New Beginnings

If Melanie Griffith could see me now.

After months of stress, anticipation, worry, doubt, tears, anxiety and fear...the impossible happened, I finally got a job!! As I sit in my cozy cubicle on day three of my working adventure, I can’t help but think of the vast working world (and my small role in it) and compare the astounding similarities that occur in each office. Sure, the day-to-day activity is different, but the people aren’t. The reason for the universal popularity of shows such as The Office is that their satirical portrayal of a typical office environment is completely spot on.

Not only have I found comfort in my recognizable “friends” but I have also realized that my work groove is just as easy to maintain now, as it was four months ago. All of the fear I had about remembering how to co-exist in the workplace has completely subsided. True to form, I still uphold my quirk of setting three alarm notifications on my phone (each on an odd number, of course), only to wake up with the first and shut the other two off, my daily morning blog run-through (whether or not I have time to read them at that moment is not the point...I just like to know what is waiting for me), and lastly, my mid-afternoon Diet Coke break. Not all of these are necessarily required to get my work done, but each are a part of a routine that has been created through many days of trial, error and survival and invariably set the tone of any given day. And really, why mess with a good thing?

One of the more interesting aspects of my new employed life has been my time management in the morning. In New York, I had the luxury of a 15 minute door-to-door “commute.” I knew that no matter what, I could get to point A (my tiny apartment) to point B (my awesome building) in that amount of time. There was a sweet comfort in knowing that not one extrapolating factor could hinder my ability to reach my destination in that desired amount of time. Now that I am on Texas soil, there is so much more to think about. Each 5 minute variation in my morning routine can mean a world of difference in my arrival time. Not only is my office inconveniently located 20 miles away, but it is also the home of hundreds (maybe thousands?) of other employees...you can only imagine what the parking situation is like. Think absurd, mixed with a dash of ridiculous. The spaces are tiny, people are blazing over speed bumps and there is little time to remember where you have parked each day, leaving you a careless wanderer at the end of your long workday – nobody wants that.

Needless to say, this old dog is going to have to learn a few new tricks. While it’s not the first job that I know, it’s a new one. I believe that there is a reason that God calls us to a newness in life. Whether it's the desire for dependability on Him or the need for us to grow in ways that we have never thought possible, it has been proven time and time again that with Him, all things are possible. So today I am still. I am no longer in the holding tank of uncertainty, but rather, a clear path that is ready to be discovered. For now, I will cherish the beginning. I believe that the rawness in a fresh start is only a foreshadow of great things to come...and the possibilities are surely endless when He walks next to me (even if it is to-and-from a parking garage).

Love,

Kristen

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
~ Micah 6:8

Interior Dreaming

Lately I have been really into interiors. In an attempt to transform my bedroom into my very own haven I have tapped into this new desire to create a fun personal space. With that said, I have decided to start a reoccurring snippet of my favorite inspired design of the moment. I hope that this isn't a weekly pipe dream like this was, but rather a glimpse into something pretty.

In an ever-so-appropriate style, I have decided to kickoff this post with a picture of a shoe storefront that teeters quietly on the verge of class mixed with sass, making even the trendiest of girls stop dead in their tracks.

photos via Home Sweet Home

Musical Memories

Usually I leave the music talk to my dear friend over at Musical Snack, but today I have decided to compile a list of songs and albums that evoke such memories that I cannot help but be taken back in time to the place that each song came into my life. Whether its that special memory of driving my first car with the windows down on a cool Austin night, sleeping splitsy in the bedroom of my choice, or shaking my groove thing on a NY dance floor, I can guarantee that each song has been paired with a special, and very specific, memory.

However, I will caveat this by saying that I am in no way advocating my musical tastes. In fact, I think that many will agree that I'm a walking cliche when it comes to music and that for the most part I should leave the music banter to the professionals. But for nostalgia's sake, we'll go with it and I will share with you the tunes of my past and present.

Suga Suga, Frankie J - Summer before college/RUSH week my Freshman year. Yep, embarrassing.

Yeah, Usher - Freshman year date parties...what what.

Get Low, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Freshman year date parties...what what. (pt. 2)

X&Y, Coldplay - This reminds me of the Summer spent in Austin before my junior year of college. I distinctly remember driving in the Hill Country with the windows down to this album. It should also be noted that the cliche in me can't stop loving "Fix You."

