Rug Life {Amy}

So we've got a rug. It was once a nice rug.... It was once a $10,000 rug (no we did not pay that much for it - one of the perks of the consignment industry)

Here it is back in our apartment from 3 years ago....

So we've been looking for a new one because it's probaby 20 years old, and we've come to ther realization my expensive tastes are not exclusive to Alcohol. YAY! - not -

This gorgeously patterned rug, is out of our price range and also not the right color.

So we think we know where we're getting the replacement this weekend, maybe.I think we're going to go for an all red rug. And the only thing that makes me not want to run for the hills at the idea is that I've seen our sofa with one.

January in Pictures {Amy}

This month has been about getting back into a healthy routine - but not because of new year's resolutions.
It's been about spending time with Earl (who had a birthday!) and with Lu and eating amazing food. (I realize this sometimes contradicts the previous point)
It's about looking for a rug (check in tomorrow)
It's about drinking loads of tea.
I'ts about working toward getting things ready for the wedding, which means, invites and doughnuts and dresses and a host of other things.
It's about moving furniture and cleaning.
I'ts about getting back to the point I love myself as much as I can.
It's about book covers and formatting and word-count and getting things sorted book-wise.

Shoe Want {Amy}

 I'm on the hunt for a new pair of running shoes. Anyone have any suggestions?

I would buy this pair... in a second. Except they don't make them anymore. :(

Pizza People Pub {Amy}

So a place opened up in down town a few months ago. It started out as a food truck and I have to tell you, I'm super happy they put together a brick and mortar shop because their food is awesome.

We've been slowly working our way through their menu. We're about five pizzas away from getting through their pizza portion of the menu - there are a few I'm a little scared of, but so far everything has been awesome.

Happy Mac & Fun Guy, S.O.B, Popeye

But oddly, one of the most amazing things about this place, is their Macaroni and Cheese. They've got ten different kinds and so far... they're also all amazing. Only warning: if you want the Bleu Mac, get the mini version - it's very rich.

Buffalo Mac

DIY Sharpie Mug {Amy}

One of the things I did for Christmas this year was to make a pair of mugs for my dad and my step mother.

 

I did a trees and house set because my dad is a forester, and I thought it was fitting :)

Wash your mugs.
Draw your design with a sharpie
Bake in an oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. {I put them on a baking sheet for stability}

Then just let it cool. {Hot ceramic is hot!}

Lucy! {Amy}

Today is one of those days I regale you with pictures of my adorable dog!

Design Problems: The Bathroom Shelf {Amy}

So, remember how we had that annoying corner that ended up getting the desk? One of the shelves we had there went into our bathroom. 

Towel storage is fine... but the other three shelves need something to deal with the other clutter in the open spaces. I'm thinking baskets... but finding ones that fit perfectly is proving to be tough.


Also, if you look close enough, you'll see that it does block a cabinet and a drawer - but we use that for long term storage, stuff we're not going to need to use EVER in this apartment.

Random Things & A Pre-Apology {Amy}

One of the things I'm trying to be better about this year is getting things done in a decent amount of time. I tend to procrastinate... because, well, I somehow seem to enjoy doing things with no safety net.

I'm using my old friends {Excel & regular old lists} to try to keep me on track, but I won't lie: I have a TON of things to do. I write four blogs, I write novels under two pen names, I have an impending wedding, a home that doesn't clean itself, a dog that {deservedly} demands my attention - also Earl, and a normal full-time job on top of all that.

The things in the list above are why I forget to make phone calls {sorry!}. They're why I spend a lot of time staring at a blank page of paper when other people are talking about things that don't concern me. They're the reason I'm constantly taking notes on my phone or  in the notebook that's covered in crossed-out/highlighted items and guzzling down tea to keep me from passing out.

What I suppose I'm getting at is that I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep this up. I'm trying my hardest to post every day of the week - because I love working on this blog. It's fun... but if I get to a week where I don't have the time or the content... I'm probably going to disappear unannounced. And I'm sorry for that. I guess this post is just a quick note to let you know that might - possibly... happen.

Curry Mac n’Cheese {Amy}

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1tbsp butter

Smoked paprika – to taste

2 tbsp curry paste (or up to as much as 4oz depending on your spice level)

1/2 tbsp minced ginger

3-4 cloves garlic

16oz pasta

14oz can coconut milk

1/4cup peanut butter

2tbsp fish sauce

1tbsp soy sauce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Combine panko bread crumbs, butter and paprika in a small bowl

With a small food processor, combine curry paste, ginger and garlic.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Put in baking dish and set aside.

