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!

{Northwest Coast Road Trip} Day 4: Portland Must-Do's

If my dear family didn't live in DFW (or, more precisely, if I didn't cherish living close to these folks), I'd be calling Portland home in a hot second. Waking up to the clean, cool air coming in through the cracked window (no A/C needed up in here) is not a bad way to start the day. But for a straight up excellent PDX morning, you've go to hit VooDoo Doughnut and Stumptown Coffee Roasters downtown. (That bacon-maple number obviously belongs to M; my vegan maple bar didn't photograph as nicely. Or I bit into it too quickly. Whateves.) 

Tummies full (and suffering from a mild case of eater's remorse), we headed east to check out Multnomah Falls. During previous visits, my schedule hasn't permitted exploring the falls. But as we were already on a total nature kick at this point from our experience with the Redwoods, the falls became a must-see for this trip. And they did not disappoint in the slightest.

We climbed a mountain, y'all. Like, legit hiked over a mile up a zig-zagged trail (with 11 total switchbacks) at a pretty steep incline. There was some huffing and puffing happening, not gonna lie, but the sights were incredible. And when M and I made up it to the top of the trail, we were rewarded with an incredible, secluded oasis. We sat beneath the shady boughs of the local flora, listening to the clear water rushing by, then stuck our toes in the cool spring and refilled our water bottle for the rest of the trek.

We continued up the mountain a bit on the hiker's trail to take in another lovely waterfall before finally heading back down. The experience of making it up that mountain together was really special for M and I, and I know we'll hold on to precious memories from our little oasis among the trees.

Freshened up a bit and changed into clean clothes, we met our friends for dinner at Vita Cafe. I opted for the seitan cheese steak and a root beer, which was quite satisfying after our active day. M's buffalo tofu wrap was also a winner. Once again, hunger triumphed over the photo op, but just imagine the yumminess as you take a gander at Vita's menu. (You may need a bib.)

After dinner we headed over to Powell's Books to peruse the countless shelves and for my yearly stock-up on handmade and letterpress note cards. We could've spent hours there, reading up on home design, recipes and coffee lore, but our tired feet beckoned us to take a seat and relax for a bit.

Just a short stroll from Powell's, Henry's Tavern invited us in with its comfy booths and low lighting, not to mention a great selection of local beers. (I went with the Widmer Hefeweizen. Delish!)

Tuckered out and knowing an early morning departure for Seattle was in our future, we made our way back to the condo to visit with our friends and their sweet munchkin before falling fast asleep.

Next: Pike Place Market, we heart you...

*I realize the apostrophe in the title of this post isn't grammatically correct, but "Must-Dos" had an unintended latin flair to it, so we're just gonna have to deal.

Things That Make Me Frolic

Spring is just lovely, don't you think? The beautiful weather here in the south right now makes me positively giddy. I can't help but smile thinking of all the sweet spring details. 

Flowers and trees bloom and revive from their barren winter state. True, blooms bring bees. And I hate bees. But I'll gladly brave the little buggers for this glorious sight.

Mmmmm...iced coffee. Really, all iced beverages are a special kind of yum during these breezy, sunny months. But you can't beat the light kick of a delicious icy roast.

'Tis the season of fabulous wedges, sandals, and showing off those pretty ankles. If my toes didn't curl up like an elf's, I'd be all over the pedi-baring peep-toes. Thankfully, there are still plenty of saucy shoes to chose from that don't expose my pixie toes.

Mmmmmm....gelato. This cool treat pairs well with a walk at dusk and a long chat on the porch into the evening, feet kicked up...and citronella candles ready for action. (I'm in Texas, after all. Skeeters love those pretty ankles, too.)

What has you jazzed for spring right now?

All images via Pinterest.

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!

Christmas Blessings

Though the time has slipped away from me a bit this year, and I don't feel like I got to do everything I had hoped for this season, I am so incredibly thankful for all the memories I have made in the past months. God has blessed my life with the most wonderful, loving, giving people, and I don't take a second of their time or an ounce of their grace for granted. This includes many of you lovely bloggers! Y'all enrich my days, inspire my daydreams, and encourage me as true friends.

