Monday Monday Monday

It's Monday fabulous Monday. Torrential downpours outside my window and i find myself easily distracted.

So i have been playing with my new camera right? Still experiencing lots of red eye and blurriness. I was looking for some photography inspiration last night and found these cool tidbits.

1. A $1 tripod that fits in your pocket.
2. Photojojo - Inspire yourself.
3. A special Photography project - Allison by Jack Radcliffe

Lucky Girl Endorses O'Bama

Life's Code of Conduct .. according to me

1. Never show up to any place of business 5 minutes before closing.
2. Always be kind to the person who gets stuck with the middle seat on the airplane. Make sure to leave them atleast one good armrest.
3. Raise your children to say please, thank you, and yes or no sir (maam).
4. Don't inflict others with your political or religious views (unless they ask for your opinion).
5. Remember where you came from.
6. Send thank you cards.
7. Don't always play the victim - gain the power of personal accountability.
8. NEVER wear white high heals or pumps or suntan hose- that's just bad.
9. Don't be a snob. Mutts are as good as pedigree dogs when it comes to companionship.
10. Recycle anything that can be recycled.
11. Don't go to work sick to prove you are more dedicated, you are not doing any favors by spreading your funk.
12. Carry breathmints.
13. Don't ever ask when someone is going to get married or have children - ITS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
14. When you visit someone's house with dogs and cats, don't ignore the pets. they are like kids to some people.
15. When emailing, don't forget the salution and common business courtesy. Email is not the same as yahoo instant messaging.
16. There's no excuse for cleanliness. Bathe everyday!
17. Do not share your financial information - no one cares how much money you have in your bank account or how much your horse is worth..

Want to add to my list - COMMENT

Costa Rica Here I Come

In preparation of a super cool spring break trip to Costa Rica, I purchased a new grown up girl's camera. If ease of use is important to you but you still want an upgrade from your typical 4 megapixel pocket click and shoot, check out the KODAK Easy Share Z712 IS. This camera is a full body camera but still small enough that you don't feel like a big nerdy tourist wearing it over your neck.

Check out the photos i have taken so far.

and you thought that i had fallen off the face of the earth

I'm back.


Stay tuned......

Happy Graduation Splurge!

Products that DON'T Work.

I seldom take to the task of writing about products I don't like, i typically just discontine use. However, on this, i have to tell the world - DON'T BUY THE CLINIQUE ACNE SOLUTIONS LINE.

I am plagued with red marks and breakouts along the jawline and mouth. I have tried lots of things and nothing ever worked but seeing a dermatologist. I ran out of my prescriptions and thought i might try the new Clinique line to avoid another costly visit to a doctor and costly washes and creams.

4 months later, my skin was worse then ever. not only did it look bad- it was painful as well.

I am back to a 10% benzoyl peroxide wash and very light moisturizer, using sunscreen when i am in full sun. I can already that my skin is slowly healing and back to some sort of normal.

Reasons I think it stinks:

• Salicylic Acid washes don't work for severe acne. The wash didn't clear up any of my blemishes or pores.
• The toner burns if you have blemishes and irritates them even more.
• The moisturizer didn't moisturize much and just left a wierd flaky film on my skin. I could not wear it during the day with make up. This product was the only one with benzoyl peroxide in it, but i couldn't tell that it helped to repair my broken out skin.
• If you purchase all the full size products- its pretty darn expensive.

Three years later...

I am DONE!
After three long years, i have finally finished my Masters. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Now that I can spend some time reading time for fun.. I have created a To Read List


Raising Less Corn, More Hell
The Second Harry Potter Book
The Kite Runner (never finished)
The Bean Trees


Got any suggestions for good reads?

How many harry potter books does it take ?

Am i the only person left on this planet who hasn't read the harry potter books?

Berry Lovely Balm

This lip balm adds just a hint of sheer color without looking glossy.

Isn't thick and sticky. My favorite new lip treatment.

Get it at Bath and Body Works or online at Savannah Bee Company.

$25 Clearance Bag

A dreadful thought...

This morning was a busy one.

After sleeping too late, i rallied up the troops (Lucky and Sampson) for a quick walk around the block. After suddenly realizing that i had forgotten to pick up the standard dog meds yesterday, i rushed them back in the door and headed to the vet clinic. When i arrived there were dozens of kittens up for adoption in the reception area so i poked around and played while I waited my turn in line. There was an older dog there that looked very ill accompanying a heartbroken owner. I tried my best not to think too much about the day when i might lose my Lucky.

