Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween dear readers!

Drafting a quick post in-between trick-or-treaters. It's been two years since I handed out candy and I've already accidentally sandwiched a little dinosaur between the wood and (heavy) glass door. Sorry little Velociraptor. You totally earned that extra handful of candy I gave you.

I'm reading an appropriately-genred novel. 
A friendly PSA: reading this before bed may cause terrifying dreams. Learned that one the hard way.

via

I've watched my annual must-see Halloween movies this season.

Hocus Pocus (obviously)

via

Rocky Horror

via

Nightmare Before Christmas

via

And then some intriguingly dark tv shows that recently debuted. 

via

via

*Sidenote: American Horror Story is pretty great. I see why it's on a cable network because it's pretty graphic, HOWEVER Grimm on NBC baffles me. It's pretty gory for primetime, network tv. I'm totally not complaining, but I'm worried it won't last long because of it.

**Double sidenote: It's extremely weird to see Connie Britton as anyone BUT her fiery and devoted mom-self, Tammy Taylor, on the now defunct NBC show Friday Night Lights. (Pretty sure that's the 745586th time I've referenced that show). She still plays a mom in American Horror Story, but it's a complete 180 from FNL. 

***Triple sidenote: If you've never seen an episode of Friday Night Lights, you should start watching. Like, yesterday. 

Update: I'm almost out of candy and there's an hour left of trick-or-treating. Either the kids are going to start getting one starburst each or I'm turning the light off early. 

Happy Father's Day!

Ironic that my last post was for Mother's Day. Oops. That monster called grad school ruled my life and now I'm free! (Although hopefully not for too long--this girl and unemployment don't really mix).

Back to man of the hour, MY DAD!

I really wish I could find the photo of me putting pink barrettes in his hair when I was about 3, because it really captures just how much he puts up with loves me. I owe nearly everything to both of my parents, but I am particularly grateful for the life perspective my dad has given me. He taught me there is a silver lining to every situation life throws at you--the hard thing is just knowing how to find it.

Thanks for everything these past 24 years, Dad!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

My gorgeous Mama.

Oh how I wish I could have been back in good ol' Wisco to give my mom a Mother's Day hug today. Simply put, she's absolutely wonderful.

Love you, Mom!

xoxo

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In honor of St. Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland) I thought I'd share some of my 462,981 photos from the trip I took to Ireland about two years ago.

Dublin

Trinity College (Book of Kells- flashback to Art History 201 anyone)?

Yum.

Kissing the Blarney Stone. It was a long fall, hence the guidance by castle staff.

Also yum.

Midleton (near Blarney Castle).

Galway (best fish and chips of my life).

So glad I took a bus.

Cliffs of Moher

Enjoy your libations responsibly tonight!

Throwback Thursday: Christmas Decorating

Being on a weird quarter system for graduate school has its perks. Instead of studying for finals up to December 23rd, I was done much earlier. This means I can actually enjoy the lead-up to Christmas! We hold the holidays at my aunt's house, so there won't be a tree at my parents' place, but that doesn't mean there won't be a lack of Christmas cheer (in the form of lights, lots and lots of lights, muahahaha).

Flashback to the late 80s and Christmas light prep. I must have been helping...somehow.

I can't help but giggle at my clothing choices back then. I'm pretty sure those are pink Minnie Mouse sandals with white socks. Mad props to my parents for letting me dress myself though.

Favorite Holiday Music

I’m back in the Midwest and have been greeted with tons of snow and now bone-chilling cold. I LOVE it. Crazy, I know but it reminds me of when I was little and there was 12+ inches of snow on the ground and I’d burrow into my snowsuit, go sledding and come back inside to watch Christmas cartoons. Sigh, those were the days.

