audioLOVE : August 2011

Well now that I've recovered from all of the post-birthday delirium, it's time for this month's playlist (and just under my self-imposed midnight deadline)! This month's list is a combination of new releases and a few favorites from mixes I both gave and received in August. I actually made three mixes this month, but all three were packaged as a set and given to my BFF Aja as a birthday gift. Yes, we take our mixes very seriously. And my friend Mary gave me one of the best mix CDs I've ever been gifted. I knew when it started with RuPaul's "Supermodel", it was going to be pretty fantastic. I was correct.

Oh, and I finally rounded up a pretty sweet giveaway! I've got some travel plans in the very near future, so as soon as I get back home and settled, I'll be getting that posted. Tell your friends! It's going to be a good one.

Wishlist: Home Goodies

Wishlist: Part 1 (All That Glitters ...)
Wishlist: Part 2 (Geek Chic)

Since my birthday is now just 2 days away, I figured I'd better start to get this prezzie parade wrapped up. I had to break my home stuff wishlist into two parts, since apparently that's what I really, really want for my birthday this year. I used to think that getting stuff for my home was boring, but I guess a sign of growing up is being excited about things like cutting boards and salt shakers. I'm also pretty certain that no one could call these cutting boards and salt shakers boring, but that's just my own opinion.

1. Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names - I'm a sucker for two things: great prints and hip-hop, and this illustrated beauty from Brooklyn's Pop Chart Lab does a bang-up job of combining the two. You have to look at the zoomed-in photo to really grasp its greatness, but trust me, it's pretty spectacular. It would also look pretty spectacular hanging on one of our walls!
2. Travel French Press - OK, truth time: I already know I'm getting this for my birthday. Marcus isn't very good at hiding things (although when it gets left in my Amazon shopping cart, I don't know how I wasn't supposed to find it), but that's alright. I bugged him incessantly at the grocery store one day to buy me one of these, so the fact that he got me one really isn't shocking I'm just excited that I'll be enjoying delicious french press coffee on the go, instead of that horrible stuff they try to pass as coffee at work. Blecch.
3. Lunch Box with Water Bobble - I LOVE BOBBLE. Let me just get that out there. My 32 oz.-er has gotten me in the habit of drinking almost 8 cups per day, which is something I've struggled with for, oh, about 27 years. Knowing that I'll always have clean water at the ready is pretty important, and I'm not tossing out countless plastic bottles anymore (I recycled them, don't worry!). I love the idea of having a more travel-friendly size for when I take my lunch to work, which is happening more and more these days.
4. Mr. & Mrs. Muse Salt and Pepper Shaker - I'm pretty much in love with anything Jonathan Adler makes. A lot of it is a bit out of my price range (unless it's on pretty hefty clearance), but these quirky salt and pepper shakers aren't too unreasonable. Plus they'd keep with my current theme of all-white shakers (current collection count: 1 set).
5. Kansas Cutting Board - I don't think I really need to explain why I want this. I love my home state, and I love collecting fun things for my kitchen. This would also match nicely with my Truche I Heart Kansas necklace, which is obviously necessary. Oh, and doesn't Kansas make the perfect cutting board shape? Look at all that workspace!

Wish List: Geek Chic

Wishlist: Part 1 (All That Glitters ...)

I'm a total gadget nerd. I love my tech accessories, as well as accessories for my tech accessories. My gadgets have become so entwined in my every day life that I've got to have them looking just as good as the rest of my wardrobe (current outfit of tanktop and basketball shorts notwithstanding). I found so many other items to add to this list, but I didn't want to look greedy. Or too greedy, anyway. Ha!

