Home Sweet Sarah

30 Little Things : 2 : The best Christmas present I ever got

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Sarah

The day after Thanksgiving 2006, my family and I stumbled upon a Zinfandel tasting at one of our favorite local restaurants.

After some (bottles of) wine, I dragged my dad to the jewelry store next-door* and begged him to buy me diamond earrings.

A month later, on Christmas, I opened these:

These earrings are better than the ones I picked out in the jewelry store, though. The diamonds belonged to my great-grandma Adele and my parents had them reset (in a martini setting) for me.

Whenever I’m feeling sort of “Ugh, I have NO jewelry to wear!” I slap myself back into shape and remember, when in doubt, just wear diamonds. I wear these diamonds a lot.

*About six months later, in a similar situation (this time fueled by Bloody Marys), I’d drag my new boyfriend Chris into this same jewelry store and try on engagement rings. Four months later, I’d be engaged. That jewelry store is good luck.

(For background, and to keep updated on what I’ve accomplished in the 30 Little Things project, click here. Also, follow Sensibly Sassy, Barbetti, Ready for 30, Maura Lessa, Vicki, Kristie, Just Expressive, and Penny as they play along too!)

Posted in 30 Little Things | 8 Comments

Zero to Forties

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Sarah

When I first found out I was pregnant, I thought I’d do these cute weekly updates where I tell you all about how I’m feeling and compare the size of my fetus to a fruit or a vegetable.

As time has gone on, though, I’ve realized no one wants to hear about my bloody sphincter and as cute as it may be to compare my baby to a banana or a mango, it’s actually more confusing than anything else. One week it’s a butternut squash, the next week it’s a carrot, and what the hell, are we using organic vegetables one week and non-organic the next? Plus, those cute little comparisons end with a watermelon, so I’m sort of over it.

Anyway, I’m still pregnant. 23 weeks and 5 days if you want to be exact.

So far pregnancy really hasn’t been too bad to me and if it weren’t for the not drinking and the NO FUN EVER! YOU’RE NEVER GOING TO HAVE FUN AGAIN! and the recent development of not being able to breathe after every meal, I’d venture to say I love being pregnant. But, see above (all those things.) So no, I don’t love it.

Something that’s surprised me that I expected to be way, way worse is the unsolicited advice. I don’t know if it’s because I generally surround myself with cool people – both in real life and on the Internet – who give good advice, or because I have a sort of eff-you-and-the-horse-you-rode-in-on attitude when it comes to unsolicited advice in general (most likely a combination of the two), but the whole unsolicited advice experience hasn’t been too bad.

What’s funny to me about all the advice, though, is that – while I certainly DO appreciate the good advice, don’t get me wrong – it all seems to be newborn- and baby-centric. And it’s not that those aren’t important times that are hard to get through, but you know, one day our daughter is going to be smoking drugs and drinking 40s. I just hope she doesn’t get arrested. But hey, if she does, she’ll have two people who can give her plenty of first-hand advice about THAT.

Posted in She's Having a Baby | 9 Comments

It takes a village

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Sarah

It occurred to me that while I’ve certainly owned up to my makeup addiction here before, I’ve never actually shared my whole arsenal with you. Probably because it’s a little embarrassing excessive. See?

But I swear I use (almost) everything in there! With the exception of the lip stuff (which I’ve really pared down over the years – I am just not a lip-makeup-wearer) I use every last piece of makeup in there on a semi-regular basis.

