Day Fourteen: Current Fascination

I have to list two, as it would not be fair to list just one or the other of these. 

First: 

French Bulldogs! We are preparing to welcome a frenchie puppy into our home at the beginning of the year. Is this little one on the left below the cutest thing you've ever seen? The one on the right is an adult frenchie.

Frenchies are full of love, are quite comical, and have the cutest ears you've ever seen. I have been voracious for information in preparation for Sophie, and Matt is probably tired of hearing about all the new facts and things to do before we welcome her into our home.

Is there anything cuter than that?

Second: As if you couldn't  have guessed, it's glitter, and glittery/shimmery makeup. I have an obscene collection of both of these, but I somehow can't stop myself from purchasing more if I see something I love. 

Instead of explaining my problem with each of these to you, I will post photos detailing my collections:

First, makeup:

This photo illustrates everything I use on a daily basis, or at least most days. I might trade off on eyeshadow or blush color, but it all generally comes from this selection of wonderful products. 

These items are in my everyday bag, but I don't use them as frequently. They are either makeup fixes or simply items I don't use as often. Still great products. 

This is all the eye makeup housed in my giant makeup tackle box. Much of it was purchased for stage or for a special event, but I can't seem to part with it, just in case I ever need it again.

This is all the other makeup I have in my tackle box. Much of it never sees the light of day unless I am doing a show or it is a really special occasion.

The brushes and other tools, each with a specific purpose.

Second, glitter:

I also have a bit of a problematic fascination with glitter. Not only do I love a little shimmer in my makeup, but I will try to find a reason to put as much glitter into a project as possible. Below is a photo of my glitter, and this is just for crafts.

Day Thirteen: Weird is...

 a relative term.  I think I may tend to overuse this word, because when you think about the definition of "normal", I think it's a tough one to define. More things probably fall into the category of "weird" than fall into the category of "normal". I would rather surround myself with"weird", interesting people and things than be around a bunch of bland, "normal" people. I'd like to see weird become a social juggernaut, and eventually the acceptable way to be.

Day Twelve: My favorite season

My favorite season is somewhere between autumn and winter, or both if you like. 

Autumn is the beginning of such a wonderful time. The smells are wonderful, the colors are beautiful, and my birthday is on it's way. Autumn is especially magical in New England (where they actually have a legitimate Autumn season). I also love the two Autumn holidays. 

Winter is magic in it's own right (yes, especially in New England where they have a legitimate Winter season). Everyone is in the holiday spirit, the smells are (again) wonderful, and Christmas is coming! I SO love christmas.

I suppose both these holidays make me the happiest, the warmest, and I feel like the people around me are the most that way as well.

Day Eleven: 3 reasons to get out of bed tomorrow.

One: My husband. It is so wonderful to get to be around someone so great all the time. It's pretty rad that he wants to be around me all the time too.

Two: Specifically tomorrow, because my dad is coming over for dinner and that is one of my favorite things on the planet. We just hang out and watch TV and chat. It's the best.

Three: Tomorrow presents a new opportunity to do something great for the world. For a few years now, I have felt like my life would not be complete without having done something to leave my mark on the world. I've always felt like I have a greater purpose in life than clocking in and out and the occasional good deed. I haven't yet figured out what this mark will be, but here's hoping it means something to somebody.

I was at the grocery store today and there was a woman in front of me who reminded me so much of my grandma Ruth. Her mannerisms and a lot of her appearance was a lot like her. When she was finished paying, the cashier said "Thank you Mrs. Davis", which is also my grandma's name. I looked over at the lady and said "I just wanted to tell you that you share a name with my grandma, and share so many characteristics with her. My grandma is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out, and I just wanted you to know how much you remind me of her."  She looked at me and replied, " That is the nicest thing someone has said to me since my husband passed away. Thank you so much- you just made my whole month." 

My one little compliment had such a huge impact on her, and it caused me no trouble at all. Quite the opposite- I felt so good to have done something that had such an incredible effect on a stranger, and someone so deserving of love.

Day Ten: Describe a typical sight around the house.

if you ever come to my house, here are the two things you will likely see:

olivia (my fluffy cat) either eating something or laying on the back of the couch.

matt (my husband) either eating something or sitting on the couch.

Day Nine: Describe a typical Sunday as a child.

Ahhh Sundays. Those were always my favorite days as a little girl. When my parents were married, every Sunday was the same. We lived in this wonderful little house in Walnut Creek with an atrium in the middle that let in just enough light, but felt tropical at the same time. One of my parents would get up in the morning and get cinnamon buns from A Sweet Affair bakery (if you are ever in Walnut Creek, do not skip a cinnamon bun or a chocolate chip cookie from A Sweet Affair- they will change your life). We would all three sit in the living room and read the paper (mine consisted of the funnies and the classified section- I begged for a dog every week) and enjoy our cinnamon buns. Our living room was perfect. It was full of light and it contained this wonderful striped couch that I spent much of my youth on. After finishing the paper, we always watched cartoons. I always thought that it was just for me, but looking back I think it was a little bit for my dad as well.

Many Sundays my grandparents would come over or we would visit them. 

Sundays are some of the best memories of my childhood. Everything was easy, nothing was rushed, and everything was sweet. I hope that I can create that kind of Sunday memory for my own little ones.

Day Eight: Playing Favorites

Instead of commenting on the topic of "playing favorites", I decided instead to name some of my the items I play favorites with. I try not to do it with people, but I figured I would use this space to discuss the things I love most. 


As a child, one of my favorite vacations we took when my parents were still married was a road trip to this park for a family reunion. My grandparents gave me a little package to open each day of the trip, usually containing a puzzle and some sort of treat (like chocolate teddy grahams). I have such wonderful memories of that vacation. Of course, trips to this park never hurt either. I will never, ever get tired of visiting the happiest place on earth. 

I have to also mention my three favorite authors: Nick McDonell, Sophie Kinsella/Madeleine Wickham, and Jane Austen. Vastly different, but equally entertaining. I'd highly recommend reading something by each of them, if not their entire bodies of work. Honorable mention goes to Richard Price and Saul Bellow, because they wrote The Wanderers and Mr. Sammler's Planet, respectively and those are wonderful books. I could name authors all day, so I have to move on.


I also have to mention some musicians here, because what blog of favorites by me wouldn't mention at least a few. Here are the best of the best- for today at least (I know I am leaving many, many out):
Jason Mraz, Vampire Weekend, Marc Broussard, Queen, Nick Drake, Eric Hutchinson, and James Taylor. Favorite music TV series of course goes to Glee, and if you don't watch it, you really should. 


I have to also mention my love for oversized sunglasses, the smell of fresh rain, grammar, and etiquette.


Here are a few photos of my favorite people (even though I said I wouldn't). 

I cannot end this post without highlighting my love of all things glittered and/or shoelike (see the photo of the sparkly Louboutin above). Below is one of the most beautiful shoes I've ever seen.