Although Rainy City, USA was graced with about an inch of snow just before Thanksgiving, it just wasn’t quite enough to get me into the holiday spirit. Something I do appreciate however, were the holiday tunes on TWO radio stations. I love nearly all of the seasonal music, but here is a list of a few of my favorites these days:


Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan :: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings

Low :: Just Like Christmas



Dave Matthews Band :: Christmas Song



What are your favorites this time of year?

The Christmas List

Now that I'm in vacation mode and done with my holiday shopping, I've had a few seconds to sit down and think what I would love for Christmas. Not knowing where I'm going to find work after graduation, I want to wait until I settle somewhere to accrue more "stuff." Let's be serious though, who in the U.S. really needs more "stuff?" Anyway, that said, these are the two things on my list:

1. An electric toothbrush to help me fulfill my OCD-level of cleanliness with my teeth. This will complete my trifecta of dental hygiene to the highest level: brushing, flossing and mouthwash-ing.

target.com

2. A classic black suit for job interviews. Pretty straightforward. Although, with the combination of my large wingspan and ridiculously long torso, I'm sure it'll have to be tailored. sigh.

bananarepublic.com

So that was my real Christmas list. If Santa weren't on a budget I'd take any of the following:

- Nikon D3000 digital SLR

nikon.com

- Frye boots like these:

thefryecompany.com

- Ray-Ban Wayfarers

ray-ban.com/usa

-Oversized eyeglasses

ray-ban.com/usa

Apparently I have a penchant for Ray-Ban? Hm. 

What's on your Christmas list?

Happy Thanksgiving

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ::John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Happy Thanksgiving from California!
(Stories to come about the epic road trip later).

May you all have a wonderful holiday full of family, friends, food and love.

I'm so grateful for all of the amazing people in my life, I wish I could spend the day with all of you!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everybody! Thanks to my awesome family, I've always loved Halloween!

My grandmother's friends: Helen, Sophie and my grandmother herself.
Wow, these ladies knew how to have fun!

My Aunt D., myself and my dad. Hehe, sorry for posting this dad, but it's just too awesome! 

The University of Wisconsin was a perfect choice, it has a HUGE Halloween scene:

City bus to State Street (ca. 2005).

Note: this photo was completely staged. I went as a "Coastie" and those cigarettes are 100% a prop. 

Now I live in Rainy City, U.S.A. and the Halloween environment is different. Different in a wonderful way:

Scissors (not pictured: rock and paper), Joan Holloway(Harris), Amy Winehouse and a witch. 

Carol from Where the Wild Things Are and The Dude 

Ladybug and I. What is it with me using cigarettes as Halloween props?!

And now this year, once again blown away by the costumes!

Myself, a 1930s gangster wife and Justin Bieber.
Yes, Bieber is the same guy who was The Dude from last year. 

Modern Saytr, Madonna, greek goddess/princess, Chola girl, and a cub. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Happy 234th Birthday America!

“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”

Thomas Paine, Common Sense

John Trumbull, Declaration of Independence, 1817

As we all overeat, enjoy the weather and kick back with our family and friends this weekend, I always wonder what the Founding Fathers would think of our traditions for the 4th of July. I'd argue they would approve of the community that surrounds the feeling of shared Americana (and probably an adult beverage, or two).

What do you think?

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Thanks for making sure I don't take life too seriously.

(an oldie, but goodie)

Easter Eggs: FINISHED PRODUCT!

As promised, I said I would share photos of the Easter eggs post decorating.

3 dozen eggs and a couple hours later=SUCCESS!

Thanks friends for coming over- I had a great time!

...and here's one for a good laugh:

Easter Eggs

As much as I wish I could be back in Wisconsin with my family tomorrow, I'm hosting an egg decorating party and am pretty excited!

Here are the subjects:

Hopefully after tomorrow they will look something like these:

(marthastewart.com)

(about.com)

Ok, so maybe I have high hopes- but I know they're going to turn out great! I'll be sure to share pictures of the post-party masterpieces.

Happy Easter!

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

(all images courtesy of: www. ihasahotdog.com)