{Adventures of Pearl Girl}

no.

2008-12-30T13:03:00.001-06:00

snow!

2008-12-11T01:19:00.003-06:00

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

say what?

2008-11-30T08:47:00.003-06:00

who: taylor and sister no.2

said what:
taylor: "you can't spell family without lies!'

sister no. 1: "you mean families."

taylor: "oh. right!"

in reagrds to: the lovely family time around the holidays.

thanks.

2008-11-28T18:55:00.005-06:00

some photos from my thanksgiving day at sister no. 1's country cabins.

i started with one...

miss. madison

then the other boots wanted to join in.

those faces...

he is such a ham!

the wainwrights and the rhorers.

she was stealing sips of my soda when she thought i wasn't paying attention.

my favorite days are when she acknowledges that i'm her ge-ge and she loves on me. this day was one of those days.

forcing calan to hangout with me and madi on the hammocks.

total action shot. i was trying to take a picture of the grown one but as always, the little ones stole the show.

but here's his show stopper.

sister no. 1 with her baby no.3

bunny.

2008-10-13T15:09:00.001-05:00

Happy B-day, Besty

2008-10-05T09:47:00.003-05:00

she's 21 and enjoying every minute of it!
hope this is one of the best birthdays ever, Tobi!
Happy, Happy Birthday!

oh bill...

2008-10-03T13:00:00.002-05:00

all the things i want...

2008-10-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

by luxedeluxe

ooooh... it's so pretty!

all the things i buy...

2008-10-03T10:22:00.007-05:00

for one of the first times ever... function won over form with me! i extend my workspace with an extra display i had laying around because working on a 13 inch screen can be a bit constructing. i had been eying the wireless mac keyboard for sometime but it lacked the 10-key i so frequently find myself needing. i opted for the wired chiclet-like keyboard for two reasons... 1. it was less expensive and 2. i got more keys for my change. though i would have loved it's wireless counterpart, i'm happy with my choice.

countdown.

2008-09-25T12:31:00.000-05:00

i'm counting down the minutes!

7 miles on 30 minutes.

2008-09-11T11:23:00.001-05:00

This is gonna take a while!

ike.

2008-09-11T09:08:00.002-05:00

the city of league will soon be under mandatory evacuation so i'm outta here. hopefully it won't take me 6 hours to make it the atx.

circe 1954.

2008-09-10T18:32:00.009-05:00

if, and that is a BIG if, i attend my high school reunion, there are two separate occasions and i may just wear this little get up to cocktail hour. it's all about the skirt! when it is all on, it looks a little housewifey circa 1954.

all the things i want...

2008-09-10T12:03:00.004-05:00

Stork Scissors

all the things i want...

2008-09-09T14:43:00.003-05:00

it is a classic!

cupcakes.

2008-09-09T14:01:00.011-05:00

okay, okay.... so i have jumped on the cupcake craze! i know, i'm a little behind but it's frickin' cupcakes... it's not like it's a new discovery or something. i picked up this cookbook at WS about two weeks ago and while i don't exactly need recipes for cakes in cups, i was interested in the clever combos they had come with from rocky road to jumbo malted chocolate chip cupcakes.

for labor day, the roberts had a little get together and i made tiramisu mini cupcakes.... not be best attempt but hey! it gives room for improvement!

my first faux pas was the mini idea. there is alot going on with this cupcake so i think you need a lot of cake to make it work.

my next uh-oh was that i used silicon liners. while they are amazing, i needed a paper liner for this sweet treat. you are suppose to inject the cupcake with a liquor/coffee mixture and with no liner on the cup, the cake doesn't hold as much as it should.

my last oh-no was the frosting or lack there of.... i'm not sure if the marscapone mixture was suppose to be a glaze or a frosting.(btw 'cupcakes', that is what's in your freezer in the throw away container. dispose of it as you wish.) there are no egg whites in the recipe so i'm guessing a glaze. and i'm not liking that so much so i think i'm going to fluff it up some way.

i'm going to attempt another batch but make them full size and go about the drenching and frosting a liiiiitle bit differently. and maybe add a something to kick it up. stay turned for how they turn out.... i know you are all holding your breath in anticipation.

all the things i buy...

2008-09-09T12:47:00.005-05:00

talk about impulse buy... i love it so much but i'm not quite sure if the colors work on me. i'm holding on to it for a few more days hoping to find some great shoes to make it come together.

I <3 u..

2008-09-08T20:06:00.002-05:00

But why are you so slow in the lc?! AND out of coke?! I mean...

nie nie

2008-09-08T17:47:00.006-05:00

by blue lily

i came across stephanie nielsons blog about two weeks ago when another blogger posted about a horrible accident that had occurred August 16th, 2008. for the next few hours i was completely engaged in the nie nie dialogues. i was consumed by how much this young woman was madly in love with her husband. emotions ran over me as it pulled up wonderful memories and horrible heartbreak that i feel for my sbj. not only is she a loving wife but a dotting mother of 4... at 27! simply amazing. i think that is why she has captivated me and thousands more. her simplicity.

since i have become of aware the nielsons, i lay awake at night thinking of them and their family and what they must be going through. and i wake up wondering how they are coping and what changes have occurred. i pray that the family is not bestowed with the job of grieving, knowing the toll that it will take on the family is weighing heavily on my heart. i pray one day they will be able to rejoice when stephanie and her husband, christian, can join the family that adores them to the ends of the earth.

since the accident, stephanie and her husband are both in a burn unit in mesa, az. while their children are being taken care of by a wonderful community of siblings who reside in utah. i encourage you to read stephanie's story and then read what a wonderful and amazing job her family is doing from her sister's, jane, point of view.

since the accident, the family has been bombarded with a huge amount of love from their local community and to much of their surprise, the blogging community. efforts are being pulled together to support this gracious family in their time of need. i encourage you to read about all of it. and maybe you too will feel what i felt and send your support as well.

it's inspiring to see what people will do. INSPIRING.

a boy and my dog.

