surprising gems

Picking up developed film is like Scholastic Book Fair day in grade school. Despite the fact that I basically know what will be there, it is beyond rewarding when I am met with those few surprising gems (although let's be real, with the exception of an abridged copy of The Phantom of the Opera, I mostly just bought The Babysitter's Club.)

For some reason, lake pictures are all gems.

outfit: wallflower

occasion: work / shirt: thrifted via Thrift City / pants: Gap (last worn) / shoes: Naturalizer / purse: Coach thrifted via Goodwill / earrings: gift from hubs / watch: Michael Kors (last worn) / bracelet: Privileged (last worn)

This may be the most neutral outfit I've ever worn. The shirt is basically the same color as my office walls. Which means that I was literally blending into the background all day. Doesn't get much more wallflower than that.

outfit: new friends with corvettes

occasion: happy hour / shirt: Strut (last worn) / shorts: Target (last worn) / shoes: Steve Madden (last worn) / purse: Coach thrifted via Goodwill (last worn) / earrings: Kendra Scott (last worn) / sunnies: Amazon (last worn)

I was a little overzealous getting dolled up (yes, this is dolled up) and off to happy hour last week. I got there about an hour before my people, so I ended up making friends with a trash-talking, margarita-swilling senior citizen who had just bought a snazzy black Corvette. We bonded over our mutual love of Les Mes and adorably geeky men. She assumed I was a school teacher, but with an outfit like this, who wouldn't?

inspiration

Right now, I'm healing up from a minor wrist procedure. Nothing is terribly wrong with me, but I've got a sexy little bandage and my doctor was pretty clear about me and silks (and yoga. and suspension training. and all other things good and wholesome in this world.) taking a break for a few days.

So, basically, no more of this for a while.



In the meantime, I'm resting peacefully (if by "resting peacefully," we mean "going crazy out of my mind") and watching some inspirational videos. This is what I want to be when I grow up.

Awake

"Be in this moment. Dissolve. The invisible membrane between “me” and “other” is bidirectionally permeable. Inside is outside, outside is inside. You can’t hold the ocean out, or the gheyser in. Let it happen — the sense that it’s not already happening is an illusion. The next moment will not be more perfect than this one. Holding out will not profit anything. There is only now, and staying disconnected means losing everything."

- Corban Johnson

outfit: little louie

occasion: brunch with the hubs / tank: Target / shirt: Buffalo Exchange (last worn) / shorts: Old Navy (last worn) / shoes: Old Navy (last worn) / necklace: Deuce (last worn) / purse: Louis Vuitton thrifted via Goodwill

Corban and I tried to take a leisurely stroll to some history exhibits this weekend. We got about half a block and a few outfit photos in before the heat got the better of us, and we retreated to the indoors for a bit of a nap. At 4:00pm. We are animals, people.

Naturally, the heat influences my closet considerably - my clothes get perceptibly smaller during the summer months. Why shouldn't this apply to my bags? Specifically my super adorable, teeny, new (to me) Louis. I finally got the zipper fixed after thrifting it weeks (ahem, maybe months) ago. My laziness clearly triumphs over my love of affordably priced designer purses. This force is strong in this one.

garden life

I love my dad's summer garden. I love it so, so much.

polyester

Yep. That's a picture of me trying to look graceful while hanging from the ceiling by a bright purple bolt of polyester. If you follow me on Instagram and/or Twitter, you know that it's called aerial silks and I'm a little obsessed.

Before you start getting ideas, I feel that I must tell you: I'm really not very good at it. I've been to classes regularly for about a month, and all the other ladies that started with or after me are moving on to Intermediate while I'm stuck squarely in Beginner. I'm so bad that I still can't climb, the most basic trick in all silk-dom.

Now, usually, I would let this deter me from continuing. Comparing myself to other people is probably one of my biggest weaknesses (aside from creaky wrists and my love for tiny Latino men). But I just keep my head down and try to pull myself up that silk.

