Harper's Bazaar, The September Issue

I don't subscribe to Harper's Bazaar, but I tend to like it. It's a good mix of high & low.

I really want some grey shoes. Loving them with textured, black tights. Will this be the year I start wearing high heels again? Maybe...

I circled that grey shirt towards the bottom because it's from American Eagle & it's only $19.50. Sold! You'll notice up towards the top a section on denim shirts. I got an email yesterday from Who What Wear also about denim shirts. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It reminds me of high school when I wore denim on denim, topped off with a denim jacket no doubt.

Up towards the top of this page, I circled the second look under Layered Pieces. I have two jackets pretty similar to the sequined one in this picture. I've never worn them because, well, they're sequined jackets. But this one paired with the solid sweater & military skirt kind of works. Hmm, maybe I'll try it...

Mary Katherine, you have some of these sequined jackets from Anjeanetta, too, right? What do you think? I could totally see you pulling it off. Not sure about me...

On this page, I flagged those Cole Haan boots (that I can't afford) & the belted grey cardigan. I tried to find a pair of boots like this last year, but couldn't find any that fit over my man-calves. I really want to find some this year, preferably ones that cost less than $448, Cole Haan...

I flagged this ad because I've never heard of these. Emergency flats that fit in your purse? Sold! Especially if I do start wearing heels again. It says they're available at Duane Reade & KushyFoot.com, but surely either Walgreens or Target has them. Surely...

This outfit is HOT. I obviously wouldn't wear such a low-cut top. No one wants to see that much of these behemoth double D's. But I'm totally wearing some version of this for fall.

I don't know if you can tell from this picture, but she's wearing a plaid button-down under the animal print vest. Love it!

Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday:
I got up & ran 3 miles on Belmont Blvd, actually I walked the majority of it because I was apparently still reeling from Thursday night.... Youngsters take heed, this is what happens after 30. You drink a little on Thursday & still feel bad on Saturday.

Later, I headed East to meet up with my book swap ladies at Rosepepper. It was pretty hot, but the margarita helped. I didn't go home with any new books this time, which is fine because I still have a ridiculous pile at home that I need to read. Plus, my Fall class starts tomorrow, which will cut down on my reading-for-pleasure time immensely.

That night, we grilled out & chilled at home. We ate grilled pork tenderloin & corn salad & I continued working my way through Dexter Season 4 while John planned our Sunday road trip.

Sunday:
John has been itching to hit the open road, so we took a road trip yesterday. We left the house around 10am, hit 4 states & were back home in time to watch the end of the Emmy's. Road trip blog post forthcoming.

Thursday Night's Alright For Fighting

Last night Chromeo played at the Cannery & How I Became the Bomb (with John) played a Hall & Oates cover set/after party at Mercy Lounge. I love Chromeo & I was excited about the show, but the crowd was horrible. It was a bunch of drugged-up Vandy kids. We kept getting pushed & elbowed, twice we got drenched in beer because some asshole behind us shook his beer & sprayed it all over the crowd. Twice. The show was awesome, it was just a test of patience.

Post Chromeo, we all head over to Mercy Lounge for the Hall & Oates after party. Everything is cool, we're all dancing & having fun. Whatever. But then the crowd from Chromeo starts coming in. There was this girl behind us who kept slamming into us, dancing way too hard for Hall & Oates & not even facing the stage. Also, she was wearing sunglasses. Seriously. We all kept turning around & giving her the eye (like you do), to no avail. Finally, I turned around & shouted, "Seriously? Enough!" & she got up in my face & I pushed her. Hard. It was like the Matrix; time stopped & everything went into slow motion. I saw my hands go out in front of me & then saw her fly through the air & land on the ground. Then, from the floor, she looks up at me & says, "Whyyyyyy?" with her sunglasses all askew. I turned to her friends & told them to take her outside & that was it.

