kismet & company

i have a reason to sing

2010-05-03T08:52:00.001-04:00

wild at heart

2010-04-20T22:30:00.005-04:00

well, i did it today. i have been in the process of trying to figure out wordpress & i think i'm finally comfortable enough for it to be my official blog.

i have imported all my posts from here over & now just need to do a few more adjustments. both blogs will still be active for a while :)

new address: kismetandcompany.wordpress.com

going through the photographs

2010-04-20T12:48:00.005-04:00

so i am officially the worst at remembering to take pictures.
over the weekend i went to the beach for formal & have no picture to show for it. oops....

remember the post about david carson the graphic designer? we were given the task to design a poster for a gallery show of our designer of choice. i turned in my first digital draft this morning, here's what i have so far:

i think i'm going to tackle my website this afternoon at work, after these 2 long hours of religion class.....

(p.s. that is a david carson quote, i'm can't make up cool quotes like that)

this butterfly tattoo

2010-04-19T12:24:00.000-04:00

miss independent

2010-04-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

hmmm today.

this morning was rough. i only slept 5 hours, which is typical for me now since i have to be at work/school at 8 am (except wednesday's when i get to be lazy & come in at 9:30) & i don't usually fall/go to sleep till midnightish or later.
i'm leaving right after work to head to cary to see my grandma, so i packed last night, but taking my bags out & down to the car this morning was a chore. i also didn't like anything i tried on & changed my shirt 4 times & my sweater twice :( i feel boring in my clothes today but i guess you can't win em all huh?

i did however have enough time between my animation class this morning & my religion class this afternoon to get a manicure (really needed it/wanted it).

check out my new color, jade is the new black by opi.

it matches the writing on my starbucks cup well.

clothes make me happy_ 4.14.10

2010-04-14T16:51:00.005-04:00

i've decided to start a new type of post. clothes that i wear. i love clothes & think this could be kinda fun. we'll see....?

denim skirt: red camel, belk juniors department (& on sale)
green tshirt: target
yellow sweater: frenchie, nordstrom
shoes: converse (sorry you can't see them, check them out on my sisters blog)
belt: from a trip to romania summer 2008, i wear it a lot.
jewelry: bangles & bracelets & rings from an assortment of places

pretty little thing

2010-04-14T16:15:00.000-04:00

okay, so i'm just going to make a list of "loves"
(numbered but in no particular order)
1. lilac & ivy (from my post earlier today)
2. headbands & flowers for your hair, i've gotta get back into wearing them more often.
3. the number 5
4. fun skirts & dresses
5. rockstar diaries (check out this headband)
6. converses (shoes in general)
7. twitter
8. new words (well new as in not overly used)
9. bangs, i wish i had my straight across bangs again, just sometimes i don't want them.
10. my new hair color (i did it last week)
11. my small group from elevation
12. taylor lautner, i just can't get enough
13. fly through our window, the kids are just adorable, check out today's post especially
14. linking things (i just thought of this one)
and of course....
15. my sister

you're my virginia bluebelle

2010-04-14T10:20:00.000-04:00

thought this was a happy thing to start the day & the post with.

i have a new favorite daily blog read. it's been on my blog roll for a few weeks now, but have very recently turned into one of the blogs i specifically look at to see if there is a new post. check it out: lilac & ivy. not to mention the use of ampersand in the name.

i decided today was the day to post my new must read blog because of today's post inspired: 01.14.10. i'm even wearing my converses today, before i even saw this post too :)
ps... the white sangria from the previous day's post sounds delicious, i'll have to try it out soon.

in keeping with yesterdays post about my funk, i think i am making good progress towards using my time better & feeling like i'm actually doing something with my life. other than wonderful blog posts (check out my blog roll, they're all amazing blogs) I really enjoy listening to past sermons from my church. i missed last weeks message (where are they now? part one: one hit wonders) & listened to it yesterday, i highly recommend it.

i hope to be back later today, it is my long day at work with some inspiration (or at the very least some beautiful pictures).

you save me

2010-04-13T12:44:00.000-04:00

i have a problem. i am obsessed with shoes. i love them.

we had a huge yard sale back in october & i did very well going through my clothes & purses to sell, i ended up with about 5 or 6 purses (yes i have bought more since then), i sold probably 15. that freed up a lot of my closet space (i've been downgraded from a huge walk in closet to one that you definitely can't walk in to....).
anyways, i tried very hard, but i could not sell any of my shoes. just couldn't. i have shoes that i do not wear but i still love them.

i got these on friday.....i wore them saturday, sunday, monday, & today (tuesday). i think i like them, alot.

lately i've felt a little overwhelmed but i think i'm getting a grip on it. i'm spending more of my time actually being productive, not just wasting it thinking about things that don't actually matter that much. i'm still working on getting out of my funk, but a blog title caught my eye, the funk. it is simple but helpful, you should read it. my new resolution, i'm not going to focus so much on myself & what i think is wrong, because it really doesn't even matter that much.

just got my afternoon pick me up coffee (a raspberry soy latte) & my religion class is about the start.... until next time

there you'll be

2010-04-12T20:51:00.003-04:00

everybody needs inspiration, everybody needs a song

2010-04-12T17:46:00.005-04:00

last week sarah & i had a movie date.

