I don't make resolutions...

BUT... that being said... I have some things I would like to accomplish in my personal life this year...

• Read more - this is an easy one... I have a ton of books that I have bought with the intention of reading and just haven't gotten to them... sooooo this is very exciting for me.  So far I have a couple on deck and look forward to turning off the tv in the evenings and read.  I also include actually reading the Vanity Fair and New Yorkers that I get before I get the new one in the mail.  I tend to let them pile up to about six months worth and then I can't really process everything that I have so just put them in the recycling bin.  If I don't read the magazines right away I am actually going to cancel the subscriptions.  I don't read Interview anymore... it's done.  I don't read some of the other magazines that I have let the subscriptions slide.  I love magazines but seriously if I don't read them why subscribe?  

• Save more - so how am I planning on doing this? I mean in all honesty I am pretty frugal.  I don't want to say I am cheap, because I am not that at all... but I am pretty frugal.  So how to I put that frugality into something that actually will financially make a difference?  Ok so here goes.  And this was a really really hard decision for me to make. But with everything the way it is now in the world... I am no longer contributing to my IRA.  Last year I lost over $3000.  Which is basically what my contribution was.  So sure I broke even.  But that is not the point.  So I have decided that I am not contributing in 2012 but will use that money to pay off even more of the principal on my mortgage.  This potentially increases my home value 25%.  That is much better of a return than my IRA at this time.    

• My friend L has this thing she posted on line that in even numbered years she doesn't buy new clothes.  Ok so this might be really really difficult for me, but I love and adore the idea so I am going to actually think about adopting this model for the year.  It's really funny because I have lots of clothes in my closet and dressers that I should wear and don't.  So now I will... L said that it's like shopping in your own closet.  I have to add for me it will be like shoe shopping too!  

• In addition to this... I used to fill my fridge with food that I don't eat.  So that is a tremendous waste.  I am actually going to plan out meals.  Yep... plan out meals.  And well rounded meals too. Not just pasta.  Ok pasta with chicken.  But something with some protein.  I will bake more.  I will try new recipes and share.  I want to have dinner parties. 

• I want to reach out to my friends more.  I am not a real fan of the phone so much anymore.  Funny how as an adult the phone isn't as important as it was when we were teenagers!  So because I have bought over 100 postcards in the past year that are gorgeous to look at but won't they mean more in the hands of the people I like?  I do believe so....

• Make these last days and months (hopefully) of Herschel's magical and comfortable.  I know that I have limited time but its so very important that he has a great life and in this last chapter I have to face all the challenges that face us with the dignity that he has shown me for the past 15 years. 

• Take pictures!  Take more pictures!  I am so in love with photography that I don't know why I don't take pictures everyday of every little thing. So I am going to be far less judicious and just shoot away. It's the only way I am going to learn more about my cameras and their functionality.  F bought me a camera to replace the one that was stolen when we were in California and honestly it's lovely. But it wouldn't hurt me to learn to love the camera that I bought to replace it right?  I don't like the way it handles but learning to love it is a goal. And also with my frugality... I can't buy anymore camera apps.  I have about 40 on my phone now and really only use the hipstamatic and sometimes the Camera+... both GREAT apps but there are 38 more that I haven't used but maybe once.... so I will use them more.  

• Keep a clean and less cluttered home.  Which means no more magazine piles.  No more paper piles.  No more buying soaps and just putting them in the linen closet to use later... use what I have ... make room.  (again pointing to the frugality....)

• Turn off the tv for at least an hour every night.  I have a dvr so I really do not watch live tv anymore so I have to turn off the tv for at least an hour.  I figure this will give me time to read, write, clean and be productive!

So all these are things I should already be doing.  But I don't completely actually do full on.

Its really important to set some goals and make some plans for sure, and nothing is better than sharing with the world.  So make a plan... put it in writing... put it out in the world because to share yourself with others is a gift in and of itself!

Ok off to finish the latest batch of bacon jam and clean a drawer and finish The Wednesday Letters . 

I am getting ready for my evening. I was beginning to slow down a little bit after I got off hte phone with PoPo. I was really worn out from work today I put in almost 11 hours. I know that there are people who work far harder than I do but I was whipped. But I am watching the Drag Queen challenge on Project Runway and can I be honest, those ladies rocked my world. Seriously... if I can't get my act together enough to stand in front of the mirror and put on one layer of lipstick when those ladies really seriously work IT than I really am super sad. So those ladies kicked my ass in gear.

Plus secretly there is something really great about hearing Heidi Klum say "we have seen it before, you do not have anything else to show us". But that being said I promise this probably will be the last episode I watch because really I am not so much interested in this fashion they are working.

I am getting all sorts of motivated now for sure. I am not going out tonite all crazy but I am definately going to not kvetch about being tired and not wanting to put any make up on.

Tomorrow I am going up to Boulder with F for L'Atelier I am sooooo damn pysched! What a good sport. I don't know if he is really as much into is as I am but I am excited, the whole thing came out of my need for the Pirates of the Caribbean Pez and wanting to go to Powells Candy on the Pearl Street Mall on Tuesday and not having enough time, it just jammed into something really rad. I don't know if I will have enough time tomorrow night but seriously I will have teh decent amazing meal so I don't really care.

