Holy Vataha

Productivity

2011-02-01T06:48:00.000-08:00

While looking for some inspiration for an outdoor-adventure type piece I'm working on I came across this.

It's only somewhat accurate for me, Gmail would probably take up all 3 parts of my triangle. I have not yet checked my facebook or twitter while working. Holding strong.

What takes up for triangle?

via: http://phewsha.tumblr.com/#2084775636

Font Friday: Font Love

2011-01-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

Designers love fonts. (Except for Papyrus and Comic Sans) I go though phases where I keep using the same font my current fonts are:
What fonts do you love to use?

Font Friday

2010-12-31T12:44:00.000-08:00

Font Friday: League Gothic

2010-12-31T06:33:00.000-08:00

I love a good font. This League Gothic is a great san-serif font. Here's a bit-o'history for you.

League Gothic is a revival of an old classic, and one of our favorite typefaces, Alternate Gothic No.1. It was originally designed by Morris Fuller Benton for the American Type Founders Company (ATF) in 1903. The company went bankrupt in 1993. And since the original typeface was created before 1923, the typeface is in the public domain.

You can download for free here! (Which is a nice font site, so even if you don't dig this particular font, it's worth checking out)

Ask & Receive

2010-12-29T13:10:00.000-08:00

via: Indexed

What a Year

2010-12-29T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hello blogsphere! It has been a crazy year and just flew by! I worked most of it (Randie & Mike threatened a "workaholic" intervention) and wore many hats: Office Manager, Barista, House Manager, Designer, Bartender, Freelancer. I don't regret any of it because of the great friends I made along the way.

Thanks to my friend Kristen forcing me (in a loving way) apply for a "big-girl job" I am now a full time designer again and loving it.

Best Envelopes Ever.

2010-04-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

Google map envelopes, not in production or anything, and what happens when the sender is east of the recipient and the postal standars and...

well, let's just enjoy the fun idea of it!

(Btw, I am a google fangirl)

via: Incredible Things

Degree

2010-04-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is a definite concern I have had, luckily my degree is in Fine Arts. (Which should not be abbreviated to Bach of F. Arts.)

via Texts From Last Night

A Teaser Revealed

2010-04-01T11:01:00.001-07:00

Wayyyy back, I posted a teaser for the ties the boys wore for the wedding, I think I let enough suspense build (aka: you forgot about it), without further ado...the ties.

We got them in ivory silk with the black screen print. Cyberoptix has so many amazing ties, it was very hard to choose. I definitely recommend them for weddings or just for stylish fun, no sense having boring ties if you have to wear one! Here are some other creative designs.

April Fools Day Fun!

2010-04-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

Besides the fact it is GORGEOUS out today, I'm quite happy I am not working (well, just a few meetings/emails/changes) because I am incredibly gullible. Here's some fun from around the web.

Google Maps Australia Slang...(Side note: the ending address is the house I lived in for 6 months when I was in Australia)

Starbucks offers a Plenta™ (128 oz) and Micra™ (2 oz), I just love the pics, looks like they acutally mocked them us and did a photo shoot, what a silly company I work for :) Love it!

Plus over at Think Geek, where it is hard to tell the fake products from the real, they are selling Unicorn Meat, and a few other interesting items.

Hanging Out

2010-03-20T09:23:00.001-07:00

Adore this hanger. Nuff said.

Makes the wheels in my head start turning about what other hanger shapes there could be.

Outstretched arms for a hug?
A banana?
A cheshire cat smile?

via Hello Tiger

Hey this was made for me!

2010-03-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist, its so perfect! (Granted I am still doing graphic design on the side.)

via http: dearcoffeeiloveyou.com

Nemos

2010-03-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Is it sad this in no way makes me feel even the slightest bit bad about eating sushi? I just love it so much!

Side note: We stand by the fact the best sushi in Pittsburgh is Sushi Tomo on McKnight Road, it is so delish, we recommend the Volcano rolls.

Photo via dailybento

Work, work, work

2010-03-11T10:53:00.001-08:00

So I have just recently added on my 4th job.

