Anthropologie...I'm in love.

Up until today, I didn't really understand the appeal of Anthropologie. Their clothes have always been above my budget and seemed to only cater to buyers above 5-feet (ahem, not me). But on a whim, I went into an Anthropologie today and found these (on sale!):

(Dusky Needlework Dress...with hidden front pockets!)


(Iris & Rose Blouse)


(Beryllium Beret)

Now let me tell you, I have a difficult time finding hats that fit my ridiculously large cranium, but this one is great!!


Dear Anthropologie:
I heart you now. Please send this for Christmas:



Love,
Jaime

Twilight + True Blood + Dawsons Creek + Smallville = The Vampire Diaries

I must admit, I did NOT want to watch the series premier of The Vampire Diaries. Mostly because it seems like the world is cashing in on Stephenie Meyer and the huge success of the Twilight series. And also maybe because I've been told that I already watch too much TV. :)

But I was home alone on a Friday night and hey, there was nothing else on...so my remote magically turned to the CW (formerly known as the WB, home of three of my all time favorite shows: Dawson's Creek, Felicity and Everwood). And voila! The Vampire Diaries was on.

Sigh...what can I say? I'm a sucker for sexy, brooding, sensitive, blood-sucking types. And Stefan (hey, that's awfully similar to STEPHENie...as in Stephenie Meyer) is pretty convincing as an Edward wannabe. My only problem with him was that he played Emmalin's bad-influence boyfriend on Army Wives and I just can't get the image of him trying to elope with a 16-year old girl out of my mind. But I'm sure that will turn around eventually.

Then there's Damon, his bad-news "brother" (I have no idea if they're REAL brothers, I haven't read the books after all). All that I know about this guy is that he likes to kill humans and is ubercute. Oh and he was in a movie that my cousin produced called The Rules of Attraction. Yes, that is all I know.

There are all of the supporting friends (i.e. the Mikes and Jessicas and Angelas, only they're from CW-land and not Forks) and little brother Jeremy (who was actually in Everwood - keeping it in the CW family I guess).

But the best part so far for me is Elena. Not only does she have the awesome name of my favorite female werewolf (read Bitten if you haven't already), but she is so freaking cute, I want to put her in my pocket and carry her around. She kind of reminds me of Lana Lang from Smallville with I guess a small bit of Bella (but the book Bella, not the movie version). I instantly liked her more than K-Stew (sorry girl, you're a bit too angsty for me). And since I haven't read the books, I don't care that she doesn't have blond hair. I like her hair. I wish my hair looked like that.

Anyway, that is all. Obviously I am sold and will become an avid watcher. CW, you have succeeded in bringing me back.

Remember

Some beautiful photos for a day to remember the 3,017 whose lives were cut short on September 11, 2001.

Showcase: The World as of 9/10/01

If you're in need of a smile...

I gotta feeling...

And if you just can't get enough of the impromptu dancing:

Train station in Belgium

Liverpool Street Station: T-Mobile Commercial

Sometimes the surprise performances are the best.

Kitchen Wish List

...for when I have a job and can afford to buy these luxury items. :)


I love this. So much.
















I have also been obsessing over these Le Creuset Dutch Ovens...I love the Caribbean color, but the Slate is awesome and is less expensive for some reason at Williams Sonoma. Obsessing over cookware?! What's happened to me?! :)

My Life As A Pseudo-Chef: Day 3

Taco salad: delish!

After three days of cooking (this is a major record for me), I realized that the reason I am starting to enjoy myself, is that when you cook something, you actually get a substantial product out of the work that you put in. Amazing. So at the end of a possibly otherwise frustrating day, cooking actually seems to be...relaxing! I guess I drank the Kool-Aid. :)

My Life As A Pseudo-Chef: Day 2

Shepherd's Pie + salad was actually a success!

Things that I learned:
1) How to blanch carrots
2) How to make mashed potatoes (and let me tell you, that potato masher from Williams Sonoma was SO worth the hour-long field trip to get it)
3) Raw chicken still grosses me out to no end
4) Galeos Miso dressing is my new favorite thing
5) A glass of Pinot Noir makes cooking more fun :)

I feel encouraged!

My Life As A Pseudo-Chef: Day 1

A bit of history: I hate to cook. No, I take that back...cooking stresses me out so badly that by the time it comes to eating the (generally not very delicious) meal, I can't really enjoy it. This may seem strange (especially if you know my mother, who is an excellent cook), but up to this point, I've been a microwave-a-Lean-Cuisine or a dine-out kind of a girl. Two factors are playing into my new goal of learning how to cook: the first, it's freaking expensive to eat out; and second, I'm trying my hardest to slim down and get into shape before we go to Hawaii in December. So I went out and bought the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook and have created a menu for this next week - as kind of a trial. Plus it helps that I'm not working at the moment (more on that later), so I'm hoping that once I find out that I actually can create a delicious and nutritious meal on my own, the stresses will fly out the window. We shall see.

