Sewing & Bartering

I was recently inspired by an article in last months issue of Real Simple (yes, I have a subscription) on modern bartering. Photography for graphic design. Childcare for haircuts. Massages for Interior Design. I love the idea of trading skills and talents, in true Pilgrim fashion. 

Needless to say, I've been attempting to update my portfolio for an interview and offered what little trade skills I have to a graphic designer friend. Out comes the sewing machine and an offer to make curtains, pillows, wedding favors... anything to get help with computer stuff! 

And now that my pretty sewing machine is out (and on the kitchen table of course), I've stitched some notecards, made one of Daniel's long-sleeve plaid shirts a short sleeve, hemmed two pairs of jeans and am about to make a Onesie for a certain baby-to-be. And absolutely loving it... we'll see how long I'm able to keep the machine on the table before Hubby gets annoyed! 

Margarita Cake

On Wednesday, we had a BBQ with friends and I was on dessert duty (of course). I've been wanting to make this Margarita Cake, and was excited to have an excuse. Turned out great, but used the last of our tequila! Perfect summer cake. 

Addiction to See's

Because I work in downtown Seattle, and because I get bored on hour long lunch breaks... I shop. However, I kept getting in trouble for buying clothes (especially at our store and sister store 3 blocks away, and brother store next door... the discount kills me) I began wandering through other stores of interest. Candy Tyme, Red Mango frozen yogurt and my personal favorite See's Candies. 

I attempt to limit these trips, but daydream about See's quite often (most often during Yoga). And apparently, talk about it as much as I dream about it because the Husband surprised me last week with my very own box. I used to say that the way to my heart is a custom ordered box of See's (not Godiva or Russel Stover or Hershey's or Franz). However, until this past Valentine's Day I hadn't gotten my heart's desire. A one pound box of all my favorites was set on my pillow early in the morning. I was in heaven (and actually began to think that I may like the holiday after all), needless to say I had abstained since Valentine's Day. 

Until last week, on a random Wednesday evening he came home with the key to my heart. And I love him all the more for it. Thank you hubby dear for listening when I describe in pathetic detail all my favorites. 

Just thought I'd share that, and am now off to savor a Milk Chocolate Butterchew. Then off to a cycle class to pretend that I work it off. 

thank you Martha

Here is one of my favorite 5 minute recipes that I make ALL THE TIME, especially when we're having people over & I don't have time to cook. I'll be running out the door to work, and have enough time to assemble this delicious crock pot meal while tea is heating up in microwave. Even faster, and healthier than traditional tacos... even better!

The best part? We can eat the second we walk in the door... which is always appreciated after a long day at work. Or, when friends are coming over I have just enough time to make salsa and a salad... and call it a day :)

Functional Fun

Since the purchase of my wonderful weekly meal planner and seeing my dear friend Dana's awesome To-Do list organizer... I am obsessed with this company & their fun website (expect a great Ecard coming your way!). Check it out, I  know you'll love it too! 

Domesticity and the like

Do you ever feel like, when Mom comes to town, that every drawer must be organized, every DVD alphabetized, all pillows perfectly fluffed knowing that she'll notice? Or is it just me? Last time Mom was in town, she folded the toilet paper into the diamond shape like over the top hotels do (because apparently I forgot to), peered through every kitchen cabinet to see how I organized "my very own kitchen"... I love my Mother dearly. This is a wonderful excuse to finally get organized for myself & take pictures of our home! 

This week has consisted of: endless loads of laundry, all winter clothes safely folded into their gigantic tupperware and into the storage unit, closet perfectly organized to accompany summer dresses & skirts, Ikea runs to purchase more organizational items, a trip to Safeway to rent "the Rug Doctor" carpet cleaner, re-organizing every space in our entire 600sq. ft. city apartment, and finally getting rid of boxes that "could be used for something" but were taking space away from my shoes... which were also organized this week. 

I am, very excited to have my parents come visit. We will walk to the Ballard Market, to church, and most importantly... to our favorite bars & restaurants. Can't wait to show them our life here!

A few purchases made this week, to make Mom proud:  

Capri Blue Volcano Candle (also purchased a smaller blue one for the bathroom)

Voluspa: Ebony & Peach Candle

Adorable weekly meal planner, because I dream of an organized life.

Hello Alexandra Nelson

Hello to my dearest friend Alexandra White! 

I shall start a blog at your prompting. 

And shall post pictures of my home. And my inspiration. And my job. And my city. And of my husband doing husbandly things. And of websites I stalk. And craft projects (current project: baby shower and citron bathroom dresser). And missings of my friends who live far away. 

And I shall attempt to be better at blogging than I am at keeping my camera charged. Or my phone charged... or with me. Or catching the bus. Or keeping my home organized. Or returning phone calls. 

This is why friends are necessary. They help you remember things.