Summer Lovin'

In an attempt to catch up on all of the wonderful blog posts that I have missed while out of the country, I found these gems. They're everything I love about summer!

WATERMELON!

Red, White, and Blue, one of my favorite combinations.

And of course, bicycles and fresh flowers.

Lovely :)

(Photo 1, 2, 3)

Back from the Philippines!

Good morning! It is such a lovely Sunday morning here at home, and I should know since I have literally watched the sun come up (jet lag is a beast!). I have been awake since 3:30 this morning and have so much energy I could run laps! I suppose I'll crash around 10 am...maybe. Anyways, my trip to the Philippines was an absolutely wonderful experience and I can't wait to share more stories and photos. We arrived home Friday at 2 am, just in time to get some sleep, do a little laundry, and then pack up again to head to the beach with my family! Oh how I love summer :) Stay tuned for more pics!

P.S. Check out my new pearls in the photo above. Andy bought them for me for around 1000 pesos! Aren't they lovely? :)

In about seven hours, I will be leaving with my choir, getting on a plane, and traveling to the Philippines for TWO weeks! We will be singing at a few local churches around Manila as well as working in an orphanage there. I just know I'm going to fall in love with those kids and never want to leave! We are also spending three days in Boracay. I've been told that this island is even better than Hawaii (not that I've ever been to either).

I'm super duper excited and I can't wait to share all of my adventures, stories, and pictures!

(Both pictures are from Strikes Our Fancy :)

Summer Wishlist

I would like a bike. Preferably a vintage, red one....with a basket on front (you know, to put flowers from my imaginary flower shop that I go to every day...). It's currently my summer obsession. I haven't been on one in YEARS, but surely there's a reason for the cliche...right?

(Both photos via Note to Self -->a lovely little tumblr that you should really check out :)

Officially a Grown-up...

My dears, I have some exciting/scary news to share: I am now a college graduate and therefore, a real grown-up! Crazy, right? The graduation ceremony was really quite lovely and sentimental (I admit I teared up a bit) and the good news is, I didn't trip! Go me. My entire family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course my parents and sister were in attendance and it became a wonderful weekend of enjoying the company of those who helped get me through this stage in my life. I am so grateful for such a beautiful, loving family.
At the moment, I have no definitive plans, which can be slightly stressful for a planner such as myself, but as for now, I am taking it one day at a time and enjoying the time off that I have been desperately needing for quite some time now. Hopefully this means that I will have more time to blog and catch up on all of the things I have missed while studying and writing papers!


(My beautiful Mema and I :)

Hope you're having a lovely day!

I don't usually post about weddings....

I don't usually post about weddings (mostly because I have no prospects and I may or may not be a little bitter about it), but my sister Facebook messaged me today with this picture. She's getting married soon and while in the process of wedding blogging this morning, stumbled across it. She says this is how she pictures me on my wedding day. So classy, simple, and lovely. She knows me well :)

(photo)

Style Inspiration

Cute skirt and boots, lovely makeup (notice the red lipstick :), and wide-leg jeans with a blazer. Love.

(Photos 1, 2, 3)

Quote

"I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable beautiful, and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings."

From Starlings in Winter by Mary Oliver

My sentiments exactly.

Busy Busy Busy

Remember that time that I was so wrapped up in school writing papers, reading, and studying that I didn't have time to read my favorite blogs let alone write for my own? Oh wait.....

3 months from yesterday until graduation and a life.

Magic

Saturday morning I made the six hour trek back to my apartment in Tennessee. I managed to get the entire place cleaned and did all of my grocery shopping just in time for.......more snow! I realize, of course, that I just had a snow day, and it may seem slightly absurd that I am this excited about the second snow of the season; but I can't help it!

There is something so magical about snow. I love looking up at it as it's falling. This morning it literally looked as if glitter was falling from the sky. The beauty of it all was ethereal.

So far, we have about six inches and it is still falling. All beginning-of-the-semester activities have been canceled today. Delightful :)

Hope you're having a lovely day!


