I Heart Forsythia

{Courtesy: Fantastic Plants}

I am one of those people where certain sights, sounds and smells inexplicably jerk me back to past experiences and memories in an instant. Forever hopelessly romantic and nostalgic, this is especially true when recalling cherished childhood memories -- crisp spring days, a cardinal's song, the smell of cold grass and the huge forsythia that grew at the corner of the yard next to the small lamp post. To this day it is impossible for me to see a forsythia and not think of my grandma. I think she'd enjoy that about me. She loved her gardens. I wish I was half as good a gardener as she, but the Green Thumb gene skipped me entirely and my sister was born with all of the finesse and patience it takes to be a stellar gardner.

But there is something just so about a forsythia. Just one of those forces of nature you can let go of completely and beautiful things happen without much interference. Just the idea of the stalky, erratic branches shooting out in every direction, covered in tiny bursts of sunlight makes me smile. I do. I love forsythia in springtime.

Something Blue

For the longest time, I vowed to myself that my "something blue" would be my shoes. I love shoes and blue's my favorite color...I thought it original and cute and was all over it. And then Carrie Bradshaw beat me to it. Drat. Then, as if the shoe gods couldn't resist pushing me farther, Manolo made her Something Blues and made them, at about $900, utterly out of my reach. Bah.

So on goes the search for the perfect Something Blue...

{Top to Bottom: Sparkle*, Gail Chatelain, MondeDesign, Wedding Favours}

Home Office Project: Viable Vinyl Storage

My home office/sewing room/hideout is still a work in progress, though I did get one step further on Friday by picking up paint chips from Sherwin-Williams and (possibly) having settled on one of the colors (a very pale blue with just the slightest hint of minty green...I was trying to channel my inner Anthropologie/shabby chic/vintage lover without going all Rachel Ashwell on everybody.) For anyone who knows my design preferences, there is one resounding "must" (and it is a MUST.) Nothing can match. Ever. Now, I'm not saying that carefully selected pieces can't coordinate in delicate perfection. If I am to live in a space blissfully, well then, matchy-matchy isn't invited. With that in mind, here's my dilemma...

Years ago, I became the proud owner of my mom's entire record collection (have I mentioned that she's the coolest person on the planet and has wicked taste in music?) Between my personal collection and Dan's post-DJ days, we have a humble collection of some great records. I want more, but refuse to add to a collection that doesn't have a proper home. An attractive option for properly storing all of our LPs (vinyl records to those who may have forgotten) is eluding me and, shock of shocks, the milk crates just don't cut it any longer!

I've found quite a few posts about Ikea's Expedit open shelving as a solution and it does look pretty cool, I'm just not certain that it will cut it for my dreamy, girly vintage-meets-practical office design concept. But check out this dolled up version found over at Apartment Therapy...I could easily take that same approach and make it work. The vintage wallpaper is a fab addition, isn't it?

{Top: Apartment Therapy. Bottom: Klipsch}

This is a shot of how the smaller unit (my preference) looks chock full o' records. It could work.

Another possible route would be a simple shelving storage unit like this one from Gothic Cabinet Craft -- it comes in a ton of colors, too, which is great. It's a good size and scale for the room (pretty standard 12' square box) and not too tall, either, so I could put my turntable on top, which kills two birds with one stone.

{Courtesy: Gothic Cabinet Craft}

Have I missed a glorious yet-considered alternative? Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I know that there are lots of folks out there still rockin' records...How do you store yours?

MUST HAVE: Personalized Bookplate Stamp

The Paper Princess is seriously one of the cutest web stores I've ever seen. There's so much stuff I love on here it's not even funny! I found it while cruising the web looking for some cool bookplates (and she has a ton of darling ones.) But lookie at what I found! It's a personalized stamper! I LOVE it! If I can manage to hold out until my birthday in August, this is going right to the very top of my wish list.

Leslie offers really cute vintage-inspired paper stuffs, stampers, bookplates, calling cards, stationery...Love love LOVE it all. Another must have is the grocery door hanger. It's tops!

I've Jumped on the Bandwagon...

