the sunday six: edition: simple pleasures

-1-

drinking from mason jars

mmmmm, so delicious. they just make everything taste better.

-2-

moccasins in the winter

for years i anticipated winter with horror, and not only for the temperature (because i hate being cold) but the other reason (which, come to think of it, is still about the temperature) was that my feet were always impractically shod.  i do love boots, i do, but they're not for every day, and flip flops or thin flats don't cut it in january. not even in south louisiana.  but this year, (this year has been good to me) the stars aligned in my favor and SHAZAM! from heaven! (in the form of The Goodwill) fell a pair of perfectly perfect, never worn moccasins!  warm and cheap.  my toes are so grateful.  so is my purse.
you may now congratulate me for killing two birds with one stone. i am the Goodwill Hunter.

-3-

help

friends who come alongside and say to me, either in word or deed:

"i will race with you. ...and we will reach the finish line together."

-4-

stitching paper

i find it very pleasing.  i think it's the texture.

//etsy

-5-

my new desk

i shouldn't call it a desk though.  the word desk is so cheerless.  it should be called by its proper name: roll top secretary.

they see me rollin'.

they hatin'.

someday i'd like to show you a picture. heck, i'd like that day to be today, but i don't know how to get pictures from my camera into my computer.  it's an arduous process and i keep forgetting how to do it.  i still would though, someday, like you to see it.  she is a beautiful creature.

remember that thing i once said about this year being good to me?  this desk, which was bestowed upon me for the spectacular price of FREE, is just one more proof of that.  ever since i first learned of them, i have loved roll tops.  it was my destiny to have one.  i'd see them in stores on occasion and pet them and die from love.  they are so romantic.

sitting at my desk makes we want to put wax seals on all my outgoing mail -- which, come to think of it, should increase i think, if for no other reason than that of being more like Miss Eliza Bennett, writing letters by candlelight to my dear sister and mr. darcy.

-6-

do overs

looking back over my year, at all of my crappy execution of goals and such, i just want a do over.  more on that soon.  today though, i'm just grateful that there is such a thing: another chance to try again.

merry christmas to you and yours.  thanks for being here.
see you soon, when i will name my new year...

love to you all.
xoxo, jodie

---------------------------

ps: i'd like to pat myself on the back for (somehow) preemptively using one of the next season's top colors on my blog. see that tangerine tango?  you'll be seeing alot of it in the spring.

  i am ahead of the color curve and completely ignorant of how i did that.

cheers to pleasant accidents! 

from ours to yours

winning gift guide 2011

for all you last minute shoppers, like myself, here are a few ideas for the hard-to-buy-for people on your list.  don't despair, help is here!

before we begin, let me just go ahead and offer up my preemptive "you're welcome" to save myself the time later.  because later, i ought to be shopping.

should be.

ought to be.

we'll see if that actually happens.

now that i have this list compiled though, it should make that easier. 

-1-

crochet shorts, winning at losing

there just aren't enough of these in rotation, you know?  

when was the last time you saw a pair?  even the caption says "poorlydressed dot com".  see?  and this is what i'm saying to you.  the state of this world concerns me, whatwith its blatant and absolute disregard for this issue.  yes, yes, the world needs love and let's spread the love but can we also (i beg you) spread the crochet shorts, too? help your loved one WIN at LOSING.  help them to be the best loser!

-2-

the candwich, winning at advance planning

for all your on-the-go buddies who cannot trifle with silly butter knives and other such trivialities.  each can comes with "a candy surprise (it's Laffy Taffy - surprise!)". they have a 1-year shelf life so you could buy a year supply -- and wouldn't it be cool to have that auto-shipped, one month supply at a time, to their door -- imagine their surprise!  and that's before they find the Taffy!

//source

-3-

chain mail dice bag, winning at safety

to go along with last years' shirt, of course.  complete the ensemble and protect his-slash-her dice at the same time.  those dice will feel very safe and really, it just shows that you care.

//source

-4-

captain america hoodie, winning at patriotism

you probably already bought one like this, but i'm posting it anyway, just in case.  better safe than sorry.

//source

just in case you were on the fence about whether or not this is cool enough:

This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world — "No, you move."

-5-

nutria jewelry, winning at keeping up with the trends

i hear this is the next big thing.  be the one to get it started in your town, on ya special lady friend.

-6-

easy feet, winning at noticing


nothing says i love you like caring for your loved ones ashy feet.  they will feel hugged by your caring and keen eye for what they really need. good for you for noticing!

