Brrrr!

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Good morning to you from NYC!  There's some SNOW on the ground here - I can't believe it's only October and some places in the Northeast got a foot of snow this weekend.  I haven't even pulled my winter stuff out of the closet, guys.  Frenchie's grandmother slipped on the ice outside her home on Sunday and broke her ankle.  She's in a walking boot now and we are all wishing for her speedy recovery.  I sure hope that this isn't an indication of what we're in for this winter. 

This weekend, I went to a lovely birthday dinner for one of my friends and saw the best Halloween costume (Black Swan - the eye makeup was GENIUS).  How come I can never come up with clever ideas like that?  And last night, I checked in late and scared myself silly until close to 2 am (those Paranormal Activity 3 trailers did not help).  I spent half the night sleeping with the lights on in the hotel room and half expecting to see some dark figure looming over my bed.  I need to stop watching documentaries on haunted hotels.  Needless to say, I'm tired but in the Halloween spirit!  Have a fun time trick or treating if you're going tonight and stay warm.

Such a Halloweenie

I am such a Halloweenie.  I have never had a successful Halloween costume and I pretty much get 'analysis paralysis' when it comes to picking a costume.  Will it be clever but cute?  Smart yet sexy?  Can one person be all of those things on Halloween???  The PRESSURE - it's TOO MUCH. 

So maybe I'm taking the holiday a little too seriously.  I haven't even thought about what I'll be doing this weekend.*  It definitely doesn't involve a costume - I know, what a Halloweenie.  But I hope to see some cute and clever, smart and sexy costumes this weekend and be brave enough next year to pull one off.

via Andrew Banneker

*I will be going to NYC on Sunday evening for work and freezing my butt off.  That excuses me from having a costume, right?

A mini Halloween

Who doesn't gush over miniature things?  Mini sized candies, soft drinks, clothes!  I think it may be programmed in my DNA to do that.  So, I present to you, a mini Halloween!  My fave may be the heart in a jar.  Cute...but creepy... but cute!

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Cotswold Home

Tranquility and serenity are what I'm looking for today.  Do you like the sharp angles and straight lines of this Cotswold style house?  I never knew that this style of home even existed, but now I can imagine its fairy tale facade, peeking out at me through the foggy fields of Cotswold.  The current owners spiced up the interior with their own taste and touch, which I'll let you decide for yourself if you like or not.  I rather like seeing others' interpretations on living spaces and I don't know if I could be quite as creative or thoughtful.  What do you guys think - could you live with the modern update or do you prefer something a little more old fashioned?

Do you love the hobbit doorknob in the middle of the door or what?

Beautifully bright, white and modern living room

Gigantic floor to ceiling mirror?  Check.  Modern AND sparkly chandelier?  Check.  Beautiful table setting?  Check.  I love all the right angles in this home

Cushy sofas in the family room are perfect for lounging around with your favourite book

A bright white kitchen may not be to everyone's taste...

But I think this breakfast area keeps it from being too stark and modern

The master bedroom is pretty nice but what I like is this adjoining study / sitting area.  I'm also a big fan of the big canvases strewn throughout this home

SIRI 1.0

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 This weekend, I test drove SIRI.  SIRI told me where to find the nearest Redbox, what movies were available there, how much time was left before I could take my pumpkin cheesecake out of the oven and the distance that Frenchie ran on Saturday morning.  SIRI gave me suggestions on the best type of workout pants and running shoes to buy and the time of the Cowboys game on Sunday afternoon.  Unfortunately, SIRI got tired of being my personal assistant and told me to shove it when I asked her to carry all of the groceries into the house.  I then proceeded to tell her that SIRI does whatever her master commands.  We went on like this for 10 minutes until my mom yelled "IRIS and ROOTH, stop bickering and bring the food in the house this instant!"

To my sister Iris, the very first and best SIRI.

Fall forgetfulness

via etsy

 It was a beautifully balmy fall weekend in Texas and Frenchie and I finally went to go visit my parents and sister.  We were trying to schedule around rush hour traffic and sneak out of work right after lunch time on Friday, which didn't work too well as my work world pretty much exploded on Friday afternoon (different story).  I hurried home as soon as I could and threw all of my things together and we set off for the four hour car ride, which wouldn't put us at my parents' house until near midnight.  Well, wouldn't you know it, as we pull up to the front of my parents' home, I realized that I left my overnight bag in Houston.  All of the clothes I had planned to wear for the entire weekend, my phone and blackberry charger, my extra shoes and all of my toiletries.  The only thing I was smart enough to grab, which will show you where my priorities lie, was my work computer bag.

