Winter White

Something about this just screams holiday to me.

from My Vintage Vogue

Cedar Rapids = Barbados

Put it on my 'must see' list.

Words of Wisdom... on 'doing something'

"I think this is the future of the creative community. It’s not going to be about what you’ve learned or done in the past, it’s going to be about what you’re currently doing and how you’re continually improving upon your craft. How do you become a better designer? You design... Far too many people think they’re entitled to something because of their education or their work history. I find people less impressive who rely on that as their claim to fame. I’m interested in those activity pursuing a passion. I’m interested in those that realize in the age of the Internet, we shouldn’t be worried about hiding what we’re bad at, we should be showcasing that in which we're good."

(via Michael Buffa, who incidentally was gushing about my coworker Matt)

I love love love this. I feel like so many people I know out looking for jobs these days rely far too heavily on that degree they got (and sometimes it is that degree they got a year or two ago...). They say they want to do something, work in some specific industry, yet do nothing to prove it. Start a blog about it. Get on Twitter and share articles about it and connect with people in the industry. Not only will it make you smarter, but if you show that you are passionate enough about something to pursue it for free, that makes you a pretty attractive hire, right?

Pretty... Awesome.

Remember these guys? I gushed about Pretty Little Empire during the TJ contest and now my favorite local band has a brand spankin new music video that looks so so so good (I'm pretty psyched about it, can you tell?). Oh, AND Riverfront Times named them as having one of the best local albums of 2010. Win.

Spread the Cheer

Loving all the Christmas cheer I keep seeing on web this week. Sigh.

Smashed Peas and Carrots, Dress Design and Decor, Vardagen (PS I'm wearing this shirt today!), Personalized cards from Minted (I'm totally doing this next year!)

Morning Musings: Wintry Mix Edition

Winter is so cruel. It is freezing out, so you want to walk fast.... but if you walk fast, you'll slip on the ice.

Have you ever seen a lime green parking cone? I saw one the other day. It was weird.

City drivers do not pull over for emergency vehicles OR stop behind school buses. Very strange.

I've been looking all over for my big ice scraper for my car, but all I could find was my handheld one. Monday morning, after the first big snow of the season, I had to clean my car off with a little brush. While driving to work, I look in my rearview mirror and see the big scraper sitting right there in the window. Awesome.

Getting off school for ice isn't nearly as fun as a snow day.

Now that January and February premiere dates are creeping up, I realize how much I miss LOST.

My title is correct. The word 'wintry' is NOT spelled 'wintery.' Mind. Blown.

Under the Sea

I spent my Sunday laying on the couch watching Planet Earth (seriously, it never gets old) so when I stumbled on this video today I was super happy. I may never get to go to the Great Barrier Reef of the shallow seas of the tropics, but I guess I could settle for this aquarium....

A Little Help for my Friends

I've got a favor to ask of you, my loyal blog readers (that's assuming there is more of you than just Chelsea and my sister. womp womp.)

A very good friend of mine is in this Facebook contest for long distance couples to win a trip to NYC for New Year's (I know, sweeeet). This isn't some 'couple hours away' or 'couple states away' long distance relationship (not that those don't suck too).... Courtney is here in STL and Chris is in Amsterdam. Yep, that's in the Netherlands. Here's more about them....

I am American and my boyfriend, Chris, is Dutch. We started dating 4 years ago while studying in South Africa. We thought we'd never see each other again when the semester ended. So we threw every last penny into a dream trip to the African island of Zanzibar. But it turned out we just couldn't stay apart. Thus began a long distance relationship of 2 years over 4 continents. At any given moment one of us was working or studying in South Africa, the US, the Netherlands, or Thailand. Finally in April ‘09, I got a visa for the Netherlands, until it expired in August ‘10. Now I’m back in the US, and we are apart once again. We've had many fantastic experiences traveling together, such as hitch hiking across Portugal, wine tasting in South Africa, and horse back riding in Cambodia. However, what has made our travels so memorable is sharing them. We would gladly trade a big adventure for just one night hanging out on the couch, but spending New Years Eve together in NYC would be even better!

