The One About Fall

from the Alabama Tourism Department

It's finally here.

Sort of.

It's been a little bit back a forth, but I think this weekend might be the turning point. Halfway through October and we're finally hitting 75 degrees.

Fall is the time of year for cider, and sweaters, football, fires and boots. Fall is when everything you cook should have cinnamon and nutmeg in it. Fall is when you stop using the air conditioning, but don't have to turn on the heat just yet. Fall is for blankets and leggings and soup, and for sleeping in socks.

And so, my list of things that are absolutely, no questions asked, going to get done this fall.

1. I'm going to take up baking. Well, cooking in general, but specifically baking. On a recent photoshoot we shot a new recipe for an unbelievable spice cake. It's definitely on the list. Along with trying out this recipe for Apple Cider Donuts from Smitten Kitchen.

2. First and foremost - as the weather changes, so must my wardrobe. I found this adorable sweater which is sure to be my absolute favorite to snuggle into. Now I just need to purchase it - from Shopbop, by Vince. Donations accepted.

3. I'm planning on spending some quality time reading a book. It's almost the time of year when I walk out of my office and it's already dark. Those are the nights that call for soup, pajamas and curling up on the couch. I'm planning on the Stieg Larsson trilogy, apparently I'm behind the eight-ball on this one.

4. Fall doesn't officially begin until it's cold enough for a Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks. Maybe Saturday is the day.

5. I want to carve a pumpkin. Is that weird? After I carve a pumpkin, I want to make ridiculously delicious Pepita Brittle from Paula Deen...what are the chances I could actually make homemade caramel? EH. Maybe I'm better off with the Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds.

6. I don't know if I mentioned it (probably not since I'm the world's worst blogger), but I've been working with this running group and the eventual goal is to run a 10k. Do you know how far that is? FAR. But, Tuesday morning I ran 4 miles, which I would have told you was basically impossible 2 months ago. My only major issue right now is the 5:30am meeting time, and the fact that as it is going to get colder.

7. I want to host a dinner party. Doesn't that sound fun? People would get dressed up (I mean, more than a t-shirt and sweatpants) and gather for food that I made. I think it might be the best way to use some of the many recipes I think sound delicious, but never make time to actually try. I think these Plums with Prosciutto, Goat Cheese, Baby Arugula and Champagne Vinegar sound kind of awesome as an appetizer. Super long name - but they don't look too difficult. I'm also thinking this recipe for Jalapeño-Goat Cheese Hush Puppies sounds pretty delicious, and apparently it's an appetizer! No basket o' fried shrimp required. Now I just need to come up with something yummy as an entrée.

8. I need to do a big Fall cleaning this weekend - so that's definitely on the to-do list. I need one of those professional organizing people to come over and get my life straightened up. That, or someone who has some sort of sick love for folding clothes.

9. I'm on the hunt for a good pair of boots. I bought an incredibly inexpensive pair at Target last year and have worn them into the ground, it's time for a replacement.

10. And, in order to have a truly successful Fall - you must have a truly successful Halloween. Decisions on a costume need to be made pronto. Thoughts?

So, hopefully we're going to stick to all of these things in the next couple of months. We'll see how it goes. This weekend just might be the weekend I get numbers 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10 finished. That sounds mighty productive, huh?

The One About Closing Day

Wednesday is a really bid day in my apartment! My sweet roommate is responsible, and proactive and all sorts of good things that eventually lead to her buying a house! It's so stinkin' cute and I absolutely can't wait to move in! How nice that we'll have a yard (for my future puppy), a dishwasher (yes, we've been living without a dishwasher - horrendous!), a garbage disposal, normal-built in-not hanging out the window air conditioning and NO STAIRS.

Ah, bliss.

The next couple of weekends are going to be busy! I'm going to have everything (light enough for me to carry down the stairs) moved out in the next couple of weeks and then Memorial Day will result in some professional mover type people that will come get all of our heavy furniture. I've already wrangled my brother into coming up from Auburn one weekend to help (hopefully he remembers that).

