Yesterday, you learned how good Mallory is at giving gifts. Today, we shall discuss how good she is at getting gifts.
So, in life Before Mallory, I wasn't much of a shopper. I didn't really enjoy walking and walking and walking, I hated trying on clothes, and I faced the negative stigma of having the Narrow Flat Foot, thus finding it ridiculously impossible to find decent shoes. But here's the thing. There's a whole industry out there called HOUSEWARES. Have you been shopping for housewares? So. Much. Fun. Almost as fun? Accessories.
If I had unlimited monetary resources, I would use it to give gifts (after buying myself a pair of Louboutins and a Michael Kors bag for myself, of course). There's something wonderful about shopping for hours and hours until you find it: the elusive Perfect Gift.
Shopping for Mallory is extra fun. It's exactly like shopping for myself, only I get the bonus of finding awesome gift wrap and watching her open it. She's always grateful, and she's always excited.
Now I realize that Mallory's birthday was almost two weeks ago, but she'll welcome presents for Christmas and future birthdays. So I made a gift list over at pinterest.com for your convenience.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Gifted!
Mallory is really good at giving gifts. AWESOME at it, in fact. She knows just what I will love, and she is very generous. Whether it's a DVD, a CD, concert tickets, the surprise Hot Chocolate, or "just because" occasion, every gift I've ever gotten from Mallory has been thoughtful and remains treasured. The movies I watch the most, the accessories I love to wear, the memories I love the most usually revolve around a gift I got from this genius gift-giver.
Case in point (click to enlarge):
This lovely artwork sits on my desk, and it will until I die. I'm not even kidding. It's one of my most prized possessions. My kids will fight over who gets it once I croak, or it will go in the museum exhibit about my life. Next the torn and tattered copy of Pride and Prejudice.
Stay tuned for tomorrow, when I discuss why Mallory is also AWESOME at getting gifts. Also? A Quintessential Gift Guide for Mallory.
Case in point (click to enlarge):
This lovely artwork sits on my desk, and it will until I die. I'm not even kidding. It's one of my most prized possessions. My kids will fight over who gets it once I croak, or it will go in the museum exhibit about my life. Next the torn and tattered copy of Pride and Prejudice.
Stay tuned for tomorrow, when I discuss why Mallory is also AWESOME at getting gifts. Also? A Quintessential Gift Guide for Mallory.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Books: They're not just for decoration...
Mallory loves books, she loves paper, she loves home decor that is made from books and paper.
Books: For all the time we spend talking about Twi****, Mallory and I do have high-brow taste in books. I promise. Any book collector worth their salt knows that you put the super impressive books out in the living room where your guests can ooh and ahh over your excellent literary taste. But if you really want to know what a book collector reads, you have to look at the books stacked by their bed or in bookshelves in their bedroom.
Take it from me, Mallory has AWESOME taste in books.
Paper: I probably need to save this for it's own post, because really, I can spend hours talking about paper and Mallory's love for it. I'm not even kidding. It's a legitimate love.
Home decor: Whenever anyone walks into my apartment, they ooh and ahh over the things I have up on the walls. They're all made of paper, and half of them were made by Mallory. I don't have a picture, but she made me a paper wreath that looks like unto this:
Only awesome-er. Not only did she make this out of a book, she made mine out of an old dictionary. She has one as well, but it's made of an old MLA manual. Too, too perfect.
That's the thing about Mallory, she's a super good--I'd go so far as to say AWESOME gift giver. Stay tuned for more on that tomorrow!
Books: For all the time we spend talking about Twi****, Mallory and I do have high-brow taste in books. I promise. Any book collector worth their salt knows that you put the super impressive books out in the living room where your guests can ooh and ahh over your excellent literary taste. But if you really want to know what a book collector reads, you have to look at the books stacked by their bed or in bookshelves in their bedroom.
Take it from me, Mallory has AWESOME taste in books.
Paper: I probably need to save this for it's own post, because really, I can spend hours talking about paper and Mallory's love for it. I'm not even kidding. It's a legitimate love.
Home decor: Whenever anyone walks into my apartment, they ooh and ahh over the things I have up on the walls. They're all made of paper, and half of them were made by Mallory. I don't have a picture, but she made me a paper wreath that looks like unto this:
Only awesome-er. Not only did she make this out of a book, she made mine out of an old dictionary. She has one as well, but it's made of an old MLA manual. Too, too perfect.
That's the thing about Mallory, she's a super good--I'd go so far as to say AWESOME gift giver. Stay tuned for more on that tomorrow!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Themed Party (Or, Going Over The Top is a Genetic Disorder)
Here's another one from our awesome friend Michelle!!
