Scenery from my run.

Oddity

While browsing the pages of Elle Decor today, I came across this...



A little strange, no? I guess when it comes to your home, it's whatever "floats your boat" ;) Who doesn't need a little dose of the odd or strange on an otherwise somewhat dreary Monday? I sure do! Happy (strange) Monday, everyone!

Wanted: Tory Burch Boot

I want a pair of these... SO MUCH. I love everything Tory Burch does, it's just too bad her prices are more "Bergdorf Goodman" when my wallet is more "Target" sized... But if anyone out there was feeling generous (they're on sale!! Only $113 right now!), I'm a size 7 and I would be willing to do an ENORMOUS amount of decorating and design work in exchange (since my husband would DIE if I ever suggested spending that much on clothing). I'm just saying people... I'm giving you options ;) Here's a pic of my little beauties...


Here are some more favorites from her Ready-to-wear collection at Bergdorfs...
I want these for work. I would wear them everyday. I promise.



Too bad I lose expensive sunglasses. I'll stick with my $10 avaiators =)

Yummy white hobo - here I come, summer!

Suede satchel? Yes please. It's very "working girl."

Straw tote! With Coral accents! Happiness!

Nautical necklace... ahhh warmer weather, I'm on my way! Thanks Tory Burch for the eye candy - keep it coming! Happy Sunday evening, everyone!

Help and Bedroom

Help! I've been too busy to blog and I soooooo miss it!! I promise I'll post a real entry either tomorrow or Monday... For now, enjoy a lovely picture from me to you:

{Via Apartment Therapy}

We're re-doing our bedroom (part of the reason for my absence this week/weekend), and I'd love ours to look like this when it's done! Hope your weekends have been swell, and I promise to get back into the swing of things either tomorrow or Monday. Happy Saturday night!

Style Watch: flood pants/pop of color socks/penny loafers.

While Bunnie and I were enjoying a tasty bruncheon date today {not a luncheon, a bruncheon} I noted some fantastic, fashion flair that should be emulated; flood pants, paired with colorful trouser socks, and penny loafers.  This young pup was romancing nerd chic.  I enjoy a man that takes a bold risk in fashion.  What do you think?

Rentable: Starting Out In The Evening.

Why do I love independent films?  Because they are REALLY weird. This weekend go indie, and watch STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING. The nucleus of the plot straddles the relationship between an aged writer and a vivacious graduate student.  The young woman {played by Lauren Ambrose} is a genuine fan of a once celebrated writer Leonard Schiller.  She hopes that through study of his literature and personal interviews, to expose a commonality between his works.  I have to warn you that this movie made me feel awkward and uncomfortable....but in the best way possible.  I couldn't look away from the complexity of the characters' irratic behavior.  Rent the movie to find out why.  *This film is currently available via Netflix online streaming. 

Last Moments.

I found a gorgeous creature on my run yesterday.  It was taking in it's last few moments on this earth.  The vivid set of wings fluttered only slightly.  It was a quiet, solemn exchange that I felt fortunate to share with a humble butterfly.  I hope it felt comforted by my presence as it slipped into another realm.

What I Wore Wednesday: A Trophy Wife's Costume.

Hooray for new dresses! I felt like a trophy wife today.  I'm not sure why.  Perhaps it was the styling.  Maybe it was the properties, or the spike heels.  But, that's the manner in which it was translating.  My dress is a flirty Weston number by way of Anthropologie.  It has pockets people.  Pockets!  The dress was pricier than I usually commit to, but I had to have it.  The ingredients are as follows: 

1. Tactful Frock:  Weston $97 {with discount}


2. Brown Noser Heels:  BCBG via Nordstrom Rack $32.00


3. Leaf Me Alone Necklace:  F21 $12.99


4. Smoker's Cough Clutch:  Thifted $1.99


5. Brown Derby Waist Belt:  Vintage $12

Creativity Tuesday: Seasonal Frames.

February is right around the corner.  And February always alludes to love.  To celebrate, I filled my seasonal frames with love letters written during the courtship of Mr. and Mrs. Bunnie.  It was difficult to choose from all of our stacks of sweet letters.  We were so very young and in love.

Day Trip With Kira: The Getty Villa.

High Points of Being a Server.

Refilling a vat of ketchup, 

and making one mell of a hess. 

