life.love.paper.

girl loves friday.

currently sipping my delicious beverage which, you guessed it...starbucks.
peppermint mochas are irresistible to me right now. first love of the day.
the office is buzzing with anticipation of tonights Christmas party.
should be fun. I'll be photographing and offered to take some portraits of those who would like a nice photo of themselves since we're all prettied up. I ended up getting an, I guess, an affordable flash. $140 bucks. jeez. the lady did show me one that was over $300 and I'm thinking, um...this is company office party. If I were getting paid to do weddings then yes, I would gladly pay that amount. Plus I hate flash photography and avoid it all costs. Keep your fingers crossed for me. This will be my first time photographing an event other than a still life set up in my home.

what else is on my love list today?

my holiday ensemble.
 
I tend to lean towards dresses that are equal parts conservative, trendy and flirty.
This is what I ended up getting.
 

it doesn't look as baggy on me, could be that I'm not 6 feet tall and thin as a stick.
It hugs my curves very nicely and is shorter than I'm use to but that evens out the top being so conservative. Add big earrings and red lips and I'm ready to get my holiday party on.

Have not been into food lately. Sounds silly but I crave liquids right now. Besides peppermint mochas, I'm addicted to apple cider with fresh whipped cream and orange julius.
 
Is it me or do beverages taste better when they're being sipped from a cute mug?

a comforting scrapbook line.

The Studio Calico Home Front gallery is looking fabulous.  

lunch time for me! off to get some more christmas shopping.
happy weekend!
Tina

let's catch up.

let's start with Thanksgiving.

 
successfully baked 3 pies. A pumpkin for my brother, pecan for my dad and this one for my in laws. Thanksgiving was as it should be. A gathering of family and friends, sharing a good meal and reminiscing about the past. All in all, a good time.

instead of fighting aggressive shoppers on black friday, I opted to go ice fishing with my dad and nephew.

as you can see from the photo on the right, I was a tad grossed out by the sliminess of my catch.
besides that minor detail, I had a great time fishing in the snow on a frozen lake stocked with rainbow trout. It was quiet and peaceful. It took patience to sit on top of a bucket with a small pole and watching to see if my bobbin started to duck in and out of the water. I needed some fresh air and the excitement of learning something new. I definitely look forward to going again. **note to self, must find chicer snowsuit.**

Saturday was my "black friday". I was happy there were still a lot of good sales to be shopped. Found back up dress for holiday party, back up dress now first choice. Also found perfect shade of red lipstick at Mac counter, now to find a little bravado to wear said lipstick to party. I'm sure once it's on, my inner beyonce will shine. Have you seen that new video with lady gaga? maybe I can also channel her moves when I hit the dance floor. Maybe not.

The rest of the weekend went accordingly and I'm so glad for the extended time off.
Now it's ready set go for Christmas.
House, decorated.
Tree, trimmed...minus a tree topper.
Gifts, about half way completed.
Cards, just now thinking about it.

ok, this is getting to be quite long and I've got a full dvr that needs to be emptied.

Dare 153
 
all items are from SC's new Home Front line. 

This months project kit.
 
 

30 Days of Christmas: Dec 2 (a different project I'm doing along with my Daily December)
 
a little prettiness on my kitchen window sill.

until Friday,
Tina

girl is thankful.

a quick post to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you enjoy your holiday with the one's you love.
be safe and patient durring the shopping hustle on Friday!
leaving off with a few photos from this past weekend.

be thankful.
girl  

girl runs away with friday and doesn't look back.

yet another successful week survived.
got to love the holidays when you work retail although I'm lucky to work behind the scenes rather
than actually being out in retail. been there, done that, don't want to do it again.

I thought I was ahead of the game this year by purchasing my party dress for the company Christmas party. I found it mid-summer, it was love at first site and on sale to boot.
but it never fails, every year I do the same thing. I buy a dress, then 2 weeks before said party, I doubt my dress and purchase a back up. I do this for every party I attend that involves a dress. I find a back up dress essential. And, this may sound pretentious but I can never wear the same dress twice. I know, this is ridiculous but in my defense, I don't attend many "dress up" events and I don't spend an ungodly amount of money either. so that's my plan for today, dress shopping. fun. at least I know what works for me and what doesn't so I shouldn't be spending too much time trying on dresses.

onto this weeks loves.

preppy cool J Crew
 
so in love with their holiday theme this year. what's in my cart now?
graphite gray sweater for J (holiday party) skinny black jeans for work, perfectly paired with my knee boots and this pea coat I'm getting my niece for Christmas. contemplating this tuxedo jacket to pair with my holiday dress.

hometown store love.
FlyPaper
 
 
who kindly let me take a few photographs of their storefront and who also started carrying a few
items from Paper Source. I love this place for unique holiday gifts and cards. If you're in Anchorage, they're on Benson Blvd near Barnes and Noble.

uh oh...another Garance love.

beautiful girl, cool tattoo. what's not to love?

also loving..
oatmeal with bananas and a touch of peanut butter. I've trained myself to eat breakfast when I'm work.
it really helps later in the day when lunch rolls around and my choices are either greasy fast food or a fresh salad or sandwich.