I've been thinking about all the fun things we're going to do once we move in. I'm going to cook more often (it helps when you're not frightened of bug bodies getting into your food) and I want to try something really fun. I've always loved those delicious blueberry muffins that have the crumblies on top. Maybe these?

Or maybe we'll start making our own bread? HA! Don't I sound domestic? That's probably going to last all of 1 day.

We've also talked about getting patio furniture and a hammock to have in the back yard. The owners have one now but it's all moldy and disgusting...hopefully that's moving with them!

Wouldn't it be fun to have a couple of precious Adirondack chairs too!?

We'll have a grill to cook hamburgers on, the fabulous prior-owners put in outdoor speakers...so maybe making those work should be added to my brother's to-do list.

I literally cannot wait to be able to walk outside the door and be standing on grass. Right now, I walk out of my apartment door into a nasty stairwell that is generally being occupied by 15 different kinds of spiders and is constantly making me think I'm about to tumble to my death (my sister almost did once...)

Anyways, that's the update on my life - I hope y'all have had a great couple of weeks and that my absence hasn't affected you TOO much. HA!

The One About The Bike

Don't worry, I am aware that I'm about to get made fun of (the roomie and I have already had this conversation), but I have now decided I want a bike. We're moving into the most adorable house and it is exactly 0.4 miles from Publix. Sweet.

I'm also a few miles from Crestline and Mountain Brook Villages. Wouldn't that be fun in the summer!? I could bike right over to Mountain Brook Creamery which would work off all of the calories eaten once I got there.

Can't you see me riding my bike to Publix and bringing home groceries? I could just run down for a carton of icecream, or when we run out of sugar.

For those of you who read my blog routinely...are you starting to get whiplash from all the absurd decisions I've come to lately?

I'm looking on Cahaba Cycles for now (which can get pretty pricey) but I'm thinking if I figure out what I'm looking for, and can talk to someone in real life (aka in Cahaba Cycles) then maybe I can find it somewhere cheaper with a little bit of research.

I'm looking in the Commuter/Town section. Someone tell me if that's wrong.

So far I've found these...

You can click on the images for a link. Yes, they are expensive.

I've read an article that says the best time to buy a bike is in July or August - apparently that's when shops put them on sale? Who knows, but that's perfect for me. A major lump sum is going to be spent in June so maybe I'll have over-saved for that!? Doubtful, but you never know...

Don't worry, I've already thought about how to locate a reasonably attractive helmet. I absolutely HATE helmets, but apparently it's illegal not to wear them and I don't really want to smash my head on the ground when I go hurling toward the pavement.

Anyone else what to get a bike with me?

The One About March

You can still feel a pretty bitter chill in the air around here (wore a coat into work today), but I'm getting VERY close to retiring my sweater dresses and starting in with lots of layers. Once March rolls around I'm tired of tights and wool and ready for cotton and espadrilles. The new J.Crew catalog is NOT helping. Have you seen this thing? Gorgeousness (perfect for my birthday - exactly one month from today).

Also coming up in this first week of March...The Bachelor season finale (I know that this show is ridiculous...but it's also addicting), ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes out on Thursday (and it's my brother's birthday), and hopefully I'm going to convince my friends to go to Chili Cook-Off on Saturday. Especially since it's going to be a reasonably pretty day!

So happy March everybody!

Oh...and over the weekend I spotted some daffodils in my parent's front yard. See? Spring. Eventually.

** disclaimer - no I'm probably not actually going to buy that romper, but isn't it precious?


UPDATE: Am I hallucinating or have all the trailers up until this week had March 4th as the release date for Alice? I guess we'll go on Friday...

The One About The Job

Big presentation at work finished. Done. Over.

I'm planning a big time evening of dinner with the 'rents and a little quality 'Y' time. Then I'm going to sleep.

Tomorrow I plan on 8th Street at Billy's and focusing on my Netflix queue/stack of library books for the rest of the weekend.

Wouldn't it be nice if we had a snow day tomorrow?

The One About My Life (Today)

1. I'm going to the YMCA again tonight. Last night I literally worked my tail off, but I'm not all that sore today...that concerns me. Does that mean I didn't actually work out as hard as I thought I had? I did the stepping thing - I walked MORE steps than it would take me to walk to the top of the Eiffel Tower. That's very tall. Right?

