Thursday, June 25, 2009

Will the Real PK Please Stand Up?

Just when I thought my nickname was special and unique to me alone, my girlfriend returns from her honeymoon in Sun Valley with this picture. To make matters even worse, I'm not even that great of a skier!

The only perk is perhaps they offer discounts to those with the name "PK", which is great, since I love to ski so much!

Regretfully,
The Artist Formerly Known as PK

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Happy National Pink Day!

Happy National Pink Day! Did you even know such a holiday existed?

Since we celebrate all these weird holidays at work, I'm actually bringing in these pink cupcakes for all of my co-workers to snack on. (This is what happens when caffeine enters my bloodstream after 7 p.m. - I become a baking fool!)

If you want to see some pretty pink projects from Paper Crafts latest special issue Card Creations, Volume 7, head on over to our Paper Crafts Connection blog today. We're also giving away some yummy pink product, so be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.

And be sure to tell us what you think of our pink outfits. We even got our designer Matt to don this flirty color! He must know my cousin who goes around saying, "Pink is pimp!" Of course, this is what you would expect of an 11-year-old. I guess Matt is just a highly-evolved man of the 21st century!

Here's to pink cupcakes!
PK

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Dad was slightly annoyed he was left out of my There's No Place Like Home - Part 1 post. That's what you get when you're taking all of the photos, dude!

And since I can't spend today with him (I'm really going to miss that German chocolate cake!), here's a collage of my favorite photos of dear ol' dad. Bet you didn't know he was Indiana Jones!

Hope you enjoy your day, Dad!

Love,
PK and Lexus

Friday, June 19, 2009

Beef Cuts and Gravy

Although Lexus didn't get her fantasy day bed for her birthday, she did get to blow out a candle in her favorite can of dog food - Beef Cuts in Gravy!

She's usually afraid of fire, but the luring aroma of artificial beef soaking in imitation gravy was just too good to pass up. I think we singed a few whiskers, but she needed a trim anyway. Rafiki likes a clean shaven woman!

Lexus, as a belated birthday gift, I promise to take you to the "spa" (aka Petsmart) this weekend for a lavender-oatmeal bath and a bag of Greenies!

PK

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Lexus' Birthday Wish

Lex-Pup's 49th birthday is tomorrow!

She was leafing through one of my interior design magazines and absolutely fell in love with this sunny day bed. She said she's waited almost 50 years to have a bed like this one. A place where her and Rafiki can lounge in the sun, sip pina coladas and flip through more interior design magazines!

Can anyone make her dream come true?

I sent this request out to my family and this is how they responded:

Ryan: "Lex-Pup obviously does not know we are in a recession."

Bonnie: "Collin is sooooo in! You know how much he loves that dog!"

Brooks: "Lex needs to learn to be happy with an old blanket and a crate. Send her up North and her Northern cousins will get her in check."

Debbie: "I will drink some water out of the toilet and lick clean McCall in her honor."

Collin: "You've gone off the deep end if you think I care about what that rat wants for its birthday."

Collin, Lexus apologized for that time she kissed you with tongue. She just couldn't help herself!

Happy birthday, Lex!
PK

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

There's No Place Like Home - Part 2

During my recent trip home to Texas, I just had to capture on film the "larger than life" attitude that most of its 20+ million residents exude on a daily basis.

Here's a few of my favorite quotes about The Lone Star State:

"I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here just as soon as I could." ~Texas bumper sticker

"Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas." ~Senator William Blakley

"If a man’s from Texas, he’ll tell you. If he’s not, why embarrass him by asking?" ~U.S. journalist John Gunther

And here's some pictures that really do sum up the phrase "everything's bigger here."

How's this for a Texas greeting? Not quite sure if she's advertising food or something else, but she sure is friendly!

Texans take their alma maters, football, and their big cars very seriously. Case in point.

Texans also take their food very seriously. And we don't mince words. This here is the "Big Ass Burger", as it appeared on the menu. My uncle ordered it and made no apologies for finishing it. If your appetite isn't quite as big, they do offer the "Half Ass Burger".

While I was home, we visited Bubba's Chicken Restaurant for some good ol' Southern grub. Everyone is served biscuits, buttered corn, green beans and mashed potatoes. You then get to pick your entree. We all ordered the sinful fried chicken and chicken fried steak. We were joined by Bubba himself, who is a permanent fixture at many of the larger tables. My cousin Carter cozied up to him and even shared a root beer float with this old timer.

I think Bubba wrote this sign that hung above our table.

And after all of our good eats, we retired to my mom's house to celebrate Laurie's birthday (again!) with a homemade cake and Blue Bell ice cream - a staple in every Texan's freezer. We couldn't find a number seven candle, so we had to improvise with seven single candles.

With so much good food resting in our bellies, it wasn't long before Laurie and her pup Charlie snuggled up for a late afternoon nap.

This is the Texas I know and love!
PK

Monday, June 15, 2009

There's No Place Like Home - Part 1

Last weekend I flew home to The Lone Star State for my youngest sister's 27th birthday. My middle sister used her sales rep connections and got us a dinner reservation at the new restaurant 560 by Wolfgang Puck. Housed inside the 560 foot-tall Reunion Tower, the restaurant offers 360-degree views of downtown Dallas as the dining room actually revolves!

View of Reunion Tower from the street.

View of downtown Dallas from our table.

I had my own little "reunion" as I snapped this picture of the Dallas skyline. I worked in the tallest building you see here for three years. My work commute is much different now!

Cute picture of me and the middle sister, Holly. Prior to dinner that night, we were ladies of leisure as we lunched, shopped and got matching mani's and pedi's.

Sexy picture of the mama. I'm pretty sure you'll find this on Match.com!

With our bellies full of non-seafood (560 specializes in sushi...a big no-no for ALL of the Smith girls!), we posed outside while good ol' dad brought the car around.

A vertical view of Reunion Tower at dusk. During the holidays, the lights randomly blink like they're set to Christmas carols!

Yes, these are Christian Louboutin's pumps. Sadly, not mine. The middle sister let the birthday girl wear them for our evening out on the town. When she kicked them off that night, I just had to squeeze my size 9 foot into these 8 1/2 beauties. Ssh! Don't tell Holly! (And just in case you're wondering, they're the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn! Beauty is pain, people!)

Laurie, I hope you enjoyed your high society birthday!

Love,
PK

P.S. Part 2 is much more my speed. Stay tuned!