43. Go On A Cupcake Crawl in Chicago

Designing My 100 Things To Do List was quite a challenge.  

I picked most things on my list because I thought when I finished them I would have a good story, 

I'd feel proud, or like I accomplished something....

Salted Caramel - Phoebe's... Innovative and delicious.

Confetti - Phoebe's

Display case from Molly's.

My friend Sarah, the Bride Amy, and Me.

Minty Mash Up - Molly's... Least fave cupcake of the day.

Peach Cobbler - Molly's... Runner up for favorite cupcake of the day.

Awesome display at Swirlz.

Swirlz Lemon Coconut cupcake - my fave from the crawl.  

But after the cupcake crawl, the only thing I felt...

was like voming.

We made it to 3 places, 

before our stomachs objected to sampling anything else.

Luckily for us though... 

at the Bachelorette party the next day, 

the Bride's sisters got us cupcakes from Sprinkles.

And the day after that, at the rehearsal dinner, 

the grooms mom got a cake from Sweet Mandy B's.

So we made it through our list in the end anyways.

Although each cupcake joint offered us something different and good in it's own way...

Sprinkles takes the cake for it's delicious butter cream frosting

 and my preferred icing to cake ratio. 

I'm glad I crossed another thing off my list.  

But I NEVER want to see another cupcake again.

OK... well that's a lie actually...

90. Have Portraits of Everyone in My Family : Heidi

I painting this the other night while watching Big Brother.  Have you guys heard of that?  I think it ran for a few years in the US but it's a pretty big deal here.  It's just a bunch of people living in a house with no TV, no internet, no phones, etc.  They get really bored and then there's a bunch of drama/romance/etc - kind of reminds me of summer camp actually.  I'm embarrassed to say I'm addicted.  But at least I multi task!

Do we see the resemblance?

Speaking of my bucket list, I'm planning a chicago cupcake crawl for when I go over next week!  I'm so excited!  Any Chicagoans who need a sugar high are welcome to join!
It will probably occur on Wednesday July 4th.

My Run

So I joined this blogging world basically to keep people on the other side of the Atlantic up to date with my life and take pictures of food ( don't judge I'm a natural fatass). Somewhere along the line I met Emz, and I started following her because she is funny.  

But I didn't know what I was getting myself into, you see, this chick runs marathons for FUN.  I know, right?  Who does that?

I think I read one too many of her running posts and then for some crazy reason I put do a half and full marathon on My Bucket list...

I still haven't signed up for one yet, I'm not quite brave enough - but yesterday I finally completed the 7 mile loop from my house to the reservoir and back!

So I figured I take this opportunity to share some photos of my route and my playlist with all you crazy running bloggers out there!  Please don't judge me for being such a teenie bopper.  

Hey Soul Sister - Train

Lisztomania - Phoenix

So Sweet - Jonathan Rice

Goodbye - Sneaky Sound System

 A Favor House Atlantic - Coheed and Cambria 

I Love It - Sneaky Sound System

Rosalita - Bruce Springsteen 

Magic Stick - Lil Kim feat 50 cent

Fresh '83 - Game feat 50 cent

Pictures - Sneaky Sound System

I Like That - Richard Vission and Static Revenger

Money Ain't a Thang - Jay Z and JD

All This Love - The Similou

Mr. Jones - Counting Crows

Meet Me Half Way - Black Eyed Peas

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

Get By - Talib Kweli 

Electric Feel - MGMT

Billie Jean - Micheal Jackson

Smooth Criminal - Micheal Jackson

Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms 

Get Up and Go - Hanson

A Minute without You - Hanson

Run This Town - Jay Z

Hey Driver - Lucky Boys Confusion

Get Right - Jennifer Lopez

Encore - Jay Z

Atari - Lucky Boys Confusion

What We Talkin Bout - Jay Z

Tea and Cupcakes

So about that Cleanse....

My friend, Sarah, was here until yesterday, and it didn't go so well.

I'm not sure whether she is a bad influence on me... or I am a bad influence on her.

But we are definitely a bad influence on each other.

But you only live once right?

And I had to take her to Cocoa.

It's just the cutest place ever.

I know you've seen it before.

yawn.