I also on a whim just staged my house, for an online promotion for Jonathan Adler's Happy Home Chic contest. The contest ends tomorrow so I totally had to jam it out. I loves me some Jonathan Adler, we all know that. And it was a total thrill to take some pictures of MY happy home and share them with what I am sure is his webmaster. I don't stand a snowflakes chance in somewhere tropical of winning but still it was such a hoot. THANK YOU Mr. Adler. I promise, with the gift card the Bro and SIL sent me for the birthday this year, I will fill my house will some more treasures, but shhhhhh and I am whispering this now.... shhhhhh.... are you listening ..... i would love to win......

I am off to put on some makeup, go out on the town and have a fun night on my solo own!

Surprisingly low key today considering the cluster of crazy I have going on.  Big event tomorrow, trying to be very zen about the whole thing.  It is what it is at this point and I can't make myself too crazy about the last minute stuff.  I have in the past and all it does is make my blood pressure sky rocket and my attitude suck so best to remain calm and chill.

Had to take Herschel to the vet on an emergent little situation this morning.  He is fine now, but even then remained calm and collected and dealt with the situation at hand with grace and decorum which shocked the bejebus out of me. I was exactly right in what the situation was and told the vet, Dr. Steve, I needed to be kept up on everything that was going down as it happened because I am trusting him to not repeat the debacle of the teeth cleaning situation.  He seemed a little defensive, as he should be, but there would be no unapproved issues going into this.  So I will have a Herschel lamp (according to my Mom) which is funny for a couple of days but my baby is better and that is all I can care about right now.

Today is my Bro's birthday, I hope he gets my cards on time.  I tried to make it happen but who knows.  That being said... Happy Birthday Bro!  YOU RULE! 

There is a football game today?

Seriously, I am not a football watcher, I haven't watched a football game since my Dad and I put together an entertainment center for my apartment like 8 years ago. I had no clue until yesterday I have to admit who was even playing. Sure there is a big thing about the commercials but really I can go to YouTube and catch them later right? Or you can actually go to MySpace apparently.

In fact... here is a commercial that I like. I think its sweet (like in a kind way and no pun intended). I like that "The The" is hopefully getting a little residuals for one of my favorite songs from the 80s.



I have been digging into my bookmarks and watching dvr'd CSI episodes this morning. I have deleted a bunch of bookmarks that are dead and added many to my reader.

I would like to go out to Aurora Newsland today before I go to PoPos for her party...she is a serious footballer. She knows stats and it freaks me out. So before I go over, probably before half time, I am going to go over and see if the new issue of ZingMagazine is in. I really love the idea of a curated magazine. And the Dikeou family really does deserve kudos for keeping the idea up. The have a private collection that they open to the public that I haven't been able to go and see unfortunately. I am just never downtown when the exhibit is open and when I even worked downtown I could never get away on those days it was open. It was and is still very frustrating to me. Just to be around the Torimitsu's would make me pee my pants. The hours have changed from Tuesdays and Fridays to Wednesday's through Friday's now, so perhaps I can get motivated to take my days off and go. And of course I have subscribed to their ZingRecs for Denver.

Just as aside and a little insight into how I operate...I have to be really careful when I go to newsstands. Because see, I have this propensity to buy lots of magazines when I am at newsstands. Its a dangerous proposition for me. I will buy UK Music magazines. I will buy imported fashion and photography magazines. I will walk out with 100 dollars of magazines. I have to be really really careful. I have a final car payment to make at the end of the week so I can't go crazy. When I would go to rent movies with an ex at Tower I would end up walking out with two dvds and like 10 magazines. They had the best magazine newsstand ever. And it was close. Which was very dangerous. Financially I am happy that it is shuttered but sad because I can't go over there on a Friday night at 10:00 pm and fulfill that fix. Shrug would patiently stand there while I went batshit crazy...he was patient I do have to give him that. I remember one time when I was living in Burbank M and I would go to the newsstand before dinner reservations and he would literally have to pull me out of there. It sometimes would get ugly. It's going to be hard controlling myself. I literally could spend hours looking through magazines.

But I just realized if I wait until the middle of the week, I can pick up Craft and not have to go back twice and be tempted twice. Phew... crisis averted.

damn you Debi Mazar and your having flashed a Trader Joes Tuscan Pizza in my face!

In this weeks Epicurious Recipe Flash there is a link to a tour of Debi Mazar's kitchen. I have always liked her, her sass, the fact she did Madonna's makeup or was her stylist or what ever was the urban myth, I liked the fact she was at the "Blow" red carpet with my not-so-secret Hollywood Crush (Paul Reubens) and she totally could kick my ass in a fight.

