If you tell anyone...

update your shizit

2011-05-27T21:37:00.000-05:00

amandacalhoun.tumblr.com

better. trust me.

what's the worst thing that could happen?

2011-05-26T09:14:00.000-05:00

I've adopted this phrase in a way that normal normal people probably do not. I've adopted it because honestly I need to. The moving company, which is actually three companies and a handful of independent folks, has made my life a gong show. A complete gong show. First, I was to move my stuff on Friday. Then I was moving it on Wednesday. Then Monday, then Saturday. I had lunch with Amy today who said, "What if no one told the movers it's Saturday now and they are at your house right now?" I took pause. There is a fifty percent chance I thought that that actually might happen. Those movers might be at my house right now trying to get my stuff. That's probably the worst thing that could happen. I mean, it's not like they already had my stuff and were driving it off a cliff... and even if they did.... anything remotely important I'm taking with me on the plane so who cares about a stupid couch and a bed anyhow? Which got me to thinking.... if all my important stuff fits in two suitcases, a dog carrier and a purse then what's the big deal anyhow?

Aside from a few normal outbursts of frustration and one crying fit in the bathroom of a bar (I wasn't even drunk) I was mad at the world, this whole thing has been okay. I asked a friend when it would hit me that I wasn't in MN anymore. She said it will just feel like a long vacation for a really really long time. I think she is probably right. If I didn't want to go, if I didn't want to do this, if I couldn't ask myself, what's the worst thing that could happen, I probably wouldn't have signed up for this.

when meat isn't the star of dinner

2011-05-19T12:19:00.000-05:00

I was really wanting Cuban food the other night - super random. However, perhaps not as random as you would think. I've been eating out almost every day for the last week because Joel and I don't want to buy groceries and we're trying to use things in our pantry. Anyhow, I've eaten just about every kind of food you could imagine but Cuban food, well, I hadn't had that yet. Strangely enough, epicurious.com had an article on the front page showcasing just what I was looking for.

Lourdes Castro thinks that the pork dish featured in this Epicurious.com feature is the big hit. I beg to differ. We made the shrimp with mojo sauce, rice cooked with beans, grilled plantains, and the avocado salad. It all went together so nicely, was really really easy and took about 30 minutes of prep work. I threw all of it in the fridge then waited for my guests, put a pot on the stove, and started the grill. On top of it all, it's very inexpensive and uses a lot of what you already have ready in your pantry. It's grilling season!!

Photos from epicurious.com

you need this

2011-05-17T07:18:00.000-05:00

Although I'm in purge mode - holy crap! I go in a room, think I've got everything cleaned out and then I go back in the same room like a day later and realize I wasn't even close. I think I won't be able to get rid of everything by the time I have to have people come pack.

Anyhow, this all doesn't mean I've given up material lust - here are three things I think you'll be so pleased your summer includes.

I picked up some of this Chanel Coco Rouge Shine the other day in 'Monte Carlo' - this stuff is all business amazing. Very very moisturizing and not waxy or too light. How do they do it?

This has been the only lipstick I've worn for two weeks.

Genius product by LUSH called 9 to 5 Cleanser. It's a cleanser you apply to your face and wipe off that has the same feeling as a lotion. I use damp cloth. Leaves skin very soft and moisturized. Perfect summer level. Plus it actually cleans and removes makeup.

And... this MAC bush 266... how on earth have I lived so long without you?! I'm a huge MAC brush fan and I just got this one the other day. Medium stiff bristles apply shadow turned eyeliner perfectly - a great medium for summer.

So there you have it. Some things I find I personally cannot live without.

I cannot believe how busy I have been since not working - every day has been crammed full with a million things to do. Today I have to bring the car to the wheel fixing place because my tire keeps going flat. Stupid. Between that and house purging I think it's actually going okay... just can stressful. The new lease is signed however and people are still buying my stuff off Craigslist so that's good too. Less than two weeks left - holy crap.

the plot thickens

2011-05-11T08:47:00.001-05:00

Joel and I few down to California last weekend to go apartment hunting. UGH what an experience. I've been exchanging emails with my brother who was in a similar situation not long ago. Here is a clip from his email.

"I agree that you tend to find the best places to live by just hitting the streets or by accident, since good apartments don't need to advertise to attract tenants. Good call on avoiding the planned neighborhood thing as well. Thems is bollocks. If I wanted to live in a shopping mall I would get a tent and camp out front of Macy's."

That pretty much sums up the entire weekend right there. We did find a place though so we're happy. We found the place by driving - we thought - to the beach but of course were going in the opposite direction. I looked over to the right over a freeway and thought I saw an apartment so Joel made a hard left and the rest is history. Here is a photo of the pool.

Madison Newport Apartments

So, we're excited to get this going and excited we found a neighborhood we liked. We're three miles from Newport Beach in Costa Mesa on Newport Blvd so pretty much in the thick of everything and about 15 minutes to my work. Yay!

I didn't know how I would feel about leaving my job... in the end I haven't thought about it once. Well, I've thought about some random people because, hello, I've spent every day with them for the last four years, but I haven't thought once about any of my cases or anything else. Having this time off is so good and so cleansing. What's the point you say? If you're in an unhappy work environment let me tell you, life is too fing short.

Today I am 28. I am giving up my house which I fought hard to get, I am giving up living near my family whom I adore, I am giving up my clubs, my friends, and all my furniture to do something I might completely hate. I will probably be broke, will be living in a tiny space, and won't have the security of all the things and people I know around me. I'm still me though - a girl with a husband and a dog with a strong network to back us no matter what happens.

last day of work, first day of a lot

2011-05-06T23:59:00.000-05:00

I had to be pried off my computer. I also had to be pried away from my phone and desk.... I didn't even clean off my desktop or put up an out of office. I literally just walked away. I guess that's kind of weird and just how it is. Amy told me I had to look back at the building when we were walking to the car. I did. I didn't feel anything. Kind of like how I haven't felt anything for a long time there. I will probably get nostalgic for something there but probably not.

Happy hour was great - my reps and client reps came out, people I used to work with, all different folks I've met and built relationships with over the years... good stuff. I will miss them, I know I will.

I am excited for something new. To work in a new place, live someplace different, meet new people, have a new start. I kind of feel like I did when I got married. Everything is fresh. We jump on a plane tomorrow to figure out where we're going to live... or at least try to figure it out. I can't wait to fly over the cities and the ocean and the hills.... yay!

new blogger to read

2011-04-26T19:06:00.000-05:00

Bloggers I like have a lot to say and are hilarious. Well. The Man Repeller is my new favorite.
What is a Man Repeller anyhow? Well, this is how she defines it. I love it.

–noun

outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.

–verb (used without object),-pell·ing, -pell·ed.

to commit the act of repelling men:

Girl 1: What are you wearing to the party?

Girl 2: My sweet lime green drop crotch utility pants!

Girl 1: Oh, so we're man repelling tonight?

*DISCLAIMER: the above conversation is not a dramatization, took place in this room 5 minutes ago.

Origin:
2009-10; < repellius (ptp. of repellia to eliminate male attention), equiv. to L repel- (s. of repellix) unattractive, celibate, paris fashion week, M.C. Hammer + -repel -ler¹

—Related forms

man·re·pell·ant, noun

This makes me feel better about most of my clothing choices. A girl at work was wearing a pretty amazing jumpsuit yesterday. I now feel I need one.

i'm moving. to OC.

2011-04-25T18:24:00.001-05:00

This is not a joke... I'm moving to Orange County. Say that and try not to smile. Things I'm bringing with me:

- very large sunglasses
- the dog
- my husband
- swimming suit
- my sewing machine
- a new lease on life

This is very exciting news for me as I've accepted a new position with MetLife on their National Accounts team. I will be underwriting for them and I couldn't be happier about it. Joel will continue his job in MN and be able to both work from home and fly back and forth for now. I love Minnesota and will miss my friends and family very much but it's a great opportunity that I feel I can't pass up right now! Following up with all my work people has been really tough and something I'm not nearly done doing yet... the next two weeks will be crazy.

that's it and that's all

2011-04-23T23:38:00.001-05:00

A common phrase used in our house. It's all I have to say about this tidbit from Miss Trunk.

Concerning the rules she learned working in corporate America:
"I learned how to do only work that people notice. I learned how to make people like me whether or not they liked the work I do. I learned what is important in corporate life (dress code) and what is unimportant (good grammar)."

I couldn't have possibly summed it up better. How is it that people haven't figured it out yet? Their loss I suppose.

yikes!

2011-04-23T22:54:00.000-05:00

Sorry kids - I've been MIA in a serious way lately. It's not that I don't love you - because I do. I've just got some crazy serious business going on that I'll share with you on Monday. In the meantime, Happy Easter! I noticed today that just about everywhere I went I was wished a Happy Easter - I thought it was very sweet and I wished people a Happy Easter in return. It is the biggest Christen holiday of the year after all, move aside Christmas.

Here is a pretty spring photo I took in Sonoma. Lovely no?

san fran

2011-04-06T09:39:00.001-05:00

The pets are in the loving care of Gina, the house is fort knox under her care, and we my friends are driving the 101.

The rental car lady liked us so gave us a convertible for basically free. It's a mini - Kim, you should upgrade.

So thrilled to be on vacation. It didn't take very long to get to Sonoma. Today we're going to go see some whales and do a little hiking then do some tastings.

xoxoxo

much love

on tap

2011-03-27T21:39:00.001-05:00

Thanks to this guy we've got delicious beer on tap in the basement 24/7.

Thanks to this guy, Ed Wort, and Joel's keg fridge, we also have sparkling German apple wine on tap in the basement 24/7.

Today, in photos, I bring to you Mr. Wort's "Apfelwein" and suggest perhaps you try your hand at it as well. It's delicious and you don't necessarily need to add Co2 to make it delcious, it's pretty good in its own right as well.

Go to Costco, Cub, or you know... some other box place and get yourself apple juice. It has to be pasteurized and it has to be just apple juice. If it has vit C added no worries. Just make sure it doesn't have other stuff added to it. Get five gallons. You'll also need some basic brewing tools and corn sugar (you can use regular sugar too, but you need less corn sugar than regular sugar... issue to be debated at a later date.)

Well, lets get going. Pour a half gallon in the carboy. Add 1# sugar to the remaining half gallon and shake well. Really well. Do the same with the next gallon. Add two more gallons but no more sugar. Add yeast. Add another gallon of juice. Done.

Look how easy! Test the specific gravity next. You're going to want to be around 1.066... we were around 1.060. You're going for a potential alcohol content of 9%.... ours was about 8%. We probably didn't add enough sugar. We don't have more to add but that's okay, it doesn't have to be perfect. Yeast is a funny thing. First it eats the oxygen and propagates; that's why you have to shake it really well. Then when it runs out of oxygen it starts to eat the sugar and the byproduct is alcohol as the yeast dies.

Put it away for six months. We waited about four for the first batch and are quite pleased. The end result is very dry and very easy to drink. Ours will continue to become more dry and more tasty.

hey kate

2011-03-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

I need a blouse or two to go with my new skirt.
I love this.

Kate Spade Shirt Spring 2011

Pretty sure it's just two pieces of fabric sewn together with arm holes. Not unlike most shirts but this one doesn't have sleeves.... or even a zipper.... How can it be almost $200?? Huh. Well. To the fabric store I will go. No print for me though. Going with white.

jalapeño queso kinda

2011-03-14T19:07:00.000-05:00

I just made the most delicious "salsa" ever. This stuff is GOOD. I used the basic recipe from Lottie + Doof and made it less pesto like and more queso like. So easy so good.

