Though I am in no way muscially gifted, I am deeply in love with music. If I lost my iPod, I think I would fall off the face of the earth. And so, I believe I will list my top ten favorite songs right now. I get on kicks and listen to certain types of music for periods of time, especially as they relate to my life at that point in time. So at any given time this list fluxuates. Some of these rotate off, some are permanent fixtures. You get the idea. I'll include some of the lyrics I like in each song - I'm ALL about lyrics.
10. More Than a Memory - Garth Brooks I stumbled upon the video for this song a few years ago flipping channels. Garth Brooks is always so good, and this is him at his best. "You're talking out loud, but nobody's there. You look like hell and you just don't care. Drinking more than you ever drank, sinking down lower than you ever sank."
9. Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin This is one of the permanent ones. Written by one of the most gifted songwriters alive - Kris Kristofferson - and performed by everyone from Waylon to Janis...this song is a classic about rambling hippies and love lost. "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose. And nothin' don't mean nothin', hon, if it ain't free."
8. Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers Oh how I adore RHCP - and not just because Anthony Kiedis is a babe (okay, I am realizing I have a thing for rock stars. This would have been good to know several years ago). I think this song embodies who I wish I could be sometimes - a rebellious, free spirit. "She's a lover, baby and a fighter. Should have seen it coming when it got a little brighter. With a name like Dani California, day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya.
7. A Pirate Looks at Forty - Jimmy Buffett Really a great great Jimmy Buffett song - enough of that beachy vibe to make me wish I was back in Destin, but not so much fluff that the meaning is lost. "Yes I am a pirate, two hundred years too late. The cannons don't thunder there's nothing to plunder, I'm an over forty victim of fate."
6. Life Goes On - 2Pac My favorite rapper of all time in one of his best performances. 2Pac was a lyricist and poet like no rapper before him and no rapper since. And he's not dead, I swear. "Though memories fade, I got your name tatted on my arm so we both ball til my dying days." I am so hood.
5. Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith There's absolutely nothing in this world like the raw 70s rock that permeates from Sweet E. I feel like I'm at a concert every time I hear it. "Talkin' bout things and nobody cares. Wearin' out things that nobody wears."
4. Revelry - King of Leon I don't think this band can do much wrong in my eyes. My sister introduced them to me about a year ago, and it's been a love affair ever since. "In the dark of the night I could hear you calling my name. With the hardest of hearts I still feel full of pain. So I drink and I smoke and I ask if you're ever around. Even though it was me who drove us right in the ground."
3. Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs A little out of character for your girl, but roll with me. I love the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and this song is one of their best, although Runaway is a close second. "Pack up, I'm straight. Enough, oh stay stay stay. Wait, they don't love you like I love you."
2. Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones No list of music I love would be complete without this gem. Nobody does it like the Stones. I remember my parents dancing around the living room to this song when I was little. It has taken me about 10 years of listening to this song to truly appreciate it. "There's one thing, baby, I don't understand. You keep on telling me I ain't your kind of man. Ain't I rough enough? Ain't I tough enough? Ain't I rich enough to love you right?" Yes, Mick Jagger, you are.
1. Crazy - Aerosmith You didn't think you'd get out of my top 10 with just one Aerosmith song did you? This one is my all time favorite. Love, love, love. "Girl, you've been givin' me that line so many times it kind gets like feeling bad looks good."
What are you listening to these days? Would any of these make your list?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Oh Dear, My Deer
So remember our Super Bowl party celebrating Mr. Lowe's birthday? Well, I didn't want to tell you, but tragedy struck. One of my home decor pride and joys took a tumble and was decimated. Don't worry, it wasn't Ryno the Rhino. But it was another bright white ceramic friend. I was on the cusp of a home decor trend, and I had to sweep it up and dump it in my trashcan.
But, my dear Ryan immediately ordered a replacement (for those of you keeping score, it wasn't he who killed the deer, lucky for him!). Unfortunately, probably due to my post, the dang thing was backordered until late March. Being a trendsetter can be such a burden sometimes.
Well, guess what? It's late March. And guess what I cam home to this week?
Sweet sweet victory. It's like he never left.
But, my dear Ryan immediately ordered a replacement (for those of you keeping score, it wasn't he who killed the deer, lucky for him!). Unfortunately, probably due to my post, the dang thing was backordered until late March. Being a trendsetter can be such a burden sometimes.
Well, guess what? It's late March. And guess what I cam home to this week?
Sweet sweet victory. It's like he never left.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Be Our Guest
I just want to warn you, this isn't your usual fab unveiling and chipper post. This is a lament. I know we used to get a lot of laments here on the Lowe Down (check the side bar for a few to get you warmed up for this one if needed), but I started to feel like all I ever did was lament and that would be too close to real life! And this is blogland, right? I only have to tell you about things I want to tell you about, and I can angle the camera just so I crop out the cat condo and you don't see the clothes piled up in the chair.