But seriously... what I love the absolute most about her now, above and beyond the few little things I listed above about her ... her kitchen on this video tour... is real. This isn't some staged dressed up kitchen...no she has cupboards and a pantry that look packed with stuff, there are things (lots of things) on her counters, she uses her oven for storage and admits it, its real, a little cluttered but real, that is what a kitchen with two kids (I would imagine) looks like...(hell my kitchen looks a little like it and it's me and a pupster). Here take a look on your own... her husband is wearing jeans and a tshirt isn't that just awesome? He isn't wearing some fancy styled outfit... and he grates cheese into her hand. Brilliant.

I will say though for having two kids, Debi (if I can call her Debi, which I probably can not) is way.... way .... on the skinny side. She should eat more of her bread.

I am totally stealing her espresso maker display / set up idea for myself, I mean that is totally precious you have to admit. That might be a little staged but who cares its fantastic. Although I really would bet that if someone walked in their house today and took a picture they would be just like that. I don't think my espresso makers will fit on my stove like that but they will on the counter above my mixer. Sweet.

And here is her husband's blog about their cooking show: Under The Tuscan Gun

Buh Buh Bye Blueprint Magazine

So Martha Stewart OmniMedia is shuttering Blueprint. You really had so much promise. All I know is from the very beginning I sent in more than one subscription card. I wanted to subscribe. Bad. And I never got anything back. Each month (ok really each every other month) I had to go to barns and noble or borders and pay full price for the mag. It wasn't really all that frustrating because I was already there probably, but those damn subscription cards floating to floor taunted me, mocked me as if I wasn't good enough for dear Martha's hipster mag gals. It was annoying. Every issue I picked up I sent in a card with the number of the request on it.

Finally the rates for the subscription went down online to match the cards (from $16.00 to $12.00 for the annual six issues) so I signed up online. I should have known something was up because it took a week to get confirmation of that transaction. Sad. I was going to wait until the begining of the year to charge my subscription. Glad that I did, because I would have been really annoyed should I have paid to now have to dicker about the remainder of the subscription. And don't you know that I got a bill in the mail the day after my online confirmation happened. Tacky. If they treated everyone that subscribed or wanted to subscribe it explains why their numbers were so sucky and they had to quit publishing the magazine. I don't suspect to know anything about publishing but I do know that Vanity Fair wants my money so bad they are willing to sell me a five year subscription which they "don't ever get a request for". Fine, here's my credit card... they have the staying power I think. My money is on Vanity Fair. And their website doesn't use flash which I can't access because my sucky IT department here at work doesn't let up upgrade bupkes on our systems. The IE on this system is so lame I get run time errors on everything and I can't update with out having IT come here to my desk, because they are completely retarded. Sorry I didn't mean to go there just now.

Anyways, I suppose I can thank those in the decision seat for saving me $12.00.

From Latke Soda Pop to Bukowski in two easy steps... betcha didn't think it could be done...

Because Hannukkah has less than 8 days to arrive...and I am down for those 8 Crazy Nights (well not really, I have learned to hate this song, even though me and a room mate drove another roommate completely bat shit crazy talking like Cajun Man when ever we were in the house I sadly can not stand Adam Sandler from SNL). I am going to send you into online shopping bliss with some of the things that I kinda would be amused to receive or maybe you would be (this in no way constitutes a wish list of any kind... just ideas little bubbelahs... just ideas for you):

• Jones Chanukah Soda four pack - Yummmmmie Latke Soda...... (via: link )
• Heros of the Torah juice glasses - Ok I have them, I will write about getting them after later, I am still annoyed I should have ordered them from Fishs Eddy... I probably would have been better off even if they are more expensive that Urban Outfitters.
• Torah Personalities trading cards - because you can never have enough pictures of bearded guys making hand gestures... where is the picture of RUTH? HUH? These guys are not actually in the Torah... maybe I could use them as coasters for my juice glasses.
• Jewtopia - Because one of the authors could be a cousin... could maybe not be...MISHPUCHA!!!!.... and it is actually pretty funny... I have looked at it in Borders so I know
• I Heart Jewish Boys tshirts - OK so maybe my male readers might not be so interested but then again... nothing too new or off the hook funny but this one I thought was clever. AND its a fundraising site for a BBYO region... now I am kvellin'
• No Limit Texas Driedel - I have always wanted to get a craaaazy game of driedel goin' maybe now its a possibility
• Jonathan Adler's Skyline Menorah - not really what I would want (but I think this might be the year I actually do go and buy it for myself!) from his site, but I am working on a theme here...
• and for a true sign of the times Crate and Barrel hooks ya up for the Chanukah Bush but odd CB2
• A subscription to Guilt and Pleasure because even though I buy Heeb I really think I am too old but between them they almost make one Davka which was really great in its day.... (although Guilt and Pleasure is pretty great and far more intelligentsia...sorry Heeb!)
• MahJong Jewelry - but really I would break one up and make it into a keychain which is far more practical for me.
• A Jackie Mason Famous Broadway Cheesecake - because seriously (ok not really) a Kosher, Parve/NonDairy, non actual cheesecake "cheesecake" sounds awful, but for those who want brisket for dinner and keep kosher... look you have a desert option, me? I will take this instead.

