Disney Adventure Time

Long time, no blog.



I don't even know where to start.

A few months ago, I applied to a job with Disney to work for the Creative Costuming Department - Buying and Sourcing Fabric as an Assistant Costume Buyer. A handful of interviews later, lots of sleepless nights, and lots of anticipation later. I got the job!

If anyone knows me, they know that Disney has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.

There's a picture of me from when I was little - wearing a red Mickey polo, grinning from ear to ear like a wild bandit, and wearing a "Disney imagineering" badge...

I mean, I guess I've come a long way since that first picture was taken. Including my Mother's sense of style (hint: please look at the buttons glued to that light-switch cover). I suppose you could say that I get my creative side from my genetics ;) It's in my blood, man. Button infested light-switch covers and all. Thanks Ma.  Gosh those bangs are glorious works of art in themselves. *facepalm*

To say I'm excited is an understatement. 

You see, I've been working my tail off the past year-and-a-half at my job as a Men's Assistant Activewear buyer and I've come such a long way -- it was totally bittersweet to give my two weeks on Monday.  I am overflowing with excitement for my new job, but at the same time, it makes me terrified to leave a job behind with the fact that I was going to be promoted in less than 45 days. But guess what? You'll never know if you don't take the plunge. 

Needless to say, I can't wait to move to Anaheim, CA and start my journey by the end of this month.  I found a roommate on Facebook and I can't wait to live in her gorgeous condo with her.

Sometimes you just have to quit your job, sell everything and start from scratch. It's the most freeing feeling in the entire world to know that I get to start over and do what I wanted to do years ago.

You see... when I was a Senior in college, I applied to be in the Disney College Program and I got in. That's right.  I was supposed to move to Florida with the white sandy beaches and the everlasting sun. 

>> This was the final Spring Term of college, and I had planned on never returning. But.. 

Life got in the way, and I made some .. choices to stay because of a boy, and guess what?  I really don't recommend doing that. Dreams beat boys any day. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

Next Friday, I'll be jumping for joy as I prepare for the next chapter in my life.
My Disney Adventure.

xoxo
P.

DIY Container Garden

I have found that the older I get, the more focused I get on the weirdest tasks or ideas. First it was crochet, then it was baking, now it's growing herbs. Look out world.. old lady Paige coming through.

All joking aside, I love the idea of growing my own plants and herbs. This idea came to me one day - simply because I love adding fresh herbs to my meals, but they ALWAYS go bad in the fridge when I buy them from the store and don't use them fast enough.

Now... a little back story about my black little thumb... I have killed every single house plant I've ever owned. Yes.. even the two cactuses that I joked about DIED. How does one kill a cactus you ask? I have no idea. I blame Ikea. I think it was defective. RIP cacti. 

Anywho.. so here we are. Once again crossing my fingers my plants don't wilt and disintegrate. I planted Basil first because apparently it's the heartiest to plant, and the easiest to keep alive. Yes, I laughed at that too when I read it online.. and then I got some Oregano seeds and went wild with those. Next came Rosemary, and then I decided wildflowers would also be fun.

Now let me also just say that I live in the city, on the 17th floor, and that means I can't run around in overalls outside gardening, and hoeing all day. Ok I just wanted to say hoeing because it made me giggle. BUT that just means I get to container garden. The old lady in me just jumped for joy.

Have you even looked at container gardens on Pinterest before? SWOON.

If you haven't, I highly suggest it. Unless you have things to do. Then I don't suggest it. Because Pinterest is a major time-suck and I'm totally ok with that.

Just look at these creative ideas:

Link from Pinterest

Link from Pinterest 

Link from Pinterest

Link from Pinterest

Needless to say, the sky is the limit with these adorable little container gardens! My teeny tiny garden is small, and maybe not quite as cool as these, but still really fun and mighty.

.. and knock on wood.. I haven't killed too many yet... Yes, too many. Two containers I did throw away, but I still have 7 that are alive and kickin! That is a success I would say.

 Okay so lets get started on creating the container garden of your dreams!
First get some cheap-o planters. These came from Winco. Yes I got these at a grocery store. Sue me.

I loved the texture and the shape, but the color was too boring for me so I picked up some spray paint from Wally World -- Make sure you get spray paint that sticks well to plastic (it will say so on the spray can), but if you have some spray paint lying around somewhere - use that! That's totally fine.

