The Word, Noms, and Best Curls Ever

It's been a while since I've written a proper post (i.e. reflective and many, many paragraphs in length), but there are many things happening at the moment (mostly good, some not so much), so I will instead share a few things that have been making me happy dance as of late. I don't believe that any delight is too small to relish!

Confession: I have never been a Bible-reader. For the longest time, it was as though I was peering at another language when I flipped through the pages of my chocolate leather-bound Bible. I just couldn't get it. For a gal who easily made heads or tales of complex language, psych and sociology theory, this was frustrating. But persistence, prayer, and God's providence delivered, and in seeking Him during the quiet mornings, He opened my eyes, softened my heart, and now I can't get enough of this incredible book! I'm currently working through Hebrews, Exodus and Romans (we're going through the latter as a church and with our Home Group). I pray that this zeal continues as I seek Him and grow in The Word.

M came home from Central Market the other day after a "quick run to grab milk"--which for either of us is usually followed by several heaping bags of random noms and the admission, "I don't know what happened!"--and shared what he thought were some cream puffs. Upon biting into it, he said, "Huh." Good, huh? "Well, it's not sweet. It's salty." Give it to meeeeeeee! Oh, how I wish I didn't know these existed. The cream-puff-doppelganger was actually a pao de queijo. These delicious Brazilian treats are essentially puffed cheese breads. Hummina? You betcha. Eat them. 

Ever since the lovely Signe over at Signeroo shared the secrets to her gorgeous locks in response to the super lame bloggy-crush email I sent, I have been contemplating a hair wand. This tool isn't exactly new, but it's kinda my thing to be way behind the times, so it's only natural I was a little late to get on board. M treated me to a wand as we were out running errands following an especially challenging week, and I haven't used my creaking, way-past-its-prime curling iron since. The wand gives the exact curls I've always wanted (wavy and sassy, versus Toddlers and Tiaras), and allows for versatile style. Big ups to you, Sig, for steering me in the direction of curly goodness!

The sheer volume of iced coffee that I've been consuming as of late is bananas (in the good way or the bad way, depending on how you look at it). We use the cold brew method a la our french press, which is silly easy (especially when your hubs is a gifted barista and has enough coffee contraptions to open a small cafe...how rad would that be??), and absolutely delicious. We've also been spending as much time as we can at Buon Giorno, our favorite local coffee shop, and their large iced coffees are always our first choice, whether we're joining friends or just spending some time in the deep leather seats with our books.

Summer is for Porch Sittin'

I tell ya, there's nothing like ninety-degree days with one hundred and fifteen percent humidity to inspire you take it easy. (Oh, how I do heart the south.) Frizzy hair and mounds of mosquito bites aside, there is something quite lovely about the onset of summer. 

I sat on the front porch yesterday evening, basking in the last moments of sunlight casting ribbons of shadows across the lawn, while the wind made the tall boughs of our pecan tree dance about and hum a comforting, peaceful sound that calls to mind the ebb and flow of the Pacific. Scrappy curled up by my side, softly meowing for a chin scratch, and the sound of M strumming one of my favorite Ray LaMontagne songs from the den harmonized perfectly with the wind's symphony. 

Pottery Barn via Parkdale Ave.

Yes, summer can be straight up brutal in Texas, and I'm prone to a short fuse as the temperature climbs, but these early moments of the season's arrival are worth savoring...preferably with an iced tea in hand.

Stay cool, y'all!

An Eden of My Own

Desperately in need of a release and desiring to feel productive during the extended hours of daylight, I have taken to tackling the yard, bit by bit. One of our favorite elements of the home we purchased last summer was the lovely landscape, which we failed to tend to at all during the move-in process, favoring instead to repaint the entire interior and contemplate design options for our awkward, small formal living/dining room. (All the planning and scale-drawings paid off, by the way, because the space looks great and is completely reflective of us!) Fine and dandy to nest away, but following a scorching summer, zero effort, and a dreary winter, our outdoor space is just screaming for a makeover.