A cow erker, just walked up to me... made me turn around and said "thats not my monkey" and walked away. Brilliant. Absolutely completely brilliant. I wish I had thought about that. I am keeping that and spreading its joy.

Really? Bukowski a Sympathizer? Really? Really... you are going to go that route? Good luck selling any house right now, but trying to save some p.o.s. because he slept there? Really? How about making sure that there are seedy dive bars and women to keep those sore souls hashing it out, open... how about making sure that there are always beers available to sad sacks wanting a little courage and fire, how about trying to save what really matters... no one cares where Charles Bukowski slept, people care where he drank and fucked. Sorry but its true. So stupid.

I do have on my list The Pleasures of the Damned though and havent yet picked it up... I am just trying to be good, but that is bad and not in a good way. Years back I loaned someone almost all of my Black Sparrow editions (but one) and NEVER GOT THEM BACK , so this is the only affordable way to get the stuff back I suppose. I have always hoped he would give me the stuff back but we split up before that ever happened so lesson learned, never give someone you don't think you really really love your First Edition Charles Bukowski books and never go with a hippy to a second location. So happy chanukah to me and if the works were writen by a Nazi Sympathizer well then the irony is double I guess.

So after 10 or 15 years, Cherry Creek in Denver got its very own Nordstrom. Well I can't say its really honestly as big a deal as the Denver media is making it. Why? Well... not 10 miles to the South there is one at Park Meadows. And the tax rate is less expensive by about 1/3rd so if I am going to spend the money on say a $1300 St. John Couture sweater (as if and HIGHLY unlikely) I am going to seriously going to want to save on the tax. Every single one of the sales people were friendly and chatty and its very uncomfortable. No one is used to that anymore.

When I worked for Fashion Bar in the 80s it was something we had to (and I loved to) do. We had to engage our customers, so I understand the rationale, but there isn't a store that does that anymore. So it was slightly uncomfortable.

Another throw back to the "good ole days" of retail enjoyment is the cafe. All the department stores used to have restaurants. And the Park Meadows store has one too. Its really so interesting that they do this. But people don't spend a day shopping, its a short term experience anymore.

I love Nordstrom's philosophy but can't do their clothes. I looked. I really did. Maybe it is because I have a closet completely jam packed with clothes already. So buying anything new would be completely insane. So maybe that is why I am not in the mood.

They cosmetics department was busy as all get out though. One thing that I did notice and completely appreciated was that the MAC counter was not pumping music so loudly that it was oppressive and obnoxious. I hope that is a new trend. But I didn't walk through tonite, just didn't have the energy to mix with the masses. But its nice to see a cosmetic's department busy.

Oh and the mid line jewelry was awesome. I saw a ring that I might have to go and see if I like it as much tomorrow as I did tonite. I think I might, it was a Lucite ring that was really cheeky, but huge, which might over power my hand. But a gal can not have too many pieces of jewelry, but maybe too many sweaters I am beginning to think.

Thanks for the chandalier Booger and Mrs. Booger

This is the before and the after

...and I am really happy with the results. The new fixture is significantly smaller than the old one, but way more modern and without the hand strung crystals! I love it. With the dimmer all the way illuminated though it didn't take that great of a picture so this is at about half. With the sun coming in off the patio at about 5:00 I did get some spectrum light on the wall, so on the weekends it is going to be a treat to have the window shades open.

I have so much to do this morning and I am completely not motivated. I just want to sit on my couch all day and watch tv. I still haven't watched any of the Rescue Me that I dvr'd because I really want to savor it but even that today doesn't motivate me.

I saw Corteo last night and I am still really disturbed by the lady with the balloons floating around (eech) and "I hate chickens" interlude (someone really should have considered the ramifications of Eraserhead when they planned that out to be sure). All I could think was "what the hell is going on?!". The one thing that really bugs me about Cirque du Soliel sometimes is how the imagery/story has so much to do with death. Clowns and death...not a good mix for me. This was not my favorite production. I know that there are people who LOVED it. Sure the acrobatics were neat and interesting but it just wasn't my favorite.

I need to call PoPo and see what she is thinking about today because honestly I think I am going to back out of doing anything with her. It is near silent in my neighborhood right now, outside of birds talking to one another, and its really really nice and I want to just enjoy the quiet. It is rare.

Also I think sometime today I am going to hang my new chandelier (yes, I finally got it, after obsessing for years! My brother and sister in law wanted to buy it for me for my birthday, which is wonderful and kind and special, but way too expensive so I acquiesced and paid for half, so I have it finally, now I just have to install it). I am so excited.

So I was out running errands today. Went and finally bought a tv stand. Wee! I am really pleased. I can get the tv off the outdoor furniture I have in my living room. I went to American Furniture Warehouse. Honestly I have to say, they had exactly what I wanted for under 50 bucks.

