It's Here!

Oh my god, you guys! Guess what came last night! Did you say "new camera?" YES!!! I can't believe how quickly it arrived or how much I love it! It's a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Our other Digital SLRs (both the same model) were wonderful while they lasted, but this is going to be great.

In other news, I'm participating in Spring Colour Week over at Poppytalk (see the gorgeous Flickr pool here). Today's color is yellow!

A few months ago I strung together four vases (that I made from old light bulbs) and filled them with homemade tissue paper flowers. It's hanging in our living room window - mostly because there was already a ceiling hook there - and I love the way this yellow flower is fading at the edges but still has some strong color in the middle. The edges look a little pink because it's reflecting the fuschia from the pink flower hanging below!

I also took a picture of a lemon for today's yellow theme.

Vermont Weekend

We spent the weekend in Vermont on an HBS Section retreat. What on Earth does that even mean? Let me try to explain. Eric is in the HBS graduating class of 2011. There are about 1000 people in his class. Those people are divided up into lettered sections (Eric is in Section B) of about 90 people each. The 90 people in each section attended classes together for a few hours every day.

The weekend retreat to VT was a trip with just Section B. It was an opportunity for the students to spend more time together outside of the classroom, and for partners (like me) to meet and get to know other students and partners. Most of the people in Eric's section are single, but there were about 20 partners who were able to make it this weekend (we heard somebody flew in from Paris!).

We left Boston around 4 on Friday afternoon, and I finished my work in the car. I think we checked into the Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort around 7:30 that night. The resort was a little weird because we stayed in condos that weren't really near each other. The main parties were in a house which was at least a mile drive from our house. Walking wasn't really an option because we were basically on a mountain, it was pitch black at night (no street lights), and it was raining (sometimes pouring).

It rained all day Saturday, so outdoor activities weren't very appealing, but we still filled the day. In the morning we went to a breakfast that was arranged for students with partners. That was very nice, and I enjoyed meeting people in a quiet, comfortable place (there was a very loud party on Friday night). Eric and I set out on our own after that to go to the Simon Pearce glass blowing facility. We watched them make a fancy martini glass and a decorative pear. It was sort of magical. Saturday afternoon we played board games and at night there was a BBQ for the whole group.

We left pretty early Sunday morning, and I took pictures during the drive because it had finally stopped raining. You can see more on flickr.

Make A Wish

I posted a new card on Etsy today.

I made this one because I always tell people to make a wish when their birthday rolls around. I'm a big wish-maker. I believe they come true. You just have to know what to wish for, that's all.

When you're not blowing out birthday candles, there are still a few occassions fitting for wish making. When all of the numbers on the clock are the same (ex: 3:33), make a wish. If you see a shooting star, wish away. Should an eyelash fall out, place it on your finger and wish as blow it it away.

There's also a famous poem about wishing.

Star light,
Star bright,
First star
I see tonight

Wish I may,
Wish I might,
Have this wish
I wish tonight.

★Happy wishing! ★

The Special Delivery

Yesterday I promised I'd tell you all about my special delivery. I'm here today to fulfill that promise!

Last week I visited a stationary store in downtown Boston, and I spoke with the owner. I told her about Everything Little Miss and asked if she'd look at my stuff. She said I could bring some samples in on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. So I spent a lot of time getting my cards ready and finalizing the packaging, and I headed over to Rugg Road Paper Company on the 3rd. When I arrived, the owner was speaking with a sales rep, and I ended up waiting for about an hour. With each passing minute I grew more nervous! Finally she had a moment to meet with me, and she was really kind and positive about my designs. And guess what! She decided to make a purchase! She selected 6 different cards designs. I'm feeling more confident about my creations and I'm over the moon!

It was exactly what I wanted to happen, but I couldn't believe it. I practically ran out of the store to call my mom and dad and Eric. I managed to get everything packaged up by yesterday afternoon, and Eric drove me over to deliver the goods when he got home from work. 

So it's official, you can now get cards by Everything Little Miss in downtown Boston! How incredibly cool is that? Wanna check them out in real life? 

Rugg Road Paper Company

105 Charles Street

Boston, MA 02114

I also wrote about this on the Everything Little Miss blog. Happy weekend! I'll be smiling the whole time!

Chilly Weekend

On Saturday, Eric and I went to the SoWa Open Market in Boston. I wanted to go for two reasons. 1) My friend, Jennifer Hill, had a tent and I knew she'd be showing her beautiful new animal alphabet prints, and 2) I wanted to check it out because one day I want to have a tent at markets like this! We didn't end up staying too long because it was see-your-breath-cold and seriously foggy! 

I stupidly forgot to take a picture of Jennifer in her cute little tent, but it was really fun to see her there. We wandered around and looked at the things people had to offer. Vintage clothes, magnets, photos, maps, pastries, pens, clocks, antiques - there was quite a selection. Just down the street there was also a nice looking farmer's market. We ended up eating a late lunch downtown. 