But it just makes me happy.

So here it is again....

We drank so much tea!

I felt little crack headish after my

2,398th cup.

Can you tell?

I think Sarah did too.

When in Rome, eh?

If you come visit me I'll take you here too.

Promise.

ps.  I missed you this week, blogosphere.

pss. That shirt I'm wearing is the first thing I've bought from a thrift store - part of number 80 on my 100 things to do list.  What do you think you fashionista bloggers - cute or totally grandma-ish?

100 Things to do Before I Die : Updated!

Just a little update to my Bucket List.  I think I am doing pretty good so far, though there is always room for improvement right?  At a time when I have been finding motivation difficult to come by, this list has really helped to provide me with a sense of direction.  One of the major difficulties for me with my current state of funemployment, has been the feeling of a lack of direction that comes from having no set schedule, or nothing that must be accomplished in a day.  This list is definitely helping me to keep on trying to achieve my goals and dreams, however silly or serious they might be!

Things crossed out in red have been accomplished, purple writing is just details, updates and what I am doing to achieve that particular goal.

1. Be an extra in a movie or TV show
2. Run races.
• 5k race.
• 10k race.
• Am currently running about 5 VERY hilly miles, getting close to 10 K.  
• Half marathon.
• Full marathon.
3. Complete a Canicross event
4. Complete a Triathlon. 
5. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
6. Get scuba certified.
7. Scuba dive a shipwreck.
8. See a whale shark in real life.
9. Finish knitting a scarf from start to finish.
• I have about half a scarf, and I realized I actually hate knitting.  I guess I should try to finish it before winter rolls around though, huh?
10. Keep honey bees. 
• I emailed a local apiary last Friday to get experience there, but so far haven't heard back.
11. Ride elephants in Thailand.
12. Go on Safari in Africa.
13. Take the GRE
• Been studying my vocab words, but really need to up my game.
14. Get experience at a vet clinic.
• Start on the 13th of next month.
15. Go to vet school.
16. Make a 6 figure salary for a year.
17. Sell a piece of artwork.  
• Well I started painting again, so that's a start.  But I'm not sure what to paint for selling.  Quick poll - What is your favorite type of artwork?
18. Visit every continent. 
• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Asia
• Africa
• Australia
• Antarctica (Not too fussed about this one to be honest)
19. Have a photo shoot with my friends and pretend we are really very fabulous for a day.  Hey Friends - You game?
20. Take a photography class.
21. Ride in a hot air balloon. 
22. Own a horse.
23. Own chickens that lay fresh eggs and make an omelet.
24. Teach Heidi the Japanese Dog Catch.
25. Teach Heidi to clean up her toys.  Proof here.
26. Write a blog with 500 followers.
• Currently we're at 45.  Not impressive.  I need to host a give away.  I'm pretty sure those are the key to blogging success.  
27. Go a whole month without taking a naps.  (silly I know but I suck at this).
28. St Patrick's day in Ireland.
29. Learn to skip stones - at least 4 bounces. 
• I'm practicing... currently only capable of one bounce
30. Mardi Gras in New Orleans. 
31. Join a Team.  Joined a rowing team.
32. Volunteer.
33. Road trip across the USA. 
34. Visit Amish country.  
35. Go to Disney world.
36. Read 12 books in a year. (suggestions welcome)
37. Find out if blondes really do have more fun. (ie: dye my hair - eeek)
38. Hitchhike somewhere even though it seems super scarey. 
39. Live in an organized home.  
40. Create one room in the house that is perfect.
41. Create a dream home.
42. Sew a dress from scratch.  
43. Go on a cupcake crawl in Chicago.
44. Catch a ball at a major league baseball game.  
• I've decided I don't actually want to do this... I would rather maintain my ideal weight.  Ironic I just wrote that after "Go on a cupcake crawl", no?
45. Complete a successful camping trip with Nick.  (must last 3 days, 2 nights minimum)
46. Create a family cookbook with famous family recipes (A little help here Suzy and mom?)
47. Send my parents on a vacation to thank them for paying for my college education and my wedding and just tolerating me for so long.
48. Cook a meal using only food that I have grown or foraged.
