facts

:image: found these during my husbands mountain bike race

i'm back for 10 more quirks and habits about me:

21. i like NPR...i do. they have these call-in talks about food, car repair, animal info on saturdays and it's really funny to listen to what people call and ask about.

22. i am a list person. i make lists for everything; chores, groceries, what to pack, what to do with my life... call me listy mclisterson.

23. i like cake. but i LOVE pie. the crust and fruit make me giddy. especially when it's warm. if i have a piece of pie, i will heat it up.

24. jack johnson is a staple in our house. his music is in both our cars, a Pandora station, on the ipod, everywhere. you can't help but be happy when you listen to him.

25. i've recently become introduced to indian food and i love it. so, so good and it fills you up in just the right ways; not the i'm-so-stuffed-with-grease-carbs-double-chocolate-brownie-sundae way, but a content way. and i can't even get started on the naan...

26. learning a foreign language fluently is one of my life goals. oui-oui...

27. i have been using eye cream everyday for the past 11 years.

28. one time, my husband and i started and completed a 750 piece puzzle...in one day.

29. i make our bed every. single. day. during the week (weekends i take off)...my morning isn't complete without doing this.

30. i am probably one of the last persons on this earth that doesn't own a smartphone yet (gasp!).

check back next week for more fun facts.

facts

:image: working horse farm we took a trip to in the spring

here are 10 more quirks and habits about me:

11. breakfast is probably my most favorite meal of the day. i think because i haven't eaten for 11 hours helps too.

12. one day i want to have a small farm. i will have a vegetable and herb garden, a cow, maybe a few sheep, but definitely land.

13. adding to number 2: i am a girls girl. i love girly, fussy movies, painting my nails, fashion and shoes. but i also love dirt under my finger nails, trees and camping.

14. i have always wanted to surf. scared to death of sharks though...

15. i have three tattoos; two of which are flowers and one star.

16. i get so incredibly outraged when drivers do not use a turn signal. most cars come with them! if yours is broken, go the old fashioned route and stick your arm out the window for pete's sake...

17. i am completely intimidated by home improvement stores. i usually go with my husband (he knows where everything is, what this is, how this works, what shovel to buy), but on the off chance i have to go by myself, i get overwhelmed. i turn into a tourist. 

18. i have a clothing style that i curate often and feel content with. on the other hand, my home style is still a work in progress; i love the calm of neutrals but lean towards color and patterns. sometimes i don't even know what i want and give up on the decorating scheme of things for a bit.

19. i try to avoid scary movies at all costs. halloween? paranormal activity? texas chainsaw massacre? nope. no thanks.

20. sharpie markers are one of my most favorite things. if i could write with them all the time, i would.

surprised by all my idiosyncrasies? ready for more?! check back next week for 10 more.

a new book

:image: via pinterest

lately all i ever read are my textbooks for school and past issues of magazines, so whenever i am able to step away, i love to browse my favorite blogs. when i heard emily from cupcakes and cashmere was publishing a book, i was thrilled! i recently recieved it as an early birthday present and happily flip through it when i need a break from studying.  her blog is one i follow almost every day during the week and it is filled with refreshing photos, delicious recipes and envious outfit posts. she has a relaxing california vibe to everything she creates and i strive to use her tips to make my everyday prettier.

her book is available here and here!

facts

:image: perfect latte from here in Seattle

here are 10 out of 50 quirks and habits about me:

1. i have an unhealthy addiction to magazines, stripe shirts and lipstick (40 tubes...too many? No.)

2. i can usually pick any recipe out of a cookbook and make it, even if i have never tried it before. no fear in the kitchen...except for baking. that, i am working on.

3. i love coffee. i drink it mostly towards the end of a week and on weekends. thirsty thursday? bring on the cappuccino.

4. i get inspiration from book stores and libraries. being in the midst of all the words and thoughts from all walks of authors and artists puts me in a creative mind set.

5. speaking of words...i live on words. i love writing and quotes. as a student, i have to write many words and would prefer a big paper over taking a test anyday. i also have a notebook that i carry and write down good quotes and sayings.

6. i am a procrastinator. i always have been. i work better under pressure.

7. my hair has always been a "thing" for me. i have had it long, in the middle, super-on-the-verge-of-pixie short, bangs, no bangs...right now is full bangs and growing out.

