I have moved!

I have moved my blog to wordpress... check out my new location at:

http://maunderingme.wordpress.com/

I'm really excited about my new look/new inspirations! Check it out.

Get Inked.

Although I am terrified of anything permanent, I eventually want to get a tattoo (hopefully sooner rather than later. tattoos on younger people are WAY more attractive). I've been thinking lately of getting a key hole on the back of my neck, right below my hairline. I also love dandelions and have considered getting a tattoo of them somewhere- the blowing seeds and suddenly ending stem make that one a little harder to find a suitable place for it, though. I DO love the behind-the-ear tattoos but am anti-cliche tattoos in that spot (in any spot, really) such as... oh... STARS (very cute... just dont want it, myself).

If you are considering getting a tattoo, I recommend you do your research. Find a tattoo artist in your area that has good reviews- get referrals from friends and people you meet who have tattoos that are similar to the style you are looking for. There are also some good websites that might lead you in the right direction (and have done the leg work/research for you and me). These websites include eHow.com, About.com, as well as tattoo blogs such as galadarling.com and needled.com.

Heck, if you're not sure if you want a tattoo,

take a quiz that may help you figure out if they are right for you (yes, its a little bit teeny-bopperish but may still help!) Or... get a henna kit and enjoy a longer term temporary tattoo! OR just have some fun with photoshop and add that tattoo anywhere you like- shock friends and family with the crazy body art they never knew you had (thats what this baby did... or DID he?!)!

Cook Like A Pro

At this point in my life, I am pretty much the worst cook ever. I definately have my specialties: scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, maybe some green beans- but ANYBODY can cook that kind of food. I would love to learn how to cook like a pro... or at least pretty well.

I know that the only real way to learn how to cook is to do it- I would love to sign up for a cooking class- maybe even make it a couples cooking class- how romantic :) I just think it would be great to be able to whip up an entire meal from scratch.

I think the first hurdle that I run across when even considering cooking is pretty crucial: I don't know how to grocery shop. I tend to buy everything that I need for one or two planned meals and then, once those meals are over, I'm stuck with nothing to "whip up" and another trip to the grocery store. I HATE the grocery store.

My second hurdle comes when I get so excited about stuff that I haven't bought in a while that those are sometimes the first to go. You just never know with me. One week I will crush a bag of baby carrots and the next week they will sit in my fridge rotting. On the rare occasion that I buy orange juice- its gone within days. Frustrating.

Anyway, I would love to learn to cook/grill before I die- hopefully WAY before I die for both me AND my boyfrien's sake (don't worry he's a great cook!). And I think that a cooking class would help. Find a cooking class near you! Or try WINNING a free one: click here!

Mimick Michelangelo

One of my favorite past times is to check out interior design ideas on websites and in magazines. Sometimes the room has a BEAUTIFUL mural (or at least some kinda design) painted on the wall. I definately want to do something like that in a room in my house (once I get a house). Or... maybe it's not a mural that I want exactly- I don't want an entire landscape scene taken out of a child's Mother Goose book, I would just like some pretty design whether it is a big tree silhouette or perhaps some dandelions (my favorite) or maybe something as simple as a headboard.

I even know someone who painted their dining room a dark, FLAT, purple and painted a vine/flower design over it with clear, SUPER SHINY, gloss... GORGEOUS!!!!! I think that's what I want to do.

Anyway, you may be thinking to yourself... "I don't have the skills/ability to paint a mural (no matter what the size) on my wall!" Have no fear! Art-o-Graph as well as many other companies sell projectors (maybe you can even get one from a local school swapping them out for "smart karts") that allow you to basically trace your entire image on your wall- making it flawless! LOVE IT!

Here is also a video series on how to create an entire wall mural if you so desire- perfect for a child's room or play room!

If you don't want a wall mural simply because it is too much work and way too permanent, perhaps you should try wall decals. There are PLENTY available online for surprisingly cheap. Just Google "wall decals" or look at cool websites such as Etsy.com.

10 Inches Is All it Takes--- of HAIR, you perv ;-)

I would LOVE to be able to donate some of my hair to Locks of Love before I die. Maybe even more than once. There are some questions/myths that I definately want to clear up for those of you who would even maybe SLIGHTLY consider donating your hair.

