3.01.2012

Let's Get Down to Business

...don't tell me you didn't sing in your head 'to defeat...the huns...'

So last night I attended my first ever DC vintage lovers/bloggers event (blog post to come soon!) and I figured if I was going to be meetin' and greetin' I should probably have some cards to pass out. Isn't it so fun to say "Let me give you one of my cards"? "Here, take a card". I pretty much perfected my card pass. 

I stocked up on some crafty supplies from Joann's over the weekend and set to work creating the perfect business card for The Funky Junkie. I spent a few hours on the computer coming up with several designs, but narrowed it down to three that I really, really liked. After consulting with the husband, the parents, and some random friends, it was pretty much 50/50 between two. So I made both.

Which one do you like?




2.29.2012

Bren vs. PMS

I hope I didn't offend anyone by Sunday's post. I am not a vegetarian at all and love meat way too much to be sad (sorry......!!) but I realize that not everyone is that way. So if the graphic photos of crustaceans being boiled to death was too much, don't fret, because today we're going to talk about something more uplifting: PMS! 

You know you can always count on a hormones-related post at least once per month, because after the crying and pain, my meltdowns are kind of funny. 

On Saturday morning, Ian and I had fallen into our usual routine: I was on my computer stalking my blogs, and Ian was watching some sort of historical/educational/sports-related TV. That morning happened to be the Dog Whisperer, a show fascinating to Ian's psychology degree/counselor mind. He analyzes the dog whisperers movements, the way the dog responds, and even compares it to how that's the way that kids should be raised. I just like the dogs. 

While he studied the ways of a dog whisperer, I had also noticed a red spot on my nose that looked like it had the potential to form into a cyst like I had on the end of my nose in 8th grade (absolutely horrific). I took it upon myself to Google diagnose myself with skin cancer and as I looked at pictures of people who had their noses mangled by having growths removed, I freaked. One point for PMS.

We decided to head to the pet store to play with puppies, after I fully examined my nose in the mirror and Ian tried to convince me that I wasn't dying. I must say, if a sweet mini doberman pinscher in the arms of your handsome husband doesn't make you melt, I don't know what will.


After we had sufficiently overwhelmed the poor thing, we headed to Trader Joe's to stock up and stop in the other pet store. The first pet shop was small and quiet; the next one was a madhouse. Kids running all over the place, animals all over the place; we had to get in line to play with the beagle that we wanted. When we finally got into the room, this little guy was absolutely NUTS. It was running all over the place, biting my boots...so naturally, Ian took this opportunity to try out his dog whispering skills. 

Here's where the PMS comes in. For some reason, this irritated me to no end. As Ian tried to calm down the dog and make weird noises at it, I kept freaking out more when it would come bite my boots (they were expensive!). Ian told me I had to stay calm, but how was I supposed to stay calm?! Not to mention I had to go to the bathroom. I was officially done with dogs. PMS: two points.

So we went to Trader Joe's, I relieved myself, and we got free pizza samples. I was happy again. PMS 2,  BREN 1. 

We came home and I plopped onto the couch and happened to catch the Elizabeth Smart Lifetime movie. When she was reunited with her family in the end....oh boy, bring on the waterworks again. I sat on the couch blubbering "can you even IMAGINE?" and then decided I really, really missed my sister. Point for PMS. 

As I flipped to Miss Congeniality, Ian started making the lobsters. They boiled away in the pot, but the water in the pot kept boiling over. Ian wasn't really concerned by this, but it was the end of the world to me because water was getting everywhere. 

"It's just water! It will evaporate!" Says the husband.

"But it's making a mess!" 

I think it was at this point that I walked away in a huff. And returned to the delicious feast that you read about the other day. 

After dinner, I decided to give up giving up chocolate for Lent, and enjoyed some Girl Scout cookies while we cuddled on the couch and watched Young Frankenstein (a little overrated, if you ask me). So really, it turned out to be a good day.

All's well that ends well with a little chocolate, I always say. 

2.27.2012

Lobster Killers

How could I not name this post after that scene in Julie and Julia?


On Saturday, when Ian and I saw a deal at the H Mart that was just too good to pass up, we decided we were having lobsters for dinner. 

Of course I love a good shellfish, not to mention bright red ones, so we had the nice man scoop up the two biggest and best ones. As we shopped, the little guys sat squirming in the bag in our cart and when we placed them in the backseat for the ride home, I had to keep a watchful eye so that they didn't escape and come pinch me.


