now is a pretty good time for margaritas

Last night I was having the usual gabfest with my neighbor while our adorable dogs played with each other. She's dating a guy who has unrealistic expectations of what he wants from a relationship. He only wants the happy and thinks that's how it should be, I think this is usually a greater problem with girls, but it addresses the same issue. Nothing is perfect, but we only see the perfect, everything tends to be idealized in our minds and as soon as something doesn't align we retreat.

There's the perception of a relationship or a marriage and then there is the reality, and rarely, if ever, are these two sides the same.

It is much easier to run away or attack the other person than it is to work through something together. (I have been known to randomly visit friends in other cities to avoid situations, healthy, I know.) But, it's the challenge that makes life worth living. It's important to challenge yourself constantly and continue to grow and seek out life, but it is also important to challenge one another and grow together. And, also, both people must be willing to challenge themselves throughout life.

"You'll never know more than you know right now." And I don't want to know everything or have it all figured out because then there's nothing left. Life is in the challenge.

afternoon inspiration

Meet K'Naan. Amazing.

I heard an interview with him on the radio during my lunch break and he was so eloquent and inspiring that I'm now a mission to read all of his work and get the album.

Somalian born rapper/poet.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98957087

Tuesday morning, not the store.

I love this! That typewriter! When I was younger I would spend hours typing on my grandmother's typewriter. It looked very similar to this and I loved the act of pressing the keys down with such intent and seeing the immediate gratification of your words in print. Finding Forrester captures this adrenaline rush rather well. It's a great movie, I should watch it again.

This is also my every morning lately (minus the typewriter, sadly). I sit down at my desk with a full cup of coffee and blog. It's a strange thing that I never thought I'd get into. I've attempted numerous blogs, but this has, by far, been the most diligent. The physical acts of writing as oppose to typing and holding a newspaper as oppose to scrolling down a screen have always trumped their electronic counterpart in my mind. But here I am, blogging and loving it (weird!?). The digital age has made a small victory on me.

Also, here's a new goal for May-Absolutely no online shopping. It was getting a little out of control, the ease at which I could simply press add to shopping cart and place order needs to be checked. The last two packages I received were not fantastic and I'm now having to return them, which would all have been averted if I simply saw it in person or tried the dress on. So, May, I will hit the stores if I need something.

This is all:

dreamer's disease

What a fabulous weekend! The weather was pretty phenomenal, allowing for mimosas by the pool with a good book in hand. There is something so peaceful about being able to enjoy the simple luxury of sunshine after a long winter.

Now it is Monday and consequently I am longing to go back in time. I appreciate how much the workweek allows me to cherish my weekend, but the longing continues to creep into my mind, so let's indulge!

Here are some things I would rather be doing, or would like to do at some point in my life:

Take a perfumery course in France.

Beds on the Beach nights in Bali, Indonesia:

"Every Tuesday and Saturday evening, dozens of votives are set alight in the sand, surrounding 20 canopied lounge beds swathed in colorful silk. Barefoot waitstaff bring cocktails and Asian-inspired tapas, while jazz music plays and the sunset blazes across the Indian Ocean."

Take a cooking class in Arezzo, Italy at Casa Ombuto:

Attend Carnivale in Venice:

Lovely, no?

But alas, I must finish this mail merge and listen to the travesty that has occured in the breakroom: We are out of coffee.

Closing out the birthday month...

Goodbye Birthday month! You will be missed...

Let's reminisce over April favorites:

1. Food: Cape Cod's Sweet and Spicy Jalepeno Potato Chips

I do not even like potato chips and rarely eat them, but last night I not only purchased but ate an embarrassing amount of this bag...let's hope they discontinue the flavor soon.

2. Book: Stuff White People Like

One of my hilarious friends sent me this for my birthday and it is ridiculously spot-on. Seriously, Jeff and I both began impromptu story-times reading different sections to each other...and then Jeff read out loud while we were hanging out at the pool which was its own version of hilarity.

3. Best Makeup: The Shimmer Brick by Bobbi Brown = genius. It gives a perfect glow and goes well alone or over makeup. It's been particularly wonderful through the dreary weather, allowing me to pretend I just got back from vacation.

4.Best Sushi: Birthday Sushi at Little Katana!!

5. Best Dog: George Porge! always.

George's pick for April: Wild Alaskan Salmon Puffs. These are so great for his skin and overall health.

George thinks they are a delicacy.

Goals for May: Enjoy summer, stop eating potato chips, read more.

