Sneaky photo through the "window" at San Jose Children's Museum. He was "cooking" with a few friends and older kids. So adorable even if it is blurry.
FF #9: Touch of Boho
I started creating this outfit from the shirt. I thought I would end up with a very bohemian outfit, but the complete outfit went in a very different direction. I love the contrast of soft and hard. My favorite pieces is definitely the necklace.
maurices.com
shoplesnouvelles.com
Warehouse bodycon pencil skirt
$53 - warehouse.co.uk
cusp.com
surprise.katespade.com
Rivka Friedman 18 karat gold jewelry
gilt.com
daisyshoppe.com
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh
Title: First Comes Marriage (Huxtable Quintet #1)
Author: Mary Balogh
Publisher: Bantam Dell 2009
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 388
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR; A to Z: F; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W10
The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common can’t keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret—one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables—Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed…and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love can’t be far behind.
I didn't think I would like this book at first. The characters started a bit flat and very unlikable. But as the chapters started to progress, I found myself liking them more and more. By the end of the book I was loving the story of Elliott and Vanessa. And I loved seeing the rest of the Huxtable clan. The other reason I gave it higher marks was the writing style. The opening characters sound very much like the beginning of a Jane Austen novel. I found myself falling into the idea of Persuasion or Pride and Prejudice. The enjoyable writing style kept me reading until the characters really blossomed. Overall a good start to a new-to-me series.
Huxtable Quintet
- #1 First Comes Marriage
- #2 Then Comes Seduction
- #3 At Last Comes Love
- #4 Seducing an Angel
- #5 A Secret Affair
Odds and Ends
Here's my random thoughts for the week:
- Packing for Indiana in March and April is incredibly hard. Throw in a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, and Easter, and I'm at a lost as to what to bring...
- Having so many Project Life cards means that I "discover" new kits occasionally. Makes it kind a fun, although I should probably sell some partials.
- Arthur will only eat the breakfast I am eating. Makes it really hard to enjoy a chocolate croissant.
- I love berries of all kinds... and apparently so does Arthur.
- Unexpected rainy days create claustrophobic toddlers.
- Here's hoping I fit into my bridesmaid dress in a one. So stressful!
- And I need a LBD that actually fits for the bachelorette party. Turns out my trusty stand-by is way to tight in odd areas.
- My feet are cold
Quote Wednesday -- Falls
One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each other's stories. -- Rebecca Falls
Music Monday -- iPod Shuffle
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Gold Lion"
Dixie Chicks "Top of the World"
Linkin Park "Bleed It Out"
Sunday Sunset #6
Listening To: My giant iPod list. I currently have the songs sorted alphabetically. I'm in the Fs right now. Just listened to "Fa Fa Fa" by Guster.
Book finished: Living History
Reading: First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh
On the Nightstand: Yes Please by Amy Poehler; Insurgent by Veronica Roth
MakingLists: Packing list for Indiana. Only about a week and a half to go before I leave. I need to get start on actually packing.
Around the house: I finished Arthur's rooms this past week. Now to get started on the rest of the downstairs.
From the kitchen: I tried two new recipes last week. I made a pesto asparagus pasta that was amazing. I had to add black olives of course, but this was a great recipe. I also made a BBQ chicken salad that was pretty good.
Crafting: Most of my crafting time this week was spent making bridal shower invitations. I finally finished yesterday, so they are going in the mail tomorrow.
Watching: We caught up on Episodes and Elementary this week. On the movie front we watched Horrible Bosses 2 and Amazing Spider Man 2. Both pretty good, but I think Horrible Bosses 2 wins that battle.
From Nature: The temps went over 70 this week. Arthur and I enjoyed some lovely walks this week.
Project: Attempting to finish all of my in progress craft projects before I leave for Indiana.
Picture: Fun tunnel time!
OLW February
Let's take a look at what I did this past month for my OLW. This year's focus is HOME.
My monthly intentions:
1. Arthur's room and play area -- Finally they are finished! I added a reading corner complete with Ikea spice racks for shelves. They are the perfect design for Arthur it get the books in and out himself. I hung the nice navy blue blackout curtains. I put up his new solar system decals and the rest of the framed pictures. Part of his birthday banner went over his book shelves along with his finger painted A. The closet is organized at least for now. Finally I hung some of his preschool artwork above the bookshelf. I plan on changing them out as he makes new projects.
As for his playroom, I mainly wanted containers for the toys. I bought one of the toys organization systems from Ikea to hold the bulk of the toys. Arthur can actually take them in and out by himself. This left room for the tent and tunnel to be permanently set up. I went with back ivory curtain panels to add some privacy. Nothing fancy, but they help the room look finished. The only thing not done is to hang something about the alphabet decals. We will probably just hang something that we already have.
2. Co-op home inspection -- Nope. Didn't get to it. February was so busy with activities and things like the retreat that this just never happened. I'm hoping to get this checked out during our hosting of preschool next week.
3. Alameda parent's group -- After looking at my parent group options up here in East Bay, I've decided to start my own. Most charge ~$20 a year for membership for not much benefit. Others just don't do anything. I want my South Bay group in East Bay!
4. Email clean out -- Success! I got my emails under control. Deleted a ton of emails, archived some others, unsubscribed from a ton of newsletters and coupons. Next step is to officially close my Hotmail account.
Extras:
-- I didn't do much else for my word this month.
My OLW Pages:
This month's prompt was to create a vision board. Initially I was very hesitant to the idea. Vision boards just aren't my thing... But after some thought I decided to attempt it. I went into Target, grabbed three magazines, and started cutting them up. I had a few 8x10 canvases left over from preschool. This seemed the perfect size for me to try.
