love in details

GOLD-HEARTED JEWELRY

2011-04-18T08:54:00.003-05:00

Clockwise, from top left: terrace ($37), swing ($42), luna ($42), coral ember ($36), elixir ($30), dancers ($36)

Lots of new designs went into the shop this weekend. I hope you'll take a look!

http://goldhearted.etsy.com

NOW ON TUMBLR!

2011-03-19T15:11:00.003-05:00

I started a tumblr! Follow me here: gold-heartedgirl.tumblr.com

time out

2010-08-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

I think it's time I took a little time off the internet. Well, I have been for a bit now, and it sure feels great to reconnect with life. In the everyday.

Peace&Love. :)

full house

2010-07-22T12:25:00.003-05:00

[painted ladies | full house, childhood essential]

Please excuse my absence. I pretty much went straight from the mountains to the city. The city of San Francisco, that is. :) Time to explore...

i left my heart in yosemite

2010-07-11T21:36:00.003-05:00

Words really can't describe what Yosemite means to me. It's the kind of love that has multiplied over so many summers spent exploring. That week with friends, family, and family friends left a distinct mark on my childhood - same tents, same hikes, same sights, same people, more or less.

I remember feeling so tiny, staring up at trees 100 meters above me, only to meet the sheer granite walls another 1000 meters beyond them. Each moment brings a new snapshot in my mind, which I will keep locked away for the many moments I feel nostalgia coming on.

We leave tomorrow morning for our yearly trip, and I have been filled with anticipation for weeks. I'm bringing my film camera with which I plan to document every. little. detail. :)

sf | the final day

2010-07-10T07:22:00.000-05:00

THE EXHIBIT | BIRTH OF IMPRESSIONISM*

* a must-see. it blew me away.

sf | abode

2010-07-09T18:30:00.003-05:00

TINY BUT CHARMING

sf | scenes from the neighborhood

2010-07-09T11:43:00.001-05:00

HAYES VALLEY

sf | day two | part two

2010-07-08T00:40:00.000-05:00

FERRY BUILDING, CONT.

sf | day two | part one

2010-07-05T17:23:00.003-05:00

FERRY BUILDING FARMER'S MARKET

sf | day one | part two

2010-07-04T12:18:00.004-05:00

LA TARTINE | LA BOULANGE

sf | day one | part one

2010-07-03T13:42:00.003-05:00

1 | lunch: udon + kale & quinoa salad

2 | britex fabrics zipper wall

3 | yerba buena gardens area

4 | museum of craft and folk art (feat. clare rojas)

austin in film

2010-06-29T19:41:00.002-05:00

Ay, what a weekend. I just got back from Vegas, ready to recuperate. It was amazing fun celebrating my best friend's birthday, and now that I'm back at home, I miss her so!

I have lots of photos to show you from the previous weekend in San Francisco as well as the film I developed from my last trip to Austin. I.freaking.love.this.camera. I hope you enjoy little bits of the trips through my eyes. I'll start with Austin.

Peace&Love.

until next time, sf

2010-06-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

I just got back from an overly-spectacular weekend in San Francisco with my mom. We stayed in my new favorite neighborhood, Hayes Valley (perks of having a brother with an apartment), visited every cafe on the block, tracked down all the must-sees on my list, and simply enjoyed what was likely the most beautiful Springtime weekend in the city.

I took my new film camera (that I won from Jodi, with incredible luck) on the trip and ended up going through 2 rolls in just 3 days. Developing those is on my to-do list, along with:

+ framing my new La classe de danse poster*
+ mailing out a couple gifts
+ packing for VEGAS
+ deciding on my new haircut for wednesday
+ unpacking boxes, constantly
+ working on a friend's business card design

What's on your to-do list for the week?

* from the Birth of Impressionism exhibit at the de Young Museum - INCREDIBLE.

my new home

2010-06-16T11:21:00.000-05:00

I'm finally not living out of a suitcase, and it feels oh-so-good. The new house, I love. It's tucked away in the hills, surrounded by chirping birds and hundreds of trees. Such a drastic change of pace has me taking more quiet time to appreciate the nature around me.

I am nothing but ecstatic about the summer ahead. I'll be diving my time between my home in the hills, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Yosemite, a visit from A., and lots of time with my family. Things are good. Really good.

P.S. Can you spot my pup?

from tx to ca

2010-06-09T13:52:00.000-05:00

Traveling, traveling, so much traveling. I made a little road trip down to Houston to return the car to my Aunt and Uncle. I spent a wonderful and super packed couple of days with them - it was so much fun spending time with my Aunt doing lots of girly-girl things. She. is. the. best.

Our 2-day extravaganza included mani/pedis, blowouts, jogging at the park, lunching, cooking, NBA finals, BLUEBERRY PICKING, shopping, and lots of chatting. Going blueberry picking was a dream come true - I'm totally not joking, haha. We picked 8 lbs. (yes, 8!) for $1.50 per pound. I was in shock! Now I'm a happy girl with lots of blueberries that I carried on the plane with me. Clearly, I will go to great lengths for blueberries. :)

a little dinner party

2010-06-04T23:49:00.002-05:00

I almost forgot to share with you pictures from the little dinner party I planned a couple weeks ago for A.'s parents as a thank you so much for everything gift. Small flower jars adorned the table while the kitchen was filled with deliciously fragrant aromas. I will truly miss these dinners that I looked forward to each and every week. A meal is so much yummier when you have wonderful people to share it with.

