She Lives?

It's been a while and it may be a while, but I'm popping in to say hi! I've been buried under dust and construction, but my tiny kitchen is coming along and it's almost finished (!!). I'm preparing myself for the next step...the dreaded bathroom. Eeek! I've become a pro at indoor camping, and I am loving the wall colors we picked and the way my jars look so nice all lined up in a row. I'm waiting until the final-final product to post some befores and afters, but the pictures can really do no justice, anyway. We've come a long way, baby...

Meanwhile, I've had birthday celebrations--I've worked up to running 7.5 miles!--and I've finally started to get the hang of things at work (...sort of).

 The weather in Virginia has been insane. We had 5 inches of snow on Monday, and by Friday it was 75 degrees, sunny, and we were lunching on the roof.

 Old faithful nom nom...

Jimson weed discoveries at Windy Knoll. 

Down on da farm.

 Perfect nose for smooching.

 Hanging on for dear life.

Steve Keene looking good in every nook. 

Finally got to break out my Pyrex dishes!! And Iced Capp season is upon us, so life is beautiful!

I am so so lucky and thankful to have my wonderful grandpa and all his craziness. He may be old and he may be long-winded, but he has always given everything he has to make sure we're happy and taken care of --I   am more grateful that he probably knows. By the time we're finished, ole Bennington won't even know what hit it. 

Happy Almost-Daylights-Savings,

Hannah

Birds of a Feather

There are few things more satisfying than discovering a new stylist who can cut your hair well, have normal conversation, and make you look sooo pretty in less than an hour. I held strong to my man Tony of the hard NOVA streets, but he was no match for the glorious Cville hook. 

Enter: Moxie. A bunch of lovely ladies at work recommended this place, and I'm so glad they did! I doubt I would have found it otherwise, and I know I would have been rll creeped out by its warehouse, industrial, pseudo crack-house exterior. It's tucked back off Preston in a little corner next to Reids, across the street from Bodos (mmm...). I always thought it was a laundry mat--who knew?!

The walls are covered with Roy Lichtenstein-esque art; the lounge is sprinkled with funky mod chairs; and the salon is staffed by young and tattooed stylists. Also, it was packed with customers, old and young, who left looking ten times better than when they entered. I will definitely be going back, especially considering this Monday, I will work less than 1 mile away! Hip hip hooray for downtown addresses!

January loves Moxie... obviously.

xoxo, Hannah

Babes + Sages

And the days are not full enough

And the nights are not full enough

And life slips by like a field mouse

Not shaking the grass.

-Ezra Pound

I'm Losin' It.

My debit card, that is. Yep, lost it again. Here's the thing--I'm not even that stressed about it. Is that wrong? This must be the fifth time it's been 'misplaced,' and at this point, I'm pretty calm. The only thing that concerns me is that I have less than a quarter tank of gas in my car and I've gotta drive to the mountains/boondocks tomorrow for wedding festivities. Get thee to a bank, stat!

Meanwhile, I'm over here lusting after material goods like the best of them. Get over yourself--you know you do too. So, this post is in honor of what I would currently buy if I found some idiot's debit card floating in the breeze for my expense.*

A new camera wristlet thing with a cute bohemian print that I could slip on while hula hooping and/or attending local equestrian events.

The Karma Necklace. True story--I've been watching The Biggest Loser all season. No surprise there. For 10 weeks now, I've been lusting after a necklace that one of the contestants rocks for every weigh-in. So, I slapped on my gum shoes and did some Googling and found that she is wearing not one, but two of these!! Bad ass. Plus, her name is Hannah. She'll probs win the show. I'll vote for her.

Every year when the sun sets later in the day and the whippoorwills come out and the honeysuckle is running wild...I get the itch for new bed sheets. I know--it's a completely normal response. This year I'm pining after LLBean's Sand Dollar sheets (and that delicately delicious bed skirt). I'll bet you $5 these babies would feel cool to the skin and are just begging to be tucked away at a scrubby little beach cottage.



This Max Kurzweil print, 'Woman in a Yellow Dress.' It reminds me of a Klimt painting. I love the colors, love the texture, jeal of her waistline. Gorgeous.



Also, breaking news!! I think I may have finally perfected my homemade yogurt recipe. The missing ingredient is to let the yogurt cook for at least 12 hours (rather than the 10 I had originally tried, which left me with runny, milk-like yogurt rather than the thick, Greek, deliciousness I've been craving).

Hannah: 1
Yogurt Machine: 0

THURSDAY! woot

*obvi, I would never use a found debit card. Cut me some slack, fools.

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).

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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

One Day, the Internet Will Kill Us All

Today I got to work and there was an ominous sign posted to the wall stating there was a major power outage in Herndon and ALL SYSTEMS WERE DOWN AND OUTLOOK'S NOT WORKING AND WE CAN'T ACCESS ANY INFORMATION AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!

Now, most people in my office took this...badly. Screaming, cursing, sweating, ulcer-creating madness consumed the whole floor and reeked havoc to all in its path. However, I found this information as a source of comfort and relief--it guaranteed my morning of sitting around, reading my book, and catching up on what I do best: looking busy while crafting in my journal, writing to friends, and otherwise performing non-work-related tasks. Brilliant!

Sigh, life is rough.

I went to lunch with J + S and we pondered the idea of how much we "depend" on the Internet/cell phones/TV/technology, and how much better we would be without it (ironic that I'm musing about this via blog post? Meh). Anyway. I want to go back to the days of no TV in my house, negative cell phone obsessions, splotchy Internet connections, and more time with friends and lovers. I need a job "in the field" where I can rock some serious jorts, play in the dirt, and hold actual conversations that don't involve bitching about work (or discussing work in general). Let's get on that, people!

