I Can't Resist a Sale

So today I continued my shopping spree.  I got such good deals I thought I should share them with y'all.   You already know I love Crate & Barrel but I adore it even more on sale.  Here are a few things I bought... Pillows, green lacquered boxes, an ottoman, wooden ornaments, box ornaments, spreaders, snowflake trivets, and Christmas dishtowels.

And there was still so much I didn't buy. I left it there for y'all. The Marimekko Tamburiini duvet looks even better in person. Also, right now they are holding the floor sample sale. If anyone needs a sofa, might I suggest the Petrie sofa. I would feel better about not buying it myself if I knew it were going to a good home.

SNL on NPR

During lunch today I caught part of Fresh Air on OPB.  Terry Gross was interviewing Seth Meyers from SNL.

Saturday Night Live and I have a long history. When I was about 5, I begged my parents to let me stay up and watch it.  I still remember being so tired and trying so hard to understand Mr Bill.  In high school, my prom was 2 nights. One was the traditional dance. The other was a dinner where the Junior class chose a theme and put on a play impersonating the Seniors and teachers. My Junior year, the class picked the theme I suggested, SNL. The principal = the church lady, the jocks = Hans and Franz. You get the idea.

So when Seth Meyers called this skit "one of the best performance moments in the history of SNL", I had to watch it again to see if I agreed. Plus I crush Jason Sudeikis, less so when he is Todd Palin, but still his cuteness shines through.  

Music Monday - 12/29/08

It's the last Music Monday post of the year. Actually, it may be the last Music Monday post ever. I'm sure I'll post about music at times, but I would rather post when I feel inspired and have something great to share, not just because it's Monday. But this week, it's Monday AND I have something great to share.

I think I could write a year of posts on NPRs programs, there are that many good ones. All Songs Considered is a great show for hearing old favorites or finding new artists. It's the end of the year, so naturally they have compiled a Listener's Pick of the Year's Best Music. Do you agree? What's missing?

1. White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
2. Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
3. For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver
4. Dear Science by TV on the Radio
5. Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
6. Oracular Spectacular by MGMT
7. Flight of the Conchords by Flight of the Conchords
8. Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket
9. Viva la Vida by Coldplay
10. Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust by Sigur Rós
11. Volume One by She & Him
12. The Stand Ins by Okkervil River
13. Modern Guilt by Beck
14. Juno Soundtrack by Kimya Dawson and Antsy Pants
15. Consolers of the Lonely by The Raconteurs
16. Feed the Animals by Girl Talk
17. Attack & Release by The Black Keys
18. Only by the Night by Kings of Leon
19. Conor Oberst by Conor Oberst
20. Acid Tongue by Jenny Lewis
21. Stay Positive by The Hold Steady
22. Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006 by Bob Dylan
23. Furr by Blitzen Trapper
24. Third by Portishead
25. Everything That Happens Will Happen Today by David Byrne and Brian Eno

One More Snow Picture

I just couldn't resist one more snow picture. Can you tell how steep my hill is in this one?

Music Monday - 12/22/08

I joined Twitter last week.  Since I can barely keep up with Facebook and this blog, why am I signing up for one more thing?  Well, did you know Amazon has a feed and they alert you to mp3 specials.  They have an album everyday that sells for somewhere around $4.  The deal is only for one day.

And, until Christmas, they have a free Christmas track every day.  And they're being extra-nice, these free songs are available all month.  

Enjoy!

P.S. Did you know you can add a twitter feed to your google reader!  Maybe everyone already knows all of this but I can't be the most tech-unsavvy person out there. That title would belong to my parents.

The Snowy Day

A few pictures my roommate took around our neighborhood:

My car, you can barely see it...

My snowy sidewalk, it's steeper than it looks.

My stairs and doorway. I cleared them off so nicely last week and now look at them.

My Credit Card is Melting!

I'm snowbound! It's freezing outside but I have been heating up my computer and credit card today. I just went a little crazy on etsy, puffluna to be exact. Look at my Christmas presents to myself.

Small Triumphs

I just got the last box of regular (not sugar-free) hot chocolate at Fred Meyer! If you need any food staples, I would suggest avoiding the Fred Meyer on Barbur; those cupboards are bare.

More Sweaters

Remember all those amazing sweaters from Lutz & Patmos? Gorgeous but way out of my price range. Well they have another line, Leroy & Perry at Barney's that less expensive and currently on sale. This pintuck cardigan has my name written all over it. And at only $59, it wouldn't take a Christmas miracle.

