BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR RUNNING

I started running at 6am in the basement. It's lonely down there, staring at the cement floors and storage boxes. What would really help is a good workout mix. I need a good variety of songs, lots of upbeat tempos. Suggestions please.

COMMERCIAL WORTH WATCHING

I love this commercial for car.com.


Reminds me of the introduction to Amelie.

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET #1

There are a few good movies I'm proud to say I could watch over and over. Then there are others. Others I'm embarrassed about because the cerebral half of my brain knows they are completely stupid. But the other half could watch them over and over again while sitting on the couch in a lump.

The movies I'm embarrassed to admit I like include but are not limited to:
1. The Mirror Has Two Faces
2. Bed of Roses

Do you have an embarrassing movie that you LOVE to watch in the privacy of your own home?

I WAS TEASED FOR BEING A TOMBOY

When I was in middle school I got my first job as a paper girl. I delivered The Herald Journal in true 1980's style. A-symmetrical bob, "risky business" style sunglasses, lots of jelly bracelets, and an attitude that probably seemed pretty off-putting. I was channeling my inner Madonna.

If you can imagine a 14-year old girl in strappy gladiator sandals {we called them Jesus sandals in the '80s}, ratted out bob with a pink checkerboard shaved in the back, lip gloss, and a saddlebag style carrier worn over my shoulders; I was a complete site to behold. I still don't like small dogs {sorry all you small dog owners but they snap at people's heals and you never discipline them} and have issues with the smell of newspaper ink. Imust admit I'd LOVE to have a newspaper girl with such an attitude, delivering the news to my front door.

I remember one boy about my age sitting in a tree in his front yard yelling, "Tonia is a tomboy. Tonia the tomboy. Tony the tomboy", and I was heartbroken. I was trying my absolute hardest to be ultra cool and somewhat mysterious and there he was, sitting high on his pedestal {or tree branch}, calling me names.

Twenty-three years later I'd certainly love to wear these AG tomboy jeans {from Anthropologie} to the day party portion of my 20th high school reunion, find that stupid boy and let him call me Tony the tomboy all he wants.

SXSW REVIEW

I spent just a few days in Austin and came home exhausted. We set up a booth between Craftster.org and the free beer tables at The Art Project in East Austin. The event opened at 11am; our tables and tent had just arrived so we busily set up shop and got to work.
There was just two of us for about 2 hours and people kept lining up for free t-shirts and tote bags screen printed on site by yours truly. I did everything from screen print to cleaning screens to drying ink and heat setting it.
The good news is that we gave everything out, received really good feedback and positive interest in the Yudu screen printer. But oh how my feet hurt when I got back to the hotel. I washed the ink that had found its way all up and down my arms and scrubed the tired out of my eyes.
The sad part is that I had to leave Nate there; he'll be in Texas for the next five days. We swore to each other that next year we were doing SXSW the right way - with tickets to shows and the willpower to stay up all night. To summarize the trip in just a few words: fast and furious.

SXSW HERE I COME

Not that I've been an incredibly structured blogger these days; I have been so incredibly busy. I will try to post some photos and a review of South by Southwest this weekend when I return. In the meantime, I'll be going here for the next few days.

TWENTY YEARS!

Twenty years ago I wore the cap and gown and graduated from high school. TWENTY. YEARS. AGO. The reunion is coming up this summer and I get to help with the planning. Any fun/unique ideas? I haven't gone to any of the other reunions so I don't really know what goes on at these things. If you've been to a particularly great reunion {and it doesn't have to be the 20th} let me know what made it so fun so I can copy every detail!

MISTER WOULD LOOK GOOD IN THIS

Is it too much if I get this for N for Easter? I think it would look great rolled up and tucked into his easter basket. And even better on the him.





























I also like these but N wouldn't; he's a t-shirt man. All from UO.

HOORAY FOR BRANDI!

She turns something like 23 today!! And she has promised to name her forthcoming baby boy Nathonia in honor of the Mister and I.





























{cake photo via of marthastewart-dot-com}

LUCKY STARS!

I have been combing through the pages of the April issue of Lucky. Three things strike me.

1. Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr has fabulous hair. How can I get my hair to look like that? Does it require lots and lots of product and hair spray and a stylist that will primp on me for hours in the morning? I may consider getting all glam with product if it means I can look as tousled and effortless as she does. I can't afford the stylist unless there is a very talented person looking for a summer internship. Sorry, the position doesn't pay.




















2. I want to try the think waxy kohl crayon by Guerlain to get the perfect smoldering eye. It reminds me of an eyeliner I saw from India. It looked so much like charcoal and smudged perfectly around the eye. Not the look for a spring morning...but definitely a good look for evening in any season.


























