2010: The year of resolutions

So, my dear readers, ie my husband and mama, I rarely if ever have a new years resolution. My lovely sister usually has enough for everyone, and they are crazy, like no chocolate or no cokes for the whole year.

However, last year felt a little too chaotic, and it was also full of A LOT of change. So, I'm looking for a slightly calmer year. One thing I do know is I need to be baking more. I made this yummy lemon dessert for New Years, and while it wasn't pretty it is super tasty. Then, while I was unpacking, almost the last box, I found all the equipment for creme brulee. You see my grandparents gave this to me about EIGHT years ago, and I've never made it. I'm a disgrace, I know. SO, 2010 is going to be the YEAR OF CREME BRULEE!!! And I'm sure my grandfather is smiling down from heaven since he used to tease me relentlessly about eating it. I have this cook book, and I'm going to cook them ALL. Unless of course they don't sound good. I realize this sounds a little like the Julie and Julia blog/movie, and while it was somewhat inspiring, really it was the fact that I have a torch and I've never used it.

Next, my two sisters and mom, have challenged me to get organized. We all bought this book, and there is a big prize at the end of the year for which ever of us is the Organizing Queen of the World, or at least our own world. Every week there is something new to organize and get ready. Somethings won't effect me, like when it says clean out a child's closet, or prepare for a move (done and done, here is hoping I'm NOT moving in 2010), but other things are simpler.

The third resolution is to have all Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. I have already started. I bought my niece a very cute purple tinsel tree to have as her very own during the holidays.

Finally, my very last resolution, I got from my sister, I am not going to forget a birthday this year. I'm making a calendar book right now, and I'm buying this and this card in bulk so that I can have them on call when I need one. Also, I organized all my cards last night, and I have a whole bunch all stocked up! Hopefully, I succeed. January is a busy month!

That is all for now...wish me luck!

origami cranes

I love origami cranes. I'm not super into the Japanese culture, although I do love much of their culture and traditions. And if you're looking for a book about the kamikaze bombers from WWII, this really helps explain their point of view, without diminishing the American lives they destroyed.

Recently, maybe in the last year, I've seen them used a lot as decoration. First, in an Anthropolgie store window, and then several times on Apartmenttherapy.com.

For my nephew's baptism I made him a mobile with fabric cranes that this lovely etsy shop sells. The pictures aren't amazing, but A helped me make the mobile and in person it is lovely. I'll try to post pictures of it a little later.

I was doing some research on them, and here is a nice article about the history of origami, which I found both fascinating and instructive. Then, as I was researching the cranes, which are my favorite, I found an saying that if you make 1000 cranes your wish will be granted...interesting challenge. In the end these two pictures have been a huge inspiration to me:

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Now what should I wish for?

More lighting...

After much deliberation, I've decided this is the chandelier I want in my kitchen. Adam also agrees it is pretty fantastic, now to come up with the money...

Lighting makes a home

So...I think one thing that has always bothered me about renting is not liking the fixtures and such that "come with the place." I've decided we are going to change our the lighting in our new apartment, to really make it ours, because really a home is about the people in it, and I want a home not just a resting place. I'm inspired by this lighting source.

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I mean what is not to like!?

Bye bye house

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So, we're not buying the house. Trust me when I say the face above describes me during the process of trying to buy it, NOT how I feel now. We were trying to save a sinking ship and in the process drowning ourselves. Thus, we backed out and now just need to find a place to live by the end of November. The sense of relief we both feel is enormous. And, while I am super disappointed, it is better this way. Someday we'll buy a house, and when we do we will be a buying force to be reckoned with because we are incredibly knowledgeable about the process now.

Anyway, just focusing on finding an apartment before our lease is up! Wish us luck!

globe lamp

The blog world really seems to be into globes. I had no idea they were such a hit. When I was little I always wanted the globe that lit up, and now as I'm trying desperately to buy this house, and if I get it, I'm going to get one, because quite frankly why not? Here are few cool pictures from flikr:

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my hair

So, anyone who has known me longer than, say, three months knows I'm always changing my hair. If its long I want it short, if its short I'm growing it out, yada yada yada!

If I tried to go back and describe all my hair changes it would take too long and bore you, so suffice it is to say I'm in a growing out stage.

Right now the goal is the messy bun:

Personally speaking, I don't need directions, I've been doing this for a long time, but the dirty hair thing seems weird to me, but at the same time I want to try it...new goal dirty hair. (My husband is going to be as excited about this as he was the no deodorant thing I started doing in August!)