I know I'm a little late to pick up on the hotness that is the Twilight series, but I've had a few people suggest it to me as my next read. Now, admittedly, I love a good vampire book. That sounds so completely cheesy, but as weird as it is, it's true. I really get into fantasy genre books, along with pretty much everything else I can get my hands on (mostly fiction of all sorts - historical or otherwise.) To say I'm an avid reader is a glorious understatement. Oh. And I read rather quickly, too. Have I mentioned that I read Twilight in, oh, about 12 hours? And that's being generous :)

With that said, I'm picking up the 2nd book of the series New Moon today. And I think I'll pop over to the second-run movie theater to see the Twilight movie (even though I've heard it is an utter disappointment.) I just can't seem to help myself.

So if I post a little less in the next week or so, it's because my time is being doled out into healthy portions of Edward Cullen and the IRS. Who doesn't love tax time? Oh yes, that would be me.

What Classic Pin-Up Are You?

I came across this quiz and couldn't resist! Have fun, ladies! Be sure to drop me a comment with your results!

Me? I'm a Betty...a Betty Grable, that is ;)

Eye Candy: Perfect Pendant

My newest obsession is with resin jewelry. I am all over it. If I can find a moment of free time, this is most definitely a craft I'd like to get into (but I vowed to D. once before that I won't start another craft until I finish my multitudes of unfinished projects...bah.) So, until then, I'll keep drooling over a few of my faves over at Etsy.

{Courtesy: SquishySushi}

I love that these pendants are recycled Scrabble letters and use bits of decorative Japanese papers. When I was in 5th grade, my best friend Kanae was Japanese and she taught me all about origami and Milky candy (yum). All these years later, I'm still a huge sucker for a brightly colored Chiyogami paper and those delicious little milk-flavored caramels.

{Courtesy: Urban Bead}

Did you know that I have a humble collection of vintage posters? They're all repros, of course, but I love them dearly. It just so happens that more than one of them are advertisements for Absinthe, so this bracelet was an easy pick for me.

Oh Yum!

Bob Evan's Deep Dish Cherry Cobbler is back in season! Yay! I need to find a really good recipe for cherry cobbler. I have a killer blueberry bumble crumble recipe from my step-mom...maybe one of these days I'll swap it out for cherries and see how it comes out! Any bakers out there have a killer cobbler recipe that you'd like to share??

Freebie: Paper Pinwheel Template

Sorry for the unintentional mini break, everybody! I caught a case of the busies over the weekend and haven't had a free minute to post anything new.

To make up for my absence, please have a pinwheel!


This darling freebie template is courtesy Heather Bailey's blog. Wouldn't these make the best decorations at a spring garden party, stuck into the ground as a welcome addition to any walkway or even miniature versions atop a tray of cupcakes? I think they would make really fun, whimsical favors for kids' birthday parties, too. Love that bright green polka dotty paper just peeking through!

'Egg'xellent Spring Equinox

Taken today by my friend Blake. Neat, huh!

I saw my first Crocus yesterday and squealed with delight. The birds have been chirping like crazy for the last few days, our yard - both front and back - is raked and ready for some (major) Miracle Gro and the sun is shining more than not. Oh, and I am recovering from the Flu. Not so nice, but it's Friday and officially Spring. I'm not complaining one bit!

Ah yes, the seasons are a-changin'!

MUST HAVE: Let Them Eat Cake

I couldn't sit on this gem of a website...I HAD to share! Specializing in a foray of mismatched china transformed into darling cake stands, Let Them Eat Cake is tops. They are taking recycling to an entirely new level. Lucky for us, the folks over at Let Them Eat Cake are stepping up and giving new life, purpose and beauty to some lovely pieces of china. Based in the U.K., all of us on this side of the pond have to watch the dollar-to-pound conversions, but I'm telling ya. One of these babies would make one heck of a unique wedding gift. Whoops! Did I say that outloud? I guess I've never been one for the fine art of subtlety ;)

Neigh.

Crinoline Beauty.

A Many Splendoured Thing.

Mary Mary.

Not Every Hero Wears a Cape..

