BEST TWO WORDS EVER

Wouldn't you love to hear these two words? PERMANENT VACATION!
I sure would.























Photo from here.

WHAT HAVE YOU LOST LATELY?

When I was attending University of Montana studying creative writing, I wrote a poem to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things. The poem was inspired by a set of lost keys for which I had to pay $50. They belonged to the dorm where I was living and my $50 deposit was supposed to be returned when I returned the keys. It was a lot of money for a college student to lose.
So I've decided that in my spare time {ha ha} I want to start writing a collection of short stories. I love writing; it brings me a certain level of peace and solitude. Which I desperately need right now. And even though my career is going well, I've always felt like a quitter for not pursuing it as a profession and giving it my 100%. But, for now I'll just settle for some short stories with a theme.
I'd like to focus on the idea of things lost and I'm hoping for some input. When I lose something I cover every emotion on the pendulum swing of emotions. Extreme panic. Sadness and remorse. Fear. And if I'm lucky enough to find it again...gratitude and happiness.
To ask if you've lost something would be ridiculous; of course you have. I think everyone has experienced that. But I'd like to hear some of the stories. What did you lose? Where do you think you lost it? Why was it important to you? Did it belong to someone before it was yours? Is it a happy ending; did you end up finding it again and vowing to take better care of it? If you have a story to tell I'd love to hear about it. Maybe your experience can inspire one of my stories. If they turn out well, I'll publish them here when they are done.

EVERYONE NEEDS ACTING LESSONS

I cannot think of a single profession, including parenthood, where acting would not make things hella better. I heard this book discussed {where else, Diane Rehm} and added it to my must-reads. Nate and I also decided that if we had a few free afternoons each week we'd sign up for community acting classes. "Stella!"

WRITERS MAKE ME WANT TO WRITE

Saturday I dined in SLC with Shannon Hale {some of you know her as my bff authorly friend who I've known for the last 10+ years} and her authorly friend Stephenie Meyers {aka the woman who took vampire love triangles by storm with the likes of Twilight}.
If it seems like I'm name dropping, I am; I'm not above it. But sitting at the table in the restaurant, in the presence of these women with talent and determination and brilliance, has really begged me to take a step back and reassess what happened to my own writing plans. Oh wait, I think I see them. Buried underneath all the other expectations I've put on myself. Does someone have a shovel?

I KNOW I'M RANDOM, BUT I'D MAKE A GREAT FILM

I was invited to join blog4reel which is a contest that, based on votes received, will reward a few lucky bloggers with movies being made from their blogs. I know my movie wouldn't be about much except my garbage can tales {see here, here, and here}, but you have to admit it would be an interesting movie about nothing. If you feel like it, you can vote here. And as a thank you I'll try to make Clementine the best read in blogland.

ANNIVERSARY IN GREECE

If I were spending my anniversary in Greece {I'm not, but if I was} I'd want to go to dinner at a beautiful restaurant, sit on the patio overlooking the ocean, and wear this dress.


















With these shoes


















Both from Jcrew.

ONCE UPON A TIME ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Once upon a time on the Mediterranean sea I fell in love with the tranquil seaside lifestyle, the pebbly beaches, my husband, and afternoons spent in the warmth of the sun; free from work, files and deadlines. These photos are from our lovely ten days in France November 2006.
This week Travelzoo is offering what sounds like a cruise to heaven and back.
Here are the details: Seven {7!} nights on the intimate Marco Polo cruise ship. The Marco Polo departs Barcelona on Oct. 10 and sails one-way to Athens with stops in France, Italy and Greece. Or, you can depart Venice on Oct. 31 {$250 per person more}. Sail one-way to Civitavecchia (near Rome) with stops in Croatia, Italy and Greece. I'm more interested in the second option since I've been to France twice but never Croatia.
I've always been slightly shy of cruises because they sound like 10 lbs just waiting to be gained. I mean, who doesn't want to eat themselves drunk with fresh shrimp and buttery lobster tail? Who? But, I'd be willing to face my fear of the cruise ship and the unlikely repeat of titanic if I could only find myself on the Marco Polo - bound, ultimately, for Greece. Somewhere out there, my destiny is waiting to take me to there.

