vintage, please

This morning I'm craving everything vintage, and I must say- etsy.com satisfied that craving for me. 


This cocktail ring, rose beret, and perfectly classic necklace for starters!

I picture this polka-dot dress with bright pink tights and curly hair. If only...

Wouldn't you just love opening up your mailbox to a sweet thank-you card like this? Especially in January.. adds a pop of spring to your 'thanks.'

I'm obsessed with this headband. It's like jewelery for your hair! 

Last but not least, an I Love Lucy kitchen apron : ) Darling!

"Honey, I'm hooome!"

And this is only the beginning. I only made it to page 45 of 13291 "vintage" selections. See more here!




Side note: today I'm thankful for....

• No morning class- staying home with a cup of coffee to watch Regis and Kelly
• First day at my new job today at the Center for Disability Services... wish me luck!
• Going home tonight for some quality time with my family and dogs :)

Happy Friday!

Nothing relevant, only random.

see more here

I love everything about this picture. The patterns, the colors, the cutie-pies... To be honest, I have no reason for posting this picture, other than the fact that it made me smile. So, I thought I'd 'pay it forward.' 

SMILE!

Random thought: 

Today, I'm thankful for my mother who re-ordered my boots for me when the zipper broke. They came in the mail today! And it was a fabulous surprise when I got home after a crazy long day. So, thanks mom. 

I'm also thankful for my roommate Maggie, who picked me up from campus when it was too cold and too dark to walk home. Such a good roommate :)

Happy Wednesday. xo

Sunshine on my mind...

In the middle of a very long week, in the middle of a very long winter, I daydream of summer.


I'm the girl who loves the first snowfall, and everything about winter until New Year's has come and gone. Then, I'm ready for bare feet, jean skirts, and tan skin. Forget bundling up for class, chapped lips, and 'nights' that start at 4:00 pm when the sun goes down... Bring on July! 


But, since I clearly (and unfortunately) can't roll the calendar forward six months, I waste my winter days dreaming about the following:

Ahh, I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on my cheeks. 

Now, rather than torture ourselves with things we simply can't have for a few more months... here are three things I AM thankful for in winter:

1. Cute winter accessories- boots, scarves, mittens and hats!

2. Everything Christmas!

3. An excuse to eat a little more, sleep a little more, and put off getting ready for bikini season... : )

So, until summer rolls around... let's all try to appreciate the season we're in. Buy yourself some sheepskin boots, go sledding, and be thankful for the cozy nights inside with your family and friends... Happy winter everyone!

Bavarian Getaway

This weekend, Maggie and I hopped in the car and made the hour-long drive to Leavenworth, WA. With German-esque buildings and decor, authentic Bavarian sausages and beer, and gorgeous views of the mountains, it's a perfect little Saturday day-trip in Washington! 

My resolution for the rest of this school year is to take advantage of being in a different part of the country. There are so many things I've been wanting to do, and places I've been wanting to see... and there's no better time than now, right? First on the list: Leavenworth (check!) Next weekend, it sounds like skiing in Crystal Mountain with my family. And in a few weeks, a weekend road-trip to Portland for some shopping and girl time. 


Life's too short to say you'll do something tomorrow, or next week, or in two years.. Do it now! :) Happy Sunday everyone.

Cake, Champagne & Lots of Love!

On this very lazy Friday afternoon, I was pleased to find a "Platinum Weddings" marathon on WE TV. I've become obsessed with any and all wedding-related shows. TLC plays my absolute favorite- "Say Yes to the Dress," and the Style Network has "Who's Wedding Is It, Anyway?" They're all fun to watch, and there's always a little piece of me taking mental notes of the things I like and things that I would never allow anywhere near my own special day (ie, matching, cheesy bridesmaid's dresses or a curly high school prom up-do). 


I don't know where my obsession with weddings came from. I've really only been to two or three in my life. I think I just love the romance and fantasy of it all. As a little girl, I was the one making my Barbies fall in love with Ken and watching the princess movies over and over again. To me, a wedding brings to life those romantic fantasies that I thought only Barbie or Cinderella ever got to have.


 "Platinum Weddings" is the mother-load of all the wedding shows. The couples featured spend more money on their wedding cake than most can afford to spend on their first apartment. For this reason, my mental notes are more for fun, rather than actual planning. But it certainly is fun to indulge. Some of my favorites?

And if I could put a picture up of the church where my mom and dad got married, I would. It's the kind of place I dream of getting married someday... a tiny white church in Portland- probably the size of my apartment- with no lobby, just a quaint wooden double-door. My mom, in her full-coverage lacy gown had to burst through those doors, in from the rain, for her dramatic entrance right into the spotlight. There's something so whimsical about it all. 


And, by the way, they just celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary... still happy and in love after all these years, despite buckets of rain on their wedding day. I guess we can throw that superstition out the window! Congrats, mom and dad!


xo

Moose Tracks and The Bachelor.

When did I get so old? And how did I outgrow the party phase before even graduating college? Suddenly, a cozy night curled up with a blanket, a bowl of Moose Tracks and an episode of The Bachelor is much more exhilirating than a night on the town... Okay, I won't lie, I do enjoy getting all dolled up and taking on the college bars with some girlfriends. But I slowly feel the middle-aged woman in me creeping up to the surface and pulling me home each night. The allure of nights-in only grows deeper as the weather gets colder and the moon comes out earlier. My new philosophy is that nothing good happens after dark.. except maybe some good television :) 

One last note on Moose Tracks: ignore the name brands and mark my words... Walgreens has the BEST Moose Tracks out there! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Enjoy, and try to keep it to just one bowl! (Or maybe two..)


xo

Exploring Faith..

In light of everything going on in Haiti, I had to take a step back and think. I watch the news and feel HELPLESS! 


I am so blessed in my life. I have a wonderful family, loving boyfriend and supportive friends that feel more like family! But the past few weeks I've been feeling a slight tug to something more... Today I ordered a 365-day Devotional Bible on Amazon.com. I'm looking forward to diving in and seeing what a deeper relationship with God can be like. I've seen such joy and peace in my mother.. something that I long for in my own life! 


"for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8)

Religion is personal and powerful.. I encourage each of you to explore your own faith and see where it takes you! You might find that there is a greater meaning to your life and that you can be truly happy, after all! God bless.

the MARKET!

As a new (and possibly temporary) resident of the state of Washington, I must confess my love affair with Seattle- specifically, Pike Place Market. It is the queen of all Farmer's Markets with the most beautiful produce, flowers, seafood, jewelery, musicians, fish-throwers, donuts, souvenirs, fish tacos, art, people, bubble tea, chocolate noodles.... that I have ever seen! You can't help but fall in love with the aromas and colors as you stroll through the market. The energy is addicting and the free samples of exotic fruit are absolutely delicious. Most Seattle natives despise going to the Market on Saturdays- prime tourism location = lots and lots of people. If you ask me, however, I find the crowds full of energy... it makes me feel like I'm walking through the coolest place on Earth and- in that moment- I think I am!


For those of you from a far-away land who have never been to the market, take these pictures as an incentive to get your butt to the Pacific Northwest and check it out! And for the rest of you... just enjoy.

First Day on the Job

Today I have a heavy heart for Haiti. Please donate if you can: http://donate.worldvision.org/, and send your prayers their way. Wish I could do more.....


I woke up grumpy due to a drizzly, grey morning full of classes. But, it's hard to feel sorry for myself when I see devastation like that. Today is a gift, despite a little rain and a lot of school work. 


Happy Wednesday.. half-way through the week!