Inspiration for Beauty

More motivation for you to look for the beauty in things...

Courtney Cox = Funny

Courtney

Cox

is

my

fave.

I have been loving this new show, Cougar Town. It is so great! She has such great moments including snuggies, wine and much, much more.

To the right you see her with some glasses of wine, her obsession. She's filled water bottles with it, had it in the early hours of morning, and fills it up to the brim of the glass and slurps it. How great is that?

My favorite episode is when you see her in a snuggie. She loves this thing and calls it her blumfy - part blanket, all comfy. It's her blumfy!

From the outside, it looks like a stupid show but once you begin, you're addicted! If you haven't seen it yet it's a must!

What do you look for in your significant other?

Humor, Looks, Smarts? Everyone has their individual likes and dislikes but I think my top 'like' is having a great sense of humor. I laugh like no other and find some of the dumbest things funny (p.s. I read a magazine yesterday and it said to laugh 15 minutes a day and you’ll burn calories, how great is that - Meredith, I think we’re set). There’s nothing greater than laughing so hard that your tummy hurts and your eyes begin tearing up.

One thing I don’t care about so much is the looks part. It’s great when you get the perfect trifecta but a lot of times that uber-attractive someone has some serious vanity issues.

I guess we’re all searching for someone who balances us out. For instance, I am relationship high maintenance. I will talk your ear off, give my opinion anytime, anywhere, say things before thinking it through, and will probably embarrass you at some point because of these things. But I do believe that something can balance these out and I am on a quest to find it. Like I said, humor is probably my best bet - I’m used to getting made fun of for my quirky behavior.

What do you look for when seeking out that perfect someone?

Glee Goes Gaga

Here's the upcoming week's episode of Glee! It's what all you Gleeks have been waiting for. I love Kurt's costume. Enjoy!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My

This week I took a trip to a place I haven’t been to in years. I think the last time I was there was for a 9^th grade Spanish field trip. Where is this magical land – the zoo of course! I took my 2 year-old goddaughter to the Minnesota Zoo for a day of good old-fashioned spoiling. We did the works: got cotton candy, saw every animal on foot, and even had time to pet a few stingrays.

It was such a good time. I don’t know why I don’t go to the zoo more often. It was beautiful out and she was so precious as she asked, “let’s see more aminals!”

Do you ever miss those times when you were little and found the simplest things intriguing? I do. She loved every moment of that day and laughed when I hit my head on the slide at the playground (much like my daily mirror incident with the buses at school). Kids are so simple and sweet. How could I resist when she asked to see “dollpins” (dolphins) and for more juice for her “hippie cup” (sippy cup).

P.S. A little quote of the day:
As Bad Romance started playing in the car she yelled, “Hey, it’s Lady Gaga.” Let me remind you, she’s 2! Haha. Might as well start them early on the Gagaloo.

It's 1 o'clock and I Need a Drink!

I thought today was going to be an easy day. It started off bad by waking up to a text sent by my brother: "I left the garage door open." To anyone else this would mean nothing. To my family it's a big deal. You see, we have this totally psychotic dog. As a was running out the door to my first day of my new job I looked over to find three tennis rackets and the cases torn to shreds all over the front lawn. It looked as if a grizzly bear had found garbage or something. She has now outdone Marley as the worst dog on the planet.

I just got home and am going to make myself a strong margarita to put up with this terrorist of an animal. I need a nap!

P.S. Left: Dennis the Menace aka Ruby, Right: Ruby's Mentor

Straight Up Love

This blog can sometimes be a love-fest: relationships, dating, marriage, and just plain old things we love. Here's to love! Le Love's blog is so great for images and stories about love. Check it out!

A Triumph of 60 Years

Today we celebrated my grandparent’s 60^th wedding anniversary – wow! Married in 1950, the two are a hilariously awesome couple. My grandfather is the stubborn, know-it-all (who really doesn’t know it) and my grandmother is the one who tells him when he’s wrong and fights him even when he’s right.

