Mash-Up

Things are getting a bit more chaotic, but in a way, I'm glad.

This week, our (really, Dude's) car died and we leased a new one. The logistics of getting us both to work and finding a safe, reasonable car when we hadn't planned on doing so for at least six more months were challenging. My nerves were definitely frayed. 

Now, however, New Car is in our possession and we are in the process of repairing and selling Old Car, aka Big Red. We are also leaving to visit Dude's family in Wisconsin in 3 days. 

I am really grateful to realize that I have a threshold, and the things I used to obsess about don't matter as much. We'll get out holiday cards and e-cards when we have time. I don't need a new dress for Dude's office holiday party; I can pile on jewelry and make something I already have work just fine. Being healthy and with our families and friends is the most important thing. 

The death of our old car occurred on Dude's birthday. So not cool. We celebrated belatedly the following night at Old Europe. Very different from what I would have usually picked, but it was really cool with all sorts of awesome tchotchkes and the food and service were wonderful. 

{post-schnitzel and bratwurst consumption}

I am always fascinated, and sometimes horrified, by news about Russia and Vladimir Putin. One of its most famous and controversial political prisoners is being released today in a move that many perceive to be an effort to save the prestige of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Below is a link to the trailer to a documentary about this man, Mikhail Khordokovsky. It's available on Netflix and definitely worth a viewing. 

I will now proceed with my day: errands, work, picking up old car, and hopefully getting to crash early. Hope everyone has a great start to their weekends!

Welcome Routine

Clif Bar/Aid Through Trade Bracelets/

Voluspa French Cade Lavender Jar Candle

Things are relatively simple right now (knock on wood.) I am mainly going between work, decompressing at home, and spending time with friends when I can. Part of maintaining calm for me is a sense of routine, and my job is a part of that. All of the girls at work, myself included, are obsessed with Aid Through Trade bracelets--you can find a bunch of them here. Before a shift, I've been grabbing a Clif bar for more sustained energy than I would get from a Starbucks snack. I'm burning the Voluspa French Cade Lavender jar candle right now and it is absurdly relaxing...perfect for a day off.  

Hope everyone's week is going well thus far! 

One of Many Lessons from Madiba

The world has lost someone incredible. Nelson Mandela fought for so much that is good. Just like many other observers, I am amazed by his capacity for forgiveness--even, and especially, towards those who imprisoned him. 

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There are so many lessons I can learn from Madiba, but forgiveness is one I can put into action on a personal level. I waste a lot of time on feelings of resentment and anger--and often, I direct these feelings toward myself. I could use the time I spend letting these feelings fester so much more productively, especially by working toward my own goals and helping out other people. 

Even in his passing, Nelson Mandela has given the world a gift: a reminder that systemic and personal adversities can be addressed with kindness, grace, and compassion. What a tremendous role model. Rest in Peace. 

Florida Hanukkah Trip

We just got home from our trip to Florida to celebrate Hanukkah and spend time with my family.
It was ridiculously nice...my mom made dinner for Dude, me, and my sister last night and we had the best time. I haven't laughed that hard in a while.
My mom lives close to downtown West Palm Beach, so we spent a lot of time there.

{Cityplace}

{E.R. Bradley's--oy, my hair}

{Clematis Street}

Dude and I went to Hamburger Heaven with my sister--that was probably my favorite part of the trip aside from Hanukkah dinner. So many people were upset when the original Hamburger Heaven closed in Palm Beach (including me and my sister because we always went there with our friends after exams at Palm Beach Day School.) It reopened in West Palm Beach and it was absolutely delicious with terrific service. Along with Sloan's (recommended ice cream combo: Luscious Sloan's White and Reese's)  and Pizza Girls (the Soho is amazing),  it forms a lovely little triangle of Delicious Nostalgia Food in downtown West Palm. 

It was so good to spend time with my family and we also had a great time hanging out with one of Dude's friends. At the same time, it is really nice to be back in DC and know that we have the rest of the night to bum around our apartment before we return to normal tomorrow. 

