Off We Go

 

There is something about New York in October that seems so lovely - and I'm anxious to go get my hands on it. The trip will be full of family and activities, but I'm most excited about sneaking away with Joel for a few days. 

And here's hoping I can steal a little of fall while we're there so I can take it home with us.

Until Monday.

xo

Because I'm Happy snapshots

 

Thanks to the Friends & Family sale I finished my wedding china set (seating for 12 even though I'm expecting 14 for Thanksgiving....). Of course I had to rip everything open and just get a feel for it. I can't wait to see it all officially done up for Thanksgiving!

 

The set, tablecloth & napkins are all Waterford and my placemats are Chilewich. That silly black dot that shows up on my pictures is because I'm still rocking the 4g iphone which needs to be replaced sooner than later!

We didn't want a big dinner on Friday so we hit up a wine bar (Bodega), had small plates and a bottle of wine which is our version of perfect.

Repeat offender here, but....BABIES and PUPPIES?

Speaking of puppies. I got my first "daycare-ish" note when Roscoe and was so proud I had to send the note to Joel. We're doomed as actual parents.

Joel's been dragging me out of bed at 5:45 to join him for track workouts at UCLA's Drake Stadium. I bike over with him while he runs and then we run a few fast miles. It's actually pretty fun working out with all of the ROTC and UCLA cheerleaders, but holy hell do I need an afternoon coffee come 3pm. 

Work it Girl

Another week, another heat wave, but I gave up caring a few weeks ago. I'm cranking our a/c and breaking out my sweaters - I just couldn't wait.

Work It Girl

 

 Monday

 

Gap leggings, loft tank, old navy sweater, KS necklace, TB flats

Tuesday 

 

J.crew shirt, Zara scarf, AG jeans, RL sandals

Wednesday 

  

Gap tank, j.brand jeans, TB sandals

Thursday 

 F.21 button down, Gap leggings, TB flats

Friday

 

Zara blouse, J.crew pants, Bandolino wedges

I'm so excited for our trip to New York this week. I've been trying to find a few fun pieces for our trip and I decided to go a little wild and try booties. They are super comfortable, I just need to figure out exactly how to wear them.

 

5 on Friday

 

:::1:::

 

You know what helps a shitty day? A case load of our favorite Milbrandt Vineyards. They had a stellar case deal go through their email list, and I think we got each bottle for something like $17 dollars a bottle. If you are in need of delicious and affordable wine, this is a safe bet.

:::2::: 

We leave for NY next Thursday and I am officially excited!! I love the idea of New York in the fall and we have so many fun things planned for our long weekend there. We booked dinner on Friday night at The Breslin  (after drinks with my girl Mallory), Saturday we are spending the day in Westchester and then hoping to snag a table at Ardesia or Waverly Inn. Sunday is a full family day; we're hoping to take our niece and nephew out and then we our celebrating Joel's Aunt's wedding. It'll go quick but I'm so excited for a fun weekend away. 

:::3:::

And, to prepare for our trip, I'm spending my lunch hour today at Bloomingdales to take advantage of the Friends and Family sale.

:::4:::

Umm, caught a few new TV pilots this week, and let's just say I was really disappointed. 

Selfie and Manhattan Love Story?

If they last longer than 3 episodes I'm going to fall of my damn chair.

:::5:::

Tonight Joel and I are heading to our favorite wine bar in Santa Monica - Bodega - and then Saturday we're watching football, making pizzas, and enjoying a chill weekend. 

Because I'm Happy Snapshopts

I want to try and snap happy and simple pics throughout the week. I capture our fun weekends, but sometimes the basic and candid moments of the week go unnoticed. To be honest, most of those little moments are actually my favorite, so I'm going to attempt to keep better record of my weekday happies.


 I had an anxious Monday and woke up on Tuesday morning to a full coffee pot, sweet mug, and touching note from Joely. He turned my whole week around

  
One of the fortunate perks of working from home, is that I can substitute nanny when friends are in need. Shelby's nanny had pink eye, so while she took a lunch meeting, I got to hang out with her cute son Tucker. Baby time is good for the soul.

Come 5:30, Roscoe knows that "Dad" is close to coming home. He can see the front door from this spot in the guest room, so he will set up shop until his BFF returns home from the day. It absolutley melts me. 

I made April's Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in the crockpot for dinner an dannnng were they good. I served them with a chopped coleslaw and our dinner was a hit. Any dinner that takes 15 minutes of prep is a win in my book.

I missed out on a margarita happy hour with friends, great books, new fall TV, and workouts that made me tick, but I hope to keep up this tradition and get better at noticing and documenting all of the small blessings over the week. 

Work It Girl

Work It Girl

 

We're Monday-less this week again.

