i should be writing my article...

We received our second snowfall of 2010 and it was a much larger amount of precipitation than before. Again, adults turned to children and every night became "sledding night." Over the course of three days, I went sledding at Ellington Agricultural Center, Capital Hill, Trimble Rd, and Seven Hills and Old Natchez Golf Course. Capital Hill was the best by far, but it took the longest to climb back to the top...

On an entirely different note...I have found the most glorious chair ever. I need it in my life. This chair further exemplifies my love for the sea and the creatures swimming in it. My mother sent me the website for a store in Laguna Beach called Tuvalu. This store is the current home of my chair...but it will be making its way across the country very shortly. Also, I added pictures of two bathrooms that I love: I want the pirate ship chandelier in the left photo and the mosaic, coral tiles in the right. amazing.

my lovely chair

handy - wo - man

If there was one thing that you could constantly have more of...what would it be? My answer would be: TIME. I feel like there is never any time for any...noun [person, place, thing]. "I can hang out with him later." "We'll go there next summer." "I'll start taking lessons after this busy season..." Etc, etc, etc. Things seem to get put off because we never have any time...where does it all go?

Anyway, ["anyways'' isn't a word - did you know?] my point being...the past week has gone by quite quickly and I felt like I did nothing at all. Therefore, I spent yesterday being as productive as possible to make up for lost time. Before I get into my list...a side note: I found the above graffiti tucked away, downtown. I was walking to Panera from the boy's place and literally stumbled upon it. I like it.

Okay back to the list...

1) I replaced an entire light socket in my left closet [it has never worked since I bought the house 5 years ago]. It only cost me $3 and took me around 25 minutes...fumbling around in the dark.

2) I purchased a new shower head for my ancient bathroom that will hopefully supply us with enough water pressure to easily remove conditioner in a more timely matter. However, out of all the tools I own...I don't have a wrench large enough to remove it...arg.

3) I thoroughly cleaned out my own closet. When I lived in New York, I frequently sold my clothes because I was, often times, desperately needing the money. It was heartbreaking every time I had to trek out to Brooklyn with my rolly suitcase...ah the good ole days. These days I tend to clean out other people's closets...felt good to do my own.

4) I installed some hooks where they were needed using my trusty Ryobi drill. I also installed new batteries into the fire alarms...both were out. I used my accordion ladder...which is unbelievable. Any time I get to use my tools or ladder, I'm a happy girl.

5) I finally purchased some watercolors. I have not attempted to use them...but Katiebug (my artistic guru) went with me and told me which ones to buy, etc. She also introduced me to the Martha Stewart section of Michaels...which you just can't hate - it's impossible. There is an entire section of JUST glitter...

Needless to say...I've been quite handy.

Tonight, I went out to Hidden River to visit Lynny. I haven't been giving her much attention lately and you know how us Rutledge girls need to be paid attention to...yea. Belly had an indoor soccer game and I needed to finish my article (which I didn't do...surprise surprise).

One thing I did learn from tonight: I forgot how frustrating it is to watch children play sports. As terrible as that sounds...it's true. I literally wanted to jump the plexi-glass and take over the entire game. I didn't. Instead, I took pictures of Belly and of their amazing indoor arena situation...occasionally kicking my imaginary soccer ball in the process.

As geezerly as this sounds...back in my day we played on the gym floor and we wore Adidas Sambas. I wore them everywhere - not just playing indoor. These days, the kids play on an astro-turf material and wear these Nike, cleat-type footwear and refer to them as "Sambas" even though they're NOT. It's also NOT okay to wear them around town...just FYI. One thing that won't be changing...the impending SNOW DAY for tomorrow. I have my sleds ready.

this is how you do tie dye...

Shabd Simon-Alexander is a Brooklyn-based artist/designer that works mainly with sculpture, embroidery, and hand-dyed clothing. These are pictures from his 2010 collection - I want all of them. I would also prefer it if my hair looked like the model's hair, daily. PEACE.

love is in the air...a tad bit early

My mother is the sweetest person in the world [I'm not saying this because I know she occasionally reads this]. She truly is the sweetest lady in the world. I am also not saying that I don't have the capability to be nice, but I definitely didn't inherit her gift of natural sweetness. I refer to her as Pollyanna because she can occasionally become an box full of cliche social antidotes which isn't so much annoying as it is...sweet? Geez.

However, some things I did inherit from her: brown eyes and hair, her cackling laugh, her love of the ocean and the creatures in it, her sense of worry-ness, her booty [she-she-she get it from her mama], and her insane love of any and all holiday paraphernalia.

We have two attics at my parents house. One is for things that no longer suit my mother's decorating needs for the house; a graveyard of furniture, books, and bric-a-brac. The other attic houses all of my mothers holiday decorations...and there are thousands. Halloween, Christmas, and Easter vomited all over this room and I hope to someday take it ALL.

Needless to say...I've been in a bit of a tween-holiday lull and I had to take action. Therefore, I decorated my living room with some paper cut-outs and a rather abstract (if I do say so myself) heart made from nails and red wool yarn that I purchased from Textile Fabrics a while back. Happy Early Valentines Day!

