Have a Relaxing Weekend!

What are you doing this weekend? "Practicing" for Thanksgiving by making test pies? Going to see "Harry Potter"? (I am! I am!) Burrowing inside and reading a book? If you care for a cup of tea with your read, check out my friend Becca's tea blog for good recommendations!

Cute things from around the web:
 
*Ryan Reynolds recites the Green Lantern oath for the most awe-struck, adorable little boy in the room at Comic-Con.

*Prince William and Kate Middleton, obviously.

(photo credit to James Marvin Phelps)

Bookshelves

The walls of Karl Lagerfield's studio are covered in books. We're talking two stories of books! I am impressed. Do you suppose he ever feels just the slightest bit overwhelmed by all of this literature? Here's another cool bookshelf:

If you can believe it, there is an entire photoblog dedicated to bookshelves in all of their glory. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you...Bookshelf Porn.

Seattle

What's your favorite city? I visited Seattle last January and fell in love. The city is young and vibrant and because it rains so often, the air always feels fresh. If you ever visit, here are some must sees:

First and foremost, grab a cup of coffee at the very first Stabucks!

Then take a peek at the very first Nordstrom.

Try the homemade honey sticks at Pike Place Market.

Check out the Seattle skyline from the top of the Space Needle. They sell a day/night pass that gives you the opportunity to come back at night which is very cool!

Visit the Experience Music Project. Hands down, one of the coolest museums I've ever seen. It was designed by Frank Gehry and it's just as unique on the inside as it appears on the outside.

And that's the Seattle I enjoyed! I hope to go back to visit soon. Let me know if you have any other great places to visit in Seattle, or anywhere else around the country! I love to travel to different cities and escape the Orange County bubble every so often.

(Photo credit to Andrew E. Larsen)

Land line

I would get a land line just so I could ask for one of these phones from Sweet Bella for Christmas. The telephones are original, made in the 1950s for the British General Post Office. So fun!

By the way, I've been wondering lately who of my friends actually still has a land line in the cellular phone age. My AT&T/iPhone service is so terrible that I've definitely considered getting a home phone on several occasions. Also, it doesn't help that my cable & internet provider spams my mailbox daily asking if I want to add a land line for free. Until they decide to charge me $100,000,000,000 per month six months later. (Clearly, I'm suffering from a bout of my-promotion-ended-this-month-and-my-cable-charges-were-raised-by-$40 syndrome.)

(via Oh Happy Day!)

Sunday Night Football

I was watching Sunday Night Football with Matt last night (I was way more into hanging out with Ernie and eating my potstickers, but whatever) and when the Sunday Night Football theme song came on, I couldn't help thinking of this Saturday Night Live sketch. Jane Lynch makes a charming Faith Hill, does she not?



And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, here is an example of what exactly goes down at the start of the game:

Have a happy weekend!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Last night, we went a production of "Peter Pan" at the performing arts center. It was as magical as you would imagine. The little girl behind us kept saying the funniest things like "Peter Pan is naked, Mom" and emphatically shouted "I believe in fairies!" in order to bring Tinkerbell back to life. 

We're about to take Ernie to his final puppy class. If he passes, he gets to pose for a picture in a cap & gown. I'm already swelling with pride. In other news, we made vegetable soup and I made a cranberry smoothie. Tonight is homework, 48 Hour Mystery, and SNL night. Tomorrow my dear friend Karly is coming down from L.A. to hang out for the day. I will be back Monday with new posts. Meanwhile, other stuff to read:

*Damn you, Autocorrect!

*Vegetarian Thanksgiving by the New York Times

*Ladies, if your boyfriend has a cold, read this hilarious essay on The Frisky before you bust out your nurturing side

Au revoir!

(photos by paraphrase)

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day to all past, present, and future members of our military!

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" - Maya Angelou

(via Tonic)

Bridezillas

Bridezillas is one of my favorite reality TV indulgences. This woman takes the cake (pun intended). Also, I think they could really use a few more tiny pieces of paper on their refrigerator.  Just a thought. We will discuss the idea of playing Clue at a wedding some other time.

