November 22, 2013

Red Pants!!!!

Ok, sorry for all the exclamation points, but I recently scored these red ankle pants from The Limited (shocker) and I have never in my life dared to wear red ankle pants and I'm just kind of excited about wearing them.  I've always felt I was too hippy/big-booty'ed to wear a bright pant.  But thanks to a lot of squats and lunges and a little bit more confidence, I'm WEARING RED PANTS!

Top, pants (on sale!), belt - The Limited // Patent Mary Janes (old) - Steve Madden  --  I suppose I could have smiled here, geeze.

We're finally getting our fall colors here over the last couple of weeks.  I love the *crunch crunch* of walking around on all the leaves.  It was freakishly warm yesterday, something like 75 degrees.  And this is Texas, so naturally today it's 33 degrees and raining.  Love it.

And, once again, I'm practically head to toe in The Limited.  They really should pay me!  Haha.

And just because she's so cute, here are some pics with my best dog Abby.  She's a rescue mutt and she is the sweetest thing ever!

Get ready to giggle for this one....

An outtake from our photo shoot yesterday...
We caught Abby as she was finishing up a big yawn...how funny is her face?!  The bf and I were cracking up when we saw this going through the photos.  Now, if I could just train her to make this face on command!  Love that girl.

xo :)

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November 6, 2013

Open to the Public

Is internet rudeness inevitable these days?  Is it something one should expect when putting themselves online publicly?  Personally, I think rudeness is unacceptable in any forum...there's no need to be mean.  But it seems that some just can't help it, making rude personal remarks, especially when they get to hide behind a screen and don't have to look the person they're insulting in the face.
 
A few days ago, a faceless internet commenter (screen name: "derp") replied to one of my comments on another website, calling me "dumb/ugly."  Now, I know I am neither dumb nor ugly, but reading that comment made me kind of slink back into my chair and feel...small.  Even though this derp doesn't know me and has no bearing on my existence, it still stung a little.  I'm slightly bothered by the fact that I even care what derp typed in his/her comment.  I'm confident, I'm happy...why should it bother me?  I'm not losing any sleep over it or anything, but it did get me thinking about how we humans act toward one another and, that we could all stand to be a little bit more careful about what we say, on or offline.

I know some people get their kicks from saying/doing things just to see how other people react; to get a rise out of someone.  I think that's a shame.  I'm willing to bet that 9 times out of 10, someone who says something vile about another person online would never say it to the person's face if given the opportunity.  

Take, for instance, Kim Kardashian.  This poor woman has been trashed countless times on TV, on magazine covers, and especially online.  I can't even tell you all the terrible things hundreds of people have written about her...I'm sure you've read some yourself.  She's been fat shamed, slut shamed, fashion shamed, and called every name in the book.  All by people who don't know her, only going by their own judgments from what they see in the media.  Now I'm not saying I am a huge fan or that I agree with her decisions/behavior, etc.  What I am saying is that she doesn't deserve all the hate that she gets.  Yes, she chose to make herself a public brand, but she's still a person.  She still has feelings and insecurities.  She still deserves to be treated like a human.  To the rude people: What if  it was your friend, your sister, or even you, dear Meanie, that was being treated this way?  I don't think you'd like that one bit.  I feel like a lot of people have really lost sight of the humanity of others.  Especially those they choose to judge from afar. 

I suppose the whole point of this stream of consciousness is...all the online/media negativity floating around these interwebs really doesn't help anything or anyone.  I suppose being negative and trash talking others makes some people feel superior or better about their own lives.  But that's never going to be the way to happiness.  What derp said about me is a tiny, tiny little piece of this problem.  I'm no worse for wear because of it, but it does make me realize even more now that words do matter.  What we say can have lasting impact.  Positive OR negative.  Think before you speak (or type).

I can still remember being a little girl, being teased, being called ugly.  "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me," right?  I said that to him, the boy that called me ugly.  But if that saying were true, I probably wouldn't still remember it after all these years. 

I hope derp's life gets better.  Really.

Via Post Secret


xo :)

October 22, 2013

Chambray Tuesday

A few weeks ago, I told you about how I never wear my chambray shirt.  Well, I went into my closet and tried it on...no wonder.  I hate it!  It's a weird, boxy cut, is way too light in color, and it has a goofy looking buttoned pocket way high up on the left side.  Sigh.

So, leave it to The Limited to have the perfect shirt on sale, and with my rewards points, it was a total DEAL.

