I bought...

It is not even payday Friday and I went a little crazy online today. Here are my purchases.

[Super cute letter press gift tags from Small Square Design]

We have a wedding next weekend and one in November - I got this to wear in my hair:

[Found at ban.do]

Let's Talk Lamps...

Becca - I want to hear more about how in the world you obtained your lamp in your Dining Room. I believe I remember you saying it was a hand-me-down from your parents? How did they get it? It is really an Arco Floor Lamp? I have coveted one of these puppies for eons. Fill us in (and provide pictures please!). Green with envy!

[From: Made By Rachel]

Spooktacular

Alright - now that we are officially in October (which I cannot believe - I mean, where has the year gone?), I guess we should discuss Halloween. I know we started talking about costumes, but my question today relates more to decorating. Do you all decorate for Halloween? I may get a pumpkin, but am honestly not sure. We will be on a plane to Savannah (woo hoo) on the 31st, so we will probably skip costumes this year - but I am on the fence about decorating. Do you all enjoy decorating for the holidays, or is it just another "project" to deal with?

From Martha Stewart (of course)

This is what I would much rather be decorating for - Dia de los Muertos. Becca - I expect some follow-up on this from Tucson later this month!
[From: CarmelaJay]

Missed Connection Perfection

Do you read Missed Connections on Craigslist (I know you do Cathy)? I am obsessed. Not to see if someone posted one for me (although I would smile if they did) but there is something about Missed Connections that is so random and wonderful.

My friend Micheal knows of my love for the Missed Connections - and he sent me this lovely work of art along with the information about the artist that illustrates missed connections. Genius!

Harry Bearded Swimmer
Saturday, September 5, 2009
- m4m - 29 (astoria)
we were both
swimming around 5-6 in astoria pool. we ended up walking the same
direction in the park for a while but didn't talk. i wish i had said
hi...so i figured i would on here.
worth a shot.

Sophie Blackall, a Brooklyn-based artist, illustrates Craigslist 'Missed Connections' ads.

Easy dinner Recommendation

[pizza pre-baked]

We make a lot of pizza in our house - here is one of our favorites for you to try! I recommend getting one of these to cook pizza in the oven.

Brussels Sprout Pizza

1. Pre-made Pizza dough (I get the whole wheat from TJ's or dough from Roma Imports in Tucson. Many of our local pizza places will also sell you dough). Yes, you could make your own, but pre-made dough makes this recipe so fast!

2. Brussels Sprouts - chop and saute with olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Pizza sauce of your choice (again I go TJ's here- Pizza Sauce).

4. Mozzarella

5. Other add ins: diced green chiles, sausage (we go for the veggie sausage).

Yum! Make a simple side salad and you are done!

Missing in Action

No more! I am back...thank you for supporting my self-imposed rest period. I have fought off a cold/flu, flown cross-country, been to a wedding, in a fender bender*....and slept for 10 hours each night in order to be here with you today. I also unfortunately have a day job (cue the violins).

Please look at this in depth **and get back to me....I don't have any words yet for how excited I am about this...AND don't tell (but I printed it out).

*No one was hurt....actually thought the transmission dropped out of the car...then we got rammed again. It was an old guy with a lead foot :)

** I think Sonchia...you told us this was coming? Sorry I was so excited to get this up here I couldn't look for it...

Baby It's Cold Outside

I want this - mostly because I don't have a fireplace and the fact that it is currently 19 degrees out right now. Telluride does not allow wood burning fireplaces for air quality purposes in our little box canyon. I am frozen, and today, this sounds like a wonderful idea for home or office.

The scoop: Piet, the master thesis project of Fredrik Hylten-Cavallius. Piet is a chimney-free indoor stove that burns ethanol fuel instead of wood. The shiny gold layer is actually a brass reflector, and beneath it is a layer of rockwool fire insulation that keeps the outside cool to the touch. The genius design allows you to place this little guy nearly anywhere — bathroom, living room, or even right up next to a wall. What do you think?