Beautiful Goodbye

Hi friends... Wanna hear something exciting? Dark and early tomorrow morning, my sweet momma and I will be catching a flight across country! I'm headed to Portland and this time I'm dragging my best friend with me. Technically I'm going for "work," if you can even call the CAbi Scoop work. We lucked out & scored a guest ticket to the fashion show and I'm so thrilled to share this experience with my mom! I swear I'm already dreaming of the Fall 13 collection, I cannot wait to see the new line, and I'm so looking forward to some girl time with some of my favorite ladies. Besides all the fashion, we plan to drink fabulous wine and eat delicious food, hike off some of the extra calories, and do some general exploring. If you have any recommendations for things to do in the Portland area, please share!

In the mean time, it's all packing... and I'd say this Maroon 5 song is the most perfect packing music!

happiness

Well how was your weekend? Mine was kind of perfect. You know those weekends where you just get it right? You achieve that elusive balance of work and play, family and friends, challenges and victories. Those are the weekends that leave you feeling empowered, ready to take on the world (or at least the week ahead.) 

(Brief) Recap:
Friday- kick-butt boot camp, beach with an old friend (that I hadn't spent time with since before college) work at the restaurant (busy.)
Saturday- slept in 'til 9 (!) spa time with my momma (pedi/facial) my sweet sister helped me with some blog stuff (exciting stuff coming, guys) dinner in New Bern with family & friends (champagne & lobster... what's not to love?)
Sunday- church, brunch, errands, housework, Sunday night dinner with my favorite couple

See what I mean? In a word: happiness. Exciting changes and new opportunities. You know I hate holding out on you but... soon! Speaking of happiness, these are 3 songs that are making me happy right now. 
1. Mirrors by Justin Timberlake

2. Come & Get It by Selena Gomez (because I'm 12 years old)

3. Without Me by Fantasia feat. Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliot

What have you been listening to lately?

Is it normal?

Is it normal...

to love this Robyn Pandora station as much as I do? 

for your DSLR to collect dust while your iPhone camera roll is full?

how much I love clothes and hate laundry?

for Fabolous lyrics to resonate the same way Austen and Hemingway and Fitzgerald speak to your soul? And to honestly believe "You Be Killem 'Em" is about you? "Enough class for wine, still handle Patron..." um helloooo... #itsyagurl

Things have been kind of crazy lately. Busy. Weird. Fun. I feel like I've been going non-stop and it has left me feeling a little compromised, creatively speaking. It hasn't been all work, I assure you. There has been a lot of fun (at times a bit too much fun...) These past few weeks I haven't really made time for getting organized, centered, and focused and it's catching up with me. This weekend will be a bit of a much-needed slow down. But just to fill you in, here's what you missed...

I talked about this poem here, and then planted my own (mini) garden...

[basil, something pink, parsley]

And sure as the devil, flowers came just days later. Life's funny like that. It has a way of surprising you, really catching you off guard. And even when it's not what you were expecting or what you thought you wanted, it reminds you not to give up on what you really want, what your heart believes you deserve. It won't steer you wrong. I've spent so much of my life thinking expectations are a bad thing. Shakespeare even said, "Expectation is the root of all heartache." But I'm realizing that isn't entirely true. Expectations are the natural byproduct of standards, and having standards is never a bad thing. If something or someone isn't living up to your standards, don't waste your time.  

2 consecutive Wednesday nights on the patio at RuckerJohns... live music, yummy food, and fun friends. Perfection.

And speaking of friends, this little angel made her way back for a visit.

This boy graduated! I wore Michael Kors... to die, righttt? 

And I've been working on my tan... beach with girlfriends, pool with the sweet baby pup... I'm and equal opportunity sunbather.

And in an attempt to get my butt in gear (and because it was the free App of the week from Starbucks) I downloaded Clear. List-makers, enjoy. Not only is it great for managing tasks, to do lists, and reminders, but it gives you these fun little quotes... and I'm a total quote junkie. 

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?

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. 

her feet killin her, i call it shoe-icide

While on my self-inflicted shopping diet/spending freeze/clothes-hoarding hiatus, I quickly found an alternative to my apparent apparel addiction... shoes. Lots and lots of fabulous shoes. Here's the rationale (from someone who clearly doesn't think rationally...) It's my job to wear (and sell) gorgeous clothes. And great shoes only serve to complete the package. If you were displaying an exquisite painting, you wouldn't put it in a cheap frame. So, the shoes are the frame.

