Happy Weekend!

Since J works from home and I homeschool the kids, sometimes the days bleed together and Friday catches us unawares. Not this time! Our weekend plans include a last minute visit from Jones & The Spanish Lady {so excited!}, a roarin' Academy Awards Party, some window shopping and plenty of late-night board game playing.

The weather has been absolutely perfect-- mild, lots of sunshine, and little signs of spring popping up all over the place. {Times like these make up for the horrid triple-digit temperatures of summer!}

Happy Weekend, all!

Hot Girls Wear Glasses

Where was this whole geek-chic trend back when I was in 6th grade and could have really used it? Let's just agree that I was ahead of my time, shall we? Also, if fashion continues to follow this course, braces are about to become very hot. Just sayin'.

Elements that I appreciate from current trends include: buttoned-up, modest clothing with uber feminine details / industrial housewares and office supplies  /  typography and hand lettering  /  vintage wayfarer glasses

{images: Donna Reed & Zooey Deschanel}

Midnight in Paris Oscar Party

There always seems to be good reason to celebrate. My latest fête obsession involves the forthcoming Academy Awards, for which I'd love to throw a roaring 1920's party in homage to the Oscar Nominated film Midnight in Paris.

Another nominated film, The Artist {which I adore!} is also set in the 20's, but there's something magical about Paris with all its writers and artists. I would love to transform our home into a moody, black and gold nightclub with just the right mix of glittering opulence and bohemian smokiness. We'd lounge about on velvet cushions, sipping drinks and acting bored with our fabulousness.

And how amazing would it be to construct a paper moon for the photo booth? I have a whole folder of inspirational paper moon images that I've been hoarding for over a year now. This would be the perfect opportunity to utilize it!

Of course, we'd debate the various merits of all the films whilst filling out our ballots and taking the entire evening as seriously as a philosophical discussion on the state of modern society. ;)

Do you watch the Academy Awards? Have you ever held/attended a viewing party? Do you have a pick for Best Picture? I'm hoping Hugo wins, but would be quite thrilled if The Artist pulled an upset.

Images: Quote / Paris Photo / Gold Cake / Flapper / Dress / Paper Bunting / Flapper Dress / Book / Bow Tie Place Setting / Paper Moon / 20's Wedding / Fitzgerald Fan / Oscar Invite & Ballots /

Little Love Notes

Dickens had it right when he pointed out that the best of times and the worst of times can-- and often do-- coexist in a perplexing way. The last few months appear to illustrate this as our bills pile up, our bank account bounces and work refuses to materialize over the horizon. Yet conversely, J and I feel an overwhelming sense of peace when we pray about the future. {Unfortunately, that peace doesn't seem to preclude our stress from mounting as circumstances continue to deteriorate, but that feels like a personal weakness.}

I've decided to focus on the positive today. To see the silver lining: the best of times amid the worst. To that end, here are a few happy little love notes to the good things in my life:

Dear Baby Sway,
Thank you arriving safe and sound. I adore your sleepy eyes and your long fingers. I'm so glad I get to be an Auntie again and can't wait to send you polka-dotted dresses and sweet little booties. :)

Dear Peach Blossoms,
Your very presence signals the start of spring and makes me smile. I'm eager to dig my hands into the fragrant earth, plant seeds and nurture the newly budding greenery all around. Peach pie sounds mighty good as well.

Dear Justin Timberlake and Franz Ferdinand,
When I started listening to you {instead of podcasts of This American Life} my running pace improved significantly. I humbly admit that your music is not just noise. Thanks for the natural high.

Dear Art Supplies,
I've been staring at you all weekend, alternately inspired and intimidated. I'm plunging headlong into you this week and the fear is exhilarating.

Dear Jillian Michaels,
Your shredding leaves me cursing your name every morning. But in a good way. I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe.

Dear Wood Floors,
After mopping you yesterday, I was reminded of how glad I am that you are not carpet. I wish I could extend you to the rest of the house. You rock.

Dear Chickens,
Now that the daylight hours are getting longer, you've started laying eggs once more. I'm so grateful for the lovely green and brown shells and the bright yellow yolks. Pets that earn their keep are the best.

