The One About Sporcle

What can we learn from this? (you can click to make it larger)

Sporcle is amazing.

Texas dominates.

Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky fail.

A Texas suburb (or four) have higher populations than Jackson, Mississippi, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Louisville, Kentucky. Whoda thunk it?

And now that I've given you the answers...take the quiz here.

By the way, I scored in the 95th percentile, so boo-yah Sporcle - too bad I underestimated Texas.

What was I thinking?

The One About The Bike

Don't worry, I am aware that I'm about to get made fun of (the roomie and I have already had this conversation), but I have now decided I want a bike. We're moving into the most adorable house and it is exactly 0.4 miles from Publix. Sweet.

I'm also a few miles from Crestline and Mountain Brook Villages. Wouldn't that be fun in the summer!? I could bike right over to Mountain Brook Creamery which would work off all of the calories eaten once I got there.

Can't you see me riding my bike to Publix and bringing home groceries? I could just run down for a carton of icecream, or when we run out of sugar.

For those of you who read my blog routinely...are you starting to get whiplash from all the absurd decisions I've come to lately?

I'm looking on Cahaba Cycles for now (which can get pretty pricey) but I'm thinking if I figure out what I'm looking for, and can talk to someone in real life (aka in Cahaba Cycles) then maybe I can find it somewhere cheaper with a little bit of research.

I'm looking in the Commuter/Town section. Someone tell me if that's wrong.

So far I've found these...

You can click on the images for a link. Yes, they are expensive.

I've read an article that says the best time to buy a bike is in July or August - apparently that's when shops put them on sale? Who knows, but that's perfect for me. A major lump sum is going to be spent in June so maybe I'll have over-saved for that!? Doubtful, but you never know...

Don't worry, I've already thought about how to locate a reasonably attractive helmet. I absolutely HATE helmets, but apparently it's illegal not to wear them and I don't really want to smash my head on the ground when I go hurling toward the pavement.

Anyone else what to get a bike with me?

The One On Day 14

Today is day 14. I might have accidentally eaten a couple of tortillas at Zona Rosa last Friday (I order fajitas and they were sitting there, staring at me), but I think that's the only time I actually slipped. Aren't you proud? Ha!

On another note, my mom and I made the most delicious lettuce wraps last night. Aside from the part that it involved chopping and whatnot - I might as well have been at Surin. YUM.

Oh, and they were SO easy, even if they did make a huge mess.

The One About My Hair

The best part of this whole week (with the obvious exception of my birthday) is that I get the day off on Friday! Thursday is my actual birthday, but won't it be nice to sleep in Friday morning? I'm planning on a manicure and pedicure (I'm very overdue in using a gift certificate my aunt gave me for LAST YEAR's birthday), getting my hair done and most importantly - dressing up like Max from Where the Wild Things Are to be the celebrity reader in my roommates Kindergarten classroom.

But back to the fact that I'm having my hair done on Friday. When I moved to Texas I found someone I loved, but now that I'm in Alabama I've been hopping around a lot - and haven't found anything I really love (or more importantly, can afford). The girl I'm going to this round is at Hopson James which I've heard great things about, including rave reviews from the roomie.

I'm trying to decide on color. For awhile I was a little bit red, that wasn't awesome. Then I was SUPER dark - really really NOT awesome, especially looking back at it. Right now I'm a little bit blonder than I really want to be. I really have no idea.

I also, apparently, don't know how to describe what I want - so this round I'm going to bring in pictures.

So far I like Emma Watson (she's a smidge browner than my current self in these Burberry pictures, which I like).


Or possibly Ellen Pompeo?

I also LOVE Olivia Wilde

Hopefully the girl who is going to be doing this will have some sort of opinion. Do you have any. Thoughts and opinions I mean? I'm also cutting it, so I need ideas for that too.

The One About My Birthday Dress

This is my birthday outfit, minus the shoes. I think. It can still be returned, I haven't entirely made up my mind. I absolutely LOVE it but I can't figure out the shoes. Black, silver? I don't want to do pink or gray because that's a little bit matchy-matchy (and because I don't actually own anything that color). I have nude ones. I need help. What are your thoughts?

Oh - and in case you were confused, the back is a cut-out, not white.

This is also making an appearance in Vegas!! I told you that I would be spending at lot of time talking about that. I CANNOT WAIT.

I hope y'all have a fabulous weekend. I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a funeral in Madison, GA so that's not very fun, but I will get to see some of my family (including my sister).

