Beirut...

Today was your typical grey, fogyish,  and drizzly London day... one that I have come to love and appreciate on days like today, where I had no reason what so ever to leave the flat! And to make matters even better, the billboard is up covering my windows again and this creates an even cozier cave of sorts, perfect for hiding under the duvet... which is probably why I wasn't so productive either. To set the tone even further, I have had Beirut on repeat floating through  the chilly air in a whimsical fashion. You see their music is majestic in a carnival kind of way. Not always appropriate, but sometimes all too appropriate if you know what I mean. They are classified as as unique blend of indie-rock (which we all know I love!) and world music... aka magical carnival music to me!

What started as a one man gig eventually flourished into the band it is today. The original band member and biggest reason for their distinctive sound, Zach Condon, was heavily influenced from a young age by a combination of sounds and worldly music. He enjoyed everything from jazz bands to the European folklore he encountered on his travels. The music consists of the usual instruments, along with some rarer ones including the flugelhorn, the accordion, the french horn, and the glockenspiel to name a few. And a little fun tid-bit, they gained a massive fan following and became culturally intertwined with Brazil in 2009. So now what do you all think of their sound? I know it's not for everyone, and only some will truly appreciate them, but I thought I'd share anyways.

image from here

my fave 10...

*Click through to the blog to view actual music player...

***Today I am thankful that January in fact has 31 days and not the 30 I originally thought it did... although if I'm being totally honest, I didn't really get much done on this extra day of mine***

January Wish List...

1. fur vest 2. mod zags shift dress 3. feu de bois candle 4. little owl earnings 5. french seam tights 

6. go on green nail polish 7. epperley heels 8. vogue: the covers 9. mason clutch 10. golden slice ring

Happy last day of January guys!!! Can you believe it's one month down, 11 more to go?!? Ugh it seems like the time just flies on by, faster and faster as we get older and one can only hope wiser... Anyways, Ive been wanting to share with you all my wish list for some time now and have just not been very successful. Remember my first and only attempt last year in August? Well since hubs and I are still on a budget and I am back on the job seekers list, those items are still on there... along with these new ones... and probably some more I'll add each month... But you know what? Making these little lists, weird as it may sound, is kind of like scratching the shopping itch (how many of you add things to your online cart and feel instantly better?) I'll tell you what, if for whatever reason I fold and buy something... or hubs decides to treat me (hint hint)... or a lovely reader decides to send me a present, I'll let you guys know!

*oh I forgot, I got some money for xmas and bought this fur vest from an Urban Outfitters in the States... so much for saving!

***Today I am thankful for landing a place in the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon... and what's more, I sneakily entered hubs and he got a place too!!!***

Link Love: 1.29.12

image from here

Yes it's true... I am officially sick... And I'm hoping that by admitting this it means I'm half way to recovering right? Right! So far this little pest of a cold has thrown me off of my running schedule, changed my taste buds and appetite, and made me cough uncontrollably at the most inappropriate times (I'm talking both on the bus and train ride home). So aside from making our way back into London, hubs and I are planning on laying low tonight and catching up on our House marathon...

Some lucky people here in London are in for this delicious treat... yay for valentines!!!

Probably the tastiest 11 dips Ive ever come across... now I just need a reason to make them all...

As if I didn't already love books enough... this little stop motion video has me leaping for joy...

Speaking of lovely books... a little book art to put a smile on your lovely little faces...

Found this recipe for buttermilk roast chicken and it's got my mouth watering... yummy!!!

This week's favorite little thing of mine is...and this is especially true after running in the rain...

Isn't this just about the cutest rainy day outfit you ever did see... can't wait for the next showers!!!

A cute and simple way to add interest to any old sweater... and the best part is it's a diy...

Love the idea of mixing prints but not sure where to begin... this guide to mixing prints should help...

Another tricky fashion trend that's hard but worth conquering... layering 101...