Here’s how the case is organized (working in a standard top-to-bottom, left-to-right clockwise figuration):

Upper left, top: Lip stuff (lip brush, lip liner, a couple glosses, all of which are 10+ years old, all of which should probably just be thrown away)

Upper left, bottom: Face stuff (pressed powder, shimmery stuff)

Lower left, top: Face stuff (blushes, bronzer)

Lower left, bottom: Face stuff (moisturizer I never use, eye cream, concealer)

Middle, top: Tools (brushes, scissors, curler, tweezers)

Middle, bottom: Eyeshadow palettes

Upper right, top: Eyeshadows (green-hued)

Upper right, top-middle: Eyeshadows (black- or grey-hued)

Upper right, bottom-middle: Eyeshadows (brown-hued)

Upper right, bottom: Eyeshadows (beige-hued)

Lower right, top: Eyeshadows (purple-hued)

Lower right, top-middle: Eyeliner (Laura Mercier gets her own special spot)

Lower right, bottom-middle: Tools (eyeliner sharpener, mirror, matches (for those pesky, dried-out eyeliners))

Lower right, bottom: Mascaras and eyeliners

WHEW. That’s a lot of makeup.

Here’s the makeup I use the most, though (again, using a standard top-to-bottom, left-to-right clockwise figuration):

– CoverGirl clear mascara (to keep my rowdy eyebrows in check)

– Maybelline The Turbo Volum’ Express mascara (not my favorite, unfortunately. I used to think I had mascara SOLVED, but then my old standby, Maybelle Volum’ Express Turbo Boost mascara sort of shit the pot, so I started trying other brands/formulas, to no avail. Last time I bought mascara, I tried to buy the old standy, but either they were out of stock or they stopped making it, so I went with this one because the name was so similar. I don’t love it, but it’s working for me for now.)

– M.A.C. eyeshadows in Shroom (for all-over, highlightification) and Satin Taupe (my very favorite eyeshadow shade ever.)

– M.A.C. eyeshadows in Nehru (black matte) and Embark (brown matte.) (I use these for eyelinering or as base colors when I’m doing a smokey eye.)

– M.A.C. eyeshadows in Moth Brown (stolen from my aunt years ago and unfortunately, I think it was a limited edition color) and Green-Smoke. (I use these for a little bit of all-over color or as crease colors when I’m doing a smokey eye.)

– M.A.C. eyeshadows in Beauty Marked (shimmery black), Black Tied (looks shimmery maroon, but goes on shimmery grey), and Trax (purple, but not in a you-look-ill sort of way.)

– Amazing concealer in Light Golden and M.A.C. Fast Response Eye Cream

– Laura Mercier eyeliner in Black Ebony and special flat eyeliner brush

– M.A.C. PowerPoint eyeliner in Engraved

– M.A.C. Select Sheer Pressed Powder

– M.A.C. Sheertone blush in Pinch o’ Peach

– Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother in Shimmer

And there. You. Have. It.

Like I said, excessive (and a little embarrassing.) BUT! So much fun and 100%, absolutely necessary. Of course.

Posted in Beauty & Fashion | 7 Comments

30 Little Things : 1 : My work space

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Sarah

I assume we’re talking about my at-home work space, not my work-work space. (This blog is supposed to be a happy place and my work-work space makes me angry, what with its ill-placed door and loud copy machine.) So, this is a picture of my living room, where I “work” when I’m at home…Writing blogs, eating dinner, watching all my DVR’d shows…You know, important stuff.
I’m sitting on this couch as I type, pausing this important work only to fast-forward through the commercials on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

I should have taken a before picture of the room, because there are several new items of note (big TV, zebra rug, gold mirror!) but just imagine the before as being really, really boring. I have a few more touches I need to make (turquoise throw pillows, something colorful and fun for the mantle), but other than that, this room is pretty much perfect. On to the next!

Posted in 30 Little Things | 8 Comments

30 Little Things

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Sarah

My girl Sarah over at Sensibly Sassy posted a blogging prompt/project/whatever you want to call it and I thought I’d jump on her bandwagon. A lot of the prompts (listed below) seem like they’d be perfect for picture-related posts and since I desperately need to start using my fancy new camera, I thought I’d turn it into a photo project of sorts. Plus, it sounds reminiscent of my 30 Little Things project from a couple years ago (except with actual focus, which I so desperately need these days), so there you go…Bandwagon a-jumping!

I think the initial point of the project was 30 Posts In 30 Days, but we all know THAT ain’t gonna happen, so it’ll be more like 30 Little Things In However Long It Takes Me To Complete, Probably Like Six Months Or Something.

