Farewell Blogger

Dear Blogger,

It was fun while it lasted.
Thanks for recording my memories for the last 1.3 years.
I will be HERE if you would like to join me on my new blog adventure.
Until we meet again,

Natalie

It's all about the outfit

Today, I will go with a classy look.
Houndstooth coat, skinny jeans, patent leather flats.

Tomorrow, I will be rocking a completely different look.
Mini skirt, leggings, and high heels.
I will be dressing up for a concert with my girls.
I would tell you which one, but that would ruin the pictures I will post on Monday.
Everyone have a good weekend!

Lost = Good

I guess it is only fair that I share who I think the Oceanic 6 are. I think it will be:

Kate
Jack
Hurley
Sawyer
Claire
Sayid

Ok, so I just threw Sayid on the list because I didn't know who else to say. But I do believe that perhaps it could be Ben (although he is NOT technically an Oceanic survivor). I have always thought it was Ben in that coffin. And so does my cousin Michelle (who I religiously exchange LOST emails with). For some reason I've always thought Claire was getting off. Maybe because of the baby. Maybe because she's pretty. I don't know. I just have a feeling.

So last night's episode started out kinda bleh to me. I guess the character development of the four who landed on the island kinda confused me at first. But then when they showed the skinny, tall, creepy looking "lawyer" dude who visited Hurley in the looney house talking to Naomi I got so excited! And the part where Ben tries to kill the English lady...so baller! I knew she wasn't dead. I do seem to like her for some reason. She intrigues me. And the ending was so good. Who knew that little old Henry Gale was going to turnout to have such a huge role in all this drama! I love it. And next week we find out another member of the Oceanic 6....eeek, can't wait!

It's friday, bitches! Whoo! I have a big, crazy, jam-packed weekend ahead of me. Game night, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, driving to Jersey for a concert (which I will disclose later), etc. I might collapse by the time Monday rolls around. Have a good weekend ya'll (I learned that word in Dallas, hehe)!

eta: Do you think that perhaps the lawyer dude was from Dharma and now they are after Ben for killing all their people. But, how would they have known that? And why would it have taken then like 20 years to come after him? Hmmmm.

Happiness Is:

Happiness Is:

• Game Night with my girls on Friday
• Scrapbowl next weekend
• Thursday night Lost episodes
• Emails with my cousin Michelle
• Going to visit my sister in Spain in April
• Having a regular workout schedule
• My Italian word-a-day calendar
• An assortment of colored Sharpies
• Sending fun surprise packages in the mail
• New patent leather high heels for work
• Finding funny valentine's day cards at Target
• Playing Rock Band in Best Buy with Matt
• Taking self portraits with my brother, and then scrapping about it. Like so:

That's all for now. Happy Lost Day everyone! Any guesses on who the Oceanic 6 are?

Ahhh, the Superbowl

Ok, so Superbowl Sunday is one of my top 3 days of the year. Next to Fourth of July and my birthday. Ha. I just love football. I'm a total dude like that. And last night's game did not disappoint. So killer. The Giants were amazing. What a fantastic 4th quarter. I'm still shocked with the results, and even though I love me some Tom Brady, I am so happy for the Giants.


Only bad part of the night: the commercials. WTF. They sucked. All except the Doritos mouse trap one. And perhaps, the Buuuuud Light one. Hehe, just LOLed thinking about them.


I am even more sick than I was Saturday. Did manage to scrap it up. The rest of the layouts are on SIS. Too lazy to post. Off to drink some hot tea, and head to Target. One is never too sick to go to Target, right?

Hello Past

Back from Dallas.
Feeling very sick.
And for real this time.
Refusing to rest.
Cleaning my room instead.
Finding clothes from highschool.
And some from my early college days.
Trying them on.
Feeling fat.
I can't button the jeans.
But happy that they go up 92% of the way.
Finding jewelry galore.
And funny pics.
Embarrassing ones, in fact.
I would post them but my self esteem issues from 7th grade might surface again.

That's all for now.

P.S. I'm moving blogs soon.
Very soon. Stay tuned.

