Over the Weekend: Independence Day

I know what you're thinking.  This post is late.  It's Tuesday and the weekend ended on Sunday.

But oh-ho! WAIT JUST A SECOND!  That's not true because this, the weekend of our independence, was a long weekend. Boom. Mind blown.

It took a little extra time getting going, I'll give you that.  Despite getting out of work an hour later after winning a game of Euchre, I had a vet appointment for sir Ash.  Just a routine checkup.  The type that will put me in the poor house.  But I digress.  We eventually got on the road for what would be a 4 hour drive to Grand Rapids. Woah!  The only positive is that at the end of said drive I got to see John, snug, and get a Totoro stuffed animal.  (more on that at a later time)

But really, I just passed out.  It was such a long day.  So we woke up early the next day to drive 2 hours across the state to my Dad's house for what I'm referring to as "Ash's Summer Camp".  See, Ash enjoyed his Michigan summer so much last year that he begged to do it again this year.  I'm convinced that he's sitting around making lanyards and tie dying the shit out of things right this second.

We were only there for the day/night, but being home is just really comforting.  We ate Crazy Gator pizza.  Picked up 4 dozen breadsticks at the Highland House.  Watched TruTV and bad movies.  It was grand.  Very relaxing.  All I'll say is that I have the urge to make Super Mix Tapes now from watching No Strings Attached.  They will be crazy on theme.  I love a good theme after all.

So, we woke up super early on Sunday and drove another 2 hours out to the Marshall area for Sam's annual 4th of July bonanza.  We hugged. And got caught up on each other's lives.  Played some rousing games of "Seaweed or Poot" and "Blood or Twizzlers".  We came up with insane catch phrases such as "I'd rather be galanging."  I mean, come on.  It was amazing.

I won't get caught up on details since it's really more of a "You had to be there" type of thing.  And I'm sad I didn't even bring my camera but sometimes memories are good just as memories.  And after a 2 hour drive to Grand Rapid, followed by a 4 hour drive home to Chicago, my long weekend came to a close.  With sore muscles, sun burns, and a complete loss of my voice.  I love a nice long weekend.  (less drving next time though, please!)

Off the shelf: June reads

Let me preface this post by saying that if you weren't aware I was a super nerd before, you will be convinced after you read this whole post.

So, I decided that it'd be a good idea to write up a little post to show you what I'm currently reading.  But then I realized that no one is interested in seeing photos of my nook (which is an e-reader you perv).  So I extended it into what visually appealing books I'm reading in a month.

By the way - my current nook book is "A Game of Thrones", the first of the "A Song of Fire and Ice" series.  In case you were curious.

On to more pretty picture books:



Surprise (but not really surprising)! It's comic books! Yay!

Not just any comic books. DC comic books as trade paperbacks.  I love 'em.  I figured what with the DC reboot on the way, I should stockpile the good series' while I have time to catch up.  Since, you know, they aren't going to do anymore Birds of Prey I hear. (insert pouty face)

First off the shelf, let's take a look at the 2 out of this bunch that I've already read so far this month.

Zatanna: Mistress of Magic and Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds

I've been wanting to read both of these for a while now and Johnboy bought them for me for our anniversary.  That's right, I'm the kind of girl who prefers comic books for romantic gifts.  Without getting into the nitty gritty of each of these books, since I'm not sure anyone cares for me to do so, I'll give you a brief review.

Review: I loved both of these.

Boom. Not enough for you? Well, I really enjoyed Zatanna.  I've been wanting to read stuff from her canon for a long ass time now.  I've considered dressing as her for Halloween once or twice until I realized people would just think I was a slutty magician.  And Birds of Prey? Awesomesauce.  I need to buy the next few books in this particular series like, yesterday.  They're already saved in my Amazon wishlist (you know...in case you wanted to send me something special for no reason).  The dynamic between the ladies in that series is really compelling to me.

And I'm sorry if you think that because the women in comic books are scantilly clad, they're not doing justice to women everywhere.  Because guess what, the women in these comic books (and most that I've read) are just as strong if not stronger than most of their male counter parts.  And they look pretty badass.  No one complains that all the men are in bulge showing tights and leotards. Rant over.

So, the next 2 I'm going to show you I haven't read before.  But I'm really looking forward to based on what I've heard from everyone.

Batman: The Killing Joke and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Yep. Batman.  I love that Caped Crusader.  He has some of the best storylines.  So I borrowed these two books and I know I need to start reading them soon since I'll have to give them back.  But come on, there's a long weekend coming up and I'll be able to finish each one in a day anyway.