A few years ago, I shared with y'all my new-found appreciation for cooking as a therapeutic outlet for the chaos we were going through during that time. And I have to say that working outdoors is quickly joining the ranks of cooking as one of my favorite activities. I get home from work, cuddle the hubs, throw on some grubbies, and grab my gardening gloves and tools. (Watching me try to handle a pair of clippers that are half the length of my body...I should be charging my neighbors for the show, let me tell you.) It's calming to just get up in there, get dirty, and clear out the yuckiness to make room for lovely new blooms and bushes. (I'm still hopeful that the gardening experts won't laugh at me when I tell them of my dreams of a garden blooming with ranunculus, garden roses, gardenias, dahlias, and succulents...in Texas.) The snapdragons and hyacinth are making their presence known, which is enough to encourage me to keep going. And it's quite the reward to clear out the overgrown brush to see bright green stems nestled beneath, just waiting to play in the spring winds.

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It still breaks my heart a little that the previous owner of our home didn't leave a road map to the beds surrounding the front and back lawns. She obviously took great care in cultivating her collection, but in the wake of the sale, we were left with many unidentified plants, made all the more unrecognizable by the seasons and lack of care. And I can only taste so many weeds, y'all! (Some plants shouldn't be allowed to look like herbs...especially those planted so near the chard and rosemary.) I have pulled out my fair share of unsuspecting plants, assuming in my fury that they were yet another weed, only to stare at the roots and mutter, "Oops." (I will also say that good plants should not come up so easily! Weeds should be the ones to pop right out...not require all your strength and might to uproot, for the love.) And it never fails, that's when Scrappy is nearby, laying in the dirt and narrowing his eyes. I can almost hear him say, "Ugh. This girl..."

Thankfully, we're calling in some backup (Papaw to the rescue!) to help us sort through the current state of things so that we can start to make a game plan for spring. I'm hoping for lots of blooms, some herbs and veggies, and keeping our mature trees happy for the long haul. And God willing, my enjoyment of this process will persist. There's something quite grounding about coming home from a day spent in front of a computer monitor, pulling on some wellies, and sticking my hands in the earth.

Detail-oriented

Since M was hard at work on set all weekend, I mustered up the gumption (whoa, that is legit Southern speak right there) to get back to work on the house and start knocking out some of those "little" projects that can end up looming for-e-ver (i.e. painting the trim in every.single.room, cleaning the dingy grout between the kitchen floor tiles, etc.). Now that the house is (mostly) clean and has some semblance of order until we acquire the proper furniture and whatnot to formally put everything in its place, I can get back to planning our wedding, which is just shy of eleven weeks away. (In some ways, that feels like forever far away; in other ways, DUDE!)

Some major elements have fallen into place and we finally have the big stuff nailed down (well, the "big stuff" to us: photographer and food), which allows me to focus on the details. This is the fun part, y'all: putting all of our personal touches on aspects of the Big Day and just knowing that they are going to be memorable and special to those in attendance, especially to M and I. I can already envision the pics and just can't wait to be in the moment, taking it all in and grinning like a fool (in between heffalump fits of tears and laughter).

I'm trying not to share too much so that our guests can enjoy the evening without expectation, but here's one of my favorite details that I had to share with y'all...

Glitter TOMS and tutus for the flowergirls

Sass-a-frass. I fully admit: I'm pretty much playing dress up with our flowergirls. But they're silly cute, so I feel it's sort of their fault for being precious. What's a gal to do, right?

I can't wait to share pics of our house and of our wedding day when the time comes, but more than anything, I can't wait to be married to my best friend and experience our house becoming a home by waking up to his handsome face every morning. It's still hard to believe that this is all happening. A blessed little girl, I am indeed. 