And this is my completed project. I think it turned out well. I decided to use patterns and colors for my base layer. I stayed away from any recognizable image. On top, I added words and phrases that spoke to me. Most of my words relate directly to my word: Home. I've propped this up in my craft area to kept me focused.
FF #8: Dreaming of Spring
Seeing all of the crap weather reports, I had to make a fun spring outfit. This is the perfect outfit to dream of spring. The dress is just killer! The accessories are there to compliment the dress in nice subtle ways. I love the gold accents everywhere.
ladyvlondon.com
Damsel in a Dress short green jacket
$200 - johnlewis.com
Giuseppe Zanotti t strap shoes
couture.zappos.com
luisaviaroma.com
shop.harpersbazaar.com
$32 - rockmyvintage.co.uk
Video Bonanza!
This is absolutely amazing!
Is it bad that I kind of want to see this?
A must see movie.
Love crazy lists...
Thank you Hank Green and SciShow!
I just couldn't resist this one...
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Title: Living History
Author: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Publisher: Scribner 2004
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: 592
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Rory Gilmore; TBR Reduction; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W9
Hillary Rodham Clinton is known to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Yet few beyond her close friends and family have ever heard her account of her extraordinary journey. She writes with candor, humor and passion about her upbringing in suburban, middle-class America in the 1950s and her transformation from Goldwater Girl to student activist to controversial First Lady. Living History is her revealing memoir of life through the White House years. It is also her chronicle of living history with Bill Clinton, a thirty-year adventure in love and politics that survives personal betrayal, relentless partisan investigations and constant public scrutiny.Hillary Rodham Clinton came of age during a time of tumultuous social and political change in America. Like many women of her generation, she grew up with choices and opportunities unknown to her mother or grandmother. She charted her own course through unexplored terrain -- responding to the changing times and her own internal compass -- and became an emblem for some and a lightning rod for others. Wife, mother, lawyer, advocate and international icon, she has lived through America's great political wars, from Watergate to Whitewater.The only First Lady to play a major role in shaping domestic legislation, Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled tirelessly around the country to champion health care, expand economic and educational opportunity and promote the needs of children and families, and she crisscrossed the globe on behalf of women's rights, human rights and democracy. She redefined the position of First Lady and helped save the presidency from an unconstitutional, politically motivated impeachment. Intimate, powerful and inspiring, Living History captures the essence of one of the most remarkable women of our time and the challenging process by which she came to define herself and find her own voice -- as a woman and as a formidable figure in American politics.
Hmmmm... I have mixed feelings about this one. I really liked the subject matter. Learning more about Clinton was my goal. She has been a very fascinating figure for the last twenty years. And yet, I found my mind wandering throughout the book. I finally realized that I am a fan of the writing style. The quick transitions between stories were somewhat jarring. Ultimately I finished the book, but not my favorite at all.
Currently #4
Watching: Arthur and I have been watching Rehab Addict after he wakes up from his nap.
Reading: Finally getting around to reading Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Listening: Right now it is quiet in the house. I am loving it.
Making: I need to start making Sarah's Bridal Shower invitations. I've got a few ideas, but I need to play around to determine which one I like the most.
Feeling: I had a horrendous migraine for about four days last week. It seems to be gone thankfully.
Planning: Always planning out our weekly dinners. It's a never-ending process.
Loving: I don't know why but I am constantly turning to iced tea as my drink of choice.
Monthly Life Goals March 2015
Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on February’s goals and my progress.
- 30 Days Challenge: 30 Days to an Organized Life (Pinterest) – Fail... Yeah I didn't follow this at all.
- Work on Arthur’s bedroom and playroom — Success! I have almost every piece done.
- Sort through at least 2 garage boxes – Success! I actually sorted through all six boxes.
- Finish my craft projects before the retreat – Success! I finished everything a week before the retreat.
- Book my plane tickets for spring break — Success!
This month's goals:
- 30 Day Challenge: Meditate Daily-- This challenge has been on my list for awhile now.
- Put up the kitchen curtains -- Yeah they've been sitting there for almost a month. I really need to just hang them.
- Curate at least one Pinterest board -- I really need to fix these boards.
- Have pie on Pi Day -- J may not be around, but Arthur and I are having pie.
- Plan a Favorite Things for Kids Party for May -- We had so much fun doing it at retreat that I want to host one for the kids.
Music Monday -- Echosmith "Bright"
This song has been stuck in my head for days...
Sunday Sunset #5
Listening To: Washing machine. It's the housekeeping task of the day.
Book finished: Remarkable Creatures; Ethan Frome; Seducing the Heiress; Never Trust a Rogue; Scandal of the Year
Reading: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
On the Nightstand: Yes Please by Amy Poehler; Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon; Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Making Lists: To do items before I leave for Indiana on the 17th. Sixteen days to get a ton of things done...
Around the house: Putting the finishing touches on Arthur's room this week. I still need J to hang the Enterprise mobile. Everything else is done!
From the kitchen: Nothing new from this past week. But I am listing a few new recipes to try this coming week.
Crafting: I have a few PL swaps to finish this week so I guess I'll focus on those.
Watching: We've been watching our usual currently airing shows. Really we've been staying away from most of television.
Wondering: What should I pack for Indiana? Yeah, I have no idea what type of clothes to pack. Indiana in March and April can have any type of weather.
From Nature: It's been chilly around here this week. By chilly I mean 50s and low 60s. Brr. It's also been a bit rainy. Missing my sunshine...
Project: Sarah's Wedding. She's getting married in April and I'm planning her Bridal Shower. I'm also a bridesmaid and generally helping her out. Lots of things to finish before I leave for Indiana on the 17th.
Exercising: I did our usual Shoreline 4 mile walk on Friday and it about kicked my ass. I was very winded by the end. I guess that weekend away really pushed me back on the exercise front.
Picture: My project yesterday. Cute boy themed project life cards.
