OoohsWorthy

taking a break.

2009-06-25T00:38:00.002-04:00

Hi readers! First of all, thanks for checking out my blog from time to time. I started posting somewhat regularly about six months ago and it's always nice to see that people actually visit the site.

That being said, I'm taking a break from posting to this blog--indefinitely--because I don't have as much of an interest in it right now and I'm not finding it particularly interesting or relevant. And if I'm thinking that, I can't imagine how you must feel! ;)

Take care!

--J.K.

preview clip: rh of nj reunion.

2009-06-23T17:46:00.003-04:00

Preview of the Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion tonight:

smooth like buttah.

2009-06-23T00:06:00.005-04:00

If you know me, you already know that I have a profound appreciation for all things related to The Body Shop. However, you might not know just how many of their beauty products I've accumulated over time. I thought it might be fun to dig out some of my collection to show you. Here are my body butters:

Clockwise from top left:

1. Moringa--flowery and light, it's for normal/dry skin and it goes on relatively thick.
2. Coconut--warm beach-y scent, smells like sunscreen, not too sweet. It is said to be for normal to dry skin on the website, but the packaging says very dry skin, and I have to agree with that. It's very thick and goes on kind of oily but in a good way.
3. Mango--fresh and fruity but not overpowering, thick but easily absorbed formula for very dry skin.
4. Satsuma--very strong, energizing citrus scent (don't put it on at the office unless you want to draw attention!), nice light texture, for normal skin.
5. Pink Grapefruit--A much more restrained version of a citrus scent. It's good but doesn't smell quite how you think it might, light and easy to rub in, for normal skin.
6. Moringa--ha, again!
7. Mango--again...it came in a set of three. :p
8. Pomegranate--love the smell, again not what you might expect, although come to think of it I don't really know what pomegranate smells like; it's not a particularly strong-smelling fruit. Great medium texture, for normal skin.
9. Shea--this scent never gets old, and it moisturizes extremely well. Thick and truly like butter. For very dry skin.
10. Olive--unlike some olive products, it does NOT smell like olive oil or a greasy olive you might eat off a cocktail skewer. It's fresh and barely noticeable. Moisturizes very well, good for dry skin.
11. Passion Fruit--I would never pick out this scent on purpose, but it was hidden in a set I bought and I actually like it. For normal/dry skin.

The thicker formulas are great for putting on before bed, and the lighter formulas work well if you're in a hurry or it's really humid (DC summer!). The lightest two of the bunch are definitely satsuma and pink grapefruit, with the heaviest ones being coconut and shea.

Which one is my favorite? That depends which day you ask!

best bully sticks.

2009-06-17T22:53:00.012-04:00

Sadie received a very special package in the mail yesterday from bestbullysticks.com. Sadie is not quite a year old yet, so there are still plenty of treats she had never tried, bully sticks being one of them. Here's her reaction:

The music doesn't really go, I just didn't want my silly voice in the background. :)

After making an effort to be polite (shaking hands) and patient, she took it and ran, but not before licking my face (at the ten second mark). Obviously, Sadie has found a new favorite snack. I like them too because they were delivered in a snap, are all-natural, gentle on my puppy's digestive system and kept her amused for almost an hour straight!

taste of the town.

2009-06-15T15:15:00.006-04:00

This weekend a friend and I went to Taste of the Town, a local food showcase held annually in Reston Town Center. Neither of us had been before, so we didn't know quite what to expect. There were a TON of people there, and in true Reston fashion, everyone brought their dogs. I wish I had known; I might have let Sadie tag along!

It was great fun listening to live music and sampling the yummy treats. Admission and parking were free. $1 bought you one ticket, and tastings cost between 1 and 5 tickets. With my ten tickets I got:

1. Two sliders and a plate of crispy battered fries from M&S Grill (delicious!)
2. A bowl of amazing pasta bolognese from Il Fornaio
3. A sweet, fresh chocolate-covered strawberry from Vie de France
4. A cup of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream from Paradise Ice Cream
5. A bottle of ice-cold water

We never found the beer garden, but maybe next year...

Best of all, we managed to avoid the rain!

Image via reston.com

true, true.

2009-06-11T20:46:00.001-04:00

Via DCist:

spaetzle!

2009-06-08T01:37:00.008-04:00

The other day I was in a different grocery store from my usual one, and while browsing around I came across a childhood favorite of mine--spaetzle!

I had never had it out of a box, but it was very simple to prepare. Just boil with water and some salt:

Then strain. I added butter and more salt to try to get that delicious-buttery-salty flavor I remember:

Not quite like the homemade kind, but not bad at all!

deep thoughts.

2009-06-06T01:11:00.007-04:00

Over the past month I've been thinking a lot about career paths, and what I want to work towards. I've also been thinking a lot about what I'm doing with this blog. I took this past week to try to define my focus. Is the goal in writing my blog to report on good products and fun trends? Entertain you with random musings? Share a peek into my life? How personal should I get? Should I take pictures of cute outfits and risk losing anonymity? Is blogging about eating pizza for dinner every night really an option?

Here's what I've come up with:

1. I want to write novels, eventually. Maybe.
2. I want to own a bakery, eventually. Maybe.
3. I want to be a makeup artist, I think. Sometimes.
4. I want to be a stylist (fashion). Sort of?

As you can see, I'm all over the place. I guess my solution now is just to blog about my journey along the way--and if there are product reviews sprinkled in, so be it--if for no other reason than maybe I can find insight by re-reading my posts.