Dear Jar of Chocolate Chips,
Anytime I feel overwhelmed, I dip into your semi-sweet goodness. I love you. I hate you. I love you.

Dear Handful of Change,
I dug you out of the recesses of my purse and plan to use you to pay for 15 minutes with the industrial vacuum cleaner at the car wash. It may not sound like a big deal, but a spotless minivan goes a long way toward soothing my mind.

Dear CrockPot,
I dumped a bunch of frozen chicken breasts, a bottle of liquid smoke, some italian dressing and brown sugar into you and let it simmer for 24 hours. The resulting deliciousness has convinced both J and I that perhaps I really can cook. Oh, you devil, you!

Dear Visiting Teacher,
Thank you for the chicken breasts. J is so happy that we're not pseudo-vegetarians now, and once again I'm touched by how much I love and can count on friends.

xoxo
-Me

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Pretty Things

I love the styling for Red Valentino's Fall 2012 collection-- those hand-drawn backgrounds are just the right shade of whimsical and set off the clothing perfectly. Honestly, who wouldn't want that little black dress full of beautiful details and textures? Add a lacy pair of knee socks and I'm sold!

Hope you're having a nice President's Day. As you can see, I've spent the long weekend staring dreamily at pretty things while trying to sort out my real life. :)

{images}

The way to a man's heart

When J and I were engaged, we were given this bit of advice: take turns planning anniversaries and Valentine's Day instead of putting the responsibility solely on the husband. We've done this ever since, and I have to admit that I love it. There's a playfulness and warmth that has come with our little tradition that I hadn't expected. {Plus, if I really want to do something, I have the freedom to just plan for it on my turn-- no dropping hints!} :)

This year I was in charge of Valentine's Day. I thought wistfully of how nice it would be to hop on a plane and go someplace exotic for 24 hours... and then realized that I could bring the exotic to us. After two trips to the grocery store {amid frantic men in business suits raiding the tacky-stuffed-bears-holding-roses-and-heart-shaped-boxes-of-chocolates-isle}, I finished my first attempt at cooking up Indian food and {surprise!} it wasn't terrible!

We had a lamb and spinach curry called Saag-Gosht {modified from this recipe} with yogurt jasmine rice and garlic naan bread, which we ate in the living room atop layers of blankets and pillows. J found a Pandora station playing Indian music while I lit about 20 million candles, and for a little while it truly felt like we were some place far away and foreign. While sharing some coconut-caramel flan ice cream for dessert, we reminisced about our very first Valentine's Day {thirteen years ago!}, for which I also prepared an indoor-picnic dinner. I guess my bag of tricks isn't so big. :)

I've never had much enthusiasm for cooking, {My interests have always veered towards baking and sweets in general.} but making Saag-Gosht inspired me to try all kinds of dishes that I usually feel I have to eat out for. I made a little list:

• Thai Noodles and Peanut Sauce
• BBQ Chicken Pizza with Feta and Red Onion
• Gyros with Greek Fries
• Homemade Hummus and Pita bread
• Lettuce Wraps
• Pollo Fundido {replicate Somburro's version} 
• Mango Shrimp Quesadillas
• Fresh Spring Rolls 
• Maple Pecan Salmon with Sweet Potato Puree

And of course, I'd like to make more Indian foods. Particularly after investing $10 on a bottle of garam masala. :) Does anyone have any experience, pointers, fail-safe recipes or terrific websites to share? I'd love to hear!

{image}

PS Have you ever tried to take a photo of Indian food that actually looks appetizing? It's so difficult! All of mine looked like piles of greenish-brownish goop. :(

Happy Valentine's Day

We spent the morning stuffing our red mailbox full of cupid arrow valentines for the kids to pass out to their friends {free printable from one of my new favorite blogs}. We used colorful pencils from the dollar store and loved how they turned out-- creative, inexpensive, and sugar free. :)

The rest of our schooling followed the same theme:

Colorful expressions of love through art, cursive and poetry. L is enamored with the rainbow of oil pastel hues, while Little Miss C hopes to expand her vocabulary and learn calligraphy...

It's been a pleasant afternoon, cozy and warm despite the rain dripping outside the window. I hope yours is sweet as well and that you have a chance to smooch your loved ones. :)