england bound

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dear union jack, red phone booths, double decker buses, 

HERE. I. COME! 

tomorrow evening i am flying to jolly englandtown for a week of vacation with good friends. of the trips i have taken in my life, i have a strong feeling this one is going to top the list.

have any of you ever been to england? any suggestions for me? we will be staying in cambridge, but i definitely want to make the trip into london a time or two. 

i have been a bad blogger as of late. guilty. life has gone from 0-60, and i have taken an unintentional break from posting for the last week or so. ah well. such is life. you still love me, yes? RIGHT?

off i go across the pond. cherrio! will return with many pictures of our adventures with which to bore you. 

picky, choosy

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i don't have any wise words for you today (much like every other day), but i did just read this blog post about being selective in your purchases, and it was a really great read. with the help of a friend, i've recently started a new budget because my funds are lows and my wants are high. i wasn't keeping track of my credit card swipes very much before, but now i am hyper aware of that little piece of plastic in my wallet. i already feel better about how i'm spending even though my bank account is still mincey teensie tiny. i'm going to wait for it to grow big and tall and strong like an oak tree. this will probably take a long time. oak trees don't rush things.

basically, i want to make more intentional purchases. not the filler stuff that you find at the ends of shopping aisles (although, hello target dollar section, iloveyou). i want to be able to buy a nice sweater every now and then or that pair of boots i've been eyeing. i want to try a new restaurant with friends and enjoy myself. i think being more selective with what i buy and when i buy it will help me appreciate, value, and take better care of the purchases (whatever they may be) than i have been. 

go ahead and read the article! it may help you, too. (this post has a somewhat similar message).

in semi-related news, a good friend just gifted me with an anthro gift card, and i'm in hog heaven trying to figure out how i will spend it. these boots? this sweatshirt? a pretty, shiny necklace? the last time i had a gift card for anthro, it took me about six months to spend it. it shouldn't be that hard. it's freaking anthro for crying out loud. 

surprise shower

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my sweet co-worker emily is getting married on sunday, and our office threw a little surprise shower for her last week. i decorated our break room with all kinds of pretty things, and we had a delicious lunch for her and her fiancé, adam. 

i've known emily for about four years, and she has become such a dear friend to me. we first met when i was working as the retail accounts manager at a gluten free kitchen called rosie's plate in downtown raleigh. she was the head chef, and let me tell you, she made magic happen in that kitchen. so many delicious treats. (all gluten free no less. #impressed). 

when rosie's closed down, we went our separate ways but remained in contact and met for coffee every now and then to catch up. during one of those coffee dates she informed me of a job opening at the office where she worked. at this time i was very unhappy in my current position and was looking for a change. i knew i wanted the job when she told me they never worked on fridays. she helped set up an interview for me, and a few weeks later we were working side-by-side again. together we rule patient relations and office administration.

i am beyond excited for emily to marry adam. the way they interact with each other is full of ease and understanding, and i love seeing her giddy with excitement. here are a few shots of our surprise party (and of the beautiful couple)!

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first up, this picture kills me. i can't stop looking at it and swooning over it. this is one of the shots from their recent engagement shoot. RIGHT?

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can't wait for the wedding celebrating this weekend! congrats to emily and adam!

a day in the mountains

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last saturday, my bestie chelsea and i drove up to blowing rock for the day. we had a great time exploring the walking streets and driving along the parkway. it was cold and windy but so gorgeous with all the trees turning red and orange and yellow. i just can't get over the beauty of fall. everything is dying but there is such richness in the changing colors, and there is inspiration in the snap of cold air on your cheeks. unlike any other season, fall reminds me that there are fresh starts and beginnings and newness. it reminds me that things don't always stay the same, and there are changes around every corner in life. and even though it is my favorite season (by far), i always feel this very present, immense sadness. it's like i want to hold on tight to everything and everyone i've got. i think about the people who are present in my life and how much i love them. i think about the people who are no longer in my immediate circle but who have impacted my life in the strongest and best ways. i feel weepy and quiet and in the next breath loud and flush with excitement. tumultuous. that's the word. bittersweet, too. does anyone else feel the same?

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such a good day with a good friend. happy fall.  

november mix

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it's been a long time since i've posted a new monthly mix on the 1st of the new month. i think my record was like the 18th once? small victories.

this month i'm anticipating two big events-one sad, one happy. on the 23rd, my dear roommate of four years is moving across the pond to jolly old england. how dare she, right? she's supposed to live with me forever and ever. i mean. we talked about this. 

fortunately, three days later i will be boarding a plane to join her in cambridge for a week of vacation. this is going to give me emotional whiplash. sad! happy! crying basket case! laughing like a maniac! it should provide some great blog post inspirations. 

i'm already getting sad thinking about her leaving. let's distract ourselves with some music. ok.

you will notice a slight country theme this month. over the years, my roommate has converted me to country music, and i've introduced her to lots of "weird indie bands". i think of her when i hear certain country songs. they will carry me through the dark times once she's gone.

november mix

i need my girl : the national

light it up : one republic

soon as you can : dierks bentley

we are golden : black light dinner party

kids : mikky ekko

nedding/getting : ok go

mine would be you : blake shelton

young blood : the naked and famous

 what's wrong with your eyes : sin fang

downtown : lady antebellum

bad blood : bastille

tongues (feat KOPPS) : joywave

state of grace : taylor swift

afraid : the neighbourhood


happy listening! what's on your music rotation?