I would love any advice or feedback my readers have...and don't get used to me having such deep thoughts! ;)

p.s. No, I'm not that pale and my eyes aren't quite that bright blue. Must have been the flash...

merlin's bark products.

2009-05-27T01:13:00.004-04:00

My puppy Sadie is a handful. One of her favorite things to do is to knock over a full water dish. She pushes and paws at it until it's upside down, no matter what kind of bowl it is. How fun for me!

After getting sick of scolding her and cleaning up water all over the kitchen floor, I ordered an elevated dog feeder on Etsy from Merlin's Bark Products to solve the problem. I was sold on the fact that I could choose the color and the perfect height. Mine is 4.5" tall, painted a rich brick red that coordinates nicely with the room's decor, and the bowls are the exact size I need for her food servings. Here is the lovely feeder I received promptly in the mail, with Sadie doing some investigating:

It was packed very well so as not to damage the wood, treated to protect the paint against water splashes, and it even came with a nice thank-you note from the seller! I highly recommend checking out Merlin's Bark Products on Etsy.

So far she hasn't tried to tip it over...

rachael sudlow jewelry.

2009-05-22T16:01:00.008-04:00

Today I found the CUTEST necklaces on Etsy.com

Well, I didn't find them, Etsy featured this seller in a community e-mail, but I'll go ahead and take credit for discovering her jewelry, thank you...

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Rachael Sudlow creates refreshingly fun and original necklaces, earrings, rings and such. She uses recycled silver in all of her designs, and since I'm partial to necklaces, some of them are featured below (I'm dying for all three of these):

Bird and Nest Necklace, $50

Two Peas in a Pod Necklace, $37

Double Cicada Lines Necklace, $40

Okay, so I totally thought that last one was butterfly wings until I saw the name, but I actually love that it's not. Millions of cicadas "grace" the DC area with their presence every 13-17 years, and if you live here you know that their arrival can only be described as biblical. Those things are everywhere. So this necklace is fun and kind of personal for me. Plus, I love the unexpected contrast between the beautiful necklace and the fact that it's...er, insect wings.

I just had to get to know a little more about the artist behind these amazing pieces.

Q and A with Rachael Sudlow:

JK: How long have you been making jewelry?
RS: Years & years, really since I was a little kid...I always had beads growing up & would stitch them into really intricate woven bracelets. I blame seeds beads for my bad eyesight. In high school, I got very into the metals classes & did a lot of great jewelry there. I continued through college, minoring in metals.

JK: Where does your inspiration come from?
RS: I'm always trying to learn new techniques & tools. These give me the new skills to try out different designs. Great materials like beautiful stones & beads also drive me to new work. Of course many of my designs are playful & have a nature theme...I'm an outdoors, Kansas girl & love anything that is organic.

JK: I love the dull-ish look of the silver, would that be called "brushed" or is there another technical name for it?
RS: Brushed looks like these are so nice..they hide flaws easily & wear well. When a piece is super highly polished, it'll show wear much quicker. I'm hard on my own jewelry, so I want stuff that'll last!

JK: Which piece is your favorite?
RS: This changes all the time..usually it's my latest new piece, because I'm proud of what I accomplished to make it. But for staples in my own wardrobe, I wear a pair of these silver cicada earrings almost daily- they catch a lot of attention & are super light, so they dont bother my sensitive ears.

JK: What advice would you give to people who are trying to make a name for themselves either in jewelry or another crafty category?
RS: Create create create! I'm always making stuff, even if I have no idea if anyone else will like it. If they dont, at least I have a cool new piece for my own collection. Look to books & other pieces for technique ideas, but get creative & make something truly unique & unusual...nobody wants to buy something they've seen everywhere else! it's great to be different. Find a niche to appeal to. I sell a lot of peapods to moms who want to symbolize their families. I also try & make wedding & regular rings that are different, but still classic. My Oak rings have been a huge hit with nature loving folks & I'm so happy to be a part of so many weddings!

Now the real question is which one will I buy for myself?!

Bonus: Free shipping on all peapod pieces through Monday! Just mention that it's an Etsy Finds long weekend deal for Memorial Day in your message to the seller when you buy on Etsy.

reader e-mail: green cleaning.

2009-05-20T16:04:00.004-04:00

I got an e-mail from a reader! Yay!!!

Ooohsworthy (or J.K.?),

I follow you on twitter and you talk a lot about being "green". I was wondering, what are some of the cleaning products you use that are eco-friendly but still clean well?

Great question! I try to reduce my impact on the environment by using natural and non-toxic cleaning products.

Recently, I went to stock up on some more specific ones to use around my condo, since I was getting sick of using my all-purpose cleaner for, well, all purposes. Also I'm just a sucker when I'm wandering around Target.

Here's what I picked up:

From left to right, then center:
1. Method Wood for Good wood surface cleaner
2. Method Daily Shower natural no-scrub spray cleaner
3. J.R. Watkins All-Purpose Wipes, aloe & green tea scent
4. J.R. Watkins Window Cleaner, lavender scent
5. Method Steel For Real stainless steel polish
6. Method stainless steel microfiber cloth
7. Method Daily Granite granite + stone cleaner
8. Scotch Brite biodegradable bamboo wipes (not sure why they're called wipes, they're more like cloths)

I also use Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, Palmolive Eco+ dishwasher detergent, and Method's tub + tile and all-purpose formulas, all of which are eco-friendly AND inexpensive!

more progress!

2009-05-19T22:54:00.005-04:00

If you've been following my condo clean-up project, you've probably learned not to hold your breath. However, today I finally made some more progress!

