Music Monday...Florence + the Machine

So I've been overly obsessed with this song lately. As in blasting it in my car and singing (screaming) at the top of my lungs.

And when I'm done, all I can do is smile.

Its that awesome.

And she's a red head.

This video isn't the good one from the MTV Music Awards (amazing cinematography), but still worth a look.

Watch Florence + the Machine - Dog Days Are Over (Live) on MTVMusic.com

Normalcy is on the horizon...

So I was told I have to update my profile. I've heard that once I start receiving mail at a new address, that's when it's official. That hasn't happened yet. I've moved my loofah-which I think is a big deal. Maybe once my studio space is set up. Yep. I said it: STUDIO SPACE. AKA the space bedroom, but I'm OK with that. Monday I'll back to regular non-complaining blogging.

Riveting.

I know.

Here's something cute to hold you over:

Here it is after the jump if you need more.

Commonwealth

So we've been working on the kitchen. The house is circa 1925 and was owned by a photographer. I can't take any credit for seeing the beauty in its purchased state, considering I'm a newer addition than the cat, but I have seen an impressive transformation. When I came into the picture, even in the 'friends' regard, there were awkwardly placed walls and ugly carpet. I was called upon, with some flattery by my brother, to help design the kitchen. Fast forward a few months and I was helping pick everything from the wall colors to the lighting fixtures- so that it would feel more like 'my home.'

He appreciates my input and likes my ideas. He isn't afraid to say 'no,' but he's also tries everything once- and is learning to trust.

Original cabinets, refinished & distressed- no thanks to Martha's paint

Chocolate Truffle under Heavy Cream

Cappuccino Walls

Oil Rubbed Bronze pulls

Crown molding & full-size-bed peninsula courtesy of my brother

in HD Laminate in Deepstar Flint- the hardest choice yet...

Refinished original floors that came out amazing

Cast Iron Sink (with Pebblz mat) & Oil Rubbed Faucet

Butcher Block

Now to order the back splash...something like this...

pick up two more bar stools...

and install the base board...

So maybe it isn't such a short list...

Food Porn & A Very Important Hook

So I'm officially done being melodramatic and melancholy.

All thanks to:

1. The photo shoot being cancelled due to weather. Which means I might be able to snowboard tonight...or better yet- RELAX!

2. I made this last night! And I have big plans for adjustments to the recipe...rosemary & garlic? Why yes.

3. I had this for breakfast- oh ya- that's home & handmade bread with home & handmade peach jam- made by yours truly.

4. One very crazy, very lovely lady has decided that we're having a 'house-warming brunch'- for me at my new house Sunday. And there will be strata...made from my new favorite bread.

And of course, I saved the best for last.

5. I brought my good shampoo, good conditioner, and LOOFAH to my new address, proclaimed that he's 'stuck-because I brought my loofah!' and was ushered to the bathroom where he hung a hook- just for my loofah.

I'm home.

Tom's Bread and Scones

So I worked out Thursday and Friday. Really watched what I ate over the weekend...but not what I drank. I worked out last night and I'm up 6 pounds. Great. So instead of actually avoiding carbs, etc., I'm making this bread that the dearest neighbor Tom has perfected. Its amazing. Out of the oven or the next day...and I'll probably make some orange scones that N & C gave me the mix for from my favorite breakfast spot- Julian's in Providence. Counter productive? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.

Hands down best Bloody Mary's. Ever.

(and yes, the picture needed to be this big)

Being crazy is time consuming.

So its effin' cold out. So I hear. I'm in bed. And still warm. I'd like to continue my rant from last post and feel sorry for myself for the next few days. I have too many things to do in a short period of time- mostly things I want to do- but I get overwhelmed and end up not doing any of them. Its Monday morning- and my week is already full. I just want to get a move on this move- but more of that later.

Monday- Work and the Gym...again counting down to St Maarten.

Tuesday- Work, Spinning, and Dinner with the girls...I planned it, but I don't really have time.

