Happenings No. 01

.01 J.Crew's Sample Sale | There's nothing that I look forward to quite as much as the sample sale. Piles and piles of cashmere, dirt cheap Barbour coats, millions of shoes - it's a J.Crew employee's dream. An exhausting dream. BUT! I scored a winter coat, Supergas, those blue suede oxfords I've been lusting over since they came out, a Pave bracelet and few other things. Wonderful day.

.02 Meg Jay's Ted Talk | Who doesn't love a good Ted Talk? I read this article the other day about people who think their 20's are "throw away" years and how it's actually the opposite. Very relevant. It was connected to Meg Jay's Ted Talk about how people always say "30 is the new 20" and basically that you're assumed to start real life when you're 30. Twenty is for experimentation. But really, you should just begin planning for the future now! It was so inspiring and motivating.

.03 Alabama Shakes | Right after the sample sale, I rushed to Cary to see the magic that is Brittany Howard and she did not disappoint. Her soulful, deep, strong, AMAZING voice was one of those overwhelming things that can make me cry. And the energy! I loved it. She's a fantastic woman and I want to be her BFF.

.04 Virgin Mobile's Free Fest | And ya know, being the concert goers we are, we woke up at 6 a.m. the next day and trekked all the way to Columbia, MD. But for a great reason. We were some lucky winners of the free tickets to a festival full of Washed Out, Robin Thicke, Icona Pop, City and Colour, the Avett Brothers, MGMT and an all-time favorite, Vampire Weekend. It was a great day besides the crazy expensive beer and downpour. And we got to stop in D.C. The besssssst!

Goals | Oct. 2013

Eating | Gluten-free. The things I've heard have only been good, so I'd love to try.
Drinking | Pum. King. If I can ever find it!
Practicing | Meditation.
Mastering | Balancing two jobs and saving money.
Learning | French. Je suis une femme.
Playing | Vampire Weekend and Dr. Dog albums.
Finishing | My grad school portfolio. 
Reading | Harper's Bazaar has been killing it. I don't like to read, but I do like to read their articles. And I'd like to start re-reading the classics. 
Walking | Everywhere I can.
Wearing | Madewell's fall collection, lots of lacks of color and not enough layers for this time of year. 
Cooking | Big meals to savor leftovers. And lots of sweets.
Working | Too much.
Traveling | To Boone for a good homecoming weekend.
Wanting | More leather goods, more time with loved ones and more joyful traveling.

NYFW 2013

As I'm going through my Instagram feed and flipping through slideshows of designers' Spring/Summer 2014 collections, I'm noticing a lot of similarities and maybe a little unoriginality.

But my God. Oscar de la Renta, the king of fashion. He never fails. Never copies. Never disappoints. If only I could afford...

July Photo Diary

01. Fourth of July spent at Gabi's | Full of amazing Arabic food (and some potatoes and steak for good ole 'Merica), super energetic children and our own fireworks!

02. Lake Erie sunsets | Went alone while visiting home, because look.

03. Vintage shopping in Ohio City | Little did I know, the streets beyond my beloved West Side Market were just as cool

04. Started doodling again, getting inspiration for potential prints | I'm going back to school for graphic design and some people at potential jobs ask if you have a store. Might as well start an Etsy!

05. Beautiful daisies in Boone | As boring as I think that place is, it's so beautiful.

06. Carolina Beach | Not much explanation needed.

07. Out in Montford with my two who are leaving the country so soon | I actually had a blast & I'm going to miss my friends.

I fell in love

 

with California. More specifically, Los Angeles. And I'm in trouble.

Now I just want to go back! Gosh that place is beautiful. The people are so nice and friendly, everyone is happy, it's not too expensive, it's always sunny - why wouldn't you like it?! It was so perfect.

We also went to Monterey, San Francisco, Fresno, Death Valley, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon and now I'm drained.

So now, what to do what to do. Although I started my so UNinspiring last class of my undergraduate career today, I am feeling quite inspired. I got these super amazingly cute cards/prints from Urbanic in Santa Monica and while paying a million bucks for each one, I thought, well, I could so easily do this. So that's what I'm going to do while waiting to go back to school in the fall - an Etsy store connected with my blog! Wildflower girl on Etsy! I'm so excited. Finally putting my doodling to good use.

So there's the next step I guess. Oh and I need a job. Money would be nice.

xoxo

My baby brown monkey sister is now a high schooler

Left at pre-human stages and right at FOURTEEN! But she looks 25.

Congratulations on finishing middle school, little babe. I love you more than you know!

So about that whole New York thing...

It didn't work out. New York and I have a love-hate relationship and this time the hate took over. So, on to the next one.

From my short time spent in that wonderful yet dreadful city, I have a small iPhone photo diary!