crafty fanny

and then I turned 30!

That's right: this blog is now coming to you from the wise mind of a 30 year-old. Woot!

My 30th birthday weekend was perhaps the best ever! Here's a recap:

Tim woke me up on the big day with a delicious cup of coffee and then proceeded to make a super delicious crepe-tacular breakfast.

Then we went sailing! On a boat!

We had an awesome dinner that night with friends and my birthday twin, Meredith. For those of you who don't have a birthday twin, I'd strongly suggest you go find one. They're awesome!

The next night we did a super fun family dinner at my mom's. Both my aunts had come to town for the occasion, so it was wonderful to be able to celebrate with so many of my great family members.

THEN, guess who showed up!?! My bff, Laura, that's who! My awesome mom flew her out from the East coast to surprise me. So amazing! Here we are at the airport.

Such happy girls, huh?

At that point, all the focus was on the superhero-themed birthday/Halloween party that my amazing friends were throwing.

Backstory: I think that everyone should have an inner superhero. Mine is Fanny Fantastic. Her superpower is that she removes negative energy from the Universe and her weapon of choice is a gun that shoots bubbles. 

And the party rocked! I think it was the best party I'd ever been to. The best!

Angry Grrrl, Captain Tim, and Fanny Fantastic

close-up of the cape!

Mighty Mere (my birthday twin!) and Fanny Fantastic!

I really could not have imagined a better birthday weekend and am so grateful that I got to spend my time with so many wonderful, amazing people. Y'all blew my mind!

And, a question for you, readers: What's your inner superhero? Everyone should have one!

pretty things for a Happy Friday

Happy Friday dear friends!

I was all set to write a lovely, inspirational post for you all to ponder over the weekend, but then I saw the new Anthropologie catalog sitting in my mailbox: it's so full of pretty!

My Aunt J gave me an Anthro gift card for my birthday, and I'm torn. I was planning on purchasing something practical, a pretty sweater I've had my eye on:

I do wear cardigans nearly every day and the color really is lovely.  But once I started looking through the catalog, I couldn't help but think that I need a new pretty winter dress, like:

OR (this one's my fave!)

OR

 

OR even this one -- which I think could actually be pretty practical:

*sigh* What's a girl to do? Do you have a favorite?

since you've been gone

Well, I suppose the title of this post should actually be "Since I've Been Gone," but since Kelly Clarkson didn't write a song with that title, we'll keep it as is!

Yes, I have taken quite a long blogging break, but I've been busy yo! Lots and lots has been happening. For example:

• I got a job! Boy, going to work is tough when you're out of habit. It's difficult to stay on top of my game at home now that I have this place to go to. But, don't you worry, it's only part time.
• Our friend Snake came to visit for two weeks!
• I saw the Avett Brothers at the OutsideLands Music Festival! Blew my mind, those guys!

• I went to South Carolina on a family trip and to visit my bestie, Laura!
• I did a 150-mile bike ride!! That's right. 150. And, yes, it was as difficult as you might imagine. But we did it, and we smiled the whole time. Woot!

That's me and lovely Meredith at one of our many rest stops. I thought the background was appropriate for the weekend!

• Tim's bestie Joan and her husband Chris came out from Rochester for a visit. I learned to love a good gin martini.
• Then I went to San Diego with my girls from college. Super fun times!

That's us at the Hotel Coronado. Where we had a drink.

• Did I mention that while all this other stuff was going on, I had a job? THEN I started working a second job. But just for two weeks. 
• Oh yeah, and then I turned 30. What, what!?!?! 30, you ask? Oh yeah! And I'm sure you're wondering how that was celebrated? With a superhero-themed birthday/Halloween party, of course! But I think that's best saved for another post.

Missed you guys! MWAH!

wild things

Happy Friday all! Got plans tonight? Nooo? Then you MUST go see Where the Wild Things Are.

Seriously, if you love the book and the story and you're one of those people who get really excited when you can read it to a child, go see it! But it's likely best to leave the child at home. The movie could be a little scary.

