Bella Vita

I've moved!

2011-09-12T13:55:00.001-07:00

Bella Vita is now Peppermint Plum!

My new and improved blog/design/photography website is complete! Please stop by and pay us a visit!

www.peppermintplum.com

water baby.

2011-08-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

yesterday we took daphne bug to the pool for her first swim. i was so excited to see her enjoying it! she just hung out as husband and i swirled her around in the water. i love introducing her to brand new things to see how she likes them. we just cant get enough of this little peanut butter.

the mane attraction.

2011-08-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

yes, i know i already have blog post with this title, but i wanted to write about hair, and its just so darn clever. as always, i am not loving my hair. sometimes i wonder if we will ever make this relationship work. if it would just get its act together and grow a little longer and a little thicker and stop breaking off in the front causing me to have a continuous mullet, then maybe, we could get along. but no, it refuses, causing me (minor) daily distress. so each morning when i attempt to make my hair look somewhat presentable, all that happens is my new mom staple messy bun atop my noggin. if only my hair could look a little more like this...

oh well...who wants to spend time messing around with their hair when they can be playing with this little bug...

what are you lookin at?

2011-08-13T16:32:00.001-07:00

this is what happened when i showed baby girl the camera on my iphone. she's recently taken a particular interest in...well...herself. she likes mirrors :) oh and she's rolling around like it's her job. i realize this blog has taken a left turn towards babyville lately, and while i'd like to apologize, i just really cant find a good reason to. i mean who wouldn't want to see this face?

3 months old.

2011-07-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

i cant believe that next week my baby girl is going to be 3 months old. these last few months have truly been amazing. Three months of unconditional love, indescribable joy, a few sleepless nights, a billion kisses, and hundreds of smiles and coos that make me think that she just might love me too. she is just the most amazing little blessing and every night when we say our prayers i thank Heavenly Father for such an incredible gift. i love motherhood. here are a few pics i took of miss daphne this morning.

{love Daphne Mae}

2011-07-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

i've just opened my very own etsy shop! i'm so excited! Break out the streamers and balloons 'cause i'm having a grand opening and you are all invited! right now you will find different hair bows for the little one's, and more styles and flowers are coming soon! Spread the word!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lovedaphnemae

sweet tooth.

2011-07-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

so lately this little lady of ours has been of the opinion that sleeping is for sissy's, and she's determined to be the toughest baby on the block. well, for five days straight that is. last night, i hope and pray, was the light at the end of the tunnel. she slept for 10 hours and only woke up once! hooray! so in celebration, we made cakepops...with a twist. instead of cake, i used No Pudge Fudge Brownies with Fage 0% greek yogurt. it made me feel a little bit better about eating...several. all you need is...

*No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix (available at Trader Joe's and Fresh n Easy)

*Fage 0% greek yogurt

*Frosting of your choosing

*candy sticks from the craft store

*melting chocolates from the craft store also

*sprinkles

Bake the brownies. Let them cool completely. Mix in some of the frosting so that everything is evenly coated. roll into balls. place sticks in the center of the balls and place on cookie sheet. Put them in the freezer for 30 minutes. melt your chocolates. roll in melted chocolates and dip in sprinkles. set back on cookie sheet and place in fridge. enjoy!

independence day

2011-07-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

our 4th of july weekend looked something like this..

the boob tube.

2011-06-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

per my most recent post, you might have figured out that i may or may not watch a large amount of television each day...especially now that is is 104 degrees outside. dont get my wrong...a lot of each day consists of, as i stated before, nursing, laundry (we're cloth diapering), taking a gazillion pictures of my baby, and making silly faces at her to make her smile. but in between, i try to catch a few of my favorite shows.

ok, i know this season is over, but i just cannot stop watching reruns of that final episode! i mean where else can you see silicone filled middle aged women tossing sangria in each faces all while navigating through a land mine infested pool party of F bombs? i thought that only happened in New Jersey.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding- this show is amazing! who knew traveling irish folk we so provacitive? i'm pretty sure this is who "toddlers and tiaras" grow up to be.

Ice loves Coco- i just think this show is cute. we love our law and order SVU around here, so its fun to see "Fin" in real life, and i just think that coco is sweet.

**********************

In other news...this is what the other 23.5 hours in my day consist of...

a few faves as of late.

2011-06-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

baby girl is 7 weeks old now, which means for the last 7 weeks most of my days consist of nursing, laundry, and lots of darling smiles from my beautiful baby. and most of my socializing is of the bovine and equine persuasion since they happen to be the closest living creatures around besides the newborn asleep on my lap. believe it or not...im loving every minute and wouldnt want to be doing anything else. however, despite the stimulating conversation i get from livestock and a small infant, i have had plenty of internet time to peruse the limitless abyss that is, amazon.com.

here are a few of my recent purchases...

Clarisonic- i actually bought this brand new on ebay for $120, which is about $60 cheaper than they retail for usually. i really love it too.

i love this spray tan...well actually its more of a foam, but the color is great...you actually look golden tan and not like an oompa loompa.

i just started using this stuff on my face. from a girl who has to make sure every thing i put on my face is "oil-free" it was a little disconcerting rubbing something on my very sensitive skin that actually had the word "oil" in it. but at $10 a pop this stuff promises to correct uneven skin tone, so i thought, what the heck, i'll give it a try. plus, if i do break out, i'm pretty sure the horses and cows and sweet baby Daphne won't notice.

...but this is my absolute most favorite thing.

a few photos.

2011-06-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

little Daphne's newborn pictures. you can see more of my photography at http://simplelovephotography.blogspot.com

the look on the husband's face might have been a result of the fact that he had just lugged a large amount of very heavy boxes down two flights of stairs because i was cleaning out my classroom. he's a good man.

as my sister put it..."muahahaha...i will eat you!"

sorry for the picture overload you just encountered, but i might be just a little in love with my new baby girl.

a birth story.

2011-05-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

ok so i wasnt sure if i wanted to write this post because i didnt know if anyone actually cared to hear about Daphne's birth or not. but in the end i decided to write it since i wanted to save a copy to put in her baby book anyways....like a two birds, one stone kinda thing. so here it is...

my husband's birthday was May 2nd, and that night about 11pm i started having contractions. they were really mild and still about 10 minutes apart, so i kind of figured it was the same kind of braxton hicks i had been experiencing for the past few weeks. that day i had a spurt of energy. i had gone grocery shopping, and cleaned the house. my due date was May 4th, so i guess i figured i would just be prepared since i was scheduled to be induced May 5th at 5am if i hadnt gone into labor yet. i had been praying like crazy that i would go into labor on my own so that i wouldnt have to be induced, and that the baby would drop because as of the tuesday prior, she still hadnt. being the worry wart i am, i was mildly stressing about everything and decided to do everything i could to try and have things happen naturally. so i was walking 2-3 times a day and sitting on my exercise ball instead of the couch.

ok so back to the contractions...i fell asleep that night, but i just felt like something was about to happen. my hips had been burning all afternoon and i just felt..weird. i knew baby girl was going to be here soon. at about 5am i woke up because the contractions were getting stronger and closer together. by 7am they were about 3 minutes apart and VERY strong, and we decided it was time to head to the hospital; i could barely walk to the car. the 30 min car ride to the hospital seemed like 5 hours. the contractions were coming faster and faster and they were super intense. we got to the hospital at 8am where the doctor checked me and i was already 6.5 cm dialated. by 10am i was 10 cm and my body was ready to push. i denied the epidural, which was really difficult, but i am so grateful that i was able to do it. i seriously did not stop praying the whole time i was in labor. my husband was amazing. he held one leg and counted to ten for me while i pushed. he was so encouraging, and reminded me to practice my breathing; i could not have done it without him. after 45 minutes of pushing, the baby's heart beat was starting to drop because her head was slightly tilted so pushing for so long was stressing her. the doctor told me i only had one push left before he would have to get the forceps to get her out. at that point, i said another prayer, looked at my husband for strength, and pushed as hard as i could. a moment later i felt the most incredible feeling as the doctor pulled her out. the umbilical cord was wrapped twice around her neck so he cut it immediately and she was taken over to have her heart monitored to make sure everything was alright. a few minutes later, our little Daphne Mae was completely healthy and beautiful and in our arms. i am so thankful for the experience that i had and i thank God everyday for my wonderful husband and this precious little baby.

flower by cocopenny

our precious baby girl

2011-05-08T15:30:00.001-07:00

Daphne Mae

born May 3rd at 10:50am

7 lbs 8oz of pure loveliness.

nursery time.

2011-05-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

finally...a couple photos of baby girl's nursery. i knew i had achieved my goal when this conversation happened...

husband: "it looks like that one store you like so much."

me: "Anthropologie!?"

husband: "yah."

me: "that's exactly what i was going for!"

oh gwenyth.

2011-04-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

who doesn't love gwenyth paltrow? she's totally beautiful, intelligent, articulate, and presents herself as surprisingly accessible. if you've never visited her blog, i definitely suggest checking it out... www.goop.com. i really want her new cookbook as well, My Father's Daughter, because her blog includes tons of tasty recipes, so i am sure this book will not disappoint, plus, she fully admits to actually liking food, unlike so many little skeletors roaming around hollywierd, so that's promising. i love her honesty as well. on many occasions i have heard her on interviews saying that she works really hard to look as amazing as she does; it doesn't just happen on accident...dang it. she talks a lot about working with tracy anderson, trainer to the likes of not only gwenyth, but nicole richie, julianne hough, and pretty much every other celebrity who has an amazing bod. i have a few of her mat work out dvds and i looove them. although, i'm not sure you would be able to tell that i love them at this juncture in my extremely pregnant life...any day now.

Ruche love.

2011-04-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

so i am sure that many of you have known about Ruche forev, but somehow this little gem evaded me until a few months ago. it's very anthro, without the steep price tags. everything is very vintage inspired, young, and fresh, and i seem to find something to purchase on shopruche.com every month or so. lately i cannot seem to stop (trying) to shop for regular clothes, even though i am still pregnant! hopefully this baby girl comes soon! here are a few of my current loves from Ruche...

$64.99

$47.99

$36.00

$34.99

$32.99

once upon a time...

2011-04-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago my sweet, and very creative girlfriends in Simi threw me a storybook themed baby shower! it was darling... complete with amazing red velvet cupcakes baked by my beautiful friend Lauren (who so needs to open her own bakery), topped with mini versions of children's books! each guest was asked to bring their favorite childhood storybook and write a little message inside for baby girl. it was sooo sweet and right up my ally! i absolutely loved the idea, and now, i have a beautiful library of books!

faves.

2011-04-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

So it would seem that my lack of posting in the past couple weeks would suggest that I have a new little baby keeping me busy. unfortunately, this is not the case. i have been eagerly trying to keep myself busied while awaiting some sign of labor from our little one...but to no avail. i am 37 weeks and 4 days right now, and pretty darn ready for her to be here. oh well...all good things come to those who wait...right? yes. she will be here when she is good and ready:) So with the nursery 99% complete (i am just awaiting the arrival of the bedskirt and bumper made by the etsy store UrbanFringe), i haven't had a ton of stuff to do each day. the first week of maternity leave was hectic since i was in a rush against who know what to finish the nursery...so i did. i finished the curtains, which actually turned out pretty darn cute, along with all of the other fun creative crafty stuff i did. i will post pics when i get the bedding! So in the meantime, i have been bidding my time with, well, pretty much anything that keeps my brain even mildly stimulated. so here are a few random thoughts and faves i have been meaning to share with you.

frozen green grapes. i eat these all day long. they fool me into thinking i'm having a treat.

biochem chocolate vegan protein powder. i have a shake with this stuff every morning that consists of 1 frozen banana, 2 spoonfuls of oats, 1 scoop of protein powder, and almond milk.

i rub this stuff anywhere that is very dry. currently i have been rubbing it on my tummy...and knock on wood, no stretch marks yet...but i'm keeping my fingers crossed!

i have really dry skin. summer, winter, any season really, and my skin is just thirsty! this is the only lotion i have found that really works to quench my dry skin.

baby love.