So, call me crazy, but I absolutely adore my Fergie "Indie"espadrilles, (yeah, Stacy Ann Ferguson, peed in her pants on stage, spells tasty with an e, Fergie.) I can tromp around in the 5 inch heel for hours, they're stupid comfortable. I have them in black, but I would give my firstborn to get my hands on this nude pair in a 6.5. The rope sole is so on trend for spring, and wedges will always be my first love. 

When wearing heels isn't an option, I'm liking a bold, patterned flat, like these babies from J. Crew...

Aaaand if we want to get really comfortable with it, Bensimon sneakers à la French girls (or a cheap alternative, as first mentioned here)

What shoes are you rocking this spring? 

And, as a courtesy, the song inspiration for the post title...

and just in case I got "Fergalicious" Stuck in your head...

you know you love me.

Guilt-free Friday!

Hi, remember me? I know, I feel like an absentee parent, neglecting this little spot so much lately. I certainly do miss it, and the ideas and inspirations are overflowing, but life just seems to be tugging in a million different directions. Tomorrow starts one of my most favorite months, and with lots of new & exciting things on the horizon, I can't help but feel a little giddy. I'm beyond thrilled to share this most wonderful time of the the year with you. 

Lots of good things coming up, I tell ya, lots of good things. 

Until then though, hey, it's ok...

... if you know more about who the NFL players are dating than you know about the actual rules of the game. 

.... to gain a little weight around the holidays. We'll call it the "festive fifteen" and tell ourselves it's to stay warm through the colder months. 

... to still have boxes from college waiting to be unpacked, if your diploma sits neatly unopened in it's original mailing envelope, and if you still ask for the student discount. There's nothing wrong with holding on to your youth, and if a pile of boxes in the attic and an unframed diploma makes you feel like your college days remain in the not-so-distant past, by all means. 

And just for tomorrow, one of my current favorites...

"December" by Norah Jones

[image via here]

Guilt-free Friday!

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend! Any fun plans on the books? My sweet brother is headed home for a few days and the weather promises to be perfect (mild sunny days, chilly evenings.) I am looking forward to getting in some family time & sipping seasonal beers on the back porch with a big fire burning!  Did I mention I have three days off? I'm a happy girl.

Have a relaxing weekend! A wink and a smile until next time...

Hey! It's ok...

... to think it's totally weird that Taylor Swift is dating someone who's still in high school. AND a Kennedy. But to be counting down the days to her new album regardless...

... if calling french fries "frites" makes them seem totally chic and nutritionally sound. 

... if you're just now catching on to the wonder that is Spotify. (yes, I'm what they call a "late adapter") But um hello! You can listen to entire albums! I'm loving the latest from DMB and I've listened to GOOD Music: Cruel Summer more times than I'd like to admit... 

I can't pick a favorite song, but this one is up there...

slow down, you crazy child

You know those songs that you've heard a million times before but one night you hear it and it just... resonates. Suddenly it's truer than ever. Suddenly it all makes sense. Suddenly it's written just for you. You can't pick a favorite line or even a favorite verse because each stanza speaks right to you?

Right now, Vienna by Billy Joel is it. 
22 and a million crossroads. 
Decisions and questions 
and hopes and dreams. 


There's something exhilarating and terrifying about the rest of your life. Sometimes I need a reminder to slow down, disconnect, and just be. I get too far ahead of myself. I worry about tomorrow and the day after that. It's silly. 


Happy Saturday. xo

She was... An American Girl

Well friends, are you gearing up for Independence Day? I must say it is one of my favorites... a house full of family, gorgeous, sunny beach days, watching fireworks from the boat, and eating so much delicious food (all while wearing a bikini... makes for quite an adventure.) And such a welcome break in the middle of summer. 


To prep for the week's festivities, my mom and I got mani/pedis yesterday (for America) and it left me feeling pretty patriotic from tip to toe. 

[Red Lights Ahead... Where? and Simmer and Shimmer]

The cute Vietnamese girl who did my nails realllly tried to talk me out of the blue sparkles on my fingers (she knows I usually go for coral, red, or orange) but I tried to explain that it was my civic duty to sport red, white, and blue this week. She wasn't buying it. 