Hope everyone is having a great December so far!

Fragrance Association

This weekend has been really, really lovely. Friday night Dude and I saw Catching Fire and last night I came home from work to his chicken schnitzel and potatoes. They were so good and such a comfort meal...definitely needed. (It's sad that he is such a better cook than I am. At least I'm appreciative.) Today we did errands, got bagels and crashed for football (him) and reading (me.) So nice.

The smell of the schnitzel always lingers in our apartment even if I open the windows, so I am burning candles in an effort to combat it. A couple of my favorite candles are done, so I'm letting myself get two more in the next couple of weeks. Thinking about that led me to think of some of my favorite perfumes. Like a lot of people, I associate scents with a place or period of time.

Eau des Merveilles/Sugar Lychee/Touch for Women

Do you have a fragrance that really reminds you of a certain time in your life? If you do, I'd love to hear about it! 

Inspiration: DwellStudio Cover

I love the tones in this DwellStudio catalogue cover--they're warm and very friendly to our Christmukkah-celebrating household. 

Here are some pieces I love drawn from the colors in the cover: 

Tory Burch Crystal Chelsea Ballet Flats

Heather Hawkins Drusy Geode Studs

Pins and Needles at Urban Outfitters dress 

Coralia Leets Silk Gemstone Bracelet (on sale!)

Hope your week is off to a great start! 

Jewelry Alerts

Save 20% at Dogeared now through Monday!! So many great holiday gift ideas.

wood and quartz bracelet/elephant earrings/pearl necklace

Dannijo's collaboration with Rashida Jones, Fine by Dannijones, will be available this Monday. (More info here.) I can't wait to see the items featuring pineapple charms! I want to prepare for this by re-watching Celeste and Jesse Forever, but I don't know if I am emotionally ready for that.

Have a great night!

Inching into Holiday: A List

1. Planning a day trip to Annapolis featuring a visit to Candles off Main. (Give me all the candles, please.)

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2. A date with myself and whoever wants to join to see Catching Fire next week.

3. Getting this hot cocoa kit to share with Dude and pals when it gets even colder. 

4. And finally, repeated viewings of the video below because watching Jason Statham read Oprah's Favorite Things is, in my opinion, an excellent use of several minutes. 

Happy weekend, everyone!

Abominable Bob, Evil Hearts, and more

I love when fashion and fun coincide. I like getting all dressed up, but I would not generally call putting on Spanx a good time. 

I don't have the confidence to pull these ridiculously awesome bags off, but I feel like someone with Cara Delevingne's playful spirit and style definitely could. If a wristlet, like this one (available in black and white), is named Abominable Bob, it is pretty darn hard for me to resist. 

cooperative at urban outfitters

These also remind me of Play by Comme des Garçons' slightly diabolical heart logo...

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For the holiday season, I would wear the shirt on the right for looking cute while traveling and on Christmas. I would bust out the shirt on the left for trips to Starbucks resulting from too many feelings or hiding in a room and reading (at least I would know that I was reading in an awesome shirt.)

Finally, this satchel is currently on sale where I work (at South Moon Under--this is not a promotional post and I did not receive any kind of compensation for it--I really just like this bag.) I love the hardware and think it's a good bag for travel. Definitely fantasizing about wearing this bag with the featured black heart t-shirt, boots, and a nice cozy cardigan. 

South Moon Under

I'm off to re-read The Hunger Games and hopefully take care of some stuff around our apartment. Hope everyone has a good night!  

My Kind of Monday

I love that today is a day for celebrating our veterans and active service members, who do so much for our country.

Selfishly, I also love that Dude has the day off. I don't have work today and we're just bumming around, not in a big hurry. I might run a couple of errands, but otherwise I am looking forward to a relatively relaxing day with my favorite guy just a room away (he gets the couch and the big screen TV because I am nice. Also, I stole his computer to write this post, so I think we're even.)