CRIMEFIGHTERS AND SUPERPOWERS

A little over a year ago I overheard my youngest brother Andrew {then 21} ask another brother Ryan {then 24} who he would want as his partner if he were a crimefighter. After they had discussed the topic for a bit they both decided they'd choose each another for different and compelling reasons. But this question got me thinking. If I was a crimefighter looking for a partner, who would I choose and why?
Would I choose Jack Black because I'd always look better in spandex? Or John Travolta because he knows how to dance? Would I choose another woman? Maybe someone like Drew Barrymore so we could go undercover as two thirty-somethings just hanging out.

Who would you choose and why?

An episode of This American Life, called Superpower got me thinking about what kind of superpower I would want if they existed and I could have one. John Hodgman does a great segment in the episode where he interviews people about whether they'd like to fly or be invisible. I'd have to say, I think being invisible would come in more handy. Or would it? What powers would you wish to have?

CARTIER LA DONA WATCH: SIGH

I don't really have a lot of expensive jewelry. My wedding ring is the only thing that surpasses the $1,000 mark. That being said, a lot of expensive jewelry wouldn't really suit my lifestyle so I'm not too upset by my reality. If I could, though, own something gorgeous and extravagant, it would be this Cartier watch. It's rose gold which, if you know me, is my element of choice.
Does anyone have $22,600 I can borrow and never repay?

MORE THEN JUST THE FOOD

I've always wanted to go to China. Yes, see the countryside. Yes, visit ancient ruins. And yes, walk down busy streets in Beijing and Shanghia and feel totally overwhelmed and a little scared. Now I can go in 2008 {for $799, see details here}, which should give me plenty of time to save up money. Instead, though, I'll probably end up buying dining room furniture.

I DREAM BIG

Anyone who knows me knows I dream big but I don't always live up to the potential. This is one of the big dreams I'd like to add to the year. Nate and I could do it if we trained really hard for the next four months...I think. The website says, "participants that leave Logan in the last pack (7:45am) must ride an average speed of at least 16.5 miles per hour to arrive in Teton Village before dark (approx. 12.5 hours in the saddle including stops)." I'm not looking to win; I'm looking to finish before dark. And that's if I do it at all. Just looking at this photo and thinking about 12 hours in the saddle gives me butterflies.

CASUAL FRIDAY: TWO THINGS

I love to get dressed up; whether it's a pretty dress, cool jeans, or a feminine top, I'm always on board. But to go along with my extremely duplicitous personality, I also adore casual Friday (and Saturday and Sunday). My cute friend Julie would always wear her Juicy velour suit with uggs on Fridays. Amie thinks jeans qualify as casual.

Two Things: today I'm in lounge pants and Chuck Taylors - and I couldn't be happier!
Tell me two things you are wearing today {at the office or home...casual Friday is casual Friday wherever you happen to be}.

CAN I MAKE THIS?

Amie and I ventured to Nordstrom lastweek to get new eyeliner {for her}. I wandered into the hair accessory section and what I beheld was nothing short of a quiet and subtle miracle. I tried on this pretty "veil wrap with silk flower" and didn't feel at all obligated to limit its purpose to a wedding or special occasion. Why can't I wear it to church? Why can't I wear it out to dinner? AND, do you think I could make one that looks similar by shopping at my local Hancock Fabric rather then fork out the $58 to buy one?
Ali and Maeve included it in their April 25 wedding post at Your Heart Out. Oh, if only I had seen this back in August 2005!

BREATHE

I've been so busy. Between work, the house, and writing another article I've been up late and not showering until it's absolutely necessary. AND, just to make sure there is no rest for the weary, Nate's birthday is this Saturday and we're having a little BBQ to celebrate. This translates into late nights spent unpacking {yup, we're still doing that} so our guests won't experience our complex labyrinth.
Perhaps I should take direction from the famous Lindsay Lohan who has reminded herself to breathe with a little white tattoo of the word on her wrist.