Rain Boot Love

At the end of my college career in May of 2009, I was absolutely exhausted(<- bet you're wondering what this has to do with rain boots, huh? Just wait...) I had just finished taking my finals for both abstract algebra, and number theory (read: really really hard and super-nerdy math). I had literally experienced a mini-nervous break down during that semester. The work load was impossibly large (and I had attended a college prep school, so I was accustomed to 4+ hours of homework every evening), the material was horribly difficult, and to top it all off, I was planning our wedding. Both of my professors graded my finals on the spot, so I knew I had passed both classes by a large margin (insert saint-making miracle here), and I was seriously crying with happiness. I knew that nothing could stop me from graduating now (I always assume I'm failing each class I take, I don't know why, but thankfully that was never a self-fulfilling belief...). I wanted to reward myself, but I didn't have really any idea what to do. I knew I was planning a wedding (planning a wedding=broke as a joke), and that I couldn't afford to buy myself anything really nice, and for some reason I was feeling frivolous. That doesn't happen with me very often; I tend to be VERY practical. I decided to take a trip to super target (budget shopping!) to see what I could find. Upon entrance I was less than thrilled with the usual items, clothing, bags, jewelry, etc. I decided to take a quick run through the shoe section before heading over to housewares (my usual Target indulgence). As I was skimming the aisles, light from heaven seemed to shine down upon one particular pair... I don't know why I fell head-over-galoshes in LOVE with them, but I did. "I can't justify this," I said to myself. Then I sat back and thought about the last time I'd made a silly purchase. I couldn't think of one in any kind of near memory. "Don't I get one silly little thing every once in a while? And they only cost $18..." I walked out that day with perhaps the most ridiculous purchase I thought I would ever make. Turns out, they have been anything BUT ridiculous.

They have traveled with me to San Fransisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, London, Barcelona, Alicante, Nice, Mote Carlo, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Pisa, and Gibraltar, not to mention accompanying me to work and on errands MANY times in the last (almost) 2 years. I wager I have worn and needed them at least 20 or 30 times since purchasing them. So take THAT, practicality! Silly things can be useful! I have fallen in love with rain boots and hope to own many more of them some day (whenever I live in a place that causes me to need more than one pair). With that love in mind, here are some sweet pics of adorable wellingtons, and some very cute people wearing them!

Why, why, WHY do I look so terrible in yellow?? I NEED these.

Very Pippi Longstocking



I would love some wellies with handles some day!

Siiiiiiinging in the raaaaaiiiiinnn, just siiiiiiinging in the raaaaaiiiinnn!

GREAT idea~too bad nothing grows in phoenix. I guess I could pot a cacti in a rubber boot...

Blue plaid! These must be the siblings to my pink plaid lovelies.

Papa wellie, Mama wellie, and baby wellie!

Dancing in rain boots? Best. Thing. Ever.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to spend just a small amount of money on frivolity? Don't go crazy, but take some time every once in a while to just spoil yourself. Maybe you'll find your purchase wasn't so silly after all! =) Happy Sunday, friends!

(some images via We Heart It, and some form personal collection)

Happy Balloon Friday!

While browsing a picture site that I particularly love (We Heart It), I came across a photo that I featured yesterday:

I was trying to decide what it was that I loved about it. Was it the light? The wide open space? The fact that I wish I was running barefoot down a street? Maybe. But I really think I'm in love with balloons right now. every picture with balloons in it seems so happy and joyful. You can't see her face, but I KNOW this girl is smiling.

Since today is Friday of another long week for me, I need all the happy happy joy joy I can get right now thankyouverymuch. So, from me to you, here are some of my all-time favorite happy balloon pics. See if you don't catch yourself smiling at at least one of them ;)



Rain boots make EVERYTHING cuter/sweeter/more adorable/all-around better! In fact, I think it's a proven mathematical theory that:
Rainboots + balloons = unstoppable happiness! ( I would know...)



This is where I'm living in my mind today!




Amazing picture; this may have to become the background on my computer.



Been here, done this. As cute as it looks (read: uber-cute!), it's stinking hard and very very dangerous. Warning: do not drive with balloons in your car. There, now you can't blame me for crashing when you try to re-create this awesome photo.



Amen, sister, amen!

This makes me:
1. Wish I had kids (only for like a nano-second and only so that I could accomplish #3)
2. Wish people sent out "Summer cards" like Christmas cards.
3. Want to send this pic out as one of my completely adorable, and always witty Summer cards and people would be horribly jealous of my sweet photo-taking skills, pinch-their-cheeks cute kids, and my life in general. Don't act like you wouldn't if you got this baby in the mail.



Where do people find balloons this large? I want some.

I would also send this as a Summer card (see above scenario).





Light through balloons is so magical. I hope this sent you to your happy place, balloon in tow! Happy Friday, everyone!