high five for friday

What a crazy week! This high five for friday is a bit random, as Hubby pointed out when he saw it, but it was my week!

1.  Isaac. I spent most of the weekend and a good part of the beginning of the week stalking what he was going to do. And trying not to freak out, even when I knew it wasn't going to hit us directly! And then trying not to be a little sad when nothing really happened, all that hoopla for nothing, not time off work!

2. Discovering a new restaurant. Hubby and I finally tried a new restaurant in town (we'd heard it was good but never went) and were very happy! So happy with the food that in the span of 48 hours we ate two meals there. Yummy!

3. Good fortune! So at said restaurant I got this fortune in my cookie, so awesome! Especially since my Mom is going to come visit soon and she's totally said she'd buy me some new clothes if I wanted!

4. Good friends. This week was a long and hard one. And I had to lean on the people that really matter in my life to help me get through it, they were really amazing. But this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon says it how it is, the good ones are really hard to come by. So I hold onto the ones that matter!

5.Long Holiday Weekend! I will not see the office again until Tuesday, that deserves major celebration! {Graphic via 915 blog} 

ModCloth: My Adventure(s)

If you scan the interwebs and read some of the popular blogs and/or pinterest there are certain things you're aware of. Wait, I guess if you're one to surf the interwebs that's how you became aware of Pinterest in the first place. Anyway, another thing that you're sure to know about is ModCloth. It's all the buzz. "Oh I got this amazing [clothing item] from ModCloth." "Oh this insanely perfect [item], it's from ModCloth of course!" (In my head I imagine these kinds of statement followed by "It's so hip/popular/trendy, ModCloth is the place to get such hip/popular/trendy items from! If you shop there you're totally cool!") 

 Since I've heard how amazing ModCloth is I've been stalking the website. I'm a bit fashion fearful, if it's "out there" aka fashionable I'm probably not going to try it. It takes me months or years to accept a trend and try wearing something in that style myself. So I'm always a bit leary of "hip" things, aka everything on their website. But there are a few styles that seemed cute, but since I had no clue how they'd look on me and their pricing is a bit high for my pathetic wallet right now I didn't go through with any purchases. But I kept stalking their website. And one day when I was feeling especially bad I decided I wanted a little retail therapy. (Even if I couldn't exactly afford such a splurge.)

So I ordered a pair of wedges that looked cute and had great reviews . (And purchased another pair of cute shoes to get free shipping.) I even featured them in last week's High Five For Friday. I ordered them Sunday and they arrived Friday. I very eagerly opened my pretty ModCloth box. 

 

I opened the shoe box with the wedges inside and became sad as I realized each of the shoes were damaged one way or the other. Then I opened my "to get free shipping" shoes and while they were cute they just didn't look great on my feet. (Certainly not enough to keep them, especially when I just purchased them for the free shipping. But of course if they were amazing on I'd have kept them!) So off I went to try getting another pair. But wait! The shoes were now out of stock! *gasp* Not that it really helped but I then signed up to be notified when they came back into stock.

Customer Service Experience 1:  I called trying to see if maybe there was another pair in my size of these wedges that I could get to exchange for my damaged shoes. The lovely customer service woman was super sweet but informed me they were totally out of stock. So I had no choice and had to return them both for refunds.  I printed up my free return shipping label, got out the packing tape, and sealed my box up. Less than 2 hours later I got an email informing me that the wedges were back in stock with a limited supply. Hurray!

Customer Service Experience 2:  I called trying to see how I could work out exchanging the wedges and returning the flats. This other equally sweet and helpful customer service girl (woman?) told me she processed my exchange and a new pair was already being processed to get back to me. I was just told to ship off my shoes and label the wedges for exchange (because they were damaged) and return for a refund the flats. 

Monday morning my box went back to ModCloth. Yesterday, Wednesday, my new wedges arrived. That was quick, yay! I opened my ModCloth box with baited breath, would these be damaged too?! No, they were perfect! They're pretty in a classic and sophisticated way, with a bit of an edge. So they're sort of my type with a bit of a modern fashion forward way. I'd purchased them for good work shoes, shoes that were comfortable and fashionable and would work for just about anything. That said now that they've arrived I'm not sure when I'll wear them. But whenever I do I'll enjoy them!

Now when I opened the box I also found a plastic bag that had something black and white inside of it with a tag that says "A gift just for you!" What!?! That was sweet and totally worked to butter me up after my first purchase was a dude due to crazy damage. I'm pretty sure it's a headband, I think it's this:

But I'm not sure I can carry such a funky headband. But it was free, so who cares!

