SURPRISE!

Last weekend we celebrated my cousin, Katie's 30th birthday with a surprise party! She was clueless. It was so much fun to see her face as she drove up to her house (or "barnment", meaning barn apartment). We had a little too much fun, but I'm ok with that. Here are a few photos from the beginning of the night. Sorry, no evidence from the late-night party. :)

Great party! Happy Birthday, Katie!!!

2010 Fall Movie Releases

Lots of movies on my list this fall. Check them out!


This one will probably end up on the Netflix queue. I can't justify spending $9 to see it. Sorry.


This one is a must see! Dylan is excited for it too, so it could be theater worthy.


Predictable, but cute. Another Netflix pick.


This one looks interesting. Netflix!


Another cute one! I love Rachel McAdams.


Dylan and I watched Wall Street a few weeks ago. I'm super excited to see this!

I think that is enough for now. Anything I'm missing?!?!

Music Video Monday

In hopes expanding my music selection I am going to start posting YouTube videos of songs I like, new or old. No need for explanation. Just listen. :)

Music: New and Old

I've started to realize I don't listen to music like I use to. Yes, I still know most or all of the new songs on the radio, but I use to LOVE music. In high school I would attend multiple concerts throughout the year. In college I listened to music when I walked to class, while I studied, in social settings (Like how I put that?), and before bed. I didn't go anywhere without my iPod. These days it's pretty much to and from work.

I can think of a lot of reasons this has all changed... Dylan doesn't always enjoy my choice in music, I'm on a tighter budget these days (iTunes $1.29, seriously?!?!), radio sucks, etc. So today I popped in a few old CDs into the car stereo and it brought me back. Don't you just love it when you listen to a song and it reminds you of a time or event in your life. High school and college are filled with music memories. My constant radio ears aren't providing me with the good music that makes a song memorable. If I hear Ke$ha one more time I might scream!

I'm missing a lot of great artists from my music repertoire. Today I was reminded how much I love Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and mix tapes (that are actually CDs, but I still call them that) given to me by my friends. Even though Ben and Jack have new music out today, I don't buy it anymore and that needs to change. Which brings me to my next point. New music!

One thing I left off my birthday wish list, iTunes gift cards. As I said earlier, iTunes are expensive and it is so easy to spend too much on new music. All I have to do is click "buy" and type in my password. Unless I know I'm going to love the CD, I usually only buy a couple songs at a time. Now I have a list of new music I want purchase to get myself up to speed. Check it out.

Sara Bareilles, Kaleidoscope Heart









Maroon 5, Hands All Over











David Gray, Foundling









Donavon Frankenreiter, Revisited










Jack Johnson, To The Sea










John Legend & The Roots, Wake Up!











Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs, God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise








Jay Z, The Blueprint
(This was released in 2009, but I still want it.)









Neon Trees, Animal
(Only the single because I'm not sure I will like the rest of the album.)








Based on my music selection, am I missing anything else??? This is probably a good place to start.

XOXO,
T

Rainbow Cupcakes

I've been dying to make rainbow cupcakes and/or a rainbow cake since I found the the recipes online. My favorite photographer, Bobbi+Mike posted pictures of her rainbow cake and I could not wait to make my own until I found something a little easier... Rainbow Cupcakes! These colorful cupcakes were so much fun to make. Baking Bites posted a recipe from scratch, but I took the easy way out and bought Betty Crocker Super Moist White cake mix. My mom will kill me for using store bought icing too (she makes the best homemade icing), but this is a testing round. You really can't screw up cupcakes from a box. Here are come pics of the finished product!

Outcome: YUM! I need to make a few adjustments next time, but I loved them. Enjoy!

XOXO,
T

Birthday Wish List

My birthday is less than a month away, so I figured I have every right to post a few items on my wish list. I've always been known to be very picky when it comes to gifts. Usually my mom ends up taking me shopping and I pick out a bunch of different things. Now that I live in Cincinnati I probably won't be making it home for a shopping spree. Last year at Christmas I made a wish list and I think it worked really well. I really had no idea if anyone actually looked at the list, so it was a lot of fun when I unwrapped a few of the items.