2008-09-08T16:23:00.005-05:00

not only do i love nephew no. 2 because he has an old soul and a simple disposition but because he embraces my boys when everyone else pushes them aside. thanks dawson. xoxo

lovebugs.

2008-09-08T16:21:00.001-05:00

the season is upon us. eww.

saturday night lights.

2008-09-08T15:36:00.009-05:00

my first time witnessing family and football.

i grew up in a football house. i've been watching football since i can remember.

my parents worked the LSU football games every saturday when we lived in baton rouge. my sisters and i would tune in to watch the game, hoping to catch a glimpse of our dad standing on the 50 yard line in death valley.

when i was in high school, i was on the drill team for a few years and then on the cheer leading squad. i watched football every friday night from the stands or the side lines.

i now gather in local bars, get comfy on the couch, or if i'm lucky actually get invited to a Texas game to watch those guys in tights take on the top colleges fighting it out on the field.

i have even had boyfriends and friends take the field week after week. i've watched them get slammed around, laid out and hell, i've even been taken down by a close friend while standing on the side lines cheering on my own team....

but for the love of God! When that first tackle made contact with Taylor after he kicked off on saturday night, i didn't know whether to jump down 23 rows of benches and over a fence to beat the crap out of that kid who laid taylor out, say a pray for taylor to to get up, or stay calm and keep my composer. i took a queue from my seasoned sister and remained calm... fighting back the tears of worry and at the same time tears of pride. i love that kid. i don't think he'll ever know how much he means to our family and how proud we are that he's such a good kid!

No. 22

the game went on for the woodville eagles to take the win. i later talked to taylor about the game and asked him if he ever gets nervous or hesitant when he gets on the field. he said, 'i get butterflies when i take the field but once the play starts the adrenaline kicks in and i love it!' i told him not to forget that in the office season when he gets down and out... remember how it feels when you play under those friday night lights... play for that! he replied 'but ge-ge i'm playing for those saturday night lights in death valley.' shoot for the stars, kid... shoot for the stars!

a walk in the park.

2008-09-08T15:04:00.008-05:00

literally... i had a walk in the park! and it was fantastic! i noticed the other morning that the temperature has been dropping a significant 10 degrees so i thought it would be a perfect time to get outdoors and experience some urban area parks. i snatched up my quilt, packed a few things for entertainment, stopped off at whole foods for some eats, and headed to downtown houston for a walk in a park and a day under a tree.

here's my spread. after i snacked on my good eats for a while and took in the scenery, i pulled out my pedicure set and painted my toes.... nothing better than natural light!

there wasn't much foot traffic tracing around since it was a work day but i was lucky enough to catch the sight of two grown men walking around calling out for the squirrels and blue jays to feast from the two big buckets of peanuts they lugged around. the squirrels would eat it right out the mens hand and the blue rays would swoop down to catch the peanuts thrown up into the air. it was a great sight! i sure did get a tickle out of it. after the men left, i threw some pieces of bread out to see if i could get any takers and sure enough, i did!

after play time with the wild life... i kicked back and read for a while.
...it was such a lovely afternoon.

all the things i buy...

2008-08-26T15:55:00.001-05:00

this honey bee bath bomb is the bees knees! i first discovered this little company Lush while I was in London in '06 and have been on a look out for a local locale for sometime... and just my luck! they opened one in the mall near me only three weeks ago!

word of warning... it does turn your bath water a silly shade of yellow, which some may find a little off, being in the bathroom and all, but with the yummy smells it emits into the air, there is no mistaking this creamy dream of a bath bomb!

memories.

2008-08-21T16:32:00.006-05:00

oh, how i miss the days in the hamptons.

workspace.

2008-08-20T15:56:00.009-05:00

the office of sweet sassafras.

since i had the camera out and i was taking pictures i thought i would share some things that are my favorites at my desk area.

i heart my pom poms... and i mean the pink ones hanging from my ceiling. when i was at the NSS in may, the booth for martha stewart had their pink poms poms hanging and i do have to say... mine look better! 2 points for me!

next is a votive holder i picked up from target... but i think it works better for a pen holder for now. i love how it reflects what ever colors are in and around it.

do you ever shop at anthropologie? i do! and by shop, i mean try on a ton of things and buy nothing but a candle because that is all i can afford! anthro always smells so yummy and this is the candle they are constantly burning. i love that when i walk into this space, it smells like my favorite shop.

and finally, there are a two things in this picture. 1. my ceramic elephant i picked up at target. i had been eyeing it for a while and then it went on sale! which makes me treasure it even more. 2. my basket of stationery. i have a lot of writing paper and note cards that was in awkward shaped packaging, taking up too much space. i decided to throw out the packaging, which hurt in some cases because some of it was pretty. i then tied each set up with some ribbon and stacked them into a basket. it reminds me to hand write my correspondence... now only if i could work on putting stamps on them and slipping them into the mailbox, i would be getting somewhere!

DIY

2008-08-20T15:50:00.003-05:00

i finished my DIY project like a week ago but i have been too lazy to take a picture and post it... i have managed to squeeze some work out of me today, so here you go!

DIY

2008-08-06T16:19:00.003-05:00

here's a hint of my upcoming craft project! i can't wait to share the finished product.

all the things i want...

2008-08-06T16:10:00.002-05:00

first and foremost... i would like winter to greet us as soon as possible. and then i can start bundling up in cute sweaters like this!

who knows?

