I was living this American dream when I got to leave work 4 hours early. Yeah baby. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July! Next year I will spend the 4th in a state that allows sparklers!

photo credit

And I love this print. I’d put this up on my wall in a heartbeat. If you know where it’s from please tell me. I can’t find any credit for it.

When I was maybe 9 years old I read an article (or perhaps, more accurately it was read to our class) on manatees being hurt and killed by speed boats in Florida. I begged by teacher to help me find a way I could help the manatees. It’s funny the things we choose to stand up for when we’re young. But this was my “cause” and I really wanted to help. My teacher got me the address for the Governor of Florida and let’s just say I wrote my heart out. I think I still have the letter I received back from him. It was kind of a big deal.

He also inclosed a form to join the Save the Manatee Club. With my birthday money saved up I joined the club. Maybe it was all the trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium but I have always loved sea creatures. So anyway I adopted 2 manatees: Boomer and Sweet Gums. I was a proud mama and lived for the updates I got in the mail on my two manatees.

I kept renewing my membership for a few years because I loved Boomer and Sweet Gums so much. Then one day I received a sad letter telling me that Sweet Gums had been killed by a the propeller of a speed boat. I kept renewing Boomer’s adoption until he died several years later.

So there’s something you probably didn’t know about me. I ♥ manatees. I also remember reading that the idea of mermaids came from Christopher Columbus spotting manatees in the ocean and not knowing what they were.

Maybe I’ll adopt another one. Maybe you will too.

photo via Paper Tissue

I probably would.

So.. this morning at work all anyone is talking about Michael Jackson’s viewing at Neverland Ranch on Friday and how they could “cash in” on all the bajillion people coming into town. Sick, right? I jokingly mentioned I should rent a room for the weekend (well technically a couch since I’m not sure I can get the guest room ready) since I live maybe 5 miles from Neverland and get some extra cash.

A few hours later my coworker is on the phone with 2 girls from England asking if it’s safe to sleep in your car in Los Olivos because they want to come to the viewing and all the hotels are booked and he tells them I might have a spot for them. Seriously? When did people at work decide to start taking me seriously? So he gets their email address for me to let them know. Again, seriously? So okay, I email them to see exactly what their plan is and when exactly they are coming. And she emails me back all, “okay, see you at 7:30! I’m getting on the plane!” Woah, woah, woah…

I wonder if they know the viewing at Neverland Ranch was cancelled…

So I just emailed her saying it’ll be $200 a night and they have to leave the house at 6 am on Friday and Saturday since that’s when I leave and I can’t really deal with random people hanging out in my living room all day. I’m partially secretly hoping this will change their minds.

But it will be fine right? Why do the English seem so much more trustworthy to me? Somehow they just do.

So wish me luck and pray for me and if you want come over and visit and protect me.

maybe my sister and one of my best friends had a birthday over a week ago and i still haven’t given them their presents.

maybe i should not have had that last scoop of ice cream.

maybe the thing i procrastinate most is doing laundry.

maybe i lost my costco card today.

maybe sometimes i like not using capitalization.

maybe some days i don’t use the treadmill as much as i should. maybe sometimes not at all.

maybe i’m a little too obsessed with my dog sometimes.

maybe i really want to see chelsea vs inter milan at the rosebowl next month.

(let’s pretend i posted this yesterday like i meant to…)

First this blog kills me. I love it. I’m always proof-reading at work and boy do we like our quotation marks. Oh, and commas. We are never short on commas. It drives me nuts. So a whole blog devoted to the overused of quotations marks… love.

I love these chairs. Can’t wait to buy one.

These umbrellas are so pretty. Nice and big. Perfect for London.

This wooden carpet is sooo cool.

My favorite skirts are from American Apparel. I know, right? But they are so comfy and casual and just the right length for me.

