nesting

More traveling and more life changes have kept me quite busy as of late.  One of the biggest is that I moved into my very own place!  First a full time job and now my first time living alone?  I feel like I've aged five years this past year.

One of the joys (and/or frustrations) of a new place is figuring out what goes where.  It's coming along quite nicely and I've purchased a few things to help me settle in and make it my own.  I'll share more pictures when it's more together, but here are a few pieces to start.

(I had Etsy designer Wooden Creatives paint this gold and it turned out beautifully. I wanted this to add charm and make the space a place for celebration)

 (I loved this water color from Acrylics by Clare - colors were insane and it reminded me of home in Las Vegas and summers with my father in New Mexico)

(pulled the trigger on this 8x10 from 20x200 - it's an archival print from 1900 and reminds me of my trip to Paris.  The Luxembourg gardens was one of my favorite places).

(decided to opt for a storage ottoman over a coffee table to act as triple duty for storage, seating and tabletop - this one from Target was the perfect size and right price and holds all my extra blankets, sheets and towels).

(needed a tray for the ottoman top and have been coveting these from West Elm.  I was lucky to snag one in turquoise in one of the stores, which is lucky because that color is no longer available online.  I also bought a silver one for my dry bar).

 

(and not needed, but couldn't resist buying this little bracelet from Brinkle on Etsy - their stuff is great and I've been wanting one for a while).

studs.

I am so into pretty studs.  Not the man kind (I mean, those, too), but the kind for your ears.  Having almost no earlobes (truth), I don't look great in dangly earrings, so I opt for a pretty stud.  And Ms. Jamie's shop Furbish over at ISuwannee is making me reach for my wallet.  I think I'll bring home these three for summer and beyond.

What do you think?  Too much?

give it to me

Must. Have. Isola. Snakeskin. Bootie.




Please?

snowboot crush

I have no idea how I lived in Boston before I bought my Sorel Joan of Artic boots last winter.  Living in them.  The tan is discontinued, but get them at The Tannery in brown or black.

local find: pillows

Check out etsy seller kyoozi and her fabulous pillows I am drooling over for about $35 a pop.  Move over Pottery Barn.  Bonus?  Local Bostonian.

on the road: riviera maya, mexico

This past weekend, I was quite the jet setter as I headed to Riviera Maya, Mexico for my dear friends Alexis & Dave's wedding.  We stayed at Ceiba Del Mar resort, just 20 minutes from the Cancun airport and I felt like I was in a Corona commercial all weekend.  And there is something so special about destination weddings where you can bond with people all weekend.  Check out some of my favorite shots (including the gorgeous bride!) from the weekend.

 (wedding guests hot tubbing and getting to know one another)

 (oh, hello.  view from the pool right outside my room)

 (walking out on the pier)

 (some dudes & my fearless friend Sara playing football)

 (wedding party and groom ready)

 (Alexis!)

 (the happy couple)

 (my former roommate is all grown up)

 (my roommates from the weekend, including bridesmaid Lacey in fabulous magenta)

 (cocktails on the pier post reception with a mariachi band)

Congratulations, Alexis & Dave!

delicate & fancy

I am so pleased to host my first jewelry party for my co-worker & friend Michelle at my abode in less than two weeks, Tuesday, December 7th at 7pm.  The line is Meghan Browne and it's great costume jewelry at a fraction of the price for what you might pay elsewhere.  Big chunky necklaces for $30 bucks?  So in.  Check out all the goodness and if you're in Boston and you'd like to come, let me know!  It's just in time for holiday shopping for others or for yourself for all those holiday parties.

body & spirit (& a bit of flair).

I did two magnificent things this past weekend - attend one of my most favorite fall activities, the 42nd Head of the Charles & also volunteer for the 1st Annual Team Elizabeth Road Race in Hull, which was inspired by my dear friend Elizabeth and supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

 (My cousin Arch rowing with the Austin Rowing Club)

  (runners/walkers at the start line)

After my active weekend, I sat on my couch Sunday to watch Chariots of Fire, an incredibly inspirational film (see it) about two men who run in the 1924 Olympics for very different purposes.  One of the most memorable quotes from the film comes from Eric Liddell: 

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure. 

And aside from the heart felt moments, I forgot all about the dapper men's fashion!  The men at Cambridge college circa 1920 just looked so fabulous.  Check out the first 5 minutes from this clip and tell me it doesn't make you want to jump into a sweater vest, striped scarf, corduroy jacket and straw hat?

For all you mens that love it as much as I do, I put together a little collection for you:

Chariots of Fire by Arestia