2011-03-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

i know i said the next post would be the beautiful baby shower i had down south, but i have been sooo busy this week that i have yet to upload the photos. plus, after the day i have had today, i just had to share. so tomorrow is my last day of work and the way our schedule works, today i saw my 1st and 7th period for the last time and tomorrow i will see 2, 4, 6. so this morning my darling students had a "baby shower" for me. they brought tons of sweet treats and they all brought presents and made me sit in front of the class and open them. then they all sat cross legged on the floor in front of me while i read them Madeline's Rescue. it was beyond adorable.

their ideas of my apparently very strange looking baby. almost as strange as the dream i had about the baby last night. well it ends up i had twins, but only one was human...i had also given birth to a rabbit, that twin was a bit neglected.

all of the precious gifts from my students!

yesterday i received this little gem in the mail. the sweet husband had ordered it for me without me knowing almost a month ago. he had hoped it would be here before one of my showers, but unfortunately it took forever so he had to tell me about it. i think the thought was super sweet though:) not to mention that i absolutely, completely looove it. i cant wait to use it!

all that sparkles

2011-03-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

i am currently finishing up my last week at work before my maternity leave... and boy am i ready. i have a few diy things to finish up in the nursery next week and then i will definitely post some pics! let's just say, i'm about to burn the midnight oil on the 'ol sewing machine...ok maybe not the midnight oil...maybe the 8pm oil. anywho, thinking about it just makes me realize how soon our baby girl will be here! i had another amazing shower this past weekend (pics and more to come next post) in southern california given by three of my sweet friends....and it was absolutely fabulous. so now we officially seem to have eveything we will need....and let me tell you, she has quite the extensive wardrobe:) speaking of wardrobes, i keep finding myself standing in front of my closet putting post-baby outfits together in my head. i have a current fascination with shiny shoes. i have two pairs that i am currently trying to decide between.

the Gap city flat- $39.50

* you can get 27% off your total order today only on gap.com with code GAPGET27

i have these in camel and they are super comfy.

tom's shoes silver glitters

$54 www.toms.com

i am planning on wearing said sparkly shoe with these fab jeans. i have had my eye on them for a while now and i've got two anthro gift cards burning a whole in my wallet that i have been waiting to use until after the baby is born.

AG Stevie $168

anthropologie.com

these i will not be wearing. these are the cloth diapers we ordered for baby girl and i just think they are so adorable! afte reading masses of info and reviews, my personal decision has been to go with the Bum Genius 4.0 snap closure. they have so many different sizes built into these things that they are supposed to last from newborn to potty trained!

amazon.com $35.99 for a 2 pack

{baby shower}

2011-03-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

this past saturday was one of my baby showers. my amazing sister threw me the most incredible baby shower. everything was so beautiful and perfect and all of our wonderful friends and family members blessed us with tons of baby gifts! i am so thankful for all of the amazing people who were able to come and all of the baby items they showered us with! and i am so grateful for my sister...she is really something:) she did an incredible job on everything from the decorations, to the yummy food, to the adorable candy table. here are some shots from the party...

merci beaucoup

2011-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

http://waraynamahusay.blogspot.com/2008/10/eiffel-tower.html

i am completely inspired by all things french. although i've never actually visited france, i try to surround myself with french elements whenever i can. french fries, french macaroons ( so amazing), french music, french kissing, and the carefree yet incredibly chic french style. here are a few french items that i particularly love...

pic from http://thestylespy-lili.blogspot.com/ via lonny magazine (http://www.lonnymag.com/)

www.amazon.com

marthastewart.com

rollin in the deep.

2011-03-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

adele is amazing. for those you who have no idea who i am talking about, perhaps you've heard a catchy little tune on the radio recently sung by a girl who has a sultry, sassy voice, with a soul-like beat. not only is she insanely talented, but her songs all have this amazingly catchy, but not necessarily pop-ie sounding rhythm. i just purchased her new album on itunes called 21, and it is seriously one of those rare albums where all of the songs are great. i'm especially into her video for "rollin in the deep." i mean who doesn't love a pile of broken china juxtaposed by a modern dance performance by a guy dressed like a samurai ninja, who also happens to be stomping around in a mysterious white powder? its obviously irresistible.

here is the address to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw

peace.

2011-03-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

some maternity pics (33 wks pregnant)...kind of hippie earth mother...i dig it.

5 fab Anthro finds under $40

2011-03-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

$39.95

$29.95

*all available at anthropologie.com

it's no secret that i love anthropologie. it is also no secret that my pregnant self is quite huge and cannot fit into 98% of my anthro wardrobe. sad? not really. i mean, i am forfeiting many outfits in the name of this growing little blessing so that makes me not so sad at all, and on top of that, by the time spring is here it will feel like i have a whole new closet of clothes! I'm not sure I can pass up a few of these sale priced tops though.

in other, not so spring-like news, i'm running out of pants options. i have three pairs of pant(ish) items to choose from on a daily basis, and being that i can only wear my hudson maternity jeans to work on fridays, most days i only have 2 options...a pea in the pod maternity leggings, or gap maternity jeggings. pickings are getting slim...much unlike my thighs. here's a look at what my outfit looked like 3, yep 3, days last week.

a pea in the pod leggings

black tunic from target

sweater from forever 21 via my sister's closet

wanted boots

whole lotta' hockey.

2011-03-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

LA Kings at the Staples Center

the husband

i definitely did not grow up knowing anyone who played hockey. although i will reluctantly admit that i had a slight infatuation with the movie Mighty Ducks, i had never actually had any type of real hockey experience. i did however used to ride around on my sweet rollerblades (which i still have and every so often go cruising around on), pretending that i was at the peak of the "flying V," only to be interrupted by my mom telling me to empty the dishwasher. so this past weekend i was on hockey overload. my husband grew up playing ice hockey and roller hockey, but since he is often out of town for work, he has never been able formally join an adult league. however last weekend he was able to jump in on a game for a league with a bunch of guys he used to play with, so that meant i was finally able to see him play. boy oh boy, he looked so stinking hot out there. i loved every minute of it. then the next day we went to an L.A. Kings game, which was so much fun! i totally loved it. so it appears as though i am an official converted hockey fan.

oh boy.

2011-03-04T17:30:00.001-08:00

I've got 4 more weeks until I'm on maternity leave, and my kids at school have been so adorable. They ask about the baby non-stop, and it is driving them absolutely bonkers that I will not tell them the name. Being that they are teenagers, chances are they have not been around a pregnant lady on a daily basis in their adolescent years, so it makes the situation that more intriguing to them. They constantly ask what to do if I go into labor in class, because as they've explained, they think that my water will break and a baby will pop out all in a matter of minutes...so they would just like to be prepared with the leather strap for me to bite down on and they need to know when they should start shredding their clothing for extra rags. Apparently they think this school ( actually in the middle of a suburban community), is miles away from civilization, and they walked there, 100 miles, in the snow, up hill....both ways. So here's a little drawing I discovered on my white board the other day. Obviously I am so huge that my husband has to pull me around on a cart because I am immobile, and I have to be transported to the hospital in a moving van.

paper crown

2011-02-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

it's no secret that i love lauren conrad. she is so gorgeous, impeccably dressed, wrote a few books (which weren't half bad), and is now working away on an amazingly versatile and feminine collection called paper crown. she also just seems so down to earth, which i happen to love. don't get me wrong, i realize that celebs can be completely different than they are presented to the public through gossip mags, but for some reason, i've got a hunch that LC is just as sweet and cool as she comes off being on television and in the glossy mags. someday, in my dreams, i will have hair like her, look like her, and have not only her entire wardrobe, but the entire paper crown collection, which can be viewed here... http://hillsfreak.blogspot.com/2011/02/first-look-at-lauren-conrads-new.html.

*pics and link via http://hillsfreak.blogspot.com

add a little flare to your life

2011-02-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

personally, I could not be more pleased about the recent fashion trend upon us for the Spring of 2011; high waisted, flare leg jeans. sure, the skinny is useful for all those winter months when boots are the best option day in and day out, but when spring and summer show up, i just can't feel great about my thighs when they are squished into skinny's with no buffer like a boot to make them look somewhat slimmer. i am especially thrilled because this spring i will be fresh off the baby delivering boat, and probably won't be feeling so "skinny." i really think there is something adorably hippie chic about pairing high waisted flare leg demin with a blousy top tucked in with a skinny belt. love it. i plan to exhaust that look particularly this spring and into summer. i just ordered a pair of said jeans from Gap.com with an extra 25% off for a mere $54 with shipping...not too shabby if i do say so myself. here are some other options...peace.

gap.com $79.50

shopbop.com Jbrand demin $203

shopbop.com current/elliot denim $189

gap.com on sale for $55

all tops from shopruche.com $34-$49

happy valentine's day.

2011-02-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

ok, ok, i know...everyone posts these sappy love messages on their blogs today about their wonderful spouses and how much they love them, but it is kinda sweet, isn't it? i love hearing that marriages are working out there and people are in love. my little high schoolers are so hopped up on sugar right now, that love and valentine's day is all they can manage to think about. maybe we all need to think about love a little more, and all the other stresses of life a little less, you know? i just opened my email to find a sweet little love note for the husband...which is very unexpected considering he gets into his email about once every 8 months. tonight i plan to make dinner, followed by a long overdue lemon meringue pie that he has been asking me to make for months now...hopefully i won't mess it up. i also can't help but feel a little extra giddy this valentine's day since one of my sweetest girlfriends, who i have known since we were 15, got engaged yesterday. happy engagement L + G. i could not be more thrilled! so here is my little note to my really kind of amazing husband...

thank you for being you. thank you for loving me the way you do. thank you for making me want to be better everyday and always encouraging me in everything i do. you make me laugh. you make me smile. you make our baby girl kick everytime you feel my belly because she already knows how much you love her. and i am so thankful to always know how much you love me. you truly are amazing. my best friend. i love you more than words.

happy valentine's day everyone. now go love someone:)

dreamy spaces.

2011-02-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

love this duvet. my plan is to make a little crib size version to cover the little baby feather comforter i got from PotteryBarn Kids.
lovely little vinette. i love the picture collage.

love this little library wall. i am obsessed with books and have already written a few for little baby s.

what a great nook. i love the grays too.

i love this yellow and white room. the little peak of red is a beautiful touch as well.

isn't this nursery dreamy? lately i feel like my creative juices are flowing a million miles a minute, but i lack the energy to carry any of it out. i will prevail though. i have to.

*all pictures curtesy of http://moth-design.blogspot.com

and http://littlemothdesign.blogspot.com

the mane attraction.

2011-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Speaking of hair...or at least we were yesterday, I am loving some of the fresh little hair accessories available all over the world wide web these days. Of course etsy has some really lovely little pieces, but there are a few of my new and old favorite shops that carry some really beautiful things. Of course, I must mention my own line of flower hair accessories called Chloe Belle, which will undoubtedly be returning to an etsy shop near you once I've got a tiny little model at my disposal at all times....but more to come on that in a few weeks. In the meantime, here are some that I am loving...

shopruche.com $17.99

shopruche.com $34.99

etsy shop brydferth $16

etsy shop brydferth

There's a baby moving in!

2011-02-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my sweet husband assembled our babies soon to be sleeping place...the crib. Since I am not going for a complete matchy matchy look in the nursery, I didn't want all matching furniture...besides the fact that it can get very pricey. So I found this little beauty at meijier.com and I really love it! Now we just need everything else! Oh well...it will come.

The pillows were made by a darling gal named Kallie from the etsy shop Urban Fringe. She is also making my a coral one so that I have have one in each of the nursery colors...navy, mustard, and coral.

In other news...I hate my hair. It has always been subject of distaste to myself, being that it's just so fine and thin and completely broken...everywhere. So now I wish came the line where I tell you about some miraculous treatment I have discovered that has given me a long thick mane, but alas, I must disappoint, i have nothing. Needless to say, the fact that I am pregnant really holds me back from any kind of experimental hair growth treatment, but I thought for sure the pregnancy in and of itself would be the cure! I mean hello...every pregnant lady I've seen lately says how her hair is just out of control it's growing so much. Apparently mine did not get the memo that this was supposed to happen. Yes I take prenatal vitamins...religiously, prescription ones, and no that isn't helping. So for now I must bide my time and fill my thoughts with much more worth while fantasies, like my baby, instead of my hair. But i'm totally open to suggestions....

head in the clouds...

