a weekend in the making

Hey lovelies! Happy FRIDAY! What are you up to this weekend?

Right now, I'm headed into Floral; they're stealing me away from Weddings for a day because there's so much work to be done in preparation for tomorrow's two weddings. One of which I'll be working! It's my very first wedding, and I'm so excited to experience all the action - I've been looking forward to working one since I started this internship search. A long time in the making, indeed. I'll be sure to fill you in on all the juicy details. :)

All I have to say is that today, I better be ready to get my hands dirty!! (like Meatball, above, hehe) Have a splendid weekend everyone!

Peace,
M.

darling, roxy

roxy lapassade | via pandora

to cut or not to cut?

I'm contemplating cutting my hair short again (last time I donated it to Locks of Love). This happens on a frequent basis - I just need a change, and hair grows back, right? But it did take me a whole 2 years to grow it out to this length, so...I'm clearly attached to these locks of mine. Right now I need a second (or third or fourth...) opinion. I choose YOU.

HELP! To cut or not to cut?


* Me having coffee cups in both pictures was totally coincidental. Apparently, I like hot beverages. And milk mustaches. :)

inspired by films: coco before chanel

set design: très exquisite. 

costume design: spot on.

actors: perfect fit.

storyline: so inspiring.

guilty as charged

I went to the mall for a quick trip to Origins and Origins only. I was to buy my concealer and march straight back to the car, but my credit card had other plans. That and a big, red sign screamed: Extra 40% off Sale Items!


Who am I kidding...a girl could never pass that up.

[original price: $59.50 | sale: $15.60]

[original price: $79.50 | sale: $19.99]

So, I moseyed on into The Gap for a little looksie. That looksie turned into a trip to the dressing room. That trip turned into a meeting with the cash register...because the little devil on my shoulder won out.

[original price: $69.50 | sale: $15.60]

[original price: $49.50 | sale: $8.99]

But seriously, look at all my loot. I'm pretty much stocked for Spring, and the total cost barely made a dent in my wallet because of that killer sale. BOOM and BOOM.

[original price: $49.50 | sale: $8.40]

Somehow this slipped into my hands, too......oops.

[JCrew | original price: $24.99 | sale: $9.99]

In my defense (and in case these prices weren't convincing enough), I did get a nice tax refund for all my hard work last year. :) That's my argument, and I'm sticking to it.

Ok, material rant over now.

my weekend, in details

This weekend was filled with a little bit of everything: a little work, shopping*, exercise, errands, sketching, movies, friends, and food. Plus plenty of sleeping in and sun soaking, for good measure. :)

I even got to meet up with a blog reader who lives in my apartment complex! Small world, indeed. Jen, you're awesome! Now can I meet ALL of you readers? Pretty please?

The film festival (theatre of choice: Dell laptop) this weekend featured two classics: 8 1/2 and Three Days of the Condor. Now I know Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 inspired many, many filmmakers who came after it. To be honest, though, the movie was a little too out there for my liking. BUT, that's not to say it wasn't beautifully filmed and technically ahead of its time. Mr. Robert Redford on the other hand - two thumbs up. :)

It's a good thing I'm not an aspiring film critic...


*jcrew, above; the rest, coming soon

transitions

I've been a little distracted as of late. Time is flying; I'm trying to grasp the fact that May is approaching and, even more shocking, I'll be leaving Texas in just over a month. Transition normally overwhelms me, which is ironic since I've lived in 3-soon-to-be-4 different locals (Orange County, Boston, Dallas, NorCal) in the past 2 years. But really, who doesn't get overwhelmed in the face of major change? It's all part of the journey, and I've definitely matured as a result of this gypsy-esque lifestyle.

However, this approaching transition really gets me excited, positive, ready. I find myself daydreaming about all that I have to look forward to this summer - beautifying our new home, a week in Yosemite, adventuring in San Francisco with A., my first visit to wine country, and time spent at home, with my family.

I can't wait.

