hair done, nails done, everything did

Zoe Saldana at the Indie Spirit awards - she always gets it just right. Everything about this look is perfect!

sunshine in a bowl

If I make summer foods, will it force summer to come faster? In my family, pasta salad tastes like summer.

Spring Cleaning

When our apartment was flooded in December, the people working on our apartment took everything off the walls. So, when we were finally able to move back in a weeks ago (hallelujah!) I decided to re-do my room. Unfortunately, we're not allowed to paint the walls, so I wanted to add something to add some spice to the room. I thought about getting a tapestry from Urban Outfitters, but they are so expensive and would only cover a square of the wall. So, I decided to go with fabric. My mom and I spent about an hour at Joann's looking at bolt after bolt, and finally decided on this brown and white print. The frames and mirrors on the cloth are things my mom found at second-hand stores, and the photos are all my own. The roses are on their deathbed, unfortunately...I loved them! And the darling little bunny ring-holder was a gift from my friend Michael, which he found on my Urban Outfitters wishlist...I adore it. I think it is so important for everyone to have a safe, comfortable, lovely place to escape to and my bedroom is that for me!

winter, with a touch of spring

Snapshots from yesterday - it seems that Washington can't make up its mind about if it's going to welcome Spring or not! The wind was frozen on the waterfront, the waves were a choppy grey, and there was snow on the ground; but a few pink blossoms stubbornly showed themselves here and there. As for the pup, this is the second time I've seen him at this coffee house - he sits in front of the door and stares in for hours! He played hard-to-get when we tried to play with him, but he is the sweetest thing. You have no idea how tempted I was to let him in to lay by the fire! Unfortunately, I'm forced to listen to humans instead of dogs.

Fashion Toast, with coffee.

Another post about my obsession with mugs...the one she's holding in these shots from the Fashion Toast blog says "coffee, tea, or me?" WANT.

putting the fun back in it

Liv Tyler in Purple Fashion Magazine, found on the Who What Wear blog. She looks vibrant and happy, and how I love not-so-serious fashion!

Gucci, Fall 2011

Taken from Garance Dore and The Sartorialist's blogs (the coolest, most chic, most fashionable couple imaginable), these are photos from Gucci's Fall 2011 line. I am head-over-heels for it! I love the juxtaposition of frivolous and business, of neutrals and bright colors, and all of the different textiles. The dresses with the petal embellishments are so fun! But I also love the strict lines of the suits and blazers paired with the over-stated fur (I'm assuming faux). Topped off with the sleek hair and dark, defined lips, it is a beautiful runway show! What I wouldn't give to have been front row..literally in the presence of (fashion) royalty. So amazing.

Learning to cook

Okay, maybe this isn't a big deal and sauces are really easy to make, but I've never made my own white sauce before so I had to document my first time! My mom gave me a few tips on making sauces when she visited me last weekend, so I had to try one out for my boyfriend and I this week. I made the sauce with mushrooms, onions, garlic, white wine, flour, milk, and parmesan, salt & pepper. And it was delicious! I baked chicken with olive oil and herbs and cooked cheese tortellini to go with it, served with salad and bread. Like I said, maybe it's not a big deal, but I feel like making my own sauce is one more step to housewife status so I'm proud!

oh hi, little friend

I'm not quite sure whose mug this is or where it came from - I randomly found it in my apartment - but I'm not planning on giving it back, if I can help it. Something peeking out at me through my morning (or afternoon, for that matter) coffee just makes it that much sweeter to drink! Cute mugs are like kryptonite to me.

guess who's back

Two days ago, this was streaming through my window: and as of this morning, the ground is covered in snow!

I was SO hopeful that Spring was coming early because of the beautiful weather this weekend. I should have known it was too good to be true. OH, the Pacific Northwest and I: such a complex relationship.

Spring Forward

Looking at these pictures from last June make me desperately anxious for Spring!

be mine.

Roses, chocolate, Thai food & The Green Hornet - my man is the one for me!

want!

I don't know who makes this or where it's sold, but I do know one thing: I want it. ASAP.

Scarves and things

I admit that I cannot wait to wear spring/summer clothes, but there are few accessories I love more than a huge, comfy scarf.

My stylish friends, part 1

Last weekend, some friends and I went to the Black Student Union's Heritage dinner & dance, which was semi-formal. My friend Michael (since kindergarten!) texted me during the day, asking my advice on if he should wear a black or blue tie - we chose blue. How cute is his outfit! The minute he showed up, I made him model for me. I just love the simple details he thought of in this ensemble: the thin white cuff poking out from the cardigan sleeves and the way the bottom of the cardigan is unbuttoned just so. He looked so handsome! This is the right way to do semi-formal...Kanye would be proud, among others fond of the cardigan:

Needless to say, Mikey's in good company.