On the menu: A Mediterranean Feast
Pea and Mint Soup*
Pita Chips + Hummus + Spicy Olives
Baked Eggplant
Herb Meatballs
Ménage à Trois Red Wine

* Recipe coming soon.

austin: wildlife

2010-06-03T08:06:00.000-05:00

The stars of our trip were most definitely the animals. A. and I were lucky enough to be invited by a friend to tour her family's wildlife (read: African) reserve. I never knew Austin, TX and the plains of Africa had similar climates, but alas, they do! (Fun fact #1) I also learned that kangaroos are super protective and kind of grouchy sometimes, giraffes like apples, rhinoceros tusks are made of the same material (keratin) as hair and fingernails, and parrots are flirts (see winking parrot below). I would really love to see these guys (and girls) in the wild someday.

Without further ado, the stars of this show..................................

I actually have a ton more photos taken with my new Nikon N80 film camera but haven't had the time to scan them all in. Coming soon. After all this moving craziness has resided.

austin: gardens

2010-06-01T11:07:00.001-05:00

A. took me to the Zilker Botanical Garden -- a mini sanctuary full of romantic trails and cute lily pad ponds. It was such a wonderful addition to our busy days, and walking hand-in-hand with my love through these beautiful surroundings made my day.

my weekend, in details

2010-05-31T09:01:00.000-05:00

Though I thoroughly enjoyed this long weekend, I couldn't help but feel that this was all too bittersweet. It was my last full weekend with A. here in grand ol' TX -- how did 5 months fly by so fast?! It boggles my mind. I'm trying to put these feelings aside and just enjoy this last week with my man as well as the final days at my internship.

Oh yeah, the weekend: pita chip nachos, Sunday afternoon at the pool (we couldn't get enough of that epic slide), oatmeal pancakes (any takers on the recipe?), date night at Lumi, packing (sucks, to be honest), designing my portfolio website (SO STOKED), and plenty of movie watching (Inglorious Bastards, Sherlock Holmes, Fantastic Mr. Fox). All in all, wonderful.

Enjoy Day 3 of your long weekend! xoxo

More Austin recap editions coming soon...

austin: movement

2010-05-28T08:05:00.000-05:00

Our days in Austin were spent on the move - I'm not sure when I'll be back (in the near future), so ample exploring was chief. I love how incredible easy it is to pack up your swimsuit and set out on an impromptu kayaking adventure. Followed by a necessary game of soccer. And it barely cost us a dime. Life is good.

[barton springs pool | lady bird lake | zilker park]

austin: the food

2010-05-26T08:05:00.000-05:00

Austin, once again, wowed us. I couldn't have asked for a more fun-filled trip, hence the need to break this recap up into multiple chapters. I'm starting off with food, since, well, food is usually our #1 priority when on vacation. And why wouldn't it be? :) Austin is such a foodie city, not in a fancy shmancy way, but in an honest, natural, down-to-earth way. Everywhere I looked stood a comfy cafe, mobile food trailer, authentic [insert country here] restaurant, or a hip coffee joint. Basically, everything was right in my world.

+ brunch at Austin Java

+ to-die-for smoothies from Daily Juice (you must go here)

+ tofu vermicelli and spring rolls at Triumph Cafe

+ Kenichi (off 5th st.)

+ sweet potato roll from Kenichi

not pictured
+ beet and roasted chickpea salad and grapefruit juice from Woodland
+ latte and breakfast biscuit from Progress Cafe
+ dine-in salad bar and kombucha at Whole Foods (the master of all WFs)

full steam ahead >> weekend

2010-05-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

[ polaroids | austin | 03.10 ]

Happy Friday, lovelies. :)

I'm on my 3rd day back in Floral (woohoo!), which means I'm exhausted and so ready for the weekend. They don't mess around - the warehouse is go, go, go all the time. It's a love/hate relationship. But more love.

I wish I could show you pictures of some arrangements I was assigned/made, but for privacy reasons that I totally get, it's a no-no. Such is life. Just imagine lots of magenta orchids for one and yellow roses for another. Now add billy balls (gotta love that name...) to those roses. Pretty, right?

Tonight I planned a secret dinner party for A.'s parents as a huge Thank You for being so darn great. It's not often that your son's girlfriend comes to stay - for 6 MONTHS. So, I'm preparing a Greek feast complete with homemade pita chips, pea and mint soup, and pretty napkins. Not to worry, pictures to follow. :)

To top things off, we're road tripping to Austin this weekend, which makes me a very happy girl; most definitely the best remedy for my restless mind. Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

re: time

2010-05-19T08:17:00.001-05:00

There really aren't enough hours in a day. Or days in a week. Or even weeks in a month. Now is the time that I wish May had 60 days in it rather than 30. Anyone with me on that one?

I have less than 3 weeks left here in Dallas, which makes me seriously anxious. That means 18 days to sort through this apartment, pack a meager 2 suitcases (yes, everything has to fit those 2), wrap up work/school evaluations, paperwork, etc., and say goodbye to BF. Don't even get me started there.

I'm going to try my darnedest to keep it all together, but being that I'm a girl, I won't make any promises. Oh new beginnings, why so complicated? Wish me luck. :)

wants and needs

2010-05-19T07:56:00.000-05:00

Items I desperately NEED:

+ ruffle tank
+ woven sandal
+ tier sandal
+ crossed tote

my weekend, in details

2010-05-17T16:09:00.000-05:00

Boy, oh, boy things have been pretty busy around here. Well, busy but not busy. A good busy...you get me? Anyway..........