"Truth only means something when it's hard to admit! Don't you get that?"

i wish i could come up with comebacks like ronnie.

all along i knew it was you

2010-04-12T15:54:00.001-04:00

this was just too cute

nothing to say, don't even try

2010-04-12T10:09:00.004-04:00

leaving it all back in arizona

2010-04-11T22:31:00.008-04:00

we spent the weekend at the beach again, it was beautiful, mostly relaxing, but i was super unproductive, go figure. i did however get a forced perspective photograph (the one of my beautiful sister to the right) today for one of the classes today & just finished an interactive animation game for my other class tomorrow. i am needing/wanting to re-edit the video i made a few weeks ago but i have almost exhausted looking at the computer (& i'm going to be looking at the computer all week).... so that might get pushed back a bit.

i've started researching the graphic designer david carson, for a project i will be doing in another class. he is very interesting & i love his work.

have some more work to do tonight, so i'll leave you with a fun new moon picture :)

is that the best i'll ever be

2010-04-07T14:52:00.000-04:00

21 things you maybe didn't know about me :)

i love bananas.
i cannot stop myself from checking taylor lautner’s people.com page almost everyday. (i will defend myself in saying i’m in front of the computer all the time because of work & school, so sometimes i just need to get away from coding & typing) obviously i have a jacob black obsession.
i love the smell of pineapples.a
i’m lactose intolerant.
i love old names, the more granny sounding the better, i love grandma sweaters too.
when i eat a banana there has to be at least 4 pieces of the peel, if not one piece is too big.
i think the number 5 is the best number.
i love make-up. sometimes i wear too much but hey, who cares?
i wear black a lot. i have what i call “johnny cash” day at least once a week.
i’m in art school & hate (well hate is a little strong but... you get the point) color. everything is better black, white, or grey.
it bugs me when people spell grey with an a, i think it should be spelled with an e.
i love water & black coffee.
i have a new fascination with clif bars, they’re super good & keep me full feeling.
i love to read blogs.
i’m actually a huge nerd.
my guilty pleasure is taylor swift music, it just makes me happy.
it really bothers me if i think that people don’t like me.
i love to eat & i have a major sweet tooth.
i like really big mom cars/suv’s.
i regularly call people out for having “blonde moments” but i have them all the time too.
i went to europe almost 2 years ago & cannot wait to go back.

i'm working all day today, which is a time i can sometimes get a lot of school work done. but not today, i'm not feeling productive & since it is the beginning of the quarter who cares? i went to walmart on my lunch break to get hair dye since i had this desire while sitting here this morning to dye my hair. i chose clarol natural instincts, the color is called cherry creme. you can use this dye on your dry hair which was it's selling point. i usually use natural instincts but not the creme. i cut through the clothes on my hair to the hair dye and stumbled upon a whole section of twilight/new moon/eclipse stuff, so of course i stopped. i have enough self control to not wear the tshirt with jacob black's face on it but i was intrigued by some bracelets with jacob inspired charms on it..... i carried them around the store, to the hair dye, over to the clif bars (i got chocolate brownie to try this time) until i decided just as i reached the check out they were ridiculous, even though i still wanted them, i put them down....

was it what you wanted?

2010-04-06T22:20:00.000-04:00

_casa_de_isabelle_ sister's gotten the kitchen fever

2010-04-06T15:02:00.007-04:00

so we know i love kitchens. whether it's because i love food, so in turn, i love kitchens, or because it's a gathering place for the family, or because kitchen gadgets & appliances can amuse me for hours, i don't know. they just make me happy (& hungry).

my sister just posted kitchen love and it made me happy (because they're kitchens). i can't wait to have a house/apartment/flat/cottage whatever someday (hopefully sooner rather than later) & the kitchen will be one of the first places of decor/design focus.

i found this little ditty to the left here. it's so cozy feeling, we love exposed beams in my family and the nook feeling i just love. i would probably have to change up that carolina blue paint though.... a nice mixed berry jam color anyone?

what if i tried a little harder

2010-04-06T12:12:00.002-04:00

won't you climb on out of your window while the world's sleeping?

