Starting the new year out right

New year....new hair. This is actually Christmas 2006. I don't ever remember my hair being that color, but I rather enjoy it. I think it is time for a change. Poor Ashley. She really is patient with my constant indecisiveness and 4 hour hair appointments. No one should have as much hair as I have been cursed/blessed with. In fact, my mother-in-law asked me if I had fake hair attached the other day. We got a pretty good chuckle.

The hubby got a new computer. Apple called and it's official....the old one is dead. Luckily, the hard drive was in tact and we were able to salvage everything. In my mind things should just work forever and when they don't it is just so frustrating. In the computer world his computer was ancient and I guess the situation could always be worse.

I don't really believe in making resolutions for the new year. People always say they are going to go to the gym or start eating right or stop procrastinating. Why do you need to wait until the beginning of a new year to decide to do those things? You should just do them all year round. Anyway, I decided that I did not read near enough books last year. In fact, I only read 5 of the 20 or so books that I bought at the Friends of the Library book sale in February. I read other things instead. Mainly things people loaned me and said "you have to read this". I can't seem to say no. So, unless I ask you to borrow a book please don't loan me anything to read. As you can see I have my hands full with last years books. That being said, I challenge my other half to a read off. Who can read the most books in a year. Are you up for the challenge, Mr. Nash?


Hope everyone has a safe and happy new year. We will be spending it with Wayne and the Flaming Lips. Darn good way to ring in 2009!!

Childhood flashback

I ran across these earrings on one of my new favorite sites this morning. Look familiar? Yup, those are the Lego flowers. I used to love Legos. Fond memories emerge when I think about playing with Legos. It was pretty much the only thing both my brother and I could play with.....together. I remember discovering my first Chickenpox while playing with my friends Lego town. I might add, still have the scar under my left arm. It was the most impressive Lego spread I had ever seen. I remember wondering how long it took someone to put that whole town together and how many Legos it must have taken.

I am thankful for.....

1. New seasons of Nip/Tuck, Scrubs and Big Love
2. DVR
3. Chap Stick with menthol
4. Vanilla Coke - it is totally refreshing
5. Hobby Lobby - the husband hates this place but I could look around for hours
6. Internet Christmas Shopping (the gold star goes to Amazon for their speediness)
7. iPhones - I swore I would never have one, now I really do see what all the hype is about
8. My mother-in-laws sugar cookies
9. Caller ID on your TV - How lazy can they make us? Now you don't even have to get up to see whose call you are going to ignore
10. Heated car seats
11. Flannel jammies
12. InStyle magazine
13. The yummy bread and garlic infused olive oil from Vito's
14. Christmas socks
15. Uggs - because it's COLD!!

In all seriousness, this is definitely the time of year that makes you thankful for the things that REALLY ARE important. Family, friends, a home, heat, a warm coat, hot meals. The list could go on and on. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas!!

Savory Wreath

The perfect Christmas wreath for a chef. Complete with rosemary, thyme, bay and chili peppers. I would really like to have this nontraditional wreath for my kitchen. I bet it smells fantastic! Maybe I can talk Alanda into making me one next year.

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A!

An early Christmas gift from the ol' hubby. It is so shiny and pretty.

***I wish you could get a better look at his favorite ornament in the background. The "Proctologist Santa" as he so kindly refers to him***

Not Your Typical Christmas List.......

A fellow friend/blogger and I were discussing lists the other day. I love lists. LOVE them. I make several every week. Just ask Zach. There is something so gratifying about getting organized and then crossing off a completed task. I get that from my mother. I think that is one reason my husband and I compliment each other so well. Hubby = creative, Wife = organizer/keeper of the schedule and all things that require appointments. We make a good team. I digress. I decided to blog a few lists. One about music and the other about things I would love to have and maybe someday will. You may find them mildly entertaining, at the very least I hope it gives you some new tunes to check out or rediscover.