The Loft - Striped Open Front Cardigan

The Loft - Gold/Silver Mesh Chain Necklace

LL Bean - Wicked Good or Hearthside Slippers

DSW - SM Heaven Patent Flat
Basically I need new black, gold and brown flats for work. I need something simple, but always cute! :)

Macy's - DKNY, Abby Wool Blend Trench

Macy's - Larry Levine, Long Sleeve Seamed Waist
It is kind of hard to shop online for a good BLACK wool coat in September.
This is an item I will be very picky about, but I need a new one.

The Limited - Ruffles Tank

Pretty much anything from The Limited's jewelry collection. I love gold!

That is pretty much all I have for now. I wish I had something fun on the list, but I haven't thought of it yet. I will keep you posted though!

XOXO,
T

Farewell to Summer: Labor Day

As always, we spent Labor Day weekend at the lake! For the first time since, who knows how long, the weather was chilly. I don't think we made it over 80 degrees on Saturday, but it was still pretty comfortable as long as you were in the sun.

Labor Day is always a great weekend at the lake, but it is also a little sad. Normally it is the last time we are all there (well most of us) to spend time in the sun and really enjoy ourselves. This year it is a little different because I know we will be back soon. The old house had heat, but never enough to really enjoy the time we spent there in the fall. It was exciting to know that we would not be closing the place down after this weekend. We can enjoy the lake all year long in the new house!

Here are some of the photos from this weekend.

"If you are lucky enough to be a the lake, you're lucky enough."
Walter is pretty lucky. :)

Mom and Dad on the boat.

Bella and Walter are best friends.

Ab, Em and I

Matt and Abby

With my boys.

Kath, Mimi and Grams

Walter and Buppa

My dad and Walter. So cute.

If you haven't heard, Walter's swimming lessons are progressing! Unfortunately, we weren't in the water much last weekend because the air was so chilly. He did go after a few tennis balls from beach though. I think he is still a little intimidated by Tucker and Bella who don't like to share their water toys, even if they aren't theirs.

Another great weekend with family, friends and lots of dogs! Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend too.

xoxo,
T

8 Questions... Answered!

My best California friend tagged me in an 8 questions blog post earlier today. When I was younger I was always loved getting the 50 question chain emails. I know, lame. My friends loved me. ha
I am happy to respond to Life as a California Wife's 8 question post.

1. What's on your to-do list this week?
Let's see.... 1. Go to the grocery. 2. Pick up Walter's 3rd bag of dog food. ($) 3. Laundry. Laundry. And more laundry. 4. Make something new for dinner by Sunday. 5. Clean the condo. 6. Catch up on Mad Men.
Am I boring you yet? Good, cause I'm not adding anything else. :)

2. If you found a $100 bill in a coat pocket, what would you spend it on?
Oh goodness, who knows! At this point I would probably throw it in my bank account and it would go towards anything and everything. But if I had to spend on something fun, maybe some new boots for fall or a nice evening out with Dylan. My birthday is coming up so I'm hoping to get both. ;)

3. What is one new item you want to splurge on for your home/apartment?
A brand new bed!! Beautiful new king bed frame, mattress, sheets, and all!! Too bad it would never fit in our current room.

4. What are you most looking forward to about fall?
This can be more than one item, right!?!?! Fall weather in fall clothes, football, homemade chili w/ beer bread, Apple Works apples and cider, and my birthday!

5. What's the next book on your reading list?
Well I just started The Art of Racing in the Rain, so I'm going to say that. No tears yet.

6. What fall TV premiere are you most looking forward to?
Dexter! The finale last season was crazy. I can't wait to see what happens. I am equally excited about Brothers and Sisters (another crazy finale) and Glee.

7. What is your LEAST favorite household chore?
The bathroom. What kind of person would enjoy the bathroom?

8. Which section at Target always sucks you in and forces you to buy things you don't need?
Shoes. I can usually find at least one pair that will least me one season. I've found that their sandals only last one summer before they break or look terrible.