One of my new favorite Etsy shops is Chasing At Starlight, which sells jewelry embossed with quotes from books, poems, songs, and movies. Here are four of my favorite pieces, featuring quotes from The Hunger Games, The Beatles, and e.e. cummings:

real or not real/all you need is love/i carry your heart

/here is the place where i love you 

This blue hedgehog from the Lilly Pulitzer Print Studio is all kinds of adorable and makes my day whenever I look at it. (him? her?) The Lilly 5x5 Pinterest board is a must-follow for me. 

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Hope everyone has a great day! 

Hometown Love

Reading the Lilly Pulitzer blog's Palm Beach Travel guide made me oh-so-excited to come home at the end of the month!

{via}

My favorite places on this list are Rinato's, where my dad used to take me and my family for dinner (I was a very lucky child) and Ta-boo, the restaurant and bar where Dude's mom held a beautiful rehearsal dinner for our wedding. 

{rehearsal dinner, 6.7.2013}

I can't wait for A1A drives, TooJay's excursions, Starbucks breakfasts with my dad, and some fun walks around town--we head down at the end of November!

My Picks: TOMS Marketplace

I'm working on accumulating Hanukkah and Christmas gifts for friends and family, and I love buying a gift for someone that benefits others too. TOMS just introduced a Marketplace section of its website, which has a collection of items from vendors whose goods benefit different causes around the world. Here are my favorite pieces from my first look at the site! 

iPad case/candle/silver key bracelet/gold key bracelet/Great Gatsby tote/coaster set/beaded bracelet/clutch

Less Heavy Things.

I wanted to write more, so my foot is elevated and I am snuggled under the awesome afghan that we got for our wedding from J. 

Two great online sales: 

Paper Source is having a 2-for-1 deal on custom address stamps. It ends tonight and I am seriously considering getting in on it for holiday/everyday cards and notes. 

Piperlime is offering 25% off with the code 25OFF at checkout until tomorrow, and here are some items I am tempted to use the discount with! 

Ray-Ban Sunnies/ Sam Edelman Heels/ Clare Vivier clutch

Rachel Zoe Hinge Knot Bangle/

Rebecca Minkoff Curbs Pearl Stud Hinge Bangle

Good night for real this time!

The Question of Results

I'm all over the place. Sometimes I feel like things are moving too quickly and I'm putting too much pressure on myself to get back to work. At other times, I feel like there is so much that I want to do and I am incredibly behind. At work, I catch myself wondering what my endgame is when my current job has nothing to do with either of my degrees--even though I enjoy it. When I get home, I crash. We're talking bath, epsom salts, sleep, elevated ankle--because my ankle, which had nothing to do with my surgery, was injured several years ago and does not enjoy my standing/bustling around for hours a time where I currently work.

(via)

The idea of gradual progress is only something I really accepted several years ago. Before that, if I wasn't achieving what I thought I was supposed to achieve, I thought I was failing. Now, I am tremendously fortunate in so many ways. I love my family, husband, and friends. Dude and I are putting together a wonderful, cozy apartment. I am saving money by not going to Starbucks every morning (which, sadly, is more shocking to my friends than it should be.) 

I do well with lists, so here's a brief one: 

1. I am an extrovert and one of the reasons I like working in retail is that I genuinely like talking to people. 

2. I have worked in the public and private sectors and had a range of experiences. My favorite job was working at an academic research institute where I got to go to the Library of Congress and transcribe letters from the 19th century. 

3. I get similar amounts of enjoyment from reading a new book or article about international affairs and  perusing accessories and home stuff online. 

So...yeah. Still stuck. Aside from working to save money, I struggle with finding a desired direction for my career. That is one of the biggest weights on my shoulders, one that accompanies me when I wake up at 3 AM and can't get back to sleep.

I've tried writing a couple of posts but haven't completed any of them. Maybe I needed to write this first. 

