Friday Finds

Prepare yourself, this is going to be a long Friday Finds. I am trying to clean out all the stuff I have starred in my Reader dating back to December 2010.

Due to the length of today's post, I am not going to feature a specific blogger today.

This is what you should be doing with your spare time: Knoword  I love this game! That might make me a bigger dork than you originally thought.

I skimmed the article, "6 Shocking Ways TV Rewires Your Brain"  and found it pretty interesting. Trying to lose weight? Turn the tv off! Trying to stave off lonliness? Turn the tv on.

Ugh, my MacBook Pro is in serious need of some cleaning. Is yours?

WHEN FOOD ATTACKS! tee hee


Watch this, be sad, and then be resolved to never text and drive again. I know I am.


Dear Margaux,
If I had any kind of money at all, I would buy you 5 plates from this shop for you to arrange and hang on one of your walls. Cute for days! Especially some variation of the two pictured here:

Via

Then I would buy 5 more for my place! Like these:

Via

I am going to go through my closet and see what I have and what is missing from this list.

My friend Chelsea introduced me to this blog and I love this post on how to look and feel radiant.

Thanks to this post from Oh Joy (featuring a previous Friday Find Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day) I now have decided I NEED a Cameroon JuJu Hat. Most ridiculous need ever! But specifically this one!


So I have a few new online obsessions: 1. The Guardian's series of celebrities writing letter to their 16 year-old selves. 2. The Guardian's series of celebrities telling us what they see when they look in the mirror. And last but not even remotely least: 3. The Life Report via The New York Times. Start with this one. Deeply moving stuff.


I can never decide are sloths awful or awesome? Tell me what you think!


This post is based on this post and now I like to go around accusing people of gaslighting. If anyone dares utter the word "crazy" in front of me I like to yell, "STOP GASLIGHTING."  This makes me seem crazy. I so funny.

Female friends and family: Read this.

If I am ever in Boston again, I am going to Brattle Book Shop. Thanks to Sarah Morgan of Hemenway Street for telling me about it!

Okay that is all for today. I would not be surprised if I run a part two of this ridiculousness.

30 after 30 update.

This week's Library Loving segment will probably be postponed til tomorrow because I am reading a really good book right now and I am thisclose to being finished with it. In the meantime, there is this update on my 30 after 30 challenge:

1. Redesign my blog.
I am fairly happy with where my blog is right now, but I still have big ideas that I want to work towards.

2. Make and deliver my 5 handmade gifts that I promised.
I have done 3 of the 5. BAD! I hope to have the last two done within a month (or so).

3. Sponsor a giveaway on my blog.
Still working on this one...

4. Figure out how to run the desired reports from the database at the non-profit I do some work for in my "spare" time. Think this is a lame goal? It would mean A LOT to people who are trying to run a productive non-profit on a very limited budget. Also it is a techie-type challenge. I love a good techie-type challenge.

5. Fully pay off at least one of my majorly stress-inducing debts. And don't get judgy, none of them are credit card debts. I don't do credit cards. My debts are mostly medical in nature. Awesome.
I am feeling more comfortable about how this as far as a budget goes. I will have one debt paid off within the next few months. One down, let's just be in denial about how many to go.

6. Keep hosting one dinner per month at my house.
This came to an end when I moved. I no longer have an oven or a table.

7. Learn to listen to my instinct. Delete toxic people. Ask myself more frequently: Am I getting as good as I am giving? And if the answer is no, move on.

8. Treat people the way I want to be treated. Regardless of how they treat me.
Better.

9. Stop giving it all away.

10. Fully accomplish my ministry goals.
I have had to change/re-evaluate my goals here.

11. Develop regular study patterns so I can improve my Russian.
Utter failure.

12. Develop regular exercise patterns so I can improve my thighs. Swimsuit season in Tucson is almost endless. Thighs must get with the program.
I worked out yesterday and the day before yesterday - it was the first time in OH SO LONG!

13. Go to San Francisco this year for a Russian-speaking assembly in April and a wedding in May.
I was not able to go the wedding which was major sadness for me.

14. Spend more time with my best friend.

15. Meet new people. Make a few new friends. Take it slow. Let it develop.

16. Send out thank you cards faster. Like within a week. Instead of a month. Or two. Or three. Oops.
17. Join a voluntary construction crew.

