19th Century Frinch Poertry.

Something about the way Andie McDowell says that completes the film. Because it's SO southern and out of place.

But in all serious, who greenlit this movie? In what crazy time was Hollywood this easily persuaded? Don't get me wrong I am thankful for this obvious "let's get weird" moment in American movie-making, but I spend entirely too much time thinking about the actual pitch meeting, facial expressions of executives and the storyboards. How could you even make the storyboards work? Amazing.

The wolf.

This makes me happy. Like Top 10.

from Fantastic Mr. Fox

Work was INTENSE over the past couple of weeks. But my taxes are done and my overtime + refund coming in at the same time = treat yo'self. massages. mimosas. etc. 

Also, started project number one of building a desk. So far, we've just glued two pieces of wood together and clamped. Updates forthcoming. 

Took a long while.

Hi there. I kind of got overwhelmed for awhile about blogging and actually doing it so this will be the first of the new year, even though, you know, it's shamefully late. But I promise to try a little harder.
So first, the year in review and then some goals. I believe some call them resolutions but I'm going with things to do.  Really I am looking to emulate Donna from Parks and Rec.

2011: Pretty ok. Some good stuff went on and I was thankful to consider myself lucky for various reasons.

Highlights:

-Started off the New Year watching one dud firework go off in Old Town Alexandria. Made a resolution to be more social as a couple and holy moly we actually did it.

-Bought our first major piece of furniture together. A beautiful slate blue mid-century style couch. Epic.

-My best friend welcomed Vivian Sophia into the world and for a baby I don't hang out with much, I sure miss her (and her mom).

-Hung out with my family alot this year. In the ways we could. My brother won an EMMY! He kicks ass.

-I helped throw another friend an engagement party and brought it with a name banner, Pimms Cups and Dark and Stormys. Nice to share in something like that. (And help plan a party, sort of a first, kinda liked it)

-Went to New York for the first time and the SNL after-party. You read that correctly. The Tina Fey ep. It was very "don't look at anyone, just drink your 10 dollar beer and be happy you are here" so there are no pics. Take my word for it. Checking it off the bucket list.

-Paid off my car. Whew.

-I went to my family reunion/cousin wedding and got sunburned and saw a very happy union.

-On the way back from said reunion, stopped at artist Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens (his home in an average neighborhood in Summerville, GA). Almost indescribable. Art on every inch. Huge temple made of who knows what. Inspiring.

-Witnessed a union of friends on a very hot Labor Day weekend. Pitch perfect, jealousy-inducing wedding with every little appealing detail in place.

-Got a promotion. Believe I worked for it. But happy to be appreciated.

-A birthday. The big one. My dude planned a trip to New Orleans and if that wasn't enough (my first time despite having lived in the south all my life...I know), surprised me with my parents there as well. Most excellent and fun trip. Definitely eased me into 30 in a really smooth way.

-Received a Howard Finster ORIGINAL for Christmas from my dude (seeing a pattern of his awesomeness?) Among other incredible presents (including an iPad, a Juliet Gorman necklace which my dude's sweet mom asked her to make specially, and a meaningful note from my brother...sometimes those stack up to the other gifts just as much).

All in all, feeling pretty blessed and although I am sure I am leaving something out, 2011 was pretty OK.

In pictures:

New Year's firework (singular) and cozy night at home after. 

Sums up my weekend in New York. A blur. Divine (oh, did you not know I am starting to talk like I am on early eps of Mad Men? Treat yo'self). 

Reunion/wedding. Smiths are efficient.

 

Vivian. 

My fella playing his horn for the nuptials. 

This little guy ushered in the season. Attitude of gratitude.

And now, quickly, the things to do (2012 edition):

1) Make the bed everyday- surprisingly successful!

2) yoga and cardio on intermittent days 

3) Expand career options (how? working on figuring that out)

4) floss more, again success!

5) more creating (still not enough) 

6) a trip for trip's sake (thinking SanFran)

7) get my landlord to paint my bathroom (you would understand if you saw it, ugh)

8) Enjoy it. 

Thanks for waiting. Cross your fingers my attention span expands! 

Love, Wendy 

Hi!

Get Excited.

Work of Art returns tonight and I am pumped to an inappropriate degree considering it is a reality show on Bravo.
But it is amazing. I STILL want this print from the finale of the first season (I rooted for Peregrine all along):

From Peregrine's site

But alas, it costs what real art should cost. Putting it in my dream living room (it is the first dream purchase).