2008-08-04T12:44:00.006-05:00

Edouard

i know it's weak but it's still a hurricane! and people seems to be freaking out around here on the coast. so just in the possibility that things do not go as planned... i'm cutting my work day short and heading home to hunker down. it is always best to be prepared than to the be sorry.

all the things i want...

2008-08-04T12:33:00.003-05:00

by keykalou

i mean!!! just how cute is this?! SUPER cute, right?! RIGHT! i'm debating whether or not to grab this up but i can't imagine using it a whole lot because i have a little something called "huge handbag syndrome"... i can never seem to leave home with just my wallet, iPhone and keys. i feel as though i'm leaving a child behind if i don't have my 'in case of an emergency essentials". i'm crazy, i know.

alll the things i buy...

2008-08-04T12:23:00.004-05:00

i have a wedding in november that i am coordinating and the colors are plum and ice blue (love the combo) and since the bridesmaids dresses are plum (and i make it a rule never to match the bridesmaids), a plum dress is out of the question! which makes me sad because 1. i love the color and 2. it looks good on me! so i ran across these little cuties at Shi and snatched them up! i've never bought shoes then a dress so this adventure to find a dress may be a little frustrating but i have some time so no worries just yet!

hot tunes.

2008-08-04T11:54:00.008-05:00

berbling, me, and budy

i got a last minute call last week from my purdy little friend, budy (pronouced boo-tee), to see if i wanted to join some friends for a john mayer concert in the woodlands... i mean, really, did budy even need to ask?!!! austin friends, john mayer, cynthia woods mitchell pavilion... this would be like asking turk if he wanted another treat even after he had 8... hells to the YEAH!

we had a great time.... even with the long drives, the bad directions, the horrible parking lot, and the dreadful heat! actually once the sun went down and the beers started flowing, it was a great summer evening.

indy enjoyed himself.

frankly, i don't think it gets better than lawn seats.

good vibes coming from the stage.

there where even more people to the right!

and even though i'm pretty sure ditty (and others) are going to pick on me for saying this, i just have to exclaim that i heart john mayer and i'm not alone... me, my two girlfriends and 16,000 other peeps feel the same way.

messages.

2008-07-30T18:57:00.004-05:00

by mimibuggy

i haven't really been present in the blogosphere for the past few months and for those who care... i apologize. i know most of you could probably give two shoots but i thought i would peek my head up and let those who do pay attention know that i plan to be back in full posting mode come next monday. i'm getting somethings together, pulling my head out of my ass, and refusing to be an e-hermit. so stay tuned for your regularly scheduled programing.... please.

THank yOOu!

all the things i want...

2008-07-30T18:45:00.003-05:00

by ornamental things

austin's very own, natalir tischler, is a extremely talented jewelry maker with a great knack for pulling together that eclectic feeling with baubles to wear. i just heart this lucky in love piece. she has a great selection... make sure to check her out!

all the things i buy...

2008-07-18T10:18:00.005-05:00

while running an errand in p-ville last week, i came across this little gift shop, oh la la. i'm unable to find a website for it but have hooked you up with the location for now, if any of you locals feel obliged to take a trip over. i was really hoping for a kick-ass candle selection in the side side shop but i was pretty disappointed and wanted to sooth my shopping blues. that is when i stumbled upon this chic canvas bag. a while back, this bag was all the rage because some hottie tottie designer thought up a screened print version. apparently, it wasn't trademarked... i pretty sure they are all over now. but my version was less than $30 and it's embroidered!!! which makes me love it even more.

say what?

2008-07-17T20:39:00.003-05:00

who: Lola (my car.) (and yes, she does speak to me. seriously.)

said what:"now showing all CASINO icons"

in regards to: request for fast food icons

... really?!

a to the tx

2008-07-10T10:21:00.004-05:00

by awebstertx

so i'm on my way into ausitn this afternoon for some partying, a little bridal business, and some much need QT with all those special austinites i hold near and dear to my heart. hold on to your hats, it gonna be a blast!

lost.

2008-07-09T11:25:00.003-05:00

by JameSSpicer

you know that feeling you get in your stomach when you have to do something you dread or you find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation and want to remove yourself as soon as possible? nervous. anxious. confused.

i have it. it's gross. i want it to go away. i am not quite sure how to do that.

the 4th... on the 8th.

2008-07-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

the wainwright cabin.... isn't it patriotic?!

i took a little road trip out to east texas to visit with sister no.1 and her family for the 4th. it was filled with food, fireworks and fun. not much more happened that deserves an epic tale of repeating into the blogosphere so here are some pics of the pretty little kiddos i adore so very much.

this is taylor. i call him tatar tot but not out loud, only in my head. his friends call him kicker, he is the star kicker for the high school football team. i find the name annoying. i will continue to call him tatar tot. but only in my head. he is staying the week with me. oh how i have forgotten the sassiness of a 15 year old teenager.

this is dawson. every so often sister no. 1's husband buzzes all the kids hair. dawson wanted a mohawk. i think he rawks it.... and to give credit where credit is due, taylor sported the mohawk first a few weeks back. he was trying to shock sister no. 1. she held it together pretty well.

here is calan. one day, i want his nick name to be cal. i don't think it will take but one can wish. he has amazing eyes. i tell sister no. 1 that he will be her rock star, not like mick jagger rock star more like kick ass and take names rock star... not that the other kids won't do amazing things but i think calan will be the one that changes the world.

and finally. i posted about madison a few days ago. she is still our princess. and will be until the end of days. she is just too much! all of sister no.1 kids have been tiny little things... you could pick them all up and swing them around with your pinkie finger. but not madison. she is solid. solid as a rock! lord knows she needs to be with three older brothers. oh i love her so.

all the things i want...

2008-07-07T16:24:00.007-05:00

via postsecret

freak out.