Lucky's birthday is July 4th (we sorta made that up). She joined us in November of 2005 and she is our version of a first child. She is my first real pet as an adult (with the exception of numerous cows, pigs, horses, cats, and stray dogs from my youth). I love her so much the thought of losing her made me cry as i left the vet and all the way home. Since we got Sampson back in January, Lucky has changed so much. She seems so much older then she did almost two years ago. She still has the softest puppy fur imaginable but she is definately getting older - now a estimated 5 years old. Sometimes i wonder if she loves us as much as we love her. Sometimes i wonder if we make her happy or if she thinks to herself "what the hell is wrong with these people?" Am I crazy?

My husband and I have delayed having children for all the right reasons. We are both still students, so far away from family, and just plain not ready to give up life as we know it now for a little squalling ball of life. Dogs will suffice for now, but I sometimes wonder, if i am such a worrier dog owner- can you imagine what kind of worrier parent I will be? Its scary to think about.

On another note, i had to go to the mall to look for some make up and strolled through the handbag section of Dillards. Got a sweet deal on a beautiful leather bag from SAK. Originally priced at $149 I nabbed it for $25. I know I know, give it up on the purses already... I couldn't pass it up and because i am trying to follow the rule of "when something comes in something must go out" i went through my entire bag collection and put 15 bags in the give away pile. You might see a few on Ebay.

When work gets you down...

For me there is a very systematic approach to coping when work just sucks. This week I was fortunate enough to be put in some akward situations and be yelled at by a really sucky industry type. After a blow up phone call and receipt of a seven paragraph, un needed, completely verbose email from the jerk off who ripped me a new one on the phone ... I went completely mad. I was so angry I could hardly sleep.

So far my coping mechanism as involved lots of avoidance of the issue. I have moped and watched lots of television, tried to focus my energy on more progressive projects (school), prayed, read funny magazines, and played with my dogs alot. Still when i get home from work, i am still mad and find it difficult to really turn off the pissy work attitude. The akward project that is challenging my sanity will last 8 more weeks.

So what's a girl to do? As i have grown older, i have found my anger and self torment harder and harder to control. Any suggestions? Good books? A therapist?

HELP

My brief hiatus

Sorry for being so out of my blogging loop. This summer has been jam packed with work and school. Hopefully, if all goes well, the school part will end in August.... Yahoo!

I am on the hunt for a new work wardrobe. Following the philosophy of "dressing for the job you want instead of the job you have" I am trying to bring my dresscode up a couple of notches. At the end of summer I will be doing an academic presentation as well as a few fundraising visits. Anyone got any suggestions for where a girl can find a trendy "summer weight" suit for a size 14+? Don't say Lane Bryant please......

Hey Renee in Indiana, this is how much I love your profile song.

Listen NOW to my new favorite jazzy sounding artist, Sara Bareilles

My favorite Marimekko

Today Everyone is a Hokie

We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness ... We are the Hokies ...
-- Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

Taken from the Virginia Tech website.

Staying at a resort with Aveda toiletries..... priceless

This weekend Raven and I embarked on a mini vacation to Clearwater Florida.

When we arrived what we found was an empty, windy, cold beach but an absolutely fabulous alternative spring break.

Instead of sunbathing we opted for:

Consuming appetizers, dessert, and loads of gin and tonic at the Cabana Beach Bar and Grill.

Chilling out in the hotel hot tub and heated pool.

Veggin on fresh fruit, boursin cheese, crackers and whatnots from our surprise gift basket.

Recovering from a toxic hang over by hitting up a greasy spoon on the beach.

Shopping in tacky surf style shops.

Getting our fill of fresh seafood at Crabby Bills.

Investigating paranormal activity on a ghost tour in our Haunted Hotel, The Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa.

Closing down the hotel bar with hottie bartender Mike, Philly vacationers, and the ghost hunters; beer and cheetos provided by us.

Enjoying an endless Easter Brunch Buffet .......

Observe Holy Week, Shout out to the big JC

This week is Holy Week and one of my most favorite memories of childhood was going to school and church the week before Easter. This time of year makes me homesick for family, my old familiar church, white chocolate homemade Easter candy, and new Easter dresses.

So where have i been

a heartfelt apology to all of my loyal readers. Bet you thought I gave up blogging for lent?? no, not quite, but the past three weeks have been filled with mass chaos so my blog made it to back burner status. My week from hell is over, and I am feeling relieved and refreshed. This weekend I am heading to the beach for some R&R. Check back every day this week for exciting blog updates, mission = make up for lost blog time...