Keeping with this week's Christmas Traditions Series, I will share a few of my favorite Christmas customs:

Decorating the Christmas tree can be a pain in the rear, no doubt. But my mom, brother and I tried our best over the years to make it a special occassion. We put on some holiday tunes, poured ourselves an ice cold Coke, warmed up some queso (we classy, y'all), and engaged in playful banter as we assembled the many limbs of our giant tree and struggled to get the lights perfectly distributed. (Watching 3 slightly OCD folks trying to string lights is a sight, let me tell you.) The shenanigans are part of what makes this event so memorable, and the ornaments themselves embody many fond memories and silly inside jokes. (Bobby Digital snowman is one of my faves. Love you, Brov.) Mom's memorial ornament hangs front and center of all of the family's trees, and her love and laughter are still felt year after year. 

Though the best holiday moments are spent surrounded by family, I also cherish the quiet times, snuggled up on the couch in a big blankie, watching Christmas movies with my mister, and hearing the fire crackle in the background. I relish that moment when I look around and just sigh, knowing how blessed I am to experience such warmth and joy. My home is truly a retreat for me, and seeing it lit up and decorated with lights and bows is like walking in to a big hug every evening.

Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite evenings of the whole year. Not because of the promise of presents the next morning. (Though, trust, my family never lets us down on the present front. They spoil us rotten, naughty little elves!) It is one of the few, treasured days of the year when the whole family gets together, brings delicious appetizers and snacks to our spread, catches up and exchanges gifts. (We draw names now that our family tree has expanded its limbs. I'm so thankful for this generation of kiddos who have breathed new life into our celebrations. And they have bouncy houses at their birthdays. Holla!) We have really pulled each other close (even closer than before) to fill the gap in our hearts, and I could not ask for a more fantastic group of people to proudly call my family.

I pray that you and your family enjoy the weekend ahead and remember all the blessings given to us all. We are loved by the ultimate Father and fortunate beyond measure, wherever life finds you this year. Hold each other close and bask in the love of the season.

Merry Christmas, my dear readers!

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?

Friday, I'm in Love, v.9

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

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I have never really been all that big on cinnamon (the flavor or the scent). But ever since curiously witnessing M couple cinnamon and coffee, I have been hooked on this comforting combo. My Taste of Austin blend just isn't the same without it.

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Without getting too personal or heavy on this Friday post, I will simply state that my dad and I are finally, as adults, really forging a proper relationship. I hadn't spoken to him in the last two months, for no particular reason, and I finally dropped my stubborn pride and sought him out yesterday. It was so nice to just pick up where we left off and not have to hash out and whine and pout. I'm so thankful for grace. Whether you're giving or receiving this gift, it's absolutely beautiful.

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The last few days in North Texas have been overcast and cooler, weather that absolutely begs for a nice evening fire. I'm still pretty clueless when it comes to building one (apparently not everything that can burn should be used as kindling...now you know), so M takes care of business while I cuddle up in jammies and stare mesmerized at the flames.

What's keeping you cozy this week, dear readers?

Home Sweet Office

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Because I work in IT, I sometimes get a little bent out of shape that I can't work from home. It just seems silly to report to an office to sit in front of a computer. I can do that from home, yo. But then, I consider...

I am currently sitting at my desk, still wrapped up in my wool scarf from the 6:45AM commute, with a blanket over my legs, fuzzy gray slippers on my feet, and a warm cup of French vanilla coffee in my favorite Starbucks mug from Ma in my hand.

Remind me again: how is this different fom what I'd be doing at home?

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Friday, I'm in Love, v.7

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

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Dashing any chance of looking hawt in my comfies, giant fuzzy socks are on my feet on a regular basis these days. I never actually buy these, but they typically show up in my Christmas stocking and I am elated. They're so comforting and make me feel like a little kid. Get you some.

