Cali-bound

By the look of the overly-packed bag* that is waiting in my car, the excited email I sent in all caps this morning, and my inability to focus on anything productive, it would seem that I’m ready to head West. I have been so busy focusing on all of the other things in life, that I haven’t even let myself think about my vacation. Truthfully, the concept of taking a trip has literally become foreign to me, mainly because I haven’t taken one in so long.

When I lived in New York, I had year-round visitors that always wanted to hit up the “hottest” spots that the City had to offer. I would take the obligatory pictures in Times Square, eat the Magnolia cupcake, sounder around Wall Street – basically blaze the tourist trail with a camera in hand. In a lot of ways, living there taught me how to travel. Rather than visit the most talked about, over-priced restaurant, why not ask around and find a hidden gem? I cannot tell you how many times I sat outside in the bitter cold waiting to grace the halls of Serendipity, only to half-heartedly eat a dessert after a 3 hour wait. There is just nothing fun about that. It’s not to say that you can’t experience certain landmarks, it’s just that you have to manage your expectations when you take on such a challenge. For example - Alyssa, Jordan and I have decided to each pick an activity or two that we have our heart set on during this visit. I pulled out the inner-granola in me and requested that we hike somewhere that has a great view. You can bet yourself that I will come back armed with pictures of palm trees and the beach. Because really, nothing says relaxing like the sun, 65-degree weather, and the beach – and that just excites me.

Thankfully, Jordan has been put in charge of restaurants for the weekend. In an effort to compromise, Alyssa already promised that she would endure a sushi dinner because she knows how much it means to us. That is another thing I will say, it is SO important to find a like-minded travel buddy. It’s probably safe to say that I’m not the most organized of travelers, and yet, Alyssa manages to deal with my quirks. Hypothetically, if I were to leave my wallet in the back of a cab or on the counter of the the airline check-in, Alyssa would somehow manage to assess the situation and handle my “moment.” Conversely, if she were to be DEAD SET on finding the home/apartment/studio of John Mayer, I would likely be the recruit for such a task. Even more than that, you really just have to be comfortable together. I have found that you can literally see the worst in people when they’re hungry and/or tired, especially on a trip. How many times have you reached the point of no return with hunger and the closest thing you can find is an Applebee’s? It is so defeating. With that said, I see no Applebee’s in our future – I have a feeling that we’ll all just be happy to be together.

So get ready – when I return, there will be pics! Oh yes, there will be pics. I hope to capture the essence of Jordan and AJ in their natural surroundings, shop at H&M, and get drunk off of the sun – hear, hear!

*Please note, this took me somewhere in the ballpark of 6 hours. Isn’t that terrible? Of course I wasn’t packing the entire time, it was more like this:

-pack a few shirts
-watch speed skating
-put in a load of laundry
-paint my nails
-pack my toiletries
-call my Mom
-pick out my accessories
-watch more Olympics
-etc.

Does anyone else do this?!

Pretty Clutter

images via home sweet home

I wish that my bedroom clutter looked like this. Instead, it's the belt I wore from yesterday laying on my leather chair, my shoes from kickball sitting in the floor, and my perfume bottle missing it's cap on my nightstand. So chic, right?

I've got a few ideas for a little bedroom renovation, with the most notable being my desire to paint my walls grey. I've seen a lot of "neutral grey" walls that really transform a not-so-styled room into something great. My landlord got a little testy with my painting request so I don't know if I'm going to push it. However, if history serves me correctly - when I hear "no," it is usually the answer I need in order to get my way.

And so, in going with the theme of "less impulsive in 2010," I am going to noodle on it for a little longer. Its not to say that I will fully comply, but I'll take their wishes into consideration. Until then, I'll admire from afar.

On a completely unrelated note - I leave for San Diego tomorrow! To say that I am hyped is an understatement. The timing is just perfect for a little getaway and who's to say that I won't throw enough clothes in my bag for all seasons? You know, just in case...

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner"

I came across these photos of the Green family while perusing Lauren Larsen's (local talent! fellow Chi O!) photography blog. I immediately fell in love with the way that Lauren captured this family, and most importantly, these two little girls. The older one looks perfectly sweet in each photo, while the younger one looks like she has a trick or two up her sleeve.

I love how happy she looks in the first family image and then gets progressively "over it" as the shoot goes on. And will you just look at the way her little feet are dangled over the yellow chair in the last photo? Gets me every time.

Good Words

"To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable; and
wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think
quietly, talk gently, act frankly...to
listen to stars and buds, to babes and
sages, with open heart; await occasions,
hurry never...this is my symphony."
~ William Henry Channing

"Doesn't matta if yo black or white"

I have a long-standing theory that everything looks better in black and white. Not only do I think that a b&w photo has the ability to tell more of a story than it's color counterpart, but I also believe that when it comes to style the best approach is “less is more.” And maybe, just maybe, my love for all things b&w dates back to my elementary days when I performed a ball routine in my second grade talent show to the song "Black or White" by Michael Jackson. You might ask yourself, what is a ball routine? And I am glad that you asked. In its simplest form, it is 4 girls doing rotations with various bouncing maneuvers. In it’s more complex form, it’s the most random talent show spectacle you might find among young classmates.

