My bf and I have a Siberian Husky. While he is adorable, he isn't exactly a cuddle bug and the shedding is out of control. I can't wait until I get my financial house in order and the timing is right for me to get a dog of my own.
When I was younger I was obsessed with Old English Sheepdogs. But I have since moved on. The size (90+ lbs.) and the coat maintenance would just be too much for me.

At the moment my top three dog choices are:

Mini Dachshund

Welsh Corgi

Lhasa Apso

I have plenty of time to decide because unfortunately I don't see myself being ready for any puppies in the near future.

Rug roundup

Ikea Andrea Rug $299

Thomas Paul Coral Rug $150-$814

This one looks soooo comfy.
WestElm Sheepskin rug $149-$249


And now let's have a moment of silence for my favorite rugs that have been discontinued:

West Elm Taksim/Pottery Barn Moorish Tile

CB2's Morocco

CB2's Sleepy Hollow

CB2's Burst

Have you seen my stapler?

Office Space is a cult classic and one of my favorite movies. If you haven't seen it, you need to get your butt down to the videostore and rent it or just buy it. It's that good.

After watching you might find yourself craving a red stapler. Swingline makes one but it doesn't look like Milton's. If you want an exact replica visit devinj.

Or look at this great orange stapler I discovered thanks to Jessica at How About Orange. $21.95 at CB2.

Dresses

When it comes to fashion I'm pretty clueless, that's why I love sweatpants so much. But I have pieced together that maxi dresses are very in style this season. I found these at JC Penney of all places. Both are on sale for $59.99.

Bisou Bisou Paisley Halter Maxi Dress | Bisou Bisou Ombre Maxi Dress

Song of the day

If I could choose any career it would be professional dancer. And I would have a body like Edyta Sliwinska from DWTS. (I would kill for legs like that.) Unfortunately the only dance training I've had was a jazz class when I was in elementary school. I don't think that's going to cut it.

Two great songs for the ballroom:
Chelo - Cha Cha
Pussycat Dolls - Sway

Feel the burn

I joined a gym on Monday and got the boot from my job on Tuesday. So now if I can still afford it, I have all the time in the world to work out. I'm hitting the gym tonight. Here are some of the songs on my exercise playlist:

Outkast - Bombs Over Baghdad
Black Eyed Peas - Pump It
Fatman Scoop - U Sexy Girl
Joe Budden - Pump it Up
Joe Budden - Fire
Freeway - Flipside
T.I. - Bring Em Out
T.I. - Get It
OK Go - Here it Goes Again
Groove Armada - I See You Baby
Kat DeLuna - Run the Show
Kat DeLuna - Whine Up
Gym Class Heroes - The Queen & I
Pitbull - Bojangles
Pitbull - Toma
The Vines - Get Free
Ying Yang Twins - Shake
MVP - Roc Your Body 'Mic Check 1, 2'
Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At
Fatboy Slim - Everyone Loves a Carnival
Metro Station - Shake Shake
Tony Matterhorn - Dutty Wine
Swizz Beatz - Money in the Bank

Disclaimer: If you're easily offended you might find the lyrics of some of these songs, well....offensive.

If you need more workout music inspiration check out in the gym.

Three strikes and I'm out

I got laid off today. I tried hard not to, but I cried when my boss told me. How embarrassing. It's not so much losing the job as it is the fact that I just went through this a couple years ago after being at a job for three months. It took me a year to find this job and now it's happening all over again. The economy is terrible so who knows how long it will take me to find another job...definitely not good for my resume or my mental health. Perhaps things would have been different if I had had the guts to pack up and move to Chicago or NYC after graduating. Design opportunities aren't exactly abundant in CT. So after one bad job and two layoffs I think me and graphic design are parting ways. I need to start looking into new, better paying, more stable career options.

Rant: Irresponsible Pet Owners

I live in a condo complex and it frustrates me to no end when I'm walking around and see little turds everywhere. The last thing I want to do when I'm taking out the trash or checking the mail is to step in a big pile of you know what. How freakin hard is it to pick up after your dog? It's part of the condo rules yet no one seems to care. But I bet there would be an uproar if the condo association finally got sick of things and changed the pet policy. And cat owners aren't going to get away scot-free either. Why is your cat outside roaming around and walking on my car? Please keep them inside.

Don't get me wrong, I love animals, dogs especially. But please have some respect. This is shared property. If you had your own private backyard and wanted to keep it littered with dog poop, more power to you. But you don't. So be a responsible pet owner and do what needs to be done. Pick up after your dog. Thanks.

So yeah I posted these signs all over the complex. I'm sure seeing my sign isn't going to make anyone have an epiphany and start picking up poop. But it sure made me feel a little better.

Orla Kiely for Target

Have you been to Target yet to check out the Orla Kiely line? I was surprised to find one sad little end cap instead of a big display. Here are some of my favorites...

Canisters $19.99, $17.99 and $14.99

Tablecloth $21.99

Set of 2 kitchen towels $5.99

Kitchen hooks 2-pack $4.99

As you can tell I really like the pear theme. Besides their original purpose the tablecloth and towels make great fabric for any craft projects you might have in mind.

Who knew goth could be so glam

LivingEtc.

A big thank you

Woohoo! I won. I couldn't believe it when I saw that I was one of AT's February Jumpstart contest winners. I have never won anything in my life. So if anyone is actually reading this, a big thank you to those of you who voted for me.

TV frame

I had to pick up some photographs from our photographer at work the other day and I was introduced to something I have never seen before. Not only is his house very nice but he had his TV in a frame and a dachshund (I want a dachshund sooo badly). Normally I'm one who would prefer the TV to be hidden when not in use, but I like this idea too.

The picture above is from Pottery Barn or check out framemytv.

What a difference a coat of paint makes

I have needed a side table for quite awhile but never felt like shelling out the cash for one. About a month ago the fates aligned. They were going to throw out this side table at work, so I took it home. It was a hideous thing but I had been dying to spraypaint something and if it turned out badly I would only be out about $10.

It certainly isn't perfect but it looks much nicer and hey, it was free.

If you want to take on your own side table project it was quite simple. Fill in any chips with wood filler. Sand the table. Prime it. Then paint.