Fashionistas

My favorite dresses from the 2011 Oscars....

I LOVE this beautiful, ethereal looking gown on Halle Berry. The detail is just enough to add texture, but not to take away from the entire look.

Jennifer Hudson rocks this color and style of dress. She has complimented her figure while making a show-stopping statement.

While a little daring, this dress is feminine by its definition and flows so beautifully. She carries this fashion risk beautifully and confidently and makes it work.

Sometimes I'm kicked, Sometimes I'm kissed.

As per my Sunday night ritual, I have been folding laundry, doing dishes, vacuuming(much to Frog-Dog's enjoyment!), and basically catching up on "yucky" chores that tend to fall by the wayside during busy weeks. In the midst of all this, ahem, fun, I ran smack-dab into my footboard on my bed. My shin is throbbing! And there is little I can do for the pain besides breath and tell myself it will subside momentarily.

Earlier today I took a nice, long walk with Brian and Froggie all around the Turtle Creek area in Dallas (which, if you're not from the area, is a beautiful stream surrounded by trees and parks in the midst of Uptown Dallas), and we enjoyed the pleasant temperature and light breeze that held promises of an imminent Spring. As I felt the wind gently brush my face, I was happily hoping the moment would last, that time would pause in its tracks.

These are two very opposite incidences that evoked two very different emotions. But I think that this is symbolic of my life. Sometimes I'll feel like I've been kicked in the shin, while others I'll feel as though I've been brushed with a kiss on the face. The key is to know that this too shall pass and no matter how much I may wish one moment away and another one to stay, time is an non-nogotiable entity, and every moment is brief, along with its painful realities or sweet surprises.

I hope your week is full of gentle breezes...but if you happen to get a few kicks in the shin, just know that I've got a bruise on mine to match!

Inspired.

This was a scary week for me. Not because I am afraid of hard work or new challenges, but because I was afraid of being uninspired.


I'm a creative person by nature (though my artistic skills would attest to the exact opposite) and love living my life with a certain flair. Whether through fashion, decoration, organization, hobbies (including playing my guitar, writing, dancing, etc.), or hanging out with my family and friends, I like to approach my life and my days with a creativity that excites and invigorates me.

But this week my life in a cubicle commenced, and needless to say, I was less than thrilled. I envisioned myself staring at a computer screen day in and day out with zero interaction with the outside world. I was wrong.

I am not where I thought I would be, but I certainly am inspired. I am learning so much from those around me. My boss and co-workers are eager to help me learn the real estate market, and to learn what it takes to succeed in this industry. I am continually challenged by new projects and situations and have learned that inspiration can come from a multitude of places.

I'm inspired to do well, to make the best of my situation, and to take my cubicle from drab to fab one decoration at a time. I'm inspired to find my niche in the hectic whirlwind around me daily, and to not only do my job, but to excel at it. And I am inspired to take my free time, especially on the weekends, and use to spend time with those that I love doing what I love.

So here's to finding inspiration in the oddest of places,
to taking each day, never for granted.
To laughing off stressful situations,
and to never losing yourself in what you do,
but rather using what you do to make a better version of yourself.

Hi-ho, hi-ho its off to work I go!

Tomorrow I start my new job.

I am excited, nervous, anxious, and ready. I have a feeling I will be overwhelmed at first, and learning a lot always.

I am thankful for this opportunity and new stage in my life!

Hello, Working World, here I am.

Birthday Blizzard

Today is my birthday. And I choose to believe that this blizzard in Dallas is a birthday present just for me. I was born in a blizzard just like this, 23 years ago.

I have so much to be thankful for, and if the last 23 years have taught me anything, its that I should never take anything, or anyone for granted.

So I am going to embrace my snowy surroundings and count my blessings.

I'm thankful for the snow, and the quiet wistfulness that it brings.

I am thankful for the laughter and love that fill my life, and every day.

I am thankful for my new job, and the challenge that it will bring.

I am so thankful for all my amazing friends who have sent sweet messages to me on Facebook, are celebrating with me tonight, and who love and support me the whole year through.

I am thankful for my puppy's warm and slobbery morning kisses and for the fact that he always wants to snuggle with me.

I am thankful for my new guitar, and the many hours of enjoyment and frustration that lay ahead as I learn to play.

I am so thankful for heat, warm blankets and my Michigan State winter gear to keep me warm ( GO Green!).

I am thankful for a fun-filled SuperBowl weekend with all of my favorite people.

I am SO thankful for my family's flooding of my voicemail box and how everyone has told and shown me how much they love me today, and everyday.

I'm thankful for my new family, who mainly live in Michigan, that I am so excited to officially join in July.

I am so thankful for Mike and Meredith and how much they support me and love me, and for Dan and Tylie- how they are always so generous and kind.

I am thankful for my sister, my better half, and how, without her, I would not be who I am today. She teaches me so much about life and love...and fashion :)

I am so thankful for my Daddy-o who has been counting down my birthday for weeks, and who I have loved and adored and admired for the last 23 years.

I am so thankful for my Mom, who is my role model, and the best, most gracious, beautiful  and kind woman I know.

But mostly, today, I am thankful for Brian. My fiance, my love, my friend. He is everything to me and I cannot wait to become his wife.

So thank you, everyone, for the birthday well wishes and notes. I feel so loved, so blessed, and I love you all!

What to do on my snow day...

Strum on my new guitar....
...snuggle in bed with my puppy and a book...
bake a red velvet cake...
flip through wedding magazines...
....catch up with old friends on the phone...
write a note or two...
....do the laundry...
hang out with B....
day dream about summer...

Sounds like a good day to me. Hope yours is as warm and cozy!