2010-04-05T21:30:00.001-04:00

from wanting you back.... i've felt it all

2010-04-05T19:57:00.005-04:00

remember my new years resolutions? well, they’re kinda funny because i have only kind of completed one of them! i know! i’m a bit ridiculous. but, more recently i have been working on a few of them more, kind of.

saturday i ran my first 5k. i had two goals for the run.
1. run the entire thing, no stopping.
2. run in under 30 minutes.

i met both of my goals, and in running the 5k i met that resolution. i will admit i haven’t been doing the best regulating the coffee and diet coke intake, oops. i’m trying to cut the diet coke more, because well although it’s not caloric, it’s not healthy with all the acid, but i have decided that since i do not put cream in my coffee, it’s not that bad for you? and i drink a lot of water!

the eating healthier has been an up & down journey. but lately, except for the weekends, i’ve done fairly well i think. mom said my legs (aka my butt) looks a little slimmer.
willpower has gone alright as well, since i’ve kept up with the running more recently & the weekday eating healthy, i’ll give myself a b for that one!

i need to start a new devotional though, soon! we might be doing one through my elevation community group. speaking of, i missed it because i was at the beach but on sunday (easter!) elevation had their first ever easter experience, 11,500 people, 18,000 donations, & 700 salvations. wow, sad i missed it. you can hear it too

hmmmm well, i’m exhausted & we’ve only been back at school for a day....

you can't fence that in stupid boy

2010-03-30T20:18:00.000-04:00

there's something about the way the street looks when it's just rained

2010-03-29T16:14:00.003-04:00

today has been filled. even though i feel like i've accomplished nothing. i cleaned up the upstairs living room & my room, tried to do a little shopping, went to the eye doctor (so if there are some misspelled words... oops, sorry, eyes are still dilated & i'm currently typing with my sunglasses on) & i still have running on the agenda for later.

i'm starving right now & have no idea what to eat, it's too close to dinner to eat a lot, oh, tough decisions.... :) stumbled across this little ditty earlier, thought it was adorable. but for now, i'm going to get back to being my lazy self for the day :)

i'm just a girl

2010-03-28T16:06:00.005-04:00

it's spring break, finally. i do have to work tuesday thru thursday, but they that's not too bad. anyways, i'm really going to try to work on coding for my blog over this week break, so i can have a more customized look..... we will just have to see how this goes :)
i have made a serious effort to run before this 5k next weekend.... a mile and a quarter yesterday plus another quarter mile walking, today i did a mile and a half and another quarter mile walking. i figure if i add a half mile every other day and a quarter mile each day in between now....

monday, two miles
tuesday a two and a quarter
wednesday two miles and a three quarters
thursday three miles
friday three miles and whatever else i have energy for
saturday, race day... 3.1 miles

i can do this :)

like you imagined when you were young

2010-03-28T14:41:00.001-04:00

one more candle & a trip around the sun

2010-03-25T11:08:00.005-04:00

today is my sister's birthday! get excited. in honor of her day i have compiled a list of the 26 best things about her. there are more, i just decided 26 because she is turning 26 today :)

dream a little dream

2010-03-21T23:19:00.004-04:00

so, i'm currently taking an audio/video class that has sufficiently stressed me out. but i just finished my final project & although the editing needs some work, this is my first video class & 2nd edited video.... so here it is. the song was written by my friend from college tyler, lyrics included below.....

we will hope from elizabeth bond on Vimeo.

Tomorrow We Will Hope

Broken pieces of days I've known
I sweep my mind clean of them
I take all the memories, the good and the bad,
Making room for new dreams unseen

I know you're out there
I've seen your face
I just need a little trust
And we can sing today

So let's hope, like we've never hoped before,
Dream a little dream
And know that it can be something more,
We'll run, like we've never been so free,
Cause yesterday is a memory,
But tomorrow, we will hope

For a long long time, I ran to another
Forcing every friendly smile
But now I see you and all other's disappear,
You must have been my dream all the while

I know you're out there
I've seen your face
I just need a little trust
And we can sing today

So let's hope, like we've never hoped before,
Dream a little dream
And know that it can be something more,
We'll run, like we've never been so free,
Cause yesterday is a memory,
But tomorrow, we will hope

So let's hope, like we've never hoped before,
Dream a little dream
And know that it can be something more,
We'll run, like we've never been so free,
Cause yesterday is a memory,
But tomorrow, we will hope

she will be loved

2010-03-20T12:31:00.000-04:00

the open summer breeze will sweep you through the hills

2010-03-20T11:01:00.008-04:00

in preparation for the birthday party, which i know is still 125 days away, i have been looking for owl inspired pastry's and such. found this recipe from bella online & altered the colors a bit to fit my party...

