girl does not love mondays.

today's not half bad though.
even the cold, rain and the dusting of snow on the tops of the mountains hasn't put a damper on my mood.
I'm even blogging. I don't think I've ever blogged on a monday. could be the start of something new.
yes, snow on the mountains. won't be too long now before it hits our fair city. *sigh*

Here's some random bits of information about my day so far.
*Now that it's dark out, I can sing and rock out without looking like a complete idiot. (my feel good song of the day...Walking With A Ghost by Tegan & Sara. wish I-tunes had the White Stripes version)
*I decided to wear a skirt today since it's cool enough to don my black tights. Now everyone keeps asking me why I'm so dressed up. It's a black denim skirt folks. Not a formal gown.
*I'm on my second cup of coffee and I'm not even that tired. I'm just craving hot, sweet coffee with that creamy, frothy foam on the top. mmmm. Batista's who can make non-fat milk taste like the half & half are the bees knees.
*Just polished off a bowl of miso soup with rice for lunch.
*I started in on book #3 of the Sookie novels. again. I feel like I rushed through the series the first time around.

Don't forget to leave a comment for the Pixie Petals give away! You can leave a post here if you'd like. I will draw a name tomorrow night.

I also had a bit of a shop update last night. Take a looksie when you get a moment. I've got more new items that'll go up later this week.

Lastly, my girl Vee is a having a give away of one of my new canvas prints on her lovely blog.

that's all.

girl bids you a happy friday

I don't feel like working on anything too crucial today at the office. Fridays are usually spent cleaning out my in box, filing away emails and getting freight out the door. Everyone is in their joyful "thank goodness it's friday" moods. My coffee is nice and strong and my music is blasting to drown out the receptionists easy listening station.
Things are good. Why is my outlook on life always so positive at the end of the week?
Guess things are just that way when you're a creative working a very non-creative job. But let's not get into the job convo. Not today.
Now onto girl loves.

Etsy artist: Pixie Petals
(dare 147: weakness) 
 

She's kindly sponsoring a little give away of her fabulously crocheted cuteness. Please leave me a comment on your favorite fall whatever and I'll choose a winner on Tuesday. Check out her shop...she's got some great Halloween Pixie Petals.

garance dore's drawings.
(photo from the garance blog)
I desperately want one of those t-shirts.

acorns.

(lensbaby + canon xti)
purchased on line. crazy right? I actually had to order acorns while everyone in the lower 48 has them
all over their front yards.

also loving the sunshine streaming through my office window
little visitors (a coworkers grand-daughter)
an influx of good ideas
coming home and seeing hubby doing dishes

Don't forget! Leave me a comment for the Pixie Petals give-away.
I'm also having a shop update Monday, the 21st. New prints for the fall season!
Have a yourself a splendid weekend,
t.

girls alive, just non responsive.

I am here.

listening to a yeah yeah yeah's playlist via Pandora which is turning out pretty sweet
wearing a shirt that hides bloated muffin top
drinking her second grande latte
clock watching
fall loving
 
working on some new things for le shoppe. update will be Monday, the 21st.

watched this last night
 
thought it was ok, had some funny parts that made me spit up my diet coke. bill hadar, in my opinion, was the best part, kirsten stewart not so much. Her ticks and constant hair play bother me. she always seems so nervous and awkward, it's uncomfortable to watch.

highly anticipated the season finale of TB this past Sunday.
 
(photo from true-blood.net)
I had to make the evening special by making a big pot of jambalaya for dinner. I was going to get a bottle of red but wasn't in the drinking mood.
did you all notice miss harris's cameo?
I have to admit I was slightly disappointed only because one, there wasn't enough Eric and two, there won't be any more TB until next year. boo.

happy humpday,
girl

it's that time again.

reading.
 

I totally jumped on the bandwagon and picked up a copy of The Satorialist. I'm not even going to pretend I knew about Scott Schuman's blog for years. I just recently found him when the book was released and the popular blogs were professing their love for his simple but complex photographs of some chic person on a street in some chic city.  Sarcasm aside, I fully vested myself into this stocky book which by the way, feels so great in my hands. I can truly appreciate the art of self expression. What is fashion with it?

watching.
 

I went through TB withdrawals over Labor day weekend so I started in on the season 1 dvd set I purchased awhile back. I was saving to watch it after season 2 ended but I needed my fix.

loving.