Here are the prompts, which I’ll tackle in whatever order strikes my fancy:

~~Your work space~~
~~The best part of your day~~
Something you refuse to do
~~The last book you read~~
~~Meaning behind your blog name~~
A talent you wish you had
~~A photo of you without makeup~~
~~The last item you purchased~~
Something that makes you sad
~~15 facts about you~~
Your favorite thing right now
~~The best Christmas present you ever got~~
Your favorite teacher
Something you’re thankful for
~~A photo from your childhood~~
Something you crave
Your worst hair moment
~~Your favorite smells~~
The last time you cried
The last time you had to apologize to someone
Something that scares you
Something that really bugs you
What you dislike most about your appearance
Your celebrity crush
A trait you deplore in others
A photo taken 10 years ago
The first book/movie/song that moved you
What turns you off
The story behind one of your scars
This one was left blank, so how about you pick it and I’ll stick it? (And if you can name the movie that’s from, I’ll pay you ten dollars.)

Posted in 30 Little Things | 5 Comments

I got goalz

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Sarah

Since it’s a new year, I thought I’d make some resolutions (or resos, as we call ’em in the biz), although I’m not really resolving to do anything differently, as much as I’m just making a list of stuff to do. So, here are some things to do this year:

1. Read a book a month. Some people I know (Elizabeth, ahem) read hundreds (literally, HUNDREDS) of books a year. This amazes and impresses me, as I think I read, oh, maybe four or five books last year? While I was always reading something, I certainly wasn’t burning through the books (clearly.) So this year, I’d like to read a little more. Which means I need to get through the last 60 pages of “Pride and Prejudice” in the next 20-ish days. (Help!)

2. Learn all the capitals to all the countries. I already know all my state capitals, but only a handful of country capitals, so I’d really like to learn them once and for all. I don’t really know why, or how it will help me in the future, but I love geography, so I figure this would be kind of fun (or something?) Anyway, I’ve learned two so far already! Nuuk, Greenland and Yerevan, Armenia. Only 190 (or so) more to go.

3. Expand the garden. This should be an exceptionally fun job, as I’ll be about eight months pregnant when it’s time to start the garden and it’s already completely overrun with weeds, but at least this is my last year of weeding. Next year I can just stick the kid in the garden and let her weed. (That’s why people have kids, right? Free labor?)

4. A bunch of house stuff, that I don’t even want to put into a list, because it’s so overwhelming, but includes re-doing the kitchen on the cheap and buying some final pieces of furniture and art and painting the master bathroom and and and…

5. Unplug. I’m addicted to my phone and I really, really need not be. I’m constantly plugged in throughout the day, so I just need to put the phone away once I get home from work. If I had a nickel for every time Chris asked me, “What’s going on in that iPhone world?!” and I answered with, “Looking at pictures of so-and-so’s dog…” or “Seeing what who’s-a-what’s-it is making for dinner…” well, I’d be rich. So, no more Internetting at night. Or at least, less Internetting at night. (Tonight doesn’t count!)

Well, that’s all, she wrote! What are your goals/resos/to dos this year?

Posted in All About Moi | 5 Comments

Little boxes, little boxes

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Sarah

We’re at the stage in the game where we’ve started planning the kid’s room (I refuse to call it a nursery, because the word nursery sounds kind of fruity to me and anyway, a nursery is where you buy plants) (and when I say the kid’s room, I really mean a nice place for me to hang out, as I’m pretty sure the kid isn’t going to give a shit about her room…I mean, can kids even see anything before the age of two? Three?*) and I use the word “planning” very, very loosely, as here’s what we’ve done so far:

Me: LIME GREEN!

Chris: Yeah! Lime green!

Me: And purple! Dark purple!

Chris: Yeah! Purple!

Me: No pink; I hate pink.

Chris: Yeah, no pink! If I wanted to raise a pussy, I would name her Doctor Quinn or Medicine Woman.

