things on tuesday

In the early days of this blog I used to do a post every Tuesday called "Things on Tuesday" - it's a hold over from the old Vox days. And somewhere along the road I forgot about it. I ran across an old post over the weekend and thought I should start it up again. So here goes!

loves

Slightly under baked sugar cookies { yum }
Clinique moisture surge - has seriously changed my face for the better!!! I cannot recommend this enough!
Dove visible care body wash - I saw the commercials about having better skin in a week and thought no way could that be true, but it was worth a shot. Let me tell you, it is true!
Chris Trapper and Colin Hay this Saturday { yeah! }
Pinterest - I'm totally addicted!
Getting to work on a sign package where I can think outside the box and have fun with the signs rather than staying within all of the normal rules. My brain has seriously been working overtime and I'm having so much fun!
And ... I'm just going to say it... the Royal Wedding. They are such a cute couple and I love weddings...

loathes

Road construction - I know it's necessary, but it still sucks
When I make a mistake, say something wrong or etc. that I cannot seem to let it go. I keep replaying and reanalyzing - so annoying!
That I have to wake up at 4:45 AM tomorrow to purchase tickets for this summer's Ravinia concerts. { oy! }
That I cannot seem to get my ass in gear and get into the shape I want to be in
Cleaning... yet I hate clutter and a dirty home ... hmmm
A full month of rain
That my life is either go, go, go or total boredom

Till next Tuesday!

social media & business

As my life becomes more 'online' I find it difficult to keep lines from crossing. Friends. Family. Coworkers. Clients. Who do you friend on Facebook? Linked In? Twitter? Flickr? Ack?!?

I have tried to keep a pretty strict rule about who to add to which social media outlet. Facebook is for friends - since we all just ramble on about nothing. Twitter is for following people, subjects and news that interests me. Linked In is for business contacts, with a few friends tossed in for good measure. That said, I will not endorse someone I have not done work for/with simply because they are my friend. Just because I think you're cool doesn't mean I can vouch for your work. But I find that these rules are blurring more and more every day..
Recently I added a friend to facebook who is also a client. I was very much on the fence about doing it, but figured it couldn't really cause problems right? It shouldn't really be viewed any different than adding a coworker.... but, is it? You see, we now get information about each other that we might not know otherwise. And sometimes that information includes our coworkers. So, saw you went to dinner at that cool new restaurant with coworker x - how was it? Seems harmless and doesn't interfere with business at all. But... where it gets complicated is when the coworkers of friends are also clients. Can you ask them about that cool new eatery without being a social media stalker? Should you just ignore that you have this information and not ask? Is there some social media etiquette guide that we should consult for such situations? Where should these lines be drawn? Just wonder if I am the only one that runs into this connection conundrum?

loosing a few

...inches for the summer!

What is it about women and hair? Why does it hold such a prominent position in defining who we are?

I find that when my hair is long it seems like a big deal to cut it. I go back an forth, should I or shouldn't i ... and I cannot figure out why it's such a struggle. It's just hair. It will grow back. And I totally trust my hair guy, so it's not like he's going to give me a pixie by accident...

I have been on the fence for the last couple of months about weather to keep my hair long or short. Last year I did a little test to see how long it would get over the course of the year and six inches later... the long locks were back in business. Lately people have been telling me "oh your hair is getting so long" and I think that was drawing some attention to it for me. That and the fact that I had it up in a ponytail every day for the whole week. That was my breaking point the last time I cut it short and so when I saw that pattern coming back, I decided to hit the salon again! Short and sassy is back baby!

Hawaii :: the end

So it has taken me a ridiculous long time to finish up with the Hawaii photo edits / posting. But I saved the best for last, well maybe not photographically speaking, but fun! I shot a little video of the fire dancer at the Paradise Cove Luau - he rocked!

luau.mov
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I bothered Bethany all week to sneak in a Luau and with the crap weather of the week, we didn't know if it would be worth it. We went ahead and scheduled it for my last night in Hawaii and completely lucked out!! The weather was PERFECT!

