tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28082122320482940942024-03-18T22:24:17.527-05:00The Magnificent LouThe Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-47267109803560333182012-03-12T17:28:00.002-05:002012-03-12T17:34:51.968-05:00Big news!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gzyR5azARKBRMCQVvIusr4eOhEtODEbSzZSgALqYgOad-6b-UH2WKK6bwdQ-lrkUfO6ED2aZx6LMIQyiNJxWyLzQL1tpWVRBc742ua_bgiU7nWyeh5D4Cw1qfoBLdaIG8w0Uv2aoB8A/s1600/packingup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gzyR5azARKBRMCQVvIusr4eOhEtODEbSzZSgALqYgOad-6b-UH2WKK6bwdQ-lrkUfO6ED2aZx6LMIQyiNJxWyLzQL1tpWVRBc742ua_bgiU7nWyeh5D4Cw1qfoBLdaIG8w0Uv2aoB8A/s400/packingup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719141209568221890" /></a> I am sooo thrilled to announce that I accepted a job over the weekend as an Event Assistant for a non-profit that services local youth. I am moving to begin my job...tomorrow! My fiance and I have been together for almost five years, but we have spent the last year and a half living in separate cities. I am really stoked to be in the same city as him again. My dream job with my dream man. Perfect.<br /><br />Source for pretty picture: <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/114560384240715391/">here</a>.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-18648032989527249162012-03-04T17:59:00.001-06:002012-03-04T19:39:18.162-06:00A quick update.This weekend was so lovely! My dad and I went to this crowded underground restaurant and had Italian crepes. I spent my Saturday afternoon at a food & farming festival learning how to make winter soups more flavorful (the key is a bouquet garni!) and the basics of canning. I am going to begin canning next month when the farmer's market opens and I can get the freshest berries. I can't wait to can pumpkin next fall so that I can make a loaf of pumpkin bread in March when I am really craving it. Or a pumpkin birthday cake in June! After the festival mom & I met up for fancy cocktails and then we went to see the movie "Wanderlust." The plot was sub-par, but I barely noticed because of how hilarious it is. I didn't even know I could like a Jennifer Aniston movie. Today we all went to church and then laid in the hammock basking in the spring sunshine. <br /><br />This coming week is going to be insane - in such a good way. I was selected as a volunteer for a local week-long fashion show, and I am so excited to be a part of this city-wide philanthropic effort. Sandwiched in between the volunteering is an interview and the wedding of my fiancé's best friend! <br /><br />Posting is going to continue to be slow, but I hope I can get the chair DIY up soon. And of course, I will be taking you all on my canning adventures. <br /><br />I am off to enjoy more sunshine. I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend - cheers to a happy & productive week!!The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-28884604558629165542012-03-01T14:57:00.004-06:002012-03-01T15:41:55.067-06:00Stories from my grandma.Yesterday over a shared basket of hot French fries, my grandma told me a dozen stories of the hilarious and inspirational mother she was in the 1950's. Of course, she didn't say "Aren't I so funny and Influential?" - I just came to that conclusion myself. <br /><br />My grandma and grandpa - who we called Papa - eloped when my grandma was only 17. After graduating with a degree in education (both my grandma and Papa), they moved to New Mexico. When my grandma was 23 she became pregnant with her first child - my father. She wanted to go visit her parents for Mother' s Day, but the doctor advised her that it wouldn't be a good idea to drive that far. So her parents and older brother drove to New Mexico to visit her. She told me she spent the entire morning baking a hummingbird cake for her mother, which I think sets the tone for the kind of woman she was and is. <br /><br />While my grandma was pregnant with her third child - her first daughter - she and Papa got into an argument. To "get back" at my grandpa, my grandma snuck into his chewing tabacco and filled her lip with the tobacco and retreated to the swing in the backyard. Moments later, she was throwing up all over the grass. My grandpa came out to help her, but couldn't help laughing, which I think says a lot about my late grandpa and their sweet marriage.<br /><br />My grandma and grandpa raised four children in a tiny town in the Midwest. My grandfather was the superintendent of the school district, and my grandma was a kindergarten teacher. Together, they also ran a drive-in restaurant. Yesterday my grandma told me that every morning she would wake up and make six pies for the restaurant - "pecan, cherry, and coconut" were a few she recalled - get the kids ready for school and then go to the elementary school and teach until 1. After school, she would work in the drive-in until suppertime, when she would go home and make dinner for their family of six. <br /><br />Which I think sets the bar pretty high for being a great mother and worker. (My own mother has set that bar pretty high, too!)<br /><br />So that was my Wednesday. Sitting in a little diner listening to stories about my grandma and her adventures in baking and motherhood.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-67001680835387833432012-02-28T14:37:00.004-06:002012-02-28T14:46:13.433-06:00Roller skating.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtwAPD6xtcTgggtcYrgIhE-MZkB86V4hagiIT6UQkus7SBEvcxmUvFIGDC2PXiAnKmMvDPMSP5z4Zs4UrnHEWJEqZJbgbVz4rnbtGJO74TnrAlhpsnvRY0OwRpGjIjzUVMGfWF5ADy9Y/s1600/andywarholrollerskating.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714288464368576850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtwAPD6xtcTgggtcYrgIhE-MZkB86V4hagiIT6UQkus7SBEvcxmUvFIGDC2PXiAnKmMvDPMSP5z4Zs4UrnHEWJEqZJbgbVz4rnbtGJO74TnrAlhpsnvRY0OwRpGjIjzUVMGfWF5ADy9Y/s400/andywarholrollerskating.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203918304577241364069657068.html">This</a> picture made my day. Don't you want to squeeze him?</div>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-26782499721385723412012-02-24T15:22:00.010-06:002012-02-24T15:43:31.404-06:00A peek at my week (in pictures).