Also, the library sent me an email that my camera-working book is available for me to pick up so I'm VERY excited about that. I just need to remember to go get it. I have a big to-do list which I just realized. Oh well, 90% of it probably won't get done. Hopefully I'll at least finish folding my laundry from LAST WEEKEND.

OH! And on an entirely different note. Those of you that can understand anything related to your taxes, KUDOS to you. I might have you gather my information next year, I'm simple (or so I've been told) and it's still completely stressing me out.

The One About My Birthday

In case you didn't know (or had forgotten), my birthday is one week from today. My list has grown and then shrunk and then changed all together. BUT - don't worry. I do, in fact, have a list.

I think Toms are great, and I do not have a pair, so...I would LOVE to have a pair of these but also think these are cute, and these are just ADORABLE.

Obviously, I would like someone to buy me my puppy. Thanks in advance. Or - someone could just go ahead and get there own puppy for me to play with. As long as I have a puppy to hang out with on my birthday (no mom, Peaches doesn't count because she's not entertaining) I'll be a perfectly happy person. Emmy - maybe you should get Paul a puppy for HIS birthday. That would work.

I also want this skirt, and almost everything else that J.Crew is selling at the moment. Given the opportunity, that store would suck all of the money out of my bank account. I also want this, these, this and this - one day. And some sequins (this and this) which I totally do not need - although...there's always Vegas.

And I guess something practical wouldn't hurt - so what about this? I guess that's practical...right?

Ok - back to the unpractical.

I could SERIOUSLY use some new cowboy boots. I wore boots A LOT in Texas, and my current pair have been hanging around since freshman year. I think it's time for an upgrade. I like these, these and these. Oh, and while we're talking about Frye - these are good too.

Also, we're moving into a house (the roomie and I - have I mentioned that?) and I think some fun things to make it a little bit homier would be nice to have. We both love having flowers around, even if it's pretty infrequently, and I think these are adorable. They come in a precious beaker shape too.

I think that's my list. Pretty good, huh?

Oh...and a glass of wine with a slice of cake. Thanks.

The One About My Camera

Remember a really long time ago when I said I was going to learn to use my camera? Well...that didn't happen. Oops.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to figure it out. There's still that class at Samford After Sundown, which of course costs money...about $140. I think I would prefer to only take that once I'm SERIOUSLY desperate.

But...I was also thinking I might get a book and read through it myself. How do we feel about that?

I'm thinking this might be a really useful thing to know how to do? Agreed.

The two I've found on Amazon are The Dummies version, and The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D Companion. They have big time 5-star ratings so that's good. I've requested that second book from the library but the Dummies book doesn't exist in the Jefferson Country System. Don't worry, if you need "Fix Your Computer For Seniors For Dummies," that - they do have.

I'll let you know how it goes. I have no huge plans this weekend (which will be excellent if Alabama would stop pretending to be Montana, I'm ready for Spring already) so maybe I'll try to work on this some. Maybe?

On another note...only 73 days until I go to Las Vegas! Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do, people to see, places to go?

The One About Eating Healthy

In the interest of full-disclosure, and the fact that the people that actually read this blog are the people I eat with and go out with and decide to grab ice cream with in the middle of the day...

I am officially on the South Beach Diet.

I think y'all did this, did I make that up? How did it go?

Well for me - so far, so good. I've actually started getting into a groove and figuring out what I actually WANT to eat. First and foremost, I have learned that I despise raw vegetables (especially when they can't be dunked in ranch dressing). This is posing a minor problem because I'm supposed to be eating mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. So far my favorite is string cheese. I love string cheese. I'm trying edamame this weekend, which I also love and kind of forgot about, and I've found these great little packages of "South Beach Diet-approved" nuts. It's a weird mix, HEAVY on the almonds, but I think I'm fine with that.

The last couple of days have been a bit glum. I've been eating chicken breasts with veggies, hamburger patties with veggies, and grilled chicken salads for lunch. Mainly, I was ticked that I couldn't put ketchup on my burger. Not OK. Also, it all looked and felt like I was on a diet, which I am not a fan of.

But! Last night was a turning point. My mom made the most delicious shrimp (which of course Dad was allowed to put on top of pasta - UGH) and we roasted some asparagus. Happy day.

And - BONUS - I brought leftovers to work today for lunch. Remember how I'm not going out to lunch during Lent? I went to Western this morning and bought "Reduced Sugar" Ketchup (do you hear the angels singing?) and horseradish to make some South Beach-style cocktail sauce.

Excellent.