So, we’ve chosen a color theme — lime green and dark purple, my two favorite colors — and here’s the part where I scour the Internet for cute lime green and dark purple items and I come up completely empty. Did you know if you’re having a boy, his room should be blue and if you’re having a girl, her room should pink? I thought in 2011, there would be choices. I thought kids wouldn’t have to fit into nice neat little pre-determined boxes. I thought wrong.

I get that my hating pink is in no way unique and it’s not even that I hate it, really — baby girls in little pink clothes, there’s nothing cuter, really — I just can’t get past the fact that pink and blue are the only choices we have. (Sure, I could throw money at the problem and have something custom-made, but dammit if that doesn’t go against everything I believe in — which isn’t much…Basically it’s spend as little on this kid as possible. Between childcare and feeding her and putting clothes on her back, she’s really going to be cramping my style, financially. Mamma likes nice things.)

I guess there’s really no winning here. I definitely don’t want anything over-the-top or special, but I (still definitely) don’t want anything standard and pink. I don’t want to put a lot of money or work into her my the room, but I also have very specific things I don’t want and things I do want and usually specificity like this means cash money.

Obviously I know we’ll find something that works for all of us, something that looks nothing like this (that was one of the guest rooms when we bought this house) and all will be right with my world. But for now, it’s aggravating as all hell. The man is bringing me down, man!

*Chris, that was for you.

Posted in She's Having a Baby | 9 Comments

Poker! But I don’t even know her!

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Sarah

(Ah, an oldie but a goodie.)

Someone’s finally decided to make her presence known around here. A couple weeks ago, I was jolted awake by a little something something poking my insides (although to be honest, while I’m totally counting that as a baby kick, I fear it was actually just pangs of YOU NEED TO GET UP AND PEE NOW. AGAIN.)

After that, I started poking around a little bit to see if I could get the kid riled up enough to punch or kick me again and it worked! Of course, now she’s little miss active up in there, although unfortunately, she seems to be most active when I am not. Like at 11 o’clock at night. I normally like to be in bed by 9:30 PM or so (yes, I’m a 100 years old) and yet every night around 11, she’s poking away, doing jumping jacks or the Macarena or something. (God, I hope she’s not doing the Macarena. I don’t want to her to be a dork.)

Here’s the thing about baby kicks, though. They’re not cute. Everyone speaks of these “baby flutters” and they make it seem like they’re cute and feathery and enjoyable. They are not. They’re uncomfortable and, quite honestly, make me want to throw up. (And to think! Just a week ago, I made it my life’s mission to poke my belly and elicit movement from her! What a fool.)

But listen, before you all have the chance to tell me, “THEY’LL ONLY GET WORSE!” (the Internet loves to tell you how things are ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE, doesn’t it?) trust me, I know this. I’ve watched the freaky-deaky YouTube videos (like this one, thanks Marie!) where the woman’s belly looks like it’s been inhabited by an alien. I have watched these videos and THEY SCARE ME.

But hey, if there was any doubt as to why I’d given up drinking the past four months, at least now there’s confirmation.

Just kidding, here’s my confirmation…Look at these little baby feet!

I have four feet right now! Trippy.

Posted in She's Having a Baby | 11 Comments

Merry Christmas…

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Sarah

…May your day be filled with strong cocktails, lots of food, and as few obscenities hanging over Lake Michigan as possible.

Love,

The two (point five) of us

Posted in Family, Holidays | Comments Off

Twenty-ten: The year in review

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Sarah

It’s time to review 2010! Was it a good year? I do not know, let’s see, shall we? (Here’s 2009’s review, for referencing purposes, although why would anyone but me care about how 2010 compared to 2009, I have no idea.)

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Got pregnant. I’m sure there were more things, but that was the first thing that came to mind.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year I resolved to read more books (something I resolve to do every year) and I also said I wanted to remember and acknowledge people’s birthdays/anniversaries more often.

I guess I’ve done better at remembering birthdays and anniversaries. At least, I tried to. Family, friends, survey says?