Moral of this story, ModCloth has amazing customer service. I may be on the fence about many of their items but I can attest that they're really amazing with their customer service. Seriously amazing. Amazing enough that I'd eagerly order from them again, if I found an item I liked enough. *

*In this day of the interwebs and disclosure and what not I find it silly but important to point out I paid my own hard earned money for my items. As much as I'm praising ModCloth they have not asked me or provided me any incentive (money or otherwise) to post this. 

put a fork in it, it's done!

Hobby Lobby is such a wonderful, yet evil place. It's evil because every time I go there I find things I have to have. It's wonderful because they have so many wonderful things that just desperately want to come home with me! I have to be good and buy as little as I can. Some days you win the battle, other days you loose. One day where I didn't exactly loose but bought way more than I intended (I only needed door knobs!) I found these:

Hobby Lobby had these for 50% off! "How chic and on trend these are" my brain said. My "logic" told me since they were half off I could buy them with little regret. Spoiler: they came home with me. But I promised myself if I didn't think of something good to use them for I'd return them. (Hobby Lobby is also wonderful because they have such a great return policy!)

I showed them off to Hubby and he seemed underwhelmed. But he promised to help me with my diy mission. Bring on pallet wood and a bit of white spray paint and welcome diy success!

You can see my amazing key holder (being used for real!) in the background. I know I'm not doing so well on the image quality in my postings but bad cell phone pictures are better than none, right!?

I think it came out really nice. Sadly that kitchen wall is one of only a few in our home that we left white. I know it'd look so much better with some contrasting color but I can only guess this will hang around (no pun intended) for a while and eventually move to a wall in a home that makes it look even better!

comments! real people!

I was like a squealing little 6 year old yesterday when I saw that I had three comments by two real live people. Real live people saw my blog AND they commented! You know how restaurants/companys frame their first dollar bill? I want to frame these comments! In fact that's what I did, sort of. Thank you ladies! 

high five for friday

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's Friday again! This was another difficult week for me, I've been sick for the past 7 days and trying to recover and get back to normal life. 

high five for friday!

1. Zoe. She's always been wonderful but there's almost nothing better than when you're not feeling well and your pet becomes extra kind, extra cuddly, extra exactly what you need. 

2. Klenex tissues with lotion. My nose thanks you. I don't know what I'd do without you, trusty friend!

3 & 4. ModCloth's Conference to Cocktails Wedge & Dapper Darling Flat in Cherry. I decided I had to have the wedges and purchased the flats to get me free shipping. This is the first time I've ordered anything from ModCloth, I'm excited but apprehensive!

5. Smile Away. Randomly I saw this one day on a bathroom stall. I immediately fished for my phone and took a picture. This week I've needed a lot of optimism and I found this picture in my phone, made me smile each time I saw it!

* I'm trying a new styling for these high five for fridays. What do you think? Is this cuter? Worse? Better?

being sick is not fun

I've been sick with a cold all week. It started last Friday night and just kept on going. It got so bad I had to stay home from work most of the week! I'm finally back at my first full day at work but since work isn't that exciting I thought I'd share the highlights from the last few days:

Zoe hanging out on the couch (on her blankets). This is how I picture she spends most of her days when we're not home (if we leave her out). Sometimes she refuses to snuggle and will lay on the opposite side of the couch from you. Apparently sometimes she needs her space!

 Essentials: new tissues, pile of used tissue and TV remotes. Priorities really get skewed when you're sick!

 I'm asleep, stop looking at me!

I'm keeping my eye open until you stop looking at me. Seriously, I'm sleepy, stop looking at me so I can go back to sleep!

 As you can tell a lot of my day when I'm home sick involves Zoe. I think she almost prefers being home alone with the amount of pestering I put her through. But what's the point of being home and feeling miserable if you can't snuggle and cuddle and mess around with your dog!?!

Another cute photo, just to round it all out.  The even cuter part, she was totally snuggling (of her own free will) with me. The lump she's leaning on (and just out of the picture): that's me! See sometimes, when you're sick to bother trying to force her, she snuggles all on her own. And then she'll glue herself to you and snuggle in for the long haul. Oh how I love this dog!

high five for friday

This has been the week that just keeps going.  So I've had a lot of work related events this past week but not a whole lot of fun personal stuff. So this week's high five for friday may be a little weak, sorry!