8. the harry potter series is part of my well-being; like a sibling, really. if the world ended and i had to give up those books or my entire collection of books, i would choose to keep my harry potter books.

9. going to the farmer's market is like clothes shopping for me. all the colors and names of vegetables puts me into a frenzy.

10. i love being a really good sleeper. i can sleep for eight hours straight. through storms, husband getting up early, phone calls...you name it. out-like-a-light.

if you were blown away by today's 10 facts about me, check back next week for more.

working out

:image: via pinterest

i've never been one to voluntarily work out. i have always carried a healthy weight and 90% of the time i eat super healthy and do some moderate workouts. i have a love/hate relationship with it and i am trying to move myself towards the love part of that relationship. i have never really been "athletic" in terms and usually prefer reading and quieter things to do. when i was younger i always received good grades, read alot, and my fun activity was band (go ahead...laugh it up). i did participate in a semester of golf and cheerleading but i found golf exceptionally boring and my cheer jumps were never as high as they needed to be. now that i am inching towards 30, i find myself figuring out that i have been afraid of exercising. afraid of falling off my bike onto the gravel road or crashing into a tree stump. afraid of my heart pounding out of my chest and feeling out of breath. afraid of that "i'm about to vomit" surge that happens when your body wants to stop.

my husband is one of the best athletes i know. we have a gym room in our home (i know...i know, it's right there! do it!) with a rowing machine and most of the aspects of a Crossfit gym. he comes home from work and goes right in there; no fooling around, no chit-chat; he just does it. i admire all the determination, grunting and sweat he produces and he has completely changed his body since the first time we met. he has a great love for working out and i am really trying to jump on board. i know working out is all mental focus and i think i have grown with other things as my focus so i don't quite know how to master the love of a work out. i want to love it; to embrace it and make it who i strive to be everyday. we are given one body to work with, so why not master it?

although, i could possibly catch up on my novel while riding the bike trainer?

...just a thought.



weekends

weekends are meant for un-made beds, dishes in the sink, and the endless smell of brewed coffee in the morning...weekends are for play, for inspiration, for recharging...

forget all the "stuff" that needs to be done; do the things you want to do this weekend. enjoy.

happy memorial day!

dear blog, i miss you.

time management has not been on my side lately. i consider myself a type a and am usually "on it" as far as anything to do with time and organizing my life.
"time for sleep!" "time for dishes!" "time for schoolwork!" "time for...wait...what time is it?!"
this is the running dialogue in my house as of late. i now know that when someone commits to a blog, it takes a bit of work to keep it fresh and interesting. so pardon my absence dear blog...i shall return shortly. xo

currently: busy...

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:image: pinterest

sorry for not posting in a while. it is busy around here; working on projects, photos, crafts, starting my bachelors, and still coming to terms with the fact that it is now 2012. time is flying and i just keep getting busier :) i will be back with fresh topics as soon as i can! hope the holidays were wonderful. ours was cozy with lots of sweet treats. see you soon. xo

currently love

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:image: this little trusty notebook has carried all my ideas this month

the BIG holiday is upon us. i have been trying to squeeze every ounce of hours out of my days lately, just so i have something else to check off my list. i adore being in my kitchen preparing treats i have not attempted before (so far so good!) and dressing it all up in pretty packaging. i think, as i am getting older, i love mostly now the foods that holidays force us to make/eat rather than the gift aspect. i get more excited about the gathering of our family and special friends around the table more than anything else. enjoy your weekend and merry christmas :)

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:image: one piece of this white chocolate bark is delicious with coffee

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:image: this friendly reindeer greets us everyday in december

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:image: dusting homemade marshmallows. i used this recipe and they turned out fluffy and mouth-watering

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:image: my mother's silverware that i used as a child

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:image: our christmas tree. the woodland animals are my favorite.

a weekend retreat

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:image: lovely side street

this past weekend we traveled to st. augustine with our friends. this little town is our usual go-to for a quick relaxing couple of days. the laid back atmosphere, little shops, and quite the temperature change give us that out-of-state feeling, with only a three hour drive north. during the holiday season, the downtown area is decorated in white twinkling lights and greenery, and we can't help but get a little more giddy christmas is just a few days away.

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:image: my husband and myself, photo by b.c.

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:image: we were serenaded by santa, photo by b.c.

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:image: we had delicious wine and tapas for dinner here

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:image: lights display in downtown, photo by b.c.

for your favorite...