...and there you have it.  see? i told you you would thank me.

it's time to make a move

one sunday night, at a church in town that is not our regular church, hearing a speaker* that is not the regular speaker:

he's belting loudly,
"that thing that stands between you and God,
what are you gonna do about it?"

he's running back and forth across the front of the church, his body so full of passion and drive that he can't even walk anymore. he runs.

if you had one shot, one opportunity

to seize everything you ever wanted

would you capture it? or just let it slip?

...you only get one shot

do not miss your chance to blow

this opportunity comes once in a lifetime. 
eminem

"this is your moment,

on the count of three, i want you to shout it out!"

feet fail me not, 

this may be the only opportunity i got
eminem

holy crap! i'm in church,

other people are gonna hear me.

am i really about to do this?!

"what are you gonna do about it?!

come on!

it's clogging your pipe! what are you gonna do about it?

go hard!
go strong.
go for it.

here we go, ya ready?

shout it out, on

one!

two!

THREE!

SHOUT!"

throw the pills!, i shout.

SAY IT AGAIN!!

throw the pills!

 -------------------------------------------

for two years, at least, the thoughts weaved themselves into me. 

two years, like water dripping on a rock.  

at first, it was unthinkable, (unthinkable) having been sober for 12 years. i had no desire to fight my way back up that road again.  twelve years sobriety -- that sort of trophy is not quickly handed over.

except in exchange for an upgrade.

a thin body, the ultimate trophy...

eventually though, unthinkable faded away, and in its place - louder than reason, louder than 'sense', louder than trust in an all-knowing God, the thing i felt strongest was determination and desparation.

ever been there?

you ever wanted something so badly you didn't care what it cost to have it?

ever identified with sarah, hating your lot, fed up with waiting on God to come through for you?

ever taken your life into your hands, saying, 'no, God'... i'm done with your way. your way is too slow.

i don't know if our lives are ever really and truly in our own hands, but i've said, 'no, God. what's the holdup!  why won't you do something?! you see my struggle, i know you do.  i'm trying and i'm so tired of trying.  your way sucks. i'm going this way now'.

i finally said 'yes, i want to try a few.' 

i got some adderall,  took them for a few days and felt so conflicted --- pupils dilated, teeth clenched, so unlike myself, but also something else.  they 'worked'.  i wasn't hungry.

i wasn't hungry.

meanwhile, my trainer at the gym tells me about eating paleo, and how that would help me to reach my potential.

i knew when he said it, something resonated, this is the way.

Your teacher will be right there, local
and on the job,
urging you on whenever you wander left or right:
"this is the right road.
walk down this road."

isaiah 30:21

i can see it.  two paths, diverged in a v-formation.  before this, i don't remember ever feeling so tempted by anything...  such a drive to find life outside of him. i knew it wasn't the right way, but i didn't care.

i don't mean for it to sound so black and white. so clean cut. life is never so cut and dried as this sounds.  it was two lines of thought, fighting to be the alpha, criss-crossing and intersecting... it's never two tracks running alongside each other like train rails.  it's much more confusing and messy than that.  it's a tangled web.  sober, knowing thoughts of what to do one moment, drowned out by screaming flesh the next.  like two dogs fighting, one on top, and then the other, back and forth and over again.

i flushed what was left of those pills.

but then i got some more.

a different kind of pills, from a different source.  new justification, new reasons why this way was better.  i still felt high, just not as high.  i still clenched my teeth and fists. i still stuttered, trying to form sentences.  but i fought through, trying to deliberately act like someone not on speed.

i wanted to keep on going, but something nagged at me.  a fear... i was so afraid of what lived at the end of the road, not knowing specifically what it might look like, but fearing what generally waits down such a road, knowing how hard it might be to fight my way back... to come back from it.

i knew it was about more than pills, about so much more than losing weight.  i was shutting off my heart, closing myself off, walling myself in... i could feel myself losing my way all because i wanted so desperately to lose the weight.

i came home from church that sunday night and did nothing.  my mind was made up and i wasn't trying to convince myself anymore about which way was right, but i didn't act on it yet.

two days later, looking over my notes from that night, notes taken feverishly, not wanting to miss a word, knowing i was hearing the voice of the living God, calling me out, calling me up, i read these words:

"everything - and i do mean everything - 

connected with that old way of life has to go.  

it's rotten through and through.  

get rid of it!"

i walked over to the cabinet, took out the pills and walked over to the trash can and felt a fresh surge of questions rush up through me.

are you just being extreme? 

is this really necessary?

is throwing away a 2-month supply

in the trash really necessary?  

you could just give them away. 

i set them down on the counter, next to the trash can and sat back down at my open journal and Bible where i saw these words: "'this is the right road. walk down this road.' you'll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images.  you'll throw them in the trash as so much garbage, saying, 'good riddance!'".

giggling and looking up into the sky, i shook my head sort of in disbelief, walked back to the bottle, picked it up and dropped it into the trash saying aloud to myself and to the enemy of my soul,

good riddance.