Little Girl Celebrating

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Today is Use Your Words, Little Girl's 3rd birthday. What initially began as a project to keep me writing has become an outlet and a community that I cherish very much. Thank you all for the years of support, love, inspiration and blessing of knowing that y'all read my words.

Here's to many more!

Saturday Coffee and Donuts

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When life is keeping me extra busy, Saturday mornings are a special time to catch up on sleep, relax, and take it slow. Hanging about in PJs with a cup of coffee as the wind dances in the chimes and leaves outside is like a little slice of heaven. If I'm really spoiling myself, I visit the local donut shop and select a frosted sweet treat. Decadent and utterly naughty, sure, but donuts remind me so much of my mom. 

As a child, we often visited the donut shop on weekends, then set out to run errands around town. Sometimes my dad would grab us some pastries from the local Danish bakery and we'd go sit or drive by the harbor, listening to pelicans call and hearing the waves crash against the docks. Those moments feel as alive to me as they did decades ago, and it's a blessing to know that quiet times are still precious, regardless of your current locale or which donut shop you visit. After all these years, a chocolate twist still warms my heart, especially when shared with another.

A Good Friday, Indeed

Today is the last day of my juice fast. I'm honestly surprised I made it the whole week. Despite an often growling stomach, I feel great. I've dropped a few pounds, my skin is clear, the whites of my eyes are actually white, my energy has been great (earmuffs, dear coffee), and my whole system feels clean and light.

Moving forward, I will definitely incorporate juicing into my regular diet. The benefits are clear and I know I am doing my body good. I am still holding off on some foods until M has finished his fast (he's halfway through three weeks!), but I know my first few bites will be pretty sweet. (Side note: taking communion on Wednesday while fasting was something special. This was the perfect week to sacrifice.)

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I'm looking very forward to a weekend of relaxing, reading, chatting and enjoying the sunshine in M's new hammock. Something about laying next to my honey, the sunlight streaming through the beautiful boughs, watching the pups frolic around the yard...it's good for the soul. I can hear the Lord so vividly in times like this. And that's exactly what I'm craving right now.

Here's a lovely weekend. I hope you make some time to be still and enjoy the simple pleasures. Sunday marks a glorious celebration for us all, and I wish you a blessed day of worship, fellowship and thanksgiving!

Recipe Cards

I've been acquiring recipes over the last few years without a real plan for how to organize them; thus, I have a hot mess going on in the cookbook/recipe department. There are sauce-splattered print outs and note paper with messily scrawled directions stuffed into my various cookbooks, and I find myself constantly rifling through this mess looking for a specific dish, only to realize I found the recipe online and never bookmarked/printed/copied it. Fail.

When M and I popped into Anthro last Friday*, I finally took home the Rifle Paper Co. recipe cards that I've been eyeing for a while:

Available here.

I can't wait to transfer my messy notes and print-outs onto these lovely cards. The design is so pretty and the lines will come in most handy. I'm thinking blue ink, fine point pen. (You're thinking, 'Nerd.')

Now the hunt begins for a recipe box in which to house them. Because I overthink everything (it took me six months to finally purchase the dadgum cards...for $14), this could take a while. But I'm leaning toward a wooden one. Wood is classic, timeless, and neutral (decor-wise) so it should still work when I find myself cooking in a home with a proper kitchen that doesn't have razorblades petrified into the sprayed on pattern countertop. (True story.)

There's a lovely matching recipe box from Rifle Paper Co....

Available here.

Hand-crafted and made from salvaged hardwood, y'all! But I'm not about to spend over a hunny on a box. (A beautiful, antique-worthy, perfect-for-my-life box.) If I did get cray and/or suddenly rich, I might consider this fancy, as well...

Available here.

You had me a gold embossed wood and letterpress. It's so clean and sleek. (Which, true, has no place in a kitchen unless one welcomes a full-fledged meltdown the first time some wayward sauce splatters the pristine contents. Perish the thought.)

I think this number may be just right...

Available here.

Affordable, simple styling, lid notch to hold recipes while cooking, and eco-friendly materials. All good things.

