The It List

Five things I'm lovin' right now ...

Mixing blues and greens in home decor. [via]


Beautiful bento lunches by Another Lunch that make me want to try harder.


Cases that look like paper ... to hold pencils!


Kansas Couture's gorgeous Scarpasa shoes.


This mouth-watering photo of oh-so-decadent Snickers cookies. [via]

UPDATE: 31 things to do before I turn 32

Marking a few things off the list ...

3. Watch my friend Philip get married.
This was one hot wedding. And I'm not just talking about the grooms. Set at Philip's parents' house in Kansas, family and friends gathered in 100-degree temps to watch the couple exchange their rings. Then we took refuge inside, where there was a room full of homemade cookies. There must've been more than 1,000 cookies in all. There were so many the guests were told to take some when they left. It was a little bit of heaven. Congrats Philip and Chris! You two deserve every happiness!


22. Make it back to the Hollywood Bowl this summer.
It was a beautiful evening to sit on the picnic bench and enjoy the Kings of Leon. The last time I saw them it was 2003 and they were young, energetic and long-haired (kinda like me). They're still young (we will never age), just as energetic, but definitely shorter in the hair (again, just like me). The big difference? Back in 2003, we carried lighters and used them during the slow songs. In 2010, the glow of cellphones reigns, with people tweeting, recording video and Facebooking constantly. I kinda miss the good ole days where people actually WATCHED the concert.


16. See a band in concert that I haven't seen before.
A few months ago we saw Portugal. The Man for free at an art show in Hollywood. Or should I say we heard them. The space was pretty cramped, so we stood in the alley and enjoyed the music without actually seeing the band. Can't complain for a free show!
Also, we saw The Features and Built to Spill, both for the first time, at the Hollywood Bowl.


7. Go sailing.
This was one of my favorite things from our trip to Seattle. It was so relaxing. More details here.

Photoshoot: Snapshots from Wichita

In between going to a wedding, meeting friends for dinner, spending time with family and watching way too many Nicholas Cage movies, I took out my camera in Wichita for a few random shots.


Somewhere between LAX and ICT there was quite a bit of turbulence caused by these innocent-looking clouds. Do not be fooled by their beauty. Do not skydive into them.


Fattoush salad from Le Monde. One of many delicious meals.


Dancing at an outdoors concert. It was 100+ degrees. Drink tons of water, expel tons of sweat. Repeat.


Scenic drives in the countryside, where I repeatedly mistake milo crops for corn.


Parking in cool, shaded places so we don't return to a 1,000-degree car.


Visiting my grandpa at the hospital, which is lined with pastoral paintings all by the same person. Only this one has a meticulously cut photo superimposed along the bottom. Somehow I don't think this white-haired vixen holding a fish was part of the artist's original vision.


Gelato. Lots of gelato.


Iced tea. Lots of iced tea.



And pool time. Lots of pool time.

Wish List 08.24.10

If I were to the win the lottery, there are a lot of frivolous things I wouldn't do. For instance, I wouldn't spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a multi-faucet shower (hey, it's been known to happen).

But I would buy my baby a completely frivolous bouncer like this one from Pottery Barn. I heart it so.

Written Word: An Anonymous Blogger

Yes, this is my eyeball.

Did you know that I've been writing a blog since 2003? Not this blog, obviously, but a blog? It's true. And all three blogs I've written have had one thing in common: Some semblance of anonymity.

The first two blogs, very hidden and very private, ironically were also the most confessional. I would go into hilarious detail about anything and everything. For example, a tame entry from 2003:

I feel it necessary to tell you about our new evil alarm clock. First of all, it has enough buttons to qualify for a remote control to a spy submarine. I'm afraid to touch anything because I can't even find the snooze button. So I tried to read the four-page instructional guide like a good owner, but I found the instructions lacking in several areas. Thinking I could gain further insight, I read the Spanish and French versions of the same instructions. I think I caught the French words for "piece of shit" in there somewhere. We finally go to sleep thinking we have it worked out -- and believe it or not, the alarm went off! ... And then again every other minute on the minute for the next five minutes. H yanks the plug out of its socket and runs off to the restroom thinking he had solved the problem. It then started beeping a special beep, as if to say, "You bitches cut off my electricity, but I will show you. Oh, yes, I will show you." I had H dissect the monstrosity, and it finally stopped doing unnatural things.

This blog, however, is me at my most censored. The wide audience of this blog leads me to err on the side of caution. There are so many people I know in real life who are aware of its existence that I over-think everything I write and whether it can be misconstrued or seen as something that would deem me un-hireable in the future. I picture my boss reading it, thinking, "Who the hell is this person?"

It worries me a little that the blog with the widest audience also contains the least amount of "real" me. Even though I'm not actively veiling this blog, I often feel anonymous by way of omission and purposely vague entries. Do I censor myself bland? And how do I strike that balance of professionalism and personality? Is it even possible? Thoughts?