2011-02-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

My head has been in the clouds lately for so many reasons. First of all I've got a cold, so my brain is feeling pretty foggy. I've been faced with the quandry of which is worse for my baby girl...my incessant coughing that sometimes sends me into contractions, or taking one small dose of cough syrup ( approved by my doc). I have managed thus far to not take any kind of medication during my pregnancy, even when me doctor has said it's perfectly fine, but I just can't imagine that these violent coughing outbursts could be good for the baby.

Enough of that. The other reason my head is in the clouds also has to do with baby. I'm 28 weeks as of this Friday, and I cannot believe that she will be joining our little family so soon! I constantly find myself sitting there waiting for her movements and watching my tummy with a gaze of anticipation just hoping for a glance of a little poke from the inside out.

Some of my other favorite things as of late are:

1.) Sweet Potatoe Fries. I cannot get enough of them...I could eat these little gems like it was my job. My favs are from Max's Bistro and Slate's. I've tried about 6 times in the last two weeks to make these at home, but to no avail. I refuse to buy the store one's because they are just full of extra stuff I don't need, so if you have any good recipes...I would love to know what it is!

2.) Vanilla Roiboos hot tea from Starbuck's. You totally have to try this...but get a packet of honey in it...it's spicy and sweet and delicious!!

3.) http://taza-and-husband.blogspot.com/ and http://www.youngmarriedchic.com/. Two great websites. The latter is rich with ideas and recipes, while the preceeding one is about an adorable couple who live in DC and she just had a baby girl...yesterday! (maybe that's why I love it especially).

4.)Raw vegan almond butter snacks. I got this recipe from http://www.ohsheglows.com/, and I just love them. It's basically organic brown puffed rice, brown rice syrup, almond butter, and vanilla and you make little balls out of them and freeze them and I eat them right out of the freezer for a sweet treat! I also dipped half of the ball into raw chocolate which really threw them over the edge into deliciousness!

5.) my "new soul" pandora radio station. Try it...you'll like it. Well I suppose you'll only like it if you groove to the likes of Regina Spector, Lilly Allen, Joshua Radin, Eric Hutchinson, Adele, and Ben Folds.

yes that is my classroom...isn't it so industrial chic?

etsy love.

2011-01-16T16:24:00.001-08:00

I am always loving all things etsy. You can find so many beautiful and unique items, made by the nicest most creative people. I recently met (well, not actually met, but convo-ed) Kallie from Urban Fringe. She is so sweet and is currently making three gorgeous pillows covers with giant felt flowers on them for the nursery; I can't wait to see them! Here are a few other things I'm currently loving...

a girl of many hats

2011-01-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

I have been referred to as many things in the past weeks. There's the everyday "Mrs. Smith" that I hear about 15 times per minute by my oh so needy brood at school, "Big Al," by my dad, and then just "Alex" by most. Then there is a whole other realm of names reserved only for use by my husband: babe, baby, wife, and Preggers Magee. Then there was the time on Christmas Eve during a rousing game of Catch Phrase when he affectionately referred to me as his "sex partner" amidst my in-laws and other family members. Mortification for one, please.

So since I've had so many hats lately, here are some real one's I'm just loving...

Tweed Ribbons Fedora anthropologie.com $38

Striped Grass Fedora anthropologie.com $38

Modcloth.com $19.99

modcloth.com $19.99

Kitchen Remodel Complete!

2011-01-04T10:37:00.001-08:00

I hope you all had a restful and wonderful Christmas and New Year's, but now it's time to get back to business. It was so hard to get up to go to work this morning. Then when I got to work, a pile of work the size (and quality for that matter) of elephant dung sat taunting me on my desk. Thank you, Alex from 3 weeks ago, for saving all of this work for me!

Anywho, after 6 weeks with no kitchen, the remodel is finally complete...at 3pm on Christmas Eve. That was a fun day. I had approximately 9 nervous break downs over the course of 48 hours. My poor, yet incredibly understanding husband. I'm usually a perfectionist as it is, but add in the pregnancy hormones and a peppermint buttercream cake that looked like pink barf, and you've got a recipe for disaster. The husband and I were up until 1am Christmas morning cleaning and putting everything away in the kitchen so that we were ready for our company on Christmas day. Thankfully it all was accomplished and we could not be happier with our beautiful new kitchen!

BEFORE

AFTER

we pretty much gutted the whole thing. We added granite, new cabinets, all new stainless steel appliances, hard wood floors (throughout the house as well), new window, new door, stone backsplash, removed the island and overhanging vent, and probably a bunch of other things I'm forgetting!

Christmas Challenge

2010-12-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

I saw this on one of my favorite blogs...Rockstar Diaries and I just fell in love with the idea. I know it's a tad late, but there is still plenty of time to cross all of these off your list before the 25th! ( I rhymed)

25 christmas challenges...

1. tell someone you love them
2. make a tree decoration that will remind you of Christ
3. in your prayers today, give thanks for every blessing without asking for anything
4. try to be as kind as possible to others today
5. try not to quarrel with family members today
6. do a good deed anonymously
7. make goals for yourself-- seal a copy in an envelope to be opened in a year
8. visit someone sick or lonely or sad
9. do volunteer work for some worthy cause
10. do something fun for a child or younger sibling
11. try to forgive someone who has wronged you, be reconciled
12. make a "give list" instead of a list of gifts you'd like
13. improve yourself in some way to please Jesus
14. quietly reflect and choose uplifting activities vs shopping
15. phone or send a card to an old friend or family member
16. listen to Handel's Messiah
17. make a christmas treat for someone else
18. be a calming influence today and control your temper
19. accept the gift of forgiveness-- pray for some weakness and ask for help in repenting of it
20. look at christmas lights... where does all light come from?
21. sing carols
22. do something nice for someone without their knowing it was you
23. be the first to say hello to people all day
24. ask someone to tell you about a past christmas

Merry Christmas!

Via taza-and-husband.blogspot.com

Golden

2010-12-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed yet again. Why does this always happen to me? I get something in my head that I just have to have and it's complete mayhem in my mind until I am living harmoniously together with said desired item. It must be one of those "issues" I'm told I have... whatever those are. I must say though, my clothing expenditures have moderately decreased over the last month being that I can only buy things that I know will cover my growing bump. So in that case I think it should be considered completely acceptable for me to spend a little more on one thing that I really want since all the other little nonsense purchases have gone by the wayside. So in that case, may I introduce you to the Tory Burch Reva flat in GOLD. Such beauties these are. I'm not in any rush though...maybe in a few months.

$195 Neiman Marcus

However, I will say that there are a few pairs of ballet flats out for a much better price that are also completely adore.

The City Flat

Gap.com $39.50

PS-22 Chorus

2010-12-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

You just have to check these kids out. It is a public school chorus out of Staten Island, NY and they are incredible. They sing pop songs and they are so talented. Not only that, but I love the way these kids get so into the music...it is bound to put a smile on your face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mZ1zV1l2KQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

they also have a blog ( http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/ ) as well as a you tube channel where you can check out all of their performances. These kids rock!!

thanks to Kate at La Petite Choue for turning me on to this! http://lapetitechoue.blogspot.com

our little maple bar

2010-11-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

After weeks of looking like the girl who ate too many doughnuts, it finally happened last night. The baby officially stretched out its little, now proportionate limbs, making me look legitimately pregnant! I'm 15 weeks and the hubs and I eagerly await our tiny May blessing. So far the pregnancy has really been great, I must say. No extreme sickness or fatigue...I just have begun to feel a bit like an ostrich, in which my behind is three times the size of the rest of my body.

wanted on the high seas

2010-11-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what this blog title really means...it just sounded interesting, so I went with it. This weekend, whilst perusing possible new boots I couldn't quite seem to shake the undeniable desire that plagued me for the Frye Melissa Boot. They really are quite extraordinarily hot looking, but they come with a hefty price tag...$318. While I love my clothes, and I love to shop, I am also a bit of a bargain huntress, so I just knew I could find something similar out there for a much friendlier price. So here they are...the Wanted Stirrup boot. However, they seem to be selling out everywhere, so hurry and scoop this babies up before they are out for good!

Melissa Frye Boot- $318 at Nordstrom.com

Wanted Stirrup Boot- $79.99

You're a Mean One...Mr. Grinch

2010-11-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

As a little follow up to the earth shaking story I left you with last week, yes, my husband came through yet again, as he always does, and did indeed purchase a simply delectable Mac for me this past weekend. I'm stoked to the hundreth degree to say the least. In other breaking news...I have been listening to Christmas Music non-stop ( that is, when I am not rocking out to T. Swift's new audible treat of an album), and I have to share with you the ever-so-cleverly detailed lyrics of the ago old favorite..."You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The words of this song are so amazingly witty that I find myself cracking up every time I pass it on the radio...you just have to read these...and imagine your own version of old Mr. Grinch while you're at it.

You're a mean one, Mister Grinch

You really are a heel,

You're as cuddly as a cactus,

you're as charming as an eel, Mister Grinch,

You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!

You're a monster, Mister Grinch,

Your heart's an empty hole,

Your brain is full of spiders,

you've got garlic in your soul, Mister Grinch,

I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!

You're a vile one, Mister Grinch,

You have termites in your smile,

You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Mister Grinch,

Given a choice between the two of you I'd take the ... seasick crocodile!

You nauseate me, Mister Grinch,

With a nauseous super "naus",

You're a crooked dirty jockey and you drive a crooked hoss, Mister Grinch,

You're a three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich, with arsenic sauce!

You're a foul one, Mister Grinch,

You're a nasty wasty skunk,

Your heart is full of unwashed socks,

your soul is full of gunk, Mister Grinch,

The three words that describe you are as follows, and I quote, "Stink, Stank, Stunk!"

You're a rotter, Mister Grinch,

You're the king of sinful sots,

Your heart's a dead tomato splotched with moldy purple spots, Mister Grinch,

Your soul is an appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable, mangled up in tangled up knots!

The big dump.

2010-11-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

It finally happened. After three straight months of spending 8 hours a day on the laptop, writing countless papers, and editing countless photographs, our family laptop has gone on to a better place. When I turned it on last night I was greeted with a squiggly pin wheel of sorts. Each tap of the mouse made a shade of each color a bit more vibrant, but failed to take me to my desired destination. I was heart broken. I have pictures to take today, and this weekend, and oh how I need my photoshop! I lied in bed last night unable to break free of the quandry that plagued my mind; Mac or PC. The age old question burned fervently in my brain. Ultimately I came to a logical decision. With its glossy white exterior and minimal accoutrements, Macs just look cooler. Decision made.

A couple of recent happenings...

2010-10-19T17:24:00.001-07:00

So today I just feel like writing about some pretty inconsequential fixtures in my recent life. You know, the kind of stuff you tell your husband and you have a little chuckle and then you forget about? That kind of stuff. No earth shaking, glass shattering fashion know how or aesthetic epitome, just a few little tidbits. First of all, have you ever encountered the not so mythical, nor very allusive "loud breather?" You know the one...he sits behind you in a meeting and each breath he takes sounds like leaf blower through an aluminum pipe? It sounds like at an moment he may just pass out from all of that heavy breathing, so when there is a blessed reprieve you quickly glance behind you to make sure he is still kicking? Yep. Had one of those today. I really just wanted him to breath through his mouth already. I wasn't sure if I needed to offer him a kleenex or CPR. Anywho, there are worse things, like when you say something really awful in front of 40 fifteen year olds (31 of whom are male) and you really honestly had no intention of doing so. So I'm sure you can guess...yes it was me who made a donkey of myself...yet again. As my rambunctious sophomores were revising their narrative essays for voice and word choice, I had them write down any repetitive sentence beginnings so that they could improve them. One student asked me to read his and after glancing at his paper I loudly responded, "Gees you have a lot of AS!" Just as you can imagine, a roar of laughter ensued and I was left holding, not only my last shred of dignity, but his paper full of "as." Note to self...think before you speak. Have a happy Tuesday Evening : )

O.M.B.