Wednesday-Work, Gym, Photographing a band..that is building up my 'colorful' resume. I'm still in the process of figuring out how to be paid for being awesome and a 'Jane' of all trades...

Thursday- Work, Snowboarding...if we don't all die in this next blizzard...makes me hate my car more-but then I remember that I will get a new car (or new to me) next January.

Friday- Recover from snowboarding, gym, go see an allergist because I am so over having hives all the time, actually make a scarf that I'm getting paid for, and moveeee, dinner with S & N....wait I think I'm supposed to go to a concert...crap.

Saturday- Work...attempting to do all the things on my list that I didn't do on their allotted days, but going to some party instead.

Sunday- Repeat Saturday, minus the work part.

Back to the stress of the move. The thing is, is that its not actually stressful. Its rather leisurely actually. What it really is, is me getting in my own way. Sabotaging myself.

I'm moving in with a super great person who is truly lovely, and kind, and funny, and makes me want to do awesome things and be a better person. Yet, I've convinced myself that he doesn't really want me to live with him. That I'm putting him out. That I'm pushing too hard. I take his lackadaisical attitude towards me moving in as his avoidance of it. Ironically, its something I love about him- how relaxed he is- but its something I hate about him-because sometimes there's no sense of urgency-when there should be. I know that he cares about me, but I question whether he's ready for this all to happen.

Luckily, I can talk to him about it.

And tell him how I feel.

And I hopefully only come off as mildly crazy.

And he'll still love me.

And want me there.

With him.

And all my crazy.

This came up when I googled crazy. I like it. Found here.

Makes me wanna...

So this time of year makes me want to hunker down and hide under the covers to emerge for only two things: to bake ridiculously delicious (and not diet friendly) treats and to make stuff....but only after a week or so of doing nothing. Simply nothing. However, I do not have the metabolism to deal with delicious and inevitably buttery treats and not become a fatty...Nor to I have any self control. Instead, I'm on the try-to-figure-out-how-to-make-more-hours-in-the-day plan. *Side note: I love that I am writing this while digesting approximately 7 pounds of pasta. Any who, I have exactly 87 days before I go on a trip. To St. Maarten. Thus that was the last piece of pasta between now and then. Crap. Only if I didn't have a million and one things to do I guess. And by a' a million and one,' I mean go to work, attempt to sell things online that I make- or find, and be happy. Being happy is seriously getting in the way of my gym routine. The fact is I'm not going to the gym because I'm thinking and stressing about moving- and I haven't even started doing it....hmmm...I definitely don't know where I can start finding more time. OK, I'm done.

Well that was riveting- now wasn't it?

And here are some links, since you deserve after such good listening.

Check Ashley out- she's the bee's knees.

I'd really like this....one day.

I need to make one of these...

Here's my offical 2011 list...

Here are the things I'm pumped for in 2011...

1. Making new jewelry & listing etc.
2. Getting a new/ part-time job
3. Moving in with CTA
4. Blogging more
5. Taking more pictures
6. Paying off debt
7. Spending more time with Bacon Bit
8. Getting healthy
9. Learning to snowboard
10. Painting more
11. Creating more
12. Going to Bonnaroo
13. Going to St. Maarten

& having more fun!

And its only January. Here's to the best year yet!

2010 Close out...

December started out in St. Louis. Alone. For work. I ate at the bar every night. So I didn't have to get a booth for one. Super lonely. Amazing. But lonely. And cold. Still exciting.

Here's the run down, complete with commentary:

1. Blueberry Hill, rude bartender
2. Moonrise Hotel, A-MAZING- and the Eclipse Restaurant there is great too!
3. Kaldi's Coffee, good breakie- like Starbucks, but an old man laughed at me. Not nice.
4. Schlafly's- damn good beer and good company...minus the Dr. Seuss spoken word...
5. Rooster- OMG Best Breakie!
6. Crown Candy Kitchen- the Travel channel was right...mmmm...pastrami
7. Highlands Brewing- don't bother
8. The Pin- Up Bowl- classic bowling and a bar-great- but bring friends!