Is there a method to your madness when it comes to organizing recipes? Are you a recipe box, recipe binder, or e-recipe kinda cook?

*We also visited the Apple Store and Best Buy during this outing, so we went to "boy stores" as well.

Funny enough, Kyla is blogging about this same topic over at her blog, Kyla Roma. Check out her candid pics and the feedback from her readers about their organization methods.

{Heart} You

Photo by me. Cappuccino by M.

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers! Whatever you're up to today, whoever (or whatever) you have to love on, I wish you a lovely day. If you're feeling down or have certain expectations for today, know that you're loved very much. There's so much love to celebrate, and a sweet day is in the details: swoony music, candles, a cup/glass o' your fave beverage, and quieting your heart to embrace the moment.

As for me? I am very thankful that my honey is on the mend and looking forward to dinner tonight. We're going to a sweet little bistro in the Fairmount District. And y'all, I'm wearing red and pink. (Well, more like a dark fuchsia.) Can you tell I'm excited about my Valentine?

Lots of love! xo

{Day}dreaming of Paris...



Images via Pinterest

I suppose the nearness of Valentine's Day is to blame, but I am a big ball o' romance today. I daydream of strolling through the streets of Paris, M's arm around my waist, and spending hours seated at a street-side table, sipping coffee and sharing what's on our hearts. A cool breeze dances through the trees as I pull him close and wrap us up in my pashmina. We guess the topic of conversation of those who pass us by on the street and imagine the names and voices of their stylish pups. We cave and order creme brulee as dusk falls, candlelight slowly casting a warm glow on patrons cuddled up at nearby tables.

Le sigh.

Pantry Pretty

Living in an apartment, I'm not exactly swimming in space. Well, I am, just not space in areas where it actually counts. Like in the kitchen. My pantry is basically a shallow shelf unit. All the more reason to carefully select my shelf stockables for maximum nutrition and convenience for cooking, as well as keep my dry goods organized and tidy, right? Oh, I do love me a good OCD challenge!

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That is not my pantry. But given that I simply cannot capture a photo of my pantry that doesn't look like a dungeon (natural light shuns that wall of the house), this is the visual you get. This is pretty much my goal anyway, so it's kinda the same. Let's go with that.

Over this past weekend, I used some of my remaining birthday cash to nab some glass containers with which to organize my hot mess of a pantry. The Container Store is a very dangerous place, y'all. I about had a meltdown given all the choices available, but M helped reign in the crazy and I ended up bringing several of these guys home:

Stackable Square Glass Canisters

In addition to the fantastically therapeutic task of washing my new canisters and weeding through the contents of my pantry, I also reorganized the placement of my dry goods to encourage my efforts to eat better/cleaner. Whereas before my pantry resembled a concession stand, the central and most easily-accessible shelf overflowing with candy leftover from Christmas stockings, cookies and generalized naughties, it now looks more like a mini Sprouts, abounding with grains, low-sodium canned beans and veggies, whole wheat pasta, healthy oils and flavorants, etc. The candy is still there for the lingering sweet tooth, but I've placed the sugary items on the top shelf, barely visible for this shorty. It's better this way.

Not only does peering into my pantry make me do a little happy dance at the sheer order of things, but I can also take advantage of buying in bulk (cheaper and you always have needed ingredients on hand). And because these glass canisters are square, I can make the most of the limited space I have (a deciding factor M brought up while shopping for containers), particularly in eliminating bulky bags of lentils and quinoa. And they're pretty.

Have you tackled an organization project recently that inspired and excited you? 


Today is the last day to enter my GIVEAWAY! Don't miss your chance to own the charming Little Book of Etiquette. Easy entry, but you must comment by midnight tonight to be eligible. Good luck!

Aaaaand...I scored.

The process of cultivating some semblance of design in my apartment has been a slow one as I attempt to balance wants and needs, so I get pretty jazzed when I find a decor element that has been on my wish list for a can't-pass-it-up bargain!

