HappyDayFriDay!

It's Friday! This was one of those weird weeks that felt super long and super short all at once. I somehow can't believe it's Friday, and yet can't believe the events that took place Monday were this week.

It was an extra special week because Jordan took a long layover en route to Charlotte Tuesday night. I've always loved sharing our birthday, and was extra, extra happy to get to celebrate our 25.5 together, too. We went for a walk in Piedmont Park and had a great dinner at Murphy's. I just love her :)

The week was also marked by two other great smevents (small, but important events), including Ashley designing my new blog header. Is it bragging to say it's beautiful since it's on my blog? I'm not sure. But either way, I think she did a wonderful job!

Also, I did the.best.spinning.class.ever. I spent the entire 60 minutes dying, and yet wishing it would never end. It took spinning to a whole new level and I cannot wait to go back.

I hope your week was made of great events, too. Big or small!

image

we say we aren't competitive...

But on a recent trip to Denver to meet the wonderful, beautiful Diego (of whom I took no pictures. which is sad and lame), Courtney and I engaged in a little lawn mowing competition. We raced to see who could get their half done the fastest and I'd say the videos are better than any description I could offer...

I had so much fun with Courtney and Ashley (and Crosby, Griffin and Diego) and I was rilly sad to leave them, because they're wonderful and fun and the bestest.

muggies

A few years ago Ash gave me a super cute monogrammed Anthropologie mug for my birthday, and, although I still prefer the classic black and white version she gave me, I'm digging the new style, too. It will definitely be added to my never-ending Anthro wish list... 

table for two?

For as long as I can remember, I've had this idea that I will someday be the type of person that throws amazing dinner parties. However, I'm halfway through my 24th year and have yet to begin planning one.

Anthropologie's new Tabletop Design Tool makes me think it's probably best I haven't hosted on yet, since my creations were not nearly as lovely as those they made. However, it is an excellent way to practice my table setting skills.

brusha, brusha, brusha

Although I've been known to change out my toothbrushes obsessively and without fail, I kind of like that Anthropologie has taken on the task of reminding us when to do it.

I'd much prefer it if they were offering one for each month, instead of just four (who waits that long to switch brushes, seriously?), but they're still pretty cute. Last minute stocking stuffer?

babies on the go

Although I'm still far from the world of babies, sometimes I feel like I know a little bit more than the average girl my age, thanks to Courtney and Ashley. 

And while I certainly do not understand the woes of motherhood, I like to think of myself as empathetic, and at the very least, I understand that they experience challenges everyday that make my life look like a cinch.

From boogers to pouters to meltdowns, the world they're living in takes a touch more preparation and patience than my little world of one(ish) does.

So, I couldn't resist blogging about these on-the-go baby changing kits. While they may not yet be necessary in my life, they do fulfill a few of my favorite criteria: cute, efficient, easy to make, great for gifts, and color coordinated.

I'll just file it away for the day when baby bags replace purses and onesies are more thrilling than skirts and dresses.

via lovely design

on getting graceful

For my birthday, Duke got me Yoga, Booty, Ballet. It's made by the same company as P90X, but geared more toward women.

It was especially thoughtful of Duke, as he knows how much I love yoga and how badly I want to be a ballerina.

My mom and I did the video last night (note: this is the first day I was able, since it was the first day I was no longer sore from tubing), and while I'm not positive I'm any more graceful just yet, I am feeling especially svelte and streamlined today. I'm very excited to add this into my regular regimen.

And I'm pretty sure that in a few more weeks I'll be pirouetting more naturally than I am walking...

Photos via absolutely ladylike

new love

It's a very rare item in my closet that makes me wish for fall. I typically cling to my favorite sundresses for as long as possible. I often find myself standing in front of my closet in October wondering if I can either (a) stretch my white skirts this far past Labor Day or (b) begin working winter white this early.

However, in New York I bought the Small Gold Lion on Leather Bracelet, in brown, by Alexandra Beth. It's heavier than most of the other bracelets I own and doesn't fit easily in to my jewelry repetoire, especially considering I wear the same two bracelets every day, but I absolutely can't get enough of it. 

I find myself constantly trying to build entire outfits around it, which is challenging since I'm also simultaneously trying to fully embrace the last of my light yellows, seersuckers, and white linens. 

My love for the bracelet is enhanced because the creator, Alexandra Beth, is a recent Emory graduate who is friends with Katie and Emily.  Honestly, what's better than supporting a young artist and busting out of your typical style rutt?