 

fall. don't we all?

currently.
blogging in my favorite Element sweater and watching football with j.

happy weekend,
t

girl loves labor day

first because I didn't have to work therefore, I didn't have to cuss out my alarm clock.
second, it's a perfect fall day, crisp and sunny. the air smells so wonderful.
third, it's the perfect excuse to be utterly lazy and that is a skill I am good at.
doesn't happen often as there always seems to be something to do.
no hot dogs or hamburgers on the bbq, just some bulgogi for lettuce wraps. yum.
I did manage to scrap a little, totally for myself which is something I haven't done it awhile.

 

 

trying to work through some older product and bits that I've kept for the longest time.

other than being lazy, I did manage to do a little hiking for the sake of finding something to
photograph. very light hiking. I shouldn't even call it hiking really.

hooked with my SIL and SS on saturday for a much needed pedi and delicious lunch
at the Glacier Brewhouse. not a big red meat eater but this girl was craving a
medium rare steak. perfectly cooked and the calamari....ugh, I die. (yes, I've been watching
the new season of Rachel Zoe.) I did have a photo taken of the three of us but accidentally deleted
it. totally bummed me out.

that's was my holiday weekend in a nutshell. we really didn't want to go out of town since everyone
would be heading out but are planning a little day trip to Kenai next weekend. just to enjoy what little
time left we have without icy roads and cold, gloomy skies.

and now the grill is ready for my marinated beef. got to get the rice going. hope you all had a lovely weekend!

a favor

my blog is in desperate need of a makeover.
I want to be like the cool bloggers who have pimped out buttons.
I do not want to pay for some one to do this as the fertility game is not cheap.
all other expenses go towards Starbucks, photography, retail therapy thursday and bills. in that order.
I was never one to save and budget out my paycheck accordingly, I'm not even going to front on that.
so, I'm wondering if there are any blogs/websites that have tips or how to's on creating a fresh blog
face. can you help a girl out and point me in that direction?
I would be ever so grateful.

Before I take off, I want to thank you all for the congrats on my state fair win.
being the sensitive sally I am, I take all your comments to heart.
here are the photos that won just in case you were wondering.

 

 

tina

girl loves new beginnings.

well hello september.
boy did you show up quick.
august was just a glimpse of days. days I wish I took more advantage of. 
there was a slight chill in the air today. clean, brisk, the on set of something new. 
  
this fall will mean renewed hope, finding a fresh perspective and accepting the things I cannot change.  also means I'm on the hunt for the perfect pair of black leather low heel boots. not too bikerish, or divaish. something like these...
 

love to have them in brown too.

 
the fair was the exact same as it has been in the past umpteen years.
hasn't changed one bit. corn fritters smothered in honey butter was my fav fair food this year.
I'm not one to spread butter liberally on anything but on a hot corn fritter? child please. (sorry, watching Hard Knocks, you'll get it the phrase if you watch the show)
the one and only thing that was different this year was finally getting the galls to enter the
photography competition. I had no hopes of winning or even thought about placing. I just wanted
too see my picture up with the others. but when I entered the exhibit that housed all the artwork and photography, I immediately wanted to spot the 3 I had entered with hopes of seeing one of those primary colored ribbons stuck to the corner.
and there it was. my photo, with 2 ribbons. first place and division champion for macro. also won first place in the misc category. utter bliss. I would like to be nonchalant about this and in a way I have been, Jeffrey being the one to gloat to everyone about my ribbons. But I'm not going to be because this was something I needed. as little as it was being a small competition in a local state fair, it made me, for once in a long time, forget the struggles I have been feeling these past several months. I spent the remainder of that day at the fair without a care in the world and grinning from ear to ear. isn't that what the fair is all about?

tina

girl loves a promising day.

Friday.
Jeffrey's birthday.
AK State Fair.
No guilt or shame on indulging in greasy fair food.
New super soft light sweater for fall.
Proud owner of CS4 thanks to a student discount via friend's younger sister.
Stamp tutorial on SC blog.
Polaroid wedding.
Crazy mushrooms.
 
Happy Friday!
Tina

today:

will be devoted to my favorite hobby.

 
Polaroid SX 70

my creative process.
watching episodes of SATC, Paris is my favorite.
icy cold diet rootbeer, a new addiction.
fresh picked flowers from the garden, for color and inspiration.
square bits of paper, paint, ink, stamps.....
it's going to be a good Sunday.

