Hey, That's Me!

Moorea took some editorial shots of me for her online shop, and I think I look pretty cute, if not very bundled up. 

Also: I am officially the managing editor of the Moorea Seal blog, so please check out what it has to offer. Here's a hint: lot's of fun stuff.

List Your Essentials

1. Warm bed
2. Hot showers
3. Hugs and kisses from boyfriend
4. Coffee
5. A nice dinner out once in awhile
6. Exercise
7. Yoga
8. Winding-down time
9. Freedom
10. Books
11. Exploration
12. Friends that don't judge
13. Organization
14. Being able to cook a delicious meal
15. Water
16. A clean house
17. Staying close with my family
18. Creating -- anything!
19. Alone time every now and then
20. Enough sleep
21. Learning about the past
22. Animals
23. Treating myself with love and grace, physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally
24. Making plans for my future
25. Living in the present

Thanks, Moorea!

That's my name, don't wear it out!

Moorea, who is one of my besties, just added new leather bracelets to her jewelry shop... And named one model after me!!! I'm so flattered; I already bought one :)

Here's a closer look at mine:


Thanks again, Moo!

Happy Birthday, Moorea!

{She looks like a friggin gypsy princess}

Happy Birthday to one of my best friends. I'm so glad you were born. To quote myself from 2008 (yeah, I'm doing it):

God must have said when he was knitting us together in our mommies' wombs, "Ooh! It will be so wonderful for these girls to come together in time and become close sisters... They really need to know each other." I think that's what He said.

Love you, with whipped cream and a cherry on top!

Comforts List

{Image by hello mr fox}


Moorea recently did a great post about comforts, part of her Paint Your Love series. Bad day at work? Feeling lonely or blue? Need a pick-me-up from the doldrums of life? Here's my list of comforts. Here's how I soothe and console myself during those inevitable rough patches:

Food
Thai food
Cheese pizza
Red wine
Mac and cheese out of the box
Chipotle burritos
Quiche and bread pudding from Macrina Bakery
Eggs Benedict

Activities
An afternoon nap on my big bed
Hours and hours of TV shows on Instant Netflix
Bubble bath and scented candles
Ordering take-out and watching a romantic comedy
Snuggling with my kitty
Painting my nails
Sitting at outdoor cafes and people-watching
Shopping... especially at Nordstrom or at thrift stores
Going on city adventures by myself
Clipping things from magazines
Walking through Seattle neighborhoods alone

Movies
Sleepless in Seattle
You've Got Mail
Meet Me in St. Louis
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Peter Pan (live action)
French Kiss

Reading
Old journals
Mary Oliver poetry
Cookbooks
Peter Pan and other children's stories

Listening
Sara Bareilles (or any girly pop for that matter)
Old French music (Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, etc.)
Classical music (Camile Saint-Saens, Rachmaninov, etc.)
Standards a la Ella Fitzgerald and co. ("I've Got a Crush on You," etc.)
John Mayer (there's something about his lyrics that just get me)
Broadway tunes ("Les Miserables," "Wicked," "Miss Saigon," etc.)

TV Shows
Saturday Night Live
Doctor Who
Parks & Recreation
The IT Crowd
Vampire Diaries
BBC Productions
Masterpiece Theater


What comforts you?

Over on Moorea's Blog...

Hi Readers! Please go check out the guest post I did on Moorea Seal's blog. She's been very ill this past week and so she's having friends do guest posts on her lovely blog for awhile.

Happy Monday!

Bejeweled

Two amazing pieces added to my jewelry collection. All thanks to Moorea Seal. AKA, jewelry designer extraordinaire.

Bejeweled

Crap picture quality, but you get the idea. I treated myself and bought one of Moorea's amethyst rings, since it's my birthday month, and amethysts are my birthstone. JEALOUS?!

A friendly giveaway!

My good friend Moorea, jewelry-maker and blog-designer extraordinaire, is giving away one of her awesome book necklaces! I've already entered to win it for myself, but because I'm just so nice, I thought I'd tell you about it too! So head over to her site to find out how to score this handmade treasure! And while you're at it, check out her other bejeweled creations too!

Svpply and Demand

Newest obsession: Svpply, an invite-only retail bookmarking website. So if I'm browsing the net (as I often do) and see, for example, an awesome graphic tee or lace-up boot that I want to keep in mind for future reference, I just save it to my svpply collection. And then I get to admire my little collection of pretty things. I have a feeling it's going to come in handy for the holidays.

Thank you, Moorea, for the invite!!!

Portrait!

My lovely and talented dear friend, Moorea, recently drew a portrait of me!

I'm so flattered!

The colors are so fitting, I love the little side braid, and I think I look a little like Joni Mitchell.

Moorea is multitalented:

She makes gorgeous jewelry and rocks out with The Mopes.