As for the reading, I’m always reading something, so I consider the resolution fulfilled. I also decided recently I need to read some actual classics, like, uhh, literature, and am currently plodding my way through reading “Pride and Prejudice.” So, my resolution for 2011: Finish “Pride and Prejudice” before May.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! My aunt just had TWO babies a couple days ago and my BFF gave birth in April. BABIES!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?
NONE. How sad.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you didn’t have in 2010?
Aww, last year I said I wanted a baby. Ask and you shall receive, Sarah.

In 2011, I would like a new kitchen, but that probably won’t happen.

7. What dates from 2010 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
(God, I hope she doesn’t mention her baby again…)

September 9th…My parents’ anniversary…And then day I found out I was knocked up.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
It’s been a goal of mine in the last couple years to say speak up when my sanity is in question and/or when something is bothering me. Of course, I don’t say everything I’d like (I do know when to rein it in!) but this year, I definitely got the balls to say what’s what. Feels good.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don’t think I failed at anything, but I would like to do more of what I love and I haven’t even begun to look into ways to accomplish that.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I just bought a zebra-print rug for the living room and I love it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I think Chris is always a cool guy, but especially recently, as he’s almost solely taken over the cooking as I lay around exhausted and cranky. AND he still says I’m hot, which is a total lie, but a lie I don’t mind hearing.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one’s! I hung with cool cats this year.

14. Where did most of your money go?
This house. But at least we got new flooring to show for it.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I got really, really, really excited when I found out I was having a lady baby. I thought FOR SURE it was a boy and while boys are cool and all, having a girl just made me SO EXCITED. Cute outfits and trips to Sephora and, when she’s a little older, someone to share a bottle of champagne with. Can’t wait.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
“We R What We R” by Kesha. I told Chris the other day, “I have a song I think you’ll love! It sounds a little Daft Punk-ish” and then I played it for him and he started singing along, “Hittin on dudes…HARD.” Listen to that song, I dare you not to love it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
A) Happier.
B) Bigger, ugh. Babies grow, apparently.
C) Richer, YAY.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Same as last year: See my family. I don’t get to see them enough, not nearly enough.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worried and stressed about crap that doesn’t involve me. Why should I care, you know?

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Well, today’s Christmas Eve and we’re just hanging around the house. Chris has Christmas Eve off for the first time since I’ve known him, so this is quite the luxury. I plan to just hang around, watch TV, cook, and eat for the whole weekend.

21. Did you fall in love with 2010?
Eh, not really. 2007 was still the best year when it comes to being truly AWESOME, but 2010 was still pretty cool.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
This is sad, but I still love all my Housewives. Especially my Atlanta ladies.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hah, yes, I have an arch-nemesis or two.

24. What was the best book you read?
To be honest, I don’t think I read anything that was superlative-worthy. Give me some suggestions!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I may be totally late to the game, but I’m really digging Regina Spektor and Mumford and Sons these days.

26. What did you want and get?
I wanted a baby and I got one. Or am getting one. Whatever.

27. What did you want and not get?
See: New kitchen. Some day, some day.

28. What was your favorite film of 2010?
Am I the only one who thought 2010 kind of sucked cinematically? I don’t think I saw anything super-duper great…Funny, serious, or otherwise.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Chris and I went to San Francisco this year. I drank a lot of champagne, went to dinner, and watched the Olympics. It was a good start to 27.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
You know, it was a good year; I really can’t complain or find anything that would have made my year better. More money? Eh, probably, but that’s a given.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2010?
Leggings.

32. What kept you sane?
There has been no sanity up in here for the past 4+ months. Before that, it was the same as last year: Alcohol.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Occupational hazard, nothing gets me riled up anymore.

34. Who did you miss?
Family man, family.

35. Who was the best new person you met?
I met some cool Internet ladies in person. It’s always nice to put a face to a you-know-everything-about-their-life-already name.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Just do what you want; who gives a fuck what other people think.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Still not lovin’ police” — Dr. Dre

Posted in All About Moi, Holidays | 6 Comments