Brilliant. Brill Yant. The first guy to "help" me wasn't so great and didn't really try. He wasn't willing to work to help me. I was annoyed. I totally could tell too. When I first walked in he was the only one NOT working with a customer and no I totally know why. He (and this is super judgemental and mean but here goes...he) was creepy. So he wasn't willing to look of the number of the item, which I had by the way, said that it didn't exist, yet the print out that I had from the website clearly gave the number. "oh that is isn't a real number". It was when I called two weeks ago.... so I walked through the bedroom area, found Tim. Now Tim was totally willing to find out that yes, the number I had was for the tv stand, called to make sure that they had the color I wanted and even high fived me when I didn't have to wait for pickup because they had it in stock. So now... I have one more errand. And I can say yippie yaah hoo for the little redo of some fixtures in my house.

I had to come home and print the coupon, because thanks to my Bro and Sister (in law) I am going to order my light fixture for my dining room.

I went to get my hair cut this morning. I was intending to take Herschel with me but realized that I really wanted to go to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival today and it would probably be better to go earlier in the morning when the heat is a little bit lower than later this afternoon.

So I raced over so that I would be able to find a parking spot on the first level in the shade of the parking garage. I had gone online to the website on Thursday afternoon for about 10 minutes to get an idea of the artists that were invited this year. I was pysched to see some favorites (Whipple Family anyone? and my favorite local but never purchased because his booth is nuts, but he is CRAZY SMART... or Jim and Renee Neilson and their amazing sandblasted glass or Debra Adelson and her really cute stuff).

So it was walking through and already feeling wilted and wasn't willing to pay $3.50 for a 20 ounce bottle of water to revive. Didn't think ahead enough to bring my own. Oopsie. So I am thinking I might not make it through the whole thing. Its a scorcher and there are way way WAY too many people for me not walking and looking more like walking at a pace then stopping in a dead stop right in front of me so I bump into them. I must have said "I'm sorry" about 100 times this morning. I stopped by Debra Adelson's booth... I was interested in buying a ring (which isn't on her site) from her, but unfortunately when I tried one on my chubby little fingers (thank you swelling) prevented me from getting it all the way on. I bought an inexpensive little toggle bracelet from her and her mother was helping her with the booth. She was precious. When they swiped a customer's credit card she did it from a swiper on the side of her cell phone. I want to send my dad over just to see that. It was pretty cool. But fortunately for her and unfortunately for me she was really busy selling stuff for me to ask about it. I wrote a check to not be a cog in that wheel.

A couple years ago (I thought it was last year but was mistaken) but it must have been two years ago I saw the work of Mr. Hooper. We were rushing through, his booth was busy and I didn't have enough time to actually look before they (meaning my parents who I went with then) moved on. So I was thrilled to BITS to see that he was exhibiting again and selling this year. I didn't hesitate for minute to buy a piece called "Love Me". I thank him for the time that he took to explain the piece and kibbitz a minute. He is awesome. Its the first thing I hung when I got home today. I would love a bigger piece, I think maybe next year, if he comes back. This was a really great buy, because of how wonderful he was.

I also bought some prints from Kelly Povo of some local diners here in Colorado and one in California and not a single one has a modern car in front of it at all, it looks like these pictures were taken 25 years ago and that is what made me love them. My intention was to buy one and I bought four. I really liked her pictures and she said something very nice to me about being inspired and just taking the pictures I want to and liking it and finding joy. It was so great to hear that from a woman who was chosen to exhibit and sell her work at a juried show with 199 of her other peers. It was really kind.

I raced through and quickly skimmed some other artists. There was some lovely things but nothing just caught my eye. There were lots of interesting jewelry artists (like Michelle Freidman-who works with felt and sterling silver, which was awesome, but out of my price range), photographers (like Ethan Jantzen - whose work showcased his string pieces) and Frank Relle (whose pictures of New Orleans were amazing) and I do love my mixed media artists (and my favorite was Jimmy Descant - one because his sculptures were really fun, not neccesarily to my taste or space.. but his business cards...the MOST AWESOME thing ever. I wanted to grab them all and run from his booth screaming with joy, and I promise if I even ever consider some type of craft I am totally stealing his idea, but will credit him - I mean clearly you have to right?).

And I made it through the entire show in an hour. It was great. I handed a lady my fan (they hand them out to cool people off as they walk through) on the way out to walk back to my car. She was looking towards a fan and looked like I felt about an hour before, and I said "here...you are going to need this". And kept on walking.

And now I am home, I am wilted, I could totally take a nap. Instead I am watching the Larry King interview with Isaah Washington. He so is laying the blame. Primadonna. Bye Bye Burke. I don't really think the character will really actually be missed and trust me having worked on a set, the only person that should be concerned about actors being on time should be the producer not an actor. He totally worried about the wrong things and now is trying to crawl out from under the rock he put himself under. Cocky asshole. Yes I called him an asshole. I would not say it to the press corps in the Golden Globes Press room through and I would expect to be fired for it had I done so. What happens on set stays on set, if he is that much of a professional, he would have known that. Shonda, you made the right choice, you should be worried about the accountability and time constraints of your staff. Good to know you are able to now and not have Mr. Washington spend his time with those concerns. Let him go and work for another production and bring his worries there, no need to bog your set down. Sandra Oh is a fantastic actress (love her, always have...from back in the film Permanent Midnight and her brilliant turn as a guest on Six Feet Under) and will do just fine not acting against this guy.