I also already purchased, wrote, and sealed my valentines that I'm sending out this year. They're vintage and a tad bit creepy - which makes them all the more entertaining for me. Be sure to check your mailbox on Valentines Day...you could be the proud owner of one of these puppies...

sometimes, I write things...

i recently did a piece on madi diaz for fringe magazine. if you can't read the type...go HERE.

volume four, pages 39 and 40...whoop whoop.

not so legally blonde

It's no secret that I'm a lover of musicals and theatre. Therefore it should also come as no surprise that I was ECSTATIC to receive the opportunity to interview Laura Bell Bundy for our February issue. She was the original Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical and recently moved to Nashville to record a country album. I just received the link to her new video "Giddy Up" below. She's quite adorable...enjoy!

Laura Bell Bundy More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

i love jam

When it comes to chick flicks...I have to be in a very certain mood to view them. It's a rare, emotional mood in which I'm possibly...longing for a bit of hope and perhaps 1 1/2 hours of an unrealistic lifestyle that only exists in the movies or on t.v. A magical world where two beautiful people wake up every morning sans the morning breathe and donning perfect make-up. A world where young, intelligent protagonists can work at average paying jobs - like a magazine or an advertising agency - but make 6-figure salaries and afford large West Village lofts and YSL Muse Bags. A perfect world where relationships come spontaneously in a "meet cute" sort of way. Perhaps their love began at the coffee shop where she works and his boss had sent him in that day for a caffeine fix? Their eyes lock...and BOOM - SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER!

All these things typically make me cringe or gag. I'm not cynical - but when it comes to love/relationships...I truly prefer the real-life sort of thing. The not-so-perfect-therefore-it's-perfect kind of relationship. Therefore, it comes as so surprise that I would enjoy your typical Ben Stiller comedy or Guy Ritchie film over You've Got Mail or How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days...any day.

The point of all this rambling? I've only just started watching The Office this month. I KNOW I KNOW...I'm embarrassingly behind on the times. Years. I have no idea how I have shunned such an amazing show for so long...but something tells me it's stubbornness. Perhaps I chose not to view the said show because I was trying to stick it to the man? But to who IS the man?

Either way...it's hilarious and Steve Carell is a genius. I cannot get enough of this show and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with the hilarious cringe comedy that probably attracts most of its viewers. I watch The Office because of Jim and Pam - Jam, if you will. Their adorable, realistic relationship on this show is perfect. It's simple and comfortable and I have enjoyed watching it progress. Who would have thought? I'm on season 4...so no spoilers, please.

listen listen listen listen listen listen listen listen

sea lion woman - feist

sweet disposition - the temper trap

cape cod kwassa kwassa - vampire weekend

mushaboom - feist

la la la - deer tick

earth - imogen heap

ready, able - grizzly bear

wolf like me - t.v. on the radio

january wedding - the avett brothers

country caravan - blitzen trapper

walk out - justin townes earle

blackberry song - kurt vile

no more pirates - chris garneau

always learning

Even when my days aren't as productive as I would hope (like today's lazy Saturday), I still always learn something. Yesterday, I learned that life is all about balance - and eventually I'll figure it out. Today, I learned to not allow my pride to overcome me - I'm a stubborn, little girl and sometimes I wonder if I'll ever, truly grow up. I'm slowly learning to say "I'm sorry" when an "I'm sorry" is due. Baby steps.

On a completely unrelated note...I need to get back to Europe. [Disclaimer: Please note that when the following statement comes out of my mouth, that I'm fully aware of how "typical-American" it will sound- but just shut up] Statement: After traveling across the Atlantic, I can confidently say that I have a connection with Europe more than any other place on Earth. For serious. [cringe all you want]

Although Nashville is my home, Hilton Head is my soul, and New York is my HEART - I have a sense of comfort in Europe that I can't quite put my finger on. Perhaps it's the ''unknown'' in each city - not knowing what I'll discover around every corner. Or perhaps it's the fact that I'm in a place that I truly don't belong - therefore, making it a constant adventure? Whatever the reason, I love the old-world feeling it affords me and I MUST go back.

I was going through my old albums...AHH.

largest spiral staircase ever (amsterdam) + the eiffel tower and i

Aberystwyth, Wales

Notre Dame + War Museum (Paris)

belgium (where else?)

BFFAE (amsterdam) + french books by the river (paris)

amsterdam + attempting to ice skate (brussels, belgium)

wooden shoe (amsterdam) + the louvre (paris)

streets of brussels (belgium) + paris

Would you like to join me?

salt tooth gone awry

They say your taste buds change every seven years. Well, I'm not exactly sure who they are, but I think theyyyy might be right. Exhibit A: I used to hate red meat when I was younger - steak disgusted me. Somewhere around highschool...I began to crave filet mignon. Exhibit B: I used to not care for tomatoes...I now eat them whole - like one might consume an apple. Coincidence? I think not.

Although I'm convinced that the taste bud theory is true, one thing that has never changed for me is my salt/sugar love/hate. I truly love salty things - I have a self-diagnosed salt tooth. Also, I typically dislike sugary desserts and would rather enjoy french fries as opposed to cake. Which is why I was completely shocked by my sudden cravings of candy and sweets. Time to hit the gym...or something...

***With that said, I had this delicious serving of tomato soup + grilled cheese...I suppose the transition isn't entirely complete.

where I live.