1. ONA Any Bag Camera Bag Insert - I've been searching far and wide for the perfect camera bag, but have yet to find it. The bags I have found are either too expensive or don't fit my style. The ONA Insert offers the perfect solution -- turn any bag into a camera bag!
2. Canvas and Leather Backpack - This utilitarian beauty wouldn't hold my laptop, but it would hold my iPod, iPhone, point-and-shoot, Holga, and assorted other techie goodies on a bike ride to the park. Now to get my bike all fixed up and ready ...
3. MacBook Pro Felt Sleeve - Although I love my current laptop bag, I feel like this might be a little more age-appropriate. And honestly, this sleeve is just flat out gorgeous.
4. Chevron Laptop Decal - OK, so I'll never totally leave behind this youthful, funky look. I'm still in love with a good chevron, and in a bold color, it adds a perfect touch of sass to the otherwise-sleek MBP. I'll take one in pink and one in mint, please!

Wishlist: All that glitters ...

We're gonna have a good time!

I'm just nine short days away from turning 27. I'm usually pretty excited about birthdays, but there's nothing too special about 27 (although to be fair, there was nothing special about 26, either, and that birthday turned out to be pretty fantastic). I'm actually already chalking this one up to being a "forgotten birthday". I keep joking with Marcus that because he and his brother turn 30 on the 23rd -- one day before my birthday, for those who haven't done the math yet -- people will be too partied out to remember that I have something to celebrate, too. But no pity party here! My family and friends always make me feel pretty special on my birthday ... and I'm pretty excited about all the old man jokes I get to make around Marcus. OK, I'm pretty excited about the old man jokes I get to continue to make around Marcus.

I've thrown together an Amazon birthday wishlist to share with my family, and I'll be sharing a few of the items throughout the week here, too. This first batch of goodies are probably the shiniest requests on my list. I've got a major crush on all things gold, be it on a ring or a lovely bottle of my favorite perfume. The best things about these goodies? They're all pretty affordable. I guess it's bling on a budget!

1. Disney Couture Shark Jaw Ring - I've been eyeing this baby for awhile. Karmaloop used to carry a matching bracelet, too, but I love how delicate the ring is.
2. Ariel Gordon Initial Pendant - I realize that the necklace shown isn't gold. And while I would love the gold version, at $300, it's out of the price range of what I would expect anyone to spend. And the silver one is just as lovely!
3. Betsey Johnson Viva la Betsey Piñata Ring - It wouldn't be a true wishlist of mine unless I asked for something that's a little quirky, and this ring certainly fits the bill. I used to have a piñata at almost every birthday as a kid, so this seems pretty appropriate.
4. Twirl by Kate Spade Perfume - This scent is amazing. It's girly and pretty, but still grown up. I've been trying to hold out on buying a bottle for myself, so fingers crossed this makes the cut!

I'll be back to share more birthday goodies soon!

On an unrelated note -- I noticed that I now have over 100 followers via GFC! Woo hoo! Since I'm a woman of my word, I'll be hosting a giveaway sometime soon. I've got to try and work it around some upcoming travel plans of ours, so just bear with me. I promise I'll make it a good one!

Four

How someone who isn't forced to do so by blood relation could put up with me for four years is beyond me, but the handsome guy in the photos below has done the seemingly impossible. Marcus is pretty much everything I could ask for in a guy -- honest, patient, faithful, funny, caring, open-minded, etc., etc. I think part of the reason we work so well is because both of us know that our other half isn't perfect, but that what one of us lacks, the other makes up for. We're a good balance.

So thank you, Marcus, for bringing much needed balance to my life. I'm thrilled to see what the next four years and beyond have in store. ♥

 

For all you little listmakers ...

Registration for 30 Days of Lists is OPEN!

Those of you that participated in the first round will already know how great it is. If you aren't familiar with #30Lists, it's a fun project hosted by Kam, Amy, and Justine that offers up journaling prompts once a day, for 30 days. Their new members-only blog also hosts a forum for #30Lists-ers, freebies (you may even see one from yours truly!), and tutorials. Registration is only $6, or $0.20 per day. Pretty awesome if you ask me!

And in case that wasn't enough, everyone that registers by August 13 gets a printable download of ALL of September's topics, as well as an entry to win a Holga. If they hit 100 registrants, those members will be entered to win a personal Metropol Filofax (sign me up!). And if they hit 300? All 300 will be entered to win a Diana Mini toy camera!

Now hurry up and get yourself registered! The fun starts September 1. You won't regret it.