Here is the spray paint I used -- Rust-oleum has great coverage. It only took me two coats to cover my planters!

Then you're going to want to lay down some cardboard or some paper so you don't get spray paint on your balcony.. or the ground.. or on yourself for that matter. Comprende?

Let your container dry for a few hours in between coats to make sure your paint doesn't peel off. Once it's dry, you can fill it with dirt aka soil and whatever seeds or plants your little heart desires!

Then -- I got really excited when I realized I could use some of my chalkboard spray paint I found at Walmart to paint these weird little containers I found at Target that were on sale for like 40 cents. Booyahhh. 

My little balcony garden 

Look how adorable these turned out! I found these little cups at Target in the kid's kitchen area for really cheap. They were a HIDEOUS color before I painted them, and I'm so happy with the result! I probably should have drilled holes in the bottom for drainage, and I still might do that, but my plants are growing so well right now -- I am beyond thrilled with my little project. Look at those happy little Herbs.

I've been really careful not to over-water these suckers. Next time I think I will drill holes and add some little vintage plates for them to sit on -- Which I still might do!

Happy Planting! Go wild :) 

xoxo

P.

Ps. Make sure you buy organic, non-gmo seeds. You want to have happy healthy plants that won't make you sick. Okay.. Carry on.

Where have I been?

You might be asking yourself where I've been and what I've been up to lately. 

Well friends, hectic is a word I'd like to use to describe the past few months of my life. Work has been so incredibly stressful and I can't wait until the end of February when things will slow down a little for me. 

Do you ever get that feeling that you're just surviving and trying to get through the week so you can enjoy the weekend? That's been my life lately.. and because of that, I decided it was time to start a new hobby and find something new I was passionate about.

SO... I present to you MY NEW STORE! I launched my Etsy site finally: GO LOOK>>> sparklepaige.etsy.com

 I could not be more excited in my entire life. Owning my own business has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I would sketch out store layouts of what my boutique would look like one day, and I would spend hours dreaming up names for my store and searching real estate sites for the best store locations. I kid you not.. I was 12 when I decided a boutique was my absolute dream.

I guess I should have known that going into college I would end up doing something fashion/clothes/business related ... Instead my path has been less than perfect, but that's okay. That's part of the journey.

I still have big dreams to open up a brick and mortar shop one day, but for right now my little etsy shop shall do just dandy.

Yesterday, I went to the thrift store and found soooo many cool treasures! I found lots of cool records, and I searched the bookshelves for hours for hard bound covers that had the best colors. 

I also scored some vintage bed sheets that I'd been eyeballing for two weeks - so I finally caved.

Thrift stores are my absolute weakness. I could find a use for every single item I pick up, I swear. 

Last week I found a cake ball maker. Did I need it? NO. Did I want it? Absolutely. So guess who has a new/old cake ball maker? You're looking at her!  4.99? Damn. What. A. Steal. 

Is that a giraffe, an elephant and some Kerr jars?? WTH. Don't ask.

Anywhooo... 

The rest of this weekend, I started organizing the rest of my things and started sorting through all my craft supplies that have slowly been accumulating. Old lady much? It's becoming a problem.

I'm a bit of a craft supplies hoarder.

You know that kid that was always stoked to get a brand new box of Crayola crayons and a fresh new watercolor palette and some funky erasers... you know that kid? That's me. Still to this day. If someone just wanted to make my day, they could buy me some brand new notebooks, some colored pencils.. any kind of Back to School necessity and I would be on Cloud nine. I've always been attached to art supplies and office supplies. I covet them. 

Needless to say.. I have a million new acrylic paints, pencils, watercolors etc. It's like a mid-life crisis where you revert back to your elementary school self with your Lisa Frank peachies. That's my life. Hmm.. I wonder if Ebay has any Lisa Frank??? BRB.

Anyways. I hope your weekend has been as old school as mine has been. I'm quite enjoying it actually.

Now I'm off to do some laundry and all the chores I dreaded as a kid that are now a necessity as an adult unfortunately. Bummer. 

xoxox

Sparkle Paige.

Pretty please go look at my store!! It's brand spankin new and I love my cute little headbands.

