Fortunately, I Live One Block Away from Anthropologie. Unfortunately, I Live One Block Away from Anthropologie.

Welcome to another installment of "Shop Local, or Don't Mean to Shop, Was Just Going to the Mailbox and Became Distracted. Then I Shopped Local"!

(Before I begin, could I please just tell you that the squirrels in my backyard as so large right now, that they look like monkeys. They really do. The squirrels are scaling up and down two of the beams that hold up the pergola, and they look like Gibbon monkeys.

I guess all of the seeds and suet and cracked corn is fattening them up. Did I tell you about our family's new hobby of "birding"?)

Ok, ready? Alright, one squirrel, FOUR Blue Jays and a WOODPECKER! He's the redhead in the back .

Four squirrels hanging out with two Blue Jays and a Woodpecker!

OMG! It's EIGHT Cardinals!!!!!

Sorry, that was a bit tangent-y.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes! Shopping local, even when you don't mean to! (Shop that is.) Yesterday I took a walk over to the mailbox to mail a letter. It was so nice out, and the fresh air felt great, so I decided to walk a few more blocks before heading home. Some how, heh heh...... somehow, for some totally inexplicable reason, I was pulled into Anthropologie. Anthropologie, one of my faaaaaavorite stores.

Where, I bought this butter dish that blends perfectly with our mixer and our er.... ceramic berry container?

I was lucky enough to receive a couple of Anthropologie gift cards for my birthday back in June. And since then, I've been ever so slowly using them to buy an item here or there for the house, like Noah's bathroom shower curtain. Usually I go coo coo for all of the clothing in Anthropologie, (As in this picture)

but for now I'm content to just find some treasures for our home with my gift cards.

Here's the thing though, don't you ever go in there and feel like you're really over-paying? So many of the things that I see, especially the accessories and home goods, I think..... "Hmmm. Maybe I can make something that kind of looks like that"? I really need to up my crafty output. Now I just need somebody to show me how to make a rug like this:

Speaking of CRAFTY. Have you guys ever heard of the store "Paper Source"? I must be late to the game because it seems like a lot of my friends already know of the paper crafty goodness within. While not a Mom and Pop local shop, we do have one locally, in town, and I might have stopped in there too.

Every last item in Paper Source is disgustingly adorable and threatens the very existence of our bank account. I am good at resisting, but I will tell you, if given free reign, our house would be plastered in paper craft.

Now, just to be honest, we have a twenty year old, well established, absolutely wonderful paper and stationary shop just around the corner. I love it, and I'd love to do a write-up. I'm just trying to decide if I want to mention which town we live in. If you would like to know about a GREAT local Michigan stationary shop, just email me!

I did pick up a pack of these adorable valentine cards for Noah. I think they'll be fun for the kids and oh so cute!

Ok, onward, to something not so much about shopping local.....

We have a dinner issue in our house. I'm a vegetarian, Jon and Noah are not. I should really be eating gluten free (mild gluten intolerance), and Noah is beyond picky. Like, not just picky, it's a real issue. He's a one color, one texture guy. It's very difficult to find a dinner that serves all of our preferences.

I needed to blog about a very special, MONUMENTAL moment in our family life that happened last week though.

Ready? Noah agreed to eat his first sandwich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh , and the world rejoices!!!!!)

I was, we were.....SHOCKED. It was crazy. I wanted to try to make Reuben sandwiches for us. Regular for Jon, avocado for me. At first my instinct was to do the usual "deconstructed dinner" version for Noah. That would have been a piece of bread on the plate, with some corned beef on the side. That night though, I don't know, just thought I'd try to combine them. So, like a panini, I toasted a sandwich of corned beef. It was amazing, he ate it! TWO colors. TWO textures! WOO HOO! Here are some pictures, because I know you care. Not.

(Dear Universe. Please, PLEASE bring me new place mats. Anything but screaming pink. Thank you.)

Dad's Reuben, toasted Rye with Russian dressing, sauerkraut, corned beef and Swiss. Plus I added in some of my avocado. Also, I made matzo ball soup!

