Birthday Shirt

What do you give an English degree-holding, intellectual book-reading, Athens-living, fun-loving friend for her birthday? Why a homemade shirt paying homage to a hip-hop station, of course!

My friend has a not-so-secret love for the music of 95.5 the Beat (Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Akon, etc.). Since I couldn't find a logo high enough resolution to print for an iron-on transfer, I decided the next best option was to draw one.

the inspiration

the finished product

Kate, thanks for being a good sport about this silly gift. You know I love you!

I Heart Your Car

A few months ago, my coworker Matt had to buy a new car. His previous car, a Hyundai, couldn't exactly recover from the giant tree that fell on it. He decided it was the perfect opportunity to purchase a car that's more sustainable and economical. 

So he bought a smart car:

Image from One Eyed View

And yesterday someone left this note on his car:

If you can't read the small writing, it says, 

"thanks for caring about the environment"

How cool is that?

I wonder if she wrote his/her note was written on recycled paper...

Summer Vacation!

Summer vacations are going to be just a little easier this summer because our office just announced three "freebie" vacation days (in addition to one previously announced). Thanks, Tod!

Overheard** in Atlanta

Random stranger guy (Rando) stops near a girl to tie his shoe: Wow, you have great hair — but I bet you hear that a lot.

Girl: Umm thanks. I actually don't get that a lot.

Rando:  I mean, it's kind of straight on the top and curly on the ends. It's cool.

Girl: Thanks?

Rando: You have split ends — but you make them look good.

**Okay, this wasn't so much overheard as it was me. What the? Seriously.

Collins Sports His Couture Onesies

About a month ago, I blogged about the baby shower Kate, Staci and I hosted for our awesome friend Olivia. The most popular activity at the shower was decorating onesies for the soon-to-arrive little baby Collins. (Great idea, Katebug!)

Well, Olivia and Tres welcomed Collins Ashford Crow into the world on May 22 — and he's just now big enough to start wearing some of his custom onsies.

Check him out here, sporting a giraffe onesie care of Staci:

iPhone pic taken by the hot momma (Olivia)

Girls Weekend!!!

My high school friends Lauren, Ashley and Nichole and I made plans to spend this past weekend together.  Two of our respective men were out-of-town so it seemed to be an especially great weekend for an estrogen fest. 

After a drink and some catching up at my casa, we made our way to Leon's Full Service for some brews and grub. I think the hour wait was WELL worth it.

Allagash white ale and Lagunitas pilsner

Pub frites with our choice dipping sauces: 

goat cheese fondue and cucumber-dill

My new obsession: veggie loaf with a cauliflower, shitake mushroom 

and sundried tomato salad

Lauren and Ashley enjoy some Leon's

Had to stop by The Chocolate Bar for a martini. 

shley's Mississippi Sidehand was the clear winner.

And you can't hang in Decatur without giving 

some love to the iron people

After sleeping in on Saturday and eating a good breakfast, we gals made our way to the Virginia Highlands Summerfest. We explored the booths of artists, jewelry artisans, wood workers and other talented vendors. Beyond the pain of finding a parking spot, the afternoon was a lot of fun. We also found our way to some friends at Moe's and Joes for a cold beer and reunited with a high school classmate at his newly-opened Yoforia frozen yogurt shop.

Saturday night brought more girl time. We stocked up on fresh veggies, chicken, potatoes and other deliciousness and invited over several more gals for a cookout. Anna, Natalie, Lisa, Megan and Moeko came over for dinner helped make it a fabulous Saturday night. Anna's grilling expertise was much appreciated. Kitchen assistants Lauren, Ashley and Nichole made it work... and we managed to have quite a spread. We girls enjoyed veggie kabobs (green pepper, onion, pineapple and mushroom), packets of grilled/sauteed zucchini and yellow squash, sweet and standard baked potatoes, lemon garlic and barbeque grilled chicken and a spinach salad. Oh yeah, and plenty of wine and Megan's Rice Krispy Treats.

When we got a call from Maria around 10, we couldn't resist heading out on the town. After all, what's a girls' night without seeing Maria?

Me and Nichole

Maria and Anna

Me with Lisa!

Girl group shot... complete with the 

gratuitous photo bomber.

What a fun weekend! It was great to catch up with the HS girls plus spend time with other girlfriends old and new. Thanks for coming together, ladies. Let's do it again sometime soon!

Shameless Plug for WordSmyte

My friend Paul told me about a new project of his a few days ago, so last night I sent out an e-mail to a few friends asking that they check it out. Dan had already gone to bed so I spent a few minutes catching up on personal e-mail and exploring the site.

At 12:15, I head to bed. I see Dan, who usually falls asleep pretty quickly, sitting upright in bed. I said, "what are you doing?" Then he pulled out his blackberry and showed me what he was doing... playing on WordSmyte. It's addicting!

Here's the premise. You:

1. Identify social deviance (e.g. one who talks too loudly in coffee shops)
2. Create a funny word to explain that behavior or activity ("mocha talka latte")
3. Try to use the new words as much as possible, as this is how we change the world

Here are a few favorites already posted:

• Mealbreaker: one who steals your food off your plate, using his hands, as he's asking if it's okay to have some of your food.
• Clam jamming: the equivalent of male "cock blocking"

Give WordSmyte a whirl... it's fun!

Categorize This as Semi-Unfair

(Image from Splash News)

She's had eight kids and looks like that! Seriously, that's crazy!