smooch

i'm highly enjoying this little blog... kissssing

Questions Answered

What the fuck should I make for dinner tonight?

Eggplant!

My roommate and I were recently trying to figure out how to cook eggplant, it's a surprisingly intimidating food. I had no idea where to start with it, or what to do with it, but we knew we had to attempt something. I came across this recipe last week, and cooked it for dinner on Friday. I opted for the orzo version first and later used the leftovers on top of mixed greens for a delicious salad. It was SO easy to make and really delicious as well, I suggest you hope over to the store for some eggplant ASAP!

Portland in Review

Okay I know it has taken me a week, and again I apologize but it's just hard to find time/get motivated to blog these days! I had a BLAST in Portland. I told one friend it scored 8/10. I don't give such high ratings easily, I would give Austin & New York City 10/10, San Francisco 9/10, Seattle, Denver & Portland are all 8/10 cities. Boulder does not get a rating because I refuse to call it a city, it is a town (maybe not officially but in my book at least).

I loved Portland for many reasons; food, happy people, friends, weather (time sensitive of course), etc. My favorite thing about this trip was the hotel we stayed in, The Nines. The Nines was fabulous in an affordable, comfortable, luxurious, delicious way. Rooftop bar/restaurant, comfortable beds, extremely friendly staff, beautifully decorated, the list can go on and on, I might go as far to say it's my new favorite hotel.

{Ally & I at Departure, the rooftop bar}

On Saturday night I went out with an old friend to Ron Tom's (no website, but here is an article) and it was the perfect mix of classy, and comfortable. I give this bar a 10/10 (cheap drinks, comfortable couches, outdoor patio, friendly-ish bartenders). Call me crazy, but I just really enjoy a bar that feels classy and upscale (you won't feel out of place in heels) and sells you drinks for $3.

Sunday we brunched at Besaw's on 23rd Ave, it was delish (I would recommend the proscuitto benedict). 23rd Ave is scattered with restaurants, retail stores, and coffee shops, it was the perfect way to walk off breakfast and do some last minute shopping at once!

the city of roses

I'm leaving work early and heading to Portland, Oregon this afternoon! I've never been but I'm very excited to explore a city with such a fabulous reputation. Have a wonderful weekend!

these boots were made for walking

I'm in serious need of some new boots this year, here are a few I'm lusting over...

1. Dorado Riding Boot, Frye $498 2.Chelsea Riding Boot, Frye $498 3.Natale Boot, Coach $378 4. Elf Boot, Stuart Weitzman $595 5. The Balcony Boot, Madewell $298 6. Melissa Button, Frye $318

Fall into J.Crew

I have never been a huge J.Crew fan. I mean I like their stuff; simple, classic, elegant, but come on, the prices are redic! I'm not trying to spend $80 on a top that I can find at forever 21 for $25. Fall is my new favorite season and it seems as if J.Crew is finally turning me on with their style and prices for this upcoming season. I can't wait to wear this wool bell skirt with some tights, boots (post soon to come on boots) , and a belt! Fall is my new favorite season for so many reasons; football games, cooler weather (promoting forced shopping and wardrobe editing), and it's also my new favorite season because it's when all the kids go back to school, which makes me realize I'm not going back to school, and I love remembering that I'm done with school. So here you are.... my top 3 best buys from J.Crew's fall collection.

The Leather Exhibitor Pouchette in Monterey Pine $198.00

Wool Bell Skirt, $79.50

Dream Draped V Sweater, $69.50 (on sale)

Apologies

OK, I know I have been more than M.I.A. lately, I don't really know what I've been doing and I have no valid excuse so I wont give you one. The good news is I'm back, with lots to talk about and lots to show you. So I hope you all forgive me, and we can move on to the good stuff.

Yeasayer

Have you heard of this indie hipster band? I am always so behind in the hot new tunes these days, so you probably have. But if not, I'm currently loving the songs One and I Remember. These kids will also be preforming at ACL fest!

Manic Monday

I have been procrastinating again, and now I have a 10 page paper to write that is due tomorrow morning. It will get done, because it has to, but that doesn't make it any less dreadful. If only there was Gossip Girl on tonight to look forward to.