It's like high school all over again. I was one of the slowest swimmers on the Sherman High School swim team. I was so bad that I didn't bother competing with other swimmers; I only competed with myself. I had a time that I wanted to beat. Coach promised that if I beat that time, I would earn a sweat shirt. It took me two years, and I was the last of my peers to do it, but I pushed and pushed, and I earned that damn sweatshirt. Polyester never felt so good.

Until now.

P.S. - I attend classes at Vertical Fitness Dallas and LOVE IT. Karen is amazing (and amazingly buff).

Pittsburgh

Thank god I don't work until this afternoon, because I am WORE OUT, you guys! I just got back in town late last night after spending the weekend in Pittsburgh with Ashley, my best friend of all time. Pittsburgh was beautiful in every way, and I have to say, I think I'm in love. It's got a little bit of an Austin vibe to it, and we all know how I feel about Austin. I could gush forever, but I've got important library things to do, so instead, here are some of my favorite moments:



Cocktails at Bar Marco. The waiters were cute (not as cute as the hubs, of course!), the drinks were both alcoholic and delicious, and the upstairs was host to some cool local art. Definitely my kind of place.



Wandering Allegheny Cemetery. Call me morbid, but this cemetery was probably my favorite part of Pittsburgh. Walking through miles and miles of peaceful, breathtaking, historic nature with two delightful people and good weather is my exact definition of a good time. Some of the tombstones and mausoleums dated back to the early 1800s. Some were undated and half-burried in resilient foliage. The memory of it makes my soul ache.



Shopping the Lawrencville Farmer's Market. Farm fresh food is one of the best luxuries in this life. We bought some bread from a local bakery and veggies from the farmer's market. Dinner was epic.



Picnicing in the park. We took our fresh produce, some Nutella, and a bottle of good wine, and enjoyed the bounty on a little patch of grass in a sweet little park. We finished just before the rain started.



Walking the Three Rivers Arts Fest. One of Pittsburgh's best qualities is the abundance of art. I could not believe the bounty of public murals, sculptures, and galleries. Luckily, I visited during the arts fest and we were able to view some really amazing pieces. Makes me want to get back to my painting!



Taking in the view. We did the tourist thing and traveled up the Monongahela Incline my last afternoon in town. The view is absolutely awe inspiring. The bridges are beautiful and interesting. Even aside from the city itself, the foliage blew me away. Everything is just so lush, especially viewed against my comparatively arid region of North Texas.



Eating bread. I'm pretty sure I packed in a month's worth of bread in a three day span. It was totally worth it. The butter and jams at The Porch were like manna from heaven.



Exploring the Cathedral of Learning. Next to the cemetery, this was my favorite spot. It's old as hell and looks like something out of the set of Harry Potter. Seriously, I felt like freaking Hermione Granger about to bust some moves on a troll or something. We were on a schedule to get me to the airport, so was had just enough time to tour some of the Nationality Rooms.



Did I mention the foliage? There were hydrangeas and lilies just growing straight out of the ground. This is a big deal, folks.



Making home safe and sound to my love. After several airport delays, I finally made it home right on time. This amazing rainbow graced the grumpy passengers waiting for a delayed flight to Chicago. It was nice to have a little piece of beauty to lighten the mood.

I really can't believe the trip has come and gone. I with I could have another week (or two). I'm already planning my next visit. Until then, there are many more adventures to come this summer! I can't wait to get my film developed.

(P.S. - Ashley's pics of the weekend are up here.)

outfit: lake hair

occasion: resting and errand running / shirt: Gap / skirt: American Apparel (last worn) / shoes: Steve Madden (last worn) / necklace: Deuce (last worn) / purse: Coach thrifted via Goodwill (last worn)

Well, folks, this is what my hair looks like after I've been to the lake (also, my legs - no outfit is complete without some super sexy mosquito bites, I always say). We got home last Sunday night, and Monday morning I didn't even care enough to wash the lake out of my hair. Of course, if it was up to me, I would live at the lake, have sun-bleached hair, and always be a little sun burned. Constantly covered in sand and moss, I would have adventures with my best friend, a catfish named Larry. So, basically, I would be a mermaid, but less ambitious. We can't all dream big.