Here's what my bedroom looked like first.
Here's what it looked like after progress step 1.

I regret to inform you that it got worse before it got better, so these next shots may not seem like much of an improvement over the April posting.

Here is what it looks like now (my closet door will now close!):

Check out all that extra floor space!

It turns out the key problem in this room was plain and simple; I had too much stuff for the space. This picture shows less than half of what was removed from my room:

Where is all of this extra stuff going? I'm happy to say that almost nothing is going in the trash. Some of the unwanted items are going to be sold on eBay, but most will be dropped off with my parents, who donate all sorts of things to different charities each month.

Being in my room now feels great instead of stressful! Almost finished...

follow-up to faux pas friday: the complaint letter.

2009-05-19T01:31:00.002-04:00

The company to which I was referring in my post on Friday has made up for my bad experience and deserves an A+ for customer service.

Today I was personally contacted by a customer service representative who addressed my concerns and then asked for my address so that she could send gift cards for future purchases.

A job well done!

does anyone remember this song?

2009-05-17T03:44:00.003-04:00

I remember this song from some watch commercial I saw a couple times in Geneva in the late nineties, never knew what it was called (although fairly obvious now) or who sang it. Now that I do, I can't seem to find it on itunes...anyone?!?!

faux pas friday: the complaint letter.

2009-05-15T10:58:00.006-04:00

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar...

"This * is either severely understaffed or under poor management, or both. I ordered a * at the drive-thru and when I drove around to the window they didn't have my order/hadn't made it, so I drove around front so they could bring it out to me, and they brought the wrong *. At this point I didn't want to wait longer for the right one so I left. The person taking orders appeared to be busy joking around with the customer ahead of me and didn't pay much attention or confirm my order, but I felt bad for the one making * who had to run around picking up slack. For me, it took the convenience out of the drive-thru.

Ultimately, I blame the management of this particular store. It appears that they need to staff appropriately and manage their employees. Because of the nature of the * preparation I don't expect this to be as fast as *, but I'd like to see a change in service or I probably won't go back; it's too much of a hassle."

I wanted to post this as an example of the "right" way to get your point across in a civilized manner. I have read countless scathing e-mails (at former jobs) that aren't articulate enough to allow the reader to address the concern.

*= names, specifics removed

Thank you for tuning in. This has been lessons in etiquette with OoohsWorthy. ;)

that's not my name.

2009-05-14T00:53:00.004-04:00

FYI...

Last post I mentioned my Etsy store opening and I have one item so far, called the "Jeannie Apron". As you may have seen from my profile, my initials are J.K., but Jeannie isn't my first name.

I'm on a creative streak, so look for new items in the store soon!

good-bye my lovelies...

my etsy shop!

2009-05-12T16:03:00.005-04:00

My Etsy shop is finally up and running! So far I have only listed one item, because I am trying to gauge interest:

To see the store, click here.

As always, I love your feedback!

hillwood tour.

2009-05-10T21:17:00.031-04:00

My immediate family (those that are in the area) had Mother's Day plans to visit the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in the Cleveland Park area of Northwest DC. Unfortunately, I was a little under the weather, so they had to go without me.

Hillwood is the former home of the late Marjorie Merriweather Post, heir to the Post cereal fortune and a prominent art collector, socialite and philanthropist in DC. Aside from her amazing art and china collections (such as tableware that was owned by Czar Nicholas II), the 25-acre estate has beautiful gardens as well. Cameras are not allowed inside, but here are some of the photos my mother took of the gardens:

That's my sister-in-law below, in the pink cardi!

I think it was a nice Mother's Day outing for my mother, who is already planning when she'll be going back, this time with me!

matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match...

2009-05-09T16:33:00.005-04:00

I'm a huge fan of The Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo, so when Patti Stanger (owner of the matchmaking service featured on the show) wrote this book:

I had to have it. On the show, Patti is a blunt, honest businesswoman who bypasses sugar-coating to coach millionaires into meeting the match of their dreams. I'm happy to report that she brings the same realistic approach to her book. It's an amusing and interesting read; ideal if you want a light-hearted--but dead-on--take on men and relationships.

As luck/fate? would have it, I was only halfway into the first chapter, "Dating Detox" when I got back together with my boyfriend. I have to admit it, the girl is good!

Now, if someone could come up with a matchmaking service for finding the perfect career, I would be set!

sewing project: complete!

2009-05-04T19:57:00.006-04:00

Remember my sewing project from the beginning of April? If not, check it out here.

Today I finished the first test pieces! Now I have an oven mitt and an apron to show for it:

The look I was going for when I drew up the proportions of the apron was kind of a casual, BBQ outdoors cute-but-not-too-practical thing. I love that it can be worn over a mini skirt or shorts and look adorable, a la Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (when she visits Aidan's country home). It has the coverage of a fig leaf, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I'm thinking of making more in different color combinations and revising the design a little bit. What do you think?

vogue!

2009-05-03T23:02:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I was so excited to get this package in the mail!

I can't elaborate now, but hopefully more soon!!

take the good with the bad.

2009-05-02T17:48:00.004-04:00

I'm baaaack!

I took a little break from posting, and I must say it was one heck of a week.

Headlines:

1. Horrifying interview in 95 degree room leaves girl sweating
2. Girl loses job in middle of bad recession, will puppy roommate help pay rent?
3. Same girl gets called very next day re: awesome government job!
4. Cost of living at J.K.'s pad increases as internet is switched (read: no longer free)
5. Confusion over source of puppy food may cause drastic shift in formula

Next week can only get better!

patent leather paradise.