2008-07-07T12:28:00.005-05:00

saturday morning i woke up to quiet. complete and utter stillness. if you know the pup pictured above... you know this is an odd occurrence. with this awkward feeling that something wasn't right, i jumped up and found turk laying beside the bed on a pile of clothes. with a sigh of relief, i begin to leave my bedroom and walk to the stairs to find the other canine half of my morning alarm that had failed to go off. not finding gauge at first glance, i turned back to notice turk not following in my foot steps. i went back into my room finding him still laying in my pile of clothes. he stood up on his front legs with his ears straight back. i thought to myself... HOLD THE PHONE. something is terribly wrong here. when the most energetic dog in the world is not up and at 'em at the crack of dawn, we have a problem. i called turk over to me and with a one-two step with his hind legs, his bum fell flat to the floor.... he tried again and it was a no go. I was scared out of my mind!!! TurkieLeg's legs weren't working!

after about an hour of rubbing his legs, calling around to professionals, praying to james, and crying some tears i decided to set him up on my bed and keep him off his legs for the day. i have never seen turk down for the count... even when his little boys were removed he was still pretty energetic and aware. but saturday, he was a completely different dog. he slept the entire day except for when i would leave his side. he cried when he couldn't see me. and he whimpered when gauge would leave the room. i was fearful that he would never be able to walk on his own again.... images of turk in a doggie wheelchair raced across my mind... have we talked about dramatic i can be at times? here would be a perfect example.

anyhow... at about 6pm, turk woke up from a nap, heard the front door open, bounded up and barreled down the stairs and straight out the door... like nothing had ever been wrong. I MEAN!

sometimes... i want to ring his little neck.

all the things i want...

2008-07-01T16:42:00.003-05:00

traditional home

seriously.... i'm not even kidding.

all the things i want...

2008-06-30T12:10:00.003-05:00

this is how i propose, we ladies, make everyday friday... buy like 10 pair of these super cute undies made by the candi factory and wear them everyday because everyone knows the days of the week are according to what it says on your underwear!

temper.

2008-06-30T11:34:00.008-05:00

i haven't been up to much these day. i've been trying to lock myself in my room and force my hand at getting the nitty gritty, bore my face off, rather shoot myself in the foot for entertainment, stuff out of way so i can jump to oh! so glorious fun part of starting a business. the lock on the door works from the inside, therefore... not much forcing going on. but i was witness to one of the most dramatic temper tantrums this weekend while swimming with sister no.1 and her litter of kiddos. i wonder where in the world could she have ever gotten that kind of temper.... we are such a quiet and calm family!! (in another galaxy far, far away.)

ms. madison, our pretty, pretty princess.

i just had to snap a picture! she will hate me in 15 years because of this photo. but i will love her for.ever.

update: so i felt like a bad a gi-gi for posting a not so lovely picture of madison. so here... i must do her justice.

all the things i want...

2008-06-26T15:52:00.004-05:00

i need some new simple earrings and these are pretty cute, no? they may not be pearl earrings but they sure are mother of pearl... but for $24.00 from Patina.com, I doubt that's even the truth. Nevertheless, they're still sweet!

all the things i buy...

2008-06-26T13:15:00.004-05:00

a few weeks ago i had a debatable discussion with fellow friends about the clean, pristine, white chuck vs. the gunky, falling apart, nasty chuck. i lost the debate. swampy even jumped my ship and sided with the other team. it was a sad day. seeing that i didn't even own a pair of chuck taylors, i decided to truly have an opinion, i needed to try these guys out for myself.

i have. AND i am sticking to the clean and pristine approach. i like the simple clean tennis shoe look with jeans and a tee. what can i say? i like classic and CLEAN!

i am not trying to be a poser, promise. and since i won't be going to emo's anytime soon, it really shouldn't be a problem.

say what?

2008-06-25T09:59:00.002-05:00

who: erika

said what: "lesbians weddings make me sad!"

in regards to: a lesbian wedding BOAT party.

la pensée de la semaine.

2008-06-25T09:43:00.004-05:00

by emarie

i wonder if people realize that their lies are completely transparent. do people really think that other can't put two and two together? it hurts when friends lie but not giving me enough credit to figure out the truth is just plain insulting.

all the things i buy...

2008-06-25T09:30:00.006-05:00

this is another thing i did not purchase, it was given to me as a gift. a very special gift. not only is it a mood ring... the yellow parts glows in the dark! this i figured out last night while i was trying to sneak Oreos out of the kitchen... the glaring light from my super star ring practically blinded me and i almost tripped over myself. these things should come with a health hazard warning.

all the things i want...

2008-06-24T11:57:00.003-05:00

this lady needs a new desk chair because the Windsor dining chair i've been slouched at for 8+ hours a day is not working! so maybe i can talk a certain mother into buying this for a certain daughter?!

28.

2008-06-24T01:55:00.000-05:00

happy birthday to me.

for some odd reason when i was growing up, i remember thinking that the ages 25 and 28 would be so exciting! i couldn't wait until those years fell upon me. well, lets just say 25 didn't treat me right. actually, it was the worst year of my life. and to be honest... the past two years that followed have not been that stellar. BUT! i have had some amazing times with friends and family, i've been a few places, i've learned so much about myself, and i'm taking the opportunity at trying my hand out with my dream of owning my own business.

now that i look back, it hasn't been that shabby!!! i've made quite a bit of progress. i may not have a husband, a home, a steady career, or a few toddlers running around (all the things i thought i would have by 28) but i'm doing what i want to be doing. and i do have things that i never imagined that i would posses like security, character, an open mind, and a vivacious disposition with taking on life head on. not that i didn't think i would have those things within me, i just never thought about it until the past few years. these are things that can not be taken away from me no matter what happens.

so i embark on this year i have looked forward to the most, 28. i'm excited about the possibilities. things are getting back on track and i'm ready to take on whatever comes my way! i have awesome people in my life who want nothing but greatness from me. they support me. they cheer me on. and best of all, they love me for me and will stand by me no matter what. without all of you, i wouldn't be so fearless!

sweet.