Flickr Fridays #85

1. around the world, 2. Untitled, 3. 184/365, 4. dinner

I have been craving a doughnut for days now. But not just any doughnut. I have envisioned the texture, the flavor, the taste. I'm thisclose to just scrambling to the grocery to get a generic doughnut, but I know deep down inside it will not do. No, this doughnut will require special attention to detail. I need a gourmet doughnuteer. This is my mission today.

Oh, and to pay some bills and finally write a treatment for my novel. But first more important things. Like doughnuts.

Happy Friday, friends!

Fashion Forward: Black Socks

Couldn't you just see walking around all fall wearing tall black socks, no matter the outfit? Work with me, people. Orla Kiely did.

Fashion Rewind: Dazed and Confused

One of my favorite all-time movies is "Dazed and Confused." I believe I've waxed poetic about its soundtrack before. So when Design Sponge featured it on her Living In series earlier this week, I was inspired to not only push the film to the top of my Netflix queue for a little reacquaintance, but I also came up with a totally bitchin' look for cheap.






Alright. Air raid, you freshman bitches! Whether you're the senior who makes all the freshman fry like little piggies or you need pliers to zip yourself into your jeans or you get lost trying to find the kegger in the woods or you zone out while strumming "The Alien Song" on your guitar or you just can't wait to buy your Aerosmith tickets, it's the summer of 1976. Enjoy.

Gabriella Dolman - Alloy - $26.90
Exotic Fashion Necklace - Old Navy - $4.97
Converse All Stars - Tillys - $36.99
Seniors '77 Tee - Found Item Clothing - $21.95
Alina Embellished Cascade Vest - Delia's - $34.50
Floral-Starburst Gauze Scarf - Old Navy - $12.50
Bellbottom in Vintage Bellgrade - 7forallmankind - $109
Red Striped Knee Sock - Hot Topic - $6.99
Joint - Price varies
Happy Face Mug - Pier 1 - $6
Ikat Boho Sack - Free People - $49.95
Enigma Wedge Platform Sandals - Lori's Shoes - $49.90

The It List

Five things I'm lovin' right now ...

Handmade plates by Doe-C-Doe using Beatles lyrics. [via]


Dalton Ghetti's pencil art. [via]


Popsicles. In citrus flavors. Or any flavor. Hey, I've got cravings.


Geninne's gorgeous kitchen/dining room in her new home, all of which was built by her hubby. Amazing.


Stories about women who didn't know they were pregnant. Fascinating, I say!

100 Movies: 72, 73

And the countdown continues in my quest to watch and find something inspiring in every single one of Yahoo's 100 Movies to See Before You Die.


Martins arrives in post-WWII Vienna to take a job from his friend Harry Lime, only to find out that Lime was killed in a traffic accident. Or was he? I'll be honest, I gave up on this slow-going film noir (I know, and it's my favorite kind of film, too!). It was just far too slow. I almost fell asleep in the first 30 minutes, and after that I had more interest in watching the shadows on the wall than the shadowy characters on screen. Inspiration? To not waste my time watching boring films, no matter what list they're on.

Atticus Finch: If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.

I was given this book by one of my favorite teachers in junior high, and soon after I delved into the adventures of Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem. This Southern story of injustice and the end of innocence made a deep impression on me. I just now got around to watching the film, which intrigued me all over again. Gregory Peck's performance as the post-Depression widower lawyer who defends a black man in a rape case is riveting. And Robert Duvall as the mysterious neighbor Boo Radley ... has Robert Duvall been old forever or what! Inspiration? To go back and read this novel again.

Flickr Fridays #84

1. Here we are - despite the delays, the confusion, and the shadows en route - at last, or for the moment, where we always intended to be, 2. Down Time, 3. Untitled, 4. Untitled

I'm baaaack. Sorry for the extended absence. I had planned on posting throughout my Midwest vacay, but it turns out that I barely turned on the computer during my entire trip. Sometimes you just need that break from blogging, you know?

On the plus side it's nice to be back in the relatively cool California air. The 100-degree temps in Wichita were a shock to this spoiled Los Angeleno to say the least.

On the downside I returned with a stuffy nose, a lot of errands to accomplish and more than 1,000 blogs to read on Google Reader. Or I could just turn off the computer till next week ... tempting.

Friday Night Concert

Here's an intimate little ditty with my beloved JC. I find it so fascinating to hear how musicians plan out songs, and to see him play guitar is a rare treat. I've often had little jam sessions like this by myself in the comfort of my home where I sing in the wrong key and make funny sounds, but I'm not nearly as talented as Mr. Casablancas so therefore there are no YouTube videos to document my mediocrity. At least I hope there aren't.

Flickr Fridays #83

1. thimble forest gardens, 2. Untitled, 3. i just know i am going to love this one, 4. Untitled, 5. Untitled, 6. Untitled, 7. rock candy, 8. 000

I'm here in the Heartland, ramping up for a weekend with a group of college friends. We haven't all been in the same room since, well, I don't know when, but it's been a long time. First we're going to do dinner tomorrow night, then it's P's wedding on Saturday. I have my maxi dress and cute sandal combo all picked out. Now it's just a matter of keeping me and the baby hydrated through the upcoming 100-degree weather. Today alone I drank one Vitamin Water, one monster bottle of water, four additional glasses of water and four glasses of iced tea ... and I still feel thirsty. Did I mention I sleep with a bottle of water by my bed? It's empty every morning. Such is the curse of a camel.

