Bedtime routine

This man is a mountain man. He likes to be sweaty and dirty. When he's not getting sweaty and dirty hiking the hills of Catalina Island, he's getting sweaty driving in his non-air-conditioned truck or sitting in a leather desk chair. In the evening, convincing Conrad to stop his programming or Diablo-ing and go take a shower, get ready for bed, and pay attention to me is much like wrangling a busy, willful child into the bath, I imagine.

He dawdles and argues. Then he complains. Then he reeeeeaalllly dawdles. He stands really close to the mirror, picking at this and that, inspecting the size and contents of his pores. All the while, I've finished my nightly routine of brushing, jammies, and flossing (ok, I lied; I certainly don't floss daily), and my hair is well on its way towards dryness.

I even turn on the shower for him so he doesn't have to wait for the water to heat up. When he finally makes his way to the shower, he stands in the heat for several minutes, and then uses too much shampoo for his buzzed head and too much shower gel on the loofa (yes, my husband loofas).


When he gets out of the shower, there's more dawdling and inspecting. Some nights I prepare his toothbrush, and in extreme situations, I've even swiped him with deodorant. 


Then there's the matter of dressing, tucking in, and praying. What might take normal people fifteen minutes to do takes Conrad an hour. He turns on the fan and stands in front of it, naked as a newborn, drying off. When his clothes have finally made their way onto his body, he gets in bed and we pillow talk for about ten minutes or until our eyelids become heavy and are set on closing. 


This boy is slow as pitch, but it's how I know he's enjoying life. In thirty years, I'll be glad to look back and remember that Conrad savored shower time. And life. 

Boston in October

You should know by now that Conrad and I have the Travel Bug. It's highly contagious. I had it first. I got it from my parents, and gave it to him when we got married. It truly is like a disease. If we go too long without treating The Bug, it flares up and itches and turns red, and we get the Travel Fever. We're always thinking three vacations ahead. In July, we're heading north to Yellowstone after my graduation. But then what? My temperature rises if there's no vacation in the foreseeable future.

My brother is going to college in the Fall. All the way across the country in Boston. Boston! He'll only be there for one semester before he goes on his mission for two years, so Conrad and I decided we'd better hop on a plane and visit. We'll go in October or November before it gets too cold.

But really, is there anything more magical than the East Coast during Fall? The changing leaves, the historic buildings and town squares, the everything. Last fall we visited Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and it was spectacular. I can't wait.

The Bug is under control for now.

Like a Monet

How about those lily pads, right? I can see how Claude Monet was so inspired. While in LA over the weekend, I spent the day at the Huntington Gardens with two friends. One of those friends I've known for a while, and one of those friends I met that day. The new friend took these pictures. We talked about our obsession with all things Sherlock Holmes, all things Arrested Development, and all things dessert. We had a tea party at the Tea House at the gardens, and I tried caviar for the first time. And I loved it. It was sweet and crunchy and delicious. And don't even get me going on the dill havarti I ate (I say "ate," but I should say inhaled). And the mint-cucumber cream cheese sandwiches. And the pinkest lemonade I've ever seen. The only herbal tea they had was Mandarin Orange Rooibos, so that's what I had. It was divine. Call me Tea-Party Tess from now on. I think I know what I want to do for my birthday now. 

Summer Musts

Must pink lemonade

Must kettle corn

Must bike

Must paddle board

Must read

Must tan

Must blond

Must family

Must swim

Must Yellowstone

Must graduate

Must job

Must husband

Must hike

Must barbeque

Must citronella candle

Must girl's camp

Must paint

Must farmer's market

Must craft 

Must water ski

Must temporary tattoo

Must fireworks

Add your musts in the comments, or leave a link to your "must posts."

Massive giveaway

There's a huge giveaway going on over at 5OhWifey that you need to go enter! You can win all kinds of gift cards, ad space, accessories and more!

Light Box Photography

I'm loving my new Scrabble tile necklace from Home Studio! 

Barnes and Noble with Conrad is one of my favorite things to do. We browse our favorite sections (Conrad's are business and computers, mine are crafting and home design) and grab stacks of books that interest us. Then we just find a cozy spot and sit next to each other and delve into our books. Occasionally we'll reach over and touch hands, then go back to our own worlds. 

Last week, one of the books I read was on photography tips. It showed a bunch of different techniques and positions for featuring scenes, products, models, and props. I wish I had bought that book. 

