Shameless Saturday

Guys, I'm tired. Do you ever get that way? It has been a busy week and by the time I got off work last night, covered in sweat & sweet tea, I was exhausted. I slept in late today & have every intention of being shamelessly lazy until I go to work tonight. I hope you're relaxing a bit this weekend & that it's sunny and beautiful wherever you are. xoxo

Hey! It's ok...

... if you never got into The Bachelor. Or The Bachelorette. Or Bachelor Pad. But you've seen every episode of Everyday Italian.

... if you're already thinking about what you're going to wear/eat/drink on Wednesday's night out, but to not know what you're doing this afternoon.

... if "adverse weather" justifies drinking coffee, painting your nails, and watching SATC reruns all morning.

...if the zesty Kraft guy wants to make me a salad... make my day, buddy.

Shameless Saturday

[quote by Veronica Shoffstall, full poem here]

Hi kittens. Happy weekend to you. Anything fun going on? I'm planning on getting some plants planted. Or something like that. The very thought of me being responsible for sustaining the life of something else is laughable at best, but when I look out my kitchen window at my delightful little patio, I find myself thinking, "Well, maybe..." 

I can't help but wonder if it will be the same way with kids one day. I hear babies crying now and I think "Never, ever..." But maybe, someday I'll watch my husband flipping flapjacks on a Saturday morning, or I'll puff up in pride as he scores the winning goal in a pick-up game and I'll think to myself "Well, maybe..."

Maybe that's what makes it love. It's not believing in someone else, it's finding someone who who makes you believe in yourself. 

For now, it's a few hearty herbs and maybe a geranium. But I can't help but think "Well, maybe, someday, something more..."

Enjoy the weekend. Make it beautiful. xo

Hey! It's ok...

...if you don't really know what a "spirit animal" is, but you're fairly certain if you had one, it'd be Sauvignon Blanc

...if painting your nails typically takes the top spot on your to-do list.

...if you do too many squats and lunges to wear anything with an asymmetrical hem. "If yo mama gave it to ya baby girl let it show..." -Huey (aaand if a majority of your life lessons came from "Pop, Lock, and Drop It")

Shameless Saturday

Wow. It's been one of those weeks, the kind that fly by because there's not enough hours and each day is just filled to the brim with so much. By the end of it, you feel like a whole year has passed in those seven days... and it kind of did, because the clock changed from 2012 to 2013 and the days to follow were full of other exciting, terrifying changes too. And today is only the 5th. 

I have a confession... I don't like most change. And decisions, I kind of hate them. But that's what life is made of. So between a spontaneous wedding (not mine) and a booked flight to a new city (San Diego!) and a new job (in fashion?!) and other big girl things that are almost to scary to speak of because I don't want to jinx it... it's safe to say I'm a little overwhelmed. 

My to do list? Still long. Like a giant bowl of pasta that you eat and eat but it doesn't seem to get any emptier. But I did manage to beat the cold I was battling and I swapped out my navy nails for a happy shade of pink. And tomorrow? It's back to the grind. 

Hey! It's ok...

...to verbally (to yourself, of course) respond to aggravating text messages and emails with the sassiest you've got. And then not respond at all. "If you can't say something nice..."

...if you can't leave Target without a) spending $100 b) a candle the size of your head.

...if too many choices means no choice at all. Seriously, I'm rendered helpless at the word "options."

...if donuts are always a good idea.  And if dragging your little brother along somehow justifies your consumption of 2000 calories worth of sugar before 10am. 

Shameless Saturday

Hi friends and happy weekend to you! What do you have on the books for the next few days? I'm finally getting settled back in after an amazing trip to Fort Lauderdale, and I'll be dog/house-sitting for a few days. Besides cuddling up with some sweet pups, I hope to take advantage of the quiet (and the yucky forecast) and knock out my last few (work) blogs for the month. Other than that, it's all things pumpkin. More on that next week, though. I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start. All my love until next time...

