Technical Diffi-why-did-this-have-to-happen!!!

Well, my computer went belly up (currently updating from a friends computer). It would seem our hardrive has crashed and the fine folks/wallet rapists at Computer Renaissance are repairing and trying to recover three years worth of memories. I believe we'll have it back by the weekend and I have PLENTY of stuff to update on. Funny how my computer crashing coincided with my having tons of ideas...

I just wanted to do a quick update, out of habit and the fact that I totally miss blogging/reading blogs (as nerdy as that sounds). Be back soon....

Friday Fondue

Well, it's about time I do another one of these. Generally they're good placeholders for when I'm too tired and uninspired to write anything of substance. Which is where I'm at, at the moment.

Tonight my friend Colleen is walking in a fashion show downtown so I'll be going down there to cheer on her bad self and support local charities. And maybe have a margarita while I'm at it. Fashion+cocktails+good causes= a pretty decent night to me! But before that, here's what I've been diggin' this week.

Spanish Moss has been hitting all the right buttons on my "yes, please" switchboard. You can find their blog here and their store here. But my favorite items, if I had to narrow them down would have to be- this, this, this (I desperately need to find a kimono for those lazy Sunday mornings) and THIS!
I've been finding a lot of badass couches online lately. This one is up there on my favorites (although the price tag is not).
I love that Helena Bonham Carter stays true to herself despite the critics.
This would be ADORABLE in a little girls room.
I'm probably really late with this, my favorite clothing haunt has its own blog!
Going to have to make this soon!
The songs I've had on repeat for the last couple days? This one, because it's painfully gorgeous. This one, because I hadn't heard it in years but it randomly popped into my head the other day and this one, because I'm going to put it on a cd for Jack to give to him at some point.
Talk about taking it to the next level with grocery shopping!
One in every color, yes?
I want to put this in Jack's room.
The cutest clock I've ever seen.
I LOVE this apartment.
Need to laugh?
And lastly, my favorite. Because who doesn't like wino babies (thanks James!).

And I finally got to touching up my roots!



Wishing you all a happy weekend!

In the event...

that you're wondering "what is Amanda thinking about at 10:32pm on a Wednesday night"...

Vintage family photos prt. 2

My grandparents. Little did my grandmother know that one day she'd have a weirdo granddaughter coveting the dress she is being photographed in.

My grandpa duking it out with his brother. Apparently, this is how things were settled back in the day. Simpler times...

"This is grandpa right?!"
"Mmmhmmm, that was when he was dating Jennette, the French girl who took him on vacation to the French Riviera. He dated a Russian for awhile too, back when he was in the service."
"Damn, grandpa was like the United Nations."
"That crazy Swede."
"Don't hate the player grandma, hate the game."

My grandma, phonin' her bitches.

Goin' the chapel (pictured with her father)




My great-grandmother (in the gigantic bow) being all sassy.

My mom
And of course, a couple of your's truly as a very pudgy baby-

Valentine's Day

I was going to write a legit post on Valentine's Day, relationships, etc, but I quickly realized it was entering territory I'm not sure I have the wherewithal to handle at the moment. When it comes to the oft-debated holiday, I've always been one of those girls who’s a skeptic, I'd even venture to say “pessimist.” I tend to walk around all day in a Janeane Garofalo-esque manner, lamenting the commercialization of love and expectations, while simultaneously falling prey to those of my own. Every year I snicker at ring commercials that promise Undying Love in a princess cut and platinum setting. I point out the fact that flowers are merely plant genitals, and honestly, I've never been a huge fan of chocolate. So Valentine's Day, at least the one made around mall-based jewelry sales and rose-strewn paths, has never been my bag. But love, on the other hand...

Instead of being a hater this year, I'm forcing myself to see the light of this day and what it really means, stripped down to its core. It's OK to love. It's OK to tear down your own walls to let people in.

So this year I'm celebrating in a different way—I'm making everyone my Valentine. I'm making cards for my mother with Jack; looking at pictures of my grandparents when they were young and fearless; watching movies and laughing; and, above all else, letting the world in today. And since this blog—this tiny little section of my brain on display—has been so dear to me, since YOU, yes YOU loyal readers have been so dear to me, I've decided to make you a love-themed music mix.

Because deep down, I really am a hopeless, cheese-ball romantic. In a way all my own.

Oh, and here are some of those pictures of my grandparents that made my heart punch drunk.-



And my own parents back in the 80's, when my mother's hair aspirations were questionable-






Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

My Son, The Asshole

Jack is at a peculiar age. We're less than a month away from his third birthday, and evidently he has plans on ringing it in with my sanity hanging by a thread. When did three become the new thirteen? He walks around the house like he owns the place, grabbing, screaming, pitching fits, and basically, it's his way or the highway. Or, there will be blood-and not in a cool Daniel Day Lewis, "I drink your milkshake" way.

