{quilt}

Just have to share the beautiful Amy Butler quilt my mom made for me:



Thanks, Mom! And awesome, work!

{the apple doesn't fall far}

My parents visited us last weekend. A little dose of home was just what I needed. Seeing family is really rejuvenating (and also exhausting). As fun as the weekend was--with really good weather, lots of delicious food, and driving tours of the city--I'm glad to have my bed and my space back. I'm sure Mom is too. Anyway, as is usually the case, we came out of the weekend with only one picture, which doesn't even have my mom in it. But it's such a funny picture I have to share. You may recall previous posts about my similarities to my dad. This just illustrates it perfectly:



And, no, this photo was not staged. We both really were sitting on the sofa, laptops running with tv shows, arms folded, headphones in ear. (I should note that the similarities ended there: I was watching a sitcom while I'm pretty sure Dad was watching something sci-fi). Mom and Paul got a kick out of the scene and had to snap a shot.

{memo}

To: Californians
From: Kristin
Re: Spring

Sure, you have your year-round summers, your constant sun, your beaches, and decent Mexican food. But you know what you don't have?

Spring.

Spring, really, is amazing. A-maze-ing. You can't appreciate or understand the beauty and glory that is spring unless you've lived it--and unless you've first lived through winter. Maybe the Ohioans don't appreciate it as much as I do--me, a Californiohian of sorts--having experienced it so many times, but it never ceases to enchant me (so far). Let me briefly describe how it goes: Just as you're about to groan from the cold, and the bleakness--of none, zero, not a color in sight--and the gray mood for the hundredth time, you notice the thin shoots of green that have popped up. You wait, every day saying, "Maybe the daffodils will come up today," again. And then they do. Then all of sudden you notice the streets are lined with a breathtaking view of trees full of pink or white blooms. And you bask in the delight of it. Then the tulips come out. Then the dogwoods get their buds. And on and on. It's a fast-paced, don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it time when every day is filled with wonder as your eyes feast on something new. And you see your gray world is suddenly a rainbow.

In a small effort to share this season with you, here's a photo of some of the blooms in our yard:

{a whole lot of shakin' goin' on}

It made the national news, so you may have heard that there was a 5.2 earthquake this morning in southeastern Illinois, which was felt as far as 500 miles away and in places like, you guessed it, Cincinnati. Unfortunately, I slept through the unexpected reminder of home. But Paul was up and felt it, as did most of my coworkers. People are all abuzz this morning about the earthquake, how it woke them up, freaked them out, confused them. They wondered what one is supposed to do during an earthquake. But no worries: I, the resident earthquake expert, filled everyone in on how you should get under a doorway (duh). Paul’s first thought during the earthquake was that our house’s foundation was finally giving in. My coworker thought someone was breaking in. Someone else assumed the breeze was rustling the frames on her wall. Which is so weird, because every time Paul shakes the bed during the night, my first thought is “earthquake!” It’s just kind of funny how ingrained the concept of an earthquake is in my mind (and every other Californian), but never even crossed the thoughts of people here.

{shoe armageddon : no worries}

Just an update on Operation: Don't Get Old...at Least for Now. I bought two pairs of shoes from Nine West yesterday (granted, I had to get them there because I only had store credit, but I digress). They are both a nice compromise between style and comfort. They're no Clarks, but I can wear them all day and not cringe. Plus, I wore the white ones today at work and earned the title "Queen of the Cutest Shoes."

{shoe armageddon}

I can’t believe it’s come to this: I’ve finally reached the point of craving comfortable shoes more than stylish ones. I know. This 30 thing it hitting me harder than expected. You may wonder...how did this happen?

It all started last fall when I was looking for a pair of gray suede ballet flats (because gray goes with everything). Anyway, right around that time, I heard about the opening of a local Clarks. Clarks—you know, the comfortable, practical (read: not so stylish) shoes typically sported by middle-aged housewives (ahem...no offense to the middle-aged housewives who are reading this). Let me remind you that I’m not middle-aged nor am I a housewife. But I sought out the store anyway and went right on in when I saw their new Artisan collection in the window—several leather shoes flanking the most adorable, perfect little pair of gray suede ballet flats. I tried them on and bought them in two minutes flat (no pun intended). Fast forward five months. Now the shoes are a little scuffed and worn...because I wear them every darn day. They’re super cute for one thing and really do go with everything. They’re the perfect blend of casual, not-so-casual, and modern.
But mostly they are so—incredibly—comfortable. I didn’t know a dress shoe could be this comfortable. And they’ve ruined me.

Which brings me back to the start of my story. Now that it’s spring I’ve been on the hunt for espadrille wedges, slim leather flats, funky patterns, sling-back kitten heels. And, yet, today I found myself rounding back three times—three times!—to the Clarks table at Macy’s. I found myself having visions of heaven while trying on the sneaker-like flats that make your feel feel like they are sitting on a cloud. I found myself likening the experience of shoe-shopping to that moment when you get in your ultra-comfy bed at the end of a long hard day. I found myself excited at a table with not an espadrille, kitten heel, or stylish pattern in sight.

Move over Nine West.