Go Buffs

The value of a CU degree continues to be high. Payscale.comand Forbes.com have rated a CU bachelor's degree among the top 20 degrees nationally for earning power, and a USA Today/Princeton Review analysis rates CU-Boulder as one of the top five best values in all of American higher education.

Happy Friday

I'm going to have an exciting weekend of studying for finals and working... luckily the weather seems like it will cooperate with temperatures in the 50s accompanied with some rain. It's a race to the finish, which lands on Cinco de Mayo (so perfect). Enjoy your weekend, and enjoy not having finals in the real world!

GOOP

GOOP is a strange word. It kind of makes me think of hair products, or jelly, but definitely something I don't want to interact with. That is, until I saw this blog, created by the beautiful and elegant Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth was busy filming movies in Paris while her friends were going to college keg parties, and when they were buying their first house, she has already bought hers years before. Because of her many life experiences she became to go to gal for her friends on where to eat, stay, play, when traveling, how to remodel a bedroom, etc. After a while she realized that this information might be helpful to people other than her close circle of friends, thus she started GOOP (a nicknamer her friends gave her long ago). I haven't explored it too much, but I did read a section on where to dine with kids, (I don't know why, I don't have kids and don't plan on having them for a while) the website seems like it has a lot to offer and I can't wait to explore it more!

pick one

check THIS out.

dibs

i want. i need! too out there? too trendy? too perfect?

time teller

Watches might me one of my new favorite accessories. Not to mention it's a practical accessory as well. I love Marc Jacobs & Michael Kors, but everyone seems to have them on their wrists already. Nixon is a less traveled path with some great options (with great names too). Nixon makes watches for ladies and gentleman, but ladies, be sure to check out the gentleman's section too.

Current: The Private SS

Future: The Kensington Leather

Dream: The 42-20 Chrono

pickles

I have a simple obsession with elephants. I love them. I want to see them in the wild, and I want a pet baby elephant as soon as possible. I guess I will have to buy a safari ranch in Africa as a place for it to live, and it's name will be Pickles. Until I can accomplish all these goals, and have an elephant of my own, I have found my next overseas vacation destination: The Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park (Zambia). The lodge is built next to a mango grove, and every November elephants stop by for a visit. If you stay at the hotel in late November you are more than likely to see elephants mid-migration in the hotel lobby and around the grounds, eating mangos and just hanging out.

influence

It seems like a staple on every 20-something year old girl's coffee table, but have any of us ever read it? It's essentially a compilation of different people who have influenced MK&A's career, life, style, etc. I have read a few profile's and have to say it's surprisingly good (still wondering why Bob Saget wasn't included). I don't know why I thought it wouldn't be good, maybe I just didn't think I would like it as much as I do, but the people interviewed are a mix of artists, models, photographers, designers, & editors, some you know by name and some you might never have heard of. Overall the book is a beautiful ode to the people that have influenced them. Who influences you?

things to look forward to

Graduation: May 7

Lake Tahoe: Memorial Day

Lady Antebellum: May 30

MGMT @ Red Rocks: June 11

Ghostland Observatory: June 19

Rockies Games: All Summer

Summer Movies

It's weird that I am anticipating summer movies, seems wrong in a way. Shouldn't I be only anticipating laying in the sun, swimming, and being outside? Why would I want to sit inside a movie theater? Growing up in Texas, summer movies are an escape from the hundred degree heat and almost a necessity on hot afternoons, but Colorado is different. The warm summer days turn into perfectly cool summer nights, and it's hard to justify paying $10 to sit inside during the prime summer months. However, there are a few that outweigh the most beautiful summer day, and will have me gladly handing over the cash to view on the day they come out.

Sex & The City 2

I hate to be completely cliche here, but have you seen the full trailer for Sex & The City 2? My jaw literally dropped and I can't wait to see it (view it here). Aiden is back? Thank You! Finally. By far my favorite of Carrie's boyfriends, and even though I think Big is the perfect match for her, I will never argue with watching John Corbett on the big screen.

Eat, Pray, Love

Another summer movie that I am thrilled to see is Eat, Pray, Love. I have heard many mixed reviews on the book, but I read it and loved it. Sometimes Elizabeth Gilbert's writing can get a little annoying, or lengthy, but overall I think the book has a great message, and a great story line. Seeing Julia Roberts play this part will be great, not to mention James Franco & Javier Bardem.... hawt.

Regrets

Regrets are a funny thing, some people say you should have no regrets, just learn from them. Others regret things all the time, and can never be comfortable with the decisions they make. Personally I try not to have many regrets, and I find myself not regretting 'bad' decisions, or mistakes i've made, but regretting not buying a great dress that was on sale, and is gone forever, or not going out with friends, and staying at home instead. I don't really know what this says about me, and I'm not trying to psychoanalyze myself, however I do have a BIG regret; not attending Coachella. Regretting my decision about Coachella is pretty self explanatory, but if you need one solid example of what I missed out on, here it is: Jay Z & Beyonce, together, preforming Young Forever on Friday night.

TigerText

Sending naughty texts? Worried about someone checking your phone? Check out TigerText, a new app for iPhone and Blackberry that will 'cover your tracks'. I don't think I'll be downloading it anytime soon, but it's pretty funny anyways. Not to mention that it's called Tiger Text. Tiger Woods won't be living down his mistakes for a while.

