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.

just throw it in the bag...

Ok, so I told you I'm a hot shot fashion consultant now, right? Well, while I was in San Diego for training, I asked some of the veterans for their advice. One resounding theme: don't over do it on the clothes. A common "rookie mistake" is to fall in l-o-v-e with the collection (which I did) and overspend on personal purchases, rationalizing that it's a "business investment." So, I made a rule for myself: No personal purchases until after I had completed my first month. And dang if it wasn't tough! It challenged me to wear my samples in creative ways (I don't get to pick my sample sizes!) and it gave me time to figure out my absolute favorite pieces. Here's what I'm loving from CAbi... (and promptly purchasing this afternoon...)

Texture Camisole and Texture Slouch Pant with Chic Jacket
This was my abs fave look as soon as it came out on the runway. And now, a month later, I'm still nuts over it. I love the idea of wearing the two pieces together like a jumpsuit. It's got that "model off duty" vibe, especially when paired with pretty espadrilles (more on that later) and loads of gold jewelry. This drapey, lightweight material will be perfect for when things get steamy this summer (gotta love that southern humidity.) It's a great alternative to the overdone sundress. Way edgier & totally sophisticated. The Chic Jacket is perfection because it has the polished look & the masculine cut of a traditional blazer, but the sheer sleeves add a subtle, sexy appeal. 

Feather Tunic 
This piece didn't really stand out to me in the beginning, but as the season has progressed I'm really digging it. It's 100% silk (so dreamy) and the gold buttons are bonkers. Love it paired with these...

Thin Mint Jegging
I kind of cheated here... I convinced my mom to buy them and I've been wearing them. I just couldn't wait a whole month! Love the color (mint is so hot for spring) and the fit makes your legs look miles long. 
Scarf Top (image above)
And one sample that I have been wearing the heck out of... The adorable scarf top. Love that it has 3 different patterns. And it seriously works for all ages & body types. Proof: my sweet grandmother ordered this top. Love the thought that she & I miiight show up wearing the same shirt and both look fabulous. 

Have you checked out the CAbi Spring 2013 collection? I'd love to know what you think! xo

on my mind...

escape.

Monday night I staggered into work anxious and emotional. I was feeling overwhelmed and I needed to escape. I'm not going to say that running away is always the best option, but for me, in this case, it was. I needed to get out of town and Wintergreen, VA was expecting snow. My sweet brother was up there for spring break, and I successfully convinced him to stay a couple extra days.

I got my shifts covered, loaded up my car, and set off Tuesday afternoon. As I pulled into the resort the first of the flurries began to fall. We thought we might get 8-10 inches. We ended up with 24-30. The power went out for a few hours Wednesday afternoon, and as I lie sprawled out by the fire listening to the wind howl and my brother snoozing quietly on the couch, I penned this...

fire crackling, snow falling
wind howls, raging on.
bursts and gusts much stronger than
little
old
me.
I came to escape it all.
The fears and insecurities,
the lingering questions and doubts.
I thought if I found myself
on the side of the biggest mountain
my fears would get small
the worry would melt away like icicles
and I would [find peace]
I underestimated her fury though
& now she's forcing me to face my own
No power, no phone, no television chatter
to drown out the sound of the
dumb devils and demons of doubt
or to distract me from myself.
I'm stuck inside with nothing to do but face them &
[make peace]
outside the storm rages on
a nor'easter, they say
but making peace is much greater than finding it.

warm.

Moving into the townhouse has been an adventure. It was't until my first night sleeping here that it really hit me that this is the first time I've ever lived alone. There's something kind of liberating and exciting about that. I had fun roommates throughout college (with the exception of my fateful freshman year... my first roommate was not simply riding the crazy train, she was driving it. Off the side off a cliff.) Living alone is unmistakably different. Of course I'll miss the companionship at times, but there's comfort in the quiet too. 

Another thing about your first place on your own... filling it. I didn't realize how little I owned. Well, as far as house things go. Clothes? Another story. But furniture and kitchen wares and things of the sort... Not so much. My cousins and I have lovingly taken to calling our parents' and grandma's attics/garages "Free Stuff Emporium." Though the boys are more attracted to the finance factor (i.e. free) I love the idea of sitting on my grandma's old couch with my feet propped up on mom and dad's old coffee table. I like thinking about the board games we played on this very table, and there's something really special about cooking breakfast in the same pan my dad used to make me pancakes for me every morning of high school. There are nicer pans out there, and this one is a little worn, but little things like this make my place feel cozy and homey. 

Another thing that contributed to the "warming" of this house? The outpouring of love from family and friends. In addition to all the wine in Napa Valley, I've received countless other sweet gifts too... from the perfect monogrammed mug to a bright bouquet for my dining room table (that once belonged to my grandparents) to a fun bottle opener that will be perfection on my back porch all summer long... It may be February 26, rainy and gloomy outside, but things are undeniably warm in here. 

[coffee & candles contribute to the warmth, and I must admit I'm not above decorating with chocolates]

Guilt-free Friday

Ahhh I woke up early this morning, almost giddy at the thought of Guilt-free Friday. It has been far too long! I hope you have fun & exciting plans for this weekend. I'm hoping to be wildly productive, though there's an extra bottle of champagne in the fridge leftover from my sweet grandmother's luncheon yesterday. So cheers, my sweets, to creativity, productivity, and festivity! (because there's always a reason to celebrate.) xoxo until next time...

Hey! It's ok...

... if peanut butter accounts for 93% of your protein intake.

... aaand if Girl Scout Cookies and Reese's account for 93% of your peanut butter intake. 

... if a Tagalong will always be a Tagalong. And a Samoa is a Samoa, regardless of how politically incorrect it may be. 

... if your hair is 4 weeks overdue for a trim, your gym visits have been sporadic at best, and if laundry has fallen by the wayside, but you've maintained perfectly-pedicured toes throughout the duration of this bitter season. Priorities. 

[image via Pinterest]

hiii&imissedyou

"Lucy, you've got some splainin to do..."

I know, Ricky, I know. 

Things have been an absolute whirlwind. Condensed version? New job, new house, new new new. It's been an adjustment. It's fun and exciting and there's so much to do and to share. I know I've been holding out on you, but between my trip to San Diego, remodeling and furnishing  a 3-bedroom townhouse, and a new business endeavor... I'm coming up for air. 

This week has been rough. Oh gosh, it's only Tuesday. Ok, this week got off to a rough start. I don't want to go into too much detail, but when I went to bed last night I was feeling overwhelmed and angsty. But God reminded me, through a poem I first read in middle school, that things are going to be ok. God is funny like that, using poems to speak to you, and I'm not just talking the Psalms (though He does that too, you know.) He is the God of the universe, He is the God of poetry, His mercies are new every morning. I am thankful. 

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you  

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,  

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;  

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;  

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;  

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;  

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,  

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,  

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,  

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,  

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

And, just to be fair, a photo catch-all...

 gorgeous San Diego sunset

and hotel room scribblings

 the most fun, inspirational group of women

 new keys! paints swatches & a sweet housewarming gift (side note: the number of bottles of wine I received as housewarming gifts... alarming. I don't hate it.)

sneak peek at my new room! the inspiration was "Eloise at the Plaza" meets Trinidad James "All Gold Everything" because I'm cool like that. 

Aaaand increasing frustrations finally coming to a close yesterday. So relieved and thankful. 

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.