In other news, I dragged Autumn into being with apple-picking and haunted trails and s'mores over a bonfire. In one day. Pretty amazing kickoff.  

Tollie John

So this week has been kind of weird busy in different and strange ways but I wanted to say something about my little brother's birthday (he's not little at all, he is 6'4, I think.)
So lemme just say this:
happy birthday. you are the best brother any girl could ask for and I treasure that my childhood  was spent with mostly you. You are funny and stoic and smart in crazy ways. You have unmatched integrity and conviction and I can't tell you how hard that is to emulate, but I try. You are kind and forgiving even when you aren't forgiving, so thanks. have a really good one.

This about sums it up:

Autumnal stirrings.

And by that I mean feelin' wanty.

Fall is always my favorite time of year, not only because my birthday is in it, or the acquisition of new school supplies (which subconsciously morphs into wandering longingly into places like the Paper Source as the need for supplies is no longer constituted by 'school') or the changing of the leaves but mainly because I get to stop sweating the second I leave the house (or the shower, which will never not be the worst). Also, you really just sort of want stuff. New things, kinda keeping the whole school year theme going because we all kinda just want to do childhood, right? And I mean, I know everyone says they love autumn, but I really mean it. I do.

You asked for it (no you didn't) so here it is...unleashed...what I'm into lately while I am looking forward to pumpkin everything...

The Cambridge Satchel Company

So I know everybody wants one, but it's perfect. So they should. 

                                                      milleneufcentquatrevingtquatre  

Again. All over the blogs. And should a scarf cost as much as an iPad on eBay (discounted, but still)? No. But it's amazing. And I want it. 

MCMC Fragrances

So at a recent jaunt to Treasury on 14th St. (DC), I noticed they were selling these sample bags and decided to do a little sniffin'. It's like an experience, smelling these. And to think I could smell like that. So yeah. 

Digoyo 

Beautiful and simple and ceramic. And the color combo, with the black and white? Makes me want to pass out. 

J Crew

Paging autumn, table for one. Dress code: this skirt. 

Frye

No blog post of mine would be complete without boots. And these are the end. I can stop searching (and start saving, good grief). Bordeaux Burnished Antique Leather? The perfect color. And the shaft height is 16 and some. For my weird calves. Speechless. 

Felt and Wire

This site feeds into that grown-up school supplies thing and could I use some cool tapes? You bet. 

LINEACARTA

On the hunt for napkins. To put on the table. Like my grandmother used to when entertaining. Not sure  she would have cared for these so much, but the sentiment remains. 

And THAT is just the start of my autumn-time illness. 

Having said all that, I am happy to have what I have, which is family and friends I care about and vice versa and sunshine after a week of rain and coffee on Saturday morning and walking around and enjoying time with the beau. And that's enough to make for a really nice start to fall.  

Michelle.

So tomorrow is my mother's birthday and I would like to give her the same shout out I gave to Frank. She is a superior mom as well as a beautiful and unique individual who puts everyone first all the time.

A few things: 

- She is a histology technician and loves every second of it. She treats each piece of tissue like the patient it came from and takes pride in every step of the process. Inspiring beyond words. 

- She cries at all things Hallmark/Lifetime. Watching her read a card of any kind is funny and alarming all at once. In the best way possible. 

-She was a magician's assistant when she was younger. She even wore a harem outfit and knew all the tricks. To this day she won't reveal to my brother or me the secrets of the magic arts. That's commitment. And pardon the language, Mom, but pretty bad-ass. 

- In summer, she would also ride around to all the churches where men were mowing the grass in the sweltering heat and give them cold drinks. Just one in the thousands of her selfless moments. 

-She, like my dad, sacrificed all the usual stuff and more to give her kids an awesome childhood and also put up with what I am positive is my unbearable teenage presence. 

She already knows one of her gifts and has a card coming on the way but, my brother and I noticed that she has a hard time keeping up with her camera so we got her this:

This outta keep that ever-present camera within reach. 

Love you bunches and bunches. Happy birthday, Mom. 

(Picture from a couple of years ago, side note: the necklace she is wearing is a gold nugget with a little diamond embedded that my Dad gave her when they were dating and they and their friends dubbed it "The Star of Umbweewee (sp/ it's made up country's name)". So cool.