In a large pot or wok, heat coconut milk. Add Curry Paste Mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.

Stir in Peanut butter, fish sauce and soy sauce. When melted, remove from heat and add cheese, stirring until almost all of the cheese is melted into the mixture.

Pour curry cheese mixture over top of cooked noodles crumble bread crumb mixture over top and broil for 3-5 minutes.

Tea Box {Amy}

If there is one certainty in life… it is that I love tea. And I tend to love people who love tea, too. So I find myself making a lot of tea related gifts around the holidays and sharing tea that I love with friends and family.

This year, for one special family member, I made a special tea box.

I whitewashed a balsa wood box from the craft supply store using a mixture of white acrylic paint and water.

While it dried, I made two small water color flowers. One for the front, and one for the lid. When they dried, I used my trusty archival varnish to seal in the colors.

After they’d both dried, I applied gel medium to the box, adhering the watercolor, and then painting another coat of the medium over top of the watercolor to set the flower, and to protect it further.

Then it was just a matter of filling up the box and wrapping.

Amy's Wedding Update #1

Guys… planning a wedding is no walk in the park. Doing it basically alone… is not something I would ever recommend. Luckily Earl has committed to his list of to-dos, and MoH Natalie is a constant help (albeit from afar).

Now that Christmas is over, my focus has zeroed in on wedding stuff. And I am not sure how I’m possibly going to get it done!

I’ve got SOOOOO much to do! I’ve got lists, and they don’t seem to be getting any smaller :/

I’m trying my best to keep myself on schedule, and I’m focusing on getting my ducks in a row – also my bottles. And for the most part, I think I’m going to get everything done on time. I hope.

This week I’ve got decor stuff to work on, I have to draft up a revised ceremony and reception timeline, and I have to address a ton of envelopes! (also, I have to figure out clean up….)

So… yeah! Lots to do!

We’re three months away from the wedding and I’m officially feeling the strain! But I’m not stressed about it (yet). The good news is: we’re close enough, I’m finally getting excited!

And, we’ve almost got enough of the main part of the centerpieces, just have to collect the smaller additions. And I’ve got stacks of flowers ready and waiting to be curled and glued.

My dress has been ordered, and two of my girls already have theirs. Earl has figured out his kit – and what his guys will be wearing.

The invites are almost done, and I’ve spent a ton of time on the phone/texting/IM-ing about flights, accommodations and all that stuff already!

I think it’s safe to say everything is going to fall together nicely! (at least I can hope, right?)

Moving the Desk {Amy}

We talked about doing it for a month… and then, we finally did it. We moved the desk. (I talked about this problem corner a little while ago.)

When you live in a studio apartment, space is at a premium, and fidgeting with a good layout after you’ve found one that works can be risky business. But, we took the plunge and addressed two areas that had been giving us trouble in one go. We moved the desk.

The pain in this process was mostly that moving my desk involves moving three tons of paper as well. But we managed to get it sorted and moved and I’m happy to say, the end result is something I love!

January's Love List: Give Me a Gray Winter {Amy}

I often find myself telling friends here in AZ that winter has lost all meaning to me. Growing up on the Oregon coast, winter became associated with a few things that you just don’t get much of in the middle of the desert.

To me, winter is gray. It’s bracing, salt-filled wind. Winter is the roar of a fire, competing with the chaotic drumming of the rain. It’s fuzzy socks and buckets of hot tea.

I don’t get winter anymore. And that makes me more depressed than you might guess.

So! January’s love list is all about winter… or about things that remind me of winter as I know it.

 {Narwal ipad cover from …. onEtsy}

Fuzzy and adorable… perfect.

{Polka Rain Print from Karen Hofstetter on Society6}

There’s something so lovely about this in a melancholy way.

{Goonies Never Say Die mug fromThinkGeek}

Because what would be more perfect for drinking tea from?

{White Rose Tea from Numi via Amazon}

And hey! Tea made from roses… very Oregon.

{Just a Crush Tulle Slipdress in Charcoal from Ruche}

If ever there was a dress that looked like a cloud….

{The Coldest Girl in Coldtown byHolly Black via Powells}

Because the author is amazing, and the title makes me smile.

{Paisely Pandemonium Scarf inblue from modcloth}

Paisely, the color of the ocean… and it’s dainty.

{Raincloud earrings from Lakoo Designs on Etsy}

I don’t know if these need an explanation… they’re lovely, and if I could wear this style of earring still, I’d buy myself a pair.