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