A Tired Title

I've got nothing for you. Nada. My brain is mush and thoughts are not coming easily.

I truthfully don't like this feeling at the end of the week. Looking back, Monday and Tuesday were rough for me. Like, rough. I don't know if it was the after-effects of Mother's Day without a mother for the first time ever or what but I just couldn't reach inward and pull out the sunshine. And I hate that.

This was also the third week into my new position at work and I've been crazy busy there as this is our "busy" season with events. Please don't even make me mention how my commute time has still managed to worsen. 

Then, there's the whole lack of sleep issue. [I brought most of this on myself, I admit. 50 Shades of Tired.] My body and mind are both shot. I've had that kind of headache all week that is just there. Dull, constant, and just lingers in the front of your head. It's there when you wake up and it's there when you go to bed.

Except... you can only fall asleep when you don't want to. You know the times - when you're trying to drive to/from work or when you get home and have a million things to do [including reading the next umpteen chapters of 5o Shades of Grey] but the second you sit down on the couch, you're out! Out cold. So when you go up, get all ready for bed, and climb in... it's then that you can't fall asleep. Talk about annoying...

So, that's where I am on this Friday. Mentally, physically, heck even emotionally zapped. I'm surprised I've even made it this far without saying something that makes absolutely no sense.

Zucchini gobblestop.

[via]

And there you have it. I think it's time for me to cut myself off. Happy weekend, all!

Get Lost in a Book

I've needed it for a while now - to get lost in a book. Growing up, I was always quite the reader. I'd leave the library as a little girl, toting twenty books along with me. I'd flip through every single one, numerous times.

Then, as I got into my middle/high school years, I'd get lost in scripts. I'd become so attached to certain characters that I started to actually feel like I was them. [Well, I guess that is part of acting.] I'd sit there and read Neil Simon over and over or Tennessee Williams or my favorite, William Shakespeare. I loved it and was "lost" so easily and it felt so nice.

Then, reading just became homework.

It was a task, a chore, an assignment and the more books I was assigned to read that I didn't like, the more I gave up on fiction. I turned to nonfiction instead which is what I've stuck with for nearly a decade.

Until now.

Fifty Shades of Grey.

How can one series [trilogy] be so magical? I don't even think "magical" is the right word because this book somehow feels so real. The realness of Ana's fears, the emotional and mental scars belonging to Christian - it all just captivates me. I know those things have captivated many of you as well.

I literally can't stop reading. When I'm not reading, I'm thinking about it. The crazy thing is, it makes me think about life. It makes me question what things I'm willing to settle for - in life, in a career, in a relationship. 

But really, it just makes me think of Mr. Christian Grey.

It feels so GREAT to get lost in a book again. To feel that excitement each day! To look forward to what's going to happen next. To read a book so real that it feels as though I'm there [as Ana, duh.]

I just started book #2 yesterday and can hardly tear my eyes away from it.

I never understood how people could read a book [let alone a series!] a second time.

Now I get it.

And I'm sure I'll read it a third and a fourth...

Casting ideas to come next week.

Laters, baby.

Mid-May After Sunset Update

I spent a good amount of time putting together a post for tomorrow all about which actor I think should be cast as THE Mr. Christian Grey in the film version of Shades of Grey. I got way too excited, enthralled, and involved while writing the post so be sure to check back for it tomorrow. I promise you won't be disappointed... by the pictures as least. Can't say you'll agree with my casting choice though ;)

Anyway, between Shades of Grey consuming my life, the new season of The Bachelorette starting, working full-time, and working on my jewelry bizz-nazz at night, life has been hectic... this week especially!

Just a little update on my shop, After Sunset! I can't get over how quickly the Golden Twist Bracelet in orange/magenta has been flying out of the shop! I was able to list just one more yesterday which will be it for a week or so! I might start taking pre-orders if that many people want to get their hands on one ;)

Golden Twist Bracelet in Orange/Magenta can be purchased here

One of my new favorites in the shop is the Golden Twist Bracelet in HOT PURPLE! I just love this color for the Summer :)

You can find that bracelet here! :)

In case you haven't checked After Sunset within the past couple days, I've also added a new style of bracelet - the Double Stranded Bracelet!

