little of this, little of that
May 7th, 2008 @ 11:56 pm | miscellany | Post a CommentSome weeks I get three-fifths in and can barely fathom stringing together two sentences on this blog. This week is one of those weeks. To be honest, my mental energy has been spent in other places. But I figure I can at least take time for a useless brain dump here on the old blog.
Thing One: I’d like you to be sitting down when I introduce you to my most favoritest new blog in a long time. Are you sitting? Okay, good. It is called Swistle: Baby Names, and the content is just that: All baby names, all the time. Real scenarios and honest answers. I freaking love it. This blog is either going to make me want babies as soon as tomorrow, or help me hold off the desire by living vicariously for several more years. Either way, it’s glorious. Go check it out, but do come back again soon!
Thing Two: I think I need to go into the custom framing biz. What a freaking racket. I like to support local businesses and all, but knowing that custom framing is pretty pricey, we went to Michael’s tonight with two items for framing and a “60% off entire order” coupon hoping for a bargain. We picked a very basic frame and no matte. The total, AFTER THE DISCOUNT, was something like $340 dollars. Oh Ma Gah. Are you serious?! When I had a coronary at the counter, the guy tried to point out what a great deal I was getting because the original price was more than $800. Which is when I had a second coronary, because is it possible that people pay that much to frame two items in a very basic setting? At Michael’s?!?! And if so, like I said, I really need a piece of this biznass for myself.
(And now I am going to pretend that expenditure never happened because, frankly, I’d like to keep my last remaining brain cells. From now on we are hanging unframed art. Raw art. I dunno what to call it, but I am going to start this trend and it’s going to sweep the nation.)
(EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS.)
Moving on.
Thing the Third: I have a really fabulous outfit for Thursday’s Mission: Put Together. And I am still going strong on WW thanks to all the blogger friends doing it with me. In a sick way, I hope that my super cute outfit no longer fits me in six to eight weeks.
Numero Quatro: Yesterday I did a photo walking tour of my stroll through DC, starting downtown and ending up down on the Mall near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Would you like to see it? Narrated, of course. Highlights include a photo of a bench. You see, I meant to snap a photo of a hot guy running on the mall with his shirt off, but my camera clicked too slowly, and so you get a bench. On second thought, maybe this photo essay is a horrible idea.
Five: Here’s a confession. I love the new Miley Cyrus song. Yeah, I do. Have you heard it? I can’t decide whether I should be ashamed or if I should sing it from the rooftops? Please discuss.
Aaaaaaaand, I’m spent. Seriously, thank you for not giving up on me even when my brain is made of oatmeal.
I like the idea of Raw Art.
Go with it!
written by Janssen
May 8th, 2008 @ 12:03 am
Okay, I would’ve totally resisted that frame. Because I am cheap!
I like your put together outfits. I would feel like a real dag though.
written by alyndabear
May 8th, 2008 @ 2:24 am
Oh framing is a scam. It really isn’t hard to expensive to do, my mother-in-law is an artist and does her own matting and framing. Once you buy the cutter is it totally cheap and quick and there are tons of stores online that sell cheap frame/matting.
written by rachel
May 8th, 2008 @ 7:16 am
Ouch - custom framing! I can’t understand why it is so pricey? I’ve tried to justify it in the past - but it’s just blocks of wood for the most part. It shouldn’t cost that much!!
written by Laurie
May 8th, 2008 @ 7:50 am
No matter how much money you saved, $340 is still a chunk of change. No, thank you. This is how I feel about buying sheets and curtains. They are rectangles of fabric. Standard rectangles! Give me a freaking break, people!
I can’t wait to see your MPT outfit!
written by RA
May 8th, 2008 @ 8:24 am
Oh the frames. We had our college diplomas done all at once because we figured we needed something to show for our student loans. But like a bunch of idiots we waited until we had three (two for husband, one for me) so that his two would be the same frame and look nice hanging in his office.
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
We did ours at Joann’s and I am a jackass and wanted a double mat with a beveled edge under the first mat. He got some freaking wood that crazy expensive. We payed almost $600 for three, with a buy two get one free coupon.
It’s a racket I tell you. A racket.
written by Stephanie
May 8th, 2008 @ 8:46 am
Love the baby name blog!
When I was little I got a baby name book at a used book sale and used to go through it (weekly? monthly? I can’t remember, but there were many lists) and write a name down for each letter of the alphabet, for both a baby boy and baby girl.
I don’t know what it is about your blog, but it gets me to confess to all my weird childhood habits!
written by Jackie
May 8th, 2008 @ 8:51 am
remember that tacky gum adhesive stuff you used to hang your posters…in college? yeah, use that. because framing is some expensive biznass.
the mistah and i bought an oversized print from an exhibit we saw in montreal on our honeymoon. i finally had it framed for our 5th anniversary…and HOLY CRAP that shizz cost me over $500, and the frame was PLASTIC.
also, i’m glad you admit to being sucked into that whole miley cyrus song. it’s CATCHY.
