Gifting dances

While November advances at an inconsiderately quick pace, it’s hard to ignore the upcoming holidays. And, why would you want to? I love every aspect of this season. The temperatures are finally dropping, the leaves are turning and Starbucks releases red cups for gingerbread lattes. ‘Tis the Season!

 This morning, the first retail gift guide graced my inbox (see the Kate Spade goodies) and I couldn’t help but scroll through the entire list. It had everything, but there's one particular gem that caught my eye: the "This is the year to" bangle. 

 

Everyone loves a good bangle and I'm a firm believer in jewelry that tells a story. Jewelry brings a constant reminder of encouragement and support, which is probably why I don't leave the house without a piece from my grandmother's jewelry collection.

 As the new year approaches, it's important to recognize new beginnings, new goals and new phases in life that bring undeniable hope and happiness. For anyone on your list who may have had a rough year, this little bangle is the perfect opportunity to remind them to "dance till dawn" in style and with the support of the people they love.

Thoughts for a Monday

Obstacles arise. Do I learn who my real friends are or do my friends learnwho I really am? Or maybe it has nothing at all to do with me. Every momentthere are a million directions being pursued- people fall, people succeed,people lull and it takes time to realize how it all shakes out. As a friend recently pointed out, the 20s are a "defining decade", nothing has been completely established or fully realized. But it's hard to subside the feeling that everything needs to be a little more defined by now.

Regardless of my trials and tribulations, people continue to surprise me and I need to learn to be more accepting and more forgiving. It’s the quiet friends who always meetme halfway, while the others abandon me at any obstacle. Or is it because Iabandon myself? Everyone around me is constantly surprising and supporting mewhen I need it most, even strangers lift my spirits.  I’m a people pleaserand I want everyone to be happy, and happy with me. But, if I know how to make myself happy, it’s transferrable. Also, I should probably stop focusing on myself so much- Lesson #1. These are my confessions.

Moments to appreciate

Life never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes the amazement is a bit upsetting and sometimes it provokes ironic laughter, but a sense of general amazement is an adequate description for now. Today, as I walked into my apartment, there was an overwhelming urge to just lie in bed. George quickly felt the same urge and cuddled up next to me, chomping away at his awkward chew toy. I stared at the ceiling with an overwhelming sensation of contentment and satisfaction. Just lying there, in my own apartment, my beloved dog at my feet, with happiness. These moments often flee the scene before I'm able to even acknowledge, let alone appreciate, them. It was lovely to pretend that all the life chaos was gone.

A friend from college is currently in South America with the Peace Corps and her life, or the way she describes it, is nothing short of wonderful. The work is hard with long, challenging hours, but everything is worth it for the moments she's able to enjoy backpacking through countries or frolicking on beaches. These are the moments that deserve all of the focus.

Yesterday, I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work to get the final ingredients to make dinner. In the check out line, I realize the most important ingredient was absent from my basket. I check out and contemplate the importance of the missing puzzle piece all the way to my car before deciding that the spaghetti sauce is nothing without the Italian sausage. So I dropped off the first bag of groceries and head back in the store to battle the masses once more, slowly muttering, "This is a nightmare." Rushing through the store and then back to my car for the second time, I repeated, "This is a disaster." Then, while repeating the personal mantra and waiting for the cars to let me out, I realized the level of ridiculousness. After leaving my full-time job and taking my beloved dog to the dog park, my attitude is nearly debilitated from having to buy a second round of groceries for the dinner I'm about to cook for friends. Nothing about that is unfortunate, much less a "disaster" of any sort. 

All this to say, enjoy the moment my friends, and, if that proves difficult, step back until a moment to appreciate is found.

choose nutella.

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I can only do what I think is best in all situations; usually it’s dessert. By my own guide and direction, life moves forward, always progressing, changing, with me often questioning everything as I’m propelled forward. But that’s what keeps me young, I guess—to be adaptable and willing to try new things everyday.