Roast five or so fatty jalapeños with ten or so cloves of garlic in a cast iron skillet. Maybe like 20 minutes or so.... the jalapeños don't get real soft or anything. Forget about them. If you do this at night just put them in the fridge for happy hour the next day.

Slice them up once they're cool and squeeze out the garlic from its skins and toss in the blender. You might want to taste the jalapeños to see how much of the seeds you want to use. Mine were fairly mild so I kept them.
Toss in a few tablespoons or more of olive oil and some water. Blend it really well. Taste. Add salt and a plunk of goat cheese to taste. Blend. We're going for thick smoothie consistency.

Enjoy - this is the stuff of party heroes.

mezzetta

laziness and other internal delemas

2011-03-13T09:21:00.001-05:00

I haven't done anything around my house in a long time. I always say this - I always lament at the current state of my home. It's a mess. I must say that a million times a week. Yes, it is. However, I could very well clean it up. I don't though. I come home and make it more messy then I leave for work. I don't have a maid, or elves, or fairies that clean while I'm gone. I have pets that blast their furs (German plural for hair is hairs so must be the same for fur...?) all over and pee on the rug. Joel cleans up a lot of dog pee in the downstairs bathroom. I usually do the upstairs one. I want to kill the dog. It's at my mom's for the weekend because I can't handle it anymore. We do not own bathroom rugs anymore.

Why do I do this to myself? I know living in a clean house makes me happy - and clearly getting rid of the dog makes me happy too. I know that having to step over laundry, dig to find my keys and having dirty dishes around makes me cranky. I am lazy. Way down deep, I don't really give a f. No one comes to my house on a regular basis and if they're coming then I pick up and vacuum. Why am telling you this? I have no idea. I just opened my computer and started typing. I do that a lot and usually then I don't post it because it's stupid but today it's going up. I think it's a subliminal cry for help. I need a new life direction, a maid, longer vacations with Joel.

Today though I am cleaning and sewing and picking up and decorating and baking and cooking. Maybe I'll even post some photos of my most recent projects. Stay tuned.

dear skirt...and others

2011-03-12T09:27:00.001-06:00

Had a completely wonderful afternoon yesterday shopping with my mom. We just hit Selby and Snelling which used to be like one vintage shop and Starbucks. Now it's a surreal ally filled with gems. Some of my favorites include:

Flirt Boutique
This is pretty much the only place I buy my undergarments/lingerie. You know my thought process on this, if you wear it every day it better be good stuff. Bras, shoes, hair style and makeup all fall into this category. Plus, how on top of the world do you feel when you know you're looking good?

A sample of Blush Lingerie's 2011 Spring Collection

allee metro chic
Allee has a very refined collection which I feel I don't see very much. Carrying both local and non local designers it's all very well thought out and, I hesitate to use the word, but curated. Pieces are obviously picked out for their quality and style then worked into the collection as a whole. I purchased this from the anne m cramer spring 2011 collection. I cannot wait to wear it to Sonoma...

They Flynn Skirt by anne m cramer

To top off our short but productive shopping trip we went to Meritage's new Oyster Bar.... that place is like a bad addiction. I cannot get enough of it. Here is a photo from Eating MPLS but doesn't really do the place justice. It's so bright and beautiful. Meritage is my favorite restaurant in St. Paul.

dear dress

2011-03-01T22:39:00.000-06:00

You are smoking hot and I need you.

xoxo Amanda

KENDALL STRIPED POWER DRESS

LHL6M216-003

$288.00

here - bcbg.com

a week in food

2011-02-27T19:39:00.001-06:00

How's the detox going? Are you feeling like a new person? Well, before I fell off the wagon on Thursday night I was doing really well! Since then we're pretty much back on track for week two.
Takeaways:
-It's easy to eliminate a lot of wheat when you don't eat processed foods.
-I love sugar more than anything else. Anything. A close second is chocolate which has sugar in it. Augh.
-Moderation is sustainable.
I'm liking this program because now I get to add foods back in already. It's really difficult to eliminate everything you love. That's why diets do not work. What is the point if I have to go a month without ever eating sugar ever? At the end of the month I'll binge and then the point will be lost. I will continue to watch my sugar intake and eliminate processed foods over the next week.

This week was really hard. Work is stressful, I'm trying to get back to yoga (it took all week), I feel like I don't have time for anything and my new computer broke within the first eight hours of me using it. AUGH! Mental detox is just as important as what you eat so take this week to breath a little deeper. I made myself this weekend and I'm feeling more positive. A box is showing up Tuesday so I can send the computer to be fixed... not so bad. Fr. Joe reminded us today that we should save tomorrow for tomorrow. How true.

Here are some of the recipes that I made this week that I really enjoyed including the modifications I made to them if any.

Almond Chicken Soup

I used Sunbutter (butter made of sunflower seeds) instead of almond butter in this dish. Worked well. I also added about a cup and a half more broth. I'd also add more greens if I made it again.

Sweet Potatoes with Pomegranate

These were a fun twist on sweet potatoes... good with a pomegranate spinach salad.

Here is a curry that I made as well. It's based on a chicken curry on Epicurious. I made it lessmeatatarian and switched up a few things...

1 tablespoon hot curry powder
1 tablespoon saffron based curry powder
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
2 chicken breasts
1 head of cauliflower cut into one inch pieces.
1 tablespoon olive oil +
2 medium chopped yellow onions
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
extra coconut milk used to thin curry as it cooks.

Combine curry powder, white wine vinegar, coconut milk, ginger, cumin, and cardamom in a large bowl. Add the cut up chicken and cauliflower. Throw in the fridge, covered for an hour to let the flavors mix and the meat marinate.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, sauce, cauliflower mix to the pan; cook about three minutes so the chicken is just a bit cooked on the outside. Transfer mixture to bowl. Add onions to skillet with more oil; sauté until golden. Add diced tomatoes with juice; bring to simmer. Return chicken pieces to skillet. Spoon some of juices in skillet over chicken. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until chicken is cooked through, adding more coconut milk, if desired, and mixing once in awhile.
Serve with short grain brow rice cooked with a few caramom pods, a cinnamon stick and a few cloves.

snow snow snow

2011-02-20T18:54:00.002-06:00

Yet another day of snow. 12 inches or some crap... people don't even care anymore. Joel and I went to the brew store and a sewing shop on Grand today as our one outing. Joel is glued to MPR's weather blog Updraft. The Current is playing all Tapes 'n Tapes on the local show and I'm sewing. You wouldn't know that spring is around the corner but I am still sewing for the Spring Challenge. Here is the first item. WIDE leg linen pants. Hot for Spring let me tell you. They were easy... I also jazzed them up a bit. All the seams have a Hong Kong finish which I really like for pants. The pattern suggested a small bias waistband.. I thought that was a bit lame so I made a bias waistband out of the linen and applied that like you would regular bias tape but on a grander scale I guess you could say. I also like when waistbands have good structure so I used some some iron on stabilizer notched for the curve of the pants. All and all I'm quite pleased. Taking them to the cleaners for a good pressing when I'm done with the hem. I love linen, but I leave the pressing to the pros.

detoxing out of winter

2011-02-17T21:02:00.000-06:00

Having been a food nut for a long time, and refining my nutty ways as the years go on, I'm now squarely in the detox (as in lemon water for six days and only things that are green) is a bunch of bull. First of all, your colon doesn't want lemon water and greens. It wants a varied fiber rich diet and lots of fluids - stand aside lemon water.
On an internet tour today - first this this, advice to women turning 30 which you should read. In fact, you should read her whole site, which led me to this which was kinda cool then I hit this. The Whole Living 28 Day Action Plan. Duh. I'm in. I was in after I saw this photo of some fruit. I'm such a sucker.

I got back from snowboarding out west very mentally rested which totally showed in my work the last few days by the way. Never mind my upcoming review that I am dreading but that's another situation entirely, I am just feeling like I have a new set of priorities... but I did come back feeling physically rotten. Sore yes from boarding then sitting in a car, but I ate too much crud (delicious yes) but certainly not good for me and realized I need to shake off this "it's too cold to workout" attitude and get back to six days a week workouts. No problem I think.... until the swim coach got into some kind of fight with Mac so we don't have practice anymore. Dear god. So.... back to yoga. A lot of yoga. I'll do some light erging too I suppose and will find myself back on track in no time. I invite you to do the 28 day challenge with me! I think it will be good and the menus are really easy, non scary, good for you stuff. Joel is in so I mean, anyone can do it. I did see a reference to lemon water but I think green tea is also acceptable! More to come.

back

2011-02-15T20:22:00.001-06:00

We returned from Montana tonight. Driving in the car for long long periods of time is sickening to me normally, but I actually liked this trip home. For the first four or so hours I tried my hardest to sleep but I am sore and exhausted from NOT sleeping? so it didn't happen. The last eight hours I mostly meditated. I didn't read, work, write... nothing. I just carefully and mindfully went though my thoughts. Who ever has eight hours to do that? Well, it was great and I feel more rested now than ever. But... I am back where the dog barks, the cat destroys, the bird I think has something going on with its beak and I discovered I left my favorite bath products in Montana but... I'm trying to stay positive.

This is my favorite photo from the trip. Joel had just chased a wild flock of turkeys off the land. Montana has its own kind of pretty. The blue sky days are what it's famous for, but there is something to be said for the grey and gold when the sun isn't out. I think it's Montana's truest expression.

Here is Kim's mom's home. The structure on the right is the guest house, the tall one behind the main house is the garage. The two homes are connected by a large deck. I though it was very thoughtfully laid out, functional, and pleasing to the eye. She has floor to ceiling glass doors and walls on both homes so that you can see the mountains from all the rooms. I really liked this as an alternative to the standard mountain home two/three story windowed vaulted ceiling which has no function but to "impress".

This photo wraps up so much of me right now. So many tough decisions to be made and I don't think any of the runs are going to be easy.... at least I think I can pull something off and still be standing at the bottom.

out of space

2011-02-09T23:33:00.000-06:00

We packed three bags full of stuff to take to Montana for not a very long vacation. Good thing we've got the TDI Wagon eh? Well, speaking of full, my iPod is totally full now sadly there is no more room on it. I might have to steal Joel's. Came across this favorite when cleaning it out to try and cram some more stuff on it. Love this track.

Gina is watching over the fort and pets so they will be happy. Pagoda can hardly wait. Someone to carry her around like a baby 24/7. I won't have to be at work so I'll be happy. 1800 miles is a long way inside a car but I'll probably survive.

and that's when I realized it doesn't have to be the same

2011-02-07T08:17:00.000-06:00

I quick looked though new blog posts this morning and saw this on isuwannee. Brilliant I thought. This is my living room - well, in not so many ways but let's look again. It's narrow, has a window and a big doorway, and high ceilings. Now, mine does not have that other door there but it does have a second window. We have to put a new window in this summer and just take a look at this beauty here. Wouldn't that be cool to put in something like this instead of just replacing the big picture window with another one? It's already going to cost me an arm and a leg so minus well make it something I like. I really do like the white trim as well... oh well. That I know will remain the same.... but who says we can't brighten it up a bit?

would you trust me with your wedding dress?

