Time for a Summer Tasting Party?

Today I went to Pier 1 and completed my dinnerware collection.

While I was there, I had so much fun looking at their tasting party collection. Of course I had no trouble envisioning perfect little portions of scrumptious dishes presented beautifully in all of the nifty little tasting pieces. But then I remembered how much I (don't) enjoy entertaining, or the fact that I have no idea what, exactly, it is that I would make to fill up all the many tasting dishes!! Whether or not you like to entertain, you'll enjoy browsing through their tasting party section on their website. They even include some recipe!! Who knows, maybe someday I will attempt a tasting party!

I finally decided to get different dinner napkins. The ones that I originally chose seemed a bit busy with the beaded border on top of the napkin rings. The ones I finally picked up are an interesting summery-green color with a discreet mustard yellow border. The green matched the border on my table runner. They are actually a variated color so they are not a solid green.   The colors never show true when I take pictures...but I've included a picture anyway, because this is a blog...and that's what you're supposed to do!

These are the rattan chargers and napkin ring I chose, as well

I also found a great lamp that I really, really wanted for the beside tables in our master. It was 80% off...because it  was the last one in any Pier1 store. :( I did buy it, because it was only $9. I'm sure I will need it. :)

One Tough Customer

Apparently I am a more difficult customer than I had realized. Now I always try to be kind, and I always tip at least 20% (yes, more for GREAT service). But sometimes I guess I just think toooooo deeeep for some people, especially in the restaurant business.

Actual conversation I had today, at Subway:

"I'll have the 6-inch orchard chicken salad on 9 grain honey oat." 
Subway man "Would you like that toasted?" 
Me: "Wouldn't that be kind of yucky?" 
Subway man: "Yes, ma'am, it would be." loooooooong pause. 
Subway man:"So you would not like it toasted, then?"

My dear friend Jessica then reminded me of this conversation, which I had completely forgotten about.

Actual conversation I had about 2 years ago, at Cheesecake Factory (on girls' night out!!) As written by my bestie, Jessica:

Waiter: “What would you like to drink, Miss?” 
Liz: “I don’t care, something with mango.” 
Waiter: “I’m sorry, we don’t serve mango drinks.” 
Liz: “Don’t you have some mango syrup from the bar you can put in lemonade?” 
Waiter: ...“Yes.” 
Liz: “Okay then” *while she rolls her eyes in boredom* 
Waiter: “So what would you like to drink???” 
***rest of the night, he makes no eye contact with me (Jess) and ignores me (Jess) with a passion while he humbly makes sure you (Liz) have everything you need***

This whole experience reminds me of a conversation I had at Pier 1 yesterday.

Pier1 Saleswoman: This set of vases is on sale, and they kind of go with the color scheme you have going on." 
Me: "Well, those seem to be a shiny coral color. All of the items I placed on the counter are more rustic burnt oranges and golds." 
Pier1 Saleswoman: "Well you know, they are on sale." 
Me: "I appreciate that....But, I mean....do you really think they match the rustic theme in the room?"
Pier1 Saleswoman: "Well, not really, but they were $79 and now they are on the sale for $12.99"
Me (in my head): "LADY these don't match my theme, they are the wrong color, they are ugly, and I don't care if they are on sale!!!" 
Me (out of my mouth): "You know, I'm thinking of getting a large urn to hold some giant bamboo. Do you have any suggestions?" 
Pier1 Saleswoman: "So you don't want these vases, then?"


I guess I am just a jerk for assuming that obvious questions need to be answered. :) But honestly for some reason I find that I have these conversations rather frequently. Weird & strange!!! If I ask you something, and you spit out an answer that makes sense, please oh please don't ask me again!!! :)

In all honesty I just find it hilarious. It gives me a daily laugh. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!!

Oh Happy Day @ Pier1!!!!!!

 Rattan Charger, White Coupe Dinner/Salad Plates, and a spice yellow napkin with a gold border. The napkin ring is shades of chocolate/amber/yellow etc. I bought just 1 place setting to see if I still love it in a few days. I've learned myself! :)

 The mirror still needs to be hung!! 

  The secret to staying cool here in S Florida...light coverlets. NO COMFORTERS!!!

  Rustic trinket tray

  Breakfast trays are very useful for decorating. Love this one.

  You can kind of see the wood color in this pic

  Burnished copper lamp with a silk champagne shade. 

  Emmett is sure I did all this work for him.

 I bought this piece of art when we first got married. I loved it then, and I still love it!! We still need to hang it. It's going above the bed.

Rich says he feels like someone is looking at him :) The colors don't show true in the pic. It has warm oranges, reds, yellows, chocolates etc.

Cheers to Pier1!!!

A Day in Hair History

When I hit puberty, my hair was suddenly possessed by demons. My long, soft curls looked, as my brother Michael so kindly put it, "like an explosion in a steel wool factory." I tried relaxers, straight perms, everything that was available to tame curly hair. Yet time after time, hair stylists would shake their heads and say "I've just never seen such thick, coarse, spiral curly hair. I don't know what else to do." When I was 14, I heard that there was a "Japanese straight perm" new on the market that could tame the craziest hair. I didn't really believe it could be true, and plus it cost about $1200 to get it done in California. When I went to visit my grandma for the summer, I left CA with crazy curly hair. Her hair stylist did the Japanese straightening treatment for $300. I decided to give it a go. I could not believe how straight, silky, and shiny my hair was when I left the salon that day. My mom and grandma saw me in front of the mirror later at home, eyes big--just running my hands through my hair, saying, "It's a miracle...."

For the past 8 years, I have successfully squelched every curl on my head. In fact, if you didn't know me before I was 14, you'd have no idea that my hair is, indeed, a story of epic proportions. There is enough money invested in my hair to put a down payment on a very nice house.

But today, I decided to be human. I have grown weary of the 2 hours it takes me to blow out and straighten my hair to polished perfection. I'm just running errands today. So, I gave my hair permission to show its true colors for the first time in 8 years. I've actually straightened it so much, that I've broken the curl. Now it's just a wavy-ness. I scrunched it with Jonathon Silky Dirt (my favorite EVER hair product) and actually put in a few curls with a curling iron. Then I played around with my new camera (which I still haven't figured out how to use fully) to create photographs for the archives of the epically unbelievable. I am leaving my house with curly hair today :)

I know, it's rather shocking. For me, too.

Almost smiling. :)

I think you get the full effect this way. I took this pic from the mirror. :)

Illogical? Yes

Emmett loves to sleep in his cat carrier. Nevermind that if I take him outside the house in it, he shrieks, screams, and attacks the inside of the carrier. When the carrier is back inside the house, suddenly he loves it, and it is his bed of choice. See his satisfied little face as he rests in his plush sherpa bag.

WasteNot Basket

Of all the things I will throw money at, I REFUSE to spend money purchasing those little garbage bags for bathroom/bedroom wastebaskets. I save and use Publix, Wal-Mart and Target bags for that job. I like this wastebasket a lot. It is a neat way to use up all those plastic grocery bags!! You can find this wastebasket HERE!!

Finally, a Little Sanity

I have finally gotten most of my kitchen stuff put away. Tonight I took the last box off of the kitchen counter and finally, I can cook in my kitchen!! This always makes me feel a little more sane! Even though the kitchen is galley style, the wall on the "sink side" has a large cut out so that it is open to the living room, which I really like.