49. Throw myself a birthday party.
50. Contribute something significant to saving a species from extinction.
51. Establish mutual friends/social circle with Nick.
• This is why we joined the Cougar Club... I'm not sure it's gonna do the trick though.
52. Learn some Spanish. - complete Rosetta stone perhaps?
53. Show up at the airport/train station and take the first plane/train I can get.
54. Go vegan for a week.
55. See the cherry blossoms in Japan.
56. Give only handmade Christmas presents one year.
57. Spend Christmas money on completing one of the items on this list, instead of buying stupid gifts no one ever uses.
58. Host a holiday family gathering.
59. Visit a volcano.
60. Get featured in a newspaper for doing something cool.  Obituary doesn't count.  
61. Make friends with a stranger on the street.  Do you think my creepy old man neighbors count?
62. Go dog sledding. 
63. See a moose.
64. Play 18 holes of golf proficiently. 
65. Ride a camel to the pyramids in Egypt.
66. Exercise 3 times a week. 
• For a week
• For a month
• For two months
• For three months
• For six months
• For a year
67. See pink river dolphins in the Amazon.
68. Wear a dress/skirt everyday for a month.
69. Write 52 postcards.  I will need your addresses for this.
70. Get Nick a complete surprise birthday present that he actually likes.
71. Build a really sweet tree house.
72. Have an awesome dress up collection.
73. Collect hats - 12 girly hats, 12 boyish hats, and a few unisex ones for good measure.
• 1 girl hat so far.  
74. Have dinner party and make the guests each wear said hats for the evening.
75. Figure out a way to give up facebook, or use it positively and not like an addiction.  
• I'm not getting anywhere with this one.  Any tips for those of us with addictive personalities?
76. Acquire neat heirloom to pass down - do you think my wedding and engagement rings count?.
77. Be an audience member on a TV show.
78. See a burlesque show.
79. Attend a black tie gala (not as a waitress!)
80. Buy a cute outfit at a second hand store.
• Dylana from Nana in Wonderland is totally inspirational with her thrifted finds!  I've bought a cute shirt, but not a whole outfit... so we're half way there.
81. Watch baby turtles hatch head for the ocean.
82. Make ice cream from scratch.
83. Make successful homemade vegetarian marshmallows.  
84. Have a wardrobe filled with things I love.
85. Learn to do a circus trick.
86. Sell all the crap in our house on ebay or donate it or throw it out.
87. Make an awesome running playlist 2 hours long.  (A stupid one but I always use shuffle and have been putting this off for a really long time).  I did finish this.  I'll share it soon if people are interested.
88. Cook Nick breakfast everyday before work.  
• For a week
• For a month
• For three months
• For six months
• For a year
• I don't know if I can do this without making myself obese.  Every time I cook him breakfast it is a big Sunday brunch with pancakes etc.  What are your favorite healthy cooked breakfasts??
89. Attend a music festival.
90. Have creepy old fashioned portraits hanging in my hallway of every member of my immediate family.
• Mom
• Dad
• Dani see here
• Lizzie see here
• Nick
• Heidi
• Maddy
91. Go to a comedy show and laugh till I cry.
92. Go to the ballet.
93. Donate blood.  Story here.
94. Inspire someone else to make a 100 things to do / bucket list and then steal one of their ideas.
•   Thanks to Flore for doing it!  I loved your list!  But I'm still waiting for more of you to do this before I pick an idea....  hint hint.....
95. Put their idea here.
96. Go to an estate sale and buy something.
97. Write and illustrate a children's book.
98. Make a scrapbook.
99. Ride a mechanical bull.
100. Cross off all items from this list

How to Paint Crappy Portraits

Hi Friends,

Those of you read my 100 Things To Do List may have noticed one of my goals is to have portraits of everyone in my family.  Well let's get real, those things are expensive!  Since money is not something that we're swimming in over here, I knew I would have to paint these myself.  Maybe like me some of you have too much free time and want to give it a go...

Start with a picture you really like.  I chose one of my sisters.  Print it out and draw a grid on the photo.  Then blow up your grid on the canvas.  It is important to be careful with this part because if your grid is off it will throw everything off.

