NPR::MUST LISTEN TO

Jan 31 had two interesting must-listen-to radio shows. Both of which I listened to and both of which I'm recommending.
1. Diane Rehm interviewed Sharon Begley, author of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain. Sharon is a columnist for the Wall Street Journal - who was invited by the Dalai Lama to record a summit he held at his home {which became the catalyst for her book}. The interview is about her book and how through proper and extensive meditation and cognitive training, the human mind can transform itself. Parts of the brain can learn to function in a different capacity, possibly giving hope to anyone who has lost brain function due to a stroke or injury. Very interesting!

2. Radio West with Doug Fabrizio interviewed Daniel Levitin, author of This is Your Brain on Music. Daniel and Doug discussed the different ways in which music can effect us both biologically and neurologically. For anyone who has an acute love for music, this interview will definitely hold your attention!

ANTHROPOLOGIE FROCKS

Aren't these pretty? Get 'em here.

SHOES TO MAKE YOUR HEART A FLUTTER

I took a gander at Urban Outfitter to see if they had any pretty shoes. You see, I've never been disappointed by their shoes. Here's what I found. Each pair is under $40.

ANOTHER FAINTING SOFA

Remember the fainting sofa from Urban Outfitters I posted about earlier today? Well, Jordan also pointed out that the color is described on the website as "apple green" which contradicts the pretty faded yellow color seen in the photo. The idea of an apple green velvet sofa in my bedroom is not a pleasant one. But what about this one? It's pretty and the pattern is charmingly Parisian. I'll have to think about this one.

SNOW: THE SILENT PREDATOR

I woke up this morning with a few inches of fresh powder covering my car and the ground. I glanced down at my pretty, square-toed, brown suede Bisou Bisou heals and realized it really does benefit me to look out the window before I dress myself in the morning. Living in a basement sure doesn't help because most of the windows give a lovely view of a window-well. But I had plenty of chances to glance out by the back patio, and didn't.
A quick trip back inside for my Ugg look-a-likes {Costco, $35} and I was off! Traffic was terriblely delayed so I took a snapshot of the dismal day.










A Patch of Old Snow

There's a patch of old snow in a corner
That I should have guessed
Was a blow-away paper the rain
Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if
Amall print overspread it,
The news of a day I've forgotten -
If I ever read it.

-Frost

THIS WEEK'S TRAVEL DEALS

Travelzoo is bringing a number of good deals to satisfy your future travel needs. I'm partial to the China 3-City package and the 7-Night Caribbean "5 star" cruise. They are also offering a trip to Paris in the Springtime {4-nights + air} for $599. If you want to subscribe to the Travelzoo bulletin, go to here.

PRETTY COUCH

Jordan recently posted about this couch from Urban Outfitters. It's just $500 and I think it would look so cute tucked in our master suite. I'm seriously thinking about it. Any opinions?

ROMANCING ON ROMANCE

The idea of being wisked off to a foreign country, with a bag packed by your lover, not knowing what to expect or where you are going for that matter. It's really every girl's dream. And probably most men, if inebriated enough, would admit the same. It's just...well...ROMANTIC.
On a smaller scale, having someone read poetry to you or paint a picture with you in mind; someone spending hours in the kitchen making a meal for you with their two loving hands; being sung to - even if they don't sing well; watching the sun rise together over some foreign landscape. One of my favorite things is a hand-written card with someone's original thoughts jotted down for the sole purpose of sharing them with me.
I've made dinner reservations for Nate and I at Lugana {thanks to recomendations from Kym, Amie, and the girls at Your Heart Out} here in Salt Lake and look forward to an evening out with him {when I'm not wearing sweats}. This year I'm in charge of the dinner reservations but I'm sure Nate will still prove to be a secret romantic {as usual}.
If you have a more grand idea of romance and a bigger budget then I do and a more flexible schedule, you'll want to listen up here. Travelzoo is advertising some great roundtrip air+hotel deals to some of the most romantic cities in the world.
Go here for details.

THE BLACKAPPLE FROM ETSY

My oder arrived from The Blackapple {ordered via Etsy} and I'm so excited to get them framed. A few will go as gifts and two will hang on my walls! Yippee!

FIRST IMPRESSION DOOR KNOBS

Nate and I want to replace some of our internal door knobs with some of these. Ours are currently perfectly round, oil rubbed bronze. I found them at Anthropologie and House of Antique Hardware.

MORE CUTE PILLOWS AT ANTHROPOLOGIE

More eye candy from the trusted Anthropologie.

DRANSFIELD+ROSS PILLOWS

Some pretty pillows from Dranfield+Ross.

COUCHES COUCHES COUCHES

We have a pretty large living room which is great because we'll have lots of room for friends and family. BUT it also means we'll need lots of furniture to fill it up so it's not empty looking. Nate and I have already decided on this 8 foot beauty from William Sonoma Home {in dark espresso velvet}.
























As supplimental seating I'd love to add this gem to the livingroom but it only comes in light {almost white} velvet from JCPenney. Does anyone know of any look-a-likes I can get in different fabrics and different colors? I don't want to go overboard with the velvet but the shape is so cute and it's just $800.

Wii AVATARS

I thought you might enjoy seeing what our Wii avatars look like. Nate plays with one called Rubin that looks nothing like him so I'm only showing the one I made as his look-a-like affectionately called "sexy nate".

1. Me {a.k.a. Titty}



















2. Nate {a.k.a. Sexy Nate}



















3. Amie! {I used boy hair for her}



















4. Kym {a.k.a. Pheonix}



















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CELEBRITY AVATARS

5. Guess the movie character??



















6. Guess the Actor??



















7. Guess the Musician??



















8. Guess the Musician??

AND THE WINNER IS

Sundance winners were announced tonight. If you want to get the line-up, go here. Nate and I have tickets to see a couple of movies considered "best of fest" tomorrow night. We checked out the website and this is what we'll be enjoying.

1. In The Shadow of The Moon {best documentary}












2. Rocket Science {best director}

THE ONE, THE ONLY: THE OFFICE

Nate and I started watching The Office while we were dating and now we can't remember life without it. The writing is so clever and the execution by the talented cast is priceless. AND through it all, they've managed to throw in a little office competition {Dwight and Andy} and a little office love triangle {Pam, Jim and Karen Filipeli}.
If you haven't spent all your $$ on box sets of Seinfeld, you may want to consider buying past seasons of the Office {US version} but don't be surprised if you end up watching it all in one night.

CONGER HOUSE UPDATE

It's getting closer and closer! Marble countertops are in and fabulous. Carpet is in place and looks great with all paint colors. Nate and I have noticed some things that need to be changed before we move in {range should be gas, not electric; washer and dryer are the wrong color; front door should be stained and not painted pink; wrong mirrors in bathrooms}.
Here is a visual update to Casa la Conger.

2nd Bedroom



















3rd Bedroom














4th Bedroom



















Bird's Eye View of Greatroom



















Greatroom Windows



















Greatroom Fireplace















Kitchen















Kitchen and Nate