READ: Kill All Muggles

My wife had to explain to me that “muggle” is from Harry Potter. She claims she was reading it for the benefit of a friend. I’m not convinced. But don’t worry. The divorce papers have been filed. It came up because my Facebook feed was filled with this video, last month. “Muggle” was being thrown around like whatever they throw around in that Harry Potter game. I know it as internet slang for those nerds who don’t know about magic. Christians and accountants, mostly. The video is a short report from Colorado’s...

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READ: The Miracle Staircase of Loretto Chapel

In the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico, stands the Loretto Chapel, home of a famous spiral staircase said to have been built by a divine stranger who was passing through in 1878.  Unsolved Mysteries did a piece on it, and there’s even a 1998 made-for-TV film, The Staircase. According to the legend, the chapel, which was stationed at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, was completed without a set of stairs leading to the choir loft.  The Sisters of the Chapel were uncomfortable with their practice of climbing ...

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READ: Hundreds of mourners bid farewell to Walter White

The first hint that the service Saturday at Sunset Memorial Park wasn’t a typical funeral came when eulogist Michael Flowers got cheers when he spoke of the dearly departed. Another giveaway came from the prominent bright colors, T-shirts, sandals and ubiquitous black pork pie hats that broke up the typical formal black. The funeral for Walter White, the fictional chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin in AMC’s television drama “Breaking Bad,” drew about 200 mourners to the cemetery after a funeral procession...

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CRAFT: Electrical Tape is a Girl's Best Friend

        I used to think those people who bought duplicates of things were crazy.  Now I understand.  To say I get a little attached to my things is an understatement.  There's that one sweater that hangs just so, the pair of shoes that are stylish AND comfortable, the pants that make my ass look great... and now they're all wearing out!  ACK!!!         Maybe I'm getting old, maybe it's because I'm broke, but DAMMIT!  Why can't I find...

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On Vacation!

        Sorry for the lack of new posts...  As you can tell I'm VERY busy right now, so my Etsy shop and blog will be on hiatus until next month!  I'm sure this is incredibly disappointing to um, maybe all of the three people who read this.  To those dear readers I send my condolences and probably more pictures to make you jealous.  HA!  Stay tuned, things are about to get crazy over here and I'm sure I'll be itching to ramble about it once I have internet...

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LISTEN: The Microphones - "The Glow" Pt. 2

        Do you have ten minutes and thirty-three seconds to spare today?  If you do (and I hope you do) please sit quietly and listen to these two lovely songs by The Microphones:  I Want Wind to Blow and The Glow Pt.2. Just sit and listen.           The Glow Pt.2, released back in 2001, is perfect for people who still love to make an event of listening to an album with little to no interruptions.  This lo-fi...

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BEAUTIFY: Strange Hand Photo, Tiny Glitter Bottles.

        Here is the other glitter set I ordered!  Aren't they precious?!  Why are miniature things so cute?!  I don't understand.  Ben & Jerry's ice cream pints?  They're super good, but nothing special.  MINI-SIZED Ben & Jerry's ice cream?  IRRESISTIBLE!!!  It's stupid, but I can't help it.  Apparently neither can anyone else.  Just sneak a peek at Etsy and you'll find tons of crafts dedicated to things in miniature. But...

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BEAUTIFY: I Could Use A Rainbow

         Been on a bit of a writing hiatus this week... reading all the nonsense in the news this week has really got me down and I didn't want to spew any more vitriol into the world by adding another angry blog to the pack.  I have a few posts in bones right now, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish them.  Next week looks promising -- I'll just have to make sure I finish writing before I read the news.  (Wah-wah.)         Doom and...

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EAT: Everything I Needed to Know About Cooking I Learned From the Veganomicon

This beautiful gem has been in my possession since 01.07.08!         This is the post where I'm gonna get all mushy-like and profess my love for all things food.  I must admit, we haven't always been best friends; there is a formidable period of time when I hated my body and we were downright bitter enemies, food and I.  Now as a woman on the cusp of turning thirty (ZOMG!) who has weighed approximately the same weight for around 10 years, it's safe to say this is the body I'm made...

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BEAUTIFY: Maaaaaan...