Cooking with Skippy

My dad is easily one of the most precise people I've ever met. He measures spaces before he buys furniture for them, he researches products, he tests paint colors...

And all of this creates a stark contrast to my mom and me.

So, when my dad and I decided to host a little HGC cooking show, it was bound to be entertaining. While he suggested I look at the recipe, measure, and test before taking action, I was more into the idea of just dumping in the ingredients and seeing how it all turned out.

However, while I may be impulsive, I'm not afraid to admit his accuracy typically leads to him being correct. So, I let him play chef while I played sous.

First, we made Court's Dried Fruit and Nut Clusters and, for the second batch, we tweaked the recipe by adding peanut butter and vanilla, switching out a few of the fruits, and turning the whole shabang into a dessert.

The actual rolling of the clusters was up to me and the combination of my patience and disliking of sticky hands led to the little guys looking a funny (compare them to Ashley's gems if you dare). But they still tasted decent and we got to take the old Cuisinart for a nice spin. And, of course, it was a lovely activity Skip.

Tuesday?

Whew! With everything that's going on here, I feel like I've had a whole week already. I can't believe it's only Tuesday.

Of course, it probably has to do with the excitement of the weekend to come, which includes Libby's bachelorette party.

I'm counting down the days until I'm reunited with some of my favorite people, all of whom are scattered across the country and engaged in their own adventures (they too, are probably wondering how it's possibly only Tuesday).

I'm thinking the weekend ahead might call for a new ensemble. The Carven Ruffle-skirt Taffeta Dress looks bachelorette-party-perfect to me.

Oh, if only I wore crew necks...

And had $595 to spare.

Photo: apartment #34

playing dress up

When it comes to shopping, I have one major weakness: dresses. I think they're so perfect. For a day in the park. For a day on the town. For work. For play. For travelling. For a date. For life.

I just can't get enough.

If I were planning to splurge right now, I'd definitely start with these...

This Camilla & Marc Zahra Dress from Sunday Brunch. Isn't it beautiful? It feels so toga-chic to me. And with ruffles of the front and a bow on the back, it's simply irresistable.

The Leading Role Dress from Anthropologie. The red is so happy and the fact that it resembles an apron feels very feminine. Can't you just imagine baking cookies in it? Or at least dancing around the kitchen?

I also love the Happy Little Dress from Mod Cloth. I think the name says it all.

A devoted scholar for life...

Yesterday I was trying to tell Jim, via text, about a friend of ours that dyed her hair. However, in my haste to tell him, I accidentally said she "died" it, and preceded it with an "OMG". Before Jim could read the entire text he saw that OMG she died...

How did it happen? He thought. He began reading the rest of the text, looking for something tragic, something sad.

He was relieved to find "her hair" instead.

It made me think of a conversation I had after my freshman year of college. I'd just returned from interning in Los Angeles and was meeting an old friend. It was clear we'd grown apart during our first year at school and I was attempting to ask her what she'd become interested in during the course of the year.

She said, "Well, I've gotten really into anthropology."
"Oh my gosh! Me too!" I said, excited to finally have something to really talk about.
"Really?" She said, equally shocked and relieved.
"Yes! Their clothes are so cute!" I exclaimed.
"What?" she said, confused.
"What?" I said. Thinking maybe she preferred their jewelry or home decor. "Ohh..." Then it clicked.

She likes studying anthropology. I like shopping at Anthropologie.

It was definitely more embarrassing for me than her...

Of course, she'd spent the year at a liberal school, redefining herself, changing her name, and studying brand new things.

Although I also went to school, I'd spent the last month interning for Los Angeles magazine, redefining my style, changing my major, and studying new brands.

I can't say the mistake wasn't clearly on my part, but you can see how it would happen. Maybe.

Undoubtedly, it's a lesson in how much much people can change. She and I once had so much to talk about and suddenly, after embarking on such different journeys, we couldn't even dodge a few homophomes.

It certainly makes me think about the importance of my surroundings. The things we do every day become habits. The people we are around begin to influence our decisions and change the way we think. Whether you like their style, agree with their opinions, or just have a tiny girl crush, you begin to emulate them.