<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX84W_JRmK6Ijwh8k2TnncBSX0gWW79d4hHOszPuoZOtDcrWgD9d0phe3tKW_IVCb7enAXH4q9f560m3c-gaLx9VWxrVaiPA3wLZ94ShqgDbfFM3xY5HnSYzieyMJRU3GGpBNLhDqXNh0/s1600/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712818004910290994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX84W_JRmK6Ijwh8k2TnncBSX0gWW79d4hHOszPuoZOtDcrWgD9d0phe3tKW_IVCb7enAXH4q9f560m3c-gaLx9VWxrVaiPA3wLZ94ShqgDbfFM3xY5HnSYzieyMJRU3GGpBNLhDqXNh0/s400/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBpcS8G4hH-a-3HujjUzlV2m0drypgx8g_cHDsyz3OivPWBQdBfFNGP1QJuxF97vEfwZb67MJuvGNL7SxBYvQC1VQE-LSY2i7qR8869qFihmsAh1ih-T2Ve64UsB8fY2F-riXBHxNNLA/s1600/006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712817740121689154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBpcS8G4hH-a-3HujjUzlV2m0drypgx8g_cHDsyz3OivPWBQdBfFNGP1QJuxF97vEfwZb67MJuvGNL7SxBYvQC1VQE-LSY2i7qR8869qFihmsAh1ih-T2Ve64UsB8fY2F-riXBHxNNLA/s400/006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-suRlflHBvpmqhyphenhyphen-8_jWslvFjW6cPazd-AnbTEnDq82sXb5qKI0Yaf8z-jwhiXwu1oeDEZMcdPpE81Xo5N1RaGKHhb6fG6OL6mDcV62XBXsaMNCJMYjw2nkjW8Fo9-7gWAKD516_QTs/s1600/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712817421687511634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-suRlflHBvpmqhyphenhyphen-8_jWslvFjW6cPazd-AnbTEnDq82sXb5qKI0Yaf8z-jwhiXwu1oeDEZMcdPpE81Xo5N1RaGKHhb6fG6OL6mDcV62XBXsaMNCJMYjw2nkjW8Fo9-7gWAKD516_QTs/s400/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTPI_GYlNmuZLsun2Hy6oTtNwvU3L0KcnNQZY1NEDY7cXdt0FzwoW26jKMJQ9ISTQty8ts5pAK57gyc82JfoUzgJlp9-kouJ7sftymCJRorzk4HmtrgB6WsCmQQKA7fhWJKXWhdVZ0j4/s1600/007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712817036056534450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTPI_GYlNmuZLsun2Hy6oTtNwvU3L0KcnNQZY1NEDY7cXdt0FzwoW26jKMJQ9ISTQty8ts5pAK57gyc82JfoUzgJlp9-kouJ7sftymCJRorzk4HmtrgB6WsCmQQKA7fhWJKXWhdVZ0j4/s400/007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPdZ-BDc9L0SGJhMuXIFsGOf9OuyQTw3lFVcSkHAnTCwQqf3lvA50ax8Wo8CytcP-vO9p6Ss7tiIiQiAysE9QvoYnElhhse2yN_P54zPtNKB2Rz0wmOdzGU-gveL6ejvLbKIeXcRdUSs/s1600/004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712816746391212546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPdZ-BDc9L0SGJhMuXIFsGOf9OuyQTw3lFVcSkHAnTCwQqf3lvA50ax8Wo8CytcP-vO9p6Ss7tiIiQiAysE9QvoYnElhhse2yN_P54zPtNKB2Rz0wmOdzGU-gveL6ejvLbKIeXcRdUSs/s400/004.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">1. A reflection of sorts. Beautiful flower shop downtown. </span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">2. The crummy wooden chair I got for $7. Will post a DIY for the transformation of the chair next week!<br />3. Horses. 4. Stop blooming, little guy! It's still February.<br />5. Heads will roll if you see this spooky collection of mannequin heads at a local hair salon.<br /></span><br />On tap for the weekend: a manicure with mama & a trip to visit friends!</div>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-73831949526152314002012-02-23T09:10:00.001-06:002012-02-23T09:49:29.256-06:00Next time I will win.I have spent the past few weeks interviewing with a stellar non-profit that provides funding for animal conservation. My first interview was fantastic; the conversation flowed and there was a genuine connection between the two interviewers and myself. Honestly, I was not surprised when I was called back for a second interview. The second interview consisted of presenting a case to a panel of four women, which I thought would be intimidating. Instead, the second interview was energetic and full of promise - as smooth as velvet. Shortly after the second interview, I was contacted and told that the decision was tied between me and one other candidate. My friends and family congratulated me on being a "finalist", and I celebrated with a berry cocktail. <br /><br />But Tuesday, I was informed the other candidate had been selected. I was crushed. I tried not to cry and failed. So close, but so far away. <br /><br />Then, yesterday, I woke up with a sense of peace and I didn't know what to do with it. I went to the gym and worked out for a long time. I took a cold shower and bought a wooden chair for $7 that I can paint any way I want. I took a drive along a windy road with the windows down and the music loud. And I thought, "You can do this. You got very close this time, and next time - you will win."The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-39043350892887074572012-02-14T09:02:00.000-06:002012-02-14T09:02:02.587-06:00There's all this talk about Santa Claus, but see, love will rule supreme.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE9K0haj0EESo1CVk7cWARbqwwNEIIj8wLtMtAP8NUz6E36LQwuu_eXTCEFrvFDzWfIlpCXibw_OzZB0Pi9Hmt3tRW8UB3DMfPhzTTF0wXOKE6IYn2pvP0-yD2B3-4iz1N-wIfEUCiN4/s1600/019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708777030004725154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE9K0haj0EESo1CVk7cWARbqwwNEIIj8wLtMtAP8NUz6E36LQwuu_eXTCEFrvFDzWfIlpCXibw_OzZB0Pi9Hmt3tRW8UB3DMfPhzTTF0wXOKE6IYn2pvP0-yD2B3-4iz1N-wIfEUCiN4/s400/019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRSM_aiFAJgZutvsdQyUkeEq8hZMCYQ84fr_npkThibtZNpUmFscr5EXXeGwdLuZcWPUtPqOagQsv7nFIyuWyHQrNcVTT1hhmfEFRBuiBwzMcOstHMbv_514rKaR8Wat2hy9gH4LZBh4/s1600/010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708776744996423506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRSM_aiFAJgZutvsdQyUkeEq8hZMCYQ84fr_npkThibtZNpUmFscr5EXXeGwdLuZcWPUtPqOagQsv7nFIyuWyHQrNcVTT1hhmfEFRBuiBwzMcOstHMbv_514rKaR8Wat2hy9gH4LZBh4/s400/010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TVnhpr6pWzclM5d2Iac_aZoTPLn19zBGz7jKlb94d0p9BGBjHTSYvEaSa13Ift3o1GMppM9mrSuX6x4zCbuvi3BOj7ytNUwwtcEVzOfStNCCyUvYm-0UD9c5ozshS5IIjCKIqWHofao/s1600/020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708776407176752978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TVnhpr6pWzclM5d2Iac_aZoTPLn19zBGz7jKlb94d0p9BGBjHTSYvEaSa13Ift3o1GMppM9mrSuX6x4zCbuvi3BOj7ytNUwwtcEVzOfStNCCyUvYm-0UD9c5ozshS5IIjCKIqWHofao/s400/020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82uFrV090Me-dPUZEiDlPN7De0N7pwBenwPGfwjypnOwpDxVqeX4ykPF5GQuoeRyUK26chw8xz0km9fVrhEGPFSF-y2b5czKmRwmrdF7qg7hCXhrFSjVfIou9ZqDTZ3vOOq3fIcf289Y/s1600/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708776065778596354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82uFrV090Me-dPUZEiDlPN7De0N7pwBenwPGfwjypnOwpDxVqeX4ykPF5GQuoeRyUK26chw8xz0km9fVrhEGPFSF-y2b5czKmRwmrdF7qg7hCXhrFSjVfIou9ZqDTZ3vOOq3fIcf289Y/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LNGKfkHLsTdqCqdLQc5_TYXh2tq9BLjwgWLZ8g4DJLqvK5-Yekny1-XI1L8pWp8j70YgrM-iFAgLtzbOs8Cw8l8cFNY8uZC7bKFgLO9nkSvmv_sft_ut0whKHjqEhkI__NjG0xsSTQ8/s1600/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708775764278078114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LNGKfkHLsTdqCqdLQc5_TYXh2tq9BLjwgWLZ8g4DJLqvK5-Yekny1-XI1L8pWp8j70YgrM-iFAgLtzbOs8Cw8l8cFNY8uZC7bKFgLO9nkSvmv_sft_ut0whKHjqEhkI__NjG0xsSTQ8/s400/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">1. Heart-filled <em>Martha Stewart Living</em>. 