***Today I am thankful for hub's infamous hot toddy... it almost makes being sick worth while... almost...

Just Call Me A Geek...

glasses: spex in the city (gift), scarf: vintage, tank: american eagle, top: free people (century 21),cardigan: madewell, watch: fossil, jeans: h&m, socks: gap (on sale), shoes: bakers

Finally the time has come for the big debut of my geeky glasses to the blog!!! I know Ive been taunting and teasing with references to them and if you follow me on instgram or twitter then you probably have seen a few sneak peaks here and there... but this was my first official style shoot (day 27 of my 30 for 30 Remix) with them and I had so much fun!!! Ive had to wear glasses for as long as I can remember... but of course when I say wear, I use the term very loosely as I was a bad little girl and never actually did. In fact I have always been really self conscious about wearing glasses and begged my parents for contacts as soon as I was deemed old and mature enough to handle them. There are a very select few that have ever seen me in glasses... mainly roommates and family... and possibly during the early mornings during exam week in college... but for the most part Ive always had the "if you see me glasses, I will have to kill you" kind of attitude about them.

So what changed all this??? It's hard to say really... It might have been the huge movement of big and eccentric glasses coming back in to style from runways to real life... The fact that across the internet I kept seeing bloggers wearing fake glasses as accessory pieces and openly admitting to it... That some friends have deemed me lucky for actually needing glasses and continued to urge me to take advantage... And of course there was the encouragement from hubs and his reassurance that I look sexy glasses... So on the verge of turning 27 (yup, not afraid to admit it!) I decided that it was time for me to embrace that sexy, confident, and often geeky woman Ive always wanted to be... oh by the way, sometimes she wears glasses ;)

***Today I am thankful for the geeky glasses on my face and the fact that I can face the world proudly in them!!!***

Ringwood Retreat...

This week's love comes more from Ringwood than London really... I mean we started the week in London with some good runs, new graffiti art, and of course a lot of coffee... but then hubs and I retreated to his home town for a little getaway of sorts. I mean dear old Santa is off duty and so who else was going to deliver the xmas presents from Miami to England if not hubs and I? And so duty calls right?!? Right!!! Now excuse me but I've got some more elf like duties to cater too... including loads of baking!!!

1. the lucozade is mine... the desperado isn't 2. street graffiti 3. giraffe stirrer 4. so chaud... my new fave!!! 5. red cups & red nails 6. change is the way for 2012 7. hub's rolled up socks 8. bare branches in ringwood 9. coolest sisters ever 10. little red riding hood 11. all bundled up 12. English roast with the family 13. scones & coffee 14. charity shopping 15. early evening 16.  home made macaroons

17. vintage treasures 18. being cute 19. baby Rosie 20. hubs practicing 21. some hair cutting skills

Awesome- my bold orange pout... thanks to m.a.c. (who I'm obsessed with!) Sneakily entering hubs in a half marathon... his first... and then telling him about it (surprise!!!) Traveling to Ringwood for a whole week to hang out with hub's family... loads of home cooked meals, great chats, and movie nights!!! Seeing my nieces long enough for them to remember me again... and seeing how much they have grown!!! Evening runs with hubs... through the country, the town, and the pitch dark wilderness... hello Toto, we are not in London anymore! Charity shopping and finding some matching pieces to the set we started collecting in London... and for about a third of the price... Trying my baking hand at making some macaroons even though I had never actually tasted them before... and getting great reviews all around!!!



Awkward- Tweeting this in a moment of nuttiness (please no judging!): He placed his socks in an unmatched and jumbled mess in his underwear drawer and she could not sleep... She didn't have time to match them so she shoved them into the sock drawer and was satisfied that at least they were where they should be... She finally matched them, each with its pair and bundled them into little balls. All was restored and she could at last relax... Well all except the 4 individual socks that didn't have pairs due to his impulsive chaotic behavior. He thought she was crazy but loved her... and having people tweet back that they relate! Oh and did I mention that I later instgramed/tweeted a picture of said socks... yep that's them up there too... first picture, third row... The two hour bus ride home to Ringwood... because come on, bus rides are just always awkward right?!? Did I mention running in the complete darkness that is this small little town after dark...  I mean at some points I couldn't even see hubs in front of me! Being recognized at the local pubs because of 1. my glasses and 2. my American accent... so much for inconspicuously fitting in...

***Today I am thankful for a nice little get away that Ringwood provides... good meals, great adventures, and loving family***

Happy 1 Year!!!

images from here

Happy 1 Year Birthday to this here little blog of mine!!! I can't believe it's been a whole year since I started this journey. A year ago today I had stumbled upon the fascinating world of blogs, fell in love, and decided I just needed to be a part of it all... and I haven't looked back since! I don't think I realized back then how significant and important blogging would become for me... I didn't even think I would stick with it this long... and I sure didn't think I would reach and touch random readers or make friends via this (I mean who really wants to read my thoughts?!?) What had originally started as a means to communicate with my family and friends state side and a personal hobby of mine has catapulted into an unexplainable force of its own! A place to really claim as mine and explore my creative side further without any boundaries or restrictions. I have so many ideas and projects I want to pursue this year and with your help and support (my loyal readers), I want to make sure that this year is an even better one!!!