My top 20 songs of 2008:

1. Tegan & Sara - Back In Your Head
2. Kings of Leon - Manhattan
3. Ray LaMontagne - You Are the Best Thing
4. The Stills - I'm With You
5. Coldplay - 42
6. French Kicks - Abandon
7. Fleet Foxes - Winter White Hymnal
8. Vampire Weekend - Ottoman
9. Band of Horses - Our Swords
10. Tokyo Police Club - In A Cave
11. Elbow - Grounds For Divorce
12. Kate Nash - Merry Happy
13. Mates of State - The Re-arranger
14. MGMT - Time to Pretend
15. Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
16. Death Cab for Cutie - Your New Twin Sized Bed
17. Radiohead - House of Cards
18. Frightened Rabbit - The Modern Leper
19. The Black Keys - Psychotic Girl
20. We Are Scientists - After Hours

Things I would like to have:

1. Old Gringo cowboy boots
2. Black leather Coach purse
3. Another bathroom in my house
4. Diamond Right Hand ring
5. Leather chair with matching ottoman
6. Laptop
7. Long winter white cashmere coat
8. Trip to Spain
9. Shopping trip to NYC
10. Black studded Patricia Field belt from SATC

I heart coffee!

We got this as a wedding gift. A french press is the way to go if you are a serious coffee drinker and have time to spare in the mornings. A close friend has one and made me the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted. I can still remember the orange mug I drank it out of. The glasses are equally as cool. Thermal. Great gift idea.

We Will Become Silhouettes

I saw this on one of the sites I frequent this morning and it caught my eye. I can't believe these things are still around. My grandparents had something very similar in their house. Their framed silhouettes faced each other. I always thought they were kind of creepy.

Side note: In honor of Thanksgiving here is a piece of trivia I found to be extremely interesting. I was listening to NPR at lunch (The Splendid Table with Lynne Rossetto Kasper) and they were squashing urban "thanksgiving" myths. Most everyone knows that turkey contains an amino acid called Tryptophan which is believed to make us sleepy. Apparently, turkey contains no more Tryptophan than chicken, cheddar cheese or pork. Chances are it's not the turkey that is making you tired but the amount of food that you are intaking. That being said, Happy Thanksgiving!

Tutus are awesome

Anyone who knows me knows that I love my friends children like they were my own. In each one of my friends children I see a part of them. Amanda took this photo (Zach does not get the credit this time) and I just love it. How can you resist that face? They will be home from Florida for a visit next week and I am really looking forward to spending some time with them.

Update

After visiting four Targets this weekend, I officially own my size in the Sigerson Morrison Black and Silver Studded shoe pictured below. I even got them on sale! Thanks to everyone that actually looked for me.

Sending many wishes of a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy some turkey, stuffing and travel safe.

Thursday Randoms

I saw these shoes in Lucky (great magazine) and am obsessed with owning them. The perfect NYE flat. Fashionable yet comfortable. And comfort will be a must since the hubby and I are going to the Flaming Lips NYE Bash Downtown. They are sold out on Target.com and I can't find them at either of the stores by my house. So, if anyone runs across the black & silver pair in a size 10...well, you know what to do!

Dillard's has the greatest tights right now. And they are on sale. Great patterns that I haven't really seen on tights before. I wear them a lot in the winter. Great alternative to the boring black pant.

I can't believe this is real. Any woman who saw Sex and the City has heard about this. Bag Borrow or Steal. It is the Netflix of the handbag world. I enjoyed looking around on the site. You can rent the bags by the week or the month. Check it out.

Spending Sunday night with Coldplay

Once again, they did not disappoint. I really love this album. I heart Chris Martin and his dance moves. Go buy it if you don't own it.

For the lazy cook

If it's good enough for Rachael Ray then I definitely want one!

Cowboy boots, Weddings & Outlet Malls

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Royal

We stopped in Austin to have lunch with my friend Tami and do some shopping. We stumbled into this great Western store and I decided to try on a pair of Old Gringos. Beautiful boots (not pictured). While Zach was helping me yank off the boot, it brought back a memory of me helping my dad pull off his boots after a long work day.