I genuinely can’t remember how our talent show glory came about, but I do remember absolutely loving MJ’s song and throwing around the idea of dressing up in our favorite b&w duds. You better believe that we had hair bows to match our white Ked/black sock, black Ked/white sock ensemble - you just betta believe. I still get a little sentimental when I listen to it. And by sentimental, I of course mean hyped.

Ok, so ALL of that to say that I am still a huge fan of the classic combo. One of my all-time favorite beauties (Lauren Hutton) looks stunning in so many of her old b&w photos, and in a lot of ways - cooler.


Another one of my all-time favorites is this Ralph Lauren gown that Debra Messing wore to the Golden Globes in the late 90s (I think). I loved it then, I love it now.


Because, hey – if it’s good enough for Chanel, then it’s good enough for me.

"Sun Is Shining" - Bob Marley

I hope you all felt the love this weekend. (Most) of my family was in town, so I was lucky enough to get a little homegrown love in the form of dry humor, desserts, and Diet coke.


With that said, I am sad to report that the snow has officially left the Dallas metroplex. It was nice while it lasted, but today's morning sun reminded me that the real fun is about to start - warms me right up.

The White

I know I make bold claims about hating cold and wintry weather, but sometimes you just can't deny the magic behind a good snow. When it really snows in Texas (read: rarely/never) it's quite the scene. Usually schools close and kids run outside with their laundry baskets and have at it. Yesterday on my drive home I saw no less than 30 snowmen being created in our neighborhood. It's the perfect amount of wholesome, outdoorsy, family fun - who can dislike that?

Another part of snow that I forget is the silence. It peacefully pours down and spreads like nothingness until before you know it, you're surrounded. I think that more than anything, most people just sit back and marvel at the undisputed beauty. Wherever you are, I hope that you have enjoyed the peacefulness. I really think the Lord delights in it, shouldn't we?

Conversate this.

I followed my Sister's lead and made a few of my own. Because, really, everyone needs a little love in the form of processed sugar in their life...

Saturday Scenes

The beginning:

One of my absolutely favorite joys in life is a Saturday morning matinee. This started in New York as a budget-friendly alternative to the $13 Friday night movie and has just evolved from there. No one wants to spend their weekend evenings in a dark theater, so this is the happy medium. After literal months of seeing the trailer for the overly-sappy Dear John trailer, I decided that I had to see what all the Channing Tatum fuss was about. I don't know if I was just in an overly-vulnerable state, or if I really just liked it, but I told about 6 different people that not only was it worth seeing, that I might have even liked it more than The Notebook.

Bold claim, I know. It was the heat of the moment, ok? Anyway, if you were one of the people that I convinced to see this, I hope you liked it. And if you didn't...well, there's always Step Up. (sorry, sem and Z)

The middle:

Wedding dress shopping with Lu! This was only my second experience on the wedding dress scene and I.loved.it. Nevermind that I walked in and squealed at just seeing her, but focus on the fact that she walked away with dress glory. That's right, she was able to pick from the multitudes of white taffeta and ivory tulle to find the single most important dress that she'll ever wear in her life - huge!
The end:

I rounded out my day with a friendly little dinner party that included (but was not limited to) steaks on the grill, Gruyere & Parmesan potatoes, vino, Nutella cupcakes, and a Sidecar cocktail or two. Alyssa may or may not have been caught mid-solo dance routine to M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" and I may or may not have spilled red wine down the entire front of my shirt. So, all in all, I'd say things were a success.

Here's to living for the weekends...

Melt

I thought I would start out Valentine's week with some post-Superbowl sweet.

Enjoy!

via palm beach post

via Getty Images and Life is Glamorous

Pillow Talk

Don't mind me, just doing a little browsing over here.

I just love these Jonathan Adler "Design Your Own" pillows, totes, and rugs. I suppose that you could play all day creating various color combos into the ideal statement piece. I started with the monogrammed totes and decided that I liked the pillows more. The Chi Omega in me was just dying to make cardinal and straw combination, but I held back and went with more neutral tones.

Here are a few of my favorites:

She get it from her Mama

stockholm street style

Not only is this little girl precious in her trench coat, but something tells me that one day she'll realize just how fun the camera can be and pose like the rest of us...

I saw this photo today and it reminded me so much of the day when I used to hide into my Mom for photos. Surprisingly enough, I was the quiet type in my earlier years. I would gab in front of the family for hours and then a newbie would come on the scene and I would clam right up.

I know, I know...shocking.

One of the funnier stories of my shy and delicate ways was when my Mom and her close friend helped "coach" our little girl coach pitch team. If it tells you anything, some of my favorite parts of my little league days were the outfits and the post-game juice boxes. I would just get so hot out there, and who could blame me when my mom would leave my long hair down and in a hair bow for games? Inevitably it would be my turn to play pitcher for that given inning and I would stand next to my Mom as she pitched the ball to the little slugger at the plate. One particularly toasty day my Mom looked around and didn't see me next to her. She turned around and there I was...hiding in her shadow.

I wasn't very attentive to the mechanics of the game, but I caught on quickly to the temperature drop that occurred when I stood behind my Mom on the mound. If memory serves me correctly, I think she benched me from there on out for my diva-like tendencies.