A.K.A. she is awesome, and am so happy to call her one of my good friends!

New Music: Kate Walsh

Lovely songstresses have a special place in my heart. Whether its Joni Mitchell, Ingrid Michaelson, Emmylou Harris, A Fine Frenzy, Moorea Seal (kisses)...
My newest favorite is Kate Walsh, who I found courtesy of Pandora. I like her because her voice reminds me of Lisa Loeb, there are strings, and its very floaty and dusky and romantic music.
Two songs I've listened to are "Tonight" and "Betty." I think I will have to just buy her whole album, "Tim's House."
Here she is singing "Your Song":

A Note for the Besties

As the school year comes to a close, and my college experience winds down to a halt, I am moved to dwell on the lovely gifts I have acquired through my four years. I have gained friends each year, friends that I hope to never let go of. As cliche as it sounds, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be who I am right now; I probably wouldn't be at SPU right now. My soul mates have lovingly made me aware of my faults, and lovingly made me aware of my gifts, encouraging me and making me smile all along the way.

Dearest friends, you know who you are, thank you thank you thank you. For loving me just as I am. I whine too much and I wine too much. I can be snotty, bitchy, and bitter. I probably annoy the hell out of you at times, with my crazy emotions and random outbursts. But you've stuck by me. Cried with me on Florence Henderson (my couch). Drove me to dates. Rolled down hills with me. Crawled into bed with me when I've had too much to drink. Watched corny movies with me while eating a pint of Haagan Daz. Let me complain about the pile of dirty dishes. Let me complain about being single. Dealt with my incessant screaming over creepy-crawlies. Killed numerous spiders for me.

And a special note responding Ms. M's recent post:

In the word's of Humphrey Bogart: I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. You're right. It isn't the end. I am looking forward to years and years of friendship with you. Maybe moving to Brooklyn someday. Maybe opening a cat sanctuary together someday... Who knows. You are a blessing to ME, because you are loyal and real and crazie. And I hope that I can be all that you need in a friend. I know you're struggling with the busyness of life right now. Don't fret. Know your limits. Know that there are three weeks left. Know that you can't do everything. But know that what you are able to do with beauty and grace is very special and lovely and wonderful. You are a gift. You are giftED. Girl, you got skillz coming outta your ears!!! Hairstyles, music, art, photography, good looks, style... you got it all. Let me know what I can do to be there for you. Know that I will help you in any way I can. Lady, I just LOVE being in your presence. You have an attractive soul. I think we are fo sho kindred spirits. God must have said when he was knitting us together in our mommies' wombs, "Ooh! It will be so wonderful for these girls to come together in time and become close sisters... They really need to know each other." I think that's what He said.

Love you.

Love all of you. You know who I'm a-talkin' to.

Moorea and I Have An Adventure

The Players:


Me & Moorea

What happened:
Moorea and I decided to go for a walk. I wanted to buy some bread, she wasn't up to much, it was a fine day, and so we were off, up the hill past the cemetery and the nice houses.
We talked about how giving human names to pets is nearly the only way to go. I mentioned that my room-mate would like to one day own a cat named Steve, which is very funny.
Here is my cat, named Charlie, or Charles Valentino. He's quite handsome. And sometimes I believe he is in love with me, but please do not start spreading this around because it sounds like something a Cat Lady would believe.


Charlie

We arrived at Macrina Bakery and I promptly bought a Giuseppe loaf, one day old, so I only had to pay a $1.50, which is quite a deal. We decided to stay and read (me) and draw (Moorea) so we ordered drinks. But we ended up talking mostly, about our state of singledom, about a book we will write/illustrate together, and about how important it is for children to learn another language during their formative years. Then we ate quiche.
As we walked home, we hunted for cats to talk to and pet. And we found one. I looked at his tag and his name was STEVE. We were shocked and awed by such a coincidence and laughed about how funny God's sense of humor is. Steve wanted to come home with us, but we told him, "no. You must stay here. See you!"
We decided to walk through the cemetery on the way home since neither of us had ever walked through it before. It is wonderful to walk through a cemetery at sunset, just so you know. Here is a church cemetery in the town of Juterbog, Germany, which I visited last May:



We suddenly saw a group of crows pecking at a knocked over flower pot in front of a large tombstone. "Should we scare them off?" I asked Moo. "Yes," she said, and started making noises to scare them. My eyes caught sight of the name on the large tombstone: FRALEY. F-R-A-L-E-Y. Oh my God. I nearly jumped out of my skin. We went and looked at the names on the stone, one of which was a man who died some years ago, the other a woman named Ilona who was born in 1940, and not deceased yet. I am thinking about looking her up as she might be a distant relative of mine. And I'm glad I was able to tidy up and look out for my possible distant relative's graveside.
But let's face it; that was NOT funny, God. That was too eerie of a coincidence...