chocolate puff pastry owls
makes 24
ingredients:
one 17&1/2 oz package of frozen puff pastry (2 sheets)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
48 dark chocolate discs (wilton candy melts)
24 whole cashews
pink & yellow m&m's
directions:
1. take the puff pastry sheets from the freezer 30 minutes before assembling the owls.
2. roll one of the sheets on a lightly floured pastry cloth to a 12x12 inch square.
3. mix the sugar & cocoa powder in a small bowl.
4. brush the pastry lightly with the egg mixture, then sprinkle liberally with the sugar/chocolate mixture.
5. roll up each side tightly to the middle, brush the middle with a little of the egg mixture to make the rolled sides stick to each other.
6. cut rolled pastry into 12 equal slices.
7. sprinkle some of the sugar mixture on a flat plate & press each of the pastry pieces into the sugar mixture (only the bottom side - don't turn over to coat top) while flattening with your fingers.
8. transfer each of the flattened pieces to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. repeat with the second pastry sheet.
10. when all are flattened, place the sheet in the freezer for about 15 mintues or in the refridgerator for 30 minutes.
11. pinch the top corner of each to resemble an owl.
12. bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 7 minutes; remove from the oven, brush with the egg mixture & press a chocolate disc on each side to resemble eyes. press a cashew in the middle for the beak.
13. return to the oven & bake until the pastry is crisp & brown, 3-5 more minutes.
14. remove from the oven, press an m&m in the middle of each chocolate disc & cool on racks.

i'll probably try this sometime before the party as i have learned that pastry's are a bit hard to make after the apfelstrudel i made for christmas, it turned out but was a bit of a stresser there for a few minutes :)

i also found these super cute cupcakes from hostessblog.com and it sparked my memory that i got a cupcake stand for christmas that has never been used! so, along with the cake there will eb cupcakes! not sure if i will just stick to the owls or use the flowers & birds as well, we'll just have to see. in keeping with my number 5, i have decided that there should be 5 different desserts..
1. cake
2. puff pastry
3. cupcakes
4. cookies
5. ...... any ideas on the last one?

found this adorable owl shaped cookie cutter at chio creations for only $1, should i get some greek letter ones too?

must get back to this awful video project i'm doing, it's stressing me out & party planning was helping to destress, going to get coffee soon & maybe a little snack too :)

today was a fairytale

2010-03-19T16:56:00.005-04:00

it's not technically the first day of spring until tomorrow, but it's gorgeous outside (an new moon comes out on dvd at midnight tonight)! & i'm inside next week is finals & my music video for audio/video is testing my stress level right now. i think i'm just going to call it quits for today (on this project at least)....

just checked out my blog roll for today (for the first time, i've been super busy) and the title whoo whoo wants cake by my owl barn caught my attention because of my recent decision to throw myself (yes it's lame) an owl themed birthday party this year (i love owls)....

see.... it is too cute :)

the original cake idea was also courtesy of my owl barn but i think i like this new one better! i have decided to incorporate my number 5 into the party as well.... i don't think it will be so

in other news, i got a surprise message this morning from sunshine (i know it's a super ridiculous name but it's a long story), i wasn't expecting that until sunday night & it made being up at 8:15 worth it, you don't know how many times i wanted to pull out my phone this week to send a text to him when i was stressed.

for now, i'm packing up my bag (which reminds me, i've gotten a lot of compliments on it lately & it was a free gift with a calvin klein perfume, love it when that happens) and heading home, probably getting a coffee (iced for the hot day) & working on something productive (hopefully), before heading back out to amelie's french bakery in noda with my community group from elevation. sorry for all the links, but everything i've mentioned today is totally worth linking :)

oh, it's after 5, i'm late getting this firewire cable (that didn't help me at all....) back to the cage, must run!

19 & crazy

2010-03-18T20:00:00.004-04:00

owls & the number 5

and 4 ampersands.....

photos from a vintage wedding photographed by feather love photography originally posted on my owl barn

did you know i love owls & the number 5?

sweet thing

2010-03-18T09:19:00.001-04:00

with eight seconds left in overtime

2010-03-17T22:45:00.001-04:00

....and in a parallel universe, it's me you can't resist

how can i decide what's right when you're clouding up my mind

2010-03-17T17:26:00.002-04:00

apparently today is a day of picture posts.....
say something, anything.
spiteful words can hurt your feelings.
but silence breaks your heart.

you should know

2010-03-17T15:08:00.002-04:00

just this way

2010-03-16T07:43:00.002-04:00

_casa_de_isabelle_ hold up

2010-03-12T13:54:00.003-05:00

so i know there are already 2 probably not very interesting posts today, especially the last one, but we all get our little indulgences, but i just saw this picture of this room from this blog and i actually said "hold up, I HAVE TO HAVE IT" (well how it is painted anyway)....

so i don't need a nursery anytime soon... i need a wedding dress first and even that's pretty far off, but i'm first of all in love with the black wall, second the stripes on the ceiling are amazing, and third, having 3 different surfaces in one room.... too cool.