Great article sent to me via my momma, who always has great stuff to share:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/a-reluctant-subway-rescuers-tale/

Bravo to Chad Lindsey who is one humble hero.

Mini Bride Flower Girls Kinda Freak Me Out

I have an aunt who was married in the late 1980s and both my little sister and I were in it -- me, as the proud "junior" bridesmaid (donning a miniature version of the adult bridesmaid dress) and my sister as flower girl. The interesting thing about my sister's dress is that it was nearly impossible for my aunt to find a flower girl dress in the same shade of teal as ours. She opted to have my sister's dress custom-made, just so it would match. I believe she ordered yardage of the exact fabric from the dress manufacturer. Smart thinking, eh? I think so.

As darling as a poufy white dress can be on a 3-year-old, it sort of freaks me out to see little versions of adult brides at weddings. Perhaps I am totally alone here, but I just have to wonder how this trend came to be. Why is it that so many brides have the flower girl match them, as opposed to the rest of the bride's attendants? Wouldn't a flower girl be considered part of the bridal attendants and shouldn't she be dressed the same as the others? Has the flower girl role morphed into some living symbolism of virginal purity? See? It's kind of strange when you start thinking about it. Suffice it to say, I highly doubt I'll be going that route with our little flower girl.

Now, I'm not sure folks today would have much trouble finding a perfect flower girl dress in shades other than white or ivory. Google is your friend, here. There are heaps and tons of websites who sell frilly pageant-style frocks, children's formal wear, flower girl dresses and more. Pegeen is a great website for inspiration, but the dresses cost on average $100+. Sophia's Style is less costly, but materials are less sumptuous and colors more limited. Ebay is another really good resource -- after all, how many times do you think that flower girl dress will be worn? With over 12,000 auctions for 'flower girl dress' on eBay right now, you could save a pretty penny if you consider this route (and what parent wouldn't appreciate saving money?)

{All images courtesy: Pegeen}

Sláinte!

{Source}

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

{Source}

Bridal Shoes

Bridal shoe talk is a popular discussion online. Seems a lot of people have some trouble finding the "perfect pair" of wedding shoes. Want to hear something funny about mine? I bought them before I bought a dress. Why, you ask? These stunners were on mega clearance and were not to be passed up! I'm talking Deal of the Century kinda good. It simply had to be done!

But what if you didn't have one of those perfect, planets-aligned, shoe-buying moments? What if you can't find a pair at all, that you like, that don't make your feet scream at you? What's a bride-elect to do? My answer? Look online! Yes, it's a pretty silly answer, but sometimes people miss the obvious outlets and feel like they have to buy all bridal accoutrement from overpriced bridal salons. So not the case, especially with shoes! Options are abundant if you open your search to other sources.

Start at Zappos. I big huge heart Zappos. Honestly, I can't say enough good stuff about this company (and I have insanely high service standards.) They ship super-lightening fast, offer free shipping AND free return shipping, have a ginormous selection of just about every style of shoe you can think of, offer great search criteria for finding the perfect pair and prices are very competitive in relation to traditional retail stores and other online stores. Did you know they have a whole bridal shoe category? If you want to read reviews from other people who purchased a particular style, they have them and they're honest. It's a great place if you don't know where to start, have a hard time fitting shoes or want to get more than one pair to try and return the rest.

Take a bow - options for all budgets:

{Zappos. L to R: Touch Ups Ramona, Stuart Weitzman Porfavor, Kate Spade Hera}

Another guilty pleasure shoe place for me? DSW (aka Designer Shoe Warehouse.) I worked there a million years ago and my shoe wardrobe topped out at around 80 pairs. I've pared back quite a bit since then...hovering right around about half that many (if I include flip flops, boots and all of my black heels.) Yes, it's frivolity at it's finest, but I am coping well with my compulsive shoe buying and won't buy unless it is to replace another in utter disrepair. Incidentally, it's where I bought my own wedding shoe lovelies right off the clearance rack.

Why wear a white rubber flip flop for your destination wedding when you could wear these dolls?