Hey! It's ok..

to spend 20 minutes wandering around Walgreen's aimlessly searching for something... anything to buy to ease the awkwardness of purchasing those remotely embarrassing items. I don't know how a Glamour magazine and a day-of-the-week vitamin organizer takes the edge off of purchasing tampons or anti-bump shave gel for bikini area, but it does, my friends, it does. 

if you didn't get the new iPhone, but between your new iPhone case (thanks J. Crew) and the new iOS (thanks Apple) you pretty much feel like you did. 

if the adorable European girl at J. Crew has you fully convinced that a high, messy ponytail is the chicest look ever. I'm sure it had nothing to do with her glossy, golden color, striking bone structure, perfect complexion, and model stature... I've rocked one every day since I saw her. #girlcrush

[Lauren Conrad sure knows how to rock a ponytail. Image via]

Shameless Saturday

Hi friends... I have a confession. I've been a little bit of a slacker these past few days. I finished all my blog work last Friday, Sunday was my birthday, and since Monday I honestly can't tell you one productive thing I've done all week. Well, there were mornings at the gym and evenings spent working at the restaurant which is moderately productive, but there was also an entire afternoon snuggled up in bed watching Audrey Hepburn movies. There were face masks and bubble baths, and a whole day on the beach in happy solitude. 

Sometimes you need a break. And it might sound selfish and lazy (and hey, maybe it is) but today I feel refreshed. Well-rested and eager to take on new challenges and do big things. There will come a day (sooner than later) when I can't just unplug for 5 days. I know this is a luxury, and I am so thankful. Enjoy it while you can, friends. The days are long, but the years are short.

Hey! It's ok...

... if your interseasonal shopping habits are as bipolar as the weather. Bikinis and boots... shorts, sandals and scarves... So conflicted.

... if you're still fighting desperately for your "summer tan."

... to get a head start on your Christmas wishlist. 

... to not skip "Winter Wonderland" when Pandora slips it in on your Frank Sinatra station. And hey, might as well sing along, baby. 

... to use your birthday to justify your behavior for an entire month. Another piece of cake? Well is it my birthdaymonth...

Shameless Saturday

Good morning and how are you? This week has been crazy. Not insanely busy or entirely productive, just... weird. Sometimes I find myself feeling like life is in fast-forward and slow-motion simultaneously. Anyways, I'm looking forward to lunching this afternoon with a sweet girl and sipping some mint juleps. And as for tonight... it's all margaritas and mariachi. What are you getting into on this fine day? I hope it's achingly beautiful wherever you find yourself this weekend. Celebrate something! X's and O's until next time...


Hey! It's ok...


... to have a tab in your browser with a recipe for pistachio crusted shortbread right beside the tab titled "Brazilian butt workout." Multitasking, bipolar... call it what you want.


... if the chances of making the pistachio crusted shortbread are significantly greater than the chances of completing the Brazilian butt workout. (Hey, I'll just do squats and lunges while they're in the oven)


... to immediately regret your polish selection and ask the nail technician to switch it... three toes later. (Just tip generously for the inconvenience)

... to throw a total temper tantrum over dark vs. milk chocolate. Confession: I'm just trying to make myself feel better about this one. This week at work we sent one of the girls to the store for candy. My only requests: dark chocolate and almonds. When she returned with milk chocolate nuggets I might have gotten a little huffy. (I mean the only "nuggets" this girl eats are from Cook Out.) Fortunately, a fellow diva understood my plight and trekked back to the store to exchange it for me. I could make excuses: antioxidants, vitamins, minerals... but it's just easier to own it. 

I went from this...

to this.

Talk about an upgrade. To make up for my hissy fit, I shared.

Shameless Saturday

Hi hii my sweets and happy Saturday! I hope your weekend is off to a lovely start. I had a rather busy night at work yesterday, so this morning I am ever grateful for some time to sit back, sip coffee, and catch my breath. On this weekend's agenda? Fresh mahi mahi tacos, church with my sweet family, and a sweet girl's 21st birthday celebration! I hope you have a fun weekend too! Until we meet again...


Hey! It's ok...


... to hide your iPod's screen so the guy on the treadmill next to you can't see that you're rocking out to "Shake Ya Tailfeather" [depressing fact: that song is almost 10 years old.]


... to be a little irritated when someone prances into kickboxing 10 minutes  late and inches you out of your space like the Trail of Tears. (and to maybe use their face as a mental target for your jabs)


... if you don't want to add 2 cup sizes. That's just weird! Sorry pushy bra sales girl, it's not happening. You can stop tossing those overpriced unmentionables over my dressing room door.

... to get major birthday envy. And to have a running countdown until your own (134 days baby)

[I'm not going to disclose whether I plan on using this wine glass tomorrow night. Shameless.]

Shameless Saturday

Hi cupcakes! Happy Saturday! After a bit of a whirlwind week, I am so looking forward to relaxing this weekend. Taylor is visiting and I think I've roped him into spending a majority of our time baking cookies. (It doesn't take much convincing as long as peanut butter and chocolate are involved.) I hope you're having a sweet weekend too! Until next time...


Hey! It's ok...