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While scouring the aisles of Hobby Lobby for the materials needed for a Valentine's DIY I'm going to attempt, I happened upon a lovely ampersand that insisted on coming home with me. This lightweight, 12" symbol is available in antique gold (pictured) and bronze. (I opted for the latter because its elegant tone and patina melded well with the other pieces in my living room.)

The best part: it was on sale for $5! Quite the steal for a hanging that stylishly adorns the first wall seen upon entering the apartment. (Not that the alarm box isn't terribly chic.)

I couldn't wait to show M my find! His reaction: "Aaaand..." Me: "...it's awesome!" Oh, the little things.

Friday, I'm in Love, v.13

It's Friday and I'm in love with...



All images via Pinterest

I experienced mild chest pains when I peeped the price of the only running shoes that didn't instantly inflict brutal pain on my arches, but got over it as soon as I walked the trails in my Nike Vomeros. They're perfect for my weekday power walks along the Trinity. Also handy during these walks is my Bobble bottle that M got me for Christmas. We have free bottled water here at work, but this recycling gal has a hissy fit at the idea of going through a bottle a day (plus) to stay hydrated. The filter on this BPA-free bottle works great!

NYE may have come and gone, but who needs a holiday to sport sassy nails?! Spicing up a neutral nail with gold sparkle is a great way to keep the post-holiday ho-hums at bay. I am also a huge fan of casual braids on days when you just don't feel like getting all your tools and styling crap out to deal with your mane. I'm letting my hair to grow long again so that I can sport a chic, loose side braid without looking like a JV cheerleader. In the meantime, Davines' Universal Polishing Coat keeps my naturally curly hair from going all Simba on me during these misty January days. No joke, one finger-comb through with this stuff and my hair is perfectly shaped until I wash it again.

What are you lovin'? 

Milestones

Today is a very special day over here at Use Your Worlds, Little Girl. I am celebrating a couple of cool milestones, blog-wise, and want to share a little woop woop! (We must celebrate the little things, y'all.)

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Since launching this blog on April 22, 2009, I've gone through many changes: mentally, geographically, spiritually, etc. Use Your Words continues to be such a valuable outlet in my life, and I cannot express enough my appreciation for all of you who have made this experience so wonderful.

This post marks number 200, which is even more exciting as I have just welcomed my 100th follower! I know that these numbers are mild for the blogosphere at large, but as a wayward personal blogger, it's as good as a thousand in my eyes!

Looking back, it makes me smile to see that my most popular posts of all time happen to be some of my favorites as well: It's like "tit for tat"...only nice, I'm in the mood for..., and Why Edward Cullen is Bad News. (I was pretty stoked when the Edward Cullen post was mentioned in Details Magazine online. Sure, there are more lofty subjects on which to be quoted, but I'll take it. Thanks again to Jeff Gordinier!)

I am so thankful to be part of this wonderful community of bloggers and look forward to these connections growing and expanding in the years to come! Thank you for sharing in this journey with me, y'all.

Much love,


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Guest Blogger Series: Elizabeth's Christmas Traditions

Welcome to day two of my guest blogger series for the holidays! I hope you all got a moment to read Stephanie's post yesterday. Every day this week I will be featuring one of my favorite gals from the blogosphere to share their own Christmas traditions.

Today's post comes from Elizabeth at Do I Even Like This? It felt like a homecoming of sorts when I found E and A's blog (stay tuned for Amanda's post tomorrow); they were like the super funny, excellent-taste-having, long-lost friends I'd lost touch with and rediscovered. E also recently relocated to Seattle with her family, which makes her even cooler in my book. (Big ups, Pacific Northwest!)

Take it away, E!

I am very much looking forward to Christmas this year as we will be celebrating it in a new city, Seattle. More importantly we will be spending it with our newest addition, our son Oliver. Having the little guy in our lives has made me think of all the holiday traditions that I grew up with and wish to pass on to him.

