{the big reveal}

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(just trying to build the suspense!)

boho chic sarah!

if i was thinking, i would've done a *before* pic. but i didn't. suffice it to say, this is a massive change.

about 6 inches off the bottom, a heavy bang which i have never done before, and about 5 shades darker than my natural color. 

I think she did a great job of zooey meets nicole - "hello, how do you do"

i love it. it's fun, and i have a little hop in my step now. 

i wish she would've left a bit more of the length (i asked for 3-4 inches off..baby steps people, baby steps) but it's really healthy now. 

so, there you have it. what do you think? 

{and by what do you think, i mean positive gushing comments only, i'm still a bit vulnerable.}  

{the great reinvention of 2010}

well i guess we're not even 3 months in, but whatevs. with all my new purchases, i'm feeling refreshed! saucy even! but there's still a few more things to revive.
 remember when i talked about needing a new 'do? i've hemmed and hawed over what to do. i couldn't seem to figure out what exactly i wanted. but i've reached the point where it doesn't even matter anymore, i need these crunchy ends and washed out color gone!

so, the d-day ('do-day, not the invasion of normandy) is this evening. here's what i've decided on:

+ a few more layers

i love it all. i hope it works on my dome. with a similar face shape, blue eyes and winter pale skin, i'm thinking (hoping) it will be great. 

add in an eyebrow wax, and i am going to feel like a brand new woman!

(p.s. vicki - i'm still hoping for a similar reaction as your recent makeover)

{and, the cotton commercial featuring zooey just came on as i typed this, fate!}

{etsy love and a question}

sorry i've been mia lately. it's sad, i've really wanted to come on here and share stories and shopping deals, but i've been so busy. work is to blame during the day and the olympics is to blame at night. but i have a little sticky note next to my computer of things to share (is that pathetic? hope not)

moving on, remember when i talked about all my etsy buys? i mentioned frye boots that i was debating on. 

i was hesitant because, while i love vintage things, i'm a borderline germaphobe. things like "who wore this before me?" "what was their hygiene habits?" cross my mind. but my mad desire to own a pair of frye boots trumped my fears and i clicked the "buy" button.

i am so glad i did! these beauties must've been a floor sample (perks to having tiny feetsies) because there is minimal  scuffing on the soles and no creasing whatsoever! and soft! butter soft! 

and the best part? $40 + $12 shipping

cereal.

but now there's a slight problem. with a shorter boot shaft (10.5 inches or mid-calf), i think i need to wear them with tighter pants. my skinny jeans aren't tight enough in the calf. i have only ventured in to the legging world a few times, and don't have a ton of tunics required for use. so my question is - denim leggings? there's some adorable pairs out right now, that look like real denim but with a bit more stretch than my skinnies have. 

coh - 'slick' skinny stretch denim leggings

nordstrom - $185

or a more affordable alternative

free people skinny stretch denim leggings

nordstrom - $68

what do you guys think? have any experience with denim leggings? cute or for pre-pubescent jonas brother lovers only?

{another house i'd love to stay in}

at least for a getaway.

treehouse pointe in issaquah, wa

{via here}

{via here}

{via here}

it's so beautiful, it doesn't even look real. 

i want to go. i need to go.

{cribs}

no, no. not that kind. houses. 

i have big dreams for my first house. probably way too big, but a girl can dream, right?

we've started looking for houses and it is the bane of my existence right now. there are so many cookie cutter houses on the market, but none with the character i want and need. i feel like the house just might not be out there (or maybe it's just not in my price range). 

so, i am going to pull together all of the characteristics i love and hope that somehow it appears - kind of like "practical magic" where sally casts the spell that she will fall in love with a guy that has one blue eye, and one green eye. what, am i the only geek who loooves that movie? 

