too much?

My 20 year high school reunion is in early October and I am starting to think about what I will wear. I love this, but is it too much for a reunion? Something more subdued perhaps? Help.

i want this

I could hang it in my office at work...now that would be ironic.

Find it here.

too funny

If you are so inclined, you can buy it here.

happy anniversary

Our wedding anniversary was last Thursday, August 14. We have been married for 15 years. It's hard to believe it. We've been through undergrad, grad school, countless jobs, three houses of our own and two wonderful boys (also our own). It has gone by in a flash. I wouldn't change a second of it.

food for thought | literally

Ever wonder how many calories that burrito has or how many fat grams are in those tacos? Well, the dudes over at Chipotle Fan have a cool interactive nutrition label that can answer those burning questions. You can punch in what you usually order and it will spit back all sorts of fun facts. Now there's a way to really bum yourself out.

Okay, don't be mad at me. On the bright side, the recipe for the cilnatro-lime rice can also be found there. Enjoy!

p.s. my secret? order only two tacos. you'll thank me.

photo courtesy of chipotle.com

i rock!

I just scored 30 out of 34 in the font game. Yay for me!

feeling a bit snarky

In a effort to keep the less, shall we say, candid posts (see Tuesday's rant) from appearing on SaucyMom, I have collaborated with lovely friend Dame Courtney on a new blog called Vive Helen! The blog isn't all about snark, however. Think of it as a virtual cocktail party with all your best girlfriends.

Dame Courtney (DC) and I have been plotting for ages to get a "girl group" together made up of all of our wonderful lady friends. See, she has tons of cool friends and I have tons of cool friends but none of them really know one another. The idea is that we would all meet on a regular basis at a fun restaurant for happy hour. Then her girls could get with my girls and we could all be chums. We've had a hard time pulling it off, though. I think we needed the proper inspiration.

Enter Vodka Has No Carbs. See DC wasn't really hooked on the blog thing yet. I kept telling her about all of the funny stuff I was reading knowing that since we share the same sense of humor should would get a kick out of them. A lot of the ones I look at have mommy humor and while I love it, she is still a saucy single with cute boyfriend so I hadn't found just the right one to get her in. Then I starting reading VHNC and I was laughing so hard I was crying and co-workers were peeking their heads into my office to make sure I was okay. I sent her the link immediately. Same reaction. She was hooked. That's what I'm talking about.

Okay, so the funny chicks at VHNC have a great post featuring Helen Mirren (okay, go look at it now, I'll wait...)

Can you believe that? Is she amazing or what. Is she something to aspire to? I love her. We love her. That was it. She was our mascot. She was what we needed to get this party started.

So there you have it. Vive Helen! is born. It's a place to hang out with your girls. Chat it up. Rant a little. You can even send us a problem and we'll run it by our virtual Helen and see what she comes up with for you.

And, if you are interested in authoring a post or two, shoot me an email at marcy[at]wackerdesign[dot]com and I'll get you the hook-up.

scary movies

Christopher Lee as Dracula

I was waiting for it. The scary movie aftermath. Jackson was very sheepish when I got home from work last night--quiet and slightly withdrawn. I could tell something was up. When it was time to go to bed he said he had to poop but didn't want to (why must my boys hold it?). I thought, "Aha! That's what it is." I said "do whatcha gotta do, kid" and left him to make his own defication decision. He decided against it.

He willingly got on jammies, listened to the story and the lullabies and kissed and hugged me good night. Just as I was shutting the door he said, "Mom, if I think about bad things will I have bad dreams?" I get a lot of last minute questions and comments just before the bedroom door closes at night, so I figured this was just another routine stalling tactic. I told him not to think about bad things, to think about good things and have good dreams.

"Okay, mama..."

Less than ten minutes later the bedroom door creaked open and he stepped into my office where I was doing some work at my desk. Without looking up, I asked him what was wrong.

"Do you know why I can't go to sleep?" he said quietly. And then he burst into sobs.

"Because we watched Goonie's today at summer school and it was really scary. I didn't want to watch it but they made me and there were bad guys and I'M SCARED!" I knew this wasn't a routine diversion. I looked through the streaming tears I could see his beautiful brown eyes with pupils as big as saucers. This wasn't stalling, this was terror. And it all came flooding back.

When I was about seven years old I watched a Dracula movie one cold and sunny Sunday afternoon. I remember sitting on the floor in front of the t.v. but not much else about the situation. I don't remember the plot and I don't remember why I was left alone and allowed to watch it. But I do remember Christopher Lee's terrifying face. That night I could not sleep and I am not sure that I ever did. I do remember lots of calling to my mom and back and forth to her room for comfort. I do remember vividly how scared and was. I could see that in Jackson's face last night and I felt for him. I absolutely HATED being scared. I think he gets that from me. Owen seems to like it, so we may never have to go through this with him.

I told Jackson he could stay up with me and watch The Colbert Report--funny always counteracts scary. He was so relieved. After the show was over I told him I would lay down with him in his bed until he fell asleep. He did in about 3 minutes.

Christopher Lee has been in many, many movies since that scary 70's Dracula camp. Everytime I see him, I always think of that day and night. To me, he will always be Dracula.

cute dress and new shoes!!

Check out this cute little dress from Ananya at etsy.com. And only $40!

Also, I bought these shoes yesterday and I love them!!

family modern?

I popped over to mydeco.com after reading about the style finder quiz on How about orange... for giggles and apparently my style is "family modern". I was slightly offended at first, but after I read this, I had to agree:

Your home confidently embraces the many needs of busy, family life. It's adaptable and easy to live with, reflecting your sense of style without having to banish the kids to the attic or basement. You're sensitive to elements of design such as colour, light and architectural detail, mixing items that are relatively disposable with other pieces that in time will become family heirlooms.

What style are you?

kidstuff | etsuko fuyura fabric

This fabric isn't just for kids, but I am thinking of the boys room. Owen's going to figure how to escape from his crib any time now and I am going to need to get him a bed. I've been pre-planning by trying to find some fun but not too kiddy-cutesy bedding for what will be their matching beds. All of the really cool stuff is way out of my price range. But then I saw this great fabric! I feel a duvet cover coming on. And another project. How do I get myself into these things?

stuff i love | linen covered boxes

I am totally into boxes right now for some reason. It must mean something: feeling boxed-in, needing boudaries, who knows? Anyway, these linen covered boxes from Netto look very fun. And they are helping me get my yellow and gray fix.