photo is Jenna Lyons design, from High-Heeled Foot in the Door.... thanks to both of you for this, it's making my last few hours of work a little better :)

hey white liar

2010-03-12T13:27:00.003-05:00

so i told you i was going to be twilight saga times a thousand until the dvd comes out, i found this little owl (which i love) i had saved before valentine's and... it made me think of this jacob black quote:

why don't we just dance

2010-03-12T09:17:00.008-05:00

lately i love love love love love my brown dan post cowboy boots. they were a hand-me-down i received my sophomore year of high school from my aunt, they were a little too small for her. i wore them occassionally until college where i've worn them into the most comfortable pair of shoes i own (that includes my koolaburras). i probably wear them at least three times a week, with jeans, dresses, skirts, leggings, just about anything. they're a little sad looking with all the scuff marks but i will wear them until they fall apart, and i don't think that they will....

i also have a pair of red abilene boots that i'm trying to wear more often (it is a little hard to wear red with everything)

as i was having a twilight saga over indulgence yesterday (i worked from 7:30 to 2, i had a right to) i came across this still from new moon. it made me laugh hysterically, i loved this scene, probably just because i'm a little (a lot) obsessed with jacob black. so until the new moon dvd comes out on the 20th.... i'm probably going to have lots and lots of twilight inspired posts and tweets.... i can't help it :) i'll leave you with this for now:

supermassive black hole

2010-03-11T23:11:00.005-05:00

the first full length eclipse trailer..... yes i may be obsessed, but eclipse was my favorite of all four books.....

and who wouldn't want someone who looks like taylor lautner telling you they're in love with you?

you were pretty as can be

2010-03-11T17:50:00.009-05:00

i just decided what i wanted my next birthday to be. i've not had a big birthday party before & i don't want big, i just want a party.....

moodboard

inspiration: a blog post from my owl barn

cake: also thanks to my owl barn

more to come later :)

those pictures that i saved of you

2010-03-11T08:38:00.003-05:00

you know what i just realized really sucks? when you have pictures you love, just sometimes the people that are in them drive you crazy.

these pictures always seem to be the ones where my hair looks super cute, they are amazing places, or they're just really good candid shots.

i want to look at the pictures but i don't.

i've got a lot of those kinds of pictures.

letters that i threw away

2010-03-11T08:15:00.002-05:00

just take the fall, you're one of us

2010-03-10T14:46:00.004-05:00

guess what was officially released this morning.....

the first eclipse trailer. there is also supposed to be one before remember me, which premieres this week.....

_casa_de_isabelle_ kicthens & coziness

2010-03-01T21:21:00.008-05:00

as i'm watching the bachelor
i have been perusing through countryhome.com
& found these wonderful photos :)

love these kitchens & dining areas
as well as the cozy little bedroom below!

you wore a dark grey tshirt

2010-02-26T14:28:00.001-05:00

we'll run like we've never been so free

2010-02-25T19:38:00.003-05:00

i have this major desire to go to europe right now, england, ireland & scotland. i just loved europe when i went (almost 2 years ago!) but i'd like to try a different region this time, one that has indoor plumbing preferably? (don't get me wrong, the outhouse was an experience).

i also really want to go hiking right now, haven't done that since the europe trip either **side note: that's me in the carpathians.

in other news, i have decided that all guys should only be allowed to wear what i have decided to call non-colors, black, white & grey. please direct your attention to taylor lautner, he gets it.

everything i need that i never knew i wanted

2010-02-25T18:00:00.001-05:00

on & on & on & on

2010-02-21T18:43:00.007-05:00

things i want right now

1. coffee
2. a glass of wine (not with the coffee)
3. a new pair of skinny jeans that don't sometime make me feel fat (i've worn my black ones two days in a row now because i put my denim ones on & i just wasn't feeling it. i had to wear skinny jeans today because i wanted to wear my overly sparkly jeffrey campbell flats & wearing anything with them but skinny's or tights just wouldn't do them justice.)
***side note: these are the jeffrey campbell miami sequin in multi color, just picture them in black & silver :)
4. to write a letter to someone
5. for this writers block (that is speech writers block) to go away. i have to speak about the negative effects of junk food tomorrow & i just can't get my thoughts on paper..... or on msword
6. a free week, class just doesn't seem like anything i want to do this week.
7. find a super cute little house to rent so i can decorate
8. the new twilight movie (eclipse) to be in theaters now, i'm impatient

that's what makes it a love song

2010-02-18T12:21:00.010-05:00

two blogs in one day..... two days i a row..... crazy.....

okay so lent started yesterday but i've been a bit behind lately so i started today. i have given up facebook & diet coke (well any carbonated soda type beverages). it took me a little bit to agree to the facebook part (sarahmont is giving up facebook as well) but i think it's going to be a great thing. i realized not only is giving up facebook an absolutely minuscule thing to do, but i could spend my time doing more important things. time with my family, reading the Bible (i'm still not quite finished with NewThru30... i'm working on it!), homework & projects (this quarter ends at just about the same time as lent so this should help with distractions), & i think this will lead me to blog more as well as write more in general. not to mention the satisfaction of resisting the temptation.

