live the questions

And the point is, to live everything. 

Live the questions now. 

Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

-Ranier Maria Rilke, "Letters to a Young Poet"

Happy 25!

 While this is a rather scary birthday for me (quarter-life crisis), there are so many wonderful things going on.  I lack the words to describe the bittersweet feeling that kept me up all night, so I will countdown the thankful moments I'm sure of.

1. George, and every moment he is in.
2. My Family and their support.
3. My friends, they keep me smiling.
4. Birthday flowers sent to work, complete with a cheesy balloon.
5. Champagne toast last night at midnight.
6. Planning a surprise party for a dear friend.
7. Homemade macaroni and cheese, with truffle oil and chipotle tabasco (I'll post the recipe tomorrow)
8. Discussing wedding dresses for a friend's wedding, and sending endless e-mails with new ideas.
9. Bridal Shower Invites, love a good party.
10. Planning a friend book for someone's birthday, so they can be constantly reminded how many lives they've touched.
11. Passive aggressive behavior via facebook. It's hilarious.
12. Co-workers taking me to lunch.
13. My last day writing about politics!
14. The opportunity in starting my new job next week.
15. Surprise birthday dinner tonight!
16. Legally Blonde. It never gets old, although it was a little cheesier than I remembered.
17. Shellac manicure, my birthday present to myself.
18. Spa week facial tomorrow morning!
19. Taking the rest of the week off to do whatever I like.
20. Wine and cheese night with the girls tomorrow.
21. Mailing letters via snail mail.
22. My books arrived from Amazon! Just in time for vacation days.
23. Starting a new list of goals for this year.
24. Snickerdoodle cookies I made for the office. I get to eat a few and am not tempted to eat all two dozen.
25. Mad Men watch party.

Tomorrow dreams!

This is my dream for tomorrow, and it will get me through today! There will be cappuccino on a little table outside. I'll wear a dress, as always, and enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of a patio. If only I had an umbrella that delicately gorgeous.

Tomorrow, I'm taking a personal day. I have to use up my vacation before I start my new job, so I will be relaxing by the pool, strolling over to Starbucks and then hopefully cleaning up the apartment a bit.

Tonight I'm making cinnamon rolls to cook in the morning, and jump-start my mini-birthday vacation!

But, in the event that I actually live in the present moment for once, today includes drinks with friends, dollar days at Jimmy Johns and RHONY!

opportunity, please meet preparation

(weheartit)

It's official. The exciting news I briefly mentioned yesterday... I accepted a new job in Public Relations! I'm giddy with excitement. While my current job is great and the people are great, I'm growing a little tired of the politics world. So now I will be moving forward to handle the public relations for a restaurant! Food is much more my speed. Yum. 

The past couple months, preparationas I searched for jobs, were discouraging to say the least. It was one of those times where everything seems to be happening to everyone else. But I persevered with a bad attitude and finally found a new opportunity for me. 

Life needs a good does of healthy change every once in a while.

Happy Monday!

That is the first, and very probable last, time you will ever find me using "happy" to describe a Monday. But, with birthday month in full swing and the most fantastic news this morning, this is a very happy Monday.

The past three months were not the greatest and maybe it's this spring weather that has put this "spring" in my step. I promise never to do that again either, some puns are never punny. Ok, I'll put the coffee away.

Here are two fantastic products for this happy spring day:

Skin Renew Anti-Puff Roller
Garnier

While I was skeptical to try any of the Garnier skincare products, this was a pleasant surprise. The little rollerball is amazing, glides on smoothly and gives immediate results. It definitely reduces puffiness and refreshes the eye area. It's handy to carry in my purse and apply throughout the day, but the real magic happens when you leave it in the refrigerator.  As the temperature is steadily climbing down here in Texas, there's nothing quite as refreshing as a cooling little eye massage. Sounds weird, but it's awesome. Don't knock it till you try it.


Let There Be Light- Radiant Skin Lotion
Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden is a classic. The best facial I ever had was at the Red Door Spa and I easily recall my first purchase of the 8-hour cream. In line with the reputation, the radiant skin lotion is fantastic. The iridescent lotion creates a subtle glow. I mix it with my foundation, or wear it alone on top of moisturizer during the weekend. This is also a great summer product because it provides SPF coverage without the smell. The light consistency also allows for easy layering over moisturizer when skin is dry.

Birthday Month, Day 1: Buy every magazine of interest

It's birthday month! 

One day just isn't enough. There is too much pressure on a 24-hour period to be spectacular, so I celebrate the entire month. It's what I do and I think you should too. 

For the kickoff of birthday month I'm heading to the nearest Barnes & Noble to collect every April magazine on the shelves (within reasonable interest). I've always had a thing for magazines. They're like a vacation from reality, a power nap for the soul. Not to mention the undeniable wisdom in the horoscopes, and this month, the Aries paragraph will be twice as long! It's a treat, and much less fattening than cupcakes.