beyonce.

Beyoncé you are amazing.

pjr 3.

What to say about Project Runway this week. I liked the challenge, but thought the designs weren't up to par.  Maybe it was the teams.

Here's my top 3

(sorry they're so small, lifetime does not allow copying of pictures)

Emilio and Anna's SIGNATURE look




Jesus and Amy's SIGNATURE look





Emilio and Anna's LOOK FOR LESS


Seriously Ping?

I felt so terrible for Jesse. He knew right from the start working with her was going to be a task!
How did she even get on the show? There must have been some producer finagling.
Props to the model standing up for Jesse!
I was so happy to see Ping go. She didn't belong on the show in the first place and it only took the judges 3 episodes for them to do the right thing!

snow day.

Mix a little of this

with a little of that

and maybe a little bit of these

+ a best friend

and you get

 
inside the frames are {faith} {love} and {dream}

prayers answered.

well. my prayers were answered and school was canceled at noon and for tomorrow also.

Here's the view I'm enjoying at home with a few bottles of wine and my best friend Julia.

movin right along.

(I FORGOT TO POST THIS ON MONDAY)

After a VERY busy week, motivation set in this weekend and I completed my last set of curtains and putting together a new bookshelf.

Besides my chair project (pictures and process to come), only minor things are left in the redecorating mission. It felt so good to cross so much off my list yesterday! (yes, I have a list of things I want to do to the house posted on my refrigerator!)

For those of you who are interested....which is probably very few, here's the list:
• Reorganize all shelving in the house with knick-knacks and pictures
• Make a table runner for kitchen table and purchase candles for the top of it
• Purchse new lamps for sofa table and new lamp shade for standing lamp
• Find worthy tie backs for living room curtains
• Make new canvas paintings for living room
• Finish chairs and find in-table for them if needed
• Touch up all walls in house with new paint
• Get new sheets, new pillows, and new decorative pillow coverings for bed (I'm determined to make my bed every day when I get these)
• Paint bedroom and bathroom
• Get new organizing gadgets for bedroom/closet (shoe holder, new hanging rods, etc.)
• Find a curtain solution for the kitchen

My goal is to have it done by the end of summer. That's PLENTY of time in my book!

I'm SO incredibly happy with how everything is turning out! It is starting to feel like a home and not a college apartment!

*OPINIONS NEEDED*

I'm at a loss on how/where to store my exercise equipment.

I have a big exercise ball

and a Leg Magic machine. (for those of you wondering, it's one of the hardest workouts I've EVER done!)

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated =)

prepared.

Well. I stayed up last night thinking 'oh they'll for sure close school tomorrow'. ya, no such luck.
I woke up only 30 minutes before I had to leave because 'oh for sure they've canceled school'. still, no such luck.
I got to school and immediately checked my email because 'for sure they're closing school at noon'. no email.

So, I sit here glad that I packed a bag full of *JUST IN CASE* goodies in case I get stuck at school and even worse with maybe no electricity.

• 2 pairs of workout/pajama type pants (layering could be needed if the electricity goes out)
  
• Uggs and 2 pairs of socks
• Box of Cliff protein bars
• 6 bottles of water
• 1 sleeve of saltines
• A flash light
• A candle
• A lighter
• Book
• Cord to keep my phone charged from the computer (so it'll be full if the electricity goes out)
• My beanie

I'm anxiously awaiting a do not reply email from Pres Boren saying the University will close at noon.

KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!!

hodge podge.

I’ve got a compilation of things to tell you today….where to begin?

FIRST

This weekend I finished my dining room tasks. I don’t have any before pictures, but lucky for you I have the after!

I added another bookshelf and the curtains. I feel like it has turned out like I wanted to, and I can’t wait to finish the table decor!

SECOND

Did the Bachelor get new producers this year? I feel like the show has never been more dramatic than this season. Or maybe it’s just Jake, maybe he’s über dramatic. FIRST the rose in the fire SECOND crying again in the show and THIRD asking to send 2 girls home instead of 1? I mean seriously.
Speaking of the THIRD topic. I was watching Bonnie Hunt (does anyone else watch her? hilarious.) and she brought up the scene where Jake asks Chris to send an extra girl home…it sounds as though they are both *taking a tinkle* while talking to each other. I never noticed it the first time around, but when they played it back it was quite obvious. Jake about died from embarrassment as she made jokes about it. I was in hysterics listening to her banter.
Why did I not know who this girl even was until 45 minutes into the 3rd episode? No wonder she went home. and what they heck kind of pants is she wearing in this photo? Definitely not his type! And I wasn’t surprised he sent home Kathryn. She should have seen it coming, they had absolutely NOTHING to talk about on their one-on-one time.