Job 1: House manager at the New Hazlett theater
Non profit organization

Job 2: Barista at Starbucks
I feed the need to defend my working here, they have great benefits for both of us, matching 401k, stock options and free pound of coffee a week, I have a stockpile :)

Job 3: Freelance Designer
Continuous clients as well as one time projects

Job 4: Office Manager/designer for Red Caimen Media
Startup company, is my newest job, fingers crossed all goes well!

So I'm looking at a minimum of 50 hour work weeks, but I enjoy keeping busy and I don't want to give anything up. Wish me luck!

Oh hello...

2010-03-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Well it has been awhile my bloggie friends. Since my last post:

Got married.
Got laid off.
Got a new job.
Started freelancing.
Got another job.
Got another job.
Cat died.
Got 2 new cats.
Totaled the car.

That sums up my life at the moment. Working 4 jobs, still working on the house, and car shopping. Hope you stay tuned for current and recent projects both design and on our home plus some shenanigans in between.

Trying to Work...

2009-07-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

But the cat is on my tools.

Countdown: 5 Days Until the Wedding

2009-07-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Eeek! It's getting so close and still lots to do! Today I am working on our "Pittsburgh Reception" (we're having 2) invites, I put together our guest book, had fun with chalkboard paint, and I am trying to pack a little for our honeymoon.

Plus we got our ties in for the boys from Cyberoptix. I just love them! But you'll have to wait to see them.

I'm going to try to give you a look at my last week as a single girl! :)

Be ready....

2009-06-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

A soon as I find my camera cord you people are in for a LOT of posts....buuuuut it's packed away somewhere haha...

soon, very soon.

Booked!

2009-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

So we officially booked our honeymoon! We'll be Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from July 13-21 @ an all inclusive resort (this is the honeymoon we won :) So excited!

Please help :)

2009-04-14T20:11:00.001-07:00

:::: UPDATE::::::
Thank you so much to everyone who voted! I was sooooo close, but didn't win! It was fun though, and good to know I have so much support! :*

:::: UPDATE::::::
Sooo I entered 2 and they posted ANOTHER ONE.....so vote here too!

So if you don't know, my fabulous bridesmaids are wearing any black dress they want for the wedding. I decided to do this so that they don't have to buy a dress they will never wear again, plus we're all different shapes and I want them to look gorgeous!

Buuuut...I entered a contest for 5 free bridesmaid dresses for the heck of it and made it into the final 8! I'd love to give these dresses to my girls so stop over and vote for mine (#5 "Katie S.") ....

(you DO NOT have to login or anything...just click the bubble :) )

Thanks so much!!!

This and that...

2009-04-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

I attended a birthday party via the internet for the first time the other day, we sang, we watched her open presents and got to spend some quailty time with everyone, even though we were 2 hours away.

::::::::::UPDATE::::::: Oh it was Mase's Birthday party ;)

For Christmas, Mike got me tickets to see writer and speaker David Sedaris. He read a few of his essays, told some stories, then turned up the lights and answered the audience's questions (a sold out house at the Benedum!). If you haven't heard/ read his work, I definitely recomend it, but it is a bit quirky. (image from his tour)

Still no house yet, but please pray, keep your fingers crossed, burn incense or whatever you believe in that things work out for us. Our "new" tentative date for closing is April 21st. Sigh.

April Fools Day

2009-04-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Alas, april fools day + the internet = do not believe anything you read today! Have fun!

Google in 3-d!
Qualcomm is converging animals. Check out their sharkfalcon and crocodeagle (made to keep the sharkfalcon population at bay)

Expedia's trip to the moon! Save $3 TRILLION!

Cat and mouse

2009-03-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Our cat heard he was supposed to catch mice.

Just further proves that he lives with nerds.

Mint Brownies!

2009-03-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

The girls (and guys) and I are having a little St. Patty's Day party this Saturday and I wanted to make something festive! So I found these yummy mint brownies from here.

I tried to find a clover in the yard to give you guys a cute pic....but....

FAIL.

Plus we're going to attempt to make Guiness Floats! Something I've always wanted to try but never have. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

New glasses!

2009-03-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

After spending about 2 months with a pair of mono-temple glasses I finally got new ones!

Frosty...

2009-02-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

I'm really getting sick of this cold weather! Even if it does occasionally look cool on my car window. brrr

House inspection went great! We are having them fix a few missing shingles (so the roof doesn't leak before we even get in there!) Still on for our March 11th closing date! eek!

