Creole Wisdom

other people's houses

Do you want to know something kind of weird?

I love to see other people's houses. It's kind of bizarre.

But... aren't you ever kind of curious, too? Like dying to know how other friends or acquaintances or bloggers organize their kitchen or what color throw pillows they might use? I am so guilty of this! I love when bloggers I read, but don't know in real life share photos of their home.

Yes, I could read a magazine or a serious home decor blog but there's something "not real" about those- I'd rather see everyday women (like me) making beautiful spaces with a budget and parameters like creaky old houses or sterile apartments with strict no-paint rules.

Before I became good friends with Kristy I really wanted to see her house. Here is why: girl is stylish, does so many of her projects on her own and she doesn't have the same Target nick knacks like the rest of the world.

I finally admitted this to her today and she said, "I know."

"How?!" I'm wondering if this is obvious (how embarrassing would that be!)

"You said you did, you said, 'I'd love to see your place.'"

I've heard that phrase before from friends who haven't been over yet, and well, I kind of love it.

I know it doesn't really matter, and it's kind of worldy, but having a beautiful space makes me really happy.

100 things take II, number 2

51-I have west metro pride to the max! 952 = Heaven. But, I love me the 612, too.

52-I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the Duggars having as many children as they want to. I don’t see what all the hoopla is about.

53-One of my biggest hopes is that there will be a cure discovered for HIV/AIDs

54-Leeann Chin is my favorite restaurant of all time! I love it!

55-I grew up watching trashy TV, loved me some Ricky Lake.

56-I also grew up (sneaking) listening to KDWB and I still love the Dave Ryan show!

57-I was taken advantage of financially once in a previous job and I’ll be careful that it doesn’t happen again.

58- Making lists is one of my favorite things to do

59-I have no tattoos, but a list of what I’d get if I was into that thing

60-I have a “one who got away”

61-I am so grateful to have health and dental insurance

62-Sweets are not my vice in the very least!

63-I wear cheap make up and it’s the same as the expensive brands

64-I was one of NieNie’s “Friday Faces” before she was burned in that accident and became famous.

65-I met Josh Harnett at a work event in November. He’s so handsome!

66-I’m not materialistic but I do enjoy the finer thing in life

67-I wish I lived closer to my extended family

68-I don’t own a vacuum

69-History was always my best subject in school, from elementary days until undergrad.

70-I was a history minor!

71-Handall’s Messiah can make me cry

72-I use reusable grocery bags

73-Spiders don’t bother or scare me. I’ll usually let them live if they’re small

74-In my immediate family, I plan all the big holidays down to assignments for everyone, restaurant reservations and keeping schedules and church times straight. I hope everyone appreciates my organization!

75-I would love to visit Cincinnati, Ohio

100 things take II

I know these "100 things about me" are kind of... narcissistic? But for the sake of posterity, I think they are incredibly interesting. I love reading other blogger's 100 things and I love how Janssen discussed how some of hers have changed. Well it's been a few years since I wrote my first one, so here's part 1 of my 100 things take II :)

1- The first time I did a 100 list I was just barely 21 and a junior at the U of MN. Now I am almost 25 and a bona fide career woman with my own apartment.

2- I have worked at “The Magazine” since May 2010. I started as an editorial intern (writer) then was a photography intern and now am a contributing photographer.

3- Scotia Drive in Edina is a special street to me. My dad lived there for years and I still sometimes drive by the house.

4- I attended public, private and parochial school between the grades of K-12 and in college attended a private college and public university.

5-I got into college early (at age 17) and almost went straight from my junior year to being a freshman.

6- I need a calculator to do basic addition and subtraction.

7-I was on my high school’s Rose Festival court and wore a silvery blue Jessica McClintock dress. And my photo was in the paper (along with the other court members.) Braggy!

8-I started scrapbooking my junior year of high school in 2003 and don’t do it much anymore.

9- I held the position of Historian at AOII for two years in a row!

10-I lived with Kate almost consecutively (if you count her moving into AOPi as a freshman) for four years. Keep in mind she is 22 and I’m 24, that’s like a 1/5^th of our lives!