screenshot of my facebook just a few minutes ago, i'll be deactivating soon...
and yes if you were wondering... that is a firefox navigation bar with jacob black on it.
please don't be jealous.
if you are a firefox user, you can get one here.
and no, they are not limited to the taylor lautner or the twilight saga.
i'm just a little obsessed.

so, i hope to be blogging more regularly & getting a little more healthy without all the acid & carbonation of diet coke. **side note: sarah tried to get me to give up coffee but i decided for the well being of everyone that it was a bad idea, no need to make me unnecessarily grumpy.

half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you

2010-02-18T10:09:00.007-05:00

as i was going through blogs yesterday reading recent posts i found this one & of course thought these postcards were amazing! i already have a book collection (that is still seriously in progress because you can never have too many books) because i love how the spines look when displayed on a bookshelf.

i got to thinking about the post cards & how they would be really amazing as artwork. so when i can decorate a room again i'm going to use book covers as art. but, i love big art so i found this website where you can order small to poster sized book covers. **side note: this was such a better use of time than actually paying attention in class :)

i looked through some of the pages of book covers available & pulled a few book that i love that also coordinate with my current colors. a few of the sensational (great word) covers that i cannot wait to purchase!

depending on the size i choose i'm not sure how many i'm actually going to need. i think using the covers will give me more colors to work with but will still look great with my red, black, & white base colors. the dracula one might be one of my favorites & it's a great way to tie purple into my room! and yes, even the twilight books will be used (i think they'd be great for a hallway since there are 4).

in other news, i have recently decided (as of this morning) that i like raspberries. i used to hate them, the smell, the taste, the seeds you get stuck in your teeth, everything. i always skip over the raspberry hot chocolate in the godiva box for this reason of raspberry hatred but this morning i thought, hey i'm just going to try it, it sounds good. and it was! now this may get interesting, i can't wait to try a raspberry latte from starbucks **side note: my roommate when i lived in durham used to always get raspberrry latte's & raspberry coffee. it always sounded disgusting until now!

you'll think of me

2010-02-16T11:03:00.001-05:00

_casa_de_isabelle_ a tea party by candlelight

2010-02-16T09:02:00.003-05:00

i love candles.

just as much as bookcases.

almost.

tea party candelabra.

from anthropologie.

take a deep breath & jump then fall

2010-02-11T12:44:00.008-05:00

ampersands.

i love them & since it's love month....

An ampersand (&) is a logogram representing the conjunction word "and". The word ampersand is a corruption of the phrase "and per se and", meaning "and [the symbol which] by itself [is] and". (definition from Wikipedia)

i decided to do a post about ampersands as i was changing my status on facebook (i know i spend all my time on facebook, blogging, & tweeting) because i got really excited that there was an "and" in the quote so i could use an ampersand. oh my, i'm going crazy.

you heard me right & i won't try to fight it back

2010-02-09T08:07:00.004-05:00

is it really only february 9th? i need a vacation already.... spring break=6 weeks & 2 days away. okay i can make that....

this spring break i'm going to be running (mostly running, probably a little walking in there as well) a 5k in southport with my sister! i'm excited but i need to get back to running now so i won't be completely out of shape!

other than the 5k i need to think of something really fun to do before i have to start another quarter of classes in april....

i have made a little deadline/resolution for myself though. before spring break gets here i am going to write a short story/poem/something & enter a writing contest. more details to follow as i decide what to write, my subject, & what contest to enter!

_casa_de_isabelle_ COLOR & lack there of

2010-02-08T18:42:00.008-05:00

the red walls, shelves, & island with white beams & appliances are very striking.
love the black & white tile counter top as well!

we all know i love black anything, so i love these black cabinets!
bookcases are also a must! i'm not usually a fan of green either, but love this
all images from country living

no fourth of july has ever burned so brightly

2010-02-04T14:50:00.002-05:00

toooo cute!

on a balcony in summer air

2010-01-27T15:57:00.003-05:00

whatever makes a flower makes you strong

2010-01-25T12:51:00.003-05:00

_casa_de_isabelle_ REpost

2010-01-21T16:32:00.004-05:00

so i have starting reading lots of blogs thanks to my sister at white wave design, and i just need to link to the latest blog post by urban grace because well, i love books so i love bookcases (check out this black bookcase i previously fell in love with)....

so i love this post :)

geez, i sure got into the linking today....

time slows down whenever you're around

2010-01-21T12:23:00.005-05:00

so, today i was reading my usual blogs and came across this recipe for chicken tacos in a crock pot, it sounded sooooo good, but then it made me think... i don't have a crock pot! so, the next house thing i buy (maybe ask for for my birthday... but that's like 6 months away....) is going to be a crock pot.

one thing i think i'm relatively good at is researching what i buy, computers, tv's, my gps, etc. so i checked consumer reports and have found this crock pot. only $39 at wal-mart, a retractable cord & removable insert for easy cleaning, too cool.

for now i'm just going to imagine how tasty the chicken tacos are going to be.... :)

keep on dreaming

2010-01-14T14:41:00.008-05:00

so yesterday i was being lazy, i had a meeting at 9 am and well for one reason or another i have been staying up wayyyy to late lately, so i didn't wake up till 8:20. (the meeting was at my house, so i didn't actually have to go anywhere, just be presentable). so, i of course did not wash my hair, i hate doing that, it sounds gross but my hair just doesn't get oily & if it does, that is what dry shampoo is for.