One thing I didn't think about...I'm going to have to do a LOT of laundry if I'm going to keep working out like this.

2. Work has been so wonderful lately. My boss has given me a huge project - one that I get to do ALL BY MYSELF from start to finish which is a little bit terrifying, but so much fun! It's taking up a lot of time and I've been reading research out the wazoo - but definitely fun.

3. I love Dave Matthews. You and Me has been on repeat in the car since The Grammy's. You should download it too. I'm still wondering what happened to the LIVE versions that Target was promoting. I want that one!

4. I'm still working on our kitchen idea. I can't find the frames I want, which is really annoying me. I found some at Target - WAY on sale, but they are brown - so that would involve spray paint. They also didn't come with a mat, which I really really want. I think they are being returned.

5. The sadness I feel about not going to Mardi Gras is just getting bigger and bigger. My sister is going for one of the balls - and I'm jealous. Some of my girlfriends are planning a weekend trip to Austin - but that involves place tickets and Southwest is really not cooperating.

The One About A Favor

Three blog posts today? Aren't y'all lucky...or unlucky, depending on how you see it.

One of my sweet friends, Kirbie - she's over there on the left, lives in LA (the city, not the region of Alabama) and is working her tail off to eventually work for famous people. She's even been an extra on TV...

In order to do more of all of these things, she's signed up to be in a contest on HSN and seriously needs your votes. You can vote once a day and you can comment, etc. to give her a few extra bonus points. Would you mind?

Click here.

She's so cool, she'll even dress up in a see-through leotard in an effort to perfect a Lady Gaga costume for Halloween.

Thanks a million (in advance).

The One About Clowns

Ringling Bros. is coming to Birmingham and I want to go! I haven't been to the circus in a million years, and I think it would so much fun with a big group of friends this go-around.

PLUS, I saw a commercial recently that offered $13 tickets on opening night? Um. I'm in. I haven't exactly relocated that offer - but I'm going to.

Somehow I've escaped the fear of clowns situation, and I think elephants are seriously ridiculous. Plus, this same commercial showed all sorts of high-flying acrobat type stunts, and I secretly wish I wasn't terrified of heights and could swing around on a trapeze wear sequins.

Doesn't this sound like an awesome Friday night in the making?

The One About 2010

So we're 15 days into this new year and I have yet to address resolutions of any kind. I'm absolutely horrible at keeping resolutions, breaking bad habits just isn't my thing...but I think this year I might work on picking up some good habits. So here is my list...

1. Take my lunch to work. I'm pretty sure I've already promised to do this about six times, but I figured I would give it another shot. Just thinking about all of the money I will save, and all of the time I will save, and all of the hassle and gas and stress I will save...that will be worth it. I think.

2. I want to try to read more. I absolutely love to read, but it takes me a little while to get into a book and I have a nasty habit of putting books down before I've actually finished them. The worst part of this habit though, is the fact that I have a hard time picking anything else up before I've completed book A. I have a massive list accumulating of books I want to read, and if I don't get on it right now - the list is going to overwhelm me. I just read Water For Elephants in three days, so I think I should be able to manage two books a month. Right? As long as they're really good ones? I might have to plan a few road trips for some much needed sit-and-read time...

3. Exercise, exercise, exercise. That is all.

4. I want to be a better saver of money. I'm horrible at it. Horrible, horrible, horrible. I should just transfer money into my savings on the very day I receive a paycheck, but then it just stares at me from that little "savings account" line in my online banking, and I think of all of the wonderful things I could be using that money for. Like this, see resolution #2.

5. And last but not least...I want to be better about this whole blogging thing. I've kind of slacked off in the last few weeks, huh? Y'all are going to have to remind me of this one.

Now I'm off to nurse an illness. Some of my absolute favorite people are coming in town this weekend to celebrate the wedding of a good friend and I'm going to need to not be sniffling, coughing and sneezing all over them...

