity drinks a flowin'! Love those pina colada's at our yearly luau.

Wish this is what the pool was like. Wish this is what the view was like!

The shore, a summer staple, means boardwalk fries, funnel cake, and "watch the tram car please."

Followed by moments of heat induced "maybe this is the lucky one."

I'd take this relaxing set up any day.

Notice i left out things that are unpleasant, like green head flies, mosquitos, gnats, humidity, heat, sunburn, traffic driving to the shore, around the shore, and home from the shore.

What (pleasant things) does summer mean to you....anything else you would include on your list?

Having fun in the sun at the fair weather forum @ centsational girl, seasonal sunday @ the tablescaper, countdown to summer @ domestically speaking, weekend bloggy reading @ serenity now.

Couponing to the Extreme

2011-06-08T06:46:00.000-07:00

I love TLC's programs-they are incredibly fascinating, whether it's the man touted as having "tree limbs" for arms or the conjoined twins who are getting their drivers license and share one body (and therefore one foot and one arm are controlled by one twin, while the others are controlled by the other twin). These programs always spark a million questions in me, and poor S has to be subjected to them time and time again. I can't help it that my brain thinks up these ridiculous scenarios...like with the conjoined twins. What if they get pulled over...who gets the actual ticket? If one is drunk or tipsy, can they just say that the other one is driving and sober? I am NOT trying to be rude or insensitive, but these are my honest questions and i get fixated rather easily. I need these answers, TLC!

I stumbled upon a marathon of Extreme Couponing-have you seen this yet? I have one question that none of the episodes addressed. Do these people use expired coupons?? They must, because they roll up there with a binder full of coupons and completely organized, there's no way they are going through them and getting rid of the expired ones. And as much as they are saving precious money, think of the time they are spending in there! This one woman was checking out-checking out-for 2 hours. Oh my flipping goodness, how much time did she spend shopping, then, to require a 2 hour checking out time? Another woman had to make 18 different transactions just to use the coupons-how much time and organization does that take?!

tlc

It actually seemed pretty selfish, too-they require a cashier to open a lane specifically for them (because you don't want to get behind that, but why should they not have to wait in any line) they had clerks pushing their carts around the store (one lady had 4 carts) they are depleting the shelves of stock (62 mustards, really?!) making the employees do more work to restock quicker than should be needed, and robbing other customers of the items they came to buy (good thing i hate mustard).

I am all for saving money and being thrifty, you know that. But i really think there's reasonable time spent on couponing and unreasonable time. They are for sure saving more money than i am, and good for them. For all that work they should be. But that's exactly what it is-work. They are doing it like a full time job, with spreadsheets, and 4 shopping trips per week that take 2 hour check out times each. I don't envy them that aspect at all. It isn't laziness that people don't extreme coupon, it's knowing that saving a reasonable amount of money and putting a practical amount of time into clipping/searching for coupons needs to be balanced with other aspects of one's day. I began feeling bad about myself that i don't coupon with the intensity that these people do, but in my opinion it is completely unrealistic. I save lots of money with coupons, and if i do that while checking out for 10 minutes-well, that's an hour and 50 minutes spent doing something more enjoyable. Like cat snuggling.

And the cost for that? Yep, that's free. No coupons necessary!

What about you-coupon clipper? Extreme couponor? Can't be bothered?

Happy place, happy face

2011-06-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

The sunroom is my happy place, and i love to surround myself with greens and things that flourish in the warmer weather. My recent finds are making my happy place even happier. Making me even happier? Oh yes. Most were fa-ree. Woo to the hoo, right?

Stealing the show is this little blue/green table that had been living in S's mom's attic. Say what?! We've been together for almost 14 years, and i've never seen this little beauty. True, we didn't have our own house that whole time, and i think i appreciate the table's shape more since blogging, but still. The woman was holding out on me. So when she had it for sale at our yard sale? You better believe i scooped this little beauty up, hid her in the back, and piled trash on her to stop any confusion about whether she was for sale or not. She works perfectly for corralling some plants and as a place to put a beverage.

Little shelf? I loooove little shelf's existance! Another space for displaying and also providing a very nice area for stockpiling ~~thrifted/free crap relating to planting~~ goodies underneath.

Litle urn will be getting a coat of white paint, it's a bit of a dingy cream now. Free from estate sale leftovers, along with gold urn hiding in the back (up top). Tray of texturey goodness taken from SIL's free pile after our own yard sale. Since little shelf needed something to shelve, of course.