I'm going to take the time I have to rest between today and tomorrow and enjoy Sunday night with Dude and probably some bad food, elevate my stupid ankle, and be grateful for all the good stuff I have--including the gorgeous view of fall trees that from our bedroom and living room windows. 

Hope everyone has the best possible start to their weeks. 

Complements to a Uniform

I had to laugh when I walked into work yesterday and one of the girls said I was wearing "my uniform." I absolutely was, and it goes like this: skinny jeans, ballet flats, long sleeved shirt/sweater, scarf, smaller earrings, maybe a necklace, watch and engagement/wedding rings, lots of bracelets. This kind of outfit is very much in my comfort zone, and it's so easy. 

I love standout pieces (or groups of pieces) precisely because they allow me to get away with wearing a variation of my uniform on a daily basis. Right now, I am all about the bracelets. When she was last in DC, my mom rocked a spiked gold Tai bracelet, a classic watch, and a black beaded bracelet that I got her--and it looked awesome. 

Giles and Brother and Venessa Arizaga make some of my favorite bracelets that are for sale right now. Venessa Arizaga's pieces are so playful and fun--they're grown-up friendship bracelets that I can appreciate. 

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Giles and Brother's pieces are structured and edgy--I feel like I've been seeing their railroad spike cuff everywhere. I can't get enough of their Cortina silhouette--in bracelet or ring form. 

rose gold cuff/leather cuff/rose gold ring

Hope everyone has a great day--and that, if you so choose, it's filled with lots of fun jewelry to play with!

Just One of Those Lists

blue/yellow

I'm loving these iPhone cases...equestrian-inspired, in my old elementary school colors, and perfect for my little sister.

Between Bachelorette and Masters of Sex, Lizzy Caplan is kind of my new favorite actress ever.

K and B's wedding was absolutely beautiful, and Dude and I managed to take some glamour shots in the photo booth.

Thankfully, our holiday plans are starting to come together. Hanukkah is early this year, so I'll be posting some ideas for that pretty soon! 

Weekend Excitement/Kate Spade Sale

This Friday is feeling pretty good. I've inched back to work this week and I can't wait to attend my friend K's wedding tonight! She helped keep me sane in the months leading up to my wedding and I am so excited to celebrate with her and her wonderful soon-to-be-husband.

Another fun thing about this Friday? A Kate Spade online sale--30% off everything, excluding the Beau Bag, using the code FALL13FF at checkout. I pulled together a couple of my favorites. Happy browsing--and happy weekend!

West Valley Valentine Bag/Library Card iPhone 5 Case/Disco Pansy Studs/Garden Path Thick Hinged Bangle/Owl Coin Purse/

Currently loving...

This precious trinket dish and ring holder from Jonathan Adler and Baublebar. 

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The most soothing, guilt-free pick-me-up. 

The thought of spending holiday time with the best sister ever. 

Hope everyone is having a good Columbus Day!

A Thursdayish Wednesday

1. As of 8:19 AM, there have been no references made in this apartment to that stupid commercial with the camel going HUMP DAYYYYY.

2. I had the girls over for book club (we read Divergent!) and catching up on Monday night. It was all kinds of food and fun and awesome. I decided to gussy up our apartment with some pretty roses and spray roses for the occasion, and they are still blooming and making me smile.

3. I get to see my doctor today and hopefully she will give me the OK to slowly go back to work. All things considered, I think I am doing pretty well and I hope she does too. 

4. Finally fall weather?! Dude just walked out the door wearing an argyle sweater and it made my heart squish. It is 52 degrees outside. I'm a fan. 

5. I have been making a crazy amount of beaded/friendship bracelets since I had my surgery. Since I have what is politely termed "a restless mind," doing crafts and stuff with my hands is really soothing and fun for me. Here is the stack I wore to Dude's swearing in ceremony for the DC Bar. I am sure the DC Court of Appeals really appreciated it. (NOT) 

from left to right: Michael Kors rose gold watch, pink bracelet that I made, gold/gunmetal bracelet I made, Nepal beaded bracelet from South Moon Under (I have these in different colors and they are awesome), yellow bracelet that I made.