2008-06-23T00:37:00.000-05:00

happy double nickel, mom!

all the things i want...

2008-06-17T10:20:00.002-05:00

Archer Typeface

This is the font used in all of the Martha Stewart Living Magazines. I heart it... but it cost as much a my monthly car note. Ouch. One day I shall have you Archer... One Day!

LitterBug.

2008-06-13T15:54:00.005-05:00

while kickn' it with sister no. 2, i saw one of the "Don't Mess With Texas" campaign on the boob tube. you get to pick one bag out of four designs for FREE to help with any vehicular trash that may accumulate. Check it out and get your own!

say what?

2008-06-13T15:28:00.002-05:00

who: MusicMan

said what: "not as in 'lets get psychical' but as in 'the body of Christ compels you.' "

in regards to: exorcising the crazy out of my parents.

say what?

2008-06-12T15:24:00.003-05:00

who: mom

said what: {with air quotes!!!} "keep austin the way it is.... weird. "

in regards to: some bumper sticker she saw. {worry not austinites, i corrected her.}

congrats!

2008-06-11T16:03:00.005-05:00

looks like i'm not the only one taking chances and moving on up! congrats colby angus on getting what you wanted!

found!

2008-06-11T15:58:00.003-05:00

i thought i lost this while i was in NYC, but no! my mother picked it up thinking it was hers... i'm just stoked i don't have to buy another one. now i can finally get around to posting the rest of the New York pictures.

MusicMan.

2008-06-11T15:40:00.004-05:00

so there is this guy... and he's pretty cool... and we talk alot... and he makes me laugh! enough said.... for now.

shout out!

2008-06-11T14:52:00.004-05:00

i need to give a props where props are due!

to my girl, Emily, feeling great as she turns 28

and to my SIL, Meredith, who is making sure 29 will be just fiiiine...

happy birthday ladies!!!

found!

2008-06-10T11:50:00.003-05:00

maybe i can fix her up... get a basket... and take her for a ride on the beach!

ode to swampy

2008-06-10T09:30:00.006-05:00

i've been waiting for the right time to do this and i think it will begin right... about... NOW!

have you ever met someone that has been your saving grace? i have. there are only a few people in my life that i can truly say have helped changed my path for the better and one of those special people is swampechaun herself. i can not express the love i have for this friend i like to call my besty.

plain and simple, this lady has been there for me when it seemed that the world had pulled the rug out from under me. she has sat and cried with me. she has held my hand. she has has told me things will be better. she has been my partner in crime. she has made me laugh. and she has made me cry. she has made me think outside the box. she has fed me. she has watered (beered) me. she has sung out loud with me. she has told me like it is. she has always been honest with me. and she has always loved me. she has been completely and totally amazing.

besides all the things swampy has done for me, and honestly it has been above and beyond her call of duty... she has some of the best character i have ever seen in another human being. she is such a harder worker with work, with family and with friends. swampy puts it all out there on the table. she will drop what she is doing to help out any where she can. she tries so hard to do her fair share and the best part... the only things she wants in return is a smile and a thank you. she has a huge heart. HUGE. enough to fill the world with love, warmth, humor, and good vibes. she is adventurous. when swampy wants to do something, she does it. she tries her damnedest at what she wants until she gets it right. she's a bit fearless and audacious when it comes to putting herself out there and i love that about her. she's spicy and has a bit of kick! she holds herself accountable for all of her actions, never steps down, and only apologizes when needed. i tell you people... she is extraordinary. she is good people. she is someone i want in my corner. she could take over the world if she wanted but all she needs is her family, her bluebonnet, and her friends... everything that comes from that is what makes her the most happy. but i'm pretty sure if you threw in a little makeup, a few lbs of crawfish, a couple of books, and some zydeco she wouldn't turn it away!!!

the thing about swampy and me is that we get each other. we know when to hold them and know when to fold them. we view things in a similar manner and are pretty fierce when we come together. now that i have relocated for the time being, i will miss our cajun and a coonass adventures but the adventures are not over just yet... they are on a hiatus for the time being. one day, we will reunite and be more powerful than before.

i consider myself to be lucky to know her and even more lucky that she is my besty.

thank you swampy for always being there for me. it means the world to me!

liar.

2008-06-10T08:45:00.005-05:00

by mindseyecards

okay. so i lied. i said i was back like a week ago and i had every intention of doing so but things just didn't work out in my favor. with packing, moving, saying goodbyes and dealing with the madness of rearranging my life, i haven't had a minute, that i wasn't tired, to sit down and blog. actually, the other night while on the phone with MusicMan i dosed off in the middle of our conversation because i was so exhausted!!! now that is quality Pearl Girl time.

but for reals... i'm going to try harder this time around to keep my post up.

hello internets, it's me, angela.

2008-06-03T10:52:00.000-05:00

by rubylimedesign.

for some reason i'm having the hardest time coming up with something to post about.... not that i don't have tons to talk but i just can't figure out where to start. so for now, i'm starting with a hi, it's great to be back!

say what?!

2008-06-03T10:34:00.003-05:00

who: jon jon

said what: i feel like i need to keep putting quarters in this phone.

in regards to: the song 'f$#king you makes me bilingual' by jose nunez. {let me assume you realize this song is not work safe!}

all the things i buy...

2008-06-03T08:32:00.000-05:00

me and mr. jones

the $5 pashminia from a street vendor in NYC... best.purchase.ever. seriously, i tired buying one for every gal pal in my life but when i went back to the corner of said purchase, the lady was gone. {it was too early in the morning, i had to catch a flight so i couldn't wait, sorry.}

all the things i want...