11-Speaking of Kate, one semester we lived in the same room at AOPi and worked the same job (Kindercare.) We were together quite a bit!

12-In my group of close girlfriends we sometimes call each other “mama” haha.

13- Emma and I have been having Sunday dinner since the beginning of our senior years of college, so, four years now.

14-I really want to live in the International Market Square Lofts, I even toured one of the units. The views and finishes are just incredible!

15-I love the library, especially the Hennepin County Ridgedale one. It’s one of my “happy places.”

16-I have been in love twice, but only once as a real adult which makes a huge difference!

17-I love to teach people the St. Anthony prayer when they’ve lost something and it works every time!

18-I love the Christmas season.

19-Driving around the U of MN makes me so happy, I have favorite roads that I love to cruise down if I have nothing to do.

20-I firmly believe Minneapolis is a small town and it’s important to treat people kindly and have a good reputation.

21-I love people.

22-I am detail orientated to the max and spend most of my time thinking about how the “little things” add up and are important.

23-I have a cleaning schedule and make my own cleaning products from natural, harm-free ingredients.

24-I’d love to make more money, but recognize that I am fine and am so grateful during these tough times in our world.

25- If I knew what to study I’d go to graduate school.

PMD Skincare Review

When the people at PMD asked me to review their new skincare line in October I was excited. Like so many I was still using the same skincare routine and products from my high school days. One thing is for certain, my skin and lifestyle has changed immensely since then. It might surprise you, but I have very sensitive skin, so harsh stuff and exfoliants are out of the question. Of course the climate here in MN is humid in the warmer months and very dry in the winter.

I love how easy this system is to use: cleanser, toner and moisturizer. So simple! I love it. These products are gentle, unscented and they feel really good. I especially love the cream which is thick without being greasy. This was my first time using a toner and I've usually stayed away from them because of how harsh they are, this one is excellent. Another nice perk is that the bottles are small, that makes travelling or going to the gym easy. I love bulk items but it's so much easier to throw these into my travel bag.

If you're looking for a new skincare line and you want beautiful winter skin I'd recommend PMD's line :)

christmas cards 2011

I had no idea when I started designing my cards a few days before Thanksgiving what an ordeal this would be. I've made cards for a few years now, taking a break last year being my only hiatus. I've had my Epson printer for a couple of Christmas seasons and have expected it to work properly for all the projects I dream up. Is that too much to ask?

Well, apparently it is. Warning, beginning of a rant:

First: was the ink dilemma. Usually ink lasts quite long, but recently I've noticed it seems to be sucking more and more ink. So, enter three separate trips to Office Depot to pay $$$ for more cartridges.

Then: was the paper issue. The printer and my macbook were having communication issues and my colors were coming out all wrong. I'm not sending out cards with orange text and a photo that looks too dark. So I threw out about 7-8 full pages of printed cards that were all printed on expensive paper. I had to use trial and error to find a weird setting that would result in correct color, and I've never had to do this before.

The last straw: I wanted to print an extra two cards. After I had purchased more ink, figured out the settings trick I got all set up and low and behold... my paper comes out blank and then the printer insists that one of my cartridges is "foreign." So, sorry Patsy cousins and Aunt Trudy, no cards for you :(

I'm so disappointed in Epson that I tweeted a complaint, which I've never done before. I think it's a shame to sell a product that doesn't stand up// rant over.

Despite the set backs I am happy with my cards. Life and Christmas, will go on! I sent out thirty total to everywhere from Alabama to Utah. If you get one, I hope you enjoy it :) If you didn't, I'm sorry and blame Epson. For the rest of you dear, lovely readers Merry Christmas from my humble city apartment to yours.

Does anyone have a fantastic printer/scanner that they could recommend? One that isn't too huge and whose ink doesn't make you want to consider selling your eggs? Fill me in :)

Also, how am I supposed to survive to Christmas with these kind of problems in my life?! I'm kinda ready for 2012 to start so my life can get back to "perfect!"

