sula

I have long been looking for a nail polish that is not toxic. The brands that are offered at health food stores are all glittery and in horrible, tacky shades. Today at Ulta I found Sula paint and peel nail polished that is water based and doesn't have any of those horrible chemicals that seep into your body through nails and skin. I got a few of the colors, specifically teal and kelly. On my way home, waiting for a train to pass I pulled a Lindsay Bluth and painted my nails in the car. I'm kind of a big fan.

If I had a computer at my disposal,

I would have made each and everyone of you a little CD of songs that are good (you'd probably agree at least on a few of them...) but unfortunately, the computer I can use most of the time is a PC, and won't allow me to get songs from my iPod to the computer. So, until I buy a new little computer (post Africa, anyone for a Christmas in July mix?) I'll post the songs and artists I WOULD have made a mix out of right here.

1. It's oh so Quiet - Bjork
2. On the Rebound - Floyd Cramer
3. Comin' Home Baby - Mel Torme
4. Forever - The Explorers Club
5. Up North - Pale Young Gentlemen
6. Reunion - Stars
7. Love Me Tenderly - The Felice Brothers
8. Lose Your Soul - Dead Man's Bones
9. Yours To Keep - Teddybears Sthlm
10. Bulletproof - La Roux
11. See Fernando - Jenny Lewis
12. White Light/White Heat - Velvet Underground
13. I Will Dare - The Replacements
14. With A Girl Like You - The Troggs
15. Feeling the Pull - The Swell Season
16. Salt and the Sea - Gregory Alan Isakov
17. Darling Be Home Soon - The Lovin' Spoonful
18. Please Stay - Duffy
19. Edge of Desire - John Mayer*
20. I Wonder - The Willowz
21. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright - Bob Dylan

*Yes, I would have felt like a tool for putting John Mayer on a mix, but it's a pretty good song.

nymag.com

nymag is one of my favorite sites. so snarky and fun, all of the time. after reading this, I said, "that's horrible," and proceeded to giggle for a long while.

ROOTS.

"A lady who colors her hair knows when her roots are showing and makes an appointment with her stylist."

I love having my hair done, all the foils, the trashy magazines, the gossip at Vanity Junkie and leaving with Brigitte Bardot hair is always a welcome experience. If I didn't limit myself by way of a hair budget, I'd spend a lot of time and money. Sometimes, however, I'm not a very good planner. Three weeks before I went to Spain I tried to get an appointment with my usual (AND FABULOUS) stylist, but she was completely booked. A friend of mine suggested a salon, so I went. I left with fine hair. When I got back from Spain, I had a coupon from the new salon... and so the coupon dictated. I left with HIDEOUS, HIDEOUS color. It looked like four week grow out straight out of the salon, so I called my usual stylist to see if she had any time for an emergency appointment. She was booked solid for the next three weeks. (Did I mention she's very good?) So, I went to Yelp to try to find someone. I went in for my appointment with this new person and she made me WAY too blonde to cover up the hideous disaster of the previous week. As I left that appointment I realized I had just spent all of the rest of the money I would allow myself for the rest of the year. I immediately called my usual stylist and set an appointment for January 5 (why yes this was three months ago). For about three weeks my hair has been past the point of decent root length, so taking a page out of the Carrie Bradshaw handbook, I've been wearing my hair curly, or wearing hats. I am very excited about my appointment on the 5th.

Why did I tell you all this junk that you don't care about? Because you needed the back story before you heard the anecdote.

On Christmas Eve, much against my own good judgment, I went to my grandparents' house for the annual gathering. The first words out of a certain Christmas letter writer's mouth were not, "Merry Christmas." (as mine were to her) or even, "Hello." instead it was, "What is going on with your hair?" said with a tone to imply that I had ketchup smeared all over my head, or was wearing a pink flamingo lawn ornament as a headpiece. "Um, what?" was the answer I mustered, and she then said, "Are you letting your hair grow out, or what?" "I'm trying to save some money. I have an appointment next week." Later when she opened the printer my brother and I gave her, she thanked my brother about ten times, then my dear uncle said, "and Molly..." and she said nothing.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have grandparents that actually liked me, or were at least kind, but then who would I make fun of on my blog? Oh, that's right...countless strangers.

I would like to thank all of you for judging me and my tacky roots in silence. I appreciate it!

Christmas Craftiness.

Since most of my craft projects have found their way to their new respective homes, I'll share some really poor pictures. (After Jen and Adrianna get theirs, I'll post pictures of a few more.)

For little brother, I painted Elvis, James Dean, and Paul Newman on to little onesies.

Partner them with the jeans and little converse I got him, and if he's not cool it won't be my fault.

For cousin, and step siblings, I painted some more little things on t-shirts:


For brother, I painted DEVO onto a yellow shirt.


For cousin and his lady, I did a little Elsie-inspired diptych:

For aunt to protect her manicure, I made these ridiculous things:



For cousin, who is obsessed with zippers and zebras, I made a handbag. It's kind of cute.

I lined it in zebra fabric (and actually wrapped it in the remnant so that if she wants, we can make something else out of the fabric.) and was able to use one of my typewriters to make a little tag out of yellow taffeta.


More to come!!!

Crafty like Satan...

I am tired and feeling very masochistic. My sewing machine's needle is super sticky and covered in black feathers. I have a feeling that I am no where near sleep tonight. If I weren't having so much fun, I'd think this crafting for Christmas thing was the DUMBEST idea ever. I can't wait to be done and give all of these things away. And I can't wait to share some pictures here...

Have fun, kiddos. I'm off to finish a couple of paintings.

Oops.

I'm working on a Christmas present for baby brother Isaac, and oops, if I didn't turn Paul Newman into Peggy Olson.



Back to photoshop, to try again. hehe.

P.S. This "handmade christmas" idea of mine was one of the stupidest ideas I've ever come up with. Here's hoping I finish in time.