Fun times this weekend included an impromptu concert at The Loft downtown where we didn't actually stay for the lead band (Petree, anyone?) because the openers totally satisfied our craving for live rock music. Ok, and we were tired of waiting. :)

Saturday, I worked another wedding! Even minor celebs were in attendance. (queue the ooohs and ahhhhs...totally JK.) It was so much fun and went super smoothly. Definitely a very positive experience for me.

Oh, and can't forget some out-of-this-world pesto pasta. But really, anything pesto touches is gold, am I right?

building my portfolio

2010-05-12T08:08:00.000-05:00

If you cant tell already, I love design. Growing up, I was always redesigning and rearranging my room, going to sewing classes, asking my mom how to knit, filling my sketchbook with scribbles, and I even started my own jewelry and belt businesses (I guess it makes sense that I'm a business major...). Plus, I'll admit I watched way too much HGTV as a teenager. :)

I didn't really pick up graphic design until college, and since then it's really only been a hobby. Taking it on as a career path hadn't popped into my head until recently because I looked at it as just that - a hobby. However, after a few internships worth of little design projects, I can't say it's out of the question.

In fact, a flier job fell into my lap about a month ago, which amused me to no end. Me? Design your company flier? Are you sure? I mean, I'd love to and all...ok, ok, ok. Yes, I'll do it! I was flattered, to say the least. And super excited to get all my ideas out onto paper (err, screen). In the end, the client loved it, and my self-esteem as a designer bumped up a little notch. Though, I have a LONG way to go...

As of now, I have no expectations. I'm just glad I get to do things I love, and this is one of them. Enjoy a few snippets from my portfolio. :) I can't wait to add more.

my weekend, in details

2010-05-10T12:56:00.003-05:00

I had such a wonderful weekend! The best word we came up with to describe our days is efficient, from big (packing lots of fun things into each day) to small (cooking lots at once without making a huge mess).

A. and I met up with a few new friends on Friday night to see an improv show, had dinner with A.'s parents (homemade quiche...drool), bought supplies for an upcoming secret dinner party (see aloe vera plant & napkins above - from World Market - love that place), ate lots of veggies, bought a new french press, bought and soon-to-be-planted begonias for A.'s mom, and baked 2 (unsuccessful whole wheat) baguettes, another batch of those oatmeal raisin cookies*, and trail mix cookies**. Oh and of course one morning of spinach & egg pancakes. :)

Off to plant begonias! Have a wonderful Monday!

* i used half the sugar and 3/4 the butter (1/2 cup and 3/4 stick). they tasted great on the first day but definitely lost some crunch by the second day, likely because of the decrease in butter. still a worthy substitution in my book!
**recipe coming soon!

a mixtape for my best friend :)

2010-05-09T10:38:00.000-05:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!!!

You really are the best Mom ever. I love you so much!
♥ HUGS ♥

Everyone else, have a listen! A collection of songs I can't stop playing...

sweet, sweet color

2010-05-07T08:03:00.000-05:00

[a continuation of snapshots from my stroll the other week.]

P.S. I know this is totally late, but 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.

what made today great | 05.06.10

2010-05-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

a strong 10 mile bike ride
the weather being hot but not too hot
a slight tan
picking rosemary from A.'s mom's garden
date night at a new-to-us italian restaurant

inspired by films: a single man

2010-05-06T10:41:00.001-05:00

What I noticed most: the strong contrast of colors throughout the film. His life subtle and neutral; hers masked by vivid color. Despite the somber backdrop, I was really inspired by the beauty of both the story and the brilliant sense of fashion sewn into every scene. Mr. Tom Ford didn't miss a beat.

INCREDIBLE oatmeal raisin cookies

2010-05-05T07:41:00.002-05:00

Oats have to be one of my favorite foods in the world. Though, I'll admit, I have many favorite foods. Dark chocolate, broccoli, butternut squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, apples, bananas, dates, spinach, zucchini, greek yogurt, almonds...ok, ok, back to the subject. :)

I honestly think oats have the restorative powers to flush just about anything bad out of the body, which is why I've eaten them for breakfast almost every day for the last 4 years. And no, not just because they're healthy, because they're delicious. I also eat them in my favorite granola, on top of yogurt, blended into smoothies, baked into energy bars, and as seen here, in the form of yummy oatmeal cookies.

Using milk + honey cafe's oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe as the base, A. and I whipped up the best batch of oatmeal raisin cookies that has ever graced our palates. I'm surely not going to take all the credit on this one, since it was miss sarah the baker yoon who tipped the recipe; however, I did health-it-up a bit...less sugar and the substitution of whole wheat flour. You might even use less butter - let me know if anyone tries that! I'll probably test it out on my second batch. Because there will be a second batch... :)

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

makes about 24 cookies

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 stick unsalted butter

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup seedless raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and rolled oats.

3. In another bowl, mix together the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract.

4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until no clumps remain.

5. Mix in raisins.

6. Scoop dough by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.

7. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Note: You may need to flatten the dough balls before putting the batch into the oven. Ours didn't expand much, so we took a fork to them halfway through the first batch.

tomatoy quinoa bowl

2010-05-04T11:43:00.000-05:00

Including adequate (vegetarian) protein sources is very important when I'm conjuring up plans for dinner. In that case, quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse! Not only does it contain 6g protein and 3g fiber per 1/4 cup (uncooked), it is high in omega 3 fatty acids, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and lysine. I. love. amazing. foods.