The idea of spending 60 years with the same person is mind boggling to me but I love the idea of it. Think about it - 60 years is three times my life. There is a definite possibility of getting bored but look what you get out of it – a best friend, a companion, someone forced to listen to you no matter what. My grandparents are two of the funniest people I know because of their strange and weirdly romantic life. Just tonight as we were out to dinner, the waitress went around the table to get orders starting with the priest (yes, my grandparents invited our priest to dinner with us). My grandmother was second and my grandfather last. Without even knowing it they both ordered crab cakes. How sweet is that? They even ordered the same thing!

All we can hope is that we are as lucky as them. Commitment takes a lot of work and they got it down. Love is a strange thing and we are lucky when we find that. Love, not lust. I think sometimes we get those confused. So, to all you love hopefuls out there, let Alphonsus and Mary (great name, huh?) be an inspiration to you.

P.S. Guess who I had to sit next to at dinner? The priest. Yep, that was interesting.

Happiness

I am now on my fifth cup of coffee today and I am practically shaking. I have two finals left (both tomorrow) and then I am free! I came across this saying and it is what is getting me through till tomorrow. (Anyone remember dumb and happy?)

So, in the spirit of the ending of finals and the end of the year, I thought we could all use a little childlike insight. The happiest people I know are children and they always make me happier when I'm around them.

That's all I guess. Good luck everyone! We have one day left and we have completed another year of our college careers. It's so unbelievable how fast it goes by. I will be a senior next year and will be looking forward to my last year of college. We'll be here through summer and hopefully next year keeping you up to date on our strange and hilarious daily lives.

P.S. Be happy!

Betty White on SNL

Did anyone catch Saturday Night Live this week with Betty White? It was hilarious! I tried to find a clip of my favorite skit for you but it was not available on youtube. But if you know what's good for you and are looking for a little giggle you should check out Hulu for the whole episode or clips! They're fantastic.

Here is a link to my favorite one, Census: http://www.hulu.com/watch/147972/saturday-night-live-census

Summer Loving

If these images don't scream summer to you, I give up. Aren't they beautiful? If only I could look that good with a swim cap. I just look like a ridiculous big head, big eyed animal of some sorts.

But something to cheer you up on this first day of finals. And something to look forward to after all this hard work. Ah, who am I kidding, I'm blogging, not studying.

As seen on Greedy Girl...

Happy Mother's Day

Here’s a shout out to all the mama's out there. I know I couldn’t make it through the day without mine and I want to thank all the fabulous moms who taught us to tie our shoes, let us try on their makeup, calm us down, give us advice and truly love us unconditionally.

Did you inherit any traits from your mom? Because I know I did. I inherited her eccentric personality, that’s for sure. Thanks mom. I also got a little something known as the ‘chatty Kathy attribute’. Neither one of us can stop our jibber jabbering for anything.

Thanks Mom for all you’ve done for me and thank you to all the other moms who do the same for their sometimes rambunctious children such as myself.

Famously Chic Moms

In the spirit of Mother’s Day I thought I would post a few pictures of the fabulous mamas out there.

Michelle Obama – she’s the First Mom of our country so I think she deserves a spot on the top mom list.

Jackie Onassis – I think she was a fantastic mother. Did you know for a birthday or holiday she would have her children pick out a poem and recite it for her and Jack? I think that’s pretty great.

Shirley MacLaine – I found this picture and loved it instantly.

Jane Birkin – simply fabulous and chic. In Paris with her baby Charlotte.

Rochelle, my mother – I love her and I think she deserves a spot because she has had to put up with me for over 20 years.

Silhouette Love

I have an affinity for Silhouettes, and whenever I see them, I add them to my photo collection. I cannot get enough of these lovely beauties... Here are some of the ones I have gathered!

I'm Engaged!

Okay, not for reals but I was just asked.

I'm sitting at Amazing Grace Bakery and went up to the register to get a coffee. As I'm up there, some guy gets on his knee and proposes to me. He asks, "Will you marry me?" and then whispers, "it's for a scavenger hunt". Feeling great already, I said "Yes!" and the whole place cheered and clapped.

