Why I Refuse to Buy an E-Reader

As a six year-old child, I had one design goal for my future home.  It looked a little something like this:

Not much has changed over the years.  I'm slowly building a book collection.  The bookshelves won't fill up as quickly as I like because I have one rule that I refuse to waver from: I have to read each book before it finds a home on a shelf.  For me, bookshelves aren't about being "styled."  I don't want my bookshelves to hold vases.  I want them to hold books.  Books that I have read and treasured.  I don't want to buy books because they fit with my decor, or can be used as design filler.  I buy books because, for me, there's nothing better than getting lost in a story.  I've always been this way.  I blame my mother and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Every book in my apartment has been read at least twice.  Some of my favorites have been read upward of a dozen times.  When I see walls and walls of books like this, I see the endless possibility of stories, adventures, and knowledge.  I want to pass a library on to my children someday.

Also, having a ladder is not an option; it's a requirement.

All images via my Pinterest.

My Playlist

I love music.  I know what you're thinking, "Everybody loves music, Casey.  Catch up with the real world, already!"  But seriously, I really love music.  (Who else devotes seven years of their life to get a degree in this stuff?)  But I'm not just talking Mozart and Schumann and a bunch of other dead guys.  I like jingles.  I like radio songs.  Mostly I love bluegrass.  In fact, that's how Ryan introduces me to people.  "This is my girlfriend, she listens to bluegrass."

I also create playlists.  Not real ones, I'm way too lazy for that.  But mental ones.  I have playlists devoted to driving, rainy days, sunny days, my dad, ex-boyfriends, work, etc.  I'll hear a song on the radio and go "If I had a playlist for _______, this song would be on it."

Well, as I was mental-playlisting the other day, I got to thinking about what kind of music would be in MY playlist.  The playlist that describes me.  And here it is, songs that rich into me, rip my heart out, stomp on it a little, brush it off, and put it back into my chest.  These are songs that describe parts of me that I didn't know I had (I'm speaking metaphorically, not anatomically, you pervs).  These songs have worked themselves into the fabric of who I am.  And here they are:

"Made to Last," Austin Cunningham

"Me and God," The Avett Brothers

"Somebody Like You," The Belleville Outfit

"Stoned," Blackie & The Rodeo Kings

"Tangled Up in Blue," Bob Dylan

"Red Dirt Girl," Emmylou Harris

"We Know This Town," The Fox Hunt

"Lord, We Get High," The Fox Hunt

"Wrecking Ball," Gillian Welch

"By the Way They Dance," Jump (Little Children)

"We're All In This Together," Old Crow Medicine Show

It's all folky, with a banjo rolling somewhere in the background.  It's melancholy, reverent, regretful, yet hopeful.  It's the kind of music that describes the Appalachian Mountains, heartache, and dusty old bars.  I can't describe the way this small collection of songs makes me feel, other than to say I feel "home."

Do you have a song or songs that move you this way?

Starbucks Cheat Sheet

So after my last post in my Starbucks: Decoded mini-series, Michelle suggested I make a "cheat sheet" to keep all those steps in order.  So, here you go!

If you have trouble saving it, email me and I'll send it to you. :)  Happy Starbucks-ing! Um...is that even a word?  And just in case you were wondering what the heck I'm talking about, read these posts:

Starbucks: Decoded, Pt. 1

Starbucks: Decoded, Pt. 2

Starbucks: Decoded, Pt. 3

Linked up here:

and here:

Gulf Shores Roundup

As I sit looking out the window into the shitstorm rain, all I can think about is the perfect weather I left behind in Gulf Shores, AL.  Remember that post where I promised I was taking all kinds of pictures?  Well, I got distracted by LOTS of food, the beach, and...the beach.

But here are the photos that Ryan and I DID manage to take!

Starbucks: Decoded Pt. 3

We've made it to the end of the series! By the end of this post, you'll pretty much be a certified barista, minus the fancy lapel pin (they seriously have those).  Today is probably the most involved of the posts, and I'm going to try to make this as clear as I can, but if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me!  Today we're going to talk about all those little boxes on the side of the cup.

One Year

A year ago today I met my best friend, my favorite person ever, and the guy I want to spend the rest of my life with.  I love you, babe.  Happy Anniversary.

Starbucks: Decoded Pt. 2

In yesterday's post we talked about basic Starbucks espresso beverages, and today we'll be talking about their tea-based beverages, as well as the coveted Frappuccino.  (Starbucks offers a variety of hot brewed teas, but we're not going to cover that.)  And now, onto the teas!

Starbucks: Decoded Pt. 1

All around blogland people are drumming in the season with Starbucks' iconic Pumpkin Spiced Latte.  Trust me, I know how delicious this baby is.  I used to make 34039486 of them every day.  I used to be a barista.

Because of my former job description, pretty much every person I know is always asking me random Starbucks-related questions, like I'm the Grand Poo-bah of the Siren or something.  Well, I'm just gonna go ahead and break down the Starbucks drink ordering system for you lovers.  That way, when my manager asks me (for the thousandth time) what "affogato" means, I can hand him a business card with a link to this post (easy blog promotion?).

Before my green apron days, I always used to just stand in the line at Starbucks, totally miffed as to what all those semi-Italian words actually meant, and always just ended up with a Grande Mocha or a Grande Mocha Frappuccino.  Mostly because I knew that "mocha" vaguely resembled "chocolate" and I can get down with the cocoa bean.

Well, now that I've been brainwashed educated in the ways of SBUX, I can teach you some tricks too!

Knee-Deep in the Water Somewhere...

I so suck at posting regularly.  Sorry, friends.  As soon as I get back I swear I'm going to go to blogger rehab and learn how to treat you right.  But until Saturday I'll be chasing my nieces and nephews through the surf, enjoying the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen, drinking Crown on the balcony and enjoying my wonderful family.

I promise I'm taking pictures and buying all sorts of tacky souvenirs.

Until then...

Boob Hair

So it would seem that "boob hair" is pretty coveted.  Just go ask Amber.  She's all about her boob hair.  Okay, let me just take a step back and state that "boob hair" is when your hair (on your noggin) is so long it comes down to, and covers, your boobs.  If you have furry mammary glands, you're on a whole other level that I am not prepared to talk about.

In any event, I've been growing my hair out for a good six years or so (and I haven't had a haircut since February), so my hurr is starting to get realllly long.  It's also really, really thick.  And wavy.  And in the Virginia heat it has been nothing short of stifling.  So for about ten minutes yesterday I thought about chopping it off.  All. Off.  See: shoulder-length.  So, before making an appointment and doing something hasty (which I have totally done before), I figured I should weigh some pros and cons.

DIY Abstract Art

Happy Labor Day!  Sorry for my absence, I've had a lot going on in the "real world" this last week.  But I did manage to find the time to wander into Michael's and boy, doesn't that always get you in trouble?  I went in for some silver leaf (which I didn't even end up buying) and left with three canvases and a bunch of Martha Stewart's new craft paint (which was totally 40% off!) and went home and came up with this...