Free day

Thursdays are like a mini Saturday for me. I have a class mid-morning for a few hours, and then usually a group meeting of some kind for school, and I'm usually done with a few bright afternoon hours left. Today, although I ran from floor to floor seeking various signatures from people I've never met in order to graduate, I had cleared my plate around 2 pm (and even made a few business calls to boot). I usually run errands on my trek back to Park City - if need be I can hit downtown shops, trolley square area, 21st south shops, Sugarhouse, and sometimes even Holladay on the way home. (one perk of living on the other side of the mountains)

Today I decided to go by the '9th and 9th' shopping district. It has been a long time since I've been out there and I wanted to check out Hip & Humble and the other shops nearby. Ben called and was done for the day so I had him come meet me for a little afternoon outing.

I was having so much fun 'boutiquing' - (recently I've found so much more enjoyment going to smaller shops, boutiques and cafes where you never know what great finds you'll stumble upon and just have to pick up!) - Ben arrived and was ready to leave after about five minutes. I had a gift wrapped up to-go and we walked down to this darling little (not little) shop called Children's Hour. I was having the most fun just putzing around looking at all the darling jewelry, books, handbags, etc., when Ben, close behind but not really paying attention to the inventory and more just like following me, asks, "So is this what women do all day?"

He wasn't being rude or sarcastic - he caught a glimpse of all these ladies out on the town and he sincerely wanted to know the answer. I write about this because it was such a little moment for me. Doesn't this truly and simply define the differences between men and women? I laughed in response to him and basically, I said, "yeah, I guess." Elaborating on the topic of the daily responsibilities and errands of women (wives, mothers, et al.) wouldn't have clarified the situation much for him. I giggled to myself. Next time I'll invite him along when it's lunchtime - and when he asks what I've been up to all morning I'll just say, "oh, a few errands, that's all." As J.Lo said in her most memorable role, "Most [men] are NID, not into details."

Minted, and more

I stumbled across Minted today, a company that retails fine papers and custom announcements online. Brands I love like Dauphine Press, Elum, and Peculiar Pair Press. What a great find. Someday I want to have a collection of really great personalized stationery... fancy, fun, colorful, letterpress, whatever!

Then from that site I found a site called Float Paperie and it's blog, Float Notes. Scrolling through the photos of beautiful papers just makes me want to get engaged and married all over again... the invitation and photography process was so much fun for me. (I cite the expertise of PaperHearts.) Maybe instead of that I can throw a shower or party and do some kind of fun letterpress invitation. Meanwhile I'm totally swooning over this precious baby announcement I saw on the Float Blog -

Resolutions

Is it okay that it's almost March and I'm just now putting pen to paper with my resolutions for this year? I love coming up with resolutions every year. It gives me a chance to believe that one day I can be lazy and the next I am suddenly full of ideas, potential, and enthusiasm!

Sometimes resolutions don't come to pass during the year you set them... case-in-point... in 2007 when I said to Ben, "by the end of this year, we'll have one or more of the following: a house, a baby, and/or a puppy. Nevertheless, resolutions are fun and, I think, contribute to our overall well-being. Here is a 'so far' list of what I'm thinking of for 2009.

Enroll in a sewing class (what good is the machine if I don't know how to use it!)

Finally make a book out of my journal entries and blog posts

Learn how to make fabulous croissants, then dip them in chocolate

See friends more often

Take regular yoga or pilates classes

Create a fabulous container garden this summer

Write more thank you notes and cards 'just because'

Take a Photoshop course

Cook, Bake, Broil, Fry... whatever it takes to become more acquainted with my kitchen and preparing food in general

Keep a sketchbook in my purse to jot down inspiring ideas, thoughts for design elements, or to quick-sketch something that comes to mind

Become a morning person ( ala waking up much earlier than necessary to simply enjoy the morning with a leisurely breakfast over the newspaper)... this will be a toughy

Plan more fun dates with Ben to explore Park City - the cuisine, nightlife, and maybe even outdoor activities??

Allow more creativity to come into my life... don't be afraid to try and/or create new things

As for now, I must put most of these goals on hold... you see, I am a procrastinator when it comes to all things educational. With graduation from design school this April I must, must, must, push through with the final autocad class (try!), and most-importantly, create a final portfolio that I can be proud of. Plus, summer sounds like a great time to turn this list of resolutions into a checklist.

