Shootin' Pistols

It looks as though Magpie is very upset about Martha's ability to one-up all of us creative types.  Oh, Martha.  I concur with Magpie.  I love you and I hate you.

I think Magpie needs a little cheering up on this fine Saturday afternoon.  My suggestion would be to give a listen to the new Pistol Annies album.  I have long been awaiting this album and I am so not disappointed with it.  It makes me feel like a fierce, fiery, lady who can shoot a gun, drink a beer, and rock vintage heels all at the same time.

Okay so maybe I wouldn't necessarily shoot the gun...

SO. Magpie. And everyone else who is feeling feisty today:  listen to the Pistol Annies.  It will do you right.

Also.  If this picture of Dolly Parton doesn't make you happy, I don't know what will.

- Eagle

Stupid Martha Stewart

She's taught me so much- how to host the perfect halloween bash, what color I should paint my guest bathroom, DIY wedding cakes, how to finish a pie with a lattice top. I really should be appreciative. But then she goes and does something like a 3 page spread on her GINORMOUS collection of vintage Jadeite dishware. She knows darn well how badly I want to stock my kitchen cabinets with jadeite- or she should! Then she goes and flaunts it in my face, how out of control her collection is. She has so much, she uses jadeite bowl to feed her cats! UH! The nerve.

Martha Stewart- I love you, but I hate you.

Confessions of a Fashion Student

Okay, so I promise I haven't flown away.  Magpie is so much better than me at keeping up with life and posting about it.  I'm a fickle bird with flighty thoughts and this sometimes translates into not-so-many Eagle-posts.  But here I am!

I had originally written a post three different times to entail what exactly has gone on in my life in the last month, but I kept getting distracted and then whatever I had written was no longer relevant.  I've decided to talk about the very thing that is exactly relevant to me this week:  SCHOOL!

I am in my sophomore year at a design school in Nashville.  I'm studying fashion design and literally could not be happier.  For someone such as myself who had ZERO plans of every getting a degree, I am so completely satisfied and fulfilled with my education.  It feels good to go to school everyday and love what I am studying.  I genuinely look forward to my homework.  Yes, I'm a nerd.  But at least I'm a well-dressed nerd.

School started two weeks ago and has been going non-stop ever since.  I am taking six classes this semester, which adds up to 17 hours.  It's a lot.  Especially since four of the classes are studio classes.  And not to mention the hours of sewing that go along with everything.  And let's just go ahead and throw a cherry on top and say that I'm a total perfectionist.  SO I never make anything easy on myself.  It's a character flaw ; )

Anyways, school is one of those crazy things for me that forces me to be highly productive, but also turns my bitter sarcasm on high.  My sensitivity to annoying people, places, and things is especially heightened.  I'm sure it's the fact that I'm placing extra stress on myself and it has to come out in some aspect of my personality. But sometimes I feel like I've been plopped in the middle of one of those reality shows where people are trying to test my boiling point.  The kind of cliche, crazy things that happen on a regular basis is so comical and so exhausting that all I can do sometimes is stare at a blank wall and shake my head.  Then I laugh about it.  And then I remember the bigger picture:  I'm doing what I love.

Fashion design is one of my many dreams that always felt unreachable.  But for the first time in my life, it feels within reach. It's a LOOONG ways away, but still within reach.  This realization of hope is a great addition in my life.

So.  I'm sure I'll have many sarcastically-inspired posts about my school experiences for the next few months, but bear with me.  I promise I'm a happy camper :)

I will also be sure to post pictures of my garments through out the semester.  I get to learn, among other things, how to make pants, jeans, skirts, and dresses this semester.  I'm very excited.

Until next time! (hopefully sooner than later) -

Eagle

Friday Musings.

Here are some quirky, odd, wierd, possibly endearing things about me, Magpie.

- at least once a day, I find a bobbypin in my hair that is serving no purpose and that I do not recall putting in.
- I love love love wedding blogs.
- Cilantro is the most disgusting flavor. Ever.
-'Gone with the Wind' and 'You've Got Mail' are my two favorite movies.
-Stranger than Fiction' is a close third- if you haven't seen any of those movies, Get On It!
-I am a serious homebody.
-unless it's vacation- in which case, my bags are packed-when do we leave?
-I find the greatest pleasure in stuffing people full of my delicious baked goods.
-I am a terrible homemaker. But I think my baking skills redeem me.
-I hate exercise, which is ironic because I have a degree in exercise science.
-The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) is my idol. Even though she never lets me win her giveaways.
-And Last, but certainly not least- I am a Texas state champion Baton Twirler. Yes I am.