Tonight's dinner: Chicken salad. Sounds easy enough, right?

More after the meal... :)


Later....well, the dinner wasn't a complete failure, but the noodles in the salad were pretty gross. The dressing however was good. So I'd say that Day 1 was a success in that it got me into the kitchen. Next step: food that people will like. :) Tomorrow is Shepard's Pie.

New Beginnings

Well, I am turning over a new leaf for this new location. This is Day 8 of my new life as a California Girl and I have so much to update everyone on. However, the grand update will have to wait as I am on a roll unpacking my office and bedroom and any other distractions will make this job even more tedious. I just wanted to make an "official" statement that I will be back to blogging...hopefully soon.

-J

Cartier: Week One, Day Seven

Today Cartier spent the afternoon with me - spending most of the time in his kennel, but we were able to walk around my building a school a few times. He's doing very well on leash and for the most part walks in perfect heel position (something that Scout had problems with from the start). He is so social - he spots people from far away and starts wagging his tail like nothing else - a charmer, for sure!

Cartier (9.5 weeks) and Scout

Two peas in a pod.

Cartier: Week One, Day Six

Cartier had his first at-home face-clip last night (he'd been clipped once before by Jac, his breeder). For the most part he did really well, although he did put up quite a fight at first (as he seems to do with just about everything). He's a determined boy, but given what he'll be doing one day, that's probably a good thing! Anyway, by the end of it, he was happy because he'd been given a ton of "treats" (actually just puppy kibble) and I was covered in poodle fur. Scout was hilarious. At first she got nervous because she thought that I was going to clip her (a task that she's not too crazy about), but after she realized that Cartier was the "victim" (as she probably thinks of it), she became increasingly alarmed for HIM. It was actually pretty funny - she alternated between coming over to me to hover and make sure that he was ok and hiding by Michael. I eventually got her into a down-stay and she calmed down a little. She's just so attached to him - it's adorable but also makes me worried about their eventual separation. I'm trying to get him out alone at least once a day (and her as well), so that she still knows that she can survive without him. If she could have it her way, she'd probably sleep in his kennel with him at night. :)

Cartier: Week 1, Day 3

Cartier slept in his kennel last night and was quiet the entire time!! He only woke up twice to potty outside - we were so proud!! This is a big improvement over the screaming the night before.

Cartier: Week One, Day Two

Welcome Home Cartier!!

Michael and I are now fostering Cartier, a 9-week old Standard Poodle puppy! As crazy as it sounds, we're very excited and know that it will be a rewarding experience. He will spend the next year with us and then will train to be a seizure response dog, his eventual home will be in Canada.

His first two days home have been going well and other than hating his kennel, he's having a great time! Scout absolutely loves him and is learning that she's not the baby anymore. Although it will be difficult to say goodbye in a year, just knowing that he will be going to such a wonderful home and will be performing such a noble job, makes it completely worth it. I will be posting short updates regarding his progress along the way!

Photos will also be added on a regular basis to the Cartier Photo Page.

Tigers Heart Orangutans

This story is amazing: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17379134/

(image from cnn.com)

Beach Dog!!

Scout's first trip to the coast!

Photos

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOUT!!

Today is Scout's 8-month birthday!! Next Tuesday she will be having the BIG SURGERY. I know that I shouldn't be nervous, but I am - she is our baby after all :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

To those people that claim that Valentine's Day is a holiday invented by greeting card companies, I give you this bit of history (I love you, Wikipedia).

The ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated fertility in the month of February and in 496 AD the pope declared that February 14th would be the feast of St. Valentine. In 1382 Geoffrey Chaucer wrote:

"For this was on seynt Volantynys day

Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [chose] his make [mate]."

So we see that although Joyce C. Hall began selling postcards for his company Hall Brothers in 1910 (destined to become Hallmark in 1928), the holiday of Valentine's Day was recognized long before its now well-known commercial front.

P.S. Being that this is the second year EVER that I can say "Happy Valentine's Day" to someone and actually mean it in that way, I have to say - I LOVE the holiday!!!

Scout's a Good Citizen!!

Great news!! Despite being the youngest dog there, Scout passed her Canine Good Citizen exam and received her CGC certificate!! Next up is a tricks class and then perhaps agility or further obedience in the spring. I am hoping to start her in on therapy work after she turns 1, so we'll see how the training progresses!

Here's a photo of Scout on Saturday, and one of Maia...she says "Who needs the AKC when you're as beautiful as me! You people bore me."

