bookstore photo shoot

The other day I was in need of cheering-up, so I had the husband meet me after work at used bookstore for a silly photo shoot. There's nothing like a little silliness to bright up one's day.







We definitely got a lot of nasty looks from the blue-haired woman in the sci-fi section next to us. She was taking her shopping very seriously.

But, don't worry - we put all the books back in alphabetical order.

all the ways that we're adorable

There are so many ways that I love Sarah from Yes and Yes. This post adds another to the list.


Why can't we just admit that we like things about our physical appearance? Why can't we say positive things about ourselves without being considered totally narcissistic!? To quote, "I think it's high time we discussed the ways in which we're adorable"!


Here I go...


♥  I have long, naturally red hair, which is totally awesome and makes me feel unique.
♥  I have graceful-looking "piano" hands.
♥  I have very pretty straight teeth (even dentists have been known to say so!)
♥  I have ankles and wrists that are just the right amount of skinny and I love them.
♥  I have a nose with a ridge on the top which some have said is too big, but I like it because I think it's Grecian and distinctive.


Man, I'm getting so girl power all up in here!


How about you? What are five things that you think make you adorable? If you post a list on your blog, please leave a comment here with a link, I'd love to see your lists!


Ok, I've got to go ahead and post this before I get embarrassed and delete the whole thing!!

i love today because it feels like autumn

I woke up early enough this morning to check on some blogs before work and discovered that Rachel of Soft Spoken is having a crazy-huge sale (you should go check it out). So, I bought two knitted hats in anticipation of colder weather...




Then I stepped outside and it was a delightful 88 degrees instead of the usual 108. On the drive to work it was completely overcast. With the A/C blasting in my car, I could almost believe that there was a crisp bite to the air and beautiful fall leaves on the ground.



Summer may be my boo, but Autumn is my fantasy girl.

outfit: mamacita dress

I'm not usually a fan of maxi dresses, but this super cute and comfy dress from Strut is definitely an exception. I had to go to work right after shooting this photos, so I had to change, which made me sad. I always feel pretty and feminine in that dress.





Date: July 24, 2011 / Occasion: brunch with hubs
Details: dress-Strut / shoes-Guess / necklaces-loan from dad, gift from hubs, Frocks / earrings-Express / sunnies-Target

The shortest necklace is another metal-detecting find from my dad made of yellow and rose gold. I heart rose gold. I've actually started a lending library system with his collection of found jewelry...I can take it home, but I have to bring it back if I want more! The late fines are going to be epic.

Today I re-start my work out routine! Looking forward to my yoga class in an hour, but not the total-body soreness that will come after.

sister birthday

This weekend, my beautiful and amazingly talented little sister turned 20...the teenage years are over! To celebrate, we spent the day hanging out, eating lunch (and maybe just a little bit of ice-cream), and getting her a fabulous new haircut.



Isn't she beautiful? Oh, and we also discovered that we have almost the exact same sunglasses!



Happy birthday, my dear sister! I love you so much and I'm so glad I was able to celebrate your special day with you!

what's in my bag?

My first adult cosmetics experience happened about nine months ago when my BFF took me for a makeover at MAC.



Yes, I am 25 years old. I realize that I'm a bit late (like, 12 years) to the party. It's just not something I ever really learned how to do. I was skeptical at first, but was definitely more accepting when I suddenly had eyebrows for the first time ever (they are blond, blond, blond...basically the same color as my skin.) Lately I've even started getting a little creative (and even occasionally jiggy) with it.



I still keep my look pretty basic for day-to-day, but I'm really enjoying some fun pink and purple eyeshadows for this summer.



Maybe this fall I'll crazy-go-nuts and try green. So scandalous. :)

outfit: mixed patterns

I can't believe it, but today I realized that I'm sick and tired of wearing shorts. So, I reached for a dress for the first time in ages.






Date: July 21, 2011 / Occasion: work/professional meeting
Details: dress, earrings-Express / cardigan-Frocks / shoes-Steve Madden / sunglasses-Urban Outfitters / watch-Michael Kors / leather bracelet-Flourish / thread bracelet-handmade/gift

My sweet and long-suffering husband has agreed to start taking some of these photos for me (let's be real, the whole Photo Booth thing was getting pretty depressing), which means that I now get to go outside and act the fool in front of my neighbors! In the excruciating heat! Exciting!

I'm also playing around with Photoshop actions for the first time ever, so please bear with me if my photos are a little wonky for a spell.

psa: my cat is adorable

I would like to take a moment to discuss how amazingly cute my cat is.




End of PSA. Thanks for listening.

max's first birthday

On Saturday, Corban and I went to the birthday party for a one-year-old. It was Where the Wild Things Are themed and therefore incredibly cute. Also, there were babies, which do tend to be quite adorable themselves.








I was so overwhelmed with the cuteness of it all that after about an hour I thought I would explode if I did not hold a baby. My ovaries just couldn't take it any more. I think I may have given my poor husband a heart attack.

In that last picture, you will see the epitome of laziness. The gift we bought didn't fit into any of the pretty gift bags I had laying around. So, what did I do? I painted a paper bag from the liquor store and called it a day. That's right, I gave their child a booze bag. I am a class act.

love is a sandwich

The hubs and I must give off a pretty strong "love" vibe. The Jersey Mike's crew labeled our sammies in the sweetest of fashions.



This actually happens a lot.

teaching english to tolucans

Remember how I was volunteering at the UNT LTC Summer Institute? Well, I have pictures, including a few from when we got to hang out with a special guest lecturer, Sita from India!







This was a really great experience for me, I am so fired up to start grad school next month (of course, I'm sure that I will change my tune the second I get my first homework assignment.)

P.S. This is my 200th post! Is that a thing? I feel like it's a thing.

outfit: lace and denim

It's been 100+ degrees out every day for the past two weeks. What does that mean for me? Skanky see-through lace top and tiny cotton shorts.



Date: July 16, 2011 / Occasion: one-year-old's birthday party
Details: shirt, beaded bracelet, sunglasses-Strut / shorts-Old Navy / shoes-Guess / leather bracelet-Flourish / necklace-gift from hubby / purse-Coach

Maybe not totally appropriate for a one-year-old's birthday party, but my people are Germanic...I was made for colder climates.

Now that I see the photos, I hate those sunglasses. Which may be why I bought about a thousand new pairs at Urban Outfitters this afternoon. Yep, I am a consumer.

i just might explode sponsor giveaway

This month, I am a participating in the I Just Might Explode sponsor giveaway. You should definitely go enter.

'merica day 2011

My love of all things beach/pool/summer related is no secret. It therefore stands to reason that I freak out like a small child whenever the 4th of July comes around.

We did a little bit of everything this year: lakehouse, pool, cookouts, beers, games...
















If you don't believe me, I have the tan lines to prove it.  :) 'MERICA!