One thing that stuck with me was making a light box. It's super easy and cheap, and it helps you get a really even light for whatever product you're featuring. Here's how to make a light box.

You'll need:

White paper of preferred transparency. If you want minimal light to come through, use cardstock, for more light use regular paper, and for most light use parchment or wax paper.

Scissors

Art blade

Tape (or glue)
Long strip of regular white paper, or two pieces, attached. I used 2 pieces, but you can kind of see the "seam," so I'd recommend using long paper if you have it.

Using the art blade, cut off the top flap and two side flaps. Also cut out a rectangle on the top and sides of the box. Tape the parchment to the outside of the box as shown above. Attach the long strip of paper to the back of the inside of the box, and allow it to flow forward. 

When taking pictures, place in an area of ample light and position the object where the paper is flat, not slanted. Shoot away!

And now you're just one step closer to having more professional pictures!

I love my kitchen in the morning

It's the only time of day when light streams in like this. I put some green onions in a cup of water, and the glass reflects prism light onto the counter. Even my dirty dishes look special in this light. 

Packing for any kind of trip

This Thursday, I'm going to LA to visit my family and I'm staying until Tuesday. When I get home on Tuesday, I'll have less than a day to get everything ready for girl's camp, which I leave for on Wednesday. To keep myself sane and make this crazy 2 weeks as smooth as possible, I'm working now to get everything organized and in order. 

Here's how you can efficiently pack for any kind of trip, whether it's a long weekend only a couple hours away, or a two-week trip to Europe. 

1. Decide what you'll need based on your itinerary. If you know what kinds of activities you'll be doing, it will be easier to decide what you need - and what you don't need. Write down a list so you don't overpack. 

On Wednesday at girls camp, I know we'll be hiking, so I know I'll need tennis shoes, leggings, a t-shirt and a hat. On Friday in LA, we're going to Six-Flags, so I know I'll want to wear comfortable shoes and clothes that will stay cool. 

Also, don't be afraid to reuse certain things. Jeans, skirts, sweaters, and other clothes can be used more than once. Plan to wear things more than once, and you'll save a lot of suitcase space. 

2. Choose the appropriate luggage. You should pack only what you can carry, and even then, assume that you'll have to do some actual "lugging." For girls camp, I've picked a sturdy backpack and a small duffle to hold all my stuff. For LA, I'm packing for 2 people, so I'm using a carry-on and a large tote, plus my own purse. 

If you're taking a plane, ALWAYS pack in a carry-on. Every passenger is allowed one carry-on piece of luggage, plus a personal item (opt for a large purse or backpack). Most airlines make you pay to check bags, so if you use a carry-on, you'll save at least $50, plus you won't have to wait for your luggage when the plane lands. PS: If all of the carry-on compartments in the plane are full, they'll check your bag for free, since you went with a small piece of luggage. 

4. So you've chosen what you're going to pack and what you're going to put it in. Now you need to fit it all in the bags. Here's the key. Fold. If you plan what you're going to bring, and you fold it, you'll never have to sit on your suitcase to close it.

• Try rolling your t-shirts to save space. 
• Use all the compartments available.
• Put all your toiletries in a common bag or compartment. If anything leaks or opens, keeping them in a sealed, waterproof bag will protect your clothes. 

5. Here's a list of travel tips or items commonly forgotten.

For camping:

• Hoodie sweatshirt
• Bugspray and sunscreen
• Hat or visor
• Extra socks or underwear

For plane travel:

• Light scarf that can also be used as a wrap for the plane ride. Sometimes it gets cold.
• Sandals. My feet swell from plane pressure, so I like to wear open shoes on plane rides.
• Pair of socks. Like I said, it gets a little cold, so your bare feet may want a little warmth.
• Magazines, word puzzles, books, candy.

For a weekend getaway or road trip:

• Scarf is helpful again, for the car ride.
• Swimsuit. You never know if your hotel will have a pool that you want to take a dip in.
• Books on tape/disc. 
• A small pillow to lean on in the car. 

Hope this helps you on all your summer getaways! If I forgot anything, leave it in the comments.

New blog design!

I'm sure you've noticed that I got a face-lift. Well, a cyber-face-lift. Nicole over at Living with Fletch did the honors, and you won't even believe how reasonable it was! She's giving away a blog design over at her blog, so you'll need to go enter that right away.