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Ever since my success with the lentil taco recipe, I've been positively enchanted by this legume. I nommed some of the excess lentils that had only been boiled in water--no salt, no pepper, nothin'--and they were fantastic. They're full of iron and protein, keep well and don't require soaking. Lentil soup has been such a comfort food for me ever since my college roomie's Greek mama introduced me to it, and I'm so excited to explore other recipes and uses for lentils.

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As I obsess about proper recipes to contribute (finally) to the Thanksgiving meal this year, the Epicurious app has been more helpful that you can shake a stick at. Most of the recipes have photos, and all of them have reviews, which I love reading for substitution ideas and real-life expectations. ("This dish took 4 hours to make and used all of my pans. But yum!" Yeeeeah, I'll pass.) 

Wishing y'all a great weekend and a lovely week ahead as you prepare for Thanksgiving. Remember: things will go wrong, there will be spills, there will be naps...so embrace the hoopla and don't forget to take some time for true, prayerful thanksgiving.

...Oh, and hug your host/hostess! They work hard, y'all!

[Inspired Thursdays, v.5] Sing a Joyful Song

I have been a closet songstress for years now. I love singing. I sing in the car, in the shower, on the treadmill (at home)...and I mean belting it out, y'all. But I don't ever let people hear me sing. If I'm in the car with someone and my jam comes on the radio, I turn my head toward the window and baby sing it out. I just gotta, but on the low-low.

Church was no exception. I stood up, crossed my arms in discomfort, and moved my mouth while keeping my eyes firmly affixed to the hymn book or screen to catch the lyrics. We grew up attending a conservative Southern California church, so worship wasn't exactly the jazzy, jovial expression more commonly seen in churches these days anyway. But I was not having the singing. I dreaded worship time and sometimes even hoped we would miss that part of service (which we often did thanks to Dad and his two-hour morning showers). It's terrible to have felt that way, and it saddens me that I didn't understand the blessing of praising God by lifting up our voices.

Now? I sing like I can! (I like to imagine that I secretly have a voice like Idina's, but no one will ever know.) (I don't. And they won't.) Once I started listening to contemporary Christian music in my car, I found that I actually knew the songs they were playing in church. (Shocking, I know.) I didn't even have to look at the screen! I figured it wasn't all that much different from singing in the car to these songs, and before I knew it, I found myself looking so forward to Sundays and singing with fellow believers. It wasn't just that I was singing, but that I finally understood that God planted this love in my heart, and his church inspired me to embrace it, both on Sundays and everyday. Just in time for Christmas, too. Who wants to go caroling?!

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I may sound like a pack-of-cigs-smokin'-a-day kitty when I let it out, but I am filled with joy to know that at least one listener digs my vocal stylings. And He's the most important critic, anyway.

Friday, I'm in Love, v.6

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



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Candles are an indulgence that I often talk myself out of because I don't need them. But I recently splurged and bought a wood wick candle that subtly crackles when it's lit. I must say, it's just not home without that baby going. (Target sells a brand called Nature's Wick. I insist you pick one up in the Bonfire Nights scent. It's wonderful!) 

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I wouldn't call if baby fever, per se. But M's sister welcomed a daughter into the world last week, and holding that precious little lady in my arms just made me melt. I couldn't stop staring at her, which just isn't polite. That sweet baby scent and feeling those itty bitty hands wrapped around mine...so good for the soul.



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Fruit is a special kind of wonderful in general. Apples, in particular, are like nature's treat. They're portable, sweet, crunchy and pretty to boot! I generally have at least two in my drawer at work for afternoon snack time. Nom!



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I'm not a big necklace person, but I've been wearing my long bronze skeleton key necklace nearly every day this week. Draped over a turtleneck, peeking out from underneath a scarf, or cozy among a cardigan, this accessory is perfect for fall and seems to work with whatever metals I am wearing elsewhere.

Speaking of awesome neck wear, have you entered my giveaway? 'Cause you should.

Happy Friday, y'all! Thank you for all the love and support.