THIRD

Apparently we have a huge ICE storm headed our way. Surprise Surprise. Today its 60° and tomorrow it’s going to ice. Thank you Oklahoma! Anyways, I had to think strategically in what I bought at the store today on my lunch break. Almost everything I buy on a regular basis has to be heated or refrigerated in some way to eat it. So I purchased the following:

• Bananas
• Pre-made rolls
• Saltines

I already have protein bars, Doritos, and peanut butter. Real healthy diet I have coming in the next few days.
I’ll more than likely purchase some ice tonight. I happen to have a large cooler and it might be just the place to keep my milk cold for a couple of days!
The hard part about living alone during an ice storm, especially if the electricity decides to disappear, is what to do to keep yourself entertained. I haven’t purchased any books in awhile so I might be making a stop to Target on my way home from the gym. Any reading suggestions?
How bout you? What do you do to get yourself ready for a potentially epic ice storm?

vege-tables.

I have to find a way to get my vegetables in my diet, so I chugged a V8 juice during lunch today. OMG that thing is nasty.

Any suggestions on how to incorporate more veggies into a "single gal who doesn't eat leftovers" diet?

pjr 1 & 2.

WARNING: LONG POST!

So I love Project Runway. I'm not neccessarily the most fashionable person, but this show is just so awesome. I love watching it with my friend Julia. We have such different views on fashion. She views this show as art and I view it more as what would people really wear. It's so fun to see what we end up liking and not liking.

I'm so glad they brought the show back to New York! Its the heart of the fashion industry in the US and its where the show belongs.

*Geek Alert* I love the new HP Think Pads. They are so cool! I'm not sure how easily it would be to draw on them and I can't wait to see what designers end up using them.

AMY
Her "pre show" designs were great. Very architectural.
I really liked the structure of her 1st design. But I felt the fabrics looked really cheap.
But OMG her 2nd look was amazing. The dye treatment she used was spectacular. That look was one potato sack I wouldn't mind wearing!
I think Amy will come up with some really young and fresh designs this season. She'll probably go really far.






ANNA

I felt like her "pre show" designs were very Anthropolgie. Her designs really screamed my friend Julia.

I really liked the design of her 1st look. The fabric was a little much, but the structure itself is totally something I would wear.

You could tell her 2nd look was hers before they even put her name up. The potato stencil ended up making a fabulous print.
I really think she's going to be able to keep her design astetic thru each challenge. I don't know how far she'll go, but I really like her as a person and a designer.

ANTHONY
His first quote made me love him. "Black. Gay. From the ghetto." His  dream is to design for Miss USA or MISS Universe, so his"pre show" designs were a little over the top. He reminds me of Kayne from season 3, but let's hope a little less trashy tacky.
I think he missed the mark on his 1st design. The fabric was atrocious and the volume of fabric on the side made his model look lopsided.
On the other hand his 2nd look was fabulous! You would have never guessed it was a potato sack. It was constructed and designed beautifully!

BEN

His "pre show" designs were very hard and edgy. He even said himself his designs weren't girly.

I think Ben might be a little confused as to who he really is. He gave off a hard guy/gay vibe. Can't wait to see more of his interviews.

I thought his 1st design was hard and spacey. But then his 2nd look was soft and girly. If he keeps up the astetic from the 2nd look, I think he could go a good ways.

 CHRISTIANE

Her "pre show" designs had some great structure to them. I really thought she would make it a good ways. The concept of her 1st look was good. But print fabric she used was so off point. Had she used all one fabric and left out the extra fabric on the skirt part she would have made it thru! I think designers have to learn to pick either a contrast in fabrics or all one fabric with interesting structure. He dress was a mess and it just goes to show that one mistake will take you out of the game!

EMILIO

Emilio is the elder of the group. It'll be really great to see if his experience pushes him past everyone else. His "pre show" designs were all costumes, so it's hard to tell what his astetic is. I hope that he can turn his costume experience into a runway/ready-to-wear style. The contrustion of his 1st look was flawless. I can't believe Tim didn't think he'd finish! I don't know if his dress was my favorite, but it was probably the best dress overall.  Loved his 2nd look. Throw a jacket on it and send me to work! Perfect for day-to-night!