Obsessed with white ceramic pots much? Both thrifted for 2-3 bucks. Perhaps this weekend i'll figure out a better solution for the succulent. Little asian-ish urn? Free from church leftovers (just like one from last year). There was just something about it.

This mean anything?

Love all the greens (color wise and living plants) in this space and the crisp whites. This says spring/summer to me. This says waste away the day right here to me.

Yay for yard sales and yay for yard sale leftovers...tis the season!

Here i go:
CRAFT, made it for monday, amaze me mondays, craft-o-maniac monday, diy showoff, just something i whipped up monday, thrifty treasures, metamorphosis monday, motivate me monday, making the world cuter,nifty thrifty tuesdays, trash 2 treasure, twice owned tuesday, anything related, take a look tuesday, tabletop tuesday, show and tell, make it yours day,wow us weds, penny pinching party, sugar and spice, whatever goes wednesday, idea sharin' wedsnesday,100 Ideas under $100, show off your stuff, tales from bloggeritaville hooking up with hoh, treasure hunt, strut your stuff, transformation thursday, home sweet home, get your craft on, catch a glimpse, thrilling thursday, fave things fri, everything but the kitchen sink, favorite things friday, show and tell friday, all things domestic, catch as catch can, show and share day, flaunt it friday, frugalicious friday, feature yourself friday, thrifty things friday, fabulous friday finds, the shabby nest, look what i found, , all things good, monthly open house, weekend bloggy reading, nifrty thrifty, seasonal sunday,

one small step for blog

2011-06-01T06:37:00.000-07:00

So....i'm on facebook? And pinterest? What do i do now?
What do you do with your facebook page? I think i'd like to share good finds and ideas from other blogs...is this what people do?

Do you have a separate page for your blog and one for personal? I'm afraid of friending anyone in case it's their personal page.

Is your page one that can be "liked" or more of a friend request type deal? Or both?

Um...yeah. Help and advice please.

wishing for window boxes

2011-05-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

I'd love for S to build us some simple window boxes to bring a little pizzazz and color to the ol' cape. Nothing frou frou. Just an extra bit of interest. Sorta like these....

traditional exterior design by minneapolis architect Charlie Simmons - Charlie & Co. Design

traditional exterior design by other metros Witt Construction

traditional kids design

What are you dreaming about these days?

1-3, 4 , 5-6, 7-9

If there's a smile on my face...

2011-05-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

it's only there trying to fool the public.

A few of you have been asking about my dad...so here's where we are.

I've been feeling sad lately. The rain hasn't been helping, either. I went to the store to pick up some birthday cards and father's day cards. This was the first time i cried in the dollar store. What sort of father's day card is sufficient to tell my dad how much i love him and that i'm scared? I'm scared. What if we don't have any more father's days together? My co worker's mother just passed away, and i found this perfectly worded, most sincere card for her. Do you know there were many more sympathy cards to choose from for mothers and only one card for fathers? Why is that?

My father was supposed to start his third cycle of chemo. Each cycle is 3 weeks on, 1 week off. This was his first "on" since returning from vacation. He lost 11 pounds since the last time they saw him, 3 weeks ago. The latest scans show the cancer on the pancreas has not gotten any smaller, and the cancer on the liver have gotten larger. This is not liver cancer, most liver cancer is not actually liver cancer, but like this it migrates there from somewhere else. This is pancreatic cancer in the liver. 1 in 8 men have pancreatic cancer, and there are few treatments. The doctors feel this chemo isn't working since the liver masses have gotten larger, and we will be reconvening with them today. Hopefully he will get today's dose, for i don't know what it means if he doesn't. I have a list of questions and hopefully there are other options to explore.

I am not a praying person, but many of you are. I am a wisher, a pleader, a hoper, even a beggar. If you could pray or wish or plead or hope for us today, I'm sure we'd feel your supportive vibes.

Why does it always rain on me?

2011-05-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Dear rain,
Whilst i appreciate your recent appearance-thus ensuring i don't have to come home from a long day of work and water my flowers when all i want to do is snuggle with the cat-i think we're good now.

Dear rain,
How exciting that my foray into zucchinihood is fruitful-growth! hurrah!-but i can't get close enough to inspect the specimen without standing in mud and getting drenched.

Dear rain,
It won't be long before the windows need to be kept shut and the air conditioner turned on-90 degrees this week?-so could you let up so i can sleep with a lovely breeze blowing?

