Inching Back

I'm back in our apartment following surgery #2. My mom was amazing and we stayed in a hotel together for the first couple of days after I had it--she took such good care of me and is currently puttering around/plotting to redecorate my apartment.
I am so antsy to do things but I physically can't. I know if I push myself too hard, I'll end up hurting myself and setting myself back. Right now, I'm looking forward to a couple of benign activities that will keep me occupied until I can work again.

Movie date at Hipster E Street Cinema with Dude and/or Myself:

(imdb)

(imdb)

Baking cookies for friends and work buddies: 

Creeping over to Beadazzled in Dupont Circle for supplies to make bracelets--I do really well with methodical tasks and am loving beaded bracelets lately, so I'm looking forward to playing around with them and hopefully making some holiday gifts.

I'm looking forward to posting more as I get better and hope everyone's week is going well!

Great People, Great Trip, Good State of Mind

Last weekend, Dude and I went to my friend J's beautiful wedding in La Vale/Cumberland, MD. I had never been up there before and I loved the area--hopefully, we'll be able to do some more exploring in the future!

I met J several years ago and it was amazing to celebrate with her and her family. They are so kind and made us feel so welcome. The reception was gorgeous and held in a museum. A bunch of us who work/have worked for the same company were able to hang out together and it was awesome.

This part is going to sound very sappy, but I really do believe that things happen for a reason. I met J after leaving a job that just wasn't right for me. I felt horrible about myself in a lot of different ways. Working with her allowed me to get myself back in a lot of ways--most of all, I became more confident in myself and what I am capable of doing. Some things really do come full circle, and it was terrific to be able to share in her and her new husband's special day. 

Of course, creeping on the centerpieces and all of J's great decorating touches was lots of fun too!

Yesterday, Dude and I celebrated three months of being married. So dorky, but I think it's still fun to count.

On our way home, we stopped off at a scenic overlook (part of Green Ridge State Forest) and it was amazing. 

One of the best part was finding a random squash/pumpkin garden on our way back to the car. What a great way to say hello to fall! 

I just started off the week by buying myself some monster fuchsia roses. I'm working part-time until my surgery towards the end of the month, so at least I don't feel like a total delinquent. My week in general will be some work, several doctor's appointments (gross but necessary) and more apartment prep. I want to pop some fun time with my friends in there too! Mentally, I am happy with where I am--and that is in large part due to the awesome friends and family in my life. Here's to a solid and fun week ahead!

little delights

these bracelets are all invited to my stacking party. 

1/2/3

I think these little cakes from Wagshal's in Tenleytown are completely adorable. I want to pretend Dude's birthday is in September instead of December so I can have an excuse to order one.

The Metro Trip Planner is absolutely terrific. I love taking the bus and saving money on cabs, and it is a handy tool that gives me peace of mind by mapping out exactly how my trips (specifically, changes from bus to Metro or vice versa) will go.

Currently making my nails look decent:

Butter London Chimney Sweep

I got these precious Jonathan Adler salt and pepper shakers from my grandlittle for my bridal shower. I love them so much that I am willing to put aside my "I never cook" BS and make pasta and a darn salad so I can have people over and use them. 

I hope you find a lot of little delights throughout your days!

Currently...

reading:

(picture c/o Amazon)

drinking:

Barritt's Ginger Beer with a lovely side of Advil Liqui-Gels

hating: this weather, especially the humidity 

loving: my new haircut, air conditioning

watching: Syria and "I Have a Dream" anniversary coverage on CNN and MSNBC

inspired by: 

this beautiful and simple pitcher of Black Eyed Susans 

coveting: Les Amis stackable bracelets for fall arm parties 

Les Amis/Cusp

Les Amis/Cusp

Les Amis/Cusp

Hope everyone's Hump Day goes by nice and quickly!

Pre-Fall

I just can't help it. Coming from a pretty much seasonless place, I get excited for fall when the slightest hint of it (nice weather, Back to School everything, etc.) creeps in. Here are some little hints that I hope get you in the mood for changing leaves, pumpkin spice, boots, sweaters, and more.