JANEANE

I love that she tried to go thru the turnstyle wrong! I really liked her "pre show" designs. They were definitely something I would wear. My only worry is that she might be a little too emotional...like maybe on the verge of annoying.

I thought her 1st look screamed to a 50 year old woman!

But her 2nd look was BY FAR my favorite of the potato sack challenge! I just couldn't believe she made a potato sack look so elegant and SOO much like a real dress!

JAY

Jay's "pre show" designs were very runway and not so much ready-to-wear. I think his construction and architecture will get him a long way thru the show.
I'm not really a fan of dresses that add volume to the hip area, but the texture of the fabrics meshed really well and I would totally buy a simplified version of this dress!
I'm so glad he won the potato sack challenge. His design was very innovative and would make a FABULOUS party dress!

JESSE

I felt like Jesse's "pre show" designs looked really childish.
I wasn't a big fan of the fabric he used in his 1st look, but once his model took off her jacket, the outfit became fabulous!! It was sexy yet classic. Loved it!
His 2nd design looked like what the ring leader of a circus should wear. I'm just not so sure how "cool" it is to show your belly button anymore.

JESUS

Could he be the next christian serriano?  His  youth and ps designs really showed resemblences of christian.  but i think he may be lacking the confidence and flamboyancy.
Brown crocidile leather? really? wow. The 1st look was a little much, but was constructed hella good! I can't imagine how hard it was to work with that fabric.
What Jesus did with the ribbon in the 2nd challenge was amazing, but it was just a miss all over.

JONATHAN

I think he had a vision with his "pre show" designs, but I felt like they were messy.
His 1st design was hard yet soft at the same time. I really liked its edginess.
Jonathan did pretty well with the potato sack challenge. I felt like it was something Seth Aaron would do. Almost had a dominatrix feel.

MAYA

Her "pre show" designs were very avanguard. I hope they have a challenge like that this season, cause she'll rock it.
Her style really came thru on the 1st challenge. I felt like the shoulder ruffles were a little over powering, but knock 'em down a notch and you have one classy dress!
For using so many different  fabrics on the 2nd challenge, her dress really turned out great. I think it'd make such a cute summer dress.

MILA

Her "pre show" designs were so well constructed. If she can keep that up with the time constraints she'll do awesome.
I thought her first look was confusing. The top looked like it was made for a 40 year old, and the mini skirt looked like it was made for a 20 something.
And besides causing the editors to blur out her modles 'goodies', the dress was a hit! Definitely a fabulous party dress! Nina said it perfectly, "You went from farm to the future and it was fantastic!"

PAMELA

I feel as though Pamela's "pre show" looks were very outdated and all over the place. Some were 70's inspired, some where 90's inspired, and some were just uninspired. I think her taste will definitely come in to question this season.
Her 1st look was so all over the place I can't even comment on it.
And her 2nd look. OMG. It looked like western wear from 1990. But I will give her props on the dye job, that was quite fabulous.
All I have to say is Thank Gaw she got the boot. Her taste was just not even close to par.

PING

Where do you even begin with her? She is a different bread.
Her "pre show" designs are just awful. It'll be interesting to see how long she lasts.
Her 1st design looked like it took no effort in the construction area at all! I feel like the only reason she stayed thru the first episode is becuase of the guest judge, Nicole Richie. Nicole definitely has that hobo sense of style and Ping's outfit screamed hobo, homeless woman.

SETH AARON

Seth Aaron somewhat reminds me of Jeffrey from season 3. His "pre show" designs weren't particularly my style, but they were well constructed. I think my friend Meggi would just LOVE his clothes.
In the first two challenges he definitely took the design and made it his own. The 1st look just needed to be edited a little. The suspender looking straps needed to go and the bright red zipper was a little much. But I think as the season goes on his taste will mature a little and he'll do well.
His 2nd look really had potential once the hood was taken down!

A FEW  AFTER THOUGHTS:

How do you just not love Tim Gunn?! He totally makes the show. His facial expessions are priceless! He's so articulate in the way he speaks and he really takes the time to think about what he wants to say. It's never anything but classy.

and I am LOVING Heidi's hair this season! That is exactly what I want my hair to look like. I'll need to put a call in to Brooke...

