y'know that thing when you see someone cute and he smiles. . .

"You know that thing when you see someone cute and he

 smiles and your heart kind of goes like warm butter

 sliding down hot toast? Well that's what it's like when I

 see a store. Only it's better."

I was in Chicago this past week and found this amazing number in Anthropologie.  I didn't "invest" in it since it was $300 and I tried sooooooooo hard to calculate in my strict outfit science formula (see here) and it just didn't make sense financially for me to make that investment. darn you, anthropologie.


I have a wedding and birthday party next weekend that this would just be perfect for. and I think it could be beautiful as a fall/spring/summer dress. Sigh.

quirky dating rules.

Beginning stages. dating. rules.


we all have our own little quirks. do you girls have dating rules? as I am watching eligible Dallas, I am laughing because all of us girls have our own little rules we keep to ourselves.


as seen on eligible Dallas. 
1. Don't ever go on a date with a guy if he asks you out after Tuesday, for a Saturday night.
2. Always be the first one to hang up on the phone.
3. Don't ever be so available that you're the last option. 


my rules:
1. Don't ever be the first to text unless you have a specific purpose/reason (i.e.: ABSOLUTELY no: hey, whats up, what u doing).....my total pet peeve, I can't stand these.
2. Always, always, always be on time....hmmm, i run late, a lot. but I don't stand up friends or dates.
3. No ex talk until you are headed somewhere...I've had one boy I was dating delve into the "why are you single" talk pretty early and asked about my ex too {eek, lost major points there buddy.}, simply avoid this. it's uncomfortable and until its somewhere serious with the new person, jealousy can creep in when its unfounded. To avoid an awkward situation, the best answer I've found is: I haven't met the right person.


Okay girls, mine aren't too random. I found the eligible Dallas rules hilarious. Do you all have any quirky dating rules?? Spill 'em.

a day like any other day and yet it is a day eternally unique and special

My friends Alex and Scott were married in July.  This was one of the last weddings I went to this summer and it was one of the most special.  Alex is one of my very good friends from high school and her positivity has always been a very influential on me and all of our girlfriends.  Scott is the perfect man for her.  Father Paul, who was our priest during high school, was able to marry them.  It was a very special day.  Meet Alex, Scott and my high school friends:) this video just makes my heart smile.

Psst, hey... and if you like this and are planning a wedding, please visit http://classicpixels.com 

anyway. - Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway.

I think we all need to remember this wisdom left from Mother Teresa from time to time.  I had the best night with my friends all of this week.  Have you all ever realized you are so happy/have such amazing people in your life it makes you want to cry? That happened to me last night. Friends, you know who you are and I love you, forever and always!

Have a wonderful Friday and Cheers to another football weekend in the South! 

What I'm Loving Wednesday.

floral art.

positive reminders and friends.

that feeling you have when the last thing you wanna do is smile, but you can't help it...

true beauty.

Fascinating Friday!!

while perusing etsy I stumbled upon Hat's By Cressida. and let me promise you, she is extraordinarily talented. I wanted EVERYTHING in this shop, almost every fascinator. and lets be real, I have no real need for a fascinator. i thought they would be just perfect for derby time here in the bluegrass.  please see comparison's below:

as seen on Kate:

as seen on Hat's By Cressida:

as seen on Kate:

Hats by Cressida:

as seen on Kate:

as seen on etsy {my personal fave - perhaps because of my Kentucky wildcats}

I am spending the rest of the weekend, with one of my BEST FRIENDS and delta DD sisters.  She is visiting from Nashville.  We are going to the Kentucky vs. Louisville football game and catching up all weekend!  We have numerous tailgates to attend and I couldn't be more excited, the weather is supposed to be PERF!  My stomach and cheeks always hurt after she leaves from laughing so much. I am counting down the hours until she is here.   

and will someone please explain to me why every time I even see this commercial I start laughing hysterically until I am crying?

what is your essential cosmetic?

I remember reading in an article when I was young that every woman had one essential beauty cosmetic that is essential that she wear.  for blondes, its typically mascara. thin lips, lip stick and liner.  I've decided my one item I need and can't live without is blush.  I try not to be that girl that over does it with the blush, but to be honest, when I'm feelin pale, I know for certain sometimes I get a little friendly with it. 

meet MAC's Dollymix.  Don't be deceived by it's appearance.  It's a far less magenta on your face then what it looks like and it has a faint shimmer.  During the summer, I like to step up my glow by adding NARS' orgasm for a little extra shimmy shimmer. 