Not today, kids. Today I tell the tale of the guest bedroom.
Most of you faithful readers are single or married with no kids. You are comfortable in your 3 bedroom homes, and why shouldn't you be? You have a bedroom to yourself, plus two extra bedrooms to do whatever you want with. Gym, gameroom, man cave, craft room, office, whatever. Even if you want to have a devoted guest suite, you still have another room to house your junk.
Not so once you have those babies you long for, my friends! Say goodbye to your plethora of space! Your guest suite and workout room! Your sanity!
See, kids generally get their own room. And then, you only have one room to work with it your cozy 3 bedroomer. And it has to serve nearly every purpose: office, guest room, pet area.
I think a picture is worth a thousand words, but before I launch a photo session, here's the prequel. I repainted this room a mossy green about a year ago and got a new bedspread from Overstock.com with a pretty, graphic white print. We added a desk in the corner for our computers. Oh, and most importantly, this room mainly belongs to Queen Lola and Crazy Ginny. You'll see what I mean.
So there's the desk, complete with a hot pink chair I got at Hob Lob on clearance, and some a dresser from my great aunt that I repainted a few years ago. It was her wedding furniture, so it's 50+ years old and was in great shape. Not exactly my style, but definitely a freebie that I am so grateful for (it along with the bed served as the master bedroom furniture for the first 3 years of our marriage), and sometimes you gotta work with what you got!!
I think a nice touch in any guest bedroom is framed pictures of your guests - and since my parents and sister are our most frequent guests, they stay in the frames year round. But if I love you, know you're coming, and make the time to do so, expect to see yourself in the frames too. I just got those new curtains - the previous set was hung far too low. I think I have an addiction: white 95" sailcloth panels from Tarjay. Sisters of these beauties in the kitchen.
Oh, and those are cat food bowls. Seriously. I move them out when people come. But yeah. Drives me insane. And yes, see the window sill? Thanks, baby Landry.
Here's a shot of the bed - I do love the bedding. And above the bed is my absolute favorite shot of Marilyn Monroe. Gorgeous. But alas, there are no nightstands. No bedside lamps. Nothing. What? I'm working on it. I should probably DIY a headboard in there - the current one isn't really cutting it from a focal standpoint. But really, why work on a room overrun with cats? Help motivate me.
Pride and joy right here. I wondered to myself at what point you become a crazy cat lady. And when I walked out of Petsmart with this and I was excited about it, I realized I was at that point.
So that's that. Do any of you have pet problems? How do you keep a showroom perfect guest room with four pets? Or do I need to resign myself that I'm always going to have to deep clean that room and move my cat crap out of it before anyone arrives? On the list for the next house: cat room. They should make those. And maybe a special little litterbox closet. And a pristine guest room with a closed door to keep the animals out. A girl can dream.
Not today, kids. Today I tell the tale of the guest bedroom.
Most of you faithful readers are single or married with no kids. You are comfortable in your 3 bedroom homes, and why shouldn't you be? You have a bedroom to yourself, plus two extra bedrooms to do whatever you want with. Gym, gameroom, man cave, craft room, office, whatever. Even if you want to have a devoted guest suite, you still have another room to house your junk.
Not so once you have those babies you long for, my friends! Say goodbye to your plethora of space! Your guest suite and workout room! Your sanity!
See, kids generally get their own room. And then, you only have one room to work with it your cozy 3 bedroomer. And it has to serve nearly every purpose: office, guest room, pet area.
I think a picture is worth a thousand words, but before I launch a photo session, here's the prequel. I repainted this room a mossy green about a year ago and got a new bedspread from Overstock.com with a pretty, graphic white print. We added a desk in the corner for our computers. Oh, and most importantly, this room mainly belongs to Queen Lola and Crazy Ginny. You'll see what I mean.
So there's the desk, complete with a hot pink chair I got at Hob Lob on clearance, and some a dresser from my great aunt that I repainted a few years ago. It was her wedding furniture, so it's 50+ years old and was in great shape. Not exactly my style, but definitely a freebie that I am so grateful for (it along with the bed served as the master bedroom furniture for the first 3 years of our marriage), and sometimes you gotta work with what you got!!
I think a nice touch in any guest bedroom is framed pictures of your guests - and since my parents and sister are our most frequent guests, they stay in the frames year round. But if I love you, know you're coming, and make the time to do so, expect to see yourself in the frames too. I just got those new curtains - the previous set was hung far too low. I think I have an addiction: white 95" sailcloth panels from Tarjay. Sisters of these beauties in the kitchen.
Oh, and those are cat food bowls. Seriously. I move them out when people come. But yeah. Drives me insane. And yes, see the window sill? Thanks, baby Landry.