I really love it though. It's super fun. And looks like fireworks on my nails. 

And, in case you were wondering, this song will certainly be blasting out my speakers for the next few days...

There's just something about driving around with the top down, hair blowing like crazy, and belting this song. That's America. 

Listening to...

I wasn't obsessed with John Mayer's newest album when I first listened to it (let's be real, it wasn't as sad/dark/emo as I expected it to be... it was just so... happy) but the more I listen, the more I like it. Other favorite tracks? Queen of California, Something Like Olivia, Age of Worry, Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey...


What do you think?


p.s. when we first talked about the single...

girly cupcakes

I can't say exactly why, but I never really bought into the whole cupcake fad. I must admit, I can be pretty picky when it comes to frosting. And truth be told, I don't like things that look too perfect, so a piped-on pile of confectionery goo just doesn't do it for me. And of course, as soon as anything becomes too mainstream I immediately develop a distaste for it (I guess it's just the hipster in me.) This weekend though, on a whim, my sister and I decided to whip up a batch. But not just any cupcakes: we were determined to make the most girly cupcakes possible. How do you do that, you ask?

First, make them mini. Anything little is automatically more feminine. Use adorable paper liners that could easily be mistaken for the finest of stationary.  As for the recipe? Funfetti... obviously. But be sure to use Rainbow Chip frosting. You can't beat Rainbow Chip frosting... unless you add pink food coloring (of course.) 

While the cupcakes are in the oven, do facials and manicures. After the cupcakes have cooled, and your nails have dried, blast Taylor Swift songs and sing along as you give each one a haphazard swirl of frosting on top. The smudgier the better. Finish with bright, sparkly sprinkles and edible glitter. 

Note: a sister isn't required, but she makes everything more fun. 

Guilt-free Friday!

Hi cats & happy Friday! It's a deliciously sunny day here, so this afternoon I'm putting the top down and hitting the road. I'll be spending the weekend in Topsail Beach celebrating another birthday... this time my BBF Rob (click here to see his cake from last year!) Here's hoping the weather stays sunny & that it's beautiful wherever you are. Until Monday... 


Hey! It's ok...


if you cannot put you car in reverse without singing The Cha Cha Slide in your head (Reverse! Reverse! ... Everybody clap your hands.......)


to frantically start untangling your headphones when you see someone approaching you. And to pretend your iPod is actually alive when they try start a conversation. "Oh hey... good to see you too... what? huh? I can't.. my music.. yeah okay, buhbye..."

if you have started your morning by playing "Call Me Maybe" 4 out of 5 days this week. I hated it at first, but I've gotten to the point where I can't even wait for the song to end before I restart it. #problem 

(with lyrics so you can learn all the words too)

(aaand classic)

Listening to...

I'm a loyal friend. Seriously. You mess with my girls, you mess with me. When Kanye interrupted T*Swift, it was game over. And when John Mayer broke her heart? I could have flipped tables RHONJ style. And when Chris Brown got physical with Rihanna? Awl hail no. But lately, though, my ladies seem to be making amends with these bad boys (see here and here.) And if they can forgive and forget? I might be able to move on too. 


Now I'm not going to speculate on whether John's new song is an apology to Taylor Swift, but I will say that I'll be playing it on repeat until the new album drops on May 22, 2012. 

Worth Repeating...

"She was a woman confident in her taste and unafraid to do things differently." 

As I flipped through the latest Matchbook Mag over coffee yesterday morning, I found myself scrambling for a pencil when I read this statement. In the article, Katie Armour is speaking of Nancy Lancaster, but I thought this quote was a remarkable tribute and can be a true inspiration to women everywhere.  

I've tried to write more, to expand, to share, but my words are failing me on this quiet morning. The backspace key seems to be my best friend and the anthem, "You just do you, and I’mma do me..."* is playing on repeat in my brain. So maybe sometime, someday, something more astute, but for now, a few images & quotes I've had saved on my desktop for quite some time now, but they just seem to fit so perfectly. 

[Images 1-4 via prettystuff, 5-6 pinned here]

*Sorry if I just got "Teach Me How to Dougie" stuck in your head... Cali Swag District gets me every single time... Still friends?