Beachy bridal options, courtesy DSW:

{DSW. L to R: JS by Jennifer Gliss Leather Toe Thong, Caparros Xotic, M by Marinelli Crash}

If you're not opposed to dropping serious cash for your wedding shoes ($298+), you have to check out Cole Haan's Air bridal line. Oh yes, the same technology used in Nike Air trainers is now being applied to fantastic heels. It's about time someone made a truly comfortable heel!

(PS...they make to-die-for work-ready heels, too.)

My faves? A heel height for everyone:

{Cole Haan: L to R: Ceci Air Rose Ballet, Ceci Air Low Sling, Ceci Air Rose Sling}

The Candle Lab: Party Spot?

My mom happened upon The Candle Lab in Worthington last year and got for D.'s birthday one of the best-smelling and cleanest-burning candles I've ever seen. We tend to be candle snobs, so you can imagine our excitement! She had a glowing review of the entire operation -- from service to product, selection, price, everything. Their M.O. is all about "gourmet" soy candles, offering over 120 unique smells.

So when the big fire hit Grandview and their Grandview location was destroyed, along with so many other stores, I was really sad for them. It's a young company and I was worried that it would take a long time to bounce back from the fire. Boy, was I wrong! The Candle Lab jumped onto a primo spot adjacent to Grandview Theater, just a few steps away from Stauf's. Woot!

What's more? They offer "pour your own candle" parties at all 3 locations (Worthington, Gahanna and Grandview), giving everyone an opportunity to mix and match any of the 120 scents to create a custom-blended candle AND you can bring your own food & drinks. Shut up! How much fun would that be for a bachelorette party, as opposed to a "suck for a buck" obnoxious drunkfest? I'm digging The Candle Lab idea tres mucho.

Paying the store a visit is on my agenda for the week. Goodness knows the last thing I need is another candle, but who knows? Maybe I'll come across something I can't live without ;)

Happy Caturday!

And one of my faves just for fun...

{All images courtesy: I Can Has Cheezburger}

Friggatriskaidekaphobia!

I've always got a kick out of superstitious people freaking out over Friday the 13th and how the fear started. Clearly, I don't have friggatriskaidekaphobia -- the fear of Friday the 13th...after all, D. and I are kicking off married life together on a Friday the 13th this year. Though some people have certainly given us some weird looks when we tell them our date, I explain the sentimentality of November 13th to them from my perspective and they get it (but probably still think it's a little weird.) No. We're not wearing Jason hockey masks, not dancing our first dance to the droning midi sounds of the theme song to the movie, nor will this be a goth wedding, but I have been thinking about ways to subtley give a nod to the "bad luck" day...lucky rabbits' feet, perhaps? Maybe if it wasn't so gross.

So, for all of you non-phobics like me out there, happy Friday the 13th! Here's a great article from Yahoo! all about the subject.

If Friday the 13th is unlucky, then 2009 is an unusually unlucky year. This week's Friday the 13th is one of three to endure this year.

The first came last month. The next is in November. Such a rare triple-threat occurs only once every 11 years.

The origin of the link between bad luck and Friday the 13th is murky. The whole thing might date to Biblical times (the 13th guest at the Last Supper betrayed Jesus). By the Middle Ages, both Friday and 13 were considered bearers of bad fortune. In modern times, the superstition permeates society.

Here are five of our favorite Friday-the-13th facts:

1. Fear of Friday the 13th - one of the most popular myths in science - is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

2. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.

3. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

4. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. "It was bad luck," Twain later told the friend. "They only had food for 12." Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

Pythagorean legacy

Meanwhile the belief that numbers are connected to life and physical things - called numerology - has a long history.

"You can trace it all the way from the followers of Pythagoras, whose maxim to describe the universe was 'all is number,'" says Mario Livio, an astrophysicist and author of "The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved" (Simon & Schuster, 2005). Thinkers who studied under the famous Greek mathematician combined numbers in different ways to explain everything around them, Livio said.

In modern times, numerology has become a type of para-science, much like the meaningless predictions of astrology, scientists say.