Click here to go over to her blog and enter!

If you don't win, you can get the whole package for $20 if you buy within 10 days of the winner announcement! TWENTY!

Go now. Better your blog.

White T-shirt Wednesday

Hey there White T-shirt,
Thanks for making my arms look super tan in comparison to you.

Hey there size 2 jeans from high school,
Thanks for fitting today. It made my day when I was able to easily close the button without a heinous muffin top. Also, you're too long, so I go for the extra large cuff which turns you into ankle pants.

Hey there wedding ring,
You're the only accessory I need. I sure love the guy who bought you. And I sure love how nontraditional you are.

HERB CREAM CHEESE

Remember how I love sandwiches? And I posted this fancy recipe? Well, sometimes, a three-ingredient sandwich is even more satisfying than a ten-ingredient sandwich.

Conrad and I went to the movies last night, and instead of spending money on eating out, I packed us a little picnic and snuck it into the theater. I made sandwiches with herbed cream cheese, turkey, spinach, and cucumber, and I packed apples and baby carrots to munch. And that was the third meal I ate yesterday involving this herb cream cheese. Third.

Here's a delicious recipe for the best cucumber cream cheese sandwich you'll ever have.

Herbed cream cheese:
1 16 oz. container of cream cheese (I use nonfat), softened
Stir in
1 Tbsp of herbes de Provence or other Italian dried herb mixture
1/2 to 1 tsp of garlic salt

That's really all you need! You can add other seasoning if you like it (minced onion is good, as is parsley and dill). Spread on a bagel or on any kind of sandwich. Pictured above is toasted bread with the cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber. So simple, so delish. For a more elaborate CCC sandwich, add other veggies like lettuce, tomato, sprouts, and onions, and some turkey or low sodium ham.

You'll thank me. In the comments.

Purple Sunday

Yesterday just felt like a sunny, springy day that deserved a lightweight floral piece. I took this old staple, and instead of tucking it into my navy pencil skirt, I tied a little knot.

We're heading up to LA this weekend for a visit with my family, and I'm going to stay a little longer after Conrad leaves so I can visit with some old friends that I haven't seen in a while. I'm planning some really awesome activities for myself and my friends.

Visit the Huntington Library.
See a movie.
Get a massage.
Go to fabulous restaurants.
Go on a low-budget shopping spree.
Go to a tea house.

It's going to be marvelous. Now all I need to do is clean my house, pack, and do TONS of homework by Thursday. Woohoo for busy weeks!

Happy Father's Day

The day this was taken, I had just gotten done playing tennis with my mother-in-law. We were meeting my father-in-law Dan and his brother, Conrad's Uncle Todd, for lunch. I walked through the trees and emerged into the backyard, and this is how they were. They yipped and yelled in their funny hats, and showered me with words of love. "Tess, babe, how are you?" and "Hey, Sweetie, let's share a sandwich." Never would I have imagined I'd have such a loving family-in-law. Dan is like a real dad for me, and he's always treated me like a daughter, not an in-law. Here are some favorite things about my dads.

Dan:
Loves to work. Loves soda in bulk, like I do. Wears a hilarious farmer-type hat when he's outside. Paints a room faster and more precisely than anyone I've ever seen. Is very frugal. Will never be fat, ever. His dream would be to buy an old plantation home in the South and spend his time fixing it up. Can build anything.

My own dad:
Also loves to work. Loves complex flavors in food. Was a body builder in his thirties. Loves to be in the sun [I have memories of him gardening outside in a swimsuit, stopping every so often to take a dip in the pool or to put some more lemon juice in his hair]. Loves to travel with my mom.

Sugar Free Blueberry Muffins

I made these muffins tonight, and they turned out really good! I substituted Truvia for sugar and plain Chobani yogurt for oil, and while those things cut major calories and fat (and obviously sugar), they changed the texture slightly. Rather than being soft and crumbly like a regular muffin, I would describe them more like a sweet, sort of chewy bread. 

Here's what you need: 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup truvia or other sugar substitute

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup milk (to cut extra calories and fat, use nonfat)

2 Tbsp plain nonfat Greek yogurt (I used Chobani)

1 large egg, beaten

1 1/4 cup fresh blueberries

Makes 12 muffins.

Line cupcake tin with liners, and then spray with cooking spray. 

Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and yogurt. 