Buffalo...

2009-02-19T23:57:00.000-08:00

For Christmas we got our Mum & Grandma tickets to go see Mamma Mia with the whole family at Shea's Theater in Buffalo for Valentine's Day. I've seen the show before (and the movie, but it's most definitely worth seeing the show live) and so it was as fabulous as always and we had a wonderful trip, as always.

And since we were close we stopped at Niagara Falls! (American side)

Happy Birthday! and Other Stuff...

2009-02-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

Today is one of my bffs birthday, Staci from over at SuperYay, Happy birthday Stace!!!

Other exciting news...

We have the inspection on our potential house tomorrow night! Here is a little sneak peek, but I'm trying to not get too excited in case something is horribly wrong...(but I'm still quite excited)

Sorry if you're offended...buuut....We finally figured out how to make the "poop" emoticon in gmail chat!!!!

~@~ =

Being Silly

2009-01-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

We're all dressed up and going to the "pre-party" for a party that isn't until next month. So we decided to take silly pictures on my mac when Mike picked me up from work.

Have a great weekend! I'm heading up to Erie with the girls to go wedding dress shopping with our friend Nikkie (who will be getting married almost exactly 2 months after me)!

I Joined...

2009-01-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

After a bit of pressure from certain individuals and a desire to stay on top of technology I joined Twitter! So find me (holyvataha) or let me know how to find you, I haven't quite got the full hang of it yet!

Lomo Camera

2009-01-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

Just been having some fun playing with a "toy" camera that takes 4 continuous shots...only works in daylight, inside shots don't come out.

Whoops, had my finger in the last frame of this one so there is only 3 frames....

Haven't got it down quite yet, I'll share more if I get better!

:::UPDATE:::

See all the lomography cameras here (but you can get them cheaper elsewhere) mine is this dalek one.

I'm Dumb.

2009-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Oh so the wedding is 6 months away...not 7 like I was thinking...hmm....might be a little nervous about getting everything done. :)

Here's my color palate: (so far)

Oh and by the Way...

2009-01-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

LETS GO STEELERS!!!!! The city is so full of energy when the Steelers make it this far into the playoffs...(and will be going to the superbowl *knock on wood*)....I love living in Pittsburgh!

(This is the fam having fun a few weeks ago down at The Club)

Another Countdown

2009-01-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

Seems like I'm always counting down to some big event but this next one (or two) really are big! It will be 7 months from this past Sunday until my wedding! Eeek!

I think I'm pretty far along in my planning

- I got my dress (a knee length off white dress from BCBG)

- We booked our venue (Stephany's Garden's in Erie for both the ceremony and reception)

- Booked our beautiful photographer (Pure Motif)

- Planned out my decorations (but have to wait for trees to be cut down to make them)

I know there is still lots to do and we have our whole "Pittsburgh Reception" to plan...but that will be a more informal cocktail party for our bridal party, parents and friends in the Burgh.

Our BIG countdown #2 is that we have been house hunting! So far we have 2 places we really like but there are so many on the market right now it's hard to know when to stop looking.

Holidaze

2008-12-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

Phew! Had a fantastic vacation! And have been keeping busy since I've been back. Off to Erie bright and early tomorrow morning to spend the holidays with my family! Be back soon!

I'm outta here!

2008-12-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

I might be able to blog while I'm gone, but not sure if I will. So just in case here's something to tide you over while I'm gone.

via indexed

Adios!

2008-12-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

Well I've been slacking on my posting because our trip is getting closer and closer...and we leave TOMORROW! Phew! It's been a crazy week! I've been trying to pack all week, but my boys have been not wanting me to leave:

Off to our Giant Ideas "Holiday Party" over in the South Side Works tonight. We have a great gang at work here and it's wonderful when we can all see each other outside of work and get to see everyone's significant others.

T-Minus 22 hours!!!!

Shopping

2008-11-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am actually almost done with my Christmas shopping, but accidentally did a little shopping for myself. I recently got the box set of Family Guy even though I own all the separate seasons, but it really was a great deal and I'm missing some disks (thanks to college) and I didn't have the 2 movies. Plus it comes in this hilarious Stewie head, hee hee. (pic by Mikey)

Oh and I got a dress....a white dress....that I'll wear next July...offline b/c I'm a nerd...Randie and I celebrated with a piece of cake at the coffee shop.

