Debt Ceiling Debate

On July 23, 2011, an editorial was published in the New York Times that was accompanied by these charts. The charts are from the Congressional Budget Office; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. I'm not one to take these types of charts as gospel (meaning, I trust they are generally correct, but acknowledge slight variations in actuals). I was not only stunned, but seriously pissed off.

In looking at chart A, you can see where the surplus started and how it quickly left the nest in 2001. Had we been continuing on the path set for us by Clinton, our surplus could have soared into the 1 trillion dollar range in the last year. However, if you now glance at chart B, you can clearly see where and how the surplus left us. The single biggest chunk of dollars was lost through the Bush tax cuts, followed closely behind by defense spending (including two wars).

The GOP cannot continue to blame this debacle on the current administration and in the same vein, the Dems cannot continue to pander to the bullies on the playground. Can someone get me a spittoon - because I'm so mad that I could use one at the moment.

Chart A:

Chart B:

Tritch, T. (2011, July 23). How the deficit got this big. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24sun4.html?_r=1

da dum...Da Dum...DA DUM!!!

In honor of Shark Week, check out some of these super fun Etsy finds (plus one from my refrigerator).


1. Hooded Shark Towel by LittleLisaLuLu 2. Doggie Shark Bandana by EclecticBuda 3. Paining - "Seal Dragon Punching a Great White Shark" by joehavasy 4. Great White Shark USB Flash Drive by hemingwayfun 5. Landshark Lager 6. Shark on a Bike Tee by darkcycleclothing

The Captain

The fat cat.
The spoiled fur ball.
The boy who can't navigate the litter box and opts for kitchen tile.
The one that loves me so much it hurts.
Captain Tony Terracino.

Look here!

I've been in product development for many years – fifteen , but who's counting. I've had the chance to design for a lot of great retailers and have seen my brain children on the shelves more times than I can count. It's a really great way to make a living and I'm thankful each day.

Right now, there is an endcap in Target stores, nationwide, that contains 17 different notebook designs that I did for Top Flight (in partnership with New Leaf Paper). I'm not sure why I'm so proud of this collection, except to say that seeing this endcap in the stores makes me as giddy as a blue-hair on her way to 4 o'clock supper at Denny's. It was a true labor of love. I designed nearly 100 options before the customer was able to narrow down to the 17 you see here. There's no way to quantify the process, other than to say that it was more fun than I usually have (note some of the humor in the sayings), although it was long and arduous.

Regardless, I'm super proud of "these here" book designs. Check them out at Target, and if you are so inclined, purchase one of the more inappropriate ones (perhaps the dogs sniffing each others butts) for your mother-in-law. Tell her that I said, "you are SO welcome."

I Heart...

Most of you know my affinity for yellow roses - both in a vase and as a motif. I was browsing Etsy today and was amazed to see all the sweet yellow rose concepts that people are hand making in their studios.




A. Asymmetrical Yellow and White Rose Necklace by BrittanyChavers B. Real Mini Rose Bird Necklace by MCStoneworks C. Vintage Glass Floral Stud Earrings by RoomOfYourOwn D. Yellow Rose Pendant Pearl Necklace by MEJCollection E. Ruffled Rose Earrings by LittleFleaMarket F. Yellow Rose, Jade, Pearl and Tiger Eye Necklace by lisaburkin G. Yellow Rose Twig w/ paper roses by Sophistica

One of those days...

Do you ever have one of those days where you can't get anyone to agree on anything? That's the day I'm having. Hell, that's the month I'm having.





These times call for beer, Jeremiah Weed, hair color, bad reality television, and padded walls. At least I have access to 4 of the 5.

Image courtesy of MMemes.

40 by 40

My friend and sister, Courtney, did her 40 by 40 and I thought "how hard can that be?" Ha! Was I wrong. This list is not in any specific order, although some of the items were harder to write than others. I think part of that is because I had to admit that they were things I actually thought I could get done in the next 2 years.

No way I'll accomplish everything, but my thinking is that in two years, I'll just change it to a 45 by 45 and add a few to the end.

Is your list similar? Is there anything that you are dying to do that you'd like a partner for? I'd really love someone to help me clean out my parents second floor, if there are any takers!

