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...

Notecards go sticky....

I just realized that all of my entries lately have been about purses- sorry guys.To change things up a bit, let me tell you about my new discovery; Post It Index Cards. They are fabulous.

So far I have used them to:

organize my department newsletter

keep a to do list stuck to my desk

mark important dates in my calendar

create my masters project survey in bits a pieces

leave "im in a meeting" notes on my door that don't fall off

create lists for my students that I stick to them as they walk out...

so much fun, and i have only had them for two days.

Bagaholic takes a break ...

JC Penney Melissa Hobo Bag

I am sorry for my absence. Work and school has been curazzyyyy. One good thing i want to share: I bought a new bag and I LOVE IT. Best part, it didn't cost me a fortune. I love it so much, i have taken a break from bag shopping. It took me forever to find one that was big enough that would stay on my shoulder. This one works well. I like it so much, I haven't felt the need to cheat on it just yet.

In the war between newlyweds, I wore a Nick tee shirt

My Favorite Rafe - Bedford Collection

When it came down to choosing sides, I was on his. I could not turn my back on the Cincinatti native. Since then, I have fought off a new found repugnance for anything Jessica. I was a bit excited when I ran across this post by designer Rafe Totengco. If you haven't heard of Rafe, just know he is a handbag / shoe design guru. His recent blog post draws special attention to Jessica Simpson and the underground world of knock off handbags. Check it out.

http://rafenewyork.blogspot.com/

Whats in my bag

You can't judge a book by its cover but you can certainly tell a lot about a women by what she carries in her bag - Kate Spade
The contents:

Crappolla Samsung cell phone - warning don't take it even if sprint gives it to you for free...

Black Moleskine Paperback Notebook

Silver double mirrored compact

Elephant Camera Bag

Make up bag

Dionis Hand Cream

Badger Highland Mint Lip Balm (it is so so)

Aveeno Lip Balm (it is the best)

Goldie Lip Balm (Brownie)

Vera Coin Purse (for ipod and what nots)

Blue IPod Shuffle

Orbit Bubblemint and Sweetmint gum

Planner

Various Writing Utensils

Can of Diet Pepsi (not typical)

Business Card Organizer

Checkbook

note: there is usually a cute black and pink wallet in there but it was in my desk drawer

So WHATS IN YOUR BAG?

A purse only a mother could love....

This bag is contstructed of dark wash denim, felt interfacing, yellow polyester lining, a vintage necktie, wooden button, and suede cord. It is a bit more casual then i like and the shoulder strap is a bit long for my taste, but my next one will be better, more pics to come.

My stitches are a little skewed in certain spots but after finishing my first project I think i have my new machine all figured out. After three different seamripping episodes, I finally found the tension sweet spot.

Janet would be so proud of me.

Tomorrow : Check out what's in the bag?

New Machine, New Project, New HANDBAG....

Available at amazon.com, this book has four fold out master patterns for making over 36 bags. Patterns are fairly simple and basic but can be sized up or down to change the size of bags and design etc. The best part is that they are not "trendy" designs. Most of the shapes and styles are timeless.

Leave it to us Catholics to come up with a holiday celebrated by eating, drinking,and procreation....

The history of St. Valentine's Day.

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Special thanks to American Greetings and the History Channel.


All taken from www.history.com

You might be my huskystar, cause you shine so bright wherever you are....

Lucky Girl receives best early Valentine's Gift ever from the most wonderful husband on the planet...

www.huskystar.net

Top 10 Reasons that I Love my Cats

1) My cats are ying and yang: Soybean is a fastidiously clean, shrimp-loving, dignified, curious, one-woman-cat. Bella is so smelly that I bathe her every 2 weeks, she eats granola bars and rice krispy treats, and is an absolute slutty-kitty--she has no standards as long as you are offerring a belly rub.

2) Bella, The Neurotic, will go postal over a laser pointer.....this can sometimes lead to HOURS of entertainment in the oh-so-exciting-city of Wichita....

3) Soybean supervises my makeup application every morning.

4) Soybean is such a neat freak that, when the lid is left up, he will wash his paws in the toilet after using the litter box. (I have been trying to get this on film, but he gets stage-fright)

5) Bella submits to Soft Paw application like a little pro!

6) There is nothing like walking in the door and having 2 kitties scream at you because you were missed!

7) When they watch birdies out the window they make a little Ricky-Ticky-Tavi sound--such predators!!

8) Bella likes to play with wee house guests. (Soybean disappears)

9) Soybean has more personality than most people I know.

10) They wake me up every morning with purrs!!!

Ten on Tuesday - 10 reasons why I love my dog

Happy Birthday Lucky!

Over the holidays, Lucky celebrated her first full year in our house.

Here is a mini - tribute to THE dog who made me into a "dog person".

1. Lucky doesn't smell like a dog. She smells like roses most of the time.

2. Lucky never judges me.

3. She knows when I am sad and sits right beside me through it all.

4. Lucky has eternal puppy fur. She is super soft, like a bunny.

5. Lucky protects our home with a fierce bark.

6. She keeps me on a rigorous walking schedule.

7. She never talks back.

8. Lucky reminds me that life is good. anything is better then walking the streets.

9. She dances like a circus dog.

10. Lucky makes me laugh every single day.

and then there was four

A formal welcome to Samson. Samson is a Cairn terrier mix. He is 35 lbs of pure, uncompromising, love and affection. He was found as a stray with a severely broken elbow. His elbow was repaired by the University of Florida Vet School and he was then placed in a rescue shelter. We are so happy to have found him, my pictures cannot do him justice. He has made my husband and I very happy. Lucky is still considering giving him back. By the way, he HATES getting his pic taken. The look above says it all. When there is no flash around, he is all smiles

In the month of December over 200 dogs were picked up by Alachua County Animal Services. Many of these dogs are still at the pound waiting for families or possible euthanization. Many dogs have been farmed out to local rescue organizations like Helping Hands of Newberry, FL, where we found Samson and Haile's Angels, where we found Lucky over one year ago.

Find out more about adopting your own best friend at Petfinder.com.

The Bag Blog

There are people out there who are as obsessed with baggage as I am.
Here is a blog to prove it.

THE BAG BLOG