Paint By Number

Got a serious itch that needs scratching... starting with the front door. 

It's my last night in a hotel with INTERNET and barfing kids. 6:45am breakfast call. Drive back home. Answer millions of work emails.  Is it summer yet?

Yellow is never mellow.

Stenciled mosaic amazingness. 

I will never not love a Tiny House...

Ready to chop off my ear at this point. 

Sigh.

xoxo,

Hannah

7/11. You Know What That Means...

...it's free Slurpee Monday!! With the weather clocking in at a brisk 97 degrees today, I'd say 7/11/11 couldn't arrive at a more perfect time. Walk, run, bike, swim your way to the nearest convenience store and get yourself some frozen-ice deliciousness.

Meanwhile, check out these brilliant discoveries of the weekend:

Goya Coconut Water.

If you like coconut-flavored anything, you will like this. It's weirdly refreshing and sweet--the perfect afternoon treat.



iMovie

We uncovered a digital camcorder this weekend and have started documenting everything. What's better than video footage of weekend escapades? Video footage set to the thrilling background music a la Nicki Minaj and/or Redneck Woman. Oh iMovie, how you'll revolutionize memories one editing tool at a time...

Salted Pretzel Shots

1/3 Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka

2/3 Hazelnut Schnapps

Salt

Lick wrist and apply salt. Lick salt from hand, shoot, enjoy! Chocolaty goodness for all.

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I survived my 40-mile bike ride and still had enough energy for a cookout. It's a W&OD miracle...

xoxo,

Hannah

You Just Gotta Keep Livin... L-I-V-I-N

Recently, I've been feeling so much better about my life. Things are lining up. Plans are in the making. My everyday going-ons are making me happy, full, creative, and sweet. Getting over my grass-is-always-greener syndrome couldn't be more fun--and what better day to realize it than the first day of summer! Slicing negativity...focusing on everything beautiful around me...and remembering exactly who I am...sounds like a brilliant plan to me. 

This morning, I rode my bike to work! Finally! It's something I've been talking and talking and talking about, but I woke up a little early, strapped on my helmet (you're welcome, Mom/Alex!), and took off (Landlady in tow, of course). It was so, so easy and I'm kicking myself for not doing it earlier. However, I did take a spinning class last night and my buns are feeling like steel/my seat bones have the serious ouchies. No fun, but (butt?) sacrifices must be made!!

Also, one of my newest obsessions is...basil water! I was on my cucumber water kick for a hot minute in Blacksburg, but I'm moving on to more...adult...choices. Well, not really. I'm just growing basil in my backyard so it's FREE and my cucumbers have yet to sprout. Can't wait for them to get here but in the meantime...yum!

Also...I'm in the midst of planning an amazing, life-changing, balls-to-the-wall road trip that will take me from DC to Pennsylvania to upstate New York to Massachusetts to Rhode Island to Nantucket and beyond! Getting seriously excited about convertible-driving, scarf-wearing, sunglass-sporting adventures in the sunshine with one of my favorite women out there.

So cheers to life, love, and happiness--keep it coming my way!

xxx, Hann

I Want to Slice Everyone...

...so I am taking this opportunity to harness some zen, center my wee/chi/whatever, sip some GD jasmine tea, and pretend that I never met any of the idiots who surround me on a daily mofo basis. Wish me luck.

Ok. So. Here we have a delicious desk set up, complete with lavender inspiration board and badass, recycled wood table. I'm feeling this in my bones, for sure. And there's that iMac again. Do I smell a theme? Hmmm..

Oh, to be young and waif-life. And to have thick, soft hair to pin into a million knots and braids. I'm getting my usual springtime craving for Ultra-Light, Natty Blonde...but I'm holding out!

This picture is one of the main reasons I decided to re-pierce my nose. Love it. Love it. Love it. Can't wait till I'm reunited with my little hoop (I'm thinking sometime mid-July will do the trick). Then, bring on the sunshine and hot pink lips and I will run this town.

Note the fat lady statue peeping out the window. She's gorgeous.

Also, I couldn't include a zen-master post without some form of feline. Meow.

This photo...is perfection. Thinking about getting it blown up. No, definitely getting it blown up.

Eff everyone at my office. Learn how to hole punch correctly! Stop being incompetent! Let me live my life!!

xxx,

Hann

A Glimpse at the Goals

Live in a house that's been eaten by ivy... 

...and own a rescue Irish Wolfhound

Have a tree-lined escape to hideaway for spontaneous picnics

Always keep enough room at the table for friends + family

Be enraptured by an animal lover

Surround myself with creative people who are ever-changing, hound-dog loyal, and who aren't afraid to beat out boredom with a stick and a smile.

9 days!

So Much for Them Daisy Chains...

Today I...

1. Paid off my final student loan!!!

2. Ate artichoke dip for lunch

3. Unwrapped 700 pens for a trade show

4. Found out I have Friday off!

5. Sent an open letter to Congress explaining how pissed I am about the recent cut to Planned Parenthood funding.

Happy Wednesday! Happy hour tomorrow, free as a bird for weekend plans...NYC? DC? Blacksburg? Fredvegas? The Lou? Time can only tell. Until then, here are some shots from this weekend's trip to the Smithsonian (the Spy Museum was a no-go for cameras...but awesome nonetheless).

--

Driftwood horse sculpture. My favorite.