Noah's plate. DID he eat it.........?

And finally, just to stay on topic with shopping local. Sledding.

A big thank you to Nana & Papa for getting Noah this motor-less snowmobile when I was only thinking of this potentially embarrassing thing.

You really came through for Speed Racer.

And a creek.

And a winding stream.

And I still can't believe that they are all down the street and that I live here. Thank you universe. Omg.

FIN.

* I feel like the blog is becoming a little too much like a boring daily diary. Hopefully, some educational, or posts of more value soon! What do you want to hear about? I was considering freaking out over the Israeli/Iranian thing. Or maybe we could discuss secularism, or introversion.*

What Are You Doing With Your Saturday?

Hi everybody! I just wanted to throw a simple, little post up here.

I'm not sure that I've talked about it much before, but I am OBSESSED, literally obsessed with crocheting!
In November, when I knew were were going to have a stressful month for a million little reasons, I thought that I needed to find a new hobby to keep myself from pointless worrying. In the end, everything worked out just fine, and I also ended up with a wonderful, new form of creative expression! HOORAY!

Crocheting, in my opinion is easier than knitting. Also, projects seem quicker. So far, I've made about ten ear warmer/head bands, a small purse, five shawls and caplets, a necklace, a hat, three scarves and a really neat large collar, decorated with flowers and leaves. I'd like to photograph everything and start posting about the things I make in the future.

If anybody out there also crochets, and you have any tips, or neat sites that you like, please let me know! I have so much more to learn, and it's such a joy to be able to create something usable out of a simple piece of yarn and a hook!

Last night I finished making my very first free-form, folk art type of crochet work. It's a necklace. A winter necklace. Kind of half jewelry, half chest warmer. That might sound odd, but it's cold and snowy today, and my shirt is a little lower cut. I wanted something instead of a simple scarf to warm me up!

Here is a picture of it:

I've been collecting yarn since November, starting with basic colors, economy yarn. Now I'm just beginning to experiment with multi color yarns. Someday when I get good, I can't wait to work with fine wool, and other special types.

This is a picture of my first multi-color yarn project. It's a caplet. A caplet works perfectly when you're house is just a little bit cold, but you don't want to turn the heat up. Since our house is so old, it really lacks the same amount of insulation as a modern home. This is part of the reason I picked crocheting as my new hobby, to make warm things!

Today Noah and I headed over to the Royal Oak Farmer's Market. I'm on the hunt for a few throw-back tchotchkes . Just a few! Our house is still not quite decorated, I need some additional things. I found this small piece of embroidery for a dollar! I think I'll paint the frame gold, or some other fun finish and hang it on the wall. I know it's silly, that's why I like it.

Speaking of house, have I shared with you our BEFORE & AFTER SLIDE SHOW?

Here's what we've done so far. It's fun to watch the progress. (At least for me.) We're going into month ten, and now it's almost all done!

Finally, I need to run to the Mac store today. My trusty, old laptop (Who happens to be a five year old hand-me-down), is still working great, but needs an operating system update. Yesterday, after several years, my also trusty, old iPhone finally needed to be retired. I loved my iPhone3, but her volume control went last year, and the cracks in the screen are growing, and now my battery is on the outs. So, I just bought an iPhone4s. I thought upgrading to the new iPhone was all hype. I actually went in to potentially buy another 3GS! It turns out though, that the 4S is indeed, really really neat. I can't believe how much crisper the images on the screen look. The camera is taking great pictures, and I've already "Face Timed", video chatted with my parents. Also, I have to say that playing with Siri is a lot of fun. (Watch the video, it's really cool.) I wanted to share with you my first new app. It's by Toca Boca, and the little game is adorable. It's called "Toca Hair Salon". You simply choose a client, and then give them a rad hair style using various tools and accessories. I especially like a gooey sounding gel that when applied, magically grows hair! Try it out if you can. It's a lot of fun.