Lucky for me, my mom, sister and I are generally around the same size so it worked out alright in the end.  Except for the fact that I had ridiculously worn my fur-lined boots, which were the only shoes I had for the entire 80-degree weather weekend.  T-shirt, shorts and snow boots.  You live and learn, I guess.

Falling fast for pretty papers

It feels like a letter writing weekend.  It's my favourite form of correspondence, actually, and I wish people would write and send cards and letters more often.  How could you not want to receive some of these fall-flavoured finds in your mail box?

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Apologies



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I just got back from a fine dining experience with senior work colleagues where I ate too little and drank too much.  So, naturally, I'm back at home now, sitting on the living room floor eating cold queso out of the jar with my fingers.

I promise you guys better quality posts soon but until then, happy Thursday and I hope the rest of your week is short and SWEET!

Buffalo thrills

Oil and water. 

Beer and liquor. 

Hippies and yuppies. 

Toddlers and permanent markers. 

Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys fans. 

All of these things do not get along.  However, contrary to the trend, Frenchie is originally from Buffalo and is hence a Bills fan, whereas I am from Dallas and a Cowboys fan.  Since we've been dating, the two teams have not met... until this fall.  The game in November will test the strength of our relationship and probably my patience if the Boys don't fare well.  Is it bad form to punch your boyfriend in the face if he's taunting you?  I may or may not have slapped him before because I caught him skipping to the end of a book.  Maybe he should wear a football helmet when we watch the game.

Although I couldn't stand anymore Bills paraphernalia or sports gear,  it's actually a bit difficult to deny the rustic Americana draw of the buffalo.  I might be okay with some of these items around the house.




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The nose knows

This was the best part of my Tuesday.  What about yours?

All pictures from TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA NOSES

Weekend revelations

1. No matter how gorgeous the "fall" weather is outside, nothing can tear me away from marinating on the couch and allowing my brain to turn into mush
2. Making mussels is easy!  That said, I bought them pre-washed and debearded.  And cleaning up after making mussels is hard.  I practically disinfected every kitchen surface afterward.  It is kinda cool seeing some of the little guys open and close before you boil them to death
3. My laziness trumps practically everything.  After my culinary foray into shellfish, I then spent the entire weekend eating Totino's Pizza Rolls.  Yes, they have trans fat and no, I don't really mind.  It takes less than a minute to nuke them in the microwave and they are delicious
4. It's Christmas time already.  No joke.  This weekend all the Christmas decorations and lights went up at the shopping centers around town.  In the 90 degree weather.  Boo
5. The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon Cooper are seriously addictive.  See Note 1
6. We have a twisted sense of weather here in Texas (okay, so this isn't exactly a revelation).  Frenchie and I thought, since it's mid-October, why don't we go play tennis in the sun dappled afternoon?  Bad idea - it wasn't cool and breezy at all and my face exploded into a sweaty, angry red tomato due to the heat (and also not being in shape)

I'd love to hear about all your lovely weekends - I'm especially jealous about the corn mazes that people are visiting.  I really want to do that!  Or is it one of those things that sounds like a better idea than it actually is?

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A house divided

I love everything about this house.  I love that there's a main house with two bedrooms and the 500 square foot guest house with two bedrooms.  It's big enough for me and Frenchie.  I love the amount of natural light that streams in through the living room windows but also the fact that the lot is surrounded by large, mature trees.  I love how the current owners have decorated and furnished the home.  The main house is only 1,150 square feet and they have kept everything very simple, tasteful and smart.  I love how there are not superfluous living areas and I'm daydreaming about the meals / projects / drinks that we could have gathered around a rough hewn dining room table.  I love the gravel outdoor entertaining area in the backyard and the large windows to the guest house.  I think I must have a fascination with guest houses but that's only because I someday hope that I'll be able to have my friends and family come visit or stay with me for an extended amount of time.  I could also use it as a writer's studio when it's unoccupied (okay, now I'm really dreaming).