Light Up Night

2008-11-25T11:27:00.001-08:00

Pittsburgh has an annual Light Up Night downtown where they light the tree, open the ice skating rink, have fireworks, etc. This year there were thousands of people and it was cold, but nice to see people coming together and enjoying the city. Made me feel all warm and cozy despite the snow.

Afterward we went to Mexico City (over on Smithfield Ave) who have some of the best authentic Mexican food in Pittsburgh (probably the best I've ever eaten). Our friend was photographing the new menu items and we got to taste test them and it's BYOB so we brought a bottle of wine to share with the owners and they did us the honor of sitting down to dinner with us. We finished everything. It was a fabulous night.

Gallery Opening

2008-11-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

Our roomie, Randie, and two (maybe 3) other artists are in a show at Sirani Gallery over in Shadyside this Saturday night called Everyday Objects, Everyday Places. The opening is the this Saturday, the 22nd, and goes from 5-9.

"Evocative assemblages made from found objects; perfect masterpieces of trompe l’oeil; whimsical paintings; and photographs that capture real moments in time: these are the hallmarks of the artwork by the award-winning artists Randie Snow, Richard Newill, Amy DiMichele and Ruth Hendricks."

Weekly spanish!

2008-11-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

t minus 20 days until our girlfriends cruise! eek! It's finally snowing in the Burgh so the warm weather will feel amazing!

Bingo...

2008-11-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

Randie's sister works at the Y and they found this awesome old bingo machine in the basement.

Weekly Spanish: 1 Month left!

2008-11-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

Only a month until our cruise! I'm getting quite excited and starting to worry about the little things....like will I be able to watch the Steelers game!?!?!?!?!

I checked the cruise forums and apparently I'll be able to! Phew!

New things

2008-11-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

We had a visit from our wonderful paper rep today who brought us a new perpetual calendar...

I tried a new beer down at St. Mary's Club...

The Wizard of Aweeees

2008-11-14T11:48:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday!

Weekly Spanish

2008-11-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Whoa....little busy....

Oh and finally reading (aka: listening) this Twilight book everyone is talking about.

Two Words...

2008-11-04T05:22:00.000-08:00

Go vote!

Oh I love halloween!

2008-11-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

For our costumes Mike was Sweeney Todd, Randie was Mrs. Lovett and I was Sweeney's wife, Lucy (dead version). Our friend Joey took an awesome picture of Randie & I but here's Mike:

Here is a little glimpse of our halloween party!

This is one of my favorite pics from the night, Alanna and I are in the foreground and Shane and Nikkie are in the back. ( I work with Shane & Alanna)

And here's the girls...Mase was Marge Simpson, Kristen was from the Hitchcock movie The Birds, Nikkie was a studfinder, and I already explained me, we're supposed to be "in character" which is why I'm making a weird face.

And of course Weez dressed up too! (And was out ALL night...he's so grounded)

Being silly (scary) the next morning while cleaning up & Mikey cooking everyone breakfast.

Happy Halloween!!!!

2008-10-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

Excited for trick or treaters tonight and party tomorrow!

Unearthed

2008-10-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

Last night was a fund raiser for Friends of the Urban Tree Forest put together by our wonderful friend John Metzler. The local cemetery was cutting down a few trees and John got together a number of artists to create art from these trees. The pieces were absolutely amazing and the turnout was great. Unfortunately it was onlyy a one night show, but they are currently looking for a gallery to display the work.

Randie's piece:
Our new awesome photographer friend Joey:

John's mantle:

Almost Halloween

2008-10-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Almost time for Halloween and I'm once again excited to hand out candy! We get a pretty good crowd in our neighborhood, which is quite an improvement from my parent's house who only get about 10 kids or less. (And yes, we will dress up to hand out candy.) Plus Saturday we're having a halloween party! If you in the Pittsburgh area, and I didn't already send you something, just let me know!

(I love my mug and I had to share, I bought it after halloween last year and have been dying to use it! no pun intended...hee hee)

Spanish Weekly! Less than 50 days!

2008-10-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Going wedding dress shopping with the girls tomorrow. I'm guessing I'm going to see a lot of poofy, sparkly, lacy dresses and I will say this...