And that's the scoop! Hope everybody out there is having a most wonderful Saturday. Take care!!!!

xo,
Lauren

Hi Lauren. This is Lauren. Nice to Meet You!

June 2011

Here comes the gray!

January 2012

Well on my way....

I really hate having my picture taken. It always makes me feel very self-conscious and insecure. When I see my photos,99% of the time the only thing that I notice are all of my different flaws. It makes me feel sad.

Today I needed a picture or two of myself for a project, so I had to force myself to take these.

One good thing, is that I've began trying to like myself more for who I am. For the real me. It takes acceptance, and a certain willingness to drop preconcieved ideas of beauty, which doesn't come easy. I'm never going to be taller than five feet tall. My body always goes right back to the very same weight as soon as I stop obsessively counting calories. And yes, I AM a 34 year old with LOTS of gray hair. (Who also happens to be allergic to a chemical called PPD, in 98% or hair dyes, even most organic ones!)

Buuuut....... the point is this: as I've come to terms with "This is me!", I've started to slowly get more comfortable in my own purple boots. I've always looked and acted and thought a bit different from most people, a little quirky. A quirkette. I'm getting more ok with that. Women, myself included, spend so much time worrying about the how we look to the world, but what matters the most in life and how you live it with those around you. (Your insides matter too of course, but we all already know that!)

Sure I'd love to be the best me that I can be, and I'm not in any way saying I should quit trying. What I'm purposely learning though, is to be a little more kind, a little more accepting, and a little more proud of good ole' goofy me. :)

Tonight

Tonight after dinner we took a short walk. But before I get to the walk part, let me talk about dinner. Never, ok ready, NEVER in my life have I ever made a dinner that my child has eaten. He has food issues. It's hard. Unless I make a hard boiled egg, or plain butter pasta, he really won't eat much more than a few spoonfuls, if that. Noah will eat steaks and hamburgers, but...I don't eat, nor really know how to cook red meat. I've tried, but it's never been great. Usually I just send the boys out to have some kind of red meat party on their own. I'm trying though, I really am.

I'm not supposed to stop offering Noah new foods, or old foods that he has refused to eat in the past. Tonight it was spaghetti with cream sauce, salad and perlini mozzarella with grape tomatoes. You'd think a kid would be cool with pasta and cream sauce. Um not really. Not basic enough. Whaaaaat? He refused to eat the mozzarella balls too, because OH MY GOD, olive oil and a hint of balsamic is ACTUALLY TOUCHING THEM THINGS! So, once again, he didn't eat dinner. Sigh.

Dinner. I love love LOVE my new kitchen. So much. But, it still feels a little foreign and cold. I need to hurry and do the final decorating. Most of all though, I can not wait to start cooking again! Real cooking, not this: "I'm on a tight budget this month and have no time so I'll make spaghetti with cream sauce" kind of thing. I just don't have the time yet, to really roll up my sleeves and cook. Once the move is over, that'll be great. Maybe I'll make some warm, homemade applesauce with cinnamon. That sounds just about perfect.

"Miriam's Kitchen" by Elizabeth Ehrlich

In the meantime, I think I should start reading Miriam's Kitchen again, before bed. I just found my old copy today, lying among a pile of books, waiting to be boxed. It's a wonderful quick read, a memoir by Elizabeth Ehrlich. Ehrlich weaves stories of her life and that of her mother-in-law Miriam's. It's about how their experiences relate and differ. Each chapter bringing in food tales, and a dish from Miriam's kitchen. There are wonderful old Jewish recipes in this book. It makes me hungry just thinking of it!

Speaking of cooking. O.M.G. is it November already!? We have a Thanksgiving to host! This means that not only do I need to finish up putting together the house, but I also have to plan the dinner with Jon, decorate with GORDS baby! KAPOW! AND, then there is the cooking part too. Oh! And oh.... well, so ....our dining room table? Well, yeah, it's like, NOT PAINTED AND STAINED YET. You, yes you, Mom, Dad, friend, anyone want to come help us finish that er....project?