Numero Dos

I mentioned before that I ordered some new fabrics. I got them from Quilt Home which delivered them super quick, which totally made the whole buying experience even better. I am madly in love with the all the pinks and browns. A little sneak peak of some of the fabrics I plan to use for quilt numero dos:

And I've had a little secret. Matt and I have moved. Temporarily back to VA. This is what our place looked like a few weeks ago. Total chaos. Boxes everywhere. Weird things laying around, like snowboarding bindings, a lonely bike helmet, and my beloved Wii. I'm sad we left, but I am happy the move is over. Now, we are looking forward to our next move. Which at this point is TBD. We're thinking maybe to the big city. Or maybe west coast. Or maybe farther. Time will tell. Now it is just a waiting game.


If you need my new address for any reason, please just hit me up with an email.

Everyone have a great weekend! Live it up while you still can.

Goodbye Heath

I was very saddened to hear about the death of Heath Ledger. He was so young. And so talented. And I just feel so bad for his daughter who will never really get to know her father.

And in my attempts to lighten up this tragic day, a funny scrappy about my boy Lou. Makes me giggle every time I see it.

One Seventeen Oh Eight

It snowed, people. Yeah, that white powder stuff that is essential for us snowboarders. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to grab my board. But it did cause some insane traffic. Always fun...NOT.

But I do have to admit it was pretty to photograph. And pretty to look at from my bedroom window. I wished it snowed more here. But then again, DC area drivers suck. So I take back my last comment.

And because I haven't scrapped (or shall I say posted) in a LONG time, here are some pages that kinda just came together this afternoon. Super easy and super quick. Continuing my "less is more" style in 2008.

Who else is excited that LOST starts in two weeks. Um, can I get a hell yeah!

Fabric Happy

So......I asked my sister, to ask my cousin, to tell her parents, to get me Guitar Hero for my birthday. Well, either they didn't get the memo, or they just couldn't find it. So they got me cash instead. Which, was totally fine by me. Cash rules, dudes.

So......instead of rocking out to some Aerosmith and perhaps a little Pat Benatar, I decided to go a little fabric happy online today. It is now safe to say that that there is definitely a quilt numero dos in the near future. If only you knew how extremely giddy with excitement I am right now! New fabric makes me happy. And so does birthday money.

I'm out, yo. Off to Cosi to snag my favorite salad for lunch.

10 Years Ago Today...

This was me. On my Sweet 16 Birthday.
And yes, I'm rocking a sweater vest!
And a full set of braces. hehe.

I found this picture last night and I just found it to be so fitting considering I am TEN years older today. I still remember that day. I got balloons and cards from my friends. Roses from my boyfriend at the time. And new clothes from my mom. Not to mention that sweeeet cake.

But today I turn 26 (um, how did that happen?). And there will be no party. And no balloons. Just ice cream cake around 7 with the fam. Looking forward to a low key day, away from my horrid cubicle.

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my bestest friend and birthday twin Molly Shields. =)

p.s. Kla, you made my day with the daily page. Loves you!

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Yesterday:

• I woke up at 4am.
• I turned in a very big project at work
• I had Chinese food for lunch
• I went to Paper Source and stocked up on labels
• I ran into Elise who was rocking a straight haired look
• I went to happy hour at Bangkok Joe's
• It rained, and it made me feel happy.

Today:

• I hit snooze about a kagillion times
• I considered calling out sick.
• I fought with Matt before 7am. Not fun.
• I will finalize my birthday plans.
• I will babysit three of my favorite girls.
• I will contemplate faking sickness around 1pm.
• I will do my daily page.

Tomorrow:

• I will sleep in and enjoy a peaceful morning.
• I will be happy to not be sitting in a cubicle all day.
• I will finish updating my resume. Ugh.
• I will workout (if I can find the energy and drive).
• I will watch Disk 7 of Lost Season 3. Farewell Charlie.
• I will mail out some fun packages to my craftly ladies.

So lovely it's Friday. Here's hoping my weekend is productive and that yours is fun and relaxing.

Is it bad...