Dear rain,
You know i do a lot of public speaking, right? So let's not even talk about my hair.

In the past week, we've had 1 nice day...and this week is already starting off to look the same. Thankfully the one nice day was Saturday since we had a yard sale. I'm 177 dollars richer and slightly tanner, too! Anyone go to any good sales or have their own this weekend?

images via here

2 features+2 wins=4 reals

2011-05-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yup, just what it sounds like. I need to give a "holla" to Gnee @ Singing with Birds for featuring the "No more mudpit" brick makeover, and i am proudly sporting a sidebar button to prove it. And Jenna @ Involving Color added my bedroom makeover to her inspiration gallery (which you should check out for ideas and colors). My many thanks, ladies!

On top of all that, i won a sweet giveaway from Myra @ My Blessed Life to the shop below, and i chose two snazzy flower pins.

See, snazzy and will match anything. Love them!

Then there's this sweet pillow (and hunky card) from my friend Devonay that has been living in the sunroom since i got it. Makes me smile every time i walk by...the pillow, not the guy. That would be odd if i kept that card out. And one thing i am definitely not is odd. (Sarcasm...you got that, right? Yes, i knew you would.)

So i have a delicate question about giveaways and winnings...i feel it is only right to thank the hosts and the shops who offer up the items. It's like a big blog circle-the shop gets written about by the giveawayer, the giveawayer gets written about by the winner...but what about when you win something but don't receive it? Or hear anything from the shop owner?

It's kinking the circle, since the shop was written about by the giveawayer, but said giveawayer didn't get their due of thanks since the shop didn't send on the items won. Follow that? And then, is it rude to be like "yo, where's my business you were supposed to send me...that i won so you aren't making any money on them but i'm totally claiming them so please don't sell them to someone else...that i wanted to take on my trip to Spain but that already happened now..." but in a much nicer way, of course. Do i contact the giveawayer and say that i talked with the seller, but never received the items even though she said she was going to ship them? Has this ever happened to you? What did you do?

those furry little...

2011-05-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

Well wtf is up with blogger? This post was published and had comments, and then all of a sudden it unposts itself? Please explain to me how this happens, and let's hope the second time's the charm.

Those vermin otherwise known as squirrels are done. D.O.N.E. They have dug up their last bulb, they have unearthed their last plant. Let's not forget how they destroyed my pumpkins last fall, either. I have a plan of attack now so i don't return after work to find this upsetting image again.

Poor, poor little pepper plant. Luckily, he was able to be saved and now i have the solution.

Oh yes. That's right. Irish Spring and a cheese grater. Apparently squirrels hate the smell of the soap, so they'll stay out of your garden. Precisely what i'm after.

Not sure if the "hydrobeads" will be quite as effective, and seems a shame to waste them on these vermin instead of my sweet darling's face, so i grabbed the regular bar from the shower. With my weapons drawn, i circled the perimeter of my home, scrambling into the flowerbeds, and grating like a maniac.

So now i have the cleanest smelling garden and perhaps the most sudsiest-for what happens when it rains?

Hopefully i am not poisoning the squirrels-as much as i detest them, i don't want to come home to a lawn littered with dead vermin, either! Has anyone ever heard of this remedy? Anyone ever try it?

I'll let you guys know how it goes!

Linking to weekend bloggy reading and outdoor weds

Lucky number 7

2011-05-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's 11 am-the paper's been read, the coffee's been drank (drunk? i never get that right) so it's time to announce the winner of the Freschetta pizza and cutting board.

Lucky number 7-Lisa said... I keep seeing these commercials on tv and I really want to try one. That's my kind of pizza!

Congrats to you, my friend! I'll be emailing you for your address and having the boyfriend ship it out this week!

Thank you Freschetta for providing the giveaway goodies, too!

So Freschetta, So Clean

2011-05-03T18:01:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FRESCHETTA® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sometimes i like it cheap and easy. I'm talking about food, of course. And sometimes cheap and easy food, well, sorta tastes like it. So when an opportunity to try something easy that was supposed to taste fresh came my way, you know i had to give that a go.

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ has 8 different flavor varieties, including Farmers Market Veggie (that my store did not carry, boo) and Southern BBQ Recipe Chicken (yum!). I chose the item below-Harvest Supreme- because it was "farmers markety" to me. Even though black olives and i are not friends, there were four letters that made me overlook them: F.E.T A.