I'm immediately mortified & wonder who all saw me do it, but just try & act like it didn't happen & enjoy the rest of the show. The show ends & we go backstage where I'm met with cheers & high fives because apparently EVERYONE on stage saw what happened & thinks it's hilarious. I'm humiliated & tell them to quit egging me on, that I shouldn't have done it, etc. & then John, who had been drinking for easily 6 hours at this point, turns to me & says, "Baby, I'm so proud of you." Hahaha.

Anyway, that's it. It's one of those stupid things that you think about doing a million times, especially if you go to a lot of live shows, but you never do it. Because you're a normal person with some modicum of self restraint. I'm worried now that I've done it that I've opened some sort of Pandora's box of vigilante club behavior & will start going to shows just so I can push people down. God.....

I found out later that apparently everyone in the crowd was on "Molly". I have no idea what Molly is. I think it's some hybrid form of ecstasy & meth, which explains a lot. I'm too old for this shit. Clearly, 34 is the age where I need to quit going to shows like this.

P.S. Chromeo is amazing! They watched the show & then hung out with everyone backstage for a good hour, at least. I kind of heart them.

Full fighting photostream here.

Elle, The September Issue

I let my subscription to Elle run out last year. I don't know why. I do really like this magazine, especially now that they cover some of the behind-the-scenes on The City. They have, in my opinion, the best mix of fashion & articles. And I LOVE the Ask E. Jean feature every month. Hmm, maybe I'll resubscribe. Anyway, here of some things in this month's Elle that caught my eye.

I always flag equestrian themed pages. I don't know why. I have zero affiliation with horses or riding apparel. I think it's the clean, classic feel of camel & leather that appeals to me. I have this awesome vintage silk scarf with horses on it - perfect for fall. Note to self: find that scarf!

The flash on my camera kind of ruined the richness of the fabrics on this page. The colors pop more in the magazine than they do in this picture. Regardless, I think this page does a good job of capturing the feel of fall: camel, suede, knit, leather, black, etc. Plus, those Pierre Hardy for Gap wedge booties (aka shooties) are HOT.

God, I can't wait to wear sweaters. Loving the thick, blue, belted cardigan up top, as well as the thin, blue belt added to the chunky, tan wool cardigan below it. And you know I love a textured, grey tight (see model). Love this page!

Clearly, military is huge for fall & this is Elle's take on how to wear it. Again, I love the combination of animal print & army green/black. I'm loving that green Banana Republic long-sleeved, v-neck with the animal print belt. And of course I covet that trench. I really need to invest in a traditional khaki trench. Mine is black & I love it, but sometimes a girl just needs khaki.

I love hair & makeup & usually flag pages like these. I like to switch my makeup up around this time of year, especially my eyeshadow. For fall, Elle suggests a maroon stain for your lips; bold brows (which I won't be participating in, thank you very much); red nail polish; & mega volume & bangs for hair. Duly noted.

I'm going through a huge Julia Roberts phase courtesy of Eat Pray Love. Her cover shoot pics in this issue are gorgeous. I flagged this one because a) she's beautiful & b) I'm rethinking liquid eyeliner. I tried it one summer about 2 years ago, liked it, but eventually let it go. After seeing this pic & this post on The Coveted this week, it may be time to pay a trip to Sephora...

Again, gorgeous! My flash washed this one out a little, too. It's much richer in the magazine. Beautiful Roberto Cavalli dress. "Price upon request" - oh, I have no doubt. Yay, fall!

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday:
I watched Invictus. It was pretty good for what it was. I don't regret watching it, but I don't know if I'd generally recommend it. I did like the message of the movie & wish I knew more about Nelson Mandela. This feels like a time when we could all use a little more love towards others, ahem Muslims.

Saturday:
I met my mom for fabric shopping & found two fabrics for pillows in our bedroom. One fabric will go on two accent pillows on the bed & the other will recover a little brown pillow in the orange chair. I love them & really wish I had taken pictures before my mom took them back to Smyrna so that my aunt can make them into pillows. Pics later!

