Worth Repeating...

"We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, and we travel to be lost." -Ray Bradbury

 The morning started off with a hurried frenzy through Wilmington's tiny airport (turns out my flight was at 7 not 7:30... Eeps!) but the first (short) leg of the trip is over. Now I'm relaxing in foggy Philadelphia with a hot latte and free wifi for my blogging pleasure. Looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead with giddy anticipation... A new landscape with an old friend is hard to beat. 

good morning...

Good morning, loveyloos. In honor of vacation officially starting, I slept in a little late this morning. Now, it's a french toast bagel Santa Claus style (toasted with butter and cinnamon sugar, of course) and a latte or two. Next up: packing. (And I just wouldn't be me if I didn't share an aerial shot of breakfast...)

[Also, if anyone knows how to convert DVDs to iPad format I would greatly appreciate your help! It could be a very long trip without something for my viewing pleasure...]

the boozy barista

Not to sound like a total lush, but I'm always a fan of a nightcap. In the fall, as the air gets crisp and cool we often enjoy dinner alfresco on the back porch. There is usually a big fire burning in the fireplace and my favorite part of the meal is when we sit around afterward, talking, roasting marshmallows, and enjoying coffee.

Coffee is good, spiked coffee is even better. (Jk... kind of... not really.) I have been experimenting with my barista skills, and I've just about nailed it. Current Favorite? 1 part espresso, 1 part Baileys Irish Cream, 1 part Frangelico with Godiva caramel and white chocolate infused steamed milk. Per.fec.tion.

[The Nespresso Pixie is seriously life-changing... delicious, perfect espresso every time]

[delightfully smooth steamed milk at the push of a button (it really is that simple) To infuse the milk, I add a splash of the liqueurs before steaming. ]

[again, pardon the image quality, all photos via iPhone, but praying my Nikon will be back in my arms today?!]

in-flight fashion

To prep for my 18 hour trip next week, I'm upping my Vitamin C intake (in the form of grapefruit margaritas) and googling any combination of travel + airport + style + chic + fashion + comfort + jet setter. It's all about priorities, right? 


I'm clearly not the only one who thinks about such things when globe-trotting, because my search has yielded countless results. You can find celebrities and fashion icons on both ends of the spectrum: from slippers to stilettos, I've seen it all. As the 1 week countdown for departure begins, I've started brainstorming. Here are a few ideas that are inspiring my sartorial selections, but I'll give you one hint, there's no way you're getting this butt in jeans for 18 hours* H to the N. 

[That last image just screams Hawaii. For me, the equation is looking something like leggings+breezy cotton layers+cozy scarf+comfy shoes. As much as I love the polished look of a blazer, a wrap sweater suits me better for such a long trip.]

How do you travel in style?

*If the trip were shorter, like to New York, I would definitely man up and wear denim. But 18 hours? That's crazy talk

p.s. This is what I wore for the 30 hour trip to Tanzania!

images via Pinterest. 

the trees of the field

A great, big oak tree towers tall in the backyard. This time of year it hangs heavy with lush, green leaves. The breeze off the river rustles the tall oak's branches, and what begins as a hushed murmur soon builds to a modest applause, giving way to a standing ovation.

...and the trees of the field 

will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12

transitional wardrobe

And so it begins... that awkward phase between summer and fall. Temperatures still soar during the day, but after months of cut-offs and flip flops, I find myself coveting all things cozy. Developing a transitional wardrobe is something that has eluded me for years. I could never quite strike the balance between seasonally appropriate and comfortable for the given climate. This year, rather than fighting the elements and trying to make boots happen all too soon, I've selected a few pieces to make the transition from summer to fall a little easier. These are my essentials:


1. Cropped Pants 

(I prefer J. Crew's Minnie pants. Prefer meaning adore.) 

They are not nearly as hot as jeans and they make your legs look miles long. Timeless, classic, chic. Black is a perennial favorite, but I'm loving my newly-acquired khaki pair! Wear them now with sandals and in a few weeks with flats or pumps. And as winter rolls around, tuck them into boots and nobody will know the difference.


