{So long 2009... was nice knowing you}

I hope that everyone had the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years. Maurice and I certainly had a busy holiday season this year, but we aren't complaining, because it was full of family and friends and wonderful memories of our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs.

But before I begin looking forward to a wonderful and exciting and adventurous 2010, and in keeping with last year's tradition, I'd like to take a minute to look back and share the things, both great and small, that I learned in 2009. And without further ado, they are as follows:

- That tiny first apartments as a married couple are meant to be small and humble, and that one day, I'll likely look back on this cramped first year with really fond memories.

- That sometimes, no matter how careful you are, or how many steps you take to prevent it, sometimes people's cars still get broken into, and people's credit card numbers still get stolen. it just happens.

- That marriage is sometimes really tough, and it takes a lot of work, but it is also the greatest kind of love and is completely worth it.

- That when you have a really bad day, say because, your credit card number got stolen, it's pretty great to come home to someone who always has your back and is always on your side in life.

- That wedding planning is something that is inevitably stressful and that it's not something I ever want to participate in again.

- That President Obama is as inexperienced and full of hot air as I anticipated him to be.

- That it is still my responsibility to pray for our leaders faithfully, regardless of political differences.

- That I only have one true enemy in this world, and that others, who may feel like enemies at times, are just his prisoners.

- That Jon and Kate plus Eight couldn't last forever.

- That Saturday mornings are best spent being lazy and watching "Flip This House" with my husband.

- That you can't please everyone, and that many times, it is not your responsibility to try to.

- That it's important, I think especially as a woman, to take the time to take care of yourself, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

- That Riviera Maya, Mexico is a place I wish to visit again. often.

- That the Mexico City Airport isn't a place I wish to visit again. ever.

- That living close to our families is a luxury that I shouldn't take for granted.

- That the right decisions are the ones that pay off in the long run, and that patience is a virtue that isn't always easily acquired.

- That though I may try, God's love for me is still much more profound than I am able to understand.

Etsy Update

So I'd like to give you kind folks an update on some of the Etsy sites from the previous post.

1. Kristen Minor's photography site is back up and running. So go look at them. Do it.

2. Ashley Carter has added some adorable aprons to "The Art of Domesticity". You are doing yourself a real disservice if you don't take the time to check them out.

3. Hue by Jenny Houston is no longer offering the free earrings, so I hope that you got em while they were hot... BUT! not to worry if you didn't, because she just added tons of new pieces and she still has the trusty $5 deals section!

Cheers!

Etsy goodness

I may be a bit behind the times in saying this, but nevertheless, it must be said that I have fallen in love with Etsy. I've known about it for a while... I have a few friends with Etsy sites, which I must warn you I am about to shamelessly promote, but I never explored it far beyond that. But one lazy Sunday, I found myself buried deep in all that this wonderful and useful site has to offer.

For those of you who may not be familiar, Etsy is a website for anyone and everyone who may have some sort of hand-made craft or vintage item that they want to sell and for those of us who want to buy them. And let me tell you, there are some amazingly talented people to be found there! I am a full supporter of the way Etsy allows so many talented people to start and grow their own little (and sometimes big) businesses. You could literally find almost anything you could ever want. Believe me when I say this, I have looked for some pretty odd things and have never been disappointed.

So I've decided to make a list of my favorite Etsy sites.... and without further ado! Here they are. (hint: click on the name to see the site)

K. Minor Photography - I decided to start with Kristen Minor's Etsy site because she is such a dear friend of mine, and I believe so whole-heartedly in her. This past year, she did all of our engagement, bridal and wedding photos, and to say she is talented hardly does her justice. Now... disclaimer.... she doesn't have anything up on her Etsy site right now because she just got through spending a few months roaming North America in a sidecar. (www.bugsonmyface.com) I am not making that up. But when she gets it up and running again, you can expect to be able to buy prints of her photos, greetings cards, etc. So keep checking back, because I promise they are worth it.

Nena Von - I am a big fan of throw pillows, and I haven't found anyone who does a better job than Nena Von. I love the patterns and simple colors she uses, and the only reason that I haven't bought any yet, is because I can't decide which I like best. True story.

The Bees Knees Designs - Not only would I buy almost everything on this site, The Bees Knees designs also wins my award for the best Etsy site name. It's just cute. But aside from that, anyone who knows me, knows that I am of the "less is more" school of thought. I like things simple. These wall hangings are cute, simple, one-of-a-kind and best of all! They're extremely inexpensive. I heart them... a lot.

The Art of Domesticity - My friend Ashley Carter started this site and her hand-made bags and wall hangings just ooze chicness and femininity, and once again, extremely affordable. I've got my eye on her for a few Christmas gifts. Mark my words... Anthropologie will be knocking on her door one day soon.

Erin Ruth Giftwrap - I love to wrap gifts. Let me say that again. I... love... wrapping gifts. I spend way too much time, money and effort on it, but I just can't get enough. I have given serious consideration to taking a part-time job as a gift wrapper at a department store. I heard once that Aaron Spelling's wife had a room in her gigantic home that was just for gift wrapping, and all of my dreams for life came full circle. I truly love it. And the only thing I love more than gift-wrapping, are the people who make a wonderfully wrapped gift possible. Erin Ruth is one of those people.