Here's what an average day looks like-


And when he's not doing that at home, he's tantruming at Target, which I secretly think is because he senses that I so adore shopping there. He instinctively knows that to take down a leader, you must first take away their resources, thus begins his quest to destroy merchandise whilst trying to steal my food/chair/brush/soul, and just generally being a disheveled rapscallion*. Every day starts with a tantrum and ends with what I assume to be the beginning stages of alcoholism.

As I'm looking over the evidence as the day winds down, I find myself baffled, wondering where my sweet-natured little boy went, and who sent this clone-hell bent on destruction-to take his place. Then I ask myself: Where did I fuck up along the way?

"Maybe we spoiled him too much? Maybe I need more patience. I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! No! I can! I am woman! Hear me roar!"

Everyday I get broken down and it's my job to build myself back up. And everyday I find myself thinking of other women, other mothers, and I'm amazed that there are so many who are out there doing it alone, doing it with less, doing it with multiple children and jobs. And I'm amazed.

Motherhood takes balls. It's not for the weak of stomach or the faint of heart. So I tip my hat to all of you out there. You're all my heroes.

Nevertheless, Jack is still on my shit list.

*I'm happy I finally got to use "rapscallion" in a post.

30 Day Dare- 10/30

3 Car Pile Up At 9 AM


And an outfit (yes, I got lazy and figured an outfit could count!)


I have a few posts I've had in mind all week. Among them-
* A letter to my future daughter (whether I have one or not).
*Jack is being a total asshole. So much so that I resorted to calling a 2 3/4 year old an asshole.

And I'm trying to write more poetry. So there's that.

Once I get a few moments of both peace and adequate sleep/inspiration I'll be posting those.

30 Day Dare 8/30

Eating apples and watching music videos, the usual morning routine.

I meant to post this awhile ago- Sean Lennon and me, Congress 1/21. Somehow I managed to talk to the members of his band after the show and became instantly enamored with his girlfriend, I mean, c'mon-


I tried to not let my burgeoning girl crush feelings get in the way of talking about accordions and hats and haunted hotels. Afterwards a drunk chick I'd never met before came up and introduced herself to me. I think she thought I was with the band so I just smiled and played along. Vodka makes me really friendly that way.

30 Day Dare 7/30

"Can I have kisses?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I'm coloring."

Sometimes you tear the paper by pressing too hard...

30 Day Dare+Blue Valentine+Whatever Else I Can Squeeze Out Of My Lame Brain

First! Let's get some pictures out of the way. This time I decided to do one of those "Inside My Bag" things-



I found these little guys at Toys-R-Us one day and had to get them because they were so cute. My elephant is missing his trunk though. I had names for all three but I can't recall them at the moment.

A bracelet gift from a friend. You never know when you have to just stop and accessorize.

I mostly got these Altoids because I liked the green, antique-y tin. Aaaand maybe so I could have a grasshopper minus the alcohol midday.

Field notes (fine tip Sharpies are my writing tool of choice, good for both writing and doodling).

Sunglasses, comb for keeping the bangs on point, wallet and junk pouch (full of various glosses, mints, bobby pins, etc).

Sunglasses again, phone, keys.

My-Going-Out-Bad-Habit (I occasionally smoke while I drink when out, though I haven't in awhile. Yes scoff now!) and lotion, because dry hands can really fuck my day up!

Mix CD for errand running (I'm a compulsive mix maker) and a CD from a band I saw a couple weeks ago.

Some lipstick I got from another friend. I guess Revlon has this line of vintage inspired shades and packaging that really does lend a darling feeling to the inside of your bag.

And finally, the segue into the next part of this post...

Saw Blue Valentine last night and, well, it was good. I think I would have been more blown away if the fights in it hadn't hit so close to home. I actually found myself wincing at certain parts because the dialog was just so real and accurate. I think the ending got me the most. That's all I'll say for now since I don't want to spoil it. But, definitely see it.

This post didn't exactly turn out the honor student I envisioned. I think it's because my vision is getting a little wonky. I'm so tired. Six hours of sleep in three days and a toddler whose energy level resembles the Tasmanian Devil will do that to you.

I'll try again tomorrow. In the meantime, here's some La Blogotheque videos that made my evening. If you have low tolerance for beauty than you shouldn't watch them though.






And!


And there you have it. Off to bed I go!