Gingersnap

Last post of 2011: the year of a lot of reflection, personal growth in life and creative spirit, and a new found peace that I never expected. Well, here are seven best things that have helped shape me along the way. #7 Best Album An exclusive from my Starbucks obsession (see #4), Feist's new album was highly anticipated, especially with the first track, "Bittersweet Melodies" on repeat in my head. My leading Canadian lady didn't disappoint. Beautifully composed songs and signature poignant lyrics on folk beats make Feist's fourth studio album a blissful treat for the ears and tender heart. Standout cuts include the soft, melodic poetry of "Caught A Long Wind," the swingy uptempo, "The Bad In Each Other," and the smooth, laid back, "How Come We Don't Go There." The added choir background vocals in "Undiscovered First" and "Graveyard" are also quite compelling to note. #6 Best Dayton Art Museum 2011 wa...

This past Friday's "First Friday" was beautiful- weather wise! Colorful leaf piles were something to treasure, especially walking around in the lovely neighborhood of the Oregon District- that perfect, historical strip of classical architecture near downtown Dayton. Leaves! Yes! I jumped into a bunch of crunchy madness, skipped on through, and photographed like a crazy madwoman. Short, bittersweet autumn simply brings out the childish relish in me! Saw amazing paintings, handmade vintage product, and tasted delights from local artists. Ah, little old Dayton, your surprises always astound me.... I went inside of a neat place called Grassroots. It's not entirely new, having been opened since July, but they have started joining in on the First Friday craze sometime ago. In the boondocks of the Oregon District, it was a place I missed on previous occasions. Glad to have spotted this cozy down/upstairs business that not only features a gallery and DIY shop, but has after ...

On a chilly early evening, I purposefully strode into Starbucks. "Uh oh here is another soy chai lover," said short, brown haired, blue-eyed Barista Man. As soon as I came in, the young, peach-skinned lad in white shirt and signature green apron always knew what I wanted. A grande sized soy hot chai tea. Today was obviously no different. "Yes," I beamed cheerfully. "That would be me!" Cold and shivering from outside's massively dropping temperature, I couldn't wait to be warmed up with my favorite beverage. The two people ahead of me seemed distressed. Okay. More like three people. There was a baby on the ground. In one of those baby carrier whatchamacallits. "What's going on?" I politely asked, through clenched I-Freaking-Need-My-Fix teeth. "We're out of soy milk," Barista Man groaned. Immediately, I fought back tears. What the fudge? Didn't I just see about 80 cartons of soy milk in their fridge yesterday? Not that...

It was a lovely day to end the weekend. Why not end birthday weekend with Dayton Mall, Target, and larabar shopping? Glad that my friend Asia H. was completely free- after all, she's traveling all over the country listening to refreshing upcoming bands and meeting new inspirational people every weekend! Ha ha! :) I thank her immensely for spending time with me. Much obliged! First stop- Auntie Anne's- easily one of the best pretzels, I've ever had the honor of tasting! Not surprised at all at the long line. But it's well worth the wait. Today, I'm not getting the 69 cent cheese sauce that comes in that tiny plastic sealed container. No way Jose! I'm eating my warm pretzel- hot from the oven, no gimmicks allowed. They're sooooo right! I couldn't handle myself at all! Buttery, unsalted, hot, and delightfully fresh from the oven, my mouth nearly swooned with every bite of this decadent heaven. There is nothing like a freshly made pretzel! Looked around at a...

Started my day like no other! Good ole cleansing deeply penetrative, oatmeal pomegranate facial mask by Befine Natural Products (totally would give Burt's Bees a run for their money) pre-shower! Gotta love it! Gives your hands a sweet lil warming sensation before you slather it onto every inch of a dirty, rough from sleep face. Yes, that's my own duckie towel! Soft, adorable, and overall nice to laugh at. It doesn't belong to a baby or toddler. Mine! Mine! Mine! Hahahaha! ;) Birthday or not, no way am I posting a "before" pic. The way I look first thing in the morning is top secret, vaulted, highly classified information! Mrs. Rogers knows me so well! This is why I love her. The chocolate candle smells so deliciously sweet that I was bound to eat up that entire jar of wax, but thank heavens for those two Reese Cups stopping me from inflicting bodily harm on myself. I doubt anyone would want to spend their birthday in an emergency room due to candle consumption.......