I deserve a basket full of dog doo and a card signed with cuss words. I've got a list, a really really long list of events, secret clubs, new restaurants, drinking events, and spring fashion (patterns! patterns! patterns!) to tell you about. But I haven't even had time to make my bed - let a lone bring my dry cleaning and organic beets in from the car.

What I can tel you is that I'm headed to Kentucky in May. Can you all remember what Kentucky can do for a girl's spirit? She usually comes home with a bit of a southern accent, a hang over meant for a man, a hankering for bourbon, and rainbows in her footsteps. And, usually she comes home forgetting the things she should have forgotten a while back and remembering all the things she had forgotten.

Seattle,

I dare you to dance and dance often...

Lazying around on Saturday Morning, I made my way to the Madrona area to do some work errands. On my way home I flipped a quick U Turn to follow a sign that was daintily placed on the corner of E Union and 18th.


Last Waltz is a newish boutique owned by an adorably kind and fashionable lady named Cybill. She's created a unique environment that combines fantastic vintage finds, must-have-because-none-of-your-girl-friends-have-it jewelry, hip to the fashion world clothing, and never seen before hand bags.

The store is dark and homey, she is passionate and sweet, and the promise of new hard to find vintage finds makes this a place I recommend checking out. I walked out with a vintage linen backless dress for $40.00. I had to leave behind a FANTASTIC YSL vintage silk top with a psychedelic print. It's screaming for someone with petite arms and a fantastic waist to swing by and take it home.

These Fan Earrings are my next purchase. See you there Saturday afternoon.



Lace Fan Earrings by Lush Bella @ Last Waltz (1406 18th Ave, Seattle Wa, 98122. 206.328.5512)

A long, long time ago I was a serial dater. I made a point to put myself out there and meet new people and open the door to meeting my partner. And after a series of "relationships" I have found myself in the same boat once again. The one thing that has changed in the past 8 years is me. I'm more confident, have a real job, have traveled, fallen in love, fallen out of love, learned some of the ways of the world, developed hobbies and life long friendships. The one thing that hasn't changed? The boys and the (sometimes) dumb hilarity that occurs when two people get together and try to date.

And recently, upon my first venture to date after the DJ, I was let down easy via a text message. When trying to coordinate our busy schedules, I was told, "I'll be busy until mid-july". Not heartbreaking but a comical story soon to be over told.


Readers, I introduce to you, I'll Be Busy Until Mid-July.


The the blog dedicated to all the wonderful ways in which men make mistakes in courting, dating, and breaking up with us. Women from Seattle to NYC will be sharing their stories. I promise it will be funny and totally worth your time.

I literally have a list of 17 items I need to share with you all. A new boutique with an unique concept and a charming owner, new breakfast spots with a laundry list of Bloody Mary's, fantastic new holistic/I love my body and soul place transplanted from S. Africa and nestled in Wallingford.

In the mean time (and as a total distraction until I make the time to do what I'm really supposed to do in this space) please look at these babies. They are the newest editions to our family. Kenna Jane is on the left and Jeffery Turner (JT) is on the right. They are exactly two weeks apart and total BFF's.

Somehow,I forgot to preced this with some words of my own. As I said before I've been trying find my way through this world via a number of different one-way streets and lately music has been one of the mediums that I've been testing. It's not often a song can evoke emotion. Until I heard this song live, hand and hand with a new-ish loving friend, I understood the power of words and chords and vocals.

A Fine Frenzy
Almost Lover

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images

You sang me spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images

And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you'd never ever forget these images, no

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy
To walk right in and out of my life?

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I've learned (however I think I knew this before) that it's not easy to find ways to volunteer and give back in this city. Most everyone I work with in the non-profit industry is BUSY. So busy it's hard to get them to call back or answer emails. And what I learn when I end up connecting with the people in charge is that there just aren't enough people to do all that they need done. And sometimes there isn't enough money to put towards hiring people to do what needs to get done. So what I'm trying to do, is make their job easier, by connecting you to them without all the emails and phone calls and frustration. So far? It's working. And we've been sent virtual high fives from a whole host of different people who are very thankful for your efforts.

And, just so you know, I am very thankful for your efforts too. Even if you take 5 min a week to catch up on what's happening in our city by staying tuned to www.lendyourtime.blogspot.com, it totally totally matters.

You guys. Big things are happening. And even tho some of the debris from December still pierces my new tough skin I'm not letting it take too much away from me. Because every day, I'm learning better ways to patch the holes - like, time with CoCo, cuddling with babies, hand holding, Custo dresses, and giving back.

And as much as I want to send fiery bullets of meanness from the safety of my new thick skin, it just doesn't feel right. And there are times I'd like to run from it all and start anew somewhere where no one knows I'm the girl who said she wouldn't "ever" again, but did anyway.

Stay Tuned. Spring is knocking on our door and exciting new boutiques are popping up all around our city.

You should be here



because there's a chance I can't. If you go, take good notes. CoCo and I promise to save our best secret for you and we can swap stories over a tall drip at Cheery Street Coffee House (belltown) on Sunday Morning. And if we do run into you. We promise to smile and sniff in your direction.

Today at 10:58am Kenna Jane was born! I don't have pictures yet, because that little girl was born so suddenly I didn't think it fair to throw her the curve ball of flashing lights and scary objects. She did however pass all the new baby tests with flying colors. She pooped, peed and breast fed in the first 24 hours of her life. Look out world, I have a feeling this little girl will grow to be a Valedictorian of Life and potentially President. Just wait.

Seattle,

I know I've been a lot less fashion and a lot more tell-you-what-I'm-feeling-because-life's-been-treating-me-quite-well-lately and I'm sorry. Because the truth is? I've been doing quite a bit of spring wardrobing and I've got a lot to share about Illi and half priced Italian boots, falling in love with our City in the Spring, doing my best to win back the love of my life, and welcoming new beautiful and well thought out babies into this world - all the while remaining the girl I've always wanted to be.

It's a very complicated and lovely mess and I want more than anything for you all to be along for the ride. But until I map quest the directions - You'll have to be patient. Because so far? I've been taking a whole host of left turns and I'm certain those turns aren't leading me much of anywhere. Please stay tuned. I'll soon be the girl in lamb leather boots with pounds of love upon her shoulders and a plan in her pocket.

Love,
Me