(Photo by Hither and Thither)

New Year's Resolutions (three days late)

Obviously I am a little late in declaring my resolutions for 2011, but I needed a little more time to mull it over. After much deliberation and consideration, I've decided on a list of seven goals I would like to incorporate into my life this year. Here are five of them:

1. Stop procrastinating. It's true. I can be quite the procrastinator and I am tired of it stressing me out; so I say, no more. 2011 will see the end of this lazy habit.
2. Write more letters. I used to say that I was going to bring back "the art" of letter writing, and while I somewhat accomplished this in 2010, I hope to do so even more in 2011. This article re-inspired me.
3. Learn Italian. Currently, I am obsessed with all things Italian, including food and music, and I think the language is absolutely gorgeous and so much fun to pronounce. Santa brought me a fun kit with which to start learning to speak it and this weekend I bought yet another Italian cookbook that comes with Italian music. I'm thinking of moving to Italy...maybe someday.
4. Take up dancing again. After watching musical after musical this Christmas, I have decided that I would love to take up ballet and tap again, just for fun.
5. Journal more. This is especially the case when I travel, because I see so many beautiful and unique places and meet so many wonderful people. I want to be able to remember those moments in years to come.

Don't you just love new beginnings and fresh starts?


P.S. The photo has absolutely nothing to do with the post; I just really like it :)

What Are You Doin' New Year's Eve?

While everyone else is busy blogging about their New Year's Resolutions (I'm sure I will at some point today), I can't help but be slightly bummed as I have no exciting plans to ring in the new year. If I had my way, I'd go to a fun and fancy little party with a very handsome date. What would I wear? I'm glad you asked :)

This adorable little dress, appropriately named "Cause for Celebration Dress" by ModCloth.


These perfect New Year's Eve shoes by Kurt Geiger.





And this is how I would do my hair, if it were long enough.

Naturally I would top it off with my new red lipstick that I'm so smitten with, perfect for that New Year's kiss.


What are your plans for ringing in the new year?

Another Snow Day Picture

:)

Snow Day!

I'm sure you've all heard about the snow that the East Coast received; and while it delayed many travelers holiday plans, in our household, we were ecstatic! It was such a beautiful ending to a lovely Christmas day, and it made the day after Christmas a little less depressing.

See? Ecstatic.

Our miniature snow woman.

And the best part? The snow has lingered on the ground which makes for a lovely view to wake up to every morning :)


Hope you're having a lovely day!

DECEMBER 25 in pictures

Sisters and Christmas jammies

Presents

Aftermath

Babies and red lipstick

Sisters

Tree

What a lovely Christmas! The best part was the time I got to spend with my family. I am so very blessed.

P.S. I finally got red lipstick :)

Fred Baby

I just discovered a tumblr devoted entirely to Audrey, complete with photos I've never seen before! How delightful :)

How stylish and adorable is she?

White Christmas

I am currently watching White Christmas for the third time in two days. I may be slightly obsessed with it. Several things keep going through my mind while I watch:
1) It is such a shame that people don't dress like that any more. They have a class and sophistication that is lost in today's society.
2) Every time I see Vera Ellen dance, I wish that I had continued dance lessons. I'm thinking of taking up tap again.
3) I'm not usually much of a lipstick wearer, but I suddenly feel the need to find the perfect red lipstick.

(Photo 1, 2, 3)

I found this desk during my last antique excursion a few weeks ago. Isn't it lovely? It makes me want to sit down and write a charming letter to someone special.

Home for the Holidays

Currently, I am sitting in my living room with the Christmas tree lights lit and a cozy cup of coffee. The Closer is on tv and I am surrounded by Christmas cookbooks trying to pick out the most delectable recipes to bake for my family.
I am home.
After a whirlwind week filled with Christmas festivities including a Christmas parade, Christmas shopping, and Roommate Christmas, finals, and packing, I am finally home for the holidays.
And it feels so nice :)

Hope yall have had a delightful week!

(Photo via My Sweet Savannah)

Sofia Coppola

I found the first photo in November's issue of Elle. I have to admit, I don't know much about her, but as soon as I saw the picture, I immediately decided to find more. She has such an unconventional beauty about her and I very much like her style.


(Photo 1, 2, 3)