Just kidding! I'm thinking positively!

Our Garden...

2008-10-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

So Randie has tried to plant carrots for the last 2 years and they were quite a sad little crop. We finally found this little guy that looked most edible.

So I washed him, peeled him and cut him up.

It wasn't much, but hey it was orange and kind of carrot tasting.

Anyone else have any luck growing carrots????

Mr & Mrs Smith

2008-10-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Missy & Josh! So fabulous together!

Erin and I right after taking a shot with the (very happy & lucky) groom...

Meadowcroft Rockshelter

2008-10-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

This week I've had a little bit of the cold that's going around so I'm a little delayed. Last Saturday I went out of town with my parents to...Avella. This is only funny if you've ever been to Avella, which I have, Kimmy (a.k.a.: Kim-bo-kay or Spicy) one of my college roomies lives there and let's just say it's a small town. Anyway, they have a rockshelter there, that is part of the Heinz History Center, where they found remains dating back to 16,000 years ago.

It really is a cool little place, they just built a beautiful building to showcase the area as well as a native american village and colonial town with representatives at each place to guide and inform you. Also one of the main archeologists, Dr. James Adovasio, is a professor at Mercyhurt College in Erie! This weekend is the last weekend it is open for this year but will reopen in the spring.

TIP: It's $10 for adults but there is a coupon in the Entertainment book!

Wedding Update

2008-10-17T11:56:00.001-07:00

EEK!

I made appointments to go look at wedding dresses next Saturday (the girls are coming of couse).

Spanish (kinda) Weekly: 55 Days Left

2008-10-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

I like to keep my readers happy. :P

But seriously! 55 days! My vaycay is getting close!

For those of you not keeping up I am going on a cruise with my S * K * A * N * K * S! (Staci, Kristen, Amy, Nikkie, Katie (me))

Mmmm....tea.

2008-10-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Free tea to be exact...found this on my internet adventuring. A free sample pack of Yogi tea! You get meditative time, mexican sweet chili, and berry anti-oxidant. I love this tea! I drink their "lady tea" (woman's dong quai tonic) during my time of month (sorry guys)...and we use their throat coat and a few others for when we're sick. So happy friday and enjoy!

Oh and I think their designs are cute too!

Phones...

2008-10-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

So I had this awesome phone that still worked even after I lost it in the driveway for 3 days while there was a rainstorm. (oops)

But months after that, the cat knocked it into it's water bowl and it decided to stop working. So I went to get it fixed and they couldn't so they gave me a (free, didn't have to renew my plan or anything) new phone (refurbished, the battery didn't even match).

That night the screen started to "scramble" and it kept shutting off so I took it back, they fixed it and then a week later the keypad stopped working. So I went to get it fixed again and they gave me yet another phone. I like this one, it's a matte black, super thin and has these crazy options for when you dial a number.

Post-it, feather, and LED...and they have little animations as you type and corresponding sound effects....so silly...makes me giggle...

Moral of the story is that sprint now hates me, but they were quite helpful minus giving me a crap phone and kept forgetting to give me a charger. (oh fyi, they just handed me the phone, no manual, no box, no nothin....weirdos). Sigh....but I want an iphone....

Oh and don't put your phone anywhere near the cat's water bowl.

Happy B-day Pittsburgh...belated..

2008-10-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

This year is Pittsburgh 250th birthday and they did a HUGE fireworks celebration last Saturday. It was all set to music and they had little commemorative pieces in between. They set off fireworks from 17 different places throughout the city, it was crazy! Here was our view on the very packed north shore (we couldnt see ALL of them).

Sweet Design in Colorado

2008-10-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone has pictures of how beautiful Colorado's landscapes are, but I thought I would share a few beautiful graphic design pieces Colorado also has too!

Celestial Seasonings (tea) has one factory and it's in Colorado and they recently did a redesign! Seriously cute!

I wanted a picture with their street markers and then my foot slid all the way under the base of the sign and I was a muddy mess, so I'm giggling a little in this pic. (pic via sissy)

We went to Breckenridge Brewery before the Rockies game and I loved their style.

Their website is adorable, I love the colors (and they have a Vanilla Porter, which is one of my favorite beers)

We went to dinner at illegal pete's in Boulder and they had a cute style (and awesome burritos!) but it isn't very consistent.