I'm thinking about opening a small Etsy shop and giving 50% of what I make to different aid organizations. One of my friends said the bracelets looked like something she would buy, so I might ask her over or to her neighborhood Starbucks--it's a really good one--to peruse what I've made thus far and offer feedback (no worries, K, I made lots more since Monday.) 

It's hard not to be a little excited when there's a chill (especially to my thin-blooded Florida self) in the air. Wishing you all a quick and easy Wednesday with limited amounts of the camel (unless you are in the repeat commercial viewing phase. I was there once, so no judgment.)

Sunday Ramblings

Ah, Sunday. Total bliss. Political talk shows. Waffles and iced coffee. Pinterest creeping. What could be better?

My sweet stepsister sent me and Dude a Macy's gift card. While looking around their website, I found some great iPhone cases on sale that make me want to bite the bullet and upgrade to an iPhone 5!

1 ($23.99), 2 ($7.99!), 3 ($24.99)

I miss Tahoe so much and I kind of want us to move there (really and truly; if we could both find jobs there, 
I would push for it super hard.) I know we are shadowy but this guy sure is adorable!

Nothing makes me more excited than a good fall adventure. I'm going to check out places within an hour or so of DC that are still kind of woodsy and different from the city. Something frugal where Dude can golf. He's been taking great care of me and is one of the main reasons I'm feeling as healthy as I do. I'll be sure to post good options that I find! 

These Things Don't Naturally Go Together, But That's OK

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever gotten. Employing it reduces my anxiety and helps me to be a more functional human being.

These Julie Vos acorn bracelets are amazing. I saw and loved her acorn rings on a Glitter Guide post and Googled "Julie Vos acorn," secretly hoping there would be a collection. AND THERE WAS! You can see it here.
I especially loved the bracelets--check out that stack of acorn bangles! I may or may not have asked Dude for one for Hanukkah/any other random occasion...I justified this move because I hacked off a chunk of my thumb making him a salad last night. (When my biography says "recently married and still learning the ropes," I am really not kidding.)

Acorn Bangle/Acorn Charm Bracelet

Speaking of Dude, he and I have decided to go to Florida to celebrate Hanukkah a few days after Thanksgiving, but we won't be home for the holiday itself. That leaves us with lots of options for the actual holiday, which is something that I'm excited about. All I know is that we won't be flying, and missing those Thanksgiving crowds that I have experienced basically every year since I went to college does not make me very sad.

Here's to a hump day that ends as sedately and nicely as possible!

Alumni Weekend Adventures

I wasn't sure if I'd feel good enough to be as active as I was this weekend, but I am very happy to say I was able to get out and about and enjoy a lot of GW's Alumni Weekend with some of my favorite people.

{at our sorority house} 

{at Sequoia for our 5 year reunion celebration...eek!}

{no, his 5 year reunion isn't for another year. ah, youth.}

One of my most favorite parts of the weekend was creeping around Dupont this morning with A. I LOVE when she visits and I got to spend more time with her than I'd expected to because I was feeling better. After Starbucks, she graciously accompanied me to the bead store and was the first visitor to our new apartment. 

{i may look weird but i don't care because i love her that much}

Dude and I are looking forward to Breaking Bad and Homeland tonight--and I'm cautiously optimistic about feeling even better in the week ahead.

Tidbits

These Wendy Mink bracelets. They are just fun and make me smile and I am so obsessed it hurts. 

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Can't wait to wear these spiky smoking loafers around town--I bought them with my mom so they are extra special. (Oh Nordstrom Rack, you get us every time.)

Add a basic black scarf/pashmina and black ballet flats to these affordable sweaters and gorgeous, wallet-friendly bag for a great early fall, easy-chic, running-around-town look. 

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