Kitty's Scratch Pad

I Love Bamboo

 

Our duvet is threadbare and has been since I moved in over a year ago.  Not wanting to intrude too quickly nor scare away Alex with an extended shopping trip, I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I thought I was being soooooo smart.  I went shopping by myself.  I kept in mind Alex's taste and was sure to pick out linens & covers that I thought he would really like.  I was able to narrow it down to three or four options and then I asked if he would join me for a second trip.  I had the clerk hold everything for me so all Alex would have to do is simply walk up, look, touch and decide.  I was completely blindsided when I watched him start feeling every one of my selections and then immediately turn his nose up.  It was like taking Goldilocks to Macy's... 

"Too Scratchy - Too Many Patterns - Too Rough"

My smart idea turned into complete and utter failure.  And guess what...  We still don't have a new duvet.  I was able to talk him into a couple sets of sheets to replace the ones with holes in them but at this point, nothing matches.

Now it is time for towels and I have been dreading this for a while - until today...  I went to my nail salon which also happens to have great gifts and tons of "stuff" for sale.  That is where I found Bamboo towels made by Nandina.  They are insanely soft and super absorbent.  I grabbed a wash cloth and hand towel to bring home and guess what...  They passed inspection!!!! 

I popped online to do some research.  I found a number of other makers that include Target & Lands End.  But I am guessing that none of them match up to the silky, cashmere-like feel of theses towels.  I really like their Aragon line in these colors:

There is a hipster home store in Ballard that carries them for slightly cheaper.  I am not sure I am going to be able to find these through any sort of online discount shop.  I guess I can buy three towels per month for the next six months...  Even though they are crazy expensive, I think they are worth it.

Price List:
Pool Towel (61.5 x 75): $104
Bath Sheet (36 x 71): $88
Bath Towel (30 x 55): $49
Hand Towel (18 x 32): $24
Wash Cloth (14 x 14): $12
Bath Mat (24 x 36): $40
Robes: $220 (limited color selection)

Rules of Life

I cannot claim fame to these rules.  My dear friend Rory came up with this system while caring for the Booger when he was two or three.  I do however feel that we should not limit these rules to only boys before the age of four- they could be the keys to success for many grown men too.

Rule #1 - NO WHINING

Rule #2 - No crying unless you loose an appendage (try to get your toddler to say appendage - it's funny...)

Rule #3 - Only go potty in the big boy potty

The end of an era

Friday was my last day at my old job.  Wednesday I start my new job.  I am trying desperately to manage my expectations.  I tend to want to solve all problems right away and will do my best to sit back and soak it all in for a while.  I am really liking the idea of a new start and am actually looking forward to working with the people in my group.  The funniest part is that I am only four floors down from my previous job so I will be seeing everyone in the elevator on a regular basis. 

For the next two days, I plan to rest.  I will clean the house (remember it is therapeutic for me) and then immediately start interviewing for a new house cleaner :)  We have been without one for the past two months and I anticipate my level of coping will decrease with all of the change coming up - school starts, new job, soccer, swim lessons, tutor etc...  Oh and I will be getting a mani/pedi tomorrow too :)  And maybe a new first day on the job outfit is order too...  hehe

don't hate me because...

My mornings have to be easy.  I instruct my hair stylist to keep it short and easy to manage.  Only about a year ago did I actually start paying attention to my skin.  I mean seriously paying attention.  I randomly scheduled a pedicure shortly after my 16th hour in two days of studying for my CFP and ended up adding on a facial.  I couldn't leave the salon - I NEEDED to be pampered.  That is when I realized just why people get facials.  It was one of the most relaxing spa experiences of my life.  My esthetician at the time was Heather.  I began seeing Heather every other week and incorporated a rigorous routine in the mornings and evenings which did wonders for my skin.  I would alternate one express facial with one longer natural dermabrasian that Aveda offers through their Tourmaline line.  Heather moved to San Francisco and sent me to see her best friend Seth.  Since then, Aveda has introduced their Outer Peace Acne line and I have switched.  It is super easy to do and according to Seth my face looks great.  I still cannot avoid my monthly breakouts but I can now battle them with my 2% Salicylic Acid spot treatment :)  So to think of adding yet another step to my routine seems just crazy.  I used to put on makeup every day in High School and then I stopped all together.  I actually like my face natural and clean.  Yea sure makeup can be used to enhance your natural features but in the end I always felt so oily and gross by the middle of the day that I never went back.  The one feature I love the most is my eyes.  If there was one thing I would wear all the time it would be mascara but alas, it ends up itching or flaking by the middle of the day and again, I find myself uncomfortable and looking terrible.  Then my friend Leslie posted about this new mascara that she found.  This stuff is the bomb and I have used it every day since I got it. 

