A-B-C....easy as 1-2-3

What a fitting title as I went to see the Michael Jackson Immortal Cirque du Soleil tour this week.  It is definitely in the top 5 strangest/creepiest things I've ever experienced.  I don't know any other things of the top of my head that would go on that list, but there have to be some.

This reminds me of MySpace quizzes back in the day, but I need to burn some time so here we go! Thanks Amanda for finding a way to waste some time!

A-     Age: 25

B-      Birthday: July 9^th, most people know because I’m OBSESSED with my birthday/week/month

C-      Color: Purple is my favorite in general. Cobalt blue is my favorite to wear.

D-     Drink: Water, Juice, and the occasional orange soda.  Mountain Dew Code Red on road trips

E-      Eyes: Brown, though once I was told they were yellow….very strange

F-      Flashback: My favorite Halloween costume ever, Mrs Frizzle and the Magic School Bus constructed by yours truly

 

 

G-     Google: I like to fact check people.  My phone history tells a different story, one of a fatty who only looks up restaurants and recipes- namely chocolate cake recipes. Oh, and a few crossfit box searches as well…..that’s redeeming, right?

H-     Hobby: Eating delicious things, cooking, playing with Folgers, doing crafts, and reading home design blogs

I-        Indulgence: Candy/ Cookies/ Cake/ Brownies, the Chocolate Lovin Spoon cake at McAlister’s is my new favorite thing.  Also, Hayes Barton Pharmacy has the worlds best cake HANDS DOWN.

J-       Job: Trading Analyst/ Scheduler- Energy, not sure how I ended up here but it’s been over 3 years somehow

K-      Kids: LOVE THEM.  I want to be able to field a team….not really but I would like a ‘lot’, like 4

L-       Loves: Stargazer Lilies, Hard Cider,  Sneakers, especially high tops, THINGS

M-   Music: 90s, Country, Old School rap, ah la .Ja Rule. I love you, I’m not ashamed. BEYONCE. All hail Queen Bey.

N-     Nickname: Care Bear

O-     One Wish: Boundless money. Then I could be a stay at home mom and open an antique shop

P-      Pets: Folgers Marie, aka LouLou. My darling baby. Go ahead and follow her on Instagram, LittleLouLou53, yes she has her own Insta because she is a BOSS.

 

Q-     Quote: “My thoughts are not like your thoughts.
    And your ways are not like my ways,”
announces the Lord.
 “The heavens are higher than the earth.
    And my ways are higher than your ways.
    My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

R-      Residence: Raleigh, although Charlotte will always have my heart

S-      Siblings: Brothers on both sides.

T-      Temperature: 78*, warm enough to play outside barefoot without pouring sweat

U-     University: NCSU. Go Pack!

 

V-     Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Upgrading in August!

W-   Worst Habit: Tied: ‘Doddling’ and Interrupting.  Everyone knows not to walk out of the door before me because I will inevitably get ‘lost’ somehow, no matter where I am.  I also just start talking when thoughts come into my head and just barge into whatever someone else is saying. RUDE CAROLINE!

X-      X-Rays: Have had a ton due to 2 jaw surgeries and lots of other fun dental procedures

Y-      Yuck: Needles (unless they are tattoo-ing me), Blood, anything bodily related and lots of words: ooze, moist, vein…I have to stop.

Z-      Zoo Animal: I really like the big cats. Lions, Tigers, Ocelots, all of those. So sweet.

 

Hoorah for a blog post on here. Might be a few months until the next :)

 

 

A Work in Progress...Bedroom Edition

2014 Bedroom by cmcampbell2010 featuring a light bulb lamp

So this will be the end goal of the side of my bedroom.  I found the desk on Craigslist and got it for $90 delivered 1/2 way, which just happened to be in Mebane.  Matt came with me and was even nice enough to let me shop some!

So far I have:
- Desk
- Honeycomb Lamp Base
- White Drum Lamp Shade
- Nate Berkus Gold Sea Urchin
- Rifle Paper Co Je T'aime Card
- Skeleton Keys
- Skeleton Key Burlap Fabric
- Several Design Books
- Tan Fabric Cubbies
- TONS of Junk to hide in cubbies and baskets

Now, all I have to do is unload a dresser full of clothes I barely wear and find somewhere for it to go.

See Matt, Mom, Erica and everyone else who asked where my desk will go.
I have a plan!
....kind of
 

Gold Rock Lamp, Come to Mama!!