In the meantime, please observe this ridiculous birthday card that one of our graphic designers crafted me yesterday. When I first noticed the ribbon in the sun's hand, I was like, "Wha?" and it was quickly explained that the blue ribbon represents my love for the one and only, Pabst Blue Ribbon. Love it! Is it good, bad, or obscene that my entire office knows how much cheap beer my friends and I consume? Whatever. Living my life, god dammit! Plus, I'm rocking a VT shirt so you know I'm lookin' fly.

Booking hotels for bachlorette festivities...counting down the days till O'Keefe's blissful union (and post-wedding debauchery a la Wintergreen Resort!)

xoxo,

Hannah

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!

Pugs on a Pedestal

Rainy Day Wishlist/Eff My Life

Today I Am Irritated Because: My stomach/whole front is wickedly sunburned because I'm an idiot and got all overconfident from my beach escapades and thought my whiteness could handle the sun's deadly rays for more than 20 minutes. I was wrong. So, I'm currently rotting in my cube, pants unbuttoned because the buttons are digging into my chubby-old-lady meat/sunburned skin and causing serious discomfort.

.

effmylife.
-.

Also, I am irritated because I was repeatedly told last week that I would be able to leave early today (as in, 12:00), but here I am, still doing nothing because evil boss is in evil mood and therefore, cannot be approached without margarita in hand as a peace offering. Effmylife.

I'm over it.

It's raining outside and the perfect time for me to create this week's wishlist. I mean, my wishlists are pretty everlasting, seeing how I rarely buy this practical shit and usually go for the way less rational/fun purchases. But whatever. Here we go.

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I want wooden hangers. I know, it doesn't seem like much. But I love them. I went to Tysons this weekend to look at the going-out-of-business sale at Martin and Osas and got a bunch of wooden pants hangers for $.50 each!!! Crazy town! I loaded up and fulfilled my goal/wish a teeny bit.
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For as long as my nerdy heart has existed, I have craved a label maker. Yes, I just said it. But come on, the undying ability to name every tiny thing in your possession?? Goosebumps galore. This bad boy has been calling my name for like evah, but it's $30!!EEEKgodimcheap.

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-I'm a lot a bit obsessed with the giant print in this picture. I've googled and googled and googled away, but to no avail. Can't find it. Love it. Would be perfect in any and every room.

**UPDATE: Photograph by Francisco Costa!!!**
--
Ok, so here's the deal. While I'm in the dreaded Tysons, I stop in at Williams-Sonoma to see of they have the yogurt maker I've been dying to get.

~Go in, ask lady, look at the display, no yogurt maker.~

This is Tysons for Christssake. Aren't they supposed to be the holy grail of everything consumer driven?? Apparently not. So anyway, lady tells me she can order it for me free of charge and I can pick it up later. Eff that, I work two seconds from the WS in Reston, I'll just get it there. LONG STORY SHORT I call the Reston WS and they're all, 'we don't carry that anymore' and 'if you have it delivered you'll still have to pay shipping' and 'blahblah we're incompetent.' So. I got on Target's website. And find the same brand, different model for $20 cheaper. Suck it WS.
--
Anyway. I also am feeling this cute little chandelier, even though I'd have to rig up my own light and it's from Urban Barfitters, but I think it's cute. Dig the colors. Like the flow. Meh.
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Whatever, hopefully I'm outta here soon and can lie in my own misery as I squirt Aloe all over my body. Take that mental picture and run with it if you dare..

xxx, me

Money can't buy me class, but it can buy me lots of other shit.

After 15 hours of work yesterday, getting in at 8:15 today, and chugging a huge coffee (20oz? 24oz? eek!) my brain/body are literally on the fritz. Buh. Thank GOD it's Friday. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep in tomorrow, wake up, slowly get ready, and head to the city to tour the museums I skipped out on last weekend.

On Sunday, I'm checking out an apartment in Vienna that's in walking distance to the Metro and only 9 miles from work. Cha-ching, hopefully it's not filled with crazies... We shall see!

Crossing my fingers that I can leave early today, jet home, buy a cheap Target bathing suit, sit outside, sip some wine that I jacked from yesterday's corporate "Win Party," and live it up at the pool. In the meantime, check out this janx and enjoy the beautiful, sunshiney day! xxx

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Color Palette o' the Day:

(who am I kidding, this is always my color palette)

Teals, sea foam, white, cream, pinks, blushes, baby blues, tans
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Laundry room heaven. Lights, camera, gentle cycle.
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Obsessed with the framed heart. Ob.Sessed. The pillows are probs my fav.
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Beautiful porch-chandelier combo. Painted ceiling--an obvious choice.
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Can you imagine having breakfast here every morning?? You'd never have a bad day again!
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Ridiculous, ridiculous window shutter thingys. Ridiculous love.
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I would pay a lot of money to be sipping some tea under this creation right now. Adult-sized living room tent? Check. Library of goodness? Double gold star.
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But really, truly, if I could be anywhere at this very moment, it would be curled up toasty in this bed, with AC pumping in on me with a serious down comforter and snuggly pillows. Dreams please Ugh. Seriously, where can I buy/give an arm+leg for this thing???!
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Anyway. Top of the morning or whatever to you happy day, I wish you all a delicious naptime.

Loves, Me.

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*Bad News of the Day: This is in my head. noooooooo..............