I hope you enjoy yours as well,
Tina

girl loves a sneak peek.

one superb scrapbook kit.
 

an inspirational quote.
 

rainy days.
 

followed by sunshine
 

girl loves friday.

thank the heavens it's friday.
thank you thank you thank you.
it's been one of those stressful, busy work weeks that has gone by so s.l.o.w.
today will fly by being that my coworker has called in sick AGAIN. funny how it's
always on a friday and monday. hmmm....

onto better things. what this girl loves right now.

this blog **warning** may be offensive to some who do not find the overuse of bad language funny.

this photographer.
 

this dare (which I will be working on tonight)

this vampire.
 
swooonn...

the return of my favorite silver/gray scarf. 
miso salmon and rice. 
anticipation of the upcoming Alaska State Fair. mmm...funnel cakes....

have a great weekend folks!  
tina

teehee...

so giddy. love fridays...that's no secret.
excited about girls night/bachelorette party tonight.
new heels, sexy jeans, black tank...I'm so ready.
also, new dare's up. your usual hangout, a favorite spot.
here's mine.
 

I'm fascinated with geese. I'm excited when they come because I know summer's around the corner.
And when they take flight in their arrow pattern, I know it's fall and winter's not too far away. This park that I go to is fairly new and it's quickly becoming popular. But it's quiet when I take my lunch at 10am. Perfect spot to chill out for an hour and read or people watch.

on the second to the last of the sookie series. i'm a little bummed that I'm just about finished.
wondering what my next read will be. thinking another round of twilight?
you may be shocked to know that I actually never finished reading Eclipse. crazy, huh? being such
a twilight fan but I have this thing about endings. I don't like them, especially when it's a good book series. I thought that if I let the end hang, it wouldn't really be over. I'm such a weirdo. But I'm going to start in from the beginning and finish this time.

well...should get back to work. yes, blogging at work again. shame shame.
happy weekend. :)

hold tight!

I'll choose a winner tonight! promise. :)
Here's some more prettiness for you to enjoy....
 
Polaroid SX 70, 600 film. Wild poppies from little backyard forest.

edited.
ok......the winner for the print below is........Ilona!
please email me so I can ship out your dahlia print!

thanks for all of your lovely comments ladies. totally made my weekend. :)

girl loves...

fridays, of course.
even though I apparently forgot to set the alarm and over-slept.
wasn't late for work though, even had time to stop at starbucks.
eyes are little more puffy than usual but whatevs.
it's friday and nothing is going to bring my mood down.
not even my coworker who called in sick for the umpteenth time.
or the fact that my coffee cake was a little stale.
or my other coworker who was apparently offended by the fact that I didn't want to book or buy
the beaded jewelry she's starting to sell.
I'm really getting tired of all these different "parties". I don't mind supporting some one
if I like the product but I don't wear a watch let alone a big beaded one.
I don't wear Cabi clothes or don't think that Pampered Chef is any better then the kitchen stuff
I buy at a local retailer.
I hope I'm not offending you if you do sell any of these items.
But I don't like some one trying to sell me something I'm just not into.
I always kindly pass the first time I'm asked but when I'm constantly nagged, I get agitated.
hmph. guess this subject has put a slight damper in my day.
well, that's done now.
onto what else this girl is loving right now.

new blue shirt that hides ye ol muffin top.
 

These design posts...
I'm loving bright white walls with pops of bright color. Thinking of all the rooms upstairs in my home.
Desire to Inspire....LOVE how she displays her old camera collection.
Bliss
Made by Girl
Black Eiffel

Digi Scrapping. I know! I once vowed to never do digi. I'm a devoted paper girl but I'm so in love
with this digi scrapper....
Chelsea Parsons

This farewell post bring tears to my eyes especially knowing that my sweet friend is nearing the end.
Sharon Montrose Photography

Chalkboard art. I must have one of these.
 

This mantra...
 

This photographer. So unconventional and fun. I would book him in a heartbeat if I could afford to.

Dahlias. These beauties have jumped to number one in my favs. Peonies are now a close second.
 

lastly, this girl loves you...my readers. :)
Leave me some love and I'll choose a winner for the dahlia print above.

have a great one!

my weekend in polaroids.

starting with this morning....
 
My little house guest rummaging through my studio while I scanned photos.

Don't be fooled, this may seem sunny but it's been raining cats and dogs....
 
my bestie brought me some sunshine after a rough week.

my little splurge...
Jansdotter Lotta paper place mats and a single dahlia from my favorite flower shop. The place mats
are really cool. I plan on making a few journals and scrapbooking with them. I could never use them
as place mats! They're too beautiful.