2. Lightweight utility jacket

I'm not going to lie, I wear this thing year round. Pants, shorts, jeans, dresses... it goes with everything. As it gets cooler I like to layer it over a hoodie for a downtown, metropolitan vibe. Mine is from Gap, but I've spotted similar versions at J. Crew and Urban Outfitters recently. 


3. Scarves (lightweight) 

[I purchased this one this morning!]

Save the cozy cashmere and wool for when winter arrives. Now is the time for breezy cotton and linen. I keep one tucked in my purse 24/7. 


4. Cognac leather accents 

The warm, supple shade lends an air of distinction (think prep-school charm) & while it may be too soon for riding boots, a leather handbag is perfect year-round. 


What are you wearing to beat the heat but still look chic?

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]

pumped-up kicks

I've been running in Asics since I was in high school. I got my first pair at the finish line of the Boston Marathon (I didn't actually run the grueling 26.2 miles, but there is a running retailer located where the race ends) and I've been a loyal fan ever since. Last week I traded in my pair of Gel Nimbus 11s for a pumped-up pair of the Limited Edition Gel Nimbus 13s. So far, I love them. I literally feel like I am running on clouds. And although I try to reserve them for aerobic activity, I just might be caught wearing them while vacuuming, doing laundry, watching tv...

[When the associate showed me these fresh kicks I was a little skeptical. I told him you have to run fast if you wear shoes like that. But with the help of this song pumping through my headphones, lately I've been doing just that.]

p.s. here's a (brief) recap of the last time I bought running shoes!

leopard love

Although I'm always willing to try a variety of patterns (from floral to python) my heart swells at the sight of anything leopard. I often find myself surrounded by those who claim the print should be reserved for The Cheetah Girls or Jersey shore, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I believe it is a classic, timeless print and, although it transcends season, I find it quintessentially fall. Here are a few touches of leopard you're sure to spot around here...

 [These flats have seen better days but I cannot seem to part with them. I love them with cropped black pants]

 [Wallet]

 [A skinny belt is perfect for just a touch of the fun print]

[I've been keeping this scarf in my purse for when the ac is blasting indoors.]

How do you incorporate fun patterns in your wardrobe?

Aloha

As if a weekend of celebrations was not enough, I woke up yesterday morning and booked my flight to Hawaii! I am so excited to go visit my friend Kelsey & see what her Lilo life is all about! AND I leave in 2 weeks! I'm elated. When I was doing my devotional this morning I read this verse...

Sometimes I cannot help but laugh at the things God does in my life. Lately He has been teaching me that relying on Him is an exciting, exhilarating adventure. My trust and dependence creates a world of opportunities that I cannot even imagine on my own. I'm not trying to make sense of everything. I've given up the meticulous planning and obsessing over that variables I cannot control. And I'm trusting Him.

guilt-free birthday friday!

Happy Friday, little cupcakes! I'm 22 today, and looking forward to a weekend spent celebrating with family and friends, basking in the sunshine and blowing out candles (and sharing those candles with Taylor, whose birthday is tomorrow!) But first, the gym, some birthday pampering in the form of a mani/pedi, and then the arrivals gate at the airport to pick up a dear friend! I hope you have a long, celebratory weekend as well. 


Until we meet again...


Hey! It's ok...


... to be a total 6-year-old when it comes to matters of copycats (hate em) and birthdays (love em)


... if you cannot decide what scares you more: wrinkles or Botox


... if it's not a birthday without a new dress!

[a few birthday dresses from years past]

Nikon... A love story

I cried for 3 days. I thought my camera was done. Finished. Dead. Gone. History. I swaddled it in styrofoam, shipped it off to Nikon, and prepared for the worst. (Meaning I drowned my sorrows in Malibu and tried to imagine spending $700 AGAIN to replace the camera I had grown to love.)

Then I got this email. Covered under warranty? I'm so happy I could cry. Thank you, Nikon. I could just kiss you.

p.s. That's why all pics in soliloquy-land have been via iPhone. But don't worry, as soon as this shutterbug gets her baby back it will be photo overload. Seriously, your computer might have a seizure trying to load the page. :)