Wistful Wednesday!

I absolutely cannot wait to move.

The apartment search begins Saturday and the anticipation is leaving me restless. I can't wait to decorate what will essentially be my first grown up apartment and get rid of all my leftover college hodgepodge. Thus, begins the first of many apartment-decoration-inspired posts...

A lovely writing desk, perfect for gazing off...

I have an unhealthy collection of books, old and new, of all subjects and love the idea of decorating with them (there are only a few books I am ever inclined to re-read). Love this:

Breakfast/Dining/Sitting:

Bedroom: Coral and Black

Living Room: (this is a tad dark for my taste, but I keep staring at it)

(apartment therapy)

Fantastic website!

Coffee Table:

And then hopefully there will be a cheese store downstairs:

(coko+kelley)

Chocolate is for bad days? obviously.

Excuse moi? While flipping through the Wall Street Journal, basking in some sunshine, I reached this outrageous headline, "Eating Chocolate is Linked to Depression." Now, I'm not an obsessive chocoholic, but I do enjoy a nice piece of dark chocolate after a long, stressful day, and I don't need the added stress of thinking that by eating chocolate I'm really dragging my mood down.

No wonder newspapers have really taken a nosedive.

I continue reading, allowing the article some time to redeem itself, and finally, it does, claiming that "It isn't clear whether people who ate more chocolate were more likely to be depressed in the first place-or whether the chocolate increased their risk." Thank you, now that is responsible journalism.

Further redemption came later in the article when one of the lead doctors researching the effects of chocolate on mood, Dr. Golomb said, "I tell all my patients: Chocolate is a vegetable." Now we're talking.

In other news, "Nor did coffee and other caffeine sources affect depression scores." Phew, don't drag my coffee into this too.

scheming the color

My new Anthropologie bedding arrived!! The bedroom set is black, so I needed something with color and I think this coral brightens the room perfectly.

Any pillow and sheet suggestions? I got two pillows that match the quilt, but would like a few more (because you can never have enough pillows!)...

love more

MODERN LOVE. I repeat, Modern Love. Read it.

How often is it the norm we fight for, only to find disappointment. Disappointment that we have failed, and that failure is the norm.

But in the same breadth isn't it the failure we should embrace? That's not the point.

Do I long for an idea over a reality? Or do I curse my reality over an idea? There's the conflict. No one knows. That's the beauty of life, the not knowing, and I think when you stop not knowing to simply know, you lose. Life is lost with the mystery, certainty must be overrated.

I don't want to reach certainty, I don't want to live a life that's already been lived.

I do want to climb mountains, learn languages, cook and eat fabulous meals. I want to love with all I have, and when the love reaches an obstacle, I want to love more.

And there I've done it, become so certain.

I just typed modern lone instead of modern love. I don't know what that means.

Ode to Friday (Watermelon Shoes)

(we heart it)

If these are not the best Friday shoes, well then, I don't know.

Thank you Friday for bringing the weekend.

Thank you for the cupcakes I had for breakfast.

(They were banana, so they were healthy.)

Thank you for the Real Housewives of New Jersey previews I saw last night!! (don't judge me)

Thank you for the shopping extravaganza I'm partaking in as soon as I leave work.

This weekend I will be going on a long road trip, partaking in a ridiculous brunch, and relaxing with the boy (who hopefully won't have to work)!

What are you up to?

Fresh Mint!

A coworker brought in some homegrown mint leaves for the office today, which really only brings one thing to mind...mojitos!

I'm a big mojito fan and with this phenomenal Spring weather I will probably be grabbing a few sprigs for this weekend.

Here's the recipe my dad perfected:

Ice

Rum, make sure to use dark rum, I can't remember the name of the one we always use...

Mint Leaves

Sugar

Club Soda

Key Limes

Put about 2tsp (or more) of sugar at the bottom of your glass with 6-8 mint leaves.

Muddle the mint leaves into the sugar until the leaves are very fragrant and torn.

After this add the juice of 1 key lime and the desired amount of rum, usually about 2 shots.

Then fill the glass with club soda and ice! tada!!

*Last time we made these we thought it may be better to use splenda or agave nectar instead of sugar, but it has not yet been tried.

Story: Jeff and I decided to make them at my parents house and he accidentally used salt instead of sugar. It was not a good substitute.

If I make them this weekend I promise pictures of everything!

And you're here.