18. Work smarter and harder.
Adult ADD/ADHD say what????

19. Waste less time aimlessly wandering basic cable and the Internet.

20. Read 5 books.
21. Pray more. Taste and see that God is good. Let my faith grow.

22. End caffeine addiction.
Not even remotely close to this happening.

23. Read the Bible every day.
Needs work.

24. Get 2 new tires for my car.

25. Buy a bed frame. Get my mattress set up off the floor.


26. Eat at least two "decent" meals a day. Everyday.
Perhaps a better goal would have been to just plain eat something decent at least once a day. My eating habits are beyond awful.

27. Wear makeup more frequently. Maybe even everyday.
More frequently, yes. Everyday, no.

28. Learn three new ways to style my hair.
I would say that I have one and a half new hair styles I can do right now.

29. Don't let them see me sweat. Develop poise. You will not see me suffer. No matter how you destroyed me.
Nah, I am still totally transparent.

30. Sing and dance everyday. In my house. Where no one can see. Or hear.
I probably do this everyday without realizing.

Da Bulls

I spent a vast amount of time Christmas day watching the NBA's late season openers. My babies (Chicago Bulls) played the Lakers.  They won-just barely. It is going to be a rough season. For everyone. Except maybe Heat fans.

I could yammer on this topic for pages and pages but that would be truly dull for most of you so I will instead just say the two following things:

1. Metta World Peace. REALLY? Ron Artest seriously needs to get a hobby.

2. Noah, your hair amuses me and so I am inclined to like you but I did not see you do one useful thing that entire game. If you are going to be on the court, make it count. Please.

And then Monday the Bulls lost to the Warriors. And the Suns lost to the Hornets. But at least the Lakers lost to the Kings. HA!

Excited to see the results of the Celtics vs. Heat tonight!

Also:

Ten On Tuesday: Night Out

Songs for getting ready for a night out.

1. Freakum Dress, Beyonce
2. Buttons, Pussycat Dolls
3. Fergalicious, Fergie
4. Man Eater, Nelly Furtado
5. My Humps, Black Eyed Peas
6. Senorita, Justin Timberlake
7. Vogue, Madonna
8. Pretty Girl Rock, Keri Hilson
9. Kiss, Prince
10. Single Ladies, Beyonce

Library Loving: Bob Dylan

Did I tell you about the time that I FREAKED out because I had no Bob Dylan in my iTunes and then had to check out a ton of Bob Dylan CD's from the library to feed my Bob Dylan craving? The problem with this is that the one album I most needed to listen to was Blood on the Tracks and I had to reserve it and it took forever to come in and then when I got it I was all "whatever" because I had gotten over my Bob Dylan craving. 

And then I listened to it. 

Ridiculous good. 

Fall in love with Dylan all over again ridiculous good. 

Do people like Dylan anymore? Do you? 

My name is Meghaun and I love Bob Dylan and Britney Spears at the same time. Is there a support group for that? 

Ten on Tuesday: Unconventional Love Songs

Unconventional Love Songs

1. Die Alone, Ingrid Michaelson
2.Love Me Dead, Ludo
3.Home, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
4. Man of the Hour, Norah Jones
5. Shooting Star, Bob Dylan
6. I Believe in a Thing Called Love, The Darkness  (awesome submission by Rita)
7. I Will Follow You Into The Dark, Death Cab for Cutie *
8. Take My Hand, Los Lobos**
9. Sabor A Mi, Los Lobos***
10. Darling Lorraine, Paul Simon

*I'm sorry, is this song talking about purgatory? A love song involving purgatory? Really?
**Actually just a straight up great love song, but totally under appreciated.
***Check the translated lyrics of this one. Lovely, but unconventional.

Friday Finds

This week's blog is Privilege. I do not remember how or when I came across Lisa's blog, but I have an affection for the way she writes and what she writes about. Her and I are basically a world apart and have next to nothing in common, but nonetheless, I like her blog very much. Although I will say that my affection for her blog is despite her high regard of scrunchies rather than because of it.

