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")

What I'm loving, right now.

Five things that are making me deliriously happy, right now. Because hey, it's Thursday, and don't we all deserve to be a little happy?

1. Trapp No. 64 White Lotus & Lychee

Nothing compares to the intensely fragrant Trapp Candles. "White Lotus & Lychee" is the perfect balance of warm and clean.

2. My new computer.

My sweet cousin sold me his iMac and it was iLove at first sight. I'm a total desktop junkie, and this is my first Mac. I couldn't be happier.

3. Maxi Dresses

[anthropologie]

Disclaimer: I do this every year. When the weather warms up during the day and the evenings remain chilly, maxi dresses reign supreme. I love them for travel, enabling you to go straight from the car/plane to dinner looking fabulous. They're also the perfect option on summer nights when the tender skin behind your knees has gotten a little too much sun. I love playing up the boho vibe with wavy hair and stacks of mismatched bracelets, but they can be polished and pretty too (just add a crisp oxford tied at the natural waist.) I know one gorgeous little lady who will be wearing this fabulous dress to prom... she's sure to be the belle of the ball... (and I'm certainly going to be borrowing the dress this summer...)

4. I have a fur niece!! My brother's precious puppy...

I haven't met her yet, but does it get any cuter than this?! I don't think so. 

5. "Split Screen Sadness" by John Mayer

I've been playing this song on repeat for a few days now. It's kind of embarrassing. When most people say, "on repeat" they don't literally mean restarting the song before it even has time to end, but this girl does. It's crazy to me that this song is 10 years old... still perfection. John Mayer is a lyrical genius... I love the imagery.

So tell me, what's making your day?

one week...

Today marks one week since the horrific events at the Boston Marathon took place. The days that followed this tragedy have been a bit of a blur, and there are so many questions that remain unanswered. It has been nearly 20 years since the Oklahoma City bombing occurred, and even though I was just a child at the time, I find myself feeling much the same way today: profoundly saddened, a little scared, and overwhelmingly confused. And that very same lump in the back of my throat? It still comes and goes. 

From Columbine to Newtown, there is no appropriate explanation for cowardly acts of violence, terror, and hate. But I have been so deeply disappointed by the reactions of some of my peers (and equally inspired by others.) I understand that we cannot control our circumstances, but I do believe that we are responsible for our reactions in these situations. You cannot control the cards you are dealt, but you can control how you play the hand. Here are two clips from my Twitter feed...

The views expressed by these two individuals couldn't be more opposite. One left me feeling agitated and defeated, while the other lifted me up and encouraged me. Both were viewing the same situation, but in a completely different light. The thing is-- sometimes you have to cast the light in the darkness. We simply cannot afford to wait for someone else to shine it for us. 

I'll spare you my personal diatribe, and challenge you with the simple fact that each and every one of us has a choice to make. When dastardly acts of violence rob innocent lives or when arrogant jerks cut you off in traffic... You are responsible for you. It's a remarkably empowering thought. 

[And, since I can't resist... truthfully, if you are sickened by the country that you are living in, make a change and go somewhere you're proud of. Trust that you will not be missed. Tragedy is no excuse for the bold expression of blatantly anti-American sentiments.]

Dream

Sunday nights are for dinner with my mom and dad. Sometimes my grandma joins, usually my brother and sister are off at youth group. Sometimes we watch basketball or the Masters or our dog playing fetch by himself. Whether we gather around the fire on a frigid winter night, or if we're sitting on the back porch on a perfect spring afternoon, Sundays are my time with my mom and dad and it's special. We make jokes about silly things and my parents challenge and encourage me on the serious things. And we almost always eat steak. 

This week, my dad was asking me about my dreams. Personal, professional, everything. Then he said, "Don't waste your youth on safety. Safety is the biggest threat to progress that you will ever face." Thinking about the future can be overwhelming and scary. It's one thing to dream a dream, but to breathe it to life? Risky business.

At the end of the meal, my dad said "Do you know why Walt Disney wanted the castle built first when Disneyland was under construction?" As soon as he said this, I kid you not, "When You Wish Upon A Star" started playing in the background. The Steve Tyrell Pandora station had been playing for the entire evening, but as my dad was telling this very story, the original version of this iconic Disney tune started to play. Maybe I'm making it a bigger deal than it was, but I get goosebumps every time I think about it. It was just one of those magical moments that I don't think I will ever forget. 

So you want to know why Walt did it? He said it was so everyone could see the dream. 

Blueberry Compote

My parents and sister were serving at their new church on Easter Sunday, so my brothers and I headed home after early service to whip up a beautiful brunch. It was fun being in the kitchen with just the two of them. Julian has worked in the kitchen at the restaurant, so it came as no surprise when I gave him the title* of "Culinary Executive." CJ was a big helper too, and I lovingly called him "Logistics Manager," which really means he washed dishes and took the trash out and did all that not so fun work without the slightest complaint. It freaks me out how much he's growing up. 

I was the "Creative Director" for the whole operation, which really means I made pretty arrangements out of fresh blooms, drank mixed mimosas, and made sure all of the dishes/serve-ware matched. #priorities

My main real contribution was this fabulous blueberry compote. There are no appropriate words to describe the wonder that takes place when you let 2 cups of fresh blueberries simmer with a little water and lemon juice. We put it on my grandma's "angel biscuits," and I swear you would think you'd died and gone to heaven (see what I did there?)

*yes, these "titles" were actually used. My brothers seem to tolerate my antics with begrudging fondness. 

p.s. I used this recipe for the compote, but traded the 1/4 cup of sugar for 1/8 cup of Truvia baking blend. 

p.p.s. we also tried grapefruit mimosas... delish. recipe here

Craven

Peplum can be tricky. I was watching an episide of Kourtney & Kim take Miami last night, and in one particularly unfortunate scene both were shown traipsing around in the worst kind of peplum (proof.) The thing about peplum is all too often it draws attention to the widest part of a woman's body. It's like "hiii, as if your hips weren't wide enough, here's an extra ruffle..." hmmnothanks. I love my Texture Cami by CAbi because the peplum is at the natural waist (aka the narrowest part of the torso, helloooo skinny minnie)  so it creates a flattering, feminine silhouette without adding extra bulk. 

I wore this to dinner in New Bern at 247 Craven (delicious, btw) & I topped off the look with my Chic Jacket (cannot get enough of the gauzy, sheer sleeves on this little gem)

[Texture Cami- CAbi Chic Jacket- CAbi Ponte Leggings- CAbi Fall 12 Shoes- Madden Girl Necklaces- J. Crew, gifted Watch- Michael Kors Nail Polish- Essie Turquoise and Caicos]