That night, we met Mike & Chrissi for queso & cancer talk. It was the perfect balance of, "OMG, you have cancer!" and "OMG, you're not going to believe what happened at work last week." But seriously, for those of you who know Mike & Chrissi, please keep sending them positive thoughts & prayers, or a Whole Foods gift card. They've literally thrown everything in their house away & are going au natural. In telling us they've switched to Tom's Natural Deodorant, Mike, of course, wins the prize for quote of the night, "My armpits smell like Maine." Bless him.

After dinner, John & I watched Brothers. It was way more intense that I expected. I knew the one brother dies in Afghanistan, but I didn't know they showed all of that in the movie. I thought it was just about him dying & his brother stepping in, etc. Totally not what I thought it was, but really good movie, albeit super intense.

Sunday:
The only thing I did worth noting yesterday is eat an entire batch of snicker doodle cookies, aside from the few I let John eat. And not even the good kind. They're the peel & bake Publix brand. Shameful.....

Marie Claire, The September Issue

I don't subscribe to Marie Claire, but I tend to buy any magazine with an Olsen on the cover.

The outfit in this Banana Republic ad looks like the perfect fall outfit: ruffly blouse, cardigan (bonus points for color), trench, skinny jeans & flats. Love!

Make it work! I heart Tim Gunn & I'm totally buying his new book Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work. Apparently he's dishing some dirt as evidenced in his mocking of Isaac Mizrahi in #4 Don't Take Fashion Too Seriously.

I love the styling on this page: the hair, the makeup (especially the makeup) & the accessories. Love that necklace & the thin, bright belt.

I would never wear this, but I love the back-to-school feel of it. The top is Ralph Lauren, obvi, & the skirt is Marc Jacobs. I like her dark eyes, thick brow, severe part, silver hoops & red nails. Very classic.

I like the combination of colors & textures on this page. LOVE that Burberry watch in the center. If I could afford a $500 watch, that would be my watch. Pretty into that bag too, which, surprisingly, is Fossil from Macy's. Hmm... Still $168 though.

More military inspiration. Kind of love everything on this page, especially the sunglasses & bunny ring. Intrigued by the idea of softening this look up with a belted, animal-print cardigan. Noted!

Lucky, The September Issue

Lucky is the only fashion magazine I still subscribe to & this year's September issue doesn't disappoint. Below are a few things I flagged for fall inspiration.

I'm seeing these military jackets everywhere. This one in particular is from Kmart. That's right, Kmart. And! It's only $30. Get you one!

I flagged this black/striped shirt ensemble because I have all of these pieces, but would have never thought to put it together like this. Color me inspired.

I flagged this because, hello, could there be a page more my style? Camel, black & denim. Sign me up! I don't have a camel blazer, but I'm definitely in the market for one now. Thanks, Lucky!

Ever since my NYC trip last November & subsequent purchase of two pairs of Oxfords, I can't get enough of them. I bought a black pair & a tan pair, but I'd love a grey pair, maybe in suede.

I like the styling of this outfit: the structured, military jacket with the soft, flowy dress paired with dark tights & fierce high-heeled boots. Yes, I just said fierce. Apparently I'm channeling Tyra Banks today.

I love a red lip. I wear nude gloss 90% of the time, but don't think I don't have a stash of red lipsticks & glosses just awaiting their turn. I always flag pages like this for shopping reference. It's hard to find the right red for my coloring. My go-to red is Nars Lip Laquer in Diablo, but I'm always on the lookout for more.

I LOVE fall nail polish. Love! I have a good brown by MAC, but it needs to be replaced. I think this Little Brown Dress by Essie will do the trick. Pretty interested in the color above it, Sew Psyched, too. I love Essie. I think I bought their entire fall collection last year.

In the same vein, I'm pretty intrigued by OPI's Swiss Collection, particularly the color on the model, Yodel Me on My Cell. It looks like a soft peacock blue. The color/bottle beside it looks good, too: Ski Teal We Drop. Looks like it's time to get on Amazon & restock my nail polish supply.