2. Tulips from my fiance.<br />3. Love note to Mark (from me) in the paper. 4. Little box of peppermints.<br />5. Raspberry linzers from the best bakery in town.<br /></span><br />I am going to spend this morning treating myself to donuts and a tiny splurge at Anthropologie (which isn't exactly a <em>splurge</em> since I am using a gift card). When Mark gets off work we're going to dinner and then I might challenge him to a game of Scrabble.<br /><br />However you're spending the day, I hope it's full of a lot of love and a little adventure. Maybe you could have a dance party to this funny <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_KgolhV4tg">song</a>. Happy Valentine's Day! xoThe Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-43925225585912945032012-02-07T22:48:00.004-06:002012-02-07T23:02:02.828-06:00Excuse my lack of blogging, but I don't have an excuse.I don't know why I haven't been blogging lately? Yes, the question mark is intentional. Plenty has been happening - a date with my mom at the taco truck, babysitting, intense workouts at the trendy gym, meeting my cousin for coffee, watching movies, volunteering, a date with my grandma for bowls of pho, job searching, and becoming an aunt to a healthy baby named James. (When I marry Mark, I will officially be James' aunt.) I don't have an excuse for the radio silence. I am just acknowledging it and saying maybe the rest of the week will be better. Or maybe it won't, but I am keeping busy and having fun. And that's really all you can ask for when you're unemployed.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-6721432776827709052012-02-02T08:27:00.001-06:002012-02-02T08:33:08.936-06:00Let them attempt cake.I am newly obsessed with <a href="http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/">The Sweetest Occasion</a> and stumbled across this pretty <a href="http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2011/06/diy-cake-bunting/">cake with glitter bunting</a> idea after scouring The Sweetest Occasion archives for minutes (or hours). I blocked out the afternoon yesterday to make glitter bunting and a homemade red velvet cheesecake with homemade cream cheese frosting. Very funny.<br /><br />1. The glitter kept falling off the bunting I made. 2. Thought I had the ingredients for homemade cream cheese frosting, but realized an ingredient was missing once I returned from the store. 3. So I looked up a recipe for a just a plain white & creamy icing - those words were actually Googled - and found a decent one. Made it and it flopped. It <em>tasted</em> like icing, but look like clumpy toothpaste. Not cute. 4. Succumbed to artificial chocolate frosting. 5. Carried the cake all over the house for a decent picture, but gave up after ten minutes and devoured a big slice. 6. It was a little dry + crumbly, but I spent the afternoon making everything so I was going to love it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoELvT4XUuI5coD9Ea1o2ZmY8ERyVpwMOeIXJgyrM6ura5NSKlI-HAee1fhFPK39TNLauHXONnmkbjMdrYy__qJXJD1nTuqco6xbe4zElHtuk0ks1kcBSwxCDMKseYZJ_wNXTDo6AyMd4/s1600/027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704390771605305922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoELvT4XUuI5coD9Ea1o2ZmY8ERyVpwMOeIXJgyrM6ura5NSKlI-HAee1fhFPK39TNLauHXONnmkbjMdrYy__qJXJD1nTuqco6xbe4zElHtuk0ks1kcBSwxCDMKseYZJ_wNXTDo6AyMd4/s400/027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgwZ2oZL7YssMhKelljmrv8p81WJldaz4ueHTJVNKt_iWEpON8i7FRSQXtkEoXbhoB0ImYy8cJxjz8-LFT11qnebrns0cUEwIh0Rb5sxhx60fMfUhQsa6SgUc8IdTEsBRgLt5tMnp2F4/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgwZ2oZL7YssMhKelljmrv8p81WJldaz4ueHTJVNKt_iWEpON8i7FRSQXtkEoXbhoB0ImYy8cJxjz8-LFT11qnebrns0cUEwIh0Rb5sxhx60fMfUhQsa6SgUc8IdTEsBRgLt5tMnp2F4/s400/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704391592865845106" /></a> And you know, with a big glass of cold milk, it wasn't half bad. (Isn't the socket + roll of paper towels in the background of the second picture charming?) I think I'll leave this creative-in-the-kitchen stuff up to The Sweetest Occasion, though. (Martha Stewart, call me if you want me on your next show.)<br /><br />Off to have a slice of the Sahara for breakfast. Happy Thursday, everyone!The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-10212478795879795402012-01-30T10:04:00.002-06:002012-01-30T10:04:00.233-06:00Simple pleasures.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRHeT1EmMWSmyXxNn3X-BpeMXhSdmd3Mix88okT7T689P2hxLoH7AncR2BC_1ytTUq0sBcu9LqzmxDlAhLdWVV_NHVwJO-r1yfTxrQBwH6J4kpQ4hl0PcnfSsZP8VKN9z7Gqf0MW6L8o/s1600/049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703272402637485906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRHeT1EmMWSmyXxNn3X-BpeMXhSdmd3Mix88okT7T689P2hxLoH7AncR2BC_1ytTUq0sBcu9LqzmxDlAhLdWVV_NHVwJO-r1yfTxrQBwH6J4kpQ4hl0PcnfSsZP8VKN9z7Gqf0MW6L8o/s400/049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vS6NdvpOJxKdt5aNQNM6SDWeAxvBHUaEHlEyJ5pWONYagG9F5y_-Nd7i53zvvBoDtN9f_MCTILOpQVn-JWQJR_A3M79e3H48wf_xSiFJ_QSpm5LnUqZlmTgEuQWzZO8is0a4O7aEszk/s1600/051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703272168270364290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vS6NdvpOJxKdt5aNQNM6SDWeAxvBHUaEHlEyJ5pWONYagG9F5y_-Nd7i53zvvBoDtN9f_MCTILOpQVn-JWQJR_A3M79e3H48wf_xSiFJ_QSpm5LnUqZlmTgEuQWzZO8is0a4O7aEszk/s400/051.JPG" border="0" /></a> Fancy goat milk caramels and $1.16 sandalwood soap.<br />The perfect start to a new week.</div>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-71688042852311620162012-01-27T09:46:00.003-06:002012-01-27T09:53:32.113-06:00Merry making.This week I made Valentine's Day envelopes & oven-baked parmesan fries + spicy dip. (Heart earrings from Forever21.