...if the bulk of your Christmas shopping takes place on Christmas Eve


...to believe that ordering a side salad somehow counteracts the buffalo wings/potato skins/cheeseburger & fries. (Somehow it always seems to settle the score.)


...if Christmas turns you into an absolute Cookie Monster.  [Seriously guys, I made 5 batches Thursday night. (recipes to come!)]

[C is for Cookie. Or Caitlin.]

Shameless Saturday

Hello dear darlings... after two wildly productive days, today is reserved for relaxation. The morning was spent cuddled up in comfy slippers and cozy blankets and now I'm off for an afternoon at the spa.* Tough life, eh? I hope you have a most enjoyable weekend, too. 


Hey! It's ok...


...if over half of your iTunes library consists of Christmas music (and if you've already started listening to it, shamelessly.)


...to print the photo where you look best, even if your bff's eyes are closed. 


...to already start planning outfits for holiday soirees (before the invites start rolling in)

[I mean hey, with cocktail dresses like this at Forever21 for under $25, how can you not start brainstorming?!]

*No but really, I swear I'm not a total diva. In all my traveling these past few months, I seem to have injured my back. My PT thinks my sacrum slipped during my flight home from Hawaii, so I'm hoping that ice and today's massage will do just the trick. 

Shameless Saturday

Happy Saturday! I'm smack dab in the middle of a marathon of shifts before my 2 week Hawaiian adventure! Spending my time off catching up on some correspondence and doing a little pre-autumn cleaning. I hope you have a wonderfully productive weekend, too! 


Hey, it's ok...


...if you're operating version of iTunes is the current version... divided by 2. Would you like to upgrade now? Nothankyou.


...if you feel instantly cooler ordering it "rocks, splash of water." Even if it is Firefly or Malibu. 


...to start "packing" (slash not putting away clean laundry) precisely 12 days before your departure date. 

[Taylor's closet, as photographed by Taylor]

Shameless Saturday

Happy Saturday! I missed Guilt-free Friday and mass protests ensued. Which really just means I got an angry text from my mom asking why I hadn't posted my guilt-frees for the week. She poses as a loyal reader but I think she secretly uses Guilt-free Friday to monitor my alcohol intake. The day that more than two of them are about wine I swear she's calling Dr. Drew. 


Anyways, is the weather gorgeous where you are? Wilmington weather has been beyond delightful, and it looks like it will continue for the next few days. I have been taking full advantage of the warming trend , from eating burgers outside with my dad and brother on Thursday afternoon to catching some rays by the pool with Jordan yesterday morning. I hope you're having a beautiful weekend too, and remember, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just different kinds of good weather." -John Ruskin


Hey! It's ok...


... to firmly believe that everything tastes better alfresco. 


...to rock riding boots... even if you haven't been on a horse in over 10 years


...if having already brushed your teeth is the only thing stopping you from diving head-first into the box of Girl Scout cookies when you can't sleep at 2am

 [delicious sushi at Bento Box yesterday]

[beautiful flowers at Fresh Market]

Shameless Saturday

So, I missed Guilt-free Friday yesterday... whoops! I have just been so busy finalizing some last minute details before I leave for Tanzania in... 9 DAYS. Gosh, it hasn't really hit me yet. Probably because I am so unprepared. So, in addition to soccer-momming it up, I have been scrambling to finish some course work, get a prescription filled for malaria prevention meds (that I have to start taking in 2 days... eek) and checking the mail compulsively in hopes that my visa arrives. Stat. 


Anyways, in the spirit if Guilt-free Friday, let's have a Shameless Saturday (i.e. things I probably should be feeling guilty about, but I'm not.)


... I'm on latte number three. It isn't even 10:30am yet. BUT, at least there's no Baileys in it, right?

... I'm listening to Christmas music. BUT, I'm going to be gone November 1-14, which means I'll be missing out on two solid weeks of Christmas music. So sing on, Glenn Miller, sing on.

... I've spent more time planning what to wear on the 30 hour flight than I have spent preparing for my two tests this week. (Not to mention the 3 papers and professional portfolio I need to complete before my departure)

... Instead of studying yesterday I got a manicure. And a pedicure. All while reading InStyle Magazine. 

(not my feet)

... I know more about my new camera than I know about types of insurance and deductibles (i.e. what my finance test will be covering) Did I mention I don't know how to turn on my camera yet?

Also, I stole all of these pictures. I mainly found them on Google Images, which kind of makes it not like stealing. Except that it is. But I mean hey, what do you expect from someone who doesn't know how to turn on her camera?