..::Shiny New Beginnings::..

Oh how I love the bittersweet feeling of the end of the year. 2010 was an amazing year for me. I mean how many people do you know who traveled the world and got paid to do it? I'm not bragging, just simply saying, dreams do come true. I can only hope that 2011 will be just as spectacular if not better, which I have a feeling it will be. I have so many exciting endeavors in the works and so much to be thankful for. Looking forward to a fun filled night with friends and a certain Texas hottie. May tonight find you wearing something sparkly, sipping something bubbly, and kissing someone sexy. I know I will be.

..::Wrapped Up::..

A few days before Christmas and I've finally finished my shopping and wrapping. Its feeling more official each day...the year is wrapping up. Now its time to pack my bags and head home for a few days for some relaxation with the ones I love most.

..::When it Rains::..

When it rains, it POURS. And when there is a drought...well I don't really know about those. When I was a little girl I loved to play "pretend." I'd run around the house dressed up in all sorts of ridiculous outfits and dream up the most impossible things. The most awesome part of growing up is when your dreams of "pretend" end up coming true. Better yet when real life is better than all your pretend dreams put together. Today life threw another surprise at me, which just goes to show that when one door slams shut another one will soon open. I love it when things just work out in unexpected ways aka "my way."

PC: ffffound.com

..::Blue Christmas::..

To say that things get a little crazy at the end of the year would be an understatement to most everyone I know. However this year the craziness just keeps getting crazier. Time is flying by and the holiday season is almost over. I feel as if I haven't even had a minute to enjoy it. Perhaps I've been in the holiday spirit far too long since work has been a non stop holiday extravaganza since September. What ever the reason for my Christmas blues, something seems a miss this year and I just can't put my finger on it. If I had it my way I'd take myself down to the beach, plop myself in the sand and stare at the sky until summer arrived. But alas, there are gifts to be bought and wrapped and parties to attend. In an effort to pull myself from this un-holiday daze I plan to spend all day Friday finishing my shopping, tying my bows, and drinking festive adult beverages before noon while taunting those who are slaving away at their desks. Thank goodness for a short work week this week.

PC: ffffound.com

..::SSB::..

SSB = Secret Single Behavior. You know things that you can only do behind the locked door of your own apartment.

Things like sitting on the couch with a glass of wine while eating a whole pomegranate and calling it dinner.

I can't do these things in front of anyone else....they might think I'm weird.

PC: tumbler.com

..::I'm Evil::..

Somedays I just feel like this for no particular reason. Today was one of those days.

PC: tumbler.com

..::Ho-Ho-Holiday::..

I'll be attending my first holiday party of the season tmrw night and I'm contemplating a dramatic new look. In my experience, nothing cures the blah-blah-blahs like high heels and new lipstick. Maybe I'll try something in the red family - speaking of red I've become obsessed with Pinot Noir. I guess I've been feeling rather "dark" the past few days, but I have a feeling that's all about to change.

PC: Maybelline New York

..::Game OVER::..

I'm alive, I promise. Back to the regularly scheduled program soon, just in case anyone is starting to seriously wonder.

PC: ffffound.com

..::Calm Before the Storm::..

Oh how I love waking up early on the weekend. I love to sit and drink my coffee in bed and plan my day and just enjoy the quiet moments to myself. Life can get kind of noisy, esp this time of year with the crowds and the holiday music everywhere you turn. I like to think of waking up early and drinking my coffee in bed as my own sort of meditation, it helps get me centered. On the agenda today....CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. Somewhat dreading it and somewhat looking forward to it. I haven't a clue what to get 50% of the people on my list, but I'm hoping once I throw myself out into the holiday madness that I'll figure it all out and who knows maybe I'll even do a little shopping for myself. I heart December.

PC: Tumbler.com

..::Pretty Little Disasters::..

I am in desperate need of nails like this. I need to learn how to do this myself. I have a feeling its going to be a weekend full of holiday shopping and DIY distractions. I don't know what I'm doing, but I know it feels right for right now, but its going to be one LONG weekend if I don't keep myself busy.

PC: Unknown

..::Wish-list Wednesday::..

When I woke up today there was only one thing on my Wish-list.....AN ADVENT CALENDAR. I knew that finding one might prove to be a little difficult as in years past, but then there was a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE today. I was leaving work and ran in to get a parking validation at one of my fav stores (Cost Plus World Market) and low and behold there was a display of advent calendars at the front of the store. I literally almost ran right into it. Naturally that prompted me to take a little trip through the entire holiday section, because who can ever really purchase one item when they shop? Not this girl. Especially under the recent circumstances I've been dealing with. I came straight home, opened my bottle of wine, decorated my tree, and ate the first piece of chocolate from the box with the #1 on it. Today was a success. Now its time to fill out the stack of Holiday cards that sit in front of me. This year I think I'll just write:

"Merry-Happy FUCKING-WHATEVER."

PC: Lolita

..::Heart's Don't Break Even::..