Also.. follow my shenanigans on instagram: instagram.com/sparklepaige

Leave a comment on one of my pics saying you read my bloggity blog blog. 

LOVE YOU GUYS.

Thank God for Google and a Screwdriver

Let me just paint a picture of perfection for you…

The washers and dryers in my apartment complex are the devil. I’m not even kidding.

You can put something in and hit cold water, and it comes out the size of American Girl Doll Clothing.. Kirsten style. She was always my favorite.

Anyways that’s just the start of it. If clothes can shrink on delicate in the washer.. even after surviving freshman year in the dorm's washers and dryers -- then there is something massively wrong with the world.

Don’t even get me started on the dryers that are so hot, your sheets come out smelling like singed hair and wet dog. No, I’m not joking. I only wish that I was.

So needless to say, I have to use my bathtub to do a lot of my delicate laundry, and this turns into quite the feat when you have as many clothes as I do.

Anyways.. As I’m soaking my sweaters, I realize that the water keeps looking a little low. I shrug it off and go about doing my other chores around my apartment. I go back into the bathroom and all the water has drained out of the tub without my knowledge. I fill it back up, and do another small load. Again it empties. Ughhh fine I’ll just put some Saran wrap over the drain, that’ll do the trick. It held for a little, but continued to drain. 

What the bleep is wrong with you - devil bathtub?

Being an engineer's daughter, I must find out what is causing this problem. I get out my screwdriver and unscrew the drain-trapper-thingy. Oh for the love of.. EWWW.. hair and conditioner that’s aged for centuries and turned into putrid slime covers the screw. Bleck. Bleck. Bleck.

I wash it all off and pour some Drano down the drain for good measure..

Then comes the googling. “Why is my tub draining even when it shouldn’t be??”

Ahh haw! It must be the linkages inside the wall.. so now I have to unscrew the other part of the bathtub. Okay I can do that... I now sound like a plumber. Thank you Google. 

So I get my screwdriver ready, and begin to lean under my clothes that are hang-drying, and dripping water.. when I say DRIPPING water, I mean giant globules of H2O. Not miniscule raindrops. Fricken monsoon.

Hmm.. Good thing I live in Oregon. I go and get my rain jacket and put it on. Kneeling down in the tub, with my rain jacket on, my hood up, and screwdriver in hand, I realize at this very moment that there is a reason I am single.

I’m just so damn handy, I don’t need no man. All kidding aside, I retreat to unscrewing the lever like it’s my job.

I pry the plate off, pull the linkages up, and the weight is still attached. Great. Nothing is wrong. Why the bleep did I take this apart in the first place? 

Maybe because a nice long bubble bath would be nice every once in awhile you know?

But let me tell you… the metal was brown and blue and the smell coming from the depths below was straight up putrid, my friend.

Nothing was wrong. Nothing. So now I have to screw the stupid thing back on and wash my hands of conditioner slime and old disgusting hair that's probably not even mine. I shiver to think.

There really is no moral to this story. Nothing learned - except that I have too much time on my hands and maybe a little ADD.

At least it’s perfect training for when I own my own home some day.. maybe.

Anyways.

Hope your weekend was better than mine.

I have another horrible date update in the works. Not as bad as the first date I shared, but just as awkward.

x o x o

P.

Weddings & Memories

My friend Morgan got married this weekend. Her dress was GORGEOUS and she looked so classy and elegant. We were in the same sorority together (Shout out to Kappa Delta). She married her high school sweetheart and I couldn't be happier for her. 

The table decorations were simple, and the industrial building was extraordinary. The bay windows lead way to the Portland city skyline, and I found myself gazing out the windows at a few of the famous PDX bridges while the world spun on, cars drove fast, and the sunset revealed the prettiest cotton candy pinks and purples I've ever laid eyes on. Needless to say, it really put things into perspective for me. Weddings and get togethers with friends have a funny way and making you re-examine your life.

