Yo.

Hi. *waves*
I'm Mary, and this is my blog. Since you're here, I guess you knew that already, huh? Right. Anyway, welcome to Useful, Simple, Beautiful. It's a blog about me, my life, and my home. (Well, it will be once I get around to writing it.) And yes, I do say things like "Yo." It's actually how I answer the phone sometimes. That, or "What up?" Also, I'm trying to bring back the word "wicked" so if you could help with that, it'd be super awesome. But I digress. Blog. Yes. I'm striving to make all the things in my life useful, simple, and beautiful.
Or at least two outta three.
You know what? Let's say useful, simple, and/or beautiful.
There.
That sounds better.
(And by "better" I mean "more achievable".)

So, since this blog will be about me and my life, perhaps you want to know a little about who you're dealing with here. Like I said, I'm Mary. I'm a college drop-out (sorry Mom and Dad!) who's rapidly approaching 26. I've been married for four very interesting years to a man I shall call "The Hubs" until he tells me using his real name is cool. We currently have two cats, both of whom are crazy in their own, special, sociopathic way. No kids, yet. And no dogs, either. Both are in the plans.

The Hubs works in IT, and frankly, I have no idea what he does. It's all very technical with these computer folks and my attention span just can't handle it. I, myself, am in the process of transitioning from a job in retail to a job in - wait for it - customer service! Tada! Actually, it might sound like a lateral move, but I can assure you it is not. I could elaborate, but the cursing that would ensue seems a bit much for an introductory post, even for me.

Which brings me to my next point, which is - I curse a lot. If I'm angry or excited, the curses multiply exponentially. Fair warning, folks.

Let's see, what else? I'm Southern. East Tennessee born and raised. I'm kind of a cross between a red-neck and Southern Belle. Or at least, I like to think I am. I'll let you form your own opinion. My dad (from Alabama) calls me and Mom Yankebillies. That would be half Yankee - oh, pardon me, damn Yankee - and half hillbilly. According to him, Tennessee is just not southern enough to be Southern. Pffft. Whatever, Dad. I may hate grits (food) but I still am one (girl). Oh, I also have two brothers, and I highly doubt either of them identify as Southern.

More about me - I love to read. I love to write. I love TV, movies, and music. Really, all forms of entertainment are pretty alright with me. I super pink puffy heart comedy. It's my favorite form of entertainment, and I think everyone should laugh everyday. I also like romance (though in real life I'm awful at it - my nickname ain't "The Moment Killer" for nothing) and sci-fi and fantasy. Non-fiction needs to have an awesome element or I get bored. That probably says something about me, so let's not examine it too closely, k?

Since this will also be about my home, I guess I'll tell you about my style. I like clean, classic and simple. I like feminine and flirty, but not fussy. I enjoy modern, but don't think I could live with it. I like comfortable and easy. (This applies to my appearance, too, though if you saw me you'd think my style was "lazy". And it is that, too. Easy/lazy, tomato/tomahto.) I love me some neutrals, but I need color. I prefer saturated, rich tones. You might say I'm an "autumn". Which also happens to be my favorite season. I'm rediscovering a love for blue. Beachy colors are currently my jam. My favorite colors are eggplant and emerald. (AKA dark purple and bright green.) I don't like cookie-cutter and I love things that have meaning to my family.

The Hubs also loves antiques and neutrals (except white) but that's where the similarities end. He likes traditional and dark, and that's about the most I can get out of him. He's very vocal with his vetoes, but rarely offers new suggestions. It's really rather irritating, but I still love him.

Okay, I think I've rambled long enough. The rest is for another day. And I do love to talk.