  So, as I was browsing Instagram I came across a gold lamp.  It was so pretty, then gold sheen and perfect pentagonal sides called to me.  Honey and Fitz picture called to me, but also let me know that the lamp was from Land of Nod.  She had commented that the lamp wasn't available until February 2014, but heck...I don't actually have a purpose....or space....so who cares! Off to the website I went!

 

          And then I saw the price.....$79 for just the base. A bit too much for me.

 

 

 

But it was just so pretty, I kept looking back at the picture she had posted and stalking her Insta and there it was! She had THREE brand new, glistening rock lamps!! But how I thought, they aren't available until February.  A few clicks back through her Instagram let me know that there is a Land of Nod OUTLET! And they had the lamps for wait for it.....$24.99! And a gracious commenter (@Averybird24) left the phone number.

 

Ring Ring!

Land Of Nod: Hello

Caroline: Hi, do you happen to have any gold lamp bases still  in stock?

Land of Nod: We actually do...and they are ten dollars because they have a bit of bubbling in the paint.

 

Ten Dollars. TEN Dollars. Ten DOLLARS. TEEEENNNNNNN DOLLARS. Ten measly dollars. These babies were going to be mine! Paint bubbles and all!

He then told me 3 people had called and placed orders in the last hour and asked where I heard about these, so good job @HoneyandFitz, you deserve a referral fee!

 

So for a mere $28.00 shipped I will have not one, but TWO gold rock lamps! I can not wait.....and don't worry Matt and Erica, I WILL find somewhere to put these....eventually.

 

 

 

Crank Arm Brewing, Oak City Cycling, and Food Trucks!



Valentine's Day

Uh-oh, look what I found! Looks like someone is trying to give me a hint!!

1. Lots of Cookies! 2. Leash 3. Collar 4.Lamb Chop 5.New Bed

Traphill, NC Weekend Getaway

DishCrawl Comes to Raleigh

On February 6, 2013 DishCrawl came to Raleigh!

One of my childhood friends, Adam, posted a status on his Facebook about something called "DishCrawl" a few months ago....DishCrawl sounds oddly similar to PubCrawl which I happen to enjoy....and it was DISHES? FOOD! Yes, I was definitely in!

For only $45 you get to sample food at four restaurants, the restaurants are kept secret and you only find out the 1st restaurant 48 hours before the event! If the suspense is too much for you, you can follow @DishCrawlRDU on Twitter or Instagram.  I was able to figure out a few of the restaurants from clues on both social media apps.

Our first stop was Bida Manda on at 222 Blount Street which is a Laotion restaurant and bar. We had pork spring rolls (which I normally don't eat!) that were so tasty, they were served with some kind of sweet sauce.  We also had curry chicken and rice.  

 The food was good but the atmosphere was even better! Bida Manda is BEAUTIFUL inside! There were amazing tapestries hanging around but by far the most outstanding feature of the restaurant was the Bamboo covered bar and walls! I am OBSESSED with how this looks!

The food was a tease and we were hungry for more so we headed to the next spot, ORO located at 18 E Martin Street. We had carmelized pork bellow skewers (top left), shrimp and grits (top left),  and truffle mac and cheese (bottom: before and after!) .  The grits were fried, I have never had them prepared this way but there were outstanding. The truffle macaroni and cheese was quite tasty as well, i'm glad I did not know it had truffle shavings because I am terrified of mushrooms. Although I would like to be considered a 'foodie' I'm way too picky.

Check out these lights! This picture does not do them justice, you should probably just head on over and check it out yourself.  Almost everything in the restaurant is pure white as well, it looks so crisp, clean and modern!

Yes, I'm aware this is supposed to be about food but somehow I can't help looking at all of the design aspects of the restaurants...sue me :). They also have a nine foot fireplace!

I didn't have a cocktail, which I am now majorly regretting! Check out these cocktails:

Citrus vodka, Pear, and Passion Fruit Puree? I need this in my life!

Our third stop was Centro, formerly known as Dos Taquitos located at 106 South Wilmington Street.

Sopecitos

Our final stop was Troy Mezze which is in City Market (my FAVORITE part of town!), 317 Blake Street. This is a Turkish restaurant and we had dessert here.

Happy New Year!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

The Magic School Bus

I made these costumes for my brother and I! I LOVE them and apparently others did too. We won a contest!

Rocket boosters with Fire coming out!

Oh hi Lizzie the Lizard.

Pillow Pouf Update

Winner!!!

She loves it!!

Happy 1st Birthday Kendall!

Fall is coming!!

In an effort to be a grown up I am trying to dress like a real person!  I love the sweater over the collared shirt loo for fall.