The One About Our Kitchen

The roommate and I are trying to figure out something fun to do (inexpensively) that would liven up our kitchen a little bit. We've run through everything from painting (thank you to me for choosing the most time-consuming, least practical idea), to blowing up photographs, to buying one of those giant pieces of "art" from Home Goods and hanging it on the wall.

Our problem is really many-fold. Our walls are plaster and therefore IMPOSSIBLE to hang things on. It can happen, but it involves a strong guy, an even stronger drill and a little prayer that pieces of my wall aren't going to come crumbling off. Also, our kitchen is really dark - so we're definitely looking for something fun, but not too overpowering. And our kitchen is also our laundry room...which means the wall in question is a really large blank space that spans over the toaster oven/island situation, the stove and the dryer. We're not looking for anything that we'd be upset if it happened to get steamy, or rattled right off the wall.

I want to do something really simple and graphic - probably in a group. I've seen a few things I like around the internet, but I think I have a better idea. And no...I'm not going to try to paint something myself.

I absolutely LOVE these, but at almost $60 a pop, that's a little more than I wanted to spend.

So...I think my roommate and I both like something like this.


It's definitely basic, and costs a LOT more than we're really thinking we're going to spend...but don't you think I could recreate this? Not only do I think I could paint these pretty easily with some good brushes and a roll of painters tape...but - my roommate had an even better, and simpler idea. How about simple frames (black, silver, etc.) with mats, and using some spray mount...woudn't it be so simple to paste pieces of fabric inside the frames? It would probably take all of an hour (if I'm slow) and we'd wind up with something pretty, useful, simple and not so pricey. I think I'm going to give it a shot this weekend and see how it goes. I guess the first stop is the fabric store...if I can't find anything I like, I'll be hard pressed to make it look good in the end. What are your thoughts?

Doesn't this look so simple and happy!? We need a little happy in our kitchen. Our kitchen is dull and white.

Also, on a totally different note. I'm looking for some antique bottles. Does anyone know where you go to pick those up?

And click on that first image to go purchase these for yourself...if you lucky enough to have a great place to put them and a few extra dollar bills y'all lying around.

The One About How I'm Hemorrhaging Money

This next month is going to be the most fun (read: most expensive) month of my whole lifetime. Yes - that's probably an exaggeration, oh lord I hope so, but seriously. I'm beyond excited, because there are some really fun things coming up. Parties and trips, and lots and lots of time to hang out with friends (including a few of those who live in Texas), and a couple of weddings...are all making this time of year my absolute favorite.

My friends and I are throwing a party.

I do not want to talk about the fact that the invitations have not gone out yet, they haven't - who cares if the party is only 10 days away.

Last night I printed the invitations, and whole punched and be-ribboned. And they need to be addressed and stamped tonight. The mailman needs to have these things tomorrow. Absolutely, no later than tomorrow. These things are going out.

The list goes on and on. We're going to have to feed these people, and get these people semi-intoxicated, and my apartment needs to look PHENOMENAL...which is all going to cost some dollars, so if you have any genius ideas for cutting costs you just let me know. I'll be hitting up Martha Stewart like it's my job.

I've been working on the apartment part this weekend. I have a fabulous wreath on my back door - complete with a really pretty, fluffy red bow. And I actually did make these and if I do say so myself...they're GORGEOUS. I made three, one for each window, and they're all hung at different heights. I guess I should take a picture of those....hm, I'll get back to you on that.

Now we just need a Christmas tree (on the list for this weekend), some lights, ornaments to go on the tree, stocking holders, STOCKINGS, some presents wrapped up and underneath the tree, some pretty serving pieces for the food we're going to be feeding the people at this party...

I'm getting overwhelmed.

Also, I'm going to Nashville for New Year's Eve.

Then I leave for Phoenix on the 2nd for our bowl game. The Fiesta Bowl. Did you hear that TCU is in the Fiesta Bowl? We are, and I'm going!!

So I have been working on booking a plane flight, and a hotel. ...and maybe I've been perusing the internet for a cute new purple outfit?

Oh, and totally unrelated (and definitely not fun)...I have to replace my cell phone apparently, and I need to get my hair colored, and it would be really nice to pay rent for January.

