Fashion.

It's hard these days to be an individual, especially when it comes to fashion. I try hard to stay up on the latest trends and truly enjoy the beauty of sustainable fabrics. Last night, I found it hard to consider myself a trendsetter. From what I could tell (and everyone else in the room) every woman at Balliceaux looked like they just jumped out of an Urban Outfitters catalog. I love my clothing, and take pride in the in-expensiveness of it all, but if being up on the fashion trends means having to share my individuality, I'd rather take my fashion outwardness to the next level and do things over the top or nothing at all.

These photos are courtesy of a blog called Tales of Endearment. These fashionista sisters are a perfect example of latest and trends that maybe I'm just not brave enough to try. That fur vest, to die for, and beautiful black dress with Mexican accents is reminiscent of cultural trends I've always aspired to take part in. So, here it goes. Off to try things over the top! Gracias a la vida!

Lu-ugh- VE.

Save the date. I love it! Watch it on YouTube!

...it all boils down to this.

At the end of my working day, my boss Rhonda sneakingly crept into the lab to ask me a question. As she occasionally scares me, today she seemed a little out of sorts, perhaps because of the pain medications or lack of sleep she felt in recovering from a broken wrist she received on Saturday. So as not to disturb the many tasks that one has at the end of their day, she quickly got to the point and asked if I would like tomorrow off from work. I thought for a moment, then happily excepted.

Sometimes, it's just the nicest thing in the world when someone asks you to simply, take the day off. After this morning I thought: This couldn't have come on a more deserving day?

Last night, Tony and I finally decided on our venue for our wedding, and yes readers it will be at Ash Lawn Highland home of James Monroe. Though I was initially excited, the stress of paying for such a beautiful venue and stress of burdening my mother started to increasingly affect me from emotional to physical.

Yes... it all boils down to this, when I get stressed, so does my irritable bowel. (I know what you're thinking TOO MUCH INFORMATION?) But seriously, if this wasn't an online diary of sorts, I'd be less apt divulging this much information about myself. 

I woke up several times between the hours of four a.m. and seven a.m., in anticipation of speaking with my mother about our plans. I had set it up with a script in my head, clearly laying out my plan to use my savings to pay for at least half, and promising to make payments monthly on the venue.

Tony tried his utmost to relieve my anxiety (Like the Psychiatrist, that he is?) and it worked... until morning came and it was time to make my call.

Luckily, my mom knows how to calm me down just as well as Tony (perhaps even better) by soothingly telling me that she was more than willing to help pay for the venue.

But since I've been sick all day, wouldn't you agree that a day off from the stresses of daily life and work are much deserved? What was I so worried about? Man... my butt hurts.

Engagements.

Waiting // Engagement Time Lapse from Kien Lam on Vimeo.

James Monroe.

Tony and I did some wedding venue shopping today and made our way up to our boy James Monroe's house. Though it was a little out of our price range, the property was so gorgeous. It's still (I believe) always a possibility, that we may choose to get married there... if we win the lottery. (Just kidding, it wasn't THAT bad.)

It was such a beautiful day in Charlottesville, and I'm glad we got to take advantage of it by touring Ash Lawn Highland.

(photos courtesy of Rod Nasbe Photography) 

Breakfast.

Well, this weekend has turned out to be a not-so fruitful black Friday shopping extravaganza. Now, don't get me wrong, it wasn't as if there weren't ANY sales that had it going on, but unfortunately there weren't any items, I deemed important enough to buy. Doesn't that suck? One of the most frustrating things in the world that I find, is when you have money to burn and, nothing just ain't catching on fire.

Asi es la vida, no?

After this Thanksgiving week, I'm not gonna be too happy to return to work. But I'm trying to think positively and be thankful that I got time to spend with my family. The weekend is in fact not over yet, so we have that to look forward to.

This morning I made a ham, egg and cheese scramble for my future husband and I. We're trying to use up all of those Thanksgiving leftovers. So far so good I'd say, the scramble turned out to be delicious. While cooking up the eggs I started thinking about where I'll be in a year...

... for some reason I visualized myself like this. Glamorously making tea or coffee in a summer dress.

But, in reality, I'll probably just be making tea or coffee like this morning, straight out the shower in jeans and a t-shirt waiting for my thick wet hair to dry and curl up like the frizz ball that it is. Dreams are so awesome sometimes... ahhhh.

(photos courtesy of Jeana Sohn's Closet Visit. )

Wedding Ideas.

