What Ana Does

So, after shopping and trying on dresses , I had this idea ... what if I found a sensational skirt, paired it with a tank top (Gwyneth Paltrow style) and jazzed it up with a big, sparkly necklace and bejeweled flats. Well, I got all the pieces together this weekend and it didn't turn out quite the way I pictured it. The problem was the tank and skirt obviously didn't match together. Luckily, I had done some fancy-top shopping before our trip to Las Vegas , and one of them looked pretty great. The skirt has a little layering and the top is open and flattering! I also found a second dress for a dinner Dave is taking me to on April 10th. It's a business dinner, but I'm sure they're planning a BIG birthday celebration for me. Right? From Top Left: The Skirt; Versailles Outfit-Minus Jewels: Fancy Flats; Dinner Party Frock! EDITOR'S NOTE: I showed my Mom the outfit for Versailles (Top Right) and she vetoed it. The shirt is not sparkly or dazzling enough. I...

Seeing as how I have a fancy dinner ... at the PALACE OF VERSAILLES!! I better hit the mall and try on some dresses. This is the trouble with living so far from your sisters ... I was in the dressing room with about 15 dresses ... alone! With just my cell phone! So I snapped pictures of some of my favorites, which you'll see here. My objective was to find a dress ... 1. About knee-length. Tea-length is preferred, as this is a black-tie optional event and I don't want to show too much leg. Is IS for Dave's company, after all. 2. Something dazzling -- as I will be in the same building where fashionable Marie Antoinette once lived (granted with a much smaller dress budget). 3. Something I won't look nuts wearing flats with -- because I AM wearing flats. I refuse to be handicapped by uncomfortable heels if I get a chance to explore the royal rooms or the fabled grounds. Gravel in heels? Nothankyou. So my options were pretty good at the Lord & Taylor by m...

Not Me. Sister Maggie. It runs in the family All day I dream about soccer. It's the axis for which my world should revolved around ... as it has been for as long as I can remember. I'm either getting ready for a new season, or getting over a past season. I'm looking out the window like a caged animal dreaming of when the snow will melt and I can run outside. So, it's with great excitement today that I was given my Spring roster and game schedule for the team I coach for Leah. My dormant soccer brain is now whirling with drills and pep talks. I'm planning out my first practice talk with the parents, and what good ice-breaking activities we can do that first day. I'm getting a large part of my Fall team back this Spring, which pleases me to no end. The parents must like me, or they just like the continuity of the same girls going through this early training together. Either way, I'm pleased. I'm also delighted to have two co-coaches on my side. ...

Growing up in suburban Minneapolis EVERYONE went on vacation to the Wisconsin Dells. At the time, it was mostly outdoor waterparks and lake activities -- perhaps more, I never knew because we never went. Sure, it would have been pricey for a large family to go ... But tell that to my 12-year-old self who just wanted to go on vacation to the same place all my friends went. (In hindsight, there were likely many families who never went either, but...) So, fast-forward to the present day and we're less than a three-hour drive from this family vacation mecca. In no uncertain terms I made it known that we would get to the Dells ... and soon. I would put to rest the years of adolescent longing. Of course, this wasn't a tough sell to Dave or the kids. Indoor waterparks? Um, yeah, sure. When are we going? Spring break proved the best week to go. And with Dave's out-of-control travel schedule, we needed some family time. We were there Thursday morning through Friday afternoon a...

Pretty Pattern This is my second attempt on curtains in Alice's room. The first were pink, black-out curtains that I'd hoped would help her sleep in a little later (no such luck). They were inexpensive from Amazon and they just didn't do anything for her room. So when I replaced her curtain rod, I bought her new curtains as well. These ones are from Land of Nod and I just love the neat pattern on them. They're neutral but have a bit of a statement to make. And the pink matches the wall color -- Pink! Joy! And Alice likes them! I still may need to sew-in a blackout liner. I'd love it if Alice slept-in once in a while, so it's worth it to me to put the time in on making them darker. But I think that's a project for another day. After

Before In Leah's room, there are no curtain rods and the only windows are in the corner -- which was a challenge. But that corner was just screaming for some style -- that ISN'T beige blinds. It took me a few trips to Home Depot to get the right curtain rods but with Dave's help, we got them hung and the new curtains installed. The results are beautiful! I love how the green in the fabric plays off of the teal walls. My green-blue themed room just gives me giggles of delight. And here's the link to the curtains on the Land of Nod site .  Leah's Green Curtains - After! Memo to myself when I buy my next house: Pay close attention to curtain rods. So much better to buy a house with them installed. Adding them to this house has been such a production! And other than the master, none of the rooms had curtain rods. I will note that all the windows had these rather expensive looking blinds. That was certainly a plus.