Here's what was on the menu last night: quinoa, zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes. So simple it probably doesn't really need a recipe page, but I loved it so much (and it kept me full!) that I'm going to give it one. I realize this recipe is very self-explanatory; I kind of feel silly writing it, haha. But here it goes!

Tomatoy Quinoa Bowl

3/4 cup cooked quinoa

1/2T olive oil

1 small zucchini

3 cremini mushrooms

5 cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup your favorite tomato sauce

1 tsp sesame seeds

Cook quinoa according to label - usually 1.5 cups boiling water to 1 cup quinoa. While quinoa is cooking, slice mushrooms and zucchini into medallions. Slice grape tomatoes in half. Heat 1/2T olive oil over the stove in a small pan. Cook all veggies until tender. Pour heated tomato sauce on veggies, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Devour.

Serves one.

P.S. I just realized I hit 100 followers! It's so flattering! Thank you, thank you ALL so much for continuing to read. This is just too much fun. :)

caught my eye

2010-05-04T08:56:00.000-05:00

my weekend, in details

2010-05-03T09:09:00.001-05:00

My wedding experience this weekend was G R E A T. I loved being able to see a wedding from conception to execution. The reception space was bare when we got there, but it was soon (or rather 9 hours later...) transformed into a gorgeous flower-filled, party-ready dining room. I didn't actually get to see the ceremony location, since it was off-site, and I was in charge of herding guests into shuttles to take them over there. With a couple of glasses of wine in them, it wasn't too easy. Haha. But I worked it out. :)

It sure was a long day. I have a newfound appreciation for wedding planners; not only do they have to manage the bridal party (i.e. keep them relaxed and happy), they must direct every vendor, communicate the placement of tables/chairs/floral/etc., memorize the layout and every single detail, manage unexpected changes, and be very, very FLEXIBLE. I could list a million more things...no joke. I think that's what made it so exhilarating for me - there are so many details to pay attention to that it's kind of like a puzzle; and I like a challenge. :) I can definitely see myself doing this some day (hopefully soon).

Needless to say, I was exhausted when I got home late Saturday night. All I wanted was a shower, a glass of wine, some salad in my belly, and an episode of glee. I didn't even finish the episode because I was dozing off half way through. And when my head hit the pillow, I was...

....OUT.

P.S. The flowers above were a little reward for Friday's hard work. Brilliant colors, huh?
P.P.S. Anyone know where I can get a cute USB stick? It's on my need list and I want something fun!

a weekend in the making

2010-04-30T07:56:00.001-05:00

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

2010-04-29T17:29:00.002-05:00

roxy lapassade | via pandora

to cut or not to cut?

2010-04-29T09:43:00.004-05:00

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

2010-04-28T07:54:00.000-05:00

set design: très exquisite.

costume design: spot on.

actors: perfect fit.

storyline: so inspiring.

guilty as charged

2010-04-27T08:23:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-26T08:18:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-23T07:36:00.007-05:00

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

2010-04-22T10:21:00.003-05:00

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

2010-04-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-20T10:38:00.001-05:00

[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

2010-04-20T10:28:00.000-05:00

[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

2010-04-19T08:35:00.000-05:00

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...

2010-04-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

[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

2010-04-15T10:32:00.004-05:00

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

rosemary baked potatoes

2010-04-14T07:49:00.000-05:00

Meet rosemary baked potatoes that will change your life. And yes, I take food very seriously. :)

But really, you MUST try this recipe by Jamie Oliver. They are melt-in-your-mouth, let-out-a-big-MMMmmmm potatoes. According to A, no potatoes should ever be cooked just once. The secret is boiling them first, then baking or sauteing second, just like his grandma does.

I just love the simple, wholesome ingredient list. Here's my version:

1 lb. New Potatoes
1/2 TBSP Olive Oil
1/2 Rosemary Sprig
Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper

Wash your potatoes and parboil until almost tender. Drain them, drizzle with just a touch of olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, a little freshly ground black pepper, and rosemary.

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. In a roasting tray, bake for 25 minutes until golden. Note: If using a toaster oven, cut the baking time in half. Devour immediately.

Serves 2. (well, 2 hungry people wishing they had doubled the recipe...lol)

P.S. Anyone else watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? I totally love and support what he's doing! Hence the J.O. recipe above... :)

this or that

2010-04-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

[mixed]

Last night, I went to an accepted student reception for my university, and as the only current student there, I got a ton of questions about the campus, city of Boston, and my experience. After recollecting practically my whole college experience, it left me longing for days spent in a classroom instead of an office. And Boston. Ohhh, lovely Boston. But honestly, I'm such a flip-flopper when it comes to this; when I'm in school, I can't wait to work, and when I'm working, I can't wait to get back to class. I will surely find that middle ground someday. :)

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself...see you 5 months, Beantown.

my weekend, in details

2010-04-12T07:55:00.000-05:00

[home wine tasting | picnic by the pond | greek salad dinners*]

To start, I couldn't have asked for better weather this weekend. If we were home, the balcony doors were rarely closed. Trees are so much leafier compared to a mere week ago, and the blue sky was perfectly scattered with fluffy, white clouds.