Ok kids! Let's get down to business. First, I'd like to establish to all who read this blog: This will not just be a wedding blog! But with my recent engagement I've noticed that September (which is the month my fella and I will be saying our vows) is in fact, not that far away. Yes, indeed I am starting to sweat a bit. So, I'm starting to read bridal blogs and slowly make notes and above all else, save money. Thankfully, the fella and I agree on pretty much everything so, planning thus far hasn't been much of a hassle. Here are some pictures of ideas that I thought would be awesome for the wedding. Y'all let me know what y'all think!

(I love the simplicity of this bride's dress.Gorgeous photo out in an open field.)

(Can't stress enough how much I love this dress!)

I was recently given a Polaroid camera isn't this such a great idea......

 

This is such an awesome idea! Of course my bottles of soda will be of Mexi-Cokes and Sunkists)

Vampire Octopus!

Vampire Octopus!

Please check this out! Download it! Love it! It's so unbelievably awesome. 

This is an honest to goodness, random post. Have y'all ever read Legend of the Indian Paintbrush or Legend of the Blue Bonnet? Both were two of my favorite books growing up. I suggested that my sister read one of these books to her students, when she quickly reminded me that perhaps the subject material was maybe a little too deep.

Come to think of it, she's probably right… read them and let me know, what you think.

E.E. Cummings

i thank You God for most this amazing

day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,

and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth

day of life and love and wings:and of the gay

great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing

breathing any-lifted from the no

of all nothing-human merely being

doubt unimaginably You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and


now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

10-30-11

My engagement announcement could only be said by the words of E.E. Cummings. And as I turned around I saw Tony on one knee, and I found myself saying yes, in the best and most possible way. 


gracias a la vida.

love.

Speaking from an open heart can seem so vulnerable and yet be one of your strongest assets. I am reminded of a story I once heard some years ago, attending mass at The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart here in Richmond, VA., one Valentine's Day weekend.

On this particular Sunday, a priest presided over the mass by the name of Father Renninger.

He started his homily unlike many, cracking a joke. (Which I liked.) After intriguing me, he continued the beginning of his sermon by relaying a true story about what Valentine's Day was truly about in his eyes.

Living within close proximity of his grandparents, Father Renninger would often visit them every afternoon walking home from his Catholic high school. On one such afternoon, he found himself interrupting his grandmother caring for his elderly grandfather, cleaning him, after soiling his clothes.

Horrified (as any teenager would be) he quickly tried to excuse himself by closing the door, but as he did so, his grandmother angrily shouted out to him "DON'T YOU DARE CLOSE THAT DOOR. SOMETIMES LOVE LOOKS LIKE THIS."

Ashamed and dismayed he preceded to help his grandmother care for his grandfather.

Over the years, I'm surprised that I can remember that homily with such clarity. Maybe I feel more compelled to share it with others merely because love is an open heart. Closing yourself off doesn’t feel good. It makes your heart heavy and contracted. The most open person in a relationship is usually the strongest one.

Sometimes love looks like a mother burying her mother. Sometimes love looks like a daughter caring for her elderly father, and sometimes love is doing things for someone, not because you need them but, because they need you.

Gracias a la vida. 

Me: "Hey, boyfriend? 


The fella: "Yeah?"


Me: "I'm thinking of dying my hair to a darker color… you know like Olivia Munn."


The fella: "I have no idea who that is?" 


(I then proceed to google the name and image of Olivia Munn)


Me: "This is Olivia Munn."


The fella: "Oh yeah, The Attack of the Show girl...you look like her." 


(I then begin to laugh hysterically. Well… not hysterically but it was an awesome compliment.)




The end. 

I love this shit. St. Vincent! God, help me I can't wait for this glorious concert! 

Huevos Rancheros

(Taken by the fella at a recent wedding.) 

I don't know y'all but it seems like the older I get, the more I look like my mother. Not such a bad thing, I'd say. Recently, I've noticed fashion trends are starting to look a little more Native American and Mexican here are some ejemplos: Pendleton, Anthropologie, and Urbanoutfitters Fall Catalog. I mention the trends because they too remind me of my mother and her appreciation for Native American art and clothing. She'll have to watch out for her closet being raided next time I make my way back to the beach. 

It's Sunday morning, and it feels like a Huevos Rancheros kind of day. I love Mexican food. I'll eat it several times a week. Well here I go. Gracias a la vida. 

Meaningful relationships.

This is wonderful. I hope you enjoy. Today one of my fortune cookies read: Meaningful relationships bring meaning to your life. 


Love today y dar le gracias a la vida.

P.S.
What's your favorite memory? Mine is making tortillas in my grandmother's kitchen when I was little. She'd always give me a piece of the dough to play with. I remember thinking... Now this is special. 

Webisode.

LA in Bloom: Weeknight Dinner Party from LAinBloom on Vimeo.