2011-02-05T00:31:00.000-06:00

Shallyn's sister did and I'm so glad! FUN is in store for us! We're going to be doing a very pretty bustle in the back and mini ones in the front - we're also going to be adding a pretty peek-a-boo lace trim to the tulle under the dress so it will be seen when the skirt is picked up. Wouldn't this be pretty dyed and sewn in along the hem?? The dress has a feather motif on it so I'm looking for something like this. This is 7+ inches which a bit excessive. I think I'd be fine with three.

www.britex.com

winter eating

2011-02-03T21:50:00.000-06:00

Everyone needs to incorporate more vegetables into their diets - I know this is hard in the winter. I'm tired of winter vegetables at this point and when you go to the store all the vegetables look pretty sad. This however is easy and pretty - a nice pick up in the dead of January. I mostly used the spice blend from this recipe on Epicourious.

Questions let me know, it's rather vague when it comes to the vegetables but you can really just use as much as you like.

Spinach and Cabbage Phylo Pie
Pre-heat to 375

8 or 9 inch spring form pan
Pre made phylo dough
Red cabbage - maybe about a 1/5 of one? Less or more depending on how big it is
Package of frozen spinach - you can also use fresh
1 smallish sweet potato
1/2 yellow onion or a whole one if your onion is small
Package of feta cheese
Increase the spice amount if you are increasing the vegetables by quite a bit more.
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika - careful if you are using Penzy's half sharp you may want to reduce.
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
Salt/pepper to taste

Soften onions in a pan with olive oil.
Add cabbage and potato until fringing on soft. I just covered and braised for a bit with a bit of water.
Add spinach and spices and mix well. Add water if it is quite dry at this point. Just don't squeeze all the water out of the spinach and you should be okay.

While this cooks create a crust out of the phylo dough. Make at least five layers thick around the spring form pan and high enough to be able to fold over the filling. Add more if desired. You can use water to make it stick to itself or oil. My sister left some spray oil here that seemed to work pretty well.

When the filling is done put a third of it in the crust and layer with some cheese. Do this three times until all the filling has been used. Fold the philo sheets over the top of the filling adding more if desired.

Bake for 35 minutes then unmold and serve.

palette challenge - the designs

2011-02-02T21:07:00.000-06:00

This is my second post for the Colette palette challenge. If you remember, I've got a lot of pink and orange going on. Here are the items I plan on making.

I'm really excited about the dress - the fabric is just amazing!! I still plan on making a kaftan of sorts but don't have it drawn up. Essentially it's a piece of fabric folded in half.

I picked up some cheaper than dirt linen for the pants which I am also really happy with. The weight is perfect. Then... saw this really pretty blouse on Gilt.com that was similar in shape to the Sencha blouse which I've made a few of now. So, that will be my fourth piece. I am going to make it with longer sleeves and different darting at the waist. Exciting to start sewing some stuff for spring! I'm really over this -18 business (actual temp in Minnesota right now).

breakfast of curling champions

2011-01-28T08:51:00.000-06:00

NO! This post does not suggest you drink Makers Mark then swizzle down a bloody mary then pound a Summit then hit the ice. Or does it? Quite the contrary friends. I made some really great pancakes this morning and wanted to share them with you. Low fat, high protein, white carbs... uh, well, I don't like wheat flour and some day I'll get over it but today is the first day of the Winter Carnival Bonspiel so we just started off half healthy. I have not yet drank anything other than coffee. Also, before I forget... this is what I participated in yesterday. Don't these ladies look like a lot of fun?! They had so many awesome outfits!

I had to opportunity to curl in the Scottish Lady Curlers USA Tour. They stopped in St. Paul and spent two days curling at our club. Lots of fun, singing, bag pipes, cakes, toasts to the Queen, tea and laughs. I received a number of really beautiful pins and enjoyed a very tight match. We lost to the Scots in the last end by two - they had the hammer I will note. There were about 40 million photos taken so I hope at some point I get to see them.

Okay, as promised, pancakes.

1 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp baking poweder
1/4 tsp salt and baking soda each
1 container of Fage yogurt (fat free)
1/2 the empty container of low fat milk
2 egg whites
1 tsp oil - up to 1 tbsp.
1/2 tsp vanilla
blueberries - the grocery store had beautiful ones on sale - no idea why or where they came from this time of year.

Mix up the batter - each pancake should be about 1/4 cup each batter. Sprinkle with the berries (or not) then flip after they bubble. Because they are so thick they will bubble much less than regular pancakes - flip around 2 minutes. Suggested heat is medium.

january - are you almost done yet?

2011-01-28T06:38:00.000-06:00

January is so hard. It's notoriously my most difficult month. I am guessing I am not the only one either. Especially if you live in a cold weather state, it feels like the longest month of them all. It's cold as hell, it doesn't snow much (in the Midwest), the days are still pretty short, there isn't anything to do and my motivation takes one huge plunge. Now, I have done quite a bit in January. I took a mini break, I am curling quite a bit, in fact, all weekend I'll be curling, I got some sewing stuff squared away, but, I think the real reason for my crap attitude is my workout schedule. I think I've made it to like six swim practices all month. BAD. It's so dark, and so early, all I want to do is stay in bed and sleep. That is one thing I've done a lot of. Do you just stop working out in January? Maybe other people do not because they make a resolution to workout.... I did not and look what happened. I gained weight and am crabby.

With February around the corner I think things will improve. I'm big on lists and goals so maybe that will make me feel better. Also, the sun will be rising sooner and setting later until stupid day light savings. Then the sun comes up later... I will have to wait until MAY 31 for the sun to get up at the same time is me. It can't come soon enough.

help

2011-01-27T14:35:00.001-06:00

Fix these darts...

Why do they look like this??

8:44 PM

So... I stared at these stupid darts for like a half an hour and I messed around with them a bit and nothing I do seems to be fixing them. One doesn't seem as bad as the others but I have no idea why... I think maybe I had the fabric pulled taught a bit when I sewed it based on how the inside looks when it is pressed. I've made this bodice before but never on the bias as the pattern calls for so I am positive that's why my darts seem to bow out. They don't look messed up when the shirt is on - just when it is on the form - ie, me, or when I stretch the shirt out with my hands.

Durrrrr.... So. To fix this I think I need to extend the dart all the way to the other side of the shirt or do something creative like connect them with an arc? There is enough ease so that it would be fine and wouldn't mess up the fit I just wish there was something easier. Like if it worked like it was supposed to.

spring 11

2011-01-24T11:22:00.002-06:00

by Amanda.Calhoun

Emilio Pucci Belted silk-crepe kaftan
$770 - net-a-porter.com
Sheer tops »

Steve Madden 'Saffarri' Sandal
$60 - nordstrom.com
Steve madden sandals »

Hermes vintage style silk scarves | Hermes.com
$305 - usa.hermes.com
Vintage silk scarves »

CERISE/VIOLET SKULL SCARF
$260 - alexandermcqueen.com
Chiffon scarves »

D&G 8082 Orange > D&G Sunglasses > 8082 169113 > UK
138 GBP - sunglasses-shop.co.uk
D&g sunglasses »

D&G 8082 Violet > D&G Sunglasses > 8082 16888H > UK
138 GBP - sunglasses-shop.co.uk
D&g sunglasses »

stila cosmetics - eye shadow pans
$18 - stilacosmetics.com

M·A·C Cosmetics | Eye Shadow / Pro Palette Refill Pan
$11 - maccosmetics.com

Thomas Paul Banner Violet Cotton Pillow
$70 - laylagrayce.com

How timely hmmm? Colette Patterns is having a spring palette challenge - pick a palette - mine is here - and make a wardrobe around it. Well, I just ordered this last week and cannot wait for it to come.

Exotic Silks

Isn't it pretty?? I am going to make a dress out of it for going to Sonoma and also a kaftan. I love this dress from Nordstrom and originally was looking for a similar fabric to make one out of but..... it's just not really me. I'm sure I could wear it and I'd look fine but I needed something with more color. So, a dress, a kaftan, a pair of pants, maybe another blouse or two, a new pair of sandals, a hat and a swimming suit and I'll be all good.

bliss

2011-01-17T08:41:00.000-06:00

This thing is the reason I am awake after swim practice. I love my Nespresso machine. Well, I got it for Joel for his birthday but it was like getting a gift for myself. We had a regular coffee maker; I wasn't crazy about it and it was recalled about a month after we bought it in 2007. I finally sent it back this fall and used the $100 to put towards the Nespresso machine.

I am personally shocked at the quality of espresso that comes out of this thing - 19 bars friends. This little machine cranks out cup after cup of identical quality and quantity every time because it uses pods. HALT! Pods you say! Gross. Well, that's what I thought too, but because you can only get the pods from Nespresso (which is a total pain) they can keep the lock down on quality control and freshness which makes a big difference. Ever notice how "Starbucks" coffee that you buy at the grocery store isn't as good as the stuff they have in the Starbucks store? Yeah, because the bags of coffee aren't a year old. At any rate here are my thoughts condensed.

Loves: It's fast, it's easy and because I only drink espresso, lungo or americano it works perfectly. Economical v. buying a cup of coffee. 1 pod is .55 and one med. dark roast from Dunn Bros is $2.04. I used to buy one every day although I had a coffee maker. It's also a cinch to clean. Really, there is nothing to clean. It also has a very small footprint.
Dislikes: Not economical v. brewing a pot of coffee at home. However, we have less or no wasted coffee. The pods are recyclable, but not easily if there is no Nespresso store near you - the closest I think is Chicago. All pods have to be purchased online unless, again, you live by a store.

getting it together

2011-01-16T17:40:00.000-06:00

I recently decided I really needed to get my entryway together. I have no closets on the first floor of my house which makes things pretty difficult. I hang my bags for curling, swimming and yoga in the stairway to the basement now and have a coat rack for coats. I then got this cute thing to put mittens in - when I sort through the basement and put stuff away down there I'll put some of my most often worn heels on that second shelf. For now, Pagoda has decided it's a good place to hang out.

I also decided that my bathroom needed some finishing - I put all the hardware in there when we moved in because there was literally no place to put anything, not even a vanity. Today I made a shower curtain to spruce it up. I would really like some bright colored towels but honestly, it's just not that important.

You can make a shower curtain too. It's super easy - how to do it here.

pickled limes

2011-01-16T09:19:00.000-06:00

Alright kids - here we go with the limes. I did this last weekend but didn't post because my photos were not yet upload.

Yesterday I cut up my limes into 1/8 slices and put them in a Tupperware and made sure they were mixed up well and completely covered in canning salt - in the freezer they went. I cannot lie - all I wanted for an hour after that was a margarita. Time passed, I watched football which turned into drinking a lot of Coors and taking Fireball shots to help the Seahawks win. I went to bed before seeing Indianapolis lose - I should have taken some Fireball shots for them too!!

All mixed up before they get completely covered in salt.

So today I unmolded my frozen lime block into a collendar and put it on a table above the radiator and waited for it to thaw. The chicken is watching closely to make sure there is no funny business. At the same time I put my jars in the dishwasher to disinfect them.

Thawed limes, rinsed and ready for action.

First thing is to mix the oil and spices with then fill the jars up with the limes. After the limes thawed I washed them off and put them in the jars. You want to let the salt and limes thaw first because it really is hard as block of ice and trying to chip them out will disfigure the limes. We want them to be intact and pretty.