I probably need a raise, but also some days off - because I'm going to need a nap too.

And I'm starting to worry about buying Christmas gifts (for friends, and work, and family). I would really love to pick out exactly the perfect thing for each person...but does that ever really happen? And you want to hear something depressing funny? I have everyone listed out in an Excel document so that I can keep track of what I'm giving, and if I've bought it, and what I still need to be looking for, and how much I spent on it. EXCEL. That's a very grown-up thing to do, and I'm not sure I want to be a grown-up.

But the fun things totally outweigh the stressful things...like going to Phoenix with some of my very best friends in the whole wide world, and Nashville with some of my other best friends, and Madison to see my family, and our small party is going to be fun, and we're having a work party.

And reps have been sending cookies to the office.

So all in all, Christmas is fun, but it might be more fun if Santa's elves had access to the U.S. Mint and could print me some new money...

So, that's what I'll be up to the next couple of weeks. Also, I'm planning on putting together a small list of ideas for Christmas gifts. Ideas for your best friend, or your parents, or your siblings - but to all of those people, don't worry - you won't be seeing your present on my list. I'm keeping those ideas to myself. Otherwise, my mother would start guessing now...and I'm not sure I could keep things a secret until Christmas.

Be looking for that, along with the usual ramblings.

*click on the images for links

The One About My Inherent Craftiness

Holidays always make me feel a little bit crafty (despite my general inability to finish things in time, and the fact that my projects very rarely turn out the way they were planned). For Halloween I tried to hang a garland of letters spelling Happy Halloween over the giant window in my living room - the result was a LOT of orange ribbon holding up each letter, loads of glitter to be swiffered up and a garland that didn't even look all that great - the letters were flipping over to the ugly, not fully painted side. Oh, and there may or may not be some leftover black spray paint residue in the hallway of my apartment building, but shh - don't tell. Then this misfit of a garland stayed hung until, well - until Sunday. Fail.

But - this holiday season I am going to do better.

First and foremost, we're getting a tree. My roommate is allergic, so it's going to be a fake tree, but it'll be a tree - with pretty white lights, and ornaments and sparkle and presents underneath.

We're going to have a real-life evergreen wreath (with the perfect red bow) on the OUTSIDE door but on the inside I'm planning on making this little pretty (candy fix). Wouldn't it be so cute with peppermints? I also thought about this one (only big enough to hang in the center of the door)...I'm still working on the color scheme. Originally I was planning on all silver and white and happiness, but recently I've been leaning more towards the typical red and green - festive and fun. I'm young right - my Christmas decorations can be cute, they don't have to be pretty.

Also, I saw this from Martha, and it seems pretty simple. Does that work with the red and green theme? I want it too but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like it as much if it wasn't covered in 24k gold. Maybe I'll switch out the bow for red...that would work right? I have a massive window in my living room, I thought three of these (one in each window) would look really pretty.

I'm also considering making some of my own ornaments - I have none of my own, and I would like to have a full Christmas tree. Places like Home Depot and Target sell mass quantities of red, silver and gold balls (pretty blah if you ask me) but I think I could use those and then punch it up with some fun handmade things. Kind of like this and this. Seriously people - where does Martha come up with these things?

Oh, and I'm going to need stockings - and holders. I really like these from Target, but unfortunately there are just two of us in my apartment. I guess I could just hold on to the others - I think they're really cute and they're inexpensive. And then there are these...which I absolutely ADORE, and because I want them they are "no longer available." Maybe they have them in the store. I guess I could take a trip to The Summit to check it out....

What are y'all doing to decorate for Christmas? I need some good suggestions for my very first real-life apartment and my very first Christmas not living at my parents - oh, and my very first real-life Christmas party.

I guess that means I'll have to do something with the table...and there will be food involved. Aren't you looking forward to a completely holiday-inspired December around here. Eventually I'll get to the point where I can't talk about anything else and you'll love it. Have I already gotten there?

The One About Voting

I hope everyone's weekend was wonderful. Mine was...

Image from here. By Matt Coffelt

image from here. By Jim Hipple.

But enough about football...