Shirt, pants, belt (similar here) - The Limted // Shoes (similar here) - Enzo Angiolini

Huh, I guess I am dressed almost completely head to toe in The Limited today...have I mentioned how much I like shopping there?!

So how'd I do?  This is the first time I've styled a chambray top. (Am I behind the times, or what?)  I think I like it!

xo :)

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October 21, 2013

Monday-itis Medicine

Hello Monday.  I did NOT want to get up today.  So cozy under the covers!  But alas, the show must go on, I have to work, we all have things to do...time marches on!  So today I'm taking a minute to focus on a few things keeping my Monday bitch-face at bay...

My Halloween costume is coming together nicely!  The BF and I went out yesterday and got the last things we needed for the big party this weekend.  I had to go all budget Halloween this year, since I started that whole "save my money" thing.  I already had a pair of white angel wings and a  fuzzy halo headband so, that's what I'm going with.  The BF will my my little devil companion!  Excited!  Some potential makeup ideas...

Loving this green!  I have some black sparkly lashes so I may try to make something sort of like this but a bit more dramatic.

I thought this looked pretty too.  Minus the green and pink lips probably though.  I may have my BF paint some little design on me too since he's pretty good with a paintbrush.

This one just made me giggle!!  I love Grumpy Cat so so much.

Another reason I'm not all that upset about Monday...

This lovely tomato basil parmesan soup is in my crockpot simmering and I will be eating it as soon as I get home!  I saw several soup recipes a few weeks ago on one of my favorite blogs, Delightfully Tacky.  I picked out a few I wanted to try and this one is up first!  It smelled so good just putting everything in the pot.  I can't wait to walk into the house and inhale after it's been cooking all day! This is going to be SO good with the turkey meatloaf I made last night.

I am wearing a fab top today...take that, Monday!!

I love love love my Zara tee.  You may remember I was seriously craving this top (along with several other things!) a while back.  Well, I am now a proud owner.  Life is good. 

I got a present in the mail this morning... 

A new skull cuff bracelet from my friends at Accessory Fanatic! I made a comment on one of their Instagram photos that the one I had purchased broke a few weeks back, and lo and behold, Ms. Stephanie sent me a new one!  Happy Monday to meeeeee!

Some Monday video fun for you...


This kid is on FIYAH! (via The Frisky)

xo :)

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October 8, 2013

My Saturday of Awesomeness

Saturday is, in my opinion, the best day of the week.  No work (for me anyway) and there's still one more day off to do whatever I want to do before I have to go back.  This past Saturday was our first real taste of fall...finally!  Happy dance.  Don't remind me I said that when I'm complaining about how cold it is in a month, ok?

Anyway, we started off the day by doing the last minute preparations for my boyfriend's art show and delivering artwork to the gallery space so it'd be hung and ready for the evening event.  That took a while, so by the time we were done and headed downtown we were famished.  The bf has been craving chicken fried steak for a while so we decided to just go ahead and indulge!

I couldn't think of a better place than Deep Ellum institution All Good Cafe.  I've always had a good experience here...delicious food and super nice people.  Plus, they have cool origami birds hanging from the ceiling...

Neat huh?

Ok, I apologize for the photo of a partially eaten dish.  But we were so starved I forgot to snap the pic before digging in!  This plate is just...so good.  The green beans were super fresh and crisp and those mashed potatoes are the business!  Superior.

Again, I ate before photographing...it was just too delicious!  A cheesy, creamy, red bell pepper soup.  If you're ever in Dallas, you must eat at All Good!

After our meal, we drove over to the arts district for a free event.  Remember how I was saying I wanted to take advantage of some of the many free things to do in the city?  Well, this event was free and it was quite extraordinary!

The Crow Collection of Asian Art had a garden party to showcase some new sculptures and introduce their re-done galleries.  I thought, free, art, culture, and fall weather...perfect!

And what a beautiful place!  I've lived in this city most of my life and I've never been in here.  Can you believe that?  


In addition to all these amazing sculptures, there were countless treasures inside the galleries.  Intricate jade and nephrite pieces, beautiful and ornate boxes and chests, jewelry, and vases.

They also had dance performances from the different Asian cultures.  These girls doing an Indian rain dance were so expressive and beautiful.  They really told the story well through their movements.  I admit it choked me up a little!

Since it was finally cool enough, I got to wear my new Zara blazer.  It was a birthday gift from the bf.  Isn't he sweet!