***Today I am thankful for my blog... it may not be much, but it is a little piece of me in the best of times and in the worst of times***

Coldplay...

On a cold and rainy January day like today, there are really only two things you can do... go outside and face the brisk, wet winds head on, or you can hide in bed with a cup of hot cocoa and meditate to some Coldplay... I choose the latter =) I first discovered Coldplay way back in my freshman year of college, in 2003. I remember thinking back then how different they sounded, unlike anything else I had heard musically up until then. I used to listen them in my dorm room for hours on repeat (by now you may have noticed that not much has changed) for anything from background study music to wallowing in after a bad break up. With their romantic lyrics and at times depressing melodies, I have found their music to fit appropriately with many experiences throughout life's ups and downs. And so relax, indulge, and listen...

image from here

my fave 10...

*Click through to the blog to view actual music player...

***Today I am thankful for grey skies, comfy beds, and Coldplay... made for each other I think***

Link Love 1.22.12

Sometimes I just like to pretend that it is Sunday... every day of the week... to be able to indulge in laziness and warm drinks... post up great links from around the web... and of course enjoy a good old English roast dinner... what's the harm in a little pretending???

SOPA and PIPA... understanding how they will affect bloggers and what you can do...

In love with these suede bright marigold peep-toes... the perfect pair to transition into spring with...

When typography meets Obama's infamous quotes... you get a match made in heaven...

This week's favorite little thing of mine is... and it's been happening a lot more recently too!!!

An amazing cover of Somebody That I Used To Know... can you imagine band practice?!?

Essential for the next girls night... rice krispies treats but the fancy adult version...

I know I'm a little late on the bandwagon but have you guys seen this... Sh*t Girls Say...

The most exciting way to spruce up fruit for any dinner party... glitter stamped and all...

A little guide of things I intend on doing around London... and the best part is they are free!!!

The sweetest way of getting mail... try this DIY message in a bottle for a friend or a loved one...

***Today I am thankful for Sunday English roasts... such a quirky and delicious tradition... think of it as Thanksgiving once a week!!!***

No Kissy Marks...

sunglasses: coach (outlet), necklace: borrowed from little k, top: american eagle, belt: borrowed from little k, shorts: boutique in miami, shoes: i forgot to pack any from my 30 for 30 list, hence cut off feet in most pictures

A day of exploring the markets followed by a birthday party in the park, chasing around little nephews and nieces definitely calls for a comfy outfit! Still comfy doesn't have to necessarily equal frumpy... a cute and semi loose top paired with some long-ish (I prefer bloomer style) shorts and you are ready to go. To add a bit more excitement I chose to accessorize with a colorful belt and some bold lipstick to match... the only down side, none of the kiddies (especially the boys) wanted kisses from me... I mean who really at the age of five wants to sport around some lipstick marks anyways?!?

***Today I am thankful for the green, green grass below my feet and the blue, blue sky above my head***

An Inspiring Week...

Better late than never right? So hubs and I are actually down south visiting the family (his) and to be quite honest, we have just been having too much fun for me to blog! I know, a major blogging sin in even admitting it, but it's the truth =) Here's to a good weekend for everyone and I hope to be more disciplined in the coming week... ciao!

1. my 2012 motto 2. home made & with love 3. comadres reunion 4. spittafields 5. chilly skull 6. the many colors of me 7. date night watching gymnastics 8. men's parallel bars 9. women's balance beam 10. hubs & i 11. pre-running, pre-cooking snack 12. no nonsense running socks 13. my bribe for a run 14. new malarky 15. street art 16. my hipster glasses 17. hot chocolates for two 18. rdm back in session 19. coffee in my new tea cup 20. english roast dinner 21. broken bird

Awesome- Slowly but surely building up my running stamina again... and actually feeling stronger for a change... Settling back into our little love nest and routine of things, but this year including a lot more handmade meals... and a lot more cooked by me! Having some girl time with my loveliest of co-workers... and planning further and much needed girl time in the very near future... Messing about work for the last time... for my last week... for a blissful last week with the managers away, oh yea!!! Having an impromptu date night with hubs to see the finals of the Olympic gymnasts... all thanks to hub's work! Finding new street art by my favorite graffiti artists... Finally sporting around town my new hipster glasses... courtesy of hubs for xmas.... Starting the new season of RDM... and being able to keep up with the fast hares oh yea!!! Getting to buy the first of couple of pieces of my future plates and cups set... and using them straight away!!!