(and finally, i LOVE this template. and i’m desperate for a new template. my blawg hates me. truly.)
written by liz
May 8th, 2008 @ 9:03 am
i would have had a heart attack if i had a frame that rung up at that price. i just can’t understand one costing that much AFTER a discount. oh, and i love that miley cyrus song too. i didn’t know it was her at first (i know, i’m dumb), and i was singing along, and i felt like a dork when i found out, but i don’t care now. i think it’s catchy.
written by cady
May 8th, 2008 @ 9:32 am
There was a period of about two weeks when I could NOT stop listening to that Miley Cyrus song and was so ashamed! The one comfort I had was knowing I was not alone (because I spread the pain around to my friends, mwhahahaha), so this is the same comfort I will offer you - YOU’RE NOT ALONE!!
written by lengli
May 8th, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Do you have a Hobby Lobby in the area? If so, get thee to it next time you want to frame something. And do it yourself. I bought a huge (like 3 ft by 2 ft), wooden frame (they are 50% about half the time) for $50 and then just spray painted it the color I wanted. I didn’t need glass for what I was framing, which is the expensive part - get it from a home improvement store or glass shop instead.
For smaller things (11 x 14 or less), I buy the frame from the regular picture frame section (spending less than $20), then have them cut me a mat to size for less than $10. I did this for our diplomas and it cost me less than $50 to do both.
There is no. way. in. hell. I would spend that kind of money on framing.
Also, I too dig the Miley Cyrus song. My friends have been known to blast it while jumping around at girls’ nights.
written by Charise
May 8th, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Love that Miley song. And when I just opened the link to Youtube, Aiden started dancing up a storm. He luvs him some Miley.
The frames? That is just highway robbery! I don’t think I could ever pay a couple hundred dollars for this. I is cheap.
p.s. When did I decide that bad grammar is cute?
written by Kelly
May 8th, 2008 @ 10:35 am
$800? Oh my goodness. For two frames. That is crazy talk.
written by Erin
May 8th, 2008 @ 10:46 am
oh man, I TOTALLY KNOW about the custom framing thing. Sick, isn’t it? If you have a mitre saw (they are so NOT hard to use) you can make your own frames really easily. (I’ve never done it because I haven’t needed something odd-sized, but if I did: I would totally make my own.)
Also, no shame in having guilty pleasures songs.
hehe
written by Jen
May 8th, 2008 @ 10:49 am
I have framed a lot of things in my life. And unless you are framing something really large and choosing very expensive materials, there is no reason for it to cost that much. Sounds to me like Michael’s is charing an arm and a leg for a service they probably shouldn’t offer (as in, they don’t do enough of it to make it cost effective). Gah is right!
written by Nilsa S.
May 8th, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Holy hell. $800??? Seriously?
written by elise
May 8th, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Why did I not know about this Mission: Pulled Together thing? I wonder when the next one will be. Your outfit from yesterday is really cute, by the way.
And Janet, even with only 5 brain cells to work with, this was a great, entertaining post. (Not that you only have 5 brain cells, of course!)
Yeah, I hear ya on custom framing. Such a rip.
written by Chiada
May 8th, 2008 @ 11:20 am
I know what you mean about framing, it’s ridiculous! I framed two drawings a friend made for Lily’s room before she was born and it was $175!!!!!
written by ambitiousmrs
May 8th, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Should I be ashamed for telling you that that song isn’t new at all and I have been rocking out to it on my iPod (yes, I paid for the song) for months? Well, if it’s wrong I don’t want to be right.
We just had a streak of custom framing. It’s abusive…every time I go in there with my 60% off coupon I think I will get a great deal, and it’s ALWAYS higher than my “bottom line” estimate. I always think…who the hell gets things framed WITHOUT a coupon??
written by Erika
May 8th, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
I found the baby names site a few weeks ago, and I’m hooked on it, too. I think it’s part of the reason I’m already hammering out names for baby number two before he/she is even conceived.
Also, I rock out to that Miley song, too. It’s okay.
written by Frema
May 8th, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
My out-of-control hormones and I are certain to love the baby names blog. (Sad!)
Framing IS ridiculous. WHY?
written by Laurel
May 8th, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
I can’t believe people would pay $800 to get something framed?! Gah! That’s ridiculous.
And two, I freaking love that Miley song. I even went so far as to buy it on Itunes, I’m ashamed I admit it. But it’s sooooo good.
Thirdly, the baby name site, so fun. Probably not good to look at since I’m not having a baby any time soon, but ah, it’s fun to look.
written by katelin
May 8th, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
I love that outfit! I have been drooling over jackets for months now but haven’t gotten any. Now that I see how cute they are, my credit card is out.