Unfortunately, the only reason we are apart is due to visa regulations and immigration rules. The visa I previously had for the Netherlands cannot be renewed, and there is currently no US visa Chris is eligible to apply for. So we are back to long distance, which we thought for sure was finally over. We talk nearly every day through Skype, Facebook, etc. but at times it’s still extremely difficult not being together. We saw each other once in the past 4 months, and for the first time ever it is uncertain when we will see each other again. Winning this contest would change that, and we would be extremely grateful! Thanks for your help.

Courtney and Chris are super adorable (I actually spent last New Year's Eve with them here in St. Louis!) and totally deserve this trip together! Please, please vote! All you have to do is go here, click vote for your favorite couple, search Courtney and VOTE. Easy par cheesey. 

Ummmmm, seriously? They are freakin adorable. 

Enticing.... NOT

I totally want to sign up for the Kohl's Newsletter after getting this email with a stock photo of a robotic supermodel...

NOT.

Nusery Time

As if #weddingwednesday wasn't enough, now I'm running into great baby finds! (What is wrong with me). Babies are far, far, far off in my future.... so would someone I know please have a kid soon so I can buy them stuff?

from 20x200

Tis the Season

It's my first year out on my own for the holidays and I was super excited to decorate my house.... and then I looked at the price tags. Sheesh. Decorations are expensive. I'm inheriting a tree from my parents, although I only have about three ornaments to hang on it. Fail. I'm seriously considering telling my friends they have to bring ornaments to my sweater party.

I did a little holiday shopping and picked up beige/gold garland, white lights, a red tree skirt and a super sparkley red star for the tree; a berry wreath and reindeer welcome matt for the front door; and snowmen dish towels and table runner for the kitchen. (Pics soon, I promise!)

So maybe my house will be a little underwhelming in the festive department this year, but it's a start. Here's some items I'm looking to expand with....

How great would these wintery photos look hanging around the house? Classy. (via Maria Kallin on Etsy)

Pretty handmade stockings (bonus if I make them.... which is unlikely). (via @ Gussy Sews)

Isn't this a nice little set up? It would help if I had a fireplace to burn the wood in though... (via @ Design Sponge) Oh, and while we're at it, I'll take an actual fireplace too.

LOLZ. Seriously.

Gylne Tider - Let It Be Vidéo stars_trash sélectionnée dans Musique

Literally. I was giggling at my desk as I watched this. Best cameo? Tonya Harding... in camo. Which one was your favorite?

Time for TJ

I still cannot believe I was part of this. The MTV TJ is #8 on Time's Top Ten Twitter Moments of 2010 (by the way, that's a lot of 't' sounds...).

Seriously, the whole thing is still so surreal. When I got that call from 'Lauren form casting,' I thought that it would be a little contest tucked away on the MTV website that only really active MTV lovers would know about.... Boy, was I wrong. 

This sounds cheesy- but I'm really honored to be part of this. I had some amazing experiences, met some amazing people.... Thanks again, MTV. 

Sorry Willow

But I think I like this version better.

Obsessed?

Maybe. But I don't care. Grace Potter rocks. Don't know who she is? Watch her a-maz-ing performance at VH1 Divas. 

Angry Birds

It's annoying when things don't work, but at least Hootsuite's fail page is cute.

Morning Musings

Pretty sure Chippewa, Grand, Gravois and Meramec all intersect with eachother. And people expect me to learn north, south, east and west in this city?

I saw a passenger in a car smoking. With the windows up. Gross, right? And then he took a swig of his Busch tall boy.

The large coffee at a local donut shop is the same size as a grande at the Starbucks across the street. Oh, and it only costs $1.49.

It was snowing this morning in St. Louis. I swear.

Gowalla actually looks fun. But I already use Foursquare for check-ins (and occassionally Yelp and Facebook Places too). Do I really need another?

And on that Gowalla note, their new iPhone app integrates Foursquare and Facebook Places check-ins as well. Is that a smart move? Or admitting defeat?

I think it is impossible to find (cute) boots wide enough to fit my stupid calves.

Is it Friday yet?

Angels Among Us

Alessandra is my favorite. 

Erin is my second favorite.
And the boy likes Behati.