[Inspired Thursdays, v.3] Paris, Je T'aime

Truth be told, when I briefly visited Paris at 20 years of age, my appreciation for France was eclipsed by the lovely time spent in (and subsequent romance with) Florence. But as of late, I find myself head over heels for all things French and pining to return for a proper visit.

Photo: adiaryoflovely.blogspot.com

There is something so romantic about France, particularly Paris. (Perhaps this is an American construct; in which case, I downed the Kool Aid.) The beautiful women, fragrant patisseries, countless sidewalk cafes, effortlessly chic style, robust fromageries, classic architecture, House of Chanel...all good things for this little girl. It's the je ne sais quoi!  

Photo: covetliving.com


Be it personal styling, decorating, eating or drinking, I find myself in a very Parisian state of mind as of late. Given that I tend toward a minimalist, modern aesthetic with a nod to the timeless, these softer elements are welcomed influences.

Now, if only I could master the perfect cappuccino and cat eye...

How are you inspired today?   

Coffee counts as DIY, right?

Because if it does, I am a crafty queen!

In a baffling twist of fate, I realized last night that I am completely out of coffee at home. Not a single espresso pod (except for decaf, which doesn't count for life) nor coffee bean to be found. I am not sure how this happened, but I am fairly certain that the apocalypse is near.

Photo: notebookmagazine.com

In light of my coffeeless excuse of an apartment, I drove through Starbucks on the way to work for my morning fix. As much they're mentioned here, I actually rarely visit Starbucks proper. (Rare for an addict, of course. It's all relative.) Admittedly, the prices are a little tough to justify at times, but it is quite a treat when I visit. I get a curiously giddy feeling when I hold that warm iconic cup in my hands, which I like to imagine is how Proust's Marcel felt when nomming his madeleine. But that is purely speculation.

Instant gratification aside, there is something so sensuously special about making one's own coffee. From sniffing out delicious blends in their bags and griding the whole beans to the perfect size, to tamping the grinds* and pulling the perfectly timed shot (if you're an espresso lover like me), the process itself is an experience. 

Photo: fancyadance.tumblr.com

Creating a delicious beverage can be an art, and I appreciate the time invested in making something special to start one's day. A little happy with the right accessories (raw sugar, steamed soy, dash o' cinnamon, whatever you fancy) can go a long way.

Photo: myrevelment.com

Happy brewing, dear readers!

*I am kind of a sellout, though, as I inherited an espresso machine with pre-formed pods. ((hangs head))

My Weekend New England Getaway

I travelled to beautiful New England over the weekend to attend the Christening of my precious niece, Alicia Rae. I have been slacking on my aunt duties as Alicia is nearly ten months old and I had still yet to make it out there. But that has now been remedied. And I am officially obsessed with that baby.

The views en route to Boston airport were lovely and made the 5:00AM flight totally worth it. Watching the sunrise from 35,000 feet? Good stuff.

Seriously? New Hampshire is a special kind of beautiful. As if I don't already pine enough for proper seasons and mature trees as far as the eye can see, I get this breathtaking sight within hours of arriving in Londonderry. 

On Sunday morning, I asked my brother-in-law where the nearest Starbucks was. He laughed at me. The northeast is Dunkin' Land, and I must say I was quite pleased with my morning cup o' joe. And the chocolate cake donut. Hey, I was on vacation!

The Christening was beautiful and I'm so honored that I was invited to be present on Alicia's special day. The deacon reminded us all of the crutial role of family in guiding children to the Lord, which made me appreciate my relationship with my sister and her sweet baby girl even more. Not to mention, my brother-in-law's adorable Italian family welcomed me with open arms. (This was my first time meeting them.) It's such a gift that "step-" and "-in-law" don't really mean much in our family. Love and heckling abound in excess.

My Monday morning view. I get it, New England, you're silly beautiful and make magic in my heart!

Saying goodbye to this little lady was not easy. I am head over heels in love. She has shaped me more than I could have imagined, and I pray that I can be the Aunt she and her wonderful family deserves. I can't wait to visit again!

Missing y'all much, Sissy and fam! xoxo