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlS6ye7VW7XM70m-r3zWEptqDQJUu150x18gK8XO0RMpbVKzWGeG-wMBfII8eRaINEjFUOK6h-MZjd_9QkUiooQFZCWXryvuq2quGai6fxEiLX164ALocakJTJ-zSsvFKcdr72Xo1t1c/s1600/008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702323852938485810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlS6ye7VW7XM70m-r3zWEptqDQJUu150x18gK8XO0RMpbVKzWGeG-wMBfII8eRaINEjFUOK6h-MZjd_9QkUiooQFZCWXryvuq2quGai6fxEiLX164ALocakJTJ-zSsvFKcdr72Xo1t1c/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_wT_DuST_Q0Jb6ZaN3pM28URL6RWIHMPC5ryBXzbiCEL6phM29cDyH9JcUKsIarAe4-Xq7LxlJ8kioXpCFQoVNclCkEdcPEix5v-7t3gK8YqmWa4YE0PKAw73JCqOhbs36WxmW5yApQ/s1600/007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702323492793266450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_wT_DuST_Q0Jb6ZaN3pM28URL6RWIHMPC5ryBXzbiCEL6phM29cDyH9JcUKsIarAe4-Xq7LxlJ8kioXpCFQoVNclCkEdcPEix5v-7t3gK8YqmWa4YE0PKAw73JCqOhbs36WxmW5yApQ/s400/007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6FkBqLOHiCUz4TT6hve4YQPMV-48WtWEBNX7n9S_8-lfcDTmrFfft0_hnYxerL4m7lL6kcR4M7azY4jVxBGv2SJm9f_J4C-yy_GSpjHI6eJppvSUFcH3wiRuCeOGeuxW9fgCpygwc5s/s1600/009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702324166783206402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6FkBqLOHiCUz4TT6hve4YQPMV-48WtWEBNX7n9S_8-lfcDTmrFfft0_hnYxerL4m7lL6kcR4M7azY4jVxBGv2SJm9f_J4C-yy_GSpjHI6eJppvSUFcH3wiRuCeOGeuxW9fgCpygwc5s/s400/009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU27UVAy05XrJcMkguaxqpdKQLF46RYn1bndGzleK1keyF7OagZclTAyHBrjmu4QZIt0PFST0SDwFiqSG1-V6kb1z2B42otLrdC9iUOaHs-p3tazNzwnbPrESmndTkc5BK5dAXAr7gehg/s1600/012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702324572323162674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU27UVAy05XrJcMkguaxqpdKQLF46RYn1bndGzleK1keyF7OagZclTAyHBrjmu4QZIt0PFST0SDwFiqSG1-V6kb1z2B42otLrdC9iUOaHs-p3tazNzwnbPrESmndTkc5BK5dAXAr7gehg/s400/012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQhPf8voZle5m6qR2fqt6HXBOQecSc1jmc9mkntfg_mFZKGEPBCDX5HwiSdrlYXxNNNEx6F9nkJlyg7NkuGbkf9DzK8ohgom5pXzMhGNs-UnBOMkOt1hGfro06dWxz2sk909zZgoFn9U/s1600/011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702325105882478674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQhPf8voZle5m6qR2fqt6HXBOQecSc1jmc9mkntfg_mFZKGEPBCDX5HwiSdrlYXxNNNEx6F9nkJlyg7NkuGbkf9DzK8ohgom5pXzMhGNs-UnBOMkOt1hGfro06dWxz2sk909zZgoFn9U/s400/011.JPG" border="0" /></a> This morning I got a free iced mocha at the coffee shop I frequent. The baristas, who have gotten to know me over the past month, start making my order - an iced mocha - when I walk in. Today they made an iced mocha for a man who wanted just a mocha, so when I walked in they said they had a free iced mocha that needed a home. Of course, I was willing to give the iced mocha what it needed. The woman behind me said she is going to follow me & my luck around today and that we are going to go get lottery tickets. Not a bad idea.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-51136216731832791472012-01-25T09:34:00.003-06:002012-01-25T09:45:46.254-06:00Rain & paper.Today is a good day because I get to carry my umbrella tucked under my arm. The umbrella is bright and has a turquoise handle. I hope it pours and and pours and pours, because I could use a day like that. <br /><br />Also! Two really pretty things I am loving this morning: <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/01/tip-tap-gift-wrap.html">charming gift wrap</a> and <a href="http://fellowfellow.com/diy-envelopes/">gold-dotted envelopes</a>. <br /><br />(Found the envelopes via <a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/">You Are My Fave</a>.)<br /><br />Here's to a big, fat downpour.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-39801234962064358732012-01-23T10:57:00.003-06:002012-01-23T11:49:13.559-06:00Monday morning link love.This weekend was a quiet one. I spent the majority of the weekend snuggled up in my pajamas watching football or eating good food. One of my best friends from high school visited this weekend and it was <em>so</em> nice to see her. She mentioned she <strike>cannot get enough of</strike> likes my link-up posts, so this one is for her. Enjoy, Alex! <br /><br />In case you're like me and devoured the January issues of <em>Glamour</em> & <em>Real Simple</em> the first week of January, there's always <a href="http://matchbookmag.com/">Matchbook</a>.<br /><br />An exciting peek into a weekend at <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/01/from-blog-to-book-alt-summit-panel-via-twitter.html">Alt Summit</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.refinery29.com/2012-hairstyles-trends">Hair trends</a> for 2012. I want to try the square bob...but I'm a sissy about chopping off my hair.<br /><br />This <a href="http://therumpus.net/2011/02/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-64/">perfect advice</a> that made me cry my eyes out in a crowded coffee shop. (Spotted <a href="http://or-so-i-feel.blogspot.com/2012/01/dear-sugar.html">here</a> on Meg's blog - one of my favorite blogs.)<br /><br />Love this feisty & smart little girl that doesn't just like <a href="http://jezebel.com/5871009/video-of-little-girl-getting-pissed-off-at-gender+specific-toy-colors-will-make-your-heart-swell">the pink stuff</a>.<br /><br />Beautiful <a href="https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/home.php?cat=311">earrings</a>. The <a href="https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=18473&cat=311&page=1">ampersand studs</a> make my heart hurt. <br /><br />Last night for dinner we made these <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/113856696799193204/">bite-sized tacos</a> and raved about them between each bite. (Changes we made: we used 2-3 wonton wrappers & only baked them for 7 minutes. They turn golden brown quickly.)<br /><br />I hope everyone had a nice weekend & I hope you enjoy the little round up. Leave me fun + pretty links if you've got 'em!The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-52865247463018857102012-01-18T12:56:00.004-06:002012-01-18T13:01:26.815-06:00The dentist's orders.This morning I had a cavity filled. My heart was in my throat and my knuckles were white from squeezing the leather dentist chair. It doesn't hurt, because the dentist numbs the area, but the <em>sound</em>. Oh, the sound. The drilling and the grinding. When it was all over, he advised me not to eat anything solid or anything hot for at least four hours. "Have a smoothie or shake for lunch," he told me. <br /><br />Of course I had a 22oz chocolate shake for lunch. And no one wonders why I have cavities.