Listening to...

"Elements" by A Fine Frenzy. One of my facebook friends had a line from this song as her status today and it completely re-ignited my obsession with this band. And so, appropriately, I have been playing this song on repeat since I got home from class at 3:30. (Sorry roommates!) Actually, I went here and listened to a few other songs for a brief interlude, but then I came back to this one and blasted it until I had to dash to induction, making Jordan late in the process. Again, sorry! But isn't it just lovely?

In other news, I posted over here today. Check it out!

Comfort and Joy

I found this tea at World Market and it is seriously a steaming cup of Christmas cheer. 

"Comfort and Joy Holiday Spice Blend- Featuring flavors of the holidays: cinnamon, cloves, apples, and licorice root blended with fine black tea." -The Republic of Tea


... i.e. ridiculously delicious. Honestly, I find myself making up reasons to drink it. Like with breakfast. Or because I'm cold. Or because I went to class. Or because I'm bored. It's getting excessive. Problem: It's only available from October through December. So either I need to stock up, or start rationing this stuff out (and let's face it, me? restraint? never.)

stache bash

Is it just me, or are mustaches endlessly entertaining? In my search for Christmas gifts I have been spotting them everywhere! 

Adorable handlebar corkscrew. ($12.95)

These glasses would be so fun for entertaining, and all the different mustaches make it easy to differentiate which glass is yours! ($22 for four)

Mustache magnets- perfect for adorning family photos on the fridge! ($5.99 for a set of 16)

Mustache handkerchief- to me, the idea of a handkerchief is just so old-fashioned and lovely. ($13)

Jordan has been looking at necklaces like this on Etsy for weeks! ($8.50)

Perfect Sunday

This day is absolute perfection. To steal the phrase from John Mayer, this is "the kind of morning that lasts all afternoon." I just love long, slow, ridiculously relaxing and indulgent mornings.  So for now, I will enjoy just one more latte, Christmas candles galore, and a great, big stack of glossy magazines. Is there a better time of year for magazines than December? I don't think so...

Guilt-free (black) Friday!

Happy shopping, chickens!

Hey it's ok...

... if Black Friday shopping is your favorite part of Thanksgiving

... if you spend the next 2 days in a food coma from completely gorging yourself last night. Or if you woke up at 5am with your stomach growling (hello, leftover sweet potatoes). 

... to "one for me, one for you" your way through this day. After all, it's been one heck of a month. Retail to the rescue. Besides, you've got all of December to shop for Christmas presents. 

overflowing with thankfulness

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, 

continue to live your lives in him, 

rooted and built up in him, 

strengthened in the faith as you were taught, 

and overflowing with thankfulness."

Colossians 2:6-7

(Image cred.)

Turkey Trot

Well kittens, how will you spend your Thanksgiving morning? Sleeping in? Watching the parade? Perhaps getting an early start on cooking? 

Not me. 

At 8:30 tomorrow morning I'll be participating in the Ridgewood Turkey Trot. 8 excruciating kilometers of pure terror. 

That's what happens when your parents are freaking fitness Barbie and Ken. So while the rest of America enjoys a leisurely morning being thankful, the entire Johns family will be running our turkeys off. 

It is not going to be pretty folks. Basically I'm going to die (not in the Rachel Zoe sense of the word). Typically this is the sort of thing you train for, and to say I'm unprepared would be an understatement. First of all, the only time I ran while I was in Tanzania was to the choo after eating those blasted raw cucumbers ( I knew that was a bad idea...) Since getting back, I have hit the gym twice, and both times the gym hit me. Like a freight train. Second of all, I would like to state that I am not completely opposed to the idea of physical activity on Thanksgiving. A friendly game of flag football would be feasible (as long as I'm not expected to actually catch the ball...) But running an 8k?! Seriously?

At least one thing is for darn sure, I'll be thankful to see that finish line. That is if I survive. 

** Update to follow. If you don't see anything on here after a few days check the obituaries. 

Thankful for...

I'll be heading home this afternoon to spend some time with my family for Thanksgiving, so it only seems right to be conting my blessings. Here are a few things I'm thankful for this morning.