Let's talk for a moment about themed parties, since they were only briefly mentioned thus far on this blog. (Editor's note: I was getting there, but you beat me to it :) ) Whether coming up with the entire idea on her own (as well as catering the shin-dig and creating activities to go along with it) or simply jumping in with someone else's thought with the perfect amount of gusto and vigor, Mallory is the queen of themed parties. And then there's the fact that we usually do them at her house. Anne of Green Gables? You bet!
LOST? Oh yes, please.
Glee, Psych, and a cheese party as well as so many more that are still in the concept phase.
Even though she's not a fan of being in photos, Mallory still supported at the Fake Engagement Photo shoot and helped create AWESOME hipster, Jane Austen, and white trash looks. We love and enjoy her fantastic ideas!
Let's talk for a moment about themed parties, since they were only briefly mentioned thus far on this blog. (Editor's note: I was getting there, but you beat me to it :) ) Whether coming up with the entire idea on her own (as well as catering the shin-dig and creating activities to go along with it) or simply jumping in with someone else's thought with the perfect amount of gusto and vigor, Mallory is the queen of themed parties. And then there's the fact that we usually do them at her house. Anne of Green Gables? You bet!
LOST? Oh yes, please.
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| Check out our guest blogger's awesome Black Smoke Monster Costume!!! |
Even though she's not a fan of being in photos, Mallory still supported at the Fake Engagement Photo shoot and helped create AWESOME hipster, Jane Austen, and white trash looks. We love and enjoy her fantastic ideas!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Guest Blogger Michelle!
One of the most AWESOME things about Mallory is that she is a fantastic listener. No matter how imagined the fear, ridiculous the assumption, or oft repeated the whine is, Mallory is so amazing that she will listen again and again. What's more, she'll listen with real intent and genuine sympathy. The weaker of us would simply tune out, but not Mallory. I can't even count the "dumb guy" situations that I forced Mallory to pick apart with me year after year after year after . . . You get the picture.
(Editor's note: Psst...Michelle...this is a birthday blog for MALLORY ;)
Friday, November 12, 2010
Guest Blogger Barney Stinson!
I'm still gonna let my good friend Barney Stinson take this one away.
This is not a cop out. I found this on pinterest.com, a truly beautiful, magical--dare I say, awesome--website to which Mallory introduced me last week.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
On the Road...
You totally thought this was gonna be about are awesome road trip, but really,
Mallory loves Kerouac.
I could tell you why that's awesome but that would be totes un-Hipster of me.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Movie Magic
I mentioned at the outset that mine and Mallory's BFF-dom has really only been around for the last two and half years. And since you're wondering how that happened, I'll tell you.
Once upon a time in the summer of 2008 a big group of us went and saw pretty much every movie that came out. No joke. I know I saw almost everything from Iron Man to The Dark Knight that year. Our Friday plans for 3 months included sitting in a long line on a strip of questionable movie theater carpet, eating snacks we snuck in our big Mom Bags. Between the two of us, Mallory and I have managed to conceal a six-pack of 20 ounce bottles, Swedish Fish, several bags of chips, and other assorted goodies. I remember one time when Mallory kept pulling out different items off of the Wendy's menu out of her bag. Do I need to say it? Probably not, but I will: AWESOME.
Since that summer, Mallory and I continue to enjoy seeing movies together. We have a favorite movie theater up in Salt Lake that shows us independent films while feeding us imported chocolate. We saw two movies in one weekend there one time. We've also been known to drive up and down the 101 and El Camino Real in the Bay Area, scouring Red Boxes for a particular DVD.
Here are some of the movies that we both always loved, have seen together, or Mallory has recommended and now I love.
And if you're thinking of recommending a movie to Mallory, chances are she'll love it if has one or more of the following:
Once upon a time in the summer of 2008 a big group of us went and saw pretty much every movie that came out. No joke. I know I saw almost everything from Iron Man to The Dark Knight that year. Our Friday plans for 3 months included sitting in a long line on a strip of questionable movie theater carpet, eating snacks we snuck in our big Mom Bags. Between the two of us, Mallory and I have managed to conceal a six-pack of 20 ounce bottles, Swedish Fish, several bags of chips, and other assorted goodies. I remember one time when Mallory kept pulling out different items off of the Wendy's menu out of her bag. Do I need to say it? Probably not, but I will: AWESOME.
Since that summer, Mallory and I continue to enjoy seeing movies together. We have a favorite movie theater up in Salt Lake that shows us independent films while feeding us imported chocolate. We saw two movies in one weekend there one time. We've also been known to drive up and down the 101 and El Camino Real in the Bay Area, scouring Red Boxes for a particular DVD.
