random images.

first, perhaps the only gucci I will ever own. (this is a free sample I got from Sephora…)

flora

I adore it’s little box and have been keeping it in my crafting area because it’s sooo pretty and I don’t want to put it away.

My grandma is giving away… well darn near everything she’s got as she prepares to move in with my aunt. She let me have these kickin’ individual creamers. I used to pour the milk for my cereal with them.

animals

and third up- my bike.

new bike

To make a LONG saga short, I wanted a pink cruiser… but wound up with this bike (named Brutus) and all is happy in bike-riding (aka calorie burning) land ‘o Flaum.

I’m back to the ye olde grindstone… more tomorrow!

Dixon May Fair

The oldest fair (Dixon May Fair) in California is right by our place- so last weekend I took the girls.

aq1

Of course- first up was pony ride. The girls LOVE ponies!! (probably it’s genetic and I passed that on- but then again little girls do tend to love horses!)

aq3

Then we went through the barns and visited all the animals. Since I spent much of my childhood with animals (4-H & FFA) I love seeing the kids (oh especially the teenagers- they bring back memories!) showing their animals. My favorite? Since it’s the animal I raised every year for fair- the market hogs!!

 

048

Oh, and we had a few classic fair treats too…

aq2

Besides spending a wonderful afternoon with my girls, the best part about this small fair is that it means the warm weather festivities and traditions have begun!!!

books on a plane

When traveling years ago I used to just pick up something to read at the airport. What would I find? What would appeal? Would it be any good? The adventure was half the fun. Heck- that’s how I discovered the Shopaholic series, so it was a successful system. I so rarely got to read at home meant that travel time was when I’d read. (in planes, hotels, down time at my parent’s place…)

These days I read at home a lot, so I have ‘to be read’ books hanging around as well as ‘i want’ lists on www.amazon.com just waiting for me to have time to read. My point? I’m preparing for a trip and trying to figure out what to bring! I avoid hardcovers as they just weigh a ton in my backpack and I always regret it. I have to bring a variety of authors and genres and at least 2 books more than I think I’ll read. Why? 1) I’m a moody reader and 2) I like options.

So right now I’m figuring out what books I must bring and read (I’ll be sure to let you know) for my upcoming short trip to Colorado. Of course I got distracted in my quest by thinking ‘what would I recommend to someone else traveling?’ and I thought I’d share that list here today.

Want some sugar-sweet, pure 100% girly goodness romance? (sigh) Nora Roberts new book was supposed to be for my trip but I got sucked in and LOVED it. So the cutest, sweetest hero I’ve read in a long time too.

nora vision

If you are in the mood for a screwball adventure/comedy with mob hits, a heroine that is good in the kitchen (both defending herself and cooking), and a big cast of great characters:

agnes

Wanting to laugh outloud and read something high in snarky, battle of the bulge hilarious goodness? Jen Lancaster has a new book out (Pretty in Plaid), but not having read that one yet + loving on paperbacks means I’d tell you to take one of my favorite reads of 08-

suchapretty_small

Finally today might I suggest for murder mystery with a stylish twist – the Crime of Fashion series is super funny!! I’ve read the first two and I just realized I should read more. Based in Washington DC and full of memorable characters this is fun stuff.

killer hair

Ok, so if I was on a plane those are some of my suggestions… what are some of yours? I’ll be making up my list of what to pack and share soon as I can decide!