Bare wall syndrome. Cure: canvas, tape, paint & a beret.

So let me first make something clear. I am not an artist. Not even a little. Awhile back when I discovered ETSY, I was on cloud nine. It fit my mold perfectly of believing I can make anything. Well, some failed projects later, I know I can make anything....in my head.

With that being said, I find myself in the same place as many newlyweds, (or new home owners for that matter). We get married, buy a house (or reverse order), stack it full of stolen furniture from our parents, get a dog, have kids, yada, yada, yada.... (Seinfeld fans, where ya at?). If you're anything like me, your newlywed brain wants an original Vettriano big enough to cover your newly bare wall. Blank walls make me itch. And I like to have all my ducks in a row before I can really breathe in a new place. Well, Mr. I won't buy a pepper for $3.99 married Mrs. I think I can make anything. So what did I do? I cleaned my brushes and hand-painted a Vettriano replica, better than his I might add.

Of course not!

Gosh. But I did come up with something that was easy and filled our wall...for now. I'll share.

I got these:  (the canvas, not a painter's easel.)

  I used 1in. tape, but really, do what you want. 

Next step is a bit complicated:

Ready? Start taping away on your blank canvas. Yes, literally start at one end and tape in big lines, small lines, whatever. And don't forget to wear a beret during this process. It will help.

Then, pick some colors that go with your house. Or that don't go with your house. Really, you can do anything. I just snagged a few of these little soldiers:

Paint, paint, paint. No rhyme or reason. Then Peel your tape and poof! There you have it.






ok, so it's not a Monet, but it does give us a punch of color on a giant, previously bare wall and I'm sure if you're more talented, yours will be better. 


Inexpensive, easy, a cure for the common blank wall and you get to feel like an artist.....(because you're wearing a beret, obviously). 


Get Painting, Picasso's! 

Face Lift

I'm not a strong advocate of plastic surgery but really, wife&man needed some serious work. I like this little lady to my left. She's cute, and sassy, and resembles how I hope to be. I like her for now. I find I love something, until I don't. Isn't that how it always goes though. Anyways, (or is it "anyway"? I don't know.) Either way! a one day lift and she's not puffy at all, ready to go and awaiting her next tid bit to share with the world. What do we think blog world??

Fine in Moderation.

Guess what I'm doing right now?

I'm eating a gluten-free sandwich.

Complete on gluten-free bread, with gluten-free cheese, gluten-free lettuce, and double gluten-free meat...

on a shiny gluten-free plate. And I'm also listening to gluten-free music just to be extra chic.



Ok, no I'm not. And even if I was, it doesn't make me better than you.

I'm not knocking a gluten-free lifestyle- to each his own, but really it's getting a bit out of control. The market has turned gluten into a spiraling evil force. And really, it seems no one did a background check on gluten.

As Americans, we love these trends. How else are we supposed be one up on each other? Trends, fads, whatever they are, they seem to pop up faster than we can say gluten-free (which I think I've reached my quota of, today). Few take the time to find out WHY they are spending their life savings to be suddenly eating everything gluten-free (crap).

Let's examine:

Gluten. Yes, very good. It does sound like glucose. Which is essentially sugar, which America has taught us is the worst thing on the planet ever and we all should do serious time for even uttering the word.... unless you're a high fructose corn syrup commercial, and then of course you know it's, "fine in moderation." Or at least that's what I've learned from these fabulously informative commercials. Gluten is not sugar. In fact, cute little gluten is the marriage of two baby proteins. And frankly, gluten doesn't understand why she deserves this bad rap. So really, unless you have Celiac Disease, or other health digestive issues, she won't kill you. Well, unless, you keep talking shit about her, and then you're on your own. And you're certainly not cooler for excluding her from your lunch table.

So before you start making your loved ones only eat crumbly, dry, gluten-free, rice bread, that you paid $9.50 for at the health food store, tell the band wagon to pull over at the next stop so you can do your research.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my gluten free Pandora station seems to have stopped.

Jumpsuit Jealousy.

I wish I was a little bit taller.

..... "I wish I was a baller" ?     Said it, didn't you?

If not, you have no idea who Skee-lo or Too Short are and you definitely didn't grow up in the early 90's. (and it's safe to say you are thoroughly confused right now)

There's nothing wrong with a bit of healthy fashion drooling. At least for me. Too much can be toxic, and I definitely know people that live a toxic life because of it, but for me, it gives me something to strive for- a bit of a driving force.

Ahh.....Manolos. Some day...

In this life, I can never be taller, not even a little bit. BUT I can invest in killer wedges, stilettos, d'Orsays, what have you. In fact, I use this as my stake to claim of the coveted growing collection in my closet. Err..our closet. The hub gets a tiny space on the left, while I brought in backup shoe throne's for the lovely ladies to sit. And no, they aren't those plastic ones you put together where the shoes are set up one by one. They are a pair, and they sit together.