...that I'm starting to get sick and I don't really care. I have a runny nose, lots of sinus pressure, a small cough, and a never ending headache. And all I can think about is that if I get sick enough, then I can (legitimately) call out sick from work for a few days this week. Apparently I hate my job SO much that I rather be sick and at home, then well and at work.

I've decided that my word for 2008 is going to be:

FINISH

I love to start projects, scrap pages, blog entries, marathon training, healthy eating plans, mini books (you get the point) and then I never FINISH what I started. I've had this problem all my life. And I have to stop blaming it on my severe A.D.D. This year, my motto will be "don't start it, if you can't finish it."

On that note. This blog entry is finished.

FINALLLLYYY!!

I FINALLY finished my quilt. And I made it just in time to win the bet. The last two days I spent on this thing were brutal....but it was totally worth it. My mom was incredibly impressed, my sister said it wasn't "grandma" like most quilts (haha), and Matt thought it looked professionally made. I was so happy THEY liked it because it is their opinions I value the most. Even my boy Louie loved it:

And FINALLY...I posted the rad banner that Stacey made me. I've been meaning to post it since November..... But no computer meant I had no editing software, which meant, I had no way to shrink it to size, which meant I couldn't post it.... UNTIL NOW!! So whooo hooo to FINALLY having a cool ass banner, courtesy of one the sweetest girls I know.

Off to watch last night's DVRed epi of Gossip Girl.

Hello Fresh Start

I've decided to put away my sparkly party dress and uncomfortable high heels this year. I have made way for comfort, good food, fabulous friends, and simplicity. There is something so special to me about the new year. A new beginning. A fresh start. A world of possiblities. But unless I'm in Bolivia, where the cost of a crazy fun, open bar party is usually $25, I just don't get very excited for the new years festivities. I hate spending the money, not because I'm cheap (becaues unfortuanly that has never been one of my problems). But because it defeats my usual resolution of "be more responsbile with your money." So, this year I am getting together with some close friends. We will eat, drink, and be merry. We might even play some board games. And we will go to bed at a reasonable hour (unlike my usual 9am arrival time when I party in Bolivia).

So, here's to 2008. Here's to my one big resolution:

Less Talk, More Action.

May 2008 bring you love, peace, health, good friendships, and happiness.

Nikon, I Love You

Would you like a recap of the last few weeks through the eyes of my trusty Nikon? I figured its the least I can do for not posting any real pics in the month of December. So here goes.

Matt and I went to the annual Bolivian Christmas party. It was lovely. Except for the fact that I got a scary religious calendar for the gift exchange (but that's another story). Plus, someone took this semi-decent picture of us. Now if only that plant didn't look like it was growing from my left shoulder....

We found this $4 shirt at target and decided it was a must have for Louie. He was not very happy. But we were! Bwahaha!
I've been taking an insane amount of mirror shots. Maybe its boredom. Maybe its vanity. Whatever it is. It's fun.

I had no idea my quilt was going to take me THIS long. I have 2 days to finish it. A bet is a bet, and I am one competitive bitch. I will finish this thing even if it means staying home on new years eve with a bottle of champagne, dick clark, and my sewing machine.

Did I mention that we found a mouse in our apartment on Christmas Eve? This little bastard almost cost me a pair of Chanel sunglasses. It took us an insane two hours of screams mixed in with patience to catch him. Notice the Making Memories mat and the basket that holds my paints? Scrapbooking saves lives people. Literally.

And speaking of ye old scrappies...guess who made her very first page? Yep, my sister. So proud of her. Just when I was getting excited that I had found someone to be artsy with, I remembered that she leaves for Spain in a week. Bummer.

SOOOOOOOOOOO excited to welcome the new year.

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO over 2007.

I love the start of something new.

So farewell 2007. And hello 2008!

Because Morgan Misses My Posts

Hello all! Took a one week break from blogging and it was lovely. In the last week I have...

• Finished my Christmas Cards
• Finished shopping for everyone (except my parents)
• Stayed up WAY too late
• Avoided the mall at all costs
• Beat a very hard level of Mario Galaxy
• Skipped out of work early 2 times (today will make it 3)
• Ran into a fellow scrapper friend who rocks.
• Tripped in public. And it was funny.