Heart broken and not much else to write. This about says it all. I'll be back soon.

PC: Tumbler.com

Artwork: Lolita

..::Wish-list Wednesday::..

I've been lusting after this gold metallic Marc Jacobs Quilted Bow bag for a few weeks now. The little bow with the stud in the middle has totally stolen my heart....who knows maybe it will even steal my paycheck...

PC: Nordstroms.com

..::Go Fish::..

Every once in a while I need to remind myself that there's more sushi in the sea, but then again I'm quickly reminded that LaLa Land isn't quite the sea I'd like it to be. It's more of a pond. Today I'm sick of fishing, you know what I mean?

PC: tumbler.com

Artwork: Lolita

..::P is for P-A-R-T-Y::..

It's my PARTY and I'll cry if I want to....WAIT, WHAT?!!? There's no crying allowed on your birthday, well not my birthday at least. Lolopalooza 2010 has been amazing so far and just because today is my actual birthday doesn't mean its over! I still have one more celebration back home with all my friends and family next week and I couldn't be more excited. I have a feeling that this year is going to be the most FABULOUS year yet. Why, you ask? BECAUSE I woke up today and just felt like I was going to take over the world. Its a great feeling. Can't wait to see what adventures the day brings...watch out BOSTON!

PC: Rue Magazine

..::I'm a FIREWORK::..

Dear Katy Perry,

Thank you for this song. It totally made my day today.

For a split second, I almost forgot who I was, but you're right.

I AM A FIREWORK. Now excuse me while I go and give someone

a piece of my mind.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting through the wind

Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin

Like a house of cards

One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep

Six feet under scream

But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow

And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

It's always been inside of you, you, you

And now it's time to let it through

PC: ffffound.com

Lyrics: Katy Perry

..::Wish-list Wednesday::..

Naturally since its my birthday week all I can think about are things that sparkle. Yesterday I wore my sparkly ballet flats to work and that definitely lifted my spirits throughout the day. Today I'm lusting after this gorgeous ring from Anthropologie. I love the hammered gold setting and twisted band. I need this in my life. Perhaps I'll walk down the street and try it on today. Its a lovely November day to not be working.

PC: Anthropologie.com

..::Dreamland::..

When it rains, it pours. Sometimes in my imagination, when it rains, it rains couture gowns. Other times it rains with the sudden attention of the wrong parties. Last week was kind of crazy for me. Pasadena one day, Newport Beach the next, Wednesday-Friday in Vegas, a date night with the Prince, an afternoon in the hair chair, and a my LA Lolopalooza Party. Thus the lack of posts in case anyone out there was wondering where I happened to fall off to. This week is similarly crazy....its a good thing I love crazy. I'm headed to Boston on Thursday and I'm super excited, especially because I'll be spending my birthday there. I've decided that if I do one thing while I'm there, I have to go to the original CHEERS. I grew up in a house above Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson and I just feel like its mandatory that I pay homage to my childhood in this way. Any other suggestions for must see stops in Bean Town?

PC: ffffound.com

..::House of Cards::..

I know Halloween is long gone and I had hoped to post this sooner, but let's face it, I'm a busy girl these days. Okay, I'm always busy, but I figured it was better late than never especially considering I'm still being reminded of the costume as I keep finding heart cards in the most random places. In fact, just last week my friend Erin found one wedged in the back seat of her car! The costume won major originality points, but failed the durability test. Unfortunately it was a one time wear, a true original. I'm pretty sure I left a "piece of my heart" all over LaLa Land. Success.

..::Center of the Universe::..

Life is complicated, but in reality there are usually reasons behind every action. Sometimes its necessary to sit back and realize that the world doesn't revolve around your schedule and that's okay. Everything will work itself out in time.

PC: ffffound.com

Artwork: Lolita

..::Wish-list Wednesday::..

Fell in LOVE with this bangle at Madewell.com. It would look amazing with my Michael Kors watch, which is currently in need of a little more sparkle.

PC: Madewell.com

..::Sparkle and Fade::..

"You can't connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backward.

You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." - Steve Jobs

A blessing or a curse? Or sometimes both? Its a bizarre realization that when you are involved in something you can't always see as clearly as when its over and you're standing on the outside looking back. In the end I prefer to look back and think of my mistakes as lesson's learned, but sometimes those lessons are hard to swallow and eventually are repeated. Regrets? Never. Because at one time, it was exactly what I wanted and I'll never sacrifice what I want. Here's hoping that these new dots are going to connect in my future into the picture I've always dreamed of....

PC: ffffound.com

..::Mimosa Magic::..

SUNDAYS. I LOVE SUNDAYS. I know most people aren't fond of Sunday because it means the weekend is over, but I feel quite opposite about the last day of the week. Sundays are usually my most productive and relaxing days all in one. I guess that's what happens when you combine chores and mimosas....I'm telling you, its the only way to do chores. Happy Sunday.

PC: ffffound.com