1. David Lebowitz and his amazing recipes

For a work meeting I made baked goods to thank our members for attending. I made these (along with some cookies) and they were a hit! My lemon bars didn't look this pretty but they sure tasted great!

2. Hulu's "Little Mosque"

Available to watch on Hulu, titled "Little Mosque" for US audiences

I've been loving this show on Hulu. I know it doesn't sound like much and if you do watch it you'll say it's totally corny. It's all of that, but it's also so cute! It reminds me of the classic comedy shows back in the day. I wasn't too sure about it at first but the more I watched the more it grew on me. Now I'm taking my lunch breaks at my desk to watch an episode during the day!

3, 4, &5 . IT'S FRIDAY!

I've run out of other noteworthy parts to this past week. Like I said, it's been a long week! That calls for great weight being placed on the amazing fact that it's friday!

"oh-my-gosh-I-have-to-have"

I'm always on the lookout for something amazing. Something new that I didn't know I needed until I found out about it and then I have to have. (How have I lived my life so long without this!?!) I know that falls under frivolous spending but sometimes, every once in a while, these items are things that really do make a difference in your life. (And even if they don't it was fun while the adventure lasted) Today's case in point:

My beautiful ring holder from esty seller dgordon.

I'm not sure how I found this item but the second I saw it I knew I had to have it. It took me a few months but I finally treated myself to one (when they ran a sale) and I love it. I can't imagine life without it, without it sitting so pretty on my bedside table.

Previous "oh-my-gosh-I-have-to-have" items:

I discovered BirchBox through TheSmallThingsBlog. It seemed amazing and with not so gentle suggesting hubby gifted me a year's subscription for the holidays last year. I've have mixed results with my boxes but it's been so much fun! 

Petunia Earrings in Silver by etsy seller ElisabethAshlie

From the etsy shop of the ladies behind TheSmallThingsBlog and MyGreyDesk. These are probably one of their most popular items and for good reason. I'm actually wearing my own pair of these beauties right now. I saw them advertised on Kate's blog and tried for weeks to buy a pair, but they kept selling out. It was total victory and joy when I was able to buy a pair of my own and I just love wearing them!

I did say I'm always on the lookout for more of these fun splurges. (I didn't say I necessarily have the funds to buy them.) Anyway, anyone have anything to suggestion?

high five for friday

Another week (almost) over! You know what that means: high five for friday! This has been a long and odd week for me. I even  had to take a half a sick day in the middle of everything. I'm feeling better now thanks for asking!  

Looking back at the week it seems like sugar had a large part in helping me get through. So while that's totally not healthy and not the norm for me I'm not going to knock whatever worked. I can complain that I'm now craving sugar. (More SUGARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!)

1.There is a correct way to hang toilet paper!

I saw this floating around on Facebook this week. I 100% agree with this. And so do my friends (yes I even had this discussion with a friend this week: this is totally the right way to do it). So if you want to be my friend make sure you're doing it right!

2. Marshmallows!

If you open a bag you CANNOT just eat one (or even just a few). Opening a bag is a death sentence for all of the yummy treats inside, because the bag will be completely gone within a few hours or days. Which totally happened this week ... so yummy!!!

3. Sugar/Panera's

Left over from a work meeting I had to snag this. So incredibly yummy. Maybe not completely worth the 400+ calories but still worth most of them (calories that is)!

4. Dry Shampoo

I feel like I've had a week long bad hair day. This is how my counter has looked this past week, since I had to get creative to get around so many bad (bad!!) hair days. (These are the only dry shampoos I've ever tried so I'm not sure about them as a whole, these have been helpful albeit with mixed results.)

5. Hi Russia?!

According to Blogger, since starting I've had 28 page views (I think a few may have been from me looking at my own site though). It says 10 are from Russia (and 1 from Germany) and are directed from a StumbleUpon link. I'm pretty sure it's spam to begin with (it looks like a page of false advertising, not in fact anything real or interesting) and probably just people looking to find a weak spot to exploit a situation and cause damage/make money. But, thanks! You've (sort of?) seen my website!

where do your keys go when they come home?

For the past three years we've just thrown our keys on the dinning room table. Dirty little secret (okay big secret): my dinning room table is really just my junk pile. Our house is too small for a real dinning room area, there's just enough room for a small table to go, but not enough room to actually use it. 

