Sleek Top Bun Tutorial

There's so much buzz about a messy bun, which I do love, but sometimes you want to feel a little more refined and classy, sort of channel a little Audrey Hepburn perhaps?

I got a few emails after my last Playgrounds & Lollipops post on my bun and how I achieved it.  Believe it or not, that day was the first time I had tried that type of bun and it ended up being quite easy and simple.  Let me show you how.

You want the pony to be right on top of your head, in the center

Loop your rubber band 2-3 times and on the last loop make sure to NOT pull it all the way through

You'll have a little Snooki bump up front but don't worry we'll fix that

This is how we make it more sleek and refined, by wrapping that extra hair around your rubber band

You don't have to wrap every single strand of hair around the rubber band, it can look a little messy in the back, the bun will hide it.

I use 3-4 bobby pins.  

Once complete take a look and spray any extra strands in place

And now after finding a new way to wear my hair, I will over do the heck out of this style until I get sick of it.  I am a stage one clinger when it comes to finding something new I love.  ;)

Please let me know if you try it! 

Garam Masala

I'll be working part time for the next few weeks until they find someone to replace me.  Don't ask how I got suckered into giving a 7 week notice, but I did.  At least I was able to dictate my schedule, and so starting last week I transitioned to my part time schedule of 3 days a week.  Last Wednesday on my day off, Taylor and I took a little down time after homework was complete to watch the Food Network, and oh how I have missed my shows!  The weekend line up is just not the same, with marathon episodes of Guy Fieri going through endless Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, making me want to puke at the crap people eat.  Sure, there's also lots of Alton Brown thrown in on the weekend, but let's be honest, one can only handle geeky food talk for so long.  But I digress.

We caught an episode of Sunny Anderson's Cooking for Real and the Baked Chicken Drummies looked fantastic.  I love Indian food but am too intimidated to make it, but this looked like a simple enough recipe for me to try.  I made my grocery list on Saturday and searched two grocery stores for Garam Masala, the key ingredient to this dish, to no avail.  I became transfixed on making this dish Saturday night so I looked up how to make my own Garam Masala and found a quick and easy recipe here. 

Lo and behold, I just happened to have all ingredients ON HAND in my pantry to make my own mix!  I jumped up and down and immediately tweeted "I have arrived!  I am officially a foodie!"  Never mind that no one was here to crown me with an official Foodie title, I went ahead and took the honors upon myself.

Garam Masala is more smokey in flavor than hot or spicy and added a nice punch to the chicken.  I also added some to our sauteed spinach, the veggie side dish of the meal.  It is a beautiful concoction of rich spices, including Cumin, Coriander, Cardamon, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmeg.  The Cardamon spice is a little random, but luckily I had a stash of it from making my own Chai. 

I have made my own concoction of spices a couple of times before, including Jerk Chicken rub.  Our local grocery store Sprouts has a wonderful little bulk spice section where you can get small amounts of random, yet common fresh spices.  It ends up being much cheaper to make your own mixture, or even to just get small amounts of spices that you don't commonly use so that it doesn't go bad, rather than buying even a small jar of a spice.  I calculated that this little bit of Garam Masala cost just under a buck, where you'd normally pay at least $5 for a jar.   

The chicken drummies turned out great by the way.  Did anyone out there cook up something good this weekend?  I'm linking up to Heather's Life Made Lovely Monday.

Playgrounds & Lollipops - When In Rome

{Cardigan: St. John; T-Shirt: James Perse; Jeans: Forever 21; Shoes: Tory Burch; Necklaces: Carolee and vintage; Earrings: Kate Spade; Nail Polish: Essie St. Lucia Lilac; Lipstick: Mac Ladybug}

I don't necessarily dress to try and stand out, but if I look a little different, I don't mind.  When I first became a mom I started buying very "basic" items to help me sort of blend in and because I thought the more basic, the more I'd be able to stretch my dollar.  But I quickly started to feel too basic and went back to my usual ways of picking out clothes that had some sort of different quality about them.  I started to learn how much I disliked blending in.  I tend not to shy away from prints, subtle embellishments or bright, bold colors. 

That is not to say though that I like to stand out to the point of being uncomfortable.  I don't mind overdressing for an occasion, but if I feel too overdressed, I fidget and fuss all night.  Same goes for work. I've mentioned before that my work dress code is very, very casual.  Flip flops, jeans and unkempt hair are standard workplace attire.  I started to quickly fall in to that dress code by keeping accessories to a minimum, wearing very light makeup and flesh tone shades of lipcolor; the more androgynous the better.  When in Rome you know?  But since resigning, I'm starting to get my mojo back and the real Andrea is popping out at work.  What have I got to loose after all?