Hue by Jenny Houston - When it comes to hand-made jewelry on Etsy, it was truly hard for me to narrow it down to one. But since it always comes back to simplicity with me, it had to be this one. She has the most simple and elegant pieces and right now she's got some killer deals going on too. She has a fantastic $5 Deals section, and she's also running a promo right now where you get a free pair of bronze leaf earrings with any order of $10 or more. 10 measly bucks! What more could you want, I mean really.

Sparrow's Nest - I couldn't end this blog without including this site. These are more vintage and refurbished items, but they are must-haves. So sophisticated and unique. They are definitely more of a wallet-stretcher, but this is one of the Etsy sites that you need to always check back with, because they are constantly posting new items.

I hope this gives all of you some insight as to why I think Etsy is so fantastic. I would definitely encourage anyone to spend some time digging around, because there are some true gems to be found.

No Apologies Necessary

I was about to apologize yet again for being such a bad blog-keeper-upper, but everyone is always making that apology and I've decided that I think that's just plain silly. The truth is... life gets busy... period. Sometimes the blog must simply take a back-seat to other more pressing matters. So you won't get any apologies from me and I won't expect any from any of you other fabulous bloggers in return. It'll get updated when it gets updated!

Cheers

a hodge podge of thoughts

While I wait for a more interesting blog to post, I thought it was about time for another brain dump.

* I'm still a little burned up about that Elizabeth Becton thing from the last post.

* I am working on putting together a blog for you nice folks that I think you're going to really like. It will probably be my next post, but I didn't really have the time or energy to put into it today.

* I have recently begun a love affair with a store called HomeGoods.

* I wouldn't exactly say I'm an accomplished chef yet, but I definitely feel that married life is allowing me the opportunity to become a much better cook than I was before.

* I secretly wish that I was a ballerina.

* If I could go back, I would have gotten into ballet as a kid and not cheerleading. All cheerleading ever got me was lots of bruises, bad wrists, and flexibility that I lost years ago.

*While letting my ipod play on shuffle the other day, a christmas song popped up, which now has me counting down the days until Christmas.

* 3/4 of my excitement over Christmas is the thought of getting to put up our own tree this year.

* The other 1/4 is excitement over getting to wrap presents, listen to Christmas music, sip hot chocolate and be with my husband and family on Christmas day.

* I am now a little depressed that it's still unbearably hot outside and Christmas is months away.

* It has been over 100 degrees in San Antonio for 51 days straight, and this one is looking to be number 52.

* The hotter it gets in Texas this summer, the more Maurice can get away with talking about schools in insanely cold cities. Right now, we are giving serious consideration to Denver, Chicago and Minneapolis. I'm not even making that up.

I think that's enough for today. Until next time!

A Word on Human Decency... an open letter to Elizabeth Becton

There are some pretty ridiculous stories in the news today.  (Insert obvious joke about how Obama's healthcare plan is the most ridiculous of them all)  But today, I read a story that gave me a particular disdain for people who lack common human decency.  

We live in an age of political correctness... of walking on eggshells so as not to offend any particular group who might take any particular offense to any particular thing that anyone might have said without knowing that any particular individual or group finds it particularly offensive.  It's exhausting.  And I understand that writing business emails can often be a tricky business, because there is a definite etiquette to follow.  I also understand that some people don't like to be addressed by nicknames.  

That being said... a woman named Elizabeth Becton, one of those people who you'd be ill-advised to refer to by a nickname, recently took it a step further and crossed the line from correcting someone's improper email etiquette right into a blatant and offensive  and unrelenting middle-school-drama-style attack on an unexpecting and misinformed executive assistant.  

You may have read this story already, but here is an article that will walk you through the email exchange between Elizabeth Becton and her unfortunate victim who mistakenly called her "Liz" in a simple business email.

Upon a basic internet investigation, I was unable to find any evidence of Elizabeth Becton being corrected by her employer for her behavior which clearly crossed the line, or of her being let go from her position as a result of her actions... nor have I found any evidence of Elizabeth Becton apologizing after this story was picked up by nearly every major media outlet in America.  I did, however, find a website that posted other scathing emails from Elizabeth Becton.

At what point, Ms. Becton, do we set aside our convictions about political correctness and proper etiquette and simply treat someone's honest mistake with kindness and forgiveness?

so long, hair

So around the time Maurice and I got engaged... I got the urge to cut my hair.  It had been really long for a really long time, but I didn't want to cut it before the wedding, because I wanted it to be long for the wedding, and everyone else wanted me to leave it long.  So I promised that I would wait until after the wedding to cut it.

Well now the wedding has come and gone, we went on our honeymoon, and the week we came back, I had myself an appointment with my favorite hair lady, and off the hair came.  I cut almost 10 inches off my hair, and donated it to a good cause.  I absolutely love it, and I hope you do too!