one thousand dollars

Yesterday as Jordan and I were driving we played the thousand dollar game. You know, that game where you discuss what you would do if hypothetically someone gave you one thousand dollars (which you could not use to pay any sort of bill or debt or put in savings) to spend as you would like. Today if someone gave me one thousand dollars, here is what I would buy, in no particular order:

1. Over the knee boots. These ones in particular.


2. A Magic Mill Wheat Grinder. I've been scouring ebay & KSL for one of these puppies the last few months. I will eventually find one for a reasonable price (hopefully under $150), I will I will (I'm just going to keep repeating that to myself). Then I can make whole wheat goodness more often.

3. Some beautiful Easton Press Books, admittedly my thousand dollars would not go far on these, but they make some beautiful books and my fantasy is that someday I stumble upon an estate sale, where I can buy boxes of these books for pennies on the dollar. Yes my friends, that would be a fantasy, because these books don't get cheap. Even on ebay.

4. Perhaps a really great mini-vacation. I'm thinking three day weekend in San Diego, laying on the beach with some great books. Or perhaps even somewhere a bit more off the beaten path, like San Juan islands or Alaska?

What would you spend your thousand dollars on today?

In Search of the Perfect Star

Ever since I have had my own Christmas Tree, I have had a red and gold one (see it here). Over the years I've been on the lookout for beautiful ornaments and one by one (or some years twenty by twenty) I've accumulated a small collection that I am quite proud of. However, the one part of my tree that is SEVERELY lacking is the topper. I have an angel that if you can believe it was one I found at a dollar store when I was in high school and had a mini tree in my room. From the beginning I have always wanted a star. I've been on the lookout and never found one that was quite right, so in lieu I've used the now hashed looking Angel. However, today I found it. Unfortunately, its $75.00. Seriously. I guess I should be comforted that such a perfect star does indeed exist. Anyone seen a knock of for $10.00? I'll be your best friend forever, promise.

Cavallini & Company

I really love the design and appearance of every product made by Cavallini & Co.. If I had found a fifty dollar bill in my mailbox this morning, perhaps I would have been tempted most to buy this stamp set along with all of their vintage postcards and their 2010 Animal desk calender.

But since the four most caring words are "We can't afford it," I'm going have fun looking at them.

Home Sweet Home

Our house is 100+ years old. I love that it is old, it means we have an awesome porch, lots of wood moldings, really high ceilings, and a wonderful "lived in" feeling that reminds me it has been something special for several families. However, it also has just one bathroom.

Today I am wishing that that one bathroom looked more like this. I can just see myself soaking in that tub, reading a book under that fabulous chandelier. I mean a chandelier is a total necessity in a bathroom right?

Well since it looks like we may not be installing one anytime soon I'll just have to add it to my someday list. Yep I have a whole list for the dream house I'll find/create/restore someday. Some items on the list are:

-Fireplaces, with at least one wood burning one.
-porch/verandah that wraps around the house
-big shade trees, with one perfect swing
-small orchard
-wooden interior beams
-small "secret" flower garden
-lots of wood floors
-some lovely antique --with perhaps a few of them painted bright colors
-beautiful piano (so what if I can barely play hymns -- I need somewhere to practice)
-claw foot enormous bath tub
-small library room just full of books
-a big bay window with window seat in the kitchen, where my kids can sit and tell me about their day while I make dinner
-dining room, where my guests won't have to stare at my sink full of dishes while they eat their meal
-a garage
-charming outer-buildings -- a barn or art studio, or gardening shed where I can arrange flowers--yes please
-a big field opposite my bedroom window, full of wildflowers
-walk in closet
-a cool room
-pergola over my deck that is complete with a charming bistro set for outdoor tea parties

See this someday list is just a few minor requests. nothing outlandish, right?

I love houses......

I love to look at pretty houses, draw up house plans, tear out pages from magazines of pretty houses and yes dream about houses. I was driving back from a friend's house last Friday and passed this house. I had my camera with me so I decided to pull over and snap a quick picture (is this weird? I was afraid of that), but I have a "house inspiration" folder going for that all elusive day when eventually we will build our dream house -- today this house is pretty close to the dream house. Except that porch is sadly devoid of rocking chairs -- I mean really that is a fantastic porch, it just needs some chairs, a porch swing, and a sitting area complete with table & chairs for games & food.

