Peace and love

Since I already started the week with documenting my clothes, I thought it'd be fun to keep going and see what I've been wearing to work.


Today was a blue-green affair that inadvertently carried a "peace" theme. I may have unconsciously been hoping for some sort of tranquility.

Love the details on this pouch-turned-clutch.
Blue Love Dove Embroidered Accessory Pouch, Jonathan Adler for Barnes & Noble

Peace be with me.

Yep, more headbands. I got six colors to mix and match!

A touch of Tiffany

Wrap tulip dress from Banana Republic. Cocktail ring from Cebu, Philippines.
And my hair's a hot mess.  

Glitter and Bold. Quick fix for unruly hair.

Monday pick-me-ups

Mondays don't have to be a drag.  Here are my pick-me-ups to start the week off on a high note!

My go-to sunglasses and hair accessory

I love the floral eyelet detail on the sides, even if I'm the only who notices them.
Sunglasses by Oscar de la Renta

Flowers AND pink. How much more girly can I get?
Headband from Icing by Claire.

Scored these Plastic Dreams by Melissa flats at DSW for a cool $13!

Off to join the workforce with flowers in my hair!

Highs and Lows

Last week was a mix of highs and lows. 

High: Spending time with Jr’s family and watching 4^th of July fireworks for the first time in Ohio.

Low: Jr wasn’t there.

****

High: Skyping with my Mom

Low: Hearing her news that my best dog, Jack, had to be put down. 

He is a Boston Terrier who was originally named Murray.  My uncle gave him to us in 1998 after his right eye was scratched by a Pug named Abbey, and we started calling him one-eyed Jack.

While I’ve gone through my fair share of iguanas and hamsters, Jack was my first real pet.  He followed me everywhere and slept on my bed.  I taught him how to sit and “paw” and stand on his hind legs. 

Whenever I’d come home, he’d be waiting by the door.  He would get so excited that he would literally run all over the place with his squeaky toy until he realized no one else was running around.  His squishy face was always a welcome sight, and he looks like he’s smiling all the time when he’s actually panting.

After we moved to a new house, he had to stay at our old home so I wasn’t able to play with him as much anymore.  It wasn’t until he got much older that we finally brought him in with his own little house in our garage (along with his “family” -- another Boston Terrier named Rose and their offspring, Julie).  By then, his energy wasn’t the same and he had to rest all the time. 

After I left Manila, they too started “leaving.”  First, Rose. Then, Julie.  And now, Jack.


I know they're in a better place (All dogs go to heaven, after all), but I can't help the loneliness that creeps up on me at the most unexpected moments. Try as I might, the sadness is often overwhelming.  I miss Jack, but at least he is finally free from his pains.

Jack, Dec 1998 - July 4, 2012

***

High: Staying in touch with friends.

Low: Not actually being with them.


Two of my closest friends, Argie and Rizza, and are getting married this week.  It's going to be an incredible milestone in their life and I won't be able to witness it.  Obviously, it's not that I don't want to be there, but I simply can't afford it.


I wish them all the best in the world. They've been through so much together.  There is no one else they are meant to be with but each other.


***
Here's hoping for a fresh week filled only with highs.

Overthinking

My biggest challenge when it comes to blogging is to stop thinking and just start writing. I always like things to have some kind of organization to it, even if it’s just in my head. And in the end, I’ve spent too much time “organizing” and I’m left with no time for the actual execution.

So, finally, I have laid out my plan for organization domination for this blog that will push me to write every freaking day and keep my scatter-brain focused.

Stay tuned.

Somebody that I used to know

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know


Like most songs - or any creative work, for that matter, "Somebody that I used to know" was written by Gotye based on his own experience, on relationships he's had in the past.  The official music video brings the message of the song to life about someone who had once been so special just fading into the background.



Original Music Video by Gotye


On the other hand, the video cover by Walk Off the Earth was just, well, cool.



Cover Video by Walk Off the Earth

Lemon Drop Cookies!

I got this recipe from the cookie issue of Taste of Home back in December. Lemon squares in cookie form.  Sweet, refreshing, and the perfect end to any meal.  Yum!

Lemon Drop Cookies
Yield: About 3.5 dozen
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp. half-and-half
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely crushed lemon drops (I used a food processor to crush the lemon drops)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg, cream and peel.
2. Combine the flour, lemon drops, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. (One tip: Make sure to use the lemon drops as soon as possible because they tend to clump together and harden)
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 3 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. (I kept the batch I made for about 12 minutes, and the cookies were still softer than I expected.) Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

The cookies are nice and chewy, especially when warm.

Ribbons and things

I love ribbons. If I could, I'd have spools of all colors with its own little library in my dream craft room - or a nook would be fine too, just like these:

For now, all I have are random spools that I keep in a box.

Ribbons were my inspiration for my craft time with my younger sister-in-law.  I made a "gift card."

Who shall I give this to?