Coffee Talks

"Impostor" - Erin

"Brooklyn Blizzard '13" - Jess

Coffee Talks

"I love your nooks...and crannies." -Erin

"Hello from Prospect Park!" -Jess

Coffee Talks

"it's going to be a really big mug kinda day!" -erin

"a couple of old gals, side by side" - jess

Coffee Talks

"Wish we were sharing" - Erin

"Drinking my coffee with a straw. Don't judge me." - Jess

Coffee Talks

#eatyourheartoutanthropologie - erin

#wanttopunchherinthekisser - jess

my friend jess...and the man of her dreams!

I had the absolute pleasure of being apart of my best friend Jess' wedding this past weekend. It was a picture perfect Connecticut soiree and every detail was just amazing!  Seeing all of Jess and Jonny's hard work was like the icing on the cake (that her mommy made) to their storybook romance.  Lots of memories and new friends were made.  Best wishes to the newly weds! Mr. & Mrs. Hack!

Thankful Thursday

How often do you stop to take in the majesty of our planet? Like really stop, reflect, and take it all in.

One week ago today, it all hit me. I live in a beautiful part of Florida, surrounded by beaches and tropical wildlife.  But that's my normal. I am so used to it that it has lost it's "awe" if you will. But there is so much more out there, beyond the palm trees and flat wet lands.

I was on a very very early morning flight across the country to spend an amazing long weekend in Lake Tahoe working with my best friend. So things were already looking pretty good for me... but then flying high somewhere between Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Houston, TX I decided to pry open my tiny window and was blown away with the amazing sight out side.

We were being chased by the rising sun.  A beautiful orange glow was breaking through sheets of purple haze and white blankets of clouds.  From this point on I was glued to that window.

I have always loved looking out the window on airplanes, but i think before it was an escape from the claustrophobic cabin.  This time I was taking it all in! Every second of the decent into Houston the  picture outside changed and filled my head with inspiration and awe.

The sun began to break through the clouds and pour streams on light over the land making long shadows and pools of orange and gold.  The patterns and textures created by the fields and streams we all set a glow by the early morning sun.

Maybe it was the 3am wake up time mixed with more coffee than should be consumed by one human that early, or maybe it was being chased by the rising sun, but the whole thing became a very existential experience.

I could go on and on for days about the amazing sights of Lake Tahoe, but today I wanted to share just one thing.  As if someone or something was trying to put a picture to a perfect ending of the day, this was the sunset that i was privy to viewing after a long day of traveling with the rising sun.  I am pretty sure this is where the lyrics "purple mountain majesty" come from!

So to sum it all up, today's thankful thursday is dedicated to the wonders of our beautiful planet, the amazing family that I have who always support my travels and adventures, and having the worlds best friend who was able to share all of these breath taking moments with me.  Never overlook the beauty all around you and shout it from the mountain tops how thankful you are!

10 things i couldn't live without this week

1. alone time. monday the boys school had an all day halloween party so i brought him in....even though i didn't have to work.  i toyed with the idea all weekend and couldn't decide if i could justify sending him to daycare for no reason. well the guilt sunk in come monday morning. how could i deprive him of a fun party at school? so dropped him off for a few hours and i got to go grocery shopping alone! it was amazing!
2. halloween was a huge success this year. i am pretty sure that it was the best family costumes that we've ever done! can't wait for next year!
3. the hubs blog is blowing up huge! and all the things he's written about are all so sweet. i can't lie....there have been a few posts that have brought tears to my eyes.
4. trick or treating with the boys friend violet. we never  get to see her anymore, but we had to keep our trick or treating tradition. last year they had a blast together and this year was so much better! they are both a year older and watching them interact with each other is so much fun. they were a fearless little duo!
5. finally watched the vidal sasson movie. it was amazing, inspirational, and moving.  even if you are not a hairstylist i recommend it. great movie about a legend.
6. thank you notes in the mail for no reason. i received a "thank you" from my dearest sweet Jessica. it was just to thank me for being me.  i mean how flippin' sweet! everyone deserves a friend like her.
7. while i am on the topic....i am so pumped up for jess and jonny (of our august fame)! they finally found their perfect apartment in the BK! when can i come visit?
8. i was starting to feel a little down about missing out on all the prime yard sales lately! since i am normally driving to work during yard sale time.  but when i saw that my friends were doing a sunday yard sale i jumped in the car and headed over! scored some amazing finds! (thanks kelly) and even realized on my way home that there were more yard sales in the neighborhood...scored a few more items as well.
9. the hubs took the boy to gumbo limbo nature center this weekend. while i am totally jealous that i didn't get to go, i am so excited to go with them eventually. they haven't stopped talking about how amazing it was.
10. speaking of the amazing hubs.....do you know that man ordered pizza for dinner to surprise me after my long day at work......that man sure knows how to make me happy.