I've also discovered a love for Argentinean wine - all it took was 3 good experiences and I was hooked. One more tasting was necessary, though. Just to solidify my choice. :)

*a sure-to-be staple i'm looking forward to on warm summer nights

pretty with paint

2010-04-09T07:57:00.004-05:00

[my paintings from last weekend]

Though an on-and-off sketcher, I've really only dabbled with painting a few times. During our summer vacations in Yosemite, my mom and her friends would bring out the paint supplies and let the youngins experiment alongside them. I'd pick out some leaf, pine cone, tree, or mountainscape and let my inner artist take over. It hardly resembled the actual object, but that wasn't the point. Just the fact that I was given my own single piece of watercolor paper, big-girl artist's brush, and free reign with the abundant paint colors made me the happiest little girl in the valley.

I am so, so excited for Yosemite this summer. Best ever.

atx outtakes

2010-04-08T09:21:00.000-05:00

Just a few extras I had lying around from our trip to Austin. I heart my Mini Diana so much.
[all taken with my mini diana]

beauty in black and white

2010-04-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

this time: white roses | white phalos orchid

Color is much of what draws me to certain flowers; fiery reds, ephemeral pinks, brilliant greens, and eye-catching blues. But there's something about black and white that gives it the ability to overcome time and context. No more color of the season; just shape, aroma, display, and structure. These roses - petals soft, hanging onto their last few days, still feel timeless and wise. That orchid - in full bloom, reveling in abundance until the cycle starts over again. Utter beauty.

hearty lentil soup

2010-04-06T08:14:00.000-05:00

I'm always in search of a hearty, vegetarian recipe that is just as delicious as it is healthy, and this lentil soup definitely hit the mark! The best part is that it's pretty flexible in terms of types of vegetables, herbs, and spices - I knew the basics and edited accordingly! This is going to be a staple in my kitchen, for sure.

Hearty Lentil Soup

2 TSP olive oil

1/2 large onion, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 TBSP chili pepper

1 TSP dried oregano

4 cups water

1 cup dried green lentils

9 oz tomato sauce

1 TBSP tomato paste

Heat oil in a large sauce pan on medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery, and garlic and saute for about 3 minutes. Mix in chili pepper and oregano. Add water, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and lentils. Bring this mixture to a boil, then drop the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until lentils are soft. Season to taste with salt + pepper.

ENJOY!

my weekend, in details

2010-04-05T07:44:00.001-05:00

homemade pizza | afternoon at the arts district | hours of painting | $0.99 strawberries

This weekend ended up being pretty laid back - in a good way. We lost our internet Saturday morning, and it turned out to be a pretty wonderful thing. We spent the day painting, watching movies (Julie and Julia, Monsters, Inc., Spy Game), and taking a walk to the bookstore to get some cooking inspiration. This is exactly the kind of dis-connect I was talking about. Things have a funny way of coming full circle, huh?

Happy, happy Monday! I hope everyone has a splendid start to the week. XOXO

goodbye south, hello north

2010-04-02T07:43:00.007-05:00

[the beautiful hills that surround my (previous) home]

It's time to say goodbye. The papers are signed and my parents are officially moving up north (CA) next week. My recent trip home was actually the last time I'll see/live in my childhood home (since the age of 5) for quite a few years. Thankfully, we're keeping the house and just renting it out until dad retires. Yay for that!

Though I am sad to leave the place where I made many great memories as a little girl, I'm also very excited to get to know a new town with new trails, new foliage, new people, new food, new everything.

Now I get to play around in a new home that has all the charm and beauty of a log cabin in the woods and the contemporary features of a comfortable family home. I can't wait to help my mom with all the decorating that needs to be done! And if I have it my way, trips into San Francisco will be very frequent. This summer is going to be a blast.

woodwork

2010-04-01T08:59:00.000-05:00

Before

After

We call it modern-ish. Being that we worked with the scraps left over in the yard, I'd say our new flower box is...well, made with love. Pretty handy, eh? Our awesome planter now houses two mini orchids and sure does brighten up our little apartment.

zimmermann

2010-04-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

[dresses by Zimmermann]

Hello, April. I can see myself living in these dresses all spring and summer long.

simple pleasures, long walks

2010-03-31T07:30:00.000-05:00

[snippets from my walks throughout boston]

I try not to let technology take over. I adore this little blog with all of my heart, but I know for a fact that days without "the noise" are crucial in my life. Days feel so much longer when I'm outside, connecting with the earth, breathing fresh air. I feel more spontaneous, more alive.

For instance, sometimes I leave my phone at home just so I can have some uninterrupted time by myself. I also rarely bring my ipod with me on short runs (< 3mi...on longer runs, I face the possibility of boredom ☺) so I can really clear my mind.

Long walks are the perfect remedy. I've been experiencing this nostalgia for my walks along the cobblestone streets of Boston. They became a ritual for me; each outing, I felt more and more enamored by the city. It's those simple pleasures that I keep in my memory.

chocolate almond oatmeal cookies

2010-03-30T10:42:00.003-05:00

I'm revisiting some old recipes, and I thought I'd share this one concocted last summer. Chunky and crunchy, just like I like 'em. They were too good. Like, I'll-go-run-5-miles-just-so-I-can-eat-more-of-these GOOD. :)

Choco-Almond Oatmeal Cookies

2/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lightly beaten egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 chocolate-covered almonds

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and add brown sugar. Stir until smooth. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, oats, and salt. Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients, and add egg and vanilla. Fold in chopped chocolate-covered almonds. Spoon mixture by tablespoon-fulls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes.

Nutrition Facts: 90 calories, 3g fat, 13g carb, 1g fiber, 5g sugar, 2g protein.

