Laundry Room Upgrades?

So I mentioned the other day that we finally got our own washer and dryer.  I love having the convenience of being able to throw a load of laundry in whenever I want, and not having to wait to get quarters, or go to the laundromat and waste two hours when I could be doing other stuff.  Case in point – the fella needed his fight clothes washed for a demo on Thursday.  Wednesday evening I was easily able to wash it all and have it line dried by the following evening.

However, when I was in our basement… it struck me.  I’m cleaning clothes in a dirty basement.  Seems kind of counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?  The basement is mostly ours for storage (upstairs guy has the attic to this double home).  There is a storage unit down there for us that we can padlock, if we so choose. But the floor space along the walls and such is ours for the storing.  I do need to get down there and go through things/organize/throw away/donate stuff, and soon.  But that’s not the dirty I’m talking about.  I’m taking layers of dust and cobwebs.

On Pinterest every laundry room I’m coming across are these adorable fully finished rooms.  I’m working with cinder blocks (with peeling paint) and a concrete floor.  Plus, dude upstairs has a washer/dryer down there (that he never ever uses…) so I can’t make it completely Meg-like even if it were a possibility to do so.

I know I’m going to (obviously) dust and wash down the shelf above the washer.  Get rid of the cobwebs.  I want to find a cheap area rug for in front of the washer/dryer (right now I have two mis-matched throw rugs that I used at my apartment that don’t work here).  Maybe a second area rug (and a bigger clothes basket) for underneath the clothes shoot/sorting clothing.

I just don’t know what else to do, and I’d like it to have SOME personality.  Especially since when the landlady is here to collect rent she’s down there to read the water meter as well and I’d like for her to see that we are pretty much badass tenants (as opposed to the scum that used to live here).

It all needs to be done on the cheap, and nothing can really be ‘permanent’ changes since we don’t own the house. 

One thing I don’t particularly want is to have a line dry area down there.  Only because, again, dude upstairs and the landlady are down there occasionally and my laundry doesn’t need to be in their faces.

Here’s hoping I can tackle this soon and get a good head start, at least on cleaning it up pretty well, and then go from there.

Would spring just be sprung already?

I don’t know about you guys, but this ‘spring’ weather is getting to me a bit.  Here in Cleveland we’ve been near 80 and down in the 40′s the next day.  Everyone is getting sick and moody thanks to it.  I don’t mind somewhat cooler temps but we had snow Saturday morning!!  Although generally summer is not my favorite season, I have to admit I really am looking forward to it

So… other updates.

First and most important my best friend gave birth to her first child yesterday! I’m an ‘aunt’ to a sweet little boy.  Welcome to the world, Connor <3

Went wedding dress shopping almost two weeks ago.  My budget was pretty small, and the bridal center we went to was pretty big and, honestly – pricey.  Nothing  in my price range  really fit (those were the ones that were the last of that style and couldn’t be ordered) or looked right on me.  I was a bit bummed because I was hoping to find my dress soon since we aren’t too awful far off and I know it can take time if it has to be ordered (137 days left!).  My wonderful sales lady mentioned trying on a bridesmaid dress that comes in ivory.  I said what the heck and tried it on.  It was THE dress.  I’m absolutely in love with it!

Some other wedding stuff is on hold for the next two or so weeks while my mom moves into her new home, but I’m excited to get back to it when we do.

I always thought I’d be a border-line Bridezilla, to be honest.  Not a total horrible piece of work, but that I’d be so set in my ways/dreams/thoughts I’d give anyone who tried to tell me differently a hard time.  Oddly enough, I’m nothing of the sort.  I’ve been calm, collected, and laid back so far through the whole thing.  Surprised a few people along the way already

The house-wife wanna be inside of me is insanely stoked because last weekend we FINALLY got our own washer and dryer.  No more going to the laundromat on a Friday night to do laundry (so we could get enough washers and driers to do it at one time).  No more having to put part of a weekend day aside to go do laundry.  I can do it here at home whenever I want to or need to.  I am beyond stoked!

For now, I think I’m going to relax and enjoy the last of this nice weather before the storms roll in and the temps drop yet again.

