A Decade Gone

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I was inspired by this post to do a little {personal} recap of the past decade. I'm amazed that this decade is almost over. I feel like the past ten years have had the wildest changes for me than any other (of the three that I've been around, that is). Let's take a little looksy, shall we?

2000 - I was working as an assistant preschool teacher for the YWCA in Worcester, MA before starting my 2nd term at Benningon College. I broke up with my high school boyfriend of 2.5 years and went through one of my "wild periods" that lasted pretty much until the summer of '01. I met and started dating my future husband-to-be, he broke up with me and I spent the last month of '00 completely heartbroken. :(

2001 - Went to NYC with my best friend to work for The Joyce Theatre for a couple of months. Partied A LOT my spring term of sophomore year. Reunited with an old boyfriend and got my act together. Worked my ass off junior year of school.

2002 - Showed my first major dance piece at school. Helped my (then)boyfriend and his son move into and fix up a house. Broke up with (then)boyfriend.

2003 - Went to NY and interned for the DIY editor of a popular teen magazine. Said editor got me a gig with Dooney & Bourke to go to Milan with 9 other folks to design a new "IT" handbag collection. Graduated from college. Worked for my tried and true hometown job & a costume designer.

2004 - Started dancing with a company in Boston and teaching dance. Partied a little too hard with some old hometown friends. Went to a going away party in NYC and met up with future-husband-to-be.

2005 - Bought a car all on my own. Received a love letter and mix CD from future-husband-to-be. Started dating future-husband-to-be. Packed up new car with sister, some clothes & my records and drove to California with future-husband-to-be. Lived 3000 miles away from hometown in San Diego. Started a new job as a dance studio manager and teacher.

2006 - Started working as an admin. asst. for a non-profit arts organization. Quit crappy teaching job (teaching wasn't crappy - I love my kids - but the situation was not ideal).

2007 - Got promoted and said goodbye to my social life.

2008 - I started this little blog & opened up the shop.

2009 - An engagement in Big Sur. Lots of wedding planning, meeting new friends, starting new projects and getting new ideas for the big plan.

I have good feelings about 2010! Have a great New Years!

German Holiday

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. This is completely unrelated but I'm obsessed with this photoshoot.

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{prettiest holiday table & a much better eco-tree than mine}

Today is kind of a really sucky day so I'm going to sign off early this week and hopefully things will get better after the holidays. I think I might just crawl inside a blanket for the next few days. I hope you all stay warm & cozy & jolly!

So sad.

Retro holiday magic

Most beautiful book

Love this house

and this one too.

I wish I could paint one dark wall in our bedroom.

This makes me want to chop off all my hair.

Trying my best.

Merry Christmas Stud!

Perfect gift box made by PS: I Made This...

iLove

This hilarious video is for a song written by my best friend's boyfriend, Jon, and stars said best friend and my funny beard-o. I have been watching it nonstop all morning. iLove it!

VOTE for it on Funny or Die!

Birthday Smirthday

{birthday outift? via}

Today I am officially one year away from not being in my twenties anymore. That's frightening. I'm going to rip off a desert fete who shares my birth-month and birth-year and make up a list of the 29 things to do before I die, *hem hem*, turn 30.

In no particular order:

1. Go to the desert (and stay here)

2. Get married (this is already happening so it makes it on the list)

3. Furnish the apartment in a more "adult" way but keeping with new theme "boho nautical" - this will always be a work in progress but it's close!

4. Start an emergency, vacation and "get out of debt" savings

I'm slowly putting money away though most if it might have to go to that new car I need but we do have some mini-trips planned which is very exciting!

5. Get out of debt (or at least most of it)

6. Learn some graphic design skills

7.Get out of San Diego (I love you all dearly but it's time to move on). More specifically, move to this town. Job/living advice greatly appreciated.

FINALLY made the big move! Woohoo!

8. Join a CSA

9. Learn another easy dinner that is not can o' soup & grilled cheese

10. Make a real website for the business venture

Visit it right here!

11. Get an address book

12. Send cards to people in address book

13. Plan another trip with sister

14. Hike a big mountain with the pups

15. Get my 20 year old butt back (maybe through said hiking?)

16. Get Captain a bike

17. Ride my bike - I had to give my bike away so this is an epic fail.

18. Clean the "office" - by clean maybe I meant fill it with more junk.

19. Organize shop stuff - much better!

20. Organize life stuff - kind of better!

21. Make an outdoor space - YES! I did this! But now that we've moved we don't have an outdoor space so do I uncross this out?