2010-10-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Oh. Michael. Buble. Where have you been all my life? I know, I know...most of you have already known how magnificently sultry this man is, but apparently I'm a little slow. It is only now that I am truly able to appreciate the tall drink of water that is...Michael Buble. That voice just melts me into pool of estrogen. It's like warm honey dripping down the side of a mason jar. There are actually times when I'm listening to his songs that I find myself blushing and covering my face like he's right there or something, holding my hand and asking me if I want to make out. Don't get me wrong, but husband is the absolute best, and sometimes he says these incredibly honest, romantic things that make my heart skip a beat, but we could all use a little celeb crush now and again, right? My favorite song is "Feeling Good" and gosh dang it, I sure do when i hear this song....i feel dang good. So here's to you Buble...keep up the good work.

Could it be?

2010-10-12T11:04:00.001-07:00

Has it really been since September that I have posted on my beloved blog? Cheese and rice that's a long time...i apologize. Things have been pretty crazy in our household...and I mean in that in the best possible way. We've been out of town a ton, traveling with friends, and in two weeks we will be in Utah at the Zion National Park for our anniversary! Which leads me to my next garment driven expedition. What to pack to said National Park. With a name like Zion, I kind of feel like I might be traveling to outer space, but I am pretty sure we'll be staying in our solar system at least. And with all of those lions and tigers and bears to impress, why wouldn't my wardrobe choices be the first thing on my mind? Plus...I'm carrying on, so I have to pack very light to ensure that it will all fit into my itty bitty suitcase. Here are some of my ideas for looking "Zion Chic:"

The North Face Crescent Sunshine $85 rei.com

The North Face Quarter Zip Fleece on sale $34.83 rei.com

Puma Complete Nightfox $95 rei.com

The North Face Jester Pack $55 rei.com

Did I mention that I love The North Face for all my outdoor needs? Well I do.

suprise surprise...

2010-09-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

So I got the absolute BEST surprise yesterday aftenoon. Allow me to set up the situation for you. My sister emailed me mid day...

sis: what classroom are you in?

me: 167. Why?

sis: Don't ask questions.

Fast forward a couple hours to about 2pm. A past student of mine who had graduated a few years back comes into my classroom, as I'm trying to maintain the focus of these little vivacious adolescents, led by the most giant animal I've ever seen in a confined space. There was literally an elephant in the room...well not an actual elephant, but seriously just as big. After trying to wrap my head around what was happening I asked them (the boy and his wildabeast), to go outside so that I had some shred of hope of regaining the attention of my now extrememly curious brood. After getting them back on task the emailing with my sis commenced...

me: so was my surprise a giant dog?

sis: I just fell off my chair I was laughing so hard. No...not a giant dog.

me: I've officially entered an alternate universe.

Fast forward another hour. I've spoken with the boy, apologizing for having to kick the beast outside, but I'm pretty sure it isn't quite legal to have a huge canine in my class room...unless of course it is some mutated version of a drug dog...which initially I thought it might be. However, just as class was ending and the bell rang, this is when the surprise arrived... It was one of my best, dearest, most lovely friends in the world, Jeriann. She was married to her darling Travis last December and they have been living in Kansas City while he is in medical school. I miss her terribly and she completey caught me off guard as she peaked her beautiful face around the corner into my classroom. It literally took me a moment to process. Then I did the unthinkable..the squealy, screechy, high-pitched screamy-talk thing that girls do when they are excited...oh gees, it was quite a sight...or sound actually. Needless to say, it's been really amazing to spend some time with her.

The top photo is us at 15. The bottom was last year at my bachelorette party. The funniest thing is that I am wearing lipstick in both these photos. Gees...I look like Gwen Stefani or something. One would think I wake up, brush my teeth and smear on a heavy layer of NARS dragon lady or something. I seriously never wear lipstick, but apparently Jeriann brings out my inner desire to line my lips with something dark and trampy.

beautiful things.

2010-09-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

I just love asthetically pleasing images...those photographs you could just stare at for hours, disecting each little minute detail. I thought these photos were just so beautiful. Ethereal gowns with gauzy layers just beaconing beauty with boisterous babbles. They reminded me of fairies, of woodland nymphs. The kind you aspire to be when you're a little girl. The mythical creatures you imagine living inside of tiny antiquated bird cage houses, creating a luminous glow in oak trees at nightfall. I wish I could dress like this everyday...

The Final Hurrah Sale!

2010-09-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all reading this within like an hour of being posted because time is running out! Modcloth.com is holding its "Last Hurrah Sale" and this thing is no joke. All of these amazing vintage inspired items are marked down up to 70%! Seriously...you need to drop the lean cuisine and sceedaddle your way to their website faster than you can say hollabolu!

All of these dresses available of modcloth.com. Prices on these items range from $16-$32. Go...Now!

the twins

2010-08-19T17:47:00.001-07:00

When most of us think of the term "the twins" it usually coincides with phrases such as "the girls" or "the boys" or any other term related to the human anatomy. However, when I think of the twins, only two things come to mind...Mary Kate and Ashley. Gone are the days of Michelle Tanner and g-rated straight to VHS films. Although they have moved on from their acting gigs, they are not far from my heart. The wise Chelsea Handler once said, "The Olsen twins said they quit acting, but I'm pretty sure acting said no thanks." Well fashion has definitely said yes please! They now run The Row, an exclusive (and highly overpriced) fashion label that I'm dying to get my paws on. Some may say the Olsen girls resemble a young Grizzly Adams, covered from head to toe with what looks like rags left over from the hand car wash, sewn to the salvaged skins of the occasional Manhattan roadkill. Well you know what i say...genius. I just love them.

All photos taken from http://olsensanonymous.blogspot.com

want...or need?

2010-08-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

there is a very fine line distinguishing these two little words. do i need a pair of Tory Burch ballet flats? or do I just want them? i mean, shoes are a obvious necessity if you think about it...how many times do you see that sign in restaurant windows about "no shirt, no shoes, no service?" i would hate to be denied nourishment just because i didn't think i needed these shoes. unfortunately, i tend to blend these two verbs a bit too much, undeniably ending up needing what i want, and buying what i need. here are some things i am very in want of at the moment...Ladies Choice Cardigan- Anthropologie.com $88

Steve Madden Carnee Clog- Endless.com on sale! $87.90

Corse Como Geovana Clog- endless.com $155

Tory Burch Reva Lizard flat - bloomingdales.com $235 (I'm totally dreaming on this one)

at least there's one thing I need, want, and already have. my hot hubby. he was so kind to let me take a few quick photos of him the other night... i've had some fun playing with them in photoshop at night when i need a break from writing my thesis! i would much rather stare at that hunk than my paper anyday.

Madewell...the name says it all

2010-08-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

My new obsesh is to have a wardrobe consisting entirely of J.Crew, Banana Republic, Madewell, and Anthro. Ha! It's even more hilariously unattainable in writing. Oh well..a girl can dream, can't she? Here are the items I'm fervently searching for on Ebay from Madewell, J.Crew's little bit edgier, trendier sister...I like to think of these two brands as the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen of clothing...both completely amazing.

Madewell Cambridge Cardigan $68 madewell.com

Madewell sweatshirt sweater $58 madewell.com. I feel like this sweatshirt is kinda like this one on Stefanie Pratt below, which is super cute for a casual night out.

and, drum roll please...I am so in lust with these boots...and that is how it will forever stay.

The Archive Leather Boot from Madewell.com $298...like I said...never. gonna. happen.

the Posse

2010-08-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we partook in a second helping of wine tasting in Paso. But this time we brought back-up. We had SO much fun...I'm pretty sure I lost every single calorie I drank because we were laughing so hard the entire day. I mean, the six of us go together like the rippin' and the tearin'...the rippin' and the tearin' (yes, you had to be there). I am so incredibly grateful to have all of you in my life.

Maryland is for lovers...

2010-08-11T18:05:00.001-07:00

reading for fun?

2010-08-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

I haven't known that term for seven months now as I feverishly consume every piece of academic literature in my sight. If it weren't for the hallucinogenic rants of Allen Ginsberg, I think I might go postal. However, whilst on the Outer Banks in North Carolina, I was able to endulge in a little guilty pleasure reading thanks to my sis-in-law for providing the sustinance of course...in the form of Candance Bushnell. I read The Carrie Diaries in about 2.5 seconds, truthfully it was 2.5 days, but either way it was way too quick. I wasn't ready for it to be over. That's when you know you are really enjoying a good read, when you think about the characters when you aren't reading like they are real people, hoping that they will be alright from the aweful break-up or heavy night of partying. Then you slap yourself right in the kisser for being so lame. This book was so great. It was everything I want my pleasure reading to be. Shallow, easy, and a little slutty... basically the three adjectives you should refrain from putting in a job resume, unless of course it's for Harrison Ford. It's all about Carrie Bradshaw her Senior year of high school...before Big and Aiden, and comic book guy, and jazz guy, and all of the other men she gave her..ahem..resume to. So anyways, I highly recommend it...almost as much as I would recommend my own novel...if it were published.

Another book I'm currently reading is Chelsea Handler's Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. I read Are you There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, when we were on our honeymoon and it was hilar. But I must say, My Horizontal Life fell a little short of my raging expectations. But this one made up for it in a real big way. She's really stinking hilarious. Seriously.

What happened to July?

2010-08-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Beats me. All I know is that it's gone, and August is quickly following suit. Well the good news is, the painting is done, and my sanity is still partially intact...the doctor says I should make a full recovery. AND I'm only 2 1/2 weeks away from completing my master's. This summer has been a whirlwind. We spent 10 days on vacay where we went to DC for a few, Maryland, Virginia, and spent 6 days on North Carolina's Outer Banks...OBX fo life yo. That's right, I said it. The beach was beautiful, although there were excess amounts of large bulbous jelly filled sacks in the water...It thought Hiedi Pratt had exploded or something. Turns out they were just jellyfish...of the non-stinging persuasion. Oh and my sweet hubs bought me the greatest grad gift ever...the Nikon D3000..oh yah.

On a different note, while in DC we went to the Newseum. It was really incredible. Every time I turned to a new exhibit I found tears rolling down my cheeks. There was an exhibit there that showed all of the Pulitzer Prize winning Photos and gave a brief explanation about each picture. I don't even have words to describe what I saw and felt...it was just really something. If you are ever in DC I highly recommend checking it out.

Then we walked up the street to a rather delicious lunch.

More photos from DC...

Watching the sun rise out of the ocean has got to be one of the most amazing experiences. I say experience instead of sight because there is more to it than seeing it. The fine grains of sand under your feet, the cool briny air whirling across your skin, the rhythm of the waves coming to rest on the shore, all while holding the hand of the person you love most...it's pure bliss.

and they lived tanily ever after...

WaKE uP...and smell the paint

2010-06-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

So the rumors are true...I am officially on summer vacation, although it doesn't really seem like much of a vacay quite yet. I've doubled up on Master's classes so that I can finish at the end of August, and I've seriously comtemplated whether or not this is a good idea. Last week I spent an average of 6 hours a day in front of the computer screen writing TWO 15 page, research based final papers. Yes, I know, I brought this upon my self, I just wish I could see my friends more and my laptop less. At least on Saturday some of our wonderful friends invited us up to the lake with them, to which we replied, "Yes Yes Yes!!!" Matt and I both wake boarded, and let me just tell you, I'm two days in and I feel like I've been trampeled by a herd of hungry, wild, salavating Rhino's. Matt kept affectionately refering to me as "grandma" or "Dolores" yesterday as I tried to manuever my way , well, anywhere, hunched over and at a snail's pace. I was just giving him a look into our future : ) On top of all the pain and regret I was feeling last night we still had to clear furniture out of the entire house since the guys were coming today to scrape all the popcorn off of our ceiling and texture it all. Now, let me first begin by saying I am so incredibly grateful that we are able to finally do this, but I am not so much looking forward to the rest of the week which entails me (decrepit and stiffer than Barbie herself) trying to paint every single wall in the entire house. This will be fun. Oh and btw...

perfectionist + impatient = nervous breakdown. I'm pretty sure matt is going to return home on Thursday eve to find me rocking back and forth in a corner covered in "Smoking Oyster," running a paint brush back and forth across my face singing California Gurl. Oh boy.