Aya Brackett

These photographs by Aya Brackett are absolutely stunning. Don't you agree?

(via A Cup of Jo and KrisAtomic)

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

Have you seen it? I was Nexflixing over the weekend and added "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" to my queue. It's originally a collection of 23 short stories by David Foster Wallace published in 1999. The stories are organized as transcripts of interviews with male subjects. John Krasinski of "The Office" adapted the collection to film in 2009. Not to say it's quality, but the cast is quantifiably intriguing: Will Arnett, Ben Shenkman, Ben Gibbard, Dominick Cooper, and Will Forte are featured as some of the hideous men. Looking forward to checking it out. 

Any other off-beat Netflix suggestions for my queue?

Succulent art

A while back, I found an article in Sunset magazine that was all about succulents. Succulents do well in the dry Southern California climate and because they aren't particularly thirsty little plants, they are pretty low maintenance. I think this "art" would pass as a great centerpiece or wall space taker-upper on an apartment patio. Very cool.

Oh, and if you have loads of time, a budget for cacti, and are really crafty, below is a link to a do-it-yourself slide show on how to make your own succulent art.

Sunset's DIY succulent garden project.

(photo credit to Thomas J. Story via Sunset Magazine)

Business Card for a Divorce Attorney

Happy morning!

Maybe I find this particularly hilarious because I work in family law, but you cannot deny that this business card is chuckle worthy. One James A.W. Mahon, a Canadian divorce lawyer, hands these out to his clients. Conveniently, they are perforated down the middle with contact information for husband AND wife. Also, Mr. Mahon is saving trees. Brilliant.

Bernd + Hilla Becher

Bernd and Hilla Becher’s study of concrete cooling towers, 1972.

I took a photography class in the art history department at UCSB one spring and learned about the Bechers. The married couple had a knack for photographing industrial structures and arranging them through an objective point of view in order to compare the similar designs and forms. They worked together from 1959-2007.  For whatever reason, the images have stuck with me. I think the "Cooling Towers" print would look really cool as office art.

I've got a good feeling about this

This girl is GOOD! I love the shock in Pat Sajak's voice when she (a) asks to solve the puzzle and (b) solves the puzzle. On a side note, Vanna White is 53 years old and has been hosting Wheel of Fortune since 1982. I believe she must be a vampire because she doesn't appear to age.

I hope you all had a great weekend and I wish you an easy week!

Have a great weekend!

What are you up to this weekend? Even though it's blazing hot in Southern California, I'm just going to pretend I live this country house with storm clouds rolling in and pick a Hitchcock movie to watch tonight. Ernie is tuckered out from getting his itty bitty toenails clipped at PetSmart today so he'll be happy to join me for a lazy night on the couch...why are boys SO opposed to being well-groomed?! Whether you are enjoying fall rain, winds, snow or sun, I hope you each have a thoroughly enjoyable weekend!

Some good things from around the web:

LeAnn Rimes is the worst person ever.
Dr. Laura says her new skull tattoo is "so [her]". I beg your pardon, Dr. Laura? 
Anthropologie has the cutest holiday ornaments.
The xx will make your life better.


(Photo credit to Tony Hisgett)

Majors

I'm curious...what was your major? And do you currently use the knowledge related to your major on a daily basis? I was an English major. I guess at the most basic level, I should feel like I'm exercising my literature-loving brain every time I read a "STOP" sign or decipher cryptic emails from clients, who type things like, "taylr-thx 4 status will frwd docs this afr-non. i prmise. dnt wrry. jk." Right? Wrong. I really miss reading and writing at the level I did in college. I'm hoping it's like riding a bike and I will never lose my Shakespeare. I suppose it's all part of the post-grad crisis.

It seems like all of my friends had different majors, which is quite fun. That way, everyone contributes something a little different to our conversations or heated debates. Thank you for being you! 