2008-06-03T07:41:00.001-05:00

i met ms. avis, the designer behind this super cute stationery, while i was at the national stationery show a couple of weeks ago and would like to say that she is such a doll! very sweet! while i have seen her products online at her blog and her esty shop, it wasn't until i walked into her booth that i feel in love with her envelopes.

and when i checked my mail yesterday, i found a sweet surprise in my mailbox... the cutest little hand written thank you card with a recipe of avis' homemade caramel popcorn. i can't wait to try it out!!!

paper whore.

2008-05-19T07:13:00.003-05:00

that's right, i said it! i'm a paper whore. i will climb over any number of innocent bystanders to get to the newest and coolest paper product. i.am.a.whore. {ha!}

yesterday was my first day of my very first trade show i have ever been to... and yes, it is everything i anticipated it to be and more! see, i set unusually high expectations for everything in my life. i am completely aware this is a self destructive quality, yet i remain steadfast in setting those expectations. but i look at this was... if you don't set the bar high, no one will push to get to the top. i'm just givin' a push... the NSS show has pushed back and i'm simply amazed. one may even say awestruck!

but back to what is at hand at the moment. i'm here in new york city! i've been dying to be here for this very reason for years! dare i say, this is a dream come true?! because it is!!!! and after a lot of disappoint from other areas in my life, i'm taking it in and enjoying it to its fullest.

i can't wait to get going today to see what new "super cute" stuff i come across. {if i say super cute today as much as i did yesterday... i'm going to turn into an effing kitten!}

once again... keep up with me and swampy on GirlsonBlogs and my Mac Gallery for my latest nonsensical adventures with Indy as we take on NYC!

Indy's Debut

2008-05-18T09:31:00.005-05:00

i've been trying to come up with something clever to post but it's just not coming to me... call it writers block or call it exhaustion.

here's the just...
1. you'll never guess where i'm at?! New York City! {surprised?! yeah, me too!!}
2. i've been here for one day and have posted pictures here. go head, click the link... i know you wanna see!
3. also, if you are not aware. swampy and i have a mobile blog, Girls On Blogs. I've been posting pictures on there as well.
4. my swell friend, dr. bruce, gave me a rockin' little toy to trek the streets of NYC with... Indiana Jones is my new side kick! he made his debut at Red House Lounge on friday night. he's a suacey little guy.

i said good day!

2008-05-15T16:25:00.005-05:00

sometime in the first few days at this job, i drew this little guy to make me smile every morning when i sat down at my desk because i dreaded this place so so very much. he's stuck with me... through the boredom, the tears, the laughs and the annoying coworkers who would ask such stupid questions about him. {doesn't everyone have a work buddy? jeez.} he's been my monday to friday, 8am to 5pm rock. and now it's time for he and i to hit the road.

the personal files have been loaded to my flash drive, all my cookies have been deleted, the speakers and headphones are wrapped up, my extra stash of snacks have be thrown to the scavengers, i've hidden my favorite pens in my purse, trashed all the paperwork covering my work surface, my watering hole has been disassembled, and all my paper goodies are stashed away in my satchel. the desk is clean. the office is quiet. and bitches... i'm outta here!!!

tallyho armstrong mccall...tallyho!

word of the day.

2008-05-15T09:00:00.006-05:00

and by word of the day, i mean words never to be used in my presence. i know... i ask alot.

accost \ə-ˈkȯst, -ˈkäst\
transitive verb
from the french word accoster, but ultimately from Latin ad- + costa
date 1597

: to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way

here... i'll use it in a sentence: and he said, ' i was accoted by her and her courger-ish ways.'

*mauled is not an acceptable alternative.

all the things i want...

2008-05-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

because green is the new black!

one of my favorite companies, Rock Scissor Paper, has designed these organic totes to add a little cuteness to your shopping bag.

reasons.

2008-05-14T09:55:00.006-05:00

by papermenagerie

when my SBJ died, people told me "Everything happens for a reason, Angela." i sometimes think people don't hear themselves when they speak and how they come across, or the context that they are applying these said sentiments. or maybe they just say what they've been programed to say. either way... i have constantly been on this search to find my reason for losing my husband.

for a while, i thought it honestly had nothing to do with me. i thought the reason was maybe for my SBJ's sister {her and her husbands lives changed tremendously for the better after we lost him} and because of that i was even more angered. honestly, i wanted it to be about me. after all, i was the one that lost my life partner.... the man who loved me without fail, the man i was suppose to have babies with, the man that i was supposed to build a life with, the man i was supposed to grow old with, the man who had all my life dreams wrapped up in him. i wanted it to be about me... selfish, i know.

through my search to figure all this out, i was fortunate enough to find someone else to share my days with... i thought i had found my reason in this someone; a love i had never felt before was suppose to come to me and take care of me and make everything right again. but i was wrong. i was wrong to think that someone else could take on the responsibility of defining my reason. for one, this is no one's battle but my own, a hard truth i have come to face. and for another, when i give someone else that power, they can take it away. which can hurt the most. now that more time has passed and i have had the opportunity to see things in a different manner, i have found MY reason, and it can not be taken away from me. no matter what, it IS mine.

losing my SBJs happened to me because i was to gain perspective. some of you have heard me talk about this in such depths that i'm sure you could put ear muffs on and still know what my exact point is by the time the conversation is done. but i look at it as my gift. my badge of courage. as conceited, or smug, or pompous as it may sound... i am proud of myself for the perspective i have gained. i get it. i think people spend their entire lives searching for some understanding of life, and how lucky am i that i understand a bit of it at 27. i get to apply that to the rest of my days. to me, that's amazing!

even though the five years i spent with my SBJ's was a short amount of time and, honestly, not always perfect {man, could we fight!}... i experienced some of the best characteristics a person could possibly posses. and for that i am lucky to have loved, and been loved, by him.

i am coming of out this a better person. a more prepared being. someone able to asses life in a manner that only comes with life experience. again, i am the lucky one.

all the things i buy...