I worked on my beloved quilt last night. Just as I had finished sewing together all seven pieces (which took forever and was the most stressful thing I have done since my balance beam routine in 1991) I decided to add 2 more pieces. Why, you might ask? Well, I made my sister lie down on the couch with me and pretend to be Matt, so I could see if what I had was big enough for the two of us. She even spooned me, a la Matt, which made the calculation even more accurate. She's the best.

So, what do you buy your parents for Christmas? The two most awesome people in the world, but who have EVERYTHING already. So incredibly difficult. My dad needs a new camera. And as much as I don't mind dropping $300 on my dad because he could possibly be the best human being on this planet....what do I get my mom that is equally as good. Do you see my dilemma here? You can't just spoil one, and not the other. This must be like when you have kids, and you will mostly likely have a favorite (even though everyone says they don't - bullshit) and you want to give one more presents than the other. Tough call. Not saying my dad is my favorite, because my mom kicks ass, but you know what I mean.

I really hope my parents don't read my blog.

Happy Friday!

Cutting up my Heels with A Scissor.

I've been bored at work today. Unfortunately for my Jessica Simpson pump, it took the wrath of my boredom. See title above.

Have I mentioned how I'm loving making insanely simple pages? I'm all about the fuck the bullshit and let's get to the point type pages. And I'm loving the results! Why? Well, mostly because I had this goal to fill up a KI felt album by the end of the year... and I actually think I might accomplish this at the rate I'm going.

I'm running errands after work today. I will be going to:

• A.C. Moore. I have a 50% off coupon yo!
• G Street Fabrics to ask them a quilt question.
• Anthropologie, because I need a holiday dress.
• The Mall, b/c dammit its about time I start xmas shopping.

And about Lasik....I have to be honest. I've been freaking out!!!! I already had this convo with my NYC trip ladies a few weeks ago, and we talked it out, and I sorta felt better. But seriously....I'm right back to freaking out again. The dr. dude told me that I have big pupils. Um....ok! Apparently that means I could potentially experience halos and/or foggy vision. Um....so what they're saying is, I'm going to pay them a ridiculous sum of money to see exactly how I see with contacts on. Yeah...having doubts people. Can anyone calm me down?

Have/Have Not

I Have:

1. Received a fantastic package from Amy. It made my day.
2. Scrapbooked, but not posted. Feeling private lately.
3. Been told I'm going to Dallas in Jan for work. Interesting.
4. Caught up on episodes of GG. And I just love it.
5. Purchased Season 3 of LOST. And with a $5 coupon I might add.
6. A new found obsession with cards. Especially letterpress.
7. A doctors appointment at 9:15 on Friday morning. Thinking about calling out sick afterwards, just for the hell of it.

I Have Not:

1. Worked out in one week.
2. Posted the beautiful banner that Stacey made me.
3. Been festive this year. No tree. No decorations. No xmas spirit.
4. Worn my contacts in 2.5 weeks. Did you know you can't wear your contacts for a month before getting Lasik? Guess I will just look nerdy during the holiday season.
5. Sent out my Christmas cards. I'm just happy I bought them.
6. Been motivated. I've been so lazy that it's starting to disgust me.
7. Purchased a single present. Just call me the grinch.

The End.

Simplify

I find it so hard to do everything I want to do. To check every thing off the to-do list. To find time to scrap, and quilt, and cook, and study, and read, and take pictures. So, I say, when crunched with time, simplify. And I'm loving the results.

Cardstock + Hambly + Typewriter = Page in less than 30 minutes.
This is my new formula for quick and easy scrapping. Try it.

Katie came to visit me on Saturday. We shopped, and talked, and laughed, and ate. And you know you have had a good day when you end the day with photo booth pictures at Chucky Cheese combined with Cinnamon Dolce Lattes at Starbucks. Good times.

Is anyone else super excited that the LOST dvd's come out tomorrow? I have really missed my psycho, crazy, and messed-up characters. I will savour watching any episodes that involve my beloved Charlie, for I know that this will be the last time his face will appear on one of the seven disks.

Cheers to a new week.