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-16893858689850708332012-01-16T08:29:00.006-06:002012-01-16T09:37:49.717-06:00What to do when you're unemployed & "bored."I am getting a little antsy lately, twisting my fingers into knots, wondering what the day holds. I live minute to minute - little scraps of paper lying around dictating errands and chores and meetings for the day. There's a plan after coffee, after the gym (if I squeeze it in), places to be, people to see. I crave structure in my life. So unemployment is really hard. Because there is no schedule, and minutes don't matter. There are things though - a list I tucked away in the depths of my journal - that I wanted to do when I had some "down time." Of course, "down time" gives me hives, but this little project was incredibly simple and kept me busy for...oh, a good thirty minutes. <br /><br />All you need is a scrapbook punch (about $9.99) and paint samples (free) from Home Depot or wherever. Don't mind the looks people give you as you hoard forty paint samples out of the store. Promise yourself to buy something from Home Depot when you have extra money, and move on. Heat up a frozen pizza, turn up some Aretha Franklin, and make this super-simple craft. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVCBoLrVES1uCrtlVe0W1f9PlJ3LX3SIylT525aFKY9oJPnXane5BmPFAd8maIATdlV5R6ru47v_aOitmfOgGKfw1wz3mGufSmwkacMSoinPms6T62_tyeU0daUnrq7tYdXKkgifQR2Y/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVCBoLrVES1uCrtlVe0W1f9PlJ3LX3SIylT525aFKY9oJPnXane5BmPFAd8maIATdlV5R6ru47v_aOitmfOgGKfw1wz3mGufSmwkacMSoinPms6T62_tyeU0daUnrq7tYdXKkgifQR2Y/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698237132513659570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHoZnYaq_hZlApOpsidSshLFTDlWPA0FyRYAleHx7EcenTyCJz95gahFPzGn_gZxJG8kDzoyvQ2iVPfLfLI44lOj6RQYuoSuUKuLpvDTmg2oIaWDdDWRqPzOGgeUMh9jT93hE2iN9zX8/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHoZnYaq_hZlApOpsidSshLFTDlWPA0FyRYAleHx7EcenTyCJz95gahFPzGn_gZxJG8kDzoyvQ2iVPfLfLI44lOj6RQYuoSuUKuLpvDTmg2oIaWDdDWRqPzOGgeUMh9jT93hE2iN9zX8/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698237401731273186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj7chTYF85C2Kv9V-36TaxQAzbBpSp85Sfeelq1pz9cmHg3Nk4IfZO6mn20Ddbf9t2IK-9W3u3dRgUX8yZO0IdkUTfZMCgUNIrsbECG60t9XU5QIDWBFBz3FmLtojngOF5_lJiyu-9Nw/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj7chTYF85C2Kv9V-36TaxQAzbBpSp85Sfeelq1pz9cmHg3Nk4IfZO6mn20Ddbf9t2IK-9W3u3dRgUX8yZO0IdkUTfZMCgUNIrsbECG60t9XU5QIDWBFBz3FmLtojngOF5_lJiyu-9Nw/s400/023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698238345320460242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRq5Cu9owSJSxDmsBrjFk65PGqUlxjPB_DZl5jZW6V865czg2h4drNjfaps29t9t8FY8ChAo8ylItUiUKq6Le79G63fHhS6o0SZB9xPS3t8JD3GpCPRVTdcWxiTT02FkQURF56XppRGZM/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRq5Cu9owSJSxDmsBrjFk65PGqUlxjPB_DZl5jZW6V865czg2h4drNjfaps29t9t8FY8ChAo8ylItUiUKq6Le79G63fHhS6o0SZB9xPS3t8JD3GpCPRVTdcWxiTT02FkQURF56XppRGZM/s400/026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698239272672406418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznUdfjfhpT_hiQkzylHcTwCedeWmfkIJ3Xk_azMx_V75I8Yip9UDcboivLJULyrxilBDhcjMr-s-0kgD-GjgNZY5qhjq0cibc0gyTT18aT18PPstp6dMdBR6RHErej6DQ3d_JYl7m7WA/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznUdfjfhpT_hiQkzylHcTwCedeWmfkIJ3Xk_azMx_V75I8Yip9UDcboivLJULyrxilBDhcjMr-s-0kgD-GjgNZY5qhjq0cibc0gyTT18aT18PPstp6dMdBR6RHErej6DQ3d_JYl7m7WA/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698239714998424354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVyXodDcB3CgzV7ni8CTp0ETde2_xxGTTcwpYBDOXPmyYQsiR1xgYJ8nemshli4Jkh7xQ8iRp2axBKuExNOfrGIHEsU6D0LQ6bpZcWBCTU1xlkNFovzRrnxg9XDDnghbtnswQIqv88oI/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVyXodDcB3CgzV7ni8CTp0ETde2_xxGTTcwpYBDOXPmyYQsiR1xgYJ8nemshli4Jkh7xQ8iRp2axBKuExNOfrGIHEsU6D0LQ6bpZcWBCTU1xlkNFovzRrnxg9XDDnghbtnswQIqv88oI/s400/020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698240867592730546" /></a>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-82930421911510789882012-01-12T17:58:00.004-06:002012-01-12T18:13:41.188-06:00Fresh supplies.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDMx7li8S7kY1KSdLSh5DI-cTIUDf_I7d5rr-dg9MzBowXCz8ReXFrcBCiTald9aUeWNLKLRRo09X7FXTMOhuISC0s8mwpFWcCSzWAYOppev05wNLhkXyYBUlzI4bb6AjNciCuh79-Mw/s1600/081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696901330250674978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDMx7li8S7kY1KSdLSh5DI-cTIUDf_I7d5rr-dg9MzBowXCz8ReXFrcBCiTald9aUeWNLKLRRo09X7FXTMOhuISC0s8mwpFWcCSzWAYOppev05wNLhkXyYBUlzI4bb6AjNciCuh79-Mw/s400/081.JPG" border="0" /></a> Even though I graduated last month & don't need to buy school supplies anymore, <br />there's nothing quite like a new year that comes with new pencils and a new Moleskine.</div>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-52533596027669472722012-01-04T13:19:00.013-06:002012-01-04T14:06:08.095-06:00"What are you doing for the rest of your life?"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5OYXENmptYtMvIvdf8B8UoMr_x9iVLIqGPNBzDMM49sTxdtsyFF1Z35c9gX4yl4bbWh91xxGAhcyo0vDQ4zcS0-cvrTgaim1eW0KRlCAjprrTNUzmu4FO8l0N9Jg2stGvd0e6uFss60/s1600/292.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693858996244411138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5OYXENmptYtMvIvdf8B8UoMr_x9iVLIqGPNBzDMM49sTxdtsyFF1Z35c9gX4yl4bbWh91xxGAhcyo0vDQ4zcS0-cvrTgaim1eW0KRlCAjprrTNUzmu4FO8l0N9Jg2stGvd0e6uFss60/s400/292.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwCB0wwo3olgkMzqcxJpE1vBjZ2WEqw0gGKB9PzWlt2kzJU34oipMXXemhrk7fMU97dbpGELMhySDNKyHukLS08Yr08gyrk51zNiqNPl6i4sKZf9iXwlYD8JoCTTxClIZaSQdM3h8WYY/s1600/291.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693859393322407986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwCB0wwo3olgkMzqcxJpE1vBjZ2WEqw0gGKB9PzWlt2kzJU34oipMXXemhrk7fMU97dbpGELMhySDNKyHukLS08Yr08gyrk51zNiqNPl6i4sKZf9iXwlYD8JoCTTxClIZaSQdM3h8WYY/s400/291.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5q-8Ql1kQv9n3OH-qfbzWqrwEZXCZ3MVOW0ZfWzowPYAP2qM-dmTNmp5EIB8s9ZIfna5CZ4oq19a7ap5gr5k1vyYzUjgNXJqEK8NRFs-BQpy11klkeFOWlOEkT7f1YzxTs_ysyyYPaE/s1600/295.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693859733834302930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5q-8Ql1kQv9n3OH-qfbzWqrwEZXCZ3MVOW0ZfWzowPYAP2qM-dmTNmp5EIB8s9ZIfna5CZ4oq19a7ap5gr5k1vyYzUjgNXJqEK8NRFs-BQpy11klkeFOWlOEkT7f1YzxTs_ysyyYPaE/s400/295.