First of all, it is NOT true that you can't donate hair if it has been colored or permed hair. However, if your hair has been BLEACHED, Locks of Love is not able to accept it. This is because the bleach can cause "a chemical reaction that occurs during the manufacturing process."

If you are planning on shaving your head to give every last inch of your hair to Locks of Love, that is a very sweet idea but, semi-ineffective. Locks of Love asks that, instead, you bundle your hair into multiple pony tails (as close to your head as you can) and then cut off the chunks and shave as desired.

If you have dreds, you simply can't donate your hair... sorry. Buuuut.... I know for a fact that there are people out there that will actually PURCHASE your dreads! So have no fear! Your hair will still benefit someone- it just may be yourself!

It doesn't matter if your hair is layered, as long as it is at LEAST 10 inches long.

If you don't have long enough hair to donate (like... if you cut 10inches off, you'll look like G.I. Jane), you can still donate your hair to Locks of Love. "Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it still greatly helps to reduce costs." AND, if you don't want to cut your hair at all, you can still contribute to this great cause.

For more information on how to donate hair, visit the Locks of Love website. You probably won't feel quite as bad the next time you have a "bad hair day."

Check out this video of a young girl donating her locks! Get inspired!

1, 2, 3 JUUUMP!

Just like most people, I would LOVE to sky dive before I die. How can you resist the feeling of weightless-ness, the wind blowing through your hair, your lips, your every crevice... it sounds just titillating (what a FANTASTIC word!)!

Some Frequently Asked Questions include:

• What is Tandem Skydiving?
• How does Free-falling Feel?
• What if I do not open the parachute?!
• Will I be scared?!

These questions can be answered at many informational websites including Skydiving.com

Skydiving usually begins at about $200 and can go way up from there depending on the type of job (freefall vs. accelerated fall) and where you jump (ex: Vegas will be a lot more $$ than say... the middle of No-Where, for example). To find a dropzone near you, click here.

Unlike the first two items in my bucket list: adopting a pet and getting a tattoo, it is clear that skydiving is perhaps... oooh... 93% more risky(depending on the dogs and needles involved in the other two). This is not a surprise or a secret for anybody (I hope) but there is plenty of information out there about the dangers and statistics behind this risky activity/hobby. A good, unofficial, website full of information and statistics is dropzone.com. This website even breaks down fatalities by year and by category... putting your mind at ease... don't worry! Collisions only result in 13% of fatalities (ha)!

If you are afraid of jumping OUT of a plane, and your budget is practically endless, an alternative to skydiving could be a ride on a zero gravity plane. Check it out! Its TOTALLY RAD! But way more expensive and... safe. Buuuut... I believe that I will make this officially item #3.5 in my bucket list.

Want to feel the wind through your hair without risking your life? ... parasailing? Or something even safer like... driving with your windows down or riding a bike (with a helmet, of course).

Master a Marathon

I have recently decided that I want to run a marathon before I die -or at least... PARTICIPATE in one (maybe a little running/jogging/walking/crawling).

I chose today to highlight this particular bucket list item because, unfortunately, I was informed last night that Erik Wellumson, one of my acquaintences, classmates, brothers in Alpha Kappa Psi, actually passed away while running a half marathon- the Rock'N'Roll Marathon- in Virginia Beach yesterday morning. The whole thing is so shocking- he was a young, super nice, good looking guy who was a GREAT athlete- I'm talkin' quarterback of the football team his freshman year in college. And he had suffered a HEART ATTACK! How is that even fair?

Anyway, in order to run in a marathon, you obviously can't just- run it that day with no prior exercise, training & etc. eHow.com has some great articles about how to train for a marathon. Not only should you (and I) probably follow these directions, but perhaps seek the advice of a professional (whether it's a doctor or maybe a very experienced marathon-er). Also... train with a buddy! That way you can encourage eachother and run together/celebrate come time for the marathon!

To find marathons near you, visit http://www.marathonguide.com/

Good running/jogging/walking/crawling! xo