HOT SUMMER NIGHTS, MID JULY

It's July 15th? It's already July? IT'S ALREADY 2014?

Basically how I'm feeling lately!

I can't really write anything without saying how good God is. How faithful he is. I keep a journal for a variety of reasons, but one of the most impactful is that I see my prayers (and pleading and general whinny requests) be answered in ways I never imagined.

God doesn't owe us anything-

yet in His grace, He still gives us good things.

▲▲ I've been spending A LOT of time at my friend Kelsea's and she just happened to get a new puppy (perfect timing, I'd say!) And so at 10 pm on a Monday we had a little photo shoot celebrating the love shared between Harper and I!

▲▲ This is Lisa everyone! Lisa is especially cool....and she's also German!! And I guess if I can't travel this summer, talking to a foreigner will have to do. She totally thwarts any stereotypes I had about Germans (you know, all that Hitler stuff can cloud your vision!) She gets my jokes. She likes to travel. She's sweet, and then on top of that she's got an accent. What's not to love?

▲▲ You know that time where we got all dressed up to go to a different church to watch 2 friends get baptized and then we found out that it was the wrong Sunday? Well obviously we had to document it. DUH.

It's been a fabulous summer so far. I'm so, so, so grateful for these days and friends and never ending laughs I don't deserve.

Through the clouds of midnight, this bright promise shone: 'I will never leave you, never leave you alone.'" 

(help! I've fallen into pinterest quotes and I can't get up!)

THE IRRESISTIBLE SALTWATER SUMMER OF MY SOUL

It's not even summer, and I'm already having the most glorious summer of my life!

How's that for great logic?!?

A few months ago I finally donned my first pair of Saltwater Sandals! Needless to say, I could go on and on with pinterest love quotes about these babies. And so I wore them in Italy. I wore them at NC. I wore them in DC. And now, finally home, I'm wearing them in the good old Sunshine State.

People keep noticing (and if they don't, I'm sure to point them out!) my incredible saltwater tan lines. Which on the one hand, I worked on, but on the other hand, they came so fast! And the deeper the lines get, the more drastic the contrast, the more I realize what fun I'm having. Since we're all into metaphors these days (thanks tfios!) let's just say that last year, or any other year, I wouldn't have any saltwater tan lines. (Partly because uh, I didn't own Saltwaters! But mostly because, for the first time in forever, I'm really living!) And let me just say, it feels fabulous to be alive.

So here's to the irresistible saltwater summer of my soul! Fingers crossed that the tan lines intensify due to an increase in sweet, sweet summertime pleasures.

PS: I wasn't kidding....

AND NOW, FOR NOTHING IN PARTICULAR

"Not all who wander are lost."

I really thought I could make it without the triangles, BUT NO! Never will my love for triangles in blog posts be quenched. So my geometry loving friends, enjoy the last tidbits of NYC with a touch of triangle. You know it's good for you.

▲▲ Nice light in Chelsea Market! Also, my new lens is dreamy, almost to the point of being too dreamy if that's possible. I'm still learning the ropes, but so far I'm in love.

▲▲ These succulents at Chelsea Market - oh my! Of course, I had to stop and say hi, because I am friends with succulents all over the world. Also, my cactus died, but that is for another time. A time of mourning, of course.

▲▲ To anyone who will go to New York in the next million years....GO TO B&H PHOTO! It is like Santa's workshop on steroids with conveyer belts bringing camera goodies everywhere and little Jewish elves running to and fro. And, I got to use a $3000 camera so my day was made.

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow."
I am so grateful traveling is an option for me. I am so grateful that I get to see different places and new faces. Also, for my rhyming talents which are off the charts. Traveling is my favorite - I'm so glad I get to do it.

Thanks NYC for having me, you really are a charmer.

And now, where to next?

"I have not been everywhere, but it's on my list."

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#xryeDKmxrKoMzqKl.99

Our deeds still travel with us from afar, and what we have been makes us what we are.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#xryeDKmxrKoMzqKl.99

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_travel.html#xryeDKmxrKoMzqKl.99

What dreams are made of

People  people, if you don't own a pair of polka dot jeans, something is terribly wrong in your life.