{{Taking secret selfies so you can remember this moment later on.. and because whoever invented SnapChat was a super genius and I wish I had thought of it myself.}}

{{I didn't want to take my hair out after that night. It turned out so perfect. I loved it! Tutorial on my YouTube channel if you're interested }}

It's funny to me that just a year ago - I was learning (and fumbling) my way through the real world with my first real job, freshly out of college, going through a disastrous break-up, and thinking that my life was complete crap. There's few times in life when I look back and I think about everything that's ever happened to me. Do you have moments like that? It's so emotionally draining, and I don't suggest dragging up every helpless memory that you can think of, but I do it more often than I should.

Anyways.. last year really truly was one of my "Rock Bottoms" in life. I would say I've hit rock bottom twice, maybe three times in my life but that was definitely one of them.

I look at my life in perspective now, and I am so much happier, and so much healthier than I was a year ago. 

It's still difficult every day, but I know that it's better than where I was a year ago... and for that - I am so thankful.

My job might not be my dream dream job, but hopefully, it will help me get to where I want to be some day.

Just look back to who you were a year ago and compare that to who you are today.. I can almost guarantee that you are not the same person you used to be, and with that -- I leave you with the strength to carry on and do the things you always dreamed of doing - because life is a gift and you never know what kind of a person you will be a year from now. Do something today that future you would be proud of and smile about.

xoxo

P.

What the *BLEEP* is wrong with you...

So last night I went on a date... another blind date.. Why I keep putting myself through the awkwardness and nerves I'll never know. No pain no gain I guess.

Let me just start by saying this guy looked pretty normal.. if not slightly attractive. He had nice facial features, he wasn't morbidly obese, or older than my dad and he didn't smell bad. That's a good start right!? Wrong.

The more he talked.. the more I decided he had crazy eyes. Not the kind of crazy, staring into your soul kind of eyes - but the kind that makes your mind say "Run away he's cray!" I even found myself rocking back and forth just trying to pass the time and he kept asking me if I was cold. Nope not cold... just ready to run away.

He talked about his cat.. or cats.. multiple. singular. I don't know. RUN AWAY.

He was more aloof and in his own little bubble than the homeless men on the street.. which kept asking us if we could bum them a cigarette or help them open up a magical door... I kid you not.

Keep Portland weird.

I kept fiddling with my purse and trying to check the time... it has to have been more than an hour right? 10 minutes? GOD DAMMIT. Shut up so I can go home, put on my pajamas and watch food network while I scroll through Pinterest. Shut up. shut up. shut UP! #singlelife

Now let me just preface this by saying this is how the night started. Mystery date texted me and asked "Dive bar or Classy bar". I thought he was joking so I let him feel masculine and I said "You pick, surprise me!" Wrong. All Wrong.

Ladies, for the love of all that is right in this world. Pick the one you want. Don't let them pick.

When I arrived at the bar he had chosen... yep.. You guessed it. It was a shit-hole.

I mean, I guess if you let them pick it is very telling of how they treat their mothers and how they will treat you right? Reverse psychology? Yah.. Let them pick and then run away promptly if it's worse than a fraternity house on a Sunday morning. Just run the hell away.

I sat down and eagerly stuck my hand in what appeared to have the consistency of a loogie. Man.. from that moment I should have faked a stomachache.

This guy stared off into space and talked about nonsense for an hour. Never once did he ask me anything interesting and the amount of awkward silence was palpable.

I would ask him something like "How do you like your job" and he would answer "It's good.. I don't have mean bosses. I eat lots of hospital food." LONG SILENCE.

Me: Ohh that kind of sucks.. do you miss real food?
Him: No not really. Don't have to grocery shop.
SILENCE
Me: What did you do today?
Him: I went go-carting with Jeff.
...
Me: Who's Jeff?
Him: My good buddy.... *staring off into outer space*
...
Me: *Chugging my PBR so I can get the hell out*
Him: How was your day?
Me: *Thank god he finally asked me something* It was good! So glad it's Friday! Ready for the weekend.

Him: I had today off.. and all week pretty much.
Me: Oh that's cool! Doing anything fun with your other days off?
Him: Hanging out with Jeff.

 

At this point I decided he might be into his friend Jeff and I just better cut my losses. Yep.. that must be it. The only two things he's brought up are Jeff and his cats. RUN.

At this point I just faked being really tired.. yawning.. oh man I'm really tired I better get going. Childish, maybe but I was sick of staring at every passerby with a look of "Help me I'm dying" plastered all over my face.