Book Review – In The Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

[cover and synopsis via goodreads]

In my wedding planning haze, I haven’t been reading as much as I’d like.  And the few things I’ve read recently were good, but nothing extra special.  That is until I got In The Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters for my Kindle.  This book was recommended to me a while back by the wonderful author Lauren DeStefano.  It didn’t release until April 2nd of this year, though…so I had to wait.  But, it was well worth the wait.

You may already know my fascination with books of this type.  It’s a fairly new fascination and I’m loving every second of it (except there not being enough uniquely beautiful books such as this one).

Mary Shelley Black (named after THE Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein) is sixteen as WWI rages on and the Spanish Influenza is wiping out whole towns.  When her father is arrested for treason, Mary Shelley moves to San Diego to live with her aunt.  From there she is faced with horrors both real and paranormal as she faces the loss of a love and her own mortality.

Cat Winters crafts each character carefully, making them vibrant and important to the story.  The mystery revolving around her dead love’s spirit visiting her is the heart of the story, and you are kept guessing and wondering until the end.  This isn’t a silly paranormal romance in the least.  It’s a well written and researched story based on actual historical events, with a twist of the paranormal.

Bravo, Ms. Winters on your debut novel.  I look forward with great pleasure to reading more of your creations.

 

A Week Later…

Holy heck, you guys.  I’m getting married!  It’s been a full week since my fella popped the question and I am still having moments of “This is really happening” – in a good way!

We have officially selected September 7th, 2013 for the wedding date.  We have to find a venue for the wedding and price is a factor – but we have some good ideas and they aren’t likely to be taken already.  My mom generously offered to host our reception at her home.  I cannot tell you how excited I am by this!  Our wedding will be small (50-60 people) so finding a venue that would accommodate such a small group and not cost a ton was tricky.  I’ve been looking at a lot of home wedding websites and books and generally getting ideas.  Our general ‘theme’ so to speak is a vintage/bohemian/whimsical mix.  Eclectic and nerdy, just like us is the goal.

As with any wedding it seems, we’ve had our share of drama already.  But we are pulling through it together and with support from close friends and family.  We went out this evening to get him sized for his wedding band.  I already have mine chosen and if all goes as planned that’ll be the one I get when we get to that.

We will each have three attendants on our big day.  I am honored that my co-teacher/pseudo-little sister will be my Maid of Honor.  My two bridesmaids will be my best friend, Amber and my co-worker/pseudo-big sister, Michele.  Funny that all three ladies I met at my current job   I chose them each for various reasons, but they are also the three I am absolutely closest with at this point in my life.

I want to get all the big deal stuff knocked out now so I can move on to the small(ish) and more fun stuff.

I will admit that I’m a bit nervous about finding a dress.  Being on a short time frame means I can’t order one.. it has to be made by the lady that does all of my sewing needs or bought off the rack and, if needed, have her alter it.  Being not at my ideal size currently adds to the stress especially because I’m short.  But, I won’t stress over it.  I intend to enjoy every second of all of this.

Somehow, it’s all coming together the way it needs to  be overall and for that I am super grateful!

I Said Yes!

 

This apartment girlfriend will be a housewife in 171 days!!

The fella asked me today to marry him!!  He surprised me by coming to my work on my lunch break to ask me.  My beautiful ring was actually my grandmother’s and my mom had gotten it when she passed away.  I’ve always loved it and so my mom offered it to my fella to use when he asked for my hand in marriage!

I am ridiculously excited, and overwhelmed.  I’ve always dreamed of a fall wedding and so this fall it shall be.  Why not wait until 2014?  Because – let’s be honest, I will be 31 and we want to at least try to have a child or two, which may be difficult because I have PCOS.  But above all, we are in love and we want to get the rest of our lives together started!! 

I’m sure I will be back soon with more updates and the like as they come along.  I promise not to be bride-zilla and to share as many details as I can… hopefully you all hang in there for the ride!

Beauty Basics

I don’t often go on tangents and write posts about super duper girly things… but sometimes I just have to.  I may have mentioned before that I have a serious obsession/love for MAC Cosmetics.  Everything from them I’ve ever used has been fantastic, but it’s pricey for me so I don’t often get to purchase fun stuff and from time to time I have to hold off on buying my staple item from them (studio moisture cream).  I otherwise rely heavily on blogs and word of mouth from good friends to find some new and exciting beauty items to use.