Roots, Rock, Reggae

It's one of those gorgeous, cloudless days here in coastal Carolina. The kind of day when the sky is so blue and the sun is so bright it sweet-talks you into thinking you can accomplish anything. 


And you can. 


This is spring. Tricky, tricky spring, because even though the sun is shining, it's still quite chilly out there. So, naturally, I'm tapping into this productivity, giving thanks for this beautiful day, and jamming out to some of my favorite reggae songs (and admittedly pretending it's warmer than it actually is.) I hope it's beautiful wherever you find yourself this afternoon. 

Daddy Valentine

Is your dad your valentine? One of my sweet readers commented last week that this year her dad is her valentine and I must admit my dad will always be #1 valentine. I mean, my mom is my best friend, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I am a total daddy's girl. It's so bad, in fact, that my friends expectantly look for me to tear up at the mention of anything father-daughter (movies, songs, commercials...) Here's the thing: my dad has always been my valentine, not because of any specific, over-the-top display of affection on Valentine's Day, but because he makes me feel loved and secure the other 364 days of the year too. 


When I saw this video yesterday, I couldn't help but think that this precious little girl definitely has a "Daddy Valentine," too. 

dreaming...

...of a White Christmas. 

[1,2,3,4,5,6,7&8]

I know there are the holiday purists police out there who refuse to acknowledge the existence of Christmas until all the Thanksgiving festivities are finished and the turkeys are tucked in bed, dreaming of sugarplums on Thanksgiving night, but the reality is that Christmas is right around the corner. And unfortunately, as good things so often do, the holiday season never ceases to fly by in true whirlwind fashion, a frantic frenzy of jingle bells and mistletoe, cookie-baking and all the best movies... It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, and I certainly plan on making the most of it. So forgive me, if I'm getting a little ahead of myself, but I'm with Bing on this one, dreaming of a White Christmas on this lovely November day...

Guilt-free Friday!

Why hello, dear ones! Thanks for stopping by. Today is Friday and it is a good day. First, some boot camp action where my dear momma will kick my butt (quite literally) and then a quick shower and I'm off to Wilmington. Taylor and I are hitting the road again to meet his parents in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The weekend promises to be a fun and relaxing time. And to be honest, I'm looking forward to some cool weather. Don't tell Taylor, but I have a little plan to possibly convince him to listen to some Christmas music on the drive home. I always try to wait until November 1 to break out the Holiday favorites, but hey, what difference does 2 days make? Besides, he loves me for it. Here's hoping your weekend is relaxing, beautiful and maybe a little festive too. Until Monday...


Hey! It's ok...


...if you can't resist packing flannel for every single day of your mountain getaway. 


...if you love sushi. but hate sake. "I'll have a pinot noir, please." 


...if JT will always mean James Taylor, not Justin Timberlake. (And if maybe, sometimes, you just feel like you were made for another generation.)

the James Taylor Christmas album? Perfection.

Fall... on a budget.

Last year I did a round-up of all my fall favorites for under $10. It was so much fun, I've decided to repeat the tradition this year! Here goes...

Starbucks apple fritter $2. 

Ok, don't shoot me, but I've never been a big fan of the beloved pumpkin spice latte. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate its seasonal appeal, but I've always found it to be too sweet for my taste. And to be honest, I like my coffee to taste like, well, coffee. Save yourself the calories and order a grande nonfat latte, and then add on one of these delicious danishes. It's apple, so it's healthy, right?

Planters pumpkin spice almonds $4

I found these randomly one day in the grocery store and decided to try them out. They are absolutely delicious & perfect for a protein-packed snack. (Also yummy mixed into vanilla Greek yogurt with Craisins.)

Forever 21- fingerless gloves $5.50

I love the warm, red color and pretty cable-knit detail. Great for chilly evenings when it's not quite cold enough to break out mittens. 

Everyday Food November 2011

It's no secret that I'm a total magazine junkie, but this little publication never disappoints (I mean it is a Martha Stewart magazine, so that's to be expected) The November issue is full of seasonally inspired dishes that can be made in minutes. Only problem- I've dog-eared 95% of the recipes to try. (Roasted sweet potato salsa, pork tenderloin with roasted fall veggies, roasted brussels sprouts with pancetta, brown sugar buttermilk pie... I could go on and on.)

Van Morrison- Moondance $1 for the single, $9 for the whole album (on Amazon)

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies 

And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low...