I went to City Museum and almost had a heart attack. No joke. I had to find a quite corner and have a moment because it was just so over whelming. It was by far the craziest and scariest thing I've EVER done. And I'm always crazy so I think that illustrates my point. If you ever have the chance, go. Seriously. Mind. Blowing.

St. Louis Arch

Back in CT, we find a happy dad..

a first timer that passed with flying colors...

and a Hooker blanket for a great big brother & soon-to-be-ex-landlord.

Sweet November...

it got colder and we still had fun...

cider making- the Pierce way...

deep fried pickles...and anything else that fits in the fryer...

crazy red-heads...

mashed potato beer...thanks Eli's

renovations...

And then Fall came...

which is great, beacause its one of my favorites. After beating myself up for a few weeks about a Halloween costume, everything went smoothly.

October was...

one last camping trip...on a frosty night

complete with coffee and ham...

decision making...

princesses...

and that inflatable-wacky-waving-arm guy...and Princess Lolly

September was full of...

dirty, tan hippie feet at Zac Brown Band...

Alice in Chains...

camping in Barkhamsted...

making friends at Blues Traveler...

Samuel Adams...

and real life, but that's OK when life is awesome.

August also...

...meant the first extended period of time away from CTA. The morning after the wedding, we returned to my parents and began the clean up. That quickly turned into a party of at least 30...complete with golf cart rides, tapping the keg (waste not), and divvying up the leftovers- all before 11AM. Kel and I had a long drive to Topsail Island, North Carolina with a stop over in Niantic to drop off CTA. After leaving the cleaning-up we stopped by Kel's for a mandatory jump in the pool and we were on our way. A little over 14 hours and 30 churches in the last 20 minutes later, we were on the beach. We spent the time lounging, eating, and baking in the sun. Perfect way to decompress from the craziness of the summer.

...is it summer again yet?

A snow day for wrapping up the summer...

You would think a snow day would be the perefect excuse to actually get some things done- unless you're me. I woke up at 7, emailed my boss that in fact we would be closed, called and changed the automatic answering message (in my most amazing 7AM voice), texted my employees the good news, and called the local news to let them know that we were all staying home. Then, I went back to bed. Snow days are the equivalent of staying home sick- but the sick when you feel fine, but are contagious and must not do anything. At the very least, I'll catch you up to speed...or at least til the end of summer. August is easy because it consisted of the most epic wedding to date...at least until mine...Basically, there were too many amazing people and too many amazing photos to list here (and I'm being good and not using any of the pro's photos), but here are a few highlights:

So to sum up the Bryenton/ Pierce wedding, here are the points I'd like to make:

• A lobster, a steak, & some pork for all 250 people
• A hired helicopter to take ariel photos
• An 80's hair band
• It got shut down by the cops
• My mom made everything she promised and more!
• The best Hookers & bartenders money could buy
• Beautiful weather for August 7th in New England-and I'm not just saying that!
• An impressive gathering of awesome people
• A loving couple that couldn't be happier

Congrats to my big brother and the newest Pierce.

Welcome Crystal...and good luck!

I'm moving in. Yep. Its true.

omgomgomg.

Jump on in!

We may be 6 days in, but there's always room for a new start. As promised, more is on its way and always a priority, unfortunately, its usually not at the top of the list. There's always something else that needs to be done, a new project to be tackled. Some call it 'living.' 2011 should prove to be the biggest and the best, as stressful and fun-filled as ever before, but as long as I, and hopefully you all, am surrounded by people I love and love me, then it will be tops.

As I mentioned, more IS on its way. Mostly thanks to this (notice the FastCompany-because I'm taking adult life seriously...):

And the wonderful geek that set it up for me to maximum photo and blog capabilities!

Here's what he got:

Even though he doesn't play...

The tree is naked,

And the sparkly NYE shoes are on the shelf...

So jump on in!