When I came into the office yesterday wearing this ensemble (much more suited for my old company's dress code), people literally did a double take.  Some said "You look cute."  One person, I kid you not, just sort of stared for a minute and then said "Wow, that's a lot of stuff."  Um.  Thanks.  I guess?

So let's recap what we've learned shall we?

1. Don't be afraid to step a bit out of your comfort zone, baby steps at first to test the waters.  See just how comfortable you feel being a little daring trying something new or different. 
2. Not mentioned above, but also very important, is step outside of your comfort zone, while still keeping it functional to your real everyday life.  These necklaces are a perfect example; I had to tuck them away for about the first 4 years of being a mother because baby and toddler hands are inexplicably attracted to them.  Granted, in all honesty, I would loose the necklaces if I was going to the park :)
3. As it relates to trends, when wearing something very sweet and ladylike in your wardrobe, funk it up a bit with motorcycle boots, slouchy boyfriend jeans or ripped jeans.  You don't want to end up looking like a prude after all ;)  This Parisian style guide from Lonny is a fun little resource on how to mix opposing styles and trends.  I think I want to have it printed and framed for my imaginary office.
4. Lastly, I also didn't mention above but it's probably the most important thing I learned from this post was this: Be Creative!  I have had the shoes, cardigan and necklaces in my possession for the past 4-5 years and I haven't worn them for at least 3 years.  After writing this post, I am really taking a hard look at the items I already own and haven't worn in a while.  If they are classic and I loved them 5 years ago, surely I can find a way to fit them into my current life, right?  5 years ago I would have worn this cardigan with a pencil skirt and heels to work.  Now, pairing it with boyfriend jeans and a T-shirt is the perfect combination that suits my current lifestyle.  

Class Dismissed :)

Happy Friday friends!

p.s. I used to work at St. John and had an outstanding clothing allowance; otherwise I could have never afforded to buy a piece on my own!

True Confessions of Project 2011

When I first started Project 201, my biggest trepidation was whether or not to post the actual amount I spent on my non-necessity items.  I had the typical insecurities that I always have about what will people think.  Surely some will say what I spend is nickles compared to what they spend.  Others would be shocked that this is what I consider "budgeting".  But I decided to lay it all out there regardless because if I didn't, it really wasn't being honest.

January was easy because aside from home improvement and some new nail polish I didn't buy anything.  February was a little tricky though.  I spent $270 on various items of shoes and clothes for 3 members of the family.  I bought 15 items which averaged out to $18 an item.  Not bad for shoes, clothes and accessories that were all, for the most part, high quality.

But as I suspected, I got a mixed bag of reactions to my "budget".  Funny how no one balked at spending $250 on painting Syd's room, but the same amount on clothes and shoes?  Have mercy!  I had one friend say that honestly my budget was very reasonable and she confessed that she spends much more on clothes than I do.  And then several other friends poked fun and teased.  One even said that's what they spend on food for an entire month.

I can justify it however I want.  For the time being I pull in a second salary that, while I don't make gobs and gobs of money, I do do well for myself.  I can also say that I work in the fashion industry and I have to maintain a certain level of appearance, but really that's not entirely true being that I get all my work clothes for free, a perk I will sorely miss.

The bottom line is $270 is a lot of money, and 18 items of clothing and shoes is a lot of stuff for 3 people.  I don't plan on doing that on a monthly basis, but honestly, I easily could.  And I probably would if I wasn't doing this monthly project to keep myself in check.

March has not been good so far and I have fallen more times than I care to admit.  I have been lusting for far too much "stuff".  In fact my wish list is a mile long.  And I have gotten into the ugly cycle this month of buy/return.  I buy the item I want because at the time I can spin together a story in my head of why I need it or why now is the perfect time to buy it, or why blah, blah, blah.  It's on sale, it's triple points time, it's friends and family time.  But I take the stuff home and then feel guilty and have buyer's remorse and take it back.  It's a cycle that is all too familiar to me and I need to stop it.  I bought a pair of Ray Ban aviators last week after I vowed to give up my March budget, and within an hour felt like shit.  They are going back.  I also took back that belt I bought last month and put $30 back into my savings account.

