off you go

First off, I must say *thank you* for all of the emails, comments, and texts I received from Monday night's post. You guys sure know how to make a girl feel better.

You know what else makes a girl feel better? I'll give you some guesses.

1) weekend trip with best friends

2) live music

3) Nashville, TN

The correct answer? All of the above!

I leave for Nashville tomorrow with my college girlfriends.

This is a city I've been to a handful of times, but have yet to experience a lot of the touristy sites and sounds. Most of the weekend is unplanned, although we did snag reservations to Bluebird Cafe for Saturday night. I can't wait!

Fun fact: A few years ago, I saw My Morning Jacket perform from a boat-like platform on the Cumberland River (above) while the crowd watched from the stairs. By far the coolest venue I've been to for a show.

Have you been to Music City?

images // 1, 2

lately

I took a longer break from the blog than expected. A week of that break was because I was here:

In case you're curious, all but the photo with the beer and Kindle were taken with the Rebel. 

Love, LOVE it.

The rest of the blog break, how do I say this, is because I've been looking for a j-o-b. That little endeavor I mentioned here? Yeah, didn't work out. It sure wasn't for lack of effort. To put it extremely kindly, the devil angel investor backed out on his entire investment while I was boozing about San Pancho. So on my second day in Mexico, I received an email from this guy announcing he is pulling the plug on 12 people because his health is bad and he's stressed.

Surprise!

It should have ruined the trip, but some people have an uncanny ability to compartmentalize. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's not. In this case, I did all but forget about the situation waiting for me at home for the rest of our time in paradise. Thank goodness for tequila.

I learned a lot in those 2 months of starting a company. Lots and lots and lots. But the most important lesson I'd like to document here (in case I get any hair-brained ideas and want to start a company again someday) is to ask for the financials and a business plan before signing anything. Duh, right? I'm a finance major, I should have known better. But things get exciting, you trust people you shouldn't, you get that giddy light-headed feeling of exhilaration, and you go with it.

The upside of being unemployed: I allow myself to drink wine every night that I apply for a job. So it's Monday night, and you better believe I'm drinking wine. Cheap wine. Because after all, I'm unemployed.

Truthfully though, unemployment is nothing to take lightly. I kind of joke about it here because you don't want to read a sob story and because I'm awkward. And because this isn't the worst thing that could happen to me. I'll be fine and happier in the long-run doing something else (until then, does anyone need their dog walked?). I do want to say, there are a handful of my former colleagues who have been left high and dry by this horrible man (dangit, I knew that would slip in my typing somewhere) in a depressed economy in upstate New York with kids and sick parents to take care of. I pray for and think about them everyday. It's heart breaking.

With that, if you have a job, take today to be extra thankful for it.

Sorry for the debbie downer ending there, but that's what's been up lately.
Onward ho with the job search!

refinery 29's 29 places to visit in 2013

via

Even though I have been stateside for a mere 72 hours, I can't help but daydream about the destinations refinery 29 suggested visiting this year. While San Pancho, Mexico didn't make the list (more photos to come), number 24 is especially nice.

Where would you like to travel to this year?

adios

Although the plane doesn't leave until tomorrow morning, I am officially checked out and ready to be on Mexico time. Have a lovely week!

image

quiet weekends

This quote really resonated with me this weekend. I did next to nothing of entertaining value, but did a whole bunch of resolution #1 and got a lot of things crossed off the to-do list that had been there for weeks. It doesn't happen often that there's not a thing in my planner except "get mani/pedi with Mom" in it, so I took full advantage. It was glorious, relaxing, and rejuvenating.

We did venture out lazily Saturday night to catch Django Unchained. Who has seen it, and what did you think? Minus a few unnerving scenes, I thought it was highly entertaining and worth watching.

So back to the subject at hand: what do you do when you don't have any (and don't necessarily want any) social plans over a weekend? I'm looking forward to making room for a few more of these quiet weekends in the near future. 

images // 1, 2

winter tropical vacation must haves

I am aware of the following facts:

1. Mexico is warm when Kansas City is cold

2. Mexico is fun

3. Weddings are amazing

4. Mexico + wedding = REALLY good time

5. I'm visiting Mexico twice, both for weddings, within six weeks of eachother

6. My life is completely ridiculous

Far from a travel professional (still haven't been to Europe, tsk tsk), I have traveled south of the US border a handful of times over the past few years. The crazy thing is, I get to travel south again in 5 days, which also happens to be my 27th birthday. Which is why I felt obligated to list #6 above. It's the truth.