Once the jars are all packed full of limes you fill up the jars with the oil to the very top of the jar. It has to be to the top because you don't want the limes to grow mold. This was a much more difficult process than it needed to be. It was because of the jars - although very pretty, you can't fill them to the top and then seal them without olive oil going all over the place... Stupid limes. So that was a total mess but all and all I think I'm good. I used six limes, two jars and needed more extra oil at the end - mostly I think because less limes = less displacement and because I wasted a lot of it when it spilled. Regular canning jars is what I would suggest for this endeavor.

The original Pickled Limes per Nigella.

it's the weather

2011-01-12T21:53:00.001-06:00

I was leaning against the wall with my eyes closed waiting for the elevator when a co-worker caught me taking a 20 second cat-nap. He told me I was pardoned - it was the weather that had everyone down and out. My friends - this is where I'll be for spring break. Amen and all give praize for the west coast and Sonoma - I booked this place tonight.

my office

2011-01-08T15:55:00.000-06:00

A good friend of mine sent me a photo of her studio and asked me to send one to her - here it is. It's were the magic happens....

rugs are d-u-m

2011-01-08T10:34:00.000-06:00

I hate buying rugs. They are stupid. First of all, they are very expensive, everyone tries to convince you that they need a rug mat under them and the cat loves to hide stuff under them. They are near impossible to clean and who wants to spend money on something you just walk over? Well. I have all hard floors in my house - wood, tile and some sort of stick down thing in the kitchen to be exact, but nothing is carpeted. The upstairs is all pine! Pine. I put a big fat dent in it when my laptop fell out of bed. It's very soft and not really ideal.

My friend Kim turned me on to an amazing product called Flor. You just build your own rug out of these 20z20" tiles and make whatever kind of rug you want. They move easily, they are easy to vacuum, if something spills on them you can take the rug apart and wash the spoiled square, and you don't need a dumb rug pad. I stupidly bought one of those grass rug things for my dining room just because I didn't have the money to buy the Flor rug I wanted at the time. STUPID. I hate the stupid rug in there now. It hurts my feet and already looks like crap. Moral of the story is save your money and buy what you really want.

For my bedroom - I am getting this today. I am also maybe getting some for the upstairs hallway... I love the tartan. hmm. I have Flor in my entryway and in my basement - really fantastic stuff.

time for cooking fun

2011-01-06T22:04:00.001-06:00

I'm having a lot of fun in 2011 so far - work is crazy busy, I'm working on signing up for some sewing lessons, curling is green light go and we cannot for get swimming and cooking! Next up is pickled limes! I'm very excited about this one - I have no idea what a pickled lime tastes like but they are really lovely to look at in a preserving jar. I'll be using Nigella Lawson's Domestic Goddess cookbook for this one. Wouldn't these be great with some cheese and nuts? I'm pretty excited and will post all about it with my own photos. Side note. I love her cookbook. Everything in it is good plus she is funny, pretty and is reasonable... and Nigella in an awesome name.

because thirty posts isn't enough

2011-01-03T20:55:00.000-06:00

Just one more. This photo might be better than my wedding photo - never mind my pockets are full of heavy stuff, I look like I need to pee and my model is forty pounds lighter and five inches taller than me. I absolutely love it.

Credit:Claire Molepske

black swan

2011-01-03T08:25:00.000-06:00

Since I see a movie twice a year I decided I should put my two cents in on this one. Gina and I went yesterday. I thought that Natalie Portman was quite good but the movie as a whole was sort of underwhelming. Perhaps they mixed a few too many genres and too little of each. For five minutes of each this movie could be drama, horror, chick flick, and porno. Gina thought there was too much heavy breathing. I can see why she would be nominated for an award, but the movie? Likely not. Also, when did actresses have to have sex scenes in order to be considered serious? I'm not very prude but I think that's a little silly - tired of reading this in all of her interviews.

happy new year!!

2011-01-01T15:40:00.000-06:00

What a fun New Year's Eve we had! The runway show was a ton of fun and a great experience, I was really glad I was chosen to participate. The entries were all lovely but I knew it would come down to mine and another girl's. She had to have had costume design experience - none of the other entries were constructed like hers. However, I will say, she didn't have a mask and I did. Well.

I showed up at the correct time but had to bang on the door, used the phrases: I'm important, I'm a designer, this is my stuff, yes I'm VIP, I need to go backstage, and all kinds of other convincing things in a stern manner to get in. What is up with people who let people into clubs? They think they are reaaaallly important.

Smokey... (cough cough) you couldn't actually smoke in here but you could in the room next door which I thought was interesting. Although, I didn't see anyone actually smoking..... I think this is "stage" smoke.

Here we are backstage after everyone was dressed.. waiting and freezing our asses off waiting for the show to start.

The costume to the right won below. Body suit + military + train = very 2011.

The designers got to wait in the wings and watch our models take the stage.

The tiger hits the runway - Joel said the audience really loved it.

Sometimes husbands say the right things - a text from Joel after my model came out:

"Wrecked them, damn near killed em."

We walked the runway together at the end - what fun!

A big thank you to my fans! What a great experience - loved every moment and wasn't the least bit disappointed I didn't win - it was such a great opportunity and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!

ready for action

2010-12-29T08:20:00.001-06:00

So I have to convince my brother to do a photo shoot of the kimono before it hits the runway... but here are a few phone shots after my friend Shallyn helped me pin up the hem... a few alterations and finishing to be done in some areas but all and all it's super close.

I think the belt will work fine - I just have to make sure it's pretty firmly tied.... good thing I did a baby test run. I did sadly find out I won't be able to do makeup as I wanted but I'm over it. The mask is nearing completion - I'm thinking it needs some jewels and glitter - may have to run to the crafty store.

a swimming challenge

2010-12-26T17:43:00.000-06:00

You may or may not have heard me speak of my swim coach, Tina. She is a workout creating machine. Perhaps you swim as part of your workout too so I wanted to pass along her swim challenge for January-March. If you REALLY want to join in the fun look up MN Master's swimming and drop her a note - you can come swim with us!!

From Tina:
The next challenge is to swim the channels between the main Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaii is the 50th State, Admitted August 20, 1959. There are 8 mian islands and is the most isolated land on earth. The islands make up the tallest mountain range in the world from top to bottom. ( Sea floor to top) Mauna Kea is the world's tallest mountain ( good trivia question) There is actually a new island forming off the south coast of Hawaii that is expected to break the surface in some 10,000 years, The name is Loihi. The Japanese have already laid claim to the island.

The closest distance between islands is listed below.

The total is 170.5 miles. Do them all or do as many as you can between January 1 and March 31, 2011.

Each 1000 yards/meters you swim during practice will count for 2 miles in distance. You must round to the nearest 1/2 mile.

1200 yards = 2 miles
3400 yards = 7.0 miles
7800 yards = 16.0 miles
7725 yards = 14.0 miles
100 yards = nothing.Why did you bother getting out of bed?

There will be a prize for the swimmer(s) who swims the most channels by March 31 and for the swimmer who completes all the channels first. And no, the prizes are not an all expense paid trip to Hawaii.

Please keep track of your personal mileage by date, yards/meters, which channel you are swimming and miles toward your goal.
You may not give your miles to another swimmer.
If you complete a channel one day you may not start the next until the next practice. ( You will need to refuel and rest)
You must actually swim the distance. No virtual miles will count.
There may be bonus mileage days. There may be negative mileage days because of a shark attack.

And as always rules may be subject to change.
All protests must be filed with Tina.
All protests will be ignored.
Trash talking is highly encouraged.
Bribes are happily accepted.

Kauai to Oahu 63 miles

Niihau to Kauai 15 miles

Oahu to Molokai 22 miles

Molokai to Maui 7.5 miles

Maui to Lanai 8 miles

Lanai to Kahoolawe 15 miles

Maui to Kahoolawe 6 miles

Maui to Hawaii 26 miles

Molokai to Lanai 8 miles

yum

2010-12-26T09:00:00.001-06:00

Only because I'm still in holiday mode. Does this not look amazing? I paid about ten bucks for a box of Almond Torrone and really, you can make it yourself. I'm guessing it's about ten dollars - or close to it, in ingredients however. This is with pistachios which are beautiful. From Epicurious.

merry christmas

2010-12-25T23:28:00.000-06:00

Less stressed - just exhausted from rounds with the family. I know Skype doesn't count as visiting but we "chatted" - rather watched... our niece and nephews as they showed us their piles of Christmas gifts and screamed la la la!!! Into the camera. Oh to be 4. I ate too many cookies, watched a lot of man v. food, opened gifts - huge thank you btw - we received some really wonderful gifts!! It was a lot like we got things we really wanted for our wedding but didn't get then... they somehow seem better now - who knew you could get so much joy out of pots and pans and a coat rack?!? Most wonderful today was our Christmas mass at St. Albert the Great and seeing Grandma. It comes but once a year - Merry Christmas to you and yours too.

and it's christmas

2010-12-21T22:03:00.000-06:00

Christmas is this week in case you haven't noticed - I am trying very hard to be in the spirit but am finding it very difficult. One. I fing hate snow. Two. I had a root canal today and CVS failed at giving me pain medication. Three. Did you know having a root canal (before during after) is the most painful, uncomfortable, horrible thing in the whole world? I'd rather give birth. Three. I still haven't sent my Christmas cards. The list goes on. Mostly I am a very angry driver and am very tired.

The sewing is okay - I got quite a bit done yesterday before I was in too much pain to finish it. I didn't get any real work done today so tomorrow will be full of fun.

done painting

2010-12-19T20:27:00.002-06:00

Thank god. New tutorial up too in case you ever find yourself in need of painted silk. It could happen.

back at it

2010-12-13T19:47:00.000-06:00

I finally bought some fabric paint today and started painting the kimono. Here is the sleeve... I have to add a little more paint but you get the idea. Sigh, this is going to take a long time. However, I can't complain because it's going really well and I don't have to do dye and a resist... just the paint. I kinda wish it was puff paint... awww, memories. I'm on track yet to finish by my self inflicted due date of 12/25 so that's good news too. I've come up with some good ideas on how to do the sleeves too with some black trim that I think will look really cool. I also have to modify the back of the neckline a bit too based on some more research I've done on how that should look. There are some parts of the traditional kimono look I like quite a bit and others I'm just so so on so I've taken some artistic liberties there. No ideas for the obi yet... I'll figure it out.

I did learn that you have to fold it left over right and not right over left - right over left is only done when you're burying someone. Good thing I came across that tidbit...

snowed in

2010-12-11T11:18:00.000-06:00

I won't even post a photo of what it looks like outside. Imagine snow up to you knees and it's still snowing and blowing and will be all day. Enough. I was going to do all kinds of things today and I think instead I'll stay at home or see if they plow....
This is a funny photo though. I purchased a pattern to figure out what a kimono looked like like and because I don't need the actual pattern I threw it on the floor; Pagoda has been playing in it all morning. She thinks it is great fun to roll around in tissue paper and hide. Very sneaky.

christmas baking

2010-12-09T19:43:00.002-06:00

The older I get the more lazy I become about baking. Used to be totally focused. Details, precision measuring, ingredient hunting. Foo. I have no time for that. Probably why I use a food processor now and won't make anything with more than five ingredients in it. Chilling, rolling, bla bla. Tedious. So. Here are my two favorites. Merry Christmas.

Bourbon Balls
Makes a few dozen depending on size.
Box of Nilla Wafers - 12 oz wizzed in the food processor to crumbs
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 bag of milk chocolate chips
Bourbon. I use six tablespoons but you can use less (no less than 3 tbsp) or more. They do not obtain their full flavor until the next day fyi.
Pecans in small bits.