I just quit my job for goodness sake, a fact that was made very real yesterday after it was finally announced to the company.  And last night we signed the contract for the pool construction to start.  I have had a chronic case of heartburn now for the last 12 hours.  Money makes me nauseous and gives me hives and it can be a very sticky and uncomfortable subject to talk about.  Some people groan about how they don't have enough, yet go on vacations and get their hair done on a weekly basis.  Others truly don't have enough.  Others have plenty and like to flash it around while others prefer to be modest and humble.

I like to be honest and real when it comes to money talk.  I didn't start this project because we were in debt or couldn't make our mortgage.  We would fit into the typical middle class income model I guess.  My husband makes a decent living and can provide for us just fine.  Sure it's a little up and down from month to month, as is the case with most small business owners, but at the end of the day our cars are paid off and we are not in credit card debt.  I started the project because I recognized the need to scale down on the stuff I brought into my house from all categories.  A big category just happens to be clothes.

The biggest thing I have learned this far in Project 2011 is that if I want the life that I truly crave and a future I desire, I need to plan better and be more creative.  But what I am learning too is that it's not just the type of life "I want" but the type of life my God wants for me.  A life that I can be proud living and where I can be a good steward of the money that God has trusted us with.

I often times don't feel like I deserve this life I have.  A husband that is smart and works his tail off and loves me despite all of my nagging.  A house in a wonderful and safe neighborhood, and children that make me want to be a better person on a constant basis.  I have fears that one day something bad will happen and everything will be taken away; that God will say, "that's enough for now, here's a slice of humble pie."  

But I am reminding myself lately that God is always good, and if we loose it all then He will help us rebuild.  Until then, I need to do the best I can with what I have been given.  And that starts with not buying $140 sunglasses on a whim.

How do you struggle with wants versus needs and tackling the ever growing list of things to lust after?  I see it everyday on twitter, on blogs, on Facebook.  There's whole blog posts and linky parties dedicated to "what I want."  Clothes, shoes, furniture, curtains, designer humidifiers.  It's all just too much "stuff."

I am still trying to figure out the answer to the fundamental question that started this project: "How does a fashion obsessed person truly change their spending habits over the course of a year?"  Three months in, I certainly don't have all the answers, but I'm starting to figure it out.

On A Trial Run - American Apparel Zippered Pouch

I was telling Jen today that I have abnormally small shoulders, so much so that I can't really even carry a handbag on them comfortably, as the straps are always falling down and off. Now that the constant need for diapers and wipes and snacks on hand is no longer a necessity, I often just grab my wallet and keys when heading out for a quick errand.

When I saw this chic little zip pouch from American Apparel a few weeks ago, I decided to give it a try. Made of leather and quite affordable at the standard price, I scored one at their second quality warehouse in Downtown LA for less than $30 (working in crappy Vernon does have its perks I guess).

 

Available in a rainbow of colors, I went with this gray-beige tone that I think can work back to both black and brown based outfits.

I'm still trying to decide if it's functional enough for a mom on the go.  I think it might annoy some, but could really be useful for many.  Stay tuned for my future report.  Happy Saturday friends!

p.s. if you are not familiar with American Apparel, when you visit their website you might be a little shocked with the almost nude clad models.  I think it's so strange, but the owner is a complete wackado and is often known for walking around the office in his underwear.  I have a wholesale account with them and have been to the showroom many times to order clothes when I had my baby clothing line.  It is always a trip to visit there.

Playgrounds & Lollipops - Dressing For You

{Sequin Top from Nordstrom Brass Plum Department; Silk Shirt from James Perse, Jeans from Gap, Oxfords from Anthropologie, Ring from old job, necklace handmade from a girl at work}

I have a dear friend that could be described as many things in terms of fashion, including, fun, cute, trendy and hip.  I think of her though as sexy, and not in a creepy girl-on-girl type of way, but more of a "Dang, she can pull off sexy better than anyone I know" type of way.  You know, sexy fashion, as in tight tops, high, high heels and low cut blouses.  She's got a great figure and a spicy, sassy attitude to go along with it.  What does this have to do with my outfit?

Well I went shopping with her last year and I had a brief moment where I thought, "Hey, I too can pull off sexy."  I bought a few tight, low cut tops, as well as the flashy sequin one I'm wearing.  I envisioned myself wearing some white short-shorts and a pair of wedges for a summer night on the town.  Never mind I don't really ever go "out on the town."  When it came down to it, I just didn't feel comfortable being so "flashy" and out there with myself.  Plus I didn't have the "bust" to support it, being about 2 cup sizes smaller than my friend.