Also, I've started a food page to document recipes that emerge from my little kitchen. I hope you enjoy it!

flowers are everywhere

2010-03-30T09:15:00.003-05:00

[bells of ireland]

[mini orchids]

[hydrangea]

Work's leftovers are my treasures. Here are a few flowers I got to take home last week. How could I ever refuse these beauties?! Especially those orchids - my current job is nursing them back to health, and they're doing quite well. I have this affinity for orchids because my mom (a wonderfully talented gardener - something I aspire to!) has always filled our home with many different types. Aren't they so elegant?

my weekend, in details

2010-03-29T07:25:00.000-05:00

I had such a glorious weekend, filled with delicious food, good company, and beautiful weather. Mornings started out with my new favorite (and A's usual) breakfast of an egg and spinach "pancake" atop a wheat tortilla. This hearty breakfast fueled a trip to Lake Lewisville, TX with a few friends. And to top it all off, A and I got all dressed up on Sunday for a lovely date: dinner on the porch and a trip to the theatre.

granola, improvised

2010-03-26T07:20:00.000-05:00

Nothing reminds me more of summer days than waking up early to a cool morning breeze and a light and nutritious breakfast that livens up your senses for the day. Top some Greek yogurt with this lightly-sweet and crunchy granola, and I'm ready for the day.

I improvised and used what we had left in the pantry: sunflower seeds, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, coconut flakes, cinnamon, and oats. Next went a drizzle of agave nectar and some olive oil (from a pump-spray can; it gives a perfectly even and light mist). No real measuring is necessary; just scoop and toss.

So natural, so delicious. The coconut is crispy, and the raisins and cranberries got really chewy, which I love. I'll wake up to this any day.

spaghetti and meatball(s)

2010-03-25T08:12:00.000-05:00

I sure do miss these guys. Babysitting Saso and Meatball was more like wrangling in two UFC fighters with the living room as their ring. Don't worry, they're buds. All in good fun. :) Now if only I could sneak that adorable Rhodesian Ridgeback home with me. Love that big guy.

follow the music

2010-03-24T07:03:00.001-05:00

all photos taken with my mini diana

I can already tell that being in Austin for the South by Southwest music festival has landed itself on my list of experiences I will always remember. I also loved that the city was still littered with remnants of a fun St. Paddy's Day. Our trip consisted of some of my favorite things: breakfast pit-stops at a local hangout/coffee joint (Progress Coffee), discovering new bands (the aviation orange), biking to brunch at a little French cafe (Blue Dahlia Bistro), and simply "following the music" (our mantra) while wandering the streets of downtown Austin.

Lots of my pictures are yet to be developed - I have to finish that roll! I can't wait to develop those and show you more fun stuff from the trip.

4-step ciabatta

2010-03-23T08:31:00.002-05:00

1. Mix these 4 ingredients together in a bowl. In the words of Kitchen Hack, "No need to be particular, just dump and slosh."
+ 1 tsp salt
+ 1/4 tsp dry yeast
+ 2 cups warm water
+ 4 cups flour

2. After ingredients are thoroughly mixed, cover with a cloth, and let sit 8 to 12 hours. It should about double in size.

[doubled in size]

3. Butter pan, sprinkle corn meal, and pour batter.

[batter poured]

4. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

[oh so steamy & golden]

Optional, but suggested: enjoy with butter and jam.

This is definitely the easiest bread I've ever made. No kneading, only a couple minutes prep, hardly any clean-up. Yep, easy as heck. If you try the recipe, let me know!

Orignial recipe here.

P.S. That butter above is actually goat butter...first time trying it - very yum! Much creamier, I think. Has anyone ever tried it?

coconut tea and local honey

2010-03-22T07:36:00.000-05:00

At the moment, I'm reminiscing about sunny, clear days in Austin spent sipping honey-sweetened coconut tea while waiting eagerly for homemade ciabatta bread to pop out of the oven. I'm also trying to get over the fact that it snowed here on what was supposed to be the first day of Spring. I'll be getting back to my daydreams now...

current favorites from anthro

2010-03-19T23:12:00.000-05:00

My entire spring wardrobe could come from Anthro's racks. Anyone else in the same boat?

meditation through flowers

2010-03-17T19:41:00.001-05:00

[mom's college textbook, grandma's photo envelope]

I'm back in the Lone Star State and loving the Spring weather and longer days! That extra hour of sunlight brings me so much happiness. So much. Extra time to jog after work, to try new recipes, to blog with you guys!

Speaking of work, I've had the BEST time since starting my floral department rotation. Working with flowers and soil is like meditation in the middle of my busy day. On Monday, it was orchids and succulents, two of my favorites. I can't tell you how excited I am to learn more, more, more.

The boy and I have something exciting planned for the weekend. It involves a 3-hour drive to one of my favorite cities, indie rock bands, and some serious fun. Can you guess where we're going?

lunching in laguna

2010-03-11T19:56:00.000-06:00

[basking in the sun]

[lunch at las brisas]

[gorgeous views]

[charming home decor shops]

Since my parents are moving up north, taking advantage of everything near home has become a major priority. Today, my Mom and I did just that: lunch at Las Brisas, walking along main beach, browsing through little shops, and soaking in the sun. It was much warmer than last time. My less-than-tan skin sure did appreciate the California sun. Ha!

socal and sun

2010-03-10T17:39:00.000-06:00

[a camellia from mom's garden]

I have certainly been MIA for the past week, but with good reason, I assure you! This girl flew home on Sunday (Spring Break, technically), and Orange County sure did welcome me with sun and greenery. Boy, it's green around here! It's amazing what a little rain can do for this SoCal desert.

