ladies who lunch. ladies who thrift.

My lovely friend Charlotte was in town for a few days and it was basically understood without talking about it that a lunch and thrifting date would be in the books. This girl, she cracks me up endlessly and I couldn't wait to just sit and talk with her for a bit. As much as I keep up with her via the blogworld, nothing is the same as seeing your friend in person. Because then at least you're laughing with someone and not just at a computer screen. Am I right?!?

We met for lunch at Aladdins where we discussed the pros and cons of our mutual friend Ruby Woo and  the endless choices and responsibilities of adult life. Babies. Moving. Jobs. Careers. Shopping budgets. Creepy waiters. You name it. :) 

Rachel met us after at our favorite spot for thrifty finds and we strolled the aisles obnoxiously laughing and snapping photos, much to the dismay of the other customers I'm sure. 

Oh well. 

You can't beat a blazer with used Certs in the pocket! Score!! 

Ohhhhh housewares. My favorite aisle. 

We believed this woman to be modeling her stockings via a tacky seventies porn film set, just in case you're wondering. 

We all found keepers, with Charlotte in the lead only buying what she could carry in her arms *since she's moving and all*. I suppose I should try that out sometime, as I always end up with a cart full. As does Rachel. And we share a cart too, so you do the math. 

I think my most favorite find of the day is that little owlie up there. He beckoned from the far reaches of a lonely cart shelf, where I spotted his little ears sticking up from above the mass of teacups. 

I lover him. 

Charlotte got a cuuuuute plate, pretty purple sweater and maybe a few other things, I can't remember. The owl!! Did you see him?!! Totally distracted. 

You can see Rachel's finds here. We made out pretty well I think. Again, much to the dismay of the other shoppers. 

And me? 

I think the thrifting gods were in rare form yesterday as I do believe I scored the vintage jackpot. We all know I have a soft spot for vintage treasures. Which makes up for the last few dismal trips of one or two items that I wasn't even all that super excited about. 

Checks back laterrrrr and Ill show you what I came home with. 

I shall not disappoint, promise. 

Thanks for coming to visit Charlotte!!!!!!!!!! Next time it's Rachel and I visiting you in Denver. Done and settled, get the guest room ready. Because I seriously feel like I'm missing out not living within thrifting distance of you. Miss you already! 

xoxo

french navy my sailor mate

Today was an exceptionally good day. 

Good music, good high calorie yummy beverage, good books in the mail for my birthday, good friends, good thrifting trip (okay more like awesome), and even better hummus for lunch! 

Tyler got his new Madden 12 game in the mail, so he's all sorts of happy in his own little testosterone world on the couch, with his snacks and his dog. 

Which gives me a little time to read and catch up on life in the blog world. And on Pinterest. 

Always a good thing. 

Or probably just do laundry and dishes. Since I really believe none of that should have to be done within two days on either side of your birthday. Which is actually five whole days off. 

Like how I figured that out!? Makes absolute total sense. 

:) 

Happy Tuesday my dears! 

xoxo

birthday weekend: roll call

Thank you thank you thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes! 

It was a nice weekend and spending it with my husband made it oh so much more special too. We had the best time together celebrating. And I was super lucky to get a chance to see two of my favorite out of town twin cousins for a birthday lunch! Who also got me the coolest set of vintage plates to add to my plate wall (LOVE). They rock. 

 We also celebrated Tyler's birthday too, since we'll be drinking butter beers on his birthday and all this coming weekend..... 

Lovely times spent with my family, ending with another epic game of euchre where I again couldn't remember the rules. Luckily, since it was my birthday, no one got mad. 

There are perks to birthdays, see?! :) 

Above: Best birthday brownies ever.....Giada's raspberry brownie bars. THANK YOU MOMMA. 

And just about the cutest card ever too. Vintage, which my mom unearthed in her stash. Just in time for my birthday! Happiness:) 

sunday*swoons: a little love story and a picnic.

One of my favorite couples. One of the sweetest couples. 

That's really all there is to say. 

<3

xoxo

Hop on over here for a few other photos from our evening together.....it was magical. 

birthday smirfday!

Today is my birthday. I'm 27. 

And I'm totally not one of those people who doesn't like to talk about it. Or about getting older. 

Bring on the cake, I'm a fan from way back. 

:) 

lookbook: random acts of luncheons

Sometimes ya gotta just take the pictures yourself.

 And I find tripods extremely obnoxious (too many levers, every time I forget how to pull the legs down. Every single time). 

So I rely on car reflections, my long arms, timers and a little prayer that it focuses correctly. 

This is what I wore to lunch today with Husband. 

And somebunny got a new pair of boots as an early birthday gift! What the whoa? Love. I feel like my feet are having a dance party every time I take a step. It's fun. 

xoxoxo

a little pre-birthday lunch date

My favorite guy had the day off today *smiles* and took me out for a little pre-birthday lunch celebration at one of my favorite places, The Cheesecake Factory. 