Have you guys checked out Heather Beth Taylor's LA In Bloom? It's one of my FAVORITE blogs! Today, I naturally checked my ladies' blogs and stumbled upon this LA In Bloom's first webisode. I absolutely fell in love.

Though I've had a love/hate relationship with Ina Garten:

I thought Heather's webisode was the very essence of all that I LOVE about the The Barefoot Contessa. 

All in all, the episode started off a little rocky, but I look forward to all the new and exciting episodes to come. Gracias a Los Angeles.

Mueva y coma.

Mueva.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.



Coma. 

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Snuggle-cane.

(Check out these photos out on the Stephen K. Schuster website and blog. They are gorgeous.) 

With the current precipitation, and tempestuous winds outside, the weather channel has assured me that there is a hurricane a brewing. Indeed, the pandemonium has come to a wonderful end here in RVA. Can you believe I couldn't even pump gas in my car yesterday? No matter? I've got sweet, sweet company and delicious food to munch on. Hopefully our gluten-free General Tso's chicken turns out to be delicious tonight. 


What are you lovelies feasting on this blustery day? Who are you snuggling with? Don't you think hurricane weather is the perfect time to snuggle with someone you love?


Other than cooking and snuggling, I'm currently listening to this fantastic playlist on 8 Tracks. Hope you enjoy your Snuggle-cane Irene! Gracias! 

Fall weather brings sweet boots.

Don't worry about me, I've just been relishing on the beautiful fall trends! So much to see, so little time. Don't you just love fall? It's my favorite season!

I couldn't resist these lovely ladies and their gorgeous ensembles. Aren't they totally fetch? I went bananas on the Curator and ASOS websites. Check that s*#&t out right now.

Gracias.

Never underestimate the taste of a man. Isn't this the most romantic and gorgeous vintage necklace? I meant to post the photos much earlier, but just haven't had the time. For my 28th birthday, the fella bought me this vintage 30s necklace from none other than Halcyon. 

After the Yonana I didn't think that I was gonna get anything else? I should have known better.... he's such a great gift giver.

I'm such lucky girl because not only was the necklace a gift but he also got me tickets to my FAVORITE band St. Vincent!!!!  Now I just have to find the perfect dress for the necklace. (Gotta go to a wedding soon and I wanna debut the necklace!)  

Gracias. 

The September Issue.

Just look at how stunning Demi Lovato is in the Elle September issue. At first I thought, "Oh finally Elle's using real women in their photo shoots." I was happily surprised that it was her, seemingly unrecognizable.

Well, it isn't quite September but that hasn't stopped me from celebrating my annual September Issue Barnes & Noble party! In fact, there were only two things I wanted to desperately do this weekend;
1.) Walk along the Rivanna Trail and 2.) Look at the September issues!

Thankfully both were accomplished. Sadly, I didn't get to finish all of my magazines but that's why another trip is in store for this week. There's nothing more relaxing than sipping on hot tea, and looking at beautiful photos, reading up on latest trends and reveling in another glorious weekend. Gracias.

P.S. By the way, The Fella and I went to Vinegar Hill Theater this weekend and caught Beginners. It was such a beautiful movie, filled with laughter, love and sadness. I recommend that all you lovelies check it out. Here's the trailer couldn't resist posting it! Gracias otra vez. 

C-ville Part 2.

Here we are: Monticello. Isn't it absolutely beautiful? Did you know that if you reside in Charlottesville you're allowed guests (at least one per person) free of charge? So, I posed as a resident of Charlottesville with the fella (an actual resident) and Mike and Erin were allowed free admittance. I'm always in love with a cheap deal.

Despite the scolding hot weather that day, the evening turned out to be pretty amazing. Following the visit to Monticello, we made our way to the Veritas Vineyard in Afton, VA to sample some fancy wines then shortly after, we visited a brewery called Devil's Backbone .

Like I said not too shabby. Gracias.

C-ville.

After spending the past couple of weekends here in Charlottesville, I've really become accustom to the gorgeous scenery, motor cycle rides on Skyline Drive, hiking, running in the mountains and enjoying the company of a man I've grown quite fond of.

I have the very great advantage of discovering a new city without moving from my sweet and beautiful RVA. As I wrote previously, we've enjoyed the company of friends from distant places (Mike and Erin from Philadelphia, PA.) and discovered the many vineyards, restaurants and historical landmarks, that a Virginian would most certainly pass up without looking twice.

Being a tourist hasn't been too shabby, I'd say. (even if Monticello is in your backyard) So here I am in the photos being harassed by the man to stop squinting at the camera. (as if I could, with the sun shining?) The photos were taken by of course the fella and I up on Skyline Drive the very first weekend here. (July 4th)

I'll post more of the vineyards, restaurants and Monticello. Stay tuned, but for now Gracias a la vida.