It has the chunky, colored chain with two strands of the gold chain and comes in a bunch of fun colors! I think this bracelet is perfect for layering and wearing with lots of other bracelets!

You can find the Double Stranded Bracelet and my other colorful designs here!

I'm really excited to be introducing even MORE colors and styles very SOON! This has been such an awesome adventure to kick-off and I'm so thrilled to be continuing to build the shop!

Oh yeah, and you should head on over to my dear friend Katie's blog to see how she styled the Orange/Magenta bracelet so perfectly. She is too adorable/gorgeous!!

[For daily updates on re-listings and new listings, follow me on Twitter!]

Mother's Day Weekend

It was a special weekend. Friday night I accidentally found myself at Ulta [oops] where I picked up two new shades of NYX lip gloss and a fun, Summer Essie nail polish.

Essie "Action" which just so happened to perfectly match my Golden Twist Bracelet :) Find it here.

I had my eye on this lipgloss color for a while and when I "accidentally" found myself at Ulta and saw their buy one get one half off deal, I snatched it. This super fun 80's pink color is called "Dolly Pink" by NYX. I think it goes pretty well with the baby blues ;)

I've been a fan of the NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss. It goes on really smooth and this color stayed on for a surprisingly long time!

Saturday was my older brother's birthday! I had a full-day planned ahead before we went out to dinner. I gave my 16-year old cat, Missy a much-needed bath and she was a champ. I spent some time with my 3-year old cat, Stella because she tends to get a little jealous. How cute is the little paw on the ledge?

I cleaned the house a little and spent a decent amount of time with Christian Grey but that is a different post for a different day. Let's just say I am in love...

Then it was time to head into Arlington for my brother's birthday dinner. We went to a fun little place called Rustico. Don't you just love restaurants with cool atmospheres? It just makes the eating experience even better. We ordered some tasty food - lots of it. I went with the Greek Pizza - I'm a sucker for feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers. But the best part was the dessert. 

Red. Velvet. Cheesecake. Bye.

Ignore the crappy iPhone pic. It was divine.

We had a grand ole time at dinner but we sure missed one person... my Mom.

Waking up on Mother's Day without my Mom here on Earth was tough, to say the least. I dedicated a little post to her yesterday [you can read it here.] It was just odd and empty and difficult. Luckily, the emptiness in the morning was balanced with the warmest messages, texts, and tweets from so many wonderful people! I can't thank you all enough. It is the most amazingly heart-warming feeling to see the love and support of so many of you and it truly helps bring a big smile to my face during the tough times.

I even received a book in the mail this weekend in perfect time. Sweet Shayna is a doll and knew this was just the book I needed to read. 

I can't wait to cuddle up with it and learn and grow from the words on the pages.

On Sunday, we all visited her grave and took some new flowers.

I admit, it was so weird. As I've mentioned, the last Mother's Day I spent with my Mom was in 2009 [due to me living across the country] and knowing that here I was, back in Virginia finally and the way I spent Mother's Day with her was at her grave... it just broke my heart. I'll forever be grateful that God did lead me back home for those last months with her but it's still so baffling to know she'll never be here again. 

That was my weekend. A mixture of everything. Some happy, some sad but mainly just memories and moments. After all, that's what life is all about, right?

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom

Mom,

I’m still not sure how to celebrate this day without you here.
I can’t believe you’re gone.
My mind fills with all the years and years of memories we have together as mother and daughter.
Those can never be taken from me.

I think about who I’m supposed to go to now when I need an answer that only you would know.
What do I do when I need the advice that only a mother can offer?
You taught me so much.
You shaped me into the woman that I am today.

You were there every step of the way.

I wish I could have had one more Mother’s Day with you.
To give you the biggest hug and look you in the eyes to tell you how much you mean to me.
How I don’t know what I’d do without you.
How grateful I am for being brought into this world by such a strong woman.
How blessed I feel to be your daughter.

Today, as I visit your grave, I hope to feel you with me somehow.
To feel that “Mom hug” that I’ve missed.
I pray that you are peaceful and happy and get to spend this day with your beautiful Mother who had been missing you for far too long.