You could probably guess what's occupied my time so far: sleeping, jogging, eating, and watching (tv & 500 Days of Summer). I also got to grab a coffee with (and pick the brain of) the uber-stylish and so, so sweet Angel (aka wedding-planner-extraordinaire behind Events of Love and Splendor). Angel, you give the greatest advice. :) Can't wait to do it again sometime!

My trip out here did include a special mission: sorting through my room/closet to prepare for my parents' move up north (Northern CA, that is). No easy task. I have, however, come across (and asked to steal, hehe) some AMAZING treasures from my parents, including my Dad's vintage Levi's jacket, navy Talbots blazer with oh-so-80s shoulder pads, and some of Mom's old jewelry that I'm so glad to take off her hands. :)

Don't worry, I'll be splashing photos of all my finds across the pages of LID very soon. :)

Toodles,

the days of long bike rides

2010-03-06T10:57:00.000-06:00

The days of long bike rides in the sun, picnics in the park, and relaxing in the sun are HERE! A has already taken me on a path that runs alongside a dog park and pretty creek filled with ducks. I smile with every dog I zoom past - its so obvious to see how happy they are to be out in the sunshine and fresh air.

1 Pashley bikes. So classic-looking. Wouldn't the aforementioned picnic lunch fit so perfectly in that basket?

2 Me with my beloved Peugeot in Boston (see July). Sadly, I couldn't get my bike from MA to TX, so I left Nala (yes, she has a name) with my roommate who is taking good care of her. I miss it so.

Who else out there bikes?

what made today great | 03.04.10

2010-03-04T22:14:00.000-06:00

morning walk with lucy (a's dog)
homemade guacamole
nbc's comedy block (pam!)
3 loads of laundry - check!
hour-long, tough bike ride

sewing and dolly pearl

2010-03-04T22:01:00.001-06:00

Gorgeous, handmade fashions by Dolly Pearl. Buy here.

(via Lipstick&Lumber)

Designs like these really make me want to get back into sewing. I took sewing classes for a few years with the most amazing teacher. (She made costumes for MJ's Thriller music video!) I learned so much in that class, and I looked forward to going every week. I've made a vest, grey suit jacket, babydoll blouse, floral skirt, tube top, and lots of other mini projects.

Isn't fashion so fun? :)

vogue nippon

2010-03-04T12:09:00.000-06:00

I can't think of anything better to describe these photos than soft.
(via design.love.fest)

which supplements do you take?

2010-03-02T14:21:00.002-06:00

Another health post! This time, an awesome graphic showing which health supplements are backed by science and which are based on hype.

I currently take a multivitamin, vitamin D, fish oil, and B12. A pretty good start!

Which supplements do you take?

health myths

2010-03-01T21:37:00.000-06:00

GOOD (one of the most dynamic, intelligent magazines in print, in my opinion) posted this video about common health myths. I'm a huge health nerd, if you didn't know. :) I learned a thing or two, and I thought you would, too!

* I'm adding a strength training session to tomorrow's agenda!

we love going on walks

2010-02-28T18:50:00.000-06:00

And I love capturing them. Walks are extra special when it's your 2-year anniversary. :) Happy February 28th to everyone, and Happy Anniversary, A. ♥

i heart catalina island

2010-02-25T16:58:00.006-06:00

Cali over at PassionBird tagged me in this little game. I won't tag anyone this time around, but I would love to see everyone take part! Send me a note, so I can check yours out. :)

How it works:

+ open your 1st photo folder
+ scroll to the 10th photo
+ post the photo and the story behind it

Story behind the above photo:

In the Spring of 2006(?), my Mom, my best friend, and her mom took a ferry over to Catalina Island for a fun day trip. I love how easy and accessible this charming little island is for us Southern Californians! Our day was filled with shopping, sunning, lunching, mini-golfing, and plenty of gratuitous-teenage-girl-picture-taking. :)

I love how vividly I remember this day. Makes me want to go back asap.

it's outfits like these...

2010-02-25T10:02:00.000-06:00

1, 2, 3, 4

...that leave me dying for Springtime. They're pretty yet casual and perfect for any sunny day outing. Thank you, JCrew. You make getting dressed so much more fun.

ready for spring sandals

2010-02-24T21:51:00.000-06:00

Jaw drops.

Loeffler Randall

That second pair totally reminds me of my best friend - who turns 21 today! Happy birthday, Tala!!! Love you!

what made today great | 02.23.10

2010-02-23T22:04:00.003-06:00

our apartment is sparklin' clean
60 min. power fusion yoga podcast
found a new tea i love (good earth sunset red tea)
sprouts sells amazing wheat raisin bread
i posted my "about me" page - check it out!

so fresh and so...

2010-02-23T11:58:00.001-06:00

If only I was cleaning a kitchen with one of these... (via seesaw designs)

Today is cleaning day. I wish this was something we did often, but I won't lie...it's not. I have a pretty type-A personality in many other parts of my life, though when it comes to my personal space/desk/room/apartment, it's usually a...well, a mess. I promise I have good intentions to clean - that counts for something, right? Hehe.