I'VE FALLEN BEHIND!

I'm totally overwhelmed with work and life. I'm going to take a few days away from Clemantine. I'll be back on Friday!























{Patisserie image from MyClemantine on Flickr}

PIMP YOUR OFFICE AND OTHER GREAT STUFF

Alexander Kjerulf, author of the blog Chief Happiness Officer, has a great post about pimping your office with some very interesting furniture. I work for a Technical Analyst firm so you know there's not a chance on this earth that I'll ever have a meeting on this fabulous bike. But someone out there can, should, and will. Read more here.

U.S. GETS SMART

I first fell for the smart car about ten yars ago when they were rare to even the most progressive european cities - and I was reminded of how great they are last year on my trips to both Barcelona and Paris.
Now, the Smart Cars currently buzzing around European cities are coming to America. If you are interested in owning one you can visit Daimler Chrysler and get on the waiting list for just $99. This small fee {which can be applied to the purchase price of the car} proves to the company that you really are an interested party and not just pretending.
Don't be scared off by the size of the car, it's been redesigned to pass U.S. crash tests and should be ready to drive Route 66 by 2008. Check out all the models you have to choose from and while you're at it, imagine zipping into a parallel parking space "nose to the curb" rather then parallel. It can be done with the ForTwo model. For anyone that commutes, this is the way to go!

{fortwo coupe and roadster}









{fortwo cabrio and forfour coupe}

JCREW WORLD

I used to get a Jcrew cataloge in the mail about every five days. Though I pretended to be irritated I secretly poured over the pages and dreamed of living in Jcrew world. You see, Jcrew world is basically perfect.
Everyone is healthy, mid-twenties, pink-cheeked, glowing skin, and the clothes fit them like they were custom tailored. Jcrew world has the perfect summer sun; the blue skies of a perfect snowbird winter day; deep, earthy autumn tones; and breezy spring mornings.
In Jcrew world people live in rustic, plaid-shorn cabins and work in dog-friendly renovated warehouses. They go sailing, snow shoeing, camping {in old vintage VW vanigans}, and hang out at the ocean in eye appealing groups of an odd mix of women and men of all nationalities.
In Jcrew world they eat at outdoor cafes, carry armfuls of fresh cut flowers and groceries and only ride bikes with baskets on the handlebars. Occasionally in Jcrew world someone gets married. Again, usually on the beach with equally gorgeous wedding parties. The women wear relaxed buns and ponytails and the men have perfectly unkept heads of hair.
The best part of Jcrew world is that everyone is always smiling with perfect white teeth and naturally glossy lips. Sometimes when I flipped through the pages just before bed I'd dream about living there. I'd fit in and be one of the nantucket gang. I'd have tan lines and wear sear sucker and sun hats. But then I'd wake up in my old t-shirt with drool dried to my cheek and the moment was over in an instant.

LITMUS TEST

Yup, I still want it.

J'ADOUR MODERN SEATING

I love modern, clean lines for seating. It's not the look I want for the entire house - every nook. But when it comes to a place to rest your behind...me likey. Here are a few ideas {some very grand and out of budget} for my house.

{Andre Chair, $999, Room and Board. Would go well in greatroom}













{Bianco Chair in velour, $599, Room and Board, this one swivels! Would go well in dining room corner, bedroom, greatroom - i'd want two}













{Okay, I'm just dreaming. Eames leather lounge, $3,250, Room and Board. Would look lovely in the greatroom on a cowhide rug infront of all the windows}













{Eames molded, $329, Room and Board. I want these to go on either end of our dining table. I like the red}













{Hubbard rocker, $899, Room and Board. I want this for the greatroom or our den}














{Jake Chair, $79, Room and Board. This will look perfect around a black pedastal table in our breakfast nook. I'd also use one at my desk upstairs)















{Wassily, $699, Room and Board. This would be a great visitor's chair in Nate's office to off set his very traditional wood desk}













{Wire chair, $249, STLloftstyle.com. These would look great against the island in our kitchen}



















{Gino Stool, $119, STLloftstyle.com. These might be a lot of fun in moderation}