Peep This

Big Ditto On That

Breaking news: we finally checked off a goal from the white board and went out to the wild unknown... a wharf. A wharf, you may say? Why in god's name would you choose a wharf for a weekend adventure?? I'll tell you why--it's got fish. And crabbies. And weird people trolling around and natives chillin on their house boats and little mangy fat squirrels running around eating everyone's leftovers. Who wouldn't want a piece of that??

We started off bright and early with a homemade PumpkinSpiceLatte (VP PSL), put on some serious walking shoes, and headed downtown. However, before we left, we were faced with the most daunting task of all: surviving Hayley's guilt trip.

Sooo sad! How much is that stupid doggie in the window, because she's rll cute.

God. CarSex is just as depressing. Matching sad faces? Give me a break people, we'll be back in a few hours! Lock it up!

Moing on. We made it to the cityyyyy. And saw some birds on a light post.

This is A dock.

We found some boats. See?

This was the cutest one of all. Green thumb + waterfront + shady canopy + picnic table = everything's better down where it's wetter, take it from me.

The fish market!

...visions of Cape Charles danced in her head.

Ouch Ouch Ouch!

Fried oysters...mmmm......

After we stuffed ourselves with the appropriate amount of seafood, waded our way though traffic, and weaved in and out of blobs of small children, we wandered to the Mall to revel in all that was the National Book Festival. BOOKS EVERYWHERE!

Exhibit A: this is not a Land Baron.

Yes, yes--awkward pictures aside, this was a brilliant discovery and we stocked up on !free! posters, pamphlets, and delicious readings from some of our nation's finest writers. Can't you see we are bursting with culture?



Unattractive giddiness taking over!

All in all--weekend success! Got our exploration on; ate some seafood; wandered the city; returned my North Face jacket to [finally] have the hood repaired; ate lunch with Jeanne; shredded; and watched some weird Sunday-night movie. Hip Hip Hooray!

Sunday snuggles <3

xxx,
Hannah

Tumble On Ovah

So. News of the day...I started a Tumblr. I know, I know. But, I'm becoming obsessed with animated .gifs (talk nerdy to me, right?)! I don't care--I think they're fun and I like the way people can capture little weird moments in movies/film that you may have never noticed. Who knows if I'll keep it going, but it's golden for now. SOCIAL MEDIA OVERLOAD!

Also, I'm hopping back on the crazy shredding train. Yesterday I ran 3 miles, biked 12ish, and got my sweat on with Jillian in da basement. As much as I want to slice her, it seemed as good a day as any to bring my laziness to an end as the Biggest Loser premiere was playing in all its DVR fabulosity. Yes, people, as Rafiki would say--"It is time!" (This is probably a good thing seeing how we've just acquired a brand new slow cooker/cookbook filled with delicious recipes like Chicken in a Pot and Another Chicken in a Pot. Chicken for erryone!!).

Hump Day!?

Hannah

The Hook

The weekend verdict? Stay in town with the 'rents and listen to some banjo-playin' fools while catching up with an old friend over spinach, artichoke, and asparagus pizza. Yumm. I haven't seem Tim in almost two years, which is crazy to me because he was one of my best friends in high school and we used to always run in the same circles (literally). I love bumping into people you haven't seen or talked to in forever and picking up exactly where you left off. It's so refreshing--I only I wish I'd brought my camera to catch a picture of Tim's stylish new grizzly man beard. It was v. impressive. 

Meanwhile, everything in the Lou is bursting in techno-color green. The fields are lush and delicious and ready for fall. My mom was on her typical mission: find something to paint, stat! So, she pulled out the new ladder she bought for her bathroom and started sanding. It began a sad, chipped blue color but ended with an awesome glossy black finish--the perfect addition to her room.

Also, it's walnut season like woah. Watch your head...

What's the story, morning glory? They've taken over the blackberry patch.

More exciting news at my parents' house: they planted two fig trees (and "they already have figs! See!?!'). Gettin' figgy with it. 

On one of her recent scavenger hunt adventures, my mom found this old medicine cabinet for $3 and decided it was something I needed to fix up and have. Umm, ok!!

