Don't you hate it when people say TGIF? I can't help but think of chicken tenders

I do sincerely despise the phrase TGIF. Yes, I enjoy the weekends. And yes, I sometimes enjoy an extreme quesedilla appetizer from the aforementioned chain restaurant. I just can't help but think of Office Space. TGIF? Are you wearing your flair? Does somebody have the case of the Monday's?

Penny Lane and I will be working through the weekend, so TGIF doesn't even apply to me these days. Well, I will be working. Penny will be sleeping, eating, whining for attention occasionally, and generally doing her dog thing. We had a little photo session today to break up the increasing length of my to do list. How's that for time management?

Back in the saddle

I have been MIA for the past few days because my mom was in the hospital again, it seems like it is finally determined what has been going on with her. We are relieved for that, but I getting back into the swing of things has been a challenge post holiday, and post family emergency. But here I am again, trying to get back in the saddle.

My office space is in my kitchen, and my dining table is usually my desk, unless I am having people over for dinner. My office was completely dismantled over the holidays, and although I began working again (I work from home), I had not gotten it all set up. Today's project - Mission Office Organization.
I have been on the hunt for the perfect desk lamp for a long time. I found this one at the thrift store for $3, and spray painted the shade kelly green. It's awesome because it's small and portable, so when I need to do the old office switcheroo, it folds up and I can put it on my printer cart and roll everything out.
I am doing new "To Do List" method, I got one of those giant post it pads and some markers, and I have a gigantic poster sized list on my fridge. I think checking things off and seeing the list get shorter that way will help me feel like I am actually getting things accomplished. I bought old school Mr. Sketch markers, you know - the kind that smell like cherries and licorice. Sooo retro. It takes me back to elementary school. Those were always the markers everyone went for!

So now that my space is pretty organized (I still have a big stack of papers to file, but that will be for another day) I'm hoping to really be off and running now...let's cross our fingers.

"Severe" winter weather

As anyone knows who lives in the South, we all hunker down at the slightest chance of snow. Milk and bread flies of the shelves of the grocery stores, schools close, and the local news cranks out hours and hours of coverage from their "severe winter weather" teams. The truth? We got some snow. We got some ice. It's probably not safe to drive on the roads. But "severe"? I think not. However, since everyone is staying in today, I think we should take a tip from Penny Lane and just curl up in bed with a good book. (If you are wondering what Penny is reading these days, it's Cuba Diaries: An American Housewife in Havana in preparation for my trip there this summer. She likes to stay abreast of international culture.)
Penny was none too happy this morning when she had to go outside. She has gotten a taste of winter this year for sure. I haven't seen her dash back inside that quickly in a long time. And she went immediately back to her favorite spot, curled up in the laundry that I have had every good intention of doing.
It is legitimate snow, however, and it is nice to feel like we got a real winter. I know my NYC and Philly friends will disagree that the snow is enjoyable, as they have been buried for far too long.
But for today, below the Mason Dixon, we have a lovely, quiet winter's morn. Maybe I'll make some french toast with all that milk and bread.

To Ugg or not to Ugg

On my quest to discover new blogs and to ponder the purchase of a pair of gray Uggs, I stumbled upon something that has changed my life and I know will change yours - Polyvore. Am I the only one who hasn't found this yet? If you are unlearned in the ways of Photoshop and Illustrator as I am, this will totally make your day. You can make sets of photos from all over the web, in fashion like I have done here, or you could even do some virtual interior designing like How About Orange did here. C'est un triomphe.

This is a look that I basically rock every day. I'm predictable like that. And old, and set in my ways. Jeans, tank top, long cardigan, big old earrings and a comfy scarf. And boots. But my boots are not so comfy, so I'm thinking of some boots like this. Now that I can see the Uggs...should I buy the Uggs? I have been pondering this a long time. As much as my feet are dying to be in them, is it too Pamela Anderson in a cut off jean skirt?

This post brought to you by the letter N

ow that I've got your attention, I wanted to share two wonderful things with you and one giant obsession of mine. I love, love, love a monogram. I think I have excessive N's around my house - a magnet on the fridge, a giant wooden N salvaged from a "Hollywoodland" sign from a college play, a white metal N in my entryway found at an antique store. Much like my love of spray paint, wood grain contact paper, and anything with a bird theme, maybe I need an intervention. On to the two wonderful things, not unrelated to my loves. This page where you can get free Daily Drop Caps like the N on this post, which I found from a very cool blog called How About Orange. How fun! I know it's post holiday gift wrapping season, but here's one of her great tutorials on how to make a gift bow out of a magazine page - for your next gift wrapping emergency. Although, if you are anything like me, you saved all your bows from your Christmas presents.

New shoe clips unveiled (drumroll, please)

he clock is ticking and the vacation will be officially over in about 9 hours! Back to the grind. I love my job, so it's not so much that, but I won't have the same kind of free time to craft, paint, cook, rearrange stuff, and hit every thrift store in town like I have done over the holiday break. One of the things I did make time to do was to create new shoe clips for my Etsy shop. Each pair is unique, so when I make them, I like to have at least half a day to take out all of my fabric and trimmings and just play. I did some shopping for vintage fabric, buttons, and beads on my vacation, so I gathered all of that up and had some fun. Check all of them out here.

Happy New Year

"And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been."

-Rainer Maria Wilke

Wishing you every good thing this new year. I'm kicking it off in grand style by cleaning my bathroom like it has never been cleaned before. I'm talking scrubbing the floors by hand, here.
This will happen no more than once a year, twice at most, I assure you. We're good for the next six months. And there's nothing quite like the feeling of having a big basket of fresh white towels.
I had a long vacation and lots of down time, and it's time to kick it back into gear again. I made a whole bunch of new shoe clips that I am starting to post on my Etsy shop, too! New shoes for a brand new year. Hope your holidays were amazing. I'm looking forward to a fantastic 2010 full of adventures and surprises.