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and add the wet mixture. Stir until just moist. DO NOT OVERSTIR OR YOUR MUFFINS WILL BE LIKE ROCKS! Fold in the fresh blueberries. 

Fill muffin cups and bake for 18-20 min. or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and use within 2-3 days. 

They're really tasty, even if the texture is different. You wouldn't guess by the flavor that there isn't any sugar in them! 

The world of baking has suddenly become a friend instead of a foe! Click here to order truvia on amazon. It's awesome as a replacement for anything you would use sugar in. Add it to tea, plain yogurt, oatmeal, use it in baking, or whatever!

The figurative Heimlich, brought on by a pool day

While these two kiddos played in the pool, I basked in the...shade. I didn't have a swimsuit and wanted to avoid a farmer tan, so under the umbrella I sat. I had a wonderful, rare, long conversation with my brother Ryan over the phone. Aren't those unexpected talks great? 

Studies have shown that speaking on the phone to someone you love significantly reduces stress. But emailing or texting doesn't. Which means that it's the voice. The familiar voice. It's like a hug from far away. A hug that performs the Heimlich maneuver on you, and all your worries and stress and sadness come flying out of your mouth in a big wet wad. 

So thanks, Ryan, for giving me a proverbial emergency squeeze. I needed it. 

A Weight-Loss Limerick

There once was a girl who was chubby.

She cried and she said to her hubby,

"I've tried this and that but I'm still just as fat."

So they calmed her sad feelings with grubby.

She realized one day: it was diet.

So she just decided to try it.

The pounds came right off and no more would she scoff

Down bad food. She will grill it, not fry it.

No More Muffin Top

I'm sure you've noticed that several of my recent posts have been about healthy meals, snacks, and workout routines. I've taken the initiative to get my body to it's healthiest, most productive state (and if that means I'll look better than I've ever looked before, so be it).

I've started another blog called No More Muffin Top. It documents the food I eat, the workouts I do, and the progress I make, as well as things I do to stay motivated. Of course there's lots of self-mockery, because what would a blog my Tess Frame be if she weren't almost constantly making fun of herself?

As the picture suggests, there is no "After" just yet. I've made pretty great strides in just three months, so come follow along and get inspired to get healthy! Click on the picture to get to the blog. 

A new direction: back to basics

I've been feeling a little in the dumps about this blog lately. It started out as a creative outlet, something I did for myself, for expression. I question myself a lot lately. I obsess over losing or gaining followers. I begin wondering why I'm not satisfied with the amount of followers I have.

Am I not pretty? Fashionable? Funny? Thin? Talented? Am I a bad writer? Is my content not specific enough for any one audience?

And I finally came to this conclusion: I am enough. I shouldn't need that kind of validation to be happy.

I've turned this blog into a source of revenue. I write because I think it's what readers want to see, rather than writing what's in my heart. I've researched other "successful" blogs and tried to emulate their style and focus. I've become ingenuine, which is my worst nightmare.

I won't lie. I love that people read what I say. I love that some people find me interesting.

But I realized that no amount of money, no amount of followers could make me happy. What makes me happy is impact. If I help or touch people, I have done more than if I make a million dollars (which I certainly have not). So until further notice, in an effort to regain my true-ness, I will no longer be pushing for sponsoring or having sponsors. I may go back to it in the future, but for now, I'm taking it easy. This blog is not about money, and it is not about amount of followers. 

It is about writing. Documenting my family's milestones, big and small. Saying what I like. Saying what I don't like. Posting things for my own remembrance, and for the benefit of those who want to see. This will be a place of sharing and a place of personal growth. I hope you stay and read and grow and share and learn.

Pressure's off. Back to basics.

Neon Love Affair

Today I had a freaking delicious breakfast of grapefruit sprinkled with truvia. I don't like to eat grapefruit in halves with a spoon. I prefer to peel them like you would an orange, or cut in wedges. I feel like I get a lot more of the fruit eating it that way.

Afterwards, I went for a brisk walk with a friend on the lagoon trail by my house. I wore my favorite bright orange tank and some black shorts so I could get some sun. It was pretty overcast, so we didn't get really hot, but we kept a consistently quick pace, so our muscles stayed pretty warm. 

I've noticed that as I get tan, I look more fit, even if I'm not as thin. My new motto is "If you can't tone it, tan it." Just kidding. But really.