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mark and I went out for a burgers & a shared bag of fries with chipotle aioli like we often did this past summer. After dinner, we had plans to go ice skating (a wintry tradition for us). Just a typical date night.<br /><br /><em>Side note</em>: Since Christmas day, I had a sneaking suspicion that he would be proposing soon. I kept stringing tiny hints together, which resulted in my mom and Mark calling me Sherlock and gumshoe.<br /><br />So we arrived at the ice skating rink, and as we were waiting in line, I noticed he was looking around quite a bit. I normally wouldn't have noticed, but I was being somewhat detective-ish. Once we picked up the skates, I whined that I did not want to leave my high heels sitting on the ground. I thought they might be safer in the tent. "No," Mark said, "Just leave them on the ground under the table. Hide them under mine." <em>Ugh</em>, I thought - but I did. When our skates were on, Mark said, "Let's go kiss in the middle." I slipped back into gumshoe mode. <em>Why the middle?</em><br /><br />We grabbed hands and skated to the middle as soon as we entered the rink. "Merritt, I love you," he said. I raised my eyebrows, too excited to stand there being sappy - I wanted to skate! "I love you, too," I said, "Let's skate!" And then Mark began lowering himself onto one knee. <em>Holy crap</em>, I thought. <br /><br />"Merritt...what are you doing for the rest of your life?" As he is talking, I'm smiling and tearing up. "Will you marry me?"<br /><br />Suddenly the entire skating rink has stopped. Everyone has lined up on the sides of the rink. I tell Mark "yes!" and hear lots of cheering. I look to my left and see people I don't know holding out their camera phones taking pictures. I hear a distinct voice cheering and look to my right.<br /><br />It's my mom. And then there is my sister and my step-dad, and Mark's parents, and all of his brothers and their wives, and all of our friends who had traveled hundreds of miles. I skated over to my mom and embraced, sobbing. Mark had invited thirty people that we love and treasure to come watch his proposal. (They had all been hiding in the tent!)<br /><br />After hugging everyone, Mark and I do one lap around the skate rink, but at this point I am too excited to skate - now I want to celebrate! As we lap around, dozens of people shout out their congratulations to us.<br /><br />The best part - okay, <em>one</em> of the best parts - is that one of Mark's brothers recorded the entire thing. It is a gift I will be grateful for forever. Thank you so much to everyone who came to the loveliest evening of my life so far. We love each and every one of you!<br /><br />You guys, I am <em>still</em> over the moon. I keep getting distracted by the absolutely gorgeous diamond on my left hand. <br /><br />Mark, thank you for making me the luckiest girl in the world by creating a night of magic on our little ice skating rink.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-49595898174574626112012-01-03T16:42:00.001-06:002012-01-03T17:20:39.063-06:00Goodbye, 2011. Hello, 2012!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSTLuWO6250XZfgBDIrOoxJ_-vHM_OgZuXi29eoflY4adwyTRDZ9O9NfrJKX6U87BIM_dz6uKlrHSW3g0nhx3GlE0spEhORqa9OtNq-kiL1nS3PtzxdV8NoO6gzg85tgV11JRPSHnwBs/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSTLuWO6250XZfgBDIrOoxJ_-vHM_OgZuXi29eoflY4adwyTRDZ9O9NfrJKX6U87BIM_dz6uKlrHSW3g0nhx3GlE0spEhORqa9OtNq-kiL1nS3PtzxdV8NoO6gzg85tgV11JRPSHnwBs/s400/056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690662669626626642" /></a> I love January: the frosty air filling your lungs, the promise of change, a fresh slate. 2011 was the best year of my life so far. <br /><br />In January, Mark & I traveled to <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/01/big-fat-blog-post-day-1-7.html">Denver</a> to celebrate him graduating from the university where we met. In February, Mark surprised me after a really <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/02/crappy-day-turned-perfect.html">crummy day</a>. Mid-March, my sister, Mark & I traveled by train to Illinois for <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-break-2011.html">"spring break"</a>. I was super busy during the spring semester of 2011, but right before finals week, I squeezed in a trip to Memphis for <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/05/memphis-in-may.html">Memphis in May</a> with my family. At the end of May, when finals were over and the air smelled like summer, my dad took my sister & me to <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-trip-to-new-mexico.html">New Mexico</a> to relax in the magnitude of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. In June, I worked for a fabulous event coordinator as an <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/06/interning.html">intern</a>, went on a <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/06/picnic-in-pictures.html">picnic</a> with my love, and turned <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/06/22.html">22</a>. In July, my mom, aunts and I went to Portland, where my sister lived for three months. (Trip <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/07/voodoo-city.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/07/voodoo-city-part-ii.html">here</a>.) In August, my friend Alex came to <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/08/such-good-weekend.html">visit</a>, and in September I went to visit my little sister in <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-hope-you-all-had-fabulous-weekend.html">Tennessee</a>. October was very busy: Mark and I celebrated our <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/10/m-m-4.html">fourth anniversary</a>, the lovely <a href="http://suzykrauseandtheskyscrapers.blogspot.com/">Suzy</a> re-designed my blog with a beautiful <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/10/check-out-my-layout.html">layout</a>, and one of my step-sisters got <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/10/congratulations-c-j.html">married</a>. November came with <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/11/fall-downs.html">surprise flowers</a> and a sweet <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful-for-relaxation.html">Thanksgiving</a> with family. In December, I got the <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/12/thoughts-about-graduation.html">heebie-jeebies</a> about graduating and then graduated with tons of family and a few bittersweet tears. At the end of December I celebrated <a href="http://www.themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/12/recap-christmas.html">Christmas</a> with my family and Mark. Then, on December 30th, my life changed forever with some <em>sparkly</em> huge news...which I will post about tomorrow. The suspense, right? On New Year's Eve, several friends and I toasted with champagne, went out for pizza, and kissed our loves under fireworks.