Uchiko in Review

While this is not the greatest picture in the world, it was the greatest bite of sashimi I've ever encountered. I've wanted to try out Uchiko since it opened in Austin, but the affair is usually trumped by Mexican Martinis at Trudy's when I visit from Dallas. On Friday, Sonya and I made it a point to have the appropriate dinner reservations to try out the more upscale scene of Austin (and celebrate her fancy lawyer job).

Sonya embarrassingly tried to order a Vodka Martini, but quickly reverted to a sake cocktail as the restaurant only serves beer, wine and sake. Appropriately grabbing a Larkin cocktail for myself, we sat outside chatting until our table was ready.  For being located in a strip center, Uchiko did a fabulous job of creating a waiting area to the side of the restaurant to avoid the off-putting scenery of Lamar traffic.

Our table inside was cozy and quaint with people calmly buzzing around to accommodate the packed restaurant. The tasting menu allows for a food adventure without commitment, perfect. After perusing the Yelp! reviews, we started with the Brussel Sprouts. They were as fantastic as a brussel sprout could be, and Sonya doesn't even like brussel sprouts! Maguro Sashimi and Goat Cheese (pictured above) stole the show. The sashimi was nearly melt in your mouth quality and paired with gooey goat cheese, it was surreal. The sushi rolls were nothing to write home about, but after the sashimi/goat cheese combo, what is? 

A little perplexed for expectations, we ordered Fried Milk for dessert. The waiter brought it with an additional plate of Sweet Corn Sorbet that we did not order, but decided to try, unfortunately. The Fried Milk was smooth and comforting like cereal from childhood, but the Sweet Corn tasted like cornbread and was completely out of place with the rest of out meal.

Great meal, wonderful ambiance and a lovely experience, but I'm not sure if I would become a regular anytime soon. 

*My personal recommendations are in bold.

Ideas for 2012

I realize we are nearly a month into 2012, but I've finally pinpointed my feelings for this new year. While there are a few personal and professional goals I have set for myself, this sets up my outlook quiet nicely.

(via pinterest)

WRITE...without abandon. Anything can be edited.

BUY....a smaller purse. And use it.

FORGET...the phrase: I can't.

START...using the phrases: I can and I will.

PLAY...more games with less rules.

ALWAYS...look the part. Whatever part you want.

CELEBRATE...big events and little adventures. Like surviving Monday.

LOVE...with all your heart. And never look back.

GIVE...the best effort.

NEVER...doubt yourself. Confidence will take you everywhere.

BELIEVE...in people. They mean well, try to mean well or don't know any better.

REMEMBER...the prosecco and strawberries.

HOST...the perfect party. Where everyone leaves with a story.

WEAR...lipstick.

LEARN...a new poem each month. Songs count.

CALL...friends and family more often.

STOP...waiting for it to happen. Go out and make it happen.

FORGIVE...everyone for everything.

Brightening Days

Winter months are darker, colder and a little gloomier, creating a can't-get-out-of-bed feeling 24/7. Since that's not an option, it's time to create a space that cheers me out of bed in the morning. Yellow is the first color that comes to mind, but it's tricky. Yellow easily mimics a school-bus or mustard, which is not the look I'm after.

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This is a great start. It's a terrible picture, but a great start. There are hints of yellow with blue and gray tied in to make the look more practical and less overwhelming. I love the lamps and chandelier, but not the "art" framed above the headboard.

So I continued my search on Pinterest, slowly realizing that I'm not a big fan of yellow (outside of the occasional accent piece) and then my sophisticated search for "best bedroom ever" brought me this little piece of heaven, solidifying my gut feeling:

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If this is your room, I'm sorry, but you shouldn't consult with Strawberry Shortcake when decorating your bedroom. Sifting through many "best ever" pins is an interesting search with lots of makeup tips and recipes, but little design inspiration. So, I turned to one of my favorites, Z Gallerie and found this gem of an accent (on sale!).

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This is sure to brighten any day. Ba da ba da pish. 