Texas has the most amazing outlet malls. I have been to my share of outlet malls and they usually suck. The one we stopped at in San Marcos was a "designer" outlet. I was in heaven. BCBG, Neiman's, Kate Spade, Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, and the largest Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma I have ever been in.

Alanda

Zach snapped this photo of Alanda on Halloween. I really like it...although she may kill me. No one ever likes photos of themselves so I fully expect to hear from her. I think it is a beautiful photo that perfectly captures her upbeat personality and wonderful smile.

Twilight

I am a little embarrassed to admit for a month I was completely obsessed with this series of books. They can be found in the "young adult" section at Barnes & Noble. I was originally drawn to them because of their beautifully designed covers but, never bought them because of obvious reasons. It wasn't until several co-workers talked me into giving them a try. I read the first book in one day and was completely hooked. Everywhere I go I see people reading these books. I saw a lady at the airport reading the third book and she had a least 20 years on me. In a matter of a week it turned into the Harry Potter (for girls) craze. The movie is set to release November 21st. I am not even sure I want to see it anymore. After all the craziness surrounding the popularity of this series....I think I would like to keep my thoughts on how I perceive the characters to look to myself. After all, is that not what makes reading so much fun?

Yes we did.....

VOTE

There is no excuse. My intention is not to sway your decision. I just feel strongly about exercising your right. Under Oklahoma law, employers must give employees two hours to vote during the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. polling period. So you will have to come up with something better than that :)

Ash & Allison

Zach took family pictures of The Klepper's a few weeks ago. We were both pleased with the outcome. This was my favorite photo of the day. That face....how can you resist it. Zach will post the full session on his blog when he is done editing. Check back soon.

Wedding Bands

How cool are these? Custom-made. I love the idea of having your spouse wear a ring with the others fingerprint. It is so romantic!

Pizza and a Movie

Layni and I went to go see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist last night. So cute! I would highly recommend. Michael Cera's character is so nerdy and lovable. Great music throughout the movie. ***Thanks for the soundtrack, buddy***

Next on the list, W. I love Oliver Stone movies. I heard him on NPR last week. Man, that guy will say anything and isn't afraid of pissing people off. I love that.

Our heads are enormous!

A good friend made this for Zach and I. We laughed VERY hard. Enjoy.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

A Birthday and an Anniversary

To you on your 29th year




To you on our second anniversary

Check it out

A co-worker sent this site to me. Pretty cool idea.

Sleeve Face

Anniversary

Before

After

For our 2 year we bought each other landscaping. Romantic!

Edmond

TJ Maxx
Talk about a face lift. It looks great in there. I walked in and was pleasantly surprised. It needed it. Especially, if they are going to expect people to pay $300 for a “discounted” Michael Kors purse.

Home Decorators
Is going out of business. Really? I really didn’t buy a lot from them. Overpriced. I hear everything is half off. Might be some deals if you are willing to fight the Edmond traffic (and construction).

Chick-fil-A
I grabbed some lunch there today. They are a well oiled machine. The drive thru process is quite sophisticated and very quick. They have a gentleman outside with a clipboard writing down your order on an index card. You hand that card to a person on a cell phone and they read off your order to someone inside. You pull through and pay. My food was ready and waiting for me AND piping hot. All this in less than five minutes. I was impressed.

Fall is here

I am really into the big wrap scarves right now. My parents brought me back a cashmere one from Italy. **Yes, I am aware of how snobby that just sounded**

Vote

Watch this. It is worth the five minutes.

These will be mine.....

Ta dah!

I decided to start a blog. Like everything, I am always the last (it seems) to catch on to the latest internet trends. But, here I am at the coaxing of a good friend that called me snarky. My purpose is to post things that I find interesting, important, a good deal, or just plain old funny. I have no intention of using this as a forum for things of serious magnitude (except when I talk about the importance of voting)…..as this is supposed to be fun for all involved parties. I have my wonderful and talented husband to thank for the design of this site. I hope you will visit often and hopefully I will keep you intrigued. Happy reading!