*rex crain

the sunday six: edition: for the love of christmas crafts

can you believe it is almost christmas?
how did it get here so fast?

well ready or not, it is upon us and i am determined to make christmas stuff this year.  i've pinned (and continue to pin) many ideas that i adore.  christmas is the one holiday i decorate for and if i keep collectingslashmaking decor, i'm gonna need a bigger barn.

(i don't actually have a barn because, well, sometimes life is cruel.)

i do have a habitat for humanity restore in town though, so with that one move life has redeemed itself from the blow about the barn.  why am i talking about the restore?  because that's where i go to find delicious scraps to make items like numero uno on our list today.

which reminds me:

remember when i used

to number this list

in foreign languages, in order

to gain more linguistic eloquence?

i keep forgetting to

do that.  i'll rectify that

just asair.  (which means,

just 'as soon as i remember'.)

//1

wood scrap tree

this little tree has bewitched me body and soul.  just look at all those little hearts! it's such a charmer. and and and, it allows me to display my ornaments.  every year i saturate my real tree (which is of substantial size) and still have many (many) that don't make "the cut".  (i run out of room.) 

hello, solution! 

(and it may even allow me to justify my ornament-buying illness.)

when it comes to that, i'm not interested in an antidote... just more ways to display my collection.  if i were ariel, my entire cave would be filled with crafting supplies and christmas junk.

wouldn't you think i'm the girl, the girl who has everything?

//pinterest

//2

porch trees

do not come between a country girl and her porch.

just don't.

isn't this darlin'? it's made with 'tomato cages'.  if you don't know what a 'tomato cage' is, you are not country enough.  

//source

 //3

simple advent calendar

i love the idea of an advent calendar, but i've never made one because they're usually so involved.

this, though, i can do. the real challenge will be remembering to use it.   sure is pretty to look at it, ain't it.

//source

 //4

handmade ornaments

faux ceramic animalia:

what's NOT to love here?  even if i don't hang these on my tree and all over my house, i could use them as gift toppers, especially for the wee folk.

and also all the grown folks. 

wouldn't one of these on your gift make you SO happy?!

//source

glitter and paper:
two of my favorites.  make it christmas ornaments made with paper and glitter and i'm happier than a dog with two tails to wag!

//source

beaded ornaments:

these delightfully tacky things have such a hold on me.  something about them really stokes my love furnace.  i have a feeling though that when i get started i won't know when enough is enough.  

because truly, is enough ever really enough with these?

//etsy

//etsy

  //5

it's christmas!

this sign... i love it so much it makes me heart hurt a little.  i need this... or something very much like it.  i'll have to experiment a bit because i'm not at all sure how to get this done.  do you guys have any ideas how to make this puppy? i love how the letters are suspended from a stick.  mph, such goodness.  even if i just paint the words on a wood plank, i will have these words in my house this year.

//pinterest

//6

quote of the day:

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun.

Kent Nerburn

to that i add... all things in due season. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. 

//ephesians 3:11

happy sunday and happy crafting, my lovelies!

my unbucket list

i totally ganked this idea from rob shep.  (not sure if i should offer thanks for the great idea, or my apologies for my thievery.) 

i'm really hard up for blog material right now and and AND, let's not forget that copying is the highest form of flattery.  we do it in the fashion world all the time!  let us all just agree here, so that i can sleep like a baby angel tonight.

on we go...

in rob's words, and i quote: "A lot of people have a bucket list. That is a list of things that they want to do before they die. I have an unbucket list. That is a list of things that I hope never happen to me before I die."   end quote

here's my list:

• own a poodle or other small dog.  don't even try to flannelmouth me into getting one.  i have such a devoted hatred for the yapping.  and poodles? ugh, disgust.

•  pierce my septum.  makes my body do the freak out dance just thinking about it.  