I guess this techinically belongs on my TV blog, but it was a fashion show so I'm putting it here under 'fashion'. I can do that. It's my blog.

Also, if you're a fan of the show, please read this live blogging of the show. It is hilarious. Serious LOLz.

Dubya Gets It

“Because you have a lot of people on here and I’m trying to sell books.”

-Dubya to the Zuck, on why he is on Facebook

OMGlee

I never thought Mr. Schuster was hot... until this picture.

RIP Mr. Nielsen

"It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day."

I remember watching Naked Gun all the time when I was a kid (I know, not really child-appropriate, but whatever). We had it recorded off TV on aVHS tape.... makes me feel old now that you can probably see Leslie save the Queen in hi def or blu-ray or 3D.

RIP.

Happy

I like finding new blogs to read. I especially like it when they have cute wedding photos like this one.

From Peace Love Lauren

#weddingwednesday

Give Thanks

Makes ya think, huh?

I'm heading off to Washington, DC to spend Thanksgiving with my family (my sister and brother-in-law and their cats live there). Looking forward to sightseeing, crisp fall weather and relaxing with family. I'm lucky.

Happy Thanksgiving, kiddos.

Sign Me Up

Wait, this is what biking is like? Ok, then I'm in.

From Destined to Design

Still Hot

Oh yeah, that reminds me. Who wants to watch the VS Angels Fashion Show with me next week?

Blue Skies

It's been dark and dreary for days, but today it is sunny. And that makes me happy.

From Etsy

Go Red.

Last year I was really pining over a pair of red jeans... and I never bought them. Seeing Kendi's outfit is making me think twice.

Party in Stlye

Most stylish wedding party ever? Yes.

From Our Labor of Love

#weddingwednesday

Disgusting Isn't an Option?

Feeling Festive

Tower Grove Park

Emily Thompson wreath

caramel apples

It is so yucky out today. It is dark and grey and chilly. What happened to my pretty fall? 

And speaking of fall, I'm feeling particularly festive today because Sunday I'm celebrating turkey day with my mom's side of the family AND this time next week, I'll be heading to DC to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her husband. Bring on the bacon turkey!

Thanks Gap

Gap + Christmas + Ryan = LOVE

On Rotation: Florence + Treme

I rarely listen to the radio anymore. And I don't have one of those fancy iPod plugins in my car (heck, I don't even have one of those fancy iPods!). I like CDs.

I used to be an advocate of (alphabetically-ordered) mix CDs, but nowadays I'm rarely listening to something other than a band's CD or a soundtrack that I borrowed from Jason's Dropbox bought at the store or on iTunes.

Tucked away in my side compartment are Avett Brothers, Lady Gaga, Mumford & Sons, The National, Brandi Carlile, Ray LaMontagne.... just to name a few. But right now, I'm constantly rotating between Florence + The Machine and the Treme Soundtrack.

Florence + The Machine is this amazing blues-y/dance hybrid. It reminds me of the Eurythmics or A Fine Frenzy and I love it. The only official music video I could find was from Twilight (ew), but you've got to got to got to watch their performance at this year's VMAs. It blew my mind. While my favorite song of theirs changes on a weekly basis, right now I'm loving 'Between Two Lungs.'


And Treme, oh Treme. Have you ever watched this show? It is set in post-Katrina New Orleans and literally revolves around the music. Most of the main characters are either musicians themselves or, as is typical in NOLA, appreicate the musical culture that thrives in their city. The song from the opening credits is enough to get me watching (and listening).


Happy listening.
#musicmonday

Oh Wine-O

  

Tonight I'm heading to Sasha's for a friend's birthday (and I know Carlie is jealous!). It is weird to think I used to not drink wine and now it is one of my favorite things to do (and side note, why is it that drinking wine all the time is classy, but drinking beer/liquor all the time makes you and alcoholic? Interesting).

Oh, and then friend is this gal. Wish her a happy birthday. And read her blog. 

Images here & here.

Potter Princess

Miss Watson seriously rocked it at the Harry Potter premiere. I'm loving her new, pretty, grown-up style. Aren't you?