2009-04-21T20:23:00.014-04:00

Today I asked my fellow Twitterers (Tweeters?) to vote on tonight's post. Turns out people would like to see my shoe collection. Or at least they wanted to see it more than the other choices! I decided to narrow my focus to the patent leather shoes. I love how colors can be so luscious and vibrant on patent leather:

Metallic charcoal gray...

Sunny yellow with canvas...

Color-blocked...

Ultra high platforms...

Bordeaux with a bronze buckle...

Sandy pink slides...

Robin's-egg-blue peep toes...

Eggplant purple with a perfect round toe...

The purest ivory with contrasting black trim...

and one of my favorites: bright, fresh green!

I hope you enjoyed a peek at my shoes!

sunday snacks.

2009-04-19T20:28:00.004-04:00

Who doesn't love nibbling on snacks? Today I had a really amazing--and filling!--late lunch, so I didn't want a normal dinner. Enter Harris Teeter, my choice for last-minute snack runs. I walked over there and trotted back with these goodies:

When snacking, one must always have:

1. Soda (after trying the HT ginger ale, it might be better as a mixer...stick with the brand in this case)
2. Something crunchy and salty: goldfish crackers!
3. Something healthy to make you feel good: bananas will help my sore muscles from today's tennis lesson
4. Something rich and chocolate-y: fudge stripes cookies!
5. Ice cream: enough said.
6. Something unusual to keep things interesting: rice pudding

Now I have the perfect antidote to the Sunday-night-blues. Yummy!

my two great loves.

2009-04-16T19:30:00.004-04:00

Sometimes a girl just needs some good Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a night in. Here are my two all-time favorite flavors:

Close runners-up: Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, Americone Dream, Imagine Whirled Peace.

What's your favorite flavor? I love hearing from my readers!

Don't forget: Free Cone Day is April 21st!

what i'll be reading.

2009-04-14T20:59:00.004-04:00

With a stressful job and a needy puppy, the only kind of reading I'm doing these days is of the light and fluffy variety. Whenever I'm at Barnes & Noble, I pick up a book or two, and I read every night before bed. Basically, if it's chick-lit (sorry, but what else could I call it?) and it's been published in the last five years, I have probably read it. Here's a shot of the recent purchases I haven't gotten around to yet:

Which book is on your nightstand right now? I love hearing from my readers!

progress!

2009-04-13T20:19:00.007-04:00

Remember my CRAZY messy room from a while back? If not, relive the horror here.

Anyway, this weekend I finally managed to make some progress on the disaster. It's difficult because you can't move stuff out of the way to organize other things, because there just is no space. After reading my organizing book, I also discovered I have some psychological obstacles that are preventing me from being organized (i.e. need for abundance or the idea that your chaotic space encourages more creativity). If you really want a neat, efficient space but just can't seem to make it happen, you should read Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern. She discusses possible root causes (psychological and technical) of your disorganization and how to work with your personality and come up with a system that works for you, so that you can realistically maintain it. The level of detail she goes into is incredible.

Last night, I conquered my fear of organizing imperfectly, and decided that so-so was better than nothing at all. I slept on a completely clear bed! I intend to keep it this way:

In fact, it has been so long since my bed was totally clear for more than the time it takes to change the sheets, that when I cleared it off, the heavens opened up and shone down on it:

*sounds of angelic chorus*

Maybe when I finally finish fixing up my room, you will all be able to see my adorable furniture and the chic cream/black/bronze theme I've got going on.

Want to cheer me on in my total-apartment-organizing quest? Have a similar project and want tips? Drop me a line!

p.s. Again, those clothes everywhere are clean. I need to buy more hangers. And a second home to house my clothing.

april showers.

2009-04-11T10:47:00.004-04:00

I love a clear, plastic, bubble umbrella. There is just something very1960s mod about it. Here is a selection of my favorites, clockwise from top left:

1. NYC subway umbrella, $35, umbrellastand.com

2. Urban Outfitters clear bubble umbrella in White, $18, urbanoutfitters.com

3. Navy clear polka dot umbrella, $24.95, umbrellas.com

4. Totes Elements clear bubble umbrella in Floral, $16.99, target.com

5. Frankford clear printed bubble umbrella in Symphony, $22.90, luggagepoint.com

6. Totes Elements clear bubble umbrella in Multicolor dot, $16.99, target.com

7. Clear purple tint dome umbrella, $16.95, umbrellas.com

8. Totes Elements clear bubble umbrella in Raindrop, $16.99 target.com

Grab one of these and some wellies, and you're all set!

skin care solutions.

2009-04-08T22:17:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I stopped by the Clinique cosmetics counter with my mother. We're both suckers for the gifts-with-purchase, but this time I had a specific product I wanted to try. From the new Redness Solutions line of products, Instant Relief Mineral Powder:

The constant changes in weather lately and lots of stress have made my skin red and dry. This stuff is AMAZING at masking and reducing the redness. It goes on super silky and my skin instantly looked calmer and clearer. Even Mom--typically skeptical about such things--agreed that it made a huge difference.

My mother discovered one of my all-time favorites, the Deep Comfort Body Butter:

I love this stuff. The great thing about this formula is that it has no scent at all and absorbs really quickly. You get the moisturized skin you wanted, with nothing that will clash with your perfume or make your keyboard/steering wheel/cell phone greasy. It's not too heavy for spring and summer, but it's still suitable in winter, which is great because with the weather in DC lately, you never know what you're going to get.

sewing project.