          I waited a week for my awesome shipment of awesome to come in and this was all I got.  Poop.  Okay, this is better than poop, but only slightly because it'll prove to be just as versatile for my nail art as poop would.  "There was a mix up with inventory, yadda yadda yadda, keep what we sent you, we'll refund your money."  That's cool and all, I appreciate your prompt response, but dammit!  I wanted what I ordered!!!  Round two of internet glitter...

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ENLIGHTEN: A Lesson in Submission, Or, Why I Don't Go to S&M Clubs Anymore

Vice's Doggie Fashion Show         Maybe I should've done what the average modern bride does and blog about all the ooey gooey details of planning the wedding and adjusting to married life, but there were plenty of other things going on in our lives that preoccupied a good chunk of that time.  While I would never say I'm happy that my dad got sick, I will acknowledge how grateful I am for the months of reflection it offered me.  2012 was the most crazy shake-up year...

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BEAUTIFY: Sad Nails Need Love Too!

        Ugggh..... so my nails are worn all the way back down to stubs again! *poutpout*  Please don't gawk at my painfully short ring-finger nail...ouch!  Sadly, this hand was actually the better looking of the two!  My poor right hand has a band aid on it from a dish washing accident... don't ask, I'm a klutz.  The anxiety of getting a root canal the other week and forgetting to take my vitamins has done a number on my nails (not to mention my bank account...

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The End Is Near!

But it's really the beginning... ...

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BEAUTIFY: I Still Always Think of Men When I Hear the Word "Ombré"

I MAEK GOOD FOTO THIS TYME!! YYYAAAAAYYY!!!111!!!         But some of my nails broke so they're starting to look a bit stumpy all around...GRR!!  My fabulous spouse-man bought me this ombré set of five purple polishes just because he got them in at work and he knew I'd like them!  He sent me a pic of all the color choices and said "Pick one."  D'aww, he's so sweet!  I asked if his assistants tease him at work for buying so much nail polish... because really...

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BEAUTIFY: Triangle Man, Triangle Man...

        I'm gonna go ahead and say it:  I have attempted this manicure several times before and it always ends in FAIL.  I've tried using triangle-shaped tape decals, a mini paint brush, and have now had mild success with using a tape stencil as a guide.  I had higher hopes (and more detail) in mind for this but ended up so frustrated that my lines STILL weren't perfectly straight that I just left them like this.  I know, it's not the worst, but I'm a little...

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BEAUTIFY: Blue Valentine!

        Okay, so maybe that's a bad title because all I think about is that terribly sad but also very beautiful movie starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.  Haven't seen it?  Go rent it already!  (I think it's on Netflix right now too.)  But be prepared to cry your face off for the rest of the day!  (Or is that just me?)  Anyway, here is my version of the stupidly cute Valentine's day manicure that everyone loves to do!  (It's not everyone...

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BEAUTIFY: Pop Art Girly Freak Out!

        Why was the only photo I took of this manicure done with my stupid phone camera?  It's only my FAVORITE color combo and design I've made for my nails thus far!  DUH!  So why would I want to take a decent photo of THAT?! The universe holds many mysteries and stupid things...         It's February and I'm feeling all happy and loved, so I thought I'd go with some pastel girly pink!  But me being me, I couldn't survive...

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BEAUTIFY: The NAIL FAIL Files!

        Yucky yuck yuck ew!  I decided to try out the nail marbling trend at home which resulted in very mild success.  At least I was a source of entertainment for my hubby who watched as I unceremoniously stuck my fingers into strange, swirly liquids, hoping for the best.  I think I did a decent job not turning my hands into a globbly nail polish mess thanks to the tips from others who have tried this (put tape your fingers or use vaseline, etc.), but it seems...

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BEAUTIFY: Playing With Glitter or How to Go Cross-Eyed and Love It

        So for the first time in my entire life, I HAVE NAILS!  I've never really been a nail biter, I just tend to pick at them when I'm nervous which causes them to weaken and flake, causing breakage.  But I've been taking my vitamins regularly and learned not to be such a stress-mess!  The results?  I have pretty, adult-looking hands.  Okay, I admit they're still not up to par with what most would consider to be "long" nails, but there is no way I could...

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