Last week I was on top of the world. I had finally found a job that blended my favorite things (yay!) and was able to put in my two-week notice at my current job -- which I like but isn't exactly in my wheelhouse. The new job was closer to home, so I had visions of getting to soccer practice on time and earlier dinners with the family. Day dreams of just running to the office in the morning, after school bus drop off, in less than 25 minutes. The dreams when psft this week -- as did my entire week. The new job retracted the offer (I needed too much vacation time -- two weeks in the summer. geez!). Alice spent Wednesday night vomiting. My current job has already replaced me. But I now get to stay and train my replacement. My head is whirling as the plans I had for the spring and summer shatter into a thousand pieces. Back to serious job-hunting ... and not just the slow browse for the right thing, as I had been doing for the last year. And, to top it off, I found my favorite...

Audiobook: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor Read by: Khristine Hvam Genre: YA Lit Ok. I was walking through the YA section at the library and nearly fell over when I saw this audiobook. It's a pretty new book. A book that I bought not too many weeks ago and have been too busy to start. A book I have been waiting and waiting for since finishing Daughter of Smoke and Bone . I got it, of course, but it felt like cheating. Like I should be READING the book, for real. I got over that pretty quickly, as I fell back into Karou and her situation and powerful mix of emotions. In a sentence: this audiobook was ammmmazing. With Laini Taylor, you don't so much "read" her books, as you're pulled under the spell of her words, her characters and her world. It's big. It's deep. It's a rollercoaster ride of action and emotions. I'm not sure I can summarize this story easily or without spoilers, as it's the sequel and so much happened in...

Since early winter, we've noticed that Alice's legs just seem to be getting a lot longer. So in January, I started keeping track on the wall in the laundry room. Here are the results: that's about an inch taller in less than two months! From now on I'll chalk her meltdowns and frequent snacking to growing pains.

A few weeks ago, I got around to planting the windowsill garden Dave got me for Christmas. I put on the window over the sink, because that location has the best chance of getting attention each day. The kit included seeds for basil, parsley and thyme. As of this weekend, we have little sprouts in all the pots. A Sign of Spring! Guess this means I should start thinking about the veggie and herb gardens outside. Spring is just around the corner!

I know ... I was going to make the curtains for the girls' bedrooms. Heck, I even got fabric! Carol sent me some cute yellow gingham she was going to use in Adriana's room (abandon for store-bought curtains) and I found some cool, geometric-print fabric for Leah's room. But, the task required me to do some solid math to make alterations since the fabric was too short or not wide enough for an easy fit. I've been keeping my eye out for some pretty patterns that I might like a little better -- in store-bought curtains. A few weeks ago, I found them on Land of Nod. And with a 15% off coupon (free shipping, just about) I ordered them. And tried not to feel guilty for not sewing them myself. Today, I asked the girls iron them.   Tomorrow, I need to buy rods for Leah's room and get them hung. Can't wait to see the final results! Related posts: More posts about curtains

It's still a freezing March day and, after huge sandwiches at The Picnic Basket (yummy), we decided to walk off lunch in the shops nearby. We dropped by the kooky little thrift shop where I picked up  this framed print  last year and found it was going out of business -- the owners are moving to Texas -- so everything in the shop was 50% off. The place is usually hit or miss, so I was delighted to find this pretty treasure of a print. Cuca Romley From a Thrift Store Beautifully-framed with the artist's name embossed below, the price of the whole thing was $25! And the colors go perfectly in the dining room -- lots of grays, blues and greens. Some Googling of the artist, named Cuca Romley , uncovered the print's name "Place Furstenberg" -- a charming square in PARIS! The artist is Spanish and born in 1933. This print is from a series of etchings she did of sweet European squares. And I love it all the more. I proudly brought it home and wiped clean the ...

Audiobook: French Women for All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano Read by: Mireille Guiliano Genre: Memoir / Self-help I'll admit it. After finishing French Women Don't Get Fat I missed Mireille's common sense wisdom, anecdotes about growing up in the French countryside and her accent. So, I was delighted to find my little library had her sequel. Listening to her thoughts about eating in season and for pleasure was such a relaxing way to spend my commute. Sure, some of her advice is a little crazy or not at all based in reality. Her most outlandish story is about savoring one banana. Eating it for dessert ... on a dainty plate ... with a knife and fork ... and being too full/satisfied to eat the whole thing. So the second half goes into the fridge for later. Huh? And I do so wish I had a weekly farmer's market to go to, packed with goodies from a large assortment of farms. I don't. And certainly not in walking or peddling distance. But I do agree with he...