2008-05-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

knock knock?... who's the there?... the best To Do notepad, EVER!

la pensée de la semaine.

2008-05-14T08:32:00.006-05:00

since i've woken up this morning, i feel like the seams are coming undone. why now, why today? i could literally bust into tears right at this moment. for what reason? i have no clue.

maybe i'm scared. you know... that kind of scared that stops you dead in your tracks. the kind that paralyzes you to take that proverbial step forward. i've been here before. it was easier to give into it then. i truly try my hardest to live everyday with the most umph that i can muster up inside myself. some days i fall completely short, other days i take chance after chance. today seems to be one of those days that i teeter between staying still or moving forward.

... what in the hell am i doing?! i'm about to walk away from a regular paycheck, a comfortable little home, a regularly scheduled social life, a group of amazing friends, and a town i have fallen in love with. for what? ... possibilities? i have nothing concrete to settle upon. everything that i am about to change is based on possibilities. i may sometimes act like i am fearless and that is the farthest thing from the truth. those who know me have seen me fall. and i fall hard. i'm getting very tired from pulling myself up and wiping off the muck that pulls me down. i'm afraid that one of these days it is all going to get the best of me. how much more can i take? where is my breaking point?

but with all that said... how in the hell can i stand by and watch the most opportune time of my life, so far, pass me by? i have to try. i have to make the most of the things that have been given to me. i must. i refuse to live with any kind of regret. REFUSE!

it's time to take chances.

say what?

2008-05-13T08:58:00.003-05:00

who: me

said what: pickles! JEWISH PICKLES!... uhh, Kosher Pickles. DILL PICKLES! IT'S DILL PICKLES!

in regards to: the CatchPhrase™ 'dill pickle'.

broadway.

2008-05-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

guess what i get to do?!

thanks sister no. 1, for an early birthday surprise!

{yes, i know that i posted this already but i took it down so my mother wouldn't see it because it was her mothers day gift. so, i'm bumping it to show my sister that i think that she's kinda cool.}

crunch time.

2008-05-12T15:20:00.003-05:00

i am completely unprepared for my upcoming trip to NYC. how did this happen?! i'm the queen of organization, of planning, of preparing, and schedules, and agendas, and itineraries... where has my head been?! DAMNIT... time to take it one block at a time.

not only am i not prepped for all the sightseeing and dining out adventures for my mother and me, but i'm behind on my business prep. although... i have always worked best under pressure!! but i feel like no matter what i do, this show is going to blow me away... and it takes a lot to blow me away. and that freaks me out a little... no. wait. a lot! it freaks me out a lot. but if it didn't scare me and make me nervous... it wouldn't be worth it!

all the things i buy...

2008-05-12T15:02:00.004-05:00

okay... so this isn't the exact table i own. but i couldn't find a pleasant picture. so, just image this table with two drawers on the front and viola!

the table pictured above is from William-Sonoma Home and yes, it's pricey but pretty! mine on the other, wasn't pricey but yet still pretty! i found mine at Target, on clearance!

i carried this bad boy all the way up the stairs, then shimmied it all the way to the bedroom. umm... mirrors are heavy. but it's the perfect piece for my bedroom TV. and when i don't feel like putting my high heels away... it's a perfect place to stash my shoes so turk can't massacre them... again.

all the things i want...

2008-05-12T14:30:00.005-05:00

you will never guess where this is from!!! i was a little surprised when i came across this lovely curved velvet accent chair in Cottage Living, i think it was Cottage Living... but i could be wrong. there were 4 of these chairs positioned around a large coffee table and staged as a game area. very, very cozy.
personally, i would like two of them. staged as a reading nook... in my store front!!!

p.s. - it's from j.c.penny. whoa!

refreshing.

2008-05-12T11:05:00.005-05:00

summer seemed to peak its sizzling, hot, little head out on friday and saturday to give us a taste of the months to come. with all the shenanigans i was involved in this weekend, i was disappointed in myself for not toting my camera around a little more. this picture by professor evil sums up the weekend perfectly!

swampy, i know this is your avatar on yelp but it was too perfect to pass up. i sowwy.

strange.

2008-05-12T10:28:00.003-05:00

very strange how two grown men take to NKOTB so easily.

censored.

2008-05-09T11:58:00.007-05:00

by sweetheartsinner

when i started sharing this blog with some of the people in my life, i told myself i could not censor what i wrote. since then, the content has changed for the most part, which i do not mind one bit, and i find myself placating what i want to say here. i am annoyed at myself for letting others dictate my own censorship of my own space. i tread lightly because i don't want to hurt others. i hold back because things can be misconstrued. but i'm done contemplating the "what ifs". the majority of the randomness and thoughts i put here is my own stream of conciseness. just words.

i hate that i said 'just words' now. i know that words are powerful. i have been naive and lived by the words some people have told me. trusted them. i've put my faith in those words. but what i have learned is that Action is what i must live by. people must show me what they mean and how they feel. i know not all are capable of that but then maybe those people are meant for me. but i need people to SHOW me their character. i need to see it. i do not need to hear words about it.

all the things i buy...

2008-05-09T11:47:00.003-05:00

technically, i have bought it... but i just don't have it, YET!
i just placed the order for it and i should receive it by tuesday. i purchased it because i think it will be a perfect carry on and around for my trip to NYC. with the dimensions given at ModCloth, i do believe i will be able to fit all my junk in this chic little messenger bag. some may say, 'my, that's a small carry on!' and yes, for most it may be. but i HATE traveling with large, chunky bags. it is such a hassle. i can travel light and still be prepared... i think.

all the things i want...