Here are some of the movies that we both always loved, have seen together, or Mallory has recommended and now I love.
And if you're thinking of recommending a movie to Mallory, chances are she'll love it if has one or more of the following:
- A peppy soundtrack
- Steve Zahn
- A tragic love story involving a British author
- Beautiful cinematography
- Clever writing
- Some sort of hipster element.
- A rewatch that is conducive to throwing a themed party.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Forgiveness is fun!
Another awesome thing about Mallory is how she forgives my scatterbrainedness.
I'm sorry I forgot today.. Except for I didn't, because I really think it's awesome that you're patient with me :)
I'm sorry I forgot today.. Except for I didn't, because I really think it's awesome that you're patient with me :)
Monday, November 8, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Seriously folks, today's the day! Many happy returns, Mallory! I'm glad I got to share a small part of the day with you. And I'm glad you were surprised! Awesome!
And since all the rabble-rousing and merry-making rendered me useless, I'm passing the torch to a guest blogger, who just so happens to be another AWESOME cousin.
Take it away, Christine!
If I were ever a contestant on "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" Mallory would be on my "phone a friend" list without a doubt. She is the queen of pop trivia. Whenever I can't think of who a certain actor is, or who sings that song I often think of calling Mallory, because I know she would know. I miss being eight years old and playing with Mallory all day, everyday when we didn't have school. Our music videos, improv radio DJing, and Hanson paraphernalia collecting made summer and Christmas break hours fly by! She's always been an awesome cousin and friend. So, Mal in all your awesomeness I wish you a very Happy Birthday.
(And thank you in advance for saving my tooshie on that $250,000 question)
And since all the rabble-rousing and merry-making rendered me useless, I'm passing the torch to a guest blogger, who just so happens to be another AWESOME cousin.
Take it away, Christine!
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| Christine's the one standing next to our girl Mallory! |
(And thank you in advance for saving my tooshie on that $250,000 question)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Parlez-vous français?
Mallory does! You should see her face light up when she realizes someone in the near vicinity speaks French. I fake speak German, and if I hear someone speak it, I run the other way, because I don't want to offend them by how horribly I butcher their language. Not Mallory, though. She's really good at it, and also, she's super brave and will strike up conversation. It's AWESOME.
One time, we went to Bruges Waffles in Salt Lake City where we feasted on Belgian waffles and frites. They were so delicious. But almost better than the food was getting to stand in line with a family full of cute little French kids. Adorable.
So how's about some awesome French videos?
A) Bret and Gemaine do not speak French. Oh wait, did I spoil it for you?
B) This impossibly cute girl named Capucine DOES speak French.
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.
One time, we went to Bruges Waffles in Salt Lake City where we feasted on Belgian waffles and frites. They were so delicious. But almost better than the food was getting to stand in line with a family full of cute little French kids. Adorable.
So how's about some awesome French videos?
A) Bret and Gemaine do not speak French. Oh wait, did I spoil it for you?
B) This impossibly cute girl named Capucine DOES speak French.
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Big Dream No. 1: Expatriating to Europe
Another awesome thing about Mallory is her ability to dream big and the fact that she never tells me I'm dreaming too big. One such dream for we have is for her to marry an attractive Frenchman named Claude
And for me to marry an attractive Englishman named Edmund
And then we will be a mere ride through the Chunnel away from each other.
Dreaming big = AWESOME
Friday, November 5, 2010
A Love of Mugs and the Stuff that Goes In Them
Mallory is something of a connoisseur of mugs and hot chocolate.
She has impeccable taste in Mug Design:
Not to mention impeccable taste in hot chocolate:
AWESOME!
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| NatalieDee |
She has impeccable taste in Mug Design:
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| www.anthropologie.com |
Not to mention impeccable taste in hot chocolate:
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| Cadbury at Elizabeth's Tea Shop |
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| Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate, Starbucks |
AWESOME!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Type Master 3000
No, I never have actually called Mallory that, but I wouldn't be far off if I tried.
Mallory loves typography, and she's got a killer eye for it. There are times where I can say,
"Hey Mallory, do you know of a font that would be good for 3-year-olds who like barracudas and who are the children of brain surgeons getting ready for a sabbatical at Cape Cod?"
And she'll automatically know that duh, I should use Hypatia Sans Pro Semibold.
It's an awesome skill to have, if you ask me.
Mallory loves typography, and she's got a killer eye for it. There are times where I can say,
"Hey Mallory, do you know of a font that would be good for 3-year-olds who like barracudas and who are the children of brain surgeons getting ready for a sabbatical at Cape Cod?"
And she'll automatically know that duh, I should use Hypatia Sans Pro Semibold.
