Ventage Girls: Wishing For

I excel at shopping, specifically online shopping.

I can't imagine how you don't already know this about me. 

Today's Ventage topic is perfect for me. Without further ado, here is what's on my Christmas list.

Journaling card from In A Creative Bubble

For Barb The Reader:

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust

Subscription to Cook's Illustrated

A pretty copy of Wuthering Heights

For Barb The Cook:

Some new Fiesta in a variety of colors (rice bowls, chip and dip)

Stainless steel cookware (because a girl can dream)

Starbucks Verismo

Glass bowl for Kitchenaid

For Barb The Aspiring Fashionista:

A new home for my iPhone

Adorable polka dot pajamas

Ridiculous but adorable Orla Kiely bag

Bracelet from The Lucky Elephant

Earrings from Tiny Galaxies

For Barb The Decorator:

This reminder to hang on my wall

Gnome reading lamp (spotted at Target!!)

Smile pillow

"Everything is Wonderful Here" poster for Wisconsin

Wake Up and Be Awesome sign

An adorable bird dish

Really, though I'd trade the whole list to be able to plan a get-together get-away with my Ventage Girls. 

Angie, Emily, Katrina, and Stephanie - I would whisk us all away to some sort of secluded location. It doesn't even really matter where because the weekend would just be all about us. We would eat and drink and talk and laugh and sleep and be pampered.

30 days from today

30 days from today I will be 32.

And, a few short weeks after that we will celebrate Christmas.

So, now seems like as good a time as any for a little wish list.

I need some pajama pants. Something like these, probably.

And, how about some slippers?

I'd like a vintage fondue set. . .

This would look fabulous in my kitchen.

 I could definitely use another Le Creuset. I like the cobalt and the flame. I think I need 7 1/4 quart.

You know how I feel about gift cards:
Studio Calico
Boden
Barnes & Nobel
Indira (for a massage or facial)

I'd also like some magazine subscriptions:
Real Simple
Bon Appetit
La Cucina Italiana

A bag for my camera would be nice, too.

And, I could still use a remote for my camera.

And, speaking of cameras. . . these lenses for my phone camera might be fun.

Buy the Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses at the Photojojo Store!

And, every list has to have some outrageous things on it.

Like an iPad.

Or an iPhone.

Or maybe a new purse.

Or perhaps a watch? There is pretty much always a watch on the list.

And, I wouldn't turn down some jewelry.
I do love this ring.

Oh, yeah. I'd also like 10 or so tickets to Costa Rica and a vacation rental. I would fly in all my favorite girl friends and we would drink and relax and cook and talk and laugh.

Ah, it's fun to dream.

Summer Dozen

Just like that another school year is finished and I am feeling optimistic and relaxed and so excited about a couple months of life on my own terms.

1. Retro / Music / Wood, 2. Macaron!, 3. album spine, 4. granny square afghan, 5. Heirloom Tomatoes, 6. jane eyre GB stamps, 7. Golden Gate Bridge, 8. Simple Summer Drink - With a twist of lemon, 9. Farmers' Market

Build a summer playlist.
Make macarons.
Play along with Week in the Life.
Learn to crochet Granny Squares.
Grow tomatoes.
Read Jane Eyre.
Visit San Francisco.
Discover a signature summer drink.
Eat healthy.

(I made a similar list last summer.)

Christmas Vaca: To Do Lists

My long-awaited Christmas vacation is finally here. Technically, it started on last Thursday. Thursday and Friday don't really count, though. I don't have a good reason for that. I just don't feel like they count.

So, I don't go back to work until January 3. There are some times this week that are already spoken for. I'm taking my mom to Chicago on Thursday night to have dinner, see White Christmas, and enjoy the city. I will stay at my parents' for NYE. That will take up Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning.

The rest of the week is mine.

What I Should Do:

• Organize my basement and take some things to Goodwill as a last-minute tax deduction
• Laundry
• Clean out the dishwasher in hopes of eliminating the stench that comes from it every time I run it
• Get new tires
• Pay bills
• Back-up my laptop
• Wash my car
• Take down my Christmas decorations
• Clean my bedroom
• Change the sheets; wash the quilt
• Organize my acrylic stamps

What I Want to Do:

• Start the new year with an empty DVR
• Finish the Hunger Games series which I have been hoarding since August
• Write some meaningful notes for a happy new year to some of my favorite people
• Make a resolution for 2011 (and choose a word to represent my year)
• Finish my December Daily
• Have lunch and scrapbook with Stephanie
• Make Noble Pig's Three-Day Marinara and Meatballs
• Try Martha Stewart's bacon ginger cookies
• Finish Color of Water for January book club
• Scrapbook just for fun
• See Tangled with Natalie and Katelyn
• Visit AJ with a special Christmas gift
• ETA: Try Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls

I will check back at the end of the week to let you know what I actually accomplished.

Above picture (I know. . . it's not a good picture) taken with my fun, new Polaroid camera. Thanks, Mom.