And I'm sooooooo over my summer clothes. I'm sick of the same looks and I'm ready to layer and break into my boots and jeans. Here's hoping this is the last LA heat wave of 2014. 

 

Tuesday

 

*New* j.crew jacket, Old Navy dress, Toms Wedges & Kendra Scott earrings

 

Wednesday

  

Jcrew skirt, target tank, F21 necklace

Thursday

 

Roxy dress, Banana Republic belt, RL sandals

 Friday

 

Calson jacket, Banana Repbulic tank, gap jeans, TB wedges

How do you stay present while planning for the future?

Weekends move at warp speed, months fly by before I've been able to enjoy them, and all of a sudden a year has gone by in the blink of an eye.

We have so much on our calendar I feel like my mind is always on next week's schedule, or next month's dinner party, or organizing next year's vacation. With my mind always three steps ahead of my body, I've been in this constant state of anxiety where I feel like time is slipping through my fingers.

I'm not enjoying right now, because in my mind, it's already gone. It's already Christmas and it's already next year and I'm already sad it's gone.

I have trips that I haven't taken, 3 in October almost back to back, and the anxiety of being gone is already getting to me...and I haven't even left yet.

Do you find that this happens to you? I think it might be something that a lot of women struggle with, but how do you enjoy today without worrying about tomorrow?

Give me your tips wise women (and Dalai Lama)

 

Weekend Recap

On Friday, as I was driving home from my last meeting for the week I caught a Baskin Robbins in my rear view window and literally pulled the most extreme U-turn possible. I'm not normally one who is tempted by drive thru's or fast food, so I sort of surprised myself as I pulled in. There was literally no stopping me. I ate my scoop of butter pecan alone in the car, felt somewhat insane - but holy cow did it hit the spot.

That night we met up with my cousins for dinner at our favorite spot, Picca. They make insanely delish drinks and the bartender David was even a Chicago boy, so we were warmly received. 

 

After dinner - the five of us came back to our house and played Trivial Pursuit Party and watched youtube videos until we polished off too many bottles of wine.

I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

Saturday morning was the Tennessee v. Georgia game, and since the games start at 9am out here, we decided to make a celebratory breakfast for it.

 

We never did crack into that champagne, especially since the Vols lost, but I did get to enjoy my first pumpkin coffee of the season which did not dissappoint.

   

I snuck out for a happy hour with my girl Shelby after the game, was home by 5:30 and then , and then Joel and I had a low key night at home.

Sunday morning we were up early for another training run. Joel has been such a great running buddy for me. He's pushed me out the door for countless runs, and for long ones he will come run with me. I'm not sure I could get my butt (and keep my butt) out there for 9 miles if it weren't for him. 

We powered through and then pretty much hung out on the couch all day Sunday. The weather was absolutely glorious and actually cool enough to wear sweaters and light candles - so our Sunday was pretty lovely.

Next week is the last slow/unplanned week we have before our crazy October arrives so I'm trying to soak in these nice fall days as much as I can. Here's to another week!

Friday's Five

 ::: 1 ::: 

My cousin Ryan has been in town all week and we've had so. much. fun. It's been years since I've had days of quality time with my cousins Ryan and Erin (who just moved to LA) and boy have I missed it. I've tried to sneak out for morning walks with them, happy hours, and had them over for dinner on Tuesday when she arrived. I know not a lot of people have close cousins, and I can't imagine life without mine. I got really luck in that department.

 

 

:::2:::

My all-time favorite jean jacket from J.crew went missing after my trip to Chicago. I hadn't noticed it until Monday of this week because it's been so damn hot, and when I realized it wasn't in this apartment I went buck crazy. I searched everywhere and almost broke into tears when it didn't turn up. I called J.Crew corporate and they had 3 left,  of the light color I wanted, in their warehouse (by some Grace of God). I got it for a really great price, ordered a new one, and all is right in the world again.

:::3:::

Did you guys catch the premiere of The Voice? It was so good. Pharrell was adorable, I'm obsessed with the banter between Adam and Blake and I actually liked Gwen Stefani (who I have never liked before). The short stories before the contestants go on are a little depressive -- especially if they don't make it -- but overall I was so impressed with the raw talent that show finds. Such a fun addition to my Bravo Reality shows. 

:::4:::

The fragility of life has become a painful reminder - and what I can't help but think is - "relax, laugh, do it, go for it, travel, buy the damn bag, drink that bottle of wine, sleep in, stay up late, jump...". Life is short, normally whenever it ends, so live it up.

:::5:::

Besides a fun goodbye dinner for my cousin Ryan tonight, we are watching football, grabbing happy hour with friends, getting my 9-miler done, and staying home. Should be another good one for the books; and we are lucky for that. Have a great weekend.