Apr 30, 2012

The rites of Spring….

I’ve got spring fever.  Well, sort of.  Well Mother Nature is still trying to decide if she wants to us to freeze or burn us, I’m trying to work around her schedule to get a few things done in our yard.

My climbing roses arrived from Brushwood Nursery on Friday! I ordered an Eden Climber and Joseph’s Coat from them.  It was my first time ever ordering and I’m very pleased with their great service!  It feels like forever since I ordered but it was actually only in February.  They will ship based on your zone too, which turned out to be great until just until my roses arrived. Saturday’s high temp here was 46!  Needless to say, I kept the roses inside until Sunday, when it was MUCH nicer.  After DH and I got back from seeing a movie (The Raven, which was just okay) we set out on moving the clematis from the arbor (where it was being scorched from too much heat) to just below our deck where it could climb with no fear of being burned by metal from the arbor.  Hopefully it will take to its new spot and grow nicely.  Then I got to work planting my little roses.  Here is my Eden Climber next to the arbor.  You can see she’s just a baby, so I left the stake there to help her climb and get support.

babyeden

Hopefully it will grow and look like this one day (click on pic for link to source):

I also had some help with the planting from Fat Cat:

 fatcatporch

Duncan was of course being nebby in the yard so no pics of him.  I have to constantly watch him or else he is sneaking in the neighbor’s yard!  I also planted my Joseph’s Coat climber next to our front porch so that it can climb up the ugly metal support for the porch roof.  Didn’t get a pic of that one, but here is a pic showing the beautiful color of the Joseph’s Coat.  And watch out, they are thorny!  (click on pic for source)

Also planted some bulbs which our neighbor next door gave us a few years ago.  I have no idea what they are called but they grow to have very pretty long red flowers.  Wish I knew what they were! 

The next things to do on my list are to get the deck ready.  This year DH has decided that he wants to put a TV out on the deck!  He said that he doesn’t like being cooped up inside when it’s nice out.  I asked him how he plans to accomplish this and he has all kinds of ideas.  Whether or not it’s feasible is another story.  Like how he plans to move our DVR (and related cords etc.) outside.  I’m totally fine with him doing it IF we are able to get everything working and be comfortable as well.  I would also like a bit more privacy out there if all of his ideas come to fruition.  Our deck looks out over a wooded hill but we are semi-close to our neighbors.  I am looking at something like these from Plow & Hearth for privacy:

Just have to find the right stuff to climb and thinking trumpet vine as they grow quickly and is a perennial I believe?  I may have to go with the first planter as it moves and space is a consideration.   The other thing is to get some annuals to put on my deck planters.  Last year we had petunias, which were pretty but what I really want is some ivy geranium.  They will cascade down my deck and look really pretty.  Here’s a pic I found from Pinterest (click on pic for link to source):

Love the bright color and I know these like sun, which our deck gets quite a bit of!  I think sometime this week I’ll have to stop at our local place to see what they have in and what they can suggest.  I still consider myself a novice with plants so I always ask the experts.

One more thing before I go—I am on Instagram now!  Feel free to follow my—my username is vampygirl13.

So what plans do you have for your yard this year or do you prefer indoor gardening? 

Apr 23, 2012

Latest Favorites….

So before I get to my latest faves, just a random observation. What is up with our weather?  On Friday it was 80 and I was wearing sandals and today it is 37 and I am wearing boots and tights.  Make up your mind please, Mother Nature!

Okay….onto the actual subject!

Old Navy skirt.   I had posted on my Pinterest page a while back but hadn’t gotten around to getting it.  But then I get an Old Navy coupon in my email for 20% off so I figure I should at least check it out right?  After work on Friday I headed down to the Waterfront to check it out.  I looked around and asked an employee, but she had no idea what I was talking about.  Luckily, someone came up behind her and pointed me in the right direction.  They only had one of these skirts left in a small. I tried it on and it fit fine.  I liked the skirt so much I also got another one in black.  I figure it will be a great basic item to wear when it’s really hot and I don’t feel like getting dressed up.  Plus, I hate wearing shorts.  I am just not built for them---I look better in a skirt.   Since I was there I looked around for a bit and also picked up this dress below for dirt cheap.  MUCH lower that what is showing online. 