<br /><br />My goals for 2012 - because resolutions are tricky - are to get organized, be inspired, wash my face daily (I'm so bad at this!), go on adventures, and laugh a lot. That, and constantly challenge myself.<br /><br />I hope 2012 is off to a brilliant start for all of you. What are your goals or resolutions? Are you excited for 2012?The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-84712626235388178772011-12-27T10:01:00.005-06:002011-12-27T10:31:46.055-06:00Recap: Christmas.Hi, guys! I feel so sluggish from the holidays. The past week my life has consisted of board games, puzzles, reading books, watching movies and eating all of the food in the world. Peppermint bark? Why not? Goat cheese + pesto on toasted baguettes? I'll have three. Sausage wrapped in maple bacon? I don't even like bacon, but sure, I'll pig out (bad joke) on them. Does anyone else want to run a bajillion miles and soak in fifty hot baths, or is that just me?<br /><br />Christmas was gorgeous. I love being surrounded by family (and a ton of food, as I mentioned). Not one fat, fluffy flake of snow fell; it was almost sixty degrees the afternoon of Christmas. This year I could not think of one thing I needed. I had more fun giving and wish I had more money to spend on giving. <br /><br />Even though I didn't need anything, I received several lovely things. Perfume, a gift certificate for a cooking class, <em>Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?</em> by Mindy Kaling, and <em>The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate & Live Well</em> by Deborah Needleman (pictured below). (My sister thinks I look very awkward twisting out of the picture in my mismatched pajamas. She is right.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy39w07LyTnyaoe_CDHCFkJl_y09733ovfnOrqLlKMc5xrw4PikbdfIQ_nLuEANVSUkVaMIUdKfSxS_PUzXg1YSU1ZLzeevotJ_h_uEr2zGncxG_WPnvnuTTY95wxKt9-bYYaSdFHiB4/s1600/061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690662832341186658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 374px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy39w07LyTnyaoe_CDHCFkJl_y09733ovfnOrqLlKMc5xrw4PikbdfIQ_nLuEANVSUkVaMIUdKfSxS_PUzXg1YSU1ZLzeevotJ_h_uEr2zGncxG_WPnvnuTTY95wxKt9-bYYaSdFHiB4/s400/061.JPG" border="0" /></a> Did you get anything neat over the holidays? Do you have any traditions?<br /><br />Our main Christmas traditions are: Christmas pajamas, making and devouring spritz cookies, a talent show between cousins, and watching <em>The Best Christmas Ever</em>, the worst-but-emphasis-on-the-word-"best" movie ever made. (We love it in a very ironic way.) <br /><br />Next year I hope to have an apartment to decorate (currently living in my old bedroom at my mom & step-dad's house) and a gajillion dollars to spend on crafts to decorate with. Amen.<br /><br />It's time to regroup. I am looking forward to organizing my life and creating goals for 2012 this week. <br /><br />That, and snort-laughing through Mindy Kaling's book.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-90637240680601272642011-12-26T22:44:00.004-06:002011-12-26T22:53:26.572-06:00Spangles.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMqdBJ7kDc3j-XkGNXrm6CJ_GLng6emcTxtCKrxKpVuNPvX8GMiQyNoWwI2TgUCtiB3CnPA4iyOWLc9SNK4O2fwwdgm1393jLOQ9ChKQgXwR1jP4GZZIuyycW5Jl2_ilfGuLQlqQXBVM/s1600/066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690663122543512194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMqdBJ7kDc3j-XkGNXrm6CJ_GLng6emcTxtCKrxKpVuNPvX8GMiQyNoWwI2TgUCtiB3CnPA4iyOWLc9SNK4O2fwwdgm1393jLOQ9ChKQgXwR1jP4GZZIuyycW5Jl2_ilfGuLQlqQXBVM/s400/066.JPG" border="0" /></a> I suppose it isn't too late to post this beautiful poem & this picture of my mother's living room.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>little tree<br />little silent Christmas tree<br />you are so little<br />you are more like a flower<br />who found you in the green forest<br />and were you very sorry to come away?<br />see, i will comfort you<br />because you smell so sweetly<br />i will kiss your cool bark<br />and hug you safe and tight<br />just as your mother would,<br />only don't be afraid<br />look the spangles<br />that sleep all the year in a dark box<br />dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,<br />the balls, the chains, red and gold, the fluffy threads,<br />put up your little arms<br />and i'll give them all to you to hold<br />every finger shall have its ring<br />and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy<br />then when you're quite dressed<br />you'll stand in the window for everyone to see<br />and how they'll stare!<br />oh, but you'll be very proud<br />and my little sister and i will take hands<br />and looking up at our beautiful tree,<br />we'll dance and sing<br />"Noel, noel"</em><br />- e.e. cummings<br /><br /></span>I hope you all had a sparkly Christmas full of family and laughter. </div>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-88977836298178313552011-12-22T08:47:00.001-06:002011-12-22T08:47:01.133-06:00The punchline.I love spit-laughs. You know, when you have taken a sip of coffee or wine and someone makes you laugh so you spew it all over the car (I say this from experience; coffee in the car, not wine) or the dinner table. Or your new boyfriend's carpet (and this time it's wine). My favorite laugh, though, is a church laugh. Stifled laughs during prayer; forbidden laughter. <br /><br />But at my mom's church, we laugh a lot. And it's not stifled or forbidden.