2009-04-05T19:07:00.011-04:00

Yesterday I worked on a mini- project that involved learning how to sew. My mother is an expert seamstress who has made her own clothes for decades, so I sat down for a lesson.

She has about six different machines, each for different purposes. For the beginner (me): the oldest and most basic sewing machine. This is one of the first ones my mother ever owned, and it still works perfectly! You can't tell from the picture, but all of the buttons are labeled in German and towards the bottom right it says, "Made by Pfaff in West Germany".

These are the fabric remnants I picked up earlier this week during a sudden rush of inspiration:

I had a very specific purpose for these pieces, but first we decided to try out the pattern on some scraps for practice.

The design is modern, but the fabric has an old-fashioned look to it, which I love:

Can anyone guess what I'm making?

Finished product to come!

tucker blair.

2009-03-30T21:24:00.004-04:00

Last week was all about Charleston Fashion Week. Hearing about it made me miss my college years--and the weather!--down in South Carolina.

One thing that is very distinct about Southern culture is the way many people dress. Some would call it East Coast-conservative or preppy, but one thing's for sure: Tucker Blair has it. Their handmade needlepoint belts and accessories remind me of deep-fried turkey tailgating, afternoons out on the lake, and a more relaxed pace of living. My favorite design is the lobsters, at top right:

This isn't just a Southern thing; any Washingtonian can sport these goodies. But you've been warned: getting too involved in the Tucker Blair lifestyle may make you want to trade your daily beltway race for a horse race. Or no race at all.

Dog collars are said to be in development and flip-flops (think Rainbows, but with stitching) will launch in a couple of weeks!

Shop online: Tucker Blair

objet d'art.

2009-03-26T23:23:00.009-04:00

My good friend Amanda has many talents, one of which is creating beautiful jewelry. A couple of weeks ago, I picked out the materials for my very own one-of-a-kind necklace. I had a vague idea of the style I wanted, but I left the creative design up to her. That was a smart move, because today I received this stunning necklace:

Bonus: The beads are made of wood which makes the necklace light in weight and therefore more comfortable and durable. I LOVE it!

cozy new bed.

2009-03-24T20:13:00.007-04:00

The other day I was shopping at Target and I came across this Boots and Barkley bed (on clearance!) in the pet section:

Sadie, aka "Crazy" has been going through beds on a weekly basis, so I knew it was time to find a good quality one that would withstand the Crazy test. The fabric is thick and durable, and I know it's comfortable because Sadie loves it! I also like the preppy look of it.

To give you an idea of the size of my little half-pint pup, the bed measures 16 x 24".

The best part is the removable cover that is easy to zip off and wash. Perfect!

first day of spring.

2009-03-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

The start of the spring season is the perfect time to get inspired with pretty florals, bright colors and crisp cottons. These are some of my favorite picks, clockwise from top left:

1. Papaya Rind necklace, $138, anthropologie.com

2. Hunter wellies in Orange, $115, footnotesonline.com

3. Cupcake dress, $88, urbanoutfitters.com

4. Hushed Hamlet dress, $158, anthropologie.com

5. Short sleeve cardigan with flower detail in Ivory, $49.50, anntaylorloft.com

6. Daisy by Marc Jacobs limited edition bottle, $57, sephora.com

down on the farm.

2009-03-15T16:31:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I went to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, VA.

The farm preserves a 1920s-1950s style way of farming, which is fascinating to me. Below are the cider press barn and the smoke house:

There were many new arrivals for early spring on the farm. I couldn't get enough of these little guys:

Here is the proud father:

How do I know he was proud? He was grunting the way guys do when they sit around drinking beer and discussing football.

Little lamb:

A new calf and its mother:

And although not a new resident, here is the magnificent peacock, who was a little shy at first, but finally strutted a bit for the camera:

I can't wait to go back soon!

happy birthday!

2009-03-11T21:17:00.000-04:00

OoohsWorthy is one year old today!

Party favors:

Cheers!!!

naughty puppy.

2009-03-10T19:37:00.000-04:00

I came home today to find this:

In just one morning, my generally well-behaved Sadie managed to chew her brand-new harness to bits!

spring forward.

2009-03-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

Spring is almost here!

I love love love the smells of spring. The Body Shop has some new spring home fragrances, and I plan to try them all.

Clockwise from top left: Lemon Flower, Red Poppies, Apple Blossom, Fresh-Cut Grass. $7.50 each, thebodyshop.com

Speaking of spring scents, does anyone remember Gap's perfume, Grass? That used to be my favorite springtime perfume!

closet clean-up.

2009-03-05T23:38:00.000-05:00

Tonight I cleaned out my coat closet with the help of my sweet, patient boyfriend. Here is what it looked like before:

And here is what it looked like when we finished:

Okay, so it might not look that different, but I feel a whole lot better. All of Sadie's miscellaneous stuff is in one place, I can access my reserves of paper towels and tissues, and all of my coats are actually in my coat closet, rather than strewn about the apartment. Most importantly, my skis have a home. I can stop knocking them over and scaring the daylights out of the dog.

Rediscovered:
1. hammer
2. "welcome kit" including original paint, caulk
3. lightbulbs that fit my ceiling fans!
4. a never-been-worn pink and cream sweater for Sadie
5. a pack of Yankee Candle Car Jar air fresheners in Clean Cotton

If you are looking for help with similar projects, Real Simple has some great tips online for organizing. I have some helpful resources as well; feel free to e-mail for more links or to share a successful project!