And we even got Garrett in his Hawaiian shirt - he had originally protested, most likely because Mom wanted him to wear it ... everything is better when it's his own idea! Kids crack me up!!

We arrived and received lei's - shells since we were in the cheap seats - got our photo taken with some of the luau dancers and received mai tai's. They move you from activity to activity by sounding the conch shell, though it took us a couple of events to catch onto this. We had our photos taken with birds - Garrett even had a bird on his head!! He LOVED that and it was the cutest picture too. Then won more leis by playing ring toss games and such. They have lots of stations where you can make your own headbands, bracelets and all sorts of things. I had an orchid bracelet made by this adorable woman, which didn't cost anything but a tip! She was super sweet. I had to grab the camera to try to capture it and was totally surprised at how good the pics came out given that I shot left handed and upside down!

The dancers were amazing (and super HOT!!) and it was the perfect end to my Hawaii trip. Perfectly touristy and full of photo worthy moments. Aloha!

Cupcakes from a van?

Yes!

I have been following Flirty Cupcakes updates on Twitter, hoping they would make it to E-Town on a day that I could actually catch them... Thursday was a horrible day for me. So when I saw they were headed my way that evening I thought I'd never make it... it was cold and wet and I was all snuggled in for the night. But... then I thought what the heck. I bundled up like it was the middle of winter and ventured out. So glad I did! I was surprised by the line... 10 people in front of me and 10 behind and everyone bought 4 or more cupcakes. I'm thinking woah, these must be really good... And to my delight, they are! The cake is moist (even chocolate) and the frosting flavors sophisticated, light and airy, and just the right amount. Bon Appétit!

10 on 10 :: April 2011 :: Diptych

I am participating in the 10 on 10 challenge again this month - one photo per hour for ten hours to document my day. I was so excited that the 10th finally fell on a weekend day, but a little sad I did not have more planned for my day... it seems my life is all or nothing. Last weekend was birthday brunches and shopping and next weekend will be spent with the girls too. So, you get to see what the typical lazy Sunday looks like for a single 30 something .. enjoy!

9 :: Made my favorite oatmeal pancakes (recipe here) with a little bit of bacon on the side. This is my favorite weekend meal because it will last me the whole day. The pancakes are so filling, and actually healthy (minus the syrup!)

10 :: Brewing... I typically brew tea fresh every morning, but thought maybe I could be a little more efficient with things and brew a batch in advance (picked up the glass bottle at IKEA yesterday). This should last me three or four days. Yeah!

11 :: Logging a little computer time while the kitties enjoy the 80 degree temps with the windows open. P. S. Aren't kitty yawns the best??

12 :: Finally picked up the floating shelf I had wanted for my desk area last weekend and decided to break out the tools and install it this weekend. Now I have my little shrine to KU all in one place! Rock Chalk!

1 :: I still love cards and care packages in the mail... online stuff just isn't the same. I spent a little time writing notes to family and packing goodies. (Mom, be on the look out!)

2 :: I know I said it before, but it was 80 degrees today - a good 30 degrees higher than usual for our Spring. I wandered out to get a little sun, exercise and snap a pic or two. I love seeing all the buds on the trees!! Oh and found this adorable note on the sidewalk ...

3 :: Still walking around the neighborhood finding all sorts of Spring flowers. It sure takes me longer to walk when I have my camera. : )

4 :: Took a little time to rejuve - hydrate, stretch and have a little snack. These are pretzel grahams from Salted Caramel - thanks Selika and Alex !!

5 :: Time to finish laundry and clean this place up.... Do you find that by mid-day on Sunday your house is a mess? I always end up cleaning on Sunday afternoons. How does one woman generate so much laundry and clutter in a week?

6 :: Pizza for dinner on the balcony while watching the sun set. I love that I get the afternoon sun, it fills my home with the most beautiful amber light. It's my favorite time of day.