I let Ian be manly and prepare the lobsters, not before playing with them a little bit. And maybe making a creepy little video where I made them talk. I'll spare you that.


But pretty soon, it was time to get down to business. We were hungry.


First of all, I realized that I had never actually eaten lobster before. Also, I didn't know that they magically turned red when you boiled them! I thought that was like, only in cartoons. 

I fried up some asparagus, Ian melted some garlic butter, and we had ourselves a feast.

The last family portrait.

They sure are hard work to eat, but WOW was it tasty. 

Afterwards, we felt it was only appropriate to fully dissect them. 





2.23.2012

Every Day is Valentine's Day

When I wore this outfit to work yesterday, someone kindly pointed out that Valentine's Day was last week. 

I kindly replied that EVERY day is Valentine's Day for me.

The red blouse was one of my favorite thrifts from Saturday. Frumpy fun-patterned grandma button-up shirts are one of my favorite things to find because even though they might have been worn by granny vacationing in a tropical retirement community, they are instantly stylish when tucked into a skirt. 

Right?

In other news, I am planning to buy something that will make taking these blogging self-portraits much easier; do any of you lovely ladies have camera remote reccomendations?

Peace out and have a lovely Thursday.


2.22.2012

A Major Award!

When I arrived home from work the other night, I found an email from Tara, one of my new blogging friends at Penniless Socialite, that she was awarding me a major award!

Not this kind of major award:


But the Liebster Blog Award, which is given to up-and-coming bloggers by other up-and-coming bloggers. So that's fun!


Now I get to award this to five of my swell blogger friends. I know that after my recent post I'm not concerned about the numbers game, but this is a great way to get to know each other and make some new friends!

So here is my pick:

I've been loving reading about Cece's life and her newlywed adventures. She is super stylish and always has a way of seeing the good things in life!


Not only do I love her thrifty clothes, but she has fabulous bangs. I pretty much want to raid her closet.


I've been reading Kristin's blog since wayyy back when I started blogging! She really speaks to my love for great writing and finding beauty in every day life.


Kasey is acually probably beyond up-and-coming, but she is the wife of one of my husband's best friends and a PA native herself. She's been in the business of handmade clothes for a few years now and she is absolutely fabulous. After you check out her blog, check out her etsy shop because you will be amazed. And want it all.

I'm not sure how Dawn stumbled across my little blog, but I'm so glad she did because I just love seeing her thrifty finds. She is beautiful and can rock outfits from just about every decade. 



 you have been awarded the coveted Liebster award, here’s what’s next:
* choose five up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers to award
*show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.  If you not already a follower of their blog, that might be a great way to show appreciation for the award.  ;)
*Post the award on your blog.  Be sure to link back to the 5 blogs you awarded so that others can visit them.





2.20.2012

Sunday Brunchin'

Growing up, Sundays after church always meant brunch. As soon as we would step in the door, Mom would fire up the griddle and mix up some pancake batter, or Dad would whip up some eggs and make the most wonderful omelets my little mouth had ever savored. Or we would try and beat the Sunday crowds to the nearest greasy spoon. (OK....as in, Panera.)

So now, I am conditioned to expect a delicious home-cooked brunch after church. About halfway through the service, just somewhere between where I am engaged in the sermon and where I am starting to zone out, my tummy starts rumbling. And then, as we make our way to the car, I debate whether today is a chocolate pancake and whipped cream day, or an omelet and home fries day. Because it's always one or the other. 

Yesterday was an omelet day. Oh yes....and a home fries day. And a turkey bacon day. 

Because if you're going to have one, why not have them all? 


2.18.2012

Itchin' for a Thriftin'

Thank you all for the words and encouragement you left on my last post. It really made me remember why I love to do this, and that even though I might not have as many loyal followers as the next gal, I am reaching a handful of people who really enjoy stopping by my little corner of the internet. So that's swell!

You know what else is swell? It's the weekend. And after this past week, I could not be more thrilled for two days of restin' and relaxin'. 

I've also been itchin' for some thriftin'. There have been a couple things on my wish list lately, including a cute little round bag like (who else?) Miss Zooey's:


But you know what I'll probably do? Go grocery shopping. Catch up on the shows I missed this week. Call my mommy. That sounds pretty swell too. 

Happy weekend, friends!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...