Not such a Happy Halloween

This year for Halloween, Honey and I were going to dress as Sookie and Bill. Honey thinks this new love the entertainment world has for all things vampire is lame. So he was not exactly happy about my costume idea, but he agreed nonetheless.

I have my Merlotte's shirt and apron AND a bottle of True Blood to carry on a server tray. I think we could have totally pulled it off. Honey is tall and lanky, I am small and blonde. It is just meant to be.

Bad news is - I have to work.

I guess it will be Sookie and Bill next year.

Colorado - my new home?

Honey and I are fairly certain that we do not really belong in Texas at this stage of our lives. It may be wanting to live in a culture outside of the Lone Star State. It may be simply a yearning for a new life, built together on new ground. It definitely is the craptastic weather here.

Either way, we have been making a list of the places we are seriously considering (even though we are at least 2 years away from being move-ready). As of this week, Denver is #1 on the list.

Seasons? Check!

Outdoor activities? Check!

Metropolitan excitement? Check!

Greener living? Check!

However, truth be told I am scared. I am close to my friends and family. I love that they are all a mere phone call and car ride away. As a creature of habit with an awful sense of direction, change is hard for me. Yet I can't shake the hopefulness I feel when I imagine myself elsewhere; experiencing more than I have known thus far. I can not be afraid to move forward. There is a world outside of Texas (despite what some Texans may tell you) - and I WANT to see it.

All that being said - we are just in the talking stage. No real plans have been made. And it will be a while before we make any final decisions. Like many other things in our lives right now, this goal feels susceptible to the wicked tentacles of inertia.

My aim is to be intentionally kind to our hopes and dreams. To allow ourselves to create the life we want - whatever that turns out to be. And to be open to change, whether it be a change of location or a change of our minds.

Any Colorado advice from any one out there more experienced than I? Seriously - I could use all the info you have :)

{photo found here}

Wednesday night Honey and I went to a fabulous lecture given by Blake Mycoskie (owner of TOMS shoes) on the subject of social responsibility. For those who aren't aware of this, the ideals of social responsibility, social justice and human kindness are near and dear to our hearts. This lecture also had an economic twist; explaining that by selling a useful and fashionable commodity, TOMS has managed to create a new method of giving: a sustainable charity. By utilizing their One for One method of donating one pair of shoes for every pair that is purchased, TOMS shoes will be able to give away more needed pairs of shoes than they would have on donations alone. Think of the possibilities if this method is applied to other businesses.

BTW - half the people on our Christmas list are now getting TOMS shoes = GIVING X2

I have not been hiding - technically

I am back!

Perhaps you are wondering where I have been. The answer is . . . drum roll please . . . studying my tush off. This is my first semester in grad school, and it took me a little time to adjust to the new demands. Quite frankly, I didn't have the energy or inclination to post. But I now consider myself adjusted (mostly) and am eager to reconnect with all of you.

What have I missed?

What have you been doing, reading, watching, listening to?

What bloggie news do you have for me?

P.S. - this photo is from one of my favorite visual web sites.

I have not forgotten you all

I have just been really busy since my grad program begun. I fully intend to post this weekend.
Miss you all :)

Pretty Pictures

While in Austin, Honey & I came across a young and very talented photography team. We were impressed enough that, despite our budget, we decided to purchase this photo to hang above our bed. Unfortunately, I can not get a a larger photo off of their web site, but I urge you to take a look at the pair's page.

It is a husband & wife duo (which I always love) and their work is a great mixture of colors and urban qualities along with elements of nature. Plus they offer affordable pieces.

Always a bonus in my book!

Our weekend in Austin

Brunch at Enoteca - SO FABULOUS!

Crazy Carl from Esther's Follies

It's been a while since I've laughed so hard

Seriously funny stuff

Being lazy at Barton Springs

Just a cool looking bathroom door

My Honey looking Handsome

Best Pizza EVER at Home Slice

Permanent Decision

I have decided to get a tattoo. I have been thinking about it for years, and the time has come. It will say "I am as I was made."

I have always struggled with wanting others to accept me as I am. But I am now at a place where I am happy with all of the little ways that God made me an individual. I no longer feel the need to make apologies for who I am. And at the same time I am now fully comfortable making apologies for the mistakes I make.

The problem is, I am having a difficult time deciding on where to put the tattoo. These are all good examples of my top choices (all found on flickr). Feel free to weight in.

Inspired by this post by Prosecco & Lemonade, I decided to post a little thank you to my honey as well.