The Happiest Place on Earth!

2010-06-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

The time has come. I am equipped with all the necessary accountremount: hand sanitizer, chapstick, camera, and of course my adorable Jayne Hersh for Target cross body purse to put it all in. It's true...I will be venturing to the happiest place on earth in about T minus 2 hours. I'm not sure what that means, but to translate, I meant in like a couple of hours. I am going as a chaperone for Grad Night for the high school I work at and my sis gets to come with, which is excellent, because only she understands my intense infatuation with the magic kingdom because her own is equally matched. Those little graduates better get out of our way if they actually want to make it to graduation next week without a twisted ankle or black eye, because we are insanely serious about our riding itenerary. It's a little project I like to call it "operation yo ho." We are ready to mingle with the mouse, porouse with the princesses, and chomp our way through every churro stand in the joint. My only worry is that my old age won't allow me to last through the night....but alas, I must. I can only imagine the kind of exhausted, mascara stained heap I will slump into once back on the bus, all my little adolescents accounted for. All I know is that "operation yo ho" is ready for action.

Vino and a Castle...

2010-05-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was seriously amazing! My hot hubby and I went wine tasting in Paso Robles ( a little birthday trip I had planned for him) and let me tell you, it was so incredibly fun. We had the best time. I booked a wine tour through a company called Cloud Climbers Jeep Tour, and I HIGHLY recommend them. They picked us up at our hotel, took us to 5 wineries, fed us a delicious lunch at an amazing spot, and the whole day we got to ride around in an awesome open air jeep...seriously, what could be better? We giggled, we drank, we loved our experience. Our driver was Lynne and she was so sweet, and it just so happened that we were the only one's on the tour (it seats 6), so it was like we had our own little private tour and driver all day! It's so incredible to spend a day like that with your best friend, and life love...I am so blessed...sigh : )

For more info on Cloud Climbers visit http://www.ccjeeps.com/

On Sunday we went to Hearst Castle. I just love Hearst Castle...I am completely enamored with this majestic place. The grounds especially are incredibly beautiful...can I just live here already?

Who would have known I have mad photography skills? : ) jk

Sunshine Quest

2010-05-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

So I’ve been on this quest you see. A long and arduous quest to get as healthy as possible. I mean, I want sunshine shootin out my backend…I want to sweat granola I’m so healthy. So for the past 4 months I’ve completely cut out dairy, which I should have done like 10 years ago because I’m lactose intolerant, but I was in denial and was always sick from it. I’ve also cut out refined sugars (except for red velvet cupcakes). Let me just explain…I had to. Seriously. Sugar is like crack to me. When I don’t have it I’m thinking about getting it, and then when I get it I feel guilty for having it…it’s a vicious addict cycle. So that’s gone, and honestly, I am beginning to see the light. Don’t get me wrong…there are days I just want to sit on the couch with a bag of hot Cheetos, but alas, I prop myself up on the elliptical, press start, and hope that my legs follow suit. One time they didn’t…I’ve got the bruises to prove it. So anyways, I thought I would include a few delicious new staples in my almost vegan(I eat fish), not by choice but by necessity, diet.

Barny butter (Almond butter- from Whole Foods)

Quinoa (contains all 18 essential amino acids)

Almond Breeze

Agave (great natural sweetner)

Vegan protein
Carob powder (its like coco powder)
Gaucamole Hummus (trader joe’s)

Suit yourself

2010-05-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited...we have a new addition in our home. It's big and strong, and works me out good. Needless to say, it knows what I like...it's our new elliptical machine. I just can't get enough. I pop in The Devil Wears Prada, and before I know it Ann Hathaway is wearing Chanel and Meryl Streep is playing nice. It's super exciting. So in light of my new found exercise routine, I've been getting a little bit more comfortable with the idea of wearing shorts...and I'm almost ready to start thinking about the possibility of swimsuits. I've definitely got a lot of work to do still...but a girl can dream can't she?

Old Navy $16.50 each piece

Victoria Secret.com

a little spring in your step...

2010-04-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

So there's just nothing better than spring. I mean, the birds are chirping (and feverishly building nests in your patio...where you can only imagine what follows), flowers are a growin, and the best thing of all...summer vacation is right around the corner. This year for my summer vacay I plan to accomplish a great many things....we'll see how far I get. One thing I have managed to do though is a little spring cleaning. I tend to clean out my closet about every three months. I get rid of stuff I just cannot forsee wearing in the near future, in order to make room for any new friends than may want to join the ranks in my closet. A few new items I have had my eye on include a Juicy terry cloth jumper (a necessity for our week at the North Carolina beach house), a few unique yet amazingly lovely little cardigans to wear open over tanks with shorts, and last but not least, some sweet little sandals. So here are a few choices...happy SPRING to you!

Forever21 $28

Forever21 $22.80 (isn't this so Anthro, but at a fraction of the cost? Love it)

Forever21 $22.80

Urban outfitters $24

Urban Outfitters $128

I'm in love with these...but with their $178 price tag, it seems as though we were not meant to be together afterall. Urban Outfitters

shopbop $138

Shopbop $138

shopbop $118

In the army now...

2010-04-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

OMGosh...I cannot believe that last time I updated the blog was March 9th! Life has been super busy as of late. I was on spring break this past week, which was pretty much the best thing ever. So you think I would have posted already, but I was gone. The husband and I went on a little road trip. We drove to Oregon and back in four days....I mean we stopped and stuff, but we drove a ton. It was so beautiful too. We saw more bodies of water in one place than I have ever seen...there are rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and creeks everywhere! It was insane, and there were the biggest waves we had ever seen on the coast in Bandon, Or. But don't worry...we didn't stand out or anything...I mean we only drove the BMW with Cali plates into towns with like 300 people in them and no cars made after 1998...let's face it, we stood out like Lindsey Lohan in church. Oh well...a little less make-up, less long blond hair, and a lot more flannel and I would fit in like Hiedi Montag at a drag queen show. One day. One thing that did fit in perfetly however was the army green cargo jacket I bought before we left and wore the enitre time. So here are a few more army inspired spring items...

K, something is up with my laptop and I don't really feel like figuring it out, but it won't let me post pics, so here are the links:

This is the jacket I bought. It's on sale right now for $34.90...really lightwieght for spring.
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55474&vid=1&pid=730323

I also just bought this little cap. I love wearing hats in the summer because they keep the sun off my face and I don't have to get ready! This one is at bleudame.com for $11.80
http://www.bleudame.com/product_info.php?cPath=99&products_id=13261

THis is a great casual necklace to wear with like boyfriend jeans and a white tank...plus its authentic vintage! That always makes things cooler : ) Also from bleudame, $18.90
http://www.bleudame.com/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=13820

My Top (recent) Beauty Finds

2010-03-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

So, I'm tired...oh and hungry...I would looove to scarf down some delish chicken nuggies right about now, but I musn't. Instead I will hop on the 'ol eliptical and elipticate my glutes into shape...dang. Because of my extreme fatigue (from what, I do not know), I am too tired and lazy to search for the items I want to put on the blog right now. I can see them in my brain...and I really wish I could just will them onto the computer screen, but alas, I cannot. So anyways, I have found some pretty rad beauty products in the past couple of weeks that I have actually been meaning to share with you, so here they are in no particular order...because let's face it, that would take way too much effort.

1. Laura Mercier primer (I don't wear foundation and I still find this product useful. It just makes your powder stay on and look nice all day--I like it in the oil-free formula too because sometimes i can get a little shiny and this eliminates all shine.) sephora.com
2. St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse (Ok...the truth is, I've been holding out on all y'all. I've been loving this product for a few weeks now and meaning to write about it but haven't yet. It is amazing! I am VERY fair, so I do not like to tan because it just gives me huge patches of frecks (aka freckles) so this stuff is awesome! I use it all over, face included and it looks very nice and bronzey...never orange.) St. Tropez website
3. Agadir Morracon Argan Oil (makes your hair so shiny, soft, and sleek). Amazon.com

the land of the lotus people

2010-03-04T12:04:00.000-08:00

Sorry folks...it has indeed been a while since I've posted. This whole grad school thing was a big mistake...I mean it is seriously conflicting with my consumer binging and I am just not sure I'm okay with that. However this past weekend I was able to spend a couple of hours in Santa Monica on the Promenade. I just love that place. Where else can you see a Victoria's Secret model walk by followed by a crazy bum with a shaggy beard...oh wait, maybe that was Brad. Come to think of it he did have like 15 multi-ethnic children with him. Wierd. Anyways...I of course went to Anthro...it's waaaay bigger than the one in my town. And, they had the Keel's Simple Diary! I've been wanting it so bad...it's really cool. I also got some super cute gray denim pants...I'll post a pic of the same pair. Oh and they have a Forever 21 the size of Guam. I seriously thought that it was going to be like Percy Jackson and the Olympians where I was going to walk out of there and people were going be like "Happy 4th of July!" It was three stories tall and there were like 5 rooms on each floor...it was nuts. I seriously felt so overwhelmed that I bought absolutely nothing. That has never happened to me before. It seems I have finally met my match...damn F21.

Pilcro Crops $88

Taschen Books Keel's Simple Diary $15

blazing regrets...

2010-02-19T15:01:00.000-08:00

So have you ever done or said something and then immediately after you think, oh crap did that really just happen? Kind of like that time, which was actually today, when I asked the pre-pubescent stock boy at Target where the double D batteries were. That was a special moment in my day. It took about 4.5 second until I realized what I had just done. I think my exact words were "I need double d's." Now I realize why he paused, took a little glancy glance at my not so voluptious b's, and then told me to go to electronics. It was awesome.

The other thing I may be regreting in the near future is my decision to not purchase the super cute boyfriend blazer for $29.99 at target. I must say, in the picture is looks totally frumpy, but it is actually super cute, and you definitely need to role up those sleeves a teensy bit. My sis has it and I've seen her wearing it and it is super cute. Plus I'm thinking a cute way to wear it would be a la Kim Kardashian in Part I of the season finale in Vegas. She paired it with ripped boyfriend jeans, a white tank, and some black heeled booties. Here are some ideas! Have a great weekend and remember...I need double d's.

jeans DKNY

jeans- Levi's shopbop.com

I know! It this chick is totally channeling court reportor chic or something...waaaayyy cute in person.

a Belated Music Monday...

2010-02-16T11:19:00.001-08:00

Sooo sorry folks for the late Music Monday post...I didn't have work yesterday and so I did not quite make it to the computer to post on the good ol' Bella Vita! So here are my choices for the week...

1. "1 2 3 4" by Feist
2. "Annie Waits" by Ben Folds
3. "Everything'll be alright" by Joshua Radin
4. "Knock 'em out" by Lily Allen...this song cracks me up.

The skinny on skinnies...

2010-02-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

Ok so I finally did it. No that one idea I had about writing to US weekly telling that I am the leader of an alternate universe and Hiedi Pratt is an escaped alien from my planet...I actually mean the one thing I kind of swore I would never do...buy a pair of skinny jeans. Skinny jeans seriously frightened me. Those tiny little ankle holes, and denim that seems to be plastered to your butt...super scary. I always thought skinny jeans made my thighs look like two wild beasts shoved into a tights...fighting to escape with every step I took. But then I found a magical pair...and of course I found them at Anthropologie...the store that pretty much solves all of the worlds' problems. I tried on the Joe's jeans skinny's and they were cute, but I wasn't a huge fan of the zippers on the sides...It made me scared I might zip up my ankle fat or something horendous like that . So here they are... the AG rosebud denim tights, $128 at Anthro. They even have a band across the top...they look kinda like maternity jeans, but they are super comfy!