Logo:
Website:

Storefront:

Foxes in Boulder, CO

2008-10-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

My cousin plays lacrosse for Boulder high school and we went to see his field and we found some new friends. (fyi: cuteness ahead!) (fyi #2: M it because the audio is just sissy & I giggling and some wind)

I Can't See!

2008-09-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I put in my contacts and everything was still blurry so I ended up wearing my glasses. It took me ALL day to realize that I put Mike's contacts in, ugh.

Flight of the Bird...

2008-09-26T14:53:00.001-07:00

So we went to a Photoshop seminar today (I'll tell you about it later) and we found a birdie in the parking lot who was clearly not doing well....

So we fed him some granola bar...

We put him on my coat...

And moved him to safety...

We came back a few hours later...

and had to bury him...

:(

Weekly Spanish: 85 Days left!

2008-09-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is a good option if you can't read the menu.

Back in the Burgh

2008-09-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

I had a fabulous trip to Colorado and I am now safe and sound back at home. Just a little busy getting caught up, but here are a few pics from the trip:

We went to a Colorado Rockies game against the Padres (Rockies lost). All the seats are a gray-green color except the one row of seats that are purple, that's the "mile high" seats!

Of course, in tradition, we tried the artichoke dip (it was a little too creamy, but yummy none the less) at Brekenridge Brewery in Denver (they had a good vanills porter, which is my fav beer right now!).

Our purpose (besides the fact that Colorado is b-e-a-utiful) was to visit my family, so here we all are (in no particular order) mom, dad, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, cousin and me!

I Made it!

2008-09-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

I made it to Colorado! Flight (first ever all by myself, so I was a little nervous) was great, I met lots of new friends like Bob the architecht, Adam the CMU grad student, John Adams (like the president) the Philly lawyer and Lisa who was going to a concert in LA. Didn't get to read my book at all b/c I kept talking to strangers but thats okay! Had a bit of a headache for awhile which is appearently common due to the altitude. Having fun with the family and we're going to stay in a cabin in the Rockies tomorrow night!

Going on Vay-Cay!

2008-09-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

Okay I'm leaving today for Colorado and I'll be back next Tuesday! I don't know for sure if I'll get a chance to get online or not (sorry for leaving you in suspense). Here's some travel cards from Indexed to keep you smiling while I'm gone.

Sweet Bloggie: Design Freebies

2008-09-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

A gathering of cute templates, awesome desktop backgrounds, random toys, cards for all occasions, etc....all free! Totes worth checking out!

It's official!

2008-09-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Mike and I set a date.

We'll be getting hitched in Erie at Stephany's next summer. Phew.

Weekly Spanish: Less than 100 days left!

2008-09-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

I found another good source for assisting you in learning another language, it's called Babbel and creates a sort of social network of others learning languages as well as tutorials for you to work through.

Okay, onto the phrase of this week. Some things you hope you never have to say but should plan for them anyway...

3-Day Weekend

2008-09-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

The weekend flew by! We didn't do anything too exciting, but we did go camping out at Mike's family camp by Parker Dam. We had new keys made a month or so ago and they ended up not working, well the ones to open the gate to the road (if you call it a road)...

anyyway...we opened the gate but couldn't open the cabin. Soooo we slept in the car (thank goodness for suvs with the seats that fold completely down) and just went hiking and whatnot the next morning. Wasn't perfect, but couldn't have been any better, we had a great time.

Congrats...

2008-09-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say congratulations to my co-worker and fellow blogger Alanna and (Mike's co-worker) Chris on their wedding this weekend! Best wishes for a happy future you crazy kids!

(Alanna has two blogs: their wedding/married life blog and her personal design blog, check it out she does some really awesome work)

It just keeps getting better and better!

2008-08-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Mikey and I got 4 free tickets from work to last night's Steeler pre-season game, and amazingly enough, we're NEVER been to a game so we were pumped! (thank you Giant!) We had a fabulous time and took two of Mike's friends and the Steelers won to top it all off!

The rain held off and even though we had to sit in traffic forever, it wasn't so bad because we watched one of my favorite Family Guy episodes (Lethal Weapons) on Mike's ipod!

Spanish Weekly: About 100 days left!!!

