West Elm Shopping Spree

When left to my own devices, shopping usually ensues. As it did yesterday and today when I scored big time at West Elm, which is in the middle of a lovely sale.

First, I found the perfect cushions that I have been in search of pretty much since we bought the Lexington Street house a year ago. We have a 172" built-in bench upstairs and seven of the blue cushions fit just right. I started out with four and had to go back for three more before they sold out, since the color is being discontinued and they were on SALE.

And my new Pendleton Woolen Mills blanket I got from my parents for Christmas looks great with them.
The second bargain item set were these white gallery frames. I had some B&W proof images from our wedding. (I know, I know, it was over a year ago...) Since our bedroom walls were completely bare, I think this collection really adds a lot at this point. I was actually pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out. I have three more frames to add to the wall between the entrance and Mitchell's closet door.

Lessons in Horse Riding

We finally made it out to visit my mom's three-year-old horse, Xena, last weekend. I find it possibly a missed name opportunity when she has a distinct mark of Africa on her forehead, but I digress. My mom and her friend, Sandy, have been training their horses for months now. Xena's friends' name is Sunny. Mitchell and I just finally made it out to the stables, which are a bit of a drive from Eugene. I was completely surprised by Mitchell's skill with the horses - he knew how to pick out Sunny's hoof, put the equipment on, etc. This hearkens back to his youth and days of English riding classes (thanks Alice). I, on the other hand, have grown a complete fear of those huge animals. I didn't even want to hold the reins. To be fair - I had heard some stories of intentional foot-stomping by Xena...

So why, you ask, do we not have any photos of actual horse riding? Well, it seems it had been awhile since anyone had saddled the two youngsters, and the instant Mitchell tried to mount Sunny, she took off like a shot! We're talking full on bucking bronco style. Mitch didn't even get his right foot into the stirrup before bailing onto his back and knocking the wind out of himself. Sunny continued bucking like a true rodeo queen. And my blasted iPhone was not out and would not have been able to capture the speed, anyway. Where was the HandyCam??

Despite the initial horrific image of us all rushing to the Emergency room, all was well in the end. Relatively speaking. It was also very exciting and we learned a lot. Like, when a horse hasn't been saddled in a while, you must run them around the ring for a while, first. Ahh, the adventure of it all.

Ironic?

Her Life in France

I just finished Julia Child's My Life in France. The only hindsight regret is reading Julie and Julia first, now that I am much better versed in Julia Child's life, both professionally and personally. Every chapter left me hungry, curious about visiting France and admiring of the six-foot female doing what she loved and doing it well. I think I shall serve my duty by purchasing a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and to take her advice to learn by doing! It is of course impossible to know which details in the book are truly accurate, but I wonder what in my life I am so passionate about that upon looking back years later, I'd be able to recount down to the smallest nuance, such as the bottle of wine selected at a meal. Perhaps that should be the goal for any venture taken in life.

Measuring Tape

Mitchell and I were cracking up at this ridiculous guy on one of those home makeover shows where a couple takes on a massive project by themselves. This guy seriously went through about ten tape measures - was constantly cursing and asking where it went, and then had to buy more because he really couldn't find them. What a stupid thought - until I realized - that's me!! I just wandered through the whole upstairs looking for one of the three tape measures that I keep in rotation throughout the house. You never know when you might want to move the dresser, but you want to measure before you throw your back out for no reason. And they're never where I remember leaving them last. Boo. I think I found something to add to my Christmas list...

Wishes II

Here is by Christmas wish list, minus my birthday wish list. Does anyone else feel incredibly greedy making wish lists? Oh well, here goes:

Monogrammed/personalized note cards! Pretty, plain cards I can send for any occasion. Now that I am a lady, and all.

Eyelash curler. How lame, you say? Possibly, but I don't want to have to go pick one out myself. And it's just one of those things in life you should have.

A gym membership. If Mitchell hasn't gotten us blacklisted.

A long necklace. Trying to keep somewhat up to date.

Those socks you put on at night to keep the lotion in. My heels were recently likened to something unpleasant.

Sonic jewelry cleaner. I have done no investigation into this. But is there a product out there that is better than my Windex bottle? If so, then I want that.

Magazines: People, Us Weekly, Communication Arts, Dwell

Cute house plants. Love house plants. I think we're still in the clear and I'm far from becoming the "crazy plant lady" that Mitchell fears I will become.

Pendleton Woolen Mill Throw Blanket. Plaid, not "jacquard."

I still want Deliciousness from Crate&Barrel in the form of Sea Salt Caramels that Mitchell wouldn't let me order these for myself online. However, I did manage to eat the majority of the Euphoria box my dad got me. So, maybe not...

You have to admit, a pretty pair of gold earrings or diamond hoops would be pretty fabulous.

A condo in Nashville.

A couple of movies: Julie and Julia, Time Traveller's Wife

Got my Rosetta Stone - Spanish!! Haven't quite yet started learning, but still... Got my cute Envirosax!! Thank you, guys. See, this feels like a registry or something.

The Horror

I looked down at work yesterday to a gaping hole that resembled something like a missing tooth. My diamond and one prong were missing from my ring! In a calm panic I went to my co-worker, Anne, said "it's a bad day" and showed her the ring. She broke into action and we surveyed the scene. Therese, another co-worker, had actually caught a glimpse of it earlier without having thought much about it and led us right to the spot. Without her, we would have been on a mad hunt out the door and around the block. But never fear - we found the diamond and the prong! Not without increased heartrates and a touch of panic. Blah. Unsure if they'll fix it or if I'll need to get a new setting, but for the moment it's locked away safe.