 

Creepy kneeling paint-splashed person.

Sunshine and columns.

Goopy, delicious oil paint.

Ms. Monroe.

The most badass self portrait...ever.

Bill Hartack in Technicolor.



xxx,

Hann

I Can Feel You from the Inside--Prowling Like the Devil that I'm Trying to Hide...

Thursday and Friday off work = insanely productive time in my life. I came home to the wonderful world of Charlottesville/the Lou and accomplished the following:

- Wined and dined at Bonefish grill with my fancy-pants accountant who "advised" me on my "assets" and got me...stocks? Um, ok.

- Celebrated the $750 purchase by Carter Beauford at Cville Smokeshop. Celeb Sighting 101 at its finest.

- Found a million vintage dresses in my Grandpa's attic. They fit! They're awesome! And my Grandma made them, so they're perfect.
- Changed the title/insurance of Hondy over to my name. Officially released from all parental assistance, hip hip hooray.

- Stumbled across an amazing thrift store find--a $15 black, long-sleeved, skin-tight, glitter Betsey Johnson mini dress. Enter Valentine's Day Death outfit!

- Got a passport for St. Kitts.

- Ran into Wren in the post office as she was mailing a letter...to me (twilight zone?).

- Found awesome fabric to reupholster my $5 thrift store wingback chair.

- Stocked up at Yoders on flax seed, oatmeal, lentils, spices, sunflower seeds, and organic milk in a reusable glass jar--yay domesticity. 

- Made homemade granola that is magically delicious.

- Discovered my dad's old bread maker.

- Strolled downtown and got a ring from my Granny sized/reset/made even more legit.

- Visited Caspari--where my ashes shall be scattered--and sufficiently drooled.

- Bought the MOST badass addition to my bookshelf...ever (see below).

*Most of my photos are still on my camera--here are some teeny ones from the ol' iPhone*

Ahh, Caspari...

Lights, colors, glass, paper, I die.

Barware heaven.

Mmm, copper lights

It's only proper to match your invitations with your napkins. 

Yes.

The most manly candelabra/Thanksgiving centerpiece evah.

Yes! Yes!

Yes x infinity. 
I will own one of these orchid pots--just gotta decide on the color. Decisions, decisions...

And finally, probably my most amazing purchase and the most defining item to be added to my bookshelf/future library...

a ZEBRA LEG!!!!!!!!!!

Yes. I bought this. It is fucking awesome and I want to die of happiness. At first, I didn't even notice this thing. I was too distracted by the bright swirly colors of the painting behind it, when suddenly I looked over and my heart strings panged and jumped and shuddered and sighed and screamed and died and said Hallelujah!! So yes, I am the owner of a zebra leg. Why you ask? Why the fuck not, I say. 

Must I point out...it's only Friday. Still to come:

1. Black tie gala/date a la Keswick country club tomorrow night

2. Rugby match with some of my best loves

3. Hanging in Richmond with the one and only WrenMo

4. Fredvegas Big Flea? Possibly.

5. Rocking out in my car to new Grace Potter on my iPod thanks to a new (free!) car projector thingy (merci, Stephen)

It's the age of Aquarius.

And I'm on my A game. 

xxx

Lemme Upgrade Ya

Sooo, this weekend my mama came up to the hell-hole of NOVA to get her thrift on at The Big Flea in Chantilly. She came up Saturday night in a blaze of glory and we immediately drove to Ikea to drool and dream and splurge until our hearts were content.

I got an ironing board. And a lamp. And two new pillowcases for my bed. And a coffee jar. Holla. Moms got a trashcan, bathroom floor rug, and some wine glasses.

We are beyond easily amused.

Yesterday we spent the entire day being flea bags. We started out the day by me thinking I'd forgotten our $2-off tickets at home, only to discover that they were sitting in my car...the entire day. FML. Whatever, I made it though with some saweet new Pyrex mixing bowls to add to my new collection (thanks to Mama Parrish and her Christmas contribution).

*These are not my bowls, per say. See below, STAT!*

Tragedy Alert: I am missing one of the bowls! I've hunted on eBay, but I'm not good at that shit, plus I'm cheap, so if any of you fools stumble upon a turquoise Pyrex mixing bowl (I think it's the 1.5 qt one), throw me a bone and pick it up!

I also got a baby pipe tobacco tin that I'm using to store my chapstick:

"Edgeworth Extra High-Grade Sliced Pipe Tobacco"

Larus & Bro. Co. Richmond, VA U.S.A

"To the consumers of high-grade tobaccos...we desire to call your special attention to EDGEWORTH TOBACCO. It is the best combination that can be made, only finest selections of leaf being used. Every box of it is guaranteed not to burn the tongue and to give satisfaction. We will cheerfully refund money to any dissatisfied customers."

Also, picked up a badass bent fork key chain holder thingy to rock my work ID, solidifying my role as coolest coworker in the land. Duh.

Then we saw the usual junk that we figured we could craft and upgrade by about 3,000% on the cool-o-meter:

Mom bought some (unintentional) potentially racially offensive artwork that she thought was cool and historic or something. You can't hold her back.  

Then, we drove home, gorged on Potbellies, watched the Beyonce DVD because I just can't get enough, and crashed. Sads to see her leave, but twas a good weekend fo sho.

Get yo-self a case of the Mondays!