I don't think I could effortlessly describe my fashion sensibility in a neat little capsule; it's part feminine, and part masculine.  I love funky but not obnoxious, attention-getting funky.  I sort of love a little bit of nerdy school girl prep, but can also rock a short dress if I want to.  I love a simple basic look, but only when done in a sophisticated way with a twist.  My fashion style is a hodge-podge of many things and is ever-evolving, but I know what I like and I know what I feel comfortable in.  This shirt I just never felt comfortable in.

But it's a good shirt, well made from nice material, and since sequins are still very much "on-trend", I didn't toss it with the cleaning purge of 2010 but held onto it, vowing to make it work into my wardrobe somehow.

I finally figured it out the other day.  By layering it over a nice silk crepe shirt, giving my jeans a little sloppy roll, and wearing my Man-Repeller oxfords, I feel like me, with a little sass that I love so much in my dear friend.  I said to someone at work, "this is my faux J.Crew look."  I like it, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters with any outfit you put on yourself.

So what have we learned from this outfit post?

1. Dress for your own sense of style, and not to try and pull off a trend or a style that a friend can pull off.
2. Be true to yourself and your own sense of style and comfortability
3. Don't always feel like you have to abide by the age-old rule of "if you haven't worn it in a year, toss it out." 
4. If you are holding onto a piece of clothing for some reason, figure out how to wear it so you get some use out of it and it doesn't just take up space in your closet.

I really had to flex my styling muscles to figure out a way to incorporate this top into an outfit that I would love and feel comfortable in, but after I figured it out, it was like "Duh, why hadn't I thought of this before?"  This just may become one of my new fun go-to outfits that I rotate on a regular basis.

Thanks for reading along, and thanks to all those that left a comment on this post to raise money for Japan.  I will be donating $285 to the Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts in Japan.  Have a great weekend!

Giving

source

I continue to be shaken watching the news footage of the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last Friday.  Hundreds of thousands homeless, tens of thousands reported dead and/or missing, homes, buildings, farms ruined, and now news of radiation leaks.   People are without the basic necessities of food, water and shelter.  It doesn't seem fair, or right, that we are here living our lives like normal while half way around the world people's lives have been permanently altered.

I read Annie's post today and it suddenly became very obvious what my March Giving Project would be.  Her idea was such a good one that I wish I had thought of it myself.  But since I didn't, I'm at least glad she did.

I'm forfeiting the rest of our March budget and donating $150 to the Red Cross, and in addition, for every comment left here on this post I will donate an additional $5 to the Red Cross, up to $300.  No specific "rules" need to be met, just say hi or share any other ways you know of to help.  You can go here to make a specific donation to the Red Cross' relief efforts in Japan.  Visit this site for more ways to help through different organizations.

I felt like a jerk posting about nail polish on Friday, so I'm following my gut and taking the next couple of days off from blogging, but will return on Friday. 

Much Love,
Andrea

Being A Grown Up

I'm still working hard at being a grown up with blogging, which means less time for writing some of the posts I really would like to write, but more time for getting the things done that make our lives run smoother and happier.  I finished online traffic school in the last week so I won't go to jail, because going to jail would definitely put a damper on family life.  Laundry is getting done and dishes getting clean every night.  Exciting stuff I tell ya.

This weekend, despite laundry and dishes, was full and happy and somehow seemed to last forever, which is a rarity, especially during Spring Forward.  I think it helped that I worked from home on Friday, making the weekend seem even longer.  I look forward to the days soon when Fridays at home will be my normal.

We drove to Hemet for my niece's 7th birthday party and spent the day with family, and I learned one thing about Hemet.  It is far, and it makes me sad that they're 2 hours away.  We drove home to attend the school fundraiser for Taylor's school, and since the kids were at my mom and dad's we turned it into a much needed date night, going out to a great little wine bar in Long Beach.  I even used hot rollers.

Other than that, I've been spending quite a bit of time chatting with Jen and Rachel about 100 times a day about Blog Sugar.  We exchange silly, sassy and business-y type of emails about how fabulous we can make Blog Sugar.  It's pretty awesome.  We made a couple of cool announcements on the blog over the last couple of days, so get check it out if you can.  

I'll leave you with a couple of snapshots of the one and only St. Patrick's Day decoration we have up in our house.  Call me a bad Irish, but I just can't get into Kelly Green and pots of gold. 