<br /><br />Last Sunday, there was a small ten minute children's sermon before our sermon. A dozen children gathered around an overstuffed chair and their teacher told the parable of the ten virgins. <br /><br />In the parable, five of the virgins are not prepared with oil for their lamps and five of the virgins are. During the story-telling, one of the children pipes up and asks a question about the virgins. Unable to give a satisfying answer, the teacher jokingly tells him to "Google it." <br /><br />Once the children's sermon is over and the pastor makes his way to the front of the room, he says, "Yeah, thanks Erin for telling my son to Google 'ten virgins'..." <br /><br />It feels good to laugh. Especially in church. I am happy my mom has found a church that laughs.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-57364459841004914842011-12-21T09:54:00.000-06:002011-12-21T10:27:16.629-06:00It's the ha-happiest season of all.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpb4NFMGa13RuL-twT3ACeg-cYIwPXoNPwv45X4wL3Pnx06LoncJGGyg1IMffjOcglmyMXF3Gy6wAt4J0M-yFPlbOV7XbCA3fma6vR5AXlrgKLpqWQkPVH6FL_HyrgItbO_iuBQgPgVI/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpb4NFMGa13RuL-twT3ACeg-cYIwPXoNPwv45X4wL3Pnx06LoncJGGyg1IMffjOcglmyMXF3Gy6wAt4J0M-yFPlbOV7XbCA3fma6vR5AXlrgKLpqWQkPVH6FL_HyrgItbO_iuBQgPgVI/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685843193632847202" /></a> The past few days have consisted of the museum, church, board games, live music/Christmas show, laughing really hard, martinis, and eating too much (things like manicotti and mascarpone & ricotta gnocchi). <br /><br />It doesn't feel like Christmas yet. I have been surrounded by family and our tall, fat fraser fir with the twinkly lights and ornaments with stories, but it hasn't clicked. Possibly because it was almost 60 degrees this weekend, and frankly, I would like a little snow. Or it could be that I haven't crossed one thing off my Christmas list for family + friends yet.<br /><br />I wanted - needed, actually - to spend the day unpacking and going to the gym and relaxing at the bookstore, but instead I am going to grab a peppermint mocha and buy little presents for all of my loves.<br /><br />(Graduation was fantastic, by the way. We - my now-former classmates and I - cried when we sang the alma mater at the end of the ceremony. Plus, there is nothing like being surrounded by family who is proud of you with every stitch of their beings. I am beyond blessed.)<br /><br />(And thank you for being patient with me regarding my sporadic posting.)<br /><br />I'm off into the land of Christmas chaos. I actually have a decent post coming up tomorrow. See you all then!The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-65097198505185690412011-12-16T09:40:00.004-06:002011-12-16T09:56:06.018-06:0024 hours.I haven't been blogging because the past couple of weeks have been full of writing papers, taking exams, going to job interviews, lots of shifts at the <a href="http://themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2010/08/just-throw-it-in-bag.html">dessert shop</a> (yesterday was my last day!), shopping for a graduation dress, sipping bubbly at the wine bar, packing, and soaking up this place I've called home the past four years. So I apologize for the silence, but I'll be back soon. <br /><br />That is, after we're finished celebrating.<br /><br />Today I am:<br /><br />- getting one last coffee from the coffee shop I've grown to love in this tiny town. <br /><br />- visiting the <a href="http://themagnificentlou.blogspot.com/2011/03/clumsy-queen.html">nail salon</a> to have my nails painted bright pink. <br /><br />- filling cardboard boxes with my belongings.<br /><br />- picking up a few cases of Shiner Cheer.<br /><br />- squeezing all the gazillion family members flying down & driving in.<br /><br />- pinching myself that I will have a college degree in 24 hours.<br /><br />Okay, seriously. I'm doing that smiling while tearing up thing again. It's become a regular emotion around here. Be back soon! xoThe Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-66698727376872356862011-12-14T09:27:00.001-06:002011-12-14T09:29:41.291-06:00Adorning the window with ornaments.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMERGUrj1WXznsXUaYvKzLu_Qx9YTsWg5AzlV5QoOYQm9Ecs8wEon_KSXhkfP6VepBp4ECqX1ZfQjqdhyB-UmgRazYi0p1U8lBKUNTh9RskWqudREdcIlXNpLOPpygDIxXk9e7AVtYCV8/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMERGUrj1WXznsXUaYvKzLu_Qx9YTsWg5AzlV5QoOYQm9Ecs8wEon_KSXhkfP6VepBp4ECqX1ZfQjqdhyB-UmgRazYi0p1U8lBKUNTh9RskWqudREdcIlXNpLOPpygDIxXk9e7AVtYCV8/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685843379843852290" /></a> This gorgeous <a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/2011/12/07/an-ornament-chandelier-is-my-fave/">ornament chandelier</a> + 50% off Christmas crafts at Hobby Lobby = inspired to make festive ornaments. <br /><br />My friend Brooke and I gathered sequins, glitter, pom poms, paint, beads, and holiday drinks from Starbucks and splayed out on the living room floor making ornaments one afternoon last week. This is the easiest craft in the world and it completely transforms a <em>blah</em> window treatment (or in my case, no window treatment at all) for the holidays. I strung the ornaments onto fishing wire and hung them haphazardly on the curtain rod of my bedroom window. <br /><br />(I also dropped my favorite one - a sparkly, silver glitter ornament - and I cringe every time I find <em>more</em> glitter.) (It's in between pages of books and on my pillow case every night.)<br /><br />Super fun & simple craft. Now if only I had a sewing machine and knew how to sew, I would make this beautiful <a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/2011/12/13/holiday-garlands-three-ways-are-my-fave/">paper circle garland</a>. Because I'm not forking out $30 for it at Anthropologie. Or maybe I am, since I can't sew.<br /><br /><em>Credit to Melanie of <a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/">You Are My Fave</a>. </em>The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808212232048294094.post-19986519452182279892011-12-07T16:41:00.004-06:002011-12-07T17:42:00.365-06:00Thoughts on graduation.I would like to crawl into a snow globe and live there. If I lived in a snow globe, I wouldn't be ten days away from graduating and jobless. I would be surrounded by evergreens and glittery snow and the occasional silver deer. I would live in a little cabin with a smoking chimney. And every time my world was turned upside down, fluffy flakes of snow would fall. No one needs a job inside a snow globe.The Magnificent Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503563397798310313noreply@blogger.com4