Another whirlwind day, but amazing how I find time to blog ;)

A few things are on my mind, but the trouble is theming them all together. "You could be anywhere in the world right now, and you're here..." -Jay-Z in Izzo which is a track on the mix CD in my car right now. Every time I here him say this in appreciation to his audience, it resonates with me, and I think, "I could be anywhere in the world right now and I'm here." More often than not "here" is somewhere along my commute to and from work, but it's rather empowering to think that I could be anywhere in. the. world. And sometimes depressing that I have chosen Dallas (for now).

My new favorite activity is taking George on playdates with his best friend Kali, they're in love, dog love! Kali's mommy, Katie, has become a good friend of mine in this new city and we will stand out on the grassy knoll drinking wine, gossiping, and talking about relationships, jobs, life while George and Kali play for hours. It's the perfect system, and we end up with dead tired dogs who quickly go to sleep once they're back inside. Everyone wins.

little baby georgie:

Let's get serious.

This day is in serious need of a bath.

A serious bath with salts, bubbles, oil and candles.

And a book, and wine.

Yes, a nice, large glass of wine.

On Monday I Just Reminisce Over the Weekend

(Peanut (Lauren) via Flickr) Book Recommendation: The Unbearable Lightness of Being. It is an amazing and original book!

Oh Monday. I may begin every Monday post the same way (cue Monday blog montage). Anywho, I'm now sipping my Yogi Lemon Ginger tea while enjoying a bit of calm after the Monday morning rush.

This past weekend was a jam-packed spectacular conclusion to birthday week, everyone needs at least a birthday week.

Highlights:

Three-course dinner and champagne.

*This is an important note...any restaurant where the wait staff not only places your cloth napkin in your lap but then promptly alerts you that it will not leave lint on your dress is a class act. As a serial spiller of anything and everything, the lint residue from my cloth napkin was an unknown potential wardrobe disaster. Thank you!

Quaint little Jazz bar and phenomenal people watching...(pictures to come)

Breakfast in bed while reading Sunday newspaper.

I have wonderful friends and the sweetest boyfriend, it was a fabulous time!

Thank you for all of your lovely notes as well, hope your weekend was a relaxing escape.

weekend wishes

Ah, the weekend, and in light of the weekend promises, I bring you this. This is a near perfect bathroom scenario. I will be rounding out birthday week with friends, relaxing, lounging, and eating wonderful food (and if I find this below-ground bathtub, I may stay). So, may your weekend find you a below-ground bath surrounded by marble!

Inspired by a Friday

This morning, sidetracked by the wonder of Friday (!!) I stumbled upon this little article for writers and/or lovers. Acurate and entertaining, I thought it was worthy of a share. Enjoy some Friday inspiration and a little change of pace...

Advice for the lovelorn...I mean writers, by Marisa Silver

I have to give a speech this weekend to a group of young and aspiring writers. I was told they'd want to hear about my process, and about the writing life, both personally and professionally; I was told they wanted advice. I quickly drew a blank. Advice? For writers? Isn't anything I might say hopelessly subjective? There is good advice out there, some really wise books about the subject. But I think the truth is that even if you hear these smart and reasoned pointers, you still have to stumble and flail your way to your own wisdom before the words of others make a useful, deep kind of sense. As I stared at my blank document, all I could think about were those newspaper romance columns. Advice for the lovelorn. I got sidetracked. I started to think of what I might say if I were Miss Lonely Hearts. This is what I came up with.

1. Love should bother you.

2. If someone asks you where your favorite place in the world is, you will answer Tahiti or New Zealand or Jones Beach, but you will really be picturing your lover's body.

3. You will never know your partner.

4. You should never know your partner.

5. You will never know how things will end up.

6. You should never know how things will end up.

7. But if you get to the place where things do end, your level of surprise and emotional distress should be tempered by your sense that you could not have ended up any place else.

8. Every day you will have to recreate your love.

9. It will get better with age.

10. Don't panic.

I don't think I can show up at my speaking engagement and deliver love advice and still get paid. But I do think I can extrapolate:

1. Your work will bother you. It will follow you around like an annoying little brother, pinching you every so often, even when you want to be doing other things with other people. When you hit on an idea that feels rich to you, it will not leave you alone. And when you try to attack the idea with words on paper, and when you fail again and again, and swear that you are ready to put the idea away, that it just doesn't work, you will find yourself lying in bed at night still thinking about it. If the idea is meaningful enough to you on some very visceral and emotional level, you will have to do battle with it until you make a narrative out of it.