"People are subconsciously drawn towards specific numbers because they know that they need the experiences, attributes or lessons associated with them, that are contained within their potential," says professional numerologist Sonia Ducie. "Numerology can 'make sense' of an individual's life (health, career, relationships, situations and issues) by recognizing which number cycle they are in, and by giving them clarity."

However, mathematicians dismiss numerology, saying it lacks any scientific merit.

"I don't endorse this at all," Livio said, when asked to comment on the popularity of commercial numerology. Seemingly coincidental connections between numbers will always appear if you look hard enough, he said.

* Top 10 Conspiracy Theories
* News and Information about Superstitions
* Urban Legends Debunked
* Original Story: 5 Facts About Friday the 13th

I'm Ready For My Close-Up...

I'm so excited! We signed the contract today for our wedding photographer! This was of uber importance to us so I am delighted that the choice has been made official.

After looking at so many photographers' websites and seeing portfolios at wedding shows, D. and I both knew we wanted something that captured more than staged, formal shots. We're just not staged, formal shots kind of people. Trying to keep our photo snobbery in check was challenging, too. Trust me, when you know photography and the magic that goes into photo retouching, color balancing and composition, your standards can skyrocket quickly. We both knew we wanted someone we could jive with on a personal level, someone with mad skills and vision and someone willing to try to capture the feeling of our day and turn it into something visually beautiful.

Enter Kitty Maer.

Ah, Kitty. She's a photo rockstar through and through. After wrapping up our initial meeting-turned-2-hour-hang-out, we knew we really, really liked Kitty. She was even was enthused at the idea of our wedding falling on a Friday the 13th and said that she's had good luck with Friday the 13th weddings. Yep. I'm a fan.

Alas, Kitty's personal photography commissions were outside even our budget's chunky photography allotment, but the most amazing news is that she has a sister studio called *Print and has two seriously wicked good associate photographers who deliver the similar photojournalistic, artistic style. What's more? Our amazing, newly-appointed photographer Christa is a graduate of my alma mater CCAD! I can understand her training on a personal level. CCAD is NOT a walk in the park, so she already has my utmost respect for that feat alone.

I considered pirating some images off of their website, but honestly, I just respect them too much. So, please visit their websites at the above links or from The Good Stuff over there on the right. It's worth it, I promise!!

I know it's silly to say this, but I already can't wait to see the photographs. Today is a happy day.

Spotted on eBay: Vintage Rhinestone Shoe Clips

Had to share this eBay find -- $9.99, no bids, FREE shipping -- wouldn't these vintage 1940s rhinestone shoe clips look great on a pair of plain white bridal shoes? Talk about a perfect 'something old!' These would be a perfect addition to any vintage wedding; subtle, classic and feminine.

The Groom's Cake

I came across this great history of the groom's cake on local baker Jan Kish's website. I very rarely attend a wedding with a groom's cake, but I rather like the tradition. Plus, it is a clever way to include an additional cake flavor and infuse a bit of whimsy into your wedding. Want more? Read the whole story here.

Another great idea is to serve the groom's cake at a rehearsal dinner or another wedding event. Perhaps you're having a couple's shower? A groom's cake would be a fun way to involve the man in your life in the traditionally no-boys-allowed event.

"Many couples are designing groom's cakes baked and iced to reflect the groom's hobbies or interests. Original and engaging, grooms cakes have resembled the groom's antique car or cowboy boots, while others in traditional cake shapes have sported hunting scenes or his favorite hole on the golf course.

'Block O' Ohio State Buckeyes Cake
{Courtesy: Cake Dot, Columbus}

In the past, groom's cakes, which were separate from the bride's cakes, were either cut and wrapped to be eaten after the reception, or they were served from another table for those guests who preferred a darker, richer cake.

Vintage Mini Cooper Cake
{Courtesy: Cakes By Kross}

Today, the groom's cake is still sliced and served separately, usually by a member of the wait staff. Some couples prefer to offer the groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner, a fitting time since the groom's family hosts the occasion.

BBQ Cake
{Courtesy: Frosting By Heather}

Whatever time or theme you choose for the groom's cake, it is a charming tradition that adds a distinctive, personal touch to your wedding festivities while honoring the man you just married."