P.S. THANK YOU all for your sweet responses to my post the other day. It's so lovely how such simple acts of kindness can touch everyone else, too! Sharing the love makes it that much more powerful.

chocolate crinkles

Here's a recipe I've had on file since Christmas. So good, I had to bring the recipe back to life. Found on Cannelle et Vanille, I followed the recipe to a T. If you love chocolate, you'll go gaga over these. They're dense, a tad bitter from the semisweet chocolate, and crumbly-in-a-good-way. And I LOVE Aran's blog; her photography is exquisite, and I find so much design inspiration from her incredible styling.

Chocolate Crinkles
adapted from "Field Guide to Cookies"

6 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbs cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
confectioners sugar for rolling

Melt chocolate and butter over a double boiler. Remove from heat and set aside.


In the meantime, whip the eggs with the sugar until thick. Add the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate and mix. 

Sift flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder into a bowl and add this to the chocolate mixture. Mix until combined. Place this bowl in the refrigerator for about 2 hours until the dough hardens enough to scoop out.

Preheat oven to 325ºF. Scoop one inch balls. Roll these in powdered sugar and place them on sheetpans lined with parchment paper. Flatten the tops of the cookies a bit with your fingers and bake until set for about 12 minutes.


Note: The cookies in the background are my mom's infamous pecan tartlets. It's her signature Christmas cookie that always disappears first on the dessert table. I'll try my hardest to get the recipe for you guys, but it's probably stashed in a lock box, buried deep underneath the ground somewhere in our backyard. Yes, they are indeed that good. :)

inspired by films

I'd love to share some snapshots from films that completely inspire me. And I think they'll do the same for you. :) First: An Education.

I saw this movie just last week, and from the first scene, I was enamored. Mostly by the architecture and outfits and hair. And Carey Mulligan. She is genius.

Throw in 1960s suburban London, a dash of Paris and fabulous cinematography, and you've got a spot in my Top 10.

reason no. 1503228 why i love us

[Boston, September 2008]

When your car runs out of gas in the middle of the highway, you ask me totally nonchalantly if I can "do you a huge favor" by fetching you some gas. No big deal. And when I spot you on the side of the road, emergency lights blinking, I can't help but smile and giggle despite it being way too early in the morning for this. Then you promise you'll buy me dinner. And you do. And I love you for it.

Always,

Your Roadside Assistance

silk & chiffon

[gemma arterton | instyle | may 2010]

I love every aspect of this shoot; the garments, the girl, the glamour. And the unfinished set is a perfect backdrop for these delicately feminine ensembles. 

my weekend, in details

The weekend started out with a picturesque, perfectly-warm night admittedly spent catching up on Survivor episodes over a glass of red wine. Despite the chance of rain, A and I went into the city on Saturday for some lunch and thrifting - something I'd wanted to do since I moved. I guess I haven't researched the best places to thrift in Dallas (any suggestions?), but I did find a couple adorable dresses at Buffalo Exchange and an amazing clutch at The Gypsy Wagon. It's the kind of clutch I covet even when I own the darn thing.

As expected, rain ensued the remainder of the weekend. I really do love hearing the pitter patter of rain on the roof gutters, especially as I'm drifting off to sleep. It's also good for more movie watching (The Time Traveler's Wife), cooking (crepes, yummm), blog reading, and general catching up.

P.S. One year ago today, my roommate ran the Boston Marathon. And she's doing it again today! GO CAROLYN! Rock it, girl.

around | onto weddings...

[inspired by lines]

I took a little stroll yesterday, portrait lens in hand. Well, the boyfriend's portrait lens. I seriously need to get a DSLR. I'm partial to Nikons, mostly because that's what A has and I'm used to fiddling around with it. Someday, maybe someday.

This week went by so quickly. I was in transition mode, once again, as I switched from Floral over to the Wedding Department. As much as I'll miss playing with flowers, I'm really excited to finally dive into the wedding aspect. It was my primary interest when looking for co-ops, and I really want to see if me and weddings would get along. :) It's only my third day here, so I'll let you know how it goes!

Happy weekend - it's already here!

lately

[sun-filled lunches | weekly watering | yogurt breakfasts | warm-weather evening walks]