3. Achelle Dunaway, creative director of E.L.F. Cosmetics was thinking of me when she created Eyebrow Treat and Tame {see previous post}. I'm picking it up at Target this weekend to see how well the" sci-fi-ish fibers subtly fill in sparse areas so it looks like your brows are actually fuller". This should nurse me through the awkward teen phase of growing out my eyebrows.




UPDATE: This product is impossible to find. And I cannot bring myself to buy online and pay twice as much for shipping. Anyone in the SLC area know were I can find it?

EVER TRIED TO GROW OUT YOUR EYEBROWS?

I've decided I want my eyebrows a bit thicker. But oh, the agony of growing them out. I'm in that awkward phase where anyone looking just thinks I'm lazy and need better grooming habits. I think the discomfort and public shame will only take another week and then, sweet eyebrows!

I read that during this "ugly" growing-out phase, I should wear fringy bangs or a hat. I can wear a fedora one, maybe two days, but then I'll just look like a suspicious Tom Landry without the respected football coaching record.

YES, SOMETIMES WE COMMUNICATE THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

And sometimes we just enjoy the silent humming of our laptop batteries and the tapping of each other's fingers on keyboards. I think it shows maturity; only a really magical relationship can get away with this and be stronger as a result. The Mister is saving the world doing unmistakably difficult things on Linux. I am reading blogs and tweeting to prove I'm still partially among the living.
This is just like Mister and me in bed in our blue room.

ROAD TRIP: MUST DO

I used to road trip a lot more when I was in college. Glacier National Park. Santa Fe, NM. California {anywhere}. Vegas. The Tetons. The Shakespeare Festival in Oregon. Zion's National Park. Moab. Music festivals in a Winnebago.
The lists go on and on. I just love loading up on junk food, buying magazines, putting great music on the iPod, and hitting the open road with a trusted confidant who happens to make wonderful conversation.
These images from JCrew have me longing for a road trip. Some place warm with lots of little shops to explore and yummy cafes to eat. What's your favorite road trip? Would you recommend it as a must-do?

FOR REAL PAYLESS?

These are actually cute! I love the vibrant blue. They would match nothing but "go" with so much! And no, they aren't leather, but that is so eco chic these days!

HOW TO PICK UP DOG POOP

I live in a great neighborhood. Lots of parks and walking paths, big front porches, and a lake for kayaking. They send us an email every few days for updates and reminders on fitness classes. So when I saw this super helpful email I knew I had to share.

How to Pick Up Dog Poop

Whether you like it or not, you are responsible for cleaning up after your dog. Not only is the waste not a pretty sight (or smell), but it’s also a breeder of germs and disease. Dog feces plays a significant role in water pollution, especially in cities, and the bacteria that makes its way into streams, lakes and the water table can make people sick. Here are some ways to minimize the unpleasantness of this task.

Steps

1. Take your dog for a walk, Keep them on a leash, and bring a plastic bag for yourself to hold. You could also tie the bag onto the leash.
2. Walk and enjoy the day out, but once the dog stops and smells the ground, be ready start removing the bag from your pocket, and start opening it.
3. Hold the leash with your one hand, as you maneuver the bag with the other. Or, if you are not alone, ask the other person to hold your dog’s leash. Put your hand into the bag, grab the bottom of the bag with your fingers, and pick up the mess on the ground.
4. Use your other hand to pull the top of the bag over your fist, retaining the poop inside the bag.
5. Tie the bag tightly, and dispose of it in the nearest trash receptacle.
6. Continue to enjoy your walk with your dog.
7. Wash your hands thoroughly when you get home.

Tips

1. Always carry more than one bag.
2. Some pet supply stores have doggy bags that are scented. You may want to try some!
3. If you can’t bring yourself to handle the poop, even through a plastic bag, purchase a commercially made “Pooper Scooper”. These usually consist of a handle on the one end of a long arm, with a double-sided shovel on the other end.
4. When picking up with a plastic bag: On Grass, make a claw like circle with your fingers-get as far under the poo as possible, then lift.
5. Plastic grocery bags work great for picking up dog poop. These bags do sometimes have a tear or two, so it helps to use two bags – one inside the other.
6. Holding your breath until you’ve picked up the poop and tied a knot in the bag helps a lot.
7. Assert yourself when you see an irresponsible or unprepared pet owner who fails to pick up their pet’s poop by offering them one of your own extra bags, and if they don’t take the hint Contact the XXX Community Association at XXX-XXX-XXXX to report the incident.
8. Violators will be immediately assessed a $25.00 Fine per occurrence.