(photo credit to Wonderlane)

Lemon tree

Dearest friends,


It's been far too long! I've been so busy (ahem...and so lazy) and haven't managed to find time or energy to blog. I've had a very productive week and I'm really looking forward to putting together some posts this weekend and catching up! Do you have any fun plans this weekend?  I'm going to Roger's Gardens to pick out a lemon tree for my parents' new house.


Besos,
Taylor


(Photo credit to Graeme Maclean)

Rainy Day #1

Driving in Europe by Matte Stephens

It's the first rainy day of the fall!  I hope you all had a great Monday.  I love this print by Portland-based artist Matte Stephens.  How cute is the tiny rain cloud?  His style is so fun and whimsical.  We have "Driving in Europe" and three of Matte's other prints in our living room and I would give up cookies for a month to have this one in my kitchen:

lumberjack breakfast by Matte Stephens

Visit his Etsy shop here to check out his prints.  He is great to work with and I do believe his art(e) makes people happy!

Have a happy rainy afternoon, kids :-)

How was your weekend?

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

I can't believe how hot it is today!!! I just downed an iced coffee and now I'm ready to tackle my DVR and homework. Woo!

This weekend I started a jogging routine. Hold the press. ME?! A JOGGING routine? Believe it. In high school I was a swimmer. And like many water babies, I've always been very suspicious of "land" exercise. Something about being sweaty in a crowded gym just doesn't seem very appealing. Luckily, it appears as though no one in my apartment complex likes to exercise, because no one is ever there!

This situation is perfect for two reasons:
a) I am free to watch whatever mindless television I please (I hate having to pretend like turning on CNN is in the best interest of everyone on the front row tread mills), and;
b) No one can judge me for flying off a machine in an attempt to replicate a move I saw in Fitness Magazine.

Anyways, here's the link to the blog post with the plan to get me into Turkey Trot shape. It's perfect if you're looking for a new fall exercise routine and it's quite easy to follow.  And I when I say it's easy, I mean it. Because I was terrified of treadmills. Thank you Glamour!

Enjoy your (hopefully) lazy Sunday afternoon. I can't wait for the new seasons of "The Amazing Race" and "Brothers & Sisters" to begin tonight!

Talk to you soon!

(Photo credit to Laura Padgett via Flikr)

Funny Moving Announcements

Happy lunch break!

My parents have sold their house of seventeen years and are moving in just a few weeks!  Even though the new house is about 20 minutes away from the old house, I'm still feeling a bit nostalgic.  During college and after my graduation, it was always nice to come home for the weekend and veg on the couch.  I imagine that the new house won't feel quite the same, but I am sure that my family will be able to break it in over the next few years.  And somewhere far far down the long long road, I am positive that my parents will be able to recruit a few new itty-bitty Locketts willing to have their height marked on the wall as they grow.  

Just for fun, I spent this lunch break looking at moving announcements on Etsy.  I found the most hilarious announcements from Goat Cards.  Though probably not my parents' style, I am definitely going to keep them in mind for my next move.  What do you think?

They also have versions that say "We've moved. Tell no one." and "We've moved. Send gifts." Hehe.

Have a great afternoon!

<3, Taylor

The Chai Tea Latte Fire

Happy evening!

As many of you may know, I have been stretched pretty thin between working full-time and taking paralegal classes at night. If you work in law, you are probably familiar with the feeling of coming home around 10 p.m. feeling like you have been beaten over the head with a club. As such, I haven't had the time to blog as much as I'd like. I have, however, had time to make really great apartment fires.

Exhibit A: Travel mug

Exhibit B: Chai Tea Latte Mix

Add a microwave, and two minutes time and you get......a chai tea latte!

Not. 

I walked around the corner to put away laundry while the milk and tea were heating up. When I returned, there were FLAMES!!!!!!!!

 

Luckily, Matt was handy to whack the fire out with a pan and an Ikea plate.  He has proven to be much more composed under fire (hehe) than yours truly.