(Yes, I am being totally dramatic and realize a trifling printer is totally a first world problem. I know, things could be so much worse.)

grown up portraits

Last week we had some stunning fall weather and I decided to have some photos taken... of me! I realized that the last time a professional (and no, me with a self timer doesn't count) captured me was when I was 17. You know, senior portraits. Well, I'll be a quarter-of-a-century-old (God help me) in a few months and I wanted something to commemorate that. Enter JoAnn Dittmer. JoAnn is a friend of Kristy's who came highly recommended. JoAnn is better than good, she is fantastic and has great talent.

Enough talk, and I'm fully warning you that the below contains several photos of me. I know, how vain, right? Good thing life keeps me humble :)

Well, I sat on a rock and basked in the unbelievably gorgeous day. Kristy surprised me and "crashed" the shoot which was awesome, because Kristy is my stylist. I had a hard time not laughing in all the shots because I was having such a good time and it's hard to try and look sexy when you want to giggle.

Choosing what to wear wasn't that difficult for me. I know maybe in 15 years I'll say that it was too trendy, but my senior portraits were jeans and long sleeved t-shirt. I wear dresses and tights half the time anyway, this is just me. I did want some of my jewelry to have significance, though. I will tell you about my blue ring sometime, it's quite a story.

Another big reason why I wanted these taken was because I'm not sure when the next time will be, and let's face it, I don't look 17 and can you imagine if I waited until I got married to have another portrait taken? That could be God knows when and yikes, what if it was ten years from my senior portraits?!? I know, that's what I was thinking! I also needed some shots for my business, too.

For props I went with what my life is: photography, lots of editing time/blogging and a happy dose of reading thrown in. Please tell me you read with your hand on your hip, too, if so we are soul sisters. I hardly ever smile like this for photos, but JoAnn kept saying: smile bigger or don't smile. My mother used to tell me to stop smirking and now I realize why, it's what I usually do. And I sometimes pray with my eyes open and with a smile on my face, on the edge of a bridge of course!Anyway, I cannot sing JoAnn's praises enough, she is fantastic! Thanks for letting me indulge in some vanity on my own darn blog today!

someday.

I will meet Martha Stewart. I actually had a dream about her last night. Love her!

Find all the food trucks for a work assignment. They are so elusive and their twitter feeds do nothin' for me.

Have a completely natural birth. Awesome! What a cool thing to do :)

Shellac my nails. It's time to do this and it's going to be soon. I just need to schedule a friend manicure date with Katie.

Make pumpkin pie from real pumpkin (not the canned stuff.)

Figure out which plantation my ancestors worked on, and if it's still up go there and take photos.

Learn how to reupholster chairs and ottomans.

Publish a cook book with Emma.

Travel to South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Have a huge, outrageous, fun wedding. You better believe me!

Blog about how my face was on a bus this fall ;)

Read more books. Well, I've actually started on that one:

What are your "somedays?"

for now anyway

  So this blog has gotten a bit irregular and I'm sorry, but it's going to be that way for a little bit. I'm gearing up for a move, editing too many photos and squeezing several shoots into a few days. I can't wait to show you my new place, but this photo will have to do for today: I love fire king jadeite. This piece I won on ebay a few weeks back. It's too perfect.

It it just me or is August one of the most stressful, jam packed months of the year? I am so ready to turn the calander to September.

I've got somethin' to say :)

The above (and below) about sums it up.

Thank you for your congratulations and other kind words.

I haven't met hardly any of you, but since I ventured into this blogging world nearly six (what?!) years ago I could of never imagined all the support and kindness that comes from you.

Your e-mails are probably my favorite. I like when you say "I hope this doesn't freak you out," and I laugh because I am like the nosiest person ever. So it isn't any old thing that you might be a little nosy, too. Who cares. I know it's all in good nature.

So thank you.

Also, it should be noted that I had to trace this sign backwards to get it right for photo booth.

It took a lot of bad days and times to get to this big happy moment in my life. But I have the position I want at the publication I want and isn't it nice to get what you want?

It doesn't happen always, but of course I love when it does.

Thank you. Thank you. :)

your questions answered: dating

So, I plum forgot (I love that saying) about my last installment of FAQs. Whoops and sorry for your patience. If the below doesn't suffice shoot me an e-mail and I'll fill you in a bit more. This is, after all, a public forum. So, without further ado: