tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32503833908331612752024-03-13T02:52:43.093-04:00Buffalo BeauxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-77752822957919509272011-03-22T14:28:00.000-04:002011-03-22T14:28:50.425-04:00Risque ceiling attireI apologize for yesterday's absence, but between house happenings and job searches I was a busy lass. Things are moving along on a certain house, but I'm keeping the details quiet until everything is certain, otherwise we run the risk of getting really excited and then way too bummed if the deal falls through. <br />
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But I will share something with you. The house is chock full of the cheapest light fixtures you can find, and when put up against beautiful natural woodwork it just aggravates the situation. So I've been stuck on looking at new light fixtures that can stand on their own in the lighting vs. woodwork main event.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCi0JZH_U1uW92XLa0p5xjxfoOGjEqSqgkz1IWOHAet4ugeY0YxMtMN6zGqBQVVqKbJEKfJbAYS7XqzPtwlsXc6iW6ffQdpYAA7w1gbW6DY5uo7-ZiaAFZGMf1dPVqncSEqDNTC2CMhE/s1600/west+elm+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCi0JZH_U1uW92XLa0p5xjxfoOGjEqSqgkz1IWOHAet4ugeY0YxMtMN6zGqBQVVqKbJEKfJbAYS7XqzPtwlsXc6iW6ffQdpYAA7w1gbW6DY5uo7-ZiaAFZGMf1dPVqncSEqDNTC2CMhE/s320/west+elm+chandelier.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/large-rectangle-hanging-capiz-pendant-w425/?pkey=cpendant-sconce-lamps-chandeliers">West Elm Capiz Shell Chandelier</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwyPKtyCFHkDIilo62_LoSLriSHRN8K98s_6uUAwO70y8SUwkT3vZWoB67Me0aHi1y9l6XxpOY0SXmCIsEiiQ1PDmQGYKq2kESG3lj8xm0Z112QCa36SheMgP569LfC0taTwrKWAJSc0/s1600/shades+of+light+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwyPKtyCFHkDIilo62_LoSLriSHRN8K98s_6uUAwO70y8SUwkT3vZWoB67Me0aHi1y9l6XxpOY0SXmCIsEiiQ1PDmQGYKq2kESG3lj8xm0Z112QCa36SheMgP569LfC0taTwrKWAJSc0/s320/shades+of+light+chandelier.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/framed-burlap-roman-rectangle-shade-chandelier.html">Shades of Light Burlap Chandelier</a></td></tr>
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Ok, clearly I have a thing for big rectangular chandeliers that are mostly out of my price range. So maybe those will have to wait. But, one thing that will not wait is correcting the oh so common Boob Light extravaganza that has over taken homes across America.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBBxipZcYcuqcZHuDYh4QjfMBQiuPdM-qqHi4H0uYBbC_TqhNS16Q6PaWIyQsiT8VDWQCLNeYUvAQS10IdzGplRi9LVPoQ3v6wDfwRW6W0bNxuD4PEC2YmX2grloWa2DEKf8dMhs6LeQ/s1600/Boob-Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBBxipZcYcuqcZHuDYh4QjfMBQiuPdM-qqHi4H0uYBbC_TqhNS16Q6PaWIyQsiT8VDWQCLNeYUvAQS10IdzGplRi9LVPoQ3v6wDfwRW6W0bNxuD4PEC2YmX2grloWa2DEKf8dMhs6LeQ/s320/Boob-Light.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.modnest.ca/journal/2010/12/1/design-crime-the-boob-light.html">Image from www.modnest.ca</a></td></tr>
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They're everywhere. For a long time, I thought it was a weird issue that only I had, but then when watching <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/sarahs-house/show/index.html">Sarah's House</a> on <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/">HGTV</a> (Seriously, the show is addictive and Sarah is a genius), her super fantastic sidekick <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Smythe/128312767213380">Tommy Smythe</a> looked up at the ceilings in a house they were redoing, and upon seeing the light fixtures exclaimed, "Boobs belong on babes, not on ceilings!" I squealed in joy that I wasn't alone and immediately adopted that as a mantra.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaBo8KtQGtLxyqflcWGoDklDxJhHiy1Xv96Fc4isTfPrTKJ1K-viWwl7Fob6I6C_TkQ50DhXSbJ7t17vsBDXvIZdIdDPmptvNyyle6vMaPQCZRbE2dDHRVPxmMyARK8wMcxwJjl2WufQ/s1600/Tommy-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaBo8KtQGtLxyqflcWGoDklDxJhHiy1Xv96Fc4isTfPrTKJ1K-viWwl7Fob6I6C_TkQ50DhXSbJ7t17vsBDXvIZdIdDPmptvNyyle6vMaPQCZRbE2dDHRVPxmMyARK8wMcxwJjl2WufQ/s320/Tommy-photo.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man behind the mantra</td></tr>
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There should hopefully be some moving and shaking with the house happenings this evening, so maybe there will be news tomorrow? Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-67872333760716306122011-03-18T11:33:00.000-04:002011-03-18T11:33:56.893-04:00Weekend Homework<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkN5pWHh7ziZ6mm_juRhEPjxzUUer3a2OCkY3zSeTmR5FAYg0Q2o4R7PAUuhTMSRGRn3O26miildokHr8NOhyphenhyphenbNIZ4zEfZW7T3S50-V86ukEj6PFDSkIYOmsBBaLlR03xv9qI63evEs4/s1600/elephant+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkN5pWHh7ziZ6mm_juRhEPjxzUUer3a2OCkY3zSeTmR5FAYg0Q2o4R7PAUuhTMSRGRn3O26miildokHr8NOhyphenhyphenbNIZ4zEfZW7T3S50-V86ukEj6PFDSkIYOmsBBaLlR03xv9qI63evEs4/s400/elephant+boy.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.changingworld.com/">image from here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Job interviews scheduled for this afternoon and Monday morning, keeping the fingers crossed! We're also checking out a couple of houses tomorrow afternoon, which I'm sure you'll see pictures of if anything ridiculous appears. The sun has been struggling to stay out, so make sure when he appears you make your way outside and enjoy it!<br />
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<ul><li>Its always fascinating to find out <a href="http://www.budgettravelonline.com/slideshow/bud-travel-breaks-10-weird-foreign-laws,2383/">what you can't do in other countries</a>.</li>
<li>Obsessed with <a href="http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/sophie-calle/">Sophie Calle</a></li>
<li>Can anyone resist the DIY charm of <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a>?</li>
<li>Princess Bride + Pineapple Express? Either way <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nB2pWEW9yw">I can't wait for this</a></li>
</ul>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-2123872473093466282011-03-17T13:54:00.000-04:002011-03-17T13:54:36.294-04:00Birthday Gifts: Beautifully creepy editionOne of my best friend's birthdays is coming up in the beginning of April, and she's not always the easiest to shop for. But one thing is certain, she likes pretty, unique jewelry and she digs creepy, weird stuff. Best of both world?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsUGQfi633-4AFYLzs8Kwz7VMiJvUU1y4MWRCBpgXWvVG48oOnbeUgV7W3ptVjLYLtxFtqFlqPhMlKcOxp6VT1NWJq8d8qh1vKO_eYca6l8hafGTD0my9zg9fzpQrc5G61IoOnKqLLLg/s1600/kris+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsUGQfi633-4AFYLzs8Kwz7VMiJvUU1y4MWRCBpgXWvVG48oOnbeUgV7W3ptVjLYLtxFtqFlqPhMlKcOxp6VT1NWJq8d8qh1vKO_eYca6l8hafGTD0my9zg9fzpQrc5G61IoOnKqLLLg/s320/kris+bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
No, not the disembodied hand statue, but <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62411272/real-sunset-moth-wing-necklace?ref=pr_shop">the moth wing necklace</a>. Purchased on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> (of course), at the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/housethatcrowbuilt">HouseThatCrowBuilt</a> shop. She has a variety of lovely other pieces as well, but I think Kristina will fall in love with this necklace, and will certainly be the only one we know at least that has it. So excited to give it to her!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-15106804753038587442011-03-16T12:43:00.000-04:002011-03-16T12:43:40.906-04:00As Irish as I getCold beginning of Spring weather and <a href="http://www.buffaloirish.com/">Buffalo</a>'s upcoming <a href="http://buffalostpatricksdayparade.com/default.aspx">St. Patrick's Day parade this Sunday</a> have put me in the mood for one thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPTpHDRbMjmCZFIHs87kwpHKEo_8IkcdIBkbOwF2ObdEKR4hp_DVpCpsaFc8R4Ydvp_1_e-ysj6nQ_Dkn650aS3V9F5hH_-Y3PkBIDWD-vcDbQxeDjx6S_rutokiIBUSQ02wcz1-px30/s1600/irish-cream-coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPTpHDRbMjmCZFIHs87kwpHKEo_8IkcdIBkbOwF2ObdEKR4hp_DVpCpsaFc8R4Ydvp_1_e-ysj6nQ_Dkn650aS3V9F5hH_-Y3PkBIDWD-vcDbQxeDjx6S_rutokiIBUSQ02wcz1-px30/s320/irish-cream-coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.irishcoffeerecipe.com</td></tr>
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Mmm. Sweet <a href="http://irishcoffeerecipe.com/">Irish Coffee</a>, how I've missed you. Will you be celebrating this weekend?Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-3457939639711871552011-03-15T11:49:00.002-04:002011-03-15T11:53:48.922-04:00Dessert a la South ParkWe had my mother, sister, brother-in-law, and of course baby Jake, over for dinner last night. My sister has never seen the place so we used that as an excuse, but truthfully I just wanted Aaron to make <a href="http://buffalobeaux.blogspot.com/2011/03/eating-its-good-for-you.html">homemade gnocchi</a> again. Although this time, I skipped the eggplant meatballs, opting for a <a href="http://delishhh.com/2011/02/15/roasted-beet-salad/">Beet Salad</a> instead. <br />
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But, apparently I have an obsession with circular food and instead of main coursing it, I volunteered to prepare dessert after stumbling across <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake-balls/">Cake Balls</a> from the website <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">Bakerella</a>. And yes, I did spend the entire prep time thinking about this guy:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7IEJ7gDCqN1PcyMaPdv49_IezpJmeIWwwVPWsAHkIt8C2kEXvCGTmevyF6mWhSnsscNemk-SINtLwMlZsnlb9iOJv3e7bpdGDloMBb8LaKV1aiwbZR0GAbEUuGTAraNSqILfDyURPqQ/s1600/chef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7IEJ7gDCqN1PcyMaPdv49_IezpJmeIWwwVPWsAHkIt8C2kEXvCGTmevyF6mWhSnsscNemk-SINtLwMlZsnlb9iOJv3e7bpdGDloMBb8LaKV1aiwbZR0GAbEUuGTAraNSqILfDyURPqQ/s320/chef.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.southparkstudios.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anyway, I chose not to go with red velvet, but to do chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate chips for the shell. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dwvt-8-pkJvr0dXscRVJFrVUjNFG6VBJHwsYYp1SU1Yjs_zM9sismbRv5wCoP5XvT-Hv0M5Wzc8d7wGsRH83LYOIYMKGZvumkfldVTJaxoUlbx9ZvETxzUmwHTLigxacbur1X3smSlA/s1600/DSCN1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dwvt-8-pkJvr0dXscRVJFrVUjNFG6VBJHwsYYp1SU1Yjs_zM9sismbRv5wCoP5XvT-Hv0M5Wzc8d7wGsRH83LYOIYMKGZvumkfldVTJaxoUlbx9ZvETxzUmwHTLigxacbur1X3smSlA/s320/DSCN1898.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It's pretty easy actually. You just bake the cake according to the box instructions. After letting it cool for a bit, just use a fork to get it all out of the pan (it's all going to get crumbled up anyway)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaeC4VYwX3g3Vf6B2ig4cECJaHFhQwFukFVVT4FhK04Coi7NkRbY2AIoexw6RO5ORlaXZJVYIcvGox3hXx9IxpUeiv1vS7X8ktHENPuMDXM_KNlpz_arlyA15GhPNE42zmkM2XRDn08s/s1600/DSCN1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaeC4VYwX3g3Vf6B2ig4cECJaHFhQwFukFVVT4FhK04Coi7NkRbY2AIoexw6RO5ORlaXZJVYIcvGox3hXx9IxpUeiv1vS7X8ktHENPuMDXM_KNlpz_arlyA15GhPNE42zmkM2XRDn08s/s320/DSCN1895.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Once it's all in the bowl, crumble the heck out if it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9h9LSpkc_tL8hx2BJicuLIq30oCjmIVqaFOPwN5dfcHJ28rHShtJU1dfw43Y7Z_Nxx8Y2BPEjDywSgOXCk2Ov-6qet6CMVRB8EX82_VT-0i6itaCrp5rZU2_nWu2txn9mu322uwtNiI/s1600/DSCN1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9h9LSpkc_tL8hx2BJicuLIq30oCjmIVqaFOPwN5dfcHJ28rHShtJU1dfw43Y7Z_Nxx8Y2BPEjDywSgOXCk2Ov-6qet6CMVRB8EX82_VT-0i6itaCrp5rZU2_nWu2txn9mu322uwtNiI/s320/DSCN1896.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Then mix in the entire can of frosting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYohDzF94_NJUAtVEqw-cqK0xld-yIYN25yjQqncwSii0Gvpby4VvpDH0tWW21t0P03dXmfl-_yRhG-av9purysQd9WnYu6vcegM_zkHsnl20OwZCryefmXqHGvQDf_ZB3vQiV1BgFDY/s1600/DSCN1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYohDzF94_NJUAtVEqw-cqK0xld-yIYN25yjQqncwSii0Gvpby4VvpDH0tWW21t0P03dXmfl-_yRhG-av9purysQd9WnYu6vcegM_zkHsnl20OwZCryefmXqHGvQDf_ZB3vQiV1BgFDY/s320/DSCN1899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"Clean off spatula and remainder of carton with tongue" was not an official step in the recipe, but I believe in improvising so go ahead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXAWK-Fdzgk39JYG-uwwRFAU8WxsMs7Hcx1-mWH8UbqwmGbFRZIXBO82HMJslXqwuTQaj0rWdTy6omtjrim6oazwIAHw0NtXFVEFbOxl2C7gdUsWSyE0R8lMlX8sJK3XhhGX-ew_RNEY/s1600/DSCN1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXAWK-Fdzgk39JYG-uwwRFAU8WxsMs7Hcx1-mWH8UbqwmGbFRZIXBO82HMJslXqwuTQaj0rWdTy6omtjrim6oazwIAHw0NtXFVEFbOxl2C7gdUsWSyE0R8lMlX8sJK3XhhGX-ew_RNEY/s320/DSCN1900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Mmm, now it resembles sickly ground beef. Which I'm sure wouldn't have been the case had I actually used Red Velvet cake mix and not chocolate. But, I digress. Now, I should have let this cool down much more before attempting to roll this stuff into balls, but I was running short on time so after failing at using my hands (it was way too sticky, it looked like I had cake gloves on....mmm....cake gloves), I decided an ice cream scooper was the way to go and ended up with various rock shaped blobs.<br />
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I popped them in the freezer at this point while Aaron made the gnocchi, bringing them out about 20 minutes later while they were still soft enough to form them into a more recognizable ball shape.<br />
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I then melted the chips in a small pan over low flame. The initial plan of attack was going to be to dunk them. But, it turns out that one bag of those chips is not quite enough to get the job done (definitely pick up 2 if you're going to be doing this to get the proper fully encased outer shell). So instead Aaron improvised a drizzle technique for me:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwP0howhpNRkYTmuvkpHM8CTQFMnx4B8wRviHUdCXSPm3vlu8ydU0B9_x8D4_R_eClCBjYNGqM7qllJQ0cZRkE383KQjF8uHfsQJHlB_h5FN6nKNSfJAURldcI8x2f8XdoCaHcUT_pKM/s1600/DSCN1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwP0howhpNRkYTmuvkpHM8CTQFMnx4B8wRviHUdCXSPm3vlu8ydU0B9_x8D4_R_eClCBjYNGqM7qllJQ0cZRkE383KQjF8uHfsQJHlB_h5FN6nKNSfJAURldcI8x2f8XdoCaHcUT_pKM/s320/DSCN1902.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
My first instinct when we decided drizzling was the way to go was to just grab the spoon out of the pan and bring it over to the cakes. This resulting in me decorating the counters and stove and Aaron laughing and pointing. At that point, drizzling duties were turned over to Smarty Pants and we were on our way. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7coYtikkk921bQJJQRWRTRk_HbqW9knHgPAAVk03l0-NubxDdmPe1D_lNkqjTKh_Lvz4gnTxgy9u4uPW13aFzhPJ7ZqTyabtWFKab0MBjoj-oTjWXgMUY2z7fr1aBR6S2MQtZuY8oJG0/s1600/DSCN1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7coYtikkk921bQJJQRWRTRk_HbqW9knHgPAAVk03l0-NubxDdmPe1D_lNkqjTKh_Lvz4gnTxgy9u4uPW13aFzhPJ7ZqTyabtWFKab0MBjoj-oTjWXgMUY2z7fr1aBR6S2MQtZuY8oJG0/s320/DSCN1904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now be forewarned, I intentionally tried to cut back on sweetness of these because I'm not a big fan of overly sweet. However the 'sweet' factor was unintentionally replaced with the 'rich' factor. Seriously, these are about one per person. Ok, maybe two after taking a breather.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH2IwgcG4dy2yHoBULKWIQ9MACb-1NDK2zEYFP1BacQDNyXSLGjCT66PfUQyV8_SPIy3MVsqasCRdX6GlrKblHJD1UG7XoU0LnSGyNFkEBVWVmWNmRB29BD1Aa0HTKwl-pOmW0qT9G7s/s1600/DSCN1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH2IwgcG4dy2yHoBULKWIQ9MACb-1NDK2zEYFP1BacQDNyXSLGjCT66PfUQyV8_SPIy3MVsqasCRdX6GlrKblHJD1UG7XoU0LnSGyNFkEBVWVmWNmRB29BD1Aa0HTKwl-pOmW0qT9G7s/s320/DSCN1907.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Definitely a fun recipe with a ton of options, just give yourself enough time to prepare them and make sure you have more than 5 people prepared to eat an entire cake. Now, just for good measure, let's take a look at Jake and Ric spending quality time together at the table:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QYZ1m8anw2BHuWkm5iv6_6VC_Q3Ihqjl9Ec9kO2CiA-JewsY6ltzNp7z79T28zDIyIdah536SIyi8pZL8RAHBVx8nbnymxVRF0_Q57khMNc1OXzp2tq3jMpKBvqBtNK9-qkv9w8pooE/s1600/jake%2526ric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QYZ1m8anw2BHuWkm5iv6_6VC_Q3Ihqjl9Ec9kO2CiA-JewsY6ltzNp7z79T28zDIyIdah536SIyi8pZL8RAHBVx8nbnymxVRF0_Q57khMNc1OXzp2tq3jMpKBvqBtNK9-qkv9w8pooE/s320/jake%2526ric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-384277019569439702011-03-14T22:16:00.000-04:002011-03-14T22:16:26.510-04:00What Should I Read Next?Have you seen this nifty little website by the way? I love reading, but sometimes titles and ideas escape me when I'm looking for something new to get my paws on. Sure, the Amazon.com recommendations will sometimes help out, but usually ends up just being every book by the same author. Next time you're in a bind (Get it? Book binding, har har) try out <a href="http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/">What Should I Read Next?</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jRPHMGXlvQQxAH_DylnjfQjb-TrYB2IAQtFTQTLahZm9aVX8o_VIvRnlR6dZhkg_1rErJLr7y0-K2TXC6FHC8prONrjszbrWGD9G1LgF7VN0UG8mqwpAM6b88mfxCuhi0sk0IPSujeM/s1600/whatshouldiread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jRPHMGXlvQQxAH_DylnjfQjb-TrYB2IAQtFTQTLahZm9aVX8o_VIvRnlR6dZhkg_1rErJLr7y0-K2TXC6FHC8prONrjszbrWGD9G1LgF7VN0UG8mqwpAM6b88mfxCuhi0sk0IPSujeM/s400/whatshouldiread.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just pop in your favorite author or book's name and be treated to a list of suggestions that so far have served me well. </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-69428090165244045932011-03-14T15:20:00.001-04:002011-03-14T15:21:11.119-04:00Job Searches, cont.Now that the rush of 1st Quarter hiring is over with most companies, the amount of positions available for me to apply to has dropped considerably. I did, however, find a couple last week to apply to and today comes another first in job interview methods. The pre-screen e-mail. Now, screen phone interviews and screen live interviews I've experienced. But this is definitely my first pre-screen e-mail attachment:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonflbBfzv0d7fg-AnJRFUIalNfOvpVtPkbJ5esCFQ2Nrn54Ca9SGLAk1SXe4RRJtDVX5JX2M3zTMypndv8COeiuB0aUBHpMm_N6wwkTtausADovsZ9WBcxOzfWKvkVL8XSv_pEKds4_k/s1600/job+app.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonflbBfzv0d7fg-AnJRFUIalNfOvpVtPkbJ5esCFQ2Nrn54Ca9SGLAk1SXe4RRJtDVX5JX2M3zTMypndv8COeiuB0aUBHpMm_N6wwkTtausADovsZ9WBcxOzfWKvkVL8XSv_pEKds4_k/s400/job+app.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So, I filled it out and sent it back over, hopefully resulting a real life interview. Although, I have to say, I didn't really mind the e-mail screen. I feel more relaxed writing and I prefer not having to get all gussied up and drive out somewhere if they're just not going to hire me anyway. I imagine they feel the same.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-19692266688452057262011-03-11T12:10:00.000-05:002011-03-11T12:10:43.412-05:00Weekend Homework<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXNdghyphenhyphenn1qmoxqs2jXDabfURrl9m-ExjObJWh9icuL5l598t3onMgAS5Xb7d7G-HZ6rnOSfqJlFgyK5pD83JRk3kZDVols5yP_nKzWjtCaRlR31Qp9rOs9A6G6iQGs4LRvt801pVtUvM/s1600/hippo_turtle_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXNdghyphenhyphenn1qmoxqs2jXDabfURrl9m-ExjObJWh9icuL5l598t3onMgAS5Xb7d7G-HZ6rnOSfqJlFgyK5pD83JRk3kZDVols5yP_nKzWjtCaRlR31Qp9rOs9A6G6iQGs4LRvt801pVtUvM/s400/hippo_turtle_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ambivablog.typepad.com/ambivablog/2005/11/where_theres_li.html">image from here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This weekend will involve some much needed out of the apartment time, game nights, and cocktails. The weather is crap but I hope you stay warm, cozy and loved.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I absolutely love the look of these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TransitDesign?ref=seller_info">vintage-y bus scrolls</a></li>
<li>As though I needed another reason to <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20042089-10391704.html">keep drinking coffee every day</a></li>
<li><a href="http://toddbieber.tumblr.com/">Todd Bieber's</a> touching, truthful story of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmop7EAY1Zg">an adventure that started with finding a roll of film</a></li>
<li>It has been years since I've gone to NYC, a trip may be in order <a href="http://www.soyandsake.com/">just to eat here</a></li>
</ul>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-70954432782015626592011-03-10T11:16:00.000-05:002011-03-10T11:16:15.308-05:00Life's a beach, har har<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I think Spring may be here. A sure fire sign is when the forecast switches from "Chance flurries" all week long to "Chance showers." That does mean we're one step closer to summer though! For now, galoshes and umbrellas will have to do, but soon we'll be burning up on the beach, falling asleep in the sun and fleeing aggressive seagulls (yes, Western New York has <a href="http://www.sunsetbayusa.com/">beaches</a>, but if you have your passport, Canada has <a href="http://www.sherkston.com/">better ones</a>). Dreaming of beachy goodness... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2dLxH6QPlQmD8aKw856Tmx5IjeBJpOG8jumWXeluauZzNtDOmmSkTML6hjxvZ4X-noN5d5yGMaZTWwxTWEymVMnYLdw4UUHbmZjAjogC7y0kBYmB7qr7Os8QLjMr0liJNWVxEMtWyRI/s1600/anthroswim.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2dLxH6QPlQmD8aKw856Tmx5IjeBJpOG8jumWXeluauZzNtDOmmSkTML6hjxvZ4X-noN5d5yGMaZTWwxTWEymVMnYLdw4UUHbmZjAjogC7y0kBYmB7qr7Os8QLjMr0liJNWVxEMtWyRI/s320/anthroswim.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDy0PpK_kp02i0ppLIH6A9F6RumNYcwwubyCu_RyWT_bVR3n9rwSTiGg6LasExjwwQyrnyX1ccrZfFm1CTGkCHfdyDEbbalCEJzph9govcwMZbIkDtJnVJ7qARtLuV1QEmhufF0Vx2z0/s1600/targetswim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDy0PpK_kp02i0ppLIH6A9F6RumNYcwwubyCu_RyWT_bVR3n9rwSTiGg6LasExjwwQyrnyX1ccrZfFm1CTGkCHfdyDEbbalCEJzph9govcwMZbIkDtJnVJ7qARtLuV1QEmhufF0Vx2z0/s320/targetswim.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZmdeC0RawuUFrpYCmS1L8SuGrm_2d58gIdhSQdyzTUTej9DjIRW021U-A48DAPQfEPlG2BNRmXwtD1BZeuz1GtSSCJbVWMrHv9xfLbrjOPAF3wcNzAo7Jkltz-fUt2HqNgywbQgl884/s1600/UOswim.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZmdeC0RawuUFrpYCmS1L8SuGrm_2d58gIdhSQdyzTUTej9DjIRW021U-A48DAPQfEPlG2BNRmXwtD1BZeuz1GtSSCJbVWMrHv9xfLbrjOPAF3wcNzAo7Jkltz-fUt2HqNgywbQgl884/s320/UOswim.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnyzZfknDByKCYuGMUhiFoHI69JKvkYLduraUMHEZR2c2fDr43BB9pppwR1YYRwKiTKQwLFuNa7NHufk4ujH9ItzbrYuxRo5aHpl9dXYsfzZLC-gPZuSpX-kYLa6C7_dO2DNun0R8kFY/s1600/jcrewswim.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnyzZfknDByKCYuGMUhiFoHI69JKvkYLduraUMHEZR2c2fDr43BB9pppwR1YYRwKiTKQwLFuNa7NHufk4ujH9ItzbrYuxRo5aHpl9dXYsfzZLC-gPZuSpX-kYLa6C7_dO2DNun0R8kFY/s320/jcrewswim.jpg" width="220" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although anyone who know me knows that I look far more like this when I'm on the beach: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKsz9IlOxM8vttjVX2juXSv0Td08ntJmuMOlgI5EAcArQIgPrHIv0-xicqGkhfMBj28n70RsU-xmZru4jNs-VP_k8zLaqjSwAOVVGcJI8MaEoE3ns1N0sVDCYNjxADBm175ymdE_RBZs/s1600/forever21coverup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKsz9IlOxM8vttjVX2juXSv0Td08ntJmuMOlgI5EAcArQIgPrHIv0-xicqGkhfMBj28n70RsU-xmZru4jNs-VP_k8zLaqjSwAOVVGcJI8MaEoE3ns1N0sVDCYNjxADBm175ymdE_RBZs/s320/forever21coverup.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But either way, sunshine, you're so close! Come on home. The east coast needs it's Vitamin D.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Bathing suits from <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20197091&catId=CLOTHES-SWIMS&pushId=CLOTHES-SWIMS&popId=CLOTHES&navAction=top&navCount=30&color=029&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-SWIMWEAR-ONEPIECE&templateType=subCategory">Anthropologie</a>, <a href="http://www.target.com/Merona-Bandeau-Shirred-Piece-Swimsuit/dp/B0042Y5JZG/ref=br_1_18?ie=UTF8&node=13706071&sessionID=179-1704944-5232509&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchPage=1&sr=1-18&qid=1299773564&rh=&searchBinNameList=target_com_brand-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Cprice&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1">Target</a>, <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19995018&pushId=W_APP_SWIMWEAR&popId=WOMENS&navCount=9&navAction=jump&itemCount=80&itemdescription=true&parentid=W_APP_SWIMWEAR&startValue=1&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,">Urban Outfitters</a>, and <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/swim/onepiecetanks/PRDOVR%7E36311/36311.jsp">J. Crew</a>. Cover up from <a href="http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=jumpsuit_romper&product_id=2000011789&variant_id=05&Page=all&promoType=1">Forever21</a>)</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-39964500252488862782011-03-09T10:56:00.000-05:002011-03-09T10:56:10.124-05:00Actual House HuntingAaron and I have been casually looking for a house for about 5 months now. Our apartment is fantastic, great location, cheap rent and tons of space. Unfortunately, not quite enough space for us anymore. He <a href="http://supersweetshirts.com/">screen prints t-shirts and baby onesies</a> and I <a href="http://buffalobeaux.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-have-sincere-love-of-furniture.html">mess around with spray paint and fabric</a> and <a href="http://buffalobeaux.blogspot.com/2011/01/unemployment.html">the dog</a> would probably appreciate a backyard (the cat seems pretty ok with her current situation). Now it doesn't help that we decided to start looking when winter hit (slim pickings) and with wanting to stay in the city, we face the challenge of a ton of the houses being broken up into apartments. But, we've still found some to look at. Yesterday we went and checked out a place within walking distance to where we live now. Single family, 1900 square feet, asking price: $84, 900. Here's the pictures that made us call our realtor on a Sunday night in an excited panic: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC7PTzR62rkP7akTK1VNZWqkQKuLRzJ1gUGWZU7LL7LeW-7_ieWnDg4izbXdYIjN1kiw_Hlf9Aeggs8BNpN137kYcAcKNJKiuo9lDj88R4GAXAjyQfovjiHfTNRuyBdVHRtyZZ-TGtpA/s1600/baynes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC7PTzR62rkP7akTK1VNZWqkQKuLRzJ1gUGWZU7LL7LeW-7_ieWnDg4izbXdYIjN1kiw_Hlf9Aeggs8BNpN137kYcAcKNJKiuo9lDj88R4GAXAjyQfovjiHfTNRuyBdVHRtyZZ-TGtpA/s320/baynes1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZEPU_6mDlH64ywJ6JIFGxZ7p7BNJbHRUja5HPRKu8tiN2s1G-r3-dBObwqzgnIgrqeuk-Ycn9Bm7516DUuzouophbVF4DDNA-FJN7-S1D9JJVKvdXab9zz0SpTQvJ0AH7m0qw1eE7Lo/s1600/baynes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZEPU_6mDlH64ywJ6JIFGxZ7p7BNJbHRUja5HPRKu8tiN2s1G-r3-dBObwqzgnIgrqeuk-Ycn9Bm7516DUuzouophbVF4DDNA-FJN7-S1D9JJVKvdXab9zz0SpTQvJ0AH7m0qw1eE7Lo/s320/baynes3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtr_Q6PgtirsODTdUl6cZNkW_IzUd8s-mpLq2QMYX0UUYxle08CLEb1xoH9O8Ve0F2n78TfMc1LYkMMiAGck2oSW-voJmoXnTXewTkgEcQawsejGTiFi69U3LSXdl5tBUm0PjIE2xZuo/s1600/baynes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtr_Q6PgtirsODTdUl6cZNkW_IzUd8s-mpLq2QMYX0UUYxle08CLEb1xoH9O8Ve0F2n78TfMc1LYkMMiAGck2oSW-voJmoXnTXewTkgEcQawsejGTiFi69U3LSXdl5tBUm0PjIE2xZuo/s320/baynes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All the light, all the detail, all the hardwood floors! Get us in there! And get us in she did indeed. The first 3 rooms definitely did not disappoint. However, while waiting for our realtor to arrive we started taking a peek around the outside of the house and found this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ_YFS5-OKMd-A71G5tyzr2sQuV43sMLCjcDqTZAAYWuPC3gfIn4C-6f5uI0MM4KMBH8Gz2vrLweFFHmXzzuwBq-xT6ZqQ4qrnGvdWMLRRsSnTPzojjT9hUxVUc7lM7vV4i0rDs6fAL0/s1600/baynescrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ_YFS5-OKMd-A71G5tyzr2sQuV43sMLCjcDqTZAAYWuPC3gfIn4C-6f5uI0MM4KMBH8Gz2vrLweFFHmXzzuwBq-xT6ZqQ4qrnGvdWMLRRsSnTPzojjT9hUxVUc7lM7vV4i0rDs6fAL0/s400/baynescrack.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
"Well, ok," we thought, "Let's give it the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it just looks really bad on the outside and once we get in the basement it will all be alright." Although, neither one of us really believed it having had a bad experience with foundations and house hunting a couple months ago (we were under contract and ready to go and then BAM! Home inspection from hell).<br />
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Alas. Here's what the basement turned up for us:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGyJZ06NIYSMrlJhVBY8EvZpAB7RLg2fks8yQqWF3cgxudYLZvGSBY6EtguSzo7lwcolpE3Yjxlg11exvt33rOzw6XjafgfwZ_TpM8_NiuWwjZtrRFyQOlTOOiaQU3f_5_jHqRp_fxk4/s1600/baynesinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGyJZ06NIYSMrlJhVBY8EvZpAB7RLg2fks8yQqWF3cgxudYLZvGSBY6EtguSzo7lwcolpE3Yjxlg11exvt33rOzw6XjafgfwZ_TpM8_NiuWwjZtrRFyQOlTOOiaQU3f_5_jHqRp_fxk4/s400/baynesinside.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And in case you can't spot it in that picture, the wall was also bowing in pretty badly. Here's a picture of me standing along side the wall, looking down the length of it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR7TY05ipVOaaQWkRlxe1JcuFMtb4VoCl9EToFSM3rNZvO29oYtd30GTQ2E_Da7f6pWNpTAeXb4gNE_jKDqQAissNt9nrUqvMC38mJ8LvNTWiuifuKkvs0IGkylhyphenhyphenqWIdFxdZyxVH3pU/s1600/baynesinside2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR7TY05ipVOaaQWkRlxe1JcuFMtb4VoCl9EToFSM3rNZvO29oYtd30GTQ2E_Da7f6pWNpTAeXb4gNE_jKDqQAissNt9nrUqvMC38mJ8LvNTWiuifuKkvs0IGkylhyphenhyphenqWIdFxdZyxVH3pU/s400/baynesinside2.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Along with a variety of other issues (majority of the windows were cracked, water damage on the dining room ceiling from the bathroom upstairs, teeny bedrooms, etc), this pretty much sealed the deal for us. Goodbye, beautiful wooden pocket doors and wooden staircase. Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-74697479314264851952011-03-08T10:55:00.000-05:002011-03-08T10:55:17.273-05:00Dr. Strange Vase: Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the brass.Now, don't get me wrong, I do own a couple legitimate flower vases. But, literally a couple. One silver and red, and the other blue glass. Someone gives me a big huge bouquet? Great! Into the vase. But, what if I just want to add a couple of flowers around to celebrate the fact that we've had sun for two whole days in a row? Well. It sounds as though a trip to <a href="http://www.satruck.org/">Salvation Army Thrift Store</a> is in order.<br />
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There are a few thrift stores in the area, but this one (if you're local in the Buffalo area: It's the one on Military Road) may be my favorite because if you can get there during the day they also have an Auction House (Haggle Barn?) that you can get lost in for hours. Of course 90% of it is junk, but you can find some great stuff back there too.<br />
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Now, it's no secret that brass was a big part of decorating 20 years ago. So when you walk in, don't let the gleam of fluorescent light bouncing off the graveyard of brass fixtures blind you to the possibilities. In my case, I found these delightful little candlesticks:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBWyfO3nsIgrqBMK9ooAsr1ibwQ4hjCtJefmtX5DXjeKgXNc-aaBKAoVbEpyIShhOzhSQapNaAkNNdd78ncfnWCVFiotsBn6mqxMoVgyzgSoCuoxqEyTjmFL-zwGZKPdxEUazRT-F2F0/s1600/DSCN1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBWyfO3nsIgrqBMK9ooAsr1ibwQ4hjCtJefmtX5DXjeKgXNc-aaBKAoVbEpyIShhOzhSQapNaAkNNdd78ncfnWCVFiotsBn6mqxMoVgyzgSoCuoxqEyTjmFL-zwGZKPdxEUazRT-F2F0/s320/DSCN1823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
I went for these guys for three big reasons: First, $1.99 for the pair. Fantastic. Second, I don't actually own a pair of candlesticks. Although, I'm not a big fan of the long tapered candles so there's a good chance these guys will never feel the thrill of setting the mood. Lastly, the shape eerily echoes a pair of lamps currently residing in our living room that I (you guessed it) bought from a thrift store and spray painted:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNyhyphenhyphenskR4Brfi-LUWJV61NKcFitGCeRdXWYoBiQy3qJxhQtCmQT9fduboQuCrlKuQU-3Avmfd5JCuxAkLcy2ozli4vrj_pAztWXKYngOcfVvMbAKQvTOEJi55i_V_wRg8G9hg9m_Avkc/s1600/DSCN1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNyhyphenhyphenskR4Brfi-LUWJV61NKcFitGCeRdXWYoBiQy3qJxhQtCmQT9fduboQuCrlKuQU-3Avmfd5JCuxAkLcy2ozli4vrj_pAztWXKYngOcfVvMbAKQvTOEJi55i_V_wRg8G9hg9m_Avkc/s320/DSCN1829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lamp shades came from <a href="http://www.christmastreeshops.com/">The Christmas Tree Shop</a>. $8 a pop!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But, now is the candlesticks time to shine (ha, see what I did there?), so back to their makeover. I wasn't 100% sure what the end result was going to be here, but I knew I wanted them to look like spring in our apartment, so I chose <a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=404&sid=257418">Rustoleum Spray Paint in Eden</a> because, well. It looked like a plant.<br />
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You know the procedure that follows. Clean the real and perceived grossness from the sticks and cover your workspace with newspapers to keep your counters, floor, etc. clean. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdumiAvRjsbV4GIbOfy0VwPI_md0VJiTboR1Qtfu_6DN1zzl19rceGcbVzJUVhFSc3uKiAZUVQfW3FPtaY7KzHNn_KRMoK-aROmg3Hm_vKU6DdAoEeBVuPb8FQTNaLjjV7bfTczgHxM8/s1600/DSCN1832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdumiAvRjsbV4GIbOfy0VwPI_md0VJiTboR1Qtfu_6DN1zzl19rceGcbVzJUVhFSc3uKiAZUVQfW3FPtaY7KzHNn_KRMoK-aROmg3Hm_vKU6DdAoEeBVuPb8FQTNaLjjV7bfTczgHxM8/s320/DSCN1832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
It also helps to open a window, which I may or may not have forgotten to do, resulting in the cat having a sneezing attack. I'm sorry, Laura. Never again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtEKV4q4jPhI1hy83wM9eGp2w_F6SiNN2FtYFyaTBDT_Qm8sKQBRzIefVmOe9308M-DFrnwhyEDh1bK2qkFS9bwuf96RUCdRDDmI2UW4NzhbQPzo50m7mpAaOF1-Iny8I2OIJ7S79Tm8/s1600/DSCN1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtEKV4q4jPhI1hy83wM9eGp2w_F6SiNN2FtYFyaTBDT_Qm8sKQBRzIefVmOe9308M-DFrnwhyEDh1bK2qkFS9bwuf96RUCdRDDmI2UW4NzhbQPzo50m7mpAaOF1-Iny8I2OIJ7S79Tm8/s320/DSCN1834.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Start spraying. Make sure you stay the suggested 10 inches or so away from your object. If you're spraying at too close a range, it messes with your finish and increases the chances of terrible paint drips. I'm a fan of doing two light coats. Trust me, it takes longer, but you'll end up with far more professional and even coverage in the end.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoSyhNdqO3bPZnfR_KbBFsxUZd-sf42BfBRSCVIpB2-5G3uG9nqx6AsEprO3bSkTmmzAkMKN6sDk7BQ1SoWtwmZbN8IbPM4rOTcJ2XMfuANEjRpgfdbWOqznHZlOZYFSZln-KRFQT1GU/s1600/DSCN1847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoSyhNdqO3bPZnfR_KbBFsxUZd-sf42BfBRSCVIpB2-5G3uG9nqx6AsEprO3bSkTmmzAkMKN6sDk7BQ1SoWtwmZbN8IbPM4rOTcJ2XMfuANEjRpgfdbWOqznHZlOZYFSZln-KRFQT1GU/s320/DSCN1847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here they are all ready to go. I picked a Satin finish because I didn't want them shining away under overhead lamps blinding guests in case I do ever decide to give them a shot at fulfilling their job as actual candlesticks. However at this point, their job was to hold some daffodils I had picked up at the market.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwLL8hrFZQxd4IGfDAAIKn0BpSJC-gs40ETlV3O_xOJUodlrxYu90tXEn7SMhQFK_e9Abv2cRklzf7JQiOMY-tVw0qjvpo-IBME0vAN8pMZIo9jtN5H54KL4FUF2LfhYFD2J3bGL6lWw/s1600/DSCN1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwLL8hrFZQxd4IGfDAAIKn0BpSJC-gs40ETlV3O_xOJUodlrxYu90tXEn7SMhQFK_e9Abv2cRklzf7JQiOMY-tVw0qjvpo-IBME0vAN8pMZIo9jtN5H54KL4FUF2LfhYFD2J3bGL6lWw/s320/DSCN1867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Of course the opening at the top is relatively narrow so I could only fit in about 3 flowers each, but they can hold a surprising amount of water in each. I was on the fence at first about the end result, but I do love how sunny it is when I look at them. Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-85723657876852969522011-03-07T09:58:00.001-05:002011-03-08T10:57:31.486-05:00Fancy Glue Ponderings.My busy interview week landed perhaps a bit flat. The trouble with looking for work in the Marketing/Communications field is that many employers use that title to encompass a variety of job functions, many of which are not actually Marketing/Communications. Or, if the job functions are clearly defined, they are normally for upper level positions. One of the interviews turned out to be a viable opportunity, but their time line for actually getting someone in there is looking like 6-8 weeks. C'est la vie. Not much to do but wait it out and keep applying.<br />
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In other news, after my <a href="http://buffalobeaux.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-have-sincere-love-of-furniture.html">bench redo</a>, my hands and head are itching with ideas for a big sad dresser residing in my bedroom. It was my grandmother's and made probably in the 50's. Like many pieces of it's time, it's made of cheap lightweight wood <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_veneer">covered in a veneer</a>. Now veneer can be stripped, but the results aren't always the best if you're not a pro. Which is why I'm thinking something a little more .... pretty.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoOZVZjgCaUe8egHM5xEtcdP73Cv3mtOtYF-2AjtdYXuHkr2N92hAnZGnc3aa5GmxUy4b9-obx04UV9fb4Pt0NGL3uGZgdWrymbxo_r4D9NoFn5JraFaLb250F32Tu45vvjT9OqODywE/s1600/decoupage+dresser1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoOZVZjgCaUe8egHM5xEtcdP73Cv3mtOtYF-2AjtdYXuHkr2N92hAnZGnc3aa5GmxUy4b9-obx04UV9fb4Pt0NGL3uGZgdWrymbxo_r4D9NoFn5JraFaLb250F32Tu45vvjT9OqODywE/s320/decoupage+dresser1.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.marthastewart.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyUnxESzz8Y5riqiqWeu18D2hXgeOGN1GJju5BQyYU2bhDPYWNrYkCS8zNRQngb-y_zkGspYtZiDpex1_o8ZI73pJJuqdeKfDZFbOR7XhRyzkALh7IAcl-6oLQwMtJgPiY9anvkJgFhU/s1600/decoupage+nightstands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyUnxESzz8Y5riqiqWeu18D2hXgeOGN1GJju5BQyYU2bhDPYWNrYkCS8zNRQngb-y_zkGspYtZiDpex1_o8ZI73pJJuqdeKfDZFbOR7XhRyzkALh7IAcl-6oLQwMtJgPiY9anvkJgFhU/s320/decoupage+nightstands.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.tchochkes.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg3gn7pCRI4xj5W0iUBuNXKS0O9krDrM_ugs1jnGT9BzCQ7BJyz5L0MiJba6Z6KZgLAq-4n2-Fm4tZQsXe2kpMIhXeT_g1GA64VaPFc3-RmfR5xBjcaUt0-5NALE6WRrF_NqosyJwZmE/s1600/fabric_covered_chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg3gn7pCRI4xj5W0iUBuNXKS0O9krDrM_ugs1jnGT9BzCQ7BJyz5L0MiJba6Z6KZgLAq-4n2-Fm4tZQsXe2kpMIhXeT_g1GA64VaPFc3-RmfR5xBjcaUt0-5NALE6WRrF_NqosyJwZmE/s320/fabric_covered_chest.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.tchochkes.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedlBUlrSXN6mZ1G-PNrVC15242FX3Wbe24ipWrHPY0vRcDPCX-E97LbTV0nHgqPlgDTYJfvf7GiGsN-kcrE3nO2UMOstkpbn7AsVPDNpxMDCG8MCiDlOuoW4NvkUr212hGGts2Yybb74/s1600/decoupagedresser2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedlBUlrSXN6mZ1G-PNrVC15242FX3Wbe24ipWrHPY0vRcDPCX-E97LbTV0nHgqPlgDTYJfvf7GiGsN-kcrE3nO2UMOstkpbn7AsVPDNpxMDCG8MCiDlOuoW4NvkUr212hGGts2Yybb74/s320/decoupagedresser2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.pinkpigwestport.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'm particularly excited about 2 aspects of this project: First, I already own the dresser so that part is entirely free, and second, I get to play with this guy:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGrBY60kIS7f59tWLP-tQkG2ClqFRvg44XvZCvVi1myTIl3Nt36vd5KGC5FvGcy639MP2zFi0uxApOeLCE7HtTSFpYblo6aHyQAi0y-Vt_ktLZXfUMOpCvL_8JWJvKSXm38xa-JBJ5VM/s1600/modpodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGrBY60kIS7f59tWLP-tQkG2ClqFRvg44XvZCvVi1myTIl3Nt36vd5KGC5FvGcy639MP2zFi0uxApOeLCE7HtTSFpYblo6aHyQAi0y-Vt_ktLZXfUMOpCvL_8JWJvKSXm38xa-JBJ5VM/s1600/modpodge.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Oh yeah, let's put on some <a href="http://www.jeffersonairplane.com/">Jefferson Airplane</a> and get crazy.<br />
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<i>****This project is on hold until I find a fabric or paper to attach that I fall head over heels for. Yesterday's hunt for this magic material didn't turn out successful. But, you'll be the first to see it when it becomes a reality.</i>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-27638198604675762692011-03-04T09:46:00.015-05:002011-03-04T09:46:00.221-05:00Weekend Homework<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kWddKUL0eWL22hlVwLFdcfjs_sALYVMOgzSuInCSlBIsE1l6byNuo_htCiw844o6qhzeZdnXffInXCEOEFMqnOAA1QZvxarhoFfcoSDfiiuQ-MaYs5wp8lEspILGGnIKEIq_IxnYNc4/s1600/monarch-horse-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kWddKUL0eWL22hlVwLFdcfjs_sALYVMOgzSuInCSlBIsE1l6byNuo_htCiw844o6qhzeZdnXffInXCEOEFMqnOAA1QZvxarhoFfcoSDfiiuQ-MaYs5wp8lEspILGGnIKEIq_IxnYNc4/s400/monarch-horse-bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.gedzo.com/2011/01/horcycle-hybrid-of-a-horse-and-a-bicycle/">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<ul><li>Do you fit the description of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/03/meet-the-worlds-most-typi_n_830489.html">the world's most typical person</a>? I'm way off. </li>
<li>If anyone wants to <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Whoopie-Pies-with-Mint-Filling-and-Chocolate-Ganache-362973">begin making these</a>, I will selflessly be your taste-tester.</li>
<li>The sweetest way to <a href="http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20walk%20to%2040%20weeks">pass 40 long weeks</a>.</li>
<li>I not so secretly think <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAMe86qlBQA&feature=fvst">dogs having dreams</a> is one of the funniest things to see.</li>
</ul>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-10894805315145905622011-03-03T12:22:00.001-05:002011-03-03T12:23:53.023-05:00Eating, its good for you.About a month ago, Aaron and I were lucky enough to catch a stomach bug. It was a 24 hour sort of thing that my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew all went through (and were kind enough to share with us). I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say, two people getting the stomach flu on the same night while residing in an apartment with one bathroom? Not pleasant. The real unfortunate part of this whole thing was the fact that before we got sick, we had a big delicious meal of eggplant cutlets, pasta and goat cheese. Now you know how when you throw up you don't want to eat the item that you threw up for a very long time? What happens when you're vegetarian and you throw up vegetables, pasta, and cheese?<br />
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I'll tell you what happens. Your food pyramid starts to look a lot like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A2TqZP2fWsWYfMub5Rfo1_LyS0CZMuJmlzLbgTwnY8pNX6lrlw7nkZBCihRaOGgr_ezRwG9W5fJsw4ou74_Mzg1Md-GT0oCvyxpw8TIKidon_1BcY9J6VkT6RAfvxVm4NcuDoTs1k18/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A2TqZP2fWsWYfMub5Rfo1_LyS0CZMuJmlzLbgTwnY8pNX6lrlw7nkZBCihRaOGgr_ezRwG9W5fJsw4ou74_Mzg1Md-GT0oCvyxpw8TIKidon_1BcY9J6VkT6RAfvxVm4NcuDoTs1k18/s200/pizza.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiQ4w3xLK8qJMY9LjOZxl9TpVEF8T_I_iCy3HhjvEwgKBzxPlz4FYAT0jV324ERq3bfvoTkjAiGs4ev162hQ50Pyv9LI-LvHN_6mfaoP8GS2X8JAnpC2ILroe04e9sHUKiqAhrbGHn30/s1600/mrstpierogies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiQ4w3xLK8qJMY9LjOZxl9TpVEF8T_I_iCy3HhjvEwgKBzxPlz4FYAT0jV324ERq3bfvoTkjAiGs4ev162hQ50Pyv9LI-LvHN_6mfaoP8GS2X8JAnpC2ILroe04e9sHUKiqAhrbGHn30/s200/mrstpierogies.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUW6K4KFU4m2ff5RFaqWwZyJL56QOoswS0PHYeKxOjJKxEH8hy4ycFBUFs5M8oJpSs03cl1qdDAk8158kGCfG6Y-qK4fiVXOfcIgGBGSVzgYpIPvNAUUOHnM15U6wldvshQufV_XbewA/s1600/crackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUW6K4KFU4m2ff5RFaqWwZyJL56QOoswS0PHYeKxOjJKxEH8hy4ycFBUFs5M8oJpSs03cl1qdDAk8158kGCfG6Y-qK4fiVXOfcIgGBGSVzgYpIPvNAUUOHnM15U6wldvshQufV_XbewA/s200/crackers.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
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After lethargy and irritability took us over, and my skin started to break out like it did when I was 13, we decided it was time to get back in the saddle again. The kitchen saddle that is.<br />
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Our triumphant return to the kitchen happened last weekend when we celebrated Aaron's mother's birthday. We overcame our fear of the newly dreaded eggplant to make <a href="http://www.theveggietable.com/recipes/eggplantmeatballs.html">Eggplant Meatballs</a> (which I had made before, and I still stand by the fact that if you don't accidentally forget about them baking away in the oven, they're quite delicious - Sorry, Jody & Henry).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ9jng47yTJTAgk9mc6alkDkPS_MpT5StR9D6xt4sZ73jBDlw0kZpgUlWQ2XdJiycIPWUINZGZ5RWq6frtn-AOhOn5Me5YOS6LzLmJHfb4BRkAIKlKs5cqP0xwtdq5jOL6fpd9E_jo20/s1600/DSCN1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ9jng47yTJTAgk9mc6alkDkPS_MpT5StR9D6xt4sZ73jBDlw0kZpgUlWQ2XdJiycIPWUINZGZ5RWq6frtn-AOhOn5Me5YOS6LzLmJHfb4BRkAIKlKs5cqP0xwtdq5jOL6fpd9E_jo20/s320/DSCN1756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecZdySD0oE5SHL8Zsw7a_5twY_6RVzMFgJY6vPBTaBDlj07aWupSmhdJTYdCLTQh2YFfd4YBNz5qNcO4tXAwWxPy0ZXsLG2E5RnPSo4YC-g4VpjEJbe_LqfSukWrnECpKxFvs_QnxdOk/s1600/DSCN1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecZdySD0oE5SHL8Zsw7a_5twY_6RVzMFgJY6vPBTaBDlj07aWupSmhdJTYdCLTQh2YFfd4YBNz5qNcO4tXAwWxPy0ZXsLG2E5RnPSo4YC-g4VpjEJbe_LqfSukWrnECpKxFvs_QnxdOk/s320/DSCN1760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVExMv_KJd24_goUhESKZtUdZT0CKDwCQicrv5nBe5RFLE344lS_sFV2BGCRSiJym2ifw54j5oSuCItmMmDs6PRvGlykoWDQ9Bk0bEwY_yRsdzXYPqll81ShpJkevzVnbpZFbixTPJtis/s1600/DSCN1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVExMv_KJd24_goUhESKZtUdZT0CKDwCQicrv5nBe5RFLE344lS_sFV2BGCRSiJym2ifw54j5oSuCItmMmDs6PRvGlykoWDQ9Bk0bEwY_yRsdzXYPqll81ShpJkevzVnbpZFbixTPJtis/s320/DSCN1762.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
But, you can find that recipe and many equally delicious ones at <a href="http://www.theveggietable.com/">the Veggie Table</a>.<br />
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Aaron made probably the most delicious thing he's ever made, which was <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/pasta/recipe-goat-cheese-and-chive-gnocchi-with-asparagus-085661">Goat Cheese and Chive Gnocchi</a>. Oh. My. God. I want more. Aaron, are you reading this? Get back in the kitchen. Thanks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HiwjslTpoigAOr7jvylv5FA0M8eOAbTPxucL7zHt30WzmKw6fbnleFEYhdxE5ilZpZ7rAS15ZaH1waioR7DrzZwvywGWRqLyOYLJO2u-osX86BKFbPZgvkUNZNRBCUAQLsftXArj7EY/s1600/DSCN1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HiwjslTpoigAOr7jvylv5FA0M8eOAbTPxucL7zHt30WzmKw6fbnleFEYhdxE5ilZpZ7rAS15ZaH1waioR7DrzZwvywGWRqLyOYLJO2u-osX86BKFbPZgvkUNZNRBCUAQLsftXArj7EY/s320/DSCN1765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that is a giant goat cheese log you're seeing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CQEd31pmlMqV-5V6UtaHz10IztfaeGUubwqtBcBF6yi8paPVaOOe5fpcaJPoYe2CQ-3_AtFBIo40ECv6iKXxBmk8_1EJYo-X2k3eXXqJRPrOUmd_qUSUxX6IeTexEhCpHcol-y6LFig/s1600/DSCN1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CQEd31pmlMqV-5V6UtaHz10IztfaeGUubwqtBcBF6yi8paPVaOOe5fpcaJPoYe2CQ-3_AtFBIo40ECv6iKXxBmk8_1EJYo-X2k3eXXqJRPrOUmd_qUSUxX6IeTexEhCpHcol-y6LFig/s320/DSCN1768.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViRz_1Hzy-gwJWbx8ZDH4upjDDH8CNf97tHXk-XJxHUKPyZ0LvOcfQ8phZG66XtG-66-zzhSKH2JVUK1mNnunEWv0DCpAmOCDDiTHAb2mt-JqWRuUX86QOl8nG586vSM-DH_1jLIscAU/s1600/DSCN1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViRz_1Hzy-gwJWbx8ZDH4upjDDH8CNf97tHXk-XJxHUKPyZ0LvOcfQ8phZG66XtG-66-zzhSKH2JVUK1mNnunEWv0DCpAmOCDDiTHAb2mt-JqWRuUX86QOl8nG586vSM-DH_1jLIscAU/s320/DSCN1769.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We didn't take a final picture, because, well, we ate it too fast quite frankly. But here's the general idea, as photographed by <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/">The Kitchn</a>, where he found the recipe:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZkokIicingbxYmgKF-LxX1rWhWSxT_mj4bI1FbRUSnBT1snbwyCR_9sPNeck0LBJVYYY5hxbzcq7KLmxJP37bjGZ46a7AsefTJzdKEkv7oybYI2Q2vIdhJ_sjMkB2TT12__jQOAbO30/s1600/final+dish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZkokIicingbxYmgKF-LxX1rWhWSxT_mj4bI1FbRUSnBT1snbwyCR_9sPNeck0LBJVYYY5hxbzcq7KLmxJP37bjGZ46a7AsefTJzdKEkv7oybYI2Q2vIdhJ_sjMkB2TT12__jQOAbO30/s320/final+dish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our dinner was sans flowers, however.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Our renewed love for cooking and eating like decent human beings has continued this week. Thank Jeebus. Speaking of....lunch time.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-77681807860869840792011-03-01T16:08:00.000-05:002011-03-01T16:08:27.808-05:00Art you ready for this?This week will be a busy one! I feel like I'm on the precipice (that's right, how often do I get to use that word?) of maybe getting a job. I had a second interview this morning with <a href="http://buffalobeaux.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-rama.html">this company</a> (this one only 2 hours), and an interview set for Friday and another for Saturday. Please, someone hire me. <br />
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In the meantime, let's take a look at someone with talent that I wish I had (then this whole interviewing thing could be avoided forever). <a href="http://www.alexameade.com/index.html">Alexa Meade</a> paints people to look like paintings and then photographs them. Got it? Good. Onward:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYUAQJozlPHGV32dtXgGImJXqQ-XKUWLcKErSppaElpzxwF83ZRO1KOa3EGFNrMA7_9eCIxsCpHROBetzhoHxDjJn2mQ7hIspPerSDJLqjYx5e3XQLM_6n8wt_xAS9Y41MXHMBGTQnOM/s1600/meade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYUAQJozlPHGV32dtXgGImJXqQ-XKUWLcKErSppaElpzxwF83ZRO1KOa3EGFNrMA7_9eCIxsCpHROBetzhoHxDjJn2mQ7hIspPerSDJLqjYx5e3XQLM_6n8wt_xAS9Y41MXHMBGTQnOM/s320/meade1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WTLQGgJ4Q4XPfPz1f_dQZQAEl845SjcYprs1R8mN0WlA-6gMgBX3Tx0OsDHYFu033S6nhBncJ4TY2U1S6OTtUheHZ82ZBAn70V4tf00XzfvJsELrfWjE2sySdaEdIuYI4mtj2M9KJuU/s1600/meade2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WTLQGgJ4Q4XPfPz1f_dQZQAEl845SjcYprs1R8mN0WlA-6gMgBX3Tx0OsDHYFu033S6nhBncJ4TY2U1S6OTtUheHZ82ZBAn70V4tf00XzfvJsELrfWjE2sySdaEdIuYI4mtj2M9KJuU/s320/meade2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiEM-m1Tv5MsKQvM4mO_enEXh9aTEcOWIA0ew366oj7CJuLN6U2enGnXGaC8sd5z72I9Td4R-UZJ3rkQFjywMTjbYZr3VUh0VC-fxqCKve_Qc0TRm-xh5dE-B9SBQEnzyjM7rJhaKlLg/s1600/meade3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiEM-m1Tv5MsKQvM4mO_enEXh9aTEcOWIA0ew366oj7CJuLN6U2enGnXGaC8sd5z72I9Td4R-UZJ3rkQFjywMTjbYZr3VUh0VC-fxqCKve_Qc0TRm-xh5dE-B9SBQEnzyjM7rJhaKlLg/s320/meade3.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvgPxbPh-oCvYxL_ZNgEx1gjUxixZCUi8Dt3eV9-bos3iAwfYHZbBr10RK5XAC-Ni131duW8qJdRh2X5vUhcow2BxFZxLwme5LHYvRJVccrB6fX9MXzir7W36H-T7DKeGBVMrYMP2nxo/s1600/meade4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvgPxbPh-oCvYxL_ZNgEx1gjUxixZCUi8Dt3eV9-bos3iAwfYHZbBr10RK5XAC-Ni131duW8qJdRh2X5vUhcow2BxFZxLwme5LHYvRJVccrB6fX9MXzir7W36H-T7DKeGBVMrYMP2nxo/s320/meade4.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-33406854987740775592011-02-28T09:59:00.003-05:002011-02-28T10:00:27.047-05:00Adventures in UnemploymentApparently after a few weeks of dishing out unemployment, New York State wants to give you a talking to. Resulting in this pretty blue invitation.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JEfLdnhMejEiHhEvzdYjXaYpTEzX6kSsY_Nwso_MqqsBBGYa3S7q49S4mYcjCQ7TXiBzDrG6vNXHyxZjd1ZAP7I4bsrW_pe790ri47gKrsNy_geCo4qAQ5l0BnAk-2YuRn4riaKkA2M/s1600/DSCN1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JEfLdnhMejEiHhEvzdYjXaYpTEzX6kSsY_Nwso_MqqsBBGYa3S7q49S4mYcjCQ7TXiBzDrG6vNXHyxZjd1ZAP7I4bsrW_pe790ri47gKrsNy_geCo4qAQ5l0BnAk-2YuRn4riaKkA2M/s320/DSCN1743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I know its hard to read, so I'll paraphrase. Get your tookus down to the Unemployment Office on February 25, 2011 at 9:15am for a Re-Employment Workshop, or we won't pay you anymore. All of this was fine and dandy until yesterday when the weatherman announced that Friday we'd get a storm and it could result in the heaviest snow we've had all winter at one time. Of course. So, I strapped on my big girl boots and ventured out <strike>into the frozen tundra</strike>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKNh7alrLhS2WpVILvT-YVhOhKbft8qBTojXQIG89W4VePQUU6wWFXBW0MHYAaxSQvIm13_uRFUVc52jYNjhSgm_i-odr-Kt75pMjAg1vVg6gRcA05MZ8YCJMRXScKLtoEi047jN8itE/s1600/DSCN1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKNh7alrLhS2WpVILvT-YVhOhKbft8qBTojXQIG89W4VePQUU6wWFXBW0MHYAaxSQvIm13_uRFUVc52jYNjhSgm_i-odr-Kt75pMjAg1vVg6gRcA05MZ8YCJMRXScKLtoEi047jN8itE/s320/DSCN1744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHU1IXuBYSMKzb8BSsK9fi3x4Lv4UeCg4pkhum1MjETf8BmwcYSDjA3jHxrsuU2T6VR10JRTajBN1EgIZuznwM62Qo6N61_cisjdIH0rZjbWZ96Ci6RDvZawPFq3nE_brA_GsptILf6g/s1600/DSCN1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHU1IXuBYSMKzb8BSsK9fi3x4Lv4UeCg4pkhum1MjETf8BmwcYSDjA3jHxrsuU2T6VR10JRTajBN1EgIZuznwM62Qo6N61_cisjdIH0rZjbWZ96Ci6RDvZawPFq3nE_brA_GsptILf6g/s320/DSCN1747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My choice was to drive downtown (navigating the weather, traffic and the plethora of one way streets Buffalo seems to love), or park at the train station and get a round trip ticket for $3.50. You win again, train.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQK4SqELyWpnlD2GBRatcjKf3gtvBliLWjBi3ZBrgUpACCIH5Pmsgkm1iF3kM11_8vdXnYoBGbkJ3l8u_WVuENKW7FUQYuXEFUSlFansiSxGJ5yHsCzb0DrF6t0DJPxFMDa4XS-1a-90/s1600/DSCN1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQK4SqELyWpnlD2GBRatcjKf3gtvBliLWjBi3ZBrgUpACCIH5Pmsgkm1iF3kM11_8vdXnYoBGbkJ3l8u_WVuENKW7FUQYuXEFUSlFansiSxGJ5yHsCzb0DrF6t0DJPxFMDa4XS-1a-90/s320/DSCN1749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT9B3g-L_uecED3ImlLcKNbzJeNq-u8Lxl-c2DHfbI-jXbmgm8Cs7GIgrJhuGR6DR9tJ47aX6Y-JYU5lL8v6u_PVJoAM2a0tMtuqqw0VnvV5dKIg9_bhH92_g3jeKvI7PZD0UdddF_8I/s1600/DSCN1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT9B3g-L_uecED3ImlLcKNbzJeNq-u8Lxl-c2DHfbI-jXbmgm8Cs7GIgrJhuGR6DR9tJ47aX6Y-JYU5lL8v6u_PVJoAM2a0tMtuqqw0VnvV5dKIg9_bhH92_g3jeKvI7PZD0UdddF_8I/s320/DSCN1750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV06oljOusvoe7_R_FZUiRjTmugNjzeXY6NxN7-V-NkHsWveBw9xTIxEv734ihDrjXX2M8EJsP1GCTepg2J11u7zcObFONg0UTKCU-UybmeptOB820Uv58iK2Y7k_fzhWLuGUJeYym_o/s1600/DSCN1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV06oljOusvoe7_R_FZUiRjTmugNjzeXY6NxN7-V-NkHsWveBw9xTIxEv734ihDrjXX2M8EJsP1GCTepg2J11u7zcObFONg0UTKCU-UybmeptOB820Uv58iK2Y7k_fzhWLuGUJeYym_o/s320/DSCN1751.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
The best thing about public transportation is probably getting to eavesdrop on people's conversations. Like the gentlemanly fellows next to me who were engrossed in a riveting discussion about whether or not it was possible to get chlamydia in your throat. They reached their stop before I could hear their final decision.<br />
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A blustery block and a half walk after my stop and I reached the Unemployment Office. I only took one picture here because I didn't know if I was really allowed to and didn't want to push my luck. But check out the ceilings at the <strike>Palace of Versailles</strike> Buffalo's Unemployment Office:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUIpBAUmInPDT7X4g78dKWITW8LHN1ZDAJALMuQ590HpYVDLZkKmN9mlviQg-n1M10OWuGG1ZoqEnMFa86jesP5CSe4kxrxM6-pnHiNT3TVHdFyicAAmCKxhCJtBly0HnYqXrnBuiio8/s1600/fixed+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUIpBAUmInPDT7X4g78dKWITW8LHN1ZDAJALMuQ590HpYVDLZkKmN9mlviQg-n1M10OWuGG1ZoqEnMFa86jesP5CSe4kxrxM6-pnHiNT3TVHdFyicAAmCKxhCJtBly0HnYqXrnBuiio8/s320/fixed+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div><br />
We had a half an hour PowerPoint presentation on the services they offer, which included GED services, making a resume for you, and setting you up with classes on how to use the computer. All worthwhile items, but as my unemployment coach said after I sat down individually with her, there wasn't a whole lot there that was beneficial for me. We checked their system quickly for any Marketing or Communication jobs, and upon finding none, I received a good luck and a handshake and I was on my way.<br />
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I almost stopped at the <a href="http://www.buffalolib.org/libraries/central/index.asp">Central Library</a> while I was down there, but upon leaving I was still faced with this:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOAug9SHxDZmUgSllwX6S8dGSXO7sq9NGTBNDDMG6sg_2wv7cEa7Xm_WK9eIIPkbejBxiNJD_pNdjJRdr5OhqyTkRdnn76Yzau7Lcpnb4Yfh6IHUb5aP9ZVXCe0_8ggPPW2VwPWBoMcQ/s1600/DSCN1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOAug9SHxDZmUgSllwX6S8dGSXO7sq9NGTBNDDMG6sg_2wv7cEa7Xm_WK9eIIPkbejBxiNJD_pNdjJRdr5OhqyTkRdnn76Yzau7Lcpnb4Yfh6IHUb5aP9ZVXCe0_8ggPPW2VwPWBoMcQ/s320/DSCN1754.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
So I decided my best bet was to hightail it home before I had to dig out my poor car that was quietly getting buried in a parking lot in North Buffalo.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-52475474005667423002011-02-25T10:07:00.000-05:002011-02-25T10:07:01.035-05:00Weekend Homework<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpYWxpF8DP5qY4HmOQNvl7b5HKFGVs2aG4PYp4WjbiJk0tu127oonjoPAx3D4YOuC9rLoPLpfDx6_0UR6NQYwGsrPy2F2wL-mYExidJZx_BJ1G4I5OQ5_PxLoaseVOkAtsYB7WNcAhF4/s1600/WWII+Kiss+Statue+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpYWxpF8DP5qY4HmOQNvl7b5HKFGVs2aG4PYp4WjbiJk0tu127oonjoPAx3D4YOuC9rLoPLpfDx6_0UR6NQYwGsrPy2F2wL-mYExidJZx_BJ1G4I5OQ5_PxLoaseVOkAtsYB7WNcAhF4/s400/WWII+Kiss+Statue+%25281%2529.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.zimbio.com/Edith+Shain/articles/TOfSwjYCoY6/Famous+Kiss+WWII+Kiss+Unveiled+Times+Square">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This weekend is our turn to play host as Aaron's parents come to Buffalo for his mom's birthday. Its always fun to act like a tourist in your home town. Get out there and enjoy your city.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Get romantic with this swoon worthy <a href="http://www.ohhellofriendblog.com/2009/11/proposal-story.html">engagement story</a>. </li>
<li>We all put on a couple of pounds this winter. Learn how to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsiQptl_Y9E">take them off quickly</a> from your spring break photos. </li>
<li>I don't think I'm quite this open-minded just yet. Would you be willing try out this <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110224/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_breastmilk_icecream">new ice cream flavor?</a></li>
<li>Reclaimed wood furniture, get in my house. I'll take <a href="http://uhurudesign.com/index.php">one of each</a>, please.</li>
</ul>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-54570228460976825532011-02-24T10:56:00.000-05:002011-02-24T10:56:38.380-05:00House HuntingHave an extra $700K floating around? Let's buy <a href="http://www.buffaloah.com/a/bidwell/177/tc.html">a piece of history</a> in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods we have.<br />
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<a href="http://www.remax-north-amherst-ny.com/propertysearch/propertydetail.aspx?MLSNumber=B379531&MLSMarketCode=BuffaloNiagaraNY&RecordCount=1">This house</a> is located on Bidwell Parkway (<a href="http://www.bfloparks.org/">designed by Frederick Olmsted</a>- who you may know from lesser accomplishments, such as New York's Central Park, har har.) A lot of the houses in this area have been broken up into apartment buildings, but this house has thankfully survived a butchering. Let's have a tour, shall we?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi3wFXY-igECoPp0fxvWAl_PluTR6Vi9V14Mpig6Y643omhgWZwFIeZ_No6zMjk03Wfb9ErM3W-EDpOK7r0cjnc61wk5B3csZ-thNCWS_M0wlXijOCbY319AQZhKS2FNiDVZcyXL6w0w/s1600/bidwell+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi3wFXY-igECoPp0fxvWAl_PluTR6Vi9V14Mpig6Y643omhgWZwFIeZ_No6zMjk03Wfb9ErM3W-EDpOK7r0cjnc61wk5B3csZ-thNCWS_M0wlXijOCbY319AQZhKS2FNiDVZcyXL6w0w/s320/bidwell+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZU5rDv_DXJOT2j1gZn9gvwFi1JMaIde2FVjJyCSmP0Wa8aNijAB3zhx2P520YDH0imu7uNFLWxPKWgtUgnIGQtEe1mjoFZfgR0MqQ6u4eTWcpV3LIJ9ilXCCoB0BukZ6qaoCcOZw8iI/s1600/staircase+bidwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZU5rDv_DXJOT2j1gZn9gvwFi1JMaIde2FVjJyCSmP0Wa8aNijAB3zhx2P520YDH0imu7uNFLWxPKWgtUgnIGQtEe1mjoFZfgR0MqQ6u4eTWcpV3LIJ9ilXCCoB0BukZ6qaoCcOZw8iI/s320/staircase+bidwell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7Nf0ebADcrV7OT3CxG_ZXz95UmxHpNOlcR1rFA6UwaA03SP6w6IRdMSil07NYduL12b71KUgYkGXcCoMH1XQl70nFoKRATbMMWkqziAXyHjzW4U-ugY9AhufwGD9lxZH8tbPhTZTyAE/s1600/kitchen1+bidwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7Nf0ebADcrV7OT3CxG_ZXz95UmxHpNOlcR1rFA6UwaA03SP6w6IRdMSil07NYduL12b71KUgYkGXcCoMH1XQl70nFoKRATbMMWkqziAXyHjzW4U-ugY9AhufwGD9lxZH8tbPhTZTyAE/s320/kitchen1+bidwell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01tOEW-XmS6bGP4LXPm0OMUvhZd5wmhSENNzH-bZIFg565pRSahsnxa-c9a7OtLa7o_5boy_uokdm6kxnHiYGnOl9UX9aP3B5bpDKMkBRk1XbMUIScW1qCUGZHpmjEQ6h6V5nRlldULE/s1600/kitchen+2+bidwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01tOEW-XmS6bGP4LXPm0OMUvhZd5wmhSENNzH-bZIFg565pRSahsnxa-c9a7OtLa7o_5boy_uokdm6kxnHiYGnOl9UX9aP3B5bpDKMkBRk1XbMUIScW1qCUGZHpmjEQ6h6V5nRlldULE/s320/kitchen+2+bidwell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje79MgmL_Y12ehXoR1xAQeYegZPzto_vCPVZI7LuFxUHaAgzc3m2SsSXG3V6mA1n4pGKuIp7GVtLWRM7cxQtUjUggwd3nPG005v3k3PMshoaNGQQMY10ghH_itZyJca-WqZs31MaS7DnY/s1600/dining+bidwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje79MgmL_Y12ehXoR1xAQeYegZPzto_vCPVZI7LuFxUHaAgzc3m2SsSXG3V6mA1n4pGKuIp7GVtLWRM7cxQtUjUggwd3nPG005v3k3PMshoaNGQQMY10ghH_itZyJca-WqZs31MaS7DnY/s320/dining+bidwell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3nduUZ9cXNp_i3mtyunsu6sIeKR7BrHz7NdgFv-PBTwtftEWoeEKk8BjEVqqsNk_kih1dp3odRLPmZ0NzwqPEwe0jNVIRYjcNN-HJSgcUCNAGA5QMoZ5VVoakikPlJDjNYLO1EI14yw/s1600/basement+bidwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3nduUZ9cXNp_i3mtyunsu6sIeKR7BrHz7NdgFv-PBTwtftEWoeEKk8BjEVqqsNk_kih1dp3odRLPmZ0NzwqPEwe0jNVIRYjcNN-HJSgcUCNAGA5QMoZ5VVoakikPlJDjNYLO1EI14yw/s320/basement+bidwell.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The craftsmanship, oh my. I would sleep on that staircase landing every night. And the beautiful windows everywhere. And the fact that its been updated without compromising the integrity of the house. Beautiful. I hope whoever gets into this house next shows it the same respect....and can afford the heating bill.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-228127817464678232011-02-23T10:32:00.001-05:002011-02-23T10:32:00.943-05:00Dress for WorkI can't wait to go back to work. I love having a reason to get dressed in the morning, and I can't stop looking online at work clothes. Is business attire an acknowledged fetish yet?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2xEVNDUfbKdzn32PexcD6rgflAvgwOPrd9qeigdBON0Q0XhKjpG-ZAZwgPRInG3G9WLNZTM2zwfZV2NFIwmzi4WuGufVcFc7RkLmFmbd4dTM9yVnoNd-KPmHuDa1hlZPqp5pXo76a5M/s1600/business+blazer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2xEVNDUfbKdzn32PexcD6rgflAvgwOPrd9qeigdBON0Q0XhKjpG-ZAZwgPRInG3G9WLNZTM2zwfZV2NFIwmzi4WuGufVcFc7RkLmFmbd4dTM9yVnoNd-KPmHuDa1hlZPqp5pXo76a5M/s320/business+blazer.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">urban outfitters</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd53Xdxbwr8L_fRtBs3iPQxp2jm3Tli_kL1tCPlLs0KYZ2zMbHxBrMnrbYJlbi05Li8PekuMfar873o2_MQklQRgnpZaH_FskrZ-9qn9Ot9-Qhrt4nt6BgFwGUQfPgZeSt7MbLH6_k9kY/s1600/bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd53Xdxbwr8L_fRtBs3iPQxp2jm3Tli_kL1tCPlLs0KYZ2zMbHxBrMnrbYJlbi05Li8PekuMfar873o2_MQklQRgnpZaH_FskrZ-9qn9Ot9-Qhrt4nt6BgFwGUQfPgZeSt7MbLH6_k9kY/s320/bag.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mod cloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdYu2RqlDoqbslw_by_A1fewEaygPG7MYII5JjtImjAyYTxzYYkgbaoqzItgvPjl83rRJiJ8595g8_ABsRNF0g4uJFUI3zeOsuEG9BcDTUZd3ThcuV5SwIjj85UDsB0HDPzVp4ipWL_k/s1600/business+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdYu2RqlDoqbslw_by_A1fewEaygPG7MYII5JjtImjAyYTxzYYkgbaoqzItgvPjl83rRJiJ8595g8_ABsRNF0g4uJFUI3zeOsuEG9BcDTUZd3ThcuV5SwIjj85UDsB0HDPzVp4ipWL_k/s1600/business+shoes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">urban outfitters</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXT19iDmr5ilgCw-SApzr0VL3J4cgjM3YcfmZRlLS6uMeoo30ie0xP-5IA8hxJ1fG6wquVQQc-GFLKmOFsZfUkAGbu-U404CRHtXm8TorqY6pHSREYLMgUjFExU1Nytt6VMIoFHz4xrc/s1600/business+skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXT19iDmr5ilgCw-SApzr0VL3J4cgjM3YcfmZRlLS6uMeoo30ie0xP-5IA8hxJ1fG6wquVQQc-GFLKmOFsZfUkAGbu-U404CRHtXm8TorqY6pHSREYLMgUjFExU1Nytt6VMIoFHz4xrc/s320/business+skirt.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bloomingdales</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnBkHeG5gGEcP027Dm4zDZJrDHYeQzjMOhG5WVFLUTk_utH1i7rxxt4OE9JjYdXW9NHNzoCS5gb8Mt4kaOUFn1WLdISP85G5ehElQfJ5OAvgUpJH6n3VVvCMf_sD1HlA6G49EvT3uadE/s1600/nastygal+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnBkHeG5gGEcP027Dm4zDZJrDHYeQzjMOhG5WVFLUTk_utH1i7rxxt4OE9JjYdXW9NHNzoCS5gb8Mt4kaOUFn1WLdISP85G5ehElQfJ5OAvgUpJH6n3VVvCMf_sD1HlA6G49EvT3uadE/s320/nastygal+dress.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nasty gal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVNBtJVfeGwBLpSaeWBHGwKS-Gw37nbrY942n1F_bxHdNhWO_KZUqYRNZ9Xg6MQyuUHa75nDfxowNEs054330jssFWTuJOUej2rn6vJn4CXJwMmrr4nLmfGxZaV4idr69imaxX1KRFiU/s1600/tortoise+shell+watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVNBtJVfeGwBLpSaeWBHGwKS-Gw37nbrY942n1F_bxHdNhWO_KZUqYRNZ9Xg6MQyuUHa75nDfxowNEs054330jssFWTuJOUej2rn6vJn4CXJwMmrr4nLmfGxZaV4idr69imaxX1KRFiU/s1600/tortoise+shell+watch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Kors</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Get me back in the game! I yearn for dressing up!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-5101631046709203612011-02-22T11:00:00.000-05:002011-02-22T11:00:26.471-05:00Interview-a-ramaAfter returning home from Rochester on Sunday, I had another e-mail waiting for me from the <a href="http://buffalobeaux.blogspot.com/2011/02/study-in-rejection.html">"They're Not"</a> company. They had a cancellation and could see me Monday afternoon. Short notice (remind me to join this decade and get a phone that I can check my e-mail on) and the coarse e-mail exchange had me nervous about exploring this company further, but hey, saying no to interviews is just not something this unemployed lady does.<br />
<br />
So I decided I was going to go in skeptical and completely honest about my experience and what I was looking for.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ojyQvXVLKft9_2HxLbRLK-gQYvF8FOCQFANw2jJk0vov_rFogKsjilvG0mhgc6OkeAo07HUA9Y0FuLUyTStHhUm0vaGmDOpIDxoTBbwWJukf-lPYn8wpLXYzxdqCHHkRoXtP3L5k1Yk/s1600/DSCN1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ojyQvXVLKft9_2HxLbRLK-gQYvF8FOCQFANw2jJk0vov_rFogKsjilvG0mhgc6OkeAo07HUA9Y0FuLUyTStHhUm0vaGmDOpIDxoTBbwWJukf-lPYn8wpLXYzxdqCHHkRoXtP3L5k1Yk/s320/DSCN1733.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I still can't put on a menswear blazer without reciting lines from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075686/">Annie Hall</a>. Thanks, Diane Keaton.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ5NDLgR9KYAAAqSD9t-vIzZHoW-9294YbHum71TZEetNOdnWPWFzDr1Uk7tw_5Ghi4ZRc4MLkk6OMxxGl-vIwQw2JpauvSzdzkPtoSt_bQu5NOPijboShBzHaEV_vyWtth0Jnmt2ItE/s1600/DSCN1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ5NDLgR9KYAAAqSD9t-vIzZHoW-9294YbHum71TZEetNOdnWPWFzDr1Uk7tw_5Ghi4ZRc4MLkk6OMxxGl-vIwQw2JpauvSzdzkPtoSt_bQu5NOPijboShBzHaEV_vyWtth0Jnmt2ItE/s320/DSCN1734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hey, snow, I just wanted to thank you because I sincerely love showing up at interviews with the bottom of my pants wet and salt stains on my shoes. Also, a note about those shoes. I don't have comfortable brown boots. Normally those pants get worn with a pair of heels. Although, I also don't have a pair of plain brown heels that I find acceptable (me and brown shoes clearly have a bad history together), so these pants typically get worn with white (faux) snakeskin pumps (oh yeah, I have a pair. And they're awesome. Don't judge.). But I wasn't sure how much this company would appreciate my experimental footwear, so I had to suck it up and wear these boots, AKA: Boots of Agony.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DYWtf2KPyyA3Wz6Vpp6FraZedhsY0_Ds0kh0e0U74djBgiUzIetfovazLJQBs02uCHsbbP6LXqNOIwhFm54DDZ2FH8UwZNu6NzOxo8CRLw1PJSDMpJZFanthCOK9f-owRmwRBYUWIrY/s1600/DSCN1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DYWtf2KPyyA3Wz6Vpp6FraZedhsY0_Ds0kh0e0U74djBgiUzIetfovazLJQBs02uCHsbbP6LXqNOIwhFm54DDZ2FH8UwZNu6NzOxo8CRLw1PJSDMpJZFanthCOK9f-owRmwRBYUWIrY/s320/DSCN1741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That line embedded in my pale leg is just from the drive to the interview, which was 20 minutes. Okay, I probably could have just worn taller socks, but I guess I'm just not that forward thinking. <br />
<br />
I got to my 4:00pm interview about 20 minutes early:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqurO5yO80nHgOc-xmWYZl_oawEGcHv_U2t9mE7SsFVWmzwgICkqF5wi7p1YbzjRs3lnBthq6D_f0B5Dj7IOAsDUdMfz7x6inM2vXsoiVjGxrhp3h7Zj5DG1AzYdiBA5QygInoSKJTxA/s1600/DSCN1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqurO5yO80nHgOc-xmWYZl_oawEGcHv_U2t9mE7SsFVWmzwgICkqF5wi7p1YbzjRs3lnBthq6D_f0B5Dj7IOAsDUdMfz7x6inM2vXsoiVjGxrhp3h7Zj5DG1AzYdiBA5QygInoSKJTxA/s320/DSCN1740.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, there's my nephew! Hi, Jake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So, I drove around until I was a more acceptable 10 minutes early. Contrary to my expectations set from the e-mail, the interviewer was very nice (jovial, even). And what followed was a record setting interview: <b>Three hours</b>. From 4:00-7:00pm. When I left, I had 5 missed calls and 7 text messages. Aaron and my friend that I was supposed to be meeting for dinner post interview were watching news reports for car crashes and preparing their routes to drive out there and look for my mangled body on the sides of the roads (not an exaggeration, that was actually their plan. I'm just thankful no one called the cops.).<br />
<br />
But, about this interview. Definitely the most thorough explanation of a company, position, and expectations that I've experienced. And it was genuinely appreciated. It ended up being a position that I am interested in at a company that I could see myself working at. After an honest discussion with the interviewer about pretty much every scenario that could come up (remember, THREE HOURS), we concluded with already talking about salary and bringing me in to meet other people in the company that I would be working with. I should be getting a call or e-mail the end of the week to set up the actual time/date (I'll be sure to set aside a large chunk of time this side to not worry loved ones) for this meeting to take place. So we'll see what happens there.<br />
<br />
I also have a different job interview this Wednesday at a non-profit foundation. I'm glad that things are starting to happen in this job search, I was starting to take note of the "Help Wanted" signs when I drove by <a href="http://mightytaco.com/main.php">Mighty Taco</a>.<br />
<br />
(And I did get my dinner finally at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/amys-place-buffalo">Amy's Place</a>, a diner over in our <a href="http://ourheights.org/">University Heights District</a>. You can get 99% of their meals made with seitan or tofu! And its delicious. And cheap. Followed by a much needed glass of wine at <a href="http://www.shangobistro.com/">Shango</a>.) Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-48083918391519471742011-02-21T10:07:00.010-05:002011-02-21T10:07:00.235-05:00Missing: SummerFirst, before anything. If you ever happen to be in <a href="http://www.visitrochester.com/">Rochester, NY</a> go to the <a href="http://www.owlhouserochester.com/">Owl House</a>. That's an order.<br />
<br />
We had a teeny taste of spring a couple of days ago, and then this bad boy appeared on our forecast for today:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk97SxnDergjat8y3APvmmXLtmSFbfuLfksjb0rNcGh0bg7WP1Ep2Rld4NNwqGD4NQ1hp7GmTTipPlMvY6Jv6MR4AsRPRIEse1Pk79MzYQIehpjV-YW1x6Yi6KAmLmbV0w2SEF8-p1pA/s1600/thundersnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk97SxnDergjat8y3APvmmXLtmSFbfuLfksjb0rNcGh0bg7WP1Ep2Rld4NNwqGD4NQ1hp7GmTTipPlMvY6Jv6MR4AsRPRIEse1Pk79MzYQIehpjV-YW1x6Yi6KAmLmbV0w2SEF8-p1pA/s320/thundersnow.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br />
Oh yeah, you're reading that right. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thundersnow">Thundersnow</a>. One word. One <i>intense</i> word. This winter is depressing. Let's have a pretend summer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U0XO5yuEZZDsFek4Jbm_wtPDxTSfZdwRpmBHxLP-stJTpjes-qzGvrx08xp4aX33g4wJdnftav3CZ6cOIciywIs6Pq_CQD-pc6OZv81r_DRLcWonQR-mFqryjWffA_JpO0hhkOM3G8M/s1600/pov_pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U0XO5yuEZZDsFek4Jbm_wtPDxTSfZdwRpmBHxLP-stJTpjes-qzGvrx08xp4aX33g4wJdnftav3CZ6cOIciywIs6Pq_CQD-pc6OZv81r_DRLcWonQR-mFqryjWffA_JpO0hhkOM3G8M/s320/pov_pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://citybiketampa.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0PID0ZbwgsCyIMVUDH0rUwvLK0faIhDcT2i7USSBcglXopAblxyy3WcbpZCKkISH0ruYlNNBjNKwfwZB5nx_QYjFzAejIOHsLemSYEwI2rzXmvVKvZ2QqoXE9l3Wv9RcXxk9-1CN-aQ/s1600/garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0PID0ZbwgsCyIMVUDH0rUwvLK0faIhDcT2i7USSBcglXopAblxyy3WcbpZCKkISH0ruYlNNBjNKwfwZB5nx_QYjFzAejIOHsLemSYEwI2rzXmvVKvZ2QqoXE9l3Wv9RcXxk9-1CN-aQ/s320/garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SXUlpaZ9MZ0QBbAcCtZ6CqTUdq1jc3HcvvAoNu19DcrLvZehuP0EzM0jPYr7yVHispxvNsuHXcNJsSm_3ismn1qpjxEvuKtNJ9R2sQq1pSMeClT6VcX7hvBXPE9bTjW_oXSIrKF-hn4/s1600/SandyFeet03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SXUlpaZ9MZ0QBbAcCtZ6CqTUdq1jc3HcvvAoNu19DcrLvZehuP0EzM0jPYr7yVHispxvNsuHXcNJsSm_3ismn1qpjxEvuKtNJ9R2sQq1pSMeClT6VcX7hvBXPE9bTjW_oXSIrKF-hn4/s320/SandyFeet03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.screanews.us</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF28UtOuZBhFZyjymj4bseGEQ5G6XDuFIdawoyCPfZePry8dZVUcYQiH8oiW3TyieAN8jxzL7rRAtQ6mAoAN68YmFQQUtgnYzsJj2TILcptn7cIUemglrpRsU36jvb9PJBkSrD8hwJoQ/s1600/drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF28UtOuZBhFZyjymj4bseGEQ5G6XDuFIdawoyCPfZePry8dZVUcYQiH8oiW3TyieAN8jxzL7rRAtQ6mAoAN68YmFQQUtgnYzsJj2TILcptn7cIUemglrpRsU36jvb9PJBkSrD8hwJoQ/s320/drinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.elpalaciocavite.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It has to be right around the corner, right? Coconut rum and sunburn, I'm waiting for you.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-26560651037162390172011-02-18T10:20:00.000-05:002011-02-18T10:20:00.119-05:00Weekend Homework<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Mv430EnMbbDo013d7bsW8EM5U4nf4ZONuIWfsM8HFmzRkcDdFKrENxByNMklpofoyZRBEYgLZh5l5dHIIm196OReFDp9tJCIfnMhfkirzFvlwMlStaUO712acyUzbm6TPgMV7cpJhj4/s1600/card+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Mv430EnMbbDo013d7bsW8EM5U4nf4ZONuIWfsM8HFmzRkcDdFKrENxByNMklpofoyZRBEYgLZh5l5dHIIm196OReFDp9tJCIfnMhfkirzFvlwMlStaUO712acyUzbm6TPgMV7cpJhj4/s400/card+game.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlundbech/3604679939/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We'll be spending the weekend visiting Aaron's folks in <a href="http://www.visitrochester.com/">Rochester</a>. It's always a good time. Hopefully you spend the weekend with people you love, too.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Spend some time getting to know <a href="http://mirandajuly.com/">Miranda July</a>, you won't regret it.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to get married, turns out this whole time I've just been waiting for <a href="http://www.bhldn.com/">Anthropologie to make their own wedding line.</a></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Try to dislike <a href="http://florenceandthemachine.net/">Florence and the Machine</a>, I dare you. </li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>A weekend in <a href="http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/laddition-how-100-lasted-a-weekend-in-paris/">Paris for $100</a>?</li>
</ul>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-65667579968582134172011-02-17T11:23:00.000-05:002011-02-17T11:23:44.035-05:00Valentine's Day, Part DeuxOur Valentine's Day double header continued yesterday with Aaron's night. And my fella knows me well.<br />
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The night started with some food from our favorite Chinese restaurant in Buffalo: <a href="http://www.tokyoshanghaibistro.com/">Tokyo Shanghai Bistro</a>. They have some mighty fine choices for vegetarians.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntaftXq5noRwmqNiye36ow5hK57vxGNXBMhqxT3nIqz-vH0G5omKSoTgVF547hY9KwwJ-ZE6qpblUQ7KDaqQEiIthCf1xDCAro-B6NxOBW0frqjAuV1x3gtMGpBUJYFzQNO86e0137qU/s1600/DSCN1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntaftXq5noRwmqNiye36ow5hK57vxGNXBMhqxT3nIqz-vH0G5omKSoTgVF547hY9KwwJ-ZE6qpblUQ7KDaqQEiIthCf1xDCAro-B6NxOBW0frqjAuV1x3gtMGpBUJYFzQNO86e0137qU/s320/DSCN1711.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ma Po Tofu and Vegetarian Duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
And I know what you're thinking, "what is that creepy eye peering across the table over your food?" The answer? Aaron's hockey jersey, because after dinner we went to a <a href="http://sabres.nhl.com/index.html">Buffalo Sabres</a> game! (And yes, jerseys are completely appropriate dinner attire in Buffalo on nights that there is a home game.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5TcqSMLdzq6GCGVNyi53quXjBwn8SPzhsWRtedgm1FO0ruvoZZYOxP01r-hHzGTRHCV0NxIpnEn1iIKjpBe6Z5NIASz7XoUnISw_c5lcJ4HDM0Emc_5SYUYX7iqLx_9rhc_zCvwU5ik/s1600/DSCN1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5TcqSMLdzq6GCGVNyi53quXjBwn8SPzhsWRtedgm1FO0ruvoZZYOxP01r-hHzGTRHCV0NxIpnEn1iIKjpBe6Z5NIASz7XoUnISw_c5lcJ4HDM0Emc_5SYUYX7iqLx_9rhc_zCvwU5ik/s320/DSCN1716.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEjua35PEaoppfj3cgq8MXazBBIXr_qNo3puTxSIlXa0fVZRFmxZipykA1GEpsKhSd97O9JoPv8Ipa-MMxHfHOoLQIFkO6Dxv2hlDsxoRJqnsCnkCNdGMUbCUUYURBf5WejjN3hvWg8Q/s1600/DSCN1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEjua35PEaoppfj3cgq8MXazBBIXr_qNo3puTxSIlXa0fVZRFmxZipykA1GEpsKhSd97O9JoPv8Ipa-MMxHfHOoLQIFkO6Dxv2hlDsxoRJqnsCnkCNdGMUbCUUYURBf5WejjN3hvWg8Q/s320/DSCN1717.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymbRJ5UcflpeBlKFEjBGOervOXUxNAc2hjzX0kur8d0hxmYbNi2spflGZ3TtqV0tlBnkRGTgftudhjODSqrl4_nzOvaXkrT_QStW3jOA5Qlg6Wlc-a8VvsIoxEky6u-wmqUAUKrGA8qI/s1600/DSCN1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymbRJ5UcflpeBlKFEjBGOervOXUxNAc2hjzX0kur8d0hxmYbNi2spflGZ3TtqV0tlBnkRGTgftudhjODSqrl4_nzOvaXkrT_QStW3jOA5Qlg6Wlc-a8VvsIoxEky6u-wmqUAUKrGA8qI/s320/DSCN1714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And after a little snowy walk down by the <a href="http://www.hsbcarena.com/">arena</a> (it was around 45 degrees yesterday! practically a heatwave!), it was time to get down to business. Hockey business. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3mzVpzg4aazRFd0jskObdrJ0yYTyz0KNbCHE9IzOJshC9JJDpx9M-Wd5ZjCnJQAeQQ7a2hf3gneTu_OrEqqzi0GuEszFGmICmRvh1DXjY4usyFYgd879C0CVzTK-5gzyMdachsk89rM/s1600/DSCN1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3mzVpzg4aazRFd0jskObdrJ0yYTyz0KNbCHE9IzOJshC9JJDpx9M-Wd5ZjCnJQAeQQ7a2hf3gneTu_OrEqqzi0GuEszFGmICmRvh1DXjY4usyFYgd879C0CVzTK-5gzyMdachsk89rM/s320/DSCN1724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4hhO8srV-hUBhpZ2aE1HE6bKthdprVmnwbV_Fl9ShAzSu3pFf-x67nCqdrgOzDcFbK10kNHdHPFidzHYC57lz12o9m3mFMqcFlU6mx9BmN9t73hLOzecmi3dj1av03y2LcR5mp6Ax7c/s1600/DSCN1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4hhO8srV-hUBhpZ2aE1HE6bKthdprVmnwbV_Fl9ShAzSu3pFf-x67nCqdrgOzDcFbK10kNHdHPFidzHYC57lz12o9m3mFMqcFlU6mx9BmN9t73hLOzecmi3dj1av03y2LcR5mp6Ax7c/s320/DSCN1731.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
Unfortunately, it was one of the worst played games of the season, but we did it right. Sitting in the nosebleeds, surrounded by screaming drunks. Love this game. Thank you, Aaron.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-88183309765885724892011-02-16T18:05:00.001-05:002011-02-16T18:05:00.500-05:00A study in rejection<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's look at 2 new examples of rejection. First let's go traditional:</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dear Nicole,<br />
<br />
Thank you very much for submitting your resume/ profile for employment with ****. <div class="ecxMsoNormal">Your application/resume was reviewed for the above position. I wanted to let you know that at this time, the manager is seeking an applicant with knowledge of medical rehab as well as a marketing background for this position in this department. Therefore, you are not currently being considered for this particular position. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Please visit **** for an up to date list of opportunities at ****<br />
<br />
We wish you all the best in your search. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"> </div>Sincerely,<br />
*****<br />
Senior Recruiter</i></span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">To be fair, I don't have exact experience in medical rehab</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>, </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">but I did work at a health insurance company for 3 years right out of school and combined with my marketing/communication experience thought that would perhaps give me an edge. Perhaps not.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Second example: peculiar e-mail exchange. A contact told me about an open position at this next company, and this is the email exchange that followed:</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>From: Company X<br />
To: Nicole<br />
Subject: Interview<br />
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:19:00 -0500</span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>Hi, Nicole –</span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>Let’s get together and explore a possible fit with what we’re doing here at ***. Please bring your portfolio if you’ve designed any materials. Can you meet on Friday, February 18<sup>th</sup> at 10:00am?</span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #365f91;"><br />