The table weighs 200lbs. Oddly, it really does. So, I think there is no carrying it outside to pain. I think we need to paint inside the kitchen. Omg.

This is true. Hector the cat. I love him with all of my being. I love everything about him, from the eye goo, to the fish breath and the dreadlocks he leaves lying around. But the dude doesn't listen. I say: "Hector, why don't you consider not tearing the new slip cover on my living room couch into smithereens. What do you say old buddy? Why not just avoid the whole thing all together? And while you're at it, perhaps you could stop going crazy while ripping the wicker foot board of my bed apart at 4:00am every night. K. Thx".

And the strange thing is, he never listens! It's still happening. Even a simple: "Hector, come here"! No response. It's almost like...... He doesn't understand ...... ENGLISH.

My favorite painter who works for the company that painted our house is named Carlos. He's a nice guy. Carlos is from El Salvador. He told me last week that his younger brother is also named Hector. Hector Alexander! So, right then and there on the spot, I changed Hector's name to Hector Alexander, in honor of Carlos' brother.

I asked Carlos to do me a favor. I just didn't get it, Hector never responds to anything I say. I thought maybe, maybe what's really going on is that Hector doesn't know English, but in fact, only knows Spanish! So, I had Carlos come inside and speak Spanish to my Hector. He gladly did it, and it was awesome. I learned a few words too. Hector, not surprisingly didn't bat an eyelash, and instead quickly ignore Carlos in favor of parking himself in front of the pantry. At least I tried.

Which brings me to the walk. I'm sorry, it's too late to talk about the walk. I'd better go to bed. What was so great about the post-dinner walk was that we got a stroll in, Noah was able to ride his scooter, I went to the bank, and we stopped in at the library, all in the span of thirty minutes. It was great. It also got me thinking some more about shopping local, and about the whole concept of why we give gifts over the holidays. I'm constantly battling in my head over whether I should make little gifts or buy them. One point that I'm really into thinking about these days is the concept of: How big/much/expensive should a gift be? Can a single, well picked item, no matter how small or inexpensive be enough? I always worry with my family and friends, that I might seem, well, cheap. BUT... at least for me, nothing would thrill me more than a little personal token, like a piece of old pottery or something whimsical to set on my self.

Think about it a bit, and next time, we'll talk more. xo P.S. Would you like to see my Pinterest!?

Going Loco. I mean, LOCAL.

Blog, I have failed you. I've meant to write, I really have, but life is just SO busy at the moment. I'm exhausted, I'm stressed, I'm stresshausted. It began last year, TWO springs ago. March of 2010. We started a six-month renovation on our old house. It really made life hectic. And then, as that project finally wrapped up, I took on a nearly full time volunteer position through the school year. After that, our second huge renovation project started on our new house, and that is finally finishing as we speak. But, on top of everything, we're in the process of moving, and doing it OURSELVES. This has been a ton of work, but SO worth it. Although we're now in the new house, I feel that we have about 2-3 weeks left of the move. I need to pack, move and clean the old basement and garage, and then give the whole place a squeaky clean shine. It's a a lot but I'm feeling super grateful and I COULDN'T be happier in our new home. :)

After the move is said and done, I still have Jon and Noah's birthdays in November, AND we're hosting Thanksgiving! I think it's going to be a little hectic through the holidays. I can't wait to get past everything and just relax.

Now for some really fun stuff.........Presenting the Uber-Fantastic, It's almost freezing cold winter.....................RUBYJUPE*!!!!

