Treasure Find Tuesday

I have a thing for glassware. I don't know how I get off collecting so many breakables when I know we will be moving about, but when these four heavyweight tumblers caught my eye at Goodwill I couldn't say no. I didn't go crazy for them just because pink glass is gorgeous light, feminine, and refreshing. These glasses remind me of the glasses pictured below that are a staple at my parents house.

They have light and dark green goblets. I can't believe I stumbled across light pink!

The thick glass bottoms give a pleasant weightiness. I appreciate how substantial they are, it somehow makes every sip seem more important.

This is what the flash looks like inside the glass. Pretty funky huh? Oh and did I mention they were only 79 cents apiece? Yeah. AMAZING!

If I were going to splurge on drinking glasses I would go with these recycled beauties

Fill in the blank Friday

1. I feel happy when my house smells like warm banana bread. I feel happy when I am thinking of my grandparents and remembering all of my special moments with them. I feel happy anytime Chris and I hug – even if it is because I am extremely upset. I feel super happy when I am with my friends - extra bonus if we are in New York or drinking tea.

2. I get silly when I am working. When I am doing what I love and am encouraging others to not be afraid to be creative and express themselves.

3. Something that makes me sad is When people are too selfish to consider others safety and make foolish decisions.

4. Something that makes me annoyed is when people are angry about little things and try to get you to be angry about them as well.

5. A time that I've been truly surprised was when my nephew first spoke to me. I spent a lot of time with him as a baby and was used to talking to him. One day while driving him in the car I asked him a question and he responded like a real grown up person! It was bizarre.

6. I am so thankful for my mom and dad’s ability and willingness to text message. I love being able to keep in touch about the little things going on.

7. I feel loved when I get mail. I LOVE mail.

You can find more blanks at Lauren's Blog the little things we do

Best Christmas Present

car, plane, taxi, confidant footsteps, peaceful chaos, pizza, familiar thrifts, catching up with clowns, COFFEE, Potter. Staying up late, getting up early, soothing subway rides, walking, walking, walking, window shopping, satisfied cravings, stunning cozy apartments, glowing lights, friendly strangers, worthy lines, freezing time, cupcakes, missed stops, beautiful friends, meaningful memories, shopping shopping, margaritas, wacky games, fits of laughter, central park, goat cheese, fuzzy pillows, icy encounters, steak and eggs, steamed almond milk, video games, pizza, taxi, plane, home to husband, bliss bliss bliss

Fill in the b_ank Frid_y

Thanks again to Lauren at the little things we do for inviting us all to tag along.

1. The most spontaneous thing I've ever done was … Last year I created a drama workshop and bought an unlimited plane ticket. I traveled all over the country for a month visiting the people I love while doing the work I love. Chris was at ASBC in Alabama and I wasn’t going to sit around by myself in Ohio. It took a bit of planning to get my dates nailed down, but the idea itself spontaneously came to me as soon as I heard about the airline deal. I love routine, but I also love breaking out of routine to go on fun adventures. Try it, it builds character and keeps you from losing your mind.

2. The best gift I've ever received was… my grandmothers wedding band. It makes me happy to have something so precious on me at all times that reminds me of my grandparents. It has a history of love. It makes our love feel all the more powerful.

3. A time that I was truly and genuinely surprised was… when I was approached by NYU. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I wanted to go to school in the city or that the city would want me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity. I will cherish every moment good and bad I had there for the rest of my life.

4. I can't leave the house without … lipgloss. I ALWAYS have a few tubes of Burt’s Bees going.

5. My favorite day of the week is any week day because I am a sucker for morning talk shows and un-crowded places. I love being able to run errands or go to the movies without dealing with a mob.

6. Something that can always make me laugh is… Chris laughing. He laughs all the time long and loud and clear just like Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins. Even if I don’t think something is funny I end up laughing anyway as soon as I look at him, its contagious.

7. My perfect day would include … Waking up in NYC. Laughing at brunch with friends. Swinging by Texas to take my nephew and niece to an arcade before swimming and Snowcones. Spending the evening in Oregon with my aunt admiring the mountain and drinking wine. Falling asleep somewhere under the stars with Chris. It’s pretty unrealistic, but so is perfection. It doesn’t mean we can’t strive for it.

Towards

I grew up in Texas. I have taken countless standardized tests. Even when it wasn't our year to test, we were the lucky ones who got to take practice tests. I have been told read the directions CAREFULLY my whole life. I have even been on the other side informing children of the importance of reading directions several times before acting. Heck, I even recommend underlining and/or highlighting key words to make sure the directions are clear.

Today, I (lowers head in shame) read driving directions WRONG and ended up missing a fundraising meeting. The direction to exit towards such and such does not mean such and such is the name of the exit. How silly. How embarrassing. Once I actually make it to a meeting I will let you know more about it and the organization the fundraiser is serving. For now dear readers I hope that you take my blunder and use it to your benefit.

This Day In History Unveiled

A lot has changed for me in the past two years. I'm married and living in Ohio for crying out loud. I keep thinking "hmm, what was I up to this time last year?". Luckily I have an ical and can travel through time. Ok, I'm still in the now, but I like that I can do a few clicks and remember where i've been. Try it. It can be particularly fun if it is a day when you had a big test or paper due. It's a relief to know its behind you. Well, I did this today and realized that exactly a year ago was the day mom and I found my wedding veil. See!? Good times. I also realized that I never mentioned it before.

I didn't expect to go for anything fancy, but like many unsuspecting "simple" brides, I tried on the bling and was mesmerized. Fortunately the dress was simple. I LOVE that it has two layers.

What were you up to a year ago?

A Paper Plane in a Pine Tree

We have been very lucky this holiday season. between generous family donations, my thrift shopping, and a little creativity, we have been able to deck the halls and make this apartment our home.

Chris and I drove five minutes (yes you read me right only FIVE minutes) down the road to a tree farm to saw down our tree. We figured our first christmas needed a fresh tree. Plus it is the perfect time because there are no pets or small beings to mess with it ... the only downside was the family of jumping spiders I discovered while decorating ...

When it comes to ornaments on your tree, it is well known that your first year can be a bit skimpy. When my brother got married my sister and I were still young, so his beautiful wife invited us over to make ornaments with popsicle sticks, glue, and lots of love. I believe some of our masterpieces still hang on their tree today.

For our first tree, I had picked up some shining glass balls at the base thrift shop and we were pleasantly surprised with the Christmas cheer passed onto us in ornament form by our families over Thanksgiving break. I look forward to the day when we get to pull out the ornaments and tell each of their stories. Right now I will share one of them with you. Two of our favorite handmade ornaments make our hearts soar with pleasant memories each time we look at them.

These paper airplane F-16s were lovingly thrown at us as we left our wedding reception rather than rice or birdseed. Somehow I stumbled across a how-to paper airplane F-16 video in the wedding planning process and proceeded to cut, fold, tape, and stamp until I had a few hundred prepared. I am so happy that we have found further use for them! (and thanks to those who helped me fold!)

Thanks also to my ADORABLE nephew who picked up each airplane after it was thrown, we still have dozens of them ... any ideas for other uses?

You will be visited by three ghosts ...

This haunting image is actually a shot from my bridal portraits. Normally I don't associate our wedding with spooky stories, but in the eighth grade I played the ghost of Christmas past in our middle school's annual production of A Christmas Carol and I love how this image reminds me of it. I also love the image because to me it is spiritual. It reminds me that although I find myself physically out of the theatre from time to time, it is where a part of my soul lives. It was taken at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas by our wedding photographer Joe Cogliandro of J. Cogliandro Photography whose focus is artistic storytelling.