Cookbooks

I think cookbooks are great; great presents, great decoration for your kitchen, great inspiration and ideas for meals, treats, etc. My new favorite cookbook is not a cookbook. It's a website, smittenkitchen.com, upon discovering this website I'm realizing with the world wide web there is hardly any need for cookbooks other than decoration! The internet is a virtual cookbook with bazillions of recipes at your fingertips!

love love love

Love this website! I have been a long time fan of the 'keep calm and carry on' poster, but suddenly I feel like everyone has it and I want something different. Now thanks to Keep Calm Gallery I have many other options. This gallery is full of great posters with cute messages, and vintage feel.

via Cup of Jo

summer songs

I love how hearing a song takes you back to a moment, or time in your life. Listening to Faith Hill's Breathe album always takes me back to a road trip my family took to Lake Powell. So random, but I love the way songs attach meanings in your head and can take you back instantly. Last summer I was listening to Heartbreaker by MSTRKRFT & Happy Up Here by Royksopp on repeat. Whenever I hear them I remember driving around in my friend Steffanie's Land Rover, with barely any air conditioning, in anticipation for what the summer night would bring us. This summer, Steffanie has yet to arrive in Boulder, but I'm already trying to figure out what song's will be this summer anthem. Here are a few options...

I And Love And Yous - Avett Brothers

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Sing Sang Sung - Air

Cooler Tan Me - Mike Posner

Bulletproof (Nacey Remix ft. Matt Hemerlien)

...more to come...

shocked

Sometimes I am so shocked by the pricing of ugly things. Here is an example.

Peg Leg Jumpsuit $345

hump day

A few pictures to brighten your Wednesday.

{my dad's current facebook picture}

{Beyonce goes Brazillian}

{high class dress-up}

typealyzer

This website analyzes the names of blogs. I don't know if I agree with what it says about my blog but regardless it's a fun site to play with! Here is what it said about this blog's name:

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

They enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

Banana Phone

During our drive back to San Francisco we had bananas lying around the car that we picked up from the hotel lobby on our way out. The joke that kept coming back was pretending it was a phone, with that on my mind, it's so fitting that I came across this today: an actual banana phone!

This weekend was beyond amazing. Unexpected adventures with some of my best friends, I love being able to escape for the weekend and love that my friends are always happy to have me and host my vacation!

{Ladies on Lombard}

{Unexpected Pool Party, Shannon & I}

{The whole group + a random coug}

{My bestie Brennan who flew in to surprise the girls with me, yes that is a $500 chip}

{Lady A}

{Tahoe Sky}

{Mr. Tim McGraw}

{Lake Tahoe}

P.S. Apologies for the not so great pictures, my camera was definitely not on it's A game!

lovely

Happy Tuesday! Hope you had as much fun this weekend as I did, but unfortunately I doubt you did. I'll post some highlights tomorrow, but for now a BIG thank you to I Heart You! I won the Juicy giveaway! What a fabulous way to start the week!

Memorial Day Weekend

I have finished Maymester (one class in 17 days!) and I'm heading to San Francisco & Lake Tahoe for an all American Memorial Day celebration! I will start my vacation in SF on Friday for a night on the town with some lovely ladies, and then head to Tahoe on Saturday to enjoy some sunshine as well as hang out with my dear friends Tim McGraw & Lady Antebellum! I hope you all have fabulous weekends, and enjoy the day off on Monday!

dog fever

[spanky @ 4 months]

Honestly, I have never been a dog person. That is, until my boyfriend bought a dog in January. Now, I am obsessed. I love this puppy so much and have a new appreciation for all canines. Although my boyfriend's dog has basically become my dog I can't stop thinking about buying a new one, because let's be honest, Spanky definitely needs a friend to play with. I have been head over heels for a Bernese Mountain Dog, until yesterday I met a Saint Bernard and was instantly swooning. That is until later last night I discovered French Bulldogs! I have always wanted huge dogs, but now that we have Spanky (a rotweiller that will probably weigh 120 lbs.) I can't help but think a small dog could be a cute addition. It definitely makes more sense for me at this point, but my heart always has a soft spot for the larger pups as well. Unfortunately every dog that I am crushing on right now costs upward of $1000.00 so it will be a while before I purchase any dog, but I can dream right?

[bernese mountain puppy]

[saint bernard puppy]

[french bulldog puppy]

happy friday!

