reasons why Etsy sometimes drives me crazy...

They only wanted $15 for this...

I mean...you're joking right?

Spice up YOUR life.

Thanks to Natalie I can't stop thinking about this movie! Still one of my favorites to this day.

And this is one of my favorite scenes!

"The little gucci dress, the little gucci dress OR the little gucci dress..."

And in case you were wondering Posh is my favorite. Especially when she falls into the lake and screams "This dress is dry clean only!!" ah, gotta love it.

Enjoy.

flamily.

Seester J, me and brother T

I've been weirdly and oddly homesick lately. I say weirdly and oddly because why did it wait until I was moved away from home for almost 4 years and married? Maybe it's because seester J is moving a little further away - truth be told I think I might miss their old house more than they will, OK probably not, but you get the idea - or maybe it's because I was so sick with that allergic reaction that it had me crazy in the head and I was dreaming all sorts of things from my childhood.

Anyway you look at it, it was so good to be with mi familia on Sunday at brother M's new home! My brother owns a house, I am raging in jealousy (like that! when did things like that happen? I want to own a home? being 25 is rough sometimes...)

In other news: we leave for Finland and Paris in less than 2 weeks! I feel so unprepared! But besides trying to fathom packing for 10 days into one carry-on suitcase (no, I don't really want to talk about it.), what else is there to prepare for right??

Packing tips are welcome.

Like how to fit in one of these gems? I mean, what else are you supposed to wear to Versailles? And you guys thought I was joking...

summah-time to a T.

"there's not much more I love than waking up early, the crisp summer air on a jog and the doors are open to let the cool air in while we still can, the fans are on, it's really nice out, being awake and showered..."

I can do anything good.

I know this is pretty viral by now...but really? She's amazing.

Note: I will create children with this kind of self-esteem.

On old companies and ugly patterns.

really? ...no, seriously??! (From here.)

When going to Joann's to look through sewing patterns with my mom when I was a wee-one I always remember thinking these people are really trying too hard or too little. Nothing was ever as cute as the things at the department stores (as seen in the picture above).

But we'd make it cute, Momma didn't raise no fool. So that's how she taught me, use patterns to know how to make something (i.e. shirt, skirt, wedding dress...), don't make what they're showing you, it's always too ugly.
As exemplified with my wedding dress:

left: Vogue Pattern picture; right: me on my wedding day!

Now, I'll be the first to admit, this is not the best picture of my dress. But you get the idea.

What'd we change?

1. Sleeves, style and length (are you kidding me with those pointy things at the hands?!)
2. Neckline and collar. Their's was too structured, I wanted it more whimsical.
3. Skirt. The pattern was WAY too poofy and long and princess-esque. Not for me.
4. Waistline. I might regret it in 20 years, but I love a good baby-doll waist line.

Now, I am falling in love with blogs, especially craft ones (favorite finds are here and here). Because they show me how to sew cute things! C'mon Burda, McCalls and yes, even you Vogue.

So thank you Momma, for teaching me how to sew (though I fought you terribly on it) and more importantly, teaching me how to find what I really want at a craft/fabric store (because we know all those companies aren't doing me any favors.)

internet.

It's funny that I married someone who is never online. And if he is, it's to check the news, weather, housing prices...y'know grown-up stuff.
I on the other hand, have a long relationship with the internet. And by internet I mean the stuff that really matters like facebook (formerly myspace), blogs (formerly livejournals), twitter, etc...

It's true I had my first blog when I was 16 (since been deleted), I created my myspace when I was 18 (since been deleted), I remember first chatting online on AIM when I was about 11 and I've only been on twitter for a little over a year and I already have 546 tweets (is your good notion of me fading? because mine is...ha).

Anyways, these confessions have come about when my husband (being the almost anti-internet person he is) emailed me this news story about U.S. Students Suffering From Internet Addiction

So here's my last confession: I used to have to go to Starbucks or any place that would let me sit for hours and not give me free internet so that I could actually finish my term papers.

There you have it, I guess I'm addicted to the internet. BUT I must say, I do not have an internet capable phone because that my friends, would be the end of me.

4 years ago today...

...I was, and I quote:

"feeling the joy."


4 years has done alot to me, and to people I know.

But in one-month we will all gather together again to see them married and it will be fun and warm and happy...even if some of us are still without babies. But in a way, that is a blessing. And in a way, we are happy because of it.

And in a way, I miss 2006 sometimes.

and in other ways...I don't.