1) Add bourbon to the cookie crumbs and mix.
2) Melt chocolate and milk in a double boiler.
3) Add melted mixture to cookie crumbs and mix.
4) Chill or rest for up to 1/2 hour if necessary.
5) Roll in nuts. Put in container and freeze. You can freeze these for a really long time. The bourbon flavor is obtained in the chilling.

Benne Wafers --- Care of The Wednesday Chef and Gourmet
Makes a few dozen maybe.
Note: Some people reported having issues with the texture of their cookies; please remember that the butter you use must not be warm or room temperature, but cool to the touch and still quite firm before you begin to cream it with the sugar. AK notes - this is true - cold butter, like the kind you use to make pie crust.

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cool but not cold
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sesame seeds <---- I used flax seeds and it worked really well, mine were toasted.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and well-combined. Add the egg and beat until combined. Add the flour, salt, vanilla extract and sesame seeds. Mix until all the ingredients are combined.
3. Drop small spoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten the wafers with a knife dipped in ice water. AK notes you must must must use parchment paper or they will not work and you'll throw them all away. Trust me.
4. Bake for 6 minutes. The cookies should be a golden brown with deeper golden edges. Pull the parchment paper off the sheet pan onto a cooling rack. After about 5 to 8 minutes, gently pull the cooled cookies off the parchment. Reuse the parchment for the next batch.

5. Cool completely and store in a tin for up to 2 weeks.

AK notes again - these are pretty much caramel baked to a brittle point with seeds in them. Totally amazing.

how to make a tulle skirt

2010-12-08T07:31:00.000-06:00

Because you need one. Trust me.

food. we haven't talked food in awhile

2010-12-07T20:37:00.000-06:00

We're taking a break from NYE planning, sewing, tutu making, curling, yoga and all that other stuff and discussing a favorite topic of mine. Food. People are insane about food these days, I mean, really nutty so I am always reading about the latest and greatest and what's bad for you and what's good for you and why what they said was good for you last week is really actually bad for you now. Dairy? Yes, no, yes, no. Coffee? Yes, no, yes, no, yes?

With the holidays upon us and food everywhere here are some of my suggestions for not gaining one pound. Everyone gains one or two pounds at Christmas which is nothing, but if you do it every year... see where this is going? Well, here are four things that came to mind right away.

1) If eating before you go out works for you do it. BUT if you have a bowl of cereal (let's say a big one w/ milk... 300 calories at least then a handful of crackers.. 150 calories) then you just go eat as you normally would anyhow at the party you could have had some extra cookies at the party or another serving of your favorite thing. I see this suggestion all over the place but the bottom line is know yourself. If you can't say no to the food at the party then you minus well eat light all day - just for heaven's sake don't lurk over the buffet.

2) That brings us to my next tip. Don't even go by the food if you know you'll just eat it all. Yeah, everyone hangs out in the kitchen. You however are savvy and hang out next to the ipod where there is no food and decide to DJ instead. Good plan.

3) Eating out every time another friend comes to town? Yes, this is a really hard one to avoid. Perhaps you can talk them into lunch. This is a good excuse to hit the salad and not have a full blown dinner and you can split something - avoid: dressing, fries, red meat, bread baskets, cream soups and dessert. Sounds boring right? Nah, order a beer instead and split a turkey sandwich with no spreads. It will fill you up and you can drink beer. Ps, I'm totally cool with beer.

4) The Blue Dolphin. It's a drink. It's sparkling water. Yes, lame. But you can't drink a whole bottle of wine three nights in a row. Maybe one night, but not three nights. Toss some lime in it. You will live. There are no calories in sparkling water.

So, there are my quick holiday calorie saving tips. You thought I forgot about office food didn't you? Just use my friend Anna's advice. Just imagine that the person who brought it in has a bunch of cats that stand on the counter while they make that office food. Cats lick their butts.

Add me to the crazy food people list - Merry Christmas.

focus

2010-12-06T06:37:00.001-06:00

My weekend was filled with list making for NYE. So far I've made a rough time table, did some fabric estimates and rough sketches of what a pattern might look like, tracked down some kimono making directions, scanned Treadle for tiger like fabric colors, booked a hotel room at the Westin, researched fabric paint and ordered a Venetian mask. Oh yes, and worked on the tutu - I have to wear something to this deal too!
I'd say all and all very productive. I was actually able to find many unpainted Venetian masks which I was pleased about - I was a little worried about what I would be able to find. Thank you Internet. Gilt had some awesome decorated ones before Halloween that were hundreds of dollars... the one I got is actually imported from Italy, but of course was not at all hundreds of dollars - quite the contrary; plus shipping it was $15. I love the ones with the long noses, they also have awesome cat ones but they are more kitty than tiger.

I'm going to keep track of this little project via blogging and probably, since I'm feeling adventurous, do a how to video on fabric painting to throw up on burdastyle.com. I feel I owe them something after using so many how to videos and things on their site. Besides, the Calhoun's just got us this fancy little HD camera for Skypeing that I'm quite fond of. I think I should be able to find a program that records video onto the computer? Or else, I'll use the trusty Evo. More later. I have to get to work.

if i interviewed myself

2010-12-05T22:17:00.000-06:00

... Which would be totally lame ass, but if I did and I asked myself what I could not live without it would be Moleskines. I have one that I keep in my purse all the time, I have one to keep track of my sewing, one for my Bikram Yoga workouts.... you get the idea. I love them - I prefer the ones with graph paper. I unearthed one that I got for Joel he never used so now I have a fat hardcover one I'm readily filling with project plans, dinner menus and endless lists - I also love lists and find making them therapeutic. These are the ones I am asking for, along with a Montblanc from St. Nick.

For watercolors.

Limited edition Peanuts notebooks. Too awesome.

Weekly notebook. More lists!!

holy crap

2010-12-03T21:14:00.003-06:00

I was picked as a finalist for the Crystal Ball 2011. Holy Crap. Holy Crap. I am designing for a runway show on New Year's Eve. Holy Crap. Like it on Facebook and get your tickets here - www.nyempls.com/

fiiiirebaaaaallll!!

2010-11-27T17:35:00.000-06:00

Curling in the Fireball this weekend. Never had Fireball? I highly suggest it. I didn't even know it existed. It's cinnamon flavored whiskey. It is delicious. You pour yourself and everyone else a shot then hold it in the air and yell FIIIREEBALLL then take the shot. Trust me, it's the best idea ever.

Let's see - what else do I know.... the jacket is almost done... in fact, I'm going to be done with it here in a bit then I'm onto a pub crawl. I think this weekend can be considered a wash.

the things you find out you like

2010-11-25T17:09:00.000-06:00

So on a whim today I tried on this (the pink tutu part). They are at the downtown BCBG but apparently sold out online? Well, you get the idea - here is the dress pictured with a jacket. Very Lady Gaga. Anyhow, it's fantastic but 169 bucks and somehow I can't cough up 169 for a tank top with tulle sewn to it.

What I did buy is this - because it looks amazing with the tulle that I didn't buy - sadly though I'm returning it because it doesn't fit well in the shoulders. Big surprise. It is very cute though - it's long like a regular jacket in the front.

The good news though is I was able to make a jacket almost like it at home! Yes, a little DYI to a jacket I already own that I don't wear often - it has two back vents on each side where the jacket pictured above curves back down. Well, I've always disliked the look - I think it looks like a butt flap. So I measured the jacket I am returning, and cut out my jacket to look like the one above. I added some additional darting like this one and will now trim and sew the lining back into place. I think the hardest part is steaming it into the right shape and finishing the hem but I haven't started the hemming yet so we'll see. I'll post some pictures.

On a more current events note - Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you can find something to be thankful for today. I am thankful the most this year for my husband, pets, house, good health and all the things that we never even think about - we are very very fortunate people. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

apple butter

2010-11-21T19:35:00.000-06:00

I was thinking about starting some regular posts that would include recipes that are easy, fast, can be doubled or cut in half without thought, and delicious. I think I will. Today however I share with you some other cooking fun. My iron freaking broke so I can't sew. Damn it - I'm pissed. So we move to the kitchen. I was making these pretty little flowers for a scarf when it died. Joel is going to get me a new one.

Anyhow - I was reading the Penzey's Spices catalog because it includes recipes from nice people who live in places like Wisconsin and Alabama that are good and usually very bad for you. One of them from the catalog is for apple butter. Lo and behold it takes twenty hours to make. Yes, twenty hours. I don't do anything that takes that long. It also requires 20 lbs of apples. Who are these people feeding? I kept it in the back of my mind and when I was at the store yesterday I picked up a bag of apples - those smallish apples that are mushy and don't taste that great eaten alone and dissolve if you tried to make a pie with them. Perfect for apple sauce and butter however. I also looked up making apple butter in a pressure cooker and had zero luck trying to find anything. Here is what I came up with - I kept the water/apples/sugar ratio the same from the Penzey's recipe but improvised on the rest.

Apple Butter AMK style

Time: many hours - but not 20.

Severs: makes two small Tupperware containers full

3 lbs cut and peeled apples - best to use mushy apples that no one likes to eat

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp cake spice

1/4 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp dried lemon peel

cinnamon - no one measures this

canning supplies if you want to can it - I am going to skip that this time around.

I threw the cut up apples in the pressure cooker with everything else and set it to simmer. Then using a wooden spatula I broke them up and mixed everything up and waited until the apples produced enough juices on their own to let the pressure cooker come to pressure - it needs liquid to do this.

Pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. I think this might be completely excessive as apple sauce is 4 minutes in a pressure cooker but we're not making that. I also wanted to avoid using a blender because I hate using multiple appliances and numerous pots while cooking... you have to clean them.

Let the pressure come down and give it a mix. The apples will, as I suspected, be completely dissolved. In the end I blended it because I wanted the smooth consistency. The goal of the apple butter is to be able to stand up crackers in the final (hot) product. Simmer until you can do that. It took me 4 hours.

So that's it. I'd give it five stars.

Here is a good good photo of Pagoda. She is naughty. Drawers are a lot of fun she thinks. She also thinks that she can do whatever she wants.

the resume builder: photo required

2010-11-18T22:14:00.002-06:00

Blog posts can be daunting. A conversation I had today:
A: I could write a book.
Joe: Don't you have a blog?

Yes, I do.

The topic at the time was, "Things I've learned during my short career." Joe said I could probably fit that right in with fashion and wine bar reviews. Actually, he is spot on.

Lesson 1: People who keep themselves pulled together, looking good and on top of their shit are noticed at work, get paid more and are more likable. You can decide which way you lean - either the looking good part or the on top of your shit part but I'm going to put one foot squarely in the looking good camp followed closely by the talent/shit together/smart part. This is just my opinion, it's also my blog post.

Penelope Trunk also thinks this to be true and highly suggests you should work very hard to stay thin/looking good by working out. She has tons of posts on it but this one is particularly good. According to the CCN Money article she references, less than average looking people make 9% less an hour than their good looking counterparts. Well, that you say can't be true. Hmmm let's just take for example a friend of mine who works for a company who shall not be named. When looking for new hires, they went out of their way to hire the "hot girl." You want think these things don't happen but they do. I was once thanked for "looking good" after a meeting. I said thank you and left. I was taken aback by the comment at first because it seems so out of place in 2010... but, in hindsight, it was really meant as a complement. My work that I had slaved over for a week wasn't praised by my dress was. I know that if I hadn't done the work the meeting wouldn't have happened so I moved on.