Jo & Jax

My two brilliant cousins started a clothing line. They are dancers who've been all over the world dancing and choreographing. I heard about through the family and I thought they were just selling at conventions to young dancers, but I got a Valentine e-newsletter (see above) from them this weekend and I realized they had a website set up to sell from also.

Apparently they have an amazing thing going! Wow! I loved the whole vibe of their site, as I sat jamming out to that cool song playing, suddenly I'm wishing I had rythym. If I did, I would go audition all over NYC after buying the following:

Being a few years older than I am, Joey and Jacki were always super-cool to me simply becuase they danced and ate cereal late on school-nights, and they had a sweet Cabbage Patch kids collection, etc. But in addition to all that, they have become successful coreographers and now, entrepreneurs! Go visit the site - and if you dance, buy the racer and wear it because I can't!

A chaise, a dog, a magazine, a throw

I've been going through back-issues of magazines at work in an attempt at some early office Spring cleaning. I came across this picture in the July 2008 issue of Traditional Home. It is part of a feature on the newly remodeled set from the Sex and the City movie. I'm posting this for a few reasons. I've seen the show on TV and have always admired Charlotte's apartment. She has a spacious Park Avenue apartment complete with extensive wood paneling and my favorite - a round entry table, topped with fresh flower arrangement. I like the entire mood this photograph sets. My favorite parts - the tone-on-tone wallpaper, the neutral color-palette with dark accents, the semi-open floor plan, and the traditional/eclectic styling. Oh, and I have a love affair with chaise lounges.

What's more, look at Charlotte. She is curled up with a good magazine, a cozy throw, and her little pup. How dreamy. Can I be her for one afternoon? (side note: I've always wanted a Golden Retriever, but I saw the cutest Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the other day at the post office and well, now I want one of those. It had the same color coat as a golden, only miniature! Family dog vs. little carry around dog... a post for another day)

I scoured the Internet for a digital copy but with no luck I finally tore it out and scanned it in. I know the tear is bothersome but I had to include the right side of the spine because I love the vignette on that side with the beautiful painted chest and oval sunburst mirror above. I wish the lamp behind the chaise were gone so I could peek into the dining room a bit more. The room is cozy and glam at the same time. A perfect achievement. (I must find an edited version of this movie just to see the set.)

Happy 1st Birthday Reese!!

Happy Birthday to my darling little princess Reese! My parents flew out to celebrate in DC with Taryn and Mike, while I am stuck at home wishing I could have joined the party. Luckily, Reese penciled in a bit of time on her busy day today to ichat with me... but she couldn't stay long - in no time she was away from the camera and walking about the house making sure all her gifts were right where she left them.

Taryn and Mom whipped up what seemed to be professionally catered desserts and I hear they had a great turnout at the party. With their gourmet treats and Reese's undying popularity, it's no great surprise to me. Love you Reese - I hope your birthday presents from Aunt Lallycakes and Uncle Ben arrives soon!

(photo courtesy of Andrea Marie Photography)

V-day treat

Awaiting me on my desk today was this beautiful Hydrangea plant. A little 'happy' from my co-worker Derek. Poor guy's outnumbered five-to-one and treated each of us to our own little plant. How thoughtful! It is so lovely I am going to cart it around with me. What a way to start off my V-day weekend. I would challenge Ben with a 'no pressure' comment, but he reads my blog only when I tell him to. Maybe I'll e-mail him the link to this post.

Ode to Valentine's

Anyone ever heard the stale argument that Valentine's Day is just a marketing ploy used by retail and other companies to make people believe that they have to spend money on certain sentiments in order to show their feelings for those they love... ?

To this I say So What? Maybe it is silly (and positively overwhelming for most men) to be pressured into summing up love in one day. "Love should grow and be equally expressed all days, not just one" bla bla bla. Okay, I agree, but why do we have to take it out on St. Valentine?

I've always loved Valentine's Day. Maybe it's because my mom started an early tradition of sending our family's annual holiday card on this day. She's always treated us to yummy little desserts and to this day I can't see a Valentine's-themed accessory (dish, toy, picture frame, towel, etc.) without thinking of her!

V- Day is only trying to relieve our bleak post-holiday depression/Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms. Who doesn't want a little encouragement to pick up some flowers at the market for once (even for yourself) or some heart-shaped candies. We all buy candy anyway, isn't the heart-shaped kind even better?

I applaud you, Valentine's Day. And in support, I will wear my Lalique heart necklace extra this week. I have a feeling my sisters will join me.