StarSparrow

Here's What I've Been Working on Lately

I'm almost done with the first trimester, and I am SO looking forward to feeling human again. The nausea, exhaustion, heart burn, dizziness, breakouts, and food aversions have been terrible! 

We are so excited about what the future holds for us as parents, however, for those out there trying to have a child, hang in there. We had been trying for around a year, with no luck, and things were looking really dark. After the first of the year, I'd been to see a specialist who ran a number of tests and recommended exploratory surgery as the next step in trying to have a baby (at the time, I was a few weeks pregnant, but we didn't know). It was terrifying. As two people in our mid-twenties, we hadn't really considered that we might have trouble, or that we could be infertile. Having that desire for a child, and seeing babies and pregnant women everywhere, can be agonizing for someone who has been trying to conceive. 

That's why, although I am so happy that my dream is coming true, my heart and my mind are also with all the men and women out there who are struggling with infertility and the desire to become a parent. I know for those in that situation it can be incredibly discouraging, but don't lose heart.

I am thinking of you all, and I send my love and lots of baby dust.

Gingerbread and Red Riding Hood

This past week, I thought it would be nice to build a gingerbread house. J thought it would be nice to eat a gingerbread house. We both ended up happy from that one! This photo of him diving into the finished product was just too cute not to share!

And here are the parts to the Nativity I mentioned last night, happily drying in a downy cotton cushion. They should be dry in a day or so, and then I can get to painting!

Do I even need to tell how you freaking EXCITED I am about this?!?

Amanda Seyfried? Check!

Guys with faux-hawks and serious looks on their faces? Check!

Gary Oldman? Check!

Dark gothic romance? Check!

Beautiful scenery and panoramic shots? Check!

Incredible and vintagey costumes? Double Check!

This movie meets all my requirements for a great movie! Forget the good acting and great dialogue, that's for the timeless classics (which I also adore... bring on the Casablanca!) this is the perfect atmospheric, dark and moody chick flick! I love these!

Will you be catching "Red Riding Hood" when it comes out in March 2011?

And just for kicks: Favorite movie ever, and why?

Mine is "An Affair To Remember". I cry every time, it's just... *sigh* incredible.

We Have Matching Sunglasses

On Sunday my brother will be leaving for Afghanistan. I had a wonderful time visiting with him this past week, and it was so hard to say goodbye! April can't come fast enough...

To get my mind off of that, I've been "dream shopping", as in, if I had some money right now I'd buy this. Here's what I've found drool-worthy:

Vintage 1950's Aqua Shirtwaist Dress, $54 from Etsy seller SmallEarthVintage.
I am in love with 1950's shirtwaist dresses right now, they are so incredibly flattering and thanks to Mad Men, they're coming back in style in a big way. Snag one for yourself! they're perfect for the cool Fall days we've been enjoying lately.

Bass Breck Shoes, $69.95, from Nordstrom (free shipping with code "SHOES").
I have a deep love for wingtip shoes. I grew up with great-grandfather wearing shoes like this daily (he still wears them, at 92 years young!) and to me they were the epitome of cool. I was thrilled when I found these, feminized and updated for us chicks. They come in several other colorways, but the black & white will be joining my Fall/Winter wardrobe this year!

What have you been eying recently?

Not Really a Vacation

I'm about to take a week off. It's not a vacation, although that would be so nice! I'm going to North Carolina to visit my brother on base before he gets deployed to Afghanistan for 6 months. If you're a person of faith, please pray for his safe return. If you're not, please wish for his safe return. I just want him home safe! He's incredibly special to me, and totally irreplaceable. 

Since I'll be out of town, I won't be doing any blogging. Never fear! I've got posts set up to go live every day from now until next Tuesday. Not only that, but they're photos from the vacation I wish I was on.
I went to Japan two years ago, and it was such an amazing experience, so this week I will be sharing my photos from the trip with you. Just one or two a day, with very little commentary. The photos speak for themselves!

Here's the first (click to see it larger). An incredible view of frozen and uninhabited wilderness somewhere over Northern Russia. Each of those "hills" is probably the size of a small town. It was breathtaking.

StarSparrow Goes Antiquing, and International

Hello! I'm sorry it's been so quiet around here this week. My internet went down again (on my computer only. The hubby's 2 wireless pc's were still getting internet) for three days this time. I called Dell, and it turns out that the coffeemaker on the other side of the wall was the culprit. The coffeemaker has now been relocated, and my internet is back!

This Thursday, my Mom and Nana came down to visit me. I get to see Mom pretty frequently, she lives an hour away, but Nana lives two hours away and dislikes driving, so seeing her here is a rare treat. We went out for lunch, and then antiquing at Angel's in Opelika, Alabama (something we can all enjoy!). I got the above swan planter there, it's perfect for holding all my makeup brushes!

I also picked up this robin's egg blue telephone while I was there. It works! However, I don't have it plugged in yet, we get too many calls from telemarketers! One day when I have my own separate studio, I'll use it in there to receive calls from prominent magazine editors and gallery owners (a girl can dream, right?).

This was my favorite treasure of the day: A full 45 piece set of Atomic Blue Heaven china! I've been eying this for weeks, I adore this pattern (reminds me of my childhood spent watching the Jetsons!) but it was out of my price range. Well, while discussing antiques with my neighbor, I mentioned it, how much I loved it, etc. She said "We owe you a belated wedding gift!" and she bought it for me! Don't I have the most awesome neighbors?

I also picked up this awesome Pyrex butter dish. I have a little collection of Pyrex in this pattern that was my Great-Great-Grandmother's, and I use it daily.

After we finished up at Angel's, we popped next door to the Salvation Army for a few minutes (you never know what you'll find) and I scored this awesome steamer trunk for $5! It's in great condition inside and out, and it's currently enjoying a second life as a bin for my fabric scraps.

In non-antiquing news, I've got all the Matroyshka doll mini quilts quilted, and once they've got their bindings they'll be in the shop!

In really really awesome non-antiquing news: I will be travelling to England, Ireland, and Scotland for 15 days this coming April. I went to Japan two years ago, but the fashion and lifestyle there were familiar to me before I went. The U.K., I know nothing about. I'm not sure how it is that I know more about an Asian country than I do about another English-speaking nation (being of Irish, Scottish, and English descent myself), but there you have it. Those of you living in the U.K., or having visited there: What do I pack for April weather? I've already heard: a collapsible umbrella, a mid-thigh length raincoat with a hood (because the rain comes down sideways), a heavy wool coat, scarves, comfortable shoes that are NOT sneakers/trainers. Anything else I need to pack/not pack? I'll be travelling through all three countries, and I know I'll be recognizable as an American due to my accent, posture, mannerisms, and whathaveyou, but I'd rather not have a blaring neon "TOURIST" sign above my head.