40 before 40

1. Get caught up on Dexter (still on season 4)
2. Get the Prius painted.
3. See Oprah Winfrey speak (in any venue).
4. Travel to Europe with my husband.
5. Train my fat cat how to use the toilet versus the litter box.
6. Complete a painting collection of at least 30 pieces – large enough to hold a show.
7. Buy another John Chumley.
8. Learn how to play the guitar.
9. Get my newest tattoos.
10. Spend a weekend away with my sister.
11. Complete my masters program.
12. See the Bacon Brothers, Sara Bareilles and Eric Hutchinson in concert again.
13. Dig all the rocks out of my yard.
14. Sell the Winchester house.
15. Make room in my house for Mike to move home.
16. Volunteer for Alpha Sigma Tau.
17. Spend some time with Karen Kessler
18. Spend some time with Patti Simmons.
19. Spend some time with Theresa Seddon.
20. Spend some time with Lynnette Embree.
21. Post on my blog at least twice a week (this list is a start ☺).
22. Pay off my Citibank card.
23. Secure some new freelance clients (see #22).
24. See the Washington Capitals play.
25. Spend a weekend cleaning out my parents’ upstairs.
26. Go to Apple Blossom.
27. Take another Disciple Bible class.
28. Ride my motorcycle more.
29. Learn how to make the perfect cheesecake.
30. Improve my dart game.
31. Help on a Habitat house.
32. Participate in a 3-day Komen walk.
33. Go to the dentist twice (once each year – trust me, this would be a big accomplishment ☺ ).
34. Lose 60 pounds.
35. Learn to knit.
36. Improve my golf game (of course, anything is an improvement).
37. Find the perfect hair color.
38. Paint a mural.
39. Visit my Aunt.
40. Go hiking.

Brilliance

I posted this link on my Facebook page a few days ago, but I loved this article so much that I decided I would write about it here as well. I'm the product of a family that didn't completely understand my art. Not to say they weren't supportive (um, okay, my mom was supportive), but they worried that I wasn't making the right decision with my future plans. Sometimes they were verbal (my dad) and sometimes they weren't, but I always knew that there was a small amount of fear every time I reported my printmaking or sculpture grades.

I'd like to claim that I always knew what I was doing – that I was confident in my talent enough to never listen to those soft whispers of doubt. I'd be a big, fat liar. I always knew that I wanted to be a designer and I "thought" that I would be okay, but I could never be sure. I guess we never can be 100% positive in our career path, but I have to admit that I was a tad jealous of my friends that majored in elementary education, knowing that they would be cleaning snotty noses and writing lesson plans before I could say "boo."

Now that it's 2011, there is something scary about the mentality of our nation regarding the Arts. This feeling that our youth's ability to compete in a global perspective is directly tied to their advancement through math and science is complete bunk. I'm not capable of articulating my thoughts regarding this disconnect as well as Michael Roth has. Mr. Roth is the president of Wesleyan University, which, as a good Methodist, makes me smile. He is an excellent writer and I couldn't say this better myself. I encourage you to read the entire article here. In the mean time, I will simply give you some of the highlights.

In recent years university leaders in Asia, the Mideast and even Europe have sought to organize curricula more like those of our liberal art schools. How, they want to know, can we combine rigorous expectations of learning with the development of critical thinking and creativity that are the hallmarks of the best American colleges?

But in our own land we are running away from the promise of liberal education. We are frightened by economic competition, and many seem to have lost confidence in our ability to draw from the resources of a broadly based education. Instead, they hope that technical training or professional expertise on their own will somehow invigorate our culture and society.

Many seem to think that by narrowing our focus to just science and engineering, we will become more competitive. This is a serious mistake.

Our leaders in government, industry and academia should realize that they don't have to make a choice between the sciences and the rest of the liberal arts. Indeed, the sciences are a vital part of the liberal arts.

The key to our success in the future will be an integrative education that doesn't isolate the sciences from other parts of the curriculum, and that doesn't shield the so-called creative and interpretive fields from a vigorous understanding of the problems addressed by scientists.