Once this is over though, I do think I am due a nap.

Best pillows ever....

Found this site via Apartment Therapy.

huh...

Don't get me wrong.

I really didn't think Liz Claiborne was a real person.

So imagine my surprise when I see her Obituary and her photo.

I want to be the kind of lady that in my later years can get away with the same kind of glasses she is wearing in this photo, those are so the kind of glasses Auntie Pickles is going to wear.

Seriously.

And I am sorry for Liz Claiborne's passing, none the less.

quickie little drive by

HA! I saw the link from Apartment Therapy -Chicago... I am only bummed the only bichon stuff is stickers, now if this guy Kevin... made that sticker into a coffee mug, there would so be a set on my counter. They are made on cafe'press so seriously, why not? Whatever. Its funny none the less. And this is brilliant and true because even if I wanted to take advantage of my company's tuition reimbursement plan I can't afford it because I don't have enough set aside to make the payment and wait for reimbursement. Nor do I have the time, but the theory is great.

Went out to lunch today (and the earth didn't tilt on it's axis either) and had a really nice time. It was with a customer/vender but really great, we only talked a little about work which was great. But I am way over full and dinner is going to be very problematic for me tonite because I would be fine not eating anything. Maybe I will just do that. That wouldn't be so wrong would it?

These last two hours are going to be torture. I have nothing to do.

An Open Letter To Borders Rewards Program, I don't really think you suck, but you kinda do

I am annoyed with you. You made a serious move that I have to say, might just cost our meaningful relationship in the end. I got your email stating your "program change". Seriously? You are going from a 5% rewards program at the end of each calendar year which pays out cash off holiday purchases (which last year netted me about $30.00 on holiday purchases) to $5.00 good for a month once you spend 150 bucks? You aren't even giving the 10% off if you spend $50.00 (which hasn't been hard for me by the way) monthly, which encourages even more purchases? That five buck "reward" you call an amazing offer (weeeeelll you don't actually say that) is 3.35% or so back and only good for a calendar month... I call lame.

I do better with my credit card reward program thankyouverymuch. I am buying my books used on Amazon from here on out probably. Sorry, but you lost me as a dedicated customer. I will go semi-quarterly or whenever Guilt and Pleasure decided to publish and that is probably about it. And I will only get it from your Englewood Store if that, it might just be more economical for me (no gas money no aggrevation) to order it from them directly. It has worked out very well for my relationship with my McSweeney's Quarterly and BookClub membership. Wow that is $14.00 you aren't even going to get out of me anymore. Brilliant. You messed that up too.

20% off a book every now and again may rope me back in but I don't need your rewards programs emails to get that. I know the super secret URL for a coupon, which doesn't expire two days after you email it to me. (if you want to know what it is: go here. It might go away someday but until it does... ).

How sad that you are going to end up loosing customers probably because you can't develop a program that you keep. Did it effect your bottom line? Doubtful. Because trust me, when I walked in to get my 10% after spending a minimum of $50.00 I probably spent about 100. That was about 200 bucks every couple of months out of my pocket. I guess I can thank you actually. Never mind me being such a hater.

I amend this from starting out to be a letter about disappointment... this is an open love letter. Thank you Borders Rewards program for putting the kibosh on my fierce book habit. Thank you for putting my need to buy books into a holding pattern and getting me to economize a little. I figure you are saving me lets add it up here... oooo $1200.00 bucks a year minimum (that is a really nice camera or carpet for my house or hey now, bathroom fixtures that are somewhat stylish and the he-man / bohunk to put them in so I don't have to do it myself... huh...how about that... silver frikken lining). That is some sweet ass savings no coupon required. Your measly $5.00 reward can go to someone that might not know better. But this gal is signing off on your program. It was great while it lasted. Thanks for that I suppose. I guess I can start saving for something really kick ass.

Thanks Borders Rewards Program Switcheroonie email. I might be annoyed you have pulled the rug out from underneath me but its over your relationship with me. I have to break up with you. If you are lonely you can stop by my place in about six months and go tinkle in my brand new toliet with the nice tile flooring I suppose, be sure to wash your hands though, I will have a nice Kohler faucet for you to run your hands under.

Kisses and hugs, Zoe

I have pictures, I just haven't downloaded my camera yet. That will probably happen tommorrow. Honestly I just am uninspired and hardly want to share pictures of my kitchen table, since it was only clutter free for like five minutes. I also don't particularly want to share the sad state of my light fixture over said table. One bulb just won't stay lit and honestly I think the wiring is just fried. The thing has been hanging for 20 years (since my house was originally built) and I know that its time has come and honestly, I think it is the fugliest thing ever and completely dated (hello cheap 1979 fixture... you aren't even kool in a kitsch kind of way). I better just put up or shut up and order the fixture that I want before its out of my price range and I regret it. I was coveting the straight long one but just found that there is a smaller one (the one on the right) that not only would look 100% better but is also about $500 bucks less than one I originally wanted. Its hard to pony up the money, but I better just freakin' do it already. I have wanted it since I saw it in a Bon Appetit in a Hanukah foods article. I cut the article out for the light fixture not the brisket recipie (although it looked good too I suppose).