AG rosebud denim tights

7 for all makind rinsed skinny denim $149

Joe's black denim leggings $84 (also available in regular denim)

And in true Bella Vita form...here are some super cute tops that will perfectly accompany your new skinny's! btw...notice they ALL cover the toosh...I am not into super skinny denim with short tight tops....we need to chose one or the other here people...we are not interviewing at the Bunny Ranch.

P.S. I am a BIG fan of spending good money on denim..because they will last longer, fit better, and the denim is just always nicer, but then pair it with a cheap top from F21 of something and your outfit will always look cuter and more put together.

F21 $22.50

F21 $15.80 ... pair this with a cute little cardi and some flats for a super cute spring look!

F21 $24.80

Let's get JUICY!

2010-02-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love a little Juicy? I mean seriously...a big fat juicy orange, biting into a juicy strawberry, gin and juice perhaps? That's what Snoop Dogg and I drink when we hang out. I think though that my most favorite form of Juicy would definitely be Juicy Couture. I mean, let's face it...pretty much everything they have is freaking ador. Plus there are tons of items on sale at Bloomies right now! The only thing better than Juicy Couture...is sale priced Juicy Couture. So here are some Juicy picks from Bloomingdales.com:

$68.60

the classic tracksuit...everyone should own one.

$68.60 top

$84.00 bottoms

sweater $106.80

$118.80

$178.80

$206.80

A Marvelous Music Monday

2010-02-08T17:37:00.000-08:00

Alright folks...here are my picks for the week. I must say, these are quite different than last weeks' picks. But here's the deal...last week was all about the mellow, cool, I'm just chillin at Starbucks with my latte vibe. This week however, is all about the I need to sweat my butt off, so I need to stay on the eliptical for 45 minutes vibe. Cause yeah...that's me. So here is some serious booty shaking, and chunk loosing music I like to call my...gym mix.

1. Ke$ha - "Tik ToK
2. Ke$ha- "Blah blah blah"
3. Shikira- "She wolf"
4. Pussy Cat Dolls- "When I grow up"
5. Black Eyed Peas- "Imma Be"
6. David Guetta- "Sexy Chick"

*Disclaimer: The previously mentioned songs are meant for your adult listening pleasure. Probably not a great idea to bust out these jams with small children in the car...I'm just saying.

Oh Friday...

2010-02-05T07:56:00.001-08:00

So here are the top three reasons why this week has been extra special... ( I hope you are sensing the sarcasm)

1. Well, I got my highly-anticipated Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans in the mail yesterday. The good news is, all I need is a plaid shirt, some suspenders, and a barrell and I can be a rodeo clown if the whole writing thing doesn't work out.

2. My instructor for my first Grad school class uses emoticons after every sentence in his emails...super profesh : O

3. There must be something in the water at the school I teach at because these kids have had more gas this week than the Hindenburg...and just as fatal...trust me, I found out the hard way.

But don't you worry about me...I'm not thinking of jumping off of a building or anything.

Hey speaking of Jumpers... (smooth transition...I know.)

Urban Outfitters

urbanoutfitters.com $58

lulus.com $38

Ok...not a jumper I know, but how stinking cute is this dress ?!?

lulus.com $38

Rock & Roll

2010-02-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

So today as I was listening to Dumbeldore's voice narrating Greek Myths produced by Jim Hensen on the television in my classroom, I was reminded of one of Jim's most awesome achievements. It's a little film called "Labyrinth." I've been obsessed with it for years. I mean it's got it all...creepy little goblin puppets, big hairy beasts with detachable limbs, and of course, the piece d'resistance...David Bowie...in tights...with more make-up on than a two dollar whore. My thoughts were then focused on this rock and roll icon. Oh how I would love to get my hands on a vintage tee straight from one of Bowie's 80's concerts. I did however get a hold on a vintage baseball tee from the Outlaw's 1987 tour....good enough for now I suppose. Here are few others...perhaps not so vintage, but just say you found them in your parents closet of something...

p.s. I found ALL of these on ebay. It's a great place to buy vintage. The first one is the tee I just bought...oh and the best part...these are ALL under $20! You cannot beat that! Pair it with like some skinnies and ballet flats or even some boyfriend jean or cut-off shorts and you will look to cute-without-really-trying.

p.s.s the ebay seller indypunkrock-2009 seemed to have a lot of great shirts

So don't spread this around...but Oasis is in my top 5 favorite bands...I know, trust me.

The Smith's tee is totally on my watch list...I kind of have to buy this... I am a Smith! Hopefully the hubs and I don't look like those two guys though.

Music Monday numerare un...and a pretty miraculous Sunday

2010-02-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

So I've decided that every Monday I will post a few songs that are currently catching my eye...or ear rather. I loooove music. Sometimes it seems like my life is a movie and if I could assemble the perfect sound track to certain moments, and I could go back and listen to that soundtrack, I would be able to recall exactly how each moment felt. So here they are in no particular order...

1. Spoon- "That's the way we get by" (an oldie but goodie)

2. Peter, Bjorn, and John- "Young Folks"

3. Pheonix- "Lizsomania"

4. Our Ill Wills- "Normandie

5. Kings of Leon- "Arizona"

K, ready-set-break...go listen to some music.

In other news....I ventured onto ebay yesterday and without any real direction or purpose typed in "Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans" into the search line. You know, the one's I've written about, dreamed about, obsessed over? Well you will never guessed what happened next. Upon the screen popped up a brand new posting...are you sitting down???

Current/Elliot Boyfriend Jeans in Super Love Destroyed, pre-owned (who really cares..I mean they're already covered in rips) in my size, for...drum roll please...$70 buy it now. So yes...in approximately 3-5 business days, I will be the proud owner of my very own pair of Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans, and I'll be able to eat this month! Look on ebay people...you can find some legit stuff!Let me remind you of the miracle, also known as the current/elliot boyfriend jean...

The Ol' Switcharoo

2010-01-28T11:19:00.000-08:00

Here's an exciting discovery...Switch Flops by Lindsey Phillips! You buy the ballet flat (either gold or black) and then you get to choose from like bazillion different embellishments that snap onto the toe! So cute, right? I mean...you can change them daily if you wanted to, and at $64 a pair and only $10 for extra embellishements, the possibilities are endless! I wish I could do this with my face...or like my thighs. I would totally take Miranda Kerr's butt that's for sure.

Take a looksie...

http://www.switchflops.com/cart/home.php?ctype=ballet#shoe=liz-gold&strap=dflt

Healthy Raspberry-Vanilla Muffins

2010-01-26T14:14:00.001-08:00

I had the urge to bake last night, but I really did not have the urge to eat a ton of fatty, unhealthy food...thus counteracting my urge to bake. Until, that is, I disovered a recipe for Raspberry muffins in a cookbook my Auntie gave me for Christmas, and I altered the ingredients to make them...get this, healthy. They actually turned out really yummy.

Mix the following in a large bowl:

2 cups whole wheet pastry flour

1/2 cup superfine sugar

1 tbls baking powder

1/2 tbls baking soda

pinch of salt

In another bowl whisk the following together:

2 eggs

1 cup vanilla non-fat yogurt

6 tbls sugar-free apple sauce

1 tbls vanilla extract

(I also added 1/4 cup of water to mine because it was a little thick)

Add 1 cup frozen raspberries (or whatever berry you like or have on hand)

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry

Spray your muffin pan with non-stick spray or line with tins

fill and bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes

ENJOY!

Adventures in the dressing room

2010-01-26T14:01:00.001-08:00

So this weekend I was able to jaunt on over to the ol' neighborhood Anthropologie due to the wonderful women in my life who gave me gift cards for this modern day utopia...Thanks Auntie and Sarah : ) So here are a few lovely little items that made their way into my dressing room set list.
p.s. I think this is super cheesey to take pics of yourself in the dressing room, but then I realized it was actually really helpful...so I hope none of you are lactose intolerant like me...cause I'm bringin' on the cheese!

Loved the skirt...and bought the shirt (thank you Sarah!)

I really liked this little dress (looks like two pieces) and even though it was on sale ($69.95) I just didn't love it 70 dollars worth.

Ok Ok truth be told this is lounge wear...but honestly, I would wear it with leggings and my motorcycle jacket with some cute little boots...but I left it at the store since there is no way I could get away with wearing that to work!

Loved this little shirt. I feel like it is so versatile...love it, need it, bought it.

oh gees...

2010-01-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

So this is what happens when it snows too much and you don't get to go outside and get your energy out....at least it's what happens to us.

How you doin'?

2010-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

So on my way into the library yesterday I noticed this little gentlemen...

I must say he does look pretty "SNASZEE" in his red scarf and 1991 BMW...mint condition.

Speaking of scarfs...

Don't leave me stranded Circle scarf from modcloth.com $49.99

Third rose from the sun scarf modcloth.com $15.99

Inkwell scarf modcloth.com $17.99 (makes jeans and a white tank look oh so cool)

Light speed...ahead!

2010-01-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lagging on posting this week. I became fatally ill on Monday...ok maybe not fatally, but my throat hurt, like bad. So Tenaya was funnsie central last weekend. It was snowing all weekend so it was like we were on a great adventure in a blizzard...or like we were in a space ship going the speed of light and all of the stars were flying by us! Yep...I know...don't even say it. I have some fun pics to post, but I keep forgetting to upload them, so there you have it.

As for the various other winter festivities we were planning to partake in, let me explain...

1.) Ice skating: There was no ice skating. Once we got to Tenaya we excitedly ventured down to the "ice rink" to find a 10 x 10 foot box with an ice floor. About 20 4 year olds fumbled and fell their way across this "rink." I use this term loosely, because let's face it, it was no rink. It was the size of my living room. It was more of an ice dink than a rink. We both just looked at each other, started laughing and said, "no wonder they don't include pictures of this on the website!"

2.) Snow shoe hike/Sleigh ride: Well, since the weather went from blizzard to torrential down pour the entire time, that pretty much explains why there was no snow shoe hike or sleigh ride.

But you know what? We still had ourselves a great freaking time. We played cards in our room and watched the snow come down, and had an amazingly delicious dinner. Then we had a picnic in the truck in Yosemite and went to the Ahwanee to check it out. All in all, I could really be doing just about anything (with the exception of being in a carrot eating contest in which the punishment for losing in death), and have a great time as long as I'm with my hubby.

Oh and here are some other fun things I plan to check out this weekend with the slough of gift cards I discovered in my wallet this week:

Fun little Valentine's Day goodies from Sur La Table

I will not be getting these boots this weekend...but one day I wish! I LOVE them!

Luchese Boots 1883 ($300)

Yummy dipping Olive Oils from Costplus! I'm in the mood to make my husband something delish for dinner this weekend, and he loves dipping baguette in olive oil..sooo good!

My cup runneth over...

2010-01-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Wow...I mean I knew I had pretty wonderful family and friends, but this birthday, I have been shown over and over just how amazing they really are! My super awesome sister made dinner for our family last night and everyone was there (except for the hubs...he was sad), and this morning she made me coffee and a smoothie! Then she brought balloons to me in my classroom (I have a great sis), then my husband had a gorgeous bouquet of flowers delivered to me...I mean wow! Not to mention the countless texts and phone calls I've gotten today from all of my girls and my auntie and gma, and mom, and dad, and sister in law, and cousins! Oh and then I got some adorable little gifts in the mail from my sis in law and Melissa and Ali! Then my kids have been singing happy birthday to me all day (most of the time they are little boogers but today they are being sweet). This day has been amazing! I am so truly blessed and grateful for everything! Thank you so much to everyone for making my birthday honestly the best one yet! I am so thankful for all of you in my life! I love you all so so much!!!

I hope you all see the irony in this cake...please don't bake this for me...ever...I will cry.

Birthday Wishes...

2010-01-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

So Friday is my bday...the big two seven. Holy cow. I feel a little on the old side. But anyways, here are all of the totally out of reach items I would buy if I had tons of moolah to spend frivolously. And no this is not a hint to anyone, because I would pretty much be mad at anyone who would acutally spent this much money on me...It's just a chance to share some super cute stuff with you...all 3 of you.