Then, in pencil, sketch out your portrait.  The grid will make it 100 times easier since you can focus on smaller parts of the photo.  After you draw it, start painting it in watered down shades of brown.  It seems like an extra step, but think of it as a map.  It really will help to guide you when you start putting color down.

Then for the fun part!  It's kind of like a coloring book for adults at this point.  It's best to start with the background and work your way forward.

Voila!  I know it's not gonna win any awards, but for my first painting since high school art class I don't think it's too bad.  Hope this inspired you to get your creative juices flowing!

Happy Friday!

14. Get Experience at a Vet Clinic

Hi Friends!

Thank you for keeping your fingers crossed for me if you have been.  It must have been difficult because they would have been crossed for a very long time!  But guess what - I finally managed to arrange some work experience at a vet clinic!

A terrible selfie of me and part of Phil watching cheetah surgery in Africa

I don't start for another month, but I am really excited as it is one of the major steps to fulfilling my career goals.  I'm hoping to make a very good impression, get nice references from it, and maybe, just maybe it will lead to something else.

My dad told me the more you do the luckier you get... 

well Dad, I'm trying to get lucky!

If I'm really lucky perhaps I could figure out how to get them to pay me!  

Thanks again for your prayers, well wishes, and finger crossing. 

25. Teach Heidi To Clean Up Her Toys

This is why my dog is cooler than yours.  

I know its not perfect, 

but for just 6 months old we're pretty proud of her.  

Yes, you can call me a crazy dog lady.  

Now what do I teach her next???

93. Donate Blood

Today I went with my sketchy old man neighbor, Bill, to donate blood.  He lives in this super neat very cliche British farmhouse cottage that Heidi and I always pass while out on our hikes.  He mentioned he volunteered for the Red Cross or something, and I mentioned that donating blood was on my bucket list.

So we made a "date".  He picked me up around 10 this morning and we went to donate together.  He is a little forth coming and frequently says seedy things like "have you told your husband about me..."  Today he was very complimentary of my hair and called me beautiful, which I have to admit is quite flattering, even if he is older than my dad.  I must say a huge thank you to the very sweet nurse who made him well aware of this fact by asking if I was his daughter, she definitely put him back in his place, if only for 5 minutes.

Anyways the donating of blood part was pretty ordinary, anti-climatic in fact.  I have been wanting to do it ever since I was told I couldn't (I'm like that you know?), because of my trip to Africa.  Anyways 5-10 minutes with a needle in your arm and you're finished.  bingo bango bongo.  Just like that.  Well actually it seemed to drag on.  I wish they would've put posters on the ceilings like in the a dentists' or something.  

I wish I had a better funnier story for you, but unfortunately I don't.  It was just an ordinary blood donating experience I guess. Well as ordinary  as you can get when donating blood with strange older men.  After we donated Bill and I met Nick for lunch, and the men folk talked politics.  *yawn*

At least now 93 is cross off my list!  So I feel accomplished and hopefully someone out there will benefit from my blood!  It's pretty exciting actually, I could've saved someone's life today!  How cool is that?

31. Join a team

So there is one good thing about being f-unemployed.... plenty of free time!  I recently joined a rowing team.  For those of you who don't know me, I rowed for 3 years, 6 days a week during my awkward teen phase in high school.  My life basically revolved around rowing.

Evidence : 

I wish I had better photos, but they're all like actually pictures and in America, oh the days before digital!

We were pretty serious about the sport in high school, and I rowed with people who competed at a National level, I of course never made it past regionals because I'm not much of an athlete, but I do like being part of a team.  I had my first practice with the team here last night...

First Impressions/thoughts:

• People are nice, but take themselves a little too seriously
• The club is a little disorganized for my liking, but maybe this is a good thing because it won't matter if I miss practices.
• Speaking rowing is a foreign language and American rowing language doesn't translate to English rowing language which makes me look like an idiot.
• This team REALLY needs a coxswain, (short bossy person that steers the boat / yells at the rowers)
• Stereotypes are there for a reason, and most these girls fit the rowing stereotype.
• I keep thinking they're doing things wrong, but really they just do things differently, and I guess that doesn't make them wrong.
• Rowing is like riding a bike, getting back in the boat was a very familiar sensation.
• There are some muscles my back has forgotten it has.
• Rowing in the English countryside is much prettier and less smelly than rowing in the Licking / Ohio River, must take pictures soon to share with you.
• I'm not sure if I'm ready to have blistered and bloody hands again.  That is the worst part of this sport.
• Why did I ever stop wearing spandex?

