A Mustache is a Marvelous Thing

We haven't played much with our studio since we've had it so today we cut out paper mustaches and had a fun studio shoot. We had a hard time not laughing the whole time. They look amazingly ridiculous, don't you think?

This Old House

Yesterday was a beautiful puffy cloudy day. We found an old house on the side of the road. While other parts of the country are snowed in we get days like this. In February. I can't say I mind, though come summer, I may feel differently.

Valentine's Day is for Lovers

Dear Tommy,

Valentine's Day is coming soon,

so don't forget about the balloons.

I also want flowers in a big shiny vase.

I'm reminding you here, you know, just in case.

I want candy, and cards and oh so much more,

please just buy me everything in the store.

If that would make me happy I'm sure that's what you'd do.

But instead, this year, all I want this Valentine's Day is you.

-and maybe a flower or two :)

Out with the Old, In with the New!

We have a new blog layout.

It is amazing.

My amazing husband coded it for me.

I amazingly designed it.

The amazing header fonts came from the amazing Katie Cupcake.

The amazing heart background came from the amazing Ollibird.

Did I mention it is amazing?

Well it is.

Things to do in Dublin

I googled "things to do in Dublin" and found this list on a tourist website. We have all of the basic structure of our trip planned, hotels, trains, etc. but the finer details of what we are actually going to do when we get there have not been looked at and that makes me nervous. So I will provide you with this list and you can help me choose. Don't forget we are on a time crunch so narrow it down to your top 3. Oh and if you have other suggestions that are not on this list, I am open to those as well. Thanks in advance!

Guinness Storehouse

In the heart of the Guinness factory complex this excellent visitor centre tells the dramatic story of the 250 year history of Guinness. A complimentary drink in the highest bar in Ireland, the Gravity bar is part of your visit here. Find out more about The Guinness Storehouse

**Just to be clear - we would only go here for the tour and not the complimentary drink at the end :)

Trinity College

Once the educator of the elite of Irish society, Trinity College is now open to all. See the Old Library and the Book of Kells. Find out more about Trinity College

Dublinia

Dublinia traces the story of Medieval Dublin from the English Invasion through the Black Death to the closure of the Monasteries in the 1540s. Find out more about

Dublinia

Kilmainham Gaol

Europe's largest disused and Ireland's most famous prison. The leaders of the 1916 Rebellion were executed here by the English. Find out more about Kilmainham Gaol

Dublin Castle

The centre of English oppression and misrule in Ireland for 700 years. See the Old Walls of Dublin, State Apartments, and the treasury. Find out more about Dublin Castle

Temple Bar

Dublin's Cultural Quarter. Located in the heart of Dublin's City Centre, some of Dublin's best night spots, restaurants and unusual shops line these narrow, cobbled streets running between the Bank of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral. Find out more about Temple Bar

Grafton Street

Dublin's smartest shopping area with fashionable stores such as Brown Thomas, the department store. Other principal shopping streets in the area include Wicklow Street, Dawson Street, and South Great Georges Street.

Henry Street

Department stores such as the popular Arnotts', and an assortment of popular clothing and footwear stores are here on Dublin's Henry Street. The ILAC shopping centre, and the newer Jervis Street Shopping Centre are both here.

Pubs

An essential part of Ireland's (and Dublin's, of course!) social life and a must for every visitor. In Dublin today there are basically two categories of pubs: the Traditional ones, and the Modern ones. Find out more about Dublin Pubs

Nightclubs

Music, be it traditional, pop, dance, is one of Dublin's favourite night-time distractions. With many new nightclubs opened in recent years it's no wonder people flock from all over Europe to revel in the popular night spots of the city. Find out more about Nightclubs in Dublin

Fill in the blank Friday

Every once in a while, I like to explore blogland and see what cute things are going on. This fill in the blank Friday post came from "the little things we do" which I found from a new blog I follow called "champagne bubbles" so here I am, filling in the blanks.

1. If I weren't a staff assistant I'd love to be a photographer and a mom .

2. When I'm super upset I often cry or get a twitch in my eye .

3. My favorite thing about myself is my desire to be crafty .

4. If I found a $100 in the pocket of last winter's coat I'd spend it on shoes or clothes or things for my house or things for my trip .

5. Even though some people might consider this a flaw, I love my damaged uneven lips - they give me character .

6. I love the way I feel when I get to spend the whole day with Tommy doing nothing .

7. I love my hair most when it's smooth enough for Tommy to run his fingers through while I put my head on his lap .

You all can join if you'd like...

Have a great weekend!!

By request and then some.

I got dressed up again and we went back to the red wall to get some more pictures for those of you that requested up close and personal. It wasn't as cool this time. The sun was going down and clouds were covering the sky. That generally makes for a good picture but in this case we really needed the sun to brighten up the walls and make them look more red. In most of these pictures it just looks like a dull rust which makes me sad. I hope you like them anyway.

When I grow up I want to be...

I'm not usually a very wordy blogger but every once in a while I get to thinking about life and that sometimes leads to wordy blogging. Today, I was thinking about what I wanted to be when I grow up. Because we all know that I am far from that, here is a list I came up with :)

When I grow up I want to be...

A good mom.

Patient and understanding, helpful and kind, and all of the wonderful things I see in my own mother.

Happy.

Happy with my family, happy with my job whatever it may be, happy with the way I look and the perception of myself, happy with the person I become, and happy with the life that I have even if it doesn't turn out the way I think it should.

The best photographer I can be.

That may not be the best photographer ever but I do want to expand my talent and be the best that I can.

A good wife.

There are so many definitions of what a good wife is; one who cooks and cleans and rubs her husbands feet. Yes, those are things I would like to do but to me being a good wife consists of: supporting my husband in each decision he makes for our family, believing in his ability to provide for us, believing in his talents, making sure that he knows that I believe in him, and making him wonderful meals because he loves that most :)

A dedicated blogger.

I want to make sure my life is documented even if it may not be interesting to some people or to me.

Educated.

It is important to me that I am not ignorant and that I am aware of other people and things going on around me.

A world traveler.

I'm already starting my journey but I am far from finished. This will take some dedication.

Someone people can turn to when they are in need.

When I was young, I didn't understand the importance of helping others as much as I do now. So even though my children may not like it and sometimes I will not be appreciated, I would like to be the helping hand to others, always.

Red, Red, Red

I just love those Sunday afternoons when we find an awesome place to take pictures of me in a new dress, don't you?

Tommy + Technology = Awesome

Have I told you how much I love the polaroid application on Tommy's phone? Well it's true, I love it. Today, on the way home from work traffic was slow because of the weather. I used that as an opportunity to have a little fun. I took pictures of me and Tommy and the rain because I love the rain even more than I love the polaroid application on Tommy's phone :)