It also makes me realize how important it is that we're confident in ourselves. No one likes a chamelion and while you can wear as many hats as you'd like, you have to remain true at the core. Had my friend told me she just "LOVED Anthropologie. Especially their aprons and ruffley skirts" and I had responded "While I love cultural anthropology I'm not that into linguistic anthropology", it may have been a greater cause for concern. Because we both would have been lying. And we would have lost our true selves in one short year.

And because that was the last time I spoke to her, I can't help but wonder if she's still studying anthropology. I'm undoubtedly still devoted to my studies at Anthropologie and to prove I've done my homework, I'd like to say how much I love the Stowaway Necklace. It's nautical and elegant and just perfect for spring.

to covet

I have this problem. I always love the look of strapless dresses in stores, and therefore purchase them. However, I rarely wear them once I'm home. I don't know what it is about my closet that is a black hole for strapless dresses, but I'm trying to stop buying them. However, I need a release because they're everywhere this season.

A few gems I've found...

The Bright Young Things dress from Mod Cloth. So cute! I'm actually glad they're nearly sold out, because I don't know how much longer I can abstain...

Also from Mod Cloth, I love the Composed in Sunshine Dress. It's so happy!

Since Saturday, I've been dreaming of the Sun Dot Dress from Anthropologie. If I'm being honest, though, I didn't really refrain from buying it. It just didn't fit me right. However, I think I would be having remorse if I'd purchased it Saturday, as it's now almost 50 percent off.

Lions and tigers and rings

I've only been to the circus once and I didn't even make it through because my cousin got scared. It was all too much for her - too big, too loud, too wild.

I'm thinking that if she had had this Circus Tent Ring, she might have felt more comfortable. The ring would have been like a little circus-style voodoo doll and she could have controlled the situation.

Or, at the very least, she would have been the most stylish little six year old there.

I found this little gem via one of my all time favorites blogs, accoutrements.

mmm

I can't say that I ever really discovered how many licks it took to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop. I never had the patience to lick my way through. I always crunched down without realizing it, and bam!, my pop was gone.

For that reason I'm loving the Cake Pops from Bakerella. You can bite your way right to the center of the cakey treat.

They look so tasty and surprisingly easy to make. However, if I didn't have the patience to lick my Tootsie Pop, I'm not sure I'll be patient enough to get these guys on a stick before consuming.

And if you're thinking they look too easy, try the Wedding Cake Pops. With my sweet tooth, I sure wouldn't be able to resist a proposal like that...

Only, of course, if accompanied by the man I love. Or ice cream.

TSA approved

My chocolate brown and hot pink luggage is all packed up and I'm ready to roll to Atlanta. Almost as a tribute to my travel plans, I just learned about this new site, 3floz.com. They offer a crazy-variety of travel size products.

Not only are the products perfect for baggage-fee-free traveling, but also for those who can't quite commit to one product. They're also perfect for me because I tend to get a little bored. 3floz. will always leave me wanting more...

I'm glad to see someone is capitalizing off of this period of tough airline travel.

On being domestic

"I think a housewife should take pains with her appearance even when she's cleaning the oven." Betty Draper

I'm really bad at ironing. To the point that the clothes I iron end up more wrinkled than when I began.

I know part of it is a lack of patience: I don't flatten it out perfectly, I don't use an ironing board because the floor seems to work, and I don't necessarily do the front and back.

I thought all my dreams had come true when Downy introduced their Wrinkle Releaser.

But no, the real dream happened when I met Jim. He's an ironing master. He even rivals my dad, which says a lot, as my dad has his own personal iron that he won't let anyone else use.

However, regardless of the fact that Jim (secretly) enjoys ironing my skirts for me, I know I have to make up for my lack of domesticity.

My most recent domestic fixation is the apron. This summer, my roommate always let me wear hers and I loved how it made me feel so feminine and pretty. I've since become slightly obsessed.

Aprons are basically the key to your domestic wardrobe. A little black dress is cute, but throw Anthro's 3-D Toile Full Apron over it and it's even better.

And if aprons are the center of your wardrobe, your products are like your accessories. Which is why I'm loving The Beach Days Fragrance Collection from The Good Home Company. The line comes with detergent, dish soap and, my favorites, vacuum beads and sheet spray.

Don't worry, if you don't like the smell of the ocean, they offer other scents, like Pure Grass and Lavender.

Having an appealing scent to spritz around the house is important. If your apron is your dress and your products are your jewelry, then the scent of the house must be your perfume. And when you have all that, I don't even see a reason to get all worked up over ironing.