Here's a shot of the bed - I do love the bedding. And above the bed is my absolute favorite shot of Marilyn Monroe. Gorgeous. But alas, there are no nightstands. No bedside lamps. Nothing. What? I'm working on it. I should probably DIY a headboard in there - the current one isn't really cutting it from a focal standpoint. But really, why work on a room overrun with cats? Help motivate me.
Oh, why yes, that IS a cat litter box on one side of the bed. Thanks for asking! You tell me where else to put it in this tiny little house and I'll try it. Seriously. Same goes for the bowls. I'm taking suggestions.
Pride and joy right here. I wondered to myself at what point you become a crazy cat lady. And when I walked out of Petsmart with this and I was excited about it, I realized I was at that point.
So that's that. Do any of you have pet problems? How do you keep a showroom perfect guest room with four pets? Or do I need to resign myself that I'm always going to have to deep clean that room and move my cat crap out of it before anyone arrives? On the list for the next house: cat room. They should make those. And maybe a special little litterbox closet. And a pristine guest room with a closed door to keep the animals out. A girl can dream.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Destination: Wedding
What a whirlwind start to spring we Lowes are having! The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and love is in the air. Case in point: we made a trip down to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida this weekend to be a part of a very special day for our friends Dave and Lindsey. They got married on the beach in one of my favorite places on earth. I was maid (not matron) of honor AND I got to wear hot freaking pink. What could be better?
RLowe and I headed out Thursday night for Little Rock where we pawned the kiddo off on her all-too-willing grandmother and dumped the dogs on my very good sport of a dad. Mom was away in the Phillippines last weekend, so he was flying solo with three dogs and my bro. What a guy! We're lucky to have such good help on both sides of the family! So anyway, we shirked our parenting responsibilities for a few days and headed down to paradise.
How about this view out our back porch? Couldn't you live there?
Friday night the girls and boys went their separate ways for bachelor/bachelorette parties. We ladies hit the gorgeous Grande Vista Bar & Grille in the Emerald Grande over the HarborWalk. The HarborWalk is a really great development in nearby Destin with bars, restaurants, and great views of the harbor in the world's luckiest fishing village. We met up with the menfolk at a piano bar and danced and sang until our hearts' content.
The next morning we had a rehearsal breakfast and then hit the beach. The beautiful bride gave me a really awesome beach towel. Why awesome you ask? Let me count the ways.
Wish we had more, but we were too busy having a great time!! Congratulations, Dave and Lindsey! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness from everyone here at Chateau Lowe!!
RLowe and I headed out Thursday night for Little Rock where we pawned the kiddo off on her all-too-willing grandmother and dumped the dogs on my very good sport of a dad. Mom was away in the Phillippines last weekend, so he was flying solo with three dogs and my bro. What a guy! We're lucky to have such good help on both sides of the family! So anyway, we shirked our parenting responsibilities for a few days and headed down to paradise.
How about this view out our back porch? Couldn't you live there?
Friday night the girls and boys went their separate ways for bachelor/bachelorette parties. We ladies hit the gorgeous Grande Vista Bar & Grille in the Emerald Grande over the HarborWalk. The HarborWalk is a really great development in nearby Destin with bars, restaurants, and great views of the harbor in the world's luckiest fishing village. We met up with the menfolk at a piano bar and danced and sang until our hearts' content.
The next morning we had a rehearsal breakfast and then hit the beach. The beautiful bride gave me a really awesome beach towel. Why awesome you ask? Let me count the ways.
- It's pink
- It has my name embroidered on it
- It has pockets for my celly
- It has a pocket to go over the back of chair so it won't slide
Uh huh. Oh yeah. So we spent about 2 hours laying out in the sun. Then Lindsey and I headed up to the condo for hair and makeup - it was fabulous! I got my face sprayed on like I was Jessica Simpson. Or Kim Kardashian. Your girl could get used to that. After that, there was a beautiful beachside wedding at 6PM followed by throwing wishing stones in the ocean and a perfect sunset for pictures. We couldn't have asked for more.
Cue photo montage:
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| Their first dance |
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| YUM!!! I'd sneak a bite of that cake all over again!!! |
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| Jessica. Flipping. Simpson. 30 lbs ago, of course. |
Wish we had more, but we were too busy having a great time!! Congratulations, Dave and Lindsey! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness from everyone here at Chateau Lowe!!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Shoe Shopping
While Alli has a sweet little friend over and Ryan's at work, your girl is enjoying her beautiful Saturday by doing a little spray painting and online shopping. I'm sure you'll get pictures later of the frames and other decor that I'm updating, but I just had to show you what I'm shopping for!