It's an awesome skill to have, if you ask me.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
881 and Counting
Mallory and I have always been cousins. But we didn't really become BFFs until 2008 ish. That's not that long ago. But in the last 2 and half years, we've had over 881 Google Chats.
What do we talk about? Well, everything. Music, movies, food, guys, design, lovely paper things, general angst, and things that make us laugh until we cry! Also? A worrisome amount of Twilight discussions happen, particularly for two girls who love to make fun of it so.
Here's what we were talking about on this day in 2008:
As you can see, not a whole lot has changed...I'm still addicted to twitter, I still love James MacAvoy, I'm still trying to write a novel, I'm still trying to clean my room (different room, same mess), I can still boast airtight logic, and I still love celebrating the Awesomeness of Mallory.
The best part is that we never run out of things to say. Maybe we're making up for 25 years of lost time, but really, on any given day, we can move from texting and Twitter to Google Chat and Facebook, to phone to face without breaking stride.
And I bet you can guess what I think of that...
Awesome!
What do we talk about? Well, everything. Music, movies, food, guys, design, lovely paper things, general angst, and things that make us laugh until we cry! Also? A worrisome amount of Twilight discussions happen, particularly for two girls who love to make fun of it so.
Here's what we were talking about on this day in 2008:
me: I just saw your Twitter.
don't you love that movie?
15:36 Mallory: Yes, ma'am
15:38 How's the novel coming along?
| 19 minutes |
15:58 me: well, a friend of mind finally gave me an idea
so that's fun
16:00 I'm anxious to go home, do laundry, clean my room and get writing.
also, i rsvp'd to your party. it sounds like it's promising to be quite the shindig
16:01 (quick aside to Becoming Jane: I LOVE James McAvoy.
)
16:03 this blog is laugh-out-loud hilarious. not to be read during class on account of all the laugh out loudedness.
| 8 minutes |
16:12 Mallory: Haha, ok, I will look at it later
me: Yeah, start with that post, and enjoy.
anywho, back to your party
its fancy!
16:13 Mallory: Fancy? My party?
I dunno about that
me: there's lots to do! and it's at church!
16:14 Mallory: that is true
Maybe I've been underestimating it
me: mallory's party=parties at church=usually receptions=fancy
Mallory: Hahaha! I love that logic!
me: It's unarguable.
16:15 Mallory: Indeed. That is airtight.
16:17 me: That's it, I'm throwing that up on your event's wall.
| 7 minutes |
16:24 Mallory: Nice. :)
As you can see, not a whole lot has changed...I'm still addicted to twitter, I still love James MacAvoy, I'm still trying to write a novel, I'm still trying to clean my room (different room, same mess), I can still boast airtight logic, and I still love celebrating the Awesomeness of Mallory.
The best part is that we never run out of things to say. Maybe we're making up for 25 years of lost time, but really, on any given day, we can move from texting and Twitter to Google Chat and Facebook, to phone to face without breaking stride.
And I bet you can guess what I think of that...
Awesome!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Darn near perfect...
Once upon a time, I went to Salt Lake today to have dinner at Red Iguana with my author and then we went over to King's English for her book signing. It was loads of fun to be back in my favorite little city. We drove through Sugarhouse, which if you've never done so in the fall, go do it now. Anyway, when I left the book shop, it was smack dab in the middle of dusk, and the golden glow of the setting sun on the orange and red trees was almost too much to handle, not to mention the twinkling lights of the stores and restaurants nearby.
As I made my way back to the freeway, my heart was equal parts so happy and a little bit listless.
What does this have to do with the awesomeness of Mallory?
Well, I was already experiencing this near perfect moment, when my car started playing Sondre Lerche.
You see, Mallory keeps me well informed of really good music. Like, not my low brow music that she doesn't make fun of me for listening to, but just really good music. Anyway, without Sondre Lerche playing at just the right time, my moment this evening wouldn't have been as perfect as it was.
Yet another reason why the world is better because Mallory is in it.
As I made my way back to the freeway, my heart was equal parts so happy and a little bit listless.
What does this have to do with the awesomeness of Mallory?
Well, I was already experiencing this near perfect moment, when my car started playing Sondre Lerche.
You see, Mallory keeps me well informed of really good music. Like, not my low brow music that she doesn't make fun of me for listening to, but just really good music. Anyway, without Sondre Lerche playing at just the right time, my moment this evening wouldn't have been as perfect as it was.
Yet another reason why the world is better because Mallory is in it.
Monday, November 1, 2010
And so it was...
...that 27 years ago,
this very month,
a little girl was born...
...And the world as we know it
would never be the same again....
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