I'm really getting off track. Which brings me to them:

I know. No one really looks like that.

But really, I thought the jumpsuit romper thing was a bit juvenile when first introduced, and frankly, I don't need help looking any younger than I already do. But I think if you can pull it off like these ladies, it's a crime not to rock it. I can't. And I know that. And nothing irks me more than when people outfit themselves head to toe in trends to fit the mold. This goes for fashion, food, family, and further. We are all different, and what looks good one may be a hot mess on another. Next time you're buying, make sure you're buying what's best for you, because you say so.....not because the runways do.

Here, Marie Claire shares some good summer looks across the board so you're not caught in a baby doll flowered appliqué mini dress, jeggings (yes, jean leggings- I know), paired with laced up gladiator sandals, 20 bangles on each arm, a collar necklace, and some sweet school girl readers (think Lisa Loeb).

Wouldn't that be a sight.

Oh, and here's a few of my bookmarked Sunday fashion musings to share: (last one's a killer)
Omiru

frugal fashionista

fashion hippo

gofugyourself

Happy summer shopping, romper readers.

Dinner winner.

We are in a TERRIBLE habit of eating dinner at 10 o'clock every single night. I hate that we do this. It's bad on a number of levels, but we just can't seem to get it going any earlier. Tonight was a miracle that we're done and it's only 9:42 as I type this and the hub is cleaning dishes. Well, I guess there are TWO miracles there! Ha, Anyhoo! Great dinner tonight that I absolutely must share. Uber easy and uberly as  yummy.

Creamy shrimpy yummyness

I made this with Greek yogurt instead of regular, because well Greek yogurt is all the rage and I like to keep it trendy. Kidding. More protein. 

Also, my husband threw a mini fit when I tried to buy a red pepper on the ingredient list because it was $3.99 per pepper. (This is why I prefer to shop alone) Admittedly, that is a bit outrageous so I subbed in artichokes. I love them and they go well with shrimpys. One more add in... my weaknesses... shoes, plum colored things of all sorts, and capers. All meals are better with capers. (The ones that look like sweet peas, not the other kind that are bigger and resemble eye balls).

Moral of the story: this was delish and easy. Make it for supper. 

I hate the word supper, just seeing if you're still paying attention ;o) 

Don't move a Mussel.

There are some days I wish would never end. There are some days I wish would end faster. And there are some days, I simply forget. Sometimes we move just fast enough to blur all around us. Caught up in posting our nonsense to the world, making plans, returning calls, solving the ever daunting question, "what's for dinner?"....every so often, I skim right over the good stuff. This past weekend, we took a break. No work, no plan, no routine. And we. had. fun.
Big things are happening all over. Some wonderful, some life changing, some that will be etched into our memories forever. And we're human, what do we do? We break out the bubbly! But, what about the little joys. Life has so many mini triumphs that are almost impossible to see in all this commotion. Every so often, we need to take a break, stand still, and see what these moments are saying.

These yummy guys and some little neck clam friends hitched a ride home from our getaway and were promptly put into a lovely steam bath the next day. Subbing out your traditional hot dogs and burgers, these tasty shelled guys were the perfect way to kick off the summer holiday. A great recommendation from a friend, this easy tomato broth recipe was a hit at our house! Enjoy.....leisurely! ;o)

I bet you think this blog is about you, don't you?

Don’t you think this is all a bit indulgent? I don’t know if I have just switched gears or what, but lately I feel even the least “me me me” people are diving in head first to this ego pool. And they seem to be splashing all those around them with every pointless thought running through their heads. I feel a bit hypocritical blogging about this, (clearly there is a certain irony there), but in all fairness, it’s a tidal wave. 

I have my handful of pointless thoughts, absolutely. But as of late, for the most part, I try and share only the ones that might be of some small benefit to another human. This social media monsoon is drowning us in opportunities to tell everyone about how our day is going, how we can’t believe it snowed, how we can’t wait for work to be over...blah blah blah. Who are we talking TO anyways?! I believe the point of all this was to share and connect. Instead, it’s becoming a pedestal to rest our tired tweeting fingers upon. And frankly, we all look a little silly sitting on throwns. 

I love social media. And I love where it’s going. And I love the opportunities it can bring. But I think we need to be building ourselves in another way. Who really is dying to tune into our updates to see how our shopping trip went or what we had for dinner. The mere peasants below us?! No. We are all in such a rush to do everything now that we don’t seem to even have time to think anymore. Ever hear ‘think before you speak?’ Let’s twenty ten it to Think before you tweet. Help someone. Share the location of your fab shopping trip, or the great recipe you had for dinner. Be worthwhile, valuable. Share and connect so it matters. Step off the self made thrown and dry off. After all, you can only build yourself so high before it’s time to come down anyway. So before you drown in your own mindless monsoon, give up your vain reign and find yourself a pleasant peasant. Now,  who “likes this”?   ;o)