Gorgeous Hartmann Luggage from One Kings Lane--my parents had it and some of it got passed down to me. This also reminds me of my first day of classes my freshman year at GW, to which I wore a pleated skirt, some kind of T-shirt, and a tweed blazer. In my enthusiasm I failed to check the weather and realize it was about 90 degrees outside. I guess I just really wanted to feel that college spirit! 

Starbucks is bringing back the Pumpkin Spice Latte September 6 (when I am feeling super indulgent, the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is also awesome/tastes like liquid pumpkin pie.) Right now, they're hosting games on their Facebook page--the city with the most points gets the beverage a week before everyone else! 

I got this bag from a Kate Spade sale over the spring. (Picture courtesy of Polyvore.) It is super functional and just the right size for adventures through the city--since we moved to Tenleytown, I have been taking the bus and Metro a lot more. I can't wait to wear it with skinny jeans, boots, and a scarf and chunky sweater layered over a t-shirt. 

I was creeping around on the Metro with Dude on our way to the movies yesterday, and the bag served as a backdrop to an incomplete arm party. I want to add a couple more (not too heavy) bracelets to make it really festive. 

Wishing everyone a terrific Sunday! 

August Went Somewhere

Whoa, August.
This month has been insane--lots of fun events with friends, setting up stuff for fall, and the most dominating event--a move that required lots of deep breaths and an unexpected u-haul but was ultimately triumphant.

Dude and I are getting settled into our new place and are confident that it will look like home soon. I have a surgery planned in mid-September and because I am a very lucky Jewish child my mom will be coming to take care of me for several days after. Numerous one-liners and love and her tolerating my neuroses will abound.

Speaking of settling into our new apartment, MOVING IS EXPENSIVE. Worth it, but expensive. Dude and I have budgeted for it, but it still is less than thrilling to fork over chunks of money for various pieces of furniture. Being a newlywed, managing my money is very important to me--there are notebooks and spreadsheets galore. One of my very best girlfriends just started a blog called Save Money, Enjoy Life. She is such a role model in life in general, but she is awesome to talk to about juggling finances. I can't wait to incorporate a bunch of her tips into my money management process!

In the midst of creeping on Target's website for apartment things we actually need, I have been very distracted by combat and riding boots. I hope fall gets here VERY soon! I got a pair of the combat boots below--they are the Target version of the Steve Madden Troopa. I wanted to try out a less expensive pair before I committed to the real thing. I might have to do the same with the riding boots below, which are Target's version of the Frye Melissa Button Riding Boot. (And being from Florida, it seems insane for me to pay almost $350 for a pair of boots--but to each her own.)

(Target)

(Target)

I hope everyone is having a great week so far and I promise to post more in the weeks ahead! 

The Best Bad Idea We Have

In the movie Argo, Ben Affleck and Bryan Cranston's characters have to pitch a plan to rescue six Americans from Iran during the hostage crisis. One of the government officials who can approve the mission asks, "You don't have a better bad idea than this?" Bryan Cranston's character responds, "This is the best bad idea we have, sir."



I love doing things spontaneously and often make impulse decisions. However, once a decision is made, I tend to get flustered as I try to make the outcome as perfect as I can. We're moving in 8 days and I have lots and lots of thoughts running around my head. Furniture, packing, timeframes, payments.

I was talking to someone who suggested that our move was not happening at the best time. I still have health problems and am anticipating having another surgery in the next several months, Dude and I are working (me still part-time), and I am auditing a class and hope to audit another in the fall. I'm still in the process of changing my name on everything (tip: start with Social Security card, go to driver's license, then start changing bank/credit card info.)

Despite all of this, I feel that this move is coming at the right time. We need the space and the upgraded amenities (dishwasher! laundry in apartment!) that come with our new place. There is a segment of things, physical and otherwise, that needs to be organized and streamlined when it comes to our new apartment. In contradiction to my intense Pinterest home board (not to mention my creepy secret ones), it will not be horrifying if our couch or our bed are not exactly perfect or if we do take our stupid IKEA dressers because we need them. It will still be our home. We will still love it. It will be.

Sometimes, after all, the best bad ideas we have turn out to be pretty good ones.