My nephew Mason turns one!
 
(not actually a pola but I had to give my guy a bday shoutout!)

lastly, a little peak....
 

Tina

comfort on rainy day.

 

It's amazing how the weather can alter one's mood.
The wind is cold, bone chilling cold. The sky is several shades of the dullest gray.
I'm wearing my go to cold weather pajamas which are thermal with colorful snowflakes printed on them. They are extremely soft and sooth my goose-pimply skin.
I watched an episode of the Barefoot Contessa in which she makes this luscious looking risotto with
white wine and leeks and mascarpone cheese.
Watching her make it gave me warmth. I wondered what tasting the risotto would actually do.
So I went to my cupboards and sure enough I had the arborio rice. No white wine or leeks or even the mascarpone cheese but I did have chicken stock, half an onion left from the night before and frozen peas. Also found some parmesan cheese which made me giddy. I thought J had used the rest on our weekend spaghetti feast.
This was the bees knees. Creamy, salty but sweet from the onion and peas. It was delicious. Warmed  me to the core. I sat in my favorite vintage red chair that clashes with everything in my living room, opened my paperback which was perfectly creased on the chapter I left off on and savored each bite of my bowl of risotto.
This was my comfort for the day. The thing I needed, the thing I was restless for.
That was the highlight of my Tuesday.

 

A layout from Jenn's sketch featured on the Studio Calico blog.
my errands are done for the day. it's gray and rainy out. perfet time to tuck in and read.

happy sunday

It's been an exhausting week and I'm glad it's coming to an end.
I lost something valuable.
I also lost part of my sanity but quickly recovered after a little retail therapy.
Working my way backwards in the sookie novels, started with #4. almost finished with #2.
Currently listening to Blue Foundation, Mute Math,& Cold War Kids.
Scrapping August Studio Calico. Good stuff as usual.
Need to go through emails.
Really need to go grocery shopping. Pretty cleaned out the pantry this week. Haven't been in the mood for anything other pineapple milkshakes and a two-piece from the Lucky Wishbone. Healthy, I know. Avoiding the Nordstrom sale....maybe.
Anything exciting planned for the weekend? Hope you enjoy whatever it is. TGIF!

old skool.

Last weeksDare prompted me to dig up my very first scrapbook circa 1997. It's full of old photos that were massacred by decorative scissors. I also felt the need to matte everything with coordinating paper and place stickers in every empty space. Not the most stylish thing but considering the only scrapbook products I could find here in Alaska were at JoAnn fabrics and the stationary department at Fred Meyers.

 

I fondly remember making this scrapbook. I started it the year after I graduated highschool. I wanted to document all my grade school memories while they were fresh which I'm glad for now because I don't remember half of what I journaled at that time. So I guess the cut photos aren't a complete loss. I can also rescan them. I actually should scan them because I know I didn't use acid free glue.

 

 

all my journaling is a mess but it's how I wrote as a teen. lot's of exlamation points used. I had also learned to handcut letters from an artclass in jr.high. lot's of that too.

 

and here's the page I decided to re-do for my dare. it's just about this babysitting course I took that taught cpr and proper kid watching skills.

 

 

ah, good times.....

best weekend ever.

well...so far.
got a lot accomplished. cleaned parts of my home that have not been touched since we moved in. actually committed to some picture hanging in my living room although I ran out of wall mounts midway through. played with bubbles. watched dog try to eat as many bubbles as he could possibly catch. cuteness.
ate hubs outstanding falling off the bone ribs with my secret bbq sauce. sticky sweet...but not too sweet. I prefer more of a vinegar taste when it comes to bbq.
listen to fireworks rather than watching as the sun shines through the night. got to love alaska in the summer.
juggling 2 reads, Julie & Julia (so far, really good. constantly chuckling through paragraphs) and Dead to the World (just started. part of the sookie stackhouse/true blood series. one hour a week on tv is just not enough for me. need more.)
surprisingly taking this monday quite well. a tad stand-offish but norm for me in the morning.
day 3 of clomid. not feeling any of the side effects that I was worried about. keeping fingers crossed. hope fully set now but ready for disappointment. does that make sense? it's all about moving forward. things/life just feels uplifting right now.
scrapbooked a little. did my "re-do" dare. will post tonight.
need to catch up on emails. much needed break from the internet.
signing off. my hot pocket is ready.
tina