I just spent more time than I care to admit voting for the People's Choice Awards. I don't know why...I guess it's interesting. I'm less concerned about the actual awards and more hopeful that the shows/actors that I like will win. Does it feel like more shows end up cancelled than actually stick around? Maybe it's just a lot of shows that I personally watched, but I feel like I have pretty good taste in television. It's not like I was pinning all of my hopes and dreams on The Ex List.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Privileged
Dirty Sexy Money
The Black Donnellys
Pushing Daisies
October Road
Samantha Who?
K-ville
The Starter Wife

And if we really want to get into then we should probably talk about Everwood and way back in the day, Gilmore Girls.

Anyway, back to the point...y'all should all go vote for The People's Choice Awards. I figure if my shows win, then the big bad money-making machines can't cancel them.

My personal favorites? So You Think You Can Dance (obviously), Big Bang Theory (all-time funniest show ever, both the show and Sheldon are up for awards), Mariska Hargitay for Favorite Actress in a Drama, and The Good Wife, Accidentally On Purpose, Glee and Modern Family (you'll have to vote a lot because those last three are in the same category).

So - go vote. I'm sure if you're reading this blog you're running out of things to do on the internet anyway.

The One Where I Stopped Blogging

Sorry - I have been completely swamped at work. Not to mention, I'm babysitting for a family the first part of this week so I'm headed there every afternoon. Generally, I'm just out of free time.

But - in an effort to keep you up to date, here's the rundown.

Friday night our friend Grant came in town and brought Jack. We made our way to Oasis and Rare Martini and then I stumbled upon our next-door neighbors' zombie party, which was...interesting.

Saturday morning we woke up in the middle of the night early to head towards Tuscaloosa for the Alabama - UT game. Grant had tickets and was sweet enough to let Liz and I tag along with them. We did all the things I love about Tuscaloosa: tailgating, football (and hotdogs), Gallette's, and band parties. I'll admit - I felt VERY old, but that's easy to get over. It was wonderful, and I was exhausted on Sunday morning.

Sunday I was asked to babysit for the next few days, so that's what I've been doing since then. This morning I got all of the kids up and tried to get out the door a little bit early. I was taking the dog by the vet before heading to work - so I figured a little extra time wouldn't hurt.

Well....all of that time got eaten up after the dog VOMITED on the master bedroom's bedspread. A VERY EXPENSIVE bedspread. After that was cleaned up I added dry cleaner's to my list of things for this morning and piled everyone in the car.

Eventually I did make it to work where it was only more hectic, and stressful, and made me want to go back to the babysitting.

So - that's where I am, and I'm hoping that this blog title doesn't actually come true...but as the week get crazier and crazier I may just fall off the map entirely. I guess I'll have to come back and beat you all over the head with the giant "I'm going to Texas on Friday" stick.

The One To Get All Caught Up

Work has been CRAZY busy this week. My boss returned from maternity leave and we have been trying to get everything back in order. It's been a crazy whirlwind of a week outside of work too. I've been learning about money from Dave, watching football (had either South Florida or Tulsa actually beaten the crappy teams they were playing - TCU would be even closer to the Sugar bowl), having a girls night pizza party, and planning my next trip to Texas (14 days...). It has been POURING down rain here, but lucky for me it's stopped today and Alabama has decided it can be Fall now. When I left the house this morning it was 54 degrees. THAT is what I'm talking about. I'm wearing a scarf, and jeans, and boots, and a cozy corduroy jacket and I AM HAPPY. The only thing that could make this better is if we didn't have to work, and I was going to Nashville this weekend. Georgia is playing Vanderbilt and this might be the only game in the near future Georgia has a change of winning. WHY DO WE LOOK LIKE CRAP - Willie Martinez, I'm going to run you over with my car.

In other news (in case you didn't catch that up there)...I'm going to Texas for Halloween/Homecoming. I need a good idea for a Halloween costume that can easily fit inside a suitcase. Last year I was a turkey - and I wouldn't even fit inside a bus.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a flapper outfit in my dress up box that I could bust out but that seems so unbelievably boring. I would love to not have to pack extra shoes and what not. American Airlines LOVES to charge you for that checked bag - and I'm going to be an amazing packer and only take one carry on. Maybe...