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| Kids Silver Sparkles |
TOMS!! Gawd I love this footwear!!! First of all, they are comfy, versatile, and cute (I may have 5 pairs), but more importantly, when you buy Toms, they donate a pair of shoes to a child in need! Shoes and philanthropy? Talk about my kind of shopping! Even better - they are uber (yes, I said uber) trendy kids footwear! Alli has had a red pair for a while (the only color they ever had in her size in stock), but it seems Toms has figured out that little girls love sparkles. So far we've ordered the silver pair above as well as these two below:
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| Does this not scream "ALLI??" |
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| You can't get pink without purple! |
How fabulous are all of those? I can't wait for them to get here!! And I may or may not have been looking for myself as well (don't I need purple too??) when I came across these:
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| Made for Lara |
Pretty freaking perfect for my blue-loving friend Lara. I'm trying to convince her to wear them under her wedding dress in May. Hello!!
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| I'm a genius |
I wonder if she will let me wear MY pink glitters with my pretty blue maid (not matron) of honor dress?
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| Perfection |
Or she could say no and give me an excuse to buy the silver glitters. You know, whatever.
Go Shawty, It's Yo Birfday
I know you had this past Thursday circled in hot pink on your calendar. You checked the blog feverishly all day waiting for a post and it never came. Well, blogfriends, this is that post. It's 2 days late, but that's ok. It's my party and I'll procrastinate if I want to. For those of you who didn't know (the minority), I turned a year older and wiser this Thursday and it's been a week filled with celebration!!
It all started last weekend when we loaded up the car and headed down to Little Rock. We spent all day Saturday at Oaklawn. My mom used to take me here on spring break every year so I could see the racehorses. I was minorly horse-crazy as a kiddo. Just a little. So now we've extended our invitee list to include my siblings and the hubs. We had an awesome time, even though RLowe and the little lady didn't win a dime.
Also there? Legendary horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Doesn't matter to you. Big deal to me.
Next was the annual joint birthday party thrown for me and my sister by my mamacita. It's called Birthday Extravaganza, and it always lives up to the hype. It's basically a several hour event that features my sister and myself, covered in pink, glitter, and crowns, getting treated like the royalty we are. You don't get it, and that's fine. That's why you aren't invited.
I really can't say a whole lot more about it. But if you do want in, let me know and I can try to pull some strings. Security is a bit strict though.
Then Thursday was my actual birthday and I had another amazing day. Ryan hung about half of the clothes in my closet on matching plastic hangers the night before - something I've been yakking about forever. He DOES listen. (I say half because he undershot it by about 100 hangers. So back to Wal-Mart this weekend for the rest. What can I say? Girl got clothes.)
THEN he had cupcakes delivered from Ricks Bakery to me at work!!!! I was SO surprised!! Clutch, Mr. Lowe. People came by my desk all day to wish me a happy birthday and get one of these babies. It really made my day special. He followed up with a cake from Ricks as well. Am I spoiled/fat or what?
And then last night we, along with our friends Dave and Lindsey (who get married this weekend!!!) went to Bordinos last night for dinner. Gawd it was amazing. I love that place.
And there you have your Lowe Down on my bday. Maybe next year Mr. Obama will finally answer my petition to make it a national holiday and you'll have to wear pink, drink a marg, and get a day off from work. You're welcome.
It all started last weekend when we loaded up the car and headed down to Little Rock. We spent all day Saturday at Oaklawn. My mom used to take me here on spring break every year so I could see the racehorses. I was minorly horse-crazy as a kiddo. Just a little. So now we've extended our invitee list to include my siblings and the hubs. We had an awesome time, even though RLowe and the little lady didn't win a dime.
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| Losers. Not #Winning. |
Next was the annual joint birthday party thrown for me and my sister by my mamacita. It's called Birthday Extravaganza, and it always lives up to the hype. It's basically a several hour event that features my sister and myself, covered in pink, glitter, and crowns, getting treated like the royalty we are. You don't get it, and that's fine. That's why you aren't invited.
I really can't say a whole lot more about it. But if you do want in, let me know and I can try to pull some strings. Security is a bit strict though.
Then Thursday was my actual birthday and I had another amazing day. Ryan hung about half of the clothes in my closet on matching plastic hangers the night before - something I've been yakking about forever. He DOES listen. (I say half because he undershot it by about 100 hangers. So back to Wal-Mart this weekend for the rest. What can I say? Girl got clothes.)
THEN he had cupcakes delivered from Ricks Bakery to me at work!!!! I was SO surprised!! Clutch, Mr. Lowe. People came by my desk all day to wish me a happy birthday and get one of these babies. It really made my day special. He followed up with a cake from Ricks as well. Am I spoiled/fat or what?
And then last night we, along with our friends Dave and Lindsey (who get married this weekend!!!) went to Bordinos last night for dinner. Gawd it was amazing. I love that place.
And there you have your Lowe Down on my bday. Maybe next year Mr. Obama will finally answer my petition to make it a national holiday and you'll have to wear pink, drink a marg, and get a day off from work. You're welcome.
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