Hey Ya, OutKast - Sophomore year of college, TX/OU weekend. (also Megan Kever's jam)

Shelter, Ray LaMontagne - Fall of my Junior year of College in the Welsh house. Listening to this while studying and drinking coffee on campus...so deep. :)

How To Save A Life, The Fray - Spring my Junior year of college. Thanks, Alyssa.

Bob Marley's Greatest Hits, Bob Marley - A Spring staple in my college life. Destin, anyone?

Continuum, John Mayer - I literally cannot hear this song without thinking of my senior year at Marsteller. Our little yellow house had so much love in it, and if only I could count the times we put #8 on repeat...

FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake - I am really trying to steer clear from entire albums, but sometimes you just have to let it be. This album was literally a Marsteller anthem, and I think that it should also be noted that "My Love" happens to still be my ring tone...three years later.

Love Story, Katharine McPhee - Oh, Lord. If you've ever seen 4 girls bopping to this song with their swimsuits on headed to a Florida beach, then we should apologize to you now. In the moment, it felt so good.

Glamorous, Fergie - Tyler Chapman's date party jam. He started the dance floor clap every time.

Stonger, Kanye West - No joke, my NYC co-workers loved this song.

Jai Ho, A.R. Rahmin - No joke, my NYC co-workers loved this song. (pt. 2)

19, Adele - I survived my first Winter (& Spring) in NYC with this cd. Love, love, love her.

Viva la Vida, Coldplay - I have decided that when all else fails, Coldplay always works and this cd will always remind me of walking the streets of NY in the Summer.

Dreaming Out Loud, OneRepublic - My first fall in NYC, I can practically feel the leaves change as I listen to it now. This was my to-and-from work staple for a long time...

Sun Giant, Fleet Foxes - I survived my second Winter in NYC with this cd.

Disturbia, Rhianna - I truly think (read: hope) that if someone had to commit this song to memory and think of anyone when they hear it, that they would think of me. I know it's absurd, but there is no other song that gets me smiling and dancing like this one. Many a night was spent on a dark NYC dance floor to this jam, and frankly, it just makes me happy.

Only By the Night, Kings of Leon - I know that this cd has been out for a long time, but I just got into it this Summer and I don't think that I will ever hear these tunes without the happy memories of my Dallas Summer.

Battlefield, Jordin Sparks - Poolside, Summer 2k9. "Betta go getcha arm-ah..."

Don't say that I didn't warn you. I think you should just feel lucky that I withheld any show tunes. Believe me, it was a struggle. So there's my list in all of its ridiculous glory and here's to my future and all of the catchy pop tunes that will likely fill it...

HyPed 2k9

What happens when some of your closest friends get together for a fun birthday/reunion weekend at Sunrise Beach on Lake LBJ?

You get a weekend's worth of free therapy, endless amounts of food (specifically cake balls and puppy chow) and wine, snapping turtles, girlie movies, bunk beds, sunburns, local pizza, morning's on the porch, deegs, and everything in between. I cannot tell you what a weekend with my "church" friends did for my soul, and I can only hope that our reunion in 2010 will be just as sweet. Here's to HP!

HyPed

Just livin' the dream

Happy Birthday to our Cal Pal

Our Pastry Chef in all of her glory :)

Cake ball matrimony

Puppy chow party foul


Trying to avoid the "snapping" turtles

Personality shot

Did you know that the best pizza is found in Sunrise Beach?

The Choir Tour Altos

"For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough
With every breathe I take I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love." ~ Testify To Love

Time to get inspired...

Am I right, girls? I don't know about any of you, but I have been on a rollercoaster this summer. One minute I'm floating high on a social cloud and the next minute I am getting a "no thank you" email from a potential employer.

("No thanks to YOU!" is what I really want to say...) Luckily, I refrain ;)

Anyway, the blog has officially been on the backburner because I have yet to let myself get inspired. I think the lack of day-to-day interaction with the outside world has caused me to be closed-minded to all of the love, beauty and fun that surrounds me on a daily basis. I mean, how bad can things really be? Summer is my favorite time of the year, I can call a friend on a moment's notice and I have been able to see my family any old time I want. Now that, my friends, is inspiring. So with my change in attitude (thanks to lots of encouraging emails, calls and prayers) I have decided to post a few of my recent inspirations.