Exquisite Torture

Oh JCrew why doth thou torment me so? The agony could not be more poignant.
I think JCrew has it out for me..... case in point:
1. They opened a factory outlet in Park City
2. They emailed me saying that their outlet is having a 40% off sale until next Wed.
3. They emailed me a special coupon for the factory outlet for $25 off of $125
4. They emailed me that their clearance clothes online are an extra 20% off
5. They keep sending me catologue that I want to dog ear every page because every item really is perfection.

Of course this would happen the week after General Conference, which had completely convined me that I need to stop splurging on non-necessities and save more for the rainy days ahead. But really, aren't clothes one of the basic necessities? I once remember my roomie Annie introducing me to JCrew and telling me it had the most arresting fashions for her....I didn't understand at the time, but Annie I can assure you I have completely converted and now am lamenting my utter lack of fortune (yes I've been reading way too much Jane Austen, but is so much more fun to pine away in 19th century colloquial prose).

P.S. Victoria's Secret has also been inflicting pain on me with their gorgeous sweaters and extra long pants in the catalogue!

One Million Dollars!

I'm sure you've seen the tag circulating on what you would buy if you had a million dollars. So I've been thinking about what 10 things I would buy today if I had unlimited funds....since I'm feeling spontaneous (aka not thinking of optimal long term investments etc.) here are some things I would feel like buying today.

A Bike with a pretty basket for me to put flowers or things in....or food.
There just seems something so springtime about taking a bike ride & picking flowers.

A White Woooden Gazebo
They have one of these in a park in Alpine and everytime I drive by it I think to myself, that would be fun to have in my backyard....especially if it had Wisteria growing up the side of it.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Camera lens
I'm taking a class right now thats got me really excited about photography and in a perfect world I would love to buy this lens (among several others) which is only a mere 1500$, pocket change right?

A Huge Collection of Vintage Books
They just seemed to make books look better about one hundred years ago, I especially love vintage children's books with hand tipped illustrations.

Large landscaped flower garden (bordering on small park)
I've always wanted one of these tunnel arbors, and I would like a huge flower garden surrounding a pretty fountain or some statues that I could go out and read by....maybe even a nice little orchard on the side also I would like this whole thing maintained for me, so my only responsibility is to enjoy the beauty and pick myself bouquets of flowers.

A Vacation in Europe for May
Who doesn't want to spend some weeks of spring in Europe, I think I'd like to start in Paris and then work my way through Italy this year.

Front row Jazz tickets for the rest of the season & the playoffs & the finals (they are totally going to make it!)
I'm pretty sure Jordan's love for me would reach new depths (even more so than when I told him I was growing his baby) if I could give him this gift. Plus I, myself am a huge Jazz fan, I was a fan before I married Jordan, but I have definitely become more enthusiastic over the years (what can I say? he rubbed off on me!)

A Custom Designed Baby Nursery of my dreams
This picture isn't exactly what I would pick, but something perfectly Pottery Barn-esque, but also completely unique. I fantasize about having the "baby suite" Franc designed in Father of the Bride II, built especially for me.

A puggle

Jordan's brother & family recently bought one of these dogs and I just fell in love, this is definitely the pooch I'm longing for, who could resist that scrunchy face?

A white "cottage" house apart from my regular house (OK twist my arm, I'll take the pool too)

I've always wanted a little separate house like this comprised of three rooms 1) A dazzling library complete with lots of window seats with comfy cushions to read on 2) a sewing room where I can organize all my project & even do other non sewing stuff like arrange flowers 3) a loft art studio with lots of great lighting where Jordan can paint & draw his little heart out and I can attempt to do so.

Oh yes and I know I only said 10 things, but for my 11th things I think I'd like to buy everything on my Amazon wishlist (mostly book) all 1700 items!

So that is my million dollar list for today, I'm not greedy or anything, surely everything on this list is a definite necessity right?

Question

So what if I definitely won't be able to fit into these dresses by the time its actually warm enough to wear them.