Hooray for old things made new again and a clean closet!

sugar wax.

2009-03-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

There are few things I wouldn't try in the name of beauty, and in this economy trips to the salon are becoming fewer and farther between. That's how I found myself in a scary situation: the do-it-yourself wax.

I love The Body Shop, so when they introduced their new at-home hair removal products, I figured I would give it a shot. I picked up everything necessary to ensure good results:

1. sugaring hair removal, $16.
2. organic cotton wax strips, $4.
3. sugaring spatula, $2.
4. olive oil dry mist (to help remove stubborn bits of wax gently and soothe skin when you're all done), $14.

Then I wimped out for a good hour, and finally convinced myself it was time to get it over with.

Ouch. But to be honest, it was not too much more painful than a professional wax and far less expensive. Plus, it's very empowering--Wonder Woman!--to do something yourself that you would normally only have done at a salon. Bonus: the olive oil dry mist made my skin unbelievably soft!

oooh-inspiring: a few of my favorite things.

2009-03-02T20:53:00.000-05:00

Cities I miss:

Florence
Paris
Lugano, Switzerland
Lucca, Italy

Designers I love love love:

Chanel
Marchesa
Nicolas Ghesquiere (Balenciaga)
Oscar de la Renta
Lanvin
Roland Mouret

Foods I always crave:

Red velvet cupcakes from Starbucks
Cheese pizza from Deli Italiano
Uptown turkey sandwich on pretzel bread without tomatoes from Corner Bakery

Music I listen to over and over:

Britney Spears - Blackout (Circus is good, but not as good)
Led Zeppelin- Mothership
Van Morrison- Greatest Hits
Mamma Mia Soundtrack
Eric Hutchinson- Sounds Like This
Amy Winehouse- Back to Black
Fleetwood Mac- Greatest Hits

faux pas friday.

2009-02-27T14:13:00.001-05:00

Faux Pas Friday: A new light-hearted installment dedicated to showcasing the DC area's top offenders with regard to style and behavior.

Today I present the hanging file folder.

Not only would it look more at home in a kindergarten classroom than an office, this file appears to be more than adequate for the needs of its ONE document. It also has a tendency to fall, spilling accordion-style into the hallway.

Have a picture to submit? Send me an e-mail! DC area pictures preferred; no offensive content please.

spotless wc.

2009-02-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

I arrived home on a delayed flight from an exhausting trip to New York yesterday, so clearly I was in no shape to work on the big "project" (cleaning my terror of a bedroom).

This evening I managed to be quite productive, and in between watching The Office (rerun) and bathing Sadie I managed to avoid my horrible bedroom and instead clean my entire bathroom, top to bottom:

Sorry about the blur. Too much cleaning product inhalation perhaps?

This is a big achievement because I almost never clean the entire thing at one time. It's always scrubbing the tub one day, mopping the floor the next, etc.

Time to celebrate with some Edy's Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie ice cream!

room service.

2009-02-25T11:50:00.000-05:00

This is how I've been spending my evenings in New York:

After working 14 hour days it's all I have the energy for. It's an exciting life!

I'll be home soon...

trip to new york.

2009-02-22T15:12:00.000-05:00

I'm off to New York; back Wednesday!

brightening tips.

2009-02-19T22:05:00.000-05:00

Update on the plumbing leak saga: My bedroom walls have a fresh coat of paint!

Speaking of paint rollers...

I picked up this little tool --it's a facial massager--today at The Body Shop. I'll admit it seems a little weird to use it on your face, but the rubbery little nubs are supposed to help improve your circulation and enhance the absorption of your moisturizer.

One tip: don't press too hard. It's not like real painting. After I got the hang of it, it was kind of relaxing. More importantly, my face now has a super healthy glow!

hot mess.

2009-02-17T22:30:00.001-05:00

I didn't blog about it when it first happened, but the short version of the story is that my apartment had a mini-flood from a leaking pipe.

Today (about THREE weeks since the first water droplets fell from my smoke detector) the holes in my walls the plumbers made are finally mostly covered, and the painting will start tomorrow! I am very excited. Now all that remains is the evidence from the leak:

...and an apartment that appears to have survived a tornado rather than a minor plumbing mishap.

It started out with moving my stuff away from the water to keep it clean and dry. Then I had no way of getting to the storage under the stuff, and so I piled it on the other stuff...and if you know me, my stuff, and my tiny living space, it didn't take much for it to become a disaster.

I am posting these photos in hopes that showing the mess will motivate me to get rid of it (it's the idea of the "after" photos). It's kind of sad that that's what it takes, but long days at work and a hyperactive puppy can really take it out of you.

Tame the Mess Goals:
1. Give away all shoes that are a size 6 or 6.5, since my feet seem to be shrinking and now I only wear a 5.5.
2. Go through the organization steps I learned from Julie Morgenstern's book Organizing from the Inside Out.
3. Use my nerdy excel "Outfit Generator" spreadsheet as motivation. More on that later!

Is anyone working on a similar project? Have some tips? Send me an e-mail!

Note: All of the clothes pictured above in various stages of disarray are clean, I promise. That would be gross.

One More Note: And no, I do not wear my lime green J.Crew chinos in February.

valentine's day.

2009-02-15T15:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I dressed Sadie up for the occasion, but she was a little camera- shy:

My other valentine received homemade cookies from me:

It's a Betty Crocker recipe I found online, and at first I was hesitant to use some of the ingredients (vinegar, ground ginger) but the cookies taste great! The fun part was dyeing the dough and the icing. The dough came out a light pink, and the icing came out the exact color of pink that I LOVE.

huge crush.