But there was great goodness today. I picked up Blueprint (which I love, but I actually love the last issue more to be honest but flipping through I liked it and may give them my $16.00 for a year, since it seems like they got their publication schedule a little more under control, for a quarterly the first year was 1 issue, then a nother into year two and finally ... issue three! Yippee!) today when I was out and about on my lunch running errands. The stupid clerk after spending 20 minutes at her counter at Office Depot wanted to charge me 52 bucks for my new notary stamp. She can suck it. Are you kidding me?

Then she says "oh wait, its actually..." and I seriously thought she would say something like "$12" but she said "57... there is a notary charge of $5". What? Really? You have to be kidding me. Nope, she was serious as a heart attack. So I asked for the form, since my notary information, name, address and phone number was all over it and she got testy. I wanted to grab it from the counter and run, but I needed pen refils so I was less punk rawk and more polite but annoyed person. I got the form, stuffed it in my purse and tried to find a refil for my pen. Horrendous. I got so frustrated by not being able to find what I needed I left.

I went up Havana to Colorado Blvd and dropped into Barnes and Noble for said magazine and went to another Office Depot. Ohhhh ma gawhduh. So much better. I couldn't wait to order the stamp since the guy was helping a customer with a fax and a copy order but they had my pen refill, teenie little post it note blocks (which are a downfall) and seriously the most magical peice of office supply crap I have ever gotten in my life... Mead Half Sized Index Cards. I love them. I don't know what I am going to use them for, but I love them.

I am going to have some downtime over the next couple of days in the office (maybe) so I am seriously going to devise a list. Then I will write that list on my new fabulous little index cards. Really they are that awesome. Thank you Mead. I loved your PeeChees...now I love your Index Cards which I could make myself but never thought about, until you filled that void I didn't know that I had. Thank you.

Blatherings from throughout the day on Friday

FYI---> right mouse click for links since I have recoded this entry so you don't click off this page, unless of course you want to and then left click all you want, I just want you to be happy !

 

OK, so this morning I thought, before I really start working and get all stressed and ookie (well not really but it is work after all, which I love my job, I really really do, but its Friday and I would rather be at home blogging than here in my cube to be quite honest), I figured I am going to go and see what is on sale at Target.  So I am clicking through.  I have no clue what I clicked but its really funny that I did, because ... look what you can buy at Target online !  Seriously, a little DNA kit.  I kinda think its really sad that this is even a consumer product, but apparently it is necessary.  Larry Birkhead should consider getting one of this packs and bring it with him (that's all I have to say about that whole debacle).

 

I still haven't found the blog entry with the fabulously decoupaged fridge.  But I have decided that I am probably going to go and try and find some paint for my kitchen.  I am hiring the lady that painted my parents kitchen to do my cabinets and walls.  I don't have the patience for it and it will just be easier to have her come in over a couple of days and hammer it out. She did an amazing job and I have some bonus money coming so I am going to pay half of my car off, get that almost done and then use the rest to get my kitchen painted.  Its bathroom month at Apartment Therapy but some of the same principals apply:  cabinetry, small spaces, appliances, sinks etc all have to look good so I am going to gather some ideas and see what I can come up with.  Maybe I can actually make this happen. 

 

I use a electric sonicare toothbrush, but should I ever switch to a manual brush, this is what I am going with.  And I love that they will send you a new toothbrush every three months (just pay upfront please).   They look good, are completely recyclable (you send them back POSTAGE PAID) to the company and oila' savin' the environment and your gums all in one swoop.  That is terrific.  I think I might even switch to Stony Field Yogurt since that is their source for materials (and the flavors do look pretty yummy) even though I will continue with my Sonicare probably.  I have tried to get on the "green"er pastures bandwagon.  Meaning I try not to be wasteful or bad to the environment.  I don't recycle like I should, because I can't find someplace to put a bin, but seeing this (via a Not Martha post that I starred in my reader months ago and just finally caught up on) makes me think I could fashion something almost as nice or as functional.  A can of spray paint and it could be whatever color I want... oh wait spray paint isn't exactly environmentally sound now is it?  Crayons maybe? Is that more environmentally sound? 

 

I am desperately trying to regain a little energy this afternoon, I am just seriously dragging.  Dare I say it, not even the yumlicious coffee I brought in is doing it for me.  I have switched to Revolution Black Tea in Lavendar Earl Grey but it isn't so much doing the job as much as making me realize, I really do like tea. Alot.  Perhaps anything with Bergomot just makes me happy and cozy.  I don't know.  Maybe if I wasn't juicing for the overtime I would leave early today but that just can't happen, I want the time and a half to be honest. So have to plug along here and try and get motivated for the last 62 minutes of my day.

