Kitty Deschanel

Spoiler alert - the tea does nothing. Tuesday, May 17th I wish I could talk to someone about depression but I don't know where to start and I worry it will be too expensive and I don't want to risk being dropped from my medical insurance. I was so happy this morning and now I just feel empty and there's no reason for it and it happens all the time. Even Derek doesn't understand at all and he pretty much just ignores it. One day I'm going to lose though and there's nothing I can do to stop it and I don't want to do that to him or to my parents but the thoughts just come so naturally, like it's the most casual thing in the world that I would go sit in the car in the garage and never wake up again, like "Oh, I'll just go do that now" and I always stop myself before I even get up from my chair, but what are the odds that my crazy broken brain will or can prevent it forever? I felt great this morning. I had such a productive day. Everythi

In the market for a new summer wardrobe? Check out my Tradesy store ! Brands I'm selling include Shabby Apple, Coldwater Creek, Laura Ashley, Charter Club, Longchamp, and more. There are dresses, suits, sweaters, jackets, shoes, shirts, vests, and pants. I have more clothes to upload (like, a million more. How did I run out of storage space with 2 oversized walk-in closets?!) so if you like what you see, email me for details on more clothes. If you really like what you see, I can put together a discounted bulk lot for you. Not my size? Many of the clothes I'm selling are too small or too big for me, so check it out. And, to sweeten the deal, you'll get an additional $20 off your $50+ purchase (!!!) through this link . It's good for my clothes and clothes from my competition other sellers. Did I mention everything includes FREE shipping? Like this prom dress? It's for sale! Like this Shabby Apple Waimea dress? It's for sale! Like my Mad M

You know those children's books that don't have any words? A favorite of mine was always Pancakes for Breakfast  by Tomie DePaola. I did a little baking yesterday and decided to create a wordless Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes recipe. You can totally figure out how to make this recipe, even without any words. Cupcakes for breakfast, anyone?    

I recently discovered bucketlist.net and have been compiling a list of everything I hope to do in my lifetime. Some of my goals require planning, like finally finishing my novel, seeing Britney Spears perform in Las Vegas, and building our dream home. Others are easier to cross off, like flying a kite with my Sexy Nerd. I'd like you-know-who to write his own list and he probably would have if I hadn't mentioned it. He's so stubborn. Bucketlist.net is great because it lets you see what other users have written, which can be a great source of inspiration, as well as amusement. Amusement, I say? Here are some of the errr...unique bucket list goals I've come across: 1. Wrestle a bear. 2. Beat a woman in an argument. 3. Prove everyone they were wrong about me. (Let's hope they weren't doubting the bucket lister's grasp on English...which, admittedly, is quite the bold insult considering I used the "word" lister in the same sentence. Lister??)

The title implies that crazy purchases are going to become a regular feature here on my blog. Yes, that sounds about right. I might buy something crazy today. I have nowhere to put it and I'm skeptical that it even works and Sexy Nerd thinks I've lost my mind (even more so than before) but I must have it. Remember my red light therapy post? I think it's time to purchase my very own red light therapy bed. I can leave the door locked or unlocked and it won't make a difference because I'll be safely within my very own home. (Kidding, of course. I always have our door locked.)

A few years ago, Sexy Nerd decided he needed a boat, desert living be darned. Not just any boat, of course - he planned to create a homemade, folding boat! Google "How to Build a Folding Boat". Not many results, right? Only my husband is crazy enough to try such a thing. Here he is, attempting to paddle from the shore: When you're the captain of a folding boat, a lifejacket is a must. Who cares if the water is shallow?  Here, his dad tries to give him an unexpected, helpful push: Here is Sexy Nerd, caught off balance and falling (almost) overboard:  Whoops! So, did Sexy Nerd's folding boat sink or float? Take a look: For the record, I thought my music choice was mean and only played it to Sexy Nerd as a joke, but he loved it. He embraces his redneck ways. I'm still impressed...but have to point out that, many years later, the time above is still the only time this folding boat has ever been taken out of our garage. Thank goodnes

My lovable, wacky boss finds it concerning that the internet knows so much about all of our lives. Google a product and suddenly ads for the exact same thing appear on every website you visit. If I search for something at work while logged into my boss's Gmail account, it affects my browsing when I go home, though I'm using a completely different account on a completely different computer. The internet even knows who-knows-who. Well, my boss is going to be FREAKED OUT by this one. I was browsing through old design magazines last night, trying to get ideas for the house we're building . I was reading an old issue of Country Living, from 2007 or so, and came across a photo of a kitchen with the most amazing wooden chandeliers. Where a typical chandelier would have dangling, sparkly crystals, this one had wood hanging from each light. They were perfect for our mountain home! The article detailed where to buy everything in the house, from the valences down to the throw rug

A friend recently purchased a new mattress for her son, who is attending college in New York and relies solely on public transportation. I'd recommended Amerisleep to her, which was perfect because it could be shipped directly to his door, but after discussing it, we decided that investing in an Amerisleep twin mattress might not be the best choice. He would be leaving school in less than two years and needed a cheap, temporary solution. We spent some time comparison shopping online. Based on cost alone, our top choice was a Sleep Number bed, which was on sale for $399. My friend said, "Two hundred a year is nothing compared to tuition. Sold!" We'd read some iffy reviews online about Sleep Number mattresses not lasting, an opinion reinforced by their abysmally short warranty, but hoped it would at least make it two years. I helped her navigate the checkout process, entering all of her son's delivery information, and felt confident in our choice. Then, Sleep

Quick tip: When writing, how can you remember the difference between "desert" and "dessert"? With "dessert", you go back for seconds! Okay, I'm ready to be serious now. My trip to Washington DC last week was the coldest I've ever been in my life. It was so cold, in fact, that when we were inside the conservatory of the US Botanic Garden and the ice on the roof cracked and slid down the glass, the sound made made me envision what it would be like if the glass and snow suddenly collapsed, trapping me underneath and ending my life. It meant I wouldn't have to go back out in the cold again. It sounded wonderful. Yes, Sexy Nerd thinks I'm nuts. On a more optimistic note, I knew we'd soon be back in sunny Albuquerque, where the winter has been mild and we've even had several days above 60 lately. I think you know where I'm going with this... The view from my bedroom window this morning.  Look how deep the snow on

We're just a few months away from breaking ground on our dream home...assuming we ever finalize our design!  Update: Construction has finally started - so exciting. Another update: Our dream home is finished and we stayed true to our Rustic Glam design style. Check out our home photos . Rustic Glam Decor Here are the things we know for certain:   Our dream home will be rustic and glam. Glamstic? Rustam? Our dream home will have charming doors leading to a private courtyard. The driveway will be lined with fragrant, drought-tolerant plants. Our dream home will have as much character as we can cram in! Reclaimed wood where the hallway turns the corner? Yes, please. Three of the living room walls will be stone, floor to (very high) ceiling. The fourth wall will be wood, matching the windows. There will be a wall of fire at the edge of our Endless Pool, visible as guests approach our house. In our dream home, all the floors will be brick, incl