So proud. 

I found this Anthropologie mug at Goodwill for a whopping $.35!! I'm gonna pretend the 'm' is for my middle name....

Boo lovin'.

So ladylike...

My parents are in the process of "renovating" their patio. In the meantime,  the front yard is a giant sand pit filled to the brim with walnuts and cats. Tiger especially loves to lie, play, roll, and frolic anywhere near the glorified, oversized litter box. Meow.

Saturday night, we went to Montpelier to watch fireworks for Constitution Day. It was awesome because we got to "sneak" in the back gate and drive to a secluded part of the steeplechase course to watch the show all by ourselves--how many people get to use James Madison's estate as their personal playground? Super lucky, and it was the perfect night for fireworks. 

Anyway. Don't have to work until 4:00pm today. Who knows when I'm leaving... midnight at the earliest...? Trying my best to keep the cranky pants at bay. We shall see. 

xxx, Hannah

Decide What to Be and Go Be It

It's Thursday, it's Thursday! Best day of the week. However....I am torn between a few weekend options, and I can't figure out which route to take.

Let's see the breakdown.

Situation 1:

I have to be in Charlottesville tomorrow during the day until 3:00. There's no escaping it, and I think I'm driving into town tomorrow morning and will arrive around 11:00am. From there I have the option of staying in town to see The Avett Brothers at the Pavilion, hanging out with my moms all weekend, farting around Charlottesville with some lovers, and in general lounging in the Central VA for all it's worth.

Situation 2:

I have to be in Charlottesville tomorrow during the day until 3:00. HOWEVER. I have also been offered tickets to see the Nationals (that's a baseball team, apparently) play downtown in some sort of corporate whore sky box that's filled to the brim with free free FREE alcohol, food, buffalo wings, chips, alcohol, free, beer, cheeze dip, hot dogs, free, alcohol, beer and the few cool people who actually work at my office.

I can haz Kevin Costner??

It's air conditioned. It's stocked. And apparently some vendor is trying to seduce my company to buy ad space, so they're shoving free Nats paraphernalia (just what I want!!) + liquor down our throats with the hopes of winning our dolla bills. You know how appealing free food + drinks + shit is to me...

Conflict:

Do I really want to spend a total of 6 hours in my car tomorrow driving to Charlottesville in the morning and then racing back at night for the game? I mean, baseball is notoriously the most boring sport ever played, and I am always happy to frolic around CVille...

Serious struggles.

Anyway. Today I'm finally using my gift certificate that I got for Christmas last year to the hoity-toity Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Gettin' my nails did again. I'm fancy huh fo real now.

In the meantime, apparently Louisa/Mineral is in the running to have Alan Jackson (Yes, THE ALAN JACKSON OMG OMG OMG) play a free concert in town. AJ in the Jungle?? What whaaat?! Cast your vote! Give the people the glorious blond locks and skin-tight Wranglers they deserve! We've gone country, betch.

Sooo pretty--like a Cocker Spaniel personified.

Fill out that ballot and have a fabulous Thursday!

xxx, Hannah

I'm Bossy

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait. 

O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed. 

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it. 

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. 

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.
--Tina Fey, Bossypants

Battle in the Basement

A few nights ago, our house was under attack by a vicious, merciless creature hell-bent on ruining lives and wreaking havoc across all of Vintage Place. It was a dangerous time in the basement of sin... but luckily we had our camera at the ready to document the terrifying event.

Rated R for Language, Violence. 

Unfortunately, no crickets were harmed in the making of this production. 

Hannah Does Math

*Warning: the following post is littered with exclamation points (!). Be ready.

So, today was supposed to be a very bad terrible horrible blood-shedding day at work. No bosses around. Deadlines broken. Chaos errywhere! However, in the midst of all the insanity, I was able to have a moment of zen whilst perusing the Anthro sales section when I stumbled upon these beauties... 