I hope this season brings better  challenges than last season. I felt like the producers really slacked in that area.

It seems as though this seasons designers have a lot more ready-to-wear experience and I LOVE the idea of that

DRUM ROLL PLEASE

My pick for the season is:

JAY

progress.

I'm finally making some head way on the house! Last night I completed the curtains in the living room!

Before                

After

All that's left is to find some tie backs I fall in love with!

Also, I've had these picture frames in my dinning room that have been empty for 3 years. yes...you read that correctly. Empty. on the wall. for 3 years.

Think its about time for me to fill them?!
Well, thanks to the 'how to' page on one of my favorite blogs Young House Love, I found my new artwork!
Since I wasn't really thrilled to use my first and last initial, I just found a couple quotes that I liked.
Here's the finished project!

The quotes say "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies" and "Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss"

My parents are coming today to help with some more redecorating! YAY! More pics to come.

stay tuned.....

30 days.

So we're now on the month countdown to my birthday. And if you know me at all, my birthday is a week long celebration. vein you say? maybe, but It's my birthday and I'll do what I want to. =)

I've found that as I've gotten older my wish list for not only my birthday but for Christmas too has more to do with things I need for my house than things I want for myself. Does it just continue to slide in the former direction as you get older?

I'm not a big fan of getting older, not sure why. But the sound of 26 just makes me cringe!

So in honor of the 30 day countdown, here's my wish list.

This amazing watch from Le Mer

Don't these look like they'd make amazing house shoes?

I'd love 2 of these bookshelves for a hallway in my apartment

I would love this as my birthday outfit

And I've been needing some make up too

A gift card to these fabulous places would be amazing!

And my biggest WISH list item is

I forgot how miserable my mattress is....I need a new one desperately!

I also want a ton of same color candles in different sizes and some table lamps for the house, but I haven't been able to find any that I've fallen in love with! At least I still have a month...

crazy. insane. bizarre.

Those are just a few words to describe this week's

"Bachelorette of the week"

Michelle from Anaheim.

Oh hun....from episode 1 I knew you were going to be a handful! But last night was more than what I expected.

First you ask to kiss Jake, when clearly you should have been able to tell he was NOT felling it. If you ask for a kiss and the guys gives you a peck....that might be a hint. Then you tell Jake you have to leave (your 2nd threat of the season). And moments later when Jake tells you it's time for you to go home, you act like it came out of no where!! YOU JUST SAID YOU WERE GOING TO LEAVE!

Her last interview was just hilarious. With every sentence she uttered I thought to myself...oh dear lord.

Thank you Jake for not listening to the producers and kicking Michelle off, your facial expressions were priceless. But it still didn't make me like you any more.

Jake. Don't pick dates that require you to look like a little wussy man on TV. I mean there is nothing remotely attractive about you almost crying as you FORCE your date to jump to her death off a bridge. Pick the date and man up....or stick with something a little less scary.

To Miss Elizabeth, you are the epitome of a tease and the reason men think girls are laughable.

And I thought in the previews someone told him they were pregnant....did I just miss that part?

the changes are a comin.

Well....the transformation has begun. It's starting to look like a different place!

For now I'll show you the before pictures.

When you walk in the door, this is what you see.

From the office nook this is what you see.

and This is what you see from standing where the TV is.

Excuse the messiness...I didn't feel like moving everything just for these pictures.
The whole house looks like a tornado just went though it!

With help from my mom, a few cuss words, and some hard core muscle, we manage to hang curtain rods in the living room and dining room! I've made a curtain for one of the windows in the living room and will finish the 2nd one tomorrow more than likely.

We went to a Hotel Liquidation store today. It's on 23rd Street in OKC; and if you haven't been, you should go! There are more objects there than you can imagine!!!! It goes on and on and on.

Ok so back on track. I bought 2 chairs today that I'm going to recover! I found the most lush, soft green fabric for them. I can't wait to see how they turn out! I'll do a whole post on those when they are finished.

A new bookshelf was also purchased. I already have a matching one, so now there will be one on each side of the window in the dinning room.

I have to say that although redecorating is going to be some what of a pain; I really think it is theraputic. Not only am I getting some "retail therapy" in, but also something to keep me busy and distract me at night. I need something to refocus my attention to and I think this will be the perfect thing!

Can't wait to show ya'll the rest!