inside, out and about.

back to life. back to reality.

// they serve you bubbly when you board in virgin atlantic's upper class cabin. loving it. //

i've spent the last couple of weeks on vacation.  and, it was GLORIOUS!  why, oh why don't i do that more often?!

on this trip, i went to london. one of my absolute favorite places in the world.  i caught up with some wonderful friends. (even had an unexpected catchup with a friend who happened to be in town from san francisco!) but, most of the time i was in slippers, sipping tea, and reading books. loving it.

but...it's back to the office today. and, oh my...my inbox is a beast.

le sigh.  

#readyforlove: a rockstar kind of love

disclaimer: the wine and packing made me do it.

so...i'm packing for a trip to california...and drinking wine...and watching tv.  watching ready for love, to be exact.  

three matchmakers find a bushel of ladies for three eligible bachelors.  first up, tim lopez from the plain white tees.  (side note: until the band did a private show for tim's gals, i couldn't have named a song. anyhoo... he's cute.)

back to the bushel of ladies...one of tim's ladies is a "friend" he's known for six years or so.  and, while part of me kind of admires the leah character* for her nora ephron-like gesture**...the other part of me is like, 'WHAT IS HAPPENING?!'  i'd be so mad if i were one of the other ladies in the bushel, i'd stuff her in a trunk.

spoiler. tim sent leah home.  and, good for him. i get it...from both perspectives.  if it hasn't happened by now...move on.

*yes...she's kind of a character in my mind, because a big part of me doesn't believe this is actually happening.

**'i've loved you from afar for so long (read: six years), but if i don't say something now i'll lose you forever.

photo courtesy of nbc.

like a boss...question mark?

have you ever thought of starting your own business? my sister, erin is the entrepreneurial one in the family.   and, i'm risk-averse.  

though, i'm giving it a lot more thought recently.  i've been mulling over the spark of an idea.

what do i want to be when i grow up?  i don't know...but i do know i am not going to be working in a cubicle.  

for now...back to the box. happy friday! :]

Make It Your Own: On the Rocks Necklace

About a month ago, when Spring fashions first started appearing in stores (insane!), I noticed rhinestone necklaces everywhere.  Urban Outfitters had three (1/2/3)!  I fell hard...but I couldn't commit.  

I loved the idea. I loved the shapes. ... but, I just caaaaaaaaaan't get behind pastels and I wasn't 100% sold on so many colored stones in one necklace.    And, I needed a Plan B.

Plan B:  Make your own!  Genius.

too beautiful NOT to pass on: DIY pressed flower phone case

those are real flowers.  

i don't think you heard me... THOSE.ARE.REAL.FLOWERS!!!

little epiphanies.

guys. srsly. i can't tell you how many half written diy blog posts i have in my queue.

little epiphany #1.  i'm a do-er.  

little epiphany #2.  i'm not a writer *and* a do-er.

... that's as far as i got. :]

good times.

what's your curly personality?

i haven't got a clue what my 'curly personality' is.  and, every book, magazine and hair blog i read i trying to tell me that it's in there...somewhere.   i'm dubious.

they also say, this is a journey.  that, i believe.  one that involves a lot of product.

how long before my hair does something different???  there may braids in the spring.

on the streets of philadelphia. federal donuts.

i was in philly recently, for a work event to hang out with my friend, matt.  there were laughs, drinks and federal donuts.

kids.

kids!

i mean, come!on!  

chicken and waffles has NOTHING chicken wings and hot donuts.  i don't know if federal donuts has a lock on this concept, but i guarantee that they're doing it better than anyone else.  i stuffed myself, then carried around a box of more chicken and donuts to be consumed later in the day.

in l-o-v-e, love with the chili garlic wings (made fresh!) and strawberry-lavender donut (made fresh!).  there was a whole lot of hot, spicy, sticky, sweet in my morning...and i want it that way, e'erday.

philly, i love you.  

federal donuts, i love you more.  will you be my valentine?

i'm allliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!

my sister called me at work today...not unusual.  she called, however, to call me out on my blog.  where have i been???  am i alive?

sorry, kids.  the last few posts of the year were pretty dire. i was in a bad spot...but things are looking up!  (hence, the photo of me looking up at the disco ball on the bathroom ceiling at the doughnut plant.)

new project. new hair. new attitude.

boom! 

dollars and sense.

money. it's been the topic of a lot of conversations recently.  i guess at the start of the year, folks are just as worried about their bank accounts, as they are about the waistlines.  

last year, i decided to get smart about my money and consulted with a financial advisor.  luckily, my bank offers financial advising services for free.  and, i worked with someone who doesn't get a commision based on the advice they give, so i felt like the information i was getting was unbiased.  i've passed on the basics to a few friends, so i thought i'd share that advice here, as well.**