i would single-handedly jumpstart this econony given the opportunity.

by now, many of you have filed your taxes-- and perhaps already received your refund.  maybe you used your money to catch up on some bills.  or maybe you spent it on some new furniture.  or maybe you are super lucky and stashed it away in your savings account.

or maybe you're like me and you used your refund to pay your parents back for some frustrating car repairs.

and you end up feeling like this:

even though my tax refund is already accounted for, i still dream about what i could have purchased to illuminate my world.  i live on a pretty tight budget (mostly out of necessity and partly because it's just how i am), and i rarely splurge on big ticket items anymore-- i mean, nail polish doesn't really count.


how about a new schwinn?

that i would totally pimp out with this bike seat:

or maybe some 1950's-style gray patent heel-LESS shoes:

or maybe some less shocking michael kors platforms for summer:

or maybe a new ed hardy tote (see! not every DEH item is obnoxious and emo):

or maybe a new swimsuit after i tan a bit:

or maybe some front row tickets to see taylor swift in LA's staple center on my birthday to hear her sing "haunted" LIVE:




in truth, dear reader, i am not wanting for much.  or i shouldn't anyway.  in time, i will get what i need.  you will too.

party in the USA

mission: find cute, simple, classic, cheap clothes for summer.

status as of 4/14/11: epic fail. 1 pair of shorts and 1 hollister shirt will not dress ne for 4 months.

status as of 4/15/11: nearly complete.

ok so i walk into Walmart to buy cleaning supplies. and i'm like,

"whoa! zebra print shorts!"






then I was like, "omg, t-shirts! so soft! v neck! Miley Cyrus!"






and then I was like, "ribbed cotton tanks in animal prints and solids! and only $4.50! the sign is lying!"






and then I was like, "gah dark wash distressed cutoffs!!!!!!!!!"






and then I was like, "wow, Boise Towne Square mall just got pwned by Wallyworld. sweet."

I feel like supporting Walmart is almost the equivalent to supporting terrorism (wait, can I say that without DHS banging down my door? guess we'll find out....), but then again kudos to them for marketing a desireable product at a reasonable price.

and I also found a strip of 5 buttons to replace old buttons on a sweater... which is great because I only need five-- not 6 or multiples of 2. if you truly know me, you'll know why I have issues with paying for that extra button.

now to clean my apartment before the black helicopters show up.

welcome, April

good evening, fearless reader. I hope you had a great weekend-- what fun things did you experience? thoughts you'd like to share?

well, march is over and it's the first month of 2011 that I can say I'm not bidding good riddance to. march was filled with so many awesome moments (thanks for reading and sharing those little excitements with me)-- and many I didn't share here-- but it was also a month of goodbyes and heartaches and realizations. march also set a new record: 599 blog views in 31 days! I wish I knew every single one of you reading about my quirky life-- leave me a comment about you and what inspires you to live, please!

this weekend was so great-- hello, 4-2011! on Friday, I met up with my best friend and perused the mall and then we gorged on Thai food (spring rolls, pho, and drunken noodles! hell yes!).





on Saturday, I woke up early to browse the thrift stores for some cheap summer clothes and met becca for lunch at Idaho pizza company-- our semi-official meeting place.





then I worked (yay overtime!) and hung out with gregory house all night.






this morning I had bfast with CR (and wife) and discussed his current writing project. still loving the fresh fruit and granola from big city. I spent the afternoon sitting in the sun with my mom, mulling over life and whatnot. tonight, I went to a potluck at kim's and had a great time observing the group's umm libations and whatnot.



this weekend reminds me that life goes on. I can't waste my time waiting for something that is never going to happen and wanting people in my life who don't give a damn about me. I need to surround myself with friends and attitudes that motivate and enlighten me. I'm getting there.

now to put my magnetic poetry calendar back together.






and it's time to get some sleep. I've been awake for over 24 hours now-- perhaps the first time since grad school!

the goods: tumblr lunchbreaks

tumblr has been down recently, but today my lunch break went from this





to this:






even though I find these cheesy, they get me every time:

the goods: dressing up for no reason

kiss me, I'm Irish. okay, I don't think I will ever be cured of my "omg full length mirror! take a picture! and post it!"

the goods: thrifting

polka dotted wrap shirt with ruffled sleeves? heck yes.

(actually no. I'm on a budget. you know life is tough when used clothes are out of my league.)

the goods: summer dreamin'

new shorts! I love the little braids on the pockets and the stretchy fabric. summer, be here now!!

the goods: A to Z

i got this idea from an english girl i follow on tumblr.  here's a favorite item starting with each letter of the alphabet. maybe you'll learn something new about me. maybe you'll think about what your list would look like. maybe we have favorites together and can share.

a is for applesauce

especially my mom's.

b is for basenji

these little critters can't bark.

c is for curly hair

maybe my 20's were good for something.

d is for dancing alone

doesn't rihanna look gorgeous?

e is for eric northman

exchanging bodily fluids never sounded so good.

f is for fabric

my collection grows.

g is for gossip girl

call me cheesy, but i love chuck bass.

he understands her.

h is for hello kitty

i wouldn't be a good asian if i didn't love her.

i is for indian food

the mix of flavors, scents, and textures is amazing.

j is for jelly beans

starburst jb's are tops.

k is for kitty

how can you resist a snuggle?

l is for late night happy hours

discounted apps and drinks with friends.

m is for mirrors

paris hilton taught me to never pass one up.

n is for nail polish

it's like makeup for your nails.

o is for owls

wise and flighty.

p is for pilot precise v5 rolling ball pens

can't write effectively without one.

q is for quincy

little green lizard from foxtrot is so stinkin' cute.

r is for fresh rain on pavement

shiny, smelly, and makes me want to dance.

s is for soup

i would eat it every day for the rest of my life.

t is for taylor trifecta

swift, momsen, and lautner. sigh.

u is for undies

especially pretty ones like gilly hicks.

v is for venus razors

over a decade of shaving with minimal (albiet, traumatic at times) knicks.

w is for watermelon gum

"candy" fix and stress reliever in one.

x is for xylitol

ok, a bit of a stretch, but it does taste pretty natural.

y is for yimmys yayo

because he's the man.

z is for zebra prints

black, white, simple, and visually exciting.