We should look at education not as a specific training program for a limited range of mental muscles but as a process through which one will generate some of the most important features in one's life. It makes no sense to train people as narrowly as possible in a world going through cataclysmic changes, for you are building specific strengths that leave you merely muscle-bound, not stronger and more flexible.

We should think of education as a kind of intellectual cross-training that leads to many more things than at any one moment you could possibly know would be useful. The most powerful education generates further curiosity, new needs, experiences to meet those needs, more curiosity and so on.

Education isn't just an object that you use to get started in a career; education is a catalytic resource that continues to energize and shape your life. Education enhances your ability to develop new skills and capacities for connectivity that allow you to solve problems and seize opportunities.

See what I mean? Brilliant.

your daily bias

i heart this...

I am secretly wanting to design a kitchen right now (okay, not so secretly right now). One of my best friends, Karen, is in the process of redesigning her kitchen and I'm so anxious to see it that I just can't stand it. We have similar styles, so I'm sure that she will have to walk around with a drool cloth under my chin once I finally make it to St. Louis to see the results in person.

I was doing some searches and found these great images of some of the kitchens that I'm loving right now. Most of these are super-modern – but since we are a no-kid kind of household, we could totally pull it off.

i heart this...

I'm loving how big-time designers are working in unexpected mediums. Cynthia Rowley has dabbled in quite a few industries over the past few years since Swell busted onto the scene, but this takes the cake for me.

How amazing are these Band-Aids? These limited-edition offerings from Cynthia offer sequin, gems, lace and even gold chains. In addition, $1 from the sale of each tin goes directly to Design Ignites Change, an organization that engages high school and college students in design and architecture projects that address social issues in their own communities.

your daily bias

...in honor of the primaries!

Liberals Scare Me and Conservatives Scare Me available here.

as promised...

Sometimes it's the things that take the longest to work themselves out that are the most satisfying. Some of you are aware that this little project has been on my to-do list for, oh, shall we say 7-8 years? I've started, stopped, started again and regrettably stopped again. This time, no stopping.

Drum roll please!!!

I'm happy to finally announce the Grand Opening of the Biased Baby.com storefront.



I opted to work with Café Press to get things off the ground. I'm not 100% content with the limitations that they place on your site layout, but it gets the job done. This will continue to be a work in progress and you'll see new designs showing up regularly. Don't forget to check back!

Now that you've had the opportunity to see some of the Biased Baby themed product on the blog, you have the chance to purchase it and spread the word. If you like what you see, I thank you in advance for sharing with your friends.

Remember, it's all about being edgy and pushing the envelope. Don't get offended, friends – you'll come to love it as much as I do. Then again, I'm biased.

how life turns...

...on a dime. I'm making my way back – or as my very wise Uncle R. would say "keeping it between the ditches" after a fairly rough summer. I might go into more detail about it at some point, but for now, I'm vertical, I'm smiling and I'm trying to let the Lord talk to me instead of me doing all the talking.

I have learned a few key things in the upside down world that has been my life for the last few months.

1. I'm as addicted to coffee more now than I ever was. And I'm okay with it.

2. Watching your children (in my case 4-legged) grow old sucks. I remember well the day my first dog, Mandy, died. And I remotely remember the suffering. I think my parents did their best to help that Irish Setter out as much as they could so that we wouldn't be so burdened by her decline. I have 4 animals that are 12 years old or higher. One of them is really suffering with arthritis and it's such a painful thing to watch. I brought this little baby home when she was only 8 weeks old and no matter how old and feeble she gets, she will always be that little chocolate-eyed puppy. I want her to give me as much time with her as I want...but I hope that she takes it upon herself to show me how selfless my love can be for her when the time is right.

3. I'm extremely impatient. All my really close friends just laughed out loud and are wiping whatever they were drinking off their monitors right now. They are each collectively saying "um, like, did she really just figure it out or has it just taken her this long to admit it to herself?"