Blog Love

I've been watching HGTV's Design Star this season & not loving it as much as past seasons, with the exception of Emily. She's my favorite contestant, because, of course, I'm convinced that if we knew each other, we'd be friends. I heart her. And I heart her blog that I just discovered. Each week she gives her own kind of behind-the-scenes wrap up on each episode. It's honestly making me like the show more. If only I had found her blog weeks ago.

Here are a few of my favorite posts:

You Guys Choose

Episode 9, Re-cap

I Blahg and Blahg, and well, Blahg

Martha and Mormons

Episode 7, Kitchen Challenge

And lastly, Emily's very first blog post, which I LOVE:

Hello there. I'm Emily. And this is my blog. Welcome.

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I've been neglecting my blog lately. I just don't have much going on. All I'm doing is reading & watching TV & there are only so many book/movie review posts a girl can write. I'm working on a big post about all the September issues, but I need to make myself sit down & actually do it. Plus, I'm envisioning takings pics of pages I like & I don't know how to do this in way that will look good, a la Bright Bizarre. I don't do Photoshop, so I know my layout will look amateur. Oh, the horror.

Also, very good friends of ours got some scary health-related news this week & although they don't get the lab results until early next week, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around why bad things always happen to good people.

On a much less serious note, we unexpectedly had to spend around $500 on our house this week. Later, when it's funny, I'll refer to this as The Day The Plumbing Died. Post forthcoming, hopefully from Mister Mule, as he's the one who actually dealt with this all week while I was at work wishing we were rich & then getting mad at myself for wishing we were rich & wondering when the eff I'm going to find a job.

Like I said, it's been a weird week. But it's Saturday & I'm meeting my mom for shopping in a couple of hours. If anything can pull me out of this funk, it's retail therapy. So Operation Turn This Frown Upside Down starts now. I'll report back.

The Baldwins Are High Tech, Ya'll

Being the only people in the world without a flat screen TV, my parents offered us their old one when they upgraded recently. We drove out there on Sunday to pick it up. We've been talking about putting a TV in our bedroom for awhile. Since our existing TV is too big to put in our there, we put the new flat screen TV in the bedroom & left the big, old beast downstairs.

As you can see, we put a lot of time into the placement of the TV, ha ha. We just sat it on the dresser. Well actually, we sat it on top of a DVD player, on top of the dresser, but you get the point. At some point in the immediate future, I'm going to paint the dresser & put new drawer pulls on. We may also wall mount the TV, especially if we end up running cable, getting a cable box, etc.

Anyway, this is it. For now. I'll post more pics later after I paint the dresser, etc.

Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday:

Woke up early & met Alexis at the Downtown Y for Spin. Spin room was unbearably hot, as usual. Went to The Wax Pot Studio to see Lynette & further complain about the ridiculous heat. Then I went to Green Hills to meet Mary Katherine & Cara for Starbucks & Eat Pray Love. I read Eat Pray Love back when it first came out & I liked it okay, but I loved the movie. The movie skims over the parts of the book I remember not liking, like all the meditation/India stuff. The movie shows enough of India to get the point across, but not as much as the book. The movie shows a lot of Italy & a lot of Bali/Javier Bardem. God, Javier Bardem. I could watch 2 1/2 hours of just him. I recommend seeing this movie, even if you a) didn't read the book, or b) didn't love the book. It's a really good movie.

Sunday:

My parents bought a new flat screen tv & offered to give us their old one, so we drove to Smyrna to pick it up. My sister was there with the twins, who are unbelievably already 6 months old. They're pretty funny. Unlike my sister's other two daughters, the twins appear to be brunettes, & despite being fraternal twins, they're still identical. My sister swears she can tell them apart by their eyes, but I didn't see it.

Back at home, John put the tv up in our bedroom while I made chocolate chip cookies, which we promptly devoured. We had steak for dinner (of course we did). John has been perfecting his steak cooking skills & last night was definitely the best they've ever been. They tasted like restaurant steaks! I don't know the whole process, but it involves a cast iron skillet & a lot of smoke. Whatever he does, it works. OMG, those steaks were so good. But yes, yesterday was the day where I ate nothing but chocolate chip cookies & steak. Needless to say, I'll be hitting the gym pretty hard today.