Honey, thanks for:

1. letting the dogs sleep with me even though you hate how much space they take
2. being so supportive of me quitting my job (even with the big pay cut it involves)
3. always asking if I want the last bite of anything delicious
4. putting up with me when I am feeling especially "spirited" & "rebellious"
5. being perfectly OK with me watching UFC tonight with the gang instead of going to that wedding with you
6. being so kind to others in the world
7. reminding me of all we have whenever I start to focus on what we don't
8. working so hard so that I can go to school
9. sitting with me when I cry
10. telling me that I am beautiful whenever I feel less than
11. always being the one who steam cleans the carpets and mows the grass
12. being the person I know I can always count on, no matter what
13. doing most of the driving on long trips
14. going on late night ice cream runs for/with me
15. being so caring towards your family

(BTW - You read # 2 correctly - I quit my job. I'll filll you all in later.)

So confused

I haven't said much about the new job lately, but I think now is the time to let you all in on how much I hate it. And now that my grad program is only two weeks away, I am getting concerned about my ability to handle a difficult job that I dread every single morning and a new academic program.
The problem is that I will not be able to make the same kind of money anywhere else while I am still in school. Yesterday Honey & I had a long talk about how we could cut our expenses even more; and we decided a little more money was not worth being miserable. I felt peaceful last night when I fell asleep knowing that I had officially decided to quit my job.
But here's the twist (isn't there always a twist) - for the first time in a very long time I read a daily devotional this weekend. Today's calendar devotional was titled "Finish what you start."
Yep that's correct. So I am wondering if God is trying to tell me that I need to stick it out.
I don't have a peace either way now.
UGH!

Not a day at the ranch

Our stupid camera has decided to go on strike. This is particularly bad timing because yesterday Honey & I were invited to spend the day at a friend's gorgeous ranch in Fredericksburg and I now am lacking any sort of images to share this wonderful experience with all of you. So in lieu of what was to be a post dedicated to a day at the ranch, I offer you these random fun photos sent to me by my sis.

BTW - any camera recommendations for me.? I need to hurry up and buy a new one.

Sis & I

Not sure what we were laughing at - however a lot of our photos together turn out like this :)

My little sleepy Oliver

Vintage inspired Fossil

Call me ignorant, but in my mind the Fossil brand has always been limited to watches and wallets. Boy was I wrong. I recently received their early fall catalogue in the mail and I am in love.

Check out the entire catalogue here. You won't regret it.

{Roxanne T-Strap}

{Katie Tall Boot}

{Cory Duffel}

A celebrity who doesn't make me want to barf

I used to be a big fan of Jewel. In fact, I even bought her poetry book (and no I am not ashamed to admit it). But I must admit that I completely forgot about her over the past couple of years. However, all of that changed last night.

She had an appearance on Chelsea Lately and it was really great. She was super cute, funny, quick-witted and above all - real. Not to mention how her life story really is interesting.

It is so nice to see someone famous who appears well adjusted, kind and basically normal.

I am now a recommitted Jewel fan.

Bonus - how adorable is this photo of her family?

{via jeweljk.com}

Wonderful Alternative

I have always dreamed of getting married under a gorgeous old tree. However if that does not work out, this would do just fine :)

{via Once Wed}

Yummy Pink Goodness

Saturday night we went to a little dinner party with two other couples. It was a really great night. Honey & I tend to run in different circles, so I am always excited when we find other couples that we both like to hang out with. Fortunately for us, we have had a good run of couple outings lately.

I made these strawberry cupcakes as my contribution to the evening. It was a good feeling when they turned out to be a big hit. In fact, I received more than one request for the recipe. However, those kudos should be passed along to Recipe Girl.com - and this is not the first of her recipes that I have had success with. If you are in need for something to bring to an event, check out her site. You won't regret it.

I am having a hard time at my new job.

Unfortunately, I can not really elaborate. I will say that I am exhausted from working long hours.

Unfortunately, my graduate program starts in less than a month, and I can not realistically expect to find a suitable job alternative before then. My plan is to stick it out and do the best I can. A really good friend of mine tells me to try focusing on her family motto: "Work hard, have a good attitude and say your prayers."

In the interest of staying positive, I have decided to end this post on the upbeat note otherwise known as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

I can not wait until this comes out!

{via Tim Burton Collective}

I've been super busy lately. I fully intend to post a bunch this weekend. But I am five minutes from running out the door to make it to a loooong over due hair appointment. So, in the meantime, here is a random assortment of some photos taken over the past couple of years. Hope you like them!

No words needed

{found via Erin Ever After via Dustjacket Attic}

Please Please Please . . .

let one of these be in my future

{all via Home Sweet Home}

Why so blue?

My little sis & her fiancee recently bought a house and are in the process of a major remodel. This is all very exciting. However, she is concerned with the color blue that they chose for the exterior. Her concern? That her house will look like a big blueberry. This is to help her see, blue is beautiful. And her house will be as well.

These too!!

{JCrew}

{JCrew}

{JCrew}

{Carolina Herrera}