My parents are cooler than me

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Since my trip to Los Angeles, I haven't seen my family and it has been a long time since I've gone home as well.  With the cooler temperatures and upcoming Halloween holiday, I thought that this would be the perfect weekend for some family time - you know, carve pumpkins and bake some Halloween cookies.  Frenchie suggested that I call my parents earlier to let them know that we were planning on going back but I shrugged him aside.  I reminded him that my parents are old folks - they wouldn't have any plans for the weekend. 

Well, I emailed them today and my dad casually reminded me that they were going to be out of town this weekend.  And going to Vegas!  Dad was so sneaky about it too.  He told me they were going to "Utah" and sent me their itinerary - which had them flying into Utah and then driving to Vegas.  I'm on to you, parents!  I know your tricks!  If they hit the jackpot, they better fly me out there for the celebration bash.  Don't you think they will??

Read and wear: Ready Player One

Disclaimer: I think this may be one of my favourite books that I've read this year.  Ready Player One is set in the not-so-distant future, where the world has depleted its natural resources, and the population has escaped by immersing itself in a simulation environment for work, entertainment and social interaction.  The creator of the simulation world, otherwise known as OASIS, has died and left his billions to the winner of a game that he has hidden inside the OASIS.  The main character of the novel is Wade, an orphaned 18 year old and an OASIS fanatic, who is in the hunt to win the grand prize.  The game, as you could expect, turns very real and very dangerous as Wade's simulation and real world become intertwined. 

Not to geek you out but this book contains tons of Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars and gaming terminology.  I found it to be incredibly entertaining and enjoyable despite not understanding all of those references.  There's also an unavoidably creepy parallel that one could draw to Steve Jobs' death last week as well.  Geek, nerd or neither, the story is action packed and I highly recommend you pick it up.  The movie rumors on this one have already begun.

The author Ernie Cline is currently touring, doing book signings and readings, and I've put together a nerd-chic outfit that can accompany you to the bookstore to meet him and pick up your own autographed copy. 

This is the part where I put caffeine on my face

Yes chickadees, the time has come for me to start actually caring about my face.  I suppose that means more than just washing and moisturizing.  It's time to break out (ha!) the firming, lifting and line erasing cream.  So what brought about this decision?  Just noticing my skin looks less than stellar recently, especially compared to the fresh faced 22 year old girls in the office.  Realizing I have permanent dark circles under my eyes and my complexion has been wan lately.  I know I only have myself - and my poor sleeping / eating / exercising habits - to blame.  So as my foray into the world of face care, I am starting to apply caffeine on my face.  Under my eyes.  With this.

Yeah!  It has caffeine!  I've only used it twice and, not unexpectedly, haven't noticed any visible differences yet but my eyes have strangely not felt as tired, particularly in the morning when I first apply.  I'm also going to try sleeping half an hour earlier, which will hopefully help out?  Any bloggers out there have effective tips for those of us trying to preserve our faces?   If the eye cream works out, I will definitely make sure to let you guys know.

Confession and thanks

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I have a slight confession to make.  Deep breath... I don't really like fall.  EEEPS!  I'm not a fan of the days getting darker and cooler.  I don't like having to layer on more clothing or waking up to it being dark outside.  However, almost everything that I've been seeing over the last few weeks (I say 'almost' because I have been enjoying a virtual spring arrival for the Aussies) has been fall fashion, fall foods and drinks and fall decor.  And I've started buying into the hype.  I realized, yes I do like wearing boots again, I like eating hearty comfort food and I enjoy watching football.  My favourite holiday, Thanksgiving, is in the fall and fall in Texas is really more like a second summer.  And as I'm so convinced by all your fall entries, whenever I walk outside these days, I half expect to feel a brisk breeze and a slight nip in the air.  I'm almost even disappointed that I don't.

Another thing I've realized was that blogging and reading others' blogs has really given me a new perspective on so many things.  All of the various bloggers I've met and read have allowed me to see things, like the seasons, in a different light - whether through a camera lens, artistic interpretation or simply via his/her voice.  It is something that I never expected when I got into blogging and has been one of the most pleasant parts of this experience.  So cheers to y'all and thank you.

Does your weekend ever feel like this?

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All of the things you planned on getting done, piling up on to the weekend?  The shopping, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, answering emails, paying bills, calling your friends / family to catch up?

My wish for all you readers is a relaxing weekend, where all your work magically gets done on Friday afternoon and you actually get a chance to decompress from the work week!

Bling me up, Scotty

Sometimes, a girl just needs some bling

via Jennifer Fisher