Too Many Memories

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I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the cheesiness that is the Backstreet Boys. They were uber popular when I was a tween. Of course, I always turned up the TV when their video came on MTV. I even remember talking with my middle school bff which one was the cutest one. Yes, I picked Nick. (He's not so cute anymore.) I was a total sucker for their sappy lyrics. When All I Have to Give popped up on Pandora, all of those ridiculous middle school memories surfaced. The video includes all of the fantastic late 90s music video trends: the white suits with the different colored button down shirts, the fedora hats, and the wavy fabric backdrop. Love it!

Summer Crafts: Marble Magnets

*Inspired by Megan at Not Martha

Summer Crafts: Terrarium Ornaments

*Inspired by Amy Merrick's Terrarium Ornaments

"You Know, You Really Are...Fantastic"

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A bunch of our friends have raved about Fantastic Mr. Fox. I'm a huge Roald Dahl fan and have read a bunch of his books even some of his adult fiction. I wasn't familiar with this story though. The movie is visually stunning. The details in the setting are amazing. I love how the movie maintains the mischievousness and cleverness, which are common themes in all of Dahl's stories. The actors who did the voices were very well cast. Jason Schwartzman as Ash was genius. My only problem was the characters themselves. I really wanted to like the Fox family, especially Mr. Fox and Ash. I just didn't fall in love with them even when they attempted to redeem themselves. I would still recommend watching it for all the other reasons.

Art

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Throwback Tuesday: Fly - Sugar Ray

Buzz Buzz

*Look at the bottom of the boxes. Buzzz...

Wee Bit Red

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I'm a wee bit embarrassed to say that my hubster and I don't have cable. Yes, we have a TV. As a matter of fact, we have two. No, we don't have an expansive DVD collection. We don't need to. Thanks to Netflix and Hulu, we have managed to evade the cable man and the dish man. We stream our favorite TV shows through Netflix on our Sony Blu-Ray player and Roku. No commercials. No reruns unless we want them to happen. For shows that aren't on DVD, enter Hulu. We keep up with all our favorite reality shows like Hell's Kitchen, Housewives, Pawn Stars, and Jamie's Food Revolution. Woot!

Why should I be embarrassed if we can keep up with our friends and co-workers' conversations? Well, when someone wants to watch something like the World Cup games or the NBA finals. We're not useful at all. This awkward conversation resumes:

Friend: So, have you been watching (enter name of sporting event)?
Me: Nope.
Friend: Do you want to?
Me: Sure. We can find a bar or something to go to.
Friend: Oh...that sounds like fun or we can just watch it at your place.
Me: Ummm...we don't have cable. (laughs nervously)
Friend: Oh...

Even though we have to have to have those conversations, I heart my friends for being very understanding. Actually, I think it's a real benefit to not have cable. We're more inclined to spend time talking to each other or doing fun things outdoors. Maybe, I'll just have to stop being embarrassed.

Wannabe Martha

I was raised on Martha Stewart. I thought my dream kitchen and craft room would look just like her open airy sets. I thought everyone measured every ingredient and put them in little matching bowls. I loved her themed shows, especially the holiday ones. Who wouldn't want to make little spiders out of pretzels and chocolate?

As I admired Martha for her cleanliness and creativity, I would bug my mom to try out some of her projects with me, at least the edible ones. My mom was definitely more of a Martha spectator than a Martha imitator. What about me? Once I was able to drive myself to Michaels, I became a Martha imitator and have been one ever since. My strengths include card making and scrapbooking. I found some adorable card ideas at Impress.

My New Music Crush

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I'm totally smitten with Mike Posner. I love his spins on familiar hit songs. My favorites include Still Not Over You and Halo. I also love his original songs. The song that started it all was Cooler Than Me. It's so clever. Not too sure how I feel about Drug Dealer Girl though. Can't love everything about somebody. That's just how love goes and this is love.

Sometimes

Sometimes, you have to really believe that you did the best that you could.
Sometimes, you have to know when to let people take care of you.
Sometimes, you have to find the right song and leave it on replay.
Sometimes, you have to hide in your haven of happy thoughts.
Sometimes, you have to welcome the unexpected.
Sometimes, you have to know when to let go.
Sometimes, you have to find your own voice.

But you always have to keep your heart open.

*This is for you. You know who you are. My superstar!

My Souvenir

My hubster isn't the best souvenir finder, especially when he goes on his business trips. It makes sense though. He spends all his time doing those important things that he does. He usually ends up trying to find me something at the airport. Instead of coming home with kitsch, he brings pictures. Love it!

Catch Up: It's You!

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I mentioned a few posts ago that my friend, Mychal, came for a visit. When he hopped into our car, this is the conversation that we had.

Mychal: Hey, it smells like crayons in here!
Me: Hmm? Crayons?
Mychal: Yea. Why? Oh! It's you!
Me: Oh...probably. The hubster says that I smell like crayons and little kids after work.
(Everyone laughs.)

Mesmerizing

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On Monday, we went to watch Imogen Heap. I was beyond excited. I told all of my music aficionado friends that we were going. The general consensus was, "You're going to have such a good time. I've heard she's fantastic live." With that endorsement, I couldn't wait for Monda. She had three opening acts: one local acapella group, a violin duo, and a solo guitarist. The violin duo and solo guitarist also performed with her during her set. I thought it was nice of her to give them their own time in the spotlight. However, it felt liked their sets dragged on forever. We even had intermission before Imogen came on.

Once she came on, it was well worth the wait. Her voice was amazing. It was so interesting to watch her put together each song on stage. There were a few slip ups, which she handled with grace and humor. She explained little details of her equipment and the context or inspiration for each song. I loved how she's inspired by sounds in nature and her family. For the set list, she had fans in each city vote for their top 12 songs. Isn't that great? She also did an improv song on stage, asking the audience for a key and a melody. I highly recommend seeing her if you ever get the chance. It was one of my favorite concerts.

*Special thanks to my hubster. I know you needed subtitles all night long. Thanks for sticking it out for me. I wouldn't have wanted to share that evening with anyone but you.

Got the Gimmes: Dreamer Camera Strap

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*It will be mine asap!

Inspired By: Slinkachu

*His blog

Throwback Tuesday: Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton

*Click on the photo for the video

Scenic

Dear Universe

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Dear Universe,

Yes, I know I'm stubborn. Yes, I know I'm accustomed to getting what I want from life. Those aren't the most pleasing attributes. They don't make me the easiest person to deal with. However, I hope you will be a bit more kind to me in the future. These lessons that I am learning now are invaluable. They are making me a better person, and I thank you for that. Thank you for helping me learn how to turn pain and disappointment into acceptance and hunger--a hunger to be better, to work harder, and to smile more.

love,

Bea

Happy Daddy's Day!

I heart my daddy. Whenever I say or act like my dad, my mom says, "You are so your dad's daughter." Yes, I am, and I'm proud to be. Thank you daddy for my love of the ocean, my interest in seeing the rest of the world, and my taste in dipping my food in any dips.

Boys of Summer

My BiL came down for a mini visit. I love having him around because it's like having a real big brother. I'm an only child, so it's still new for me. It hasn't lost its novelty yet. *wink* While he was here, we got to have some duo bonding time before my hubster got back from his business trip. We went on a massive sunglasses hunt and quest to find a place to watch the Lakers' game. It was really awesome to get to know him better. He and my hubster are so alike in so many quirky ways that it's ridiculous! Love it.