How to look "Put Together" in less than 10.

Before you leave the house...

Take those sweats off, and put on some jeans (at least!)

If you want to be more comfy, opt out of wearing a belt.

*but know that the belt will make you look 

more "put together." with little effort

PUT ON A BRA!

Even this simple look of jeans and tee

is more "put together" than sweat pants girl.

Pearl studs. I find that white pearls always light

up a complexion, no matter what!

Put that pony into a low pony tail, with side part.

Takes same amount of time as a regular pony, but 

this looks like you TRIED!

Put a shiny chapstick on or lipgloss. If you want to put in even a little more effort, eyeliner and mascara can't do any harm on a girl either! (And you still have some time left out of the 10 minutes). My main tricks are the low pony/side part, pearl studs, and changing out of the sweat pants. Easy enough, huh?

Found objects.

The Husband & I found these on our nightly walk. If they look like chestnuts to you....you are WRONG, sort of. They are actually Horse Chestnuts...which are TOXIC. But we had a great time stomping on the outer husks, and seeing the horse-chestnuts pop out. I grabbed a couple to photograph when I got home. It's unfortunate they are toxic because they sure do look beautiful. (and maybe even scrumptious). 

Here is a website that teaches you the difference b/t REAL chestnuts vs. Toxic chestnuts! After the photo shoot, I threw mine away. Didn't want to take a chance on any animal or human! eating them. 

Functional Decor.

2 of my infamous Avocado Paintings.

(I love the colors in avocados).

The bottom one is the very first one I ever

painted. Las Vegas 2007.

The bottom one also hides our thermostat!

The canvas that was used for the painting

is deep enough to cover the thermostat.

This is located on the bottom shelf of what 

used to be, my night stand. It is now a side

table that sits right outside our bedroom, 

next to a chair. I love that vintage

bowl to store ALLLLL our colored

pencils. (we have a lot of art supplies).

fall foods.

Opal Apples (a new variety). Crisp, juicy, tangy.

*AND this is a break through, bc I have for YEARS

hated apples, not because of the taste, but because

of the texture. So this is pretty amazing.

The only time of year I allow myself to buy Oreos.

For some reason, the hot-orange filling 

makes them absolutely irresistible. 

Other Fall foods I am looking forward to: Pumpkin Pie ice cream (which we already have in the freezer!), home made apple pies, caramel apples.

Love Affair with a Book Shelf.

On top (one perk of having high ceilings):

Husband's cardboard trophies & my "get well" plant.

Top Shelf: Painting by yours truly. Bleached skulls found by 

my husband. Fleur des Lis bookend, gift from an old roommate. 

Beloved books. (some very old!) Wire Man made by husband.

Next Shelf: Atticus Cat Sculpture made by my brother.

More BOOKS. Framed photo from my bday last year.

Ghurka Knife that Abe's grandfather brought back from

India during WWI (?).

Semi color-coded books.

Sea rocks found on Washington coast.

Bottom Row: (which is not pictured) has large coffee table books

a vintage flower basket and picture albums.

It's not a fancy shelf. In fact it's an unobtrusive IKEA shelf, which I purchased on one of my first excursions with one of my best friends. The style of the bookshelf isn't even really what I would consider "my style" but none of that matters, because it's more substantial than a typical ply-wood Target shelf and it holds some of my most favorite things in the world. I am constantly re-arranging the books and objects on that shelf and having a grand old time doing so. NERD FEST! I would be happy with 3 more of those shelves.

Welcome!

I simply could not resist or hold out any longer from public contact. This will be a place where I share things. Things ranging from tips that I find to be useful, projects, anything beautiful, and the occasional funny story or two. Let's be friends.