I'm hoping I'll meet some nice people through this.  It's SO much cheaper than a gym membership and I could definitely use a little workout inspiration.  In high school I rowed so much I was like 20 pounds lighter.

Dear God,

Will I ever be high school skinny again?

I know that wouldn't make me totally happy, 

and I promise I won't wear skirts so short you can see my undies ever again.

You're right, that wasn't a good look for me,

but maybe I could be skinny and dress modestly now that I'm an adult?

I would certainly appreciate it.

Thanks for your consideration,

Kelly

Oh and friends, since join a team is number 31 on my bucket list, do you think I can cross it off?  How long do you think is an acceptable amount of time to be on a team before it really counts?

I Keep Getting Free Stuff...

.... And I LOVE it!

Last week thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Emz, I won this...

All I did was introduce her to the wonders of my favorite Australian band, Sneaky Sound System.  She runs lots of marathons and needed some new tunes.  Check out her blog because she is super cool and totally inspirational!  AND how perfect is this gift card for helping me complete number 87 on my bucket list - Make an awesome running playlist!  Thank you Em!

Then yesterday in the mail I received this from REread!

It's a cute little deer brooch.  It was packaged in the most fun envelope made from pages of the Jungle Book. I always forget how great it is to get things in the mail!  It is so special especially in this day of the internet where you never get letters or packages in the mail - just bills.  Thank you ever so much!

Lastly, I received this....

It's a basket of tulips and a tomato plant from an old man named Bill who I talk to when I walk Heidi.  I will try to forget about the fact that the day before he said that I, "Didn't look like a vegetarian," because I'm "not skinny," but I'm "healthy looking and easy on the eye".  I will take this as a genuine welcome to the neighborhood and not an "I'm sorry I am an awkward old man" apology. He also flew the American flag outside his estate for me, and asked me to deliver a message to Obama for him....

So Mr. President, I'm not sure if you're a fan of Kelly Leigh Gets Busy, but if you are,  Bill would like me to tell you that he would very much appreciate it if you got the British troops out of the war.  Thanks!