He seemed indifferent and only slightly bummed.. asking me if I would catch a second wind..?

No sir. Not a second or a third or a forth wind. Never have I been so stoked to Food Network it up and scroll through Pinterest.

Next time just run far far away... Text SOS to a friend and have them save you. Cut your losses now before it's too late. If the conversation is worse than pulling teeth, and they are more aloof than a drugged up homeless person just cut your losses early.

That's my word of dating advice for you this weekend. Date on and be happy being single. You could be stuck with crazy eyes.

xoxo
P.

Ice Cream & Sunshine

This is my week recap so far... Since I don't have "real" weekends, today would be considered my Sunday, and tomorrow would technically be my Monday.. Are you thoroughly confused yet? Good me too. 

                               

So here's my happy little face in the sunshine... (#selfie?) It's okay. It's nice out so selfies are okay right? .. The sun doesn't shine much in rainy PDX BUT my "weekend" has been amazingly sunny and I got to go out on my balcony and sunbathe with my dog who is currently trying to sit on my computer while I type.. Stop it! 

                    

Wait.. I bet you wish you could lay that comfortably in the sun all day long. I know I wish I could! Churro my little chihuahua is so hilarious. He LOVES the light breeze and the sunlight beaming onto his back so he lays out on my balcony for hours when the rain decides to let up. 

This is him being a good little co-pilot while I ran my errands to Dutch Bros for coffee and then to Trader Joe's to get some fresh fruit and veggies for the week. 

Look at that little derpy face he's making. Such a happy co-pilot he is! Until he decides to climb on all facets of me while I'm trying to navigate a tight turn. He's great at timing. Let me tell you. Once I start to turn, he jumps into my lap and puts his paws with all his weight onto my arm so I have to support him and turn my steering wheel at the same time... If you need help with coordination while driving feel free to borrow my dog. He'll challenge your driving skills for sure.

This is him navigating our walk later.. such a good lil guy. Barking at everyone he sees *facepalm*. He embarrasses me by thinking he's the biggest dog in the world. 

THIS is the sunset from my run the other night. It was so breathtakingly gorgeous I had to stop and take a few pictures. Embrace the little things like sunsets in life. Just being outdoors really helps me stay balanced!

This is the proverbial "I'm almost done with my run" shot I took. Also, these are literally THE best running pants!..? is that a word.. workout pants?.. hmm.. anyways these are the best I've ever had! They are from the NIKE employee store and I love them! That's probably not helpful at all for those of you that really want to know what kind of NIKE workout pants they are.. If you ask I'll go look at the tags but at the moment I'm in the blogging zone soooo.. that'll have to wait :) 

But wait... after my run/walk I really wanted to make red velvet cupcakes.. but a healthier version so I used this recipe and made these DELICIOUS cupcakes. Seriously good stuff! I ended up using store bought cream cheese frosting, even though the cupcakes are Vegan.. Sue me. They're delicious. You won't regret making them. Well you will.. Once you eat 3 in one sitting. Then you'll give them all to your co-workers to scarf down while you watch, sadly. But then you can make some more. I promise. 

and then.. I felt guilty for making cupcakes so I chopped up a bunch of veggies, added some salt, pepper, olive oil and italian seasoning and popped them in the oven at 450 for 20 minutes. SO YUMMY. Now these you don't have to feel guilty about. Well maybe you do if you're me and you made "extra" veggies for the week and then you ate them all for dinner. Wait.. is there a pattern here? No never.. I don't have any problem eating my veggies.. or two servings of veggies. #yolo. Is that an appropriate use of that acronym?.. jk. but really. You only live once so eat your vegetables! :)

The next day I decided to run some hills.. Gotta make up for your cupcake addiction somehow.. ammiiright?. Mine included some Switchfoot (their new album is bomb) and of course some more shoe selfies.. because what says motivation/progress like stopping to take pictures of your feet and having everyone driving by stare at you like you're crazy. It's okay. I'm used to it. 

Speaking of running and being healthy and scarfing down cupcakes for dinner... Yesterday was free scoop day at Ben & Jerry's. There was a live band playing and everything.. and by band I mean these 50 year old men dressed in tie dye shirts got this sweet gig playing music to a line of hungry people who wanted free ice cream.. 