One of my new, favorite Etsy stores is Dear Golden Vintage. Great stuff… especially the shoes! I need to narrow it down before they are all gone.

via Made by Girl

“I heard what you said. I’m not the silly romantic you think. I don’t want the heavens or the shooting stars. I don’t want gemstones or gold. I have those things already. I want…a steady hand. A kind soul. I want to fall asleep, and wake, knowing my heart is safe. I want to love, and be loved.”
— Shana Abé

photo credit: Jen Gotch

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture – it’s a really stupid thing to want to do.
Elvis Costello

Sorry Elvis, but I have to disagree with you on this one. I Listen to Everything is the best music blog I’ve come across. I Listen to Everything is brought to you by the lovely and very much in-the-know Diana Miller who also happens to be the talent exec for NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly. Seriously this blog is my favorite go-to for finding new music and artists. Another great thing about Diana’s blog is that there’s not a lot of “talking”. I mean that in the very best way. This music blog is all about what it should be- MUSIC.

For me personally it’s not so much about being up-to-date as much as it is me getting bored with listening to the same 10 songs on my iPod over and over. So you should check it out. You can also follow along on Twitter.

Diana says: “I LISTEN TO EVERYTHING is a music blog for average music lovers who want to keep their music collections fresh and up-to date. Music, simplified. A music blog for people who might not usually read music blogs.

Whether you know a lot or a little about music, if you are sick of the music on your iPod, you came to the right place.”

I Listen to Everything was also mentioned in Shape Magazine recently. Awesome ¿no?

(photo property of I Listen to Everything)

I miss somebody right now.
I like drinks with a lot of ice.
I’ve never lived in another country.
I have several hobbies.
I can’t watch scary movies.
I dont watch TV these days.
I wear glasses or contact lenses.
I love to play video games.
I’ve tried marijuana.
I have been in a threesome.
I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
I’m TOTALLY smart.
I’ve broken someone’s bones.
I’m paranoid sometimes.
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
I need money right now.
I LOVE sushi.
I talk really, really fast.
I have long hair.
I have lost money in Las Vegas.
I have at least one sibling.
I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.
I couldn’t survive without Caller ID.
I like the way I look.
I am usually pessimistic.
I have a lot of mood swings.
I have a hidden talent.
I’m always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
I have a lot of friends.
I enjoy talking on the phone.
I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
I love to shop.
Enjoy window shopping.
I would rather shop than eat.
I don’t hate anyone.
I’m a pretty good dancer.
I’m completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a cell phone.
I believe in God.
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
I’ve rejected someone before.
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I want to have children in the future.
I have changed a diaper before.
I’ve called the cops on a friend before.
I’m not allergic to anything.
I have a lot to learn.
I have been with someone at least 10 years older or younger.
I am sometimes shy around the opposite sex.
I have tried alcohol before.
I have made a move on a friend’s significant other or crush in the past.
I own the “South Park” movie.
I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza.
I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
I like Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
I watch Spongebob Squarepants and i like it.
I am happy at this moment.
I’m obsessed with guys.
I study for tests most of the time.
I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I’ve ever met.
I am comfortable with who I am right now.
I have more than just my ears pierced.
I walk barefoot wherever i can.
I have jumped off a bridge.
I love sea turtles.
I spend ridiculous money on makeup.
Plan on achieving a major goal/dream.
I’m proficient in a musical instrument.
I worked at McDonald’s restaurant.
I hate office jobs.
I love sci-fi movies.
I think water rules.
I want to go to college out of state.
I like sausages.
I love kisses.
I usually like covers better than originals.
I can pick up things with my toes.
I can’t whistle.
I can move my tongue in waves, much like a snakes slither.
I have ridden/owned a horse.
I still have every journal I’ve never written in.
I talk in my sleep.
I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.
Climbing trees is a brilliant past-time.
I have jazz in my blood.
I wear a toe ring.
I have a tattoo.
I can’t stand at LEAST one person that I work with.
I am a caffeine junkie.
I cosplay or know what cosplaying is.
I have been to over 15 conventions.
I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical the better.
I’m an artist.
I only clean my room when necessary.
I like a person of the same sex.
I love being happy.
I am an adrenaline junkie.

photo: jena ardell

So far it is a HOT one! Good thing we are stocked up on ice cream.

Photo: Martha Stewart.com