I've been meaning to tell all of you about a WONDERFUL new product called RubyJupe! My friend Danielle and her business partner, created the most brilliant skirt EVER. It's a zip on, insulated skirt that comes in three perfect lengths to keep you warm all winter long. It's great for those chilly fall and spring days too. I have so much more to say and I need to give the lovely RubyJupe it's own formal post, but this little preview is for now. More to come soon! Just think of all the ways you could stay toasty. Wear the RupyJupe alone with tights, or over a comfy pair of leggings, or even with your jeans when you know you have a LONG stand ahead of you out at the freezing playground. I like it because RubyJupe is a nicer alternative to old yoga pants, but still super functional. It's really a great product, offered by equally great ladies! Take a peek for me and please, spread the word! :)

I have so much. Sooooooooooooooo much to tell you about the new house. I just don't have time. I have to run over to the old house now, and run an errand, and come back, unpack some more, run to Noah's school to help out, cook dinner, help with homework, pack tomorrow's lunches, get the kid ready for bed. Too much running around for one day. It's also our TEN YEAR TOGETHER anniversary! Ten years ago, Jon and I went on our very first date. It was thai food, and a Halloween party. I wish we had time to go out and celebrate tonight. Having kids and a house changes everything. Wow! I'll write more about the new place and other things later on.

In the meantime, I wanted to quickly tell you about my mini-adventure earlier in the morning, and my plans for things to come.

(By the way- I just realized that I'm sitting in our new kitchen, on the little bench, pulled up to the big farm table. It's cold and rainy outside, and I'm in here with a cozy knit sweater on, eating some corn chowder left-overs that I made for a potluck last night. The church bells are being played over at St. James, we always get songs. Farm table, sweater, corn chowder, old-timey wallpaper. It doesn't get more quaint than this. Yay for quaintability!)

Where was I? Sorry. So this morning, I kind of hit my breaking point. We've been moving for a week straight. Jon has worked incredibly hard. I really really appreciate it. There have been many a late night putting silly furniture together or hauling boxes around. I for one am beyond exhausted, both physically and mentally. I need a two-day nap. So this morning, after Jon and Noah went off for the day, and the beds were made, dishes done and clothes ironed, I decided to take some time for myself.

For the past week, it seems that I've been living in my own little mini-world. I've virtually only gone between the new house and the old house and Noah's school. Save for a trip to the grocery store and Target and the potluck. I need to get out.

There is a blog called "She Shops Local" that I've really admired for some time. It's wonderfully written by Anna Herbert, who lives in the gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside near nailsworth. I can only imagine how lovely it must be to live in the English countryside. It is a dream of mine, spending some time roaming the Cotswold's. Eeek! That sounds perfect. Anna's blog is now mostly a food blog, which is fantastic in it's self. But- one of the first focuses of the blog was Anna's challenge to shop locally whenever she can. I was hooked from the moment I began reading. How fantastic! Here is her first post, with the rules of Anna's adventure.

Once we bought the new house, I knew that we had to support local, to help keep this beautiful little city going. So, similar to Anna, I started to congeal in my head a challenge: I am to shop locally whenever I can. Right in town. AND, to walk. (This is going to be a pain in the winter huh!?) I'd love to blog about it too. I just need some more self-discipline.

Can you imagine, in 1868, walking around town in all that snow!? I hope Ann, the woman who lived here at the time, at least had a horse or a little carriage.

Today was my first venture out. It was a bit misty, but I kept thinking to myself, LOOK at all the gorgeous trees outside! Look at them, reds, so vibrant, but soft at the same time. And the yellows, they're practically golden! I can't miss all of this, and I truly need some fresh air.

So, I put on my cozy sweater, and some warm tights, and a pair of brown boots and my down coat. Then grabbed our little polka-dot shopping cart and my plaid umbrella.

Oh the air. You really should have been there. You should have smelled it. Woodsmoke. Whoever was burning leaves and old twigs made my morning. It's such a great smell.

So on my list I had three objectives: One was to buy a birthday gift for an unmentioned person in our family, because I want this to remain a surprise. Also, I needed to stop off at the library to pick up a couple books for Noah and I. And finally, I wanted to pop in at our local coffee shop for a very much needed coffee and some friendly conversation.