I Cooked!

I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is. My 'cooking' usually consists of one of those 10-minute pasta packs or steam-in-the-microwave veggies. Okay, technically I still used frozen broccoli last night, but let's just focus on the hummus and spinach stuffed chicken I made....

Here's the recipe (I found it here):

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup hummus
• 8 or so spinach leaves
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• Spice Belnd (I used a sun-dried tomato and basil mix)

Pound the chicken breast to thin it out (Careful, chicken is slippery. I did not know this). I just layered mine between two ziploc baggies because I didn't have plastic wrap (and yes, I am aware it would have been easier to put it inside the bag). Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil.

Smear some hummus on each flattened piece of chicken. Follow up with the spinach leaves, spice blend and some parmesan cheese.

Now roll it up. Sprinkle each chicken roll-up with some salt, pepper, spices and some Parmesan cheese. My tip? Season the side where the fold is... You'll see why in a minute.

Add the chicken to the skillet, seasoned and parmed side down. Here's where seasoning the side with the fold comes in handy! When I did it, I seasoned the other side, so when I set it on the pan it immediately came unfolded and got really messy. If you put the folded side down first, to should cook close... if that makes sense. Anyway, go ahead and season the side facing up and let it brown for a couple of minutes.

Flip it over and brown the second side. Add the orange juice and broth to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cover partially and let cook until the chicken is done.

Remove the chicken and drizzle some of the sauce on top to fancy it up.

Nom, nom, nom. That picture isn't mine... I borrowed it from the website where I got the recipe. But mine was actaully pretty good! I impressed myself.

Fierce.

From Dress Design and Decor

Tech Love

In recent years, my Christmas list is usually made up of clothes, with the occassional pair of boots, DVDs or other knick knack thrown in. This year, I'm thinking it is about time I add some techy goodness to the list too. Here's what I'm pining over right now:

USB Tulip Hub

Grassy Lawn Charging Station

Ceramic Alarm Clock

I'm also really in need of a good iPad stand.... but I don't even use mine enoug as it is to tell what I need my stand to do. Right now, propping it up against the wall to watch movies is about as innovative as I get....

And PS, I just realized I don't have a 'tech' category. Hmm. I tagged this as 'web.' If I didn't already have so many posts, I would completely redo these categories....

We Said Vows

we said vows. from Jeremy on Vimeo.
I post about wedding stuff all the time, and as easy as it is to get mixed up in the dresses, the rings, the photographer and the flowers, this video reminds me what it is really about.

Read their full elopement story here.

#weddingwednesday

Lego Love

Build Anything from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.

My brother is a Lego fanatic, so we've always had these little toys laying around our house. This video makes me happy.

An Extra Hour

Don't you think Mondays are particularly difficult when you're coming off of a fabulous weekend? That's where I am right now. I had a pub crawl on Main Street in St. Charles on Friday, a lazy Saturday followed by bowling with friends and movie night with the boy, and an epic Sunday funday trip to Illinois for Fast Eddie's, Loading Dock and Rotten Apple. Now, all I want to do is chat with my friends about the good times we had, upload my photos to Facebook (too bad that high res uploader takes for-e-ver) and, let's be honest, maybe lay in bed and watch movies all day. Needless to say, my 'Focus' Vitamin Water is necessary today. 

And to top it all off, we got an extra hour this weekend! Isn't it funny how, even though it was just one extra hour, I felt like I got another one every time I changed a clock? An extra hour to watch Spongebob Squarepants sleep in on Sunday. An extra hour of drinking at the Loading Dock. And in bed an hour early Sunday night. Daylight Savings rocks. 

Happy Monday, folks. 

Officially Fall

It's officially fall.

The leaves are changing, I need a jacket to go outside and I'm probably turning my heat on this weekend. Where did the summer go? Seriously. I'm okay with the fall, because I love it, but I'm in no rush for winter.

This weekend will be spent having good times with good friends a little away from home- in St. Charles and Grafton, IL. Hopefully, I'll have some solid stories/pics to share.

Oh, and PS that pic was taken with the Retro Camera app on my Droid at Eckert's a couple weeks ago. Not bad, eh?