Lizzie says Sparky says

We love you. We just both, strangely, have a lot of work at the same time.

We’ll, hopefully, get back to our usual flow soon enough.

Do a little Christmas shopping to pass the time?

“Fashion is the armor against the reality of everyday life.”

-Bill Cunningham, Bill Cunningham On the Street

Things (and people) I am thankful for:

- My 2 BFFs, Lizzie and the Blonde Bombshell Both put up with me even when I may not deserve it, they make me laugh and smile whether I want to or not, and they challenge me to be the best friend/dresser/writer I can be. 

- My dear little girls Josie and Grace never cease to amaze me.  Their bubbling enthusiasm even at 6am makes me love them.  Both are wildly cute to watch and I can and have stared at them for weirdly long stretches of time.  I still cannot believe how lucky I am to have both of them in my life.

- The family Though, like any family, they can be annoying, I know my family loves me.  I feel welcome in their home AND they still send me home with meals.  My father offers me financial, work, and life advice that I’d never know how to ask anyone else.  My mother challenges and encourages me in many ways, though most notably in sewing, designing, and dressing up.  And my brother has become an ally and friend in recent years, rather than just a sibling.  And their little monsters, Frank and Honey, who keep me on my toes and make me feel appreciated even if it’s just for my lap. 

- My closet Vanity, thy name is Sparky.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my closet.  It’s a walk-in closet and allows me to set up my clothing in organized rows, see what I have and don’t have, and display some of my favorite vintage pieces.

- My job Even though it’s not my goal job, I try to remind myself how great it is.  Not only do I have a stable, full-time job, but I get weekends and numerous holidays off.  I have paid sick leave and vacation.  And I have coworkers, though sometimes annoying, are very supportive. 

- My independence  This one took a long time to achieve.  I was not super eager to fly out of the nest, but I’m so glad I did.  Though it can be hard and sometimes I make stupid decisions, I really appreciate that they are my challenges to overcome and my decisions to make.  Living on my own and being financially independent is scary, but I’m proud and I get far more benefits from it than I ever anticipated.

- Wonders There are some things that never cease to amaze me.  And no matter how small or silly, I appreciate them and hope they never stop. Includes - Christmas, traffic revisions, charts, walking home in the rain, sparkles

I am thankful:

• For Sparky, who thought up LSSS and is a an all-around awesome friend and enriches my life every day.
• For The Boyfriend, who is the best, most supportive love bug a girl could ask for, and handsome to boot!
• For all my other friends, a wonderful mix of politicos, foodies, glitterati and lovable nerds. I’m lucky to have a wide group of friends that build me up, support my relationship and love all my unique quirks. They make me better and I hope I help them be their best selves.
• For my family, who love me and drive me crazy all in one giant, glorious moment.
• For my job, because it teaches me about what I want and don’t want. I’m lucky to have one, even when I want to pound my head against my desk.
• For my health, and all the hard work I’ve put into it. I’m proud of my accomplishments and I prove to myself every day how capable I am.
• For my dreams and goals, my Mighty List is a fantastic reminder to look up and past the daily grind. Make goals, work towards them, achieve them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo Lizzie

Sparky says

I’m excited, even though really it’s just another store that I shouldn’t buy from…

madewell:

Hey Seattle,

What do Ann Wilson (of amazing ’70s rock band Heart) and Madewell have in common? They both call Bellevue home! Swing by our brand-new store at Bellevue Square, which opens today. (In the meantime, we at HQ will be listening to the below to celebrate from afar.)

Ever have a case of the Mondays?  You know, where the pile on your desk is bigger than Mt. Olympus and the phone doesn’t stop ringing; when it feels like the longest day of the ever and you still have 4 more before the weekend? 

Well, one of mine and Lizzie’s friends had the worst Monday story ever. 

She was sitting at her desk, as one is apt to do when at work, when the ceiling started dripping.  Though an inconvenience, a bucket quickly solved the problem.  And during the NW rainy season, leaks are common in her office.  But people began to comment on how the leaks had never been in that particular spot before.  And so a coworker went up to the next floor to investigate.  She soon returned armed with gloves, bleach, and wipes. 

As it would turn out, someone had stopped up the toilet upstairs.  And rather than tell someone or fix it, they let it run and run and run.

And what was dripping on the desk was not rain water, but sewage.

And that’s the shittiest Monday I’ve ever heard of.