Sunday we spent way too much money. We bought a Dyson (not at full price, but still). Yikes! It was totally worth it though. The vacuum we had was an abomination. I'm telling you, it didn't do anything. We decided on this particular vacuum because it looked small enough to fit in our tiny broom closet (it does! it's amazing!) and powerful enough to actually clean our carpets. There were some other small vacuums that cost less (not much less), but they seemed too expensive for their features. Hahahaha, I can't believe how much I just wrote about a vacuum, but I'm pretty excited. I think this will really help with our dust problem. The rug looks amazing!
 

Toothbrush By Preserve

Maybe this is a weird thing to write about, but I adore my new toothbrush! We were in need of replacements, so I just peeked into the health and beauty aisle while we were at Whole Foods picking up some veggies last week. There was a sale on the Preserve brand, so I tossed 2 into our basket. Even before the sale they were no more expensive than many of your standard choices. 

They're made of recycled plastic and you can return it to the company to re-recycle! Very cool. Plus, the bristles are really soft! I've really enjoyed brushing my teeth lately. 

On a different note, I turned the photos of my sister's dance performance into a short (14 second) video. Click here to see it.

The Proust Questionnaire

A while ago, I Suwanee posted about a book called The Proust Questionnaire. It took about 5 seconds for me to become completely smitten and covet my very own copy. I follwed a link to Vanity Fair to see celebrities' answers to the questions, and that just made me want the book all the more.  Luckily, I had a handy-dandy gift certificate to Barnes & Nobel, and I picked up my book last week (they had to order it special just for me!). 

So what the heck is this questionnaire all about? Personality. When you answer the questions the asker learns a little more about you. Proust didn't invent the questionnaire, but he did make it popular. 

I haven't yet had time to read the book cover-to-cover, but I will. It's such a gorgeous book; much taller than I expected for some reason, and so deliciously pink. And it has one of those built-in bookmarks! It's yellow! It's luxurious. Swoon.

My plan for the weekend is to answer some of the questions and learn a bit more about myself. Can't wait! Happy weekend everybody.

Oh one last thing! Pretty Neat Designs featured my Oxalis Card Set in a post about gift ideas for Mother's Day!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I'm gonna jump right in:

• Tomorrow Sara and Marcel are coming over for dinner. I've been missing her, so I'm really excited! She's going to pick up the Oxalis Folded Card Set for her GIVEAWAY! If you'd like to enter for a chance to win, head over to her blog and follow the simple instructions!
  
  
• I cannot stand the new Boost Mobile commercials. Why? Well first of all, they're all disgusting. The whole "you think this is wrong?" nonsense is idiotic. Second of all, why must the say Boost Mobile? Does anybody really think they mean Boost UNmobile? Nobody in America is advertising house phones anymore*, so adding in the mobile is sorta redundant. Isn't it? Thirdly, I swear they say "Booce Mobile" instead of Boost Mobile. In fact, when I think back on the commercials this is what I remember: You think this is wrong? Booce Mobile. I don't think that was their goal. And I do think it's wrong. Now when Eric and I think something is wrong we say it's Booce, in honor of these stupid commercials.
  
  
• I'm glad I'm not the octo-mom's attorney (right after I posted last week they announced that she'd fired her free help). And I know they call her octo-mom because she had 8 kids at once, but that's booce. That totally overshadows the fact that she has 14 kids. 14! Are you kidding me? That's insane. Furthermore, I don't think this story should be such big news. There are so many important things going on in the world, and instead we're getting 5 minute segments about a woman who has way too many kids. What gives?
  
  
• I can't stop looking at my new red shoes! I just bought them yesterday (I'm smiling just thinking about what a lovely birthday I had).

*I stand corrected. I just saw a Verizon Hub Home Phone commercial. Looks like a giant blackberry or iPhone or something. They specify home phone, so I still don't think Booce has to say "mobile" in their commercial.

Check out The Un Mom and Baby Boogers for more totally random thoughts.

A Portrait Of A Horse

Eric and I went to Harvard yesterday to do luandry, return the crosss country skis to his parents, and change his tires back to summer tires. When we got there his parents were out, so we decided to take advantage of the unbelievably perfect weather and go for a walk. We saw a few horses, but this one was a real ham. He was practically posing for me - it was great!

When we visit Eric's parents we always eat them out of house and home, and yesterday was no exception. We stayed for dinner (family friends also joined us), and it was delicious. Salmon, salad with all sorts of goodies (avacado, cherry tomatoes, orange and yellow peppers, feta cheese, and some more stuff), rice pilaf, and garlic bread. What a treat! I had mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert (I have a killer sweet tooth).  

Today I don't really know what Eric's been up to, but we're both still in PJs (yeah, I know it's 4:30 pm) and we've been sooo busy. I started the morning by hand-lining envelopes for Everything Little Miss. Then I figured out pricing for the new sets. After that I had to write desciptions for each of the new products and edit and upload photos. So after many hours of work (and some help from my roommate), the new sets are available for sale and featured in the blog!

