Pick Me Up

Ever since I sold my good vinyl to a record store in Hatboro for a pathetic $36 (yes, I know how dumb that is) I have been looking for a way to spend the money to help cheer me up as that was a hard pill to swallow. I had my eye on this charm necklace from a vendor on Etsy, one of many great websites A. introduced me to. It will feature a J and L with a mini pearl, my new initials and also my husbands. I believe it definitely did the trick and I even have $2 left over for a Starbucks!

Must Watch TV

After reading and seeing so much acclaim for AMC's original series 'Mad Men' (hello 16 Emmy nods) we decided to check it out. Needless to say we were absolutely hooked and managed to watch all 13 episodes from the first season in a three day period, not to mention the second season opener last night. Yes, that is a little embarrassing to admit, but it's truly that good. The show follows the life and times of New York Madison Avenue advertising execs in the 1960's and is both stylish and witty. It's a dramatic and sometimes comedic look at not only the lives of the characters involved, but that time in our country's history. I promise you it doesn't disappoint!

Memory Lane

Since this was our last weekend as Hatboro residents, we decided to take in some of our favorite jaunts and activities that the town we've called home the past 3 1/2 years has to offer. 

Every summer the main street, York Road, is shut down for the annual custom car show which is one of John's favorite things to do. Only fitting it was the last in which we lived just walking distance to the event. It was a fun night of gorgeous weather to walk around in and enjoy the classic cars, the colorful crowd and of course, funnel cake!

Friday night it was ice cream at Scoops, where they know I am a plain chocolate on a cake cone kind of gal.  Sunday morning we had breakfast at Daddy Pop's diner, home of the best pancakes I've ever eaten. 

We ran into neighbors who said they'd be sad to see us go and walked Duke past his favorite spots where he could be taunted a few last times by the not so friendly squirrels and bark at his other dog pals.

The town has been good to us and we will definitely have a lot of great memories to take with us.

Never Too Many

Last night I filled an entire jumbo wardrobe box with just my collection of dresses. I was oohing and aahing over some I haven't seen/worn in years due to my dismal current closet situation (another reason I can't wait to move). John was a little puzzled as to how I could have filled it with just one type of item. I think he might have been taking crazy pills as this is one of my favorite clothing choices. I always seem to look more put together in a dress. Being 5'1" makes it hard enough to find clothes that look adult and fashion forward so this is why I buy them... a lot. 

The other day while on Just Jared I came across this number that celeb Rachel Bilson was wearing and now I am dying to locate something similar to it. 

It's so adorable and versatile. Why can't gossip websites post that information instead of what someone had for breakfast? 

Six Words

I was just tagged by A. to describe how I'm feeling in six words...

The first word that comes to mind is exhausted. I don't know if it's the heat or what but I'm tired all the time and the first thing I think about when coming home from work is sleep. Could be that not enough water thing again, I guess.

I'm really excited because this time next week we will be packing up the moving truck and getting ready for closing on the new place the next day. I'll then follow this up with stressed as I still have so much more to pack!

Lately I've been very thankful for all my good friendships. There is nothing like knowing someone will always be there for you. Over the years, especially since moving to PA, I have seen some fade away but now I understand that the friendships that have lasted are the most important to me and always will be.

Optimistic. It's not always easy for me to think positive but since I've been really working on it, I see an improvement in my mood and well being. Now I have to carry that energy over to the new house when I get overwhelmed by all the projects. Think fun in decorating Jackie!

Hungry! I have to scrounge up a snack :)

Making the Rounds Some More

I saw this on Mia's blog and thought it was cute, so here it goes...