(Special thanks to Kate M. and Design*Sponge for a perfect interior representation of things that I love!)

My gals over at Life Giggles never cease to entertain (or inspire!) and they pointed me in the direction of this blog, that will now be a daily staple in my online endeavors.

Zoe's Kitchen in Dallas just so happens to have the best chicken salad sandwhich that I have ever tasted (sorry Kitchen Door) and when paired with an iced tea, it can make doves cry. It's the simple pleasures, right?

While we're at it, why don't we just throw these in? This movie, this dress, this summer nailpolish, and this baby.

And of course, what could be more inspiring than wedded bliss? Congratulations to the Schmid's!

"May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13

Congratulations, Brother!

There's nothing like chasing a dream...

The San Francisco Giants now have a new fan.

Say Whaaaa?

So we're going to go ahead and call last week's Bachelorette episode a "wash." I just dropped the ball and didn't record it on my DVR and subsequently cut myself out of the blogging equation. The good news is that I read Lincee's explanation and feel completely in the loop. I have also set the series to record so that we will not have this problem moving forward. Also, my friend sem over at Life Giggles told me to keep my eyes on Ed who might be the sleeper in the competition so I will be on the lookout for that as well. Gooooo love!

So true to form, last night we had a little Hills finale/ MTV Movie Awards "gathering" in our casa, complete with some vino, pizza and cookies. Only the finest. We laughed about how our friends have managed to watched YEARS worth of awards shows together. We have even watched them together when we weren't living in the same city...and that, my friends, is dedication. Every year there is something that just takes our breath away and leaves us shell shocked and this year was no exception. We first thought that we were on to something when Cameron Diaz popped on the screen with her crazy pit stains and we couldn't help but feel relieved to know that stars, in fact, are just like us.

Just in case there was any confusion.

But then the show took the craziest turn that it has in years and provided us with the comic relief that was Eminem and Bruno. Now, I'm not a huge Sasha Baron Cohen advocate (I've still never seen Borat) but I am familiar with his bizarre antics and thought that his presence at at the awards were going to be just the same old, same old from him. Enter a grown man harnessed with wires, suspended over a crowd of celebrities, wearing NO underwear...say whaaaa? He then has a "mishap" and gets jumbled in his wires, forcing him to land into the crowd, specifically in Eminem's lap. What ensued was a lot of cussing, punching and sheer confusion on the part of Eminem and his friends. Everyone just sat stunned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry as to what just took place. In the aftermath, Cutie Zefron was thrown on stage with his award and handed the most uncomfortable follow-up ever. Meanwhile, Eminem stormed out clearly showing that he has no ability to take a joke and we all sat watching from our ivory tower...pure genius!

So I guess the answer is no; no I will not grow out of MTV.

Last night wasn't completely unproductive, I was able to watch the Kings of Leon performance and decide for myself that I actually really like their sound. So I downloaded their album today and have already created a Summer playlist because afterall, I can't live off of Jordin Sparks' "Battlefield" all summer - we're all about productivity here at Kristen & Co.

And while I have you here, I will show you a little project that took up a better part of my weekend. The art of garage sale finds is a fun one and I have been hooked on all of the goodies that are just a $1 away. It's the most guiltless retail therapy that I've ever experienced and I absolutely LOVE it. This weekend I scored a pretty mirror tray that is just perfect for perfume, jewelry or any other odds and ends that might fill up your nighstand for just fifty cents! Speaking of nightstand, I have had two oak bedside tables that have just been waiting to be sanded and refinished. I wanted the "crackled" look, but let's face it, I hadn't the first clue as to how to go about this and people kept throwing out words like "power sander" and "hard labor" which don't really fall into my vernacular so I just benched the idea. Well not this weekend my friends! Alyssa and I got brave, scoured Lowe's for our handy items, and got started. It took me two afternoons to get everything primed, painted, and crackled, but it was well worth it. I am now on the hunt for cute knobs to complete the rustic "look," but for now they will do. I wish I had taken a before picture but unfortunately that just wasn't in the cards...so without further adieu, my new tables:

I think I'm going to take up carpentry...