Well, once in awhile Clean Michelle takes over and I go bananas cleaning my room and bathroom (though my mom may beg to differ...). Today I'm in charge of tidying up our whole apartment, while the boyfriend is in charge of doing our 3+ loads of laundry. I just don't like doing laundry - isn't it the worst? Okay, just me. :)

But this wasn't always me. When I was little, my best friend and I would, for fun, clean her whole entire house (which was not small). I'm talking windex, vacuums, sponges, etc. Yes, her mom would sometimes give us $20 to split (score!), which we would then go spend on candy from the general store (another thing I wouldn't do today). Oh, childhood...hah.

Sophomore year (just last year - wow, feels like eons ago), my roommate would clean our entire kitchen and bathroom, top to bottom. We loved her for it, but probably didn't thank her enough. (Thank you, Carolyn!) Now I'm feeling like I need to get into that habit because having a sparkling clean apartment feels awesome!

Anyway, I've tackled the kitchen and bathroom, and now it's onto the living room and bedroom. I'm feeling the urge to organize the bookcase and rearrange our furniture, too...muahaha. Who am I?

Who knew I could write so much about cleaning?

2010-02-21T22:19:00.000-06:00

the alexa

2010-02-21T17:30:00.000-06:00

Alexa Chung for Madewell. Genius match-up. Coming soon.
(via wiksten-made)

hail to the chiefs

2010-02-18T14:09:00.004-06:00

Seriously GLAM.
Chiefs of Enchantment.

the smell of roses

2010-02-16T17:21:00.008-06:00

One perk of working for a company with an in-house floral team is that I can snatch up any of the 'used goods' about to get thrown away. Really though, how could I let these beauties go to waste?

I am very okay with this. ♥

P.S. Like the blog makeover so far?

snack break

2010-02-16T13:02:00.001-06:00

A yummy afternoon snack break:
Tea (plenty milk, no sugar) + kind bar + a magazine

one word

2010-02-15T08:12:00.002-06:00

Thank you to Bethany at milk money for this Over the Top blog award. You're too sweet. :) Playing along is fun, so let's get to it. In one word only (though sometimes one/two, hehe)...

Your Cell Phone? green
Your Hair? layered
Your Mother? creative
Your Father? active
Your Favorite Food? bananas
Your Dream Last Night? intense
Your Favorite Drink? water
Your Dream/Goal? longevity
What Room Are You In? living
Your Hobby? running/yoga
Your Fear? sickness
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? loft
Where Were You Last Night? couch
Something That You Aren’t? tall
Muffins? bran
Wish List Item? puppy
Where Did You Grow Up? oc
Last Thing You Did? write
What Are You Wearing? pink
Your TV? nonexistent
Your Pets? junior!
Friends? missed
Your Life? lucky
Your Mood? calm
Missing Someone? yes
Vehicle? red
Something You Aren’t Wearing? socks
Your Favorite Store? anthropologie
Your Favorite Color? white
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? today
Last Time You Cried? thursday
Your Best Friend? loyal
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? outdoors
Facebook? old
Favorite Place To Eat? nordstromcafe

And now for the 5 ladies I think have Over the Top blogs:

amy @ coffee talk

olivia @ everyday musings

courtney @ the hungry yogini

melissa @ lovely little life

rachel @ elephantine

with love

2010-02-14T22:50:00.005-06:00

in wonderland

2010-02-13T11:48:00.003-06:00

I'm already very excited to see the new Alice in Wonderland, and this movie premiere invitation (thanks to Cecilie for the blog rec.) reinforces how enchanting the story is and why I'm re-reading it at the moment. Let's all go see it together on March 5th. Ok, it's a date. :)

i heart polaroids

2010-02-13T09:57:00.002-06:00

(photo taken by A, in Austin)

The first real Polaroid I've held in probably 10 years. In my opinion, there's nothing more unique, personal, or authentic in the world of photo.

postlapsaria

2010-02-12T14:04:00.004-06:00

Keiko Lynn impresses the heck out of me. She's a self-taught fashion designer, fabulously refined dresser, and she runs a lovely fashion blog. Her line, Postlapsaria, is full of feminine and funky pieces that I could see myself wearing 24/7. So, so pretty.

<3 RIP McQueen

new again

2010-02-10T07:01:00.002-06:00

A's brother is a photographer, so we had a little photo shoot this weekend. The jacket is their Dad's from when he was in the French Navy. It's really neat to learn new things by discovering old things. This is just a reminder to not throw out my old clothes, trinkets, CDs (they'll be vintage soon, haha!), barbies, etc. Somebody will appreciate them someday.

cheese, please

2010-02-09T12:04:00.011-06:00

We had some deeelicious eats in Austin this past weekend. I wanted to try every cafe/restaurant we passed on SoCo (South Congress).

+ Saturday farmer's market on 6th: Grilled cheese (brioche & fresh goat cheese)

+ Late afternoon wine bar: assorted cheeses, figs, toffee almonds, grapes, apple slices

meet saso

2010-02-08T22:16:00.005-06:00

We had lots of rain, rain, rain today, which I loved being that I could admire it from afar, all cozy inside. We got home from Austin yesterday just in time to watch the Superbowl (Go Saints!) Austin was everything I could wish for and more! A and I had so much fun visiting with his brother. We seriously laughed all weekend long.

I can't wait to go back.

P.S. Like my new bangs? I got them cut last weekend as a salute to my turning 21. I needed a change! They're still growing on me...styling these bangs takes patience, haha.

milan

2010-02-08T08:56:00.010-06:00

Seeing these gorgeous snapshots of Milan makes me want to jet there instantly. I've never been. I've never been to Europe, in fact, but (mark my words) I will fulfill that dream in the next year.