Uggs. You either love them or hate them but I'm telling you, once you try a pair, you'll get why people do love them. Especially when the weathers as cold as it's been up here. I purchased a pair of  FUggs (fake Uggs) before I received a pair for Christmas and they are so not the same.

Holiday polaroids. I have 2 sets going up for sale in the shop tonight. This is my favorite season to shoot polaroids. It's that dreamy, vintage feel the polaroid gives to basic holiday items that I adore so much. I know you will as well. Sets are limited, I'd hate for you to miss out!


happy friday,
girl

winner and a holiday peek

first, the winner of one Home Front kit is


what home means to me is the cozy feeling I have when my husband and 3 kids are all home together spending quality time with each other. To me, family really is the heart of the home. I LOVE homefront. Thanks for the chance at winning.

• Commenter name: Roberta
• Commenter email: dollry1029@yahoo.com

Huge congrats Roberta! Please contact April at april@studiocalico.com for your winnings! :) :) :)
Thanks for all who participated. I loved reading your comments about the meaning of home.

My holiday packs are just about ready and will be in the shop this Friday. Here's a peek...
 

these holiday packs will contain 5 polaroid prints. I'll have 2 different sets available.
I'll also have a few handmade holiday cards featuring my polaroids as well. 
Calendars are on sale now. Don't miss out as I will only have a limited amount this year.


new Dare.
I had no light to work with last night so this is what you get for now. I'll reshoot the whole layout when I get home from work tonight. I ended up using my unsuccessful polaroid transfer I did earlier this week.
I'm sure it was because of the really expired film and not keeping it in cooler temps. But they will not go to waste. Here's another version.

I've got some new film on order so hopefully I'll have a proper polaroid transfer to show next time.

until friday.
t

 

 

home to me right now (unrelated to the layout above) is my old red chair I picked up years ago at a garage sale.
my intention was so reupholster it but never happened.
it clashes with everything but I don't really care.
it's comfortable, perfect for reading and surfing the net.

Studio Calico is sharing part of their home with you by sponsoring a giveaway of their brand new line, Home Front.  Imagine June Cleaver styled 1950s domestic bliss.  Featuring optimistic colors and smooth vintage inspired patterns.  You’ll find fresh stained wood grain, retro home décor, an exclusive SC cardstock alpha set, and much more.  Home Front is versatile, colorful, and beautiful (can we say that?)….I think you’ll love it.
To win this collection, simply leave a comment on what home means to you and to increase your chances, visit the rest of the design team below.

April Foster
Celine Navarro
Davinie Fiero
Emily Pitts
Jenn Olson
Joy Madison
Kelly Noel
Lisa Truesdell
Maggie Holmes
Nicole Samuels
Nicole Harper
Stephanie Howell

I will announce my winner on Wednesday morning.
Good Luck!

sunday

 



photos actually taken saturday but you get the idea. same cozy mood.
today will be dedicated to laundry, SC December, my Holiday packs, and a few phone calls.
stay tuned. starting at midnight the SC DT will hold a give away for 1 Home Front kit.
be sure to check back in!

enjoy your sunday.

girl hates a downer and oh yeah...loves friday.

leave it to office poopoo head to try and break me down on this glorious friday.
not happening lady. not today.
I'm sure her fowl mood is related to something personal so I shall not take her ignoring my "good morning" greeting personally myself.

finally caught up on my Hills/City fix last night after the NBC line up.
my thoughts.
**really Audrina? you surely making everyone believe you're a masochist. Is JustinBobby worth making you look so pitiful on national tv? and does anyone every make eye contact with each other anymore?
**can Kristen find a man minus the baggage? I'm "Kristen neutral". never hated or liked her but I do have to give it up to her for sticking up for herself when the Playboy Posse came around.
**Heidi is annoying me to no end on the babymaking. No fan of Spenc but this is a sure fire way of pushing away you new husband. I'm sure this is just one big ratings hoax anyhow.
**Roxy is another annoyance. I appreciate her zest for life...we all need friends like that. I surely have one of my own but if she ever got me in trouble with my job we would have words. and she was the one who left Whit and that's just wrong. You don't ever leave your girl in some random bar/club. She broke girl code.
**I'm a Kelly fan. I know, she's not the friendliest and most would think she's the boss from hell but I would actually like to work for some one like that. She would keep me motivated and I'm sure she takes care of those who prove themselves worthy.
**Olivia...poor Olivia. I felt bad that Erin got chewed out for not being a team player but she deserved it. Olivia needs to step up as well. I mean, she basically walked into a job at Elle. I don't care if you're a rich socialite. If you have a job, do it and do it well. How many other girls would kill for that position?

onto girl loves.