I have been lusting over since last spring, and well...if I ever come into some money...like $300 to be exact, I'm buying these Current Elliot Boyfriend jeans. Love them.

Keel's Simple Diary $15. I really want this, and I think I might buy it because it's not that expensive. I read about it in Vogue, and because I'm a big fan of journaling (ever since my mom took my to see Oprah at USC when she was big into the "gratitude" journal) I would love love this little item.

I would love to get a Brazilian Blowout. It's quite costly, but lasts for like 3 months...I would love to be able to just air dry my hair and it look like this. Nicole Richie is a big fan of these...she told me yesterday when we were having coffee together.

And the most awesome gift of all...that I am actually getting...my amazing husband is taking me to Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite for the weekend! It's such a beautiful place and now with all of the snow it's going to be just awesome! We're going to go ice skating, and on a horse drawn sleigh ride, and bake ginger bread houses, and eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough, and then we'll have a tickle fight...sorry that's not all true, Elf was just taking over for a moment. We are going ice skating in their outdoor rink and on a sleigh ride though, and Embers restaurant there has the most delicious food ever! So Excited!!! so tomorrow I will have to write about all of the cute winter stuff I will wear this weekend in the winter wonderland!

2010-01-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

So this morning as I drove to work, I looked to the East and saw the most beautiful sun rise. It was seriously amazing. The air was clear and the snow-capped mountains were backlit with the rising sun. Then painted all across the sky were pinks, oranges, and yellows. It was one of those moments I like to saw outloud, "Dear Jesus, thank you for that." I'd like to think he's giving us a little gift to start our day off right, especially when you may not have really slept the night before because your husband is out of town for work, and you live out in the country..the very dark country where no one will hear you scream. But I digress...the point being that it made me think about how each new day starts off so fresh and new with so many opportunities to leave behind the ugliness of yesterday and bring beauty to today.

So now that I've gotten all philisophical on you, let me enlighten you with some other little lovelies; something a little less profound, but none the less intriguing and could quite possibly all be re-created by you.

anthropologie.com

This is wallpaper...but it has the entire script of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" written on it! How neat is that! And at only $698 a roll what a bargain ; ) It's a joke...if I ever want an entire Shakespearian play written on my wall, I'm going to be writing with a sharpee. I'm not going to lie though, I think it's a pretty cool idea.

anthropologie.com

This mirror is beautiful and I feel like I could make something similar to this somewhat easily and it would be pretty inexpensive. It would look great on that wallpaper : )

glow for me

2010-01-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was not my best day. Let me begin by telling you what I awoke to. With the exception of my smokin' hot hubby nestled up next to me, it wasn't good. I started rubbing my eyes before I had actually got out of bed, and I noticed that they seemed a little tighter than usual. Hmmm, either I've started using a new eye cream and that sucker is working overtime, or something might be awry. I stumbled to the bathroom, turned on the light, and suddenly I thought...who the heck is in my bathroom?! My eyes were almost swollen shut and it looked like I was wearing red eye liner...not really a good look on me. Needless to say, I apparently had some kind of allergic reaction and quickly called in sick for the day...there was no way I was going in public looking like this. So I took a Benedryl thinking the antihistamine may reduce the swelling, this was my second mistake. All it did was force me into a 4 hour coma. I literally woke up from a three hour nap and couldn't actually move any part of my body. So then I thought, ok, I need to get myself a little pick me up from all of these debacles, so I let myself have a few gummy bears...there's my third mistake. As I was chewing, somehow my bottom tooth came up and chipped my top front tooth! Seriously, I felt my tooth crumble in my mouth. At this point I was just thinking, really? really!? So anyways, I was a hot mess...actually scratch that, there was nothing hot about it.

The one positive thing that came from all of this was that I did venture to Sephora yesterday. Yep, I did, puffy pikachu face and all. Normally one would visit the doctor in a time of medical query, not me, I'd like to ask the 20 year old at Sephora what she thinks about my bloated eyeballs. So anyways, I discovered this little gem... Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer. It's super light wieght and adds a dewey glow to your face...I'm wearing it right now and I love it. I also discovered something else that I thought was pretty great. Her name is Kandee Johnson and she is a make-up artist. She has all of these great little videos on Youtube where she shows you how to do all of these fun little make-up tricks. Maybe I'm just lame, but I thought they were useful. She also has a blog... kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com tell her I sent you...maybe she can give me a shout out : )

sephora $42.00

2009-12-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that I love Christmas time? I'm pretty sure I have, but just to make absolute certain, I'll say it again...I love Christmas. The decorations, the presents, and of course the parties. And what exactly do I love about the parties? I love putting together my outfit, and of course...the food! All those delightful little appetizers...I could nosh on those all night long. Here are a few of my go-to Holiday party recipes...easy, fast, and super deelish!

creamy pesto spread:
1 pkg of goat cheese
1 block of cream cheese
1 container of pesto

Mix this all together in a food processor and serve with rosemary and sea salt Focaccia Sticks.

carmelized onion tarts
1 yellow onion
cremini mushrooms
reduced-fat gorganzola cheese crumbles
whole wheat tortilla's

sautee onion until carmelized with mushrooms in olive oil and salt and pepper.
place on tortilla's and cover with crumbles. Bake in oven until the tortilla is crispy and gorgonzola has melted slightly.

Champagne cocktails
Sugar the rims of the flutes and pour champagne
add a dash of red currant syrup and a few cranberries for garnish

Lululemon Love

2009-12-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

I was in San Francisco this past weekend for one of my best friend's bachelorette parties. We had so much fun...it was not even funny...actually it was really funny. We had a private party at S Factor, which is an amazing workout consisting of pole dancing and lap dances...what could be better? Then we saw Beach Blanket Babylon...most awesome show ever...and ended the night with chocolate covered penis macaroons (I'm referring to shape not taste). Anyways, while I was there I was reunited with an old friend...named Lululemon Athletica. It was a quick trip, so there was no time to shop, but as soon as I got home I jumped on the laptop and went to the website. That's where I found these little babies. They are made of cashmere...seriously. I have them in my possession now, and I would really like nothing else then to wear only these for the rest of my life...and maybe like a shirt or something.

Dance Roll Legging $128 lululemon.com

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

2009-11-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

So in light of my recent nuptuals, my husband and I (hehe) will be leaving for our honeymoon in the Mayan Riviera in one short week. A montage of celebrities caught off guard in aiports looking incredibly put-together has been running through my head for the last few days. I know it sounds so ridiculous, but I've been having quite the delimma with planning my perfect travel outfit...that is until I visited Anthropologie's wesbite today. Ever since I have made it part of my after lunch routine to check in with anthro just to make sure everything is going alright, I have noticed that the universe just runs a little smoother, or...maybe it's just that my wishlist has multiplied out of control, I forget which one. So anyways, here are some delectable travel outfits for all of your holiday excursions.

I really hope someone gets me this book for Christmas....It's so cool and Pride & Prejudice is my fav!

Our Perfect Day...

2009-10-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

So...we just got married this past Saturday, and yes, I was in fact, A Barefoot Bride. I wrote out everything I wanted to always remember about the day while it was still fresh in my mind.

Memories from Our Wedding
October 24th 2009

Everything happened so quickly the day of our wedding that I wanted to somehow capture all of the little things about the day that made it so special. In doing so, we can look back ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now and reminisce about the beautiful day we became man and wife forever.
Let me begin by stating that I love this man more than life. He is my everything and I truly cannot believe that I was so blessed as to find my one and only true soul mate on this earth. He looked so handsome the day of our wedding. His hair was cute short like I like it and his suit fit him perfectly. His blue eyes shined in the sun as the drapes on our front porch opened and I came walking out on my dad’s arm. I remember just locking eyes with him the entire walk down the aisle, and when my dad handed my hand to him, I remember Matt holding onto my hand so tightly like he was never going to ever let go.
During our vows we couldn’t take our eyes off of one another. We just held each other’s gaze as we spoke the words recited by the pastor. “…for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.” Then after the vows and the sand ceremony, I read Matt a poem that I had written for him. After we both got a little choked up, the pastor pronounced us husband and wife and we shared our first kiss. Then Matt decided he wanted to dip me, but we had never gotten around to practicing it, so as he dipped me, I went a little farther back then he was expecting and he had to take a step to catch himself from falling, however when he did so, he stepped on my veil, so when I stood back up, the toole was ripped from the comb that was securely attached to my head. We both giggled and I hesitantly reached around to feel the back of my head, ensuring that the hair that was once attached to my head was in fact still there, and figuring out that it was, we made our way back down the aisle. We went straight into the bedroom and grabbed each other tightly, fervently remarking, “we did it…we’re married!” As we made our way back into the living room where the wedding party was waiting, we were greeted by cheers and toasts and lots of hugs from our friends and family.
Another aspect of the day that I remember was after the ceremony when Matt and I were taking all of our pictures, he just couldn’t stop kissing me. It was so cute. I kept saying, “Babe, all of our pictures are just going to be of us kissing.” Don’t get me wrong I could kiss that guy 24/7, but I was seriously starting to think that every one of our wedding pictures was going to be of Matt and me kissing! He responded with, “well you just look so good!” After two years together, and coming to the realization (rather early on) that Matt is not one for little white lies, or beating around the bush, I know that when he sees something he likes, it’s written all over his face, and vice versa. So that day, when I saw that look on his face from the first moment I saw him on throughout the night…let’s just say, I knew he wasn’t disappointed.
Our first dance was magical. Just him and me, and Kenny Chesney singing, “Me and You.” We giggled, kissed, and he sang in my ear with that voice that makes me melt. Before the wedding I had told him that I didn’t want to get separated from him or be pulled in two different directions all night. I didn’t want us to have had two different experiences from the night, and he very much kept them in his mind the whole night. Whenever we were separated for more than a couple minutes, he would always return to be by my side and I to his. We shared all of the same experiences and have been talking about them for the past three days.
When the party began, man was it a party! The dance floor was full the whole night and the DJ even stayed 45 extra minutes because no one was done dancing! Everyone had a blast, from our parents, to my little brother, Reed who spontaneously cleared the dance floor and started to do a new dance move called “The Jerk.” At the end of the night, Danny and Michelle shared with us something that someone had done for them at their wedding. They had everyone left form a circle with their arms around one another as we danced in the center of the circle to “Friends in Low Places.” It was awesome to see all of our friends just laughing and singing and just having the best time.
It was honestly the most beautiful and most fun wedding I have ever been to. Every wedding element was present. My husband and I are completely in love and will be for the rest of our lives, our friends are wonderful, and the atmosphere was magical and romantic. Everything was truly perfect.

All Pictures were taken by our FABULOUS photographer Rochelle Mort of Rochellemortphotography.com

Eggplant Love

2009-10-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

So for anyone who knows me, you know I'm not talking about that nasty little vegetable with the mushy center; but I am talking about my new favorite color. Eggplant is so fall, kind of like mustard yellow, or chartreuse. I'm also totally loving colored tights...especially in...wait for it..Eggplant! So here is an adorable outfit from http://www.modcloth.com/ featuring my new fav, eggplant....just hold the Parmesan.

The French Revolution

2009-10-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

So I've always had an affinity for all things French; french fries, french toast, french kissing, and apparently now, french Music. I'm obsessed with it. It's all I've been listening to. It's relaxing and intoxicating all at the same time. With the likes of Carla Bruni and Madalaine Peyroux floating through my speakers, I'm instantaneously transported to a little sidewalk cafe somewhere in Paris, sipping Bordeaux and nibbling on cheese and baguette. I've also decided to learn French. It should be fun. I'm also inspired by the incredible put-togetherness (yep I make up words) that European women emit. They are so glamorous and elegant, I love it. So here is a beautiful little outfit I would proudly wear gallivanting through the streets of Ol' Pairee...

I found all of these pieces on anthropologie.com

nesting like a little blue jay...

2009-10-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Actually I hate blue jays. That's right I said it. They're quite annoying, so perhaps I will change that to nesting like a little mockingbird...expect for I hate those too. Maybe like a little hummingbird? Those are cute I suppose...but I'm not really as wired as they usually are, maybe after a couple Red Bulls I could be nesting like a little hummingbird. Ok there. Case closed.