Design Dialogue: Packing a Carry-On

You know what? I miss flying with a suitcase. Ever since airlines started charging for checked luggage, I've been hesitant to do it out of sheer principle. There's something unsettling about the entire experience of flying -- from overpaying for coach tickets to being herded and prodded like cattle -- that, by jove, I will NOT suffer the indignity of paying for my suitcase!

Unfortunately this means I've had to learn tricks to squish my belongings into a single carry-on. Goodbye, outfit choices. Goodbye, multiple shoes. This also means that I must deal with the reality that I will make a drugstore stop at my destination to buy razors and shaving cream.



But after a few trial and errors, I have the essentials down.

1. Versatile clothes and shoes. If I can't plan at least three outfits with an item, it doesn't find a spot in my backpack. No more than three pairs of shoes, including the ones I wear to the airport, and one being comfortable walking shoes.
2. One thin T-shirt and yoga pants. Sleeping attire. Small, practically weightless, sleeping attire.
3. Underwear. No way to fudge that.
4. A tiny vanity bag of toiletries. Toothbrush, travel shampoo, body wash, toothpaste. Solid perfume. The bare essentials.
5. Another tiny bag of jewelry and makeup. This also gets the three-outfit test. Two pairs of earrings, two or three necklaces. Tops. For makeup, I bring a compact and lip gloss. Very, very simple.
6. Reading material. Two magazines or one book, tops.
7. Technology. This, unfortunately, is where I get weighed down. Camera, cellphone, iPod, plus all the accompanying cords. Hey, at least I don't bring my laptop anymore!
8. Snacks. A granola bar or handful of nuts. No need to pay $5 for the same thing on the plane or in the airport.
9. Handbag. Used as my "personal item." This is where I keep my wallet, important papers and tissue. I consider tissue a Very Important Thing when flying.
10. Luxury item. Like on "Survivor," I believe I should have one thing that is completely frivolous on my travels. It's different every time. And it rarely comes in handy. But it is important nonetheless.

How do you lean in packing? Do you need more snacks ...



... more clothes ...





... more books ...



... or more technology?



*Click on photos for credits

Baby, Baby!

I have some exciting news I'd like to share with you ... H and I are expecting our first baby! I've been waiting (mostly impatiently) to spread the word, so now that I'm 14.5 weeks along I can hardly contain myself. And wow. Is this baby going to be photogenic or what? Look at that, barely the size of a peach and already posing and waving. My heart is melting.

Wish List 08.02.10

I'm crazy about The Vamoose's latest collection, which debuts tomorrow in her new store. As of tonight, the store's still under construction. And I'm like one of those crazy shoppers who lines up at 4 a.m., hours and hours before the doors actually open.

Chic for Cheap: Summer Wedding

Imagine you're traveling back home to the sweltering Midwest later this week. You know it's sweltering because every time you talk to Dad, he mentions it's [insert insane, life-threatening, sweat-inducing temperature here]. The purpose of this trip is to go to a dear friend's outdoors wedding. Did you catch that? Outdoors as in no air-conditioning OMFG wedding.

What to wear?

Well, in this scenario you are me, so that means we will have to shop in accordance to my No. 1 rule: Hide the white legs. What to do, what to do. Oh, I know! Let's wear a light, flowy maxi dress. We could go floral and feminine ...

1. Chelsea Floral Maxi Dress - Topshop - $60
2. Ruffle Neck X-Back Maxi Dress - Arden B. - $69
3. Floral Maxi Dress - Topshop - $76
4. Women's Drape-front Maxi Dress - Old Navy - $39.50

... or darker and edgy. The bonus of wearing a darker color is that it will not be as see-through so you can get away with skimpier underwear. Also if you sweat (or glisten, as southern gals say), a darker dress will be less likely to give you away.

1. Ikat Ruffle Maxi Dress - Arden B. - $79
2. Watery World Maxi Dress - Modcloth - $70
3. Urban Midnight Dress - Modcloth - $103
4. Styled to the Max-i Dress - Modcloth - $53
5. Pacific Night Maxi Dress - Modcloth - $60

Let's wear a pretty strappy sandal. Embellishments are welcome. Heels are not, unless you want to spend your evening planting holes into the lawn and impaling ants. I'd rather dance!

1. Mercury Walking Sandal - Modcloth - $27
2. Nikky Sandals - Forever21 - $16
3. Agency Sandals - Ruche - $18
4. Secluded Island Sandal - Modcloth - $35
5. Steady Rosette Sandals - Forever21 - $17
6. Kelsi Dagger Monroe Zipper Sandals - Endless - $31

And accessories? Let's keep them light and minimal. A gorgeous headband to keep your hair dry and out of your face, perhaps a beautiful clutch to hold your point-and-shoot camera and some lip gloss.

1. Feather Leather Headband in White - Thief and Bandit - $20
2. Avatar Chandelier Clutch - Bagitarian - $38

Anything else you would add?