Before i talk about taste, i have to tell you about that seal. Seriously, that FRESCH-TASTE SEAL™ Packing (while locking in the yummy flavors and being better for the environment since it uses 30% less material) is the best thing ever. It opened like a breeze, unlike other frozen pizzas where i have to jab at the packing with something sharp and all the toppings fly everywhere.

So let's talk taste-remember those black olives? I don't. Everything just sort of jived together well and enhanced the flavor, instead of one item overtaking the whole thing. Deelish. The thin and crispy crust was just that, and very good, but when they say thin, they mean thin. The boyfriend's man appetite was not satisfied with half of this pizza and a salad, so be sure to have some ice cream on hand for dessert.

In addition to my pizza coupon, i also received this FRESCHETTA® bamboo cutting board. Can i just tell you how ecstatic i am over this? I know, it's just a cutting board, but look at those cheese knives! We don't have anything like this, and i'm always thisclose to buying one.

And what's this? Well, this is a FRESCHETTA® bamboo cutting board for one of you fabulous readers! Look at your cute cheese knives hiding under there! You will also receive a coupon for FRESCHETTA® Simply Inspired pizza. Cheap, easy, fresh, and delicious!

Here's how to win:

1. Leave me a comment telling me your favorite pizza toppings (other feta fans out there?)

2. “Like” Freschetta Simply Inspired on facebook, and be sure to grab a $2.00 off coupon while you're there. Then let me know in a comment.

Giveway will be open until Saturday May 7th whenever i roll out of bed, read the paper, and finish my coffee. G

She's a brick...

2011-05-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

trash can storage area. Yeah...doesn't have the same ring as "brick house," does it? Don't think that stopped me from singing "shake it down, shake it down now," either. Because it most certainly did not.

We were super excited to take advantage of this glorious weekend outside, so while i got all my plants into pots, S conquered the mud pit where we store the trashcans. Initially we were going to put down stone, because nobody wants a mud pit. Well. Maybe mud wrestlers. Not being mud wrestlers or people who turn down free materials, we were happy when a coworker offered up brick pavers that he was getting rid of. Using them for the mud pit was the perfect budget friendly solution.

What becomes a mud pit when it rains.

Put sand down first, then lay your brick.

Not only is it incredibly loud, but it also kicks up a nice red dust on your neighbor's white fence. Sorry, neighbors! No worries, we just hosed it off easily.

Loving the no more mud pit!

Doesn't it look purty! How's that for a quick (and free) afternoon project?!

Anybody else work outside this weekend? Tackle your own mud pit? Ready to "shake it down, shake it down now?"

made it for monday, amaze me mondays,diy showoff, just something i whipped up monday, metamorphosis monday, motivate me monday, making the world cuter, before and after party trash 2 treasure, anything related, take a look tuesday todays creative blog, show and tell make it yours day,wow us weds, penny pinching party whatever goes wednesday 100 Ideas under $100 show off your stuff hooking up with hoh, strut your stuff, transformation thursday, catch a glimpse, thrilling thursday, fave things fri, everything but the kitchen sink, show and tell friday, all things domestic, remodelaholic, catch as catch can, free for all fri show and share day, flaunt it friday, frugalicious friday, feature yourself friday, the shabby nest, sunday showcase party, a round tuit, weekend wrap up monthly open house shanty 2 chic all things good ,

Here's to you, a song for my daddy-o

2011-04-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

I keep starting this and starting this and starting this. Not sure if i should lump it in with another post, or how i feel about even doing another post. Like it somehow means that everything is back to "normal" even though nothing is. Perhaps that's how i'll start this....Nothing will be normal in my world now that my father has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

For the last month, that's all my stepmom, brother, dad and myself have been occupied with. It's a very confusing thing, cancer is. Where it is, where it's spread to, what one doctor says, what another doctor says (or doesn't!) Appointments, waiting, results of tests. Chemo, side effects, hemoglobin. Every time i get the urge to blog-allowing my mind to focus on another topic-i get a call that sends my mood plummeting. I know it needs to be addressed, but i just can not handle a phone call from my dad talking about burial plots and what jewelry he wants to give me. How can i talk about thrifting after that? I can't. I can't talk at all. {EDIT-Right after i originally composed this post, my father went to the hospital and stayed for 4 days. Talk about a mood crashing call.}

What we were told about pancreatic cancer is that it doesn't go away, so there is no surgery and there is no cure. My stepmom explained it along the lines of diabetes; it will always be there, he will always have it. It just needs to be monitored and maintained. As of his third chemo session, his team said that the mass has actually shrunk a little, which i know boosted my dad's mood and put him in a positive space despite the fevers and chills and nausea. He was also told that as long as he feels ok and his bloodwork is good, they can go on their Aruba vacation...and speaking of vacation, you know i just got back from mine. It had been the least anticipated vacation ever, with all this going on, but it actually made it even more like an escape. I promise there will be pictures. Probably more than you'd like to see.