So now that I've got that bird situation handled, let me just tell you something...my wedding is a mere 12 days away, and really all I can think about now is decorating our home after this blessed event is all said and done. So, naturally I've been inundating myself with decorating blogs and I have found some really beautiful ideas that I cannot wait to carry out...my fiance is going to be so excited about this! Sarcasm...it's oozing out everywhere...does anyone have a mop? So anywho, here are some tantalizing little tidbits for your Tuesday.

I got these pics from decor8

Dear Diary...

2009-09-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a while since I wrote....you know with the upcoming nuptuals and all, things can get a little hectic. Even when we aren't together you are still on my mind...kind of like Dierks Bentley...oops did I just say that..he's totally gross. But that's only if gross means Hottie McHotterson. So in that sense, I also think that Rachel Bilson is like totally gross. So can I just hurry and look like her already please?

Stay Cool...KIT.

Love Always,

The Barefoot Bride

aviators $7.80 forever21.com

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19794&vid=1&pid=744990&scid=744990002

$79.00 piperlime.com

Please in the name of all things that are good...do not tuck anything in to this skirt...the bottom is brilliant, but the top is hid...as in hid..e..ous. but with a loose fitting black tank like the one pictured...you would totally be channeling Rachel Bilson...just make sure you've go the black tights, boots, and denim jacket. both, and the scarf available at forever21.com

$14.80 forever21.com

$32.80 forever21.com

military coat $29.80 forever21.com Denim coat $27.80 forever21.com

one man's trash...

2009-09-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

...is usally just trash...but in some situations can be a whole lot more. Take Ebay for instance, a sometimes widely under-used resource for quality fashion goods. Some poeple are totally against pre-owned merchandise. They think it's gross and wierd and get all freaked out. I mean I would understand that if you were trying to buy like crotchless panties on ebay or something, or picking up your skivies from Goodwill, but we are talking pre-used premium denim here. There should be no bodily fluids anywhere near those jeans...yah yah I know I could put that up for debate, but I'm trying to keep things PG-13 here.

Anyways, all I can say is, you are more likely to get a great deal on a lightly worn pair of pre-owned designer jeans than on a brand new pair because you are running a high risk of being bamboozeled. Yep I said it...bamboozeled. There are loads of people out there who will put a pic up of the product they are selling that they find on like shopbop or something and charge you full price, but then send you a completely bogus pair of jeans that look like something you bought at Rave. They think they have won because they have cleverly mimicked the design on the back pockets to immulate your favorite design duds, but don't be fooled by this lack-luster gesture, because right when you take a second look at the denim you will notice the very cheap material, and when you put them on, they will most likely be super short and made from a stretchy fabric that designer denim does not use, but cheap jeans are often cut from. They should also run very true to size, and when they are fake, they will run much too small. So take it from me, I've been there....running excitedly from the mailbox holding my "brand new with tags" True Religions I just bought for $125 on Ebay, and as I rip open the bag eagerly awaiting the moment our eyes meet, I am clearly diappointed when I put them on and they won't even fit over my thighs, and are still up to my ankles. Or better yet, I can get them over my butt and wrestle with them for 10 minutes until they are finally buttoned only to realize I have suddenly gained 15 pounds and somehow acquired a muffin top.

Plaid is Rad...A badass rhyme from DJ Al Smizzle

2009-09-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

Look...don't get all mad, cause my rhymes are wicked bad, this is one thing that is stickin, it's not just a fad. Cause this plaid is smokin hot, yah this plaid is freaking cool, these shirts that I'm about to show, just might make you drool. So bookmarks these new looks, save those pennies til' they're enough, cause without this plaid attire, life's gonna get pretty rough. No you're not a lumber jack, just cause of your flannel shirt, but hey I guess you could go chop some wood, cause you'd look so good it'd hurt. So here you go my ladies...and hey even gentlemen too, I don't judge, you do your thing, just wear some plaid when you do.

All of these looks available at F...to the 2....to the 1... aka Forever 21.com... and all under $25!

Pimpin' Pumpkin Spice

2009-09-15T09:41:00.000-07:00

So yesterday in Fresno was amazing. It was 65 degrees outside and the wind was blowing through my hair...which actually made it very frizzy and my face looked all pasty with red blotches....oh but I didn't care, no, because the feeling of that cold wind was like ecstasy to me. I long for the winter, so...longingly. I live for the winter, I cannot wait for the winter to be here already.

So now that today the weather is already back to being 85 degrees outside, I am left with a hole in my empty heart after the malicious tease of a day that so tortuously came...and then went yesterday. However I did take full advantage of that blustery day....with the oh so delictable selection of all things Pumpkin Spice. Just those two words together send chills of excitment down my spine, when it's usually just sweat that's dripping down my back. The candles, the lattes, and of course who can forget the coffee creamer that just came out. So yesterday was a bittersweet day because although I lit my delicious smelling Pumpkin Spice Candle (Nature's Wick Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake is so amazing I have to substain from actually licking it) and drank the uncomparable beverage known as Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte, I knew that it would all end...all too soon and I would be left once again waiting, longing, wishing for winter once again.

Wood Wick candles are awesome because they actually crackle when they burn... not to mention they smell like Heaven.

When..oh when will you be here my darling?

Can't you just taste it now?

These Boots Were Made for Walking

2009-09-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

As much as I adore boots for the winter, I do not so much adore their price tags. A good solid genuine leather pair of knees high's can run you anywhere from $50 on up ( usually on the "on up" side). So here's how I justify purchasing said pair on "on uppers".... and believe me, I can justify the purchase of just about anything, from a ped-egg, to pajamas, to stationary from Papyrus, trust me, there is a use for everything, and I will find it. Moving back to my justification....there's the fact that I will get so much use out if them. I mean there's the simple truth that it's cold in the winter, and what better to warm up those perfectly ped-egged feet than a wondrous pair of leather boots. Here's a another one... you can where knee high boots for both work and play, because although they will undoubtedly look super amazing with your new skinny jeans, they will also look miraculous with a sweater dress and tights! I mean, seriously, it's a win win situation here. So stop deliberating and click "buy" already.

Joan and David "Jaron" boot $375

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/categorySearch.do?cid=19794

Wanted "Regal" $70 I may have already ordered these...maybe.

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19794&vid=1&pid=703740&scid=703740012

Blowfish "Whisker" $100

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19794&vid=1&pid=703709&scid=703709002

Lucky Brand "Marie" $199

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=19794&vid=1&pid=707740&scid=707740012

* all of the styles shown area available in tan and black

Surrender the Bootie

2009-09-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

So my sister demanded that I find her these little booties at a more reasonable cost. She literally cornered me....grabbed me by the shirt collar.... yelled at me until I was reduced to tears....she's so mean. Although this may not be entirely true, she did ask me (nicely) if I maybe perhaps might be interested in finding something like this for her. So of course I obliged...but only because she kicked me in the shin and then spit in my eye....dang her.

Here is the one she wanted from Nordstrom...DV by Dolce Vida "Willy" Bootie $139.95

Kenneth Cole Reaction "Cold Stir" bootie $108.95

http://www.zappos.com/kenneth-cole-reaction-cold-stir-steel-suede

ME TOO "Jasmine" $98.95

http://www.zappos.com/me-too-jasmine-grey-suede

Front Buckle Bootie- available in black too $24.50

http://www.wetseal.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=109&subCategoryId=206&productId=22986

Front Pintuck Bootie $26.50

http://www.wetseal.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=109&subCategoryId=206&productId=22944

For the Birthday Girl...

2009-09-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Just 23 short years ago on this very day, my parents brought home my baby sister and it was love at first sight. She was tiny and squishy, and had hair like a little dandelion. She remained nameless for the first three days of her existence on Earth, because I guess it was just too hard to find a name suitable for such an adorable little creation. However, my parents felt it only fair that they give her a name, and so they did what any respectable parents would do, they asked me, their 3 year old, what they should name her. "Christina" was my answer, and my dad was already hooked on Natalie because he thought Natalie Wood was beautiful, and thus she was dubbed, Natalie Christina.

Ever since my little darling came along, life has become less and less dull. She was always so tiny, and so skinny, and always had the longest thickest blond hair anyone had every seen. She would sing with a voice that should belong to a 400 pound opera singer, and was absolutely devoted to Barbie's. She once got a bead lodged in her nose at Indian Guides, flooded the bathroom because she was outside taking Barbie and Ken for a spin in their Corvette and forgot she was filling up the Barbie jacuzzi, oh and then there was the one time I decided to be her stylist and I chopped her bangs off...my mom was super excited about it.

Needless to say I would do anything for my sis, and if I became a famous novelist, I would definitely buy her the best Birthday gifts in all the land. So here is what I would get you for your bday if I was rich. Get those Peach Margarita's ready for tonight.... oh and Happy Birthday Sister!

Chloe Sunglasses (because you lost yours)

L.A.M.B. Lambert tote ....cause you love yourself some LAMBy!

Rock and Republic Jolene T-strap pump cause you love your heels and you look HOT in them!

Foley + Corinna Ruffle Scarf Dress...I can totally see you wearing this and looking gorgeous!

Victorious!

2009-09-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

So one of my amazing friends Victory requested that my next entry be a personal shopping list for her. Being that she always does nice things for me, and she's well, pretty awesome to say the least...I thought, hey, why not. Let me tell you a few things about her...she's well, a little vertically challenged, in a very cute, petite way, so I'm going to try and find her stuff that would work well for her body. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some glamazon super model here, I mean I'm only averaging a whopping 5'5, but next to Victory I feel a little Vince Vaughnish. Notice I didn't say Cameron Diaz, or Hiedi klum...I don't need that kind of ill-fated comparison looming over me. So for those of you who share her small stature, this one's for you my little Thumbelina.

I think this is so cute when paired with leggings and ballet flats. Now the good thing about being shorter is you can pull this look of with leggings and it will look more like a little sweater dress. Put a jean jacket on over it and watch out Fall...here you come!

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=sw%5Fcardigans&product%5Fid=2058484482&Page=all

This little lady would be super cute with some dark wash skinny jeans (like J Brand) and a bright pop of color for shoes.

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=top%5Fdressy&product%5Fid=2065607991&Page=all

Ok these I have to include this, because for one I am loving white denim, for two we can wear them to work, and for three these J Brands are on sale for $89.50! Buy them! Do not pass go, do not collect $200! I also heard that the whole no white pants after Labor Day rule is being thrown out be the fashion powers that be...whoever they are. I would for sure be purchasing these little babies as we speak, but they are petite only...even more perfect for you guys though! I may only be 5'5, but I've got some long legs so the petites wouldn't so much work for me...my mom always said that my dad wrestled a blue jay for his legs and my dad won. Then I was born.

http://www.shopbop.com/heartbreaker-petite-jean-j-brand/vp/v=1/845524441835016.htm?folderID=2534374302025763&fm=sale-viewall

this would look amazing with those white jeans! You could put a little little bomber jacket over too for winter...see the one above in "Baby It's Cold Outside."

http://www.lulus.com/products/RVCA+Pony+Plaid+Top/12150.html

Lashing Out

2009-09-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

My brother has eyelashes like a baby cow...now being that I'm a female and he's not, I'm a little jealous, because frankly, I need those suckers and he doesn't. So in light of the fact that I wasn't born with exactly abundant lashes, I have spent much of my adult life trying every mascara on the market to imulate his insane lashes. So here are a few of my favs that really do work...trust me I've done the leg work...or would that be lash work?

Sue Devitt Black Widow...INSANE seperation. Thanks to one of my BF's Sarah for this tip!
http://www.drugstore.com//products/prod.asp?pid=177396&catid=12976&cmbProdBrandFilter=44969&mp=True&brand=24628&trx=GFI-0-MBS&trxp1=12976&trxp2=177396&trxp3=2&trxp4=2

Shu Uemura Ultimate Expression Mascara...serious volume and length
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P218905&categoryId=C17300

Imju Fiberwig...It actually attaches little extensions to your lashes!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P174100&categoryId=S10510&shouldPaginate=true