Awkward- Getting back into running in general... the runs aren't feeling the easiest but I am feeling stronger and more confident... Trying to stay involved and interested at work when all I can really think about is "woo-hoo I'm free!!!" Moving around to six different seats at the O2 stadium as hubs insisted we needed to watch each and every event from front row and center... I just made him lead and I followed ducking me head in shyness... Craving nothing but coffee or hot chocolate since the temperatures have dropped... I mean yea it keeps me warm but is it healthy for a person to solely consume hot beverages??? Being so ridiculously cold at work that I left my fingerless gloves and scarf on... through out the entire eight hour shift!!!

***Today I am thankful for such a lovely and inspiring week... sometimes its nice to look back right away and really appreciate all the small bits***

A New Tradition...

Remember when I said here that I got a little over eager about baking this xmas season... well I wasn't kidding... and it didn't just end in England, oh no...

To up the challenge (as if baking for ten glass mason jars wasn't already enough) I insisted we had to try at least three of my new favorite recipes I had found online... I mean when else through out the year would I have such an excuse to bake like a mad women?!? And so we tried out this delicious nutmeg maple butter number, a minty crushed peppermint type, and of course the traditional gingerbread variety. A few little bumps along the road to master baking that we came across included:

1. Our store bought cookie cutters would make too big of cookies... and so hubs took it upon himself to remake smaller versions... and thus we ended up with a few lightening bolt, moon, and heart shaped cookies... I had specified I wanted xmas themed... oh and let's not forget the free handed self cookie portrait hubs did of himself, the resemblance is uncanny!!!

2. When mixing together the nutmeg variety, something went terribly wrong... something crucial most have been left out or doubled or something... we ended up with a bubbling syrupy mess that later hardened into a really disgusting candy sheet type thing... so we tried again and the second time it was a success!!!

3. Caramel aka the mini vacuum ate all and anything that landed on the floor by accident... this included a variety of raw ingredients... from candy pieces, to dough, to cookie bits... if it landed on the floor, it was gone in the blink of an eye! This would have been no problem at all if only Caramel hadn't gotten a sick from all the sugary goodness he found...

4. We, meaning I, underestimated the time needed for baking all three recipes, and allowing for dough chilling time, and oven time, and so we ended up baking until the wee hours... well actually until the wee morning... almost nine hours and that is why little k collapsed under xmas tree for a well deserved nap...

5. Even after all the chaos, the immense amounts of heat we were exposed to from the oven, and our own stomach aches from eating too many broken cookie pieces, I was still genuinely loving the whole ordeal. So I turned to hubs and in a very excited voice announced that this should be our new and very own family tradition each xmas!!! Trying out all kinds of new recipes and why stop at just cookies?!? The baking world would be our oyster and we could even get the kids involved in the future and... to which he interrupted with the saddest, most heartfelt "noooooo" plus groan combination sound ever. Apparently hubs did not feel the same way as I did about baking... who knew?

***Today I am thankful for new family traditions... even if hubs doesn't share my same enthusiasm for baking by the bajillions, he will just have to learn to love it***

Band Of Horses...

*Thought I had hit the post button last night but apparently not... fell asleep on keyboard again... all in a good nights run ;)

When I want to feel mellowed out and in the ultimate state of chilled, not to be confused with relaxed people, I opt to listen to Band of Horses. This indie- rock band (aren't they all?) has it all... from the scratchy mid range vocals...  the oozing guitar and base combo... and the poetry like lyrics... actually what are they singing about? That's how chilled out they get me, I'm not actually sure of the what it is I'm saying when I'm singing along... kind of like a musical state of zombie! Anyways, sometimes I just like to zone out and these guys are definitely my go-to friends... they can be your friends too!

image from here

my fave 10...

*Click through to the blog to view actual music player...

***Today I am thankful a wonderful first night back at RDC (last night)... I am feeling stronger, more confident, and could only have gotten through those last two miles sans music with your help so thanks!!!***