Miguelina

Leaving on a jet plane...

Why, hello my friends! It's been way too long - things have been crazy around here with work and trip preparations.

(I guess those of you not on Twitter or Facebook have no clue of what I'm talking about. We're going to Austria! And, this time I'm not pregnant, woo-hoo! And...we're doing it TODAY - like, we leave for the airport in two hours. All my clothes are on the bed, because they don't fit in the suitcase. So I decided to say hello to you instead of finding a way to make it work. OF COURSE. I'm a master procrastinator.)

(Come to me, Gruner Veltliner.)

So, there will be tons of updates whenever I have internet access (which is not very likely, so don't hold your breath or anything) and I plan to take tons of pictures for you because....I bought a new camera! Yes! I'm the proud owner of a Nikon D60, and I don't want to jinx things, but so far the thing seems to be idiot-proof as long as I stay in the "manual" setting. I guess I could learn how to use the camera for real, but that instruction manual is like a brick and did I mention that my suitcase is unpacked and I leave in two hours? Right.

I guess I should tell you about work since I so blatantly used it as an excuse for my absence. Things are going swimmingly at Aisledash, and I have written up all my posts for the entire month ahead of time, so for the typical AOL reader it will be like if I never left. (This also explains why I haven't had time to write here. My fingers still hurt from all that typing.)

But I'm not complaining, because I have FANTASTIC news to share! I'm starting not one, but two new jobs! First, I'm one of the contributing editors at BlogHer's BeautyHacks which I'm thrilled to bits about because I'll get to tell you all about my favorite beauty products - dudes, shopping at Sephora is officially my job.

The things I do for you people.

My second job is equally awesome, but since I won't start writing for them until after I get back from vacation I will refrain from telling you more than it has to do with shoes. And me telling you about them. I still can't believe my luck.

OK, sorry for the boring recap, but I REALLY have to go pack now. Bye!

Rainy day parade

We woke up to a rainy and cold July 4th - but that's certainly not enough to stop our New England town from holding its parade. You think a few droplets are going to hold us back?

(I apologize for the fuzzy pictures, it was early - er, my camera sucks.)

We enjoyed ourselves despite the rain. We got to see our usually reserved neighbors in a new light:

(There are no words.)

Heard some swinging jazz:

Got to see Minutemen march down the street:

And saw some cool rides:

Of course, what did the boys care about the most?

Story of my life.

Have a happy holiday weekend, everyone!

Decorating the living room? It's on!

I hate to break this almost perfect streak of me not writing about anything of substance to share actual news with you, but screw it. I'm so excited I can't help myself!

Surely you remember the sorry state of my living room? No? You have more important things to think about you say? No worries - here's a reminder. (Blogging is so useful sometimes!)

How cold and unwelcoming - but no more! Ladies and gentlemen, I now present you...Furniture!

TA-DA!

Isn't it exciting! We now have actual chairs where you could sit and chat if you ever were to come visit:

And here's a view of the room:

I know what you're thinking, "Roxanna? How can we say this nicely...your three chairs and rug are cute and all, but how could we possibly visit? There's no place to put our drinks, you have no couch - and the sun! It'll be in our eyes!"

Friends! There's no need to worry - the couch is on back order and will arrive, oh, probably never. You know how these furniture people are. I also know that the curtains will be some sort of shimmery gold, but the saleswoman pissed me off so now I need to find someone else to make them.

I was, however, very pleased to see a picture of a couch that looks very much like the one we are waiting for on the cover or House Beautiful and it just so happens to be shown with curtains very similar to the ones we want:

The couch will go in front of the windows here:

Apparently I couldn't be bothered to pick up the toys before taking the picture, but I could be bothered to "Photoshop" the couch into the living room. See? It even came with a coffee table! If only life were so simple!

Next up? Deciding what kind of tables to buy. Should we go metal and glass like on the magazine or should we go wood?

I don't know what to do. What say you?