hello there...

At this very moment in time I'm jamming to some tunes that remind me of ACL this past fall and all the good times I had with my sister, my best friends, and Morgan.  Sometimes all it takes is music to take me back to good times and good memories.

I realize I haven't written a blog post in an extremely long time.  I haven't quite figured out how to balance work, play, creativity, spirituality, exercise, and family yet.  I envy anyone who has a good balance in life.  Its one of the hardest things to figure out but it is so important to me.  At the moment I feel like life is mostly work (but I'm changing that slowly!) and I'm still getting settled into my new life! I now its been 3 months but I'm still not totally settled.  I have so much decorating to do and I have yet to make it official and get a Pennsylvania driver's license.  I think the day I have to give up my Texas ID, will be the day that the people at the DMV will never forget.  They might have to escort me off the premises.  I'm not letting it go without a fight!

Anyways, life has been a crazy mix of emotions, surprises, and craziness lately and I can't wait to see what comes next but I also look forward to having a better balance in my life. That's what I'm working on in the coming months.  Stay tuned!

P.S. I guess I should tell you what the heck is going on in these pictures.  Well to make a long story short, I've discovered my favorite bagels in the city, tried to bring spring into fruition by dressing like it, visited the magical place that is Terrain, become much more of a hat person, been shopping way too much at Free People (it doesn't help that I live in close proximity to their Walnut Street store), and am trying to survive this northern climate one day at a time!  I'll let you know if I live to see Spring.

into the great wide open

 

I think Free People just understood me in a way that I don't even understand myself, via their new look book.  Most of these looks are how I want to dress all day, everyday.  However, I think I'm mostly attracted to the idea of a modern prairie girl, which pretty much describes how I've been dreaming of dressing lately.  I will forever love vintage bits, lacey things, and all things colorful with a nod to folk art, but I've been loving anything with modern, clean lines as of late as well.  This look book makes it so much easier for me to marry the two.  

I'm especially loving the shoes in the first photo--hey, what are employee discounts for if not for shoes!??

pockets full of poseys

I'm a little late to the 90s party, but I'm starting to really dig the vibes.  And then there are the explosions of wild flowers from every available pocket.

via here

ghostly after glow

 

 

 

These are a bit old, but still so good.  Nan Goldin shot these for Lula Magazine featuring all Rodarte articles.  For one, I like the fact that the clothes are from various seasons.  Secondly, I love editorials like this for several reasons, but the number one being it shows the clothing in a different point of view and more casual than we usual see it coming down a runway.  You can really see the details in the clothing especially in the third to last shot.  That embroidered, mesh-like top is so beautiful stripped down, and unaltered by layers upon layers of clothing.

In other news, Philly has been quite the ugly duckling in terms of weather lately.  But I'm still content as ever.  I finally feel like life has slowed down in a way that I can be completely at ease with.  Don't get me wrong I'm still busy dealing with my relocation, and all the stresses that come with it, but I'm excited to finally start building a life as if I'm never going to move.  In college, I always held back from decorating or making things too permanent because I knew my location would probably change in a year.  I found an apartment and can't wait to move in mid January.  Its absolutely perfect with the exception of a few painted walls here and there. 

Happy Monday/New Year's Eve--here's to leaving work early and sparkly holiday plans!

holidaze

A few snapshots of my first couple of weeks in Philly, and a trip back home for Christmas.  In this conglomerate of photos lies, my go to cold weather head gear, scenes from the URBN Holiday party (let me tell you URBN does office parties right), the lace bunny ears of my dreams, lunch time choices at work, my favorite nail color accompanied by my favorite wine, the beautiful Christmas tree in the Market Street train station, the newest and best addition to my jewelry collection, and one of my favorite presents, vintage ornaments from my mom.

Morgan is here for a while and tomorrow night we are going to see The Devil Makes Three play at a little venue in Philly, and I couldn't be more excited!  Here's to a magical New Years Eve!

gold dusted

Browsing through RUSSH magazine's Gold Dust Woman shopping guide is giving me some laid back inspiration for New Year's dressing.  My favorite combo would be the gold sequin pants and cardigan.  Free People actually have some dreamy gold sequin trousers on sale right now that I may have to end up giving in to.  I can definitely see this look happening tomorrow night, especially considering the weather patterns these past few weeks.

Still dreaming of warmer days, even though I'm not even through the worst of this northeastern winter.  For now, sparkle stricken pants will have to do.