pretty little things

thought i would give you a peak at a few of my new favorite pretty little things.

i am a collector of many things, and just to clear it up with the hubs - collecting is not hoarding. hehe. i come from a long line of collectors. my great grandfather collected coins and stones. my grandfather has the most extensive stamp collection i have ever seen. my grandmother collected fabric. i could go on and on but you get the point. well a few years ago, i was in my favorite {thrift/vintage/crap/hoarding} store of all time. and one of the the crazy old rednecks that ran the place was talking to another customer about amethyst bottles. i was drawn in instantly. and the next thing i knew i was standing there as if i was in line to be taught the ways of the bottle collector. from that moment on i was hooked. even now, years later i marvel at every amethyst bottle i find. this particular addition to my collection was a gift from one of the kindest people i know. jessica was with me through the early stages of my {obsession/collection}. she listened for hours as i would go on and on about these pre-industrial revolution beauties. where ever we went we were on the search for that glimmer of purple glass. it's so nice and amazing to me that friends like this exist. even though we now live far away, and she's on a travelers budget, her search still continues. now i can say that i have this bottle, which was found by one of my best friends in the cutest little shop in new haven, ct.

while we are on the subject of {presents/bottle obsessions}. mary has been on a creative spree...see her latest creation here. this lady sure knows how to make some beautiful treasures out of beach vacation memories. mary has been making these hand painted bottle and adorning them with shells. i can't get over the color and simplicity of this bottle. it is so perfect and so beautiful. maybe if we all ask nicely she would do a guest DIY for us?!?!?! mary!?!?!? please?!?!?

i mentioned a couple of weeks ago the impromptu trip to the gulf coast to visit with the family and celebrate with my sister. well this is the picture that my grandmother passed along to me that has become my new favorite picture from my childhood. this is me and my great grandfather, my childhood best friend. the house where the hubs and i live now reminds me constantly of the house that my great grandparents lived in when i was a kid. so it's nice to not only feel surrounded by them, but to also see them everyday.

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. a visit from my best friend mary, she travels down here for work quite often and we are always lucky to have her stop by for dinner and a visit. not to mention that she has always been my inspiration to be a better cook, so i was super pumped that she was here to taste test my mango experiment.

2. mango turnovers! check out this recipe for and easy and delicious mango treat.

3. a play date with the burton ladies. i just love these girls! and we had delicious egg salad sandwiches and spicy pickles.

4. getting the dino print in the mail for the boy. thanks to jessica sutton for the great print.

5. surprises in the mail box from my dear agnes.

6. finishing the boys birthday party invites.

7. street dreams. this movie has been on the "need to watch" list for quite some time. after so much anticipation waiting for it to become available, the hubs finally gave in a bought it on amazon.

8. watching the joy in the boys eye during his first bounce house experience.

9. luchador's and air blocks.

10. three day weekends. birthday parties, bbq's, beach trips, and porch parties. ahhhh.

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. a well spent $10 at world thrift. this exceeds my normal couple dollar budget, but i just couldn't turn these down. after doing a little research i think the fiesta ware purchase might be the buy of the year. i priced out one cup and saucer set at about $40. that was a very good $5 spent. and then the linen blazer that i got the hubs fit's like it was tailored for him. my trick worked! and the hubs got some sweet new digs for his birthday to wear under that blazer.

2. getting to see all my lake worth mommy buddies. i love all these inspiring and talented ladies! their maybe a surprise here in the future.....all depends on what the mommy ladies say.

3. swimming pool playdates.

4. turquoise violets first ever homemade giveaway. don't forget to enter for your chance to win.

5. my impromptu trip to orlando for two important ladies.

6. lady #1. my momma. sometimes i need my momma, but sometimes my momma needs me.

7. lady #2. my favorite lady, Ms. Z if ya nasty. we had a mini farewell party at house of blues to see the Darling Cavaliers. they were amazing. saying goodbye to Jess was not. i take that back. in the past few years she and i have become so much closer than friends. she is my teacher, my shoulder, my colleague, my therapist, my inspiration. and i could not be more proud that she is doing it. she is jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, and she is going to land on one foot with so much laughter and grace.

8. the hubs birthday. when i met the hubs there was a strictly enforced "no celebrating the birthday" rule. it brings the utmost joy to my heart to see how much he enjoys his birthdays now. i have worked hard over the past 5 years to make it that way.

9. some fantastic haircuts given out by your's truly. now if i could just corner the boy....he's looking like he needs a trim.

10. auditioning for the one month to win it contest. keeping my fingers crossed.