2008-08-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

We've got to know how to ask the really important questions.

Holy Honeymoon, Batman!

2008-08-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

So Mike and I have been throwing around ideas for a honeymoon but couldn't narrow it down. Do we go overseas? Alaska? The beach? Buy matching macbook pros? Well we don't have to worry about it anymore because we WON A FREE HONEYMOON!!!!! No joke, it's legit! Seriously, these things don't usually happen to me! We sat down and filled out a whole bunch of "Win a free trip" things online kinda hoping, but not really thinking it would happen. But this lovely lady named Molly called me yesterday to say I won and sent all the paperwork!!! It was though a contest I filled out on brides.com and it is 4 nights in any of the Dreams Resorts & Spas, and everyyything is included; food, drinks, daytime activites like "jungle trekking" "Natural cliff rappel" snorkeling, etc. They have resorts in places like Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, etc!!! So exciteddd!

I'm not the only one with excitement my girls are on a good streak too! Mase and KC just signed a lease for their apartment, KC got a new car, Nikkie started a new job, and Stace is applying for jobs to hopefuly move back up here close to us! Smiles all around....growing up isn't so bad afterall!

Bad Comics 11

2008-08-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

(via nedroid)

Weekend Goodness...

2008-08-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

We stayed in Pittsburgh this weekend and kept quite busy!

Saturday I took a "hip-hop hustle" class at our gym (oh yea...we FINALLLLY joined a gym again) which was a fun (aka: funny...I'm kinda an awkward white girl) workout. After Mike got out of work we went to Randie's gallery show opening at BoxHeart (which is up until September 13th).

We came home and made Buffalo Chicken dip realllly quick (thanks Mase, everyone lovvved it) and went outside for our neighborhood block party. I told Mike we didn't have to stay long, but we ended up making a bunch of new friends and having a blast! We played the frozen t-shirt game, which I never even heard of. The day before, you soak a bunch of tees then roll them up real tight and freeze them, then the day of the party you hand them out to teams and whoever can unwrap their t-shirt and put it on someone first, wins! Harder than it sounds, but quite fun.

I had to bounce a bit early (early?...11 p.m.) to go see the cheesy 80's band Velveeta with the girls for MegMegs b-day (happpppy b-day megmeg) and was exhausted from dancing by the time I got home.

Sunday we slept in and went to "a" for pancakes then over to the Andy Warhol Museum to see this film about him on Saturday Night Live, it wasn't the clips from SNL, but more of just an unedited film of him talking, kind of about SNL...mannn he was weird, it was funny....in a weird way...but in a funny way....but totes weird. We wandered around the museum for awhile too!

Then we went over the the Carnegie Science Center (I got Mike a pass to get us into all the museums so all of our adventures were free! yay) and played in the Sporks Works which was open for the last day ever!!! They are tearing it down to make room for the T, but will build another building hopfully by the end of next summer. (Here's mikey & I on this crazy high ride bike thing...)

Fantastic weekend...went by too fast...and I forgot my camera for most of it....

Weekly Spanish: 17 weeks left!

2008-08-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

Trip to Mexico is getting closer! Mike and I practiced our Spanish by listening to a "Discover Spanish" podcast featuring "Johnyy Spanish" it's nothing amazing but the podcasts are free and it def helps if you're trying to learn!

Tangled

2008-08-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

My neclaces are always a mess, they get tangled so easily so we have been trying to come up with a good way to hang them. We found this screen printed board at Gabes for $5...

So Mikey put his carpenter hat on....

And Voila! An easy & snazzy little neclace holder!

On our Walk in the Park

2008-08-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

I am still smiling...

Weekly Spanish: 18 Weeks Left!

2008-08-15T13:04:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: On a completely unrelated note...

Did you know you can carry one bottle of wine per person onto the cruise boat? Well you totes can on Carnival!

(Is that better KC?)

Visitors!

2008-08-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

For a few nights during the last week we had an adorable visitor at our house...

Oh and my future brother-in-law (eek!) is adorable too...

When is it Time to Redesign?

2008-08-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

I really like Bounce's redesign! It's umm....bouncy! It definitely gives it a cleaner look and feel. It's hard for packaging to stay modern, it's important to redesign to stay with the times, but how often? Redesign too much and your image gets muddy but if you wait to long to redesign you look outdated.