I really can't thank you enough, my friends, for your comments and emails of support. Often times they really were the brightest part of my days and i truly appreciate them. I'm feeling better, in a good space for now, and i hope to be back to regular blogging. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

I wanna see the world, I do

2011-04-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

You're in for two more weeks of silence, my friends, i hope you can stand it. For tonight, S and i leave for our Spanish adventure. Sure, there are lots of things i'm nervous about (our car rental better be the automatic we requested, and my GPS better pick up the signal with the new map we loaded) but i'm excited about the adventure that will undoubtedly be!

Enjoy these perfect travel photos and see you when we get back!

This is hysterical! One day i WILL be one of these people!

Good idea for a project, no?

love.

This could easily have another landmark.

Mark my words!

You KNOW i love this one!

There's still some time for packing and rearranging, so what are your best travel tips? How to take an artsy photo? How to safely bring home a bottle of wine? DO TELL!

Check me out

2011-03-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

I know-it's been quiet here lately, and i'm not ready to blog about why. I'm not ready to blog at all, or think creatively, or be funny. I'm not ready to do more than reply to comments and scroll through my reader, grateful for any distraction. I hope you understand.

Should you be fixing for my usual humor and sarcasm, i encourage you to check out my feature today on Jill's blog, Creating My Way to Success. Jill is graciously highlighting a different blog each week, and focusing on "providing interesting insight into other people's journeys towards their own personal success." Nice, right? And while i wouldn't exactly call myself successful....i realized that it might actually apply! Check it out!

of course

Thanks Jill, for encouraging me to participate. You rock!

Happy Blogiversary to me

2011-03-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

One year ago today i started this little blog, and of course i had to save this image for this very occasion.

I do, I give a shit about my blog's birthday. You give a shit about my blog's birthday because you're reading it. No matter when you've started reading, no matter if you follow or don't, i'm glad you're out there.

I'd love to know what made you start reading this blog, if you remember. And sorry for the cursing this go round, it was too hysterical not to share.

No hand wiping here

2011-03-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

A huge thank you for your pillow suggestions, you guys, that was awesome. Seriously the reason i started blogging-i just can't do these things without you!

Since it was so gorgeous here this week, combined with working in a very pedestrian friendly town and a coupon for Ten Thousand Villages, a little jaunt was in order. These napkins reminded me of the printed pillows i returned, but better, and you all suggested flowers, so...whadya think? My great friend Maggie (remember her house/neighborhood tour) offered to turn these napkins into pillow covers for me. No brainer, i accepted.

They don't match per se, but they definitely somewhat go. The blue in the floral border is absolutely perfect for the chevron stripe, so i will be layering those guys together! The allover pattern will be one cushion on the loveseat.

I am super excited, and i bid them farewell today. Farewell and godspeed-I'm not sure exactly what the ETA return time is...Maggie marches to the beat of her own drum. I'm hoping it's a relatively fast beat, if you know what i mean. Hopefully the blog will hold her to it- i have to have them back, see, for the blog.

Why has it never occurred to me to look at napkins or placemats for this purpose before? I could kick myself for how many fab ones i must have passed on...just what i need. Another reason to go to mecca. I shall fight that urge...oh wait, i'll be out that way tomorrow. Curses. What's once around gonna do....don't answer that!

What the heck is this? Red? Seriously? You send a boyfriend out for one thing, and he comes back with a random red pillow, mumbling about lumbar support. I'll have to see if Maggie wants to take a crack at covering this one...but i think i'm pushing my luck!

How was everyone's weekend? I could definitely use an extra day, don't know about you...

I'll Melt with you

2011-03-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

Saw this on Man Vs. Food-a place called Melt in Cleveland, Ohio makes this humongous grilled cheese sandwich. Fancy cheese style. I love me some grilled cheese sandwiches, as basic a food as that is. However, i feel like i can never order out something that i can make (and i can't make much!) so therefore i only order "fancy" grilled cheese. Fancy to me means more than just American or Cheddar cheese. And bacon. Bacon makes all things fancy, don't you think? The cape on the corner's no fail strategy: When in doubt, wrap it in bacon.