Woo! Ice Cream.. As you can see I eat fast. To be fair, it was melting! I got chocolate chip cookie dough. #yum.. Okay I promise I'll stop using hashtags. It's really obnoxious I know.

But look how delicious it looks. Round two anyone?

Then.. we decided to go to Buffalo Exchange *Swoon* I love that place. Sadly, this was all I found. I know you're probably thinking to yourself WTF is that.. Well, it's a badminton necklace and I thought it was cool.. Also, I partially bought it for my mom because she had these vintage birdies laying around our house.. or as my mom refers to them "Shuttlecocks".. My friend and I had a good laugh because of that word. I know I know it's potty humor.. Whatevs. still funny. I dare you to say shuttlecock without smirking. Not possible. 

Anyways! when I was visiting home last time, by dog decided to chew up my mom's vintage shuttlecocks.. Oops. To my defense they were made of real bird feathers (thus the name birdie for us modern folk). So.. Whoops. He ate it and I felt really bad. I found all the pieces of her antique lying under the dining room table and I run up to my mom and say, "I'm really sorry Churro ate this!" .. then my dad comes into the room and says, "What the heck was that?" and then I say, "Mom's antique birdie!".. My dad looks confused like he's never seen it in his life.. 

Bless his heart, he doesn't really notice things very often. Like when my mom paints or re-arranges the furniture. Most of the time he won't notice for months on end, and then one day, out of the blue he'll exclaim "When did we get this?!" or "Where did that thing go?" or "Has this always been this color?". Yup. That's my dad for yah. He's the type of person, that you say, "Hey, do you notice anything different about me?" (when you've just cut your hair differently) and he'll say something pithy like, "Yah, your face looks weird" or "Nope, you're still here". Okay thanks Dad. NEVERMIND. 

And that's my story for the day. A little recap of my life in pictures and words. 

xoxo

P.

OHHH Happy Friday

Raise your hand if you're happy it's Friday! (Raising all my hands and toes)... Even though I don't really get "real" weekends {I'm a manager in the retail world} **sigh**

It's okay though. I love fashion so it's worth it. Anywhooo this week has felt like the most colossal week EVER. I learned that I am being transferred to help manage another store that is at least a 40 minute commute away from where I currently live.. My current commute to work is give or take 5 mins... **another sigh** SO what does this mean? 

This means I shall be moving AGAIN for the 3rd time that I've lived in this beautiful city.. **enter yet another sigh** Moving is just all mess and no order. I hate having my life packed away into boxes. It's just sad and makes me want to throw everything in le dumpster out back. No joke. All my beloved Ikea furniture and cute Target throw rugs... all of it. 

I also hate moving because well.. it just plain sucks. You have to find a new place, pay all that money and then get reacquainted with new groceries stores, and gas stations, and Targets. Good 'ol Target. It's my trusty friend when I need a little retail therapy from working in the retail world. Ironic? Maybe a little bit. But that little red bullseye just makes me so darn happy.

SO moving will be soonish.. Still haven't worked all those details out, but the rest of my week was a whirlwind too. I tried to find ways to relax and keep my brain sane in all the changes that are happening. I went on a long walk the other day and it was GORGEOUS out. I also went on a run the other day... Whoa BAD idea. I've been trying to get over this head cold and I literally wheezed for hours after I got back from the worst 2 miles I've ever run. Whoops. My B. 

My bun decided to be a lil lopsided bun and wouldn't sit straight for the life of me. So I rocked it instead. 

I listened to some Mumford and Sons on my trusty lil record player while my dog barked at it for about an hour. He thought someone was in my room singing and it freaked him out. 

Anyways.. I work again tomorrow and Sunday, but Fridays always feel a little special for me. It's like the period at the end of a sentence. It's my reset day. I get to take a deep breath (and a few sighs) and reflect on my week. It's kinda nice.

This also leads me to my future thinking and goals. I don't think I'll be going back to school like I said in earlier posts.. I'm going to keep on trucking and make the best with what I've got. I'd rather build my real life skills and become great at something. Even if it takes a little longer and even though it might mean sacrificing a few weekends. 

I'm just going to pause for the little moments and the little joys in life a little more often. I think we all should. <3

So take a deep breath. It's all going to be okay..

xoxo

P.