In the past week I have been introduced to two amazing products.  I call them beauty basics because they are pretty much minimal staples for a day to day look. 

(image via allure)

First up, Garnier BB Cream. 

I love coverage from a liquid makeup, but I spend a lot of my day rough housing toddlers and being outside when the weather is better – so I hate feeling like there’s a layer of stuff on my face.  So, for work I generally just used a pressed powder.  I wasn’t happy with the coverage all the time, but it was something.  I kept hearing about BB Creams and saw several ads – both print and television – for the Garnier BB Cream.  After reading a review on a blog, I decided to try it.

For $13 I got amazing light feeling coverage.  The color (Fair/Light) is perfect for my pasty self and didn’t leave crazy color lines if I didn’t blend well enough.  I am super pleased with it and have been talking about it to everyone!

(image via tumblr)

Next up is Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara.  I have naturally long lashes that are pretty full – I hit the genetics lotto on that one.  I’ve been trying different mascaras for years and have had some great and not so great ones.  I recently went back to one I had used off and on for years, and just wasn’t impressed.  Especially after seeing my co-teachers lashes this week!  So I asked her secret and she told me it was Illegal Length.  Since I had literally just bought a new tube of the old stuff last weekend I made a mental note to pick up the Illegal Length next time I needed some.  However, Friday afternoon she came back from her lunch break and handed me a brand new tube!  I was stoked! 

Ladies, this stuff is amazing!  My lashes looked longer, fuller, and darker.  I had no clumping issues what so ever – even when I threw a second (not completely necessary but I was excited) coat on.  I am absolutely in love!

I hate taking bare faced photos, but I may have to do so soon to show the amazingness of these two products in a before/after shot.  We’ll see about that, though.

What wonderful products have you come across lately that have become part of your can’t live without routine?

Book Review: White Lines by Jennifer Banash

A gritty, atmospheric coming of age tale set in 1980s New York City.

Seventeen-year-old Cat is living every teenager’s dream: she has her own apartment on the Lower East Side and at night she’s club kid royalty, guarding the velvet rope at some of the hottest clubs in the city. The night with its crazy, frenetic, high-inducing energy—the pulsing beat of the music, the radiant, joyful people and those seductive white lines that can ease all pain—is when Cat truly lives. But her daytime, when real life occurs, is more nightmare than dream. Having spent years suffering her mother’s emotional and physical abuse, and abandoned by her father, Cat is terrified and alone—unable to connect to anyone or anything. But when someone comes along who makes her want to truly live, she’ll need to summon the courage to confront her demons and take control of a life already spinning dangerously out of control. 

Both poignant and raw, White Lines is a gripping tale and the reader won’t want to look away.

(Cover and synopsis via goodreads)

**This is a review of a Galley edition of this book that I was approved to read via Netgalley.  All thoughts on this book are my own.**

1980′s NYC.  A young girl who is struggling to move past her demons as well as struggling to find a place to fit in.  Throw in some drugs, booze and club kids and we have this stunning coming of age novel. 

To many people her own age (and even those thinking back to our own time as a teenager), Cat is ‘lucky’.  She has her own apartment, no parents breathing down her neck, she works at and frequents one of the most current places to be seen and is gaining ground towards becoming a promoter.  But underneath it all she is a total mess.  The mere thought of her own mother terrifies her.  She is beyond angry at her father.  Cat is relying on drugs, booze, and the club life to help numb her to her day life fears. 

Banash wove this story in such a way that while Cat’s situation is not ordinary (even in 1980′s NYC, I would presume) it’s believable.  Her concerns and fears as well as her apathy and high points are all clearly conveyed through the story.  As a reader I found myself empathizing with Cat, and ultimately rooting for her to make the right choices and pull her life together.

My only gripe is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed.  It didn’t take away from the story, but I felt that with all that happened near the end a bit more could have been given.

If you take away the clearly 80′s references throughout the story, it could just as easily be set today.  This book has a certain something special about it, that cannot be denied.