Scout's new frou frou

I couldn't resist!! :)

Here are some other photos from this weekend!

Happy New Year!!

New pictures posted from LA and our cruise!

Yay! Passed!

I passed biochem! Phew! Big relief.

Here's a photo of Scout's new hairdo :) She's 5 1/2 months old today!

A few new photos posted.

Library = Fun

Here I am, back in the Valley Library again. Yes, this is perhaps the highlight of my entire term. :) I'm frantically cramming for my biochem final (why have I done this to myself AGAIN?!?!? :)). Anyway, we'll see how it goes!

Here's a funny photo that I took of the princess the other day...

Thanksgiving, snow and a cold poodle

First of all, Happy Late Thanksgiving! I hope that your holiday was wonderful! We spent the day in Eugene and the rest of the weekend relaxing at home. Four-day weekends should be mandatory at least once a month! I love them.

It's snowing in Corvallis right now - I wore my rain boots today, but still managed to get my pants soaking wet. Scout was excited to play in the snow and had a good romp with some new friends in a park close to our house. She was so cold that her little body was shivering violently. But that didn't stop her from running and playing with the big dogs. She's a trooper.

In other news, Michael just bought the new Nintento Wii - at first I thought "What?! Another game?!" but have come to realize that it's actually pretty awesome - and has THE ORIGINAL Super Mario Brothers (only the best game known to mankind). So I give it a big thumbs up.

Michael and his dad did some major remodeling work on the house! We finally are getting everything back in its place and I think it looks great! Photos here.

Here are also some recent photos of us and of course Scout. What can I say? I love my dog! :)

Scout Lost Her First Two Teeth Today!

And it's her 4-month birthday!!

Welcome Home Scout!!

Yesterday, Michael and I brought home our Standard Poodle puppy Scout. She was wonderful last night (and only had a few insane puppy moments - I'm sure there will be many more to come!). She slept in her kennel and barked/cried for about 5 minutes before falling asleep. She has completely stolen our hearts and it's been less than 24 hours since we met. :)

New photos :)

Some new pictures of Nikki's first overnight trip to Corvallis :)

RHCP Forever

Michael and I went to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers this past Friday at the Rose Quarter in Portland. It was an amazing concert, to say the least...
The night began with a ride on the MAX in from downtown where our car was practically filled with a group of giddy teenagers that rapped and sang their way to the venue (complete with a rendition of Dani California). The scene was alive with anticipation.
Once we got into our seats the music began. Mars Volta opened the show, and although I had to give them credit for being so excited about their music, the songs sounded a lot like a bunch of people playing every possible instrument in a garage band. Too loud - you lost touch with what their music was about. But once they were done with their set, the stage cleared. Michael told me that when RHCP performs, they remove almost every piece of equipment, save the microphones and drums.
When the lights went out the crowd went wild. I can't even really describe what it was like, but from Flea's first strum on the guitar to his last, people were on their feet. The crowd was pulsing, people were hugging eachother, waving their arms in the air, and for 2 sweet hours, you were lost in the music.
When we walked out, our ears were ringing and our hearts were pounding and everyone on the rail home was...happy. In our world today, I think that sometimes we forget about the simple joy of music - this concert was a nice reminder of that.
Anthony Kiedis belted out in Soul To Squeeze: "When I find my piece of mind, I'm gonna give you some of my good time." Thank you RHCP, for sharing some of that with us.

Big Island Photos!!

Our first three days on the Big Island were wonderful. Now we are on Oahu for the next week! See our pictures taken so far!

Off to Hawaii!!!

Weeee!!!!

Happy Birthday Mikey!!! :)

He's 25 for the fourth time!! <3

First time for everything...

Yesterday, for the first time, I went to see a movie ALL BY MYSELF!! (I'm a big kid now!) It was terribly hot here (101F) and I had Sunday completely off...so what better to do on a hot day? You got it, buttery popcorn, soda, freezing theater...the works. I went to see The Lake House, which actually turned out to be really good.

Other first times..

First (and only) time for Beth and Brandon to get married! The wedding was wonderful and everyone had such a great time. Beth was stunning in her dress...and I didn't break the seams on mine (phew).

First time to meet Michael's friends Jen (who had just gotten married to good friend Reed), and Edin and Claire (who have been married for a while now :))

First time to stay at the Westin in Portland (nice hotel).

First time to eat onion rings at the Westin restaurant (good onion rings).

All in all...super weekend!!

Junior's New Stuff!

The Steps and the cat couch!

Our little Junior has been having trouble jumping up onto the couch/bed/etc, so I figured that I'd go on a shopping spree in his honor. Plus, hopefully the steps will make his life a little easier and the cat beds make it a little comfier. :)