For this project all you'll need are:
-2-3 sheets of green cardstock
-Pages from an old book
-A shamrock template (I found this one to be the perfect size)
-Tape & Glue Stick
-String of some sort
-Rounded corner cutter tool (I don't think this is really what it's called, but it's the tool that makes the corners rounded -this is optional)

Cut a 8.5x11 sheet of card stock in equal 4's.  Then trace the shamrock on your book paper and cut out (I doubled up the paper to make cutting quicker).  Glue the shamrock to the card stock and then fold over a 1/4 inch of the top of the card stock and string on your ribbon/yarn.  Tape the backside of the folded edge over the string to secure and hang!  Round the corner edges if you wish.

We will be making corned beef and cabbage and setting out leprechaun traps the night before, so I get 2 points there right?

I'm linking up to Life Made Lovely over at Heather's.

Happy Monday friends!

Blog Sugar Announcement - A Way to Help

 Please visit the Blog Sugar website for an announcement we just made

P & L Special Edition - Look Good Feel Good - Link Up!

(First I want to send out prayers for all those affected in Japan by the horrible devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami.  I am so saddened watching the devastation.  Next, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the congratulatory comments and sweet words yesterday.  I am growing more excited every day and feel so at peace with my decision.  Thank you for all of your support throughout the last few months.)

One of my favorite ways to take care of myself through the Look Good, Feel Good principal, is by painting my nails.  It can be the easiest, cheapest and quickest way to give yourself a little boost.  

My routine is to start off with a great professional manicure.  As I mentioned here, it's my one guilty pleasure.  I've been going to my gal for over 12 years and love the relationship we have developed over the course of those years.  Much the way a woman gets attached to her hair stylist is the way I feel about my manicurist.   While initially she seems expensive, she is really only $15 more for a mani/pedi than a regular run of the mill nail place, and the quality is vastly beyond that of a standard nail salon.  Her pedicures last me at least 4-6 weeks, which is why I only feel the need to indulge every 6 weeks.

She could paint my finger nails with gold though and the polish would still only last 3 days, so to keep up the look at home for a fraction of the cost, this is what I do.

Christi taught me about Rejuvacote a couple of months after having Syd.  My nails were in terrible shape, cracked and peeling constantly, and it has been a nail saver.  Instead of a standard top coat, I start off with a coat of this.

I then paint on 2 coats of polish.  Pictured above is one of my favorite all time colors, Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI.  I only keep a few colors on hand, I am not a nail polish hoarder by any means.  A nice dark color for fall, a standard red you can wear all year round, a nice basic pink/flesh tone, and a couple of fun colors for spring and summer are all you really need.  That's 4-6 bottles of polish max.  More than that and they just go to waste.  Some of my other favorite colors are Dulce de Leche and Dinner for Two, both from OPI for a standard light pink tone, Quarter of a Cent Cherry also by OPI for a nice blue-red (pictured on my nails), and I just started becoming a fan of Essie nail polish because of their great spring/summer color palette.  I picked up Boat House and Mod Squad in January. For a budget conscious polish, I also love the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure line (found at Target).  The brush is great and the color offering is pretty.  It has a weird tendency to peel off in chunks though as opposed to chipping, but other than that is a pretty good option for less than $5.

Now how to get around smudges and nicks?  I always top off each DIY manicure with a coat of Out The Door super fast drying top coat.  It is the best one out there and will indeed dry your nails within minutes.  They will still nick if banged hard enough, but for the most part it does the trick.  I tend to paint my nails at night after I have PJ's on and have done my nightly routine of brush teeth, wash face, etc.  With enough practice, you can get a nail polish change done in 10 minutes while watching TV, and then just hang out for a bit to let them dry.  My other trick for a day time polish change is to paint them right as I'm about to head out the door and then let them dry in the car, being careful of keys and seat belts ;). 

And that's it!  I don't always even paint my nails with a color.  Sometimes if I'm really pressed for time I will just use the Rejuvacote polish, but even just having a clear coat of polish on my nails makes me feel good.  Also, if I can remember to, I paint on a coat of the Rejuvacote every other day over my colored nail polish to prolong the paint job and delay chipping.  It does work, but I often forget to do it.  Every few days I take off my chipped polish and let my nails breathe for a couple of days, and then start over.  I don't really worry too much about cuticle trimming.  If I notice they're looking a little shoddy, I use some conditioner in the shower and just push them down with my nails.  Less trimming equals less hang nails.  Also, I put on hand lotion like a maniac, at least 20 times a day.  It keeps the cuticles nice and moisturized. 

Now it's your turn.  What's your favorite way to care of yourself and give yourself a little extra boost?