Not quite sure what I was thinking putting a rubber/plastic and stainless steel mug in the microwave, but I really wanted a chai tea latte to-go while I took Ernie for a walk.  Sigh.

By the way, the Oregon Chai Tea Latte concentrate is delicious.  Just add milk.  And don't light your microwave on fire.

Sleep soundly and safely, my friends!

Giving Up the Gun

Hello friends!

I make my triumphant blogging return!  To those who have seriously been waiting since Labor Day weekend to read a post about nicknames, I do sincerely apologize :-)  The truth is, I took a short break from blogging on account of...well, life, I suppose.  Have I mentioned the quarter life crisis thing yet?  In any case, folks, I am back in full force this week and looking forward to putting together some fun posts.

Until tomorrow, I leave you with a fun music video for the single "Giving Up the Gun" by Vampire Weekend.  Nothing could be better than such a delightfully eclectic group of celebrities up for a tennis match...who do you spy?



Ciao, kids!

Taylor

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

TGIF!! What are you doing this weekend? Taking advantage of Labor Day shopping sales? BBQing? Sitting inside a dark room watching Harry Potter?

I am hopping on a jet plane in the morning to Arizona to visit my dear friend Channing a.k.a. Gary (expect a post about nicknames on Tuesday).

Fun things from around the web:

1) It's Halloween at Roger's Gardens! 

2) Good news from Washington D.C. for us creatures of habit! (I love The Onion)

3) A Sporcle quiz for "Seinfield" lovers.

4) If you haven't seen this news clip yet, please do. "Hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband".

That's all, kids! Have a super and safe weekend.

xoxo, Taylor

Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends. 

by Shel Silverstein

Good morning!

I stumbled upon this old picture of my brother Michael and me when we were itty bitty and on our way to school.  (Nice backpack, Mike!) It reminded me of the poem "Where the Sidewalk Ends."  Isn't Shel Silverstein the greatest?  What was your favorite childhood poem?

Today, I feel grateful for my health, family, and friends.  Life is so very precious.



Love you all, and have a top-notch morning!

xoxo,
Taylor

Hello, Kitty.

In my next life, I would like to be this cat.

Have a great night, all!

xoxo,
Taylor

Addicting games

Happy lunch break, friends!

Today, I bring you addicting games, courtesy of...you guessed it...Addicting Games.  Mine has been Bloons since my freshman year of college.  What's yours?

Also, a big thank you to my friend Larissa for introducing me to Shaun the Sheep, an adorable British stop-motion animated children's television series.  There are several fun games available on the series' website like this one: Home Sheep Home.

Have fun!

p.s. If you steal my favorite game, you better leave a replacement in the comments section below.  Thanks! :-)

Tea submarine

Every day after lunch at work, I usually like to have a cup of green (especially Tazo Zen) or mint tea. Now that it is nearly fall, I think it's time to invest in some new teas to enjoy at home. An apple cinnamon spiced tea sounds wonderful for TV or reading time before bed.  This tea submarine infuser is absolutely adorable, don't you think?  I've never tried loose leaf tea, but I think I must start!

Any suggestions for must-try tea, friends?

xoxo,
Taylor

p.s. Happy lunch break!

(via A Cup of Jo)

Happy September!

Today is September 1st! I can officially start pretending like it's okay to wear heavy sweaters, scarves, and carry around pipping hot coffee at all times....even though September is notoriously the hottest month of the year in southern California. Let's raise our mugs to a mild weathered segue into autumn (if not for fashion purposes, let's hope for game days that hit 75 degrees max...are you listening, Rose Bowl?)