I leave you with this picture. I'm channeling her all weekend:

Let Me Entertain You...

Let Me Make You Smile!

Just watch these. Do it!!

Hope you are all smiles now.

Get-a-way, Revisited

Toward the end of last week, I was getting really antsy for adventure. I was also running really low (I mean seriously low) on cash. And in my experience, I've determined that usually, cash available directly influences distance (and sometimes duration) of adventure. Therefore, I was feeling hopeless and stuck.

But it was not to be so! My parents (who have a much more vibrant social life than I) had planned a trip to the beach to stay with another couple in their condo Friday night! And since they wouldn't outright tell me I would be crashing their party, I invited myself along!

Friday night included sea food, drinks, and fresh night air on the balcony and this is what I woke up to on Saturday morning:

How stinking gorgeous?! It really was wonderful. Now that I live in suburbia, I've found that I need to be more intentional of seeking out beauty in nature and this will definitely tide me over for a while. I started this glorious morning off by walking to a coffee shop with my dad. Then we spent some time wandering used book stores and historic buildings, and I finished off my stay floating in the pool overlooking the beach. It was glorious. Not a huge, grand adventure but some lovely time with my parents and a nice view- it's restored my soul for a little while, at least.

-Magpie
 

Get-a-way

I suffer from a serious case of wanderlust. Right now, for some reason, it's significantly worse than usual. All I want in life is to get in my car and go- I don't even care where! This recent post on Vintage Seekers, surely isn't making it any better! Now, not only do I want to go somewhere, but I want to do it style! All I want is to go see Lisa in California, Tracey in North Carolina, Colleen in Massachusetts, or Hannah in England!

Help me, Rhonda!

Where are all the quality sugardaddies when you need 'em?!

Le Sigh,
Magpie

The Baguettes!

"Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!"

Name that movie and we'll be friends forever!

Au Revoir!

Magpie

A Very Spongey Experiment

Hello all - So I have been quite busy the last week or so with some great baking.  I am to make a few different items for a wedding shower coming up and have been experimenting with some recipes.

The first thing I made was a batch of Madeleines.  I have never made Madeleines before (and actually had never even tasted one) but considering the fact that they are a French stand-by, I simply had to learn.  I researched several different recipes and finally settled on trying one for a honey variation.

I always get super nervous when I first try a new recipe because I put everything I have into them (I'm an emotional baker) and if they come out wrong, I take it personally.  I'm not saying this is a great attitude with baking, but at least I'm honest with myself, right?

Right.

So anyways, I was quite pleased with the batter as it smelled absolutely delicious.  The first batch that I took out of the oven, looked great.  They were golden and beautiful and had the signature hump.  The flavor was great, but I was a bit unsure of the texture.  Was it too dense? Too dry? This is where the fact that I had never eaten one really became a disadvantage.  I tried cooking my next round a little less, and then the third round I cooked even less than the second batch.  I was most pleased with the texture of the final batch, but once they rested for about 24 hours, the texture of the batches that were cooked longer may have been a bit better.  (I finally ended up buying a package of madeleines at Starbucks so that I at least had something to compare them to).

All in all, I feel like they need a bit more work, but my first try was not a failed one.  The honey flavor was a perfect compliment to a hot cup of french press or a steaming cup of black tea.  Next time I try them, I am going to work on the bake-time again.  I also might try a lemon-almond variation.  I will be sure to update my progress!

Happy Friday!

- Eagle

Good Eats

mmmmmmm Potato and Summer Squash Quiche, baked to perfection!

Bon Apetit!

Magpie

Wednesday Confessional.

I unashamedly admit that I love the song 'The Climb' by Miley Cirus. So here you go-

Listen to it alone and sing it at the top of your lungs like I know you want to. *wink*

Let it carry your through through the rest of today and into the homestretch for the weekend!

Love, 

Magpie