(side note: i think i hate washing my hair because i have to wash, condition... (i have super tangly hair)... then towel dry, air dry, blow dry, air dry, flat iron, it's a huge process. and after doing this for 15 or so years, it gets old)

so, yesterday i did not wash my hair so i was going to pin it up, that's my solution for everything, pins, usually accompanied by a headband of sorts maybe something else with flowers or beads on it. this is what i cam up with yesterday...

(side note: i don't always use actual hair pieces for my headbands. do you know what this is?)

haha, it's a sweet belt (huge white & cream, silk & a really pretty sheer fabric flowers... sorry for the not so good pictures) i found a j.crew for $10. i would probably never wear it as a belt but i was a little bored in the store waiting for my mom & put it on my head. the sales girl just thought it was the coolest idea ever.

let hope swell in our lives

2010-01-11T22:57:00.003-05:00

i almost forgot! one of my new years resolutions was to do the new thru 30 series, we're doing it as a church at elevation. it started today! sooo excited for this :)

life is a runaway train

2010-01-11T17:48:00.002-05:00

i've just discovered the this amazing website, letterstocrushes.com. please refer to january 4, 2010.

_casa_de_isabelle_ black iron

2010-01-07T00:22:00.006-05:00

i love the black iron heart chair & table, too cute & super farmhouse style

the black iron bakers rack is also adorable

both pieces from wisteria

_casa_de_isabelle_ book shelves & black paint

2010-01-05T23:06:00.007-05:00

i love books. novels. biographies. non-fiction. you name it.
because i love books, i love shelves.
not to mention all the little exciting pieces that can be housed on those shelves.
the black shelves are amazing.
not to mention the black walls and molding below with the stark white ceiling
images from house beautiful

i really really hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive

2010-01-05T19:53:00.003-05:00

new years resolutions.

i know it's january 5th but i did make these on the 1st, most of them.

1. run. i've started a 12 week marathon training schedule (no marathon planned, i'm just going to try to train & probably keep training after the 12 weeks, maybe a marathon.... 1/2 marathon, in the future)

2. regulate coffee/diet coke. each has to be matched with a glass of water after.

3. eat healthier. try to. this is more willpower. see below.

4. willpower. keep up with resolutions, healthy eating, running, not procrasinating.

the last two were made on the 3rd.

5. new thru 30. we're doing this at elevation. the new testament in 30 days.

6. continue with the old testament after new thru 30.

happy belated new year!

till summer comes around

2009-12-23T16:20:00.003-05:00

we went to the mountains on monday, just for the night. it had been snowing there since friday & it was super pretty. we went to the biltmore house on tuesday & my cousin liam just had to throw snowballs into the backyard of the estate. got some cute candid pictures.

love this sequence! it's too cute. i printed the pictures to give to my aunt.

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Now playing: Old Crow Medicine Show with Davis Rawlings - Wagon Wheel
via FoxyTunes

_casa_de_isabelle_ kitchen LOVE

2009-12-10T10:05:00.005-05:00

just found these two kitchens...

i love love love the surface behind the stove top!

the wallpaper (i know, wallpaper, that's from when i was like 10) is amazing! the wire frame heart chairs are so cool too.

thank you country living, again

_casa_de_isabelle_ farmhouse style

2009-12-10T09:46:00.008-05:00

i think i just love kitchens. more than any other place in a house. i want a farmhouse when i "grow up".....

love this, from countryliving.com

and black & white....
it is my favorite! country living....
i might just have to get a subscription!

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Now playing: Taylor Swift - Come In With the Rain
via FoxyTunes

_casa_de_isabelle_

2009-12-03T11:08:00.005-05:00

yesterday i started making my house idea "collection." whenever i find something cute, a great idea, or an amazing room i'm going to put it aside, into a folder (digital & an actual paper folder). so that is what _casa_de_isabelle_ titled posts will be, instead of my wonderful song lyric posts!

first post.... this amazing striped wall! i love it!