Rachel Bagley, Fashion Consultant has a blog called Cardigan Empire. She has these charts that break down the "look" of certain stores like Anthropologie and J. Crew.  I love these charts! Something about them totally fascinates me.


That's all for this week! Have a good weekend!

Ups and Downs at the Office

So my blog's office is the Starbucks at Broadway and Kolb. True story.  I do not have Internet access at home so I office at Starbucks.

Sometimes this is awesome. Like the time the adorable girl told me she liked my boots and asked where I got them. Like she literally stopped whatever she was doing on her laptop to walk across Starbucks and ask me where I got my boots because she wanted them. Sweet!

Sometimes this is not so awesome. Like right now. When I have to put on my headphones and turn them up really loud to block the completely weirdo dysfunctional date going on next to me. Seriously. Take that mess elsewhere.

Also not awesome, I feel compelled to buy a Cranberry Bliss Bar every time I am here. Why are they so good?  Who can explain this to me? I refuse to investigate the calorie situation on the Cranberry Bliss Bar because it will not stop me from eating them, it will just lessen my enjoyment. Ignorance is bliss. Cranberry, cream cheese, white chocolate blondie bliss.

Even less awesome, soon the Cranberry Bliss Bar season will be over.

Also in a moment of shameless self-promotion I would like you to know that if you believe in supporting starving artists you could totally send me a Starbucks Gift Card. Not you mom! Or you Emma! You both already support my habit blog. Also, if you actually did send me a Starbucks Gift Card it would support my delusional belief that I am an artist. And words are my art.  I think that would be called "enabling."  That can not be good. Let's forget the whole Starbucks Gift Card thing.

Much Love Monday - My Place

So I have many more little touches and projects to be done at my place but I have accomplished a few major(for me) projects and so I am really loving it these days.

Basically I stood in the center of the room and turned in a circle to get a shot of each part of the room. Missing from these pictures is the kitchen/front door "area" because I need to rehang a picture that fell.

For a little background, a few months ago I moved into a little studio. It came fully furnished and decorated.  I have changed out most of the decorations but to a certain extent have just had to work with what is already in place. Also, I hang everything myself with no tools whatsoever and so everything is crooked. I just look at it with my head cocked and then I do not really notice.



Office area. This is the one area where everything here is mine and did not come with the place. The large mirror behind my desk is one of my prized possessions because HELLO giant mirrors are stupid expensive and my mom gave me this one for free. Moms are so cool! I just put up my little shelves yesterday and they are making me pretty happy as well.

Still to do: I would like something above the mirror but can not figure out what.

Considering spray painting my little silver file cabinet type thing a bronze color.

Re-upholster the desk's stool cushion with a dusty blue or purple color. You can not tell in this picture but it is currently red.

Right outside of my bathroom. Hold towels and toiletries and such.

Living room area. Another favorite: my cornfield painting. A co-worker painted it and gave it to me. It was one of his least favorite, but I adore it!  What I do not adore is the super random placement of an electrical outlet but there is not a thing I can do about it. Also, please notice that the paper whites are blooming!

Still to do: Buy two new throw pillows. You can not really see the unattractive brown ones currently there. It is for the best. 

Buy a rug for the center of the room that will go in front of this love seat.

Area between bed area and living area.

Bedroom area.

So I had a MUCH better picture of this but it is on my phone that is currently being repaired. When I finish the rest of my projects I will re post a better picture. 

Still to do: Buy a laundry hamper!!

For more Much Love Monday:

Friday Finds

This week's blog is Mighty Girl. Mighty Girl Maggie is the champion of the life list. She also is funny and I always enjoy her take on the latest books she has read.

And that is all for this week's Friday Finds.

Why?

Because maybe when I was at my blogging office (Starbucks) this week, I spent several hours talking to Kaylan and updating our iPhones instead of looking for awesome links.

Maybe.

Also maybe I have been catching up on Burn Notice. DID YOU SEE THE SEASON FINALE??????????

Maybe that's why.

Maybe.

Library Loving: Words Without Borders

So this post is a day late and a dollar short. In all respects. For this week I tried to read Words Without Borders, The World Through The Eyes Of Writers. I got through the introduction by Andre Dubus III and the first few writers and that was it. Well, I sort of skimmed some of the rest to see if any of the other writers would grab my interest. Interest NOT grabbed.