It's a Cheesy Life

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Any party I've ever thrown has involved cheese. Whether it is a simple cheese dip or an entire table of cheese, I'm partial. It's easy, elegant and leaves me with some delicious leftovers. In an effort to become the cheese connoisseur of my dreams, here are a few new cheeses to broaden the scope from brie, goat and blue. The first two, I've had and love, but the last three are new to my palate.

Here are 5 cheeses to try (or re-try):

Camembert

A common selection at dinner parties, this variety is an easy crowd-pleaser. It's simple, delicious and soft for easy spreading onto your favorite cracker. Our key ingredient, Milk, is a big player in this cheese and quality breeds large taste dividends, so invest a little extra.

Roquefort

The elegant French blue stands above other classic blue cheeses with tradition. This is the oldest, recorded, blue cheese in European history. It comes from Sheep's milk and brings sweet, gamey notes to the pungent blue cheese. This moldy cheese is one of the most flavorful and rewarding.

Cabot Clothbound Cheddar

This is not your momma's cheddar. Cabot Clothbound Cheddar is a firm, grassy, cow's milk cheese that brings you a lovely balance of sharpness and sweetness. It's carefully wrapped in layers of cloth and aged in a cave, developing a rich, buttery English-style flavor with notes of caramel.

Constant Bliss (by Jasper Hill Farm)

While the name is busy pinpointing my feelings towards cheese consumption, the flavor and texture deliver perfection. It's semi-soft with a nutty, mushroomy taste that exhibit bits of salt throughout. It's an American Artisan cheese that's evolved from an Old World recipe and it's bliss.

Pleasant Ridge Reserve

A popular variation of gruyere cheese, this variation brings the full flavor of creamy butter. This is also a common American product.

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My secret to finding the best cheese is to find the best cheese shop, wander the aisles and gently poke the plastic coverings shielding the cheese. The softest, gooiest cheese under $6 wins. If you're in Austin or Dallas, Central Market is my favorite.

*Bonus points for a good wine-pairing.

and the shadows fall behind

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I don't think anything sums up my goals for 2012 more than that. 

Covering Up Grant in 2012

(Me with My Star in Hollywood)

Happy 2012! The beginning of a new year is always exhilarating. I always have high hopes and grand dreams, with a couple resolutions sprinkled in between. 2011 was a bit of a whirlwind. I learned to let go of expectations, allowing for surprises in their own time. Letting go of control is not something that comes easily to me. I plan things. I know what order to apply my cleanser, toner, mask, serum, moisturizer and sometimes spot treatment. 


But life threw me curve balls in 2011. Two things that I thought I wanted the most rejected me in the most humbling way. Everyone on the Bachelor/Bachelorette chose the wrong fiance and I started watching those annoying (but addicting) shows.  After initially drawing the conclusion that it's best to want nothing and becoming a Buddhist, I decided that this approach felt like defeat, given my American heritage. So, I modified the outlook. Dream big, but let those dreams evolve. Dreams are distant desires and sometimes, when they get close, it's not actually the anticipated outcome. For example, I wanted glasses when I was younger. Now, I can't see a thing without glasses or contacts. Be careful what you wish for.


In 2011, I landed my dream job, but it did not complete me in the way I expected. It didn't give me purpose or that perfect balance for happiness that I anticipated. Instead, I found myself more anxious and unhappy than when I found out the whole Kardashian Fairytale Wedding was a shame. But this disappointment proved to be the greatest blessing in disguise. I do not need anything to be my best possible self. Dream jobs, a perfect marriage and a pair of Manolos do not allow me the platform to be happy, perfect and/or fulfilled. I am the platform and appreciating this was the most important lesson of 2011.


I think the beauty of 2011 is that I realized the lovely little life I have, with or without my own reality TV show.  I realized that sometimes this is as good as it's going to get on a Tuesday night-cuddled up next to my dog, reflecting to the blog world-and then loving every second of it. 


The wonder is in the perception, not the expectations. I'm not coming to you from the Bravo clubhouse where I hang out with Andy (5 nights a week!!), but I am blogging from a serene place of well-being and thankfulness for all that I do have. And I perceive that to be wonderful.