That being said, I guess my life was pretty terrible until 3 days ago! But now? It's pure heaven and sunshine and lollipops. Everyday I go bathe in frosting, frolic in peony fields and feast on bacon and ham and cheese and bread and cheesy bread.

And then I don't fit in my jeans anymore.

But anyway! I'll probably keep these jeans even if they don't fit ever again. Because when you find 70 dollar jeans for 12 bucks, you're keepin those babies forever. And i mean FOREVAH. Or something hiperstish like that. I'm seeing tea cozies and wall tapestries in the future for these suckers...

(ps: they are from heaven i mean Gap. Same deal.)

BloomFest

Saturday is for cherry blossom hunting. Officially! I've been wanting to see the DC cherry blossoms for goodness knows how long. (Goodness DOES know: 4 years!) So this weekend we decided to be-bop on up to DC to behold the cherry blossom BloomFest.

Unfortunately our Cherry blossom joy was a wee bit premature - the tidal basin blossoms were not in bloom. But we did spot some trees on the Capitol and I'm am now an immense cherry blossom fan. Seriously, the trees ARE PINK AND FLUFFY!

I mean, if a tree CAN be fluffy, which it can right?
 Totally! Absolutely! YES! Maybe?

There were also about 400 portapoties on the National Mall. So classy DC, so classy.


What did you do this weekend?

First(ish) Day of Spring

I think I'm going to like Spring. Not like this year is any different, but mostly because it started off particularly nice.  First you bike to the nearest gas station to stock up on essentials (and forgetting your money! DUH!) Next it's off to the mansions in town to gawk and take pictures and then it's back home with a little detour at the bright pink house. We finished our day with a picnic and me doing every kind of dance I could think of, including break dancing.

It was quite attractive, clearly!


What have you been up to this Spring?

PS: And our hard work pays off. I have new nickname: K-EGG! And Emily is E-jig, so you can call us that now.

What I would wear: Valentines day

I'm not wearing anything uber exciting today. Just a dress, tights and my old standby: a cardigan. I'm not into going over the top for valentines day. But, I'm sure I would go over the top if I had enough money to buy any of these things...
What are you wearing this valentines day?

On my radar: Spring Dresses

Since "spring" is fairly close I've been in the mood for dresses. Lot and Lots of dresses. Even though here I can wear dresses all year long, Spring just kind of seems like the time of year to acquire new dresses.

Here are the dreamers:
So cute! I adore the bowish thingy.

Mustard scallops? Divine.

And now to the practical ones...

This might be short on me, but I love how fun and playful it is. Plus, I love mustard anything!
Let me just say this....I LOVE CHAMBRAY. Thanks. I've been needing to get that out. I love Chambray shirts and dresses. Love, love love.

Are you ready for spring dresses? I don't think you need me to tell you that I am.

Bigness and Longess

I've been a slacker I admitted it and now we are moving right along. Rather than do 3 post for my 14 things I love, I'm just going to combine them all into one. I like things to be tidy.

Day 7: Baking with no dishes love
Bakery story is a fun little app that I only play around Valentines day. You open up your bakery and then bake away! I love all the treats you can make. And, NO DISHES!! You can make stuff and no dishes. I have to repeat it because it is extremely glorious. Of course, the fact that you can't eat it is not so great but whatever. No dishes= Love There is really not much to this game, but I totally love it. And I like Apps that make toast. Maybe I'm a little crazy? Nah....

Day 8: Emma Love (make it obsession.)
Okay, you knew this one was coming. I love Emma to the moon and back and back again. I smile through the entire movie (yes, even after I've watched it 7 billion times). There is just something uber wonderful about Emma. Maybe it's the English accents. Maybe it's the gorgeous gowns. Maybe because the men were actually Gentlemen. It might even be the fact that I am in love with their couches ( hmm, not sure couches is the "proper" term.) Also, Emma and I have a lot in common. We both talk too much and are way to nosy.

Basically, you have to go watch the BBC Emma this very second. Go!!!

On second though, hang around till you finish reading this post. Then you can go fall in love with Emma.

Day 9: Endearment Love.