How cute is this picture of the Olsen twins? Makes me want to attend a summer cocktail party.
It's finally starting to look like summer around here, I think I will try to soak up some sun this weekend. Happy Friday yall!

the lineup

At first glance of this years Austin City Limits Music Festival lineup I was so disappointed. The first three bands featured are The Eagles, Muse, & Phish. I can name only one song from each band, and I have no interest in seeing them live, let alone headline my favorite music festival! Thank god there are some redeeming (smaller) bands (M.I.A., Flaming Lips, Band of Horses, The xx, The Temper Trap, Vampire Weekend, LCD Soundsystem, and more...). I have my tickets to the festival already, and after letting the lineup soak in, I am really excited. I know people that would pay ridiculous amounts of money to see Phish live, and regardless if I like the music, I will enjoy the experience.

Summer Reads

With school ending (forever) I will (hopefully) have time to read for fun! Here are a few books I'm looking forward to starting (or finishing)...

Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert

Resettling in America, Elizabeth and boyfriend Felipe (from Eat, Pray, Love) swore eternal fidelity to each other, but also swore to never, ever, under any circumstances get legally married. But providence intervened one day in the form of the United States government, which-after unexpectedly detaining Felipe at an American border crossing-gave the couple a choice: they could either get married, or Felipe would never be allowed to enter the country again. Having been effectively sentenced to wed, Gilbert tackled her fears of marriage by delving into this topic completely, trying with all her might to discover through historical research, interviews, and much personal reflection what this stubbornly enduring old institution actually is.

Modoc, by Ralph Helfer

Raised together in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant formed a bond that would last their entire lives, and would be tested time and again; through a near-fatal shipwreck in the Indian Ocean, an apprenticeship with the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the Indian teak forests, and their eventual rise to circus stardom in 1940s New York City. Modoc is a captivating true story of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure, to be treasured by animal lovers everywhere.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step. Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope.

Juicy

I*Heart*You recently posted a giveaway for a $100 giftcard to shopbop.com, in order to enter I had to choose my favorite Juicy Couture item from the website and explain why I love it. Juicy has come a long way from the standard zip-up and sweatpants ensemble. They have great dresses that range from the perfect cover up while lounging by the pool, to maxi dresses, to silk cocktail dresses. Another surprising part of the juicy world is the jewelry! How great is this ring & this necklace?

To pick a favorite was not an easy task, I actually have to share my two favorites with you, my favorite clothing item is the victorian lace date top ($74). I love the idea of this top with jorts and layered necklaces, or tucking it into a high waisted skirt, or even layering it over my hot pink mini skirt. It seems like a simple top but the ways to wear it are endless, thus why it is my top pick. Second, I picked my favorite piece of jewelry, icons horseshoe stud earrings ($42). They are the perfect fun stud earrings that can be worn everyday or to give your ears a little bling without over doing it!

home decor

Okay, I know these banners have been all over the web, and featured on a million different blogs, I don't even know where I first saw them, but I'm absolutely obsessed. I wrote the Angela and asked her if she would ever make a custom banner, I wanted one that said "It's All Happening" but unfortunately she doesn't take custom orders. She did however give me some tips on how to make my own banner at home. Until then I'm trying to decide between until tomorrow and joie de vivre. Which would you choose?

nutritious

I'm finishing up my last classes in summer school, currently taking Nutrition. I am so very surprised by some of the things I am hearing. So I have decided to share a few tips with you.

*Omega 3 is an important part of a healthy diet, however taking fish oils, or eating a lot of fish is not recommended because of the high levels of mercury currently in fish due to pollution. A recommended source is flax seed oil.

*Whole Wheat bread is best (everyone knows that), each slice should contain at least 3 grams of fiber.

*White Rice is considered worse for you than doughnuts because it is pure starch with zero vitamins

mypyramid.gov is a not so boring site with a lot of tips about nutrition and even has a free program to track what you eat, and see how close you come to the daily servings of each food group as well as track your intake of different vitamins and minerals that are important for a healthy, balanced, diet.

craigslit ad: hipster girls of austin

This craiglist ad is too funny. After doing a little more investigating I also found this funny article, and my friend Addie showed me this website.

my thoughts on finals, studying, and school in general

ikat

I can't get enough of it! Will the wonderful, beautiful, Shannon Paul contribute to my ikat obsession? I sure hope so! Until then, I will dream about these beautiful pieces of furniture.