2009-02-08T23:05:00.000-05:00

I went to see He's Just Not That Into You today. It was alright; my main issue with the movie is that it was too long. At least I got to watch Kevin Connolly, my celebrity crush!

oooh, velvet.

2009-02-07T13:19:00.000-05:00

Much to my surprise and delight, my local Starbucks now has red velvet cupcakes! I had to have one with my Saturday morning mocha, but I got it to go and ran a couple errands. I came home and opened the box to find this:

I had to re-assemble the cupcake, but it was still very delicious!

members only.

2009-02-05T23:30:00.000-05:00

Today The Body Shop was having one of their members' events for Love Your Body cardholders. I have a general obsession with The Body Shop so I may be biased, but I really think it's the best rewards program around.

I picked up sweet, light Moroccan Rose, the newest addition to their line of fragrances:

As part of the event, members received an extra discount, as well as Starbucks coffees, Godiva chocolates, and a goody bag full of free samples with their purchase. Lovely!

farewell, sunglasses.

2009-02-05T22:57:00.000-05:00

Today I mourn the loss of my favorite pair of sunglasses. They fell to the floor at lunch today at Bagel Cafe, and I'm sorry to report that the damage is irreparable.

Anyone who has had this happen knows that most of the time it's not even the expensive things or the planned purchases, but once they're gone, looking for a replacement seems impossible. Sigh.

Fifteen minutes of driving in blinding sunlight and a few websites later I found my next pair:

Jackie O. Sunglasses in black, $14.99, urbanoutfitters.com

just call me jeeves.

2009-02-05T22:33:00.000-05:00

I've been chauffeuring my puppy around a lot lately for everything from day camp to nail trims, and most recently, her spay appointment and overnight stay at the animal hospital. It's a pain because she gets carsick EVERY single time. I've had enough and I'm leaving it up to her now...

What better get-well gift than her very own set of keys!

a walk in the rain.

2009-02-03T13:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Sadie and I went for a walk, and since it was raining, she got to wear her new raincoat! I love the blue flower print inside the hood.

It makes a huge difference, because now Sadie doesn't come inside soaking wet.

Old Navy Dog Supply yellow raincoat, $14.50 at Old Navy.

superbowl snacks.

2009-02-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

We went to a small gathering to watch the big game on Sunday, so we brought food.

My friend's contribution: Bang Bang Shrimp!

My contribution: uhh...Bagel Bites.

Seafood was apparently the general theme, as others brought crab legs and etouffee. Yum!

cozy night in.

2009-01-27T19:28:00.000-05:00

After a long day and driving home in sleet and freezing rain, this is how I like to unwind:

Snickerdoodles (baked yesterday by yours truly) and milk!

my latest greatest perfume.

2009-01-23T19:54:00.001-05:00

Last week I got some goodies in the mail from Sephora. I get so excited over the free samples!!!

I love love love my new perfume: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue.

It's a deep floral with a kind of woodsy scent, but it still smells clean and it's not overpowering.

i cooked!

2009-01-20T18:36:00.001-05:00

The other night I decided to cook. I called my brother and asked him how to make tomato sauce from scratch. Then I popped across the street for some ingredients and...voila!

My brother's recipe for tomato sauce (as told over the phone):

1 "big" can of crushed tomatoes
1 "small" can of tomato paste
Some olive oil
An onion
A "few" cloves of garlic
Some vinegar or vodka or red wine or lemon juice

This level of ambiguity might be OK for experienced cooks, but I was left staring blankly in the produce section. After much deliberation, I decided an onion meant a big yellow onion. I opted for the minced garlic in a jar to save some time, and I went with the vinegar, since I already had some.

Instructions (my brother again):
1. Chop the onion and cook it with the olive oil in a frying pan until soft.
2. Chop the garlic and put it in there too.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes.
4. Add as much of the paste as you need. How would I determine my need for said paste?
5. Season with salt and pepper and herbs.
6. Add some vinegar or something. Or something?!
7. Simmer on low for 20 minutes while you're cooking the pasta.

It took me about two hours and I was the only one who sampled it, but it tasted alright to me!

pucker up.

2009-01-15T13:38:00.000-05:00

Studies say that in times of economic difficulty and cutting back, one thing women buy more of is lipstick.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. MAC lipstick in Hue (at left). The prettiest pink-nude. $14, maccosmetics.com
2. Clinique Different Lipstick in Black Lily. This very dark lipstick is sheer and dramatic. And discontinued. Check out Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, a close match. $14, clinique.com
3. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Nectar. A flattering peachy shade. $22, bobbibrowncosmetics.com
4. Lancome Le Rouge Absolu lipstick in Pink Organza with SPF 15. Perfect, wear-anywhere pink. $26, lancome-usa.com
5. Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in Red Premiere 752. The best classic red I've found. $27, sephora.com

So why do we buy more lipstick when money is tight? Maybe it has something to do with this quote from the late Estee Lauder: "When things are bad, if a woman has a little perfume and a new lipstick, she feels like a queen."

I would have to agree.

sadie: then and now

2009-01-14T23:07:00.000-05:00

I got my adorable Pomeranian mix puppy, Sadie, in September '08, when she was just two and a half months old and four pounds. Here she is when I first got her:

And here she is now, at six months old and eight pounds:

She loves to sit in between the blinds. Don't ask me why...

This is my favorite. She'll pop up on the arm of the couch to watch me at my desk.