Happy Friday

supplement secrets

I have to tell you about two supplements that I am learning to live by. I have had trouble sleeping for years, and a few years ago my mom suggested I try l'theanine to relax before falling asleep. It is a supplement that lessens anxiety and promotes relaxation. I was reluctant to try it thinking it was some hippie remedy, but finally I did. Over the past few months I have become addicted (not really...). I have actually switched to Melatonin for a sleeping aid, and use l'theanine for anxiety. They are both subtle but effective, and they can both be found at Whole Foods. Enjoy!

St-Martin/Sint Maarten

I know it's a little far away, but I have already started planning my birthday trip for the big 2-4. It usually snows on my birthday, and I hate snow, so I thought a beach vacay would be in order. I have decided on the Caribbean island St.Martin. The island is actually inhibited by both the french and the dutch (St-Martin to the French, and Sint Maarten to the Dutch).

Lonely Planet said this: The arbitrary division of land has given the scrubby island two very distinct personalities, like a set of Siamese twins. Although fundamentally one entity, both sides are engaged in an unconscious game of tug-of-war as they struggle to assert their individuality. At times they work as one, and in other instances they become a caricature of themselves by exaggerating the traits that makes them unique: the French cling to their European roots, as demonstrated by the food and local lingo, while the Netherlands Antilles side plays up their jammin’ attitude by appealing to the hedonistic pleasures of visitors. But, although neither side likes to admit it, the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.

So far, my list of activities includes; laying on the beach and getting a wicked tan that will make every resident of Colorado jealous when I return, taking a day trip over to Anguilla on a catamaran, and checking out the Oyster Bay Marina.

UMBRA

Have you heard of Umbra before? I used to work at Emeralds in Austin, and they sell some Umbra frames. I recently came across this bookshelf on another blog and decided to look at Umbra's website. There is some great stuff! I'm currently interested in their jewelry boxes, fish hotel, and this bamboo drying rack for wine and champagne glasses! But don't forget to check out their fames!

isn't she lovely?

dusky alba dress, $388

This dress is soooooooo adorable. Cutie manootie, patootie. I want it, I need it!!!! Wouldn't it look fabulous under my gown at graduation?????? I think so. However, I don't think I can afford it, so if you would like to donate to the fund, I'll be accepting donations over the next few weeks. :)

the evil & l'elegance: the REAL world

Graduation is getting closer, my announcements are

in the mail, I'm 89% sure I will be passing statistics, and my job search has begun. Some days I think I'm actually having a panic attack, and others I'm really excited about starting something new. The job search sucks, and will continue to suck, but one part of this whole growing up thing, that does not suck, is the ongoing search for my work wardrobe. I plan to start collecting now, and never stop. Here are a few things I have my eye on:

Above The Fray Skirt, $88

Chalk & Charcoal Skirt, $88

Starry-Eyed Skirt, $148

Leading Role Dress, $98

Everywhere Dress, $138

Hello, Good Day Dress, $118

Friendly Competition Top, $68

BCBGMAXAZARIA, $98

Collective Concepts, $58

l'elegance: jewelry

Jewelry is an accessory that we all have, our collection sizes vary, and some of us spend more than others, but it is hard to find a gal with absolutely zero jewelry. My friend Peggy has so many fabulous accessories, shoes, bags, you name it, her closet has it. One thing I am always impressed with is her jewelry collection. I personally have a my everyday wears; my great grandmother's ring, a few different simple gold or silver necklaces that I rotate through, and diamond earrings that I wear everyday. When I recently visited Peggy I was again reminded how great an accessory jewelry can be. Normally I invest my money in shoes, jeans, tops, and purses, but why do I always leave out the jewels? I have decided to start wearing the jewelry I already have, and start collecting more.

Here are a few things on my jewelry wish list:

Crystal Devote Earrings, $55, jcrew.com

Bow Earrings, $125, tiffany.com

Double Torsade Necklace, $28, in Turquoise, anthropologie.com

Plume & Petal Cuff, $88, anthropologie.com

EVIL: i hate college

I am the last one of my friends left in college, and I am definitely enjoying the ability to skip class, go on weekend vacations without asking off work, sitting on facebook/gchat during class and everything else you can't do with a 'real job' however at the same time I am completely, 100% over it. Tell me what you will, i'll miss it when it's over, etc. etc. I believe I will, but as of now, I'm over it, and no one can convince me otherwise. So, after that little rant, I will blame college, and my busy homework/test schedule the past week as to why I have been MIA in the blog world. I took my last two tests before finals yesterday, so that gives me exactly 4 more weeks in this semester! Very exciting news.

Here is a little tune by Sam Adams that I just can't get enough of.

l'elegance: a cup of jo

I have recently started reading a new blog. I found this photograph on it, and it's titled 'How Genetics Work' too funny. Finding new blogs are great because not only does it give you one more thing to look at before you start your day, or one more distraction when you need it, but finding a new one means more exploring. This blog entitled A CUP OF JO, is amazing! It has a section on the right where you can click on wedding photos, engagement photos, honeymoon photos, or all about babies. By clicking one, it brings up all her blog posts about these things. The babies is my favorite so far, but her wedding seemed like the perfect mix of hipster and elegance. Enjoy!!

http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/