Their raspberry martinis are to die. for. And yes I had one at lunch. And yes it was only noon. I'm the birthday girl so it was all okay. Yes indeedy. :) 

Happy cheesecake birthday to me. Oh my. 

xo

P.S. Unfortunately I did not read all of my ever so supportive comments from you lovelies *thanksabunches* BEFORE we went to lunch. Otherwise I totally would've rocked Miss Ruby Woo. Tomorrow. I'm gonna do it. I am. :) 

intimidation

You wanna talk about intimidation? This lipstick has intimidation written alllll over it. 

Meet Ruby Woo. The epitome of red lipstick. The perfect vintage matte red color that works on everyone. 

I've had Miss Woo a few days now and I have only been able to take her out of the box, take of the top and gaze at the tube with trepidation and fear. I wanted her for so long and now it's come to this. 

You may think I'm kidding. Or overreacting. Orrrrr even both. But I'm not. I'm dead serious. She's a killer. 

And I totally blame a childhood of trying on my mom's lipsticks and not rolling them back down, slamming the cap on and then getting in trouble. Or just plain ole getting in trouble for using said lipstick at all. 

I feel like if I touch it, I might hurt it and well....I spent a whole lotta money on this little lipstick.
And now I don't want to use it. 

Plus I'm kinda afraid it won't look good on me either. 

So there ya have it. 

Thoughts? Kind words?

 Maybe Ill give it a try tomorrow, since it's kinda a special occasion and all. 

We shall see. 

:) 

chocolate frogs and butterbeer, portkeys and potions

This my friends, is a portkey. 

In case you are unawares as to what a portkey is (or have been living under a rock for the last ten years) you can find a definition here. 

Yesterday morning husband woke me up bright and early. On my day off. And in a flurry of a panic told me I had to get up and follow him to work, he needed to show me something....no time for a trip to the bathroom, for brushing my hair, we had to go. I was already late. And then he left. 

Needless to say, I was confused. And I had to pee. 

So I got in my car and headed towards the family business, wondering what in the world was going on and thinking if it had anything to do with walking into the woods so he could show me something he did on his paintball course I was gonna flip. 

But it didn't. 

I got out of the car and followed him into the field, where I found my boot. 

SO CONFUSED. 

And then this husband of mine says it's a portkey. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a Harry Potter fan. I know what a portkey means. 

This girl is going somewhere. 

The magical world of Harry Potter to be exact! 

Just in time for my birthday Friday, his birthday next Sunday and our anniversary two days later. 

I was so excited I think my voice reached a level only dogs could hear. 

I'm not kidding. 

Do I have the best husband or what? And then he pointed out that he even used lines Mr. Weasley says when they are all on their way to the portkey for the Quidditch World Cup. I was simply too bewildered by the way he was acting and waking me up so early to even notice. 

Husband, you make me oh so happy.

<3

xo

lookbook: a shift in shapes has come about

Meet Skirt. Skirt has pretty pretty colors and detailed stitching (see above). 

Skirt is too big. And hovering near the "giveaway" pile. 

It's a sad place, that pile. 

*lightbulb*

Skirt, meet Dress. And our good friend Belt. 

I love making new friends. So does Skirt. 

:) 

Annnnd can you tell I"m not really all for the outfit photos these days? I could barely stand still long enough for Tyler to take these. Please excuse my goofiness. 

xo

live in the moment.

here

Life is too short not to. 

:) 

xo

peace and quiet

This weekend I did something I haven't done in a really really really long time. 

I turned off my phone, computer, television and internet. And didn't turn it back on until late last night.

Last week was draining. I spent almost eleven hours helping a friend with her wedding invite design and printing, not to mention countless hours editing photos from recent shoots. And then my mom was in the hospital and there wasn't any food left in the fridge and I still hadn't done the laundry from my vacation and oh how the list goes on...

Overwhelming you think? Yes. Sleeping well? No. Definitely not. 

I talked with my sister Saturday morning and told her how yucky I was starting to feel...headache, sore throat....lovely! And then I literally had an epiphany on the spot. I needed to take myself off the grid for a bit. And maybe read a book. Or clean out my closet. Something other than staring at one of those glowy screens that so often make my eyes hurt (helloooo this girl needs glasses so bad). 

So. Let me tell you. It was great. 

So much so that I think I've converted Tyler too. We will be enforcing the "no phone and computer" rule on Sundays from now on. Because instead of checking my email while sitting in the car or getting on Facebook, we had an awesome conversation about our anniversary, about our future, about New York City, about shoes and about food. 

And then I read for a while. Out of an actual book. 

Sometimes you just need a little time away from everything, ya know? 

Have a lovely Monday my friends. 

xoxo

sunday*swoons: I'm a Joan

I walked by Banana Republic the other day and my jaw dropped. 

"Are you a Betty?" the sign so politely asked. 

No, no. I'm a Joan. But thank you for asking. 

It's that time of year again....Mad Men, the Banana and a contest for a walk on role.

(pick me! pick me! ::raising hand like an excited kindergardener)

Sooooo. Here are some of my faves. 

And if you'd be ever so kind, feel free to vote for my photo by following this link. I'd surely appreciate it. 

Dreams made, if I was on Mad Men. I swear they are real people, Don and Betty...Roger and Joan. They are, they are. And I'm super sure they'd be more than happy to have me on the set drooling over them too :) 

Okay. So yes. Vote. Here. And here. And here again. :) 

THANK YOU! 

xo