I did have to return the ring (some fiance he is) but what an experience. They taped it all. My friend asked when I returned to my seat, you should've said no to see what happens. I said no way, who knows if I'll ever get a moment like that again. Ah, just another day in the life of Kenzie.

Happy Birthday!

Today is a very special day! A little friend of mine turns 5 today. Happy Birthday Charlie...

xoxo

Love, the Lord of the Flames

Elemental Lyrics

For all of you who lika the Gaga - I have a little something for you.

Summer Dreaming

I know I talk a whole lot about summer on this bliggity blog but I can't help it - it is my favorite season! So you can't blame me for sharing my happiness at the fact that it is merely a week and a half away (basically when school ends).

To those of you graduating - Congrats! I am so jealous. I have one year left and then I am on to bigger and better things. That probably means I'll be on the street trying to sell my watercolor paintings or a pair of shoes to get a meal - the art world can be so harsh!

With summer just around the corner the smell of freedom is in the air because, guess what, we made it through another year! Another year of all nighters, tundra conditions, great nights out with friends and what I like to call the procrastinating olympics. Okay, so we're not totally done but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am running, well sprinting, towards it to begin the next season of boat rides, margaritas, the beach and fabulous times with fabulous people.

Don't stress out too much this week and next, that's my job. And again to those of you graduating, congratulations!

(Paintings above by Kenton Nelson, one of my fav's)

I Heart You

A sweet way to tell someone you love them. They may have to understand biology but it's simple and I love the idea of a road map through the blood vessels of the heart.

Quote of the Day

Tonight was the end of my watercolor class and we did a critique of everyone in the class's final work. Our final project was to study an influential watercolor artist and paint a piece inspired by that artist. Someone in the class did John Marin and pictured below are a few of his paintings. I think they are quite something. I love the colors and the looseness of the brushstrokes.

He continued to tell us about the history of John Marin's paintings:

"He was inspired by the Expressionists, the Impressionists, the Fauvists, and basically all the -ists."

I thought this was a funny way to describe the movements in the history of art and thought I'd share it with you. I wonder if any of my professors would want to start using that - 'ists'? Ha. Doubt it. I do see a lot of inspiration from Andre Derain and Monet. I think he has this one in the bag. By the way - his piece was amazing! To all of you out there who see watercolor as a decorative or "pretty" medium, please think again. I have learned to love it and watercolor can really be used in innovative and creative ways.

The Last of the Humanists

In the recent months I have started a harmless little joke that my eccentric personality has taken to a whole new level. I’ve always had a wild imagination. As a child I could daydream all day and continue to do so today – how do you think I make it through my German classes?

So, you ask, what is my latest and greatest shenanigan? Well, because of my Renaissance art history course, I am calling myself ‘The Last Humanist’. It has quite the ring to it, doesn’t it? Now, whenever the word humanist pops up in our lectures, my attention is suddenly caught and a smile graces my face from ear to ear (if I’m not already laughing). It’s weird, I know, but it’s all in the fun of art history.

It’s kind of my alter ego. You’re all probably rolling your eyes but I will take this till the day I die. What makes it so funny to me is the fact that I am not exactly the brightest bulb in certain situations (example). A humanist is a scholarly, philosophical thinker that was one of the greatest minds of the Renaissance. I am no such thing but it’s a harmless joke that my art history teacher smirks at every time she hears my ‘humanist theories’. Whatever you may call it – suck up or genius – I am taking it and running with it!

P.S. In the picture above by Mantegna, the humanists are the ones who are wearing red hats. I'm still looking for mine.

FOOD ART... LITERALLY!!!

As I search the interwebs, I stumble across some images that catch my eye... As you may have noticed, I like pictures... So- one of the common themes that I have been coming across lately is food as art. Here are some of the images that I have been finding!

More Eye Candy

Some things to OOOGLE over for the weekend! Enjoy!