I can’t wait to take little Oliver on his first tree expedition. Growing up I remember going out with my dad and finding the best looking tree for our home. It was always such a great adventure no matter the weather. Chris and I seek out a local tree farm and then go on the hunt to find the perfect one. Depending on weather conditions the search may last over an hour or as short as 15 minutes. Cold conditions = Speedy Selection.

Christmas Tree in 2010


This tree pretty much replicates our trees we had growing up down to the multi-colored blinking lights. 

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A soft little animal and some sweet treats will no doubt be in store for Oliver next year. I think we will use one of his father’s boots for the loot. There is no harm in dreaming big when you're still so tiny.

Some have Miracle on 34th Street or A Christmas Story. We have Elf. Each Christmas Eve Chris and I settle in on the couch with some jazzed up hot chocolate and watch as Buddy the Elf spreads yuletide cheer. I know this seems a bit silly but I love it. Just writing about it has made me grin form ear to ear.

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Yep, just the three of us and Will Ferrell on Christmas Eve. I love it!

I love me some Elf! It just isn't the holiday season without it! (Or a random Tuesday in July. Or on a handful of weekends in the spring. Or...OK, it's good, clean fun all year 'round, y'all!) Thanks so much for sharing these traditions with us, Elizabeth!

Greeting cards have all been sent...

I understand that some view it as a chore, but I absolutely love sending Christmas cards! A few years back, I pared down my list quite a bit because I found myself enjoying this tradition less and less as the recipient list grew a little out of hand. I didn't want to sacrifice writing notes by hand, and I don't have my own family just yet to justify getting one of the many adorable pre-printed photo cards (like, say, anything from Minted), so I just reeled it in and focused a bit. 

Picking out Christmas cards is admittedly something I take more seriously than I should (poor M got to experience my rabid indecision firsthand), but I just treasure them so and assume others do them same. (Please don't ruin my dream!)

This year I chose these beauties from Made by Michelle Brusegaard:

I really wanted to use handmade cards, so I spent some time on Etsy perusing the many lovely, crafty creations. I just fell in love with the vibrant colors and peacock feather motif of this set, not to mention flat note cards are a favorite of mine. (They're like chic postcards.) I felt strongly that I wasn't cool enough to pull off such a modern holiday expression, but I went for it anyway and am so glad I did!

Grabbing a great pen and sitting down at the table with a hot cappuccino and my lovely Christmas cards...it just isn't the holidays for me without that experience.

What are your traditions when it comes to Christmas cards? Do you go for hand-written cards, Christmas letters, festive photos or skip the whole thing?

On Holiday Treats and My Total Lack of Willpower

My wonderful co-workers have ensured that no one in this here office will go hungry this season. Every time I walk into our break room, there is a new platter of homemade lovelies just waiting to be nommed. The guys and gals alike are contributing to the abundance of snacks, and seeing all the different traditions and twists on holiday fare is a neat way to engage your workmates.

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The near-constant barrage of cookies, candies and tasty baked goods is very, very dangerous for this little piggy. My personal favorites are toffee anything (I would lick my monitor if I thought there was even the slightest chance that the screen would taste like these buttery bits of heaven pictured above) and Chex Mix. (It's pretty tough to beat my Mamaw's Chex Mix, but salty snacks in general are all right by me and I can do some damage regardless.)

I'm still trying to decide what I'd like to contribute to the feast. I thought about whipping up some of the holiday pretzel treats I mentioned the other day, but M made a batch of Rice Krispie Treats over the weekend using whole wheat (and gluten-free) Rice Krispies that were pretty darn amazing. So many yummy options to choose from!

What Christmas treats are you making this year? Any favorite holiday snacks?

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things...

As much as I adore raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens (and I do!), my taste is generally a bit more pricey and a lot more sentimental. Rather than putting together a wish list this year, I am ruminating on the items already in my possession that still make me feel like it's Christmas morning every time I play with them! 