So in my mad dash before I left for dinner tonite I went to the mail box. The only thing that was in there was my Brocade Home catalog. I swear. It is deliciously wonderful. Its just pretty, you know? Really really girly, but not in a cat lady I am alone girly, more, I like to stack my beach thongs in color coordination at the foot of my bed because its aesthetic girlie, oh and I don't have a boyfriend, because no way in hell will he sleep in a bed with a headboard like this...But one day maybe...in the meantime, its pretty and cheap, type of girlie.

I like the white furniture, especially the chairs being white then with the dramatic upholstery and furniture nails (probably not the most comfortable unless they are completely flush but pretty to look at none the less.) I also really like that they show the lamp cords. Its annoying to me when a black lamp cord is fashioned white or completely obliterated in catalogs. This is a fresh to me.

I will cut doo dads out and add it to my book. Sure. I won't order anything though. Maybe, I might though steal some ideas. I do need some alternative sheers for my patio doors for the summer.

The site itself is a tad too flash heavy for me but some highlights are the prices (which are not astronomical... but this is from what I have heard, the William Sonoma Group which has brought you West Elm, Pottery Barn, PB Kids etc). You can't order directly from the site you have to call their number, which is weird in today's day an age, but they are just getting started (its only the second version of the catalog).

I am not happy with their pixel tagging, but I suppose tracking interest based on web traffic is a necessity and they are doing it the best way possible and since they have my mailing address they don't need my ip as well. Its a reason why I refuse to go to any Pottery Barn site just on principal. And I will clear my cache the second this post logs by the way. I am not paranoid about my surfing habits. But William Sonoma doesn't need to know what I am doing, thankyouverymuch.

In other news, apparently I have to go to Borders tomorrow at some point. There is a slew of magazines and journals and new cds out that I haven't gotten yet. I have coupons galore and it will take some of the sting off of paying retail. There is a new Blueprint out, new Guilt and Pleasure, I might have to succumb to Craft and there was something else I wrote down but can't remember. On the CD front, The Good The Bad and The Queen is in stock and I have to have it. Only Paul Simonon could get me to buy a cd retail anymore apparently. Now if I could only have a little Mick Jones audio love I would be happy. I am proud to say that I have not bought a book in over a month and a half. I have steered completely clear of even considering it, which is a first for me in a long time. I need to have to get through what I have now. I am going to ship a bunch of old books to Goodwill on Sunday I think, I just am never going to read some of the Chick Lit that I bought used or some of the other crap from library sales. Its time to let go and get back the shelf space.

Aesthetics being what they are and all. There is not one simple and clean line in my closet at all. I need to do a little cleaning out. Just one more thing to add to my to do list for the weekend. But its a good to do.

Lighten up on my crazy a tad.

Accomplishment Day

I got so much house stuff done tonite I can't even get over it. I have been reading the hell out of Apartment Therapy for so many reasons. One: I have great furniture but no design in my house and Two: They totally (those that post) love smaller spaces and since my condo is under 800 feet I should definately qualify for some inspiration from them and three: I really need some inspiration and its a great way to perk up my day from the drone that is my day sometimes. So tonite... cleaned and focused up some photo arrangements, moved plants and deep vacumed (yes, I swear I will pull the Chanukah Roomba out, I promise).

It was nice to clean in between mini chicken taco bites to be sure. I decided should my tax refund allow I am going to break down and finally buy a Phillipe Stark chair. I have wanted one for about 8 years and figured tonite that will be my first "peice" that I add along with the light fixture I am currently saving for. Nothing like blowing a big hole in funds at Design Within Reach but I think honestly its a necessity. Also a new entertainment center might just be in order. The one I have now, was a quick and dirty pressboard job from Target oh those years back and has grown tired. I want something sleek, which means open which means I have to figure out someplace else to hide my unused at this time cd collection which is under the tv in the "nook" of the thing. Desperate times call for desperate measures though and I have to do something. See? Accomplishment = getting the ticket to the clue bus that I have too much stuff = good.

I plan to live here for a while more so spending the money on the fixtures isn't a bad thing. I also desperately need to update my bathroom. At least fix the vanity situation, its piss poor and brown and I can not take it anymore. I am thinkin' and plannin' and trying to avoid having to hire someone to design the place for me.

I cleaned my kitchen enough that one could almost eat off the floor. I definately could eat off the counters though. One more pass with the wet swiffer pad on the flooring and I might just be happy enough to call it a done project. But probably not. I read in a magazine the Method People are making a mop (ooh look pretty, but not yet available). I bet it will smell better than the swiffer mop pads (they make me itch for some reason) but are better smelling than the industrial smelling cleaners (and sorry pinesol lady, that is not a smell in my home).

I have some pictures to upload but flickr will just have to wait until tommorrow. I am all sorts of tuckered out and want to try and catch up on a little tv before its too late to appreciate comedy night done right from last Thursday.

I have also avoided the phone and for a certain someone I apologize, I was going to call this weekend but it got away from me... I promise we will catch up soon Hooligan, promise. I was talking about the sack stickers you have sent and do send me today so you are in my mind for sure.