Negative Nancy/Positive Polly

I'm going to warn you all that this post is going to be a lot of me whining, so if you can't take it, scroll down to #1 at the bottom. I need to vent though, so here goes:
1. Had a lovely dinner with Danielle (my Craven!) at new restaurant Town Tavern. Not so lovely were the two HUNKS of meat on my salad with 5 walnuts and teaspoon of bleu cheese for $15. And what restaurant, in this day and age, doesn't have a website? But you are smoke free, so maybe I can let SOME of your shortcomings slide. I said SOME.

2. I may be burning some craft bridges, but I don't really give a tiny rat's A. After inquiring if a certain local store that I like(d) would be interested in some of my products, I was told their clientele didn't really "'get' the indie look". Huh? I know some of my things are not *super* mainstream, but isn't that kinda the point? Plus, I feel like that was insulting to her clientele! Jessie, let's go knit some dildo cozies. Maybe I'll send Local Store Lady one.

3. More burning bridges. I understand people are busy, but can I PLEASE get paid for a certain large order that I filled??? I need something out of the whole horrible experience. I'm sure it's like a drop in the bucket of what you make. I might even be placated for a bit if I got to see my product displayed online, but that hasn't happened either, and all questions asked regarding status of said online and/or catalog display are never responded to. No more wholesale orders for me, I learned my lesson.

4. I don't want Seth Rogen to be famous. He's MY Seth Rogen. He's my Ronnie. Now he's going to be known as The Green Hornet writer? Blaspheme! Even though, I'm sure it will be good (dammit).

5. Stop ruining movies, people!!!! I just read Zac Efron is going to be in the 2008 version of Footloose. Stop the madness, just STOP! This may be unpopular (don't call me an idiot unless you're over the age of say 23), but High School Musical is a steaming pile of horse pucky. But then you had to go and ruin Hairspray. And now Footloose???!!! There is one Ren McCormack, and you, sir, are not him.

6. I'm not even going to start with the flippin homophobic homosexual, ahem, Congressmen of a cetain party affiliation. And what kind of PR people do these men have? Yes! Let's tell everyone you were scared that these large African American men were going to violate you, so you just offered them some money and a blow-jay instead. That's a wonderful excuse. And the one at the MSP airport? Yes, he has a "wide stance" and he put his hand under the stall to ask if the gentleman next to him could spare a square? You people are pathetic! Effing hypocrites, the lot o' ya!

7. There's no ice cream in the house.

I know, I know-- if the aforementioned are the biggest problems in my life, I'm a lucky woman. And I do know that. So I must close on some happy/love notes:

1. I love Naomi. She is a doll. And she's so together! I want to be like her when I grow up (although I'm almost certain she's younger than me).

2. My smart-as-a-whip niece, Miss Sophia, started first grade yesterday. Even though I don't see her every day, I think of her often. I can only hope Q turns out to be such a nice little girl.

3. I love all my real-life friends and that we make time to stay in touch and that you always think of fun things for us to do even though we're all busy. I'm talking to you, Amy F., Danielle, Lindsay, Amy C., Ginny, and Jana.

4. I love all my blog/craft friends and all the little words of encouragement and inspiration you give me daily. I'm in awe of your talent!

5. Wes Anderson, you old so-and-so, it looks like you've done it again. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, AND Jason Schwartzman? Shut the front door.

6. Lindsay and Ruth have been cast in The Lovely Bones. I love that Peter Jackson uses unknowns. God bless him.

7. I have gotten over the weirdness of estate sales, and I am in fact hitting a doozy tomorrow.

On that (bi-polar/moodswinging) note, put a fork in me.

The Unveiling

It's finally done! My crafty oasis! Let me give you a tour...

As you enter from the kitchen. Notice children's hankies on the wall a la Jenny (actually I was inspired GREATLY by Jenny's room if you can't tell). Plain metal lightswitch plate will be replaced by a lovely Robot Candy custom creation (think Little Red Riding Hood). Will post pics of that once it comes.



Next up is our new HP laptop on my chippy metal top farm table. My ribbons are all neatly situated. Books are stacked not as neatly to the side. On the wall is one of my favorite flea market finds-- a felt silhouette prepared by a woman named Fern Weaver who lived in Detroit. My Target office chair which will have a new cushion soon courtesy of Karen. Still waiting for my vintage nursery lamp to arrive which will sit next to the paper cutter.