I bought said secret birthday gift, which I can't discuss now. And although I meant to hold out for a coffee until the end of my outing, I had realized that it was nearly 10:30am, and I had yet to have a drop of coffee all morning. It was time. Our local coffee shop is Biggby, but our town boasts four places to choose from. We have the obligatory Starbucks, an independent shop called Zuma, which gets a youthful crowd next to one of the movie theaters, and then Commonwealth. Commonwealth actually roasts their beans in-house. Each cup is a work of art. An expensive work of art. Reclaimed barn wood floors, meticulous design, giant giant windows, bringing the outside in. It's every upscale hipster's Paradise. It's where aging hipsters with jobs go, because they can afford it. We naturally gravitated to Biggby. It's delicious, down-to-earth, fun, and most of all, run by the very nicest crew of people ever. :)

A brother and sister team, Joe and Rose, own this Biggby. They're great. And every single employee has been nothing but smiles and friendliness and great for chats. In fact just this morning I talked with two of the girls working behind the counter. I'm so bummed that I can't remember their names, but one told me about her cousin's Vegan/Localvore/Low-Carbon impact blog, and the other passed along her King of The Hill screen shot Tumblr. Awesomeness.

One of my very favorite Biggby peoples is "Mama Biggby". That's Bianca, Joe and Rose's Mom. She helps out sometimes, always makes me laugh and gives the best hugs. :)

After a cup of house brew, and some blog discussions, I rolled out. A couple blocks over it was really neat to find this reproduction painting hanging on an empty wall. Apparently this is part of the Detroit Institute of Art's program Inside| Out. It is SUCH a great idea, bringing art out into the communities to foster interest in the arts, and with the DIA. Neat, huh!

Next I went to our library. I was going to check out some of these books for Noah and a couple for me. Unfortunately, I was unaware that they open at 11:00 on Thursdays, and it was just after 10:30. The rain was starting to come down harder, and I thought I should make the two block dash home.

It was such a nice little break. I'm very excited for this new challenge, to shop and walk locally whenever I can.

Well, there's those church bells again, they ring every hour, on the hour, and the half hour. Who needs a watch when you have bells!? Time for me to go and keep on keeping on. See you guys soon.

xoxo,

Lauren

P.P.S. I am telling all of my friends to honk when they drive by. (We live next to a very popular cut-through.) Today I heard two random honks, and just a bit ago another random honk. So, "Hi!" and thank you! Lol. :)

*I was not paid or gifted in any way for the review of this product. I just like it that much and wanted to spread the word on a neat, new idea!

Dear Diary.....

Dear Diary,

I mean blog. I would like to make homemade organic applesauce this month, because HOORAY! It's fall. Recently, I've made beet borscht soup, cucumber dill salad and stuffed cabbage. Also, chicken paprika with homemade spaetzle.

I enjoy cooking and being home, and sewing and having a tidy house. I've changed my mind in the past ten years, I don't think aspiring to the "domestic arts" is something that laughs in the face of feminism. I'd love a real career someday, but for now, I'm infinitely grateful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home-Mom. I love what I do.

Beet Borscht and some cucumber and dill salad. Noah looks upset, but I think he was just deep in thought. It was one of those super hot August evenings.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

. . . . . . . .

Via SoulMama.com

Bros Got My Back.

Taylor via Lauren

Read my sisters blog bitches! or i won't talk to you for like a day or until you buy my next drink~ XOXO

How Bourgeois.: Lolo's Wish List

howbourgeois.blogspot.com

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    Lauren Damn! Lol.

    a few seconds ago ·

Looking Good! NOT.

OMG. Serious...oh.my.god. Ok, so it needs a little more work. Action has now started on the outside. Awesome! All of that pinky-white on the front of the house, it's cedar board, primed and ready to go! I'm so glad we didn't choose pinky-white as our paint color. Just scrape the rest of the house, slap on a coat of warm yellow, some shutters, porch lights, house numbers, sand and paint the fence, re-do the landscaping, add a new roof, rebuild the chimney, rebuild the front porch and we're ready to go! Lol.

(P.S. WHAT is that stuff covering our windows!? I think it's soap. I should ask. They're painting all of the interior trim, and whatever the heck that is, keeps the paint off the windows.)

A boy and his cat.