Lauren from Texas

{via} With temperatures on the rise, I decided weekend-before-last that it was time to pack away my winter sweaters and pull out the sundresses. And because I’m OCD and can’t be part of a project that takes me less than half a day to accomplish, of course I chose to use this as an opportunity to do some closet organizing. I don’t wear half of the items in my summer and winter wardrobe, so why keep that clothing around? I was also pretty sure that some items no longer fit, so I opted to be a real glutton for punishment and try on everything that raised the question, “I wonder if that still fits?” After the initial sort-through, I cranked [...]

Sometimes, you attempt to do too much in a week. You work your two part-time jobs, you work on projects, you clean your house, you do your laundry. You try to exercise and count your calories. You make dinner nearly every night. When Sunday rolls around, you cook a huge pot of spaghetti sauce so you have meals for a few days throughout the week. Then, you’re so tired from doing so much, you absent-mindedly turn the heat on high and leave the kitchen. When you come back, your kitchen smells like the inside of a smoky bar, and your spaghetti tastes like it’s been seasoned with leftover charcoal from the BBQ pit. Even though you haven’t ever burned a [...]

1 >> I’ve been obsessed with fruit this week (see above photo) and actually have been eating pretty well. I made it to the gym twice (once for yoga + elliptical, once for elliptical only), and ran once. But then Thursday happened. I taught a social media session in the morning, and they invited me to stay for lunch — so of course I had two helpings of gumbo and a piece of Mississippi Mud Pie. It would have been rude not to. Then I went to the office (social media job) and my boss’ wife and adorable 2-year-old daughter brought me the belated birthday treat of a Red Velvet Cupcake, so of course I had to eat it. It would have [...]

When I wrote my goals for 2012, one of them was to figure out a way to repurpose the many drafts I have written that are sitting quietly in their folder. From when I started this blog in April of 2009 up until recently, I struggled with perfectionism regarding what I posted here. Someone once told me that “the Internet never forgets,” which has served to terrify me over the years. What if I post something that is less than perfect and it is carved in stone for anyone in the world to see for the rest of my life? This year, against all odds, I have managed to break through the glass ceiling of perfectionism — when it comes to this [...]

  Michael (as waiter is describing a certain sushi roll): Is there cheese in that? LfT (after the horrified-looking waiter left our table): Oh my gosh. Michael: What? LfT: CHEESE? REALLY? Michael: I meant cream cheese! Watching me play DrawSomething: I can see I’m going to have to do all the drawing for our kids. Giving me a compliment by telling me I stand out in a crowd: You stick out like a sore thumb. But a pretty thumb. LfT: I’m so hungry. Michael: Here, you want to eat my finger? Michael: You do do that. LfT: (snickers) You said doo-doo. Michael: You do (pause) do that. I had to pause to break up the do do. Singing his own [...]

Leia got her hair cut last week, and I’m obsessed with how tiny she looks without her fluffy coat. I can’t stop picking her up and squeezing her; it’s like she’s a puppy again! I mention this because as adorable as she is right now, there’s something that could make her even cuter. This idea has been in the back of my mind for awhile, but has recently manifested itself into a full-blown obsession. You see, Leia is a shepherd. She herds everything from us to small children to Pancho. She likes to sleep with her back against the wall, which I was told she does because she’s bred to keep watch. The first 2 years of her life were pure [...]

{Essie’s Going Incognito, a birthday gift from Chelsea} Last post I listed “currently” stuff; today I’m listing 5 things! It’s what I do. I make lists. And then I blog them. Hey, I have to give y’all something to do when you’re supposed to be working. 1. Thanks for all the support by way of comments, shares, and retweets regarding my post about celebrities and makeup. Here are a couple of videos I stumbled on shortly after posting and I thought they were great reminders and really pertinent to the topic at hand: 2. Thursday morning, while at work, I noticed a weird rash on my right hand/arm. Just my right, not my left. I started freaking out, thinking something terrible [...]

{birthday flowers} Current Book(s) >> To be honest, I haven’t been doing a whole lot of reading lately. When I finally tumble into bed after working all day, I play a few rounds of DrawSomething and then promptly fall asleep. I need to pick my Kindle back up and finish Two for the Dough, the second book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. That and MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche, which is very interesting, albeit a little slow. Current Playlist >> I have so many Pandora Stations right now. I need to delete some of them. Also, I have a question. What do you do when a song comes on one of your Pandora stations that you don’t love [...]

I love makeup. My favorite components of my daily makeup regime include, oh, all of them. Foundation holds a special place in my heart, but mascara is up there too. And where would I be without bronzer? That’s right, pasty white and deathly. Don’t even get me started on the wonders that a little brow powder and pencil can do. I’ve mentioned before that one of my clients is a makeup boutique, and that each time I visit, I’m like a kid in a candy store. You say this powder will make me look airbrushed? Absolutely I want defined cheekbones! Makeup is smoke and mirrors, but that’s part of the fun. It’s about accentuating your good features and boosting your [...]

A gorgeous day in Canton, Texas. My parents have been going to Canton, Texas since I was old enough to babysit my younger siblings. They used to take off for the day in their Envoy, putting down all the seats and filling it with junk fine quality antiques. Well, my mom did that. My dad was just along for the ride — and the great food. When I was in college, one day I decided to go with them. Upon arrival, I came to the realization and understanding that Canton was one, giant garage sale/flea market. With really good food. And from that moment, I was hooked. I’ve been going with them as often as I am able ever since. I’ve [...]