• have a baby the regular way.  i'm a big fan of the c-section.  too much information?  sorry. 

• start an i.v.  (or perform any other invasive medical procedure)

• live in a cold climate.  this one is unfortunate as i love the mountains.  like want to marry them love them.  but i will not be snowed in, or shovel snow, or shiver for 6 months.

it's portrayed all romantic-like and makes me swoon all over on my insides...

 but then i remember it's a package deal that comes with alot of this...

you can't have one without the other.

(who else just thought about married with children?)

•  be in physical contact with a spider.  i am telling you,  i will slaughter myself to get free from it.   let's not even talk about tarantulas.  a spider with fangs!  i don't know what God was thinking...

• be on trial for something

• take up smoking

• grow my nails out comme ça...

guinnes world record for longest nails

• scuba dive.  kill me now.  i'll learn what's down there from The Books, thankyoukindly.

• enter into an eating contest

• look like this girl. i mean seriously, her bangs are so ridiculous.

 unconventional things i would like to do:

• get in a fist fight. i know! that's so wrong.  i might oughtta just take up boxing so i can do it the "nice" way.  don't you ever think life would be easier if you could just open up a can?  on something that will defend itself, of course.  not like, a tree.  i mean come on, i don't want to lacerate my fists.  THAT WOULD NOT MAKE LIFE EASIER.

•  be a unicorn or a narwhal. they're just the cutest.

what about you?  what's on your list?

the sunday six: edition: arts and entertainment, without the arts

//1 

the hunger games 

//by suzanne collins

 i hear the name katniss everdeen and i'm fighting off the urge to disappear into the book again, and apparently it's not just me, because i did a search this week for something i'd seen on pinterest but didn't have the good sense to pin.  it was a little saying that said something about that void you feel at the end of a book series or novel.  (if i could remember the words, i wouldn't have to re-find it on pinterist)(which i've been unsuccessful at, else it would be right here where these words are, in place of these words). 

so i typed in the words 'finished book series, void'.  the very first image i see is the cover of mockingjay, the 3rd book in this series.  i guess you could say this book is catching fire.  (hah!)

which brings me to book two.

//2

catching fire

//also by suzanne collins

 i know. i know these could all fit neatly into one category instead of each having their own place in the list, but they are three separate things, and like my children, my love for them is equal but different.

don't try to bust me on a technicality, 'cause i won't be havin' it.

not on my birthday.

i couldn't stop turning the pages if my house were been on fire.

and i would never exaggerate.  not here, not now, not in a million years.

//3

mockingjay 

//aw, you remember.

part three

at the last page, my heart broke into miniature fragments and blew away like dust in the wind. 

from loneliness.

because it was over.

  i read the series in 4 days.  i missed most of my favorite tv shows, my heart showing little to no interest in them, which is so weird for me because i do love my stories.  

wait, that might sound confusing.  in this context, i mean my nightly tv stories, not the novel series i'm telling you about right now. 

but now, we're gonna talk about tv stories.

startinggggg... now!

//4

parks and rec

if you haven't seen park and recreation, you really should make an effort. 

 it's an island of glistening, brilliant happiness in a sea of bad, idiotic, moronic and stupid tv.

as is the office. 

they both play on thursdays, one after the other, (beginning at 7:30 in the p.m. on NBC) which i find highly convenient.

and also exciting.  very, very exciting. 

now, if you will, take a lil' listen to this song.  if it don't perk you up, there's probably not any hope for you.

oh, i kid.  

sort of.

//5

andy bernard as the new boss

just when you think you couldn't love a fake guy more....

i've always loved the nard dog.  i look at his outfits every week and mentally shop, trying to memorize what he's wearing.  stretch has already agreed to wear those clothes if i will find them for him, so i'm a girl on the prowl. 

(it's not that the clothes are difficult to come by. i just ain't about to pay no j.crew prices for them... 'cause then he'd have to wear all those nice clothes for our tv debut on divorce court.)

no, i need to find them at more frugal prices, and i will.  oh you best be believin' i will.

but more than the clothes, i love andy because he is micheal scott.  maybe not a fair reason to love a guy, but it's the truth.  my heavy heart heaved a heavy sigh when micheal was leaving because i just knew i'd miss him something terrible.  turns out i'm okay without him though, because the writers have left us with his stunt double.... his stunt double who also sings, makes up jingles, wears cool clothes and plays obscure instruments.  and that just makes me really happy.