My husband has access to tons of pallets at work and decided to go on a building/tool kick with them. A half dozen came home with him one day and he's been thinking of the many uses for them ever since. I decided we'd have to use some of that wood to make a key holder. A few trips to Hobby Lobby (how I love thee!) and a few "consults" with my husband and a design for our key holder was created.

As a warning, I took these pictures with my iPhone (it's a 3g so it's barely hanging on 2+ years later and has a horrible camera). I also tried playing around with layers and filters and big girl photoshop techniques for the first time to make these seem artistic (aka blog worthy).

Please don't judge me. Yes, the frames seem crooked. Yes, the key holder is not level with the light switch. BUT my entire house is not level. The light switch isn't level to the wall. So it's hard to balance anything with that craziness.

Here's a close up of the beauty. I fell in love with that center hook, so pretty! But I knew it'd look bad with three of them. So then came in the other hooks. I don't love them but they're okay. What's hard to make out in the picture are old rusty nails in the wood. Some were already in that piece of wood but I had hubby put some more in for effect! (The nails are also a really pretty color that's similar to the two bronze hooks.)

Most days I will put my keys on this beauty but other days I forget and go to the trusty table. Hubby reminds me where they're really supposed to go. What do you think of it? 

high five for friday

Since I've created this thing I figured I may as well participate in some of my favorite things other bloggers do. Kate from The Small Things Blog and her Sister Lauren of From My Grey Desk Blog hold a High Five For Friday series. I thought that's a great thing to be a part of, so here's my first entry into it as well.

1. Monday was my husband's birthday!

And his requested birthday meal: meatloaf! Doesn't get much more traditional American food than that! I think it came out pretty good!

2. The Olympics! 

I accidentally recorded all of the Olympics instead of just the opening ceremony. My husband has been obsessed with watching it all now! (I'm enjoying it also, unexpectedly, with lots of fast forwarding the boring parts.)

3. Tervis tumblers

I've been really into my 24 oz. tumbler. It's come to work with me everyday the past 2 weeks! I just need to find a straw that fits this (regular ones are just too short).

4. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant® 

I purchased this bad boy through Birchbox after trying a sample in a box earlier this year. I'm really loving this, it's very gentle even to my sensitive skin and exfoliates, leaving your skin super smooth feeling!

5. it's friday!

The week is almost over!

diy fail: jewelry holder

You know the phrase having eyes larger then your stomach? Well there's got to be something like that about taking on new project ideas. You look at everyone's blogs and things seem so easy! The few times I've tried any out myself they're 500 times harder than the blog made it seem and my end result (if it ever gets finished) is ... lackluster. Oh and did I mention that even the projects that are supposed to cheap/free tend to cost $50+!?

There are all of these beautiful jewelry holders on pinterst and the blogs. I had to make one for myself!

pinterest inspiration

Off to Goodwill I went. Amazingly I found the exact same frame as in one of the inspiration photos. (Pure chance, check one for me, I got a frame and a good one at that. This must turn out great, right!?) Off to Lowe's I went to get cork and hooks. Cork is only sold back to school time and this was April. So I bought hooks and hoped that's work since the frame had a thick backing on it's own. Off to Joann Fabrics I went to get some pretty fabric to back it all. By this point it'd been a good two or three weeks since I started this project and I was in for at least $20+. I should have realized this wasn't going to work out and yet I didn't, not yet. 

I spray painted the frame after half heartedly cleaning it from it's Goodwill unknown dirt. I take off the 300 screws in the back of the frame to pull it apart. I put on some gloves (I suck at spray painting and get pain all over my hands so it's better all over disposable gloves than my actual skin) and slather on a few coats of white pain. The paint dries, I prop the frame against the couch and leave it there. I try to cut some cardboard the size of the frame, maybe I can use that instead of cork to hang the hooks from? Cardboard is hard to cut with scissors. My hands hurt so I stop. A few attempts later and my cardboard is cut, just this much too large to fit the fabric in the frame as well. Oops! The frame sits against my couch waiting ... and waiting, it's a very patient frame. Because there it sat for months. It's now back in our spare room/office/man space, leaning against a wall. And below you can see it in it's glory (glory: haha, just kidding!).

This looks like a picture taken in 1972, sadly it was taken just now with my iPhone. When I say this is a DIY fail, I mean it!
 
I've got a space picked out in my bedroom for this go to, some day. It's also entirely possible that this will stay just as it is, in some random corner of my home, with that space on the wall in my bedroom empty. I'm pretty sure we both know what's the more likely outcome.