We were checking out this plaque covering a time capsule placed in 1984 to be opened after 100 years.  We were wondering what might be in there...a Purple Rain cassette tape maybe, something neon with poufy shoulders, or maybe a Cabbage Patch doll!  I'm preeeeetty sure I had one in '84.

It turned out to be quite blustery up on the rooftop garden!

How do you like my new Aerosoles leopard loafers?  They are THE most comfortable shoes ever.

After an afternoon around town, we were tired, but ready to go see some more awesome art Saturday night at The Basement Gallery.  The bf was showcasing several paintings and some of the proceeds went to an organization called The Birthday Party Project, whose mission is to bring happiness to homeless children by giving them the birthday celebration they might not have otherwise had.  I'd never heard of this organization before the art show, but I think it's a wonderful idea.  A kid should always get to celebrate his birthday!

Here are just a few of the bf's pieces.  He's so talented!  And here, also, are my new red boots from Shoedazzle!  These were a great purchase, I had a coupon so they ended up costing me less than $30.  They're comfortable and quite stylish if I do say so myself.  I love it when that happens!

xo :)


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October 7, 2013

Monday-itis Medicine

It's finally cooled off outside (scarf and jacket time!), I had a great weekend, and I got to sleep in just a teensy bit this Monday morning.  So even though the Cowboys totally blew it in the last  minutes of yesterday's game (damn Romo interceptions!), I don't much need my own Monday-itis Medicine today, but just in case you do...

 Post Secret is always one of my first stops along the interwebs on Mondays.  I often giggle aloud at some of the secrets people send in!  This postcard is one of my all time favorites as I used to be quite addicted to CSI.  Some of the postcards are sad and tragic, others silly, and still others full of hope for the future.  Post Secret does a lot of work for suicide prevention and I think that is such a great cause to support. 


This cute, stylish teenager is 17 year old Karrie.  Karrie has Down syndrome and she recently became a model for Wet Seal, her favorite clothing store.  Click the pic for her awesome and inspiring story! (via xoJane)


Prepare to shed a few sad tears, along with some happy ones.  The story of Mama Jade and her rescue will break your heart...and then fill it with love. (via The Frisky)


And this right here, is the absolute epitome of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.  Several Boston Marathon bombing victims and other amputees participated in a running clinic for challenged athletes yesterday at Harvard University.  Running is good for the soul, and it makes me happy to see these people, who've been through an awful ordeal, getting up and running despite the loss of their legs.  Talk about inspiration! (via Yahoo!)

Happy Monday everyone!

xo :)

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September 27, 2013

Another Year Older and...Wiser?

So, last Friday was my birthday, and I have now officially been 36 years old for a whole week.  I'm just gonna let that sink in for a bit.....
Actually, I've been stewing over it almost the whole week.  Okay, maybe not "stewing" as in worrying about it, but definitely "stewing" as in really thinking about where I am in life and more importantly, where I want to be.  I know it's been quiet around here, but there's been some big thinking going on at home.

I do like being 36.  I like really knowing who I am.  I like my style more now.  I've got the relationship I want because I'm no longer afraid to ask for what I need.  I've got life experience; I've grown quite a bit from even my 30th birthday.  I'm thankful for all of that.

But of course, as with anything, there are not so great aspects of getting older.
Things I don't like about being my version of 36:
I can't hang anymore, party wise.  It just takes too long to recover!
It takes a loooooong time and a lot of work to lose 5 pounds.
It also only takes one weekend of indulging in food and drink to put on said 5 pounds!
I've become a homebody.  While I don't necessarily not like being a homebody, I do miss out on some fun things because it's Tuesday and it's 8pm and I just don't want to get dressed and go back out! 

All that said, I do want to make some changes and improvements to the current status quo.  I thought it would be prudent of me to write down some things I want to accomplish over this next year of life.  It always helps to have goals, right?


 1.  Be a regular morning workout person.  I always love how I feel ALL day after a morning workout.  It is an easy way for me to really start the day in a positive head space.  I am often times very lazy about getting up in time to workout before 6am, but I'm also lazy about getting back out of the house to go workout after I get home from work!  Plus, the gym is MUCH less crowded in the early a.m. I want to make this a priority.  Those 5 pounds aren't going to lose themselves!

 2.  Save my money.  And this is a BIG one for me.  Since I have a bit of a financial hole to fill, this is how I may have to save...penny by penny!  But I've crunched some numbers and, if I try really hard, I can get it done in a reasonable amount of time.  I am SO looking forward to the day I can say I'm completely debt free! 

