dazed and confused...

I've been trying my best to REALLY dive into the nuts and bolts of the health care crisis here in the US and to educate myself regarding the changes that Obama's administration is proposing. I'm a pretty quick study, but I have to admit that there is SO MUCH SHIT out there to try and sift through that it's hard somedays to feel like you are really up to speed.

Because I'm vocal about my beliefs, my friends too often want to debate with me on the topic of health care - and while I can debate with the best of them (okay, okay, the mediocre-to-mid-grade of them), I claim to be a little skittish on this topic. I want to be sure of myself and I want to speak concisely and intentionally - but I also want to get the point across to people that "FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, people - we're in a crisis here! And isn't ANYTHING that is remotely planned out a better solution than the mess we find ourselves in???"

Most of my conservative and nervous friends are most concerned because they feel like the specifics are too unknown - that they want their own 3rd grade Health Care Bible before they are willing to take a look at another solution. I can't entirely fault them, but please refer to the previous paragraph to understand what I want to scream to them.

Finally, today, the White House posted a down and dirty, bulleted list of what the reform bill would do. It's in no way a master's thesis, but it's a start. I hope you find as much understanding in it as I did - and I hope it makes you more willing to take on debaters like me.

I heart this...

Anyone who remotely knows me, is familiar with my addiction to big jewelery pieces. As a tall girl, I can pull them off and I love the impact they create. I'm trying desperately to figure out how I can afford this necklace. I know that I can't, which makes it all the more frustrating...but I can at least show you the amazingness of it and let you drool along with me!
Tonic Home is a great place to find one of a kind pieces that take your breath away. The Camillia Bib Necklace is designed by Isharya and is made of Tourmaline glass, red, and clear enamel. Amazing, right?

i could spend all day...

...messing around on Polyvore.com. This fabulous website allows you to build your own storyboards of apparel and accessories that you love - then publish them to your friends or other Polyvore fans. Maybe I'm late to the party, but I haven't seen this before and I can't imagine the time one could waste here.

Here are a few of the boards that caught my eye.

I heart this...

I'm a total sucker for great packaging. As a designer, there's a certain aesthetic that accompanies well-done graphics partnered with functionality. Minneapolis based Duffy & Partners has redesigned a collection of chocolate scented candles for Thymes. So delicate and yet so enticing. Love, love, love!!!

And because I can't let a day go by without thinking of tequila, this beautiful limited edition tequila packaged in hand blown crystal bottles makes me what to sit on a beach and quickly forget my name. This is almost too beautiful to drink from...sorry, never mind. What was I thinking?

your daily bias

What was that?

For those of you just starting to read about me, I've got more going on right now than a one-armed wallpaper hanger. I'm in the process of boxing up my home and moving to North Carolina, a move that pains and excites me all at the same time. During my transition, I am living in an extended stay hotel where Miss Margaret Lucille Esmeralda McGillicuddy (aka Maggie) is with me to keep me company. She rides great in the car and would much prefer to be with me than with than her neurotic father at home in Virginia. But Maggie has her own set of family issues and she doesn't mind giving me a lesson on patience every chance she gets.

On her morning walk she normally leaves for me a honking pile of love that is as normal as normal gets. But this morning, as she found a place to cop her squat, she removed from her body something so foul that imagining it might be grounds for prosecution. Because I have to pick it up and dispose of it, I was leaning over this miracle when I realized exactly what I was looking at. The first half of her gift was a mix of used, compacted and slightly discolored sundries that she had eaten out of the bathroom trash can. There were several tissues, a facial cleansing pad AND a few q-tips. Once I got over the shock of the contents in her belly, I looked at her and said "You've got to be kidding me?!? Do I need to hide the tampons and soap today as well?" At which point, she saw a squirrel and darted off -- and the vision of her backside with butt in the air was no different than if she had given me the finger with her tail.

i heart this...etsy

Of all the most recent beauties that I've spotted on Etsy, this one takes the cake. This gorgeous Tree of Love bracelet has a soft spot in my heart. Designed by Soltice Jewelry, this little gem is a combination of turquoise hearts, jasper roses, soft chocolate suede with leaves. How can you NOT like this?

your daily bias

I heart this...

Look at these amazing laser-cut maps of London and Paris. I wish they came in other colors, but I'm seriously coveting these guys...