these states tend inland, & toward the western sea--and i will also

So the blog has fallen by the wayside. I've missed writing regularly! You see, I recently made a big move, from DC to LA. For a little while, I was on the road, driving across the country. Then, I was looking for a job and an apartment, now, we are finally settled, but we have no internet! I have a great job at a music/entertainment/fashion company in Hollywood, with an adorable apartment right by the beach, and I couldn't be happier. I'm loving California and it's so amazing to be inspired by the different fashion and lifestyles here.

So there you have it! I know I've been alluding to the "big change," and have been totally M.I.A. I should have Internet up and running at my apartment shortly and can't wait to share my new fashion and lifestyle inspirations with all of you! In the meantime, any LA natives have any shopping/eating/anything suggestions for me to try? I'm loving exploring the area and am so excited to figure out my new city!

Images via Pinterest

out of office reply

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've recently made some big changes and haven't had much time to get to the computer, let alone write. I will be back and better than ever any day now. Until then, enjoy some of my older posts!

from the mountains, to the prairies

Happy Fourth of July! I know it's not until tomorrow, but I've been without power all week, and don't know when it will return (grrrr), so I wanted to wish you all a happy holiday while I had the chance. Please forgive the lack of posts. I've been traveling and am in the midst of some big changes! I can't wait to update you all.

Images via Pinterest

summer solstice

Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice, and it does not feel like the middle of summer already! This month has been busy, and the rest of the summer is going to be full of lots of planning and changes. These days the sun stays out later, and the weather has been absolutely beautiful. Hopefully I'll get a chance to enjoy it sometime soon!

birthday wishlist: katie

Katie, my saving grace at work, said that she wanted to put a "big girl bag" on her wishlist. I love this because it seems so vague, but I totally know where she's coming from. She says she wants a black bag with some brown detailing, to add some versatility. A "big girl bag," is usually a point of pride--sort of a token of your hard work. You have a real job, and you've saved enough to afford yourself this luxury. Because of this, I think the bag should be multifunctional and transition from work to a night out and not be seasonal.

Left to right:  Marc by Marc Jacobs Too Hot to Handle Small Top Handle Bag // Pour La Victoire Gunter Convertible Satchel // Brooks Brothers Juke Spectator Large Satchel // Dooney and Bourke Small Wilson // Kate Spade Cobble Hill Straw Small Leslie // Milly Kelsey Leather Small Tote // Roccatella Sylvan Satchel // Brahmin Melbourne Tyler Satchel // Pauric Sweeney Textured Leather Tote

happy birthday kara!

Happy birthday to my beautiful friend, Kara! Although I am one day older, she may certainly be considered a pillar of sophistication, captain of nights out, and chief-orderer-of-cocktails among our friends. I hope your birthday is fabulous and can't wait for poolside drinks soon!

take a holiday in spain

We got airplane rides
We got California drowning out the window side
We've got big black cars
And we got stories how we slept with all the
Movie stars

I may take a holiday in Spain
Leave my wings behind me
Drink my worries down the drain
And fly away to somewhere new

Hop on my choo-choo
I'll be your engine driver in a bunny suit
If you dress me up in pink and white
We may be just a little fuzzy 'bout it later tonight

A little excerpt from a very appropriate song...

I will be vacationing in Spain for the next week with my family. I'm looking forward to good food, art, shopping and sight-seeing.

In my absence, I've set up a little series of posts for you all that I hope you'll enjoy! I'll miss you all dearly and will be spending a serious amount of time checking up on my RSS feed when I get back! Adios!

erin go bragh

Happy St. Patrick's Day my little lassies! As a redhead, it's mandatory that I love this holiday. Not to mention, I'm like 150% Irish (okay, not quite), and my siblings and I sound like we're saints or leprechauns with our ultra-Irish names. We're members of an O-apostrophe clan!

Needless to say, I love having my soda bread, Guiness and potatoes on Saint Patrick's Day (super low-carb). My family is abandoning me for Boston (the ultra-Irish home of the Celtics of all places!) to celebrate our homeland's famous holiday. I'm still conjuring up what my signature cocktail of the day will be and brainstorming Irish recipes. The one thing I don't need to worry about is an outfit. Being as Irish as I look, I abstain from wearing green. My hair is my Irish flair!

So as you celebrate, remember that on St. Patrick's Day, everyone's Irish! I hope you drink, laugh, pray, curse and get red in the face like the Irish. I leave you with one of my favorite Irish blessings:

Wishing you always...

Walls for the wind,

A roof for the rain

And tea beside the fire.

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all that your heart may desire.

Cheers!

Images via Pinterest.com and WeHeartIt.com

march on

We made it! They crawled by, but the gloomiest months, January and February, are finally over! Though it's still technically winter, March is such a happier month. Did you know it's the meteorological start of spring?

I can't wait to exchange my down coat that I've been hibernating in with a lighter jacket. One snowy day last month, my boyfriend and I tried to walk one of my dogs into the city but the poor pup was so cold we had to buy him a jacket and have my sister pick us up! This is the start of walking to brunch and bright nail colors. Here in D.C., it's all about the cherry blossoms that are getting ready to bloom. I'm hoping this is the end of flurries of snow and the start of warm rain showers. If nothing else, March means that full-blown warm weather is just around the corner!

Images via Pinterest

the simple life

For some reason I'm obsessed with this editorial of Nicole Richie for Ocean Drive magazine. It's simple, beautiful and clean, but somehow remains true to her boho style. I love everything from her hair to her crazy shoes. I've become such a fan of Nicole's look. She mixes bohemian, edgy and girly so perfectly without ever looking like she's trying.

This look seems more classic than I'd expect from Nicole. The polished blonde bun reminds of of Blair Eadie. The black corset with the lace cardigan is very Miami, appropriate for Ocean Drive, but also seems sort of fifties, or early sixties. Then, she takes Lady Gaga's and Victoria Beckham's signature heelless platforms and manages to make even them seem less avant-garde and more low-key and mod. The minimalist styling, decor and color scheme make the cover that much more aesthetically pleasing.

happy birthday, marie!

Happy birthday to one of my very best friends, roommate and redheaded counterpart. Miss Marie is 24 today, and like most twenty-somethings, is working on a budget. Therefore, I thought that I could, again, find 24 gifts for Marie under $24.

Check them out below, and click on the picture to purchase some of the delightful treats for your birthday friends!