Also, yes, I love that Miley Cyrus song. My gym plays it and I have had to stop myself several times from singing out loud.
written by Celia
May 8th, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Yeah, we recently had 3 small prints framed–they were all around 5×7, but too big or small to fit in a standard frame–and it cost about $300. And that was with the 50% off Michaels coupon!
Ugh, ridiculous!
And I love that Miley Cyrus song. I remember when I was still learning the lyrics, I couldn’t figure out what she was saying after “My best friend Leslie says…”. When I realized it was a Miley song, I was already about a month into loving the song and it was too late to go back!
written by Wickedly Scarlett
May 8th, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
I had a HUGE Chinese tapestry framed at this little place on Penn SE with mat and everything, and it was $600. I can’t believe Michael’s is more than that!
written by Jen
May 8th, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
And that is why my best friend May bought her own mat cutter. She does my stuff for me. It’s WAY cheaper and just as cute.
(I keep telling her she needs to go into business doing it…but she says she doesn’t have time.)
written by isabel
May 8th, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks for sharing the naming blog. Can you believe someone actually was thinking about naming their unborn child “Major”???
written by Leanbean
May 8th, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
1. I am obsessed with names AND babies! Thanks for turning me on to this…I’m sure that I will be checking it often!
2. What. The. Hell. $800?! There HAS to be a better way.
3. I am way too chicken and sloppy to participate in the MPT challenge. I am not, however, too chicken to check out everyone’s fabulous outfits!
4. Now I am curious to see these pictures, bench and all. Bring them on!
5. I haven’t heard it, and am sort of afraid that if I do, it will worm its way into my brain and I will never be free of it. That’s a legitimate concern, right?
written by Megan
May 8th, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Um…I just went to that Baby Names blog and read for like an hour. It’s so addicting!! And I’m not planning on having babies any time soon…I’m not even married!!
written by Allison
May 8th, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
Thing #2- this is why I’m glad my husband is a very talented woodworker. Frames all over the damn house for next to nothing. No way I would ever be able to justify $800 for two frames!
LOVE the baby name blog. Now I have another thing to read…
written by jen
May 8th, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
The song is very catchy, that’s for sure. I heard it a few times before I knew it was her. Once I found out it was being sung by a 15-year-old I was kind of ashamed of myself, but I don’t turn it over when I hear it on the radio.
written by Zandria
May 8th, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
OMG. I should hate you for getting me addicted to that website. But I don’t. It’s fabulous.
Also, totally addicted to that Miley song. Have even rolled down the windows, cranked it up and sung along.
written by Brie
May 8th, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
There is a place near my apartment that is a “Do it Yourself” Framing place…
It’s a CASH COW.
written by Julie
May 8th, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Jeez, I’ve gotten things custom-framed before at the local businesses and never had it cost that much. How large were the items you got framed?
If you like Mylie, check out this appreciator video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6D4TQ3KQW0
written by Alex
May 9th, 2008 @ 8:06 am
About framing: I KNOW RIGHT????? I have a bunch of things I bought that need to be framed, and I am going to have to wait UNTIL I AM A GAZILLIONAIRE, because OMG!!
written by Swistle
May 9th, 2008 @ 9:01 am
Thing One: I’ve been reading that website for a few months now, and I’m hooked. We think we’ve found a girl name for next time, but we’re still working on a boy name. I don’t know how we’ll top Oliver…
Thing Two: We had to buy a custom frame for a watercolor/ink piece that we bought off a street artist in Hungary because it was a very odd size. I got it from AmericanFrame.com, using their measuring guide, and it fit perfectly. It was about half the price that we would have paid at Michael’s!
Thing the Third: I love your outfits. You always dress really really cute. We must go shopping together when I move to DC.
Congrats on the WW success too!!
Numero Quatro: Speaking of DC, I’d *love* to see your photo tour, since we’re planning to move there!
Five: I haven’t heard it yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time…
written by Melissa
May 9th, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
I am always shocked and appalled at the cost of custom framing. It’s the reason next to nothing on our walls is framed.
I would love to see the photo essay. Pictures like the bench picture are going to be what makes it so entertaining.
written by Audrey
May 9th, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
I love the baby naming blog! I only wish that they’d post what the baby was actually named! So interesting to see what people are naming their kids and to know that apparently I did an awful thing by naming my children with the same first initial.
It so wasn’t on purpose.
Someone else suggested Hobby Lobby for your framing needs. If you have one, they are pretty good. I had a picture framed (11×14 picture) for less than $100, frame included.
written by Kristin
May 12th, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I don’t even know if Le Husband and I are going to have kiddos, ever, but I LOVE talking about/reading about/thinking about baby names. It’s a sickness, I swear, but I can’t help myself.
And a hearty amen! to energy expended in myriad other places = less posting. I have been there as of late, too.
written by Kerri Anne
May 12th, 2008 @ 3:32 pm