Yes, poor Sadie is wearing a diaper. She went into heat last week, a few days before I could call to schedule her spay. So now we're waiting until the first week of February. Her owner is thrilled. :p

furry suits.

2009-01-11T18:16:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I met with representatives from Furry Suits Rescue, a dog and cat rescue organization in Herndon, VA. This picture is of Frankie, one of their dogs up for adoption. Isn't he cute?

Frankie already has a foster home, but Pets Limited, another local rescue org. (they don't have a website that I know of) is going to arrange for me to foster a Chiweenie (chihuahua/ dachshund mix) who will probably come as soon as this weekend!

As soon as I get my camera fixed--or break down and buy a new one--I'll have pictures of both Sadie (my pomeranian/ chihuahua puppy) and the new foster!

If you would like to get in touch with someone from Pets Limited, send me an e-mail and I can supply contact information. For more adoption options, petfinder.com is always a good resource.

you say fee-toh i say figh-toh.

2009-01-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

Beauty Alert!

Phytargent Whitening Shampoo from the Phyto hair care line. This shampoo gradually does what it is supposed to do, which is remove the icky yellow from your hair. If you're blonde like me, you probably know how horrible it can be to have brassy hair. It's called "whitening" shampoo for gray or white hair, and you can pretend it's for your grandma if you have to, but it works on blonde hair as well. I know because I was there.

Warning: You'll have to get over the appearance of the shampoo itself, which is a dark inky purple color and runs down your arms making you want to re-enact a bad horror movie.

Available at Sephora, $24.

resolutions.

2009-01-05T19:51:00.001-05:00

1. I will have an organized sock drawer. Tidy sock drawer= tidy mind (I always say).
2. I will not fall into my weekend trap of buying a dozen Krispy Kremes and eating them all in one day. Even though the entire variety box is only $2 at Harris Teeter and it always seems like a good idea. And sometimes they surprise you with new flavors. No more!
3. I will train my puppy to sit. Or at least to know what her name is.

best blogs.

2009-01-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

New year, new posts! I was inspired to start posting again recently, and I want to share some of the best blogs I've read lately:

Most Fun to Follow: May December
Best For DC Activities: Going Out Gurus
Best For Cute Photos: The Daily Puppy
Best For High-End Real Estate: The Real Estalker
Best For Fashion: The Sartorialist

See you soon!

share your wares.

2008-03-16T21:18:00.001-04:00

You've spent countless hours perfecting that embroidered tablecloth you started "for fun", and now you feel the need to be compensated for it.

If you think people other than your immediate family will pay money for your handiwork, then Etsy.com is the place to start. Etsy lets artists--often first-time sellers--sign up to sell their best homemade designs. Anything from jewelry to baby clothes, handbags to artsy journals, if you can make it, you can sell it. The best part is, there is no large investment. It's free to register, and it costs only 20 cents to post an item, which includes a complete listing and up to five photos. Post as many items as you want, and price them how you wish.

Etsy features unique items each day on the home page, and if that's not exposure enough, some items from the website have been displayed on television shows such as Gossip Girl. Who knew?

For buyers like me: an exquisite handmade ring from seller MFJDesigns, $72.

all aboard the party plane!

2008-03-13T18:19:00.000-04:00

Have YOU flown Virgin America? Because you should. Aside from the great low fares you can find from DC to the West Coast (in the $300-$400 range for economy class), I can safely say it was the most entertaining flight I've experienced--an aspect of flying that makes a bigger difference than I ever realized.

First impressions: neon lights, fun flight attendants, mod black and white leather chairs and party music.

Didn't bring a book to read? No problem. Complimentary headphones provide access to a whole world of entertainment in the form of your personal touch-screen tv. From your chair in the air, you can listen to the latest music from a wide variety of artists, order food, catch up on your favorite television episodes, play games, and the most novel option: chat seat-to-seat with your friends, family, co-workers, or anyone on the plane you'd like to freak out a little. If you feel like splurging, order a pay-per-view movie. If you'd like to be productive, there are plugs for your laptop, and the neon lights don't stay on the whole time, so you can focus on those thrilling spreadsheets.

Coming soon through this genius interactive system they call "Red": online shopping. I'm sold.

cupcakessss.

2008-03-11T21:44:00.000-04:00

If you've heard of Georgetown Cupcake and are dying to check it out, then go for it, but I won't be going back until the crowds die down. It seems they have quite the following among Washingtonians and their overzealous tourist relatives. When I went, they had sold out and there was a sign on the door of the cute little place saying please come back at 5. When we went back at 4:45, there was already a line down the street. Granted, it's a teeny tiny little shop not meant for high volume...but...

I WANTED red velvet cupcakes! Cue instant temper tantrum!

...Back at home and after regulating my blood sugar, I googled them. Their website is quite chic for a cupcake shop. Apparently, it's not just any cupcake...

http://georgetowncupcake.com/index.html

p.s. This picture is not one of their cupcakes.

it's better when you dig for it.

2008-03-11T20:24:00.000-04:00

It was in a Walmart(?!), at 11:30 on a Saturday night, when my good friend introduced me to the $5 dvd bin. I scoffed. I sneered. I dove in after her when she found Varsity Blues.

At first, I had to dig past the sequels to every bad 90s movie. My friend's philosophy : "You have to commit to it."

One AWESOME find, albeit $7.50, was Labyrinth. That's right, the classic super-trippy 80s movie starring David Bowie that if you have not seen, you need to add to your movie rental queue stat. Since I last saw it about twelve years ago, I should probably watch it again before recommending it, but what the hey.