We were going to work on a top-secret photography project today, but it's been too dark out. It'll just have to wait. We're off to the grocery store and Barnes & Nobel. Catch ya on the flip side. :)

Stop Motion Animation - Bold As Love

I made this fun little video in October 2006, while I was living with my gramma and working in New York City. At the time, I was listening to Continuum incessantly. When I listened to Bold As Love (track 9), I could imagine a short animation. I ordered the toys online and drew up a rough storyborad while I waited from them to be delivered. Once they arrived, I spent a day shooting and editing. It's not perfect, but I really like the outcome. 

Not many people have seen it, and I just redeiscovered it today so I thought I'd share! It was my first (and so far, my only) attempt at stop motion animation. The "actors" are stikfas. The music is John Mayer's cover of Bold As Love, originally by Jimi Hendrix. Here's my storyboard:

A Little Bird Without A Name

I love, love, love this little bird! My dad found it (marked down to $2!) in a bin in the Old Navy fitting rooms. While we were waiting for my sister to try on some clothes, I took a picture of it sitting on a pile of soccer balls. And then I got in trouble. Ooops. The fitting room attendant told me that customers are not allowed to take pictures inside the store and that if his boss saw me she'd yell at me and make me erase the photos. How would I ever know that? As far as I could tell there wasn't anything posted about the "no photos" rule! Even so, I turned bright red and felt really guilty.

My dad ended up buying the little bird for me (and a really cute tote). It always looks like it's waving at me! Any suggestions for names? 

Loving Spring 2009 Colors

Can I just tell you that I walked into the Gap today and almost started drooling because the spring colors are so rockin'? If you know me, you know I love oranges and pinks and reds. Looks like I'll be able to stock up on many more candy-colored pieces in the coming months. I didn't buy anything today, but I wanted to (no money, no need - you pick). 

Wrapping Paper

I bought this wrapping paper at Target in December, because it's not Hanukkah-y or Christmas-y and it's really interesting. The other day I had this scrap sitting on the table, and when the sunlight hit it I was reminded how much I love this paper. I saved the scraps - it's that awesome! Added bonus: the black design is fuzzy, like a fuzzy poster. 

My New Favorite Accessory

The Schwarz bought me this necklace for Valentine's Day (I think), but he gave it to me when I was feeling down on Saturday. It's from Dogeared's new beginnings collection, and it's perfect for this period of my life. The card that comes with the necklace explains that it's 

"a  daily reminder to embrace new experiences and opportunities... just like the lotus, rising from muddy beginnings into something beautiful and celebrated."

I find myself looking at it a few times a day, as I think about how wonderful change can be. 

Meet Moxy

This is Moxy, she's an uglydoll. She uses her big antennas "to pick up signals from all over." Pretty handy, don't you think? Uglydolls are available at Tangiers. 

I don't need antennas to get the hint that it's definitely still winter. It's been snowing steadily all day, and the plow just spent a good 20 minutes in the parking lot behind our apartment. Keep warm! 

Crate & Barrel Water Bottle

I have been coveting these water bottles since I saw them in the Crate & Barrel catalog about 3 weeks ago. They're glass, but they look like all those plastic one-time-use bottles. So, they're the perfect size, and I can use them again and again. Cute, huh?

Breast Cancer Playing Cards

These playing cards were designed by my good friend, Viola Moriarty. This evening I'm going to the opening of her new exhibit, Ex-Voto Suscepto, at the SVHC Cancer Center in Bennington, VT. With this multi media exhibit, Viola chonicles two years of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

The breast cancer playing cards are $10/pack. All proceeds go to direct breast cancer education, treatment and support of patients through the To Life! organization. 

To purchase, please call To Life! at 518-439-5975. 

Rainbow Maker's Gears

Here you can see the inner-workings of my solar powered rainbow maker. It's so distressingly cold outside, that I thought some bright colors might warm us up a little. 

Normally, I'm all for the winter (I can hear you groaning). I'm a skier, okay? I love snow. But this - well this is just terrible. It's very, very cold. Freezing, actually! I heard several different forecasters say that we're in for the coldest weather in years! YEARS! Holy cow. Brrrr. 

Just think about rainbows (or at least somewhere over them). And if you're in North Adams, go to Tangiers* and warm up! 

*While you're getting toasty warm, you can also pick up your very own rainbow maker.

Fizzy Water

I really like seltzer (but I prefer to call it fizzy water). Is that old fashioned? I think it's good plain, but I love to put it in my orange juice and make a little spritzer-type drink. I especially like adding a lemon or lime flavored seltzer to my juice - that just gives it an extra little kick. 

I bought this particular drink because it came in this cute bottle. Packaging is everything, people. 

2009 Desk Calendar By JHill Design

Sara gave me this beautiful desk calandar from JHill Design. It's part of JHill's Places I Have Never Been collection. You should definitely check out the website, because they have some really great designs. You can see my absolute favorites here and here (hint hint). JHill Design is based in Jamaica Plain, MA.

I love my little calendar, but I'm slightly shocked that we're already so far into January! Do you know what happens one week from today?