Maybe Melt has already thought of that...if not, they very well should!

That's 5 pounds of cheese right there!

Directly from their site:

"The Parmageddon-2 potato & cheese pierogi, fresh napa vodka kraut, grilled onions, sharp cheddar"-ok, i could do without the kraut, but pierogi!

"Big Popper-fresh jalapeno peppers, cheddar & herbed cream cheese, beer battered, mixed berry preserves"

"The Cheeses-american, sharp cheddar, provolone, pepper-jack, havarti, swiss, muenster, smoked gouda, blue cheese, feta, herbed cream cheese, goat cheese"-this is the one featured on the show. see, fancy!

Have any of you guys eaten there? Know someone who has? Seen the episode on TV at least? Repulsed at the number of calories that must be in that behemoth of a sandwich?

Um, yeah, i have no association with this place, i am merely daydreaming of big ass fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. Image from Melt Bar & Grilled.

De-brownification, yes that's a word...possibly

2011-02-28T17:52:00.000-08:00

No matter what i do in the living room-and despite a huge blue wall opposite this couch-it always feels like the blue accent isn't quite obvious enough. There be lots of brown up in this space. Wood frames. Brown ottomans. Brown couch. Like a good little indie art supporter, off to Etsy i went.

Have you embraced chevron? We're seeing it all over blogland, but like most things, it took me a while to jump on board. I only just got an ipod and started wearing scarves as accessories. What can i say, i'm a late bloomer in this aspect.

I like the two pillow look, but that second one is way too poofy. It's hard to tell, but little chevron's practically in the middle of the couch.

Definitely not happening on its own, not with that pattern. This is actually the back of the pillows-the front is a bit more country.

So sorry about the flash, but it is really hard to get a good picture here. On a side note, i promise all the winter items are put away now, and the wood frames have been changed to silver.

So here's where i need your help, friends. Loveseat--matching chevron or something similar? Keep looking for a second pillow a little less poofy for behind chevron? Do you have a bevvy of pillows on your couches? This room is small, so bevvy of pillows could be a bit much. Advice, please, oh wise ones!

Blogging Barbies-Guest Post

2011-02-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

My creative and crafty friend Jill, er...Barbie... has made some fun and funky pillows for her girls' bedroom. Check out how these gals in Australia roll...and they don't seem to break a sweat! Take it away, blogging dolls!

"Have you ever seen so much BLUE in a girls room? It's just not right I tell you - something needs to be done!"

"Come on Bratz - time for some more sewing"

"Ok, I've found the pink box - and look what mum's put in the scraps! I mean this is totally OUR fabric isn't it?"

"And here's more pink - my gosh mum is a bit messy isn't she?"

"A BIT? You call this heap a BIT of a mess?

Honestly, if she actually took the time to sort through this, who knows what she might find?

Anyway, I need to iron MY fabric since it's been all crumpled and stuffed in the box. No respect....."

"There! Now let's just snip through these booties here.."

"NOOOO don't you dare - they're my favourite, you go play with your Barbie fabric and leave us to the Bratz stuff!"

"What Barbie fabric? Ohh... erm...."

"Right, I think we're ready to go onto the machine now girls."

"OK, I'm all set - push the pedal!"

"Easier said than done! Er, it's rather large and heavy..and I just painted my nails.."

"There! all done, and not a broken nail in sight - go Barbies!"

"Hmpf! Patchwork, smatchwork, let's get some bling happenin' ladies!"

"What's this bargain shiny stuff? Let's use it!"

"Right you are - press that pedal to the metal! Let's go girls!"

"I'm on it honey! (don't say a word Mickey - you are such a darlin, He he he!)"

"Gimme five! Whoo hoo! You just have to have ruffles, they're so chic!"

"Not bad girls!"

"And so much better pink than blue!"

"Time for a well earned rest I think! My these cushions are comfy!"

"And don't forget stylish girlfriend!"

By the blogging dolls

From Creating my way to Success

(to see any of our previous adventures, click here)

Thanks so much, Jill! Now i feel like putting on a fancy dress and doing some sewing-bet those were words you never thought i'd utter! Hey, if a Barbie can do it...? The pic where she's "actually" sewing cracks me up! If you'd like to see what other shenanigans those gals get into, please go visit Creating my way to Success!