Those Who Live Within Their Means Suffer From a Lack of Imagination

I read a NY Times article yesterday about how a lot of people are finding that they're happier spending less. In the article, we meet Tammy & Logan. Three years ago, at 31, they gave up the rat race in California & moved to Portland, OR to live simpler. They decided to give away pretty much everything they own (including their cars & TV -gasp!) & to keep 100 items. Tammy kept 4 plates, 3 pairs of shoes and 2 pots. They live off $24,000 a year & paid off over $30,000 in debt. The article says now that their debt is paid off, they have money to travel & contribute to their nephews' & nieces' college funds. Tammy, who was a project manager with an investment management firm, now spends her days working as a freelance web designer & writer, being outdoors, & volunteering. Logan is finishing up school.

“The idea that you need to go bigger to be happy is false,” Tammy says. “I really believe that the acquisition of material goods doesn’t bring about happiness.”

The article is 4 pages long, but I highly recommend reading it. It also delves into how spending money on experiences as opposed to material goods, makes you happier in the long run. This particularly hit home for me because with summer drawing to a close, pretty much everyone I know has gone on some kind of vacation, albeit a staycation or a 2 week stay in South Africa, while we have gone nowhere. We've talked about it, but every time I start adding up how much a vacation will cost, I decide that if we're going to spend $____ on something, it should be on the kitchen/bathroom/etc.

I don't know when I became this person (neither does the Citibank card that I'm still carrying a balance on from the 2 years I lived in NYC over 7 years ago). I used to live in the moment. Spend now, worry later. I actually have a magnet on my refrigerator that says, "Those Who Live Within Their Means, Suffer From a Lack of Imagination." I guess it was a way to make myself feel better about having over $10,000 in debt & nothing to show for it but 2 years worth of clothes from H&M & a partially deteriorated liver.

I'm 34; I'm married; I own a house; I spend countless hours a week scrolling home blogs & saving inspiration pictures to a folder on my Desktop. I just spent $130 on sheets. Sheets! Sheets that no one sees except me & John. At night. In the dark.

I only get paid once a month, so after I allot for how much money goes to bills, etc., I divide the remaining amount by 4 (4 weeks in a month) & then spend the month deciding what I can buy when. It's like a month long roulette game: "Okay, if I buy the sheets & don't eat out for lunch, I can probably buy a cheap-ish duvet by the end of the month, and possibly 2 throw pillows. Crap, something's wrong with my car (again). Okay, fix car & buy duvet next month. Shit, the shower broke & we have to hire a plumber. Grrrr. I need a duvet!"

Seriously. All the time. It never stops. Not to mention, anytime anyone is in our house, I'm wondering what they're thinking about what we've spent money on & what we haven't. Our kitchen floor is heinous, but we have $130 sheets. Did they notice the sheets? Shit, if they went upstairs, they noticed how crappy our bathroom is, too. Ugh....

Anyway.... this article made me feel like an asshole, & a super materialistic one at that. I can't imagine paring down my possessions to a mere 100 items. Shit, my makeup & hair products alone would eat up half of that. But I can certainly back off a little on buying things for our house. We've only lived here 2 years, it's not like it's supposed to be perfect. Plus, I really want to get out of town, even it's only for a long weekend. I've had a rough summer. I need to re-charge.

So this is definitely a work in progress sort of thing, but I'm glad I read this article. I think I needed the wake-up call.

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday:
I have a lot of friends whose husbands are in bands & when they go on tour, these ladies get together & hang out. They usually eat, drink & play poker. A few years ago they invited me to join them. I can't play poker, but I can definitely eat & drink. We actually rarely play poker anymore, but we do continue to get together on a pretty regular basis. On Friday night, I had the girls over to my house. We ate, drank & talked until 1:00am.