Eek! Terracotta clogs!? On sale?! Be still my Fall-focused fashion heart. I was so excited, and then I remembered a v. important fact: September is free shipping month at Anthropologie! The world is just! After some quick researching, I realized this golden nugget of good luck is only applicable if you have a full-priced item in your cart. So, I scrambled all over the site in search of the tiniest, cheapest, less-than-$10 purchase to add to my bag. I really wanted my little blue kitchen timer that I've been pining after forever, but they don't sell it online anymore. Weird. I couldn't bring myself to buy another overpriced Volcano candle that burns quickly and looses its wick, so I was lucky enough to find this lil cutie for the winning price of $6. Joy!

Then, potential disaster--what size clog to buy!? Either my feet have recently been metamorphosizing down to a tinier size or retailers are finally making shoes for giants. Point of the story--should I go 9.5 or 9?! THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRST-WORLD PROBLEM, PEOPLE! However, lightening struck, and I realized--it's free shipping! Free Free Free! So...I ordered both. Whatever. Gonna try 'em on for size, (literally) and return whichever ones don't fit. Look at me go. Also, I realized it is cheaper to include the addition of my little garden pot than to suck it up and pay the usual $7ish for shipping. I'm like a bonafide math genius. Soooo impressed with myself. Sooo humble. 

Anyway.

This is the main struggle in my life right now. I'd say that's pretty awesome, wouldn't you?

xxx, Hannah

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

It's a rainy, drizzly, grey mess everywhere. Going on Day 2 of no bike riding to work and it is very troubling. Enter the beginning rumblings of seasonal depression! Noooo! I despise driving my car anywhere these days (well, I've always felt that way), and I am so ready for some crisp mornings with the birds chirping and the leaves changing. I just escaped a three-hour meeting from hell and I want nothing more than to curl up in a super overstuffed chair with a book, a latte, and some kind of fleece-lined, cable-knit blanket. Yes. Get on that.

In the meantime, I will continue to daydream about cords and elbow pads...

Cashmere sweaters with simple white tees.

And serious light-filled rooms decked out with overhead fans + warm hardwoods underneath. Yumm.

However, the best part of today would definitely go to the fact that it is none other than this fabulous, beautiful, ferociously sweet woman's birthday! I couldn't be more happy than to spend the day thinking about the one and only AM! Happy birthday, lovah! Can't wait to hear from/play with ya soon!



It ain't easy being this adorable 24/7, but she does it with ease!

Gettin' my nails did tonight. Real fancy. Preferably with some kind of airbrushing. Yes. Wish me luck!

xxx,
Hannah

We're god thsnks.

Super long Labor Day weekend filled with many, many baked goods, nights out on the town, extreme iMovie making, and dabbles in deadly humpback cricket extractions. It was sooo nice to finally have a weekend to sit around and do/go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Stuntin' like our daddies, or something...

Blonde on Blonde.

(P.S. I feel like this shirt makes an appearance in almost every photo I take. Anthro sales rack ftw, I guess!)

Look. We're actual adults! Plus, B-Rad came out to play, hooray!

"Umm, excuse me, do you ride the metro often?" Goodnight.

Can you feel the love?

Then, we encountered the most diligent cab company out there...

So helpful, so friendly. WE ARE HOME WITH JESUS!! God. So embarrassing.

Moving on. We spent a lot of the weekend whipping up the perfect Pumpkin Spice Latte as a farewell to summer. The Rancilio and I are slowly becoming friends again, especially with the addition of my sweet new thrift store "shot glasses."

Starbucks ain't got shit on us.

So there's a recipe for Blue Moon Cupcakes that has been floating all over Pinterest and I decided sit down and whip up this magic once and for all. Yes, these are beer-filled. No, they are not quite as magical as I anticipated (but I've never really met a cupcake I didn't like). I'm still trying to figure out why the icing decided to melt off the cake, but I'm betting it had nothing to do with the five (5!) cups of confectioner's sugar included in the mix...

Hayley was v. concerned and ready for any necessary clean up.

All in all, a pretty awesome 3.5-day weekend. Sad to see summer go, but pretty happy how fall (yes, September = Fall) is already shaping up. I'm ready for tailgates, tall boots, scarves, and a whole lot of coconut cappuccinos....

xxx,

Hannah