Brrrr!

Yesterday I called in frozen to work and watched cars slide around from my comfy couch. One car across the street got hit twice by stray sliders.

Today, after trudging up my icy hill, unable to get my car out, and taking the over 2-hour bus ride to work, I wonder, why don't I live in South Carolina anymore?

When You Care Enough to Hit Send

You know all those IM abbreviations like lol and rotflmao. Well, ever since I found someecards, I have been csak. I can't guarantee these are sweet, endearing, or appropriate, but they are darn funny and free! Here are a few I have either sent or wish I had reason to send recently.

Snow Day!

I don't yet know if I get a snow day tomorrow. Don't you think if the schools are closed, work should be too?!

Today Lizzy and I walked up to the corner market for essentials like diet Coke. We live on a steep hill and while it was OK for walking, cars were sliding all over the place. It was good to get out and the short walk was fun if somewhat treacherous. Once I got home, all I wanted to do was get cozy. Don't these look delightful!

Lutz and Patmos throws for West Elm

Handknit bobble top from Lutz & Patmos

Cocoon cardigan from Lutz & Patmos, could anything sound cozier?

Are your feet always cold? Socks to brighten up a dreary day

I don't have a fireplace, I like to pretend a few candles warm up a room

This time of year, I definitely think having the oven on is great but just in case you can't get out from under your blankets, you can still have cookies from Whimsy & Spice. These pumpkin ginger sandwich cookies sound especially good.

Need something to dip those in? How about hot chocolate on a stick...

Stay warm!

Oh My Darlin'

Are you like me this time of year? This is what my grocery budget looks like during clementine season.

Music Tuesday - 12/9/08

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  Here are a few songs for the season and a few pictures of my cute tree. See those snowflakes, they're my new favorite ornaments, so natural, just thin pieces of wood.  And they are only 99¢ at Target. Of course, my fingers are a bit sore from stringing all the popcorn and cranberries.


Christmas Mix
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Aimee Mann
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Ella Fitzgerald
Walking in a Winter Wonderland - Liz Phair
Silent Night - Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama
All I Want for Christmas Is You - Olivia Olson
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas - The Format
Last Christmas - Wham
Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - U2

Not Quite What I Was Planning

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But can six words be worth more than six words? After reading this book, I absolutely think so. Not Quite What I Was Planning, written by all sorts of people and edited by Smith Magazine, contains hundreds of six-word memoirs. The intro says, "Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in six words. Papa came back swinging with, "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." And the six-word story was born." Hemingway's story is heart-rending. This book contains some that are just as bleak, others that are full of happiness, humor, sarcasm, or hope. Here are a few of my favorites...

Seventy years, few tears, hairy ears. - Bill Querengesser

Saw the world, now where's home? - Hannah Silverstein

Quietly cultivating my inner Lynda Carter. - Joanna Sheehan

Many risky mistakes, very few regrets. - Richard Schnedl

Happy now that I know myself. - Anne Maiwald

Hope my obituary spells "debonair" correctly. - Gregg Easterbrook

Asked and answered, asshole, next question. - Joe Lockhart (funnier if you know he was the White House Press Secretary during the Clinton impeachment trials)

Five feet, but in your face. - Toby Berry (for my short mom who, when people meet her, has been told that she sounded taller on the phone)

Full life; impossible to summarize in - Matt Love

Underachieving... but willing to overcompensate halfheartedly. - Frank J. Lepiane

Well, I thought it was funny. - Stephen Colbert (If he said it, I'm pretty sure it was funny)

This imperfect life, perfect for perfectionist. - Sarah Gardner

Put whole self in, shook about. - Melissa Delzio (I just liked this one but turns out she's a graphic designer from Portland)

Fearlessness is the mother of reinvention. - Arianna Huffington (love her or hate her, reinvention is good)

I'm the fine print; read closely. - Kristina Grish

Must remember: people, gadgets. That order. - Brian Lam

I can resist everything except temptation. - Carolina Conte

Smart, humble, shy. Notice me, please? - Ryan Kucera (this one could be mine)

Share yours here

Music Monday - 12/1/08

Remember back when MTV had the slogan, "I want my MTV?"  Remember how you used to mean it?  Now the station is nothing but The Hills and Road Rules.  But if you're feeling nostalgic, go to their new video site, mtvmusic.com, for vintage videos by Billy Idol, Kraftwerk, Wham, REM, New Order, and Blondie.  

Blondie |MTV Music