</span><span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>Vice President - Sales, Marketing & Support</span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #365f91;"><span style="color: black;">------------------------------</span></span><span> </span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>From:</span><span> Nicole <br />
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 9:35 PM<br />
To: Company X<br />
Subject: RE: Interview</span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>Hi ****,<br />
<br />
I'd love to get together to discuss the position with you, however I do have a prior commitment for this Friday. I'm free tomorrow, Thursday and Monday if any of those days work for you. Let me know if any of those days are a possibility for you.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
Nicole</span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #365f91;"><span style="color: black;"> -----------------------------</span></span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #365f91;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> From: Company X<br />
To: Nicole<br />
Subject: RE: Interview<br />
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:37:21 -0500<span> </span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>They’re not.</span></i></span></div><div class="SandboxScopeClass ExternalClass" id="mpf0_MsgContainer" style="color: black;"><style>
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>------------------------</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>From:</span><span> Nicole <br />
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2:04 PM<br />
To: Company X<br />
Subject: RE: Interview</span></i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>****,</i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I'm sorry to hear that. Since no day except Friday works with your schedule, it looks like we unfortunately won't have the opportunity to meet and discuss this position further. Thank you for your time, and I hope you'll keep me in mind for future positions with ****. I wish you the best of luck with your search for the right candidate for your company.<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
Nicole </i></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><i>----------------------</i></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><i> </i></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">No parts (except my favorite little stars, of course) were changed. Which means that "They're not." response is exactly what I received. Perhaps I offended this person by being unavailable, for which I am sorry. But, even unemployed folk do have commitments that cannot always be broken. Maybe suggesting a different day is a cardinal sin of job searching? Alas, live and learn, I suppose. <i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div></div></div><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3250383390833161275.post-62441805724876953342011-02-16T10:51:00.001-05:002011-02-16T11:01:06.969-05:00I have a sincere love of furniture makeovers. I have a small collection in the attic of furniture snatched up with fervor from our local thrift stores that have just been sadly sitting there since they were brought home. But, with extra time on my hands these days, I thought it was time to pay these little guys the attention I quietly promised them while crouching on the dirty linoleum at <a href="http://www.amvetsnsf.org/stores.html">Amvets</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53EbQHwzzmtKlBiuj0_NHh9ipsFfwCnc3G2LxyWGqJiYILXobPQAvBma_Q__LeOjv4HSlH1z4uPvb4UGtxTYI8inj5vA8GMAI2q4-l5aiyjGoAwvTJ7krlOfQu0VPYqsJbbJmd58sYls/s1600/DSCN1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53EbQHwzzmtKlBiuj0_NHh9ipsFfwCnc3G2LxyWGqJiYILXobPQAvBma_Q__LeOjv4HSlH1z4uPvb4UGtxTYI8inj5vA8GMAI2q4-l5aiyjGoAwvTJ7krlOfQu0VPYqsJbbJmd58sYls/s320/DSCN1676.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqgk-fgbGLRcx1Ysa4xx17WLCUfsvDAF87Bcr6iFceym2mvzPLpV-8HNkvo_tAtIwzTnjQ6eUNnSWAZ58TOiDu019Tgs36CSBHbIjVoVoCvWmlyRIx0Vyla-NTZ3TtCY8qGbK5nXAPKM/s1600/DSCN1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Example A.) Beat up bench from 1972. I've always secretly coveted benches I've seen in other homes. Not that I'm ever very tempted to sit on them, but I feel like they're a great, albeit under appreciated piece. Stick them in a weird nook or at the end of the bed. Any place you're not sure what to put there but that space looks so empty? BENCH. (This bench also came with a back rest, but I was sure that I didn't have enough fabric so I didn't include it in the before shot. Turns out I did have enough, so you'll see that little guy pop up later.)<br />
<br />
Lets take a look at what you're going to need:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TTuq_mAz97GDa0dSMf9Z8Hl0VOJ2HlFUlHTHoOWN4SONPVd832o68D0WOUha1HHJxUSTwReqAjxTsPjqK_CYnGPuAa7BexatvsIjUvQpzkkzzE0AKQ2hxGWSGJI8sIJFFZ1tKscvvcc/s1600/DSCN1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TTuq_mAz97GDa0dSMf9Z8Hl0VOJ2HlFUlHTHoOWN4SONPVd832o68D0WOUha1HHJxUSTwReqAjxTsPjqK_CYnGPuAa7BexatvsIjUvQpzkkzzE0AKQ2hxGWSGJI8sIJFFZ1tKscvvcc/s320/DSCN1681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Not too scary. Find a fabric you want (I went to Joann Fabrics armed with coupons for use on regularly priced items, but it turns out all those regularly priced items are about $30 a yard. Never disregard the clearance section, I found this gray, swirly fabric I loved instantly for $6.99 a yard. BOOM.), scissors, staple gun and staples. I intended to redo the bench legs as well, so I busted out <a href="http://www.woosterbrush.com/PressRoom/ArchivedNews/Shortcut">the best brush around</a>, sandpaper, and paint.<br />
<br />
If you're going to redo the legs, start with sanding them up. You're going to have to wash them to make sure you get all the dust/general grossness off and you may as well let them start to dry while you're tackling the fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1ZwtCPoVEL8LIV1g5Pjk01kKrJ27O6uMdqKsSkV2soDR3pJ0wS3osS9ymxphS9EU41Pj0mtWfrbb0DKwOqg4mlk9FLvEEeCA6tJVEMCxPDjm9MePjrW_3z1vxpmmdtUkhA-0sR0vW5M/s1600/DSCN1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1ZwtCPoVEL8LIV1g5Pjk01kKrJ27O6uMdqKsSkV2soDR3pJ0wS3osS9ymxphS9EU41Pj0mtWfrbb0DKwOqg4mlk9FLvEEeCA6tJVEMCxPDjm9MePjrW_3z1vxpmmdtUkhA-0sR0vW5M/s320/DSCN1680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>Yes, that is my pale, bony hand.</i> Since I'm going to be painting them, I'm not worried about getting a lot of the stain out. Just a quick sanding to get off any dirt and gloss. Then wash those guys off and leave them to dry while you lay out your fabric. A lot of benches and chairs that have an upholstered seat will just lift right out of the rest of the piece resulting in making it incredibly easy to just fold the new fabric over, staple it down, and then screw it right back into place.<br />
<br />
But then there's always the other type. My bench is just one giant piece with four little legs screwed in. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqS1PxAosRDyFBpF2HsP-lsE-Tm0qigtwWUvCQjqs8YJRpdfQAn3ck9IbekLIKukhDriFT9kxKtuo4DmExQeQh_ZToN4gbLoyVRDaZpUU-BYrbOPrY1onvpDG3bvLbnnthMr_VGN7_lk/s1600/DSCN1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqS1PxAosRDyFBpF2HsP-lsE-Tm0qigtwWUvCQjqs8YJRpdfQAn3ck9IbekLIKukhDriFT9kxKtuo4DmExQeQh_ZToN4gbLoyVRDaZpUU-BYrbOPrY1onvpDG3bvLbnnthMr_VGN7_lk/s320/DSCN1683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After figuring out exactly how much fabric you'll need after factoring in the wrapping around of cloth, its time to figure out how you want the cloth to lay. Those corners are tricky, and I decided it was fine to see a little fold in each corner as long as they looked even and intentional.<br />
<br />
Insert about an hour and a half here of me folding and refolding corners of fabric:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlUvn-9GfP0nNxN9_guQLrV97MkYU40ueyfyclJ-xfKZbQUtLceBdSe_B94XBD9lLjSaYRewvK93phw9nfNsurqe0cZ985yYgoBGO_0ZaXyxft6CGBCT3hyphenhyphenJbDIygTwIq7izapiZn39E/s1600/fixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlUvn-9GfP0nNxN9_guQLrV97MkYU40ueyfyclJ-xfKZbQUtLceBdSe_B94XBD9lLjSaYRewvK93phw9nfNsurqe0cZ985yYgoBGO_0ZaXyxft6CGBCT3hyphenhyphenJbDIygTwIq7izapiZn39E/s320/fixed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Make sure you use tape or pins here while experimenting! You'd don't want to jump the (staple) gun, only to have to rip out all the staples if it turns out you don't like the way it looks!<br />
<br />
After you've decided you like the way its looking, get stapling. I probably put in more staples than is really necessary, but I've always been the better safe than sorry sort.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLG1_8n564tkx8eR_XcEDyYqAhYiK8N6q86k7zOoweznVwcRjYIs1ilYIYyJcCaR0eM4fbHC7YGfQI7fnZc9l34iaiCZUNfKUQ6ndbTGWmLGGK__KozzOiPHKsheDpF59WUFr2yZKTyQ/s1600/DSCN1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLG1_8n564tkx8eR_XcEDyYqAhYiK8N6q86k7zOoweznVwcRjYIs1ilYIYyJcCaR0eM4fbHC7YGfQI7fnZc9l34iaiCZUNfKUQ6ndbTGWmLGGK__KozzOiPHKsheDpF59WUFr2yZKTyQ/s320/DSCN1688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used this same method on the seat back that I mentioned earlier, resulting in this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKTpEtTmMMSu1BzGUOCW5a5FicujqlIOt8rHCTLSoI5mpi51n6KtnkFz6M4nWjVLceV7bMZEyTFEa9O6TROWf1oJj19IasBd100nYd4ecPJhBSMr5ao0UQ1NEG2jr910Gn0R4dOO8SOI/s1600/DSCN1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKTpEtTmMMSu1BzGUOCW5a5FicujqlIOt8rHCTLSoI5mpi51n6KtnkFz6M4nWjVLceV7bMZEyTFEa9O6TROWf1oJj19IasBd100nYd4ecPJhBSMr5ao0UQ1NEG2jr910Gn0R4dOO8SOI/s320/DSCN1697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Check to make sure your table legs are dry! Now you can paint them as you wish, but I chose to screw them right back into the table and handle them that way (the color I used was 'Polished' by Behr). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWZfCuxN3pSjiCvBFZbRbjQwM1oq2eYF6VxqHC4Os2ABYjcBMmIeIhvtE3ajTA7_JqX_g6lo139yGr9egdOaCHqsa98da2l340JqIdBadPzKjSxk-Lol_Uwhwy36S5h4pQDVLKpuUeUs/s1600/fixed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWZfCuxN3pSjiCvBFZbRbjQwM1oq2eYF6VxqHC4Os2ABYjcBMmIeIhvtE3ajTA7_JqX_g6lo139yGr9egdOaCHqsa98da2l340JqIdBadPzKjSxk-Lol_Uwhwy36S5h4pQDVLKpuUeUs/s320/fixed2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I know its tempting to just slather on the paint and have it be done, but (especially if you're working/testing gravity at the same time like I was) don't rush it! You'll get the dreaded goopy paints drips and then you'll have to sand and repaint anyway. Unless that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then go for it. Better to put it on thin, almost like a primer. Its okay if some wood still comes through, the second coat takes care of that.<br />
<br />
After the two coats, the bench was almost finished:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfevIweLmmNyyqxXbL4NLmxPBaop3x3WSmSYd5vykPkQJmqio32BFDuQtGpvlKB1r6pfa3ALcgZsP2iVAZd8fd6aGZWYC-7Rjt5-NY2LQ4PXcTY-Z0oJLG4WjXh2vs3XohjUeEqMUWhmU/s1600/DSCN1699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfevIweLmmNyyqxXbL4NLmxPBaop3x3WSmSYd5vykPkQJmqio32BFDuQtGpvlKB1r6pfa3ALcgZsP2iVAZd8fd6aGZWYC-7Rjt5-NY2LQ4PXcTY-Z0oJLG4WjXh2vs3XohjUeEqMUWhmU/s320/DSCN1699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We just attached the seat back by poking holes through the fabric, through the already drilled holes and attaching them with a simple washer and nut combo, resulting in the finished bench!<br />
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How much did it end up costing?<br />
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Bench: $4.00<br />
1.5 yards of fabric: $10.97<br />
<u>1 qt. of paint: $14.48</u><b> </b><br />
<b>Total Cost: $29.45 </b><br />
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Sweet, new(ish) bench for under $30? Go us.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059326056980490534noreply@blogger.com1