You want to get paid well, be noticed and be liked right? I'm here to tell you that both sexes can spend a few hours a week on their image. Here are a few basic things that make a tremendous amount of difference.

1) Iron your clothes and make sure they fit. Nothing makes me more crazy than wrinkled clothes. They even make dryers now that steam all of your clothes so you barely have to iron. If you don't want to buy a new dryer for crap sake invest in a good dry cleaner. Washing and pressing a shirt is cheap and certainly is nothing v. that 9% you'll be paid less if you don't iron. Make sure your clothes fit. I cannot stress this enough. Simple hemming is very cheap - that good dry cleaner will do alterations for you. That cheap H&M skirt that is too small? Donate it. Those pants that you wore when you were two sizes bigger? Alter them or if they are just too large donate them. One word, Nordstrom. Just do it - they also make wrinkle free shirts.

2) Appropriateness. This goes in all directions. Workout pants, not ok. Sweat pants, not ok. Sweatshirts that profess you did a beer tour with your frat buddies in 2002, not ok. Shoes that cost $400 more than your bosses shoes? Not okay if you are a girl and your boss is a girl. Also not ok - anything a hooker would wear. Wondering if something is not okay? You need to ask. Get a consultant. A personal shopper - most a free these days and an honest friend works just as well.

3) Fast food, not working out, sitting at your desk all day, eating a bag of candy at any time and a gallon of soda will add up and quickly and = office ass. Just look at this. All you soda drinkers beware. 290 calories in one 20 oz Mt Dew. Do you know what you could eat for 290 calories??? 1 medium banked potato, 2 tablespoons of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of salsa, and a cup of melon.

Walk more, park father away, take the stairs, pack your own lunch, workout with a friend, join a team, participate in the health awareness initiatives at your work. Do yourself a favor and be healthy - it goes way beyond people liking you and making more money.

Lastly - be a sponge - a person who wants to learn, be involved and be on top of their game. You can learn so much by researching on your own, finding a mentor, having lunch with people outside of your department and company and really using all the training opportunities your work provides. They are there for a reason. If you are stupid, no matter how great you look, eventually someone is going to figure it out and you're going to have to work it all over again to find a new job.

the kilt

2010-11-17T21:33:00.001-06:00

I ordered my kilt today. It's not the Calhoun tartan because they didn't carry it but instead Black Watch which is a personal favorite of mine.... of which I've already purchased another dress in the same tartan earlier this year.

I'm pretty excited. I think it will need to be hemmed a bit but I can do that myself. to have them do it is another 12 bucks and it takes extra days. I can also sew down my own pleats thankyouverymuch so no worries there either. It was cheaper for me to buy one than make one but it's not really the real deal. When Joel and I go to mixed doubles nationals I'll buy the ten yards of Calhoun and sew two of them up for us.

bow ball 2010 idea board

2010-11-15T20:40:00.001-06:00

bow ball 2010 by Amanda.Calhoun featuring high heel shoes

Jimmy Choo Private suede sandals
$950 - net-a-porter.com
High heel shoes »

Glitterati party clutch - J.Crew
$60 - jcrew.com
Party handbag »

BCBGMAXAZRIA - Mesh contrast Legging
$78 - bcbg.com

Helmut Lang Lace Back Dress
$610 - ssense.com

dinner in November

2010-11-15T19:37:00.001-06:00

I really love anything with tomato in it. To be clear, the tomatoes have to be small in size - unless fresh. Very specific here. Here is something I can't get enough of when it gets dark and cold out. This is my version of Bread and Tomato Soup

1/4 cup olive oil - less if you feel
3 large garlic cloves pressed
1 loaf day old bread - crusts cut off and cut/broken in to small pieces
24 oz canned tomatoes pureed with their juices
4 cups of chicken stock - veg. if you like
basil - fresh or dry
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

Sweat garlic in olive oil - add bread and toast - having bread soak up all of the oil.
Add tomatoes, stock and seasoning.
Bring to a boil then down to a simmer - about 15 or so minutes until the bread is super soft and broken down.
Add Parmesan cheese and serve.

This is excellent on its own as a whole dinner - the bread is already in there so there is no reason to add anything else. It also takes zero time to make - plus, if you're like me you've got a lot of canned tomatoes and some very old bread around all the time.

a masked affair

2010-11-14T21:31:00.000-06:00

Sounds racy huh? Not so much. It is however a New Year's Masquerade party for which there is a design competition (scroll down for info). It requires a sketch and portfolio to be submitted. I am not an artist, nor do I have any skills in costume design, but I had and idea so that's all that really matters huh? Who knows who will enter, probably a lot of really talented people with skills in this sort of thing but whatever. I put together a hard copy of my sewing portfolio - just a few things made of silk and will combine that with this little sketch - sorry, it actually looks a lot better than this but don't have a color scanner. You can see the very top of the portfolio (the blue) behind it. I also had to put together a fun list of required materials, inspiration and also added hair/makeup ideas. It's ink and watercolor. I have no plans in being selected but I did have fun putting it together and having a little watercolor art project at my desk this afternoon.

on my brain

2010-11-08T21:11:00.000-06:00

I've been having a great time sewing with my new machine - in fact, I sewed an entire dress yesterday - well, I put the facing in this morning and hemmed it up and then wore it to work. Pretty slick - very pretty. I'm glad I sewed a sample first. Also have two blouses done and am excited to make the dress again in the CA fabric - yeah. still haven't cut it yet.
Been working. Been eating. Been swimming. No yoga which is bad. Pagoda met Lola tonight. She doesn't like Lola at all.
Getting ready to make a shirt for Joel and a few skirts next weekend. Having new things to wear has been nice - I've been thinking about a lot of different styles lately... I think I'll have to put up another little picture collection soon.
Dying to go back to California too... I want to spend a week there - skiing and wine country. Wouldn't that be excellent?

getting it together

2010-10-24T08:50:00.000-05:00

When I get back to MN I've got to start on my dress. When I was in CA I bought this really great fabric for the Oolong pattern by Colette. There are a few issues however. One being I'm going to have to alter the pattern. Not a big deal but it has so many pieces and it will take a long time to cut them all out, sew and fit. I romanticized over the pattern and it's all bias cut ways.... but really, that neckline? This very flat chested woman will need it to be a little more interesting than that. Also, I fear the hips will be to big and there will be huge gapping at the neckline in the back. Normally this is of no issue because I can take it in at the zipper but this one I think will need true pattern alteration. At least I'm going into it aware of obvious changes.

Going to be helping Kim make her skirt when we get back as well - I think I will be doing more of my own pattern drafting after this. I tried some time ago but I don't think I realized what a good idea it really is. My Colette blouses turned out really well but it's amazing how patterns do not fit. You would think that if you made something straight out of the package it would be like going to the store and just trying on ready-to-wear. It mostly fits most of the time. This is never ever so with patterns. It's as if tremendously awkward people were used as models. Hmmm perhaps that says something about models - or me?! Whatever, the price you pay for custom fit clothing.

allsaints must love billy too

2010-10-23T07:51:00.003-05:00

Have you ever seen this shop before? I went in Boston - they had the most amazing storefront I've ever seen - it was wall to ceiling vintage sewing machines - amazing. Anyhow, the store itself is as though someone raided the dressing room for the Smashing Pumpkin's Ava Adore shoot. Really beautiful stuff.

Oh Billy.

Anyhow, here's some stuff I loved...

Basic knitwear... uncommon draping. I think I've completely tired of many retailers right now. I tried on a dress at Banana Republic the other day that fit well but was so boring that even in my, what I feel is, a semi gifted eye of styling, couldn't be pulled off. Not with jewelry, sweaters, boots, belts.. anything. I'd have to take a scissors to it. Odd yes, but I'm being serious. I feel like maybe I can really mix three things I love for fall and winter - body con vintage, the Victorian era and the highlands. Perhaps not all at once but we'll see.

From a runway line... inspiration: wartime parachutes.

This is the one I got - it's actually a really light flannel in tartan. Looked really amazing with a large brown studded belt and sweater that had leather and brass clasps to the shoulders. Thinking wool thigh highs and my black slouchy fold over boots. Mind you I bought those boots four years ago and they are still tremendously "in." Thank you woman at Nordstrom who told me it wouldn't be at all possible to regret the purchase. You couldn't have been more right.

Allsaints also has amazing sweaters and top coats and leather.. oh my, a new addiction.

ok this is better - a lot better

2010-10-17T08:11:00.001-05:00

NY Times Fashion Magazine today - Milan - Dolce & Gabbana are all over this - obviously, and with redemption. Actress/Model Margareth Made' doesn't exactly hurt the cause either...

sold out

2010-10-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

WTF. Someone, many people, bought this from D&G. What would you do with a zip up hooded sweatshirt from Wal*Mart with fringe hot glue gunned to it?

listen to this

2010-10-14T22:07:00.000-05:00

So a little late to the game on this record but in all fairness I thought it got a bit too much hype for what it is when it came out. None the less, you can listen to the whole thing straight up and appreciate some solid song writing.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

this plus this is bliss

2010-10-13T19:03:00.000-05:00

This color

plus this

Yes.ColettePatterns and Real Simple.... again.

haircut - a poem

2010-10-11T20:07:00.000-05:00

I cut my hair... it becomes short. I am growing my hair out... it's a total pain in the ass.
A piece on the right, it gets in my eye... the stuff on the left does whatever it wants to do.
I feel like I have a lot of hair at the back left of my head. Why is it so thick there?
I also have grey hair. I pull those out. My husband does not have grey hair.
None.

I am getting a haircut this week. I think my inspiration for it is this Vanity Fair shoot.

I also want to dress like this every day - from Real Simple... Too bad I don't have the cash.

on my brain

2010-10-09T21:48:00.002-05:00

gold and red by Amanda.Calhoun featuring gold flat shoes

Gold Glitters Women's TOMS Shoes
$54 - toms.com
Gold flat shoes »

MAC 'Venomous Villains - Cruella de Vil' Lipstick
$16 - nordstrom.com

Oolong - No. 1008 || by Colette Patterns
colettepatterns.com

Team Canada Brush
goldline.ca

Venetian Mask - Masks
halloweenexpress.com

fall rowing in all its glory

2010-10-06T22:07:00.001-05:00

I have rowed exactly one time in 2010. Here is the photo proof. Gina and I were in the open double at the Head of the Miss. We won, which was both funny and excellent. Good 'ol Head of the Miss. It was, in fact, the first regatta I ever rowed at. This year, it's the only one.

obsessed

2010-10-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

I often am obsessed with things... this is nothing new.
Currently I'm obsessed with:
Finding my bunny fur mittens... they are just nowhere to be found. Super mad about that.
Being organized at work. No idea what brought that on.
Cooking
and...

This.

Buy it and drink it and be happy.