//6

my birthday

 which happens to be today. (i'm 32.) i am a shameless supporter of my birthday. 

i love it. i milk it. shamelessly. 

it's probably why october is my favorite month, with the weather being a not-too-far-off second reason.  

but mostly it's because of my birthday.  

which is today.    

so in closing,

read the hunger games.

watch parks and rec and the office.

today is my birthday.

it would not make me sad if you decided to write me a haiku or something.

and that's all folks.

have yourself a merry little sunday!  i know i sure will! xoxo

declesious, out.

things you should never run into a room and yell + announcements

it's midweek, when it feels like it should at least be thursday.  here is a dose of mercy, in the form of laughter, to get you through the week.

you owe me.



oh no, wait, there's more.



now you owe me even more.

and don't try to pay me in peanut butter.

acceptable forms of payment are as follows:
form an alliance with me

that is all.

the sunday six: edition 40

what is up, yo?

if we're friends on facebook, you may have noticed that i'm researching and about to start the paleo diet.  this post does not, in any way, reflect that fact.  the diet hasn't started yet, sooooo maybe let's just look at this is my last hurrah.

also, remember that that thing i once said about "40 bags in 40 days"?  i may have said something about "doing this" and "starting monday".  that was fourteen days ago.  fourteen. and in fourteen days, i've filled one bag.  one.  i am nothing if not stupid-good at procrastinating.  

and if i know anything, it's that i probably haven't even begun to procrastinate yet, and it's a shame too, because my spice cabinet has never been happier.

//1

maya's 

if you're a local, have i got a treat for you.  (if you're not, come on down!  it'll be my treat!) this is a recent discovery thanks to my friend, serena, who is a TRUE friend.  what else would you call one who shares this kind of life-changer with you? i can't stop thinking about it.  

i was there thursday AND friday last week.  yes, two consecutive days.

am i sad about that?  

not 

at 

all. 

the chips and salsa, homemade.  
homemade chips, y'all.  melt in your mouth.  the chilaquiles will make you wish you had 2 or 3 stomachs.  (order a side of pico de gallo with your meal.  if you don't like pico, i'd rather not know about it.  let me continue to think of the world as a happy place, please and thank you.)

also, they serve free dessert, which brings me to my second point.

//2

soft serve

mmm, soft serve.  i have a special affinity for free soft serve, which is exactly what maya's offers.  all i need to know now is when i can move in.  i'm ready to sign that contract. 

--if you are dieting, i do apologize for today's post.--

//3 

long shirts

i heart the long shirt trend and as long as i'm eating the type of fare featured in the number one and two spots, long shirts are my BFF of the fashion world.  

//4

being loved to LIFE

i'm sure we've all heard and probably have even said, "i love her to death!" and i don't take issue with that, but i can tell you that i have been loved to death and loved to life, and they are not the same.  i am so grateful to and for my friends who love me to life.  may i always do the same.

//5

goodwill

and by goodwill, i don't mean "a kindly feeling of approval and support: benevolent interest or concern", although i don't hate that.

no, what i'm talking about here is goodwill industries, int'l.  y'all, it pays to check your local goodwill's calendar (and mark yours) for sales.  a couple times a month they have $2 sales on certain items (jeans, blazers, sweaters and sweatshirts, t-shirts) and once a month, all clothing $5.99 and under is $1.  you have to like digging, and you have to not mind sneezing, but whatever the cost, (dust bunnies in the nose, time spent rifling through rack after rack after rack) it is worth it.  
i love a bargain.  
i love well-made clothes.  
therefore, i love goodwill.

//6

words that induce laughing

it's my two favorite things happening at one time!  
words.  and laughing.
it's a divine romance.

found on pinterest

this is your captain speaking. 
next stop is whenever.
just be, like, "stop".

happy sunday to yous!!  love you guyth.

the sunday six: edition 39

you thought i was late huh?
i'm not late.
it's still sunday.
so really, i'm just fashionably late.

fashionably late -
the refined art of being just late enough to give the impression that you are a busy, popular person that was held up with other business.

see that? refined art.  don't be mad wit' me.  i'm just sittin' over here honin' my skill of giving impressions of busyness.  i'm quite good at it.

now, without further delay...

//1

screen doors

i wish all my doors could be screen doors.

well, not really, because it's impractical, but if i could, i'd have three.  one for each exterior door, and one somewhere in the interior.   there's nowhere where that works right now, but maybe someday.

source

//2

lavender scented gain dryer sheets

mama said knock you out.

