...and then George Takei posted our snow creation on Facebook...

So, this last week has been ridiculous. For many reasons.

First off, the weather: it's been decades since Kansas saw the kind of snow we've had these last two weeks. In between storms we went to Lawrence and stayed the night with our friends Corey and Megan. After a lovely walk downtown for brunch at 715 we moseyed our way back, discussing the upside-down snowman Megan had dreamed of building. Which didn't happen. But something better did: Snowda

So, we built Snowda, posted some pictures on Instagram and Facebook for our friends to see, and that's it. Right? No. First, the local paper included a picture of Snowda along with some other amazing creations from around town. Then, the incomparable F*ck You, I'm From Kansas! posted a picture on their page. David and I kept updating each other last night with "did you see? It's been shared 500 times!" and "look! A thousand 'likes'! Fun!". THEN, this afternoon, this happened on Facebook:

GEORGE TAKEI SHARED OUR YODA!

It's basically the ultimate geek approval. Ever. We thought we were good when an 10 year old kid told us "yeah, it looks pretty cool" while we were building it (I mean come on, 10 year olds are super hard to impress!)  Pretty much the only way it could get better from here is if Ellen shares it or President Obama (in that order).

May the Force be with you!

starting to feel like home...

When I lived alone, on weekend nights that I didn't drive to be with D in KC or he couldn't get to me in L-town because of work or other obligations, I always managed to somehow stay up super late (after 11:00p is super late for me, to be honeest) bingeing (binging??) on netflixed TV, or making cookies or doing crafts or reading too many blogs (design/mommy/funny/wedding/funnydesignymommy) until late in the night, to the point that the dog would put herself to bed and I would begin to nod off at the keyboard.  I haven't really had many of these kinds of nights since moving to KC, because all the hours together are just better than the ones spent alone, but I still relish in the moments I have to myself because although they are to myself, I'm a mere few steps away to my loves in the other room rather than being 40 miles away from a complete heart. 

So tonight I felt like sitting up late by myself in the dark, catching up on online-y things, and post a few catching-up things for myself:

My brother's girlfriend adopted a one-eyed dog who is just about the cutest thing since sliced bread/my dog:

we got a record snow here in the midwest - D got a snow day while I worked and had meetings from home (Google hangouts - you're pretty great!):

snow day all day with my love:

I'm pretty sure the technical term is "snow zoomies":

 

FINALLY getting to utilize the amazing Sorel boots D got me for my birthday 2 years ago - they're the most amazing boots ever (paired with flannel and eddie bauer warmness for the victory):

And it's just about March, for the love of goodness. 

2.13.13

"Learning new things helps diffuse stress like nothing else. Instead of freaking out, see what you can be taught that will help you more forward. The end result is much more rewarding if you get there without unnecessary turmoil." - me, today, to myself.

Winter Remedies

Winter is tough. No sun, cold fingers, the flu, high energy bills...I am such a summer, I-don't-care-if-it's-100-degrees-I'm-happy-as-long-as-it's-not-February sort of person that I've learned I have to take serious precautions to get through these months.

We all feel like this bird.

1. I've been doing this thing where I pretend I'm sort of an alcoholic, or at least have a drinking problem (stay with me here) and whenever I get a little annoyed or tired and come home at the end of a work day and the first thing I think of as I'm unlocking the door could be pouring a big glass of wine....I drink a huge glass of water instead. It's kind of amazing how quickly I start feeling better. I have a big purple plastic cup that I leave by the sink that I swear makes me feel extra hydrated. Don't worry, I swear the only drinking problem I have is not drinking enough water throughout the day.

2. Burt's Bees = great. Right? But even better than the original crack is their Honey Lip Balm. I think I stopped using it for a while because David thought it smelled funny when I'd go to kiss him, but now I say 'screw that noise'  because I found a tube in a coat pocket and started using it again and ohmygoodness, the stuff works. I can honestly see and feel a difference that lasts so much longer than anything else I've been using recently.

3. This sounds funky, but I promise it's awesome - I've been "washing" my face with oil. I mix evoo with almond oil and a touch of jasmine essential oil, rub it all over my face (not missing my eyelids, lashes, lips, and neck) and then I get a washcloth really warm and lay it over my face for a minute before wiping the oil off. No harsh soaps and hot scalding water. My skin feels so soft and looks radiant and toned and I haven't had that feeling of "my skin is so dry I'm going to start crying" yet this season! (Here's the oil cleansing method from SimpleMom.net)

4. Not showering. Ew. But I have my dad's dry, Minnesota winter skin, and in the past I have developed such horribly dry skin that I can't do anything but cry about it while lathering on the lotion. This year I've been practicing not showering and washing my hair every single day, as much as I love that scalding hot, moisture zapping water, and I'm disgusted proud to say that this morning (Sunday) was the first time I showered since Thursday morning. GROSS. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand lotion. The end. Look no further.

6. Hot Toddies (is that even the plural for toddy?) - bourbon, honey, lemon, Celestial Seasoning's Bengal Spice tea.

'tis the season

Oh my goodness it's been a long time. Here we are, and December is tomorrow! Which means I've got Christmas on the mind. Here's my list this year: 

Georgia Varidakis knot ring (again!)

Re-released "Forever Changes" by Love - vinyl

Everlane silk blouse

Kansas art from Etsy

My parent's house is still under construction and my brother is apparently going to be selling fireworks in the south over the holidays, so this will be a bit of a hodgepodgy Christmas. Not that we've really ever had too many traditions, anyway. We're a flexible bunch! But I look forward to new traditions with new people and making new memories. Happy December!

SF: Last day first - Uniqlo

We stopped in Uniqlo's new store in San Francisco just before heading to the airport to go home. My thought process went from "so this is kinda H&M-ey" to "holy heather sweater and camel cardigan, why didn't I know more about this place and save all my money for it?" in a matter of minutes, and only got stronger on the 3 hour flight eastward (read: away from Uniqlo). I bought a few things: a pair of green jeans for $10.00, a polka dot scarf, and this cute Orla Kiely dress that kind of makes me look a 12 year old wearing a nightgown, but which I think will look slightly more mature with a belt and boots. Also, I won't lie, it's a little fun being maybe the only person in Kansas City who has it. (I doubt it, actually, but y'know.)

{via}

 David snagged one of the mags created for the opening of the new store and as I read it on the plane, I realized just how awesome Uniqlo is. I mean, Novak Djokovic is their "cultural ambassador" or whatever. Duh. But mostly, their "Made For All" campaign really speaks to me as someone who has a lot of difficulty feeling both comfortable and semi-stylish in most clothing. The majority of the pieces I saw in the store were obviously not concerned with being "trendy" as much as they were about being accessible and reasonable. I'm kicking myself for not buying the smoky blue silk smock dress or this red one, or the polka dot (!) vest (!!!). Oh well - there's always next time!

California 2012 starts tomorrow

Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow. Vacation vacation vacation! The day before going on vacation, especially if that day is a Monday and you have to work that day, is horrible. So since my concentration level is at nil, here are some things we've been up to lately (via Instagram):

won a corn maze

sold lavender at the Farmer's Market

found fall and a sunset

 

got my "walking around San Francisco shoes"

dyed my dog's head with blueberry compote

West Coast, here I come!