Saturday:
Carolyn & I cashed in our Groupon for a mani/pedi at Illusion Nail Spa in Green Hills. They were so rude! Don't go. Apparently they're mad about how much business they're getting because of the Groupon. The ladies at the front desk were okay, but while I was picking out my color & waiting on Carolyn, this other lady kept coming over & asking if I was ready & where was my friend. I told her my friend was parking & would be in in a minute, translation: chill the eff out. She made me go sit down in a pedicure chair & she put me next to someone when I had expressly asked for us to be seated together. She yelled at me & pointed to this poor girls' freshly painted toes & said, "She almost done; sit down!".

Carolyn walks in, a mere 6 minutes late, & they immediately usher her to the chair next to me. She asks if she can go pick out a color &, I kid you not, the lady looked at the clock & rolled her eyes. Then as our punishment, they make us sit unattended for almost 20 minutes. The little tech who actually did my nails was really nice & she did a good job, but I was so mad by the time she started, I almost left. Her name is Song, so if you do go, ask for her. Good magazines, good colors (OPI & Essie) & free wine, but bitches!

That night, John & I walked next door to Korea house then came back home & watched Shutter Island. OMG, ya'll. Has anyone else seen this movie? So good!

Sunday:
We didn't really do anything yesterday. It was too hot. I've been wanting to make pork tenderloin for awhile now, but haven't because I saw an episode of Good Eats where Alton Brown emphasized how important it is to get all this weird, silvery skin off before you cook it. I had no idea you could buy them sans skin, & pre-marinated at that! I bought one of the circumcised, pre-marinated tenderloins at Trader Joe's & John grilled it using his handy, new meat thermometer. OMG, it was so good! And easy! Pork tenderloin is totally going into the rotation.

Book Review: The Carrie Diaries

To give my brain a break after The Millennium Trilogy, I picked up Candace Bushnell's latest book, The Carrie Diaries. It's the story of Carrie Bradshaw, pre-SATC. Carrie is in her last year of high school, applying to college & trying to get into a summer writing program in NYC (she lives in Connecticut). She has a group of friends very similar to her later-in-life adult friends on SATC. She even has a high school version of Mr. Big, Sebastian Kydd.

It was easy for me to envision the Carrie in this book as a 16 year old version of the character I spent years watching on HBO. Young Carrie has an eye for fashion, quick wit, corny one-liners, big vocabulary & a desire to understand, & write about, basic human behavior.

I've heard mixed reviews about this book. I've heard people say they were let down by the portrayal of young Carrie, but I liked it & I found it totally believable. I wouldn't say you should rush out & buy/read this book, you can definitely live without it, but if you're a die hard SATC fan like I am, who secretly TiVos the re-runs on TBS, then you'll probably enjoy this book. It's a quick read, perfect for a long weekend beach trip.

Movie Review: The Girl Who Played With Fire

This was my favorite book of the three, so I had high hopes for the movie. I really liked it. It's not as violent as the first movie, but it's violent. Also, there's a pretty gratuitous sex scene between Lisbeth & Mariam. The movie hits all the major plot points in the book. Obviously, they have to cut a lot out, but the big things are there.

Here's what's missing. The movie leaves out the intro of the book where she's in the Caribbean, the hurricane hits, she kills a man, etc. Also, the local police play a much smaller role in the movie, than they do in the book. Armansky & Milton Security are hardly referenced in the film. He's only in one short scene, unlike the book where he's an integral part in the investigation. Lastly, they never reference her twin sister in the movie. Not sure if that's intentional for purposes of the third movie or if they just think it's irrelevant.

Other than those things, it's pretty spot on. I'd definitely go see it. It's playing at the Belcourt this week through next Thursday, August 12th.

Viva la Sweden!

New West Elm Sheet Set - Finally!

New West Elm Stripe Sheet Set. Ordered on June 26th. Received on August 2nd. Thanks, West Elm.... I'm pretty excited about these sheets. My plan is to design the rest of the room around them. I'm debating changing the wall color. I really do love the gold, but I also love this color Carolyn used in her dining room called Silver Sage. It's from Restoration Hardware, but she got Home Depot to match it. I'm torn.....