Time flies.

I'm sorry....

...I just don't get it.

eat, pray, love.

I could go on and on about my love for the book I'm reading by Elizabeth Gilbert...and I'm not even halfway done.

for now I'll share this quote:

"...[My guru] says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you are fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it."

— Elizabeth Gilbert

Granted, I have very LITTLE in common with Elizabeth Gilbert (she divorced her husband once realizing she didn't want babies - NOT EVER HAPPENING to me.), I think she approaches the human condition very nicely.
Because even though I've never been divorced and I yearn for the day I have a bouncy-baby of my own on my lap, I think we all need to be reminded how good life is, and what a blessing it is.

If you need something to read, I reccommend it.

Oh, and they're making a movie of it with Julia Roberts coming out this summer.
see it here.

Oh Paris. (par-ee)

If I go to Paris this summer (big IF) will I offend people if I walk around in clothes like this quoting Baudelaire telling people I'm off to the salon to view Monet's latest work?

Yes? No?

...because I just might.

new favorite song.

I will dress my babies like this...

I might have been born in the wrong decade. I remember my dad telling me this when I was about 9...and it still reigns true.

Saturday in the park.

While Robert takes his PE prep class I decided to start a new tradition with my mom, we are going to visit different touristy attractions around LA, so we started with the LACMA this past Saturday.

It was SO fun for multiple reasons:

1. I treasure the time I get one on one with my mom, she is so easy to talk to (duh.) and is one of the few people in my life I actually feel like I can keep talking and she really is truly interested! (duh.) - ok I know those are both obvious mom things, but it's really true.
   
2. I remembered alot from college! Being an Art History major I was always just cruising through college, especially once I realized I might not do anything with my degree (cue passion for baking). But to my surprise (and I think my mom's too) I remembered alot! And helped her appreciate Modern and Contemporary art that much more . . . well some of it.
   
3. I spent an afternoon with my mom, what more could a girl ask for?

So here's some proof of the fun:

A beautiful view from the bcam. on a walk around the museums - the best part of the LACMA is that it has grassy knolls all over and next door is the La Brea Tarpits so you get a peak at that museum too! My mom trying to appreciate the walk through sculpture . . . don't worry mom, I didn't get it either - my professors would be so ashamed.

Next month: The Getty Villa (really excited about that one!)

Amber Day I mean Monroy...

Reunited with Amber last night (old high school friend, haven't seen her in at least 3 years), met her babies (one of which - Wren - is pictured here). It felt good to see her and see how she's still good ole Amber, aka super bubbly, super funny, super entertaining.

Favorites of the evening: McKinley crying her eyes out in her high chair (cue snot and tears all over her face), Amber's reaction: "Look at this girl, she looks so awesome." and then she continued our conversation...I could've laughed for hours on that one.

So good to see she's still her.

Love you Mrs. Monroy, leave Park City and come home!

reminiscent or needy?

What I want back...

...my BLOND hair.

...SUMMER time.

...DAYTIME Disney trips.

...taking awesome photos like this whilst at Disney during the day.

...Disney trips with MOFO.

...at least I can control one of them - BLOND hair, I miss you so!

la musique.

I'm kind of a chameleon when it comes to music. I go through moods on what I like by seasons it seems. But there are a few bands that I have a deep love for and will always let play when their song comes on my ipod while it is on shuffle, and they are:

• Modest Mouse
• Rilo Kiley
• Mason Jennings
• Spice Girls

an odd mix but I love them.

the end.

gots me some red hairs.

Took this photo last week to send to me seesters. (and share with me tweeters).

Favorite reactions thus far to my red hair:

Julie: "What?!?" via text

Erica: "I do." (this made my list because of how matter of fact she was about it, can always depend on her to like a good hair color change.)

Madison: (at random times throughout our double date) "I love it." - thanks babycakes.

Numerous co-workers: "You're a natural red head though right?"

and last but not least, Sister Barnes: "Kari!!! What did you do to your hair?!?!?!?!?!?!"

I like it.

prayers needed.

Mi grand-mama is in the hospital today awaiting to go under heart by-pass surgery. The doctor's diagnosed her with congested heart failure.
I hate those three words, for they are the three words that took my father's life 14 years ago.

Please pray for the woman I inherited much from. And for her husband who I'm sure, knowing their type of love, is not doing so well either.

Love you grandma.

ready...

...to go back.

So I felt this aching before, but then Christmas distracted me. Now it's back, and I'm ready to go.