DH and I often go to local wine events.  He’s definitely more into than me (I prefer whiskey!) but I enjoy going and tasting the wines.  Plus, there always seem to be lots of vendors selling other things than wine.  Such as the case a few weeks ago when we met the guys from Davis and Davis gourmet foods.  The first thing that caught my eye was the slushie machine they had going.  It was filled with adult slushies in the yummiest flavors! DH and I came home with 2 of them.  They also carry dip mixes and we took home 5 of those as well.  What I like about these dips is that they are made with sour cream only, no mayo. So if you use lite sour cream, so much better for you!  DH made Spinach and Smoky Red Pepper one last night to go with the fajitas I made for dinner.  It was so good, I could NOT stop eating it.  The smokiness really came through.  We also picked up some Wine Dip, which you can make with a bottle of wine.  DH grabbed onto those really fast!  Ken and Chuck were just the sweetest guys and their products show it.  Check out their site if you get a chance.  There is more than I have listed here and I am betting they are all delish.  (FYI I am NOT affiliated or have been paid to say this.  I just am a happy customer!).

 

Sometimes you kind of want a change, even a small one.  I have been coloring my hair red for the past few years and was longing to be a blonde again.  The only bad thing is that eventually  my hair always turns out to get too damaged to keep it for too long.  But that’s probably because I like being a really light blonde. No in-between for me!!!   So when I was the salon on Thursday night, I let my stylist Vicki talk me into some very subtle goldish highlights.  I didn’t want too streaky and she did a great job (see below for a pic).  The best part is that on Saturday I met up with Salsa Judy and 3 people told me in front of her that they loved my hair color.  This is a HUGE deal because SJ and my grandma constantly say I look better blonde.  I made a point to each person to say ‘Thank you’ and gave SJ an ‘I told you so’ look.  I felt vindicated!  The pic below isn’t great (took with my phone) but you get the idea.

Is it weird that I am happy my legs are sore?  I forced my butt to the gym on Saturday even though I procrastinated for a while.  I did legs and went a bit heavier.  They are still sore today, but in a good way.  I know I worked the muscled hard.  Today it will be arms and back at the gym.

Lastly, are these crops from the Limited.  I have been in need of summery pants for the office since last year.  Cute cropped pants for the office are really hard to find.  Fit is important and I have to make sure I don’t look like an Oompa Loompa with my short legs.  I took a chance and ordered these online when they had a sale and I had a coupon so I got them for over half off. I tried them on and they are perfect!  A little longer on me then the pic here but I am no model!   And they look great with wedges for work.  I will be wearing these a lot.  I also got them in navy, which I was amazed to see they carried!

Hope you are doing okay if you are having the wacky weather we’re getting here in the ‘burgh.  It’s finally starting to clear up here and temp is now a balmy 40.  My climbing roses are supposed to show up some time this week so I hope it warms up before then! 

Do you have any finds to share?

Apr 20, 2012

When I was little….

I stole this from Carli who writes Running into Shape, a great blog.  She’s also a fellow WW and did the Couch to 5k.

1. My parents told me… Salsa Judy always said I could be whatever I wanted when I grew up.  She also said “You’re not better than anyone else, so don’t act like it”  and “You can drown in a teaspoon of water!”

2. I wanted to grow up to be a…Solid Gold Dancer. Remember that show in the 80’s?  I loved it and watched it every week!  When I was really little, I thought it would be cool be a garbage man!

3. I refused to eat… mushrooms and brussel sprouts.  Now I eat mushrooms but still hate brussel sprouts!

4. My favorite thing to do outside was… swim in our pool and ride bikes with my friends.  I was so tan because I never got out of the water!

5. I broke my… Never broke a bone.  Hard to believe since I'm not the definition of grace.


6. I liked to wear… this was the 80's, so lacey jackets and gloves, floppy hairbows.  Also lots of plaid which I still love!

7. My parents always… let us have fun and enjoy ourselves.

8. I thought that Santa was… suspicious.  Our old house didn't have a chimney and I questions Salsa Judy for 30 minutes about how he would get in since we didn't have a chimney!

9. My favorite cartoon was… Smurfs and Muppet Babies

10. I was the… the noisy, talkative girl.  I know HUGE shock, right? 

11. I got in trouble when… we were 'carrying on'.  What does that mean?  I guess getting rowdy.  My mom or my aunt and uncle would yell and separate me and my cousins. Didn't last long though.

12. My bedroom was… had floral wallpaper, matching bedding and curtains from JC Penney. Also had posters all over the wall.

13. My favorite food was…Ice cream and still is!

14. My parents always made me…make my bed, clean my room and take out the trash.  Salsa Judy got over the making the bed part.  Even she doesn't make her bed every day any more.

15. My first crush was… Scott Hilligsberg, a boy in my first grade class. I got into trouble for chasing him around the playground to kiss him.  We also had a mock wedding.  LOL

16. My favorite toy was… all of my 'dress up clothes' to pretend we were dancers.
17. I thought school was… boring but great to socialize.

18. My biggest fear was… moving to a new school district.  When my mom was pregnant with my brother we almost moved to another district and I was so afraid. But we stayed in the same area and I went to the same school.

19. My favorite story was… I was always reading books. Salsa Judy dreaded those Scholastic flyers coming home because she knew it would mean I would want more books. My fave series was the Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins!

