Tina, Tina, Tina

If you don't have a crush on Tina Fey, there is something wrong with you. As Saturday Night Live's first female head writer, one of the best anchors of the show's "Weekend Update," winner of a ridiculous amount of Emmy's, Golden Globes, SAG awards, and now star and creator of her own show, 30 Rock, there is almost too much to love about Tina.  So, now she's made her way to movies. First writing and having a rather small role in "Mean Girls," then starring in "Baby Mama" with also rocking funny chick, Amy Poehler, now she's co-starring with Steve Carell in "Date Night" which opens today. I love Tina, she's kind of a hero for me. She is beautiful without being intimidating, funny in a real, non-vulgar way, really talented, and the kind of woman you'd love to have as your best friend. I watch 30 Rock re-runs on my netflix instant queue almost everynight and laugh at the same jokes over and over. Her portrayal of Sarah Palin, just put icing on the cake. Watch her host Saturday Night Live this weekend!!!

MMMMMMilk

Shatto Milk Company is a local dairy that is located just north of the Kansas City metro area. They are a locally owned family dairy with a drive for making pure, wholesome milk.  I began buying their milk just this past year and I never want to buy anything else. I am not a big milk drinker, but I love a bowl of cereal once in a while and of course its a must for macaroni and cheese. Shatto Milk Company not only has milk though, today i just picked up a gallon of sweet tea, and noticed they also had fruit punch and orange drink. Their milk flavors range from the classics, Whole, 2%, and Skim but also they have amazing Chocolate, Strawberry, Orange, and get this..Root Beer. That's right Root beer flavored milk. I have to admit I haven't tried it. The great thing about this company is not just that they never use growth hormones but their milk is bottled in glass jars, you pay a small deposit for at the grocery store and when you're finished with it, you rinse it out, return it to the store and your deposit is returned. That way they can reuse these bottles as often as they can. The glass keeps the milk colder, and really, who doesn't love the aesthetic of milk in a glass jar? Shatto offers tours of their dairy for those who are interested and hosts events on their farm. When I visited the website earlier, I even found out they will be coming out with Ice Cream. Yum!

The Heart of the Home

The other day I wrote about porches and outdoor spaces and how I was so exicted to have my own home someday so I could create a wonderful place like that. I think of all the indoor spaces, the kitchen would be my pride and joy. At this point in my life, I am by no means a great cook, probably even not a good cook. I can throw together some  okay dishes, but I have so little time to cook, it hasn't become a great skill yet. Kitchens to me mean something else. So, I don't really care about having chef's grade appliances, amazing cutlery, or anything else. I just want it to be a real family place, a place for entertaining friends, the spot in the house where everyone comes together. One thing I love about my parent's kitchen is that they've had the same kitchen table since before I was born. It isn't polished, it has water rings from my brother and I not using coasters, a spot where someone left a newspaper too long and some print rubbed off on it, and one chair has a painted arrow on it from where one of us decided to get creative during an art session. The leaf inset may be a different color from the rest of the very worn table, but I am so glad they've kept it. It holds many memories from childhood and is a real staple piece to their home. For my own dream kitchen, I would love a bar area around an island where kids can spread out their homework while dinner is being made, where scrabble and trivial pursuit is played, announcements are made, waffels and scrambled eggs are a sunday morning tradition, and cupcakes are iced with multi colored frosting on rainy days. Kitchens are usually secondary rooms to living rooms and such where the family gathers to watch a favorite TV show. I am hoping to make my kitchen that place, with less TV and more games, with less take out and more home cooking.  I love these four kitchens because they are airy and bright, open with the rest of the house, comfortable and clean, yet very real. I feel like I could walk right into them and feel at home. If you want some great tips, this article has some good advice on how to make your kitchen unique, inviting, and all your own.

yes, it's spring

I thought I'd share some photos I've taken over the past week, just to prove to myself that spring is here. This first tree actually belongs to my neighbor, but I get to enjoy it when I'm washing dishes and when I walk outside in the morning. I love these purple buds, they are so beautiful and I love the oriental shape of the tree. The second picture is a little flying seed that landed on the skirt of my dress as I was sitting under a tree in Loose Park. The third is another tree on my block. As I was driving up to the house this morning, the sky had been grey from a storm that rolled through and the bright greens on the trees stood out sharply in contrast to the sky. I had to grab my camera and snap some pictures. There's the sandals I kicked off while I sat on my blanket in the park. And here's someone's kite flying in the sky. Yes friends, it is spring. 