2008-05-09T09:45:00.001-05:00

by BellaMuse

"fear of failure renders you immobile"

do you remember those horrible inspirational posters from the 90's? beside the one hanging in Barney Stinsons office, they are beyond lame. this print by bellamuse is a bit more to the point, philosophical, and much prettier to look at.

la pensée de la semaine.

2008-05-07T08:59:00.003-05:00

by ohsosuite

'with my mind on my money, and my money on my mind'

i'm about to make some big life leaps and the thing that keeps popping into my head is, 'damn this is gonna take a lot of money!' but what follows that thought is, 'you gotta spend money to make money.' it's a constant back and forth battle. constant! i think i've flipped flopped feeling comfortable with each position at least 5 times... today... and it's only 9am.

all the things i buy...

2008-05-06T14:44:00.004-05:00

you betcha your bum, i bought more shoes!!! must i remind you?!

these Guess Lagoon are some hiiiigh heels for sure! almost four inches. that would make me a whopping 5'4. they make my legs look great too... like i have muscle tone. which we all know is a lie! they also come in pink, cactus, and sand. i just saw the pink and cactus and i want them!!! but i think that would be a bit of over kill. so i must show restraint.

all the things i want...

2008-05-06T11:31:00.005-05:00

i have no idea where i found this. i am still searching for the info to share with all. by while i'm here posting, i thought i share why i like it. if you don't care, then why are you still reading?!!!

anyhow, i like this wooden hand saver because it simply looks neat. i'm not totally convinced this is the epitome of form meeting function but it would my coffee cup look good. so don't forget when you get your to go coffee cup, made from trees... do double duty and use your wooden hand saver, also made of trees!

UPDATE: I found it!!!!

say what?

2008-05-06T11:24:00.002-05:00

who: my father

said what: angela brook, get your ass out of bed and get down here.

in regards: i have no earthly idea. but i swear i was in the twilight zone, where i am 16 years old. and my parents still get to tell me what to do because i'm under their roof.

... o wait. f**k me.

concept no.1.

2008-05-06T10:18:00.008-05:00

i am trying to gather all my thoughts, ideas, facts, and figures for Sweet Sassafras, my most audacious adventure yet! by pulling everything together in an organized fashion, i hope it not only makes perfect sense to me, but for when i ask a bank for millions upon billions of buck to fund my dream, it makes complete and perfect sense to them.

i asked a friend of mine, Jon Sukarangsan of FortuneCookie Press, to help me out with taking the vision i have in my head and putting it out for everyone to see, exam, and understand... since i don't have time to hone up on my stellar sketching skills (ROFL)... and this is what he and i came up with as concept no. 1. it's only the rough so bare that in mind. i will update as we move along.

sweet sassafras concept no. 1

i'm pretty much over the moon about it. with a few changes here and there... it's going to be perfection!

p.s. by the way, honest thoughts, comments, and concerns would be lovely!

and she WALKED away.

2008-05-06T10:07:00.004-05:00

sister no. 2 was in an accident a little less than two weeks ago. she literally crawled her way out the window and walked away... a little dazed and a little confused but she was walking. holy hell!

all the things i want...

2008-05-05T10:25:00.003-05:00

i would like a do over on my weekend so that i could spend it at the downs with the ladies.

no clue, whatsoever.

2008-05-05T09:18:00.003-05:00

i've been searching around for something special... and i have no clue, AT ALL, what i'm doing. but that's the fun part!

all the things i buy....

2008-05-05T09:07:00.002-05:00

after weeks of trying to find a dress to the black tie event mentioned below, i made a few phone calls to gather the censuses of what the other guest would be wearing and found that a lot of the ladies would be sporting the cocktail attire. (whew! thank goodness!) so i ran out on friday and the first dress i tried on, this silk jacquard dress from white house|black market, was a ringer!!

10+ years.

2008-05-05T08:46:00.008-05:00

Lynn Wedding 2000

while sitting in the ballroom of the Hotel Galvez this weekend, watching my lovely friend, Matter, dance the night away with her new groom, i realized that my oldest friend, emily, and i have been in that very same ballroom once, twice... maybe even three times before. i thumbed through some pictures this morning and found a picture of she and i that was taken almost 10 years ago in that very same ballroom. though em and i have been friends since 1993, the past 10 years of our lives have been a steadfast test of our friendship... i think we're doing pretty well.

Matter Wedding 2008

Stop! In the name of The Domain!

2008-05-02T13:03:00.001-05:00

mayday.

2008-05-01T11:23:00.002-05:00

i am about to fall face first into my keyboard.

all the things i buy...

2008-05-01T10:48:00.003-05:00

you bet your pet loving heart i bought john paul mitchell pet products and i love them! correction, i love using them on my pets. not on me. and i'm sure they could care less with what is lathered up on them while they stand frozen like they just stepped in smelly green chucky goo with an expression that says 'get me the f out of here right now, mom!'

anyhow. the wipes are the best! there is a formula for the ears and eyes, which is perfect for mr. gauger gaugerton. a formula for paws. and a formula for teeth. the oatmeal conditioning spray is great for adding a little moisture to dried out pet skin and a freshening up between baths.

all products are tear free and natural which is a MUST. Tested on Human First!

yay me!! IV

2008-05-01T09:52:00.003-05:00

day: 28
cokes consumed: 2...make that 3. i'm headed to the vending machine right now.
ciggies smoked: 11 {from prior weeks} , 1{ this week}
lbs lost: ?? {i haven't stepped on the scale in 7 days... it can't be good}