In other nerd news.  Remember my idea about a Pyrex birthday? Screw that.  Today I found out that the Chicago Comic Con is the weekend after my birthday and there's a little thing called Buffyfest VIP.  So...yeah.  Count me in! (most likely anyways).

Over the weekend: Low Key Grand Rapids

This weekend was spent in Grand Rapids, nursing a boyfriend full of bruises and stitches from surgery.  Oh, and celebrating our 4 year anniversary.  Except that we knew it'd be mostly nursing and bland foods so we celebrated a week ago.

You know how sometimes it's just perfect timing to be completely chill and relaxed and do practically nothing?  This was one of those times.  We hung out around the apartment with the animals.  Watching movies like Tron and playing video games like L.A. Noir.   And by playing I mean, I was the navigator.  Which is pretty much my best trait in video games.  Unlike real life where I get lost constantly (like this weekend when I got lost on the way to GR somehow).

In true relaxing Michigander style, we drank sodas and went to the antique market.  My favorite antique store.  With reasonable prices and super nice people.  Let's have a little look see!

These frosted glasses were so perfect!"]

Awesome old lady couch.




Am I the only person who thinks that last picture is hilarious?  It was a sign in a junk shop we stopped in and it cracked me up.  For obvious reasons.  Not pictured: crazy amount of hands.

I'm feeling super scatter brained now, but let's just say that I napped a lot this weekend.  John ate salads while I ate french fries.  And I had to rush home to watch True Blood with my girl Danielle. Oh! And I happened to come out of the deal with a few AMAZING Pyrex finds.

Pyrex love.


I've told you about my unnaural love of all things Pyrex before, right? If not, behold: I am insane.  I collect bakeware and bowls in bright patterns.  And I can't stop.  Today I actually considered the idea of having a Pyrex themed birthday...  Where people bring me Pyrex in exchange for an awesome time.  But that's messed up, right?

Right...

Friday Faves: Cute Things

Hey y'all!  This is going to be a short and sweet Friday Faves post.  Short because I forgot to schedule it last night, what with my epic nap taking skills and all.  Plus I'm in Grand Rapids for the weekend.  So let's get to it!

1.) The Friendship - by Cameron (of Cameron+Whitney)



This is seriously amazing.  He did thie with PAPER! Paper!  It's insane.  And I just keep staring at it.  Look how cute that octopus is!

2.) Megan Lara's art. Particularly the following shirt.



I'm obsessed with every shirt Megan Lara designs.  But this one is just too stinking cute.  It's Sonic! and Tails! and Knuckles! But so stinking cute!

3.) This video of a puppy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36qe-5rkQDc&w=425&h=349]

I can't even.  It's too cute.  It's slipping! Dawww.

4.) This dress from Modcloth.



This pattern is too cute!

5.) My tattoo.



Partly because I love it and I want to show it off.  Partly because I don't want to find a 5th thing to show you. But mostly because it's cute dang it.  I mean come on. It's Disney!

Anyway, have a good weekend everyone!

DIY: Friendship bracelet

As I mentioned in my Friday Faves post, old school fiendship bracelets have been on my mind as of late.

Since they scream summer to me (and camp, and friends, and swimming in pools/lakes), I immediately ordered some embroidery thread on Amazon.  105 skeins to be exact.  I was so anxious to make stuff that I made Johnpants drive out to Franklin Park on Saturday to pick up my package of thread at UPS.

After the long day we had, I was pretty pumped to get started on my very own chevron bracelet (I'm still not sure if I'm okay with calling it a friendship bracelet.  Since...you know...I made it for myself).  So I set to work straight away, knowing well and good that I'd have to stop as soon as my friends came over.

See that flaw? It adds character.

You know, so they wouldn't know how pathetic I was to be making myself a "friendship bracelet".  Of course, I taped my work to the coffee table and wouldn't stop blathering on about it, so being coy about it lost all meaning on me.  But what can I say? I'm a big mouth.

Well, anyway, after John left on Sunday, I got back to work on this super simpleproject and knocked out the finished product.  I'm honestly loving it.  So if anyone wants a friendship bracelet, let me know.  I'm down for making them. And giving them....and receiving them?  I mean, sure, if you're offering. ;)

It's really hard to get a good picture of your own wrist.

But seriously, check out the step by step how to over on Honestly, WTF.  It's super easy to follow along with and ends with an insanely cute end product.