Say what you will about luxury brands, but it means something to me to be able to own a few special pieces from the labels I've adored from afar for many years. I know that my identity is not tied to what brands I wear, and I've never gone into debt over luxury items. I don't take for granted the indulgence of slipping my Burberry cashmere scarf around my neck, or pulling out my LV Zippy Organizer on a daily basis. These items are practical and beautiful, and though I use them regularly (rather than keeping them in a hermetically sealed chamber, for example), I take care of my things so that they last and can be passed on to my super sassy daughter (or nieces, if God graces me with little dudes).

I have probably purchased a dozen bottles of Essie's Ballet Slippers over the years. When it comes to my fair fingers and toes, there is no more perfect color than this. And the image this shade calls to mind makes this former ballerina want to pirouette. Something else that makes me dancey? My cocoa n.a.p. Cuddle Blanket. I keep this super soft blankie folded over my couch, and I'm pretty sure it gets some good cuddles every single day.

Some of my favorite decor pieces are those that have been gifted to me by my terribly cool friends. One of my besties brought me back a beautiful jade owl (with a smaller owl nested within it's intricately carved body) from her honeymoon in Jamaica. This little guy lives in a nesting box in my room, and I think of Aliss every time I see it. I have memories like this scattered all over my apartment, which is one of the reasons I think I love being at home so much. It is littered with love and tokens from my dear friends.

Blah, blah, blah, diamonds are a girl's best friend. I don't like shiny baubles just for the sake of pretty shiny. (Well, OK, maybe a wee bit.) But among my favorite items within my jewelery box are my mom's pearl earrings and the diamond ring she bought for me when I turned 21. She wore those earrings when she married my dad, and I just love the simple elegance of them. I absolutely adore her wedding ring from Pops, but that's not for playing with just yet. Jewelery is special and timeless, but it is the memories attached to those pieces that make them absolutely priceless.

What are some of your favorite things?

Friday, I'm in Love, v.10

It's Friday and I'm in love with...

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

I was never really the touchy-feely type, but having spent the last year with someone who considers physical touch one of his top Love Languages, I've learned that a simple touch from another human (be it a hug, holding hands, a kiss on the cheek) can make you feel so loved and connected (a rarity in the age of uber autonomy). I'm a full-blown hugger these days. (You've been warned.)

Hello Kitty + Christmas = awesomeness. I have an affinity for all things Hello Kitty, so this adorable ornament is right up my alley. Especially with her sassy pirate ensemble, though it looks more Alice in Wonderland to me (which is even more rad).

Perhaps I'm still sad face over the loss of dear Cowboy, but I am an absolute sucker for puppy eyes these days. M's pup Isabel was working the eyes big time last night, reminding me how innocent and in need of love are these furry kiddos. Their little expressions are priceless.

Today is a very special day in my world. My honey was born on this day (a handful of year ago, of course). I am so thankful that God created such a lovely man from two wonderful parents. Happy birthday, baby.

Happy weekend, y'all!

Puppy Love

My dear friends called yesterday to inform me that their sweet pup, Cowboy, had passed away suddenly while playing outside. This dog was something else, let me tell you. He was born on my birthday, so you know he's a special kind of awesome. I spent a good amount of time with him while he was young, staying over to care for him while his folks travelled and snuggling up on the couch when he'd stay still long enough. His personality was one-of-a-kind. And his ears...a true Cow' signature.


Dogs are such wonderful friends and God designed them to so intuitively understand man unlike any other creature. They love unconditionally, despite our moods, frustrations and selfishness at times. Just try to feel down when you see those sweet big eyes and that wagging tail come your way! 


Love on your furry babies, folks. Even when they're being all kinds of naughty and driving you up the wall. You'll probably miss those crazy moments the most when they're gone.

R.I.P. Cowboy
1/11/2011 - 11/27/2011