---------------- Now playing: Tim McGraw - I Need You via FoxyTunes

it's cicadas makin noise, and the southern voice

2009-11-30T13:16:00.005-05:00

today i was at target with my dad, we went out for lunch and he needed some eyedrops, so he went to get the eye drops and since i managed to roll my ankle twice yesterday and am still wearing heeled boots, i didn't want to walk all the way to the eye drops. i stopped at the gloves & scarves that are near the front door and realized i'm just loving gloves right now. i recently got some new black ones from j.crew with the cut out fingers. the ones they have at target right now are too cute!

armwarmers and long gloves! too cute!

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Now playing: Bomshel - Just a Girl
via FoxyTunes

party in the usa

2009-11-24T11:13:00.003-05:00

short week! and i love it! i'm so wishing i didn't have class tonight, but after that it's a week of fun stuff. going to see mont after class to see the blindside, then outdoor ice skating tomorrow at the uptown rink (i think), then baking/cooking thursday (thanksgiving if you're drawing a blank). i'm in charge of the pumpkin cake and green beans. i just rummaged around and found my pumpkin cake recipe and have found the one for green beans the other day. today i am supposed to be working on 2 alternate designs of an existing webpage (not fun) & drawing a cartoon santa with a palm tree for my dad, but i'm probably going to try to get to the store so i'm not bombarded on wednesday with everyone else. happy short week!

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Now playing: Keith Urban - 'Til Summer Comes Around
via FoxyTunes

she'll leave you with a smile

2009-11-15T14:28:00.004-05:00

i've just started a project, making a website for a printing company that is expanding their business and starting to print photobooks. the name is signature photobooks and i've been searching for inspiration for my mood board when i came across this amazing chandelier. won't work for the mood board but i'm in love!

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Now playing: Keith Anderson - Everytime I Hear Your Name
via FoxyTunes

twirling in a sundress wearing my ring

2009-11-04T19:07:00.002-05:00

crafty crafty. i loved this quote and had these adorable black and silver flowers, what better than to use them together?

---------------- Now playing: Taylor Swift - Stay Beautiful via FoxyTunes

with style and grace kick ass and take names

2009-11-04T11:54:00.001-05:00

i have decided that today should be call productivnesday, not wednesday. i have been a little obsessed with miranda lambert lately, hence the post titles and tweets, i just got her new cd the other day, it's AMAZING! anyways, cute little project i just did for ee, i painted the blue almost a year ago and finally finished today with surprise..... a miranda lambert song!

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Now playing: Jason Michael Carroll - Livin' Our Love Song
via FoxyTunes

pretty little thing, sometimes you gotta look up

2009-11-03T11:39:00.000-05:00

i've decided to start doing my little creative cute projects again. they make me happy, especially when they turn out how i want them to, imagine that. anyways, will post soon!

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Now playing: Miranda Lambert - Airstream Song
via FoxyTunes

i bet he'd understand a heart like mine

2009-11-02T09:17:00.000-05:00

ellison and i tried to take pictures on our spontaneous mountain trip.

didn't go so well

but we did get a few cute ones!

texas stars in a purple night, not seein em with you baby, oh they never do look right

2009-10-14T15:52:00.000-04:00

so i'm sitting here, eating cookies, working on a corporate identity project while dinner is baking, (yes i actually made dinner, let's see if it tastes good, this is try #2 on this recipe). i'm eating cookies and have decided that since the nutrition label is in swedish (i think it's swedish, yes, from sweden it says) that the calories do not count. thanks. have a good day :)

a snake with blue eyes

2009-10-08T12:46:00.000-04:00

my new friend, i named him rufus, even though sadly i have no idea where he is now :(

s'mores pancakes! because all i need to survive is coffee and sugar and a little bit of water :)

you shouldn'ta worn that dress, you shouldn't dance like that

2009-10-07T16:11:00.001-04:00

so i'm pretty obsessed with arizona green tea. i drink those huge like 25 oz cans all the time. i have been toying with the idea of getting the diet. i know, it's not that big of a decision, but most of the time when i get them it's at the gas station, so if i don't like it, it's a waste and i'm out of a drink, the whole reason i stopped. so anyways, i got one the other day at the store when i got my stash of cans of green tea for the fridge. i decided i needed a green tea today because i'd already had 3 coffees and thought it was a great idea to try the diet.

it was NASTY. eww. discusting. yuck!

but on the bright side, my mom had just gotten home and thought it was tasty, so i gave it to her and drank my regular, caloric, green tea. it was delectable :)

SO, in conclusion. never EVER get the diet arizona green tea. thank you.

yayyyyy for fun names

2009-10-05T18:00:00.001-04:00

kismet & company

this sounds cute? :)

don't hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself

2009-10-04T00:14:00.000-04:00

so, my sister has decided that i need to start a blog. in a way a journal. we'll see how it goes.

i decided to name my blog "skulls, cowboy boots, & diamonds" because if you know me, i love words. i thought these words were all very descriptive of my personality yet super different. so, here it is, we'll see what happens. off to watch sweet home alabama and probably fall fast asleep!