So, that's where I stand. Please do not call me to tell me you're craving margarita's and queso, because oh yeah - alcohol is out too. Unless of course you're calling me to tell me you figured out a great way to eat queso without eating the chips - because that would be fine with me.

Otherwise, I'm good to go. Most of this stuff is really delicious anyway, it just takes a little more thought than I've ever put into what I'm eating. Go figure.

The One About This Puppy

I think I might have changed my mind on the "which dog do I buy" front. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers have just made the VERY short list.

This guy is really adorable.

The One About The Gumbo

I just think you should all know that this gumbo (plus the addition of a pound of shrimp) managed to make NINE meals.

NINE.

The money I have, I don't like to spend on food (unless it's delicious and made by someone other than myself) - so this is HUGE.

Also, my mom has agreed to teach me to sew, and we've picked out a first project. I'll let you know how it goes. (It's on the blog now mom - there is no backing out)

AND my little sister got an internship with UBS in New York, so that's very exciting!! Congratulations Helen!!

The One About Today

I feel like this.

Springy and girly. Like I should wear bows and ruffles and pink and sparkles all day everyday. So unnatural.

There's a wedding this weekend. I am not going, but there are people coming in that I'm so excited to see! I am however, spending tonight at an engagement party for a very sweet friend.

Tomorrow I plan on forcing the weather to behave - although weather.com seems to disagree with me. This much rain is just unacceptable.

Have a happy weekend!

OH! P.S. Sorry for the incredible lack of blogging lately. I'm sure all four of you really missed my jibberish. Apologies for the inconvenience, I've been working REALLY hard, and well - I would prefer not to get fired for blogging instead of doing my job. It's a personal goal of mine.

The One About The Oscars

I feel like this weekend had too much going on - and I think this week is only going to get more jampacked. Friday night my friend Ian and I went to see Roger Creager which was so much fun! He's fabulous, and the crowd at Zydeco provided enough entertainment in and of themselves. One woman was out with her child and continually danced (inappropriately) with her friend, some guy who could not have been over 20. Awkward.

Saturday we did Chili Cook-Off along with everyone else in Birmingham. It was so great getting to see people that have been MIA in my life recently. Coopers - Mark sends a big hug and hello!

We did top it off a very weird weekend yesterday evening with a party to watch The Academy Awards. I made gumbo (this one) but added some new spices and shrimp. It was delicious if I do say so myself. We also made these precious ballots - and provided our friend Grace (who won) with a bottle of wine to take home.

The weekend was so jam packed we ended up having a smaller crowd than we planned on but it was so much fun! There were some pretty gorgeous people walking the red carpet, and lots of my favorites won Oscars!

I will say, the highlight of the night might have been Roger Ross Williams being accosted on stage by a producer who worked on his film Music By Prudence. Elinor Burkett (whoever she is, is a nutcase). You can watch the video here, if you were unlucky enough to miss it.

Some of my favorite dresses were Sara Jessica Parker, Zoe Saldana, Carey Mulligan, Tina Fey and Elizabeth Banks.

Penelope Cruz (always), Mariska Hargitay, Sigourney Weaver, and Mariah Carey (I know, shocked) looked beautiful too.

People I thought looked weird? Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz, Kristen Stewart, and Miley Cyrus. Miley's and Kristen's hadn't been fit very well, Charlize's was just unattractive and Cameron looked more like Barbie than herself. She looks so much better in something with a little more personality.

My favorite though, HANDS DOWN was Rachel McAdams. Isn't she gorgeous?

The One About March

You can still feel a pretty bitter chill in the air around here (wore a coat into work today), but I'm getting VERY close to retiring my sweater dresses and starting in with lots of layers. Once March rolls around I'm tired of tights and wool and ready for cotton and espadrilles. The new J.Crew catalog is NOT helping. Have you seen this thing? Gorgeousness (perfect for my birthday - exactly one month from today).

Also coming up in this first week of March...The Bachelor season finale (I know that this show is ridiculous...but it's also addicting), ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes out on Thursday (and it's my brother's birthday), and hopefully I'm going to convince my friends to go to Chili Cook-Off on Saturday. Especially since it's going to be a reasonably pretty day!

So happy March everybody!

Oh...and over the weekend I spotted some daffodils in my parent's front yard. See? Spring. Eventually.

** disclaimer - no I'm probably not actually going to buy that romper, but isn't it precious?


UPDATE: Am I hallucinating or have all the trailers up until this week had March 4th as the release date for Alice? I guess we'll go on Friday...