stuck in love.

I'm so grateful for nights like this.  The rainy kind that just barely quench our yearning for spring as it uncovers all of the green from its frozen state.  I always like to think rainstorms and blizzards are God's way of telling us to stop and rest a moment.  So I'm obeying.  Candles are lit, Ben Howard is wooing me in the background, and look at this, I found my blog again :)

It's funny how you can get stuck just going through the motions, cruising in autopilot until something finally wakes you up, realizing that a whole piece of yourself was left a few miles back.  I watched a movie the other night, Stuck in Love (check it out on Netflix!) and was reunited with my adoration of language and the treasure in taking time to simply "be" and reflect.  Outside of faith based, self-improvement, or business books, I have not enjoyed a good piece of literature in I don't know how long.  

"You mean pinning wise quotes on Pinterest don't suffice in fulfilling a passion?!   Whaat."  

This has been my exposure as of late.  Sad truth.

Instead of just dipping my toes in an unfulfilling way, this movie reminded me of my love for diving in and swimming around in words until I'm as pruny as can be.   

  

Stuck in Love inspired me to become reacquainted with Raymond Carver, the mean-muggin gent above.  I vaguely remember studying him in a high school lit class, but I think my brain was too self-absorbed to let anything else sink in.  Another sad truth.  But despite his gruff appearance, the quote below provides a glimpse of a tender and romantic heart.  I can't wait to pick up a copy of the short stories in What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, or Will you Please be Quiet, Please? 

Let the swimming begin. 

not cool, Robert Frost!

i'm late to the party, i know. but if you are like me and have yet to watch kid president, please take a few minutes. it'll make your heart smile. 

give the world a reason to dance...get to it! 

Take to the Open

Canvas Lands' End is gaining speed (remember my girl crush?), and as I was bopping around their website I discovered that they have a blog! And a pretty awesome one at that. Probably because it's Wisconsin-based (I'm biased), but it has a great eclectic feel and I'm digging their mantra above. 

"It's a nod to our past, but more importantly, it's a big lean toward the future."

Brilliant marketing. I feel so much closer to the brand. 

Check it out! CNVSBLG

xoxo,

watercolor gallery.

I'm loving these watercolor-esque prints I found on Pinterest. 

Feminine and fun, and perfect to hang as a mock gallery wall. 

I have a blank wall space that's calling out for a shelf and some adornments. I think I just found its fix! 

I started searching for more watercolor beauties on Etsy and I found a goldmine.

Introducing the talented works of Jessica Durrant...

These are just a few of my favorites. Be sure to check out her Etsy page and see the full collection!

xoxo,

hence the title.

Just some favorite shades, simply 'cause they're pretty:

all images via

xoxo,

Brick.

I'm always amazed at how roughly textured cold brick can bring such warmth to a room. 

Can't get enough.

Inspiration via anthropologie.com. It never fails.

xoxo

thankful thursdays

Extra reasons to smile this week:

1. A sun-kiss from the big guy above.
2. My new favorite nail polish: Essie Raspberry. Can't get enough.

3-4. Fresh tulips from the super market. Well, as fresh as they can get from Pick 'N Save. It's amazing the impact a few flowers can make.
5. Impromptu dinner with my aunt and uncle at Buckley's. Best lobster sandwiches and carrot cake...ever. Plus, it's adorable. and I love living close to family!
6. Psychology Today magazine. A supportive surprise from Michael as I figure out a plan for my next decade in life. It's the little things :)
7. Cinnamon toast crunch with berries....fabulous. Who says cereal isn't healthy?!
8. A mid-day phone call from my mom, "I just found the cutest flats for you!" Mom, you are awesome. And the shoes are too.
9. DIY for my apartment. It involved sawing. I felt like a lumberjack, and I was proud. Stay tuned.
10. Milk duds and popcorn from finally seeing Hunger Games. My favorite sweet and salty combo. And the movie? Can't get it off my mind.

11 - 12. Happy Easter! Two varying Easter outfits. We battle through ridiculous photos but sadly my bunny ears did not win. My oldest sister and her boyfriend dressed up as chickens and took a video of them clucking...winners.
13 - 14. I've been sick this week. I'm not a fan of feeling awful, but I do love an excuse to lay in bed all day surrounded by books and blogs and warm coziness. My saving grace was Silver Spray - it's the underdog for immune systems. Stay healthy, homies!

And of course, tomorrow's Friday :)

xoxo

Hope

I always think of this picture when I have a tough day.

There is always a light.

via Pinterest

xoxo

Two many.

countdown via anthropologie

Christmas Eve is tomorrow!

Two days until Christmas. Two years (!!) to celebrate Michael and I being together, and too many smiles to even count.

Unfortunately we can't spend the night together, but the Christmas festivities begin as my parents open their home to 50 of our old dear friends. I can't wait to see everyone but I am slightly partial to crawling into bed and locking the door behind me.

Luckily Pinterest (and Elizabeth Taylor) gave me just the pep talk I need...

Party on, homies.

xoxo

Cans and Plans

So much has happened since my little blog hiatus since June. I finally moved into my apartment, which is adorably tiny (many DIYs to come!), today marks my one year anniversary at my first position in the big kid world, M and I are about to celebrate two years, and some of my old friends have invited me to help out with their non-profit, combining two of my greatest passions. My life feels a little bit like the juggled photo below, but I feel like I can't go wrong when I'm doing what I love with whom I love.

If only I looked this glam while working my tail off ;)

photos via pinterest

xoxo

An enormous gift.

(photo of my kitchen chalkboard used for shopping lists, etc, anddd where I channel my inner 1st grader for each holiday)

"Thanksgiving is about the bounty of this great land, and the plenty that ingenious and hard-working people have been able to create. With this plenty, America has saved the world from two world wars, invented medicines, technology and production techniques that have lifted living standards massively.

Other countries have smart people that have done good things. Other countries have resources. Other countries have been around longer, but none has been as generous, or had a more positive impact on the world, than America.

Being an American is an enormous gift. The freedoms and widespread prosperity we enjoy are unique and desirable. That’s why millions of people from all over the globe not only desire to live in America, but actually risk their lives to live in our land. More importantly, Americans are not leaving America to go anywhere else in large numbers at all. Despite recent high unemployment, no country provides the combination of opportunities, protections, freedoms, or living standards that America does."

An excerpt from What's So Special About America,

Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist

So Thankful for my amazing friends and family, the love and many blessings from God, and this beautiful country!

Happy happy Thanksgiving!!

xoxo

A Skip in Her Step and a Twinkle in Her Eye

I never tire of this.

via

xoxo

Clothes Like Furniture

I love this motto, mainly because half of my closet is still from high school or passed down from my mom or older sisters. My mom always taught me to buy classic pieces; buying lower in quantity and higher in quality. I'd like to think they're aging with me, 5-10 years later! No wonder so many of my jeans are getting holes in them!

I also love J.Crew's appreciation for dressing wildly colorful like a box of crayons. If I were to have a coined style, that would be it. Elegantly classic, and wildly colorful like a box of crayons. It just tickles me pink ;)

*photos of J.Crew's June catalog taken via iPhone

xoxo

Ivy Inspiration

I was finally able to check out Ivy & Piper's Spring Fashion Issue. Below are screenshots of my favorite pages - their images never fail to inspire!

I love how these images are eclectic yet still so chic. The bursts of color are so refreshing!

xoxo