100 Things to do Before I Die / The Bucket List

1. Be an extra in a movie or TV show
2. Run races.
• 5k race.
• 10k race.
• Half marathon.
• Full marathon.
3. Complete a Canicross event
4. Complete a Triathlon. 
5. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
6. Get scuba certified.
7. Scuba dive a shipwreck.
8. See a whale shark in real life.
9. Finish knitting a scarf from start to finish.
10. Keep honey bees.  (they're going extinct you know?)
11. Ride elephants in Thailand.
12. Go on Safari in Africa.
13. Take the GRE
14. Get experience at a vet clinic.
15. Go to vet school.
16. Make a 6 figure salary for a year.
17. Sell a piece of artwork.  
18. Visit every continent. 
• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Asia
• Africa
• Australia
• Antarctica (Not too fussed about this one to be honest)
19. Have a photo shoot with my friends and pretend we are really very fabulous for a day.  Hey Friends - You game?
20. Take a photography class.
21. Ride in a hot air balloon. 
22. Own a horse.
23. Own chickens that lay fresh eggs and make an omelet.
24. Teach Heidi the Japanese Dog Catch.
25. Teach Heidi to clean up her toys.
26. Write a blog with 500 followers.
27. Go a whole month without taking a naps.  (silly I know but I suck at this).
28. St Patrick's day in Ireland.
29. Learn to skip stones - at least 4 bounces. 
30. Mardi Gras in New Orleans. 
31. Join a team.
32. Volunteer.
33. Road trip across the USA. 
34. Visit Amish country.  
35. Go to Disney world.
36. Read 12 books in a year. (suggestions welcome)
37. Find out if blondes really do have more fun. (ie: dye my hair - eeek)
38. Hitchhike somewhere even though it seems super scarey. 
39. Live in an organized home.  
40. Create one room in the house that is perfect.
41. Create a dream home.
42. Sew a dress from scratch.  
43. Go on a cupcake crawl in Chicago.  Amy, Liza, Sarah, Lisa - anyone game for this in August???
44. Catch a ball at a major league baseball game.
45. Complete a successful camping trip with Nick.  (must last 3 days, 2 nights minimum)
46. Create a family cookbook with famous family recipes (A little help here Suzy and mom?)
• I'm CRAVING Papa's rhubarb pie right now.  Anyone know the recipe?
47. Send my parents on a vacation to thank them for paying for my college education and my wedding and just tolerating me for so long.
48. Cook a meal using only food that I have grown or foraged.
49. Throw myself a birthday party.
50. Contribute something significant to saving a species from extinction.
51. Establish mutual friends/social circle with Nick.
52. Learn some Spanish. - complete Rosetta stone perhaps?
53. Show up at the airport/train station and take the first plane/train I can get.
54. Go vegan for a week.
55. See the cherry blossoms in Japan.
56. Give only handmade Christmas presents one year.
57. Spend Christmas money on completing one of the items on this list, instead of buying stupid gifts no one ever uses.
58. Host a holiday family gathering.
59. Visit a volcano.
60. Get featured in a newspaper for doing something cool.  Obituary doesn't count.  
61. Make friends with a stranger on the street.
62. Go dog sledding. 
63. See a moose.
64. Play 18 holes of golf proficiently. 
65. Ride a camel to the pyramids in Egypt.
66. Exercise 3 times a week. 
• For a week
• For a month
• For two months
• For three months
• For six months
• For a year
67. See pink river dolphins in the Amazon.
68. Wear a dress/skirt everyday for a month.
69. Write 52 postcards.  I will need your addresses for this.
70. Get Nick a complete surprise birthday present that he actually likes.
71. Build a really sweet tree house.
72. Have an awesome dress up collection.
73. Collect hats - 12 girly hats, 12 boyish hats, and a few unisex ones for good measure.
• 1 girl hat so far.  
74. Have dinner party and make the guests each wear said hats for the evening.
75. Figure out a way to give up facebook, or use it positively and not like an addiction.  
76. Acquire neat heirloom to pass down - do you think my wedding and engagement rings count?.
77. Be an audience member on a TV show.
78. See a burlesque show.
79. Attend a black tie gala (not as a waitress!)
80. Buy a cute outfit at a second hand store.
81. Watch baby turtles hatch and head for the ocean.
82. Make ice cream from scratch.
83. Make successful homemade vegetarian marshmallows.  
84. Have a wardrobe filled with things I love.
85. Learn to do a circus trick.
86. Sell all the crap in our house on ebay or donate it or throw it out.
87. Make an awesome running playlist 2 hours long.  (A stupid one but I always use shuffle and have been putting this off for a really long time).
88. Cook Nick breakfast everyday before work.  
• For a week
• For a month
• For three months
• For six months
• For a year
89. Attend a music festival.
90. Have creepy old fashioned portraits hanging in my hallway of every member of my immediate family.
• Mom
• Dad
• Dani
• Lizzie
• Nick
• Heidi
• Maddy
91. Go to a comedy show and laugh till I cry.
92. Go to the ballet.
93. Donate blood - I was never allowed to in college because I've been to Africa, but I think the ban is up!
94. Inspire someone else to make a 100 things to do / bucket list and then steal one of their ideas.
95. Put their idea here.
96. Go to an estate sale and buy something.
97. Write and illustrate a children's book.
98. Make a scrapbook.
99. Ride a mechanical bull.
100. Cross off all items from this list.

Hope you like my list friends!  The best way to keep me getting busy is to write items down and cross them off!  I'm sure you all know that I am a huge list maker by now, and even though I have lists going for lots of things, I didn't have a bucket list.  Seems pretty important don't you think?  It took me a lot longer to write this than I thought it would, especially the last 20 or so items.  It's still a bit of a work in progress so I reserve the right to edit it as I see fit.  I would love to read your lists if you have them too!  Also, does anyone want to do a bucket list challenge, ie first one to complete so many items wins 50 bucks or something similar?  I can always use a little extra motivation.