Here are some inspiration pictures! 

 ( pretty stems )

( tiny sailor )

Raleigh Lauren Sweater

( Skinny Shirt )

At $17.99 I am stocking up on these sweaters from Target.  They are SO soft!  Hopefully they go through the washing machine okay!

( Target ) $17.99



Let's Get Crafty: Popsicle Pouf

One of my old co-worker's daughter is turning one this week.  I wanted to make her something original and came across pillow poufs on Living with Punks blog.  These two pictures show what Kendall will hopefully look like with her new pouf!  I hope that Merideth and Kendall love the pouf and don't think it is silly.

There are detailed instructions of how to sew the pouf on the Living with Punks but here is my copy cat tutorial :).

Materials Needed:

- 1 yard of fabric, the home decorator kind that is thick and sturdy.  This is along the back wall at most JoAnn stores.

- 2 packages of 1/2 " premade piping, I used Wrights Bias Tape Maxi Piping, this is near the thread.  It is in a display with all sorts of quilt edging and rick rack, I missed it the first time and had to ask someone where it was :)

-Thread, Living with Punks suggests using contrasting thread but I just used what I had on hand.

- Polyfill, I got a 32 oz bag and I have a TON left.  

- Compass

- Math Skills

- Approximately 2-4 hours

I bought a compass at Office Depot for 1.97, the largest marker on the ruler says 6 inches but if you open it as wide as it goes you can get a 7 inches radius, therefore a 14 inch circle.  You will need a 17 inch circle for the top and bottom of the pouf.  I used my mad math skillz (thanks Mom :)) and measured 1.5 inches out from the circle to make a new 17 inch circle.  Man, I'm smart. 

 Here are my supplies, minus the fiber fill.  One yard of darling popsicle fabric, I loved this for a little girl.  My two packages of piping, and my paper circle!  Now its time to get serious! Let's start cutting the material, you will need:

-2 17 inch circles

- 9'" x 51.5" piece for the side.  My fabric was only 45 inches wide so I had to sew on another 6.5 inch section.

-2 3"x12" pieces for the handle

All materials cut!

Close up of the piping packaging so you will have an easier time finding it :)

 Pin the piping to the pretty side of your fabric.  The 'puffy' part of your piping should be closer to the middle of the fabric and the flat side should match up with the edge of your fabric.  

Overlap the piping where they meet.  

 Start sewing!Make sure to sew AS CLOSELY as you can to the puffy part of the piping, otherwise it will look funny when the project is done.  

 Make sure to sew over both piping sections where they overlap.  Once they are secure you can cut the excess piping off at an angle. 

Take one handle piece and set the piping the same way you did with first circle.  Puffy side in, flat side on the edge of your fabric. Pin and Sew. 

 Once you have the piping added to one piece of the fabric you are ready to complete the handle.  Turn the pretty sides of the fabric together and sew as CLOSE as you can to the edge of the fabric and along the puffy piping.  Do not sew the edges shut and flip the fabric back out so the pretty side is showing again.

Take your side material (if you have a 45" fabric go ahead and add the remaining 6.5 inches of fabric to it now).  Place the side fabric so the pretty side is facing the pretty side of one circle.  Start pinning this together; crease the fabric like in the picture below.

Once you get done pinning the fabric around the edges the height sides of you fabric should meet up perfectly, pin these and sew this edge.

Apparently I forgot to take pictures of the rest of this process! Check out the Living with Punks tutorial for more pictures :) 

Sew around the edge of the circle, make sure to sew closest to the edge and beside the piping.  For some reason I sewed on the other side ("left" of the piping if the "right" is the edge) and had to spend an hour seam ripping to undo my mistake.  I did have a little help with this from a trusty neighb. 

Now it is time to attach the handle.  Flip the material back pretty side out (you will now see if you sewed properly, if you don't see your piping it is time to bust out the seam ripper -- it happens to the best of us).  I had a 45" fabric so I sewed on the opposite side of seam.  

I pinned the non-piped edges and made a clean seam on them.  Then I attached the handle by sewing over the edge seam and also adding a box with an 'X' to hold it down securely.  Make sure you don't sew this very taut so there is give to carry the handle. 

Almost done!  Flip the fabric back to the ugly side and pin on the remaining circle, pretty sides facing each other.  Leave a little pocket open so you can stuff the pillow.

Stuff the pillow with as much Polyfill as you think the pillow needs!

TaDa!

Hopefully I will have an updated picture soon of Kendall and her pouf :)