Beyonce.
 
Not because Kayne says so but man she is fierce. Old news, but I loved her performance on the MTV awards. What I really love about her is that she's so fierce, she's willing to share the spotlight with a couple of dozen hot dancers and still shines. Most divas have male dancers. Beyonce doesn't need 'em.

Cosette
I stopped in yesterday and picked up a bottle of Butter nail polish in the steal gray I was hunted down forever. Also purchased the prettiest dusty lavender blouse that I'm wearing today and love. Will have to photo when I get home from work.
Wish I had photos to share from this store. It's serious eye candy, so well designed. I'm happy to see boutiques like this here in Anchorage. It's about time. Now only if I could get the store owner to let me photograph her store.

clever sandwiches.
 
(photo from Sunday Suppers blog)
I'm so intrigued by the names. 

This quote from this blog post.
"JUST BECAUSE I DON'T CALL EVERY WEEK DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T LOVE YOU ANY MORE."

This little girls room.

(photo from the JAC blog)
check out the blog for the full photo shoot. it's just so precious.

35mm film.
 
 ( Pentax Honeywell 35mm, Kodak Gold 400)
Got my film back and it works! Now to find better, lower ISO film)

and some random polas from the week...
 
 
 

calendars are still for sale! don't miss out, I'll only have a limited amount this year.


ah yes...my day is half way over. 
plans for tonight? home, nap, pizza, scraps.

happy friday!
girl

 

random thoughts of the day

Freddie Frakelmayer from The City eerily reminds me of Christian Bale's American Pshyco character. I cannot be the only one who thinks this.
 

wondering if it is possible to tan "safely". can you wear SPF in a tanning booth? thoughts?

coming to terms with the idea that I may be putting Polaroid to rest for awhile. why? because film is getting scarce and I'm not longer willing to pay an arm and a leg to some dude on Ebay who went to Target and bought out every single box of film when it went on clearance.

a little ticked off that HBO took the second season of True Blood off Demand. maybe this means the dvd set will come out soon. this could be a good thing.

trying to get my exercise high back but all I want to do is melt into the couch when I get home from work. will I ever be happy with my weight?

why have they not come up with non-fat eggnog? I tried cutting mine back with skim milk at starbucks but it's still loaded with calories and fat. suuuuucks. I so do love creamy frothy eggnog lattes.

anxiously awaiting for my film to be developed. 35mm may be my film fix until polaroid comes around again.

that's all.

girl is MacGyver of baking.

Our first snowfall! It's pretty. I would so much rather be at home to admire it rather than being here at work.
My post title refers to my little baking fiasco over the weekend. My father came to visit from the valley and I didn't want him to leave empty handed. I had recently come across this recipe. I'm always on the look out for recipes that have bananas as I always seem to have speckled naners on the counter.
I scanned the recipe ingredients and thought I had everything.
Mixed dry ingredients, set aside. Start in on the wet when I realize all the peanut butter had been used by my husband's pb&j addiction the week before. Also, no chocolate chips which I also thought I had. Nope, they had been eaten as well by said husband. Oats? no oats. I just remembered I threw those away because it had gone outdated. Great. Ok, time to improvise. I had Nutella. Thought that could replace not only the peanut butter but the chocolate. I had 3 small packets of regular instant oatmeal. Ok, I thought, this could work.
It wasn't my best baking masterpiece. 
It needed something more so I added some cream cheese frosting. That always makes everything taste better and it did somewhat. Again, not my best. Certainly not as good as the pumpkin cupcakes I made several weeks ago. So yes, I consider myself the Macyver of baking. Just doesn't always end up so positively.
Oh yeah, I was also out of cupcake liners so I had to dig up some Christmas one's.

Other than that, my weekend was great. We didn't get the sunshine we wanted but I had enough light to get some indoor shots.
Dinner was so good. Jeff had made reservations beforehand and mentioned it was out anniversary. We came up to our table and it was decorated in rose petals. An "aaww" moment. Even the chef came out to wish us a happy anniversary which was nice. My filet mignon was cooked to perfection. I'm funny about beef. If it's too chewy, I get turned off but my filet was like butter. delish. My absolute fav is the crab and artichoke dip. uuuhhh..I could eat it by the spoonful. girl had no shame polishing that off.
 
(date night...canon 50mm 1.4, manual)
 
I put a few of my calendars up over the weekend and they went quickly which was a pleasant surprise. I'll have more up through out the week. I'm working on some Holiday goods. Hopefully I'll have those up in the shop by the end of the week.

happy monday!