Its perfectly prudent to spend $250+ to buy these perfect dresses and store them in my already over stuffed closet and hope they fit my post baby bod next spring right? No? Drats.

Who wouldn't?

If I had a two or three year old boy I would definitely definitely buy this adorable fire engine for him. How cool is this, you can sit in it and pedal and steer it around (its like a bike that is a fire engine!).....and now its 60% off making it $109 dollars, which is a lot of money for a child, but look at this thing, who wouldn't want...I wish they made these for adults! visit here to check out the details.

Autumn Day

Today is the kind of Autumn Day that makes me want to watch You've Got Mail, go for a walk in the park, make yummy butternut squash soup & pumpkin cookies, and sit on my front porch and just watch the sunset on my rocking chair! Its not too hot or cold, its still colorful, but the holidays are just around the corner....so my daily desire for the day are the incredibly cute little pots/bowls for serving soup.....actually I went into Williams Sonoma today and I want the whole store, but what else is new... I just love the seasons and even though I will not be purchasing these pretties its still a fabulous day.

Bird on a Shirt

jCrew has done it again. This sweater is cashmere & for adults, but isn't it fun?... I think I would enjoy having this cute little birdie on my shirt for a day,(of course i couldn't wear it on a day when I hung out with Emily), but I guess you can't have it all.

Retro Gifts

I am obsessed with classy things. I just love things that are made with real wood in beautiful colors with great craftmanship.... I also love games... this place has some really cool games completely classic & retro, aren't they delightful!

Daily Desire: Just Mere Perfection

I think this coat just needs me, we were clearly meant for each other :)
Love this, had to post a picture to look at even if I can't buy it!

Festively being Festive!

I love decorations, that being said with the exception of Christmas I don't really decorate for any holiday (although I do go all out for Christmas). Mostly because I lack the resources to buy the decor I desire and secondly because I am often too plumb lazy to put up and take down items frequently. However, I really love going to other people's homes that are decked out for holidays. Recently we had dinner at my cute friend Annie's and her house was a vision of Halloween spirit! And I promptly decided that I would at least try and get one decoration each year for Halloween....so as I've been trying to pick out my one item these pretties have been catching my eye!
I want to carve beautiful pumpkins like this! They are soooo classy!

I think a friendly Mummy like this would be fun on the porch!

And these candles are mighty tempting!
Anyway kudos to all you festive people out there who actually have decorations, if I ever get around to it I will take a picture of my one pathetic little pumpkin on the porch.

Daily Desire

I do not want to spend money on clothes right?... but this jacket is so beautiful and I really think I could use something classy like this in my wardrobe, I mean its timeless right? especially if it was tweed or black or tan, although I do like the blue....so here is the challenge, I'm going to try & make it. Yep the key word was try....I'm a quilting demon, but I'm afraid that I haven't sewn too many clothes, and most of what I have done has been skirts which are pretty easy.... so if anyone is interested in entering the voyage of attempt and willing to make this with me I would love to do it with someone! I feel more frugal already... just thinking about this!

I love Pumpkin Pie

So this is today desire.... I want to buy this cute pumpkin pie plate that the Crate & Barrel sale & go home and make pumpkin pie... don't you just love fall food!

Desire of the day!

Williams-Sonoma is having an online sale on their "le Creuset" cookware. The term sale is misleading as they are still oh so expensive, however, I am definitely pining for this cookware! Everytime I've had the opportunity to use Creuset almost like magic my food has been better (cooked more evenly) and they are oh so beautiful. So if any of you have a thousand dollars of "extra" cash you want to donate to the Jandee Creuset "fund" don't be shy, in the meanwhile I'll just keep daydreaming about the day (probably some twenty odd years down the road) when my wish will be granted and I'll have a set of my very own..... now if I could just definitively select a color (today I'm thinking green)!

I do not need new blue shoes, I do not need new blue shoes.

Day 1 of spending no (translate less) money on clothes..... temptation is flaring its head, I do not need new shoes.... but aren't these delicious?

I (Heart) Mac!

So Mac has just rolled out the new touch ipod & dropped prices on the iphones, ipod classic & most of their computers.... makes it more difficult to resist!