Prior to the blush I enjoy a little bit of Bobbi Brown's Bali Brown Illuminating Bronzer (on the right). Don't be fooled by the glitter look, I was nervous at first, it does not look like this on you face, it just gives a beautiful brown glow)

I'm not typically a splurger on make-up, but these are my essential items. 

Okay, I lied. If you are looking for fantastic, non sticky gloss you have to get Hour Glass origami extreme sheen lip gloss. 

MISSING: my pirate man. sentimental value.

after my first work event I helped plan and host, I was left a sweet note from my boss and colleagues congratulating me on a great job {one of my new colleagues was with me!} I returned to my desk that Friday to find this little guy and a few presents. . .

the card that came along with mr. pirate man read: to watch over you on your journeys and protect you in new places.  and thus my little tradition began.  he holds immense value to me.  every time i travel for work, i take him with me.  he's like my little good luck charm. my rabbit foot.  i take him out of my luggage and sit him somewhere in my hotel every. single. trip. every. single. time. he's probly racked up more Delta Sky Miles, Marriott and Hilton points than some people will in their entire life. lil pirate man got left in Scottsdale this weekend.  I was forced to switch hotel rooms when i encountered some not-so-quiet neighbors. and i believe this is when my pirate man went missing.  i think I'll be okay without him, and I hope he protects the next person in their journeys.  if you find him tho, please send him home. i have a busy october.

my weekend and flying on 9.11 recap.

I am home from Scottsdale. I had one of the most amazing and beautiful weeks of my career! This conference really gave me a sense of purpose.  It was so great to meet such incredibly intelligent people and be apart of an amazing learning environment and event. 

my view every morning outside the lobby:

view from my room

the terrace again, so pretty!

one side of the view, so pretty. there was also a beach attached to the pool, so neat.

And headed home. Farewell, Scottsdale

I left Scottsdale on September 11th.  Security was fine, especially since I was there at 5:00 AM but it was a bit eerie watching the memorial and 2001 coverage on my flight home and knowing and thinking about what people had been through on those planes, towers and the pentagon just a short 10 years ago.  I was in Spanish, and watched the second plane crash live, like many others.  I just sat there Sunday and thought about the amount of shock I felt when I once saw a woman get hit by a LexTran bus in Lexington. It was terrifying, my entire body went numb.  I just can't imagine being in New York on that tragic day and grateful for the bravery of civilians, firemen and police men.  Every story I learn, I am always impressed by the heroes that were brave enough to help someone and themselves from this awful attack. It made me think about my friend Dan, who lost his father in the tower.  It made me think about how these terroriest's actions impact my daily life of traveling and how it impacts all of us every day.  I would certainly say I don't live in fear.  But it saddens me to know that such evil exists out there in the world. That is what scares me.  That is all on that, now on to a small tangent.  There was A LOT of secret service around, at first I thought it was because 9.11, but low and behold...it was all for the one and only Sandra Day O'Connor, she was on my flight.  

Get it gurl 

And then I made it home.  I love flying in over Lexington.  It's so SO green and seeing the horse farms during fall from above is just unreal.  I love my town. 

And that is all for now. Happy Tuesday! Now I'm off to catch up on your alls blogs, I've missed you girls! 

PS: I got glasses! I am total dork now.  Will share pics soon.  I am not allowed to drive without my frames, I was a leetle blind. 

so long sweet summer.

Lovely Lyrics:


so long sweet summer, I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays.  so long sweet summer, i fell into you, now you're gracefully falling away.  so long sweet summer, it's good where you're going I hope that your heart's always warm...

For any Lexingtonian bloggers, this song ends so wonderfully with...


I hate the winters in Lexington... {even tho I am so so so excited for the Fall...I do hate the winters in Lexington.}

there are still good ones out there.

Isn't this darlin? {I still love, love...}

A Dang Engagement from dave jacobsen on Vimeo.

in love with love. . .

Don't you all just love, love.  

Happy Memorial LABOR {Thanks Catherine!!) Day Weekend.