Maybe my favorite area: Ikea desk, Ikea storage jars, rad Tivoli radio. I've had that stool for almost 20 years and it's been painted every color you can think of. It may also get a seat cushion, but I'm not sure. Wrapping paper rolls in a galvanized pail in the corner. And on the shelf, The Black Apple Mama and Baby Dunces, Land of Nod train cases, and my newest Tiny 3-d Book from Australia, Little Red Riding Hood. Still want to make a fabric covered bulletin board for this area.



And the piece de resistance, Quinn's craft table. I'm so proud of it! The table and chairs are from Ikea. Ryan and I painted it antique red. The fabric is from reprodepot that was finished with iron-on vinyl to make it water and stain-proof! Then I stretched it over the tabletop and Ryan attached it to the table base.

Thanks for stopping by, as always! Still have a few details to go, but you get the idea. xoxo

The Cupcakiest

I've found a new hero. Local schoolteacher Dave Slater ate 17 cupcakes in 8 minutes. Well, not just for the fun of it-- it was a contest put on by the Cupcake Station in Birmingham, and he also won some moolah and (just want he wanted) more cupcakes as well as the fame and admiration surrounding his feat. He will also hold the title in the International Federation of Competitve Eating. I did not know there was such an animal, and reading some of the records on it frankly made me ill. Anywho, here's my homage to Mr. Slater:

Reading his story also made me hungry for cupcakes. So the hubby and I had a date night tonight and stopped by The Cupcake Station to split a vanilla petals. Verrrrry good, but the cake was verrrrry heavy. We also did a little window shopping at Design Within Reach and Arhaus furniture before heading to Anthropologie. Last but not least, we caught a movie-- Superbad! I know I have voiced my Judd Apatow (and Seth Rogan) love before, and this movie did not disappoint. I also have a tiny inappropriate crush on Michael Cera because I love his awkwardness, and I was a big Arrested Development fan. Plus (and Ryan didn't like when I told him), he reminds me a little of my husband.

Hope everyone is having a grand weekend! xo

Fab 5 Friday

Ack! My picks were featured on Rarebird Finds' Fab 5 Friday. I sent it in quite awhile ago, so imagine my surprise when I clicked on my favorite shopping blog to see my dorky face on it. Happy Friday, all!!! xo

Kitschy Cute Lamps

Whilst shopping for a lamp for my craft room, here are some that have caught my fancy. Aren't they great???

I Could Get Used to This

Nothing much new to report. Well, besides that I packaged up my 100th heart gift to Jamie in my half done craft room, and I loved it! For the most part, I could get to everything I needed. Only had to dig for scissors, but they are not in their intended spot yet. Ahhhhhhhhhh.


I'm crabby and tired today. But I am excited because Lindsay and I are going to Ferndale tomorrow night for sushi and maybe Naka. I've been meaning to go there forever! Also excited for Miss Amelia's very important birthday party on Saturday. I have Q's dress all picked out-- it's her first birthday party ever (well, except for her own) Another fun friend thing-- Amy invited Ryan, Q and I to join her family for Dally in the Alley. I have such nice friends!

Oh! One more thing. I will tell you all now (and most of my friends already know) that Fall is my absolute favorite season and Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. I'm a freak. Last year, Quinn had a festive outfit to wear to the pumpkin patch, a festive outfit for daycare, and of course, her Halloween costume (we went to 2 houses). She was a pudgy (and runny-nosed) spider. This year, she will be (doop doo doo DOOOOOO....) a STRAWBERRY (yes, I superimposed her face-- the model baby was a lil' homely).

100 Hearts

I take my Etsy hearts very seriously. I appreciate each and every person who hearts my shop or one of my items! And I actually check every day to see if anyone new hearts me as well as who is reading my blog. I can't see who is actually reading, just where they are from. It's my morning ritual-- coffee, protein bar, Etsy hearts, then Google Analytics.

Anywho, this may be dorky, but I received my 100th heart on Etsy last week. Thanks, Jamie! In honor and appreciation of my 100th heart, I shall concoct a treat for her and send it off to Texas.