4. I miss Winchester. When I was 17, I couldn't WAIT to get out. I was foaming at the mouth to leave that black hole of death. Now, I'd offer up a body part to find my way back. Funny how age changes perspective isn't it?

and finally 5. I have decided to become better at a few key things. I'm not talking drastically better, because if I try to do too much, I'll let myself down and will have to deal with that whole "patience" thing again. But I'm determined to become better at managing my health, at communicating with husband, at being a more considerate driver, at getting my Biased Baby product relaunched and at blogging more consistently. I figure if I can progress on each of them, if only a little at a time, then I'm doing okay. If I surprise myself and set the world on fire, then the world better watch out.

Until then, I'm going to have another cup of coffee.

your daily bias

design i love

My job affords me the chance to travel the world. In almost every instance, it's a complete blessing and adventure. The other instances, well, they include uncomfortable airline moments, toilets that are in the ground (brings a new definition to "squatting") and stolen passports in Communist countries. One day, I'll bring you up to speed on those moments of insanity.
My first time in Paris, I was tucking in and out of side streets and discovered a fabulous shop called Conran. It intrigued me because it contains this amazing combination of modern furniture with a great library of design books and accessories. A few years later, I discovered the "anchor store" in London and was even more blown away by the breadth of design contained within the walls.

Mike and I have plans to, one day, build a home that truly represents our style. If my pocket book would allow it, I could decorate the entire home with product from Conran and never look back.

i heart this...

...vintage jewelry from Pinking Edge Designs. According to her Etsy store, Kay makes "vintage, modern and wedding style jewelry." I'd like to add "...and she kicks butt in doing so!" There's an elegant, understated styling to these pieces – and I am flabbergasted at the affordability of these gems. I had a hard time picking the ones that I liked the best. I strongly urge you to check out her shop.

i heart this...

Most of you know that I'm a designer by trade and therefore I have an uncontrollable fetish with good type. This started in college when a group of close friends decided that we would forever be known as our "font" name. Garamond, the handsome (but, alas, gay) boy that I lived with, named us all...Futura, Caslon, Helvetica, etc.

Most fonts aren't cheap, in fact, the great ones are extremely expensive. For some typefaces, you could safely trade a kidney and barely have enough to also cover the sales tax. But DaFont.com has some really fabulous fonts for FREE. I don't get paid to write about them, but I've always said that "friends don't let friends use Arial."

i'm sweet on...

...pillows that make me smile. Several weeks ago I broke down and bought my first sofa ever. I've been one of those "accept-sofa-hand-me-down" girls for my whole life and it was high time that I invested. It's cranberry...a color that makes my dad cringe and my white husky squeal with delight every time she spots the opportunity to contribute her furry sweetness to the cushions.

This new sofa has done wonders for both my media room and my comfort level. It has also made me crave cool throw pillows. I'm one of those girls that thinks pillows can make or break your space. They can say "I know what's hip and I know what works" or they can say "Sorry, but I'm incapable of anything unless it's spelled out in photos in the Pottery Barn catalog." These pillows make me smile, plain and simple.

Amy Butler

West Elm

Restoration Hardware

i heart this...

If you are a native of Winchester, VA or have ever joined the parade-lovin' world on the first weekend of May, then you are familiar with "The Bloom." The Apple Blossom Festival has become the weekend that northern Shenandoah Valley folks most look forward to...it's full of B and C rated celebrities, high school bands, more firetrucks than any little boy could keep up with and a sea (and I mean SEA) of pink and green that can be seen by the Hubble.

In honor of the craziness that will occur in my hometown this coming weekend, I have scoured my favorite website for handmade treasures, Etsy.com, for the best and brightest pink and green goodness.

Top left: Hair Clips by Aiden101
Top right: Damask Maryjanes by ivoryandmoss
Bottom left: Crocheted Beanie by SparkleberryCrafts
Bottom right: Pink and Green Tutu by TooCuteTutus

Top left: Small Clutch by KaraMiaSofia
Top right: Pink and Green Koozies by PinkGasoline
Bottom left: Beaded Necklace by LoopinLoop
Bottom right: Amy Butler Headband by Bagalicious


Top left: Floral Wreath by AliceMaeDesigns
Top right: Spring Tree Coasters by MonikaDesign
Bottom left: Dish Towels by Lydiaandpugs
Bottom right: Handpainted Rocks Glasses by Marysworkshop