Well that's it for a lazy Sunday. Here's hoping yours was as relaxing as mine!

new obsession

So yeah... I used to use my blog as a place to save all the cool stuff I see online, but now that I've discovered Pinterest... I simply cannot stop pinning! It's super fantastic in terms of organizing everything - food, home decor, art, style, etc. And I have even started using it for work. I was looking for inspiration online and have been able to keep everything in one happy little place. Forget bookmarking - PIN IT!!

The only negative... slightly less blogging these days. Sorry 'bout that! Will try to do better!

do you 'brunch?'

http://www.flickr.com/photos/a06987/4005711481/

As I was waiting (an hour and ten minutes) to have brunch at m.henry, I was wondering why it's such a popular thing to do on the weekend. Why do we 'brunch?' And is it more prevalent in the city vs. the suburbs or smaller towns?

Growing up in a small Kansas town, I don't remember this being 'the' thing to do on the weekend. Maybe it was just because my parents weren't big on eating out, but I don't even remember my friends doing this with their families. I have done brunch in KS with friends in recent years, but wonder if this is something that is just more popular now or is it all about geography and exposure?

That said... we had a great meal. The wait at m.henry is long because the food is pretty darn good. We wandered into the pastry shop across the street - the one that I've driven by a thousand times, but have never stopped to go in. They had doughnuts the size of my head - seriously!! And even had time to pop into Gethsemane. Selika had never been and was so into it I had to practically push her out the door so we didn't miss our brunch call!

Spent the rest of the day in the loop. Finally took in the Vivian Maier photography exhibit at the Cultural Center. Nothing like last minute - this was the last weekend! I really enjoyed her work. Couldn't help but to think that she would likely be a photoblogger today. Telling the story of her life in pictures. She captured life beautifully. I'm so glad I made it to see the exhibit, though the blog of her images is quite good as well.

Topped off the day with a little shopping and mini cupcakes from Sugar Bliss. Lemon Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Peppermint Chocolate and Orange Creamsicle. YUMMY!

better with cake

Yesterday was my birthday. Thirty eight. It was your average Wednesday... with a little bit of chocolate.

Birthday's are funny... I've never been a big birthday person. I don't plan elaborate parties or feel the need to do something crazy and over the top. Only for the big birthdays do I feel like I need do something 'memorable.' I love planning parties for other people, but don't want to plan my own... or even want people to plan anything big for me. Simply wish me 'happy birthday' or jot me a note (or even better, a card!) ... that's all that I need. Just knowing you remembered is enough. Well.... that and CAKE! Thanks to Barbara for bringing me two of the most delicious little flourless chocolate cakes! Here's hoping for a fabulous new year ahead!

Oh and I had to share the cutest birthday greeting from little Bella Boo.

3-30-11_1031_AM_Voicemail_from_Holly_Pittman.mp4
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hackers f#cking suck !!

I have spent two days working on a hacked gmail account and have to tell you it's been a nightmare! Just when you think you have it figured out, they noodle back in and figure out something new. AND Google is very little help. They give you a form to fill out of the most impossible questions. Could you name the exact date you opened your gmail account? Could you name the person that invited you to gmail and provide their email address??? They don't even provide a place for you to explain what you know about the hacker or explain why you think your account has been taken... Insane!

I filled out the form once and provided only a little bit of information because it was going to require calling people to find out more - that was rejected. So I filled it out again and gave more info and guessed at as much as possible and finally got the account back. That said, the hacker still had email being directed to an alternate address. I had sent a screen capture of my iphone settings to help out my colleague who was having the problems, but think that got sent to the spammer. Had to call my mail host to see what they could do with that information and as I was on the phone with them, I believe the spammers had compromised one of my company accounts. Arrrrggggg!

I now have to change every password for every user to be sure that nothing is able to be hacked - and that means on 10 computers, 10 iphones and etc. So much work is needed to correct this situation and it sucks that there is no consequence to the person who is causing all of this pain. SUCKS! SUCKS! SUCKS!

So, after all of this... I'm thinking I may drop gmail and use my own server. Seems like a much more secure option... anyone else had experience with this?