Read this when: You are feeling intellectual and you do not really need plot.

Consolation prize for checking out this post: Awesome quotes about reading!


“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.” — Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler)
“Be awesome! Be a book nut!” — Dr. Seuss
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” — Confucius
“Reading is everything. Reading makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. Reading makes me smarter. Reading gives me something to talk about later on. Reading is the unbelievably healthy way my attention deficit disorder medicates itself. Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it’s a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it’s a way of making contact with someone else’s imagination after a day that’s all too real. Reading is grist. Reading is bliss.” — Nora Ephron
“Picking five favorite books is like picking the five body parts you’d most like not to lose.” — Neil Gaiman

“A good book is an education of the heart. It enlarges your sense of human possibility what human nature is of what happens in the world. It’s a creator of inwardness.” — Susan Sontag

Twenty-five on Thursday.

So Liz at Whims and Fancies and I sort of run a mutual admiration society and she has tagged me in the following "25 songs from my life, written in 25 days" post. Like Liz, I completed my list in 25 minutes as opposed to 25 days.
Also, I know what you are thinking...a post about music?? ME?? NEVER!! This blog should be called Meg's Musical Mind. Good grief.

A song from your childhood - House at Pooh Corner, Kenny Loggins. I used to request this song from my mom on weekends.

A song that reminds you of your most recent ex - No comment.

A song that reminds you of one / both of your parents - America, Simon & Garfunkel or You Never Give Me Your Money, The Beatles
A song that calms you down - Pretty Wings, Maxwell
A song that is often stuck in your head - Jingle Bells. Jingle Bells is like my brain's screensaver. For the past 15 years or so, I will randomly start singing or humming Jingle Bells at any given moment.
A song that reminds you of your best friend - Prince songs.

A song that reminds you of a great summer - I have no clue. I am going to go with "Meet Me In St. Louis" because I saw that at the Muny the last time I was home in summer.....
A song that reminds you of your first love - My Boo, Alicia Keys and Usher. Also If I Ain't Got You, Alicia Keys and Usher.
A song that makes you hopeful - Dog Days Are Over, Florence + The Machine.
A song by your favourite band - My favorite band is The Beatles. And my favorite song of my favorite band is Dear Prudence.
A song on the soundtrack of your favorite movie - Cell Block Tango, Chicago
The last song you heard - At this very second, Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder is playing.
A song that reminds you of a former friend - I am changing this to "A song that reminds me of an old friend (and is still currently a friend)" Sunshine of Your Love, Cream

A song that reminds you of your current love interest - Not Applicable.
A song you love singing along to - My friends and I will all sing Circle of Life from Lion King on the top of our lungs.
A song that has made you cry - In My Life, The Beatles. Although, I have to be SUPER tired and stressed for music to make me cry.
A song that makes you want to dance - Too, too, too many.
A song that you love but rarely listen to - Ummmm....have you met me? I listen to music constantly and I will listen to the same songs over and over. I listened to Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones like 5 times this morning while I was getting ready for work.
A song that reminds you of yourself - Neon, John Mayer
A guilty pleasure- Anything Britney Spears!
Your favorite song - My go to answer for this question is Feelin' Good, Nina Simone.
A song that someone has sung to you - My friend Jeremy used to jokingly sing love songs to me. Sometimes we would make it a duet. So pick a cheesy R&B love song and we have probably screeched it out at one another.  Most recently Step In The Name of Love, R. Kelly

A song that you cannot stand to listen to -That Tim McGraw/Nelly song. Like nails on a chalkboard.
A song you have danced to with your best friend - Senorita, Justin Timberlake

A song you could listen to all day without getting tired of -  Too many to name.

Ten on Tuesday: No Hipster Here!