1. craftsman-style house and staircases 

{via here, here, and here}

2. high ceilings, huge windows

{via here and here}

3. cornices and crown molding

{via here and here}

4. interior french doors

{via here and here}

5. multiple fireplaces

{via here, here and here}

6. breakfast and telephone nooks

{via here, here and here}

i don't think that is too much to ask, do you? oh, and a great school district, low asking price, 2 car garage and energy efficient. it would be super if it had an updated kitchen and baths too. oh oh, fenced back yard with enough room for libby girl to play, but not so much that i will be forced in to gardening. 

hmph. 

{i cannot believe my eyes}

i'm dragging a bit today. i logged in to my etsy account to check on the status of a shipment or two (more to come on that) for a monday-morning-pick-me-up, when i spotted the featured seller of the day.

guys, this seller is amazing! check out these soaps...

soapopotamus makes goat's milk soap in to the most realistic looking food shapes ever!

i want to buy one of each, although that could get a bit ridiculous. 

my brother likes goofy things and his birthday is in april. i might get him one or two as a gag gift :)

{cupid, draw back your bow}

{i love sam cooke. the most incredible voice. i think this song captures the whimsy of valentines day}

{from here, found via paper tissue}

{heart and hands print from etsy seller le papier studio}

{found via paper tissue}

{my fam. a little triple kiss captured on a camera phone - sounds risque but in this case, perfectly harmless}

now back to "the sandlot" on abc family...

happy valentine's day!

{i had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee}

..or hot cocoa. this makes me smile. such a shame they are sold out.

(from herriott grace, found via here)

{baby boomers on facebook}

a conversation with my mom and dad last night (on speakerphone, because they are like the younger version of the costanza's)

mom: i made 7 new friends today!
me: what do you mean?
mom: on facebook, you know.
me: so you didn't really make new friends, you found 7 old ones.
mom: oh you know what i mean! i have 115 friends now! and we have 51 friends in common.
me: stop stalking my friends, mom.
mom: i'm beating your dad, he only has 91.
dad: it's not a race dear!
dad: her school was closed today because of the storm. she's been on facebook all day.
mom: i have not! you stop!
dad: she's still in her jammies and hasn't eaten. she's going to go through withdrawls tomorrow.

{i might have a problem}

but it's all etsy's fault. i just keep finding so many things that i need (i also might place subjective definitions on words). i come across so many blog posts and think "hey, i need that!" and then scurry over to etsy to find something similar. i should stop there, but i can't help myself. great sellers have great stores. great stores create great needs. great needs cause a great big dent in the tax return check. *sigh* 

thanks to the lettered cottage, i became obsessed with nesting herb crates. to my delight, steve really liked them too and i quickly purchased them before he could change his mind. in a few days, we will be giving these guys a home in our dining room nook. 

(so.stoked.)

they can be found at whitewash sundries's etsy shop {and if you mention "letteredcottage" in the message to seller before february 12th, you get 10% off!}

well, being the great shop that it is, and that darn little preview on the right side of the screen, i see some other fab things - like this:

{remember my cookie-cutter entry & how excited i am for libby's "good girl" treats? they need to be stored in here, no?} 

you choose the dog silhouette and the monogram on the lid. adorbs!

and, you might remember my nautical theme post? well i was debating on whether to grab the sailor's knot bracelet, when i saw this beauty too. 

ahh, now i love them both. bank account, don't make me choose! 

i'm still trying to decide on a vintage pair of frye's (fryes? fries? no no). 

i've never purchased vintage shoes before, and it's kind of scary to me. but i'm also having a hard time saying no to a pair of perfectly worn in, soft, leather frye boots.

 (no link for you until i decide if i want to buy them or not...teehee)

i used to be so good - just "window shop" online but rarely pull the trigger (or rather, the cvc on the back of my credit card). must be because i haven't gone b&m shopping in quite awhile, thanks to mother nature. i suppose a little retail therapy never hurt anybody.  

{blue flower, red thorns!}

i've always had such a hard time answering the "what is your favorite color" question. i like all of them in different ways, so it's hard for me to pick the supreme {although, with a gun involved, i'd say yellow}. 

i stumbled upon this color career counselor today (via here). it just takes a minute or so, and simply consists of choosing your preferred color in a given list. no right or wrong answers, just your preference. 