20. My favorite memories…Most of my memories revolve around spending time with my family and friends.  We always had cookouts at our house in the summer since we had a bid deck and a pool.  The kids would have swimming contests and dancing.  On my 10th birthday I had a sleepover.  We got into the pool and it started thundering and lightning. Then the power went out.  Our neighbor said she could hear us scream all the way down the street.  It was still fun because Salsa Judy gave us flashlights and we told scary stories.

Apr 18, 2012

I can haz navy?

 

“You always feel perfect in Navy”

Navy Commercial 1990-91

Do you remember that commercial from the early 90’s for Navy perfume from Cover Girl?   Check it out above and see if you recognize Karen Duffy (aka Duff from MTV) in the commercial.  I loved all the navy and white imagery and clothing (still do) but HATED the smell of this!  I heard they may be bringing it back! Remember the ads in Seventeen magazine?

I realized that while navy is a huge color this season and every designer seems to be showing it, it never really went away for me.  I’ve always been drawn almost any shade of blue (from walls to clothing to pedicures!) but for some reason people always tell me I look great in navy.  Don’t tell DH that of course, he’s 100% Air Force all the way. Although their uniforms are a shade of navy right?  ;)

I think Patricia Field (costume designer who also designed for Sex and the City) helped bring navy back when she put Blair in this dress Bettie Page dress.  The original is longer but love it on her!

I’ve never stopped wearing navy, even when it was harder to find.  I thought I would show you some navy love today! Some looks I love and one or two I put together.  (Note: sources to pics are hyperlinked.  Please click on the link to take you to the source!)

When I think of navy usually, I always go nautical and think of the lovely classic sailor dress.  A long time fave of mine, I have tons of variations of it in my closet!

Red, white and blue always seem to go together! I really love this dress below and if you click on the link, the back is very pretty as well!

Then you have just some great outfits with navy as the main color:

Karla of of Karla’s Closet:

Jules of Simply Jules:

From the Beauty File:

Blair from atlantic-pacific:

 

Gwyneth:  (I actually have a jacket really similar to this from Express and am going to try this look! )

Stop Staring dress (love!!!)

Anthropologie top (sold out but I’m scouting Ebay):

Skirt from Pretty Stuff’s Tumblr:

Old Navy Skirt:

Let’s not even talk about how hard it was until recently to find navy shoes but I seem to have found a bunch!!!

Rachel Rachel Roy wedges:

Target wedges (I ordered these but they are backordered…grr):

Nine West slingbacks:

Here’s my stab at Polyvore-ing some navy stuff, using the same skirt for 2 different looks.  I didn’t go too wild here; just put together something that would work any almost any workplace.  I do so much better in person!!!  But I’ll let you have a look! (Click on pics to go directly to see where to purchase)

Hopefully I’ve given you some ideas for navy this spring and summer.  I think it’s less harsh than black and can look good on everyone. 

What are your favorite navy pieces or do you not have any??

 

Apr 16, 2012

10 to 1 Survey

Since I’m procrastinating on another blog post I am working on, I thought I would give you a fun list! Feel free to steal and use!

Stolen from Christina @Hungry Meets Healthy!

10 favorite musical artists:

  • Robyn
  • Brian Setzer Orchestra
  • U2
  • Scissor Sisters
  • Gotye (they were great on SNL!)
  • Ellie Goulding
  • Tori Amos (always!)
  • Old Rolling Stones (70’s era)
  • Janelle Monae

9 things in your purse:

  • wallet
  • WW book
  • keys 
  • lipbalm
  • Tic Tacs
  • powder
  • Clean N Clear blotting sheets
  • phone
  • random receipts

8 places you want to visit:

  • Ireland
  • Madrid
  • Austin
  • Chicago
  • San Diego
  • Italy (Tuscany and Milan)
  • Russia
  • London (again!)

7 movies you love:

  • The Departed
  • Gone with the Wind (watch this at least once a year)
  • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
  • Pulp Fiction 
  • The Notebook
  • The Breakfast Club (can recite most of it)
  • Beauty and the Beast

6 favorite hobbies:

  • Shopping (for just about anything from shoes to lawn furniture!)
  • working out
  • reading
  • baking
  • Ren Fests (with DH)
  • Family history

5 favorite fruits/vegetables:

  • blueberries
  • spinach
  • bananas
  • green beans
  • pomegranate

4 favorite colors to wear:

  • green
  • blue
  • black
  • navy blue

3 things that stress you out:

  • cleaning
  • other people’s lack of planning
  • traffic (I’m super impatient)

2 things you say too much:

  • WTF
  • seriously?!

1 favorite dessert:

  • Blizzard!

I will be back soon with another post!  Sorry for being MIA!