A. Attached or Single? Considering I talk about my husband a lot I think you all know the answer :)
B. Best Friend? E.
C. Cake or pie? Cake, chocolate with white icing to be exact
D. Day of choice? Sunday
E. Essential item? Cell phone
F. Favorite color? Green
G. Gummy bears or worms? Neither! I don't like gummy anything
H. Home town? This is tough. Born in West Chester, PA but consider Phoenix more of my home town as I was raised there
I. Favorite indulgence? Chipotle
J. January or July? July, I loathe the winters
K. Kids? None as of yet
L. Life isn’t complete without? Family and friends to share it with
M. Marriage date? March 29, 2008
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 2 brothers, Matt and Danny and 1 sister, Amy
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Where to begin, there are so many! Any type of reptile (especially lizards), tunnels, heights, large crowds...
Q. Quotes? "Get up you son of a bitch, 'cuz Mickey loves ya" from 'Rocky'
R. Reasons to smile? Duke Lang, the world's funniest dog
S. Season of choice? Fall without question
T. Tag 5 people: I'm just going to tag E. who is new to blogging and A. who always has great answers to these things
U. Unknown fact about me? I could eat a container of cottage cheese in one sitting! Love it!
V. Vegetable? Broccoli
W. Worst habit? My nails, ick
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? I have no idea how to answer this, I just know I don't care for the big heavy bib you have to wear when getting teeth x-rays
Y. Your favorite food? Sushi tied with my mom's potato salad
Z. Zodiac sign? Scorpio and proud of it!

One Person's Trash...

Ever since E. told me she and her husband made a lot of money at their last garage sale, I've thought it was something John and I should try to do. I wouldn't say we had a ton of stuff to get rid of, but enough to give it a go. So that is how we spent a very hot and humid Saturday morning. By the time we woke up at 6:30 AM, it was already pushing 80 degrees but I did my best to stay motivated. The thought of money coming in can normally do that for me. We were able to sell some large items like an old sofa and patio set, as well as tools and books, stereos, etc. But we were both continually surprised over how many people didn't even glance at my extensive record collection or vintage bags. I was just praying for someone my age to come by. Instead we had a much older crowd so we did our best. Having two people in one household who sell for a living certainly helps! I'll tell you though, I'm not much of a negotiator. For example, it shocked me that I told a woman the price for something was $7 and she scoffed at it and repeated 'too much' 5 times in a row.  Then a few minutes later she asked me if I'd take $6. Lady, that's like the same thing, but whatever. I guess that's what one can expect when they put their things out on the lawn. 

We walked away with around $250 but most of all, less things to move. Pretty successful day!

Farewell

It's a sad, sad day. My favorite Starbucks is closing. The one I go to EVERY day. I feel so weird about this even though in two weeks I'll have no reason to stop there anyway after we move. Just makes me feel kinda funny. Those Barista's know me and my tall coffee with room...

Anyone else experiencing this?

Keepers

I have to admit that there is one thing I absolutely love about moving. It's the ability to weed through and discard old junk. Over the past few weeks I've been knee deep in childhood and singlehood memories as I prepare to part with things I haven't so much as looked at in years. It truly is time. And then there are the items I can't believe I still have and will never let go of. 

For example...

Copy of Get Out magazine, my old employer, whom A. talked me into being on the cover of after I'd left. That's me on the bottom right with a horrible, horrible haircut and my brother Matt above. I vividly remember how hot is was that Arizona day, hence the squinting.

Signed painters cap from Bob Villa that someone got for me when I was out sick from work. During my senior year in high school I sold paint at Sears. Looking back this is probably where I began my many odd years of selling in the home improvement industry...

A mold of my hand that my Dad made in 1985. It's basically still the same size today!

I wonder what else I'll be able to find?

New Uses for Old Things

I've spent the past couple Sunday's antique shopping with my cousins. I think it's one of the most fun things to do here in PA as there are many places to search for deals within a few hour drive radius and often times in quaint towns. Since you all know I've been on the hunt for furniture and a new mortgage means greater financial responsibility, my need for bargains shouldn't come as a shock. I actually get kind of a kick out of it, though. 

Here are some of my recent finds...

Mirror for above the fireplace. I loved the detail.

End table for guest room to replace a hideous one I currently subject guests to. I will be painting this white at some point.