Heineken Bottle Cap Cake

{Courtesy: Jane from Saint Petersburg via Paradoxoff}

(On a personal note, I love the Heineken cake shown above. Back in 2006, I left my career to return to college to complete my degree. I had worked there almost 6 years, so the work friendships I made were sincere. One of my work buddies, who had been relocated to our Florida office, knew when my last day would be and ordered a cake be delivered to the office -- my favorite ice cream cake shaped and decorated *exactly* like a Heineken bottle (my favorite beer.) It was the coolest cake I've ever seen! I know I have a photo somewhere...if I ever find it, I'll get it posted for all to see.)

Wedding Registry: China?

So I have mixed emotions about wedding china and whether or not to register for it. I'm a bit of a sentimentalist and remember being dressed up in fancy holiday frocks and "helping" my grandmother set our huge dining table with her fine china for the occasion. She had it all -- service for 12 (or something insane like that...we have a huge family), little silver olive tongs and every other conceivable table accoutrement, crystal dishes in every size imaginable and white tablecloth and napkins -- all of which were only used a few times a year. They lived in a big hutch in the living room most of the time. Now, the Sentimentalist in me wants to provide that kind of memory for my kids and grandkids. The Practical Me thinks it's silly, unnecessary, we'll never use it and don't have much room for it anyway OR we'll break a piece and it will discontinue and I'll never be able to have a full set (the kinds of things that keep me up at night, by the way.)

We have white Pottery Barn dishes for everyday use. White matches everything else white, so I feel like we've struck some kind of registry lotto because we can pretty much pick anything white and it will work. That certainly makes things a bit easier, if/when something breaks. And I'm over everything matching anyway...that's so...easy and doesn't exude the charm of carefully chosen pieces mixing and matching. Hey, I have eclectic taste. What more can I say?

But then I see this. Vera Wang by Wedgewood Grosgrain. Swiss dots and pinstripes in platinum have me completely undone. And it's one of the less-crazy-expensive options, so I think I'd be more apt to using it with reckless abandon.

{Courtesy Table & Home}

And let's talk about the funky china options...the liberal little sister to the Vera Wang setting.

How cute is Amy Butler's Vintage Botanica? SO CUTE! Alas, it's not exactly the perfect solution for holiday dining, but maybe a couple pieces here and there in the regular rotation? Like dessert plates or something?

Now there's a topic. Dessert plates. Every big event in our house involves dessert. My hands-down FAVORITE fun, original, funky tableware designer Rosanna takes the cake in more ways than one.

{Courtesy: Rosanna, Inc.}

These two examples are more for a Christmas table than anything else, but she knows her stuff when it comes to vintage inspiration. Seriously, look at Chelsea Flowers. I'm not sure tableware can get cuter than that!

{Courtesy: Rosanna, Inc.}

A Type 1's RHETI Adventure

So...in a very interesting twist, D. and I have to partake in one 2-hr. premarital counseling session at our church before we can be married there. The couple who has been together for 11 years finally is going to be analyzed. Yep, this is going to get very, very interesting.

Part of our preparation includes completing a full Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator. A 144-question beast of a personality test. I completed mine over the weekend and, even though I wasn't supposed to do anything but complete the test and email my scores over to the Rev., I felt compelled to tally the scores and find out which of 9 archetypes I fell into (per usual.) There is something I enjoy in learning more about what type of person I generally am and using it as a tool to better myself (or at least lessen my stressors and generally not be a PITA to those around me.) And I love tests. Love love them. And surveys, too. Big fan.

Let me preface this, though. I did "cheat" and I read the backside of the booklet where all 9 types are briefly explained. There was a clear and shining winner...I didn't need to take the test to know it, either. It was so obvious to me that I actually laughed out loud to myself when I was right -- clearly, I'm a Type 1 with a Type 8 coming in second.

Here's a brief explanation of each, in all of their glory (as taken from the Enneagram Institute):

Type One in Brief: The Reformer

free enneagram test

Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.

• Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective
• Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced
• Enneagram One with a Nine-Wing: "The Idealist"
• Enneagram One with a Two-Wing: "The Advocate"

Key Motivations: Want to be right, to strive higher and improve everything, to be consistent with their ideals, to justify themselves, to be beyond criticism so as not to be condemned by anyone.

Type Eight in Brief: The Challenger

free enneagram test

Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their Best: self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others' lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.

• Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others
• Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life
  and destiny)
• Enneagram Eight with a Seven-Wing: "The Maverick"
• Enneagram Eight with a Nine-Wing: "The Bear"

Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.

So in a nutshell, it's interesting rediscovering yourself through this test. They have free, shorter versions available online. Give 'er a try and see if you're a Type 1 Reformer like me =)

Recipe: Banana Bean's Bananas Foster French Toast

{Recipe courtesy Capital Style & Banana Bean Cafe. Photo: Columbus Foodie}

For the French Toast
1 French baguette, stale
1/4 c. unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
4 eggs, large
1 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. vanilla or Madagascar bourbon

For the Bananas Foster
1/4 c. unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
1 c. brown sugar or turbinado sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 c. dark rum
1/4 c. bourbon
4 bananas, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces

Combine the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon and vanilla; whisk well. Slice baguette on a bias into slices approximately 3/4 in. thick. This should create 12/-16 slices. Dip baguette slices into custard mixture and saute in melted butter on both sides until golden. Reserve warm.

Combine butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in a large skillet or saute pan over low heat. When sugar has melted, add bananas and saute briefly until they soften and begin to caramelize. Using extreme caution, flame the pan with the dark rum and bourbon over medium heat. Allow flames to die down and sauce to reduce slightly.

Divide French toast slices on four plates; spoon bananas foster equally over all. Garnish with seasonal fresh berries and mint, if desired.

(I haven't made this yet, so if you make it, let me know how it goes! I'll post any amendments or notes to the recipe if you find it needs any adjusting. Thx!)

Vintage Manicure Spotted!

I went to see The Watchmen last night with D. You can only imagine my utter surprise and joy at seeing (the original Sally Jupiter) Silk Spectre rocking a perfect vintage half-moon (aka reverse French) manicure in the movie! The scene where I best noticed it was maybe about 1/2 way through, when a group photo is being taken. She moves her hand up to her eyes and laughs. Take note of her hands - her nails look amazing! Red polish with bare moons AND tips. Simply stunning. What a fantastic detail to include in the movie. I'm impressed!

For those who are curious about how I enjoyed the movie, I liked it, but didn't love it. Great intro, costuming, some great acting and cinematography, but I felt it was too long and dragged a bit.

Reminder: Daylight Savings Time Begins This Weekend!

{Courtesy: 80s Tees}

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour before you go to sleep on Saturday, March 7th.

Officially for 2009, Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 8th at 2 a.m. -- 3 weeks earlier than previous years. Interestingly enough, this new date was made to boost energy savings. According to an NPR.com article: "The bottom line is that it's going to save energy," says Fred Upton, a Republican congressman from Michigan who pushed the change. "For every single day that we extend daylight-saving time, we would save the energy equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil."

I don't know about you, but it works for me! Bring on Spring!

The Magic of a Good Hat

Oh how I love the English sometimes. Well, most of the time actually, given that my entire soon-to-be family-in-law is English! But there is one thing in particular that I love about the English. Something they do and do well...and that's the hat. Fascinators, hats for Ascot, hats for weddings...I'll take the whole lot. Most of the ladies in my family, as spurred on by my tremendously feminine mom, wear hats to her lovely tea luncheons and garden parties simply because it's one of the only occasions we can do so comfortably. Why is it that we Americans don't generally wear dress hats more often? Hats have that je ne sais quoi, don't you think? A lady in a fabulous hat always encourages a second glance. Not to mention...they are so fantastically classic.

Wedding circa 1921
{Courtesy Fashion Era}

The Queen - Quintessentially Classy

{Courtesy: BBC}

{Courtesy: Nigel Rayment}

{Courtesy: Ilda DiVico}

Little girl's fascinator...too cute to leave out!

{Courtesy: Nigel Rayment}