You mean the world to me, Mom and nothing will ever be able to change that.
Thank you for all that you’ve done and sacrificed for us.
We miss you so much.
I love you, Mommy Mom.

“The loss of the daughter to the mother, the mother to the daughter is the essential female tragedy.”
- Adrienne Rich

Happy Mother’s Day!

Thoughts for This Weekend

As we all know, this Sunday is Mother's Day. Although this won't be my first Mother's Day not by her side (the last two years, I was living in Utah) it will be the first one without her here on this Earth. My heart breaks knowing the last Mother's Day I ever got to spend with her ended up being three years ago. But believe me... I was never the one to say, "Oh, there's always next year." I truly wanted to do everything I could (even from afar) to let my mom know how much she meant to me. The fear of losing her was always in the back of my mind, especially while living so far away.

The truth is, I'm always going to celebrate Mother's Day. That day is always going to be about her. This year, instead of sitting beside my mom while she opens her card or calling her on the phone while she opens up her gift, I'll be taking flowers to her grave.

Some days I still can't believe it. In fact, every time I stop to really think about it, I'm still astonished. How can she really be gone?

I can't even tell you how badly my soul aches at certain times; just aching for one of those Mom Hugs. I'm sure you know the kind.

This time last year, I had just started a blog on Wordpress. I remember sitting in bed writing a post for Mother's Day then and my heart was so very full that I could not keep myself from crying. I just went back and read through that post. It's almost like God knew that was the last Mother's Day I'd "share" with my mom. He had me pour out my heart. If you'd like to read the post, I'm linking to it here.  The one and only comment I received on it was from my sweet Mom...

Reading her comment now, it almost seems like it was an early goodbye... My mom didn't say those things to me often, but when she did, they meant the world.

Mom, I love you so much and still can't believe you are gone. I hope to honor you this weekend (as well as every day) as the thoughtful, caring, smart, and dedicated Mother that you were. I wish we had the chance to make more memories together...

*I know I'm not the only one who is missing a mother this weekend. Sending each of you a big squeeze and many prayers for a peaceful heart. They are watching over us.*

House Hunters Can Be Ridiculous

I hope you're ready for a random post because it's about to get random up in here! Do you watch House Hunters? I do. In fact, about 75% [or more!] of my DVR is filled with House Hunters. But not House Hunters International. Oh, no! That show is just not the same.

I have seen so many episodes of House Hunters it's not even funny. I just get fascinated with the homes and seeing what the real estate market is like throughout the country. I also get a kick out of the potential home buyers. 

I've been an event planner throughout most of my professional career so I've seen and heard of a TON of weird food/accommodation demands requests that people have. It looks like realtors probably experience the same quirks when working with their clients. Here are some things I've seen on House Hunters:

"I won't move into a house that was built in the 1950's or earlier... because the chances of it being haunted are greater."

[via]

News flash: People have died after the 1950's too which means basically any house could be haunted. Even new homes. [Built on an old graveyard? Duh.] Anyway, this lady obviously ended up getting a newish home.

"I can't have a house with any brass hardware. Drawer handles, light fixtures, etc."

[via]

I feel like on a list of reasons to NOT like a home, this should be one of the very last items. Although, the article that the picture is from was written all about brass fixtures being outdated. Meh.

"I don't want to live near a corn field because I'm deathly afraid of the children that will come out of it."

Not. Even. Kidding. Word-for-word. And she's serious. She also didn't want the garage to be in the front of the house. Shoot, if we could find her a house with all that AND no windows, maybe she'd be happy? Totally normal.

And the one that gets me every time:

"But it doesn't have granite counter tops."

I will never get it. Not having a finished basement? Sure, I can understand that being a deal breaker. Not having central A/C? I can understand that too. But not having granite counter tops? Shouldn't be the biggest deal in the world. To each their own! I bet you're a "have-to-have-granite-counter-tops" kind of person, huh? ;)

What crazy "wants" have you seen on House Hunters? Better yet, what are YOUR odd requests for a home? Spill it! :)