Audiobook: King Dork by Frank Portman Ready by: Lincoln Hoppe Genre: YA Lit A few years ago I read Andromeda Klein , and while I ended up skimming much of the first half of the book, looney Andromeda stuck with me. She was this great mix of brash punk and sweet innocence. King Dork came before, so I was always curious about it. When I found it on the shelf, I hoped I'd find another Andromeda. I found Tom, a dork with dreams of being in a rock band and a rampant imagination with a very exciting sophomore year to tell me about. And a pretty good story to boot. The book description talks a lot about finding Catcher in the Rye among his dead dad's things as a major plot point. I didn't think so. It was the whole library that changed everything. And I loved all the band names Tom and his one friend would come up with. Names that included first album titles, credits and song. Also, Tom hates The Doors, which I quite agree with. The one problem with this audiobook i...

Monet's Rue Montorgueil I had to come up with the first draft of the schedule for our dreamy Paris trip. Not to make you jealous to the point of hating me ... but I'm sharing: Sunday -- Arrive! Reception at Salon Opera ballroom Monday morning -- Montmarte Walking Tour (Amelie, right?!) Monday night -- Dinner at the Palace of Versailles Tuesday morning -- Rue Montorgueil shopping/tasting tour Tuesday afternoon -- St. Germain shopping tour (one or the other, or both) Wednesday morning -- Louvre Museum VIP tour (nonnegotiable!) Thursday morning -- D'Orsay Museum (Monet ... I'm coming!) Thureday afternoon -- Nortre Dame Thursday night -- Goodbye Dinner in Bercy Friday -- Depart! Yeah. You read that right. I have a dinner at the PALACE OF VERSAILLES. I need to find a cocktail dress and awesome pair of flats (because I will NOT be in heels if I get the chance to tour the gravel grounds) for the night. At the Palace. The Palace. That's my life now.

Audiobook: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella Ready by: Rosalyn Launder Genre: Chick Lit Occasionally I like to read about adults -- take a break from the teens and find out what my own demographic is up to. Sophia Kinsella is a well-liked "chick-lit" author so I browsed her section at the library last week and pulled the one that sounded the most likeable. What was I thinking!? My absolute most loathsome, pet-peevish plot device is creating a web of lies. Samantha, the main character here, bumbles into a housekeeper job interviews and, thanks to a rather powerful narcotic, gets the job – even though she’s actually a workaholic city lawyer. When she realizes it the next day, instead of coming clean, she keeps up the charade. Lie and lie builds up until I wonder how dumb any of these people can be. And how low can Samantha go? And this was just after the first disc. Like I do with any book I'm not into but feel invested enough (and for me, it...

Self portrait ... because I love my photo filters so. Walking Outside. It's Cold. And I Should Be Watching Where I'm Going

Audiobook: Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World by Mark Frauenfelder Ready by: Kirby Heyborne Genre: Memoir/How To I'm all for making by hand, so I thought this audiobook might be stuffed with fun ideas and tips. Nope. It wasn't bad but without illustrations, it was hard to follow what was being talked about. Clearly, it's aimed at geeky men who like to tweak their iPods and soup-up hybrid cars. I do not fall in this category. I might even question the wisdom of such a book to BE in audio, at all. I can't imagine building a guitar using a cigar box without some visual cues. Grade: Red Light

Big snowstorm has moved over the homestead. Many inches of snow predicted, so last night they closed school and daycare. I'm working from home, but also watching the, er, kids. Right! (How many movies is too many in one day?) Alice Checking Email To be honest, I'm feeling a little cabin fever. And I'm a little tired of working from home. My current job just isn't built for off-site work so I'm doing my best to be productive. Ahh ... winter in the midwest.

In the back hallway that leads to the garage we've had these rose-colored rugs since we moved in. They belonged to the previous owners and looked kinda nice with the wood floors. But completely useless with all the muddy, dirty, snowy boots that tramp in from the garage. Before: Two Rugs in the Back Hallway So, I've been researching options for that hallway and decided on the Waterhog rug from L.L. Bean . They had tons of different sizes and colors. And I've never read so many super reviews. The clincher was the price. For the size and quality -- much less then the other rugs I'd looked at. I picked this snazzy green color that goes so well with the wall color. I had to cover-up the heating vent back there, but I think it's worth it. What a Difference a Rug Makes! After: Neat and Clean! Related posts: More "Home Project" posts

Thinking Spring ... and testing out this new collage photo editor . These are from last Spring. I was taking pictures of where the daffodils were coming up (for next Spring) when this cherubic creature stepped into the garden.

Okay. I'll be honest. When I'm just making a meal for myself, I'll make a bowl of ramen noodles. I'll add some frozen peas and corn with the noodles. Sometimes, I'll pour off the broth and add a fried/scrambled egg. It's good! I know I'm not in college anymore, but it's good! So sue me. That's Gooood Ramen

So, most weekends I end up at the library getting a stack of audiobooks for the week ahead. Some are so bad, I don't even mention them on this blog. Hoping this is a good batch! There's snow in the forecast, so I could be doubling my commute time. Again. Notice the New French Theme?!

My Instagram love knows no bounds. I crop and cut and filter like I major in photography. This is one on my masterpieces: (In more ways than one.) Sweet Alice