2. Your work will feel like a wonderful place you can go. It will feel like a place you have to go. It might feel like the only place in the world where you can really explore and express every hidden, beautiful, ugly part of you. It will be your home ground.

3. People will ask you what your work means and you will try to explain it to them, but you won't really be able to explain it even if it sounds like you are saying something intelligent.

4. You should not be able to explain it. There should always be something ineffable and mysterious about it, even for you. If you've got all the answers, your work will not soar.

5. If you write with a narrative goal in mind, or if you write trying to shoehorn themes and big ideas into your work, it will become leaden and sink.

6. The only way to write fiction that will take someone else by surprise is to let your work take you by surprise too. Get lost. Be scared. Have no idea where you're headed. All those wrong directions are really right directions because they get you where you want to go.

7. You'll know you're at the end when you write something utterly unexpected and surprising to you, and then, when you try to write past it, and then realize you don't need to and that you can't.

8.. Fiction is a living thing. Each day, you have to recreate not only the work, but who you are as a writer. You have to ask yourself all over again why you're doing what you're doing, and how you're going to do what you want to do, even if you gave yourself a perfectly good answer the day before. Don't stop making yourself answer that question. It's crucial.

9. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

10. Your work will often look horrible and embarrassing.It will be unoriginal. It will fill you with shame. You will lie down on your bed and think that no one has ever written more awful, ungainly sentences than you. Get up off the bed. Don't panic. Like any kid - your work has to go through its awkward, pimply faced adolescence before it emerges as something another person might want to look at, hold in her hands, take into her heart.

Like all advice, take it or leave it. Even if you reject some or all of it, the process of considering it and tossing it out will get you closer to identifying what writing means for you.

(http://marksarvas.blogs.com/elegvar/)

Ramblings

Noisettes. They are incredible. They have a unique sound (like a pop/rock Aretha Franklin) and it's been a very refreshing find. I don't remember how I came across their music, but it was on the radio yesterday, very exciting, someone please save the radio. Never Forget You is the first song that made me fall in love with them.

Here are other gem lyrics:

"And when the sun goes down

It gets brighter in my heart somehow

I don't know why this is

But it's what I'd like to know."

-Sometimes

Jeff finally came home yesterday! It was great to have a mini-celebration in honor of his return after a short little work trip. That is one of the positive things about him traveling for his job, the anticipation of his return! We ordered pizza from an amazing place in Dallas, Coal Vines, complete with their garlic cheese bread (it's a celebration!) and then cuddled up on the couch and watched a murder mystery (similar to 80 year-olds). It was a fantastic birthday week night and I'm so happy he's back.

In other news...there has been this ongoing search to fill this void of trays in my life and I saw another one this morning that is to. die. for. It's a glass tray and accentuated by being placed on a flawless glass desk. dreaming.

Agree with me...

(This is glamorous)

Lesson learned.

Things You Can't Do When You're 24:

1.Go out on a weekday like you did in college...

2. Rent a car.

...I believe that's it. Bring it.

(On a sidenote, I did have the most wonderful birthday and was reminded of all the beautiful people in my life! Thank you so much for the well wishes!)

It's My Birthday!!

Little Things I love and my quest to the perfect birthday(ha!):

Morning coffee.

Scones...I made lemon dark chocolate chip scones last night and brought them to work this morning so I could dip them in my coffee and have a lovely morning, while not eating all 16 of them.

Newspapers.

Fresh flowers. (Jeff had these delivered to my office b/c he is out of town!)

Sunshine. (particularly through my sunroof as I drive)

Magazines...(bought the new Vanity Fair last night, so far, so good.)

Chanel shoes.

Cards, not e-cards (which are hilaious), but actual cards with little notes!

Friends...received two phone calls before 7am.

Manicures and Pedicures, together, at once, before going out.

George.

Hot pink...(I'm wearing a hot pink skirt now, at work.)

Girl's night with Sushi and wine!!

...to be continued.

Any suggestions?

Guess who just signed up for Habitat for Humanity?! Jeff and I did! We signed up together,which will be a good way for us to get outside of the comfortable box our relationship has become.

I'm excited about the whole experience and am mostly interested in being a site host, or more specifically, the "site mom." The whole day has already been planned out in my head, I will bring baked goods and refreshments and everyone will have the best day of their lives, I'm shooting low here. However, I'm not oppose to doing some painting, or decorating. Let's just say I don't have the most reliable arm strength, but my baking skills are fantastic!