Better than a shot...

My favorite cup of coffee in the whole wide world (maybe it is a stretch) is in Seattle.  Surprised?  You might be when I adamantly say that it is NOT Starbucks...  A long time ago when I had first moved back to Seattle, I lived with 11 other artists in a loft located just above what is now the too-cool-for-school Foster White Gallery.  We cleverly called it "The Loft".  I was running errands with my roommate when she announced that she was going to take me for the best cup of coffee in town...  It turned out to be one of the most memorable food experiences ever.  I know, I know - I am SO dramatic but seriously - it is the BEST. 

It is so good that the local public radio station did an interview with the founder, David Schomer, tonight on The Works.  Espresso Vivace takes pride in coffee.  Their motto at Espresso Vivace is "una bella tazza di caffe." In Italian this means a beautiful cup of coffee.  I cruised around their website and found out that David is now offering a three-day intensive espresso course for the espresso professional.  This class will be offered three times a year and is limited to eight students per class. The class costs $1,000.00.  If only he could do this for the amateur too... 

And my favorite part which seems sort of silly is, not only do you get a fantastic cup of coffee at Espresso Vivace, you get a piece of art.

Deadly Sins

Gluttony: excess in eating or drinking

That is the theme for the weekend and we kicked it all off tonight.  Here is the agenda:

Thursday - Auction of Washington Wines Picnic

Friday - Winemaker Dinner

Saturday - Chappallet Club Party then dinner at Market

Sunday - Spa Fun at Indian Springs (where we are staying), winery visits to Montelena & Phelps, dinner at Press

Monday - Sleep in and then head home

All good things come to an end...

I gave my notice yesterday and will be moving on to bigger and better things at a different firm...  A completely different firm.  Anxiety is an understatement but the stress is a good thing.  I am excited to see another side of my industry.  My hope is by moving to the "buy side" I will be exposed to a significant amount of new opportunities along with loads of learning. 

I guess you always dream that your team will fight to keep you.  That they just can't survive without you...  Unfortunately that was not the case for me.  I am now in the process of finishing up my work and removing myself from all of our marketing material at the request of my partners.  Sort of a blow for four years of hard work designing the marketing platform.  But so it goes...  People cope differently and I think the sooner I am gone, the sooner they can replace me and who knows what will happen.  The best part about change is the opportunity it creates for them and for me.

I am moving from a behemoth of a company to a boutique.  From thousands of employees to 250.  The most exciting part about that is the concept that every employee make a difference.  I know it is unlike me to be so idealistic but in a way it is sort of true.  Or at least for now I have convinced myself it is so. 

All said, I am super happy about the potential...

Humpty Dumpty Had a Big Fat Head!

The first time your son gets stitches you are a mess.  I blamed myself over and over again.  I was convinced I was nothing but a terrible parent.  It was 4th of July weekend and Fen decided to climb around on the trailer that was holding a stack of five rafts.  Needless to say, when my back was turned, he fell off and cracked his melon open.  Ten stitches later he was fine but I was a total mess.

Luckily today, I wasn't there to see it happen.  I did however get the call after I had been stuck in a meeting for over an hour.  I finally picked him up and sure enough, he needed stitches.  3 exactly.  This time was a little more scary for Fen.  He was nervous about the pain.  This time was the same for mom.  I was nervous I would pass out from the site of blood and needles.  Luckily the Doctor was super nice and brought me some juice and a barf bag... 

I guess boys will be boys and if I can make it through 13 stitches I can make it through anything!

Happy Birthday Fen!!!

9 years ago I was totally knocked out and apparently, a team of doctors and medical professionals yanked an 8lb 13oz baby out of my belly via emergency c-section.  I remember waking up after the general anesthesia wore off for just a minute and looking over in his bassinet.  There was this little old man wrapped up in a blanket and he had an entire head of jet black hair.  I remember nodding my head and telling myself, "holy s!@#, he's mine."  Then I passed out again.  I missed the first three breast feedings to sleep but I was told he was a great eater. 

We took Fen to breakfast and he ate 1 "flap jack", bacon, eggs and toast.  Then we opened presents.  We picked up Fen's friend Jack and all headed to the baseball park.  The M's lost but the game was close and very exciting.  We went to Boeing field to check out the Blue Angels and we also stopped by to see some of the stunt planes.  Fen met one of the pilots who got the entire pilots lounge to sing him happy birthday.  We had dinner at our neighborhood hangout, St. Clouds, and they sang to him as well.

The best part about Fen's 9th birthday for us was to see him finally learn to confidently ride his bike.  He got a brand new Schwinn right before he left and he is now hooked!

Here are some photos and here is a video...  Download bike_riding.wmv