22. Plant a fig tree

23. Attempt to not kill houseplants - this is going OK. UPDATE: couldn't fit the plants in the car during the move so I'll need to start over. :(

24. Start a journal

25. Finish books I started reading when I was 28

26. Buy a new pair of jeans (it's been a long time)

27. Get a haircut (it's been even longer)

28. Do Derby Boot Camp at least once

29. Use the craft kits and craft books people have bought me over the years

Bohemian Nautical

Really thought I had coined the term "bohemian nautical." It was the only logical explanation for the marriage of my and Captain's styles. This house tour proved me wrong but reaffirmed my belief that this design scheme is the right one. Mixed in with a little bit of old lady chic that just seems to pop up unintentionally. What the hell is that? How can some people pull off botanical prints and mid-century modern furniture without it looking like grandma's house?

Our House Holiday Style

As much as I love Christmas trees, I refused to spend $60 on something that was just going to die in a couple of weeks. Instead we used the grocery bags we never know what to do with. These also served as our wrapping paper this year. The sequins star is my favorite. I bought this garland for the tree as well and she sent some cute paper ornaments with it!

No tree to hang your ornaments? Just stick 'em in a bowl and call it a day.

Or hang 'em on the palm. This is California, ya know.

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I didn't get a chance to do this on Friday but thought I would sneak it in before the weekend if over.

Pow Wow

Pretty Wrapping

Big Eggs

Miranda July

Owl Love You Forever

So I walked into my old place of employment this afternoon (I'm sorry Shannel! I promise to come in on a Wednesday next time!) which I SHOULD NOT be allowed to do since I don't have the employee discount anymore. I might have to get a second job there again just so I can spend my paycheck on everything in Thomas Paul's luddite collection. I'm obsessed with this computer bag!

Speaking of Crafty

Last minute shopping??? North Park Craft Mafia is having a shopping event tonight at the Ruby Kitchen. I have no money for Christmas but that won't stop me from window {booth} shopping. And my friend Tanya has been working her fingers off making hundreds of pieces for the event!

29 days til Season 7

Leanne posted about her friend making it to project runway. And after this jezebel post I am so. excited. for season 7 to start.

Also, once in awhile, Captain and I will go by the names of our alter egos - Mr. and Mrs. LeNoir. Best.last.name.ever (maybe even better than the one I am marrying into???).

Favorite Books by Women

I was really excited about these top 8 on Jezebel the other day. I have only read one of the books on the list so I quickly added the rest to my Amazon wishlist. I thought I would add a few of my own favorites here. What would you add to the list? Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

National Book Award by Jincy Willet (also check out her short stories)

No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July

The Emporer's Children by Claire Messud

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

I'm sure there are more I could add to this. I'll have to go home and check out my bookshelves.

The Rich & Crafty

Can you imagine making $140,000/year knitting and selling on Etsy? That's what Yokoo Gibran did according to this NYTimes articles by Alex Williams. Of course, a sweet deal with Urban Outfitters doesn't hurt. I understand it's a lot of work but if I could sit in front of the TV watching old movies and putting together leather and sequins all day instead of sitting in an office I would be a happy camper.

Bringing Up Baby

The point of this shoot by Janae Hardy might have been the baby shower but I couldn't stop thinking about the decor. This is not your parent's house (unless your parents were rad collectors of portraits and taxidermy).

My Two Sheets

Anyone have any suggestions for inexpensive yet comfortable, durable and pretty bedding? The H2B (husband-to-be) is into a 70s vibe and I like natural, earth-tones. We're both pretty obsessed with this situation at Twinkle Living but at $65 a sham??? Yikes.

Leanne

How was I not reading her blog before? Yikes.

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Little Noel

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More minimal holiday decor (can I add that chandelier to my wishlist?).

Just Because....

these scanned guinea pigs' feet are so cute.

{photo by naomi}

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I'm off early today for our office Christmas party...on a boat! This weekend I plan on trying out some new cupcake flavors (bacon, anyone?) and registering for wedding schtuff. Have a good one!

Where does your heart belong?

Was this collection made for her or what?

I want to devour this table.

Lady Gaga's muse?

Ridiculous gift ideas.