What You See vs. What's Really There

I recently had a dinner party. I set my table like this:

This is how it usually looks:

PS3 and Other Affairs

I recently read a status update on Facebook that said, "Xbox is the other woman!" While this may elicit some chuckles, I imagine it also rings all too true for some. As it so happens, I'm watching my fiance play Bioshock (a PS3 game) as I type this. It also so happens that he's only able to play it because I stopped playing Harry Potter on the same machine. (Can't believe I just admitted that).

The good news about this whole situation is that James doesn't overdo it (and neither do I). As a full time student and full time worker, he doesn't have the time. And even if he did, I'm confident that he would spend a healthy amount of time on other pursuits. Including hanging out with me.

As the Twitter trending topic goes: If your man spends more time on video games than he does on you...#youneedanupgrade.

UPDATE: He saw the picture I was putting on this post and goes, "Woah, where did that come from? Why are you blogging about Bioshock, Cupcake? Do you not like it? Do you think I'm being insensitive?" Hahahahaha.

New Project

I'm in the development stages (read: thinking about it) of a new web design project that would function as a personal site and a blog. In order to facilitate this, I will need a new personal computer (my poor Macbook Pro has called it quits). I'm hoping to get a new iMac (above -- drool) in the next few months, and a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium (this includes the old favorites: Photoshop (with new 3D features!), Illustrator, and InDesign...as well as Dreamweaver and a few others. James (Future Hubs) has the student discount from Apple until December (when he graduates from uni!) so I'm gonna have to grab that by then -- the student price is only $450!

In any case, I'm pretty excited about this...and in order to give it my best effort, I'm going to start blogging again in earnest. Really. See you soon!

Black + Blum: Let's Give Them Something to Blog About

I ordered something from Uncommon Goods the other day that I just received this morning -- and I think it is the most spectacular thing I have ever purchased for my home. THAT in love.

Presenting, the Loop from Black + Blum.

I ordered two, so I can interlink them as shown at right. You can actually do it a couple different ways, and they all look fab. According to the website, the design is based on the Fibonacci curve (often found in nature and quite pleasing to the eye) which makes for a great design and conversation piece. I'm having a dinner party on Saturday, can't wait to use these!

Suggestions: Check out both the Uncommon Goods and Black + Blum websites. You will not be disappointed.

Long Ago and Far Away, In A World Much Younger Than Today

If I could, I'd like to skip over the obligatory "it's been forever" speech of long-windedness. It has, I have reasons (some of them legit!), and I hope to be more diligent in the future.

That wasn't so bad. Moving on! A slightly abbreviated list of what's been going on since I last wrote (August!), in no particular order:

• James and I moved in together, into a lovely little apartment on the far West side of town that has charming details (huge mirrors and a lovely wood-burning fireplace). We bought a new couch (a picture of which is posted several posts ago), and all we really have left to do is paint, buy a dining set, and some randoms...like a DVD tower. We probably won't get to this for awhile, because...
• We're engaged! I'm not one of those girls who has dreamed of her wedding day since she was twelve, so I have no idea what I want, nor any money saved up. However, thanks to a huge binder I'm getting organized...I'll post a picture of it sometime, the OCD organizer in me loves its numerous tabs and detailed sections.
• I went on my first business trip (so adult), to California. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Maybe some pics of this, too.
• I bought Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I haven't seen the Julie and Julia movie (yet), but I've been longing for some French food basically since the day I moved back from Paris, and this seemed the most accessible. I made some Supremes (chicken breasts) with a cream sauce for my parents the night James asked my dad for my hand (blech, hate that phrasing) and it was marrrrvelous.
• I had my 21st birthday party at a restaurant/bar downtown. It was an Alice in Wonderland theme, and though it took a LONG time to plan (when I was planning it, I may have said, "Ugh this is like planning a wedding!" more than once...if only I knew what I know now!) but it was so worth it. THOSE pictures will definitely be posted; my friends really got into it and looked great in costume.

Wow, that list was even more abbreviated than I thought. Makes sense -- aside from work I mostly stay home these days, which I'm loving. I promised James I'd start cooking more consistently so we can save more money for the wedding. Any recipes for simple meals that make for good lunch leftovers? My problem is that when I cook these days, it's usually something elaborate that takes several prep bowls and plates and then the pans and pots and blah blah blah...the making of it is fun, but the cleaning is not -- and I (for some unknown reason) usually only make enough for the one meal. Maybe I'll try some casseroles.

Well fellow bloggers, it's lovely to be back, and I look forward to catching up on all of your blogs soon!