KBIS Is Around The Corner

In three weeks, I'll be ditching Des Moines to hang out in NOLA for KBIS 2013.  It'll be amazing, I have no doubts.  In an effort to get me pumped for this marvelous occasion, Kristina sent me this fabulous link about fun things to do in NOLA (which, I just learned is NOLA and not NoLa - it's the little details that matter!).  Louisiana is unchartered territory for me, but I look forward to trying new things while I'm there checking out new kitchen and bath trends.  Let's hope it lives up the the wonderfulness that was KBIS 2012 [read more about it here, here, and here].

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Shine Bright Like an Emerald

Did you catch that?  Shine Bright Like a Diamond...  Thanks, Rihanna.  Anyway, emerald is Pantone's Color of the Year.  I'm totally digging it, which surprises me since I typically like lighter, less rich colors.  Now that I type that, I wonder...does that make me bland?  Whatever.  I'm comfortable with boring.

So, the reason I care about emerald is because I'm working on a photo shoot for next week, and I need to figure out what colors to put with Emerald.  Um...white and black?  That's my go-to combo for basically every color.  Or, I'm loving every color in the Fashion Color Report for Spring 2013 but African Violet (I love deep purple, but light purple...not for me).  So, maybe things aren't so bad.  Maybe I can make emerald green work...

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And while I'm on a music kick, have you heard Justin Timberlake's new song, Suit & Tie?  I like it.  Probably because he made my senior year of college amazing with Bringing Sexy Back.  Or maybe it's because I love dressing up.  Speaking of which, I need to figure out what I'm wearing to Law Prom in February.  If you have any suggestions, send them my way.

Holiday Parties

Saturday night, I attended my first holiday party of the season - an ugly Christmas sweater party.  I love these parties.  You don't have to get stressed out trying to look your best; instead, you get to have fun dressing a little goofy.  It's stress-free.  Anyway, a college friend, Rachel, invited me to the party and it was great reconnecting with a few friends from undergrad as well as meeting new friends.  I don't really get out much, so this was a nice break for me.

Learn more about the earrings here

Then, tonight was our department Christmas party at work.  It was held at the Gramercy Tap in the Kirkwood Hotel building downtown.  Lindsay, one of my favorite co-workers who has been on maternity leave since October, was there and it was so fun seeing her.  She doesn't look like she just had a baby - I'll need to get some pointers from her one day!

My little buddy, Nick

Deanne (she's a Kappa, too!), Lindsay, me and Brittainey

Deanne, Barb, me, Lindsay, and Leah

Christmas conversation starters, perfect for Christmas parties

Behind the Scenes

I've had three video shoots for work in the past month and one big photo shoot, and it's been a lot of fun.  I sometimes get caught up in the stresses of my work...but then I remind myself that I'm a pretty lucky girl...and I've worked really hard to be where I am...so I should enjoy and appreciate every minute of it.

Getting jiggy with it.

I'm also very good at using a jig saw.  I'm surprised with my skills...

And sometimes, I get to sneak in a little bit of Kappa love in my photos.  It makes me very happy.

Anthropologie Owl Cookie Jar

Also, I found this photo of me on the app when I did a video a few months back.  It's from the pendant light designer challenge.

click here to watch the video

Blast From The Past

This week, while working like crazy to meet a very tight deadline, one of my favorite people stopped over at my photo shoot location - my former high school yearbook teacher and adviser, McR. Of course, I had to take a break (probably my only break this week) and catch up with her. She was back in Des Moines (her former stomping grounds) to visit old friends. It's been years since we last saw one another, and I was really missing her. Though we only met for a few minutes, it was wonderful, quality time. I'm so grateful to have her in my life. She encouraged me to go to college (at the University of Iowa) and to be a Kappa. I got half of that one right!

Anyway, some people come and go, but I'm so glad that McR has been there for me over the past ten years and always seeing the best in me, constantly encouraging me to do more and be better. I hope I can one day be as wonderful as she is.

As I reflect, I can't help but think about how what I do for work is really like yearbook for grow ups. I try to stay on trend. I get to know lots of people and feature a diverse selection in the book. I am obsessed with getting the most beautiful shot possible... Seriously, it's kind of a dream job I have...one I've been training for over the past decade.

Long Days

Today, I worked from about 8 AM until about 10 PM. It was a long day, and I'm having a hard time winding down. However, Sophie is not. She's ready for bed. I wish, for just one day, I could be Sophie. I think her life is pretty divine. And I'm a really good sleeper, so I think I could manage it...

A Reality Check

I read this on Huffington Post, and couldn't help but laugh...a lot.  It's a farewell email someone sent when they apparently left their job on Friday.  My apologies in advance for the profanities and the small font size.

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All in a Day's Work

A few months back, I posted this photo of me on Facebook (shot during how-to photography). 

The shots below are the professional images from the shoot.  Thank goodness the focus is on the wood tray and not on my awesome hair!

Make a wood tray (source)

And here's a picture of the tray looking beautiful on location photography...

Make a wood tray (source)

Wellness

I had my wellness assessment at work this morning.  We get a discount on our health insurance if we complete it, and I actually look forward to it every year.  This has been the first full year I've been gluten-free, and I think it's been a good thing for me.  I didn't eliminate gluten to lose weight; I eliminated it to feel human and rid myself of years of tummy troubles (that's the nice way of saying it).  Anyway, this year's wellness assessment was actually nice.  I wasn't told I was at risk for being obese (maybe that's in the digital version I'll receive later).  I didn't get shuffled around between stations (they now have one person check your weight, height, body fat, measure your waist, and perform the blood test).  I had a lovely conversation with my wellness assessor (I made up her title; I'm pretty sure that's not her official title).  Her husband is a farmer in Bondurant and will get a 50% discount if he takes his corn to get dried at the grain elevator if he drops it off by Friday.  We bonded.  Anyway, so the really great part of my wellness assessment was this: I lost five pounds and three inches from my waist this past year.  Maybe it's from working out more intentionally (as in actually trying when I'm there and not pouting like a moody teenager about having to be there), but I guess my mom was right when she said I look "less bloated" now that I'm not eating gluten.  Oh, mom...gotta love the pure honesty.

And speaking of honesty, a friend of mine shared this hilarious blog with me.  It's written from the perspective of a toddler.  You will laugh, I promise.

Manicures

Sometimes, I have to get manicures for work.  It's hard work, but someone's got to do it.  Here are some shots of my hands in motion.

Install crown moulding on your cabinets

Install a tile backsplash

Add a ceiling treatment

Add a frame to your frameless mirror

This is a perfect example of what a crappy manicure looks like.  I forgot about this shoot...and my nails show it.

Make ikat wall art

And this is an excellent example of why it's important to lower your voice when speaking in public (video link here).  Note to self:  lower your voice when on camera.  I guess when I'm nervous, it shows...


Here's an image from a few years back, before manicures were a requirement for how to photo shoots.

Install a tile backsplash

Office Supplies

I love office supplies.  I get giddy every time I walk in an office supply store.  The feeling is amplified when walking in a stationary or custom office supply store.  I adore pretty stationary and office supplies.  Here's a little look in my drawer at work.  I have an obsession with Sharpies and sticky notes.

Love the Russell+Hazel sticky notes and colorful Sharpies!