:friend:

laughing, shopping, eating dessert, saying silly things, that is what a friend is for; someone you share a lot of your life with and would do anything for. you know what they like and what they would love. when it comes to gifts for friends, i always say to get them something that they would not normally indulge in for themselves. make it a special gift...something that will remind them of you.

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:image: these come in a pretty array of colors; she'll be set for all year

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:image: she will love this delicate initial necklace; a great staple

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:image: she will rely on this soft wrap everywhere she goes

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:image: a pedicure gift to her favorite spa; need i say more?

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:image: every girl needs a great clutch. this one has a fun polka-dot lining.

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:image: these beautifully scented candles will become a regular on her wishlists

*these gift suggestions are also great for moms, sisters, and all the women in your life!

currently love

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:image: clever way to display received christmas cards

this week i was able to finish gift shopping and i am relieved of that. the past couple of years i think i was in denial of how close christmas was and waited until the few days before to even start shopping. now my only tasks are to start wrapping and baking. i am so happy the glorious holiday is just about a week away. more and more lights are going up outside in our neighborhood and it's really starting to sink in. this weekend we are taking a quick trip with some friends to st. augustine to see their grand light display in the historic downtown. i love short getaways...they are the icing of life. i'll be back with a tuesday blog.

enjoy your weekend.

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:image: my favorite, pink lady apples are just the right amount of sweet and crunch

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:image: new owl trinket dish to hold my wedding rings

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:image: can not wait to use these pretty cupcake liners from here

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:image: fun holiday nails for our weekend trip, i used this and this



for your favorite...

:hostess:

if you are attending any holiday parties this coming weekend, i have compiled here a few reasonably priced gifts your host will love. i always think to bring something pretty, something smart, something sweet, or something drinkable. if you are just meeting your host, bring something sweet or drinkable. if a friend or family member is hosting, you can never go wrong with any of the above. have fun!

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:image: one of these stoneware baskets will be a hit with a tasty treat inside

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:image: give this adorable cupcake ornament for the tree, and you will always be thought of

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:image: any of these hot chocolate mixes with a pretty ribbon, anyone will be sure to love

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:image: the inner-designer of your host will love this book

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:image: this candle will make their house smell like the real thing

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:image: these fun kate spade thank you notes will make them smile

(hopefully one will end up in your mailbox!)



paper goods

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cardmaking is a hobby of mine. i try to make cards for all seasons but it seems i get especially energetic about making them for christmas. i send them out, give them as gift packs and cut smaller ones for gift tags. usually on a given night, i can make about four or five before i go to sleep. i love the effect that i can get by using craft scissors for a raw edge and i love the simple ease of double stick tape. i have quite a large amount of paper from this store that i buy in big stacks which is more cost efficient than separate sheets. if you're feeling a bit crafty, make a couple cards. you will be surprised at what you can come up with.

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:image: similar paper found here

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:finished result from last years batch:

chicken noodle soup

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i think i may be able to live on soup. i came across this recipe and have created it about 20 times this year. it is especially good if you may be feeling a little under the weather and need a homemade pick-me-up. i use left over chicken i have roasted from a night or two before and sometimes add spinach and even white kidney beans. during the summer i add refreshing lemon and parmesean. this has to be my most favorite soup. simple and clean and oh-so-good for you.

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a little snow...

:image: washington

if you're like me, and live in florida, you don't have the pleasure of seeing alot of snow this time of year. i have this image of mount rainier on my desktop and it always makes me feel a bit nostalgic of our trip to seattle, washington this past august. i love looking at all our pictures from that trip, especially now when i need a little cooling off from the humidity and a reminder that yes, in fact, christmas is in two weeks. i could always pretend that we are going to have a white christmas and turn on the a/c and throw on some socks.

 

currently love

:image: google

i love this time of year. all the lights are strung and glowing and the holiday atmosphere gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. i am constantly listening to this christmas album and looking forward to making cards this weekend. home is where i want most to be during this season, enjoying our decorated tree, cookie baking, and watching a plethora of christmas movies. enjoy your weekend.

:image: she and him

: the tone of this album is easily addicting :

:image: ceramic owls

: these owls i enjoy all year long :

:image: tea-cup mug  (no longer available)

: drinking tea from this mug/cup makes my day a little sweeter :

:image: new clutch

: can not wait to start using my early christmas gift from my husband :

:image: december real simple

: great gift and christmas styling ideas in this issue :