Nero D'Avola - Ajello - it's the house wine at ol' WA.

tow up

2010-10-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

I apparently sewed my sewing machine into the ground. I received a call from the repair man last week telling me the bearings went dry and the thing over heated and it's fairly toast but he could fix it for a larger than I would like sum of money. Now, you'd think that this would have been an avoidable scenario. It was not. I was informed that that was not a necessary maintenance procedure when I purchased it so I'm left thinking this machine was really built for the casual sewer and not me. Now, I wouldn't really put myself into the "more than a casual sewer" group but really - aside from mending and a Halloween costume I'd say a lot of people with a low end machine probably don't sew a whole ton. So, I bought the real deal this weekend off eBay... I tried to find one in a local store but I've also found that most sewers these days do that fancy embroidery stuff or quilting and buy machines that cost $3,000. I needed a solid seamstress workhorse. So, taking some advice from Gertie of Gertie's New Blog of Better Sewing I purchased a Burnina 1008. A solid mechanical machine that I hope will last me a lifetime with some regular actual maintenance.

my brain right now

2010-09-25T22:00:00.003-05:00

my brain right now by Amanda.Calhoun

lululemon athletica - Groove Pant (Tall)
$98 - lululemon.com
Tall activewear »

Large ostrich bag
$370 - karenmillen.com
Handbags »

Roxy Euphoria 5 Light Polished Chrome Chandelier with Black Lucite...
$209 - homedepot.com

Speedo Hydra Women's Goggles, Steel
11 GBP - johnlewis.com

lululemon athletica, yoga-inspired athletic apparel: goal setting
lululemon.com

Vintage Posters - Beautiful Brunette rowing a row boat Pinup Girls -...
rainfall.com

Lemon Olive-Oil Cake Photo at Epicurious.com
epicurious.com

The International Hedgehog Association
hedgehogclub.com

2010-09-20T21:05:00.002-05:00

Sad news friends - the sewing machine had to get dropped off with the repair man. He will let me know how much it will cost to fix. It's making a horrible screeching sound. Awesome. So much for all that sewing stuff I was going to get done.

I've been obsessively working out. Mostly to avoid doing work at night. Yesterday I did this pose in its entirety - forehead on the floor and all. I'm pretty much amazed. The floor is so far away.

I bought a ravioli maker from Amazon today. I also want to completely re-decorate my whole house. I think I need to get a grip.

feeling upbeat - mostly I think I'm so tired i'm delusional

2010-09-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

I have like no photos to show for being in San Francisco this weekend which is pretty lame but I will tell you I was there. Krisitn and I tore it up as only stern pair could do meeting lots of new friends... where else but the bar. Paco, Chicago, the Brick, Somalia,too many hipsters to count and more. I got some sweet new fabric to make a dress and a shirt which I've already cut out. Yay!
I did take the red-eye back which is dumb because I always think I can do stupid crap like that. Augh. Today was rough and I'm going to bed.

First!

The Dailey Method is awesome and my back didn't hurt one day I was there. (I did this workout every day... day two mostly I sweat out a sixth of bourbon but I felt pretty good later... much later). I didn't do it today because we have no such thing in mpls and my back hurts. See, I'm telling you. However, I could not use my clutch barely in the car because my hips were so sore today. Whatever, you win some you lose some.

it's fall

2010-09-07T19:16:00.000-05:00

Fall is for sure here. It's cold outside. My yard is full of sticks. It's windy as hell. Lottery winners for the Head of the Charles have been posted. Yay for the club 4!!

So with the change of seasons we must do all those things we love doing. Clean the house, donate clothes, work on the yard, re-write the workout plan, make some new goals. I was inspired by a few sewing websites I was perusing yesterday while attempting to do work. I have vintage tops and skirts on the brain. Also I've been doing a lot of yoga lately that I'm sort of getting addicted to more than normal. I actually did this pose in its entirety this weekend. Pretty awesome.

I think this photo of Bikram is funny.

Swimming put my shoulder blades in to a permanent cramp which is very unpleasant. I am going tomorrow morning but I think I will have to swim slowly to try and work it out. Tina won't like that. I don't think I have a choice... it was so bad on Friday sitting made me cry and I had to go get a massage. Bad news. The yoga helps but tonight I'm finalizing the car selling transaction which makes me happy. Now, to exercise the self control to use it to pay down the Jetta and not blow in California this weekend.

reading

2010-09-04T21:07:00.000-05:00

I don't read very often anymore which is sad - I just got though a book I only read when I have cereal in the morning or a snack after work... so it took well over a month to finish. It was okay - most of it could be easily skimmed.

My back is so sore I can hardly sit - today I laid in the tub and re-read Self-Help by Lorrie Moore. I think it's a top 10 for me. If I was a writer, I'd hope to write like her.

One of my favorite lines from the short story, How to Become a Writer:

"Decide that you like college life. In your dorm you meet many nice people. Some are smarter than you. And some, you notice, are dumber than you. You will continue, unfortunately, to view the world in exactly these terms for the rest of your life."

No truer words have been written.

buy my car

2010-09-04T10:11:00.000-05:00

You love Audi, I love Audi. Buy this one -
xxxo

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/1936202802.html

it's almost over

2010-08-29T10:01:00.000-05:00

The house exterior project phase 1 has almost come to a close. Here is a little photo journey of the summer to date.

Our house, lovely 33 Douglas. You can't tell here but there are two layers of siding with built out trim....

Critters live in the roof. That was pretty much the breaking point for me. If you enlarge this photo you can see their multiple entryways in the far left upper corner.

Meet with an architect and talk siding. We get optimistic, do a little demo, find what appears to be okay looking clapboard under horrid shingles of questionable material....

Then the first layer of siding came off. No photos to share there because they are on a phone I don't have anymore... you get the idea though. Dollar signs at this point have lost a lot of meaning.... The second layer of siding comes off and the house gets wrapped.. That part went pretty fast.

Real siding starts go go up... Swedish people are at the house every day - new fascia sofits go up, trim goes up, squirrels move out!

We wait, we fight we give in. The painters come.

Now for the front porch.... That waits until next year - the plan is to open it back up and build stairs all the way across. The painters are almost done now thankfully and we get to start working on the yard. The street is completely torn up and we have no curb (see photo) because that is all getting re done. At least the city is giving us a new sidewalk and sod. They should. The assessment is huge.

I love that you can see the large pile of dirt in the street. We pay a lot of tax dollars to have people move that pile of dirt around.... Someone should call Fox News.

my twin or whatever

2010-08-25T21:34:00.001-05:00

When someone comes up to me and says, you look like --insert name of person here-- I'm usually like, uh, thanks. Cause that's what I was going for or yeah, I haven't washed me hair in a week . This week I looked like Daria, who, hello, has glasses and Jackie O... at the same time. Huh?

I was also recently spotted at a camp? Playing a guitar? What?

That is all.

what i learned this week about myself

2010-08-19T20:25:00.002-05:00

I read an interesting article on the ny times today about people in their 20's and how long it takes to get to adulthood. I guess I'm four out of five and will probably hit all five stages before I'm thirty - well, maybe. Kids is the last stage.
So, people used to have all five done well before thirty and now people just don't. So what. The government will dish out more health care to support old kids let's call them without insurance or jobs. We saw that coming. I do have issues with entitlement but I also have an internal struggle with entitlement too. That's for later.

Three things I realized in the last week.

I was talking to a girlfriend who just broke up with this guy over facebook email. She called it a new low. I think it's funny and if you need to break up with someone over email on Facebook so what? Anyhow, we were chatting about the way things are and I mentioned I keep buying stupid stuff - like four and a half inch heels. Where the f am I going to wear those?
I am bored.

I was talking to my sister in law who I didn't even realize was coming to town last night at like 2 AM - we did happy hour and the Twin's game and the Gnome and then realized no food is to be found after 1 AM on a Wed so we came home and ate bacon and frozen pizza. I was sitting in my living room and surveying the scene. Dusty as hell room, workout crap in a pile, pet toys littered about, a cat laying on my passed out husband and his brother in a just semi better state than that next to him. She has three kids. I told her,
Joel and I live this bachelor life together. No real responsibilities. Just a lot of bills.

I drove up to Canada with my mom to see my sister and my friends row at NWIRA last weekend. It was excellent to see everyone, act dumb on the dance floor, meet some new people, snap a few photos, get lost in a town of 1,000 and play name that song with Mom. I was seriously in a funk when I got back and had to face reality.
I need to vacation. A lot more.

Also the fourth item… but not really a realization. I'm really into the new Band of Horses album.

i'll probably fall asleep typing this

2010-07-30T23:02:00.000-05:00

God what a summer. You will have to imagine all of this in your head because I'm not posting photos... which might be better..... I don't think people use their imaginations enough anyhow.
We've got siding. It's lovely. It really does look stunning. It's not caulked or anything and it's certainly not painted but we have siding on our house. I have the debt to prove it.
I bought a car. It's also lovely. It's a VW. Sigh. Seems odd not driving an Audi anymore. I still own the old Audi but soon it will be sold. I feel badly. However horrible the Audi vehicles of my past have ever treated me I forgive them. The new car has a moon roof that extends to the back seat.... it's awesome.
I have yet to go on a summer vacation. This eats away at me daily.
My third anniversary was the 28th. I thought it was the 30th. Some wife I am. Awesome awesome dinner at Heartland. Complements to the chef. Truly fantastic. I gave Joel a seltzer bottle. It's all about the memories right?
here is that falling asleep part....

dresses

2010-07-05T00:22:00.000-05:00

So delightful I got both! Nicole Miller and Helmut Lang.. rent the runway is pretty much the most brilliant idea ever.... I will of course invite you if you like.

csa: week 1

2010-06-27T08:16:00.001-05:00

I don't really garden - I'll do shrubs and plants that don't require actual work but other than that I'm pretty boring. I did grow up in a family that did garden - vegetable gardened. Before the Obama's told us we should and before it was hip. Both of my parents being from farming families kept a large vegetable garden in our back yard and every year we had tons of fresh produce. As now my parents are divorced, the house is long since sold and I don't have the space or time or enough sun in my yard for a proper garden we decided to do a CSA this year.

We like our farmer a lot and so far so good. Our first box contained a lot of leafy stuff as it's only June. A fun surprise was garlic scapes which it turns out you can do pretty much anything with. The bok choy was prepared with butter and a few simple seasonings - and idea from Gourmet and served with soba. The baby beet greens were wilted with some blue cheese served with bread. Mostly I've been eating a lot of spring greens as my own personal serving bowl size salads. We also have fresh kale, Chinese cabbage, and probably something else I'm forgetting. At any rate, it will be good to discover some new tastes and play in the kitchen this summer.

oolong pattern and some thoughts

2010-06-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

My favorite part of sewing isn't finishing the dress (I'd have a lot more dresses if it was) or cutting it out or sewing it together or any of that stuff. It's picking out the fabric, messing with the pattern and doing the fitting. I find it very amusing and it makes me use part of my brain that I don't get to use at work but I wish I had to. Sewing is a three dimensional puzzle and it's tremendously interesting to me. In fact, if I can't sleep I think about how I'd put certain patterns together so that it would work. Nerdy.

I finally bought the oolong pattern that I've been spying and now I have to find a fabric. I like this one:

from exotic silks

time on my hands and a Harriet update

2010-06-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

Today I have nothing to do. I don't think that's ever happened before. Certainly not since we bought a house. Update on that - all of our siding is off. The house is wrapped. There is a full dumpster of siding in our backyard. SSG (Swedish siding guy) cannot be reached. We would like to pay him. In fact, we'd like to pay him so he can put up NEW siding but won't return our calls or texts. It is Sunday so I won't be trying him today. I will be doing something else.

Monday I will be so busy at work I won't be able to leave my desk. I was thinking of starting at 6 AM again like I did Thursday... that worked out really well actually - I got a ton done all before 8 AM. However, I have swimming and would much rather be swimming than working.