 3.  Take advantage of the awesome free things!  There are probably a hundred and one free things to do in Dallas in a given month.  From park parties with music to free fall concerts to the now free for everyone Dallas Museum of Art, I really need to get out and explore.  Being able to do fun things and not spend money will definitely help with that whole saving thing. And may actually get me out of the house on a Tuesday. (Photo by Faith DeSmet)

4.  Elevate my style.  And not so much with new stuff (saving my money!), but with things I already have, mixed up in different ways.  I am terrible at doing this.  But I resolve to try harder from now on.  For instance, I have a chambray shirt...the one all the style bloggers say is such a great basic and can be worn so many different ways.  They've even shown me how.  But I NEVER wear mine.  Like, ever.  I must find a way to wear this shirt at least three ways.  Then I should find a way to wear everything in my closet at least three ways.  Is that even possible?  I hope so!


Like, how cute is this?!


And this...


And I'm totally into this.  Challenge accepted.  Now, come on fall temps!!

 Happy Friday! 

xo :)

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September 17, 2013

The Power of Love


Ever been in love?  I have.  It's beautiful, exciting, passionate, intoxicating.  It's also painful, stressful, and very emotionally risky.  Love is, after all, what makes this life liveable; and also what makes this life feel completely unbearable at times.

When I first heard of Marina Abramovic, an NYC based Serbian performance artist, I saw this video:




The story (from Wikipedia): " In 1988, after several years of tense relations, Abramović and Ulay decided to make a spiritual journey which would end their relationship. Each of them walked the Great Wall of China, starting from the two opposite ends and meeting in the middle. As Abramović described it: “That walk became a complete personal drama. Ulay started from the Gobi Desert and I from the Yellow Sea. After each of us walked 2500 km, we met in the middle and said good-bye." Abramović conceived this walk in a dream, and it provided what she thought was an appropriate, romantic ending to a relationship full of mysticism, energy, and attraction.”

I was transfixed.  I cried a little.  Then I smiled a little.  So emotional and beautiful...I felt like I could understand exactly what these two were feeling.  Anyone who's been in love probably can.  Even though the two apparently met and spoke before this show, the emotional reactions here seem very real to me.  Every now and then, this video pops into my mind and I have to go watch.  I feel like it reminds us that, whatever happens in life, real love is forever.  Even if you no longer have the actual in-person relationship, even if you knew it wasn't right or that the relationship had run it's course and you parted ways, the love you felt never really goes away.  I think that's a good thing.  It's good to have love in your heart.  We all know the world needs more love...sweet love.

There are a million writings about love and relationships.  I've read quite a few!  But one in particular sticks out for me.  I've often said that, to me, it pretty much sums up the meaning of life.

"Love anything that lives...a person, a pet, a plant...and it will die.  Trust in anyone, and you may be hurt.  Depend on anyone, and that one may let you down.  The price of [love] is pain.  If someone is determined not to risk pain, then such a person must do without many things--getting married, having children, the ecstasy of sex, the hope of ambition, friendship-- all that makes life alive, meaningful and significant.  Move out or grow in any dimension and pain as well as joy will be your reward.  A full life will be full of pain.  But the only alternative is not to live fully, or not to live at all."  --M. Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled

May you all have a love-ly afternoon.

xo :)


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September 16, 2013

Monday-itis Medicine

Oh, hello again, Monday.  Thank you for the humidity this morning.  It's great for my hair.

My iPhone went for a dip in the pool over the weekend and is now fried.

There is this negativity (really upsetting), and also this (even more upsetting).

In spite of these things, I must find some positivity.  Some cuteness.  Some people being nice to one another.  Some happy news.

The handsome JGL with baby kitteh.  Cuteness.  (OUT magazine)


Here are 101 Inspiring happiness quotes.  I think I shall read them all today.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop (Positivity Blog)


 Ten better body affirmations for women.  "You don’t owe your body to anyone. Not sexually, not aesthetically. Your body is yours. Period."  Positivity.  (The Frisky)


A real-life "Field of Dreams?"  Here are some people being nice to each other. (ABC News)


Other good things about today:  
We were out of cereal this morning, so my sweet bf made me a strawberry banana smoothie.  Love him.
I found Funyuns in the office vending machine...woo hoo!
No cat puke, dead battery, or work wardrobe issues today.
Only two more work days until I'm off for five days.  Happy Monday!

xo :)


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