Naturally, I'm waiting until the last minute to pack. But luckily with my recent escapades to Tulum (first of the 2 weddings), Dominican Republic, and Cancun, I have the warm weather vacation packing list pretty much down to a science.

In case you're planning a trip somewhere warm during these last cold months of the season (or if you just want a head start on pool season), here are a few of my tropical vacation must haves.

j. crew popover

I have this in white (shown in chambray) and got it a size up so it would be longer, and use it as a cover-up. It's especially perfect if you're going on an booze cruise excursion where you'll be in the sun for hours on end and want those sleeves by the end of the day. It also makes me feel preppy on the beach, which I love.

stella & dot charlize teardrop earrings

These bring a beachy element to any outfit. I wear them nearly 100% of the time I'm on a tropical vacation.

soprano racerback maxi

This maxi is super form-fitting and lightweight. It's perfect as a cover-up as long as your bikini bottoms don't have string-tie sides, or as a casual dress at night.

havaiana sandals

In the blogging world, Jack Rogers sandals rule the roost; but I can't wrap my head around forking over $100+ on beach shoes. Havaianas are comfortable, reasonable, and offer really cute designs.

lumene vitamin c+ day dream with SPF

All day. Everyday. Plus it smells like citrus. This redhead has not had a face sunburn in two years.

Top photo by me while in Cancun December 2011.

bucket list: visit all 50 states: arizona

Last week I went on a trip with 40,000 of my closest friends. 

K-State fan friends, that is.

While we lost the game (still sad about it), I had a great first trip to Arizona.

Tailgating Fiesta Bowl style with some of my best friends.

Attending my first NBA game. Real live mouse in the stands included.

Drinking. Drinking on Mill Street in Tempe. Drinking in Scottsdale. Drinking downtown. Lots of drinking.

Apparently if you're not hiking a mountain in Phoenix, you're drinking.
Or maybe that's just me.

I'm now well over 50% of my goal with 29 states visited!

gallery wall go-to

I have been collecting gallery wall art for this whole bedroom renovation idea of mine over the last few months. To put it simply, it has proven more difficult than originally anticipated. I feel like almost everyday there is a new gallery wall posted on one of the blogs I follow, so lack of inspiration isn't the problem. This abundance may also be why some people think gallery walls are overdone. This might be true, but I think they are aesthetically brilliant and I have the perfect wall space right across from my bed.

 I made a promise with myself that if I was going to spend money on art, it had to be something original. Maybe most importantly, I want to feel connected to the art immediately upon seeing it. No second guessing. No trying to picture it in my room. I think the art we have in our homes are little windows our visitors can peek into to see what we deem important. If you have really out-there abstract art, you probably value free thinking and non-conformity. My aunt, who loves 80s pop (which is awesome), has her old vinyl album covers framed throughout her entire basement. My mom has a lot of the Italian countryside, us kids, and religious symbols on the walls. Mine will surely be a mix of encouraging words and pretty images.

If I had to choose one artist I've found through Etsy for the entire gallery wall, it would be Jessica Durrant from JessicaIllustration. Completely in love with her designs. Don't you agree?

What would (or do!) you include in your gallery wall?

typical me

Yesterday's post may have been a bit of foreshadowing on my part.

Remember when I mentioned I took a crazy small amount of pictures in December?

That's all about to change in 2013.

I made a pretty major move in checking off new year's resolution number six this past week. 

yayyyyyyyy.

Typical me, start with the most expensive and exciting of resolutions and work my way up (or down?) from there.

Now I just need to learn how to use this thing.

PS: I haven't forgotten about my bedroom reno, although I'm sure 95% of you guys have. That pretty white duvet the camera is on is a big part of it, but I need to set up a lamp, and have my suitcase unpacked for two weeks straight before sharing any more deets. So that should be... let's see... in March.

month in photos: december

Last month was crazzyyyy. Crazy good. Crazy fun. Crazy busy.
I took a crazy small amount of pictures. 

Feeling festive with jingle bells in mason jars.

His & hers K-State shoes.

Architectural amazingness. Kauffman Performing Arts Center.

Somebody loves his Weber Smokey Mountain smoker.

Love this piece of art from another night of wine and painting at the Hook Gallery.

Really fun events not captured on camera:

Nordstrom private holiday shopping event.

Catching the second night of The Book of Mormon in Chicago.
Winter scenery (snow & cars on the side of the road for miles) from our 13 hour drive from Wisconsin.

The half-scarf I knitted to keep myself from going insane on said 13 hour drive.
Seeing the K-State men's basketball team win at home.

All in all, a merry last month of 2012!