This weekend I did the Lake Harriet swim - there is a pretty bad photo of me on twitter before launching or whatever you call it in swimming - going? starting? Before the start we'll say anyhow... It was only one mile but I'm glad I only did one mile for my first outing. The water was pretty darn cold and there were no wet suits allowed. I got off to a maybe twenty yard good start before realizing it was colder even than I expected, that I could not breath and then was suddenly certain I was going to drown. I panicked. Then everyone passed me. I was doing breast stroke in the middle of the course positive I would drown and wondering where the nearest life boat was then delivered myself the mental version of a slap across the face. Damn it. I swim fast I told myself then I made myself swim. I counted out ten, then twenty then ten more strokes. I wasn't going to drown, I just had to make it to the next buoy. So, I did that and it went ok. I could have been faster - I know I could be faster but it was my first try and I liked it and the end was hard and I battled it out between another girl for the last 1/3 mile and I beat her. It was good.

lost phone, ghetto results

2010-06-18T08:17:00.000-05:00

Excerpt of an email sent to Gina:

I dropped my phone when I was getting out of the car Monday morning… someone took my phone, programmed a million ghetto contacts and texted everyone. Obviously this person was 1) really ghetto because the numbers were all Detroit numbers and they all had names like Cuz. 2) Really stupid to think he would actually get to use it for longer than like a day. Obviously I would cx the service.

Luckily all my contacts are saved online (that's how I discovered the ghetto contacts) so anyhow…

For your reading pleasure - here are the people this person programmed into my phone:
12th District Court
A.Smith Case Worker
Boo Nasty
Boo(burp)
Booty
Ced
City Cab
Cuz
Cyro
Dial a Ride
Dustin
Dustin Sober
Hair
Happy's
Hospital (multiple)
IRS Help
Jalen
Jaren
Jazz
Jomar
Kenya
Kenyetta
Lance
Lill Bone
Lill Bro
..... I don't think he made it any farther in the alphabet entering names. Good lord.

After a few days of figuring out what to do we switched to sprint and the Evo's are in the mail.

thoughts

2010-06-09T17:36:00.000-05:00

I'm like a four sentence person these days... if I can't communicate everything 'in short' no one seems to listen. Too many distractions these days obviously. Probably why I like twitter so much - my brain too is becoming used to ideas in small amounts too.

Going swimming at Nokomis tonight - actually I'm leaving here in a moment. I have to try getting in a lake before the Lake Harriet swim the weekend after next.

The siding is coming off the house this weekend and the house will get wrapped and ready for its new siding. I need to get some money lined up for that.

Thinking about brining Winston in a canoe. Wondering if that is a good idea. Maybe not.

Wondering if underwriting is a good career. If so how can I tailor it to still be mentally stimulating and insure I continue to learn. When do you become a master in your career? Why would you want to?

What do you do with your car keys while you swim in a lake?

Ooh it's been awhile again

2010-06-05T12:15:00.000-05:00

The house has the siding ripped off, the yard is trampled (my pretty plants!) sailing is still going on, swimming, so is teaching learn to row, fire arms class starts up soon, I have a learn to sail class going on Mondays starting up here that I think I will move to July and my in-laws are coming this month. Work is nuts so basically I am always behind a computer or going someplace at all times. Oh yeah, and PT for the back starts on the 6th.

I am having panic attacks - for real - and spent part of the weekend at my mom's house reading and shopping - I don't think besides tranquilizers there is any other cure/help - advice? I did have a lot of fun at learn to row last night and actually found that to be the most therapeutic thing I've done so far. I am so excited to be back in the boat house running around and teaching people the joys of rowing! I think Kim and I will have a super fun class.
The goal for June is to swim 42,500 meters which is a little over 26 miles! As a team we will attempt 900,000 meters - that's pretty much like swimming to Gary, IN! So far I've swam about four miles.... Wish me luck!

oh you don't say?

2010-05-19T18:24:00.000-05:00

I am starting a school for business professionals. This is an official decision and am working on my materials already. I heard an unfortunate story today.
A girl who I do not know went out with a bunch of work people and proceeded to get hammered. She then after too many drinks told the head of the department that the crutch of her recently finished project was an employee of his and then proceeded to throw the team member under the bus. All opportunities for her to now move up into a new position or lead future projects in his department are likely, in my opinion, over. The head of the department brushed the incident off in person, but what do you think he was pondering on the way home from the outing?
Takeaways:
- Know your limits, even if you are not out with people you work for or with. Your behavior is watched by everyone at any event and you do not want to be referred to as "that drunk girl/guy." Ever.
- If you should find yourself in such a situation where you realize you've had too much, start your damage control.... and I don't mean marching around and telling everyone how drunk you are and how sorry you are that you're drunk and general talking. You're making it worse - the only talking you should be doing is to the host to have a cab called and some polite good byes. Trust me. Really. I once asked a sales manager "what it was exactly he does around here." I denied it for a long time but truth is truth.
- When you're at the bottom of the ladder and you want to get to the top, your appearance, behaviors, communication skills, and overall personality are just as important, if not more, than how hard you work.

Just throwing that out there. Manners on another day.

man alive

2010-05-18T20:47:00.000-05:00

Holy crap it's been a long time since I've blogged. Too much going on and not a second to write.
Went to Chicago with Shal Pal, her husband, and Joel - fun was had, much food was consumed and I learned the awesomeness of mixology. Will have to go back soon - I miss it already.
Swimming is going well - I just need to force myself to go to yoga a little more - sleep just seems to take the priority.
No sewing going on.
Gina is moving in.
Sailing is awesome - looking to join the MN women's team.
Um...
Work is ridiculous.
Winston is happy.
My MRI shows I simply need PT at this moment in time...

That's about all.

puppy update!

2010-05-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

Here is little Avast! She is three pounds now - a third of Winston's size! See her and all of her siblings here - so cute.

too vintage or too perfect?

2010-05-03T17:58:00.000-05:00

Thinking this dress would go really really well with my birthday present from Gilt. It's a pattern from Colette and is just lovely. If you're new to sewing I'd check out her stuff - it's pretty strait forward - people always give rave reviews of her patters - they are easy to follow.

Images from Colette Patterns

ponder this

2010-05-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

How old do you have to be to be considered the old person at the party when the average age of the party is 22? You can't act like you're 22 or you're just the old person all the not old people are pointing at saying, ohhhh, what is that old person doing? Keep in mind I am 26. "They" say that there is an actual generation gap now between people my age and people who are younger than me graduating college now. Interesting. I think they're just young and don't know any better. My school of business/life etiquette is going to be needed pretty soon here. I understand that if you friended me on facebook that you could read all about me in my profile but if you friend me in real life you can't. How about asking me who I know at the party or what I'm drinking instead of 20 questions starting with where I work and then trumping me with some fake job title? Of course, that could happen with anyone no matter how old they are. Just seems odd. Listen, you have nothing to prove to anyone. You could wash cars for a living - I could give a fuck. Do people have interests anymore? Isn't that a category on facebook?

I mowed the lawn for the first time today since I was a kid and my dad told me I didn't do a good enough job so I never mowed again. Personally I think I did a fine job today. I even sprayed weeds. I didn't trim though. You have to draw the line someplace. We had a lawn service when we lived in highland. That was pretty awesome.

I am cleaning out my closets upstairs since we have to build some kind of organization system in them. We do not have a linen closet upstairs and Gina will be moving into our spare bedroom for the summer so I need to clean out all kinds of shit. When we moved last July I thought I did a good job throwing stuff away but really I didn't. Fact of the matter is it's easy not to throw anything away when you move. You just huck it in a box and the box ends up in a closet in your new house. Now I'm going through all of it... sucks.

happy birthday to me

2010-04-28T21:35:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't love 97" of pink pearls?

Ala Gilt... of course. Still not a member? I'll invite you!

it's seriously only tuesday?

2010-04-27T19:54:00.000-05:00

Unholy long week... work is killing me. I realized this recently when my boss' boss came over to my desk and was super excited - like literally imploding with excitement about six sigma and insurance. I didn't know what to say. So I said what you say to your boss when you don't know what to say. That's great.
Insurance. It's insurance. My normal outlets aren't working anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'm damn good at my job and I like it and ING likes me. I just don't want to be zip tied to it.

The siding guy came over. He is pretty much awesome. I hope his quote doesn't put me in the poor house because I want him to do my house. Maybe Joel can do some website work for him and it won't cost so much. Have I mentioned my husband is awesome? I could sew the siding guy a dress but I'm sure it's not his thing. We've also got more of a plan to deal with the asbestos (hence the body suits) and it sounds like the clapboard is going and will be replaced because the EPA wants us to live to be 900. Yeah, I'm going to the poor house.

the house

2010-04-25T09:20:00.000-05:00

Joel and I met with an architect the other day to talk about the exterior of our home. You know the story, bad siding, bad front window, bad news critters living in the attic.... the list pretty much goes on from there. We got some good ideas are also got the motivation we were needing when we met with Jim. He advised us to pull of some of the existing siding to see what was under it - good news we found, it's the original clapboard and for the most part it looks to be in good condition. I guess step one at this point is to remove the siding and fix the trim. The front window will have to be replaced and we want to open up our front porch to revert it back to period. Last but not least the fascia and soffits will need to be replaced. Oh yeah and we'll have to fix the siding where it needs to be replaced and paint the whole thing. Wow. It's going to be a ton of work but I think at least for the most part we are seeing eye to eye when it comes to what we are willing to do ourselves and what we are not. Anyone want to put on a body suit and take down some siding?

a correction

2010-04-20T21:59:00.000-05:00

I've been notified by a few that the link to Joel's blog is wrong. Well, he changed the link. Here it is.

The NFL draft starts Thursday. I've informed the men at work the draft is nothing more than the Oscars for Men. They like this idea. Also, being an agent cannot be a bad job. I think sales reps would be excellent agents. I think I should suggest this to a few people I've worked with in the past. They would probably make more money. I might watch some of it as a drinking game. Who wears more bling? Men who play in the NFL or women at awards shows? I think the NFL players.

Many short sentences.... going to bed.

If you tell anyone...

update your shizit

what's the worst thing that could happen?

when meat isn't the star of dinner

you need this

the plot thickens

last day of work, first day of a lot

new blogger to read

MAN·RE·PELL·ER1 [MAHN-REE-PELLER]

i'm moving. to OC.

that's it and that's all

yikes!

san fran

on tap

hey kate

jalapeño queso kinda

laziness and other internal delemas

dear skirt...and others

dear dress

a week in food

snow snow snow

detoxing out of winter

back

out of space

and that's when I realized it doesn't have to be the same

would you trust me with your wedding dress?

winter eating

palette challenge - the designs

breakfast of curling champions

january - are you almost done yet?

help

spring 11

bliss

getting it together

pickled limes

it's the weather

my office

rugs are d-u-m

time for cooking fun

because thirty posts isn't enough

black swan

happy new year!!

ready for action

a swimming challenge

yum

merry christmas

and it's christmas

done painting

back at it

snowed in

christmas baking

how to make a tulle skirt

food. we haven't talked food in awhile

focus

if i interviewed myself

holy crap

fiiiirebaaaaallll!!

the things you find out you like

apple butter

the resume builder: photo required

the kilt

bow ball 2010 idea board

dinner in November

a masked affair

on my brain

getting it together

allsaints must love billy too

ok this is better - a lot better

sold out

listen to this

this plus this is bliss

haircut - a poem

on my brain

fall rowing in all its glory

obsessed

tow up

my brain right now

feeling upbeat - mostly I think I'm so tired i'm delusional

it's fall

reading

MAN·RE·PELL·ER¹ [MAHN-REE-PELLER]