I'll be back later with a really wonderful outfit for this really wonderful day. It's all blustery and cold and gray. It's the kind of day that makes me wish I lived in New York City, I'm not sure why.

The One About Rare Martini

A few girls went out Saturday night after all of the football games had wrapped up, and we landed downtown.

Raise your hand if you live in Birmingham.

Ok, see you at Rare Martini - every weekend from here to the end of my irresponsible 20's.

Seriously...it was THAT good.

Absolutely ridiculous (I made especially good friends with the tiara-wearing woman who was celebrating her 40th birthday) but still - generally amazing.

The One With The Chill (via Anthropologie)

from here. Don't you wish you lived here? Me too.

It's cold here!

I still haven't gotten out my winter clothing (mainly because that involves cleaning and organizing) so every morning I wake up and try to figure out how to stay warm in summer clothes - it's not going well.

I buy too much. I know this. I also know that means that this unpacking of all things winter is going to involve Goodwill bags, and trying a lot of things on - something I DO NOT want to do.

Maybe I should just go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe.

I saw this, this, this, this (so cute with black flats and tights, or brown boots and tights) and these. Oh, and these - which I'm DYING to have on my feet - showed up in the catalog yesterday. In what universe do I skip out on the boots that have a bow on the back?

And...there is always this, when I finally book my plane flight back to Texas for Halloween/Homecoming. Or this, even though it's not purple.

PLUS, my friend Liz called yesterday to inform me of this little gem, and it's worked its way all the way to the top of my fall wardrobe's wish list. At least I think this is what she was referring to.

And then there is this - which I definitely do not need, but it's just so pretty for a winter party dress. Let's think...where might I need to go in a cocktail dress?

I just need to stop decorating my apartment for Halloween (more on that later) and get my clothing situation organized. Maybe I'll do that tonight...

The One Where I Find It

Look!

This would look pretty perfect in my little reading nook - and guess what? It's only $249 + $29 for an extra slipcover...just in case my pristine white original gets a little messy. I think I've officially found a good reason to give up my in-bedroom TV, and I've always wanted a swing-arm task lamp!

The One About Texas

Today begins the week the I get to go to Texas.

I'm leaving Wednesday night and I'll be there until Sunday morning.

I'm getting to hang out with my some of my very best friends, and watch one of them get married!

It's going to be bliss.

Isn't it weird that I WANTED to move back to Alabama, and I LOVE it - but I'm still beyond excited to be headed back West. I wish there was a home football game - so that we could all be dressed like this.


And I definitely plan on wearing this top mom bought me at Urban on the plane trip, probably + boots, because you just can't head to Texas without boots, and it's cold on planes.

I probably need to start making a to-do list for this weekend...I'm not planning very well, and I'm poor so I would really love to not have to check a bag. Although...that would hinder my ability to bring makeup and such. Planes annoy me.

By the time I get back I'm probably going to be so hopped up on Texanness that I'm going to be spending all of my money purchasing myself the Texas things I always wanted...

This for instance.

I also found the James Avery catalog in the mail the other day and now I want a new charm to add to my bracelet. Isn't he cute!? Don't worry - I'm not bailing completely on the South. I want him too.

My only concern with going to Texas is that I'm going to spend too much money and gain too much weight chowing down on all the food I've missed these last four months.

Pei Wei
Fuzzy's
JD's Chippery
Yogi's
Yucatan
Joe T's
Einstein's
McKinley's
Taverna

It might be impossible to fit it all in.

I'm taking my camera too - obviously, I haven't been sticking by my goal to practice a lot, but I figure this weekend is a good opportunity to try.

I can't even express how excited I am.

The One About Art

I want to go to this. I'm almost positive I can get Liz to come with me, I'm just hoping some other people will want to too.

Ok, thanks.

This image is by an artist, Claire Cormany, who is showing in one of the galleries (Gallery Lofts) during Artwalk...and also works in my office. She's fabulous in real life too. Click on the image to head over to her site.