1. Fresh Market. Because they understand the fact that dark chocolate is infinitely better than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate covered pretzels? Things are looking up.


2. The nice man who let me over in crazy Wilmington traffic when there was a wreck in my lane. I didn't even have to ask or look pitiful (which, let's face it, I've gotten pretty good at lately). He waved me over before I could even realize that traffic was starting to get crazy


3. At approximately 3:15 today I will be completely finished with presentations for the semester. (I just have to survive two today. Yikes.)

4. The boy who works at the coffee shop is singing Frank Sinatra right now. Not only can he make a decent latte but he sings too? Again, things are looking up.

5. Red wine, friends who make me laugh (with or without the wine) and family that supports me no matter what. (Oh and a fabulous pair of heels and jeans that make my bum look mega cute... just sayin.)

The list could go on and on (access to clean water, security in knowing I am relentlessly loved by the creator of the universe, the fact that I just saw a guy wearing a UK t-shirt (gooo Wildcats!), or even the fact that someone who works at OPI shares my affinity for all things that sparkle...) But you get the point. I am so blessed and I just love that we have this time of year to reflect on that and give thanks. 

Image by BonBon Rose Girls via we heart it.

Lil Gold Rush

How pretty is this adorable Lil Gold Rush Ring? Spotted on {this is glamorous}

Adore adore adore. Merry Christmas, Caitlin! ...Anyone?

Guilt-free Friday!

Friday Friday Friday! It has been a long and busy week, getting settled back in and all, but this morning I woke up feeling refreshed, relieved, and thankful that God is so faithful. Plans for the weekend? Incredible sushi (we definitely didn't have any in Africa), a huuuge group project (blahhh), and counting down the seconds until Thanksgiving! Hope your weekend is productive, too! 


Until next time... Hey it's ok...


To have a complete emotional breakdown when the pants you had planned on wearing for your interview are 2 sizes too big. Or you can't find a parking space at the library after circling for 20 minutes. Or when you realize you're out of Whole Grain Goldfish. And to blame it all on the jet lag. 


To opt for turning the living room into a second closet rather than actually unpacking. 


If the only "healthy choices" you've made lately are frozen dinners. 

Fall... on a budget.

I'm baaaack! It was an absolutely amazing time and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go. It truly was a life-changing trip, not just for me but for the thousands of lives that are being impacted by the Water to Wine Project. (For more details visit the blog... more to come later, too!)


Temperatures were nice and cool when we got back in town Saturday evening, but it looks like we brought the heat with us... 70s all week? I mean I'm not complaining, but Thanksgiving is still next week, right? Anyways, in the spirit of autumn, here are five fall favorites... all for under $10! Madness I tell you, madness.

1. Martha White Apple Cinnamon muffin mix (made with whole grains... win!)
I got this a few weeks back just to have on hand in a pinch (i.e. when I'm out of cereal, eggs, bread, etc) Apple cinnamon is so quintessentially autumn, and you only have to add milk and these little things are ready in 15 minutes. I also added about a half a cup of chopped pecans and sprinkled the tops with cinnamon sugar before baking (because I mean hey, can you ever truly have enough cinnamon?) They were delish. And the mix costs less than a dollar.

2. "October Road" by James Taylor Buy the whole CD on iTunes for $9.99 or just the song for 99¢

3. These fragrance beads from Pier 1 are especially perfect if your apartment complex doesn't allow candles (... I know, right?) and on a whim you decide to abide by that rule one day (or if you choose to use it in addition to your contraband candles.) I have Golden Apple Orchard, but Asian Spice sounds delightful too. $5

4. While we are on the subject of fragrance, did you know that Febreze makes seasonal scents? Well, I didn't until I saw this Pumpkin Harvest and Fall air effects spray. It is perfect for when we "forget" to take the trash out (right, Britney and Jordan?) And you didn't hear it from me but the Christmas fragrances may or may not be making an appearance in stores now. $3

5. I just finished reading the November 2010 issue of Cooking Light and gracious it's a good one (then again, Cooking Light it always a good one) This month's edition is loaded with recipes for making the perfect Thanksgiving dinner and simple, healthy, weeknight dinners in a flash. $4.99