{plus, if you're in a snow-laden place such as myself, it provides a nice break from all the white}

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're a PERSUADER

Keywords:

Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive

it then goes on to give examples of ideal workplaces and occupations. 

i was surprised at my results. for only using colors, that was pretty spot on. 

so what about you? can you give a definitive favorite color? 

did you take the test? was it as accurate for you? 

{in the battle of kim vs. kendra...}

kim won. blah. i didn't really care too much about this super bowl. although, i do love to watch the winning team celebrate at the end of the game. drew brees made me cry when he was with his son. i'm such a sap.

anyways, i did see two ads that i loved. one being this:

and this:

{honestly, this one took my breath away. my love affair with google runs deep}

so are you happy with the results of the game? have any favorite ads to share?

eta: hubs reminded me of this one - i knew there was one i was forgetting!

{i'm never buying a new winter coat again}

my new coat steal came in the mail today. adorable - feminine meets military inspired tulip coat. it arrived the same day as a massive snow storm. i feel slightly guilty - to the point where i'm tempted to buy a new bathing suit in order to reverse the spell.

(the view from work, 2 hours in to the storm and parking lot has been plowed once already...that's what she said)

{savannah is my hero}

this is the most darling thing i have ever heard. i want to squish her face!

{warning: cuteness ahead}

on saturday, our niece turned 2. she might be the most adorable thing in the world and it was so fun to "play" again. rejuvenating really (and made me sleep for 10.5 hours straight). not enough to make me want a bambino of my own quite yet (lets be real, there were a few "terrible two" moments), but it did warm my bnotb (babies not on the brain) heart.

here's a little photo montage for your enjoyment:

{what's that? i look cute?! just leaning on my coloring desk, what could be so cute about that?}

{i should really try out the cupcakes before our company comes. what if they're no good?!}

{whoa, this kitchen is for me?!}

{and this bike?! guys, you shouldn't have}

{playing with aunt "say" (that'd be me) screaming about the food - "IT BE HOT!"}

{one tuckered birthday girl}

{continuing with the nicole richie love...}

nicole, don't be scared. i love you think your sense of style is great right now! imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? especially when you can score the same look for 86% off (i think i did the math right). cereal.

nicole was spotted in an adorable tulip jacket:

and thanks to the blog world (bless your soul laura), it has been id'd and located. to urban outfitters. on sale. reg $138. now $19.99. o.m.g.

all sizes available gals. i purchased one already, will you? (if you do, and we hang out in real life, we'll have to coordinate our schedules so as to not double up, k?)

{in need of a new 'do}

i am completely bored with my hair. seriously, watching paint dry is more exciting than what i've got going on top of this head. i haven't trimmed my bangs since two days before my wedding (5 months ago now), because I thought that i didn't want them anymore. now i think i'm missing them. ugh.

normally, when i look at a celebrity magazine, i look at clothes, accessories, shoes, etc. now, the first thing i scope out is hair. telling, no? so here's what i'm crushing on:

{nicole richie}

i might have a slight girl crush on her (note: post-harlow, not pre) and i am loving her hair right now! she's in the latest marie claire uk (and after she had her son sparrow, can you believe it?!)

(images via here)

{zooey deschanel}

if i have a slight girl crush on nicole, i have the hugest of crushes on zooey. she's adorable, married to ben from death cab, sings with m.ward and a great actress! i love her sense of style. puffy heart love.

(image via)

(image via)

(image via)

{kate beckinsale}

perfect color. so natural-looking. and healthy!

{rachel bilson}

yet another one i love. if only i could pull off some of her looks.

i guess my dilemma lies in: to bang, or not to bang? to go dark dark brown, or just semi-dark brown? to layer or not to layer? ahhh, so many questions. i like them all, maybe i'll just throw a dart and pick one. or, you could give me your input.

eta:
{jen garner}
how could i forget..