I promise to take more pics when these things actually find a 'home' in the new place :)

Flippin' Great

Please don't get me wrong, my absolute favorite reality TV show is Project Runway and like most everyone I know, I'm super excited for the 5th Season airing this Wed. night. But I have to tell you that Flipping Out, also a Bravo program, is a near, dear second. I LOVE it and tune in every Tuesday night to see obsessive house flipper Jeff Lewis tackle home renovations and handle his colorful crew. I can't get enough of Jenni, the adorable assistant, Ryan, Jeff's hilarious partner and Zoila the housekeeper. Even his dogs tug at my heartstrings!

If you haven't caught an episode it's definitely worth the time. I defy you not to get as hooked as I am!

PB and Jackie

I've been feeling a bit out of sorts this week so when John suggested we go to the Pottery Barn outlet in Lancaster I immediately perked up! I love that place. It's about an hour and a half drive but well worth it for all the deals you can get. Stuff is 30-50% off at least. 

While there, we came across so many good buys that my brain was on overload, but at some point I was able to focus in on a dining room table and it felt like striking gold. See, we were all set to buy the one from JcPenney but the shipping was $190 so didn't make the table as much of a deal and my husband was not about to spend that on just getting it to us. I was a bit irritated at first but now so glad he said that as the PB table is perfect. It's a worn, antique white finish that will make it so much easier to find chairs to go with and will fit perfectly in our new home.  It's heavy as all get out, though, so I'll spare you the drama in getting it into the house! 

Here's a pic of it from their website...

If you have a PB outlet anywhere near you, I'd highly recommend stopping in. 

See You Under Cellophane

I recently heard about a girl who was so sad after her wedding was over that she put on her dress again, did her hair and make-up and made her husband take glamour shots of her in their living room. I promise you this isn't that kind of post, but I was missing my wedding pretty bad last week, when on Thursday I decided it was time to drop my dress off to be preserved. I wasn't even sure I wanted to do this because I certainly don't plan on wearing it again but I felt that it did so many great things for me that it was only right I do the same for it. Taking it out of the guest room closet was tough so I moved it to the door where I could look at it for a few minutes (and take some photos). I remembered how I felt the second I put it on at a bridal store in AZ and how I thought it was the perfect one for me. We had some rough patches during alterations but all that was worth it when I walked down the aisle in style. 

The store I dropped it off at keeps it for several months and then ships it to me when they are finished. I'll only be able to peer at it again through a clear window on the box. This is my fond farewell...

My Crush Takes Over

I just couldn't get into fireworks this year. It's so muggy outside and even rained a little yesterday. Plus, the mosquitoes eat me alive so I don't often feel like hanging out amongst them. Plan B was convincing John to go to the movies and see 'Wanted'. I detest action films but absolutely love the adorable James McAvoy, as many of you know from previous posts. If I wasn't a happily married woman I might consider being a stalker. Seriously, he is that cute. One problem, though... the movie was awful! Just ick on so many levels. The plot and dialogue were laughable and both John and I couldn't get over how grotesquely skinny Angelina Jolie was. Now I must live with the shame over choosing to see a bad movie (which I rarely do) on a holiday no less. 

I'll let this one slide, though, James as it was still worth it just to see you with your shirt off!

Already Shopping...

I think the best thing about moving to a new place is the new furniture. There will be way more rooms so we made a list of the important stuff we'd like to get. The first was a dining room table. Since I have the patience of an infant, we spent most of this past Sunday wandering around stores looking for the perfect one, but just didn't find anything that screamed BUY ME. However, on a whim I scanned some places online and fell in love with this antique honey colored table from, get this, JcPenney and it's on sale! That made John happy and it's a great mix of the warn look I like without being rustic.

Now I just need to find chairs...

Friendly Face

My best friend E. has decided to start her own blog! I'm pretty excited as she is one of the most witty people I know and always has funny stories to tell.
Check out The Land of Entrapment here...