Songs for the non-hipster in you:

1. The Sign, Ace of Base
2. Uprgrade You, Beyonce
3. Hot As Ice, Britney Spears
4. Cowboy Casanova, Carrie Underwood
5. Wall 2 Wall, Chris Brown
6. Clumsy, Fergie
7. Gypsy Woman, Hilary Duff
8. Party In the U.S.A., Miley Cyrus
9. Rock Your Body, Justin Timberlake
10. We R Who We R, Ke$ha

Friday Finds

This week's featured blog is Chocolate and Babies. I actually know the blogger behind this blog in real life and she is fabulous. She also has the best New York accent ever and loves Tim McGraw, so really, what more do you need to know?  Just go read! And the pictures and videos she posts of her little boy do not do him justice. He is THE cuteness. He is, in fact, the cuteness behind this story. 

Also-Emma, go watch the video of him walking then remember that I have still not seen my nephew walk via video and feel guilty. LOVE YOU! HUGS!

If I were wealthy and three inches taller, I would only wear Burberry all the time. Pre-Fall 2012 looks? I die!

So.....I think I should scurry up to Portland this weekend to go to the Portland Bazaar. Seems kind of amazing.

Free printables for goal setters.

Via ThinkGeek

You tell me:

poll by twiigs.com

Library Loving: She Walks In Beauty

This week I actually did finish a book. But in a cheaterly type way since it was a book of poetry and everyone knows that when you are reading a book of poetry, you may skip the poems that do not overtly speak to you because you will need extra time to stop and bask in the poems that astound you.

Check the book out on Amazon

Click here to read one of my favorites from the book!

I love Caroline Kennedy's introduction and opening comments for each section as much as I love some of the poetry contained within this book. This book goes on the very, very short list of books I would actually purchase.

Highlights for me were the poems of Dorothy Parker and e.e. Cummings (and many more). Another highlight was the section called "How to Live." Low lights would be the entire "Work" section of the book.

I flagged many, many pages in this book and started thinking to myself that possibly I am entirely done with speaking original words and will now spend the rest of my days quoting poetry.  It certainly would send my social awkwardness rank up a notch or two!


Read this: While curled up in a comfy chair with a cup of hot tea. Also, have some Post-It flags handy. You will find something that you want to remember.

Also, if you read this book, I challenge you not to laugh hysterically at Gregory Corso's poem "Marriage." Specifically the "I deny honeymoon!" part.

Ten on Tuesday: Franklin, IL

Songs to help me remember Franklin, IL

1. International Harvester, Craig Morgan
2. American Pie, Don McClean
3. Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
4. My Little Town, Paul Simon
5. Closing Time, Semisonic
6. Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd
7. All Apologies, Nirvana
8. Daughter, Pearl Jam
9. Glycerine, Bush
10. Don't Take The Girl, Tim McGraw

Much Love Monday: Aprons

 Much Love Monday 

This Monday (and every day always) I am loving aprons. 

Check out these fabulously cute vintage half aprons I was beyond generously gifted with......

The sentimental value makes them too precious to use. I am thinking of having them framed. 

Awesome, no? 

Other aprons I love: 

Previous Apron Post. 
Aprons on Modcloth
Aprons I pinned ~ all from Anthro

Want to join in? Click on the button below:

Friday Finds

Color Me Katie is a blog by Katie Sokoler. She is a "24 year old freelance photographer, actress, street artist and fun maker." I have linked to a post or two of hers before. She is always quirky and fun. If you find your life lacking in color or silliness, I suggest you check out her blog. She is never lacking in either. 


Okay I have a challenge for you. Go to this YouTube video and see how long you can watch it before you can not stand it anymore and must make it stop. I made it 11 seconds. Some dads just should not sing. 


Even bigger challenge, how many Arnold screams can you make it through? I only made it through one. 


Progressive Dinners. Anybody ever have one? I want to hear about it. Tell me your story in the comments. Did it go well? 

The Art of Living Alone

Develop a busy schedule. So busy that when you are home alone it feels absolutely luxurious. 

Make your friends and family your priority. Solitude in excess can lead to selfishness. 

Sleep in the middle of the bed. Sprawl. Contemplate how impossible this would be if not for your solitude. 

When you are cooking or cleaning, think to yourself how lovely it is to eat exactly what you want when you want and how lovely it is to only have yourself to clean up after. 

Decorate at will. 

Be a part of a community. 

Have "In Case Of Emergency" contacts you can trust. Make sure they have all the necessary information about you so that they can actually be helpful. 

I absolutely adore living alone. Do you live alone? How do you feel about it?