This is just our down comforter. I need to buy a white duvet cover & shams. And possibly a bedskirt. White or grey bedskirt? Target has both. I'm leaning towards white. Thoughts on the lamps? I want to keep our nightstands, but I could go either way on the lamps. They're not bad, but they're not awesome.

I bought two of these Dwell Studio throw pillows from Target. You can't see it, but our hallway is that blue color. I thought this pillow may tie it all in, but it really doesn't. It's a cute pillow, but I think I can find something better for the bed. Sorry pillows, you're going back to Target.

Our bedroom has nothing hanging on the walls. I have a bunch of prints saved in my Favorites on Etsy that I need to buy & have framed. I also need a new pillow for the orange chair. Does the orange chair still work in this room?

This is John's old dresser. It works fine, but it needs to be painted. If I leave the walls yellow, I'm thinking, per Carolyn's suggestion, of painting the dresser grey. If I paint the walls Silver Sage, then I may paint it the color the walls are now. Thoughts? I'll also get new knobs, obvi.

This is the view into our bathroom. The bathroom needs a complete overhaul, but when we moved in, we just painted it brown & moved on. At the least, the floor tiles & counter need to be replaced, but ideally, we'd love to gut the whole thing. I digress. Wondering if I should leave the bathroom brown & just re-paint it whenever we redo it or paint it now & possibly a third time later.... Definitely need a new shower curtain though now that the brown bedding is gone.

Things I'm Keeping:

Headboard

Nightstands

Dresser

Things I Can Change:

Wall color

Bedside lamps

Things I Need:

White duvet cover, shams, bedskirt

Art on the walls

New accent pillows (bed & chair)

Before bedroom pics here. Way before pics here. Room inspiration here. And here.

The Coolest House in East Nashville

I'm so excited! Carolyn's house is featured on Pure and Noble today. I guess I'm going to have to get used to seeing my BFF's house all over the interwebs.

Link Love:

Carolyn on Pure and Noble

Carolyn's Blog

Carolyn's Flickr

Congrats Carolyn! Now come help me make-over my master bedroom, haha.

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday:
I watched I've Loved You So Long on DVD. I really liked this movie. It's French & it's about two sisters (one of which is played by Kristen Scott Thomas) who haven't seen each other in 15 years because the older sister has been in prison for murdering her son. Upon her release, she goes to stay with her younger sister until she gets back on her feet. It's basically the story of how these two sisters relearn how to interact with each other. Highly, highly recommend it, especially if you have sisters.

Saturday:
On Saturday, I went to Marche with Jaime. I had the pork belly sandwich, omgsogood! In an attempt to burn some calories, we did a little shopping. I bought some work-out clothes & random kitchen stuff, i.e. fridge door herb storage container, plastic onion keeper, magnetic cooking measurement conversion chart, etc. I also bought these kitchsy animal flash cards from the dollar bin at Target that I'm trying to figure out what to do with....

On Saturday night, we picked Caryn up from the airport & went to Mexican with Ali & Jon. A pitcher of margaritas & two pitchers of beer later, we made our way to The 5 Spot where I had the epiphany that 34 is the age where you cease being able to tell the difference between hipsters & vagabonds. I'm talking to you, mustachioed guy at the bar, wearing a way too big tank top leaving your entire rib cage exposed, loose fitting acid washed jeans & mismatched canvas slip-ons that you potentially stole from prison while serving time for child molestation.

Sunday:
On Sunday, I dragged myself out of bed & ran the 3-mile Belmont Blvd loop. I didn't realize I still had on my make-up from the night before until I got back home, looked in the mirror & saw Alice Cooper staring back at me. Hard times....

Last night John & I made beef lo mein (so good!) & watched the Paul McCartney special on PBS. Sir Paul won the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song & played at The White House. It was really good. I especially loved Dave Grohl's cover of "Band On the Run". Good stuff.

This one's for you, Emotional Mullet:

Watch the full episode. See more In Performance at The White House.