The One with Ramblings

Thought: I am the worst blogger in the history of the world. Apologies.

Things I've thought about today ... clearly I'm in a funk.

A. buying a puppy (rescuing a puppy...stealing someone else's puppy...)

B. picking up everything and moving to a foreign country - I could probably handle that right? If I could magically speak other languages...

C. how I could redecorate my office, including painting it a pretty shade of peacock blue, without my boss noticing

That's all I've got for the moment.

I think this blog thing might be wrapping up. 2011 - the year of the non-blog. or the revised blog. something!

The One for Dawson

a MUST HAVE for a family of (almost) four...living in London...serving their babies hard boiled eggs for "tea."

from KEITH BRYMER JONES via SimpleSong

The One From The Army

Everyday, Real Simple sends me a newsletter on a random topic. Sometimes it's 5 or 6 pretty candy dishes - which I ignore - or a way to clean inside a muffin tin - which I also ignore - but today...the email was about "Everyday Carryalls." And now I want this bag, from Free People, which is made out of recycled Army surplus blankets. Very cool.

The One About Fall

from the Alabama Tourism Department

It's finally here.

Sort of.

It's been a little bit back a forth, but I think this weekend might be the turning point. Halfway through October and we're finally hitting 75 degrees.

Fall is the time of year for cider, and sweaters, football, fires and boots. Fall is when everything you cook should have cinnamon and nutmeg in it. Fall is when you stop using the air conditioning, but don't have to turn on the heat just yet. Fall is for blankets and leggings and soup, and for sleeping in socks.

And so, my list of things that are absolutely, no questions asked, going to get done this fall.

1. I'm going to take up baking. Well, cooking in general, but specifically baking. On a recent photoshoot we shot a new recipe for an unbelievable spice cake. It's definitely on the list. Along with trying out this recipe for Apple Cider Donuts from Smitten Kitchen.

2. First and foremost - as the weather changes, so must my wardrobe. I found this adorable sweater which is sure to be my absolute favorite to snuggle into. Now I just need to purchase it - from Shopbop, by Vince. Donations accepted.

3. I'm planning on spending some quality time reading a book. It's almost the time of year when I walk out of my office and it's already dark. Those are the nights that call for soup, pajamas and curling up on the couch. I'm planning on the Stieg Larsson trilogy, apparently I'm behind the eight-ball on this one.

4. Fall doesn't officially begin until it's cold enough for a Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks. Maybe Saturday is the day.

5. I want to carve a pumpkin. Is that weird? After I carve a pumpkin, I want to make ridiculously delicious Pepita Brittle from Paula Deen...what are the chances I could actually make homemade caramel? EH. Maybe I'm better off with the Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds.

6. I don't know if I mentioned it (probably not since I'm the world's worst blogger), but I've been working with this running group and the eventual goal is to run a 10k. Do you know how far that is? FAR. But, Tuesday morning I ran 4 miles, which I would have told you was basically impossible 2 months ago. My only major issue right now is the 5:30am meeting time, and the fact that as it is going to get colder.

7. I want to host a dinner party. Doesn't that sound fun? People would get dressed up (I mean, more than a t-shirt and sweatpants) and gather for food that I made. I think it might be the best way to use some of the many recipes I think sound delicious, but never make time to actually try. I think these Plums with Prosciutto, Goat Cheese, Baby Arugula and Champagne Vinegar sound kind of awesome as an appetizer. Super long name - but they don't look too difficult. I'm also thinking this recipe for Jalapeño-Goat Cheese Hush Puppies sounds pretty delicious, and apparently it's an appetizer! No basket o' fried shrimp required. Now I just need to come up with something yummy as an entrée.

8. I need to do a big Fall cleaning this weekend - so that's definitely on the to-do list. I need one of those professional organizing people to come over and get my life straightened up. That, or someone who has some sort of sick love for folding clothes.

9. I'm on the hunt for a good pair of boots. I bought an incredibly inexpensive pair at Target last year and have worn them into the ground, it's time for a replacement.

10. And, in order to have a truly successful Fall - you must have a truly successful Halloween. Decisions on a costume need to be made pronto. Thoughts?

So, hopefully we're going to stick to all of these things in the next couple of months. We'll see how it goes. This weekend just might be the weekend I get numbers 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10 finished. That sounds mighty productive, huh?

The One About Football

I was raised in the South, and when you're raised in the South you learn that the only thing that is socially acceptable on a Saturday in the fall is football, and that football requires an outfit. One you thought about prior to Saturday morning. It's a fact.

...unless of course you're rooting for Florida or Tennessee, then I'm not sure WHAT you learned or why you're wearing those jean shorts with a t-shirt that is missing it's sleeves.

But - back to the point.

If I were going to be anywhere fun this weekend (i.e. anywhere hosting reasonably entertaining football) I would need a good outfit. So here they are - straight from dream world.

TCU is playing Baylor and believe it or not, it'll actually be a big game in Fort Worth. Now, hopefully we'll score about 1,000 points on the Bears, but students will be out tailgating for sure...and tailgating requires a cute outfit. This one is perfect. Lots of purple, good boots, and cute but simple jewelry.

Last year I picked this for the first Georgia football game. I figured a new year required something a little bit sparklier - is sparklier a word? It should be. Maybe that will influence our team to be a bit sparklier on the field, since right now we're looking pretty dull.

The best part about wayfarers is that they come in almost every important color - red and purple included.

Other than watching football...I'll be laying by the pool, celebrating engagements, and loving on friends who I haven't seen in a while. We're all planning on grabbing brunch tomorrow morning which makes me REALLY happy. Hopefully at that point at least one of my engaged friends will have made a final decision on her dress - keep your fingers crossed.

The One From Maira Kalman

I'm kind of in love this new-to-me blog (via sfgirlbybay) from the SUPER talented and creative Maira Kalman. If it's too tiny, you can enlarge the image by clicking on it.

The blog is from The New York Times and called "And the Pursuit of Happiness" which began as a documentation of Kalman's trip to the inauguration this past January. It's published on the last Friday of each month and highlights an American icon. The image above comes from her post on Benjamin Franklin, and you can click here to see the most recent post, on George Washington.

The One With The Jacket

I'm in LOVE with this jacket. Does anyone out there owe me an extravagant gift? I would really appreciate it if this would show up at my house without me actually forking over any money for the gorgeousness.

Also - I'm contemplating this berry lipstick. Do we think this berry thing is legitimate? Its definitely a fall color, maybe it would feel lighter and less heavy in a gloss? If I looked like Drew Barrymore I might feel a little bit more confident in this color choice.

On another note...I'm exhausted. There is entirely too much going on at work and when I get home literally all I want to do is sit down and get my brain back to a functioning position. I come home every night feeling like I got hit by a bus. Is everyone else swamped too or is it just us lucky folks who work for CPG brands gearing up for the holiday season?

Speaking of - thinking about Christmas on September 1 is just awkward.