Oh, and if you're one of those people who cries at any movie she sees, bring tissues. More than one. This one got me good!

Can you remember when your last wild rumpus was?

And, PS. How sweet is this shot of Spike Jonze with the adorable Max Records? (image via NY Times)

what's in a name?

Well folks, it's official: the name of this blog is now...wait for it...crafty fanny! I say "official" because my banner is now updated with the new name. For now, that's the only change. Can y'all live with that? You can? Yay, let's still be friends!

Speaking of names, how's this one for you: nutella croissant. That's right. Could you die over how delish that sounds (and looks)?

This most brilliant idea ever and accompanying image are from T Spoon of Sunshine (via A Cup of Jo). I just almost swooned from staring at the photo while typing this.

PS. If you're still thinking about picking up a giraffe necklace from Crave Jewelry Design's etsy shop, she's offering a 20% discount this weekend! Deets are on her etsy page. Check it out. I'm still in love with Horace!

blogging? what's that?

Hello dear internet friends!

I just wanted to check in with you to let you know that I am, indeed, alive and well! I don't want you to worry your pretty little heads about me.

The bad news is that this is all I have for now. Me, alive, happy, but busy.

The good news is that I have a ton of fun stuff up my sleeve in the coming weeks. Look out, y'all won't know what hit you!

Miss you all tons!

xo, fanny

thoughts on cooking

The bread post I did a few weeks ago got me thinking. I've talked to a lot of people since then who have said things like the following:

• "Wow, I would never try to make bread from scratch."
• "Hmm...you actually made it? And it tasted good?"
• and the best: "You've inspired me to try making bread again."

I LOVE that by cooking something in my clumsy, messy way in my not-huge kitchen, I could possibly inspire someone else to try cooking something from scratch. That's awesome!

(proof of my not-huge kitchen, pre-yellow)

Here's where you guys come in: Is there anything out there that you are really curious to try to make, but something is holding you back? Are there any foods that you really love, or that your loved ones really love, but you think "oh, I could never actually make that"? I need some ideas on what types of things people might need to be inspired into making.

Here are some things on my short list:

• homemade pizza, crust and all
• pulled pork
• Korean food
• tofu

So let's have it friends! What's on your list?

heaven on earth

Oh my my.

To dry for has a Rob Ryan-designed tea towel. {Swoon}

 

That's all.

flea market finds

This post is loo-oong overdue, but I wanted to share with you guys some of my super fun finds from my recent trip to the Alameda Flea Market.

This flea market is super fun, but I do have two tips:

1. bring coffee
2. don't try to see the whole thing

My girlfriends and I stayed for a couple of hours, and by the end, we had seen about 25% of the booths and were exhausted! Exhausted, yet super thrilled with everything we found!

This is actually a wooden cake stand which I LOVE. I walked away and the immediately circled back and was so relieved to see that it was still there.

Doesn't every girl need a single, turquoise teacup for her cute, yellow kitchen?

Like little milk crates, these guys were a must have, despite the fact that we do indeed have many salt and pepper receptacles already.

This napkin holder was my favorite find of the day, and, interestingly enough, Tim's least favorite. Good thing that we both agree that compromise is awesome for our relationship, so the napkin holder stays!

This strawberry sugar dish is a close second in line for favorites. It makes me happy to look at!

Turquoise was the color of the day, can you tell?

And, of course, I had to buy the Eiffel Tower vase. Just 'cause. (Hello! $5!!)

Overall, I was thrilled with the finds. Which is your favorite? Any items in your house you discovered at a flea market that you just adore?

say hello to my little friend

His name is Horace, and he came to me from the lovely Crave Jewelry Design's etsy shop.  Just try not to fall in love with him. I dare you.

PS. Hi friends! I'm back from my accidental blogging hiatus. I missed you too!

PPS. Yes, I am still loving the long-necked creatures. And, yes, this is what happens when you spend 2 hours looking at everything on etsy listed with the keyword "giraffe."