And they have quite a large family...yikes! Might be a few too many choices here.

(images via Brand New)

Happy Birthday!

2008-08-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today is our fabulously talented friend/coworker/roommate's birthday! (And yes she was born on Friday the thirteenth, which does explain a lot, hahah) Happy Birthday Randie!

I made her a cake last night (I'll post the pic as soon as I figure out how to get it off my phone, Mikey has my camera b/c he went to a Radiohead show in Philly last night) it came out...ummm...interesting...it was a layered organic lemon cake with whipped frosting and organic raspberries, tasted yummy, but it wasn't so pretty...kinda looked like a 5 year old make it.

Weekly Spanish: 19 Weeks left!

2008-08-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hopefully there will be no situation where this is even needed.

Olympics are starting tonite!

2008-08-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

Having an extra hand might give you an advantage... (via photoshop disasters)

Hey it's Friday....smile!

2008-08-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

You know you want to click it...go ahead....

Lovely

2008-08-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Cute trays over at ISAK!

Usually I love everything with owls, but this one is a little scary or something.

Does this Match?

2008-08-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

WEDDING POST ALERT

Thinking about wedding, bridesmaids and dresses. I don't know what I want yet, but I know I don't want it to be wedding-ish, we want to keep it causal.

For bridesmaids I know I don't want them to match, but how little or how much is tricky, there are so many options!

(note: these images are just for ideas, not the actual dresses we are considering)

Match exact color, not style.
Places like David's Bridal have like 10 dresses all in the same color material.

Same color palate, not style.

Match style, not color.

Don't match style or colors?
For example, if I wear a dress with a sash and have the girls wear dresses with sashes, even though the style and colors are different, does it still match?

Guys get to wear black and white, why don't the girls?
Plus, duh, I love black! My ring even has black diamond things in it.

(via style me pretty, anthropologie, david's bridal, and google images)

Choose a language...

2008-08-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Stunning start screen over at Pappelina that asks you to choose between Swedish or English.

(via swissmiss)

lolcat is Such a Joker...

2008-08-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Birthday weekend!

2008-08-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Oops...I missed my Spanish phrase of the week on Friday, but hey it was my birthday weekend! (That's a good excuse, right?)

I had an excellent weekend walking on the beach, having a bon fire, cooking out, playing bocce, checking out a wedding venue, playing some wii, drinking mum's "powerdrink", sitting on the pier, eating totes awesome ice cream cuppycakes made by Amelia Grazia, and just hanging with family & friends! Thanks everyone!

Movie Spoiler

2008-07-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

Click at your own risk....but it's really fun to guess what movies they are. I knew all but 3 (2 but I didn't remember the one right away). And if you're a movie watcher at all, you have seen most of them already.

Hint: One is a book and one is a tv show

(Oh and I like the design too! It's fun!)

Group Therapy

2008-07-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

You are not annoying. You are a special tile. You are valuable.

(I can't remember where I found this....it's been on my desktop for 2 months...sorry!)

Simple.

2008-07-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

These pics are to showcase the house and I love that the photographer added the bunnies for interest! It catches your eye but does not take away from the simplicity of the space.

(via design milk)

Mooooooovies!

2008-07-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

We went about 8 months without going to see a single movie in a theater, and now I've gone to about six in the last month (or so). Craziness.

Sex in the City - Great time out with the girls, cute movie!

Iron Man - Awesomeness.

Hancock - Crap. (Sorry Shels...it was stupie..hee hee))

Hellboy II - Colby, swiss, cheddar...whatever you want to call it...it was cheeesy!

The Dark Crystal - Old Jim Henson/Frank Oz movie, saw a midnight showing at the Oaks theater

and fiannnnnnlllly The Dark Knight....totes awesomeness. I do agree with Bryan's review on the voice though, it does get to you.

Sorry, I'm not much of a movie reviewer...

They're watching you...

2008-07-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

Check out more images over at DeviantART

(via bb-blog)

Weekly Spanish: 21 Weeks Left!

2008-07-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows us, knows we're photo crazy...

Are these wedding appropriate?

2008-07-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Found these in my wedding searches. Formal yet casual. Haha...great for a party, only 5.95 for 20 "Dress for Dinner" napkins.