A Porch of One's Own

I cannot wait to have my own home. One of the most important things to me will be my porch. Outdoor sitting areas are so peaceful, calming, and wonderful. I love all three of these spaces. I dream of spending a day off relaxing on a porch with a good book, a sketch pad, and some yummy iced tea. Comfy furniture and an outdoor dining set is a must along with many colorful plants, and I would love a grill to cook out and eat dinner as the sun sets. I also love the idea of an outdoor fireplace. It means the space can be used almost year round. Can't you imagine sipping hot chocolate in front of the fire place on a crisp fall evening with red, orange, and gold leaves? Need to create an outdoor space of your own? Read these tips.

Bringing Back the Scarf

Scarves have been back for a while now and I am so glad. They are such a great accessory to wear when you're tired of your jewelry. You can find really beautiful ones at inexpensive prices, and they add an extra kick to your wardrobe.  Audrey Hepburn once said "When I wear a silk scarf, I never feel so definitely like a woman, a beautiful woman." They are distinctly feminine, and add a touch of class and polish to any outfit. You can buy a crazy amazing and super expensive Hermes scarf for $720 or you can be like me and go to a local flea market and spend $2 for something really beautiful too. There are a million ways to tie a scarf, wear them around your neck, on your head, around your waist, or tie it to your bag. 

Soak till you're pruney

When was the last time you took a nice relaxing bath? I used to be a real bath person. When I was younger, I preferred them over showers but now, it's a lot harder for me to relax in the bath. I get bored. I love these bathtubs though, the top picture looks about as relaxed as one could possibly get, a nice, large, outdoor bathtub! The second one was designed by Marco Tallarida, and I thought it was a creative and beautifully modern take on a luxery bath, and of course the old claw foot Victorian bath tub would make you feel like a princess no matter what. Some good tunes, some delicious bubble bath, and a nice warming face mask (I am in love with this one from Be Fine) and you can be magically renewed after a rough day. Here are a few tips on how to make your bath tub experience a real treat.

A place to get away

Did you ever dream of your very own treehouse when you were young? I think everyone did. Did you expect to see something like these fabulous homes in trees? I'm thinking I want to live in a tree someday, they really aren't just for playing anymore. There are some places around the country where you can vacation in a tree house. Check out beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas while staying in this lovely treehouse, you can visit Mt. Rainier while sleeping here,  or you can check out some other treehouse resorts. I think staying in one of these would be great for a honeymoon or just a relaxing getaway. How romantic to stay in a treehouse. Either way, I still want one in my back yard, I can imagine climbing up a rope ladder, sipping pink lemonade, reading books and listening to the birds chirp while relaxing in the treetops.

Lars and the Real Girl

Have you seen this movie? It was released almost three years ago and I watched it for the second time tonight, it was just as good the second time around. Lars and the Real Girl stars super cute Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider,  Patricia Clarkson, and Kelli Garner. This movie is more than its premise...Dude falls in love with a sex doll.. This movie is about community and love and family and compassion. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, totally original, funny and just all around beautiful. If you haven't seen it, put it on your queue, go down to Blockbuster, or just buy it out right. You can't not love it.

Open the Windows

Spring is in the air and if you're stuck inside all day in the office, at school, or you just have to be in your home getting your laundry done. Open your windows! I don't know why but I've seen in some of the places I've lived, neighbors who either have their heat on or their air conditioning on year round! Do you really need one or the other on all the time? Decrease your bills and help the environment by turning it off! Today is beautiful in Kansas City, don't know how it is for everyone elsewhere, but I think spring has come to visit most parts of the country. Fresh air is so beneficial, it will stimulate your brain, get you motivated to do something, anything, so do it, open the windows!

photo credits: Ryan Beryl and bestgreenhometips.com