I Was Going to Write About Nail Polish...

Do you ever ponder the reasons God puts different options, paths, choices in front of you?  Of course you do, right?

For months now I have wondered, debated with my husband why, out of the blue, a job was literally just dropped in my lap.  When I decided to take that job I somehow was able to weave together a belief that God had presented it to me as an opportunity to grab a hold of some semblance of control back in my life, to give me an opportunity to get ahead financially.  With so many struggling, I surely could not look a gift horse in the mouth, so I accepted.

It never quite felt right from the beginning, as you've seen me struggle on occasion.  But I moved on and forward because that's what I was raised to do.

But recently, call it what you will, there were so many signs that I could no longer ignore.  A sermon at church, a chapter in a book, a song on the radio, a blog post.  There was a reason I was being moved so much by these everyday occurrences, everyday parts of our lives.  It was because He was trying to tell me something I knew deep down inside, but I had to come to it in my own time.

The time was yesterday.  I would love to share more details about the whys and my journey to get to a decision, but I think it would be best to wait a bit.   

But for now I just wanted to share that bit of news.  I was going to write about nail polish this morning, but somehow it seemed more appropriate to write this instead.

Last night as I got home and Art and I celebrated a bit, he said to me, "You know, maybe all along God was giving you this job not as a financial opportunity, but as a test of temptation, and to teach you to not be so worried about money."  Yes, I guess so, or conversely some could say that it was the devil tempting me.

But I choose to look at it in a different light.  I don't know if I really believe in those sort of tests, I am not a conventional Christian I guess.  My faith is growing and has grown so much in the last year, but it is still a work in progress and I am still, at the tender age of almost 35, developing the platform that build my belief system.  But for now I choose to believe that God is always good.  I choose to believe that He gave me this experience as an opportunity to show me what I want in life, what is truly important, what I really can extract joy from.  Is it in a fancy job that I can be prideful in?  Is it in the added security of a second income?  Maybe someday.  But not now.  Now, I know where I belong and I know where I want to be.

How Am I Doing? An Update to Look Good Feel Good

                       If you'd like to read the post that started Look Good Feel Good, go here
Well, I'm coming along and although we had a little misplaced bun on top of head action going on yesterday, today I am back and took out the blow dryer to do my hair.  I also left the house with makeup on instead of putting it on in the car, and I made sure to slip on a belt and earrings.  Instead of putting on my ratty old cardigan that I've been wearing lately, I took out my cute leather jacket.  It's been a challenge considering the week and what's been going on, but I'm trying hard to practice what I preach, and am feeling better for it.

How about you?  Come back on Friday for another update and an opportunity to link up!

Outfit details:

Leather jacket: Nordstrom Savvy department

T-Shirt: From job (James Perse)

Belt: Gap 

Skinny pants: J. Crew 

Boots: Sam Edelman

For today I am linking up to the Pleated Poppy's WIWW.

Multi Tasking At Its Finest

Currently I am...

Putting together an all encompassing list of travel and lodging FAQ's and fun things to do in Southern California for the Blog Sugar website.  Are you coming? 

Working on finishing up online traffic school.  If you follow me on Twitter, you probably heard me yammering on a lot lately about tickets.  This was my 2nd ticket in all my years of driving so I guess I can't complain too much, but it definitely took me down a notch in terms of bragging rights.

Eating two different types of Girl Scout cookies.  Can you guess which kind?

Pondering rewriting my About Me page.  I've never quite liked mine.  It's just so blah...doesn't speak to who I am as a person, just the stuff I like/love.  Is it just me or are About Me pages really hard to write?  How do I come across as goofy, sincere, sensitive and silly?  How do I come across as ME, and not some superfluous version of me?  Any thoughts, tips, suggestions, advice?

Also pondering whether to post a linky party on Friday for a special "Look Good, Feel Good" edition of Playgrounds & Lollipops.  Loved all the response to the post I wrote on Saturday, and so many of you taking up the challenge this week.  How's it going?  Anyone want to play along and link up on Friday?  Bottom line, I paid $1.99 for that inlinkz gadget and I want to get my money's worth ;)  What do ya say?  I think I'm gonna do it.

Still editing pictures (since January).  I'm thinking it's going to take me a year.  These were fun ones we took a little while back of us all burning off some steam at the end of a long day.

*Please note the way Syd's hair bobs up and down in total unison at each jump.  And why do I look so excited/terrified to be jumping two feet off of a bed, while Taylor looks bored out of her mind?

What do you do when you multi-task?