My Top Ten Reasons Why Autumn is the Best Season:

1) Pumpkin flavored things: i.e. bread, lattes, scones, pancakes, etc.
2) A few rainy days means time to dust off the wellies.
3) All of a sudden, the light changes.
4) Pumpkin patches. We're planning on taking Ernie this year so he can learn to not be so afraid of little people.
5) I get to spend Saturday mornings with Matt. Watching football. At 8 a.m. Also through Sunday, Monday, and Thursdays and Fridays.
6) I can leave my windows open all day and my apartment stays a) cool! and b) breezy!
7) Thanksgiving.
8) The beginning of ski season.
9) Cooler weather makes a great excuse to have lots of coffee dates with friends.
10) The trees turn all sorts of lovely shades.

I hope all of you have a great first day of September!

Taylor

Orange.

Tomorrow is the first day of September! And for those of you who know me well, I absolutely love the fall.  For the record, I am aware that September 1st does not officially mark the beginning of fall.  However, I heard a rumor that Starbucks brought back the pumpkin spice latte over the weekend and children have gone back to school.  I rest my case.  My "Top Ten Reasons Why Autumn is the Best Season" is a project for tomorrow.  But for now, let's ruminate on the loveliest fall shade (leaves, pumpkins, Bengals)....ORANGE!

Cutest orange handmade wooden car by Etsy seller Happy Squash Toys (btw this alligator reminds me of Ernie, who is both sneaky AND teething.)

Awesomely orange print of L.A.'s neighborhoods by Ork Posters

Orange cover for A Clockwork Orange? Makes sense. (via Amazon)

Too bad we don't have walls like this in ORANGE county. I suppose we must travel to Roma. (Photograph titled "Orange mood" by Italian photographer Stefano Corso)

And a blond joke about orange to bid you adieu...



Q: Why did the blond stare at frozen orange juice can for 2 hours?
A: Because it said 'concentrate'.
 

Ciao!
Taylor

Catalog Living

"A look into the exciting lives of the people who live in your catalogs."

Lunch break, meet Catalog Living.  This blog is written by an LA-based writer, actress, and comedienne named Molly Erdman.  Essentially, she pulls print ads from home living catalogs (think West Elm and Pottery Barn) and offers witty commentary about the scene as "Gary" and "Elaine"...the lucky imaginary husband and wife residents of the catalog homes.  She also gives voice to some hilarious tweets on behalf of Gary and Elaine.

It never fails to make me laugh, and I hope you enjoy it, too!

What are your favorite lunch-time blogs?

(Photo via Catalog Living)

Ernie and Mr. Fox

This is Ernie, our new 6 month old Cairn Terrier-Poodle mix.  We adopted him from the Orange County animal shelter a few weeks ago, where he was pegged as being terribly shy and socially awkward.  Week one report: Ernie is still extremely suspicious of humans.  However, he does like people named Matt and Taylor, hiding under the bed, and eating lamp cords for breakfast.  And he loves loves his toy fox.

Welcome!

Hello, blogosphere! (fine, hi Matt and Mom!)

Welcome to my blog.  I spent 2 hours tonight watching "The Bachelor Pad" and as such, I was subjected to the announcement of the contestants of "Dancing with the Stars" season 11-too-many.  Begrudgingly, I don't believe this household will be able to turn down the promise of Bristol Palin, the Hoff, and the Situation smoking up the dance floor this season.  Boo.

Anyways, during commercial breaks, I managed to make.....a blog!!!!  And as it turns out, it is extremely difficult to generate an original blog name.  I felt so stale when The Blah Blah Blah Blahg was already taken.  And thanks a lot, Bob Loblaw!

So, folks, you're stuck with good ol' taylor lockett.  Please offer your suggestions for a better, more enticing title.  I didn't even have the strength to capitalize my own name, for goodness' sake.  Additionally, leave me comments so we can chat!  Topics to come include the post-graduate quarter life crisis, favorite flowers, and the best season of all time (hint: the answer is fall.)

Bets for who will have the best tan this season on "Dancing"?  I'm leaning toward the Situation, but Bristol and (obviously) Audrina were looking pretty Oompa Loompa tonight. 

Thoughts on styling these luscious locks? Troy Polamalu's mane (btw, Go Bruins, Beat SC.)

xoxo,
Taylor