The last one is Endearing terms, also known as terms of endearment. Believe me, I give everything and one a nickname. Tubs is a prime example, here is a sampling of hers:
Tubby
Pumpkin
Butternut Squash (please, don't ask.)
Miss Moon Eyes
Pudgeulator (these are not even words!)
Sophster
Punk
Punkadilly

You get the point. I also have a bunch of nicknames. My dad gave me most of them, I sort of follow in his foot steps with this whole thingy. Dad named a pillow case after Shaun Cassidy. I've been looking for Shaun for a while now. I'm still hunting for that purple piece of satin.

Thank you for suffering through this immense post. Remember your orders? Good, now be a good little kiddlet and obey!

Tea + Teacup = Love

I usually mean to have post of different subject matter in between, but the day kinda got away from me. Okay, lame excuse. I'm sorry

KJ was being a total dear and gave me his sickness. His didn't last long, and I'm hoping mine follows suit. But until then, this is how I intend to cure myself...
Blueberry Tea and Poptarts. Oh yeah. I loveeeee tea in teacups. It makes me feel dainty and sophisticated and like I'm in a Jane Austen movie....in my PJ's. Teacups transport me to another time period. Oh, and by the way, sticking out your pinkie is highly advised.

I will forever love tea in teacups. That is fact.

Just a bunch of jiberish...

Oh my goodness! Every time I sit to write a post, all interesting information leaves me and I am left with nothing to show, tell or even blab about!

This weekend I was crazy busy planning and executing my AHG project. I planned a party for my troop, decorated it and used a microphone in front of 50 people. (I was really nervous about that.) The party went well, and I am so jazzed that I got it over with.

I am here right now to apologize for the celebrations page. I forgot to gather the January celebrations. I think I need a co-celebrator. Any volunteers?I promise to get back on track with February. I'm just guessing that there are some pretty awesome holidays for that month.

One last thing, I ordered my Vera Bradley. (Big woot!) I absolutely could not decide, I wanted one I could carry on my wrist. Because that's what they did in the 50's and 60's and those cute little handbags are totally in. But then I went to Michaels and I got so fed up having to carry my purse, that I decided right there I would order a cross body. And that's that. I won't tell you which one I got, but I'll show you the fabric....
Please don't judge me. This is way cuter in person. I was not a huge fan when I saw it online, but I changed my opinion when I saw it for real.

Happy Monday? It is Monday right? I keep forgetting which day it is, and for that matter, I still keep forgetting its 2012!!

Happy things

Dad and KJ are out of town. Its party time! That is, if you consider reading economics or studying Greek partying. I don't.

So instead of thinking of terrible things, lets think of happy things shall we? Like Navy blue and white stripes?
All from Kate Spade, all over $300. All of these will never enter my closet. I thought we were supposed to be talking about happy things to get our minds of economics? This conversation is turning dismal.

Lets talk about glasses. Glasses are happy. I got my 2 new pairs. I love one. I have not worn the other pair enough to know if I love them or not. When I do wear them, I feel like I have goggles on and end up taking them off 5 seconds later.

You can sort of see them here.
Yeah, they're fairly happy glasses!

Also, I started to achieve one of my new years goals! Happy Happy thought. If you want to look back at them, click the lovely image with chevron stripes to the right of this. I'll let you guess which one I'm working on, I think you might know.

And if all else fails, I resort to Hand Sanitizer. A forever source of happiness.
And it happens to be a little cheaper than a Kate Spade dress. Like $298.50 cheaper.

Felt Flowers

I'm slowing down on the tutorials, but this is too cute not to share. I am thinking of posting a tutorial every 3 or 4 weeks.
To start off, you'll need 6 petals and a circle about the size of a quarter. For my petals, I just drew a flower on a piece of paper, cut it out and used that as my template.
Fold it in half, then glue halfway up one side, then fold. You should have one little petal. Do this with all six flower cut outs.
To assemble the flower, cut of the tip of the petal, add hot glue and press onto the circle. Put 4 Petals on the circle, then glue the other 2 in the center.

These are super easy and so fun to make. I have already worn several as hair accessories and I am thinking of adding pins so I can wear them on cardigans and scarfs.

Happy Thursday!