Sarah Studer

You get EIGHT compliments as you're walking from the salon to your next destination. Here's a map:

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Five months after my initial visit to my hairdresser (Alexis at Vain), I came back to get it re-shaped. I'm convinced that three weeks in Colorado really destroyed my hair, and it was getting so ratty and I was so LAZY and couldn't be bothered to brush it out. I had a real mess on my head, and I'm so thankful to have finally found a professional to tame it.

So anyway, I asked Alexis to bring my hair back to it's former glory: September 2009, and I walked out feeling like this haircut was even better than that one.

And the people on the street seemed to agree!

I am a complete failure when it comes to shopping at thrift stores. I really need somebody there with me, to help me see the beauty in the old discarded piece of god-knows-what that's on the bottom of a shelf.

Thankfully, I do have friends that hold my hand through Goodwill/Value Village adventures, which must be the ONLY reason that I cleaned the place OUT on Saturday! Here's what i got:

• 12 mini salt and pepper shakers (1 for salt, 1 for pepper, and 10 for yet-to-be-determined creative projects).
• A slightly scuffed wooden cabinet that looks perfect after a coat of black paint
• Pyrex casserole dish with lid
• Blue serving bowl
• Soup pot with strainer included
• White colander
• A loaf pan
• Set of three mixing bowls
• Mickey Mouse cupcake tray
• Orange clothespin chip clip
• Cutting board
• Scattergories! A full complete set of six!
• Pyrex measuring cup
• Hot pink vase that perfectly matches the raspberry fizz walls

I totally cleaned up! I'm so proud of myself! And I was so inspired when I was re-painting my new television cabinet, I went ahead and painted all the rest of the mismatched wood black to match.

That's a Toni Braxton song lyric, in case it didn't immediately start playing in your head. This song will take you back...

So anyway, we finally went and checked out Sky High Sports in Bellevue. The trip there and back nearly killed my car, but I feel like that's better than death by trampoline (which in fact, was of actual concern). Yes, my 26 year old body is not good for more than about 5 solid minutes of jumping, before feeling like every muscle in my body cramps up. Two days later, I can still barely laugh because my abs are killing me. I'm actually okay with that, because it was mostly excercise by laughter, which means I had a REALLY good laugh.

If you're in need of a good time, drive yourself over to Bellevue and get there 30 minutes before they open (to get ahead of the kiddos), purchase an hour of jump time (TRUST ME, you won't need more- we lasted 36 whole minutes) and you'll have a real ball.

Last Thursday afternoon, post Greenlake-walk and mussel pick up, I hosted my first ever lunch party. It just so happened that Elizabeth had acquired some mussels and lobster that had been overnighted from Maine, and they got passed along to me.

Since cooking adventures are right up my alley, I hopped right in the car and went to pick them up. And since Leah, Em and MtB all had the afternoon off, we assembled at our apartment and I went right to work:

And where's what I whipped up:

• Roasted beet caprese salad (the beets replaced the tomatoes)
• Sauteed green chard with leeks
• Citrus salad with avocado on Bibb lettuce
• Mussels sauteed in white wine, garlic, and shallots
• A fresh baguette*
• Brownies with raspberry sauce*

(*store-bought)

How fabulous that I have three great friends that were able to enjoy it with me. Hooray for funemployment and having a abundance of food that needed to get cooked off. Therefore, I think I'm going to try and have future lunch parties for any and all who can attend (obvi, RSVP).

Anyone who wants to be my Valentine will be recieving THESE and you're going to LOVE THEM. Who doesn't love miniature things?! Oh, I'm SO EXCITED to make them!