//3

good runs

i ran a 5K this weekend. it sucked. it was not a good run.
neither was my one run this past week.
i hate it when that happens.
but what i love is the good runs.
it's why i keep tying my laces. chasing the elusive "good runs".
lately, it seems i'd have better luck trying to catch a whisper by the tail.

//4

ecotools

i used to search ebay.
no, let me start over.
i used to spend hours mercilessly beating the bushes of ebay, searching madly for the best cosmetic brushes.  i thought they needed to be made of badger hair. i don't know where i got this notion, but let me tell you, badgers were costly little suckers.

(update: i just checked ebay for the little gems and they are now reasonably priced. maybe there was a real good sale on badgers somewhere.  they used to be one of those items that you had to get over the minimum bid hump before they even took you (or your money) seriously.)

anyway, the brushes, i wanted them so badly.  more than inigo montoya wanted the six-fingered man!
i just couldn't figure a way to justify such an expense.

it was like trying to put a price on NOT being ugly.  such a struggle!

can i afford these brushes?
well i don't know, self.
the real question is, can you afford to NOT buy the brushes?

i never did buy those brushes.  not because i didn't think they were worth it.  i did.  (foolish, foolish girl.)  i didn't buy them because i didn't have anything of value i could sell, like an extra soul, to buy them.

you'll be glad to know i'm not as stupid as i used to be.  (feel free to congratulate me.  it was quite a feat.)  and you may also be glad to know i've found a much less costly alternative to badger hair.  well maybe you don't care, but i do.  and other people care.
(i'm lookin' at you, stretch.)

and ya'll listen, and listen good.  they're as smooth as a baby's bottom! badgers wish they were so velutinous.  

here's a lil' peek-a-loo at how they look:

ecotools

if you wanna know how they feel, get your own.

//5

this hair

harpersbazaar

 when i have the cash, it's all mine.

muahahahahahaha!

it's like she dipped the ends of her hair in a bowl filled with sunshine.

//6
these words

each friend represents a world in us.
a world possibly not born, until they arrive.
anaïs nin

thanks for arriving, friends.

and thanks for reading.

happy sunday to you all, and to all a good night!

nailed it

a moose noshes much mush.  

y'all know that tongue twister?  i'd never heard it before.  one of the kids came across it in a book and they were all clambering to be the first to get through it without tripping.

never to be outdone, the 4 year old, shortest of the shorties, very self-assuredly says,
and i quote:

"i can shay that.  a noos moshes mush mush.  sho easy."

keep trying honey. you'll get it next time.

reading a store-front sign, our eldest man-child sees the word 'education' and says aloud,

'uh-douche-uh-cay-shun'.

close honey, but no cigar.

  ...and now for your own uh-douche-uh-cay-shun:

U.S. funfair stalls in the mid-20th century 

offered cigars as prizes to the winner. 

whenever someone would lose a game -- 

particularly, the one where you test your strength 

by trying to ring a bell with a sledge hammer --

after being so close to victory and still falling short, 

the owner of the stall would say,

"close, but no cigar."  

there is no evidence to back this up, 

however it is likely the phrase originated from here. 

arbitrary so it must be true.

and now i'm off to buy cigars, for when he gets it right next time.

the sunday six: edition: links

//1 

fall fashion

stay ahead of fashion curves without busting your wallet (and your man bustin' ya chops).

//2

finding your voice

i liked this, and i thought i'd share it because most of you are writers, and maybe you've wrestled with this, too.

//3

40 bags in 40 days

i'm gonna do this.  starting monday.

source

 //4

meal plans

source

 i want to do this.  the food looks delicious, healthy and do-able.  for 10 smackers a month, you get a menu and a grocery list for each week.  ADD TO CART!

//5

homemade coffee creamers 

i made the chocolate almond one tonight.  next on the list, pumpkin spice.  

back up off me, international delight.  you can't touch this.
-----------------------------------

//6

a nifty gifty

in honor of the season premier of parks and rec, which is less than two weeks away, here is a nifty printable gift that will bring you joy for days to come.  if you'll print it and play with it, that is.

i give you,